He’s Always There

I know Jen sorta covered this earlier, but it goes with what I’m saying. Here’s the deal, it’s not easy following God, but you know what, we don’t ever have to face life alone. Why? Because God is always there, He’s always with us. We can face anything because God is by our side.

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” -Joshua 1:9 (ESV)

even when it feels like you’re the only one, even when it seems as if no one else understands you, God does. God understands you, and God knows the pain you feel. Because you know what, God can relate to anything you go through, because Jesus came and lived as a man. But more than that, God will carry you through the hard times. That’s not to say it won’t still be hard. But He’s there for you.

for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” -Hebrews 13:5 (ESV)

Finally I want to leave you with this story by Mary Stevenson, it’s one of my favorites.

Footprints in the Sand

One night I dreamed I was walking along the beach with the Lord. Many scenes from my life flashed across the sky.

In each scene I noticed footprints in the sand. Sometimes there were two sets of footprints, other times there was one only.

This bothered me because I noticed that during the low periods of my life, when I was suffering from anguish, sorrow or defeat, I could see only one set of footprints, so I said to the Lord,

“You promised me Lord, that if I followed you, you would walk with me always. But I have noticed that during the most trying periods of my life there has only been one set of footprints in the sand. Why, when I needed you most, have you not been there for me?”

The Lord replied, “The years when you have seen only one set of footprints, my child, is when I carried you.”

Sheep Among Wolves

Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves.-Matthew 10:16 (ESV)

I love this verse. Why do I love this verse? Well, first of all it covers that promise of persecution, but also it gives us instructions for dealing with those tough situations.The first instruction that Jesus gives here is, “be wise as serpents.” Knowledge. Knowledge is the key to almost everything, and is certainly important when fighting a battle. I think though, that Jesus isn’t telling us to have a general knowledge on everything. Instead I believe He means a very specific knowledge. Particularly a knowledge of the Scriptures. When Jesus spent forty days out in the desert He used Scripture to combat temptation. So guys, guess what! (and I KNOW that if you’ve grown up in church you’ve heard this a ton, but I’m going to say it anyways cause it’s true.) Memorizing Scripture is important. But more than that. knowing and understanding what the text says so that when someone comes along spouting heresies you know what the Bible really says.

I have stored up your word in my heart,
that I might not sin against you. -Psalm 199:11 (ESV)

The second instrusction given in Matthew 10:16 is to be “innocent as doves.” This one may seem a bit harder to figure out, but it isn’t really. If you have ever read the the requirements given for Elder in 1 Timothy and Titus you’ll notice that both passages call for Elders (Overseers in the ESV) to be “beyond reproach.” I have also heard it a “men of good repute.” What does this mean? It means that our church leaders should be men who have good standing in not only the church but also in  the community. In the same way we should strive for a good reputation. WWhy? So that our witness will have meaning. So that your testimony will not be discounted. This may sound difficult, but you know what, very often ifyou are doing God’s work, you will probably have a good reputation in the community as well. Not always mind you, but often.

A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches, and favor is better than silver or gold. -Proverbs 20:1 (ESV)

A good name is better than precious ointment, and the day of death than the day of birth. -Ecclesiastes 7:1 (ESV)

Hey Guys!

So, just so ya know, I DO have like two more posts for my series, however I have been extraordinarily busy the past few days and today, well I’m leaving in just a few. So, I promise that I will get the other two posts up soon, and I apologize for not having it done yet. God bless! -SweetTart

It’s Only A Little While

In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. -1 Peter 1:6-7 (ESV)

Yesterday I told you that Jesus promises us persecution. He does, but now I have something on the encouragement side of things. No matter how long that persecution lasts, no matter how long we live in this sinful world, it’s still only a little while. I know what you’re thinking. You’re thinking that 20, 30, 40, 50 years is a really long time. I have news for ya, it’s not long at all. We may think that it’s a long time, but to God, it’s nothing. Compared to eternity, my life here on earth doesn’t last long enough to even register as a blip on the screen. I could live for two hundred years and it would still be only a little while. There’s an example my mom found one day that I really like. The neat thing about this example is that it is actually based off of the theory of evolution, but it still works for this. Imagine a very long wall. Now suppose that the eras of every single living creature were displayed on the wall. The section representing humanity would ve only as wide as a single hair. And that’s for ALL of humanity. So even evolution says we’re only here for a short while! A lifetime may seem like forever to you right now, but gues what! We have an eternity with Jesus to look forward to! What are a few decades compared to forever?

In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you?  And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. -John 14:2-3 (ESV)

On the one hand I want you to see that the persecutions you face here on earth will only last for a little while. But there is something wlse I would like you to take away from this post. Yes, we are only here for a short time. Because of this I encourage you to make the most of it. And by this I mean that we should all take every chance we have to show God’s love to the world. Because you know what guys and girls? There is a lost and dying world out there, and we don’t know what tomorrow will hold. So take every oppotunity you are given to tell someone that God loves them ,either in word or deed, and hopefully both. Cause you know what, the people you see today may not be here tomorrow. YOU may not be here tomorrow. SO take ever chance you’re given and let His word and His love shine forth.

Persecution- Garunteed

There is a myth, or an urban legend, that flies around the US. It’s called the”American Dream.” The “American Dream” tells us that we should always have it easy, that we are entitled to a good job, nice car, big house, loving family, and the works. There are those who want to apply the “Dream” to Christian life. After all, if the aethist across the street is entitled to comfort, shouldn’t the “good” Christian be more so? The answer is no. Christ never promises us that it will be easy. In fact, He gives us a very different promise. Jesus promises us that we WILL be persecuted.

If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. Remember the word that I said to you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will also keep yours.-John15:18-20 (ESV)

We WILL face persecution, as a Church, as a congregation, as individuals. (Note: I am using Church here to refer to the international body of believers and congregation to refer to the local body.) The form that persecution may take will vary from person to person. Some will give their lives for their faith, just as many have already down. Others may live long lives but face financial trouble, harassment, condescension and various “minor” forms of persecution. We may not have our lives threatened, but our faith could cause us to lose friends or be at odds with teachers, co-workers, employers, neighbors and family members. No matter what form persecution takes in your life, take comfort in this. The worst thing that anyone can do to you is kill you. Now, you are probably looking at your computer screen wondering how I can think that the idea of someone killing you (or me) is comforting. Well, because if someone walks up to me tomorrow and kills me for being a Christian, then they are sending me to be with the Father.

“O death, where is your victory?
O death, where is your sting?” -1 Corinthians 15:55 (ESV)

And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell. Matthew 10:28 (ESV)

The Lord is on my side; I will not fear.
What can man do to me? -Psalm 118:6 (ESV)

The worst thing that someone can do to me is send me to be with my heavenly Father. What then do I have to fear?

There is another verse that gives me comfort. John 16:33 (ESV) says:

I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”

It doesn’t matter what happens on this earth. Jesus Christ, my Savior and Lord has overcome this world and because He has, I have a place by His side.

Christ is a Maediator

For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, -1 Timothy 2:5 (ESV)

For quite some time my family studied catechism. For those who don’t know what catechism is, it is a system of questions and answers designed to teach children doctrine. (And yes, children are quite capable of learning and understanding doctrine.) I remember a particular set of questions that covered Jesus. One of the issues these questions dealt with was Jesus being our High Priest and our mediator. In the Old Testament High Priest was given the responsibility of interceding before God on behalf of the people. The Israelites had to go through someone to get to God. We no longer have to do that. I don’t have to go to my pastor and ask him to intercede for my. Why? Because Jesus Christ has bridged the gap. By coming to earth as fully God and fully man Jesus became the perfect mediator between God and man.

Therefore he is the mediator of a new covenant, so that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance, since a death has occurred that redeems them from the transgressions committed under the first covenant. Hebrews 9:15 (ESV)

When Jesus came and died on the cross, he formed a new covenant. A covenant where we no longer have to rely on reoccurring sacrifices or earthly High Priests. Jesus has provided not only the ultimate sacrifice, but also a bridge between the perfect and pure God, and the sinful and blemished man. We can talk freely to God because we have a mediator in Christ, a mediator who has covered us in his own blood.

Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. Hebrews 4:14-16 (ESV)

My deepest apologies…

So, I’ve come to the conclusion that my computer hates me. My computer hasn’t worked for the last couple of days, which has made it where I couldn’t blog. I do not have my note book with me to blog now, but I just wanted to say that I’m sorry I haven’t blogged as regularly as I should have! I hope you all have a wonderful weekend and I can’t wait to read what the other girls have to blog about!

Earth shaking news… We are nothing on our own!

So, as you read the title you may be thinking… ummmm duh! You have probably heard that statement a million times. Have you truly experienced it though? I’m going to share some things that God has been teaching me lately. Most of the experiences i share on here are those moments that I refer to as, “Light bulb moments” where all of the sudden something clicks and makes sense. They are not the, “I’m stubborn and God has to knock me over the head to get me to listen” kind!

Anyway, I had a friend ask me about a month back if I thought that you could become prideful about being humble. I thought about it for a couple of days and asked a good many friends what they thought about it. The more I thought about it and prayed that God would give me wisdom I began to notice that some things were changing. I’ve always thought of myself as a loving person. It comes naturally. You may be like that… it is easier to love people than get mad! Or so I thought… I was still spending time with God each day yet just to be totally honest with you it was one of those things like just so I can say I did this I am, but I really have this all together times. God decided to show me what I was truly like… It was amazing how the smallest things just drove me crazy! I had no patience, love, and I was just straight up not caring. I kept thinking, “What is going on?! This is not the real me!”. The truth was though… that it was the real me. It took going back to God’s word and just falling on my face before things changed. They changed rapidly though! It was so cool to see how God can take such a disgusting thing as me…

So, My challenge to you today is… Do not become so reliant on yourself that you think you can do it all with out God. No matter how sweet you are… you are still as filthy rags. That’s not a nice picture…It’s the truth though. Since the earlier part of this week was about encouragement and this post so far has kinda been a downer I want to remind you of a few things… God loves you! He knows what the real you is like, even when we don’t, yet He still cares about you and wants the best for you! Draw close to God today and let HIM make you into the person that He wants you to be!!

Make a joyful noise to the Lord!

Psalm 100:2 Worship the LORD with gladness; come before him with joyful songs!(NIV)

Today I was reminded of something that I’ve believed for a long time, yet sometimes I forget. Singing can change someones whole attitude! I was visiting a friend in the hospital today, who is honestly not doing very good. Everything seemed depressing. Yet a few songs came to my mind! One in particular…. It’s called counting on God! As I began walking down the halls singing (Yes, I admit now… I looked like an idiot, yet I did it in the name of the Lord so it’s ok!) this song I saw more people’s sad faces turn to smiles than I can count! I’m not sure how many people were actually able to catch on to the words, but for those who did… God promises that His word will not return void! No matter how it is shared!

So… my challenge for you…Praise God! During the good and the bad! Sometimes life gets so hard and just straight up painful that you are not sure what to say yet a song may say what you are feeling exactly! You may not be a singer and that is fine! Just give glory to God! That’s all that matters… I pray that God puts a song into your heart and when you have nothing else to say it just flows from your lips!

Lyrics to the song Counting on God:

I’m in a fight not physical
And I’m in a war
But not with this world
You are the light that’s beautiful
And I want more
I want all that’s Yours
Joy unspeakable that won’t go away
And just enough strength
To live for today
So I never have to worry
What tomorrow will bring
‘Cause my faith is on solid rock
I am counting on God
I am counting on
I am counting on God
The miracle of Christ in me
Is the mystery that sets me free
I’m nothing like I used to be
Open up your eyes you’ll see

Encourage one another!

Yesterday was more you being the receiver of encouragement and today we are going to talk about you giving out encouragement! Do you see yourself as an encourager? For some people it comes naturally… To others not so much. Does that change the fact that we are called to “Stir one another up with love” (Hebrews 10:24)? Bro. Hal talked Sunday about how we are to encourage one another, build them up! I know we’ve all heard this and do it for the most part, so just take this as a kick to keep you going in the right direction! God gave us one another… We need each other! I’ve been amazed sometimes when people share things with me. I never had any idea of what they were going through. Sometimes the people that come across as the happiest see no reason to live. If that’s you… read the post before this one! If it’s not, praise God and encourage someone else! I was convicted the other day of this. My natural instinct is to encourage others, so the times that it does make me have to go out of my comfort zone to do it I often think, “Come on God! I’ve cheered up this person, this person, i wrote a card to this person who you know is hard to get along with, and so on and so on. Why do i have to be kind to this person?! Isn’t it someone else turn?!”. Then it hits like a ton of bricks…. He never once said, “Jennifer, I’ve forgiven this person today, healed this one, held this one while they were sobbing, encouraged that one today, so I really just do not feel like helping you out today. Go find someone else.”. Not at all! It kinda sounds absurd honestly. Yet, that is exactly what we say so often! So…. today encourage people! Let your light shine! I know that you guys can do it! I’m going to list some ideas below of ways i thought of that you can encourage people… You can comment any others that you have!

* Smile

*Say a kind word

*Sincerely compliment someone

*Write a card

*Send a txt (People so often use txting for bad things. Use it for the glory of God!)

*Send an encouraging email

*Write a sweet note on a friends facebook wall

*Call a friend

*Bake some cookies

*Help your mom around the house

*Listen to a friend who is hurting (Key word…LISTEN!)

*Be extra nice to a cashier or waiter

*Show God’s love

*Let someone in front of you while driving

*Take your pastor his favorite candy for the wonderful job he does

*Spend time with God and then share with someone something that you got out of it