Victory!! In chapel yesterday, I paid attention! Not only that, but there was a really good speaker.
He began by speaking about how he did not grow up in a Christian home. His mother is a Christian, but his father isn't. One day he finally got his dad to go to church. After the service, he asked his father what he thought about it. His father responded with a question. Why are we (non-Christians) always referred to as seculars? And why are we automatically considered bad people?
Wow. What a question! I mean, it is true. As Christians, we usually look down on non-Christians, refer to them as secular, and just look at them as sinful. The speaker went on to talk about human beings. Christians and non-Christians are all human beings. We are all created in God's image. God loves all of us. Yes, we are called to share Jesus with people who don't know him, but that does not mean looking down on them.
The speaker also shared a story about a friend of his that isn't a Christian. They have been good friends for 2 years. The speaker asked his friend if he's ever wanted to be like any Christian he's ever met. His friend chose not to answer...
These stories just brought a lot to my mind. First, that I am so caught up in my little Christian bubble. I don't share my faith with anyone because I do not place myself in situations to be with non-Christians. Being placed in situations where I would be working along side non-Christians would be uncomfortable and different for me. God calls us to do that though! He wants us to pop that bubble. He wants us to live along side non-Christians, and love them. He's made us all in His image. This just really showed me that I am avoiding a huge part of God's will for me. "He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the good news to all people." Mark 16:15
Second, I was convicted by the second story he shared. Do non-Christians look at Christians and want to be like them? Honestly, I can say that I could see why non-Christians would not want to be like Christians! So, how am I living? Would someone be able to look at my life and want to know Christ? Or would they want nothing to do with Him?
I've got some things to work on....
Lord, help me to be more like you.
Saturday, February 26, 2011
Thursday, February 24, 2011
Modern Day Judas Iscariot
What is your first thought when you think of Judas Iscariot? For me, I view him as the "bad" disciple, the one who betrayed Jesus. I can't understand why anyone who followed Jesus would do this. After witnessing his miracles, hearing him teach, traveling with him?? How could anyone betray Jesus after seeing him do all of these amazing things? How could anyone who knows that He is God do that? This morning my reading was Mark 14:1-25. This reading included the section where Jesus predicts Judas' betrayal.
As I was reading this section I realized....I'm Judas. The evil man that did something so stupid as to betray the King of the Universe. The man who betrayed a God who loved him more than anything in the world. I am that man. (Okay, not a man, but you get what I mean.)
I've seen God work in marvelous ways. I've seen Him transform lives and work in crazy awesome ways. I've read His incredible word. I've walked with Him. He loves me more than anyone does, He upholds me, He strengthens me, He comforts me, He knows me. And in return....I betray Him. After seeing God work so marvelously in my life, I put Him on a cross.
I know we always talk about how its our sin that put Jesus on the cross, but how many of us truly understand what we're saying when we say that? I mean, yes, Jesus died on the cross because we sinned, but honestly..we weren't there. We hadn't sinned yet? So it's kind of hard to put that into perspective. But if we look at the story and recognize that we are (in a sense) Judas, we can see how we really did put him on that cross. We "sneak around behind Jesus back," we seek things such as money and other idols rather than Jesus, we find ourselves getting wrapped up with ungodly people and ungodly decisions, we sin directly against Christ. These are all things that Judas did in order to put our savior on the cross.
Why should we hate sin and abhor falsehood? Because our sin crucified Christ. When we sin against God, we betray Him. Can you imagine Judas watching Jesus on that cross? And what he was feeling? We don't always see how our sin affects Christ, and certainly not in the manner that Judas did. But maybe that is one reason that we so easily step into sin.
As we make decisions, it is our responsibility to remember Judas. Although we have already been in his "same position," we can choose not to betray Jesus again.
As I was reading this section I realized....I'm Judas. The evil man that did something so stupid as to betray the King of the Universe. The man who betrayed a God who loved him more than anything in the world. I am that man. (Okay, not a man, but you get what I mean.)
I've seen God work in marvelous ways. I've seen Him transform lives and work in crazy awesome ways. I've read His incredible word. I've walked with Him. He loves me more than anyone does, He upholds me, He strengthens me, He comforts me, He knows me. And in return....I betray Him. After seeing God work so marvelously in my life, I put Him on a cross.
I know we always talk about how its our sin that put Jesus on the cross, but how many of us truly understand what we're saying when we say that? I mean, yes, Jesus died on the cross because we sinned, but honestly..we weren't there. We hadn't sinned yet? So it's kind of hard to put that into perspective. But if we look at the story and recognize that we are (in a sense) Judas, we can see how we really did put him on that cross. We "sneak around behind Jesus back," we seek things such as money and other idols rather than Jesus, we find ourselves getting wrapped up with ungodly people and ungodly decisions, we sin directly against Christ. These are all things that Judas did in order to put our savior on the cross.
Why should we hate sin and abhor falsehood? Because our sin crucified Christ. When we sin against God, we betray Him. Can you imagine Judas watching Jesus on that cross? And what he was feeling? We don't always see how our sin affects Christ, and certainly not in the manner that Judas did. But maybe that is one reason that we so easily step into sin.
As we make decisions, it is our responsibility to remember Judas. Although we have already been in his "same position," we can choose not to betray Jesus again.
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Embarrassing or Encouraging?
So, earlier I was talking to a friend about a struggle I have. (I have struggles? What else is new?) I struggle with paying attention...to anything. I've realized that in general it is a real chore to pay attention in any lecture. I have to constantly tell myself to pay attention during class or else I am doomed. I feel like many times I do not even pick up 50% of what the speaker is saying. This definitely makes it difficult for me to follow chapel speakers or preachers in church. I tend to drift off on one specific point or something random and completely miss half of the sermon, and then I am so lost that I can't even catch up.
As I have spoken of before, I am a BASSYCS leader at a church nearby. Every week there is a little 15 minute sermon for the 3rd graders. It sounds absolutely ridiculous, but I feel like I learned the same amount or more in those 15 minutes that I did in the 45 minute lecture.
We read John 13:34-35, "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another." Read that and really think about that. It says that by this (loving one another) all people will know that you are my disciples. Whoa! Really? I mean, how many times do we try to "be a witness to others through our actions" or we want people to "know we're Christians just by looking at us." It's so straight forward in this verse! All people will know we are Christ's disciples by the way that we love one another. Okay, so many of you probably had realized that before, but for me I always felt there was some complex answer to showing Christ through my actions. Christ calls us to simply love one another.
Okay, maybe not simply... so yes, loving people is hard, but if God can love us, than we certainly can love others. Even if that just means letting down my pride for one moment to invest my time in having a good conversation with someone I don't usually talk to, I can be a vessel for Christ. Things as small and easy as that can go a long way to encourage others and help me draw closer to God. Wow. Such a simple concept can really go a long way.
So, as embarrassing as it may be that I can learn more from a 15 minute message intended for 3rd graders than I could learn from a 45 minute sermon intended for college kids, it's encouraging to see God work through the small things. If sometimes I cannot grasp some of the more complex concepts shared in chapel or church, God can still teach me. It's cool that you can look just at some of the simple things of life and see God. :)
For the record, I am still working to pay attention in lectures.
As I have spoken of before, I am a BASSYCS leader at a church nearby. Every week there is a little 15 minute sermon for the 3rd graders. It sounds absolutely ridiculous, but I feel like I learned the same amount or more in those 15 minutes that I did in the 45 minute lecture.
We read John 13:34-35, "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another." Read that and really think about that. It says that by this (loving one another) all people will know that you are my disciples. Whoa! Really? I mean, how many times do we try to "be a witness to others through our actions" or we want people to "know we're Christians just by looking at us." It's so straight forward in this verse! All people will know we are Christ's disciples by the way that we love one another. Okay, so many of you probably had realized that before, but for me I always felt there was some complex answer to showing Christ through my actions. Christ calls us to simply love one another.
Okay, maybe not simply... so yes, loving people is hard, but if God can love us, than we certainly can love others. Even if that just means letting down my pride for one moment to invest my time in having a good conversation with someone I don't usually talk to, I can be a vessel for Christ. Things as small and easy as that can go a long way to encourage others and help me draw closer to God. Wow. Such a simple concept can really go a long way.
So, as embarrassing as it may be that I can learn more from a 15 minute message intended for 3rd graders than I could learn from a 45 minute sermon intended for college kids, it's encouraging to see God work through the small things. If sometimes I cannot grasp some of the more complex concepts shared in chapel or church, God can still teach me. It's cool that you can look just at some of the simple things of life and see God. :)
For the record, I am still working to pay attention in lectures.
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
A Time for Self-Reflection
Today as I began my Bible reading I started to think about something. Especially as it deals a little with what I wrote last night. Why am I doing all this? Why am I beginning to spend time in the word? Why am I beginning to blog? Why am I back to journaling? Why am I fasting?
As soon as I chose to turn to Christ and away from things pulling me from Him, I did not feel a huge fire in my heart. I was not in tears during worship; I was not constantly thinking of God or praying. I still do not really feel that way. Don't get me wrong, I do want to be in God's word, I am happy to be taking on the challenge of the fast, and it is so good to feel connected with God again, but are my motives right?
I don't think that I am just trying to get people to think that I am super righteous or something, but am I just doing this to "do what is right." It's kind of like what I wrote in my last blog. Am I just following God's law or leaning on God because I'm supposed to? Or do I honestly long to be near to God and glorify Him through my being?
This is a complicated issue. I know that Satan plants doubt in our hearts, so that we will stumble and fall. And I know that as a Christian, I will not always be a huge flame for Christ. But, I still feel the need to self-reflect and be positive that my motives are correct.
After I began to slightly reflect on this, I began my Bible reading, Matthew 6:5-18. This is the passage that includes the Lord's prayer and a short passage about fasting. One of the main points in the passage is that if I am doing things in order for people to see me do them, then I have already received my reward in full. But if I do things in secret, for only God to see, I will receive a heavenly reward. Heck, I want the heavenly reward!
So how do I know if my motives are right? I honestly don't think that I can figure out my motives on my own. I am blinded by many sins that I have made regular in my life, such as pride and selfishness. However, the action I plan to take is to be sure that the things that I do to bring God glory are done in secret. If someone asks me what I am learning or looks at my blog they can see what God is doing, but I will do my best not to broadcast things. I am also going to try to keep in continuous prayer that God would reveal my motives to me. And that He would show me how to be more like Him.
Self-reflecting- so hard, but so necessary.
As soon as I chose to turn to Christ and away from things pulling me from Him, I did not feel a huge fire in my heart. I was not in tears during worship; I was not constantly thinking of God or praying. I still do not really feel that way. Don't get me wrong, I do want to be in God's word, I am happy to be taking on the challenge of the fast, and it is so good to feel connected with God again, but are my motives right?
I don't think that I am just trying to get people to think that I am super righteous or something, but am I just doing this to "do what is right." It's kind of like what I wrote in my last blog. Am I just following God's law or leaning on God because I'm supposed to? Or do I honestly long to be near to God and glorify Him through my being?
This is a complicated issue. I know that Satan plants doubt in our hearts, so that we will stumble and fall. And I know that as a Christian, I will not always be a huge flame for Christ. But, I still feel the need to self-reflect and be positive that my motives are correct.
After I began to slightly reflect on this, I began my Bible reading, Matthew 6:5-18. This is the passage that includes the Lord's prayer and a short passage about fasting. One of the main points in the passage is that if I am doing things in order for people to see me do them, then I have already received my reward in full. But if I do things in secret, for only God to see, I will receive a heavenly reward. Heck, I want the heavenly reward!
So how do I know if my motives are right? I honestly don't think that I can figure out my motives on my own. I am blinded by many sins that I have made regular in my life, such as pride and selfishness. However, the action I plan to take is to be sure that the things that I do to bring God glory are done in secret. If someone asks me what I am learning or looks at my blog they can see what God is doing, but I will do my best not to broadcast things. I am also going to try to keep in continuous prayer that God would reveal my motives to me. And that He would show me how to be more like Him.
Self-reflecting- so hard, but so necessary.
Monday, February 21, 2011
"I hate and abhor falsehood, but I love your law."
Today's reading was Psalm 119...all of it. It's been something that I've been trying to read all day, but it's so long that I hadn't quite had time. I finally just read it and it was definitely worth it.
Now, many people may say that Psalm 119 is quite redundant. There are so many repeated phrases, concepts, and words, but in my opinion this repetition is necessary. It took those 50 million repeated things to get the concept of what God was saying and that wasn't even the first time I have ever read it!
One verse that stuck out to me was, "I hate and abhor falsehood, but I love your law" (Psalm 119:163). Of course, we would all say that that is true. I mean we hate murder right? We hate when people lie to us? That's falsehood right? We love God's word? We love the encouraging verses? But is that what this verse is referring to? Hating when people wrong us and loving encouraging verses? I think it's more than that.
We, as God's people, are supposed to abhor falsehood, hate evil, be disgusted with sin, whatever you want to call it. Sin is against God, and we are supposed to hate it. That means we are supposed to hate sinning, hate when others sin, and hate anything that has to do with sin (this doesn't mean hate people that sin, God loves us sinners and we are called to love each other). If we hate sin, than why would we choose to do it? We like to lie; it gets us out of things we don't want to be involved in. We like to steal; we get things without paying for them. We like to make fun of others; it makes us feel better about ourselves. We like to commit adultery; it makes us feel good. We like these falsehoods, these sins, this evil.
And what about the law? Do we honestly love the law? I mean I can flat out say to you right now that the main reason that I have ever tried to follow the God's law is because if I don't I'll get in trouble, because I know that is what I am "supposed" to do, or because people will look down on me if I don't. Certainly I have not been following God's law because I delight in it. Certainly I do not give my whole heart to following God's law. Instead I have found God's law to be boring, restricting, and often times annoying.
Wow. Now the verse seems to appear a bit different, huh? Following what Psalm 119 is much more difficult than we thought. If we loved God's law and abhorred falsehood, it would be so much easier to say no in those tempting situations. Yes, we would still be tempted, but there would be a strong longing to do what's right, not just choosing to follow a rule that we grudgingly follow.
So how do we go about following this verse? Even just reading Psalm 119 helps to show you how awesome God's word is. It's not just the commands that God calls us to because He loves us, but it's also encouragement, testimonies, and wisdom. It's God's communication with us. We should treasure it. As for learning to abhor evil, we just have to get to know God better and better. If we're besties with Jesus, we don't want to disappoint him or hurt him. This takes time, but keeping these things in mind can help us to seek God out even more.
Ah, I love him. Shout out to Jesus!
Now, many people may say that Psalm 119 is quite redundant. There are so many repeated phrases, concepts, and words, but in my opinion this repetition is necessary. It took those 50 million repeated things to get the concept of what God was saying and that wasn't even the first time I have ever read it!
One verse that stuck out to me was, "I hate and abhor falsehood, but I love your law" (Psalm 119:163). Of course, we would all say that that is true. I mean we hate murder right? We hate when people lie to us? That's falsehood right? We love God's word? We love the encouraging verses? But is that what this verse is referring to? Hating when people wrong us and loving encouraging verses? I think it's more than that.
We, as God's people, are supposed to abhor falsehood, hate evil, be disgusted with sin, whatever you want to call it. Sin is against God, and we are supposed to hate it. That means we are supposed to hate sinning, hate when others sin, and hate anything that has to do with sin (this doesn't mean hate people that sin, God loves us sinners and we are called to love each other). If we hate sin, than why would we choose to do it? We like to lie; it gets us out of things we don't want to be involved in. We like to steal; we get things without paying for them. We like to make fun of others; it makes us feel better about ourselves. We like to commit adultery; it makes us feel good. We like these falsehoods, these sins, this evil.
And what about the law? Do we honestly love the law? I mean I can flat out say to you right now that the main reason that I have ever tried to follow the God's law is because if I don't I'll get in trouble, because I know that is what I am "supposed" to do, or because people will look down on me if I don't. Certainly I have not been following God's law because I delight in it. Certainly I do not give my whole heart to following God's law. Instead I have found God's law to be boring, restricting, and often times annoying.
Wow. Now the verse seems to appear a bit different, huh? Following what Psalm 119 is much more difficult than we thought. If we loved God's law and abhorred falsehood, it would be so much easier to say no in those tempting situations. Yes, we would still be tempted, but there would be a strong longing to do what's right, not just choosing to follow a rule that we grudgingly follow.
So how do we go about following this verse? Even just reading Psalm 119 helps to show you how awesome God's word is. It's not just the commands that God calls us to because He loves us, but it's also encouragement, testimonies, and wisdom. It's God's communication with us. We should treasure it. As for learning to abhor evil, we just have to get to know God better and better. If we're besties with Jesus, we don't want to disappoint him or hurt him. This takes time, but keeping these things in mind can help us to seek God out even more.
Ah, I love him. Shout out to Jesus!
Saturday, February 19, 2011
It's not easy, but it IS worth it.
As I reflected on my decision for Christ last night, I wanted to take it back. Not completely, but just enough to get what I wanted back. Thankfully, God stepped in and continued to direct my path.
This is a decision that we, as Christians, constantly battle. Do I choose to do what I want or do I choose to do what He wants. Now, of course we know what we should do...but what do we actually decide to do?
Normally, I choose what is comfortable--what I want. Just a second ago I watched a video from youtube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IpVsF4W8V2Y&feature=related). This video honestly gets me every time. It is so awesome to see how the Holy Spirit overtakes people; they just can't hold it in. Now, being overtaken by the Holy Spirit doesn't necessarily mean that I'm going to burst out in song on a street corner in downtown New York, but it does mean that I am going to be okay with something uncomfortable. The impact that the living God has in my life needs to mean more to me than any discomfort that I will experience because of it.
As I engage in a daily battle against my selfish desires, I remember Christ. I recognize the peace beyond understanding, joy beyond measure, love without end, and the safest security that God gives me. And I certainly recognize that these things are much more meaningful and beneficial than anything that my selfish desires can give me.
This is a decision that we, as Christians, constantly battle. Do I choose to do what I want or do I choose to do what He wants. Now, of course we know what we should do...but what do we actually decide to do?
Normally, I choose what is comfortable--what I want. Just a second ago I watched a video from youtube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IpVsF4W8V2Y&feature=related). This video honestly gets me every time. It is so awesome to see how the Holy Spirit overtakes people; they just can't hold it in. Now, being overtaken by the Holy Spirit doesn't necessarily mean that I'm going to burst out in song on a street corner in downtown New York, but it does mean that I am going to be okay with something uncomfortable. The impact that the living God has in my life needs to mean more to me than any discomfort that I will experience because of it.
As I engage in a daily battle against my selfish desires, I remember Christ. I recognize the peace beyond understanding, joy beyond measure, love without end, and the safest security that God gives me. And I certainly recognize that these things are much more meaningful and beneficial than anything that my selfish desires can give me.
Friday, February 18, 2011
21 Days
So, yesterday after a conversation with my best friend [http://rmk-shine.blogspot.com/] who I missed (oh so dearly!) I decided to begin a 21 day fast. She had shared with me a website [youversion.com] that has a list of different Bible reading plans. Of course, when I made my way back into the word a few days ago I had no idea where to read. In fact, this has always been a problem for me. I found a plan called 21 Day Fast and decided to choose it.
My first thought when I saw the plan was that I would read through it some other time, after I had gotten the hang of regular Bible reading. But I decided to begin the plan now instead. What would be a better time to fast, than when I am just beginning a new part of my life? (Just so that everyone knows, I will be fasting soda/pop, otherwise known as my material comfort in any situation, for these 21 days)
Today is the beginning of this journey. I read the first Bible reading, which was Daniel 10 and I must say that it was very good and also very different than I expected it to be. It talked about a conflict that Daniel was dealing with, and how he resorted to fasting for 21 days. After he had fasted, he received a vision from God. The Additional Content section called me to write down a prayer about what I am searching for clarity for in my life, so that after the fast I can look back upon it.
So I pulled out my journal ready to write. And then I realized that I did not have a certain question that I was searching for clarity on. I thought through some of the things that I want to change in my life, but I could not think of one simple question that I needed an answer to.
I have decided to use this fast as a way to not only keep my focus fully on Christ, but also to seek out God's direction for me now. The "question" that I have settled to seek clarity on is Where do you want me God? What is my next step toward you?
"Behold, the Lord is my helper, the Lord is the upholder of my life."
-Psalm 54:4
My first thought when I saw the plan was that I would read through it some other time, after I had gotten the hang of regular Bible reading. But I decided to begin the plan now instead. What would be a better time to fast, than when I am just beginning a new part of my life? (Just so that everyone knows, I will be fasting soda/pop, otherwise known as my material comfort in any situation, for these 21 days)
Today is the beginning of this journey. I read the first Bible reading, which was Daniel 10 and I must say that it was very good and also very different than I expected it to be. It talked about a conflict that Daniel was dealing with, and how he resorted to fasting for 21 days. After he had fasted, he received a vision from God. The Additional Content section called me to write down a prayer about what I am searching for clarity for in my life, so that after the fast I can look back upon it.
So I pulled out my journal ready to write. And then I realized that I did not have a certain question that I was searching for clarity on. I thought through some of the things that I want to change in my life, but I could not think of one simple question that I needed an answer to.
I have decided to use this fast as a way to not only keep my focus fully on Christ, but also to seek out God's direction for me now. The "question" that I have settled to seek clarity on is Where do you want me God? What is my next step toward you?
"Behold, the Lord is my helper, the Lord is the upholder of my life."
-Psalm 54:4
Thursday, February 17, 2011
A living sacrifice
"I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect." -Romans 12:1-2
These are some of the key verses that my co-leader and I have been teaching our small group of third grade girls at BASSYCS on Wednesday nights. Last week, we defined the word sacrifice and had the girls share some ways that they could be a living sacrifice for God as third graders, whether that be in their class or at home. My co-leader and I both shared ways that we could sacrifice for God. The struggle that I had mention was reading my Bible, something that honestly should not really have been a sacrifice anyway. We left our group with a challenge to find one way to be a living sacrifice over the week, and then we would share about it on the next Wednesday. The week went on, and I knew that I should probably "sacrifice" and read my Bible at some point. Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday....an hour before a group I pulled out my Bible, read a good 3 verses and headed to BASSYCS.
Clearly, this is not the sacrifice that Paul was talking about in Romans. In fact, Paul wasn't talking about ONE sacrifice. He wasn't talking about a specific action that we could do "for God" even though we didn't want to. Paul calls us to be a living sacrifice, and this is how we are to worship God.
As I recognize the places in my life where I have been the exact opposite of a living sacrifice in my life and begin to cut them out, I am unbelievably broken. I am torn between my wants and God's, but there is one thing that I know above all else. I am God's and I want to be His above anything else in my life. If there is anything that is in the way of my walk with Him, I cannot move forward.
So here I am, broken but joyful. Knowing that any suffering that I am experiencing is because of my own sinful choices, but so thankful that the Lord of heaven and earth, the perfect spotless one, merciful, gracious God loves me. He loves me more than I could ever comprehend. This is me. I'm ready to start over. I'm ready to, with the help of my Savior, be a living sacrifice for Him.
Here am I, Lord.
Forgive me.
Transform me.
Renew my mind.
Make me a living sacrifice for You.
These are some of the key verses that my co-leader and I have been teaching our small group of third grade girls at BASSYCS on Wednesday nights. Last week, we defined the word sacrifice and had the girls share some ways that they could be a living sacrifice for God as third graders, whether that be in their class or at home. My co-leader and I both shared ways that we could sacrifice for God. The struggle that I had mention was reading my Bible, something that honestly should not really have been a sacrifice anyway. We left our group with a challenge to find one way to be a living sacrifice over the week, and then we would share about it on the next Wednesday. The week went on, and I knew that I should probably "sacrifice" and read my Bible at some point. Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday....an hour before a group I pulled out my Bible, read a good 3 verses and headed to BASSYCS.
Clearly, this is not the sacrifice that Paul was talking about in Romans. In fact, Paul wasn't talking about ONE sacrifice. He wasn't talking about a specific action that we could do "for God" even though we didn't want to. Paul calls us to be a living sacrifice, and this is how we are to worship God.
As I recognize the places in my life where I have been the exact opposite of a living sacrifice in my life and begin to cut them out, I am unbelievably broken. I am torn between my wants and God's, but there is one thing that I know above all else. I am God's and I want to be His above anything else in my life. If there is anything that is in the way of my walk with Him, I cannot move forward.
So here I am, broken but joyful. Knowing that any suffering that I am experiencing is because of my own sinful choices, but so thankful that the Lord of heaven and earth, the perfect spotless one, merciful, gracious God loves me. He loves me more than I could ever comprehend. This is me. I'm ready to start over. I'm ready to, with the help of my Savior, be a living sacrifice for Him.
Here am I, Lord.
Forgive me.
Transform me.
Renew my mind.
Make me a living sacrifice for You.
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Yours truly
Here am I.
Speechless, but ready through You.
Hold me.
Help me.
Prepare me.
Guide me.
Love me.
Use me.
Protect me.
Save me.
For I am Yours, God.
Speechless, but ready through You.
Hold me.
Help me.
Prepare me.
Guide me.
Love me.
Use me.
Protect me.
Save me.
For I am Yours, God.
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