Just Some Things I'm Learning Along the Way

Officially finished first full week of college classes! While that is an accomplishment, it’s also a little stinky, because I feel like I’ve been here for months. But, it’s also really awesome because God has already taught me so much in my first two weeks. The next few posts will probably mostly be geared toward college freshmen (or college kids in general), but hopefully these things will be applicable for everyone.

If you’ve been reading along, you know that one of my goals for the year is focusing on discipline. It’s rather fitting, considering that kids who are new to the college life can get really overwhelmed and scattered in the battle of “Do I sleep? Do I study? Do I go workout? (I wish that was a question I asked more oftenJ) Do I go have fun?” The vicious cycle is…well…vicious.

So to gain some guidance on the subject of discipline, I’ve turned to the Bible (duh) and Elizabeth Elliot’s Discipline: The Glad Surrender. My third day on campus, I decided to do some digging on the actual word, “discipline”. If you’ve never used the resource Blue LetterBible, then you should (it’s similar to Bible Gateway). It’s a great way to get bigger contexts around words or phrases. I typed in the word “discipline” and these are some gems I found:

• ·         “Behold, how happy is the man whom God reproves, so do not despise the discipline of the Almighty.” –Job 5:17
• ·         “For the commandment is a lamp and the teaching is light; and reproofs for discipline are the way of life.” –Prov. 6:23
• ·         “Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but he who hates reproof is stupid.” –Prov. 12:1
• ·         “He who neglects discipline despises himself, but he who listens to reproof acquires understanding.” –Prov. 15:32
• ·         “Listen to counsel and accept discipline, that you may be wise the rest of your days.” –Prov. 19:20
• ·         “Apply your heart to discipline and your ears to words of knowledge.” –Prov. 23:12
• ·         “But have nothing to do with worldly fables fit only for old women. On the other hand, discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness; for bodily discipline is only of little profit, but godliness is profitable for all things, since it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come.” -1 Tim. 4:7-8
• ·         “It is for discipline that you endure; God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom his father does not discipline? But if you are without discipline, of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate children and not sons.” –Heb. 12:7-8
• ·         “Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline; therefore be zealous and repent.” –Rev. 3:19

Here are just a few great quotes from Elliot’s book regarding discipline:

On the body:

• “We cannot give our hearts to God and keep our bodies for ourselves.”
• “Sleep is another necessity. It takes discipline to go to bed when you ought to, and it takes discipline to get up.” If you’re in college, you know how much of a struggle this is.
• “The important thing is to move around somehow. Don’t ride stairs instead of taking an elevator, climb them. When you do housework, move quickly.”
• “Even though flesh and blood can never possess the Kingdom, think of its particles being “beckoned” to sit down with the Lord some day.”

On the mind:

• “Mind and life need to be freed from the “disorder of the unnecessary.”
• “The disciple who means to compel every one of his thoughts to surrender in obedience to Christ would do well to test himself by asking:
• 1.       Whose glory do I seek?
• 2.       Is this for or against the knowledge of God?
• 3.       Am I giving my mind to wholesome precepts?
• 4.       Am I morbidly keen on mere verbal questions and quibbles?
• 5.       Is it more important to me to understand than to obey?
• 6.       Is it more important to me to know than to believe?
• 7.       Will one side of the question inconvenience me?
• 8.       Do I reject a particular truth because it will inconvenience me?
• “The Christ-like mind counts for nothing what the world holds dear and holds as all-important what the world counts for nothing”
• “If I am to love the Lord my God with all my mind, there will not be room in it for carnality, for pride, for anxiety, for the love of myself. How can the mind be filled with the love of the Lord and have space left over for things like that?”

Now here a just a few things God has taught me so far during college life:

• ·         Find ways to perform acts of love to your roommate. God revealed this to me within the first couple of days, and it rocked my world. If I want my roommate and I to love each other on a spiritual level where we can have deep fellowship and build a firm friendship, I need to show love to her in tangible ways. How do you do that, you ask? Here are some things God has shown me:

o   Get stuff out the night before I’ll need in the morning so that I’m not rattling around in the morning trying to find it while she’s still sleeping

o   Try to take short showers so she can get to the bathroom if she needs it (this has been a struggle for me…I love long showers)

o   Cleaning the room / my stuff every chance I get

o   Making up my bed

o   Getting more stuff to decorate the room with (my roommate is very creative and artistic, so she’s bought lots of stuff for the room…our room is super awesome by the way J)

o   Simply praying for her

o   Maybe leave your roommate an encouraging note for them to see before they wake up or leave for class (I haven’t done this yet…probably should)

o   It’s been a long time since I’ve shared a room with someone, so the whole living-with-a-complete-stranger thing was very interesting for me. Honestly though, it’s been a tremendous blessing. God has given me an amazing roommate who has already taught me so much about boldness, which is CRAZY because “boldness” is what I’m trying to focus on this year….God is so good and faithful. My roommate and I definitely aren’t strangers anymore. J

• ·         Be confident in your identity. I’ve been around the same people for a long time, so I got very comfortable in who I was. Starting from scratch in a new place with no familiar face in sight made me question, “Oh wait…who am I again?” No matter where you go to college, there’s always someone around that you think, “Man…that person is really cool. How is it that we are made of the same stuff?” Well, I had lots of those moments, and started becoming discouraged. I came into college wanting to contribute something. To lead. To disciple. But when I got here, it’s almost like all knowledge and confidence had been sucked out of me like a vacuum. If you know me well, you know I’m a really goofy kid, but when I came here I felt so serious and tense…I didn’t like it. I didn’t feel like I was being myself. I became jealous of all these cool people around me, whether it was my roommate, my orientation team buddies, etc. I finally gave it to the Lord and asked for forgiveness. I repented of forgetting all the things the Lord had taught me this summer. We are to be humble, but we are to be confident in Christ. “Therefore, let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need” (Heb. 4:16). Be confident in who Jesus has made you to be, but be humble in that He is not done with you yet.

• ·         Be patient. I have lots of friends back home, but they are all off having their own adventures. I realized very quickly that I wasn’t going to just show up at college and win over tons of new friends that I could have deep conversations with and laugh with, just like the “good ole days”. Maybe that day will come, but it won’t happen overnight, and whether I would admit it or not, I really thought it would. There are so many things I want to happen in the relationships I have already formed here, but they will happen in God’s timing and not my own. I am not picking up where I left off at home – I am starting afresh. Starting afresh is beautiful but also a little intimidating. It requires patience and surrender to the Lord’s timing.  
• ·         Be humble. When you’re in college, it’s so easy to concentrate on yourself. “What can I get out of this class? What’s my major going to be? What man am I going to marry? What’s in this education thing for me? What’s the career I am shooting for? What’s best for me? Me? Me? Me?” Yes, obviously college is somewhat about you… I mean it’s your life (well, it’s the life God has given you, but it’s your life, not your neighbor’s or best friends or mothers). But it’s also so much bigger than you. Gaining a college education is about serving the Lord and the kingdom. Not only is the actual attaining of a degree for the Lord and others, but so is what you do outside the classroom. What are some practical ways you can serve your hall mates? Roommate? Professors? Teammates? The community you live in? The people who work in the cafeteria? In facilities? Think about it. Act on it. Be humble in that you still have a lot to learn and are here as a servant, but be confident in that God can use you and your gifts to benefit those you encounter.

• ·         Now for some not-so-deep stuff: snack tips!

o   Healthy drinks (besides water…drink LOTS of water!): V8 splash Tropical Blend and my roommate introduced me to Lipton Diet Green Tea (delicious)

o   Not-so-healthy drinks: Well first of all, invest in a Keurig for your room…it’s amazing. I’m not a coffee gal, so I stick with chai tea and hot chocolate. My roommate is also a tea master, so she’s helping me branch out in the tea area. But seriously – it’s worth the investment

o   Snacks: just make sure you have a balance. I have Hershey’s milk chocolate drops on my desk, but I also have bananas and other stuff. Get some fruit! The new thing I’ve discovered is putting raspberries (or any other berry) in a little cup, mashing it with a spoon to make it into a more jelly texture, put some whipped cream on it and voila! C’est parfait! And nutella. You gotta have nutella, or at least I think so J

• ·         This has absolutely nothing to do with college life, but it’s been on my heart lately and has definitely been all over social media: pray for Miley Cyrus. Whenever she has come to mind the past couple of years, I thought of Miley with condemnation, disgust, and sadness; the latter feeling is the only one that should be permissible. I was very snobbish in how I viewed her, and I’m praying that God would change my heart on the subject. I think sometimes we forget to pray for celebrities. Christians do an OK job of praying for leaders like the president or other important figures, but we forget about the harsh, cruel world of Hollywood. Miley Cyrus is a broken human being just like the rest of us; her life is just much more on display. Pray for her. I read an article today where the author said she just wanted to invite Miley into her home so she could befriend and console her. I think that’s a beautiful picture of Jesus. I’m sure there were a few crazy people wandering the streets in Jesus’ day, but I believe He talked with them. Comforted them. Wowed them with His compassion and authority. Why should we treat the fellow broken any differently? Miley Cyrus is a sinner. So am I. So are you. Even if it’s just a silent prayer as your falling asleep, pray for Miley. Let’s show some humility. Let’s show some love.

So that’s the end of my ranting for the day; sorry for all the random, scattered thoughts. Hope you all are having a fabulous start back to the school/work/whatever life! God bless!

Quick Encouragement for College Kids: Especially Freshies

So by this point, most college freshmen are moved into their dorms. I just moved in yesterday and…it was quite a day. In the first couple of weeks of college, there is a lot going on. I know I can only say so much because I’m only on day 2 of that journey, but just from what I’ve heard and already experienced, I know the transition is hectic, exciting, a little overwhelming, and a ton of fun.

Right before our hall meeting last night, I was ready to crash. My eyes felt extremely tired and heavy and all I wanted to do was sleep. But then the “little voice” in my heart said, “Have you forgotten Me?” It was God, and I had barely talked to Him all day. In the chaos of the move-in process, I had not been praying to Him. I hadn’t thanked or praised Him for the incredible day He had given me. I opened my Bible, not really knowing where to turn. In His awesomeness and faithfulness, He showed me exactly what He wanted me to see…something that I will continue to be reminded of in my first semester of college:

“Surely I will not enter my house, nor lie on my bed; I will not give sleep to my eyes or slumber to my eyelids, until I find a place for the Lord, a dwelling place for the Mighty One of Jacob.” –Psalm 132:3-5

Of course there will be late-night hall dance parties, all-nighters for studying, sport practices, or even just midnight chats with some buddies. But remember to take care of yourself with rest. Don’t forget the sweetness and importance of just resting in the Lord. Don’t go to sleep before you spend time with Him. Let Him be integral in every aspect of your life. Don't keep putting Him off. Go to Him NOW.

Be Bold: New Theme!

So with the whole starting-a-new-chapter-in-my-life thing happening, I figured it was time for some changes on the blog. I love the “waiting in the desert” theme, and I pray that the Lord would daily teach me more on how exactly to do that. But for now, there is another concept that God is wanting me to focus on: boldness.

For the past four years of high school, God has shown me passages in Scripture that sort of become my “theme verses” – ones that He wants me to dive into and meditate on throughout the year. As move-in day for college has drawn nearer and nearer, I have been wondering and praying, “Lord…what do you want to teach me this year? Besides, of course, the overload of knowledge and experience I will gain in my first taste of college life, what do You want to teach me?”

Well, you’ve already read about my new love for Song of Solomon. I’ve mentioned my recent dive into the Timothy books. And then there’s just good ole James. Out of these three books, my theme verses for the year arose.

• ·         Song of Solomon 5:6-7 “I opened to my beloved, but my beloved had turned away and had gone! My heart went out to him as he spoke. I searched for him but I did not find him; I called him but he did not answer me. The watchmen who make the rounds in the city found me, they struck me and wounded me; the guardsmen of the walls took away my shawl from me.” If you didn’t read my last post, then you’re probably very confused as to why this verse would have any positive significance. I believe that this verse represents boldness in that Solomon’s bride (who is a representation of the bride of Christ – the church) sought after her husband so desperately and diligently even at the risk and ultimately result of persecution. Nothing else mattered – not her reputation, not her safety, not the clothes on her back – nothing mattered except finding her beloved. That’s how I want to be with Jesus. I want to believe with every fiber of my being that Jesus is enough.
• ·         2 Timothy 1:7 “For God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and discipline.” Short and sweet. I have heard this verse many times over the years, but now as I head off into this totally new chapter of life, it has a whole new meaning to it. For the next several months, I pray that God would help me break down this verse and understand what it means to have a spirit of power and love and discipline. God reminded me of His sovereignty when He showed me this verse, specifically referring to the word “discipline.” For Christmas, my parents gave me a book by Elizabeth Elliot called…can you guess it?... “Discipline”. I’ve only read the first few chapters, but I plan on taking it with me to college so that the Lord would give me a greater appreciation for discipline so He can show me how to apply it to my life. It’s funny how God works, sometimes. J (Side note: if you have never read anything by Elizabeth Elliot, you are missing out! I read her Passion and Purity last year and it rocked my world. She is one incredible woman.)
• ·         James 1:22 “But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves.” God used this verse to bring conviction…it gets me every time I read it. Growing up in a Christian home and going to a Christian school my whole life, there is a lot of “hearing” the Word of God that goes on…which is fantastic! But if there is no action to back it up, then all that “hearing” I’ve been doing means nothing. Just like James says later in his book, “Faith, if it has no works, is dead, being by itself” (2:17). I think God wants me not just to dig deeper into His word, but to really focus on the application aspect of it. When I’m studying His Word, whether it’s during my own personal study or in Bible class at college, I step back and say, “Alright Lord, show me how I can bring this truth You’ve shown me in my daily life?”

So those are my theme verses…I have a good feeling that God is going to use these verses in a powerful way. Along with those verses is a phrase that is quite old, but I was reminded of when listening to Audrey Assad’s “No Turning Back”: “Though none go with me, still I will follow.” Those are nine words that bring so much conviction and encouragement in that if everyone around me stopped following Christ and I was all alone in my faith, I am still responsible to pick up my cross and follow Christ. To go along with the theme of boldness is a song that I was introduced to at church camp this summer. I’ve mentioned it in a post before, but I’m going to write out the lyrics to the bridge again, just cuz it’s that gorgeous J

Spirit lead me where my trust is without borders

Let me walk upon the waters

Wherever you would call me

Take me deeper than my feet could ever wander

That my faith may be made stronger

In the presence of my Savior

I love this bridge because it’s so full of faith and obedience… I want to have that, especially in the crucial time of my college years when so many huge decisions are ahead.

So in a nutshell, this is my motto for my freshmen year of college:

Being Bold…

To pursue Jesus with everything I have.

To live out my daily life with a spirit of discipline.

To be a “doer” of the Word in every action, every thought, and every word.

I tried to think of something shorter and catchier than that, but that’s all I’ve got. If you have any suggestions for something short and sweet, please feel free to comment. J *raise imaginary champagne glass that’s filled with…something not alcoholic* So here’s to living a life of boldness for the glory of God…maybe the Lord wants you to learn what that means, too!

P.S. Since I'll be starting college (I move in tomorrow actually...gah!), that means I probably won't be posting as much. Hopefully I can keep it up, though...I love doing it! God's taught me so much this year and it makes it even more fulfilling when I can share it. Anyways, if you don't hear from me as often, you'll know why. ;)

Song of Solomon

It’s funny how an “accidental” stumble upon something unexpected can give you a totally new appreciation for the Lord. I’m trying to get a routine going with my quiet times so that when I get to college, I won’t be totally shaken by the new schedule…but it’s been tough. I had it all planned out – I was going to go through a Weirsbe commentary on the Timothy books and also one on Exodus (I try to spend time in an OT and NT book at the same time)…but I don’t think Exodus is where God wants me right now. I stumbled upon Song of Solomon and thought, “Well…it’s kind of an awkward book, but it’s in the Bible, so I should go through it.” I skimmed through Song of Solomon a couple of years ago, but have never read it this way before. God really opened my eyes to this incredible piece.

So I’m just going to kind of go through the book and pick out verses that stood out for me. Right from the beginning, God seemed to want me to read this book not just as a romance between a couple, but as God’s love story to His people (which makes sense of why He wanted me to read it that way, cuz I ain’t married yet J). When I started reading it from that perspective, it became one of the most beautiful things I’ve ever laid eyes upon. I encourage you all to read this book…let yourself become overwhelmed by the unconditional love Jesus has for you and know that just as Solomon pursued his bride, Jesus is pursuing you.

• ·         1:4 “Draw me after you and let us run together!” This is a plea from the bride asking for the groom to pursue her…we don’t have to worry, we know Jesus is pursuing us. J I love this image of them running together because it gives the implication of abandonment from everything else going on around them.
• ·         2:3-5 “In his shade I took great delight and sat down, and his fruit was sweet to my taste. He has brought me to his banquet hall, and his banner over me is love. Sustain me with raisin cakes, refresh me with apples, because I am lovesick.” I love this because it shows a picture of how we as Christians are to behave when in the presence of Jesus – we are to be in longing, in search, in seeking. When we are yearning for satisfaction, we should immediately come to Jesus’ “banquet table”, which is His Word and ultimately Himself. When the bride says “in his shade I took great delight and sat down”, I can’t help but think of Mary in Luke 10:39 when Jesus came to visit her and her sister Martha, “Mary, who was seated at the Lord’s feet, listening to His word.” Just like the bride in SOS (Song of Solomon) and Mary, we should come humbly before Jesus and bask in His presence, desperate to be filled – not just as a duty but as a delight.
• ·         2:10-11 “My beloved responded and said to me, ‘Arise, my darling, my beautiful one, and come along. For behold, the winter is past, the rain is over and gone.’” This verse is such a beautiful picture of hope to me. It’s a picture of Jesus drawing His bride to Himself, reminding her of her beauty and value, and wanting her to soak in that hope. When I was taking literature in high school, we talked about how the weather and seasons have a deeper connotation. For example, we would say that the “winter” and “rain” in this verse represents trials, maybe even sadness. But the groom wants to show his bride the hope that remains after the rain and struggles have past. I am reminded of the promise we have in Revelation 21:5 when Jesus says, “Behold, I am making all things new.”
• ·         2:14 “Let me hear your voice; for your voice is sweet.” What if that was our attitude in regards to listening to God’s voice? What if we actually made the effort to stop and listen, and discover just how sweet it really is? A couple of weeks ago, one of the leaders of our college ministry at church reminded us that as we entered this exciting new period of our lives, we should try and get in the habit of knowing what God’s voice sounds like. That’s my prayer, not just for college kids, but anyone out there reading this blog – that you would learn what God’s voice sounds like and come to know Him on a more personal level than you ever have before.
• ·         2:16 “My beloved is mine, and I am his.” Simple enough.
• ·         3:2 “I must arise now and go about the city; in the streets and in the squares I must seek him whom my soul loves.” The bride seeking the groom isn’t just from emotional motivation, but logical motivation…it just makes sense that she would seek him. It’s almost like she was created to seek him...isn’t that the same for us in seeking Jesus? I’m gonna go with yes.
• ·         3:11 “…on the day of [Solomon’s] wedding, and on the day of his gladness of heart.” When the church is reunited with Jesus just as a bride is reunited with her groom, I have a feeling that there is going to be plenty of “gladness of heart” J
• ·         4:1 “Your hair is like a flock of goats…” Ok so there’s no deep theological thoughts on this one – out of all the sort-of strange compliments in SOS, this is by far my favorite!
• ·         4:7 “You are altogether beautiful, my darling, and there is no blemish in you.” This verse is quoted a lot, especially by girls…it just sort of melts our hearts. But what’s really so awesome about this verse is that, thanks to the cleansing love of Jesus Christ and the fact that He took our sin and gave us His righteousness, this verse is true. So beautifully true.
• ·         5:3 “I have taken off my dress, how can I put it on again? I have washed my feet, how can I dirty them again?” Now, you might be thinking, “um…ok now we’re getting awkward.” Yeah, yeah I know what they’re referring to! But hear me out. So the bride is getting ready for sex – one of the greatest gifts God gave to man, and one of the ways we can glorify God the most. She has prepared for this great intimacy, so the bride is saying “I’m ready to be with my man! Why would I leave now? Why would I “dirty” myself again?” That’s how we should respond to spending time with Jesus! When God is drawing us to Himself and wanting to have intimate fellowship with us, why on earth would we turn away to “dirty” ourselves with the distractions of the world? Something God has been teaching me lately is to lay off the social media…I have a very strong love-hate relationship with social media. It’s awesome to use to get in touch with people and yada yada yada, but it’s also a huge distraction! Not just from spending time with God and my family, but from living life! And whenever I’m away from my phone or a computer for a long period of time, I find myself not missing it! So if I’m trying to have my quiet time with Jesus, and my phone “dings” saying I have a notification on Twitter, why on earth would I put down my Bible and pick up my stupid phone??? Now obviously this is a very modernized application I’m using, but I think it’s something my generation needs to know. Why would I want to leave the beautiful, intimate presence of God and exchange it for the unsatisfying and temporary distractions pulling for my attention? ***If you are a smart-phone-social-media-addicted teenager and reading this, GET YOUR NOSE OUT OF YOUR PHONE AND START LIVING LIFE. Ok rant over. ***
• ·         5:6-7 “I opened to my beloved, but my beloved had turned away and had gone! My heart went out to him as he spoke. I searched for him but I did not find him; I called him but he did not answer me. The watchmen who make the rounds in the city found me, they struck me and wounded me; the guardsmen of the walls took away my shawl from me.” This is one of my favorite passages in this book! You’re probably thinking, “Um…why? The girl’s man left her on their wedding night (I’m not actually sure if it is their wedding night, but from looking at 3:11 I think it might be…) and she went to go search for him but got beat up by a bunch of guards. This sounds depressing!” I love these verses because the bride is an example of how Christians should seek Jesus so desperately and diligently, even at the risk of facing persecution. She went out into the dark, unknown streets searching for “him whom her soul loves”, not focusing on her safety, but focusing on her groom. That’s how we should be pursuing Jesus. He didn’t call us to a safe life. “Pick up your cross and follow me.” That is a commandment – we are to pursue and follow Christ, no matter the costs. One of my favorite quotes from Alan Paton’s Cry, the Beloved Country that relates to this is, “I am moved by something that is not my own, that moves me to do what is right, at whatever cost it may be” What is the “right” for us? To seek after Christ with everything we’ve got.
• ·         5:16 “…he is wholly desirable. This is my beloved and this is my friend.” And that is what Jesus is to us. He is desirable. He is our beloved. He is our friend. John 15:15.
• ·         6:2-3 “My beloved has gone down to his garden, to the beds of balsam, to pasture his flock in the gardens and gather lilies. I am my beloved’s and my beloved is mine, he who pastures his flock among the lilies.” So the groom is passionate about growth and his sheep…sounds like Someone else I knowJ. (*cough cough* as in Jesus)
• ·         7:1 “How beautiful are your feet in sandals, O prince’s daughter! The curves of your hips are like jewels, the work of the hands of an artist.” Who’s the “artist”? GOD! How awesome is that??? We are His masterpiece. You are His masterpiece.
• ·         7:10 “I am my beloved’s, and his desire is for me.” Jesus desires you. What else can I say?
• ·         8:6-7 “Put me like a seal over your heart, like a seal on your arm. For love is as strong as death, jealousy is as severe as Sheol; its flashes are flashes of fire, the very flame of the Lord. Many waters cannot quench love, nor will rivers overflow it; if a man were to give all the riches of his house for love, it would be utterly despised.” I just always thought that was a beautiful verse.

Alright, so that’s all I got. I hope you found the beauty in this incredible book…it’s just a gorgeous representation of Jesus’ love for the church. Maybe when I’m married, other things about this book will make more sense. But for now, I’m content with knowing that Song of Solomon is also for us young’ns in that Jesus pursues you and me…and that is a beautiful truth.

God's Love: More than an Emotion

Sorry once again for disappearing for a bit! Sometime I would love to blog about my week spent in El Salvador, but I’ll do that another day. For now I just want to address something that’s been on my heart the past couple of weeks.

I met with my friend Mele today (I’ve mentioned her on here before) and we discussed some stuff going on in our individual walks with Christ. We both agreed that we struggle with the whole “mountains and valleys” of our spirituality. For example, we both went to different church camps where we felt so in tune with God and on fire for Him, when gradually we notice that the fire has gone out. During my mission trip to El Salvador, I felt so alive as I shared the gospel with the kids. The gospel became fresh again, and I was reminded of how powerful and beautiful it is. But there are days when the gospel seems like just another Sunday school story, something I’ve heard over and over again. The passion isn’t what it was. The determination to dive into God’s Word more has dwindled. We become distracted in our prayers to God, as upcoming events or tasks we have to accomplish fill our minds. Our quiet times have become a duty rather than a delight. We know we need to spend time with God, so we do…but the yearning has gone and God suddenly seems so distant.

 This is something I’ve been struggling with for awhile. Mind you, it’s improved drastically over the past couple of years as the Lord has been teaching me what I’m about to describe, but it’s still something I face. I think this is something that my generation has been struggling with, also. Society puts a huge emphasis on our feelings and experience and emotion. I think that’s one of the reasons why society has perverted the importance of marriage and sex – because they have no concept of what real love is (don’t even get me started on that topic! Maybe I’ll get on that soapbox another time.) So when kids go to a church camp/retreat/whatever and they have this emotional mountaintop experience, they feel awesome! At that moment, they feel closer to God than ever before…almost unstoppable! But emotions are fleeting, so the passion and fire are only temporary. We let this doubt creep in, saying that because we don’t feel that emotional connection to God now, it means we are distant from Him. That He loves us less.

Obviously, this isn’t true. God’s love for us is so much stronger than this “love” that our society has redefined. If someone is without God, then they are without love, because God is love (1 John 4:8). Not only is God’s love a part of who He is, but it is an action. His pursuit of us, His faithfulness towards us, His ultimate sacrifice of sending His Son to die on the cross for our sins so that we might have a personal relationship with Him are actions of His love. “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever” (Heb. 13:8) – which means that His love for us never wavers. Even when we are inconsistent with Jesus, He is always consistent with us.

Now, don’t get me wrong – experiences and emotions are important. When God does radical things in your heart, there are going to be emotions! God doesn’t want our relationship with Him to be dry and dull! But “feeling” is not what God’s love for us is based on, and it shouldn’t be the basis of our love for Him. Our love for God should be based off of who He is.

 So all this to say, when you are not doing so great being consistent with your quiet time, or your prayers aren’t as “deep” or “meaningful” as they used to be, or you’re unsure of where to go in your Bible so you go through the flip-to-a-random-passage scenario, or you don’t feel quite as enthusiastic to spend time with God, or you feel like your faith isn’t as strong as it once was…quit looking at yourself! If you look to yourself and your efforts, you will never be content. You will never have peace. We are to look to Jesus for answers, guidance, and hope – not ourselves. Quit looking down at your hands and your heart which have failed you and turn your gaze upward toward God who will give you rest and assurance.

The Spurgeon quote on my previous post keeps coming to mind…it’s one of the most convicting messages I have read in awhile. Here’s an excerpt of the wise man’s words:

Remember, therefore, it is not thy hold of Christ that saves thee-it is Christ; it is not thy joy in Christ that saves thee-it is Christ; it is not even faith in Christ, though that be the instrument-it is Christ's blood and merits; therefore, look not so much to thy hand with which thou art grasping Christ, as to Christ; look not to thy hope, but to Jesus, the source of thy hope; look not to thy faith, but to Jesus, the author and finisher of thy faith. We shall never find happiness by looking at our prayers, our doings, or our feelings; it is what Jesus is, not what we are, that gives rest to the soul.

Here are a few things I would say if you are struggling with this (I’m not trying to pretend I know all the answers – these are all things the Lord is still teaching me and I will continue to learn until the day I die):

Keep praying. Ask the Lord to help you fall in love with Him more. Ask that the Lord would make your desires His desires. Before you dig into the Word, prepare your heart. Here are some psalms I find helpful to pray in order to focus my attention on Him: Ps. 63:1-3, Ps. 119:18, Ps. 86:11, Ps. 119:36, Ps. 90:14. Keep asking the Lord to fill your heart and your mind with the Holy Spirit so that His thoughts can become your thoughts. Be honest with God when you pray – don’t put on a fancy façade and pray all these lofty prayers when the only thing you really should say may be “Help.” Come into His presence with reverence, brokenness, and humility. Come ready to be fulfilled at His banquet table, but also come ready to lift up your praises to Him in worship. Continue to repent of your sins so that God may do a cleansing work in your heart. Don’t just be a man/woman of emotion but of action – be a doer of the Word (James 1:22). Just as God is a God of action, so we are to become people of action.

Here are just a couple of other encouraging words:

“You can have an hour with Him one day and then five minutes the next; He is the same God regardless. Don’t feel guilty for doing ‘less’, that’s pride getting in the way. That’s human nature saying ‘it is because of the effort I put in that this good thing is happening’, when rather it is entirely by His power alone.”

Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful -Hebrews 10:23

If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. -1 John 1:9

“If we are faithless, He remains faithful, for He cannot deny Himself.” -2 Tim. 2:13

It Has Never Been About You

Read this from Spurgeon this morning...it was such a blessing and yet so convicting. Grateful for Jesus who grants us grace despite of our unfaithfulness. Grateful for Jesus who grants me grace even when I attempt to be self-righteous. Very humbling. If you only read one of my posts, read this one.

Hebrews 12:2

Looking unto Jesus.

 

It is ever the Holy Spirit's work to turn our eyes away from self to Jesus; but Satan's work is just the opposite of this, for he is constantly trying to make us regard ourselves instead of Christ. He insinuates, "Your sins are too great for pardon; you have no faith; you do not repent enough; you will never be able to continue to the end; you have not the joy of His children; you have such a wavering hold of Jesus." All these are thoughts about self, and we shall never find comfort or assurance by looking within. But the Holy Spirit turns our eyes entirely away from self: He tells us that we are nothing, but that "Christ is all in all." Remember, therefore, it is not thy hold of Christ that saves thee-it is Christ; it is not thy joy in Christ that saves thee-it is Christ; it is not even faith in Christ, though that be the instrument-it is Christ's blood and merits; therefore, look not so much to thy hand with which thou art grasping Christ, as to Christ; look not to thy hope, but to Jesus, the source of thy hope; look not to thy faith, but to Jesus, the author and finisher of thy faith. We shall never find happiness by looking at our prayers, our doings, or our feelings; it is what Jesus is, not what we are, that gives rest to the soul. If we would at once overcome Satan and have peace with God, it must be by "looking unto Jesus." Keep thine eye simply on Him; let His death, His sufferings, His merits, His glories, His intercession, be fresh upon thy mind; when thou wakest in the morning look to Him; when thou liest down at night look to Him. Oh! let not thy hopes or fears come between thee and Jesus; follow hard after Him, and He will never fail thee.

"My hope is built on nothing less

Than Jesu's blood and righteousness:

I dare not trust the sweetest frame,

But wholly lean on Jesu's name."

 

 

 

Predestination *Gasp*

I know, I know. Predestination is not the most enjoyable discussion ever. But, I realized that in my last post, I said that I would address it, and I totally forgot about it. Therefore, I’m going to give some insight that I received (ultimately through God) from Beth Moore. My mom lent me some of her old audio tapes from Moore’s Sunday school class and a session on predestination was on there. Being a young lass who hasn’t even chipped the surface of theological doctrines, predestination has always been a topic that makes me anxious and uncomfortable. It’s a topic that I have so many questions about, but my brain can’t even handle the complexity of predestination so I don’t even know how to phrase the questions I do have.

So, for those of you who are like me and are still unsure of how to swallow the idea of election, these notes are for you. Beth Moore waltzes gracefully into the complex idea of predestination with the best possible attitude a Christian can have with difficult doctrines in the Bible – total awe and submission to the sovereignty of Christ. You ready to dive into this sucker? Let’s do it.

·         Ephesians 1:4-6 “even as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before Him. In love He predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of His will, to the praise of His glorious grace, with which He has blessed us in the Beloved.”

·         We must love the body of Christ even when we disagree on points of doctrine

·         Both sides – Arminianism vs. Calvinism – have Scriptural evidence

·         “Both sides are right. In our human minds, we can’t understand how what seems two contradictory statements could be right, but in the omniscience of God, they are, and He will prove Himself right.” (paraphrased quote from Beth Moore’s former pastor)

·         Let’s not be cowards and think denominationally over Scripture but think as children of God

·         A.W. Tozer: “pouring over this issue may make us theologians, but it will not make us saints”

·         Vs. 4 “chose” God picked us out for Himself

·         Vs. 5 “predestined” begins with “in love” (end of vs. 4) and ends with “grace” (beginning of vs. 6)

·         When we hear predestination, we should immediately think of God’s love and grace, not with meanness or prejudice

·         What’s the basis for this election?

1.       The Sovereignty of God

§  He doesn’t owe us an explanation

2.       We have absolutely no idea

§  This subject is beyond our comprehension

3.    Implications of Matthew 22:1-14

§  Parable of the wedding feast – helps us understand a glimpse of heaven

§  Vs. 5 shows 2 types of people:

·         Complete refusal

·         Too busy to think about it

§  Vs. 10 “good or bad” on the basis of grace, not on their past

§  Is. 61:10 in context of a wedding

§  They must come to God by God’s requirements and not their own; they must be clothed in salvation (parallel to the wedding garments in Matt. 22) through Jesus; He chooses those who choose Him

·         Rom. 9:21-22 the other side: election for wrath

·         God’s sovereignty cannot be separated from His foreknowledge

·         1 Peter 1:1-2

·         We have not been chosen apart from foreknowledge

·         He knew in advance what was being chosen

·         Rom. 8:28-29 foreknowledge undergirds predestination

·         Rom. 11:1-6, 25-36

1.       Vs. 5 this remnant is chosen by grace

2.       Vs. 33 we need to be more like Paul in our reaction to difficult questions rather than being dogmatic

3.    “Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and how inscrutable His ways! For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who has been His counselor? Or who has given a gift to Him that He might be repaid? For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be glory forever. Amen.”