Sure, we hear this in Sunday school all the time...we sang the song "Jesus loves me." We read about it, we hear about it...but do we really grasp it? Of course we don't. Why do I know this?
Because we go after other things to fill that love that God really wants to give us. I'm talking about stuff down here that give us pleasure for the moment, and then it's ripped from us. For some, it's always wanting a boyfriend (ladies, most if not all of us are that). For others, it's feeling worth. It's being good enough. It's feeling like we belong. It's about impressing our parents and peers. Others want the stuff. The most possessions you have, the bigger your house, the wider your flat-screen...you get the idea.
"I denied myself nothing my eyes desired; I refused my heart no pleasure. My heart took delight in all my work, and this was the reward for all my labor. Yet when I surveyed all that my hands had done and what I had toiled to achieve, everything was meaningless..." Ecclesiastes 2:10-11
There is more to life than what our eyes see down here. Loving God and allowing God to really love you is an act of faith that we can't see with our earthly eyes.
"Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see...By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God's command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible." Hebrews 11:1, 3
Ponder this of God...He made us out of nothing. He spoke us into existence...out of nothing. His words made us. Powerful...mighty...awesome.
This God loves you. No, He doesn't just say that. He means it. He doesn't sit in heaven and sing "I love Kat, yes I know, for my Bible tells her so." This is my story...this is how God loves me...
"...just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all men, because all sinned--" Romans 5:12
"For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." Romans 3:23
"I have listened attentively, but they do not say what is right. No one repents of his wickedness, saying, 'What have I done?' Each pursues his own course like a horse charging into battle...but my people do not know the requirements of the LORD." Jeremiah 8:6-7
"For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son..." John 3:16
"We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; and the LORD has laid on him (Jesus) the iniquity of us all." Isaiah 53:6
"'For a brief moment I abandoned you, but with deep compassion I will bring you back. In a surge of anger I hid my face from you for a moment, but with everlasting kindness I will have compassion on you,' says the LORD your Redeemer...'So now I have sworn not to be angry with you, never to rebuke you again. Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed,' says the LORD, who has compassion on you." Isaiah 54:7-10
"'Therefore, I am going to allure her; I will lead her into the desert and speak tenderly to her...In that day,' declares the LORD, 'you will call me "my husband"; you will no longer call me "my master."'" Hosea 2:14, 16
We were created for more than this world. You will keep seeking and seeking and filling your hearts with lies and deceit and things in this world that will only satisfy you a little. Our nature wants it, and the evil one tells us that. We were made for so much more. We were made with that intimate unity with God in mind...with that desire that only He will fill.
Don't keep running around Him. Let Him fill your cup. Give up everything that is meaningless, and I pray your hearts may see what that is soon.
Saturday, January 28, 2012
Monday, January 23, 2012
God's Intervention
Here is one truth we won't be able to fully grasp until we are at last in the presence of our mighty King...
Our God is Sovereign...He reigns in our lives, and has complete control of everything going on with us, including our hearts.
In Acts 16, you can read how God intervenes when our hearts are reaching toward His:
I'll give you a few passages:
"Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things." Philippians 4:8
If we are instructed to think on things like this, they are from God. Anything in conflict with this is not from God.
"Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love." I John 4:8
So, if that's true...look at I Corinthians 13...here's a chunk.
"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud."
Because God and Love are inter-mixed, if your heart is feeling the above, you're feeling God's intervention in your life. We can't always pin-point how God tells you what He wants to tell you...that's why He has given us His Word. We learn more and more about who God is and the many ways He works the more we study.
Acts 16 is only a small chunk of how God intervenes in our lives...but the truth is He does. He is sovereign, and it's time we acknowledge Him for that, humbly coming before Him and meeting Him like Lydia.
How do we know when we are getting a good thing and not a God thing? I read in Weird by Craig Groeschel (and I am truly hooked on this truth I realized) about divine burdens. A burden from God that is used to wrestle our hearts. It is used to get us angry at oppression and injustice to the point that we are driven to do something about it...it's how God can move us. I learned that Paul was troubled by this girl being a distraction to their ministry. What she was saying appeared to be a good thing...but God granted Paul a burdened and troubled heart to stop this spirit from further hindrance.
Warning: The devil uses good things to get in the way of great things...God things.
At doing this, you can read what happens. Paul and Silas get flogged (nasty whipping) and beaten, put in jail...and they complained and moaned all night...NOT. They were "praying and singing hymns to God." Talk about weird!! This response caused the other prisoners to listen to them. What faith and devotion to God! Then you see how God intervenes for their deliverance and the eternal deliverance of the jailer watching over them.
What would it look like if we responded like this? What if God's intervention in our lives and our treasures that are stored in heaven were reflected in our daily lives like this? If God brought an earthquake for them in response to their baffling reaction to all this suffering, what would happen with us? How would God meet us in our times of rejoicing when trials come? When we're bleeding physically and emotionally?
My friends, I love you all. As your sister in Christ, I encourage you to meditate on God's truths for you. I am eager because "small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it." (Matthew 7:14) I pray you find it. "Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind." (Romans 12:2) Society has given us plenty of lies to rely on...lies that Satan wants to tie us down with. We don't have to be that way. We are slaves to righteousness, not slaves to sin. Satan has no grip! God is willing to equip us with everything we need to fight off these chains...don't forget your armor. (Ephesians 6:10-18)
"I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith." (Ephesians 3:16-17)
Our God is Sovereign...He reigns in our lives, and has complete control of everything going on with us, including our hearts.
In Acts 16, you can read how God intervenes when our hearts are reaching toward His:
- Verse 7- Paul and Silas were trying to get to Bithynia, "but the Spirit of Jesus would not allow them to."
- Verse 14- Lydia was seeking God...when Paul and Silas spoke, "The Lord opened her heart."
- Verse 18- A girl had been following Paul and Silas, proclaiming what appeared to be a good thing...but "Paul became so troubled that he turned around and said to the spirit, 'In the name of Jesus Christ I command you to come out of her!' At that moment the spirit left her."
- Verse 25 & 26- Paul and Silas, being beaten and chained in prison, are praising and singing joyfully..."and the other prisoners were listening to them. Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken..."
I'll give you a few passages:
"Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things." Philippians 4:8
If we are instructed to think on things like this, they are from God. Anything in conflict with this is not from God.
"Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love." I John 4:8
So, if that's true...look at I Corinthians 13...here's a chunk.
"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud."
Because God and Love are inter-mixed, if your heart is feeling the above, you're feeling God's intervention in your life. We can't always pin-point how God tells you what He wants to tell you...that's why He has given us His Word. We learn more and more about who God is and the many ways He works the more we study.
Acts 16 is only a small chunk of how God intervenes in our lives...but the truth is He does. He is sovereign, and it's time we acknowledge Him for that, humbly coming before Him and meeting Him like Lydia.
How do we know when we are getting a good thing and not a God thing? I read in Weird by Craig Groeschel (and I am truly hooked on this truth I realized) about divine burdens. A burden from God that is used to wrestle our hearts. It is used to get us angry at oppression and injustice to the point that we are driven to do something about it...it's how God can move us. I learned that Paul was troubled by this girl being a distraction to their ministry. What she was saying appeared to be a good thing...but God granted Paul a burdened and troubled heart to stop this spirit from further hindrance.
Warning: The devil uses good things to get in the way of great things...God things.
At doing this, you can read what happens. Paul and Silas get flogged (nasty whipping) and beaten, put in jail...and they complained and moaned all night...NOT. They were "praying and singing hymns to God." Talk about weird!! This response caused the other prisoners to listen to them. What faith and devotion to God! Then you see how God intervenes for their deliverance and the eternal deliverance of the jailer watching over them.
What would it look like if we responded like this? What if God's intervention in our lives and our treasures that are stored in heaven were reflected in our daily lives like this? If God brought an earthquake for them in response to their baffling reaction to all this suffering, what would happen with us? How would God meet us in our times of rejoicing when trials come? When we're bleeding physically and emotionally?
My friends, I love you all. As your sister in Christ, I encourage you to meditate on God's truths for you. I am eager because "small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it." (Matthew 7:14) I pray you find it. "Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind." (Romans 12:2) Society has given us plenty of lies to rely on...lies that Satan wants to tie us down with. We don't have to be that way. We are slaves to righteousness, not slaves to sin. Satan has no grip! God is willing to equip us with everything we need to fight off these chains...don't forget your armor. (Ephesians 6:10-18)
"I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith." (Ephesians 3:16-17)
Monday, January 16, 2012
Rejoice!
As interesting as Ecclesiastes is, I encourage you to flip to chapter 11, starting at verse 7 and read to verse 7 in chapter 12. I will break this down quick and give you my revelation (this section was what my pastor preached on yesterday).
This whole section reflects on Solomon saying "rejoice in your youth! Love life where you are at! Don't be naive of the hardships, but enjoy what you can before you aren't able to anymore. It doesn't last forever."
Solomon encourages us to rejoice in our youth...rejoice in our riches that matter. Enjoy today. Chapter 12 then begins a poem of what happens to us physically as we age. Solomon uses this to encourage us all the more of what we have in our youth.
I like to take notes while I am listening to a sermon...and I caught myself writing this as if it were Jesus talking to me:
"Kat, enjoy what you have and be delighted in your singleness. You have freedom! Enjoy it and rejoice in being used by it. This is a gift. Know me and delight now...before you're married. Before your freedom is gone. Before your heart rests in a man and children. Before age takes you. Love me now. Grow in me. Learn to listen and resist the devil now. Store your treasures in Heaven. Remember me, your Creator and lover..before it's too late."
This is how God used Solomon's words to speak to me. "Rejoice in our riches that matter." What riches matter to me today? Not money...I am rich in every other way except money...and that's exactly how I want it, because that's how God wants it.
Personally, I will hold tight to this in order to keep the chains off me that the evil one tries to slip back on me again. My young friends, my single friends...rejoice where we are. Trust, but don't be burdened with this gift God grants us! We can get up and do more for his kingdom. We can be more spontaneous. We can drop life faster to help a needy individual before our married friends with families. This is a blessing. God can use us now. Rejoice!!
Do I still want to get married....oh yes I do...but I refuse to let Satan put the chains on me again to pull my heart down toward that road again...that heart-breaking road that keeps me desiring a man in my life. I have peace...I have joy. I have patience and hope. I will keep my eyes on Jesus, and remind Satan of his fate. He has no grip on me as long as Jesus is in the storm with me...and He promises to always be there.
Love your life today. Rejoice and thank God for your hidden blessings and take advantage of your freedom in your youth before it's too late.
This whole section reflects on Solomon saying "rejoice in your youth! Love life where you are at! Don't be naive of the hardships, but enjoy what you can before you aren't able to anymore. It doesn't last forever."
Solomon encourages us to rejoice in our youth...rejoice in our riches that matter. Enjoy today. Chapter 12 then begins a poem of what happens to us physically as we age. Solomon uses this to encourage us all the more of what we have in our youth.
I like to take notes while I am listening to a sermon...and I caught myself writing this as if it were Jesus talking to me:
"Kat, enjoy what you have and be delighted in your singleness. You have freedom! Enjoy it and rejoice in being used by it. This is a gift. Know me and delight now...before you're married. Before your freedom is gone. Before your heart rests in a man and children. Before age takes you. Love me now. Grow in me. Learn to listen and resist the devil now. Store your treasures in Heaven. Remember me, your Creator and lover..before it's too late."
This is how God used Solomon's words to speak to me. "Rejoice in our riches that matter." What riches matter to me today? Not money...I am rich in every other way except money...and that's exactly how I want it, because that's how God wants it.
Personally, I will hold tight to this in order to keep the chains off me that the evil one tries to slip back on me again. My young friends, my single friends...rejoice where we are. Trust, but don't be burdened with this gift God grants us! We can get up and do more for his kingdom. We can be more spontaneous. We can drop life faster to help a needy individual before our married friends with families. This is a blessing. God can use us now. Rejoice!!
Do I still want to get married....oh yes I do...but I refuse to let Satan put the chains on me again to pull my heart down toward that road again...that heart-breaking road that keeps me desiring a man in my life. I have peace...I have joy. I have patience and hope. I will keep my eyes on Jesus, and remind Satan of his fate. He has no grip on me as long as Jesus is in the storm with me...and He promises to always be there.
Love your life today. Rejoice and thank God for your hidden blessings and take advantage of your freedom in your youth before it's too late.
Monday, January 9, 2012
Suffocating
I know God leads us all to take risks...and when he tells you to do something, phew you'll know it! No matter the cost of that though, you should obey. Each time you do, you notice your heart changing...you see something about yourself you wouldn't have noticed before. You fully understand the meaning of "I am fearfully and wonderfully made" and how we are molded by the potter's hands. Not even 2 years ago, I would be crying over so many things that tried my heart...things I depended on too much or was uncertain of. The truth is, I am getting closer to saying that "I can laugh at the days to come." I can delight in the sorrows. Instead of getting mad at God, He provides a peace so I can acknowledge His sovereignty in my life and trust and hope. I couldn't do that on my own.
Without God's hands in my life, I would be this girl completely obsessed with how good she looked and how many heads she'd want to turn...I would be this girl crying over every crush that told her no. I would be sitting up late writing emo poems and listening to songs that made her heart bleed. I would have no self worth. I would have settled for far less. If you know me now...is this the woman you see?
Instead, God allows me to offer thanks in moments when I "should" be crying. He keeps me calm when I "should" be screaming. He guides my thoughts clearly when my emotions "should" be flooding them. Don't let that vicious cycle continually rule our lives. My heart is a precious gem, molded and created by the one who knows exactly what it needs to look like. I am wanting to know more about the God I serve so I can fall in love with His character more and more and change more and more into the image of His son, Jesus Christ.
I wrote this song tonight in reflection of God's work in our lives. I have another one in progress about another area of my life, but it's too late to work on that one. Here are the lyrics to the one I completed.
Suffocating
Sleeping by the sea
Body sinking in the sand.
Tide is flowing in
No desire to stand.
I thought I could hear
So I didn't breathe.
Cause every wave
Was comforting me.
I'm not the same girl.
I am different each day.
It's by the potter's hands
That my life has changed.
Standing on the waves.
While the thunder roared.
Tossed and turned aside,
Struggling for control.
Jesus I know I hear
But it was so hard to breathe.
Cause every wave
Was consuming me.
I'm not the same girl.
I am different each day.
It's by the potter's hands
That my life has changed.
Why fight alone? Why take control?
Oh God only you can change my soul!
I'll breathe you in no matter the cost
Cause God this heart is no longer lost
I'll breathe you in no matter the pain
Cause I am fearfully and beautifully made.
I'm not the same girl.
You're changing me still.
It's only by your hands oh God
That my life will show your will.
Without God's hands in my life, I would be this girl completely obsessed with how good she looked and how many heads she'd want to turn...I would be this girl crying over every crush that told her no. I would be sitting up late writing emo poems and listening to songs that made her heart bleed. I would have no self worth. I would have settled for far less. If you know me now...is this the woman you see?
Instead, God allows me to offer thanks in moments when I "should" be crying. He keeps me calm when I "should" be screaming. He guides my thoughts clearly when my emotions "should" be flooding them. Don't let that vicious cycle continually rule our lives. My heart is a precious gem, molded and created by the one who knows exactly what it needs to look like. I am wanting to know more about the God I serve so I can fall in love with His character more and more and change more and more into the image of His son, Jesus Christ.
I wrote this song tonight in reflection of God's work in our lives. I have another one in progress about another area of my life, but it's too late to work on that one. Here are the lyrics to the one I completed.
Suffocating
Sleeping by the sea
Body sinking in the sand.
Tide is flowing in
No desire to stand.
I thought I could hear
So I didn't breathe.
Cause every wave
Was comforting me.
I'm not the same girl.
I am different each day.
It's by the potter's hands
That my life has changed.
Standing on the waves.
While the thunder roared.
Tossed and turned aside,
Struggling for control.
Jesus I know I hear
But it was so hard to breathe.
Cause every wave
Was consuming me.
I'm not the same girl.
I am different each day.
It's by the potter's hands
That my life has changed.
Why fight alone? Why take control?
Oh God only you can change my soul!
I'll breathe you in no matter the cost
Cause God this heart is no longer lost
I'll breathe you in no matter the pain
Cause I am fearfully and beautifully made.
I'm not the same girl.
You're changing me still.
It's only by your hands oh God
That my life will show your will.
Tuesday, January 3, 2012
"Always"
If you haven't heard this song before, I encourage you all to listen and reflect it...then pray it.
Some of you may be living life with struggles and conflicts that just don't seem to resolve no matter how many times you bring it before God. Some of you may have moments where you are wrestling with your heart, constantly asking God to put it to rest. You are desiring God with all you have, and it seems like the journey gets even more tiring. You may be fighting with your own motives. Your heart desires resolution and answers.
Rest assured...He will not delay. Our God will come through, always. Always. That's a promise.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yb4VvNq8WEM&feature=related
Some of you may be living life with struggles and conflicts that just don't seem to resolve no matter how many times you bring it before God. Some of you may have moments where you are wrestling with your heart, constantly asking God to put it to rest. You are desiring God with all you have, and it seems like the journey gets even more tiring. You may be fighting with your own motives. Your heart desires resolution and answers.
Rest assured...He will not delay. Our God will come through, always. Always. That's a promise.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yb4VvNq8WEM&feature=related
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