You are loved by the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. He made you in His perfect likeness. He loves you so much, that He died so that you can live with Him. Jesus loves you. God loves you. He wants a relationship with you. Just be who He made you to be...His child who needs Him. Seek Him with all of your heart and He will direct your path. Don't worry about tomorrow, for He has given you today. Rest in His presence. Let Him restore your tired soul. He will heal your heart as you cling to Him and confess your weaknesses to Him. When you are weak, He is strong. He will deliver you. Just rest in Him.
"Oh Israel, trust in the Lord." Psalm 115:9
Sunday, March 4, 2012
Friday, February 10, 2012
The Importance of Forgiveness
Matthew 5:44 says: "But I say to you, love your enemies and bless the one who curses you, and do what is beautiful to the one who hates you, and pray over those who take you by force and persecute you." (Aramaic Bible)
Jesus knew that unless we are able to love our enemies and bless those that curse us (or hurt us, or wrong us...ect), we would never experience the freedom we have in Christ. And, what is more beautiful than actually PRAYING for those that we are hurt by, threatened by, are bitter toward, hate, despise, or just don't like? And, not just pray for them, but actually pray blessings on them? Praying for God to use them if they know God, or that they would find God and seek Him with all of their hearts if they don't?
What a different world this would be if Christians would actually do what Christ commanded and PRAY for their enemies! Oh God would You change our hearts to be like Yours! May we learn to pray for those who hurt us so we can be more like You.
It's amazing how much your heart for your enemies will change once you start praying for them. You begin to see them as imperfect human beings on their search for Meaning and Truth instead of who you think they should be.
Jesus knew that unless we are able to love our enemies and bless those that curse us (or hurt us, or wrong us...ect), we would never experience the freedom we have in Christ. And, what is more beautiful than actually PRAYING for those that we are hurt by, threatened by, are bitter toward, hate, despise, or just don't like? And, not just pray for them, but actually pray blessings on them? Praying for God to use them if they know God, or that they would find God and seek Him with all of their hearts if they don't?
What a different world this would be if Christians would actually do what Christ commanded and PRAY for their enemies! Oh God would You change our hearts to be like Yours! May we learn to pray for those who hurt us so we can be more like You.
It's amazing how much your heart for your enemies will change once you start praying for them. You begin to see them as imperfect human beings on their search for Meaning and Truth instead of who you think they should be.
Tuesday, February 7, 2012
Shelter
This morning I was reading in 2 Corinthians and when I got to verses 16-18, I was reminded of all the things Christ is, so I made a list to help remind me of Who He is:
Jesus You are my shelter
Jesus You calm the storm
Jesus You are my Refuge when I lay in the shadow of Your wings
Jesus You are my Light
Jesus You are the Truth
Jesus You are my Strength when I am weak
Jesus I need You, need You, more than anything
You are my Rock
You are my Deliverer
You are Forever with me.
I was encouraged, I hope and pray someone else out there is encouraged as well.
Lord, I pray these truths would stick with me today. It's so easy to forget all the things You've done for me. May someone be encouraged.
"That is why we never give up. Though our bodies are dying, our spirits are being renewed every day. For our present troubles are small and won't last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever! So we don't look a the troubles we see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever." 2 Corinthians 2:16-18 (NLT)
Jesus You are my shelter
Jesus You calm the storm
Jesus You are my Refuge when I lay in the shadow of Your wings
Jesus You are my Light
Jesus You are the Truth
Jesus You are my Strength when I am weak
Jesus I need You, need You, more than anything
You are my Rock
You are my Deliverer
You are Forever with me.
I was encouraged, I hope and pray someone else out there is encouraged as well.
Lord, I pray these truths would stick with me today. It's so easy to forget all the things You've done for me. May someone be encouraged.
"That is why we never give up. Though our bodies are dying, our spirits are being renewed every day. For our present troubles are small and won't last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever! So we don't look a the troubles we see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever." 2 Corinthians 2:16-18 (NLT)
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
Acts
I've been reading in the book of Acts lately and the question that keeps coming to my mind as I read about all the miracles and lives that are completely turned upside down during the ministries of amazing people like Paul, Barnabas, Phillip, Stephen, and others is: How come that's not happening now? (Wow, that is a very long sentence!)
If we as Christ followers believed like the Christ followers in the book of Acts, think of how different our world would be. People would be coming to Christ right and left, people would be healed and risen from the dead all over the place! How amazing would that be to experience?
So, I guess I'm just struggling with what it all means to me. How do I get there? How do I become so in love with Jesus Christ that it seeps out of my every pore. How do I make my words be so drenched in the love and the knowledge of who Christ is that lives are eternally changed?
The only answer I've come up with so far is to pray for it. I'm not even close to being close to getting there, but I'm finding that by starting to pray for it, something is stirring within my very soul. I've never had such a thirst and hunger to read God's word before, nor have I ever had such a deep desire to spend my day in constant prayer. So I believe that that is a start. I'm not sure if I'll ever get there, but I know that Jesus wants us to become like Him, and He will make that happen as long as we allow Him to change us.
Jesus, take this heart, this mind, and soul. Take all of me and make it Yours. I am nothing and You are All. I need You, Father. Without You, there is nothing.
If we as Christ followers believed like the Christ followers in the book of Acts, think of how different our world would be. People would be coming to Christ right and left, people would be healed and risen from the dead all over the place! How amazing would that be to experience?
So, I guess I'm just struggling with what it all means to me. How do I get there? How do I become so in love with Jesus Christ that it seeps out of my every pore. How do I make my words be so drenched in the love and the knowledge of who Christ is that lives are eternally changed?
The only answer I've come up with so far is to pray for it. I'm not even close to being close to getting there, but I'm finding that by starting to pray for it, something is stirring within my very soul. I've never had such a thirst and hunger to read God's word before, nor have I ever had such a deep desire to spend my day in constant prayer. So I believe that that is a start. I'm not sure if I'll ever get there, but I know that Jesus wants us to become like Him, and He will make that happen as long as we allow Him to change us.
Jesus, take this heart, this mind, and soul. Take all of me and make it Yours. I am nothing and You are All. I need You, Father. Without You, there is nothing.
Sunday, January 1, 2012
What I'm learning
I just wanted to share some things that I am learning as I research Human Trafficking. Just some food for thought.
Did you know that there are an estimated 800,000 people sex trafficked around the world? Did you also know that an estimated 18,000 are trafficked into the USA annually?
*www.freedomcenter.org
There are at least 100,000 underage American girls being sex trafficked in the US today.
*National Center for Missing and Exploited Children
Did you know that the average age that a child is forced into this horrible life of slavery is 12-14? Did you also know that of those prostitutes that have been questioned, 87% say they would leave prostitution if they could, 78% say they need a safe place or home, and 73% said they need job training?
*www.hookersforjesus.net
The life expectancy for these children who get forced into the sex trade is 7 years. 7 Years before they die of suicide, drug overdose or are killed off by their pimps.
*www.traffick911.com
The last thing I want to do is probably the easiest thing to do... just turn a blind eye and forget about those staggering numbers. I need to remind myself that those numbers are just an estimate by foundations who do the studies...more than likely there are many many more that go unaccounted for.
So, where does that leave us? What does Christ call us to do? Think about it. Pray about it. Let your heart break and then do something about it.
Did you know that there are an estimated 800,000 people sex trafficked around the world? Did you also know that an estimated 18,000 are trafficked into the USA annually?
*www.freedomcenter.org
There are at least 100,000 underage American girls being sex trafficked in the US today.
*National Center for Missing and Exploited Children
Did you know that the average age that a child is forced into this horrible life of slavery is 12-14? Did you also know that of those prostitutes that have been questioned, 87% say they would leave prostitution if they could, 78% say they need a safe place or home, and 73% said they need job training?
*www.hookersforjesus.net
The life expectancy for these children who get forced into the sex trade is 7 years. 7 Years before they die of suicide, drug overdose or are killed off by their pimps.
*www.traffick911.com
The last thing I want to do is probably the easiest thing to do... just turn a blind eye and forget about those staggering numbers. I need to remind myself that those numbers are just an estimate by foundations who do the studies...more than likely there are many many more that go unaccounted for.
So, where does that leave us? What does Christ call us to do? Think about it. Pray about it. Let your heart break and then do something about it.
Friday, December 16, 2011
Upside Down
It's funny how once you allow Jesus to change you, your whole world will be turned upside down. I can remember sitting in church a couple of months ago. We were singing songs about desiring to give our whole life to God and I just prayed that God would give me that desire. I knew I should have that, but at that point, I just didn't have it. I knew I should want to live this life for Jesus and give my all to Him, but I was lacking in the desire. I wanted to want Him. I wanted Him to change me. I guess He has been.
Ryan and I have always talked about getting land someday. We've dreamed about doing our own gardening and living off the land. A few weeks ago we began talking about that again, but with a greater desire. A desire to actually live as Christ did was beginning to take root in us. We began discussing and praying about how we could take that desire for land and gardening and turn it into something greater...something that would make an impact on this world for Jesus. Something that would be meaningful and change lives. Something that would be a light in this very dark world.
As we continue to pray about it, we are realizing that what we are doing now is not where we want to be. I don't know if one would call it a "calling" or not, either way though, we really feel like Jesus is drawing us toward a life radically different than what we have made for ourselves. A life that is completely reliant on Him and His provisions, not our own.
We have a desire to build a community that houses children who have been caught up in the foster care system and also who have been caught up in the sex trade. We want to be a ministry to those children who have no hope of any kind for a future. We want to offer them a chance at life. We want to give them hope and a chance to live a life filled with meaning.
One way we would like to do this is by getting some land. We would like to build a small house on it where we could house these children. We want to live alongside these kids and teach them the love that Jesus has for them. We would like this to be a community thing, where people from the community come and volunteer their time and resources, whether it be helping with the gardening, animals, counseling, or medical care. Eventually we'd like this place to be self-sustaining, where we're able to sell the produce, animals and crafts that are made to keep the place running. Obviously this will take lots of prayer and help from the community.
Our vision is to develop this land and make it a place where hurting people can come for "spiritual, mental, and physical healing". We would like to eventually have a discipleship program and also a separate house where couples can come and stay and get free counseling so they can work on their marriage and relationship with Christ.
Our name for this place is "Yesha," which means: deliverance, salvation, rescue, safety, prosperity and victory in Hebrew. It comes from Pslams 18:1-2 which says:
"I love you, Lord; you are my strength. The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my savior; my God is my rock, in whom I find protection. He is my shield, the power that saves me, and my place of safety."
So, as you can see, we have had our hearts and minds full of hopes and dreams. We have absolutely no idea when, where or how all this will happen. We are asking for prayers and clarity.
We ask that you would help us by praying for God's will do be done and that lives would be eternally changed.
Ryan and I have always talked about getting land someday. We've dreamed about doing our own gardening and living off the land. A few weeks ago we began talking about that again, but with a greater desire. A desire to actually live as Christ did was beginning to take root in us. We began discussing and praying about how we could take that desire for land and gardening and turn it into something greater...something that would make an impact on this world for Jesus. Something that would be meaningful and change lives. Something that would be a light in this very dark world.
As we continue to pray about it, we are realizing that what we are doing now is not where we want to be. I don't know if one would call it a "calling" or not, either way though, we really feel like Jesus is drawing us toward a life radically different than what we have made for ourselves. A life that is completely reliant on Him and His provisions, not our own.
We have a desire to build a community that houses children who have been caught up in the foster care system and also who have been caught up in the sex trade. We want to be a ministry to those children who have no hope of any kind for a future. We want to offer them a chance at life. We want to give them hope and a chance to live a life filled with meaning.
One way we would like to do this is by getting some land. We would like to build a small house on it where we could house these children. We want to live alongside these kids and teach them the love that Jesus has for them. We would like this to be a community thing, where people from the community come and volunteer their time and resources, whether it be helping with the gardening, animals, counseling, or medical care. Eventually we'd like this place to be self-sustaining, where we're able to sell the produce, animals and crafts that are made to keep the place running. Obviously this will take lots of prayer and help from the community.
Our vision is to develop this land and make it a place where hurting people can come for "spiritual, mental, and physical healing". We would like to eventually have a discipleship program and also a separate house where couples can come and stay and get free counseling so they can work on their marriage and relationship with Christ.
Our name for this place is "Yesha," which means: deliverance, salvation, rescue, safety, prosperity and victory in Hebrew. It comes from Pslams 18:1-2 which says:
"I love you, Lord; you are my strength. The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my savior; my God is my rock, in whom I find protection. He is my shield, the power that saves me, and my place of safety."
So, as you can see, we have had our hearts and minds full of hopes and dreams. We have absolutely no idea when, where or how all this will happen. We are asking for prayers and clarity.
We ask that you would help us by praying for God's will do be done and that lives would be eternally changed.
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
Story
I have always struggled with not having a "cool" conversion story. I remember in high school and college hearing these stories of how so many people had these "turn to Jesus moments" and I felt kind of jealous. Not because I wanted to go through hell to find Jesus, but because I thought my story was boring. I didn't think anyone would want to hear it because I didn't think there was any excitement to it. I was embarrassed to go places where I knew I would have to share my testimony because I didn't feel like I had anything to say.
I grew up in a Christian home. Got baptized when I was 7. End of story. Yeah.
The last few months I feel like God is showing me how untrue that is. It is never the "end of the story" until you're face to face with God...but even then, that's just the beginning of eternity. So in reality, is it ever really truly the end of the story? I'm beginning to think not.
It never really dawned on me how ingrained these feeling were until I was reading about the things I needed to do in order to become a member at our new church. I read that I'm going to have to share my testimony with someone and I realized that I had no idea what to say. I couldn't share that I was on the streets and into drugs when all of a sudden Jesus appeared. I didn't have a story...so I thought.
Right around that time is when I started seeing some things inside of me that I didn't want to see. I started noticing how prideful I am. I started realizing that I'm really good at gossiping, but not so good at building other people up. I began to see how selfish my motives are. I started to see myself in a whole new light and was completely disgusted with the person I was seeing.
No, I don't have the obvious outward sins that other people might struggle with which makes for a "cool" story. What I do have is inward yuckness that Christ has revealed to me in a bombarding sort of way. I feel like He is saying, "no, you have not been burdened with sins that man sees, but you do have these areas in your heart that you have hidden away that I see, and you need to give those to Me. I despise those."
Talk about a humbling thump on the head. Thankfully, I serve a God who loves me despite my weaknesses. He sees my heart and even though He sees how terribly ugly it is, He still loves me and cares for me. Wow, I'm amazed at that.
I may not have had a super cool conversion story filled with awe-inspiring wowness, but I do have a story. And really, it's not my story, it's the story of Jesus that really matters.
Romans 7:24-25a NLT
"Oh, what a miserable person I am! Who will free me from this life that is dominated by sin and death? Thank God! The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord!"
Romans 8:1-2 NLT
"So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus. And because you belong to him, the power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you from the power of sin that leads to death."
I grew up in a Christian home. Got baptized when I was 7. End of story. Yeah.
The last few months I feel like God is showing me how untrue that is. It is never the "end of the story" until you're face to face with God...but even then, that's just the beginning of eternity. So in reality, is it ever really truly the end of the story? I'm beginning to think not.
It never really dawned on me how ingrained these feeling were until I was reading about the things I needed to do in order to become a member at our new church. I read that I'm going to have to share my testimony with someone and I realized that I had no idea what to say. I couldn't share that I was on the streets and into drugs when all of a sudden Jesus appeared. I didn't have a story...so I thought.
Right around that time is when I started seeing some things inside of me that I didn't want to see. I started noticing how prideful I am. I started realizing that I'm really good at gossiping, but not so good at building other people up. I began to see how selfish my motives are. I started to see myself in a whole new light and was completely disgusted with the person I was seeing.
No, I don't have the obvious outward sins that other people might struggle with which makes for a "cool" story. What I do have is inward yuckness that Christ has revealed to me in a bombarding sort of way. I feel like He is saying, "no, you have not been burdened with sins that man sees, but you do have these areas in your heart that you have hidden away that I see, and you need to give those to Me. I despise those."
Talk about a humbling thump on the head. Thankfully, I serve a God who loves me despite my weaknesses. He sees my heart and even though He sees how terribly ugly it is, He still loves me and cares for me. Wow, I'm amazed at that.
I may not have had a super cool conversion story filled with awe-inspiring wowness, but I do have a story. And really, it's not my story, it's the story of Jesus that really matters.
Romans 7:24-25a NLT
"Oh, what a miserable person I am! Who will free me from this life that is dominated by sin and death? Thank God! The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord!"
Romans 8:1-2 NLT
"So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus. And because you belong to him, the power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you from the power of sin that leads to death."
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