Beautiful things happen when you are obedient to God.
I made a decision about a month ago that was difficult. I felt like I was basically giving up everything.
I knew what God had asked me to do, so I did it (even though it took a while).
After a while, God showed me a new direction I needed to take.
So, I trusted. I trusted He had something good in store.
Believe me, He did.
I'm continuing to be blown away by what God is doing in my life.
And all it took was one step of faith.
Then another.
And another.
And... well you get the picture.
Sometimes it's hard to trust and be obedient when you think you know what is best.
Been there, dealt with that.
But because I have trusted God, I have had amazing blessings in my life that I could never have dreamed of a month ago.
A verse has stuck out to me a lot lately. For my birthday, my grandparents gave me a necklace with a Scripture on it... Jeremiah 29:11.
"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." (NIV)
I've been holding on to that verse for dear life lately. I am trusting that God has amazing plans and I'm getting to see what He is doing in my life, and it is just amazing.
Don't waste time like I did. You don't have to. Decide now that you are going to trust God and be obedient to what He asks. Don't fight Him. If He is asking for your heart and life to be His, and asking you to follow Him no matter what, just pray. Ask Him to forgive you of your sins and to come and be with you and live with you, teaching you how to follow Him well and love Him well.
If He is asking you to do something small, just do it. It may be hard in the moment, but trust me friend, blessings will come from it.
God loves you and has your best at heart. Why not trust in His plan and let the pressure off yourself?
Showing posts with label obedience. Show all posts
Showing posts with label obedience. Show all posts
Thursday, November 1, 2018
Tuesday, November 26, 2013
Where Is God?
Elijah was depressed. Jezebel was threatening to kill him because he had killed the prophets of Baal, the false god she worshipped. Elijah's complaint to God was this; "I have been very zealous for the Lord God of hosts; for the children of Israel have forsaken Your covenant, torn down Your altars, and killed Your prophets with the sword. I alone am left, and they seek to take my life." (1 Kings 19:10 NKJV)
God answered Elijah's complaint. He told him in verse 11 to go out and stand on the mountain before Him. What happened next is amazing. A strong, powerful wind came by that tore the mountains and broke rocks; but God was not in the wind. Then came an earthquake. But, God wasn't in the earthquake either. Finally came a fire. God wasn't in that either.
There was one more thing that happened however; God spoke in a still small voice; and He was really there!
God doesn't always reveal Himself by awesome works; sometimes it is by the voice like a child. Still-- small-- quiet. One really has to listen to Him to hear it. Ecclesiastes 4:6 says this; "Better a handful with quietness than both hands full together with toil and grasping for the wind." Sometimes trying to listen for something loud and powerful is like grasping for the wind. We have to listen for quietness and a still, small voice.
I think something we need to remember to do is to take time especially to listen for God's voice. No, it is not always easy. We are all busy. But even one minute could help you to have a special revelation; try it some time. And don't give up just because it didn't work the first time. Keep at it. God will reveal something to you; it may be through the Bible, music; it could be anything. Remember, keep your eyes, ears, and mind open; and mouth closed.
SUGGESTED READING-- 1 KINGS 19 (especially 11-13)
God answered Elijah's complaint. He told him in verse 11 to go out and stand on the mountain before Him. What happened next is amazing. A strong, powerful wind came by that tore the mountains and broke rocks; but God was not in the wind. Then came an earthquake. But, God wasn't in the earthquake either. Finally came a fire. God wasn't in that either.
There was one more thing that happened however; God spoke in a still small voice; and He was really there!
God doesn't always reveal Himself by awesome works; sometimes it is by the voice like a child. Still-- small-- quiet. One really has to listen to Him to hear it. Ecclesiastes 4:6 says this; "Better a handful with quietness than both hands full together with toil and grasping for the wind." Sometimes trying to listen for something loud and powerful is like grasping for the wind. We have to listen for quietness and a still, small voice.
I think something we need to remember to do is to take time especially to listen for God's voice. No, it is not always easy. We are all busy. But even one minute could help you to have a special revelation; try it some time. And don't give up just because it didn't work the first time. Keep at it. God will reveal something to you; it may be through the Bible, music; it could be anything. Remember, keep your eyes, ears, and mind open; and mouth closed.
SUGGESTED READING-- 1 KINGS 19 (especially 11-13)
Friday, May 10, 2013
Wise Prayers?...
What have you prayed for lately? If you're at all like me, most of the prayers are for family, friends, missionaries, sponsored kids, etc. But what does God really want us to pray about?
Well, there are many ways that we can pray. God sets us a good guideline in Matthew 6: 5-15. That is the Lord's Prayer. But what I want to talk about is the content of our prayers; all that we pray about. What does God want us to pray about?
Solomon, the son of king David (David killed Goliath, and later on in his life, became king) offered sacrifices to the Lord. The Lord was pleased with Solomon, and asked him, "Ask for whatever you want me to give you" (1 Kings 3:5). Wow! What an amazing opportunity! Anything he asked for, he would be given! What did Solomon do with this opportunity? Ask for death of his enemies? Ask for a bunch of useless stuff? NO!
He asked for something that really pleased God. He asked God for a "discerning heart." (Aka wisdom.)
Now, that seems to be a little bit strange-- especially for someone who could have whatever he asked for! I suggest you read the whole story in 1 Kings 3: 1-15. It is truly a good story-- one that is worth reading! And don't just read it; study it and try to apply it to life. Now, this won't be easy, but who says being a Christian is easy? I am realizing now how hard being a Christian is; trying to balance work, school, chores, and reading and studying my Bible is extremely hard! There are days when I want to just give up; but if I would stop feeling sorry for myself and turn to God for help, my life would be so much easier! So, I'm not saying I'm a person who has this all together-- really, I am learning as I go along! But I ask you to join me and learn with me.
Ultimately, God wants our physical, spiritual and mental lives to line up with His will. And, when you think about it, isn't that the best way to go? After all, He can see the whole picture; we can only see a small part of it! God has an amazing plan for our lives; He wants us to trust that He will see it through! Join me in learning to lean on God. He is the most stable thing in the universe; after all, He created it!;D Come on; what are you waiting for? Pray for wisdom!;D
NIV USED
Well, there are many ways that we can pray. God sets us a good guideline in Matthew 6: 5-15. That is the Lord's Prayer. But what I want to talk about is the content of our prayers; all that we pray about. What does God want us to pray about?
Solomon, the son of king David (David killed Goliath, and later on in his life, became king) offered sacrifices to the Lord. The Lord was pleased with Solomon, and asked him, "Ask for whatever you want me to give you" (1 Kings 3:5). Wow! What an amazing opportunity! Anything he asked for, he would be given! What did Solomon do with this opportunity? Ask for death of his enemies? Ask for a bunch of useless stuff? NO!
He asked for something that really pleased God. He asked God for a "discerning heart." (Aka wisdom.)
Now, that seems to be a little bit strange-- especially for someone who could have whatever he asked for! I suggest you read the whole story in 1 Kings 3: 1-15. It is truly a good story-- one that is worth reading! And don't just read it; study it and try to apply it to life. Now, this won't be easy, but who says being a Christian is easy? I am realizing now how hard being a Christian is; trying to balance work, school, chores, and reading and studying my Bible is extremely hard! There are days when I want to just give up; but if I would stop feeling sorry for myself and turn to God for help, my life would be so much easier! So, I'm not saying I'm a person who has this all together-- really, I am learning as I go along! But I ask you to join me and learn with me.
Ultimately, God wants our physical, spiritual and mental lives to line up with His will. And, when you think about it, isn't that the best way to go? After all, He can see the whole picture; we can only see a small part of it! God has an amazing plan for our lives; He wants us to trust that He will see it through! Join me in learning to lean on God. He is the most stable thing in the universe; after all, He created it!;D Come on; what are you waiting for? Pray for wisdom!;D
NIV USED
Friday, April 12, 2013
Really A Christian?
1 Corinthians 15: 33, 58 (NKJV)
"Do not be deceived: 'Evil company corrupts good habits.' "
"Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord."
So, I'm a Christian. But how does the world see me? Am I really what I say I am in the worlds' eyes? Do I live differently and "set apart" from the world? Do I live in, and not "of" the world? I think-- no, I know-- that I am failing in that category!
You may ask, "Does this really matter? After all, we are in busy and weird times! No one notices anything I do!" Let me tell you a secret. IT DOES MATTER!!!!! People are always watching Christians, waiting for them to mess up, it seems. But this concept is more important; Jesus and His Father have Their eyes on us at all times. The only difference is that Jesus and His Father's eyes are loving; the world's; not so much!
Jesus calls us all to be examples to the world; good examples. He doesn't call us to be halfway Christians; Christian on Sunday, while the rest of the week out partying, having fun in sin. Can we, as teenagers, live for Jesus with all of the pressures of the world pressing us on every corner? Not easily. But by the light of God's Word, we can learn how.
Leviticus 11:44 says, "I am the Lord your God. You must... be holy, because I am holy." Hmm... What else does the Bible say?... Amos 5:24 "I want to see a mighty flood of justice, an endless river of righteous living." God says this! He is speaking these words! I am not making this up!
One of my favorite Bible verses is 1 Timothy 4:12. It is a long verse, but read it thoroughly, and then read it again. "Don't let anyone think less of you because you are young. Be an example to all the believers in what you say, in the way you live, in your love, your faith, and your purity." Wow! Apparently, we can do this. No, it is not easy. In fact, it may not even be fun. But Christianity isn't about fun. I could go on a whole rant about this, but I would be getting off track.
In the end, we need to examine ourselves. Our lives. Our thoughts. Ouch! That hurt me! Thinking about what you need to change is never comfortable and never easy. Whoever tells you it is, is either perfect or completely off their rocker! I see the mark floating somewhere in the distance, and it sometimes seems when I take off to get at it, I fall, or it moves! But, everything is about moving forward. God wants us to always keep moving forward, pushing onward for him. But, it sometimes feels like I'm Captain Hook off of Peter Pan. When the crocodile is seen, he runs the other way. But, really, he should face up to his fears and master them. Will you join me in examining yourself and moving forward and making a difference in this world for God? You know, one random act of kindness can go a long way!
For further study;
Galatians 5:22-23
Romans 12:21
1 Corinthians 6:19-20, 15*
2 Corinthians 5:17
Acts 16:31
Joel 2:32
Psalm 119: 98-99
1 John 4:20
2 John 1:6
Job 17:9
* This chapter may or may not help. Please read it sometime anyway, though!
NLT version used
"Do not be deceived: 'Evil company corrupts good habits.' "
"Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord."
So, I'm a Christian. But how does the world see me? Am I really what I say I am in the worlds' eyes? Do I live differently and "set apart" from the world? Do I live in, and not "of" the world? I think-- no, I know-- that I am failing in that category!
You may ask, "Does this really matter? After all, we are in busy and weird times! No one notices anything I do!" Let me tell you a secret. IT DOES MATTER!!!!! People are always watching Christians, waiting for them to mess up, it seems. But this concept is more important; Jesus and His Father have Their eyes on us at all times. The only difference is that Jesus and His Father's eyes are loving; the world's; not so much!
Jesus calls us all to be examples to the world; good examples. He doesn't call us to be halfway Christians; Christian on Sunday, while the rest of the week out partying, having fun in sin. Can we, as teenagers, live for Jesus with all of the pressures of the world pressing us on every corner? Not easily. But by the light of God's Word, we can learn how.
Leviticus 11:44 says, "I am the Lord your God. You must... be holy, because I am holy." Hmm... What else does the Bible say?... Amos 5:24 "I want to see a mighty flood of justice, an endless river of righteous living." God says this! He is speaking these words! I am not making this up!
One of my favorite Bible verses is 1 Timothy 4:12. It is a long verse, but read it thoroughly, and then read it again. "Don't let anyone think less of you because you are young. Be an example to all the believers in what you say, in the way you live, in your love, your faith, and your purity." Wow! Apparently, we can do this. No, it is not easy. In fact, it may not even be fun. But Christianity isn't about fun. I could go on a whole rant about this, but I would be getting off track.
In the end, we need to examine ourselves. Our lives. Our thoughts. Ouch! That hurt me! Thinking about what you need to change is never comfortable and never easy. Whoever tells you it is, is either perfect or completely off their rocker! I see the mark floating somewhere in the distance, and it sometimes seems when I take off to get at it, I fall, or it moves! But, everything is about moving forward. God wants us to always keep moving forward, pushing onward for him. But, it sometimes feels like I'm Captain Hook off of Peter Pan. When the crocodile is seen, he runs the other way. But, really, he should face up to his fears and master them. Will you join me in examining yourself and moving forward and making a difference in this world for God? You know, one random act of kindness can go a long way!
For further study;
Galatians 5:22-23
Romans 12:21
1 Corinthians 6:19-20, 15*
2 Corinthians 5:17
Acts 16:31
Joel 2:32
Psalm 119: 98-99
1 John 4:20
2 John 1:6
Job 17:9
* This chapter may or may not help. Please read it sometime anyway, though!
NLT version used
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