Jesus Calling -- June 17th

I totally needed to read this today... and definitely wanted to share what I read =)
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Jesus Calling
June 17th
By Sarah Young

Learn to laugh at yourself more freely.  Don't take yourself or your circumstances so seriously.  Relax and know that I am God with you.  When you desire My will above all else, life becomes much less threatening.  Stop trying to monitor My responsibilities -- Things that are beyond your control.  Find freedom by accepting the boundaries of your domain.

Laughter lightens your load and lifts your heart into heavenly places.  Your laughter rises to heaven and blends with angelic melodies of praise.  Just as parents delight in the laughter of their children, so I delight in hearing My children laugh.  I rejoice when you trust Me enough to enjoy your life lightheartedly.

Do not miss the Joy of My Presence by carrying the weight of the world on your shoulders.  Rather, take My yoke upon you and learn from Me.  My yoke is comfortable and pleasant; My burden is light and easily borne.

Proverbs 17:22

"A cheerful heart is good medicine,

    but a broken spirit saps a person’s strength."

Proverbs 31:25

"She is clothed with strength and dignity,

    and she laughs without fear of the future."

Matthew 1:23

"Look! The virgin will conceive a child!

    She will give birth to a son,
and they will call him Immanuel,

    which means ‘God is with us.’"

Matthew 11:28-30

"Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.”"

My Child

I received this from my Aunt today and it was incredibly encouraging to me so I thought I would share it.  Recently there have been quite a bit of stress in my life... and pain... whether it be financially or physically.  I know in the end that all of it will work out.  There is a Will... and it is God  =)

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My Child ~
You may not know me, but I know everything about you ~ Psalm 139:1
I know when you sit down and when you rise up ~ Psalm 139:2
I am familiar with all your ways ~ Psalm 139:3 
Even the very hairs on your head are numbered ~ Matthew 10:29-31
For you were made in my image ~ Genesis 1:27 
In me you live and move and have your being ~ Acts 17:28 
For you are my offspring ~ Acts 17:28 
I knew you even before you were conceived ~ Jeremiah 1:4-5 
I chose you when I planned creation ~ Ephesians 1:11-12 
You were not a mistake, for all your days are written in my book ~ Psalm 139:15-16
I determined the exact time of your birth and where you would live ~ Acts 17:26 
You are fearfully and wonderfully made ~ Psalm 139:14 
I knit you together in your mother's womb ~ Psalm 139:13 
And brought you forth on the day you were born ~ Psalm 71:6 
I have been misrepresented by those who don't know me ~ John 8:41-44
I am not distant and angry, but am the complete expression of love ~ 1 John 4:16 
And it is my desire to lavish my love on you ~ 1 John 3:1
Simply because you are my child and I am your father ~ 1 John 3:1 
I offer you more than your earthly father ever could ~ Matthew 7:11 
For I am the perfect father ~ Matthew 5:48 
Every good gift that you receive comes from my hand ~ James 1:17 
For I am your provider and I meet all your needs ~ Matthew 6:31-33 
My plan for your future has always been filled with hope ~ Jeremiah 29:11
Because I love you with an everlasting love ~ Jeremiah 31:3 
My thoughts toward you are countless as the sand on the seashore ~ Psalm 139:17-18 
And I rejoice over you with singing ~ Zephaniah 3:17 
I will never stop doing good to you ~ Jeremiah 32:40 
For you are my treasured possession ~ Exodus 19:5 
I desire to establish you with all my heart and all my soul ~ Jeremiah 32:41 
And I want to show you great and marvelous things ~ Jeremiah 33:3
If you seek me with all your heart, you will find me ~ Deuteronomy 4:29 
Delight in me and I will give you the desires of your heart ~ Psalm 37:4 
For it is I who gave you those desires ~ Philippians 2:13
I am able to do more for you than you could possibly imagine ~ Ephesians 3:20 
For I am your greatest encourager ~ 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17
I am also the Father who comforts you in all your troubles ~ 2 Corinthians 1:3-4
When you are brokenhearted, I am close to you ~ Psalm 34:18 
As a shepherd carries a lamb, I have carried you close to my heart ~ Isaiah 40:11
One day I will wipe away every tear from your eyes ~ Revelation 21:3-4 
And I'll take away all the pain you have suffered on this earth ~ Revelation 21:3-4 
I am your Father, and I love you even as I love my son, Jesus ~ John 17:23
For in Jesus, my love for you is revealed ~ John 17:26
He is the exact representation of my being ~ Hebrews 1:3
He came to demonstrate that I am for you, not against you ~ Romans 8:31 
And to tell you that I am not counting your sins ~ 2 Corinthians 5:18-19
Jesus died so that you and I could be reconciled ~ 2 Corinthians 5:18-19 
His death was the ultimate expression of my love for you ~ 1 John 4:10 
I gave up everything I loved that I might gain your love ~ Romans 8:31-32 
If you receive the gift of my son Jesus, you receive me ~ 1 John 2:23
And nothing will ever separate you from my love again ~ Romans 8:38-39 
Come home and I'll throw the biggest party heaven has ever seen ~ Luke 15:7 
I have always been Father, and will always be Father ~ Ephesians 3:14-15 
My question is ~ Will you be my child? ~ John 1:12-13 
I am waiting for you ~ Luke 15:11-32
                                                                                                  Love, Your Dad, Almighty God

Unexpected Gifts...

Sometimes the most unexpected gifts are the most meaningful and precious gifts you can get.  They are often the ones remembered for years.  They are usually the ones that cause the heart and mind to cherish the friendship of those who help create those memories.  It is an amazing feeling to receive an unexpected gift... one that you really feel like you may not deserve.  Gifts that make you cry because you feel so undeserving and are incredibly humbled.

A few days ago a friend and I were talking and for one reason or another it was mentioned that I slept on an air mattress and had been doing so for about 5 1/2 months.  As I was leaving the doctor's office the next day, I received a text message to make a phone call.  On the other end of the line was this same friend.  She was telling me something I never expected to hear.  Hearing me say that I had been sleeping on an air mattress didn't seem to sit well with her.  "It really broke my heart to hear you say that because I've been there before."  A memory that I won't forget... receiving the unexpected.  This friend, in a few short hours, had reached out to many of our coworkers asking for help for a coworker they knew, and soon had enough money and this gift picked out.  No words... yes I was still on the phone but quite unsure what to say.  So humbling.  That feeling of not deserving something yet it is simply given.  A friend saw a need, reached out to those around her who know me and I am blessed to call them all my friends.  "... You work with amazing people that care about each other.  God has a way of getting the important things taken care of ;)"  That message locked to my phone.  I looked like a hot mess as I drove across town from my doctor's office to work... tears streaming down my face.  Today I was blessed with a bed because of some pretty amazing people (a real one... not an air mattress... I've never had a new bed before (that was my own)... my chiropractor would be happy to know I sleep on a bed and not an air mattress.  Then again, he'd have to know that I was sleeping on an air mattress to begin with =P).

This whole situation reminds me of the undeserved blessings we have received from another.  It reminds me of the unexpected gift that God has given... that gift that is there for anybody to take.  A hand extended to anybody willing to reach out and take hold of it.  He gives it.  It is there.  It reminds me of another who didn't  have a bed.  Instead, the place he was laid was a feeding place for animals.  He was God's gift to this world... one that had been talked about (prophesied) but was still somewhat unexpected... a King, the Son of God, born a babe wrapped in strips of cloth and sleeping in a manger.  Christ was alive on earth, born to die for mankind... and rise again to bring us new life.  That death equates to our life.  A gift from God so that we would draw closer to Him... undeservedly so.  The purpose of this child, perfection of God presented in the form of man, was to suffer for you and me... for all of mankind... and rise to bring us new life.

A gift, an unexpected version of a King.  The expected was to be a King, one of great power, a leader, mighty and strong.  This King was one unexpected, a baby born in a stable.  A servant to all.  He came to serve, not to be served.  "For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give His life as a ransom for many."  (Mark 10:45)  He came to love.  A gift form God to anybody willing to receive it.  A gift is free... that is what gifts are... they are given not earned.  Often undeserved.  Mostly unexpected.  Just as God gave us Christ Jesus... our gift of eternal life... bridging the gap between God and man... our bridge from death to life, from sin to eternity.  It started, unexpectedly, with a tiny babe laying in a manger.

"For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord."
~*Romans 6:23*~

MY BED!!!!!!!!!!!! =D

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A few questions that I feel the need to ask... after writing this it is something that has sat on my heart... if you offer another a gift, would you want them to take it or not?  How would you feel if they'd say "No... I won't take it".  Think of God.  This gift that He offers... the MANY gifts, every blessing, every minute, every second is a gift.  He offers love.  He doesn't promise that it will be easy... but He offers love and guidance.  He offers eternal life.  All in the gift of His love and His Son Christ Jesus.  He is giving to the undeserving... but He WANTS us to take hold, to take the gift and receive His love.  He is waiting patiently, with open arms, for us to receive this unexpected and undeserved gift. 

Meet Me There

I am proud to announce that, after months of little baby bites of Scripture, I have FINALLY finished up a personal study on the book of Matthew... and I don't lie when I say months (I believe I started this at the end of April... just sayin) =)  YAY!!!  GO ME!!!  It just so happens that my church has recently done a six week study of Matthew as well.  Coincidence?  I think not!!  Does coincidence even exist or should it more appropriately be called "Godincidence"?  Anywho, I am pretty stoked as I can and will admit that up until today I have never made it through a single book (yes NONE of the books of the Bible) on my own.

The past few weeks of the study have taken me through Jesus' agony, crucifixion, and resurrection.  What stuck out to me the most was this:  Life, Death, and Life again.  Notice there is more Life than death mentioned.  Jesus went through more than we could ever even IMAGINE going through.  He experienced it and therefore can help us through any temptation, trial, or situation we face.  I know I get frustrated when people "let me down" or I don't get what I want or somebody or something doesn't meet or exceed my expectations.  A friend cancels on me or reschedules.  Somebody "forgets" something important to me.  I feel alone.  Somebody says something rude or condescending or inappropriate.  When it rains it pours.  Life is frustrating.  I am human and realize I am not perfect and I screw up a lot... then realize that Jesus is perfect.  Take a step back for a minute (or more since it'll take longer than a minute to read this).  This is a "short” (HA!!!) recap of a few areas that hit me pretty hard.

Matthew 26:69-75

Peter Denies Jesus.  

Not only did the disciples fall asleep in Christ's time of agony, when he was crying and sweating blood... or the fact that they all ran away... Peter fulfills a prophecy and denies even KNOWING Jesus.  Not just once, but three times he throws out denial.  The first time Peter simply acted confused and tried to divert attention away from him and attempted to change the subject.  The second time he took it a step further, using an oath to deny Jesus.  The third time he SWEARS he didn't know the Man.

Do you ever find yourself in denial of knowing Christ?  What does that even look like in our lives today?  Sometimes it can be pretty subtle.  You don't speak up or bring up the topic of Christ or the Bible, maybe.  I find myself being an avoider in most situations.  I avoid the conversation or topic.  Why is that?  Allow me to let you into my heart and mind a bit.  To me, I feel like God pointed out fear.  Fear of offending somebody with something I say.  But is it not offensive to God when I don't do what He calls me to do?  Shouldn't I be trusting Him in the words and actions?  Fear of what somebody may think of me.  What does that matter?  Shouldn't God's opinion of me matter more than another person's?  Fear of not knowing the answers.  I think I mentioned before how I was human, which means I don't know everything.  Shocking, I know.  But there is a fear for me in saying the phrase "I don't know".  Why is that?  Maybe the fear of criticism or verbal persecution?  Is "I don't know" a good enough answer in some cases?  It is definitely humbling.

A topic for discussion one of the few times I went to Alpha this past fall ended up on the topic of "persecution".  What do I take for granted in life when I say that I am a "Christian"?  I feel like I have it so easy here in life.  I can say "I am a Christian" but do I walk it out?  Or do I title myself "Christian" as some type of feel good thing?  Think of this:  In America, you can say you are a Christian.  You may be verbally insulted or criticized, what some may call persecution.  I am not trying to downplay this but bare with me here.  There is spiritual warfare that does take place through verbal abuse.  Satan uses whatever he can to tear us down.  What is convicting to me is that I am afraid to speak up and walk out what it means to be a Christian.

Culture change:  Brother Yun is a believer in a country where being a follower of Christ gets you more than just verbal persecution.  It is a country where there are certain implications in saying you are a Christian.  He should be dead from beatings and starvation and what is truly defined as persecution.  Where he is from, saying you are a Christian can get you killed.  Yet, through Christ's strength, he is not afraid to say he loves Jesus.  (His journey is documented in the book "The Heavenly Man".  It is an amazing story of what it looks like to follow Christ and I would HIGHLY recommend it to anybody.)  In some countries, it is not verbal abuse that is a concern.  In other lands, calling yourself a Christian is basically giving yourself a death sentence.  And yet, here I am scared of what somebody may think of me if I say "I love Jesus.  I am a Christian."

Just today I read the final portion of Matthew 28 and there was more that stuck out to me other than the Great Commission (which is awesome... but yes, there is more).

Matthew 28:8-20

Jesus Appears to His Disciples.

To me, what was so cool was where Jesus appeared to His disciples.  Allow me to explain (you have to :)). In Matthew 28:10, Jesus has just risen and He tells the women to run and tell His "brothers" to meet Him in Galilee.  However, fast forward through the Gospels to John 20:19 and Jesus actually meets with the disciples in Jerusalem and then LATER in Galilee.  Why is that?  "... the disciples were meeting behind locked doors because they were afraid of the Jewish leaders." (John 20:19).  Jesus said "Galilee!!”  His brothers said "I'm too scared to leave".  So what does Jesus do?  He met them where they were.  He didn't scold them, or put on a great guilt trip even though he had more ammo than anybody would ever need.  He didn't wait for them... He knew they were scared... He met them wherever they were even if where they were wasn't necessarily where He had told them to be.  The disciples were scared.  He met them there.  How cool is that?  What is even better is that Jesus will do the same for us.  No matter where we are, Jesus will meet us there.

He calls the disciples "my brothers".  They were in hiding for fear of what man could do to them.  They ditched Jesus in His greatest time of pain, suffering, and agony.  They denied even knowing Him.  And yet, here is Jesus.  He went to them, met them where they were, and still loved them enough to call them brothers.  These were the men who LITERALLY walked with Jesus EVERY DAY!!!!  They saw Him work miracles, witnessed His works, heard His teachings, and were personally mentored by God Himself.  And yet they ran away, denied Him, and hid for fear of man.  They didn't "remember" what Jesus had said about rising again and they had spent every day with the Man for crying out loud.  And they didn't go to Galilee... they stayed locked in a room.  Yet, after showing his love by dying on the cross, shouldering all the sin in the world, and feeling an agony we will NEVER feel, Jesus still takes a step... He met them where they were.  His love kept no record of what the disciples had done or what they did NOT do.  He is Love.  Love keeps no record of our wrongs.  Jesus went to the disciples when they were scared and in hiding.  They ran away and denied knowing Him (I've mentioned that before).  Jesus still forgave them, went to them, and met with them behind closed doors.  He forgave them.  He loved them.  He met with them in whatever place in life they were in.

What is so cool is that Jesus does the same for us.  He can say "meet me there".  Even when we don't go, He still meets with us.  He meets with us through the cross.  He wants us to meet him there... if we don't go, He brings the cross to us.  Jesus forgets our "imperfections" and wrongs.  He forgives us.  He loves us.  He meets us wherever we are in life regardless of whether that is resting in His arms, running to His cross, or hiding behind locked doors of fear and insecurity.  Even though this sounds cliché I'm going to say it:  Jesus holds the keys to the locks that bind the chains around our heart.  And He loves us so much that, not only did He spread His arms and die on the cross, no matter what we have done or where we are in life, Jesus still loves us, forgives us, and will meet us there.

Conviction in Action

Conviction in Action à Your actions in life back up what you say you believe.  I have thought about this a lot lately.  Saying it is one thing; a step in the right direction.  Doing it is another thing; a leap of faith.  I saw a picture on facebook recently about if we take a leap of faith, God will either catch us or He will teach us how to fly.  You won’t know if you don’t leap.  Either way, if we are leaping and jumping and running after Him, He will not let us fall.

Conviction in Action à It can be so darn difficult to do.  Fear often stands in the way.  The “what ifs” can blind us and back up fear.  They can often stifle and kill faith in action.  If we say it, should not our actions back it up?  That is the question that keeps on bugging me and just won’t leave me alone.  Recently, some “what ifs” in life served as my alarm clock in the wee hours of the morning… not a pleasant way to wake up but God uses things in ways we could never imagine.

Convictions à Who is God in my life?  What are the roles of each of the Three Persons in One?  How does that affect who I am and could I define each of those roles separately and together if somebody asked me to do so?  I think I could find and say what the Bible tells me, but do I believe it?  A question we recently asked to our High Schoolers at Youth Group:  If you take away all the “stuff”, who are you?  If you take away, Life Group, Church, all of the “Christian Activities” you participate in, what is your relationship with Christ?  What does that look like?  Do my actions follow through on my beliefs?  Do I live that out?  People are watching… closer than we often realize.  If people watch me, could they figure out what I believe and who I live for?

Convictions then action à  Follow through.  It is so hard to do.  We can say it… voice it… be heard… even argue it.  Do we follow through?  Or are we more concerned with what others will think?  What is more important:  what others think or what God thinks? (Galatians 1:10)  Are we more concerned about hurting somebody?  Will it not hurt them more further down the road?  Trust would be broken… a bond of trust that grows over time.  Healing could be more painful… the more you “lead somebody on” the more painful the experience once honesty makes its presence known.  Forgiveness could be more difficult.

Convictions à Where do they come from?  All Scripture is God breathed (2 Timothy 3:16-17).  The Spirit will convict us and when He does, we will know.  Do we act on those convictions?  The beauty is that God does not force us to move but He gives us the choice to do so… to step out in faith in Him.  He has given the gift of freedom… the freedom to choose… the freedom to follow… the freedom to act on convictions.  He leads… will we follow?

He will catch us if we fall… will we trust Him to do so?  There is a feeling that often comes with conviction.  I don’t really know how to explain it but it is there and you know it when it is.  It is kind of like “you know what you are supposed to do but you don’t really want to do it because it is too hard.”  It might be harder, but God is easy.  Nothing is too hard for God.  He is bigger.  He is stronger.  He will catch us when we leap… or He will teach us how to fly.

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"Obviously, I’m not trying to win the approval of people, but of God. If pleasing people were my goal, I would not be Christ’s servant." 

~ Galatians 1:10 ~

"All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right.  God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work."

~ 2 Timothy 3:16-17 ~

I Am...

I Am... Love, Grace, Worth, Patience, Humility, Lord, Healing, Light, Truth, Mercy, Life, Rest, Perfection, Power, Eternal.  I Am a mystery...  The Alpha and Omega... The Beginning and the End.  I Am... hugs, kisses, tears, smiles, laughter, joy, richness, struggles, victory... The Almighty... in everything... all around you.  I Am... the only one, the only thing that can fill a void in your life and in your heart... the love that so many long for... the comfort that wraps its arms around you... the peace that fills your heart in times of chaos and calms your mind when life gets overwhelming.  I Am Fulfilling and Satisfying, Blessing, Everlasting.  I Am strength in times of weakness.  I Am... your Father, Friend, Husband, Lover, Teacher, Keeper, Companion, Provider, Rescuer, Healer, King, Deliverer, Protector, Living Water, Shield, Armor... the One... the One you can run to, cry to, hide within, count on, lean on, find strength within... the One you can trust to hear you and answer you always.  I Am your ONE TRUE LOVE.  I Am Promise, Peace, Relationship, Forgiveness, Desire, Righteous, Gentle, Worship, Complete, Freedom, History, Sacrifice, and Love.  I Am the Creator. I Am Living and Active, Kind and Faithful.  I Am so much more than you could EVER IMAGINE or even begin to wrap your mind around.  I Am... The Way.  I Am the impossible made possible.  I Am PERFECT, unfathomable, indescribable, infinite... I Am YOUR God... and I LOVE YOU!!!

Down and Dirty...

The other day at work, as well as several other days recently, I have been told that I've been dressing pretty "girly" lately (hard to believe, I know).  Most of you who know me understand why this statement may have been made.  You see, I REALLY love my sweatpants, gym shorts, and looser tees... and would EASILY take wearing them over jeans and a fitted tee, or skirts and a blouse (shocking, I know).  It is not a bad thing this comment was made.  It was kind of nice that somebody had noticed.  I responded with a comment that I probably would not be wearing a skirt in the near future... or more like next Spring.  When this particular person asked why that was, I reminded him of the strawberry/scar I have on my left shin.

A few months ago I slid playing softball (yes in shorts... no more sliding in shorts).  It was simply done out of instinct on a close play, something I did not necessarily think about when I did it.  However, I was safe at third and we ended up coming back and winning that game.  I told the person that the scar was not very "girly".  His response to that was, "It isn't a scar... that right there is a badge so you better wear it like one."  A badge?  Proof that I am willing to get down and dirty and sacrifice my body for something that I enjoy, even love, doing... without even thinking about it?

This conversation got me thinking today (imagine that).  How much am I willing to get down and dirty for my faith?  How much am I willing to sacrifice for Christ?  Some see living for Him as a risk... in my eyes, something done for Christ should not be seen as a RISK as it is being done for Christ.  However, sometimes I act as though I'm risking it all, holding on to materialism and "things".  He has yet to fail me and is always with me... every step of the way.  Am I willing to sacrifice anything and everything for the God who gave His only Son as a ransom for my filth?  Give it my all for His purpose?  His will?  For a victory ALREADY WON?

"Love the Lord your God above all else..." ~Matthew 22:37~~Mark 12:30~

"And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or fields for my sake will receive a hundred times as much and will inherit eternal life.  But many who are first will be last, and many who are last will be first." ~Matthew 19:29-30~

My faith and my Savior, my relationship with the Father, should be something I am SO IN LOVE with, a relationship that I am so lost in, that I should follow wherever He leads and do anything for Him out of instinct... without questioning... without thinking about what I am doing in His name.  Prayer Required.  Counsel Sought and Received.  God's will to be done.  However, I often find myself questioning and doubting and hesitating.  When I do that, most of the time, usually always, I am focusing on me, my own inadequacies, faults, filth, and lackings.

"But this isn't about you..."
"Why do you think it is about you..."
"Stop focusing on you and focus on Who this is really, truly about..."

I am blessed by those who give these gentle reminders.  I am blessed by the guidance given and by those who challenge me.  The truth follows...

"I can do all things through Him who strengthens me."  ~Philippians 4:13~

"... For apart from Me you can do nothing." ~John 15:5~

He is with me always... He will never leave me!! ~Isaiah 41:10~~Joshua 1:9~~Deuteronomy 31:6~

"For I am the Lord your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, "Do not fear; I will help you."" ~Isaiah 41:13~

"The Lord is my Light and my Salvation -- whom shall I fear?  The Lord is the stronghold of my life -- of whom shall I be afraid?" ~Psalm 27:1~

"If God is for us, who can ever be against us?" ~Romans 8:31~

"But take heart; I have overcome the world." ~John 16:33~

"My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." ~2 Corinthians 12:9~

There may be scars and hurts and persecution along the way... those trials should be expected, not a surprise. ~1 Peter 4:12-13~

"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." ~2 Corinthians 4:17~

Why is it so hard to go all out for God?  Those scars, should we not wear them as a badge, not to honor ourselves, but to glorify Him?  Something to ponder...  Am I willing to get down and dirty and sacrifice what I have for what I love more than anything else that ever existed?  Am I willing to give it all and go all out for Christ?