These last two weeks have been an emotional rollercoaster. Whew. God has revealed just a few tiny specks of His glorious plan to me, and I have been completely blown away. You know it's intense when I've actually prayed for the Lord to let up on me. Now that things have cooled down a bit I can actually get some of my racing thoughts in order. ;)
I've seen sorrows and griefs recently that I didn't expect I was going to experience until I was much older - and much more mature in my Christian walk. But a test is not a test unless it requires some difficulty, and God was surely testing my faith and the faith of those around me.
There was a point where I just wanted to pretend that it was all a dream. Some people told me that they just wanted to go home - but I didn't. I wanted to take my family and friends from around the world to a place where we could all just live together - separated from the evil and hurt of the world. Then I realized that this place that I was dreaming about was something that actually existed - Heaven. I wanted to go to my true home, with my true family.
The sorrows of this world should bring about the realization that this is not our home, and that as Christians we must continually be longing for the place where we will be with Christ forever.
On the way to church this morning, I noticed that one of the streets that we passed was called, "Saint's Crossing". I thought that was an interesting name for a road, and that maybe a road in Heaven should be called that. Then I realized that Every road would be "Saint's Crossing" in Heaven! The saints from the past, present, and future will be everywhere! What a glorious sight that will be! And all we will want or need or have to do is worship our Savior together! Imagine every Christian you ever met coming into one place and singing "Amazing Grace" a capella! I know that if that happened now, I would be on my knees, chocking back sobs for my Savior's love. But He will "wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away" (Rev. 21:4)!!! It is hard to even fathom what Heaven will be like. All I know is that I want to be there. I want God to just take me away to be with Him like Elijah - in a chariot of fire or whatever other means He wants to use.
Sigh. But for right now my Father wants me here, to do His good work and bring glory to His name. Which is perfectly fine with me. :)
I just want to close with two quotes from some praise songs:
"One day the trumpet will sound for His coming, one day the skies with His glories will shine! Wonderful day, my beloved one bringing - my Savior Jesus is mine! One day He's coming! Oh glorious day! Oh glorious day!" [Glorious Day - Casting Crowns]
"There will be a day with no more tears, no more pain, no more fears. There will be a day when the burdens of this place will be no more - We'll see Jesus face to face! But until that day, we'll hold on to You always." [There Will Be a Day - Jeremy Camp]
Sunday, February 19, 2012
Saturday, February 11, 2012
Oh yeah! Thankfulness....
So I know that it's been a while since I've worked on my thankful alphabet. But it's probably time to start getting back into it. :) I've been thinking about the "H" one a lot recently, and my word for that is HOPE.
By this I mean the "hope of eternal life" described in Titus 3:7.
In Literature we have been recently studying Dante's Inferno, which basically describes Hell as a place without hope. Also known as the worst place you could possibly be. If you did not have hope, what is the point of living?
Hope is something that God gives to the Christian to keep them plodding along in their everyday lives. The promise of spending eternity with Jesus is usually well enough to get me motivated. Eternal life is the greatest gift we have received from our Heavenly Father, and the expectation of it makes life on earth worth living.
By this I mean the "hope of eternal life" described in Titus 3:7.
In Literature we have been recently studying Dante's Inferno, which basically describes Hell as a place without hope. Also known as the worst place you could possibly be. If you did not have hope, what is the point of living?
Hope is something that God gives to the Christian to keep them plodding along in their everyday lives. The promise of spending eternity with Jesus is usually well enough to get me motivated. Eternal life is the greatest gift we have received from our Heavenly Father, and the expectation of it makes life on earth worth living.
Sunday, February 5, 2012
Pleroma
This culture is becoming more and more concerned with the phrase, "self-esteem". What does that even mean? According to dictionary.com (my favorite website ever), the word "esteem" means to "regard highly or favorably; regard with respect or admiration". Therefore, if we have a proper level of self-esteem, that means that we put ourselves in high regard with much admiration. Sounds a bit fishy, doesn't it?
The phrase "self-esteem" actually originated with Sigmund Freud, a famous psychologist during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. "Self-esteem" does not come from the Bible. The Bible does not tell us to hold ourselves in high regard in order to find fulfillment. Quite the contrary, actually. In Luke 9:23-24 Jesus says, "If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it."
Living for Christ and keeping our eyes on the cross is the only way we will ever find fulfillment. We must be "cross-eyed", as my Sunday School teacher puts it. :) Hebrews 10:14 states, "For by a single offering he [Christ] has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified." Not only do Christians find fulfillment in Christ when they are saved, but they are continually, eternally, and completely reconciled and fulfilled in Christ and His saving work!! Praise the Lord for the plan of the cross!!!
The Greek word "Pleroma" means to be completely and utterly fulfilled. In fact, it means to be even beyond fulfillment. Over-fulfillment. This is the word that is used in the Bible to describe what God does to the life of the Christian when He saved them by dying on the cross. Never can you find more abounding fullness than when you are engrossed in a relationship with someone who died for you.
These past few weeks my Father has been teaching me to lean upon Him in every circumstance, trial, emotion, etc. etc. etc. EVERYTHING! He wants to know about EVERYTHING in my life! Isn't that amazing?!??! I don't need to try and find fulfillment in my friends, boys, school, music, family, even my "faith" -- because my identity is with Christ! If I'm living and breathing with the Holy Spirit present in me 24/7....I won't need to turn to anything else for satisfaction, fulfillment, self-esteem, etc. etc. etc. :)
Now I want to go into all of the marvelous ways that God has orchestrated things in my life to continuously point me to finding my identity in Him. He does it with such detail, care and lovingkindness that I can't help but praise Him and smile with tears of utter joy.
Recently I have been reading an excellent book called, "Lady in Waiting" - it's about the awesomeness of being single woman the way that God intends for you to be. I just read the chapter about diligence, and the author says, "Do you believe that the abundant life is only for the married woman? Do you think that a woman with a husband, two children, a nice home, and two insurance policies is more satisfied with life than you are? Life is satisfying only when you diligently serve the Lord, whatever your circumstances." Wow. Well, that expels the thought of trying to find fulfillment in relationships/marriage.
Through God's providence I have also happened to be on the Chapel Worship Team this semester. I actually hadn't really thought about joining it until there was a need for another singer, and I was asked. I thought it would be an interesting experience since I've never sung with a praise band before, and so I said yes. Turns out that being a part of that group and singing on stage in Chapel every week has been one of the best things that has happened to me this semester so far. ("God moves in a mysterious way....") It has re-focused me on why I am doing what I am doing. My music at college has not necessarily always been self-centered, but neither has it been Christ-centered. I now am reminded every Tuesday morning that God is the one who has bestowed upon me my gift of singing, and that I should praise Him for it and consciously make every performance for His glory. Wow.
Those are just a few things the Lord's been showing me. I'll probably get some new glasses in a few days. :) He is so patient with me. I want to close with quotes from two songs:
The phrase "self-esteem" actually originated with Sigmund Freud, a famous psychologist during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. "Self-esteem" does not come from the Bible. The Bible does not tell us to hold ourselves in high regard in order to find fulfillment. Quite the contrary, actually. In Luke 9:23-24 Jesus says, "If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it."
Living for Christ and keeping our eyes on the cross is the only way we will ever find fulfillment. We must be "cross-eyed", as my Sunday School teacher puts it. :) Hebrews 10:14 states, "For by a single offering he [Christ] has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified." Not only do Christians find fulfillment in Christ when they are saved, but they are continually, eternally, and completely reconciled and fulfilled in Christ and His saving work!! Praise the Lord for the plan of the cross!!!
The Greek word "Pleroma" means to be completely and utterly fulfilled. In fact, it means to be even beyond fulfillment. Over-fulfillment. This is the word that is used in the Bible to describe what God does to the life of the Christian when He saved them by dying on the cross. Never can you find more abounding fullness than when you are engrossed in a relationship with someone who died for you.
These past few weeks my Father has been teaching me to lean upon Him in every circumstance, trial, emotion, etc. etc. etc. EVERYTHING! He wants to know about EVERYTHING in my life! Isn't that amazing?!??! I don't need to try and find fulfillment in my friends, boys, school, music, family, even my "faith" -- because my identity is with Christ! If I'm living and breathing with the Holy Spirit present in me 24/7....I won't need to turn to anything else for satisfaction, fulfillment, self-esteem, etc. etc. etc. :)
Now I want to go into all of the marvelous ways that God has orchestrated things in my life to continuously point me to finding my identity in Him. He does it with such detail, care and lovingkindness that I can't help but praise Him and smile with tears of utter joy.
Recently I have been reading an excellent book called, "Lady in Waiting" - it's about the awesomeness of being single woman the way that God intends for you to be. I just read the chapter about diligence, and the author says, "Do you believe that the abundant life is only for the married woman? Do you think that a woman with a husband, two children, a nice home, and two insurance policies is more satisfied with life than you are? Life is satisfying only when you diligently serve the Lord, whatever your circumstances." Wow. Well, that expels the thought of trying to find fulfillment in relationships/marriage.
Through God's providence I have also happened to be on the Chapel Worship Team this semester. I actually hadn't really thought about joining it until there was a need for another singer, and I was asked. I thought it would be an interesting experience since I've never sung with a praise band before, and so I said yes. Turns out that being a part of that group and singing on stage in Chapel every week has been one of the best things that has happened to me this semester so far. ("God moves in a mysterious way....") It has re-focused me on why I am doing what I am doing. My music at college has not necessarily always been self-centered, but neither has it been Christ-centered. I now am reminded every Tuesday morning that God is the one who has bestowed upon me my gift of singing, and that I should praise Him for it and consciously make every performance for His glory. Wow.
Those are just a few things the Lord's been showing me. I'll probably get some new glasses in a few days. :) He is so patient with me. I want to close with quotes from two songs:
"All of my ambitions, hopes and plans, I surrender these into Your hands. For it's only in Your
will that I am free; Jesus, all I am and have an ever hope to be."
Also:
"You are the One that we praise, You are the One we adore; You give the healing and
grace our hearts always hunger for. O, our hearts always hunger for."
MAY I ETERNALLY FIND FULFILLMENT IN YOU, O SAVIOUR!
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