Even though my girls are gone for a grueling six weeks this summer, I knew my Father had some amazing stuff for me to learn and struggle through. Convictions seem to be an everyday thing lately and I'm so grateful for it! That means my Lord loves me enough to put people in my path to correct me when needed and the Holy Spirit to yearn in my gut preventing me from committing potential sin.
Also, there is a new man in my life this summer. His name is James, you may have heard of him. He was Jesus' little brother. This guy has been beyond challenging and convicting in my actions , or lack thereof, as a Christ follower. Currently I am in a study by Beth Moore trying to grip this controversial book. And it just so happens, Summer Salt is studying this guy too! So I hang out with him pretty much everyday, and we're getting up close and personal, let me tell you.
There are so many areas I want to dive into that have struck my heart strings but the one I focus on today is one of the areas why many think James is so controversial: faith and deeds. They taught on it tonight at Salt. Many parts of the bible says that we are saved "by grace, through faith" (Eph 2:8) the end. Well, yes this is true, but James likes to take it a step further..."faith without deeds is dead" (James 2:26). It states all throughout the bible, to have Jesus as our Lord and Savior, we need to believe, have faith. Ok but James argues this, "even the demons believe there is one God and shudder" (James 2:19) So if that all we do is believe then we are no better than the demons, correct?
Here's the 'Melisa' spin: I think James says this because if we TRULY believe and have faith that the Lord is God and everything else in the bible that it says what God is and does, then why would we NOT bow at His feet and want, desire, long to be obedient to the Most High???
Think of it this way, if you have a child that wants a toy they have been eyeing for months and months when finally, as a suprise, you decide to get that toy for them. Maybe they have been really good, respectful, helpful, etc. When you unvail that present to your unexpecting child, what happens? My guess is their face lights up the whole house and their excitement is so powerful it can't be contained. They hug and kiss you over and over, jumping up and down marveling at what they hold in their little hands. They may even say "I'll do dishes for a month and clean my room everyday and help with laundry, and, and, and!!"
The deeper I get into relationship with God, my true Father, the more I can't understand why we don't act that way. He steals our heart, loves on us unconditionally...regardless of how many times we've 'hit our sister, broken the chair leg, spilled the juice on the counter'. And then, when we don't even expect it and definitely don't deserve it, he gives us OUR gift: ETERNAL LIFE!!!!!! So YES we should be shouting to the hills to everyone we know what gift we received! And YES we should also tell our loving Father, "Thank you!!!! I will serve your kingdom, I will help you find those who are lost, I will clothe and feed the poor, I will love those who persecute me, because you love me!!! I will, I will, I will" And actually DO IT.
THAT is the BOOM of James! Yes, we get eternal life because of God's incredible grace if we have faith, even that of a mustard seed, but WHY, please tell me, do we not want to show our gratitude and appreciation by being obedient and letting Him live through us in such a way that when people meet with us, they SEE God in us; i.e. our attitudes, the way we live our life?! THAT is what I am striving for! I just don't want a ticket to heaven. I want Jesus there at the gate saying, "well done, good and faithful servant". And that my friend beats any new Barbie, video game or Lego set out there.
Thursday, June 28, 2012
Thursday, June 21, 2012
Depth Perception
We went to a wedding this past weekend in which I thought it would be a great idea to wear some super cute, open toe heels. They matched perfectly with the dress and the attitude :) As the dinner part of the reception came to a close and the excitement of dancing filled all the kid's eyes, I moved to an area in which I could watch the upcoming show. Not 30 seconds after settling into my chair a boy, probably about 12 or so, rams right into my foot! It took everything I had not to grab him by the collar, oh the pain! (This is a girl who has had surgery on her toes years ago, and they are EXTREMELY sensitive) After the irritation settled minutes later, I got up to take Eden to the bathroom when low and behold, ANOTHER child rams into my other foot! For the love of Jesus! WHY?! At this point, I'm ready to exit...which we do almost immediately.
I have known this for years and notice it still today, and most recently at this wedding: CHILDREN HAVE NO DEPTH PERCEPTION!
We as Christ followers typically don't either. My 8 year old mentioned to me last night as we were talking about silly boys and how she won't be dating for another 10 years at the earliest when she agreed, "That's ok Mom, I know I won't know what love from a boy is til I understand God's love for me". Well, AMEN!
God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life (John 3:16) But many of us don't quite get the depth of love even though that is the most heard and memorized verse in the bible. So, John tries again. This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers. (1John 3:16)....I don't think it's a coincidence it's the same chapter and verse. God tells us how to know what love is right there! That is what we should base our relationships off of! Jesus was the only human to ever walk this earth free of sin, full of compassion and love and completely blameless....yet, that is who was sent to the cross for OUR evil acts, desires, thoughts, sins, etc.
It is extremely difficult for me to grasp the depth of love my Savior has for me. And if I ever come close to understanding it, I have a feeling I won't be able to handle it. Why me, why am I worth all the pain and torture and rejection Jesus went thru? Why do I know Jeus loves me, but I still reject him, distrust him, break his heart and do unspeakable things that demonstrate anything but a reciprocation of the love he readily gives over and over?
As annoying as it is having my feet stepped on, what am I doing to Christ when I don't surrender to his love and obedience? While children's lack of depth perception is recognized when they over-step and fall further than they intend to, ours as Christians happen when we under-step and don't fall far enough.
I have known this for years and notice it still today, and most recently at this wedding: CHILDREN HAVE NO DEPTH PERCEPTION!
We as Christ followers typically don't either. My 8 year old mentioned to me last night as we were talking about silly boys and how she won't be dating for another 10 years at the earliest when she agreed, "That's ok Mom, I know I won't know what love from a boy is til I understand God's love for me". Well, AMEN!
God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life (John 3:16) But many of us don't quite get the depth of love even though that is the most heard and memorized verse in the bible. So, John tries again. This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers. (1John 3:16)....I don't think it's a coincidence it's the same chapter and verse. God tells us how to know what love is right there! That is what we should base our relationships off of! Jesus was the only human to ever walk this earth free of sin, full of compassion and love and completely blameless....yet, that is who was sent to the cross for OUR evil acts, desires, thoughts, sins, etc.
It is extremely difficult for me to grasp the depth of love my Savior has for me. And if I ever come close to understanding it, I have a feeling I won't be able to handle it. Why me, why am I worth all the pain and torture and rejection Jesus went thru? Why do I know Jeus loves me, but I still reject him, distrust him, break his heart and do unspeakable things that demonstrate anything but a reciprocation of the love he readily gives over and over?
As annoying as it is having my feet stepped on, what am I doing to Christ when I don't surrender to his love and obedience? While children's lack of depth perception is recognized when they over-step and fall further than they intend to, ours as Christians happen when we under-step and don't fall far enough.
Friday, June 8, 2012
He thinks my crazy is beautiful
Not going to lie, first thing I thought of was 'She thinks my tractor's sexy', but that has nothing to do with this post...
I have a 'little brother in Christ' who is a constant encouragement and challenger of my faith and growth. I thank God for him. We spoke last night about many topics and he never fails to act as a vessel of Jesus Christ when he speaks to me. I often wonder if God has anyone out there for me or if I am to be single forever. Now don't get me wrong, I am MUCH more content in singlehood than I was months or even weeks ago. However, my heart does long for that best friend to go thru life with God as our center.
We got talking further about the way the world operates and how people seem to mold the bible to how it can work for them. For instance, many Christian couples are obedient in most ways to God and continue to grow, but are having sex outside of marriage. Why is it that so many people just think it's ok?! Why are there so many couples in general that live together before they are married? Oh if I could go back and change how I lived. And then he stopped me and said, "The crazy feeling of disappointment you feel towards the world is just beautiful". I stopped in my tracks and felt such Godly love and acceptance in that very moment. Like I said, he is a true vessel, and I feel as though it's Jesus himself speaking to me when I hear from this dear brother.
To take this to another level, isn't that what God thinks of us also? Doesn't he think we are beautiful even if we are crazy in our thoughts? Especially when it's because we are trying to figure out why this world is so twisted and unfocused on him? I would imagine God is smiling when conversations like that take place. When we as believers try and find ways to break thru the norm of today. The bible may have been put together hundreds of years ago, but it is TIMELESS. The principles God gives us to live a life devoted to carrying out his will for his glory never changes. We can't mold it into what is convenient for us! How ridiculous! We can't save ourselves, so why do we constantly think we can compromise his authority?
We are constantly to be refined, changed, and grow and discipline and obedience is the heart of it. (Proverbs 12:1, 13:20) Our focus is something that must be directed to the plan God has for our lives. Granted, we don't know what that is until God himself chooses to reveal parts of it to us, but that is where trust comes in. He is our FATHER! He loves us more than any human on this earth could ever attempt to! So why do we think it's ok to betray that love and give in to sexual sin, or any other sin for that matter, to someone who is not our judge nor our creator...but simply a very small piece of our life puzzle and who will only exist to us in this life? I think if we can focus on God's absolute love for us instead of our fickle desires and emotions that lead us to sin, we would have a lot more peace and happiness. (Romans 6,7)
God, throw your wisdom into our lives and make us blatantly aware that YOUR ways are ALWAYS better than ours. Let us not be consumed by the opinions and approval of this world but of you only. Thank you for endless mercy and grace, amen.
I have a 'little brother in Christ' who is a constant encouragement and challenger of my faith and growth. I thank God for him. We spoke last night about many topics and he never fails to act as a vessel of Jesus Christ when he speaks to me. I often wonder if God has anyone out there for me or if I am to be single forever. Now don't get me wrong, I am MUCH more content in singlehood than I was months or even weeks ago. However, my heart does long for that best friend to go thru life with God as our center.
We got talking further about the way the world operates and how people seem to mold the bible to how it can work for them. For instance, many Christian couples are obedient in most ways to God and continue to grow, but are having sex outside of marriage. Why is it that so many people just think it's ok?! Why are there so many couples in general that live together before they are married? Oh if I could go back and change how I lived. And then he stopped me and said, "The crazy feeling of disappointment you feel towards the world is just beautiful". I stopped in my tracks and felt such Godly love and acceptance in that very moment. Like I said, he is a true vessel, and I feel as though it's Jesus himself speaking to me when I hear from this dear brother.
To take this to another level, isn't that what God thinks of us also? Doesn't he think we are beautiful even if we are crazy in our thoughts? Especially when it's because we are trying to figure out why this world is so twisted and unfocused on him? I would imagine God is smiling when conversations like that take place. When we as believers try and find ways to break thru the norm of today. The bible may have been put together hundreds of years ago, but it is TIMELESS. The principles God gives us to live a life devoted to carrying out his will for his glory never changes. We can't mold it into what is convenient for us! How ridiculous! We can't save ourselves, so why do we constantly think we can compromise his authority?
We are constantly to be refined, changed, and grow and discipline and obedience is the heart of it. (Proverbs 12:1, 13:20) Our focus is something that must be directed to the plan God has for our lives. Granted, we don't know what that is until God himself chooses to reveal parts of it to us, but that is where trust comes in. He is our FATHER! He loves us more than any human on this earth could ever attempt to! So why do we think it's ok to betray that love and give in to sexual sin, or any other sin for that matter, to someone who is not our judge nor our creator...but simply a very small piece of our life puzzle and who will only exist to us in this life? I think if we can focus on God's absolute love for us instead of our fickle desires and emotions that lead us to sin, we would have a lot more peace and happiness. (Romans 6,7)
God, throw your wisdom into our lives and make us blatantly aware that YOUR ways are ALWAYS better than ours. Let us not be consumed by the opinions and approval of this world but of you only. Thank you for endless mercy and grace, amen.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)