Ok so I think today must be; "#thankyourbirthmothers/adoptivemothers" day, and I want to get in on it too!!!!
Over 23 years ago a young single mom made a very hard decision. Probably the hardest she had ever had to make, and I believe it was the wisest. She chose to give her baby girl what she knew she couldn't, she chose to give her a life that not only provided material stability, but also spiritual. She chose for me to be in a home that taught me about Jesus Christ and all that He did for me, and that brings me to the other ''wise decision!'' My Foster parents. (for real, I have always been a Foster kid lol)
They were willing to go against the tide of they day do what ever it took to give 4 babies a life they could never have growing up in the environment they were born in. Even despite family discouragements, they raised and loved us as if we were their own biological children, teaching us the important things, along with the crazy things and creating memories that can only come with growing up in the country in the heart of Idaho. And no, we did not grow up on Idaho potatoes, we ate Washington potatoes, they're cheaper.
Today I want to thank both my moms, first of all my birth mom for choosing to give me life, when it would have been much easier to just snuff it out. But most of all I want to thank my Mom for seeing me as her own baby girl, and pouring her love on me. I don't know where I would be if it wasn't for her. Thank you Mom for all you have done for me. If I would have had the choice as to who to pick for a Mom, I would definitely pick you! Thank you for being my Mom. You two mom's are my heroes!!!
Thursday, February 16, 2012
Sunday, January 1, 2012
2012 Has Arrived!
Wow! I cant believe that 2012 has shown its face. 12 years ago on new years eve I remember watching the seconds count down, full of apprehension of what would happen as soon as it struck midnight. Now 12 years later I got to watch another year roll around. Last night it hit me that I was given a fresh clean slate. Another chance to right the wrongs of yesteryear and and to learn from them. Last year is past and gone, but this year is new. Oh trust me last year is full of so many good memories. So many good times. And I am forever glad I got to live in yesteryear. But like every other human out there, it does hold its negatives.
So here's to a new year!!
Last night one of the first songs we sang in the new year went like this; "My heart, my mind my body my soul; I give to you, take control....." That is my prayer for this next year that I and the young people around me will make that our prayer and desire. That this year will be one of change in the world around us, because we stepped out on a limb and took a risk with GOD. I love the fact that we can take those steps of faith because we have a GOD that will never let us fight alone.
I normally do not do New Years Resolutions, but this year I am. I am resolving to take a risk with GOD, and next year when this time rolls around, I want to be able to see ALL the things GOD will be able to do because I got out of the way.So here's to a new year!!
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
The Woman-Child
It was just a day like any other. Filled with the normal duties of gathering water, making meals, washing laundry, watching the children, taking care of the animals, and the list could go on and on. But those things weren't even what was important to this young woman child. No the biggest thing coursing through her mind was far from all the day to day normal's. It was filled with anticipation. Could today be the day? The day he arrives to carry her away to their small little home?
She smiles as she thinks of him, so handsome and gentle, laboring away so hard for her. How did she get such a wonderful man? She knew he left many girls hopes dashed when they became betrothed, and she still cant figure out why he would choose her, a humble young maiden. Something told her that GOD had something big for them, though she couldn't quite put her finger on it.
She let out a sigh of relief as she contemplated the joy she received trusting GOD with everything He chose to bring her way whether it be good or bad. Joseph was definitely a good thing. Oh how rewarding trusting GOD was. Her mind wandered many miles away to her cousin Elizabeth. Yes there was a perfect example. It was almost like Abraham, Sarah and Isaac all over again. Elizabeth taught her so much about joyful trust. And the joy she knew Elizabeth was experiencing was hers also.
And then it happened. That moment that the patriarchs had been writing about and the grandmothers had been hoping for. The very thing that each young Jewish girl hoped would happen to her. That moment that GOD had been planning. The moment the GOD child was announced.
Fear coursed through her veins. She had never seen an angel, let alone heard one speak before. And the holy, blinding light was almost more then she could handle. She dropped to her knees and bowed her head as he spoke to her. She was shocked when he called her ''Highly favored and blessed among woman''...who was she, a young maiden to be called 'Highly favored'? He continued talking to her, assuring her, and then he said it. He said the words young virgin girls had been longing to hear for centuries. Oh, who is she to bare such a privilege? Who is she, a humble poor handmaiden, to carry the Messiah in her womb?
Her mind cast back to all those times she had trusted GOD and He had been faithful. And her heart bowed its self low, and willing accepted this glorious gift GOD was bestowing on her. She knew the consequences. She knew that she could be stoned and that Joseph, her dear Joseph would have to divorce her. Oh how she hated to disgrace him. But she knew that GOD would take care of everything, and that whatever He did was right and good. She knew that somehow GOD would take care of her.
A few months passed and it was time to tell Joseph. He took the news better then she thought he would, but oh how painful it was watching her words crush him. He didn't understand nor did he believe her. But then again, why should he? Her story was common among many secretly promiscuous woman. And he had no reason to believe otherwise. Knowing that he was going to divorce her broke her heart, but again she knew that GOD was in control. She knew that GOD would make it known to him, and he did. Joy filled her heart as she saw yet again what trust in GOD can accomplish.
All of these things she hid in her womanly heart. Somewhere she had crossed over from girl to woman. And soon she would become mother. Mother to the GOD child. The GOD child that came swift and quick. The GOD child no one but animals had room for. But far out on the rolling hills tending their flocks, another marvelous thing happened. GOD announced the arrival of His Son to the humblest of the humble.The story these humble Shepherds told, the mother hid in her heart, keeping them as precious gems.
Joy filled her heart as she gazed at the GOD baby. And she wondered how come GOD chose her, a humble girl. And she knew that this child would somehow save the world. Not with pomp and glory, but with humility and pain.
And so she watched and waited................................................................
She smiles as she thinks of him, so handsome and gentle, laboring away so hard for her. How did she get such a wonderful man? She knew he left many girls hopes dashed when they became betrothed, and she still cant figure out why he would choose her, a humble young maiden. Something told her that GOD had something big for them, though she couldn't quite put her finger on it.
She let out a sigh of relief as she contemplated the joy she received trusting GOD with everything He chose to bring her way whether it be good or bad. Joseph was definitely a good thing. Oh how rewarding trusting GOD was. Her mind wandered many miles away to her cousin Elizabeth. Yes there was a perfect example. It was almost like Abraham, Sarah and Isaac all over again. Elizabeth taught her so much about joyful trust. And the joy she knew Elizabeth was experiencing was hers also.
And then it happened. That moment that the patriarchs had been writing about and the grandmothers had been hoping for. The very thing that each young Jewish girl hoped would happen to her. That moment that GOD had been planning. The moment the GOD child was announced.
Fear coursed through her veins. She had never seen an angel, let alone heard one speak before. And the holy, blinding light was almost more then she could handle. She dropped to her knees and bowed her head as he spoke to her. She was shocked when he called her ''Highly favored and blessed among woman''...who was she, a young maiden to be called 'Highly favored'? He continued talking to her, assuring her, and then he said it. He said the words young virgin girls had been longing to hear for centuries. Oh, who is she to bare such a privilege? Who is she, a humble poor handmaiden, to carry the Messiah in her womb?
Her mind cast back to all those times she had trusted GOD and He had been faithful. And her heart bowed its self low, and willing accepted this glorious gift GOD was bestowing on her. She knew the consequences. She knew that she could be stoned and that Joseph, her dear Joseph would have to divorce her. Oh how she hated to disgrace him. But she knew that GOD would take care of everything, and that whatever He did was right and good. She knew that somehow GOD would take care of her.
A few months passed and it was time to tell Joseph. He took the news better then she thought he would, but oh how painful it was watching her words crush him. He didn't understand nor did he believe her. But then again, why should he? Her story was common among many secretly promiscuous woman. And he had no reason to believe otherwise. Knowing that he was going to divorce her broke her heart, but again she knew that GOD was in control. She knew that GOD would make it known to him, and he did. Joy filled her heart as she saw yet again what trust in GOD can accomplish.
All of these things she hid in her womanly heart. Somewhere she had crossed over from girl to woman. And soon she would become mother. Mother to the GOD child. The GOD child that came swift and quick. The GOD child no one but animals had room for. But far out on the rolling hills tending their flocks, another marvelous thing happened. GOD announced the arrival of His Son to the humblest of the humble.The story these humble Shepherds told, the mother hid in her heart, keeping them as precious gems.
Joy filled her heart as she gazed at the GOD baby. And she wondered how come GOD chose her, a humble girl. And she knew that this child would somehow save the world. Not with pomp and glory, but with humility and pain.
And so she watched and waited................................................................
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
From Creator to Created
The day had finally arrived. A day that they had been planning for thousands of years. The rescue plan set in action more then 4000 years prior. His mind wanders back to that moment his Father asked him the question. Asked him to be the rescuer of humanity. From that day forward every thought, every action and plan was centered around that one beautiful, yet heart breaking day.
He watched on the sidelines as the angel appeared to the woman child. He knew all along that her beautiful humble heart would accept the proposal, but seeing it in action, seeing the surprise on her face and the willing obedience in her heart made his GOD-heart burst with love.
Moments later he was that dividing cell. 1 cell, 2 cells, 4 cells, 8 cells and on and on. 22 days later the heart begins to beat. Oh what a miracle, and he is re-amazed at how perfect the design is. He and his Father are pretty good at designing things.
It has now been 3 weeks and he is now looking more and more like a child. But yet he is so small the woman child would never know he existed except for the angels words.
Oh he can sense the anxiety in her heart as the sickness of pregnancy begins to show its self. He hears the questions in her heart as she wonders how this news will be told and explained. No one will believe her. They had been waiting on the Messiah for 4000 years and for her being just barely a woman to say she was pregnant with GOD, was impossible. And Joseph. How would he respond. Yes she needed to leave to get away for awhile to be able to think and sort this out. To hide the sickness until she had a plan or if not a plan the wisdom for what lies ahead. Oh how he wished he could comfort her beautiful heart. In time he would.
Weeks go by and he grows. In fact he is now just a miniature 4-6" person. Oh if only the woman child could see how perfect he was at this stage in his life, maybe it would still her heart for the inevitable. The explanation for the small baby bump on her slight frame. The day had come to tell the world that she was carrying the Son of GOD in her womb. He could feel her heart racing as she recounted all the happenings of the past 3 months and then feel it shatter into a million pieces as she was met with unbelief and betrayal. But yet he knew her peace and trust in the fact that the GOD who's child she carried, had it all figured out. And he smiled in his lil baby way, as he thought of how GOD would make the doubter the believer.
Days, weeks and months kept going by and as his day for arrival draws near he loses more and more space to move around. He chuckles because he knows exactly when and how he will arrive and he can just imagine the panic of the Man when he realizes there will be no room in the inn and they will have to settle with a nice warm, dirty and very smelly stable.
Oh it was so nice to be able to stretch, yet so cold. He had to internally laugh at the fact the only way he could let his wants be known was to cry.
Oh stop. It was so beautiful. Way out there in the distance he could hear the beautiful voices of the angels singing. Announcing, now celebrating his arrival. Oh how he loved the humble and lowly people. The rejected sitting out on the far off hills watching their sheep. Oh wait, here they come now. Running, racing to be the first to arrive to welcome this GOD-child. Oh how it made his baby heart swell with joy as he watched these bearded, dirty, smelly faces beam with joy because their Savior had arrived. Oh how he wanted to wrap them in his GOD arms, but instead he cooed and watched they're faces beam with happiness and listened to their big laughs rumble in their chests.
But wait don't think he only loved the poor man. On the contrary, for resting in the sky above where he lay was a beautiful star. And out on the desert plains following that star were 3 rich men, each bearing a gift meant for a king. Oh how he loves faith. The kind of faith that knows GOD is always right and chooses to act upon it. That's the kind of faith that will move mountains.
Oh and when they arrived, they humbly gave him the gifts, worshiping his GODness. Yes, though he was just a baby they recognized that he was GOD and they reverenced him.
Years went by and he had to learn to walk and talk. All over again actually. It amused his GOD heart so much to think that he created the whole system of the human body but yet he was now subject to it. He who is GOD had become a helpless babe.
Every day since the time the first cell divided he thought through the history of the future. Naming and seeing the lives of each person, and his GOD heart wept. It wept with love, pity and mercy. And again and again he said; "for you I go from being GOD to being human. From being Creator to being the created. From being perfect to being broken."
As he learned to walk, talk, read, work and play, he was always GOD but his body limited him. So he waited. He waited with patience and he watched. He watched the mother heart store everything in her treasure chest of memories. And he listened to the corrupted teaching of the scholars. He watched as the poor were stolen from, and the animals were bought and sold in the temple. He saw the proud pharisees praying on the one corner and the harlot soliciting for business on the other. And his GOD heart broke. But yet he waited and allowed his boy heart to grow into a man. He waited for the perfect time to allow his GOD heart to be GOD again. For 30 years he was the created preparing for the time he was again the Creator.
And then the day came. The day that marked the beginning of the 40 days of trying. He had to do it perfect or else the plan would be ruined. And so he fasted and he prayed, preparing himself for those three temptations. And he passed. He passed the test and yet again defeated the devil. And for 3 years he did just that. Proving to the world that there is hope and a place of perfection in him. And yet again he prepared. He prepared his disciples and the people around him. And he prayed. For himself? No. For his murderers. For the created's that were planning to kill him, the Creator.
And then it came. That day he and his Father had been planning for. Oh the grief on his heart. And the agony and apprehension weighing him down at the fact that his Father would turn his back on him as he became sin itself and die.
Yep. He was about to die. Not a slow quick, painless kind of execution but a long drawn out, in-humane crucifixion.
And why did he allow himself to do all this? Because he was driven by his endless love to rescue you and me, at whatever cost it would take to get it done. He is GOD but he became a mass of cells. He is GOD but he was born in a nasty smelly barn. And his welcome party were a bunch of smelly un-kept shepherds. He is
GOD but he obeyed his parents even if it meant leaving behind his Fathers business to better prepare. He is GOD but he chose to be murdered in the most gruesome of gruesome ways. Why? because he wanted to rescue you and I.
He watched on the sidelines as the angel appeared to the woman child. He knew all along that her beautiful humble heart would accept the proposal, but seeing it in action, seeing the surprise on her face and the willing obedience in her heart made his GOD-heart burst with love.
Moments later he was that dividing cell. 1 cell, 2 cells, 4 cells, 8 cells and on and on. 22 days later the heart begins to beat. Oh what a miracle, and he is re-amazed at how perfect the design is. He and his Father are pretty good at designing things.
It has now been 3 weeks and he is now looking more and more like a child. But yet he is so small the woman child would never know he existed except for the angels words.
Oh he can sense the anxiety in her heart as the sickness of pregnancy begins to show its self. He hears the questions in her heart as she wonders how this news will be told and explained. No one will believe her. They had been waiting on the Messiah for 4000 years and for her being just barely a woman to say she was pregnant with GOD, was impossible. And Joseph. How would he respond. Yes she needed to leave to get away for awhile to be able to think and sort this out. To hide the sickness until she had a plan or if not a plan the wisdom for what lies ahead. Oh how he wished he could comfort her beautiful heart. In time he would.
Weeks go by and he grows. In fact he is now just a miniature 4-6" person. Oh if only the woman child could see how perfect he was at this stage in his life, maybe it would still her heart for the inevitable. The explanation for the small baby bump on her slight frame. The day had come to tell the world that she was carrying the Son of GOD in her womb. He could feel her heart racing as she recounted all the happenings of the past 3 months and then feel it shatter into a million pieces as she was met with unbelief and betrayal. But yet he knew her peace and trust in the fact that the GOD who's child she carried, had it all figured out. And he smiled in his lil baby way, as he thought of how GOD would make the doubter the believer.
Days, weeks and months kept going by and as his day for arrival draws near he loses more and more space to move around. He chuckles because he knows exactly when and how he will arrive and he can just imagine the panic of the Man when he realizes there will be no room in the inn and they will have to settle with a nice warm, dirty and very smelly stable.
Oh it was so nice to be able to stretch, yet so cold. He had to internally laugh at the fact the only way he could let his wants be known was to cry.
Oh stop. It was so beautiful. Way out there in the distance he could hear the beautiful voices of the angels singing. Announcing, now celebrating his arrival. Oh how he loved the humble and lowly people. The rejected sitting out on the far off hills watching their sheep. Oh wait, here they come now. Running, racing to be the first to arrive to welcome this GOD-child. Oh how it made his baby heart swell with joy as he watched these bearded, dirty, smelly faces beam with joy because their Savior had arrived. Oh how he wanted to wrap them in his GOD arms, but instead he cooed and watched they're faces beam with happiness and listened to their big laughs rumble in their chests.
But wait don't think he only loved the poor man. On the contrary, for resting in the sky above where he lay was a beautiful star. And out on the desert plains following that star were 3 rich men, each bearing a gift meant for a king. Oh how he loves faith. The kind of faith that knows GOD is always right and chooses to act upon it. That's the kind of faith that will move mountains.
Oh and when they arrived, they humbly gave him the gifts, worshiping his GODness. Yes, though he was just a baby they recognized that he was GOD and they reverenced him.
Years went by and he had to learn to walk and talk. All over again actually. It amused his GOD heart so much to think that he created the whole system of the human body but yet he was now subject to it. He who is GOD had become a helpless babe.
Every day since the time the first cell divided he thought through the history of the future. Naming and seeing the lives of each person, and his GOD heart wept. It wept with love, pity and mercy. And again and again he said; "for you I go from being GOD to being human. From being Creator to being the created. From being perfect to being broken."
As he learned to walk, talk, read, work and play, he was always GOD but his body limited him. So he waited. He waited with patience and he watched. He watched the mother heart store everything in her treasure chest of memories. And he listened to the corrupted teaching of the scholars. He watched as the poor were stolen from, and the animals were bought and sold in the temple. He saw the proud pharisees praying on the one corner and the harlot soliciting for business on the other. And his GOD heart broke. But yet he waited and allowed his boy heart to grow into a man. He waited for the perfect time to allow his GOD heart to be GOD again. For 30 years he was the created preparing for the time he was again the Creator.
And then the day came. The day that marked the beginning of the 40 days of trying. He had to do it perfect or else the plan would be ruined. And so he fasted and he prayed, preparing himself for those three temptations. And he passed. He passed the test and yet again defeated the devil. And for 3 years he did just that. Proving to the world that there is hope and a place of perfection in him. And yet again he prepared. He prepared his disciples and the people around him. And he prayed. For himself? No. For his murderers. For the created's that were planning to kill him, the Creator.
And then it came. That day he and his Father had been planning for. Oh the grief on his heart. And the agony and apprehension weighing him down at the fact that his Father would turn his back on him as he became sin itself and die.
Yep. He was about to die. Not a slow quick, painless kind of execution but a long drawn out, in-humane crucifixion.
And why did he allow himself to do all this? Because he was driven by his endless love to rescue you and me, at whatever cost it would take to get it done. He is GOD but he became a mass of cells. He is GOD but he was born in a nasty smelly barn. And his welcome party were a bunch of smelly un-kept shepherds. He is
GOD but he obeyed his parents even if it meant leaving behind his Fathers business to better prepare. He is GOD but he chose to be murdered in the most gruesome of gruesome ways. Why? because he wanted to rescue you and I.
Tuesday, November 8, 2011
Faith vrs. Obedience
My mind has been an ocean swirling with many different thoughts and subjects. And I can just hear the guys saying "well duh, your a girl." That might be part of the reason but the other part is that there are just so many things to think about when it comes down to living your life completely sold out to GOD. There is so much involved. So much at stake. And so many things on death row.
But yet it is all so simple if the human doesn't get involved. If the human doesn't exert its need for control, or declare its non-existent rights as existent.
From all of this thinking I have come to a very obscure conclusion. [If that is possible] I believe faith and obedience are the two cornerstones of a life sold out for Christ. Without faith our works are dead [James 2:20,26] but yet without works, [obedience] faith doesn't exist. [James 2:18].
I was thinking about Esau the other day and mulling over why he couldn't receive the blessing, though he desperately sought after it with tears. I believe the reason was that he was not willing to obey GOD by repenting of his sin. He loved the pleasures of this world too much to sacrifice it to GOD. He wanted the blessing along with the sinful pleasures he desired. He wanted GOD & the World.
Repentance is the first step of obedience. And with obedience comes faith, and with faith comes the power of GOD, and the ability to live to glorify him. The strength to be the light on the hill. Jenna said a very powerful thing this morning at our Bible study. She said; "God cant work with half our heart....what if that one thing your holding back is that one thing GOD needs so that he can change your life?"
Thinking about that I saw this mental picture of arrival time at the throne of GOD. And he looks down at me and says; "Sarah, I had this huge plan and purpose for your life but you wouldn't give me that one area in your life, so I had to get someone else to do it instead of you."
How desperately sad. How absolutely horrifying. I think one of the things I am the most afraid of for myself is that I would miss the life changes GOD sends my way to prepare me for something greater. The little trials here and there or the those little area's he expects obedience. I do not want to sacrifice GOD's purpose for my life for some stupid measly little pleasure, attitude or 'right.' There is too much at stake in this fallen world for that. We complain the church isn't the way it is or that millions, let me rephrase that, billions of people will die without knowing Christ, and yet we forget that the reason is because we as individuals are not willing to sacrifice that one area and obey GOD.
But yet it is all so simple if the human doesn't get involved. If the human doesn't exert its need for control, or declare its non-existent rights as existent.
From all of this thinking I have come to a very obscure conclusion. [If that is possible] I believe faith and obedience are the two cornerstones of a life sold out for Christ. Without faith our works are dead [James 2:20,26] but yet without works, [obedience] faith doesn't exist. [James 2:18].
I was thinking about Esau the other day and mulling over why he couldn't receive the blessing, though he desperately sought after it with tears. I believe the reason was that he was not willing to obey GOD by repenting of his sin. He loved the pleasures of this world too much to sacrifice it to GOD. He wanted the blessing along with the sinful pleasures he desired. He wanted GOD & the World.
Repentance is the first step of obedience. And with obedience comes faith, and with faith comes the power of GOD, and the ability to live to glorify him. The strength to be the light on the hill. Jenna said a very powerful thing this morning at our Bible study. She said; "God cant work with half our heart....what if that one thing your holding back is that one thing GOD needs so that he can change your life?"
Thinking about that I saw this mental picture of arrival time at the throne of GOD. And he looks down at me and says; "Sarah, I had this huge plan and purpose for your life but you wouldn't give me that one area in your life, so I had to get someone else to do it instead of you."
How desperately sad. How absolutely horrifying. I think one of the things I am the most afraid of for myself is that I would miss the life changes GOD sends my way to prepare me for something greater. The little trials here and there or the those little area's he expects obedience. I do not want to sacrifice GOD's purpose for my life for some stupid measly little pleasure, attitude or 'right.' There is too much at stake in this fallen world for that. We complain the church isn't the way it is or that millions, let me rephrase that, billions of people will die without knowing Christ, and yet we forget that the reason is because we as individuals are not willing to sacrifice that one area and obey GOD.
Tuesday, October 25, 2011
There is Freedom
This morning my heart is fighting. It is gasping for air and calling out to GOD for strength, power and freedom. I want to be honest with all of my blog readers. My biggest fear in blogging is that I become a hypocrite. And that is something I absolutely do not want to happen. So I will start by saying that more often then not what I blog about has to do with something I am seeing and realizing I need in my own life. It is something I lack or am needing changed in my heart. And it does not always become a reality. Sometimes I give up. Sometimes some other monster comes up and takes me down. Sometimes I am just so weak that I can not seem to overcome or rise above what ever battle I face and many times I forget to seek the help that I need in Christ.
So all that to say I fight daily for GOD to break me and to show me exactly who I am in comparison to Him and His holiness. I fight for freedom from things in my life that hold me captive. I struggle with the world [1 John 10:16.] and every day it tries to entrap me and sometimes it does. But I will say that my GOD is bigger and I am going to fight for my life. I am going to gain the ground GOD longs for me to gain because He is my Savior. Today I was again reminded that salvation is not just a one time thing. In fact it is a daily surrendering of ones self to the Holy One and allowing Him to set us free and to save us from all the ensnarement's that will come along.
To those of you that struggle with a besetting sin or habit whether it is anger or an immoral lifestyle, there is freedom....and no it will not come in just one shining moment, but that freedom will come with persistence and patience. It will come through prayer, Bible memorization, obedience, praise and thanksgiving. I have decided to pursue all that is good and holy through choosing to give thanks and praise even if it doesn't feel fun, exciting or even heartfelt. But I believe that obedience produces the fruit needed for victory.
So all that to say that I hope the things that I post encourage you all, but not because I am so great of a person, but instead because I am a sinner that is saved only because of GOD's mercy and His grace. And the only reason I can call myself His child is because of Him.
One more parting reminder; Remember that even if you fail in whatever area you are longing for victory in, that failure is only a reminder that GOD's strength is made perfect in your weakness. So get back up and keep moving forward. Someday you will see the rewards of your perseverance.
So all that to say I fight daily for GOD to break me and to show me exactly who I am in comparison to Him and His holiness. I fight for freedom from things in my life that hold me captive. I struggle with the world [1 John 10:16.] and every day it tries to entrap me and sometimes it does. But I will say that my GOD is bigger and I am going to fight for my life. I am going to gain the ground GOD longs for me to gain because He is my Savior. Today I was again reminded that salvation is not just a one time thing. In fact it is a daily surrendering of ones self to the Holy One and allowing Him to set us free and to save us from all the ensnarement's that will come along.
To those of you that struggle with a besetting sin or habit whether it is anger or an immoral lifestyle, there is freedom....and no it will not come in just one shining moment, but that freedom will come with persistence and patience. It will come through prayer, Bible memorization, obedience, praise and thanksgiving. I have decided to pursue all that is good and holy through choosing to give thanks and praise even if it doesn't feel fun, exciting or even heartfelt. But I believe that obedience produces the fruit needed for victory.
So all that to say that I hope the things that I post encourage you all, but not because I am so great of a person, but instead because I am a sinner that is saved only because of GOD's mercy and His grace. And the only reason I can call myself His child is because of Him.
One more parting reminder; Remember that even if you fail in whatever area you are longing for victory in, that failure is only a reminder that GOD's strength is made perfect in your weakness. So get back up and keep moving forward. Someday you will see the rewards of your perseverance.
Saturday, October 8, 2011
We Are The Future!
"And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams:" Acts 2:17
We so often wonder why the world is falling apart. We bemoan the fact that Christianity is fast disappearing, and our young people look just like the world and the parents are divorcing and going their own way. So we freak out and try to counterbalance the trend. We see how many fun activities we can have at youth group so that we can entice the youth to come. We try to pick just the right speakers for youth meetings so that we won't push any of the youth away and loose them all together because they don't want to hear the hardcore truth about their lives. And all along we are catering to and assisting their sin and worldliness. And no I am not talking about the outward form of worldliness. I am talking about the inward form. The outward is just an expression of what is inside. I am talking about the "lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes and the pride of life." John 2:16
I am humbled to say that I have fought and am fighting for freedom from the world. I am a young person, and the snares are so fine yet made of steel, they are so subtle yet obvious. And they fight to ensnare and trap me. But praise Jesus there is deliverance.
Young people, as a fellow young person, I want to speak very straight with you and with me. Yes the things I say here are just as much meant for me as for you, if not more so.
Adolf Hitler said; "He alone, who owns the youth, gains the future.'' Who owns you? Who do you learn from and follow?
Hitler tore apart Germany with youth. He did not target the old and the wise, no he targeted the youth.
We are the future. The verse up above says the young men will see visions. I like to think of it as they will see and change the future whether for good or bad. We cant change the fact that the course of the world is in our hands.
Evan Roberts was 26 years old when he started the Welsh revival. He was 3 years old than I and he chose to allow GOD to use him and because of that 150,000 people were radically converted, setting Wales on fire for GOD. How did it happen? Here is a quote I read online; "All this happened when young people began to experience the reality of God’s divine power, and teams of young people, such as the one led by the most noted of the revivalist, EVAN ROBERTS and his revival party, traveled the country revolutionising the churches."
It was the young people. Oh we say that we need revival, and that it doesn't happen because it isn't starting with the older people. Well it shouldn't have to. We are grown adults. We are not infants that need to be spoon fed mush. No we are old enough to read our own bibles, get down on our own knees and pray our own prayers. We are old enough to serve and to give up those things that are hindering us. The Psalmist said; "I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes....'' Psalm 101:3
The things that enter our minds will always be there. The things we watch, read and listen to will affect our mental capacity and the outcome of our state of mind. Sherlock Holmes said that he only put those important things that mattered to a case into his mind, and that he could not afford to put in a bunch of fluff and nothingness [paraphrased by yours truly]. The same is true spiritually. If we fill our minds with a bunch of trash, fluff and nothingness, the devil can use all that as a distraction or an entrapping to our spiritual achievements.
Young people, WE ARE THE FUTURE! So lets change it for GOD. And lets do that on our knees and not our tee-shirts, with our tears and not our worship music, and our feet instead of our words.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)