So I wanted to write this yesterday, but I had too much to do until now.
Saturday was a rough day for school, but it ended really well. My best friend and I stayed up late on Saturday and talked about a variety of things. I have been so busy lately, and it was really encouraging to spend time talking with him. I walked away with a deeper love for the grace of God that night. The more I hear about my fellow believers' lives, the more I end up encouraged by the workings of our Lord. Between my best friend, and hearing the testimony of another friend this weekend at a birthday party, I have been moved towards trusting the Lord more in his gracious works. I can think about my own lif and how the Lord has called me and be amazed by God's grace, but the more I learn about my fellow beleivers and the innumerable ways in which the Lord has drawn people to himself the more I just am filled with joy and awe our God! Saturday night (Sunday morning...) I went to bed just filled with a joy, a joy in knowing more about how the Lord has worked. Praise the Lord!
Sunday morning... went to church with my friends and Scott closed his message by quoting two verses:
Psalm 107.28-32
Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress. He made the storm be still, and the waves of the sea were hushed. Then they were glad that the waters were quiet, and he brought them to their desired haven. Let them thank the Lord for his steadfast love, for his wondrous works to the children of man! Let them extol him in the congregation of the people, and praise him in the assembly of the elders.
Isaiah 43.2-3a
When you pass through the water, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you. For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.
Now, here's the cool part... After church I went to prepare to teach my Sunday school lessons. I opened up my curriculum and the verse for the week was the quoted Isaiah verse! It was so encouraging to read that and teach to my kids that God is with you in hard times.
And the Lord is. He's always there when you're going through hard times. Praise the Lord and rejoice in his goodness.
Monday, March 31
Tuesday, March 25
2 Timothy
So in theology class today I decided to read 2 Timothy. The Lord really encouraged me and challenged me.
Here are some quick thoughts and commands from the book:
God gave us a spirit NOT of fear...
... but LOVE, POWER, and SELF-CONTROL
GOD called me because of his own PURPOSE and GRACE
Be STRENGTHENED by the GRACE in CHRIST JESUS
Pursue RIGHTEOUSNESS, FAITH, LOVE, and PEACE
Be KIND to ALL
Be able to TEACH
PATIENTLY endure evil
CORRECT with GENTLENESS
So that "God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth, and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, after being captured to do his will."
I had a challenging and encouraging conversation with Siona today. I was definitely encouraged in Christ's grace during our conversation, and it was joyful to rejoice and glory in his grace together. But, I also feel challenged to an even more radical love and more dependent prayer life. The Cross can break the chains of any sin. The grace of our Lord can cover the most vile of all sins. May we be reminded of the grace we've been shown, and may we plead with the world to repent and receive that wonderous grace!
Ona and I talked about the fact that Christ is alive! Amen. We talked about being so amazed at Christ and so joyful in his grace that that knowledge and experience of loving and walking with him causes us to rejoice to in all circumstances. We know Christ and therefore rejoice. I feel like words on this page can't describe what I'm trying to convey.
Praise the Lord for his grace! And plead with the Lord to show that grace to sinners!
Here are some quick thoughts and commands from the book:
God gave us a spirit NOT of fear...
... but LOVE, POWER, and SELF-CONTROL
GOD called me because of his own PURPOSE and GRACE
Be STRENGTHENED by the GRACE in CHRIST JESUS
Pursue RIGHTEOUSNESS, FAITH, LOVE, and PEACE
Be KIND to ALL
Be able to TEACH
PATIENTLY endure evil
CORRECT with GENTLENESS
So that "God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth, and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, after being captured to do his will."
I had a challenging and encouraging conversation with Siona today. I was definitely encouraged in Christ's grace during our conversation, and it was joyful to rejoice and glory in his grace together. But, I also feel challenged to an even more radical love and more dependent prayer life. The Cross can break the chains of any sin. The grace of our Lord can cover the most vile of all sins. May we be reminded of the grace we've been shown, and may we plead with the world to repent and receive that wonderous grace!
Ona and I talked about the fact that Christ is alive! Amen. We talked about being so amazed at Christ and so joyful in his grace that that knowledge and experience of loving and walking with him causes us to rejoice to in all circumstances. We know Christ and therefore rejoice. I feel like words on this page can't describe what I'm trying to convey.
Praise the Lord for his grace! And plead with the Lord to show that grace to sinners!
Sunday, March 23
Time to Relect on the Cross
It's Easter, or as some say, Resurrection Day.
It's a day we Christians celebrate the resurrection of our Savior, Jesus Christ. We proclaim that "He is Risen." We dress up in our Sunday best and sign hymns like "Christ the Lord is Risen Today." Many of the millions who attended an Easter service around the world today have heard the gospel message before. They know they are celebrating the day in which Christ rose from the dead.
What an amazing thing it is to look back to the day Christ broke the sting of death and sin and rose to life! This Easter is only my second Easter as a believer, and it has been encouraging to look at that historical event. But, I suppose that as important of an event it is to commemorate, it is also important to look at what Christ's resurrection and life means for us today.
This week has been marked by much grief and a sober mood. When you love someone and their sin is exposed it hurts. Someone very dear to me brought unexpected news this week that I must confess did not completely surprise me, but nevertheless shocked me in a way. A reaction is to be grieved by the sin a loved one is convinced is righteous. Another reaction is to be hurt by the realization that your relationship with that person has been broken for sometime. But, another reaction is to understand that people choose sin. I can not, and I will not, accept the sin that my friend is practicing as righteous, but I also know that Christ has called me to continue to love this dear person. There is supposed paradox in how you can love someone and hate their sin, how you be longsuffering and share the truth.
But these paradoxes aren't what they appear to be. Both sides are true, and with God's wisdom and grace both are achievable. A reaction to someone's sin has to be to share the truth in love and to patiently wait upon the Lord to change someone's heart. You can be grieved by someone's sin, but you can't be controlled by it. You can be saddened by their wavering from the Lord, but you can't control them.
Ultimately, you must trust the saving work of our Savior and the purposes of the Lord. Only Christ's blood and work can change a hardened heart and forgive sin. And, only in God's timing and will will those things come to fruition. That is harder to rest in, but nevertheless, only waiting on the Lord and trusting in him can give peace.
2 Thessalonians says, Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times in every way. The Lord be with you all.
Back to my opening comments. Christ is risen. Amen? Amen!! I feel there is a danger to relegate Christ's work to the resurrection day. We can forget that the gospel and hope of Christ is not confined to the act of salvation. God's grace is poured out to us daily! Grace upon grace. I looked at the oceans this week in Pacific Grove and reminded myself about my thoughts on rain and grace. Imagine looking at the Pacific Ocean and seeing water as far as the eye can see... that is what God's grace is like to us Christians. When I was reflecting on God's grace I didn't expect to face trial later that week, but God knew.
I think the only reason I'm able to stay at peace in this situation is through God's grace. Looking to Christ as my hope is what comforts. Not past experiences, not worldly statistics, or conversations. A song I've sung over and over is "Inside Out." I've quoted this part before: Everlasting, your light will shine when all else fades. Never ending your glory goes beyond all fame. And the cry of my heart is to bring you praise.
Christ's light will outshine any darkness that sin and the world produces. In trials, Christ is your light. Look to the Word and see the supremacy of our Savior! The blessed Lord!
In all things God's glory will prevail. We can't always undestand how God will receive glory in circumstances, but all things will be worked out to his glorious name.
In trials may my prayer be to praise the Lord through it.
Therefore, may I glorify and praise Him for his wondrous grace and will.
It's a day we Christians celebrate the resurrection of our Savior, Jesus Christ. We proclaim that "He is Risen." We dress up in our Sunday best and sign hymns like "Christ the Lord is Risen Today." Many of the millions who attended an Easter service around the world today have heard the gospel message before. They know they are celebrating the day in which Christ rose from the dead.
What an amazing thing it is to look back to the day Christ broke the sting of death and sin and rose to life! This Easter is only my second Easter as a believer, and it has been encouraging to look at that historical event. But, I suppose that as important of an event it is to commemorate, it is also important to look at what Christ's resurrection and life means for us today.
This week has been marked by much grief and a sober mood. When you love someone and their sin is exposed it hurts. Someone very dear to me brought unexpected news this week that I must confess did not completely surprise me, but nevertheless shocked me in a way. A reaction is to be grieved by the sin a loved one is convinced is righteous. Another reaction is to be hurt by the realization that your relationship with that person has been broken for sometime. But, another reaction is to understand that people choose sin. I can not, and I will not, accept the sin that my friend is practicing as righteous, but I also know that Christ has called me to continue to love this dear person. There is supposed paradox in how you can love someone and hate their sin, how you be longsuffering and share the truth.
But these paradoxes aren't what they appear to be. Both sides are true, and with God's wisdom and grace both are achievable. A reaction to someone's sin has to be to share the truth in love and to patiently wait upon the Lord to change someone's heart. You can be grieved by someone's sin, but you can't be controlled by it. You can be saddened by their wavering from the Lord, but you can't control them.
Ultimately, you must trust the saving work of our Savior and the purposes of the Lord. Only Christ's blood and work can change a hardened heart and forgive sin. And, only in God's timing and will will those things come to fruition. That is harder to rest in, but nevertheless, only waiting on the Lord and trusting in him can give peace.
2 Thessalonians says, Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times in every way. The Lord be with you all.
Back to my opening comments. Christ is risen. Amen? Amen!! I feel there is a danger to relegate Christ's work to the resurrection day. We can forget that the gospel and hope of Christ is not confined to the act of salvation. God's grace is poured out to us daily! Grace upon grace. I looked at the oceans this week in Pacific Grove and reminded myself about my thoughts on rain and grace. Imagine looking at the Pacific Ocean and seeing water as far as the eye can see... that is what God's grace is like to us Christians. When I was reflecting on God's grace I didn't expect to face trial later that week, but God knew.
I think the only reason I'm able to stay at peace in this situation is through God's grace. Looking to Christ as my hope is what comforts. Not past experiences, not worldly statistics, or conversations. A song I've sung over and over is "Inside Out." I've quoted this part before: Everlasting, your light will shine when all else fades. Never ending your glory goes beyond all fame. And the cry of my heart is to bring you praise.
Christ's light will outshine any darkness that sin and the world produces. In trials, Christ is your light. Look to the Word and see the supremacy of our Savior! The blessed Lord!
In all things God's glory will prevail. We can't always undestand how God will receive glory in circumstances, but all things will be worked out to his glorious name.
In trials may my prayer be to praise the Lord through it.
Therefore, may I glorify and praise Him for his wondrous grace and will.
Tuesday, March 4
A busy weekend
The past few days have been amazing... but it's Tuesday and the weekend's craziness is causing me to be tired! haha. So, here's brief update on what happened...
Friday afternoon Amy, Tanner, Valinda, Abi, Meghan and I headed down to Huntington Beach for a Foosball Tournament at Abi's house. We got there early, so Amy and I took a stroll on the beach and walked around downtown Huntington Beach. So fun to be a on beach again! The party was amazing, even though Amy and I got booted out of the game in our first round. Intense! Saturday, did what's called 'Community Day.' Tanner, Stephen and I went to a house and helped clean up their yard. A lot to get done, but it was encouraging to make a difference at least. Went to the intermural soccer game. Then, Amy, Tanner, Valinda and I went to a pizza place called Numero Uno... amazing pizza! HAd a blast. Came back and saw "The Importance of Being Ernest." Then the four of us went out to Starbucks. A great night. Had a very important conversation with a friend who is going through a hard time. Hard night, but it is so encouraging to see the Lord working in his life! Can't write much about the situation, but praise the Lord for his work and grace. I had a difficult time understanding the situation, but Sunday morning the Lord humbled me and I remembered once again his love, grace, and sufficiency. Taught sunday school with Amy. We took our kids for a walk. Went to the Ghetty with a friend and his brother, then came back and did some homework and watched parts of Indiana Jones with Amy. That's a survey of this weekend... Hope you all have a great week!
Friday afternoon Amy, Tanner, Valinda, Abi, Meghan and I headed down to Huntington Beach for a Foosball Tournament at Abi's house. We got there early, so Amy and I took a stroll on the beach and walked around downtown Huntington Beach. So fun to be a on beach again! The party was amazing, even though Amy and I got booted out of the game in our first round. Intense! Saturday, did what's called 'Community Day.' Tanner, Stephen and I went to a house and helped clean up their yard. A lot to get done, but it was encouraging to make a difference at least. Went to the intermural soccer game. Then, Amy, Tanner, Valinda and I went to a pizza place called Numero Uno... amazing pizza! HAd a blast. Came back and saw "The Importance of Being Ernest." Then the four of us went out to Starbucks. A great night. Had a very important conversation with a friend who is going through a hard time. Hard night, but it is so encouraging to see the Lord working in his life! Can't write much about the situation, but praise the Lord for his work and grace. I had a difficult time understanding the situation, but Sunday morning the Lord humbled me and I remembered once again his love, grace, and sufficiency. Taught sunday school with Amy. We took our kids for a walk. Went to the Ghetty with a friend and his brother, then came back and did some homework and watched parts of Indiana Jones with Amy. That's a survey of this weekend... Hope you all have a great week!
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