Last week, I attended Camp Manatawny and had an amazing, mind-blowing, heart-opening experience! I learned many things and I hope I am able to share them with many people, because these are lessons I never want to forget.
In my first Bible Class (girls only!), our teacher read us a beautiful story about a pearl necklace. I love this story and it warms my heart every time I hear it!
The story was this: The Pearl Necklace
Well, this story has rung true with me many times in my life. We all struggle with it! There is something between us and God that we just don't want to give up. It can be anything: possessions, decisions, pride, bad relationships, our old lives.
For me, it was my deepest-darkest sins. I had been impure, but I had refused to do anything more than just ask for forgiveness. It was one of those sins that you wanted to handle alone because you were too ashamed to tell anyone about it (I still am ashamed even), but sin is impossible to conquer without God. Finally one day, I gave up fighting. Against everything inside of me, I surrendered to God and told my best friend about what I had been doing, and I asked her for help and prayers and forgiveness. That was the best decision of my life. The effect was immediate, and I stopped Satan right then and there. He left me, and I never was unable to stand against those sins again. Yet, a week later (although this was the last time), I gave into the sin and felt dreadful. That's what Satan does to us; he will never leave us alone. He never leaves me alone! A wise grandmother in my church said it this way:
"You might be done with Satan, but sweetie, he isn't done with you."
But, as this story says, God takes away our sin. He took it away, once and for all. Can we keep sinning? Yes, but why would we? That would be stupid! And I'm telling myself that, because it was stupid! It's taken me a year to realize this since I quit that past way of life, but once we are baptized, we have the freedom to choose not to sin. We can look it dead in the eye because of Christ and say "No."
After suffering for so long with the thoughts that surrounded my past, I became familiar with the signs of my heart fading into that temptation. Immediately, when my heart started to fall two weeks ago, I sat up straight and told myself, "NO. Never again."
Guess what girls? It works, because of GOD.
Give your pearls to Him.
"Trust in the Lord with all of your heart,
lean not on your own understanding,
in all of your ways submit to him,
and he will make your paths straight.
Do not be wise in your own eyes;
fear the Lord and shun evil.
This will bring health to your body, and nourishment to your bones."
-Proverbs 3:5-7
Monday, July 2, 2012
Sunday, July 1, 2012
The Pearl Necklace
(Source: http://www.motivateus.com/stories/pearls.htm)
The Pearl Necklace
The cheerful girl with bouncy golden curls was almost five. Waiting with her mother at the checkout stand, she saw them: a circle of glistening white pearls in a pink foil box.
"Oh please, Mommy. Can I have them? Please, Mommy, please!"
Quickly the mother checked the back of the little foil box and then looked back into the pleading blue eyes of her little girl's upturned face.
"A dollar ninety-five. That's almost $2.00. If you really want them, I'll think of some extra chores for you and in no time you can save enough money to buy them for yourself. Your birthday's only a week away and you might get another crisp dollar bill from Grandma."
As soon as Jenny got home, she emptied her penny bank and counted out 17 pennies. After dinner, she did more than her share of chores and she went to the neighbor and asked Mrs. McJames if she could pick dandelions for ten cents.
On her birthday, Grandma did give her another new dollar bill and at last she had enough money to buy the necklace.
Jenny loved her pearls. They made her feel dressed up and grown up. She wore them everywhere--Sunday school, kindergarten, even to bed. The only time she took them off was when she went swimming or had a bubble bath. Mother said if they got wet, they might turn her neck green.
Jenny had a very loving daddy and every night when she was ready for bed, he would stop whatever he was doing and come upstairs to read her a story. One night when he finished the story, he asked Jenny, "Do you love me?"
"Oh yes, Daddy. You know that I love you."
"Then give me your pearls."
"Oh, Daddy, not my pearls. But you can have Princess--the white horse from my collection. The one with the pink tail. Remember, Daddy? The one you gave me. She's my favorite."
"That's okay, Honey. Daddy loves you. Good night." And he brushed her cheek with a kiss.
About a week later, after the story time, Jenny's daddy asked again, "Do you love me?"
"Daddy, you know I love you."
"Then give me your pearls."
"Oh Daddy, not my pearls. But you can have my baby doll. The brand new one I got for my birthday. She is so beautiful and you can have the yellow blanket that matches her sleeper."
"That's okay. Sleep well. God bless you, little one. Daddy loves you." And as always, he brushed her cheek with a gentle kiss.
A few nights later when her daddy came in, Jenny was sitting on her bed with her legs crossed Indian-style. As he came close, he noticed her chin was trembling and one silent tear rolled down her cheek.
"What is it, Jenny? What's the matter?"
Jenny didn't say anything but lifted her little hand up to her daddy. And when she opened it, there was her little pearl necklace. With a little quiver,she finally said, "Here, Daddy. It's for you."
With tears gathering in his own eyes, Jenny's kind daddy reached out with one hand to take the dime-store necklace, and with the other hand he reached into his pocket and pulled out a blue velvet case with a strand of genuine pearls and gave them to Jenny.
He had them all the time. He was just waiting for her to give up the dime-store stuff so he could give her genuine treasure.
What are you hanging on to?
The Pearl Necklace
The cheerful girl with bouncy golden curls was almost five. Waiting with her mother at the checkout stand, she saw them: a circle of glistening white pearls in a pink foil box.
"Oh please, Mommy. Can I have them? Please, Mommy, please!"
Quickly the mother checked the back of the little foil box and then looked back into the pleading blue eyes of her little girl's upturned face.
"A dollar ninety-five. That's almost $2.00. If you really want them, I'll think of some extra chores for you and in no time you can save enough money to buy them for yourself. Your birthday's only a week away and you might get another crisp dollar bill from Grandma."
As soon as Jenny got home, she emptied her penny bank and counted out 17 pennies. After dinner, she did more than her share of chores and she went to the neighbor and asked Mrs. McJames if she could pick dandelions for ten cents.
On her birthday, Grandma did give her another new dollar bill and at last she had enough money to buy the necklace.
Jenny loved her pearls. They made her feel dressed up and grown up. She wore them everywhere--Sunday school, kindergarten, even to bed. The only time she took them off was when she went swimming or had a bubble bath. Mother said if they got wet, they might turn her neck green.
Jenny had a very loving daddy and every night when she was ready for bed, he would stop whatever he was doing and come upstairs to read her a story. One night when he finished the story, he asked Jenny, "Do you love me?"
"Oh yes, Daddy. You know that I love you."
"Then give me your pearls."
"Oh, Daddy, not my pearls. But you can have Princess--the white horse from my collection. The one with the pink tail. Remember, Daddy? The one you gave me. She's my favorite."
"That's okay, Honey. Daddy loves you. Good night." And he brushed her cheek with a kiss.
About a week later, after the story time, Jenny's daddy asked again, "Do you love me?"
"Daddy, you know I love you."
"Then give me your pearls."
"Oh Daddy, not my pearls. But you can have my baby doll. The brand new one I got for my birthday. She is so beautiful and you can have the yellow blanket that matches her sleeper."
"That's okay. Sleep well. God bless you, little one. Daddy loves you." And as always, he brushed her cheek with a gentle kiss.
A few nights later when her daddy came in, Jenny was sitting on her bed with her legs crossed Indian-style. As he came close, he noticed her chin was trembling and one silent tear rolled down her cheek.
"What is it, Jenny? What's the matter?"
Jenny didn't say anything but lifted her little hand up to her daddy. And when she opened it, there was her little pearl necklace. With a little quiver,she finally said, "Here, Daddy. It's for you."
With tears gathering in his own eyes, Jenny's kind daddy reached out with one hand to take the dime-store necklace, and with the other hand he reached into his pocket and pulled out a blue velvet case with a strand of genuine pearls and gave them to Jenny.
He had them all the time. He was just waiting for her to give up the dime-store stuff so he could give her genuine treasure.
What are you hanging on to?
Tuesday, May 29, 2012
She Lived Right
Recently, Traci Hoffman, often known as "Mama H.", passed away. The day before she passed, I kept thinking to myself about what a wonderful woman and roll model she is. Everything she did was for others, and she is the only woman I know who did love God with all of her heart and with all of her soul and with all of her mind and with all of her strength. She went beyond anyone else with her dedication to doing things for God and others, and I only wish that the rest of us could grow up to be like her example of Christ.
When my sister shared the sad news with me, I went into my room and wrote this poem.
Dear God, will you take care of her?
Make sure she's comfy and can sleep somewhere?
Would you tell her she's loved and we miss her much?
Our last conversation really wasn't that much..
Would you send her a hello
From her kids here below?
Then hug them all tight
And kiss them goodnight?
Daddy, can you do one more thing?
Show her our cards and pom-pom things.
Show her the impact she's made on our lives,
And show her our future husbands and wives
All because she taught us to live right
Please, just make sure that she is alright/we are alright/ we are all right.
"A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies.
Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value.
She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life.
... She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come.
She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue.
She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness.
Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: 'Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all.'
Charm is deceptive and beauty is fleeting, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.
Give her the reward she has earned, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate."
-Proverbs 31:10-12, 25-31
When my sister shared the sad news with me, I went into my room and wrote this poem.
Dear God, will you take care of her?
Make sure she's comfy and can sleep somewhere?
Would you tell her she's loved and we miss her much?
Our last conversation really wasn't that much..
Would you send her a hello
From her kids here below?
Then hug them all tight
And kiss them goodnight?
Daddy, can you do one more thing?
Show her our cards and pom-pom things.
Show her the impact she's made on our lives,
And show her our future husbands and wives
All because she taught us to live right
Please, just make sure that she is alright/we are alright/ we are all right.
"A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies.
Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value.
She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life.
... She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come.
She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue.
She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness.
Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: 'Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all.'
Charm is deceptive and beauty is fleeting, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.
Give her the reward she has earned, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate."
-Proverbs 31:10-12, 25-31
Monday, May 7, 2012
Look
"Get past your mind and look for him!"
I've gone through a lot of loneliness recently. Not from being away from good friends, but from being away from God.
I couldn't hear him for a while. Part of that is my lack of discipline in listening for him. Part of that is because I left my Bible at school by accident before I went on a week-long trip.
Not that I've been totally deaf, although, interestingly enough, this past week I've felt like my earwax problem has been giving me hearing issues. No, it's just I hadn't heard him. I get such great joy when I hear him that I know when it's true or not. I still can't believe how obviously powerful he is; and it is true, if you don't choose to hear and acknowledge God's voice, then you can't hear it like I do.
So last time I heard God's voice, he powerfully and peacefully told me (as I waited to run to the bathroom) "Draw...for ME."
That was... WOW.
Yeah. Well anyways, that was a couple months ago now, which, if David and Samuel talked to him all the time, seems pretty stretched out. So today, I learned another lesson that I hadn't heard for a while: God speaks through messengers. A friend of mine posted one of those "Truth is" things on my wall, and within it was the most amazing message I've heard from God in a long time.
First, he answered one of my main prayers (questions) I've had for the past maybe 4 months, which latched onto a prayer I've been praying almost everyday for a year and a half now. That's just crazy. After that long, you don't expect things to get answered, you just keep praying.
Then, you know the whole deaf thing? Yeah, even in my "Christian activities" with Christian friends that usually talk with me about tons of Bible stuff, I feel like I've been lacking in whole as a Christian. I won't argue if that's possible or not, but in the back of my mind, when I push to keep trying to do better, I ask myself, "Is it really worth it? Can you actually keep this up? You keep slipping up, how will you ever succeed?"
Man, I love God! And He loves me! No lie, the next line after the answered prayer was about me being a strong Christian. It just was a gentle reminder that you're trying, and that's alright; keep your head up, I've got you.
God speaks in SO many ways!
Now that "Draw for me" thing I mentioned earlier? Well, ever since that happened, my future job possibilities sprouted out like a fibrous root in front of me, and it's become harder and harder to stick with art. So far, just like everything else, I stuck with art because that's what I had been doing. It got harder when I got this "Future Female Engineers" award in a science competition, but I still stuck with my Graphic Design.
It may sound like nothing to someone else but a simple compliment, but the friend wrote, "Keep up the artwork."
Well, I don't think this friend even knows how God just used him, but I certainly do, and I couldn't be more inspired. I've missed God, and through this little note, he's reminded me that he's still there and I've got to keep heading on the right track towards him.
Keep looking for God. Once you set aside your thoughts and purely look to and listen to him, that is when you hear God's voice. Sometimes he forces it through. Often not. Generally, you can hear Him through his Word; He can also speak from anyone's voice, words, or even actions. Just remember to put aside your thoughts and opinions about it all and just let Him speak clearly.
"For this God is our God for ever and ever; he will be our guide even to the end."
-Psalm 48:14
I've gone through a lot of loneliness recently. Not from being away from good friends, but from being away from God.
I couldn't hear him for a while. Part of that is my lack of discipline in listening for him. Part of that is because I left my Bible at school by accident before I went on a week-long trip.
Not that I've been totally deaf, although, interestingly enough, this past week I've felt like my earwax problem has been giving me hearing issues. No, it's just I hadn't heard him. I get such great joy when I hear him that I know when it's true or not. I still can't believe how obviously powerful he is; and it is true, if you don't choose to hear and acknowledge God's voice, then you can't hear it like I do.
So last time I heard God's voice, he powerfully and peacefully told me (as I waited to run to the bathroom) "Draw...for ME."
That was... WOW.
Yeah. Well anyways, that was a couple months ago now, which, if David and Samuel talked to him all the time, seems pretty stretched out. So today, I learned another lesson that I hadn't heard for a while: God speaks through messengers. A friend of mine posted one of those "Truth is" things on my wall, and within it was the most amazing message I've heard from God in a long time.
First, he answered one of my main prayers (questions) I've had for the past maybe 4 months, which latched onto a prayer I've been praying almost everyday for a year and a half now. That's just crazy. After that long, you don't expect things to get answered, you just keep praying.
Then, you know the whole deaf thing? Yeah, even in my "Christian activities" with Christian friends that usually talk with me about tons of Bible stuff, I feel like I've been lacking in whole as a Christian. I won't argue if that's possible or not, but in the back of my mind, when I push to keep trying to do better, I ask myself, "Is it really worth it? Can you actually keep this up? You keep slipping up, how will you ever succeed?"
Man, I love God! And He loves me! No lie, the next line after the answered prayer was about me being a strong Christian. It just was a gentle reminder that you're trying, and that's alright; keep your head up, I've got you.
God speaks in SO many ways!
Now that "Draw for me" thing I mentioned earlier? Well, ever since that happened, my future job possibilities sprouted out like a fibrous root in front of me, and it's become harder and harder to stick with art. So far, just like everything else, I stuck with art because that's what I had been doing. It got harder when I got this "Future Female Engineers" award in a science competition, but I still stuck with my Graphic Design.
It may sound like nothing to someone else but a simple compliment, but the friend wrote, "Keep up the artwork."
Well, I don't think this friend even knows how God just used him, but I certainly do, and I couldn't be more inspired. I've missed God, and through this little note, he's reminded me that he's still there and I've got to keep heading on the right track towards him.
Keep looking for God. Once you set aside your thoughts and purely look to and listen to him, that is when you hear God's voice. Sometimes he forces it through. Often not. Generally, you can hear Him through his Word; He can also speak from anyone's voice, words, or even actions. Just remember to put aside your thoughts and opinions about it all and just let Him speak clearly.
"For this God is our God for ever and ever; he will be our guide even to the end."
-Psalm 48:14
Monday, April 23, 2012
Little Things
Today, I came to the small realization that my dad has come to know me better by the little conversations we have. Ever since he got into this whole "couponing" and saving money with shopping, he has been asking me small questions, like "what do you like to eat?" and "what do you bring for school lunches?" It hasn't been much, just a list of things to buy or not to buy while he tries to narrow down his list to the "need to"s and "have to"s (rather than just "want to"s or "I dunno"s), but it's been building a relationship that has been slightly lacking before.
A couple years ago, I used to cry in my room thinking and praying about having a close relationship with my parents. I had confided with my mom on a few things, but for the most part, it seemed like they hardly knew the real me, and I was afraid to come to them with my problems. It hit me big time when I dated my first boyfriend and wasn't sure how to handle different situations. At that time, I was more afraid of doing wrong and having them mad at me than I was actually caring about my relationship with them. Soon after we broke up, I realized that I needed that parental relationship badly, but I had no clue where to start.
It wasn't too long after this that these tiny conversations started up. Now he's asked more things, like what I thought about small topics, or what I thought about events that have happened, and I can tell that I trust him more as a father and friend than I did before--and all I did was have little conversations with my dad. Both of my parents put up with my rants now about school and homework, and both openly give me advice about how to deal with situations, whether I choose it or not.
All of this made me consider my relationship with God. Right now, it's not very strong, I'll have to admit.
I read an article the other day that in it's essence asked us to compare how much time we spend talking with our friends to how much time we talk to God. It said that all God really wants is to be our best friend, the one we talk to 24/7 about everything good and bad in our lives, simply because we love each other. When I think about how my dad has been talking to me, I wonder if maybe God wants me to talk to him like that--at least to get started. The other day, I tried this out a bit after I got my shoes for Formal. I said to Him, "Guess what! I got these amazing shoes! They're so comfortable and pretty, and they go great with my dress!! Just wait until I show you at home!" I don't know if this is weird or crazy or anything, but feeling close to God, I went into my room and put on my dress and shoes and looked in the mirror and asked Him, "Do you like it?" I'm a bad listener, but written on my mirror, right where my face is, reads, "The King is enthralled by your beauty; honor him for he is your Lord." (Psalms 45:11)
So how are you talking to God? Need a little more practice, like me? Maybe, to start, you can try these little conversations. When you're happy, share the news with Him. When you're sad, cry on his shoulder, talk it out to Him, ask Him "why?"--He can take it. When you're mad, let out your frustration on Him, then listen to what his plan is.
All the while, read the scripture, because it's "God-breathed."
"Come near to God, and he will come near to you."
-James 4:8a
A couple years ago, I used to cry in my room thinking and praying about having a close relationship with my parents. I had confided with my mom on a few things, but for the most part, it seemed like they hardly knew the real me, and I was afraid to come to them with my problems. It hit me big time when I dated my first boyfriend and wasn't sure how to handle different situations. At that time, I was more afraid of doing wrong and having them mad at me than I was actually caring about my relationship with them. Soon after we broke up, I realized that I needed that parental relationship badly, but I had no clue where to start.
It wasn't too long after this that these tiny conversations started up. Now he's asked more things, like what I thought about small topics, or what I thought about events that have happened, and I can tell that I trust him more as a father and friend than I did before--and all I did was have little conversations with my dad. Both of my parents put up with my rants now about school and homework, and both openly give me advice about how to deal with situations, whether I choose it or not.
All of this made me consider my relationship with God. Right now, it's not very strong, I'll have to admit.
I read an article the other day that in it's essence asked us to compare how much time we spend talking with our friends to how much time we talk to God. It said that all God really wants is to be our best friend, the one we talk to 24/7 about everything good and bad in our lives, simply because we love each other. When I think about how my dad has been talking to me, I wonder if maybe God wants me to talk to him like that--at least to get started. The other day, I tried this out a bit after I got my shoes for Formal. I said to Him, "Guess what! I got these amazing shoes! They're so comfortable and pretty, and they go great with my dress!! Just wait until I show you at home!" I don't know if this is weird or crazy or anything, but feeling close to God, I went into my room and put on my dress and shoes and looked in the mirror and asked Him, "Do you like it?" I'm a bad listener, but written on my mirror, right where my face is, reads, "The King is enthralled by your beauty; honor him for he is your Lord." (Psalms 45:11)
So how are you talking to God? Need a little more practice, like me? Maybe, to start, you can try these little conversations. When you're happy, share the news with Him. When you're sad, cry on his shoulder, talk it out to Him, ask Him "why?"--He can take it. When you're mad, let out your frustration on Him, then listen to what his plan is.
All the while, read the scripture, because it's "God-breathed."
"Come near to God, and he will come near to you."
-James 4:8a
Saturday, March 31, 2012
Praise the Lord
Today, I am really tired, but I opened my Bible in the semi-quietness of my living room, and here's what I found:
Psalm 146
"Praise the Lord.
Praise the Lord, O my soul.
I will praise the Lord all my life;
I will sing praise to my God as long as I live.
Do not put your trust in princes,
in mortal men, who cannot save.
When their spirit departs, they return to the ground;
on that very day their plans come to nothing.
Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob,
whose hope is in the Lord his God,
the Maker of heaven and earth,
the sea, and everything in them--
the Lord, who remains faithful forever.
He upholds the cause of the oppressed
and gives food to the hungry.
The Lord sets prisoners free,
the Lord gives sight to the blind,
the Lord lifts up those who are bowed down,
the Lord loves the righteous.
The Lord watches over the alien
and sustains the fatherless and the widow,
but he frustrates the ways of the wicked.
The Lord reigns forever,
your God, O Zion, for all generations.
Praise the Lord."
Praise the Lord, with all of me, and for all of my life! How awesome is it to think of that? Praising God not just now, not just yesterday, but for your whole life?!
Look at this scale and find where you are in life now:
How long do you have still to praise Him? How many opportunities do you think you'll still get to praise Him? How many triumphs will he bring you to? How many joys, sorrows, and lessons will you be able to thank Him for still?
Be joyful always. :)
Do not trust princes and mortal men, who can't actually save. --Listen up girls!!!
How many times will we all fall into this trap that guys are all we need in life and are our heros???
I was watching a movie last night called Mighty Macs, and in it, a man was flirting with a lady and her friend who was a nun(but not dressed as one in this scene). When he asked if the nun was taken, she said, "Well, sort of." He asked what the special guy does and she responded, "He's a carpenter." To this the man replied, "Oh, so he's good with his hands?" and she threw out with a smile, "He works miracles." Haha, I hope you laughed at that! But how awesome is it to think that way! That Jesus is "The One", our Hero, the love of our lives, who fascinates us more than any other man!
What man can work miracles? What man knows what you need at every second of every minute and is there to provide exactly that for you as long as you're willing to accept it?
If you haven't noticed yet, no guy can do that for you, ladies. Yes, you may find a good faithful husband one day(if you aren't married yet), but remember always that no one is like Jesus.
No, Jesus is the only man who can fulfill your life.
Jesus upholds the cause of the oppressed.
Jesus gives food to the hungry.
Jesus sets prisoners free.
Jesus gives sight to the blind. (Amazing!)
Jesus lifts up those who are bowed down.
Jesus loves the righteous.
Jesus watches the alien, sustains the orphan, and the widow...
Don't you see? Jesus cares for all of us more than any man ever will, AND he CAN fulfill his word!
Imagine being married to a King, but not just a King: a humble King. A humble guy who was given power to be ruler over the World not because of the wealth or what people wanted, but because he outright deserved it from his character and his life.
If your younger, imagine being the daughter of this King. Imagine running around with a little tiara on your head, having the ability to show yourself to others as a princess and earn respect. Imagine as a child, running into his throne room and jumping up on his lap to give him a bigg hug, shouting "Daddy!" ("Abba!") Now imagine having that same relationship as you got older, as you started being hurt by friends, meeting boys and them not acting the way Daddy says they should treat you, and finding yourself crying looking for somewhere to go where there is love; now, this time when you enter Daddy's throne room, you're embarrassed, hurt, sad, lonely, in pain. This time, you walk slowly in, trying to hide the look on your face as you walk towards the throne. This time, when you shakily say, "Dad, can I talk to you?" he tells the others in the room to go while you come forward, unsure of where to start. He sees your face, and says, " Come here" and pulls you up onto his lap, where you curl up and start crying.
God loves you.
He makes a promise to you that day. He says, "I don't want you to be hurt anymore. There is a guy who won't hurt you. He's kind, humble, gentle, and strong, and I think you'll like him a lot. But you need to make me a promise. You've got to stop doing what you are doing. Act like my princess; show the world that you are MINE, not theirs. Listen to me: you are beautiful and lovely and worth more than the most precious thing the world has to offer. Do not forget that! Don't forget that I love you, and that I am always here for you. It doesn't matter how far you've fallen off the beaten path; if you come to me, I will be here for you."
God won't let them win. Wickedness is a matter of a person's heart; they can choose to reject God. You might not see it, but those who are oppressing others won't always win. In the Old Testament, even when God raised up an nation against Israel to punish them, later he would punish that same nation for not following His ways (usually because they were oppressing others).
God will always reign. He will always be on that throne. Jesus is at his right hand, waiting for us. His bride is the church, and we are the church. He died because he loves us, because we are worth this. We are worth waiting for. He already paid the price; live a life 'pleasing to God'. Life a life that says, "I'm HIS." because, he's already done everything for you. (:
"Praise the Lord."
Psalm 146
"Praise the Lord.
Praise the Lord, O my soul.
I will praise the Lord all my life;
I will sing praise to my God as long as I live.
Do not put your trust in princes,
in mortal men, who cannot save.
When their spirit departs, they return to the ground;
on that very day their plans come to nothing.
Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob,
whose hope is in the Lord his God,
the Maker of heaven and earth,
the sea, and everything in them--
the Lord, who remains faithful forever.
He upholds the cause of the oppressed
and gives food to the hungry.
The Lord sets prisoners free,
the Lord gives sight to the blind,
the Lord lifts up those who are bowed down,
the Lord loves the righteous.
The Lord watches over the alien
and sustains the fatherless and the widow,
but he frustrates the ways of the wicked.
The Lord reigns forever,
your God, O Zion, for all generations.
Praise the Lord."
Praise the Lord, with all of me, and for all of my life! How awesome is it to think of that? Praising God not just now, not just yesterday, but for your whole life?!
Look at this scale and find where you are in life now:
How long do you have still to praise Him? How many opportunities do you think you'll still get to praise Him? How many triumphs will he bring you to? How many joys, sorrows, and lessons will you be able to thank Him for still?
Be joyful always. :)
Do not trust princes and mortal men, who can't actually save. --Listen up girls!!!
How many times will we all fall into this trap that guys are all we need in life and are our heros???
I was watching a movie last night called Mighty Macs, and in it, a man was flirting with a lady and her friend who was a nun(but not dressed as one in this scene). When he asked if the nun was taken, she said, "Well, sort of." He asked what the special guy does and she responded, "He's a carpenter." To this the man replied, "Oh, so he's good with his hands?" and she threw out with a smile, "He works miracles." Haha, I hope you laughed at that! But how awesome is it to think that way! That Jesus is "The One", our Hero, the love of our lives, who fascinates us more than any other man!
What man can work miracles? What man knows what you need at every second of every minute and is there to provide exactly that for you as long as you're willing to accept it?
If you haven't noticed yet, no guy can do that for you, ladies. Yes, you may find a good faithful husband one day(if you aren't married yet), but remember always that no one is like Jesus.
No, Jesus is the only man who can fulfill your life.
Jesus upholds the cause of the oppressed.
Jesus gives food to the hungry.
Jesus sets prisoners free.
Jesus gives sight to the blind. (Amazing!)
Jesus lifts up those who are bowed down.
Jesus loves the righteous.
Jesus watches the alien, sustains the orphan, and the widow...
Don't you see? Jesus cares for all of us more than any man ever will, AND he CAN fulfill his word!
Imagine being married to a King, but not just a King: a humble King. A humble guy who was given power to be ruler over the World not because of the wealth or what people wanted, but because he outright deserved it from his character and his life.
If your younger, imagine being the daughter of this King. Imagine running around with a little tiara on your head, having the ability to show yourself to others as a princess and earn respect. Imagine as a child, running into his throne room and jumping up on his lap to give him a bigg hug, shouting "Daddy!" ("Abba!") Now imagine having that same relationship as you got older, as you started being hurt by friends, meeting boys and them not acting the way Daddy says they should treat you, and finding yourself crying looking for somewhere to go where there is love; now, this time when you enter Daddy's throne room, you're embarrassed, hurt, sad, lonely, in pain. This time, you walk slowly in, trying to hide the look on your face as you walk towards the throne. This time, when you shakily say, "Dad, can I talk to you?" he tells the others in the room to go while you come forward, unsure of where to start. He sees your face, and says, " Come here" and pulls you up onto his lap, where you curl up and start crying.
God loves you.
He makes a promise to you that day. He says, "I don't want you to be hurt anymore. There is a guy who won't hurt you. He's kind, humble, gentle, and strong, and I think you'll like him a lot. But you need to make me a promise. You've got to stop doing what you are doing. Act like my princess; show the world that you are MINE, not theirs. Listen to me: you are beautiful and lovely and worth more than the most precious thing the world has to offer. Do not forget that! Don't forget that I love you, and that I am always here for you. It doesn't matter how far you've fallen off the beaten path; if you come to me, I will be here for you."
God won't let them win. Wickedness is a matter of a person's heart; they can choose to reject God. You might not see it, but those who are oppressing others won't always win. In the Old Testament, even when God raised up an nation against Israel to punish them, later he would punish that same nation for not following His ways (usually because they were oppressing others).
God will always reign. He will always be on that throne. Jesus is at his right hand, waiting for us. His bride is the church, and we are the church. He died because he loves us, because we are worth this. We are worth waiting for. He already paid the price; live a life 'pleasing to God'. Life a life that says, "I'm HIS." because, he's already done everything for you. (:
"Praise the Lord."
Wednesday, March 14, 2012
Reaching Out
Hey God,
How do you reach out to others?
Like the people so glued to their passions that they don't see You?
Those who believe they are doing right, but aren't seeing clearly?
Those so caught up in being worldly that they loose sight of what truly matters?
Those who cannot get past the lies of the world because they are too caught up in the imaginary utopia it impossibly promises?
How can I help them?
How do you plan on teaching them?
How do you show these people whom want to change the world that You are the answer to their problems?
How do you reach them in love?
How do you answer their questions?
How do you change them?
If you could let me know, or help me somehow, that would be great. I hate seeing them practically unreachable, and my attempts always appear 'forced upon them' or 'close-minded'.
With love,
Emily
How do you reach out to others?
Like the people so glued to their passions that they don't see You?
Those who believe they are doing right, but aren't seeing clearly?
Those so caught up in being worldly that they loose sight of what truly matters?
Those who cannot get past the lies of the world because they are too caught up in the imaginary utopia it impossibly promises?
How can I help them?
How do you plan on teaching them?
How do you show these people whom want to change the world that You are the answer to their problems?
How do you reach them in love?
How do you answer their questions?
How do you change them?
If you could let me know, or help me somehow, that would be great. I hate seeing them practically unreachable, and my attempts always appear 'forced upon them' or 'close-minded'.
With love,
Emily
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