Overall, I feel that this media fast has been going really well. The TV isn't even plugged in; I hardly watched it anyway. The most I watched was the Weather Channel, Biggest Loser, and sometimes a free On-Demand movie. We don't even have a DVD player anymore, so I borrowed my cousin's PS2 as a DVD player. Listening to nonsecular music has been relatively easy. I've spent a few dollars on some new songs. "Revelation Song" sung by Kari Jobe and "How He Loves" by David Crowder are probably my new favorites.
The Internet facet of it isn't too bad, either. I definitely spend less time online. I check my e-mail, the weather, our bank account and pay bills online (the only bill I pay with check is rent, and that's only because there is not an online feature). I have, of course, been blogging. I've taken some time to look back at previous blogs, even to as far back as five years ago. I have checked Facebook and Army Wives Forums more than once; however, I was only on there for no more than five minutes at a time.
So, how have I benefitted from this? I have had more time to devote to study... if I want to get all my studies done I kind of have to sacrifice other things. I haven't been as concerned about petty things, or been thinking about those "friends" you have on Facebook and their pointless status updates. I have felt better about myself without constantly comparing.
I have also been using our Internet connection to talk to Aaron via Skype video chat. Technology has come such a long way. I love being able to see and talk at the same time. Sometimes I am marvelled that the person I'm looking at is my husband and he loves me with as unconditional a love as you can find on this earth. We have also been doing a Bible study, and using Skype has facilitated more discussion and it's just easier to not hold a phone and try to write and read at the same time.
I probably don't get any more sleep than I did. I average about seven hours per night, which seems to be the minimum if I want optimum performance the next day.
I guess I feel overall I have a closer relationship with the Lord and definitely do more critical thinking about things in general. I have received some answers to prayer and new things about which to pray have been revealed. Poor and sinful internal attitudes have also been revealed.. we're working on it.
The next three months are absolutely crucial in our life. I feel that Lent will be a springboard for whatever preparation is left before we move.
The following passage from Philippians has been running through my mind nearly every day...
Philippians 3:12-14 (NIV)
12Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. 13Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.
And, I think about the five principles from my current Beth Moore study, Believing God:
1- God is who He says He is.
2- God can do what He says He can do.
3- I am who God says I am.
4- I can do all things through Christ.
5- God's Word is alive and active in me.
The verses we've been memorizing in our study (Megan and I) are as follows:
"I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved and delivered Himself up for me." (Galatians 2:20)
"Indeed, while following the way of your judgments, O Lord, we have waited for you eagerly; your name, even your memory [renown], is the desire of our souls." (Isaiah 26:8)
(I love how in the NASB the pronouns are usually capitalized!)
Looking back as I proofread this post, I realized that a fast should be a challenging commitment... I'm not sure this is too challenging quite yet. I feel that the most challenging thing for me throughout the next 28 days will be the prayer component.
Sunday, February 28
Thursday, February 25
Help my unbelief!
I have been wavering back and forth about a decision that has to do with our moving soon. We don't know yet where we're going and so I cannot look for jobs or housing or.. anything. I can't even be a dork and look up the average weather or maps online. Last night as I was laying down to bed I just felt torn. Then I felt prompted to read Mark 15. It ended up being the crucifixion story, and I thought that was odd. However, I felt in my spirit that "I have done all of this, and risen from the dead; do you not think I can take care of you and things in your life?" I felt convicted of my unbelief but also so relieved that He is so faithful to take care of us. I think of the Hillsong lyric, "The same power that conquered the grave is in me...".
On my desk at school I have the memory verses for our Believing God study in a plastic sleeve. Guess what this week's verse is?
Hebrews 11:8 - "By faith Abraham, when he was called, obeyed by going out to a place which he was to receive for an inheritance; and he went out, not knowing where he was going."
How interesting. I am having to step out in faith to make big decisions when we physically do not know where we are going. And it's not a matter of simply, "Oh, I think I'll try to let God take care of this one" and pass it off with a sigh and shake of the hand. It is a matter of obedience. Abraham obeyed. And he was blessed.
On my desk at school I have the memory verses for our Believing God study in a plastic sleeve. Guess what this week's verse is?
Hebrews 11:8 - "By faith Abraham,
Monday, February 22
Taking offense
There are two things of which to be offended in the world: God and people. In Day 5 of Week 3 of Believing God, Beth Moore talks about how we can become offended with God because He doesn't pull through like we think He should.
She talks about John the Baptist, who was a man who lived eccentrically but fulfilling Scripture by being the "messenger" the Old Testament prophesies will come before Christ. John is sitting in prison, about to be executed, and maybe he wondered why Jesus didn't pull through for him. Why would Jesus, with all his omnipotence even in his earthly body, not perform a miracle and break him free? However, we must trust that He knew what He was doing - He set forth all the events before they even took place.
I think early in our walk with Christ it is easy to be offended. Often when people become Christians, they feel devastation because all their worldly desires have not been just eradicated from their lives. Maybe even farther along in their faith lose a loved one and all of a sudden feel abandoned. However, when a horrible event occurs, our human eyes cannot see past the situation. We cannot recreate the context of the situation. God has the timeline of our lives spread out before Him. It's in times like those we absolutely have to trust and believe Him because He is all-knowing and all-powerful. And thank God because I would not want that responsibility with my imperfect heart and mind!
The second way to be offended is by people. God is perfect and we can be offended by Him; how much more will be we offended by others? Many times people give their reason for leaving a church because of the people. "They spread rumors" or "I just didn't fit in". Thankfully God is not contained in a church. But too often people seem to lose their connection with God because they've lost a connection with the church.
Philippians 2:14-15 states the benefits of not complaining or arguing (which are side effects of being offended by someone):
"Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe..."
[The NASB uses "grumbling or disputing" in verse 14.]
The Greek word for dispute or argue is "goggysmos", "a secret displeasure not openly avowed".
I think that this includes all the poor things we think about people and maybe never even voice. However, Jesus says that we can murder a man just by having hate in our hearts. Satan works his way into the tiniest crevasses, even emotional ones.
In our times of weakness and relational frailty we can rely on the strength of the Holy Spirit in our lives to give us discernment and direct our thoughts, actions and speech. I guess the old adage sticks; "Think before you talk". Actually, I would rephrase it to say, "Pray before your talk".
She talks about John the Baptist, who was a man who lived eccentrically but fulfilling Scripture by being the "messenger" the Old Testament prophesies will come before Christ. John is sitting in prison, about to be executed, and maybe he wondered why Jesus didn't pull through for him. Why would Jesus, with all his omnipotence even in his earthly body, not perform a miracle and break him free? However, we must trust that He knew what He was doing - He set forth all the events before they even took place.
I think early in our walk with Christ it is easy to be offended. Often when people become Christians, they feel devastation because all their worldly desires have not been just eradicated from their lives. Maybe even farther along in their faith lose a loved one and all of a sudden feel abandoned. However, when a horrible event occurs, our human eyes cannot see past the situation. We cannot recreate the context of the situation. God has the timeline of our lives spread out before Him. It's in times like those we absolutely have to trust and believe Him because He is all-knowing and all-powerful. And thank God because I would not want that responsibility with my imperfect heart and mind!
The second way to be offended is by people. God is perfect and we can be offended by Him; how much more will be we offended by others? Many times people give their reason for leaving a church because of the people. "They spread rumors" or "I just didn't fit in". Thankfully God is not contained in a church. But too often people seem to lose their connection with God because they've lost a connection with the church.
Philippians 2:14-15 states the benefits of not complaining or arguing (which are side effects of being offended by someone):
"Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe..."
[The NASB uses "grumbling or disputing" in verse 14.]
The Greek word for dispute or argue is "goggysmos", "a secret displeasure not openly avowed".
I think that this includes all the poor things we think about people and maybe never even voice. However, Jesus says that we can murder a man just by having hate in our hearts. Satan works his way into the tiniest crevasses, even emotional ones.
In our times of weakness and relational frailty we can rely on the strength of the Holy Spirit in our lives to give us discernment and direct our thoughts, actions and speech. I guess the old adage sticks; "Think before you talk". Actually, I would rephrase it to say, "Pray before your talk".
Thursday, February 18
He satisfies
This has been the theme of my time of study today. Psalm 103:2-5 states:
2 Praise the LORD, O my soul,
and forget not all his benefits-
3 who forgives all your sins
and heals all your diseases,
4 who redeems your life from the pit
and crowns you with love and compassion,
5 who satisfies your desires with good things
so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.
He satisfies our desires with good things! Why is it we think that by denying ourselves and picking up our crosses we are losing? People, this is a win-win situation! Maybe it's hard for the world to see our riches since the majority of them are spiritual when in Christ.
Good (Hebrew Strong's #2896): beautiful, best, better, bountiful, cheerful, at ease, fine, glad... and the list goes on and on.
Interestingly enough, A Call to Die today had us read from John 6. Verse 35 states, "I am the bread of life; he who comes to Me shall not hunger, and who believes in Me shall never thirst." We can be satisfied in Him. It does not matter what the world holds or taunts us with.. He is all we need... the will of God is for us to know and believe Him! (John 6:40).
2 Praise the LORD, O my soul,
and forget not all his benefits-
3 who forgives all your sins
and heals all your diseases,
4 who redeems your life from the pit
and crowns you with love and compassion,
5 who satisfies your desires with good things
so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.
He satisfies our desires with good things! Why is it we think that by denying ourselves and picking up our crosses we are losing? People, this is a win-win situation! Maybe it's hard for the world to see our riches since the majority of them are spiritual when in Christ.
Good (Hebrew Strong's #2896): beautiful, best, better, bountiful, cheerful, at ease, fine, glad... and the list goes on and on.
Interestingly enough, A Call to Die today had us read from John 6. Verse 35 states, "I am the bread of life; he who comes to Me shall not hunger, and who believes in Me shall never thirst." We can be satisfied in Him. It does not matter what the world holds or taunts us with.. He is all we need... the will of God is for us to know and believe Him! (John 6:40).
Tuesday, February 16
Lenten offerings
I have observed Lent since I was young. It's not something that all Christians are familiar with.. beginning with Ash Wednesday, it's the season in the Christian church during which people fast something until Easter (40 days) to remember Jesus' trying in the desert. When I was little, it was about fasting soda or sweets. Well, now that I'm older I have different idols to lay down.
I will be doing the book A Call to Die with my friend Megan during this time and it requires at least an hour a day for meditation, prayer and study. I have decided to fast from most of the Internet (Facebook, my Army wives forum, other blogs), TV, secular literature and secular music. Of course, I am not saying that any of these things are bad in and of themselves, but I could better spend my time studying the Word and devoting myself to prayer.
Food for me is not an effective fast unless it's a raw food fast or a liquid fast. I don't eat out a lot, eat a ton of sweets or drink a lot of soda. I feel like that would be more legalistic for me.
I am also on an endeavor to become familiar with the Greek language. Coincidentally (or not, haha) a colleague is taking a Greek class for her Master's degree and today she came into my room during my prep to show me a little bit about the alphabet. She gave me a laminated handout of the alphabet and flash cards of the letters.
Are you fasting anything for Lent?
I will be doing the book A Call to Die with my friend Megan during this time and it requires at least an hour a day for meditation, prayer and study. I have decided to fast from most of the Internet (Facebook, my Army wives forum, other blogs), TV, secular literature and secular music. Of course, I am not saying that any of these things are bad in and of themselves, but I could better spend my time studying the Word and devoting myself to prayer.
Food for me is not an effective fast unless it's a raw food fast or a liquid fast. I don't eat out a lot, eat a ton of sweets or drink a lot of soda. I feel like that would be more legalistic for me.
I am also on an endeavor to become familiar with the Greek language. Coincidentally (or not, haha) a colleague is taking a Greek class for her Master's degree and today she came into my room during my prep to show me a little bit about the alphabet. She gave me a laminated handout of the alphabet and flash cards of the letters.
Are you fasting anything for Lent?
Sunday, February 14
Bedtime Stories: Psalm 46:10
I really like how the NASB puts this verse:
"Cease {striving} and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth."
Cease means to stop. Striving means, according to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, "to devote serious effort or energy". So, stop devoting serious effort or attention. This psalm talks about the omnipotence of God.. the wonderful things He does and how nature "melts". Amazing. God is all-powerful and He literally holds the earth in the palm of His hand. So why do we try so hard in vain? We are called to know Him; that's all. Everything else falls into place.
On a side note, I realized yesterday or the day before how I am made in God's image. I was baking, cooking, knitting and starting on a sewing project all within a couple days' time. I like to create things and share them with people. Many times I do all those things for myself, but I really like to see people enjoy the things I've made. I am created in God's image because He also enjoys making things and sharing them with people. I felt.. accepted and part of a family when that dawned on me. But most of all I felt loved, that He would put a desire in me to create things, just like He does. [I am by no means equating myself with God, just drawing a similarity.]
Can I just sum things up right now with this picture? This is how I feel about the Lord.
The two things I've been praying for are these:
"Cease {striving} and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth."
Cease means to stop. Striving means, according to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, "to devote serious effort or energy". So, stop devoting serious effort or attention. This psalm talks about the omnipotence of God.. the wonderful things He does and how nature "melts". Amazing. God is all-powerful and He literally holds the earth in the palm of His hand. So why do we try so hard in vain? We are called to know Him; that's all. Everything else falls into place.
On a side note, I realized yesterday or the day before how I am made in God's image. I was baking, cooking, knitting and starting on a sewing project all within a couple days' time. I like to create things and share them with people. Many times I do all those things for myself, but I really like to see people enjoy the things I've made. I am created in God's image because He also enjoys making things and sharing them with people. I felt.. accepted and part of a family when that dawned on me. But most of all I felt loved, that He would put a desire in me to create things, just like He does. [I am by no means equating myself with God, just drawing a similarity.]
Can I just sum things up right now with this picture? This is how I feel about the Lord.
The two things I've been praying for are these:
I want to fall in love with You!
I want to develop an unquenchable thirst for Your Word!
Saturday, February 13
Becoming more like Christ - bodies and minds
This is the ever-present question of our existence: How do we become more like Christ? Is it by our actions? Our attitudes? Romans 12:1-2 provides a perfect explanation of how to become more like Him.
"I urge you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect." (NASB)
These two verses outline two things that must come under submission to the Lord - our bodies and our minds. How does it say we can offer our bodies/minds as a sacrifice? By the mercies of God. It's obviously not of our own effort because look what that did (Garden of Eden). The greatest thing is that HE does the transforming, the renewing, WE are the ones who bring it to Him in the first place. If you ever feel far from Him, just remember He's thisclose. Just one word away.. "Just one word and I am free" (Michael Gungor Band, "Giving It All").
I'm not sure what the verb tense is in the Greek, but take a look at "renewing" in English. That, my dear grammarians [because I know you're all dorks like me], is a present participle. Not a past participle, but present. It's a constant thing, what is happening right now. You can't just lay it down at the cross once and expect it to be over and done with. I think this is why people have a hard time when they first become Christians; I know I did. I thought that my old desires would just go away, I would feel happy and elated every single day of my life. The fact is, it's a constant sacrifice. He tells us to pick up our cross daily (Luke 9:23, NIV). The beauty of it though is that Jesus paid it once.. once was enough. That one act of obedience and sacrifice has brought us out of our misery.. and our bodies and minds can be transformed.
Why are people afraid of the will of God? Beth Moore talks about this in both studies I'm doing right now, Believing God and The Inheritance. We're afraid of what God will have to take from us in order to live a life fully in Him. The fact is, people, that He. Is. A. GIVER! Life will not be boring, will not be stale, will not be drudgery. Anybody got a hanky to wave on that one?
"...prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect." (v. 2)
It is safe, then, to assume that in Philippians 4:8 we can renew our minds by thinking on whatever is true, honorable, right, pure, lovely, of good repute, excellence, worthy of praise... Hmm. Let's think for a second. If we did this, we'd be thinking on the very character of God Himself! What a novel idea.
So, what other thoughts do you have on becoming more like Christ?
"I urge you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect." (NASB)
These two verses outline two things that must come under submission to the Lord - our bodies and our minds. How does it say we can offer our bodies/minds as a sacrifice? By the mercies of God. It's obviously not of our own effort because look what that did (Garden of Eden). The greatest thing is that HE does the transforming, the renewing, WE are the ones who bring it to Him in the first place. If you ever feel far from Him, just remember He's thisclose. Just one word away.. "Just one word and I am free" (Michael Gungor Band, "Giving It All").
I'm not sure what the verb tense is in the Greek, but take a look at "renewing" in English. That, my dear grammarians [because I know you're all dorks like me], is a present participle. Not a past participle, but present. It's a constant thing, what is happening right now. You can't just lay it down at the cross once and expect it to be over and done with. I think this is why people have a hard time when they first become Christians; I know I did. I thought that my old desires would just go away, I would feel happy and elated every single day of my life. The fact is, it's a constant sacrifice. He tells us to pick up our cross daily (Luke 9:23, NIV). The beauty of it though is that Jesus paid it once.. once was enough. That one act of obedience and sacrifice has brought us out of our misery.. and our bodies and minds can be transformed.
Why are people afraid of the will of God? Beth Moore talks about this in both studies I'm doing right now, Believing God and The Inheritance. We're afraid of what God will have to take from us in order to live a life fully in Him. The fact is, people, that He. Is. A. GIVER! Life will not be boring, will not be stale, will not be drudgery. Anybody got a hanky to wave on that one?
"...prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect." (v. 2)
It is safe, then, to assume that in Philippians 4:8 we can renew our minds by thinking on whatever is true, honorable, right, pure, lovely, of good repute, excellence, worthy of praise... Hmm. Let's think for a second. If we did this, we'd be thinking on the very character of God Himself! What a novel idea.
So, what other thoughts do you have on becoming more like Christ?
Friday, February 12
1 Peter 4-5
Not sure what happened to the third chapter...
"The child of God is not conscious of the will of God because he is the will of God." -OC
1 Peter 4
v.1 - if we have suffered in our bodies we understand sin and respond to it
v. 4 - people think it's weird when we don't join in to their debauchery - they will answer in the end
v. 6. "...but live according to God in regard to the Spirit"
v. 7 in order to pray we need to be "clear-minded" and "self-controlled"
How do we become clear-minded?
v. 10 our gifts should serve people
v. 14 "If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you"
v. 17 "For it is time for judgment to begin with the family of God"
Random OC quotes:
"Staleness is an indication of something out of joint with God." [interesting because Beth Moore says something very similar in her study called The Inheritance!]
"When God gives a vision and darkness follows, wait."
"Are we being devoted more to service than to Jesus Christ?"
1 Peter 5
"The child of God is not conscious of the will of God because he is the will of God." -OC
1 Peter 4
v.1 - if we have suffered in our bodies we understand sin and respond to it
v. 4 - people think it's weird when we don't join in to their debauchery - they will answer in the end
v. 6. "...but live according to God in regard to the Spirit"
v. 7 in order to pray we need to be "clear-minded" and "self-controlled"
How do we become clear-minded?
v. 10 our gifts should serve people
v. 14 "If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you"
v. 17 "For it is time for judgment to begin with the family of God"
Random OC quotes:
"Staleness is an indication of something out of joint with God." [interesting because Beth Moore says something very similar in her study called The Inheritance!]
"When God gives a vision and darkness follows, wait."
"Are we being devoted more to service than to Jesus Christ?"
1 Peter 5
- Be shepherds
- We are examples - people are watching us!
- "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble" (Prov. 3:34)
- "Cast your anxiety"
- "Cast" in the Greek = epiripto (1977) = to throw upon
- "Anxierty" in the Greek = merimna (3308) = to have care for, take thought
- God will restore us after we have suffered, and I will add that He restores us while we are suffering. Kind of like during my RPM cycling class and you finish a really hard track that has your legs burning.. you keep pedaling after that in order to "recover". It may not feel like recovering because you are still in pain. But after the workout is over, you're glad you took the time to recover because otherwise it'd hurt a lot worse.
1 Peter 1-2
I began to read this book on a whim in January because I was in between Beth Moore Bible studies. I got up, read the Oswald Chambers selection of the day and then read a portion of 1 Peter.
1 Peter 1:3-9
3Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade—kept in heaven for you, 5who through faith are shielded by God's power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. 6In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. 7These have come so that your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. 8Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, 9for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls.
10Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.
11Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul.
16Live as free men, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as servants of God.
January 7, 2010
Last night I discovered peace and a general feeling of gladness and hopefulness. Praise God for endorphins from exercising, good friends and His blessed Holy Spirit!
Something I learned about myself that might later contribute to the good work which will be completed - I need to be busy. I get bored easily and I need changes of scenery. I shouldn't feel bad about not wanting to stay home all day in my PJs. It's okay to want to keep my mind occupied but it's not okay to run myself into the ground by squandering my time. Maybe in this year of my 20's I will find the happy medium. Amazing how one can find out more about themselves being 23, almost 24!
Quotes from OC:
5you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.
Isaiah 28:16-17
16 So this is what the Sovereign LORD says:
"See, I lay a stone in Zion,
a tested stone,
a precious cornerstone for a sure foundation;
the one who trusts will never be dismayed.
17 I will make justice the measuring line
and righteousness the plumb line;
hail will sweep away your refuge, the lie,
and water will overflow your hiding place.
And of course after reading that I had to find out what the "plumb line" was.. it is the measuring line, the exact line.
1 Peter 2:11
11Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul.
1 Peter 1:3-9
3Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade—kept in heaven for you, 5who through faith are shielded by God's power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. 6In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. 7These have come so that your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. 8Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, 9for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls.
- Being joyous despite a period of grief and trials
- "No matter what changes God has wrought in you, never rely upon them, build only on a person, the Lord Jesus Christ, and on the Spirit He gives." -OC
- The spirit of grief and anxiousness is not of the Lord [look up verse]
- "Set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Christ is revealed" v. 13
10Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.
11Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul.
16Live as free men, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as servants of God.
- Living as one in Christ means we live differently from those in the world.
January 7, 2010
Last night I discovered peace and a general feeling of gladness and hopefulness. Praise God for endorphins from exercising, good friends and His blessed Holy Spirit!
Something I learned about myself that might later contribute to the good work which will be completed - I need to be busy. I get bored easily and I need changes of scenery. I shouldn't feel bad about not wanting to stay home all day in my PJs. It's okay to want to keep my mind occupied but it's not okay to run myself into the ground by squandering my time. Maybe in this year of my 20's I will find the happy medium. Amazing how one can find out more about themselves being 23, almost 24!
Quotes from OC:
- "Friendship is rare on earth."
- "When once we get intimate with Jesus we are never lonely, we never need sympathy, we can pour out all the time without being pathetic." (This is my goal!)
5you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.
- we give sacrifices of spirit
- What is our spirit? uneasiness, happiness, pain, gladness, suffering
- we give them through Jesus
- our relationship with Him is essential!
- He called us out of darkness into his wonderful light! (v. 9)
- So why do we act like we live in the dark?
- Why should we be ashamed of our humanness? God created us - he fashioned every side of us!
Isaiah 28:16-17
16 So this is what the Sovereign LORD says:
"See, I lay a stone in Zion,
a tested stone,
a precious cornerstone for a sure foundation;
the one who trusts will never be dismayed.
17 I will make justice the measuring line
and righteousness the plumb line;
hail will sweep away your refuge, the lie,
and water will overflow your hiding place.
And of course after reading that I had to find out what the "plumb line" was.. it is the measuring line, the exact line.
1 Peter 2:11
11Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul.
- Abstain from sinful desires
- Be consistent even though people think you're doing wrong
- God's will - by doing good we silence ignorant talk of foolish men [reference?]
- God tells us to live according to the law of the land - submitting to authorities without forsaking our consciences.
- Peter continually uses references from the OT [Old Testament] to back up what he's saying. He also reminds us of Jesus' character and there is a focus on His divinity and purpose here on earth.
The gift of nerdery and essentials for study.
I have been really digging into some of Beth Moore's studies, including Breaking Free (pivotal study!), Loving Well, and currently I'm doing The Inheritance and Believing God. She is an amazing teacher with the gift of explaining things that maybe sometimes are cloudy to us. Her studies are grounded in nothing else but Scripture, pure and true. There is no compromise.
If anyone knows me well, they know that I love to study. Yes, I'm a nerd. I loved college for the learning portion of it, for the feeling that my brain is expanding with knowledge. Recently the realization came upon me that I can be a student of the Bible. I'm not sure about grad school right now as we are moving soon and I don't want to take out loans for it, and studying the Bible doesn't cost a whole lot of money.
These are a few essentials I've found for good solid Bible study:
So there you have it. I think we're ready now, now that you know quite a lot about me. Hopefully these two entires capture the essence of the type of person I am: nerd who is in wonder of God and his spoken Word.
If anyone knows me well, they know that I love to study. Yes, I'm a nerd. I loved college for the learning portion of it, for the feeling that my brain is expanding with knowledge. Recently the realization came upon me that I can be a student of the Bible. I'm not sure about grad school right now as we are moving soon and I don't want to take out loans for it, and studying the Bible doesn't cost a whole lot of money.
These are a few essentials I've found for good solid Bible study:
- A good Bible. Duh. I've been using the NIV Life Application Study Bible for ten years now. It's been instrumental in my understanding of certain passages of Scripture. Soon I will be getting the Hebrew/Greek Key Word Study Bible (NAS). I have a degree in Spanish and a penchant for language and etymology so this will be wonderful.
- A notebook.
- Various commentaries and Biblical reference books. This is in progress.
- Good teachers and mentors. These for me would include pastors, people like Beth Moore who aren't afraid to teach the Bible and not some doctrine someone came up with two hundred years ago, mentors who are honest and have spent a good chunk of their lives investing in other people and who know Scripture like the back of their hand.
- Worship music. It helps me focus. Personally I like Hillsong, Michael Gungor Band, Hillsong, David Crowder Band, and some more Hillsong. Oh and maybe some Desperation Band and Travis Cottrell.
- A good cup of coffee. Thankfully one of my sisters Emily works at Starbucks and gives me a random pound of coffee here and there. Don't forget the sugar and half-and-half. Speaking of which, this cup is about empty. We can't have that.
- A long drive to work (+ good cup of coffee), or any long ride by yourself in the car. A lot of my personal epiphanies have come somewhere between Peoria and Varna on routes 29 and 17, and before that I-74 and I had a very close relationship. We were pretty much married [I was in Pekin, Aaron in Champaign].
So there you have it. I think we're ready now, now that you know quite a lot about me. Hopefully these two entires capture the essence of the type of person I am: nerd who is in wonder of God and his spoken Word.
You make all things new. [Intro]
I've started this blog in order to keep my thoughts, writings, and insights of the Word in a safe place. I have notebooks of all sizes adorning my bookshelf in the other room but what would happen if there's a fire? Or they get lost in a move? I'd like a place that saves everything and that can be accessed from anywhere there is this amazing thing called wireless Internet.
Don't plan on these entries to be organized.. it will be my thoughts as they come to me at around six-ish in the morning (you might be able to tell a difference when the caffeine kicks in!).
Just a little background on me - my name is Elizabeth. I am almost 24 (April!) and have been a believer and student of the Word for a long time. I grew up in a Methodist church and memorized many Bible verses, probably in the New King James version, and also went through confirmation. As we know, confirmation or any other rite within the church cannot secure salvation, only true belief that Jesus Christ is the one and only Savior. However, my education before confirmation aided in my growth as a Christian when I truly accepted Christ ten years ago this March. I memorized all the books of the Bible, countless verses, and had a very boxed-in view of Who God was. But, it was a start.
The following narrative is an explanation of the events in my life that have formed who I am today. I won't apologize for the length. If you want to read it, fine, if not, fine. It's nice to have it out there.
When I was 16, I started going to an Assemblies of God church which was very interesting to me. I had never heard speaking in tongues, only read about it in Acts and Corinthians. My faith grew and was sustained over a period of about five years. I met my husband Aaron at that church and in that period of time my faith was bolstered incredibly. It was an amazing time of growth.
Aaron and I spent three years apart when I went to college [Go Bradley Braves!] and he went to Master's Commission. We saw each other many times, but during my sophomore and junior years in college I fell into a depression. I was not very involved with church and I was experimenting with things I never did a whole lot while in high school ("experimenting" for me was cussing, moderate drinking, and doubting the Word of God and His Sovereignty). So no wonder I went fell into a pit... I had helped to dig it! After many long and late conversations with my then-boyfriend and soon to be fiance, I went to therapy and began taking medication to correct my depression. I never regret making that decision. It was essential for my performance in college and I was nearing the end of my undergraduate experience. I took medication and received counseling through the last semester, which is when I student taught.
During this time, my last year, Aaron was home again in Pekin. We started attending a new church and we got involved in different activities together. I began singing and playing keys on the worship team and he worked with the kids in children's church. It was a great period of growth for us.
We were married in our new church in June of 2008 and moved to Peoria. I feel like this was the turning point to which I can attribute my growing faith now. That summer I stopped taking my medication and have not turned back since. I am not advocating stopping antidepressants cold turkey. I should have stepped down with the supervision of a doctor. However, it was a small dose and after I graduated Bradley I never found another counselor or psychiatrist. Many of my stressors came from living at home in a very stressful, high-strung environment.
Aaron and I chose to exercise faith in the first year of marriage that I'd never experienced. We began tithing before we married and have continued that. I cannot describe the blessings that have flowed from that one act of obedience. We went to Honduras on a missions trip two months after our wedding. That was a wonderful and rewarding experience. I began teaching high school and he continued to work at Cat. Then, in December '08, on the last day of school before winter break, we found out he was going to be laid off with his last day being in February.
So, what the heck were we going to do? My work had horrible health insurance. Aaron was going to go back to school on Cat's tuition reimbursement (he had had some classes at ICC and then he had classes from Master's Commission, but no degree at that point in time). He had worked for six months as an interim children's director/pastor at our church the previous year but we knew with the economy a children's pastor was not something churches would hire. And we didn't want to leave our current congregation.
He joined the Army as active duty. It was a quick and easy decision and didn't really take a whole lot of explanation. It felt right and Aaron started working out in order to join. He enlisted in late February and then left in mid-April for Basic training. Those seven weeks were wonderful, even though we didn't have a lot of money. It was tough though because all my student loans had started coming due back in November. At about the same time we were taking a Dave Ramsey class, Financial Peace University, and learned the basics of getting our butts out of debt and into investing. God has been so good since then - I've stayed here to work this year while he's in training and by the time my paychecks stop coming in August for this job we will be able to live off of one income.
I guess if you read back it sounds like we did a lot. We really didn't. We were obedient and as you can see in Scripture over and over again, blessing follows obedience. I have absolutely no doubt that if we hadn't been obedient in tithing and being good stewards of everything, not just money, we. would. not. be. here. No doubt in my mind.
So... that is the story of my faith. I feel I have never been closer to the Lord than I am at this point in my life. It's basically out of necessity. If I weren't close to the Lord, there's a very good chance I would have dug myself back into that pit of depression. When Aaron left for Basic training almost a year ago, I vowed that I would throw myself into Bible studies and make the most of my time alone.. with the Lord. It's been tough, it's bee rewarding. I've woken up in the morning with puffy eyelids from crying myself to sleep more times than I can count. But He is good and His mercies are new every morning.
Don't plan on these entries to be organized.. it will be my thoughts as they come to me at around six-ish in the morning (you might be able to tell a difference when the caffeine kicks in!).
Just a little background on me - my name is Elizabeth. I am almost 24 (April!) and have been a believer and student of the Word for a long time. I grew up in a Methodist church and memorized many Bible verses, probably in the New King James version, and also went through confirmation. As we know, confirmation or any other rite within the church cannot secure salvation, only true belief that Jesus Christ is the one and only Savior. However, my education before confirmation aided in my growth as a Christian when I truly accepted Christ ten years ago this March. I memorized all the books of the Bible, countless verses, and had a very boxed-in view of Who God was. But, it was a start.
The following narrative is an explanation of the events in my life that have formed who I am today. I won't apologize for the length. If you want to read it, fine, if not, fine. It's nice to have it out there.
When I was 16, I started going to an Assemblies of God church which was very interesting to me. I had never heard speaking in tongues, only read about it in Acts and Corinthians. My faith grew and was sustained over a period of about five years. I met my husband Aaron at that church and in that period of time my faith was bolstered incredibly. It was an amazing time of growth.
Aaron and I spent three years apart when I went to college [Go Bradley Braves!] and he went to Master's Commission. We saw each other many times, but during my sophomore and junior years in college I fell into a depression. I was not very involved with church and I was experimenting with things I never did a whole lot while in high school ("experimenting" for me was cussing, moderate drinking, and doubting the Word of God and His Sovereignty). So no wonder I went fell into a pit... I had helped to dig it! After many long and late conversations with my then-boyfriend and soon to be fiance, I went to therapy and began taking medication to correct my depression. I never regret making that decision. It was essential for my performance in college and I was nearing the end of my undergraduate experience. I took medication and received counseling through the last semester, which is when I student taught.
During this time, my last year, Aaron was home again in Pekin. We started attending a new church and we got involved in different activities together. I began singing and playing keys on the worship team and he worked with the kids in children's church. It was a great period of growth for us.
We were married in our new church in June of 2008 and moved to Peoria. I feel like this was the turning point to which I can attribute my growing faith now. That summer I stopped taking my medication and have not turned back since. I am not advocating stopping antidepressants cold turkey. I should have stepped down with the supervision of a doctor. However, it was a small dose and after I graduated Bradley I never found another counselor or psychiatrist. Many of my stressors came from living at home in a very stressful, high-strung environment.
Aaron and I chose to exercise faith in the first year of marriage that I'd never experienced. We began tithing before we married and have continued that. I cannot describe the blessings that have flowed from that one act of obedience. We went to Honduras on a missions trip two months after our wedding. That was a wonderful and rewarding experience. I began teaching high school and he continued to work at Cat. Then, in December '08, on the last day of school before winter break, we found out he was going to be laid off with his last day being in February.
So, what the heck were we going to do? My work had horrible health insurance. Aaron was going to go back to school on Cat's tuition reimbursement (he had had some classes at ICC and then he had classes from Master's Commission, but no degree at that point in time). He had worked for six months as an interim children's director/pastor at our church the previous year but we knew with the economy a children's pastor was not something churches would hire. And we didn't want to leave our current congregation.
He joined the Army as active duty. It was a quick and easy decision and didn't really take a whole lot of explanation. It felt right and Aaron started working out in order to join. He enlisted in late February and then left in mid-April for Basic training. Those seven weeks were wonderful, even though we didn't have a lot of money. It was tough though because all my student loans had started coming due back in November. At about the same time we were taking a Dave Ramsey class, Financial Peace University, and learned the basics of getting our butts out of debt and into investing. God has been so good since then - I've stayed here to work this year while he's in training and by the time my paychecks stop coming in August for this job we will be able to live off of one income.
I guess if you read back it sounds like we did a lot. We really didn't. We were obedient and as you can see in Scripture over and over again, blessing follows obedience. I have absolutely no doubt that if we hadn't been obedient in tithing and being good stewards of everything, not just money, we. would. not. be. here. No doubt in my mind.
So... that is the story of my faith. I feel I have never been closer to the Lord than I am at this point in my life. It's basically out of necessity. If I weren't close to the Lord, there's a very good chance I would have dug myself back into that pit of depression. When Aaron left for Basic training almost a year ago, I vowed that I would throw myself into Bible studies and make the most of my time alone.. with the Lord. It's been tough, it's bee rewarding. I've woken up in the morning with puffy eyelids from crying myself to sleep more times than I can count. But He is good and His mercies are new every morning.
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