Sixteen years ago I was searching for the truth...I remember looking at the large Bible someone had given me and being completely overwhelmed with all the confusing words inside. I didn't know where to start or where to find God. A sweet friend of mine suggested I start by reading 1 John.
As I read through 1, 2 and 3 John today I saw some brilliant yet simple passages that touched my heart. And I remembered back to that time when the words of the Bible didn't make sense at all! Slowly God has been teaching me to understand his word and learn to follow him. He promises to open our eyes to understand his word if we ask him. And 1 John is indeed a perfect place to start.
God is LIGHT.
God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. (1 John 1:5)
God is LOVE.
Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. This is love; not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. (1 John 4:7-8, 10)
BELIEVE and LOVE.
And this is his command; to believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and to love one another as he commanded us. (1 John 3:23)
God's CHILDREN do what is right.
This is how we know who the children of God are and who the children of the devil are: Anyone who does not do what is right is not God's child, nor is anyone who does not love their brother and sister. (1 John 2:10)
God's CHILDREN are kept safe from harm and are given understanding.
the One who was born of God keeps them safe, and the evil one cannot harm them. We know also that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know him who is true. (1 John 5:18, 20)
Walk in OBEDIENCE and LOVE.
And this is love, that we walk in obedience to his commands...his command is that you walk in love. (2 John 6)
Walk in the TRUTH.
I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth. (3 John 2)
Friday, January 17, 2014
Thursday, January 16, 2014
EVEN THOUGH
Even though the fig trees have no blossoms,
and there are no grapes on the vines;
even though the olive crop fails,
and the fields lie empty and barren;
even though the flocks die in the fields,
and the cattle barns are empty,
yet I will rejoice in the LORD!
I will be joyful in the God of my salvation!
The Sovereign LORD is my strength!
He makes me surefooted as a deer,
able to tread upon the heights.
Habakkuk 3:17-19
This is one of my favorite passages. I like it because I think it's easy to praise God when things are going great and life is working out how we planned. And it's also easy to praise God when things are rough and he comes in and saves the day. But it's hard to praise God when nothing is going right, and things don't change...they stay rough.
So this passage reminds me that the point isn't to have blossoms on the fig trees or full cattle barns...the point of life isn't to get stuff or have all our plans work out. The point is we can have joy no matter what comes our way because God has saved us...God is with us during the good times AND bad times...so in a way all the times really good because of him.
No matter how many things are going wrong in my life, I can rejoice in the LORD and be joyful in my Savior. What a beautiful blessing!
and there are no grapes on the vines;
even though the olive crop fails,
and the fields lie empty and barren;
even though the flocks die in the fields,
and the cattle barns are empty,
yet I will rejoice in the LORD!
I will be joyful in the God of my salvation!
The Sovereign LORD is my strength!
He makes me surefooted as a deer,
able to tread upon the heights.
Habakkuk 3:17-19
This is one of my favorite passages. I like it because I think it's easy to praise God when things are going great and life is working out how we planned. And it's also easy to praise God when things are rough and he comes in and saves the day. But it's hard to praise God when nothing is going right, and things don't change...they stay rough.
So this passage reminds me that the point isn't to have blossoms on the fig trees or full cattle barns...the point of life isn't to get stuff or have all our plans work out. The point is we can have joy no matter what comes our way because God has saved us...God is with us during the good times AND bad times...so in a way all the times really good because of him.
No matter how many things are going wrong in my life, I can rejoice in the LORD and be joyful in my Savior. What a beautiful blessing!
Sunday, July 28, 2013
CHANGE
Recently I have moved...and it has rocked my world! Everything I did, all my routines, are now different. Everything takes more effort when it's new. I don't know if it's getting older that made this move harder than ones in the past, but I'm going to blame it on that! Guess I'm getting set in my ways.
A couple months after I moved, people would ask me how I was liking my new place. I would tell them, "Ask me in six months." I knew I should love my new place but I just didn't. My new house is 3x times as big, in a charming neighborhood, closer to work, all new appliances, beautiful and cute and everything I could have asked for...all things that you would think would make me grateful and make me love my new place. But even though it wasn't logical at all, I wanted to go back to my small apartment. It was familiar. It's what I already knew. I wanted to escape all the change.
I couldn't help but relate to how the Israelites must have felt when they were complaining to God about being in the wilderness after he had moved in mighty ways to free them from slavery. They missed the meals they had in Egypt. They missed the predictability of life that they used to have, even though they were slaves. I wasn't in slavery, but I had prayed about moving and God had provided an amazing and perfect place for me. I wanted to move back because change is hard. I made me wonder where else in my life am I resisting change. Where else does God want to move me to another place, a better place, but I am too 'comfortable' in my current place to trust him to take me to a new place.
So, now I love my new place. I am settled...it doesn't feel unfamiliar anymore. I know where my new groceries stores are. I know some new shortcuts if I want to go somewhere nearby. I have met my new neighbors and so it doesn't feel as lonely. So I was right...it just took six months! As I look back I see how the first two months were horrible. I had to deal with fleas, my car breaking down, little things went wrong that I used to call maintenance for and now I had to figure out how to get it fixed on my own, my neighbor's dog bit me...for a while it seemed like everyday I had something knew thrown at me. But I see now how I grew through all of these challenges as well. (I now know how to fix a running toilet for example.)
God can use our challenges and uncomfortable situations to grow and change us. We look to him when more when we are scared, stressed, or stretched. So I am grateful that he moves me when I need to be moved.
Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.
Isaiah 43:18-19
A couple months after I moved, people would ask me how I was liking my new place. I would tell them, "Ask me in six months." I knew I should love my new place but I just didn't. My new house is 3x times as big, in a charming neighborhood, closer to work, all new appliances, beautiful and cute and everything I could have asked for...all things that you would think would make me grateful and make me love my new place. But even though it wasn't logical at all, I wanted to go back to my small apartment. It was familiar. It's what I already knew. I wanted to escape all the change.
I couldn't help but relate to how the Israelites must have felt when they were complaining to God about being in the wilderness after he had moved in mighty ways to free them from slavery. They missed the meals they had in Egypt. They missed the predictability of life that they used to have, even though they were slaves. I wasn't in slavery, but I had prayed about moving and God had provided an amazing and perfect place for me. I wanted to move back because change is hard. I made me wonder where else in my life am I resisting change. Where else does God want to move me to another place, a better place, but I am too 'comfortable' in my current place to trust him to take me to a new place.
So, now I love my new place. I am settled...it doesn't feel unfamiliar anymore. I know where my new groceries stores are. I know some new shortcuts if I want to go somewhere nearby. I have met my new neighbors and so it doesn't feel as lonely. So I was right...it just took six months! As I look back I see how the first two months were horrible. I had to deal with fleas, my car breaking down, little things went wrong that I used to call maintenance for and now I had to figure out how to get it fixed on my own, my neighbor's dog bit me...for a while it seemed like everyday I had something knew thrown at me. But I see now how I grew through all of these challenges as well. (I now know how to fix a running toilet for example.)
God can use our challenges and uncomfortable situations to grow and change us. We look to him when more when we are scared, stressed, or stretched. So I am grateful that he moves me when I need to be moved.
Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.
Isaiah 43:18-19
Sunday, July 21, 2013
CIRCLE YOUR PRAYERS
I just finished a bible study on the book The Circle Maker. Here is what I learned about prayer:
Pray BOLD prayers.
Pray consistently everyday for 21 days and circle your prayers.
Be specific with your prayers.
Step out in faith.
The goal is not answered prayers but a deeper relationship with our LORD.
Pray BOLD prayers.
Pray consistently everyday for 21 days and circle your prayers.
Be specific with your prayers.
Step out in faith.
The goal is not answered prayers but a deeper relationship with our LORD.
Sunday, June 30, 2013
GUARD YOUR HEART
Proverbs 4:23
Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.
Some versions read 'for from it flow the springs of life.' I've been thinking of this verse lately...and am wondering exactly HOW do I do this? How can I guard my heart?
Proverbs 4
Take hold of my words with all your heart; keep my commands, and you will live. (4)
Get wisdom, get understanding...she will protect you; love her, and she will watch over you. (5-6)
Hold on to instruction...for it is your life. (13)
Turn your ear to my words...keep them within your heart...for they are life. (20-22)
Wisdom will guard our hearts...and give us life.
Philippians 4
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (6-7)
Whatever is true...noble...right...pure...lovely...admirable -if anything is excellent or praiseworthy- think about such things. (8)
Peace will guard our hearts...and minds.
Guarding our hearts starts with our thoughts and what we allow in our minds!
Guarding our hearts is impossible without God; we need His word and instruction to protect us.
Guarding our hearts gives us LIFE!
You will keep in perfect peace those minds who are steadfast, because they trust in you. Isaiah 26:3
Blessed are those who find wisdom...she is more precious than rubies; nothing you desire can compare with her...and all her paths are peace. She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her. Proverbs 3:13-18
Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.
Some versions read 'for from it flow the springs of life.' I've been thinking of this verse lately...and am wondering exactly HOW do I do this? How can I guard my heart?
Proverbs 4
Take hold of my words with all your heart; keep my commands, and you will live. (4)
Get wisdom, get understanding...she will protect you; love her, and she will watch over you. (5-6)
Hold on to instruction...for it is your life. (13)
Turn your ear to my words...keep them within your heart...for they are life. (20-22)
Wisdom will guard our hearts...and give us life.
Philippians 4
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (6-7)
Whatever is true...noble...right...pure...lovely...admirable -if anything is excellent or praiseworthy- think about such things. (8)
Peace will guard our hearts...and minds.
Guarding our hearts starts with our thoughts and what we allow in our minds!
Guarding our hearts is impossible without God; we need His word and instruction to protect us.
Guarding our hearts gives us LIFE!
You will keep in perfect peace those minds who are steadfast, because they trust in you. Isaiah 26:3
Blessed are those who find wisdom...she is more precious than rubies; nothing you desire can compare with her...and all her paths are peace. She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her. Proverbs 3:13-18
Sunday, May 19, 2013
WATCH
Recently, I have started memorizing scripture verses. I was inspired by this guy who memorized the ENTIRE book of Romans by studying a verse a day for 15 min...it works! I always struggled with scripture memory before so it was exciting to find something that helped the words stick!
First I memorized Ps 46 and now I am working on Ps 121. I noticed as I was reading and memorizing the verses that it has the word watch in it 5 times (at least in the NIV it does...I noticed the ESV uses the word keep instead, and it is mentioned 5 times).
Ps. 121
I lift up my eyes to the mountains- where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.
He will not let your foot slip- He who watches over you will not slumber.
indeed he who watches over you will neither slumber nor sleep.
The Lord watches over you- the Lord is your shade by your right hand;
the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night.
The Lord will keep you from all harm- he will watch over your life;
the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.
The first 2 verses show where we should be looking...UP...to God, who made everything.
And the next 6 verses show how God is looking after us. He is watching us and protecting us. From ALL harm. He never sleeps or leaves us. Now and forevermore. The God of the universe who made the heaven and earth is always watching us.
Notice how there is only one verse focused on where we should look, and 6 verses telling us where God is looking. God is watching us...that is so comforting to me.
First I memorized Ps 46 and now I am working on Ps 121. I noticed as I was reading and memorizing the verses that it has the word watch in it 5 times (at least in the NIV it does...I noticed the ESV uses the word keep instead, and it is mentioned 5 times).
Ps. 121
I lift up my eyes to the mountains- where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.
He will not let your foot slip- He who watches over you will not slumber.
indeed he who watches over you will neither slumber nor sleep.
The Lord watches over you- the Lord is your shade by your right hand;
the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night.
The Lord will keep you from all harm- he will watch over your life;
the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.
The first 2 verses show where we should be looking...UP...to God, who made everything.
And the next 6 verses show how God is looking after us. He is watching us and protecting us. From ALL harm. He never sleeps or leaves us. Now and forevermore. The God of the universe who made the heaven and earth is always watching us.
Notice how there is only one verse focused on where we should look, and 6 verses telling us where God is looking. God is watching us...that is so comforting to me.
Sunday, March 17, 2013
LIFE
As I was standing on the sidewalk, I stared at the gate separating me from the Planned Parenthood Building. This budding vine that covers the gate was covered by blossoms and berries. Some were just buds waiting to open and some berries had already shriveled up and died. This is the picture of life...and I was thinking about how cool it is that God shows us who he is in nature.
A time to be born and a time to die. (Ecclesiastes 3:2)
Who decides when we are to live and when we are to die? God. Who gives life to this vine? God. He is the maker of heaven and earth. Just as he decides which flowers will bloom and how long the berries will live, he decides our time here on earth.
I met an older lady the other day who had just been dropped off at the office. She was in a wheelchair and couldn't hear. She didn't come in with any family members and I think someone dropped her off from the nursing home where she lived. She told us she needed help to go to the bathroom. And we all just looked at each other, waiting almost to see who was going to help her...and finally we all jumped in to help her. She had diabetes and was having trouble seeing. Reflecting on her difficult situation, I wondered if she wanted to live. I was comforted that God knew her thoughts and cared about her life.
Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? (Matthew 6:26)
Even though her life didn't look full to me, that doesn't mean her life doesn't have value. And it is up to God when it is time for her to leave. Some people think an older person if they are too weak and sick, or a baby with a birth defect isn't worth living. But the problem with abortion or ending anyone's life is that we are making a decision about life. That isn't our decision. It's God's.
With the 40 days for life going on right now, I wasn't alone on the sidewalk. I love how so many people have a heart for the unborn and am encouraged when I see other people showing up to pray. God hears our prayers and hope for justice for the unborn.
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