God opposed to you?

     My very favorite passage in the Bible is 1 Peter 5:5-10:
"All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, 
   “God opposes the proud
   but gives grace to the humble.”
 ⁶ Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. ⁷ Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.
 ⁸ Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. ⁹ Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings.
 ¹⁰ And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. ¹¹ To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen" 
     That passage has taught me soooo much. God is so so so so sooo good!
     At ladies bible study at my church, we've been going through 1 Peter, and I was absolutely elated when we reached this passage! Today we went over verse 5. "All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, "God oppoes the proud but gives grace to the humble.""
     Wow. God opposes the proud. That's...wow...that's more then enough reason to be humble!
     When we are prideful, when we are in our sin and unrepentant, God is opposed to us! Yes, I know I'm using lot of exclamation points...but this is HUGE! Do you want the God of all creation to be opposed to you?! I should hope not.
     We are called to clothe ourselves in humility. To be like-minded with other believers. To serve Christ.

     Called to be like Christ, who humbled himself to a servant (Philippians 2). He washed His disciples feet, He sat at the table of sinners. There was no pride in Him.
     We are called not.to.be.prideful but to be humble. To humbly come before a truly awesome God who has given us way more than we deserve. Humbly come before Him and serve Him in everything you do.

     My prayer is that I will continually be coming humbly before God, that I will clothe myself in humility and repent of any pride and sin in my life. That I will become a servant of Christ. My prayer is that this will be your prayer to.

     I only talked about the first part of the verse, I know-but I would be here typing for hours if I wanted to go into the whole thing. Just read it, study it, there are some amazing words in there!
     God is good. :D

In my bible reading today-I came across Psalm 107. I notice a lot in the Psalms, that there is quite a bit of repetition. Repetition that is really powerful. It shows us just a small picture of how faithful and forgiving a God we have. I put in bold and underlined the repetition in this passage...

Psalm 107

Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good;
   his love endures forever.
² Let the redeemed of the LORD say this—
   those he redeemed from the hand of the foe,
³ those he gathered from the lands,
   from east and west, from north and south.

 ⁴ Some wandered in desert wastelands,
   finding no way to a city where they could settle.
⁵ They were hungry and thirsty,
   and their lives ebbed away.
⁶ Then they cried out to the LORD in their trouble,
   and he delivered them from their distress.
⁷ He led them by a straight way
   to a city where they could settle.
⁸ Let them give thanks to the LORD for his unfailing love
   and his wonderful deeds for men,
⁹ for he satisfies the thirsty
   and fills the hungry with good things.

 ¹⁰ Some sat in darkness and the deepest gloom,
   prisoners suffering in iron chains,
¹¹ for they had rebelled against the words of God
   and despised the counsel of the Most High.
¹² So he subjected them to bitter labor;
   they stumbled, and there was no one to help.
¹³ Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble,
   and he saved them from their distress.
¹⁴ He brought them out of darkness and the deepest gloom
   and broke away their chains.
¹⁵ Let them give thanks to the LORD for his unfailing love
   and his wonderful deeds for men, ¹⁶ for he breaks down gates of bronze
   and cuts through bars of iron.

 ¹⁷ Some became fools through their rebellious ways
   and suffered affliction because of their iniquities.
¹⁸ They loathed all food
   and drew near the gates of death.
¹⁹ Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble,
   and he saved them from their distress.
²⁰ He sent forth his word and healed them;
   he rescued them from the grave.
²¹ Let them give thanks to the LORD for his unfailing love
   and his wonderful deeds for men.
²² Let them sacrifice thank offerings
   and tell of his works with songs of joy.

 ²³ Others went out on the sea in ships;
   they were merchants on the mighty waters.
²⁴ They saw the works of the LORD,
   his wonderful deeds in the deep.
²⁵ For he spoke and stirred up a tempest
   that lifted high the waves.
²⁶ They mounted up to the heavens and went down to the depths;
   in their peril their courage melted away.
²⁷ They reeled and staggered like drunken men;
   they were at their wits’ end.
²⁸ Then they cried out to the LORD in their trouble,
   and he brought them out of their distress.
²⁹ He stilled the storm to a whisper;
   the waves of the sea were hushed.
³⁰ They were glad when it grew calm,
   and he guided them to their desired haven.
³¹ Let them give thanks to the LORD for his unfailing love
   and his wonderful deeds for men.
³² Let them exalt him in the assembly of the people
   and praise him in the council of the elders.

 ³³ He turned rivers into a desert,
   flowing springs into thirsty ground,
³⁴ and fruitful land into a salt waste,
   because of the wickedness of those who lived there.
³⁵ He turned the desert into pools of water
   and the parched ground into flowing springs;
³⁶ there he brought the hungry to live,
   and they founded a city where they could settle.
³⁷ They sowed fields and planted vineyards
   that yielded a fruitful harvest;
³⁸ he blessed them, and their numbers greatly increased,
   and he did not let their herds diminish.

 ³⁹ Then their numbers decreased, and they were humbled
   by oppression, calamity and sorrow;
⁴⁰ he who pours contempt on nobles
   made them wander in a trackless waste.
⁴¹ But he lifted the needy out of their affliction
   and increased their families like flocks.
⁴² The upright see and rejoice,
   but all the wicked shut their mouths.

 ⁴³ Whoever is wise, let him heed these things
   and consider the great love of the LORD. 

Each time they cried out in distress...the Lord saved them. Wow. Every time. And each time afterward they were called to give thanks.

If that's not an awesome encouragement and commandment, I don't know what it.

Praise the Lord that we have such a faithful, loving and forgiving God!

The God of yesterday, today and forever! :D

Run!

     Last Sunday we had an excellent and very convicting sermon on Hebrews 12:1-3(Verse at bottom of post) about running the race of the Christian life. 

     It's not easy to follow Christ. It's not easy to run the race. To fight the fight. Because that's what living for Christ is, it's a continuous battle. It WILL take endurance. But though it's hard, though it will never be easy, though there will be pain and suffering... there is peace and joy!

     2 Corinthians 4:16, "Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day."

     Running the race for Christ means turning away from things of this world. Turning away from things that distract us. So many things in our lives become a distraction, even if they aren't necessarily bad things...but they take our focus off Christ and become a sin. We can't keep those distractions and serve Christ at the same time. (Matt 6:24, "No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money.)

     We have to turn completely away from those distractions. COMPLETELY. And turn towards Christ. Seek him FULLY. Take Peter for example, when he walked out on water to meet Jesus. When he took his focus off of Jesus, he began to sink.

     We.can't.take.our.focus.off.Christ. We must run away from distractions and run towards Christ.

     The past month God has been continually teaching me this. When you follow Christ, 100%, it's...wow. Life changing. 

     We are called to fix our eyes on Christ. To consider Him carefully. To endure the pain.

     Focus on Christ. Run the race. Fight the fight.

     This video is really challenging/encouraging. Take the time and watch it.

     Then Run.

     Run.

     Run for the race for Christ.

Heb 12:1-3, "Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart."

Grace Unknown... WOW

     This morning I woke up rather grumpy, just one of those mornings when you're exhausted and and smallest things seem to bother you. But isn't it great to have a forgiving and faithful God who is continually reminding us where our heart needs to be?
     After getting slightly snappy at my sister, I was convicted and went down to my room to spend time in prayer and God's word. I turned on the 'worship' playlist on my ipod, and the first song that came on was, 'Alas! And did my Savior bleed?' Wow.
     Powerful lyrics.
     In light of how much Christ has done for us, when we are so undeserving, how can we be anything but humbled, amazed and overwhelmingly filled with a desire to serve and seek God?
     Is your heart right with God today? He has done SO much for us, we are undeserving sinners. That's MORE than enough reason to make every effort to live for Him, seek Him, let His light shine through you.

     Alas! and did my Savior bleed, 
 and did my Sovereign die!
 Would he devote that sacred head 
 for sinners such as I? 

 Was it for crimes that I have done, 
 he groaned upon the tree? 
 Amazing pity! Grace unknown! 
 And love beyond degree! 

 Well might the sun in darkness hide, 
 and shut its glories in, 
 when God, the mighty maker, died 
 for his own creature's sin. 

 Thus might I hide my blushing face 
 while his dear cross appears; 
 dissolve my heart in thankfulness, 
 and melt mine eyes to tears. 

 But drops of tears can ne'er repay 
 the debt of love I owe. 
 Here, Lord, I give myself away; 
 'tis all that I can do. 

Not a 1-time thing...

Continual.
You've heard the word.
Habitual.
Maybe you haven't heard that one(go look it up if you haven't).
Joy and peace and contentment in Christ isn't a 'just one day' thing.
We have our ups and downs each day. And some days it just seems really easy to forget God is there or to neglect spending time in His word and prayer. Other days maybe we just feel like we could shout for joy at God's amazing love.
Why can't we do that everyday?
How come we can be 'filled with Christ's joy' one day....and at the end of our rope in despair another?

Because serving Christ, loving Christ... is a CONTINUAL thing. It's something we need to be doing 24/7. Every.waking moment.
Not just one day. Not just one week. EVERY DAY.
I've been really convicted of this lately... I tend to get depressed slightly easy, little things and the oddest things can sway my mood...
Something I realized though-when my mood swayed so did my focus from being continually on Christ. Wait. Let me switch that around. When my focus slipped from Christ, THAT'S when my mood swayed.

God has been working so much in my life lately. He has been so gracious. I am just amazed. He is forgiving, loving and always faithful to point me back in the right direction.

I've been trying to remember to continually and habitually keep my focus on Christ-and by God's grace-it's been a long while since I've had a sudden mood sway or started feeling depressed! :D

It's a continual thing people.

You can't expect to feel the joy of Christ in your life if you don't CONTINUALLY seek Christ first.
Is it time for you to change your focus? To put it continually on Christ?

In 1 Chronicles, chapter 16...David says a prayer of thanks to the Lord(verses 7-36, I encourage you to read the whole thing). But one very powerful verse that applies, is vs 11; "Look to the LORD and his strength; seek his face always."

It doesn't say 'seek his face when you feel like it'.
It says always.

Life.

I've posted about life being gone before we know it before.
Life is oh so very short.
Yesterday my adopted grandpa died. I loved him so much. He was a role model of someone living a life fully serving Christ in everything.

Don't take for granted those who are in your life.
Don't forget to tell those around you that you love them.
What if it were their last day on earth?
Would you talk to them differently?
We don't know what tomorrow brings-today may be the last day you have to talk with that sister, brother, parent, friend.

Don't take it for granted.

Time for a change

   

     In life we continually stray from the path of righteousness.
     We continually sin. We continually make mistakes.
    Sometimes we find ourselves in the same place, over and over and over again. We wonder if it will ever end. If this is all there is. If life...is really worth it?
     But there's something we continually forget.
     We serve a God who is unchanging. Who will continually forgive us if we ask Him to. A God who never makes mistakes.
     The God of yesterday. Today. And forever.
     Um. Wow.
     It's time to take your mind from focusing on everything that goes wrong. On the mindset, 'I can't change anything.' Stop.focusing.on.you.
      Change your focus.

     Today.
     Put your focus on the one who created you.
     Life isn't about YOU. It's about CHRIST. Our life should be a continuous shining light for Christ.
     What do people see when they look at you?
     Do they see Christ?
     They should. If you claim to be a born-again Christian-make it obvious. Make your life reflect Christ.
     Yes, there are still going to be time when life is tough. When we hurt. When we make mistakes.
      BUT KEEP YOUR FOCUS ON CHRIST IN EVERY SITUATION and I promise...it'll be the most amazing choice you make. :)

Ephesian 5:1-12, "Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children ² and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
 ³ But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people. ⁴ Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving. ⁵ For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person—such a man is an idolater—has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. ⁶ Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God’s wrath comes on those who are disobedient. ⁷ Therefore do not be partners with them.
 ⁸ For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light ⁹ (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) ¹⁰ and find out what pleases the Lord. ¹¹ Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. ¹² For it is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret. ¹³ But everything exposed by the light becomes visible, ¹⁴ for it is light that makes everything visible. This is why it is said:
   “Wake up, O sleeper,
   rise from the dead,
and Christ will shine on you.”
 ¹⁵ Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, ¹⁶ making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. ¹⁷ Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is. ¹⁸ Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit. ¹⁹ Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, ²⁰ always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
 ²¹ Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ"

Wow. Take those words to heart. They're powerful.