Monday, October 31, 2011

discipleship and relationships

A lot of learning how to disciple, comes from being discipled, but also, through watching discipleship right before your eyes.

Sometimes, I really dislike discipleship. Other times, I just love God more through it, and absolutely love it! Seeing people being molded, and challenged and get frustrated and broken is a beautiful thing for the sake of Christ! and knowing that you are an instrument in that, is pretty incredible!

My heart is just overflowing with excitement and love for God and what He is doing in people and how He is sanctifying them and all of us! and the building of relationships with people, i'm just loving them more and more the more I am getting to know and be apart of their lives!


VERSE of the day:
"I tell you, something greater than the temple is here."
Matthew 12:6

Sunday, October 30, 2011

Music

The last couple of days God has really been using music to soothe and comfort my soul. And I absolutely love worshipping via music. and sometimes, I feel like I am slow dancing with God and other times, I feel like He is holding my hand when I am playing piano. And I can't help but love Him, and just smile and feel more beautiful than ever,  and be amazed that He takes the time to continuously woo me and let me know that He loves me.

And I guess at this stage in my life, it's something I am really in need of. God always knows what we need, and he prepares us and provides for all we need, emotionally, spiritually and physically.

I love Jesus. becasue He first loves me.


VERSE of the day:
",,,you shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, and with all your soul and with all your mind."
 Matthew 22:37

Friday, October 28, 2011

worship

I love my family. Sometimes I don't think I spend enough time with them.
I love my friends who take care of me and love me, just the way I am.
I love my God, who provides for my every need, and loves me no matter what.


VERSE of the day:
"Then Job arose and tore his robe and shaved his head and fell on the ground and worshiped."
Job 1:20

"Out of the anguish of his soul he shall see and be satisfied..."
Isaiah 53:11

In anguish, do we see joy, do we see the light of the Lord, do we still worship?!

Thursday, October 27, 2011

people.

People.
    I used to be one of those people who really disliked people. I used to be a complete loner. Preferred to be left alone. Didn't like anyone, thought no one liked me. Got really annoyed ALL THE TIME with people.

People.
    Now, I still get annoyed at times. I still have my moments where I just want to be left alone. BUT, I love people. I am blessed by people that God has placed in my life. I see them as a gift. and there are times, when my heart just has the biggest smile on, because of the people in my life and the love God has given me for them and through them. :)


VERSE of the day:
"Yet it was the will of the Lord to crush him, he has put him to grief. when his soul makes offering for guilt, he shall see his offspring and prolong his days. The will of the Lord shall prosper in his hand."
Isaiah 53:10

Wednesday, October 26, 2011

oh, to be like You Jesus!

So i have slacked the past 2 days...

but let's just say, I am super blessed by my community. I love community times, of sharing life and stories and having funny/semi-uncomfortable conversations that are necessary sometimes to help us understand each other better.

But in the midst of it all, I see God, molding me and the people around me. We all have so much to work on, and I am so thankful to God for His process of santification. and I cannot wait until Jesus returns for it all to be over and to have a new body, a perfect body and no more sin. sigh. what bliss it will be to be with Jesus and have no more sin!


"May I learn what You want me to learn. May I embrace whatever is placed before me. May I love those in my life. May I take responsibility for all you've handed me. May i give back, all the Praise due You. And May I fall deeper in love with You."


VERSE of the day:
"You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, He may give it to you."
John 15:16

Sunday, October 23, 2011

basking- to enjoy a pleasant situation

I love basking in the presence of the LORD, in worship. It makes me realize my wretchedness, my helplessness, my bad attitude, my selfishness, His grace, His mercy, and just leads me to sometimes tears that just will not stop. and I love God all the more for these moments, and in these moments.

"You are the King of all Kings. You are the LORD of all LORDS and yet You still love me. I want to love You more."


VERSE of the day:
"Be still, and know that I am God.
 I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth!"

Psalm 46:10

P.S.
I really, really, really, enjoy my new toy (ukulele)

Saturday, October 22, 2011

birthday blessings

today is my 24th birthday. and i know that birthday's are a way that we celebrate people. the day really is supposed to be all about them. and i started today, asking God that everything would go back to Him, and would actually not be about me at all, because I see so much selfishness in myself and others, and I hate it.
  but i was overly blessed...i got my ukulele i have wanted for a logn time, which i actually was not expecting to get believe it or not...and let' just say, iw as oober excited. and i got a lot of other awesome awesome things, things i wanted, and things i didnt expect. but mostly, I was blessed by the people in my life. That people really do care and love me deeply and will do anything for me, to make me smile, laugh, and be happy in this life. I am spoiled. Spiritually, Physically. I am rich. and This is all becasue of God. and the only reason I have awesome people who love me in my life, is becasue God loves me. and the great thing is, no one will ever love me near as much of Jesus does!
  All I have is all becasue of God. and I am so thankful.


VERSE of the day:
"My soul makes its boast in the LORD, let the humble hear and rejoice."
Psalm 34:2

Friday, October 21, 2011

joy, joy, unending joy

   you know how when your in conversation with people, and if specific people are even mentioned, or show up...the person you are talking to or with lights up, and they just become happier and in a better mood.

ive been catching myself lately with this. i notice that when i start talking about specific people, or am around specific people, it's almost like i am in a much better mood instantly.
  We call those people joygivers. And they are usually, very dear and near to our hearts, and they are that way for a reason. :)

I like listening to people talk about their joy givers, and seeing them with them. I like talking about my joy givers, and being with them.
   Thank You God for joygivers. and for Your unending joy! and how we always have reason to be joyful in You...may we never forget this.


VERSE of the day:
"But he was wounded for our transgressions, crushed for our iniquity; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his stripes we are healed."
Isaiah 53:5

Thursday, October 20, 2011

always

some days are just harder than others, due to emotions, due to weather, due to circumstances, due to our own selfish selves. today was an off day for me. im very grateful, for the constant reminder that I am and always will be IN NEED OF GOD. every second of my life.

i was blessed by my mother the other day with some new music, for my birthday pressie. and so today, in the midst of my offness, and when I just wanted some more Jesus and definately needed more of Jesus, I listened to some of tihs new music. and sometimes for me, just to sit and listen to new music that honors Jesus and makes me think about Him and focus on Him, is complete and utter bliss. Nothing seems greater in that moment than just basking in His awesomeness and listening to His children glorifying Him. sigh. :) so even in off days, no matter what we are feeling, what we are thinking, what we want or don't want, God is greater. and is completely Worthy of our attention. and we can ALWAYS fall more in love with Jesus. and we are ALWAYS in need of Him, Jesus Christ. and He is ALWAYS here. with us.


VERSE of the day:
"He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, having become as much superior to angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs."
Hebrews 1:3-4

Wednesday, October 19, 2011

walking in who you were made to be

I like when other people are full of joy. When people are full of the joy of the LORD and walking in the personality that God has given them, it brings me much joy and happiness! :)



VERSE of the day:
"Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity."
1 Timothy 4:12

Tuesday, October 18, 2011

deep sighs

even when we are saddened, upset, or annoyed, or frustrated with little petty things, or just full of different emotions all at once....we can take a breath....and know that God is greater.
      I rest in, and remind myself, that God is greater.



VERSE of the day:
"...rather train yourself for godliness; for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come."
1 Timothy 4:7-8

Monday, October 17, 2011

I love God, because He is God!

 

God places people in your path at a specific time for a reason.
   Are our eyes open to seeing the people He gives us daily?!

The people we have become aware of, or who have been on our minds, or who we’ve been praying for, then all of a sudden you see them….how do you respond to those moments?! Do you embrace them, or do you just ignore them and find them coincidence?!

God is working in every part of our life. And there is opportunity to reach out to people, all the time in our lives. Nothing is coincidence.

 

VERSE of the day:
”Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked,
nor stands in the way of sinners,
nor sits in the seat of scoffers;
but his delight is in the law of the LORD,
and on his law he meditates day and night.”
Psalm 1:1-2

Wednesday, October 12, 2011

Family

 

I love my family. Physical and Spiritual.

I had lunch with my mother today, and I was super encouraged and blessed and fell more in love with Christ through her sharing how she was led to write letters to members of our family who don’t know Jesus Christ as their Savior and LORD. I was also very proud of my mom.

Also, a couple years ago I remember praying for brothers. And it’s just really encouraging now, to see that God has answered that prayer. 1…he has begun to restore a relationship with my blood brother. and 2…he has given me plenty of other brothers who are all becoming very dear to my heart, thanks to Off The Wall Ministry and Church.

So today, through family (blood line and not blood line), I fell in love with Jesus more!

 

VERSE of the day:
"But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast saying, 'God, be merciful to me, a sinner.'!...for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted."
Luke 18:13-14

Tuesday, October 11, 2011

power of prayer

 

Praying for people, leads to encouraging people. <—this is what I am finding out. and i am completely loving it.

i love fighting for people, via prayer. and I am so grateful to God right now for the place He has me in my own life right now, where I am able to see and to be there, for people, to just pray for them and with them. I find myself constantly praying these days. and constantly wanting to encourage those who need the encouragment and who are on my heart at the time.

so be thankful for where God has you, no matter what part of life you are at. He is watching over you, and is your refuge and your strength.

 

VERSE of the day:
”For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need."
Hebrews 4:15-16

Monday, October 10, 2011

Autumn Leaves

 

So this afternoon I decided to go on a walk. It was the perfect day for it. Warm, and its fall time so the leaves are changing colors and falling! One a couple of times, there were lots of leaves under my feet, and at the same time leaves falling over my head from the tree, going every which way. It was stunning!

“He is jealous for me, loves like a hurricane I am a tree bending beneath the weight of His wind and mercy.”

 

VERSE of the day:
(i keep coming back to this verse)
”All we like sheep have gone astray, we have turned-every one- to his own way and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all.”
Isaiah 53:6

we can never be reminded to much of the sacrifice Jesus made.

Sunday, October 9, 2011

for His name's sake

 

I totally just erased what i had written and decided to do something different, cuz i was reminded of something, and am completely blown away…and this is a reoccuring thing, this being blown away.

So, going back to God giving you the desires of your heart, when we delight in Him. well, apparantly I am in a good place, and am delighting in Him more than i ever have, or God is just still in this whole romancing stage for me, im not even sure anymore. But, I notice that its the little things, that i sometimes don’t even pray for, that God does for me…and there is no reason that He should do these things for me.

So, tonight I was in the nursery, watching children, you know, as you do in an ursery. and i was telling ashley how I just want to hold a baby, in a rocking chair and the baby to just be content!well, it ended up without me even thinking about it, i ended up holding a 3 yr old for a little bit cuz they were tired, and just sat there while i rocked him, and then later on in the evening i ended up holding a like 1 1/2 yr old for quite a while cuz he had been fussy and just wanted to touch things on the walls and listen to music. it was splendid.

this may seem like little petty stuff…and to me…it is. but im realizing, its these little petty things that God is doing for me…and i only know that it is FOR HIS NAME’S SAKE. and has nothing to do with me. His love for me, is for His name’s sake, everything He does for me, His wooing me, His servanthood, His grace and mercy is all for His name’s sake.

but it makes me fall more in love with Christ!  :)

 

VERSE of the day:
”He restores my soul, He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.”
Psalm 23:3

Saturday, October 8, 2011

He romances me

 

Sigh. It’s hard to imagine Jesus as a servant, let alone serving you. Tonight I was reminded by a simple act from someone, of 2 things.

1. the servant hood of Jesus.

2. how He really is my romancer.

All that happened, was I was sitting by a fire and the guy who’s house we were at took a big brick that had been by the fire and put it at my feet, so i had some place to rest my feet.
This made me think of Jesus washing the disciples feet, and how He came to serve. Then I imagined Jesus being the one to put that brick at my feet….and I had a hard time with it. it is hard to imagine Jesus serving us, yet how often are there things in our lives that He has given us….its a matter of how we respond to Him…are we grateful?! Do we serve Him back?!
   It’s humbling. and makes me remember that I am completely unworthy of receiving anything, yet because He loves me more than I can even comprehend, and cuz of His grace and mercy…these things i receive from Him.

As well, I’m really realizing how Jesus is romancing me. I feel like He is showing me, esp recently, how I am to be treated. It’s different, and it’s quite nice. When I think no one really cares or pays attention, Jesus is there with some kind of act to let me know He is thinking about me, and let me tell you, it makes my heart smile big time. And I am just noticing little things like that so much recently, and being overwhelmed by the fact that He is, in fact, IN LOVE with me, and woo’ing me.

 

VERSE of the day:
”He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrow and acquainted with grief, as one whom men hide their faces, he was despised, and we esteemed Him not.”
Isaiah 53:3

Friday, October 7, 2011

talking with friends

 

 

   I love catching up with friends. and in catching up with friends, there will always be reminiscing of past times, which makes you miss those times…a lot…BUT…it also makes you really grateful for those times.

Gratefulness is a wonderful way to find God when we take the time to really be grateful.

 

 

VERSE of the day:
”We ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers, as is right, because your faith is growing abundantly, and the love of every one of you for one another is increasing.”
2 Thessalonians 1:3

Thursday, October 6, 2011

never-ending

 

So I have been a slacker the last couple of days…due to some late night’s. Because I was enjoying people close to my heart. :) Now, my body is tired, and just wants sleep! so yay for morning when you can sleep in a bit longer! Thank You Jesus!

So, been reading Isaiah 53 and just really amazed with my Jesus.
the last verse says “…yet he bore the sin of many, and makes intercession for the transgressors.”

Jesus’ act of grace and mercy for us, did not just end at the cross. He proceeds to sit at the right hand of God interceding for us. Which this is so comforting and encouraging to me! Just like some parents spoil their children, we are actually spoiled by God. We have been blessed with every spiritual blessing, all we need, the Holy Spirit, eternal life,  our ransom for our sins has been paid, Jesus has made us righteous….and more! Just blows me away! God spoils us. and yet how often do we give back to Him?! and it seems when we give back to Him, and are grateful and offering our lives, He just blesses more, not just physically, but more spiritually and emotionally, which is even better than anything physical!

Bless the Lord O My Soul and all that is within me. Praise His Holy Name!

 

VERSE of the day:
”Delight yourself in the LORD and He will give you the desires of your heart.”
Psalm 37:4

Monday, October 3, 2011

joyful in affliction

 

I feel like recently, my posts may all be quite similar, but you will have that at times.

Something is going in my heart. I almost feel like my heart is sad, but I know that it is not. I do know, that God is working on my heart, and that it is starting to break like it never has before for people, there is compassion like never before, there is sympathy like never before, there is a heart for the oppressed like never before, there is pain for those in pain, there is a reflectiveness i guess like never before….there is a desire to spend time in prayer and alone with Jesus like never before, a desire to be with people who encourage me to love Jesus more like never before…

Sigh, It’s not that my heart is downtrodden, it is joyful, but also breaking at the exact same time. And as weird as it seems as times, I am really enjoying this season and what is happening.

I just want Jesus, and whatever season He has me in. I want His love, His romance, His passion, His desires, His brokenness.
   forget the pettyness and selfishness of life. Just give me Jesus.

 

VERSE of the day:
”And we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned-every one- to his own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all.”
Isaiah 53:6

Sunday, October 2, 2011

He woo’s

 

sometimes I feel like my heart is breaking. for the oppressed and persecuted, for the church….and sometimes i just let myself get really upset for those reasons, but as well as for selfish reasons, because i get hit with doubt and frustration.

But today’s theme, has been that everything God does, is for His name’s sake. I cannot do anything without Him, I need Him desperately, in every second of my life. And this morning at church, I don’t even know what spurred it on, but i was just reminded that God is romancing me. I don’t deserve to be pursued, but every girl wants to be pursued. and I like being pursued by Jesus! And today, I just needed the reminder that God is wooing me. I am totally unworthy, yet by His grace, so thankful!

 

VERSE of the day:
”He restores my soul;
He leads me in the paths of righteousness
For His name’s sake.”
Psalm 23:3

Saturday, October 1, 2011

i am not perfect

 

we all have faults. things we need to work on. things that bother us.
but ya know what, God still loves us. just the way we are. and we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works. And we are being sanctified, and are set-apart.

“Life is to short to get offended.”
         There is gonna be people hurting you, and you hurting others. but i heard someone say this quote this evening, and i loved it, because it is true. Living in bibilical community, I have learned that confrontation is good, and is totally okay, and is not scary anymore. It is good to work things out, to be honest with people you care about and who care about you. and who cares if you get offended, you have offended someone, guarantee you. but don’t worry bout it! life is to short to get offended. don’t make this life about you, but about the Kingdom and Glory of God.

 

VERSE of the day:
”For God gave us a power not of fear but of power and love and self-control.”
2 Timothy 1:7