MULTIPLE ways that the Gospel impacts my life today. The one that stands out most? HOPE.
The story of my life does not end with the reality of my sin OR the shaming voices from the enemy or the world... it ends in HOPE. The only reason I have hope in such a despairing situation (i.e. - the world) is because of the Gospel - Jesus died on the cross for my sins, which MEANS that I do not have to live in eternal separation from God. He is the WAY, the TRUTH, and the LIFE, and nobody comes to the Father (God) except through Him. (John 14:6)
Even when my emotions seem to be crazy and confusing and chaotic... He understands my heart, sees my needs, and "fill[s] me with joy in [His] presence, with eternal pleasures at [His] right hand"(Psalm 19:11). For those times when you just feel WEIRD. You can't really identify a whole lot of what's happening in your head and you just want everything to be RIGHT. It is in that moment that He says just you wait! "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you HOPE and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart"(Jeremiah 29:11). Here's another awesome reminder: "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go"(Joshua 1:9). Praise God! No need to fear. He has given us a HOPE in Jesus Christ who came to SAVE us... and He will be with us wherever we go.
On that note, I think I'll go to sleep. :)
Thursday, April 12, 2012
Wednesday, April 11, 2012
"Impact of the Gospel" - Day 4
Today has been a fairly low-key day. Class was canceled this morning (luckily, ahead of time... so I got to enjoy sleeping in). I only have to watch the kids (that I nanny) tonight for a few hours. I had a phone date this morning with a friend from the Honor Academy, met a friend for lunch at one of my favorite coffeeshops - Rembrandt's, and have had a lot of down time (to read, mostly) besides that. It's really hard to be motivated to hurry up and get work for school done when I know that I have plenty more "free time" in the near future. What's the rush? So, I have somewhat enjoyed the slow pace and peace & quiet for the day.
My "big decision" for today is how I see the impact of the Gospel in my life. I already decided that I am going to go on a short term mission trip for 3-5 weeks at the beginning of the summer. The problem now is deciding WHERE and with WHAT organization. All I know is that I'm going... and I am SO excited to say that!
Option #1:
Panama Jungle trip w/ Global Expeditions as a Team Leader. AWESOME!
[Potential] Option #2:
San Jose, Costa Rica University evangelism trip with Campus Crusade. Also, AWESOME!
Really, the decision is not much of a big deal. BOTH are awesome (as previously stated) and God is fully aware of what is going on and will open doors that need to be open and close doors that need to be closed. Because of this, I can move forward in full confidence that I am in the will of God. [Just typing that brings peace to my heart! Thank you, Jesus!]
The BIG DEAL is that I am excited to GO. This IS the heart of the Gospel...
Jesus instructs His disciples in Matthew 28:18-20: "Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
Break my heart for what breaks Your's, Lord. I pray that my desires would align with Your desires. Open my eyes to see the path that you have prepared for me.
My "big decision" for today is how I see the impact of the Gospel in my life. I already decided that I am going to go on a short term mission trip for 3-5 weeks at the beginning of the summer. The problem now is deciding WHERE and with WHAT organization. All I know is that I'm going... and I am SO excited to say that!
Option #1:
Panama Jungle trip w/ Global Expeditions as a Team Leader. AWESOME!
[Potential] Option #2:
San Jose, Costa Rica University evangelism trip with Campus Crusade. Also, AWESOME!
Really, the decision is not much of a big deal. BOTH are awesome (as previously stated) and God is fully aware of what is going on and will open doors that need to be open and close doors that need to be closed. Because of this, I can move forward in full confidence that I am in the will of God. [Just typing that brings peace to my heart! Thank you, Jesus!]
The BIG DEAL is that I am excited to GO. This IS the heart of the Gospel...
Jesus instructs His disciples in Matthew 28:18-20: "Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
Break my heart for what breaks Your's, Lord. I pray that my desires would align with Your desires. Open my eyes to see the path that you have prepared for me.
Tuesday, April 10, 2012
"Impact of the Gospel" - Day 3
I'm pretty excited to share how the Gospel impacted my - and someone else's - life today!
I got a text this morning from a friend who is on staff with Campus Crusade and asked if I wanted to join him for a meeting this afternoon with a girl who had expressed interest in having a spiritual conversation with him. After hitting the point of boredom yesterday, this was an answer to prayer! I responded with a hearty, "YES!"
I prayed this morning that God would give us wisdom to know what questions to ask, what to share, how to respond, etc and that our only motivation would be to LOVE.
Billy had a previous conversation with this girl and already established that she understood pieces of the Gospel, but most of it was not clear at all. So, we had the opportunity to share the Gospel in it's entirety to a girl who just wanted to hear truth.
Billy explained the problem of sin - we ALL sin, which separates us from God. Romans says that "All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" and "The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus." BUT, there is HOPE! God made a way out. He sent Jesus, His only Son, to die on a cross... to pay the penalty of our sin. Jesus says in John that He is the "Way, the Truth, and the Life; no one comes to the Father except through [Him]." Through Jesus, we can spend eternity with God! Our admittance into heaven is NOT about how good or religious we are. It has nothing to do with what we do or who we are, only whose we are. When we choose to follow Jesus, we become sons and daughters of God. If we confess with our mouths that Jesus is Lord and believe in our hearts that God raised him from the dead, then we will be saved.
At the end, Billy pointed to the two options on the diagram we were using to go through the Gospel and asked which one she wants. She said, "Well, obviously that one [with JESUS as Lord of her life]!" I could barely contain my joy and excitement! The Gospel made sense to her AND she was certain that she wants it to change her life... it was "obvious" to her.
Shoot, talk about a Gospel impact!!!
This experience makes me think of these verses:
"But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect." 1 Peter 3:15
"For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heart? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, 'How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!'" Romans 10:13-15
This makes me EXCITED because lives are being changed on campus just because a couple people were obedient to what He called them to do. People are so receptive to even just talk about spiritual things and discuss what they believe... what an opportunity to share TRUTH with those who are LOST and SEEKING! I pray that I would have a soft heart that is obedient to the prodding of the Holy Spirit always. Send me, Lord.
I got a text this morning from a friend who is on staff with Campus Crusade and asked if I wanted to join him for a meeting this afternoon with a girl who had expressed interest in having a spiritual conversation with him. After hitting the point of boredom yesterday, this was an answer to prayer! I responded with a hearty, "YES!"
I prayed this morning that God would give us wisdom to know what questions to ask, what to share, how to respond, etc and that our only motivation would be to LOVE.
Billy had a previous conversation with this girl and already established that she understood pieces of the Gospel, but most of it was not clear at all. So, we had the opportunity to share the Gospel in it's entirety to a girl who just wanted to hear truth.
Billy explained the problem of sin - we ALL sin, which separates us from God. Romans says that "All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" and "The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus." BUT, there is HOPE! God made a way out. He sent Jesus, His only Son, to die on a cross... to pay the penalty of our sin. Jesus says in John that He is the "Way, the Truth, and the Life; no one comes to the Father except through [Him]." Through Jesus, we can spend eternity with God! Our admittance into heaven is NOT about how good or religious we are. It has nothing to do with what we do or who we are, only whose we are. When we choose to follow Jesus, we become sons and daughters of God. If we confess with our mouths that Jesus is Lord and believe in our hearts that God raised him from the dead, then we will be saved.
At the end, Billy pointed to the two options on the diagram we were using to go through the Gospel and asked which one she wants. She said, "Well, obviously that one [with JESUS as Lord of her life]!" I could barely contain my joy and excitement! The Gospel made sense to her AND she was certain that she wants it to change her life... it was "obvious" to her.
Shoot, talk about a Gospel impact!!!
This experience makes me think of these verses:
"But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect." 1 Peter 3:15
"For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heart? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, 'How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!'" Romans 10:13-15
This makes me EXCITED because lives are being changed on campus just because a couple people were obedient to what He called them to do. People are so receptive to even just talk about spiritual things and discuss what they believe... what an opportunity to share TRUTH with those who are LOST and SEEKING! I pray that I would have a soft heart that is obedient to the prodding of the Holy Spirit always. Send me, Lord.
Monday, April 9, 2012
"Impact of the Gospel" - Day 2
This is my "Gospel-Impact" for today: Jesus is my everything.
Pure and simple.
He has provided financially over and over again - currently, I have free rent so I can save money to move out in a few months. Also - my Dad is paying for my health insurance so I gladly canceled the policy that I had on my own. These two blessings save me almost $400 a month!
He has provided emotionally in ways that I'm sure I don't even know! Today, in fighting this darn loneliness (that sometimes leads to boredom) he placed a dear friend in my path who I got to talk with for a while! That was such a highlight of my day, because God knew that she was JUST what I needed in that moment.
I keep going back to what He told me last night at church: "I notice you." I am so full of joy because God sees my heart. He knows what I am fighting to overcome and He steps in and fights for me when I become weary. When I have run out of ways to "just be okay"... He already has my next step planned and a way out in the works.
He is my Truth, my Comforter, my Peace, my Joy, my King, my Father, my Provider my Savior, my Refuge, my Strength... without Him, I am nothing.
Pure and simple.
He has provided financially over and over again - currently, I have free rent so I can save money to move out in a few months. Also - my Dad is paying for my health insurance so I gladly canceled the policy that I had on my own. These two blessings save me almost $400 a month!
He has provided emotionally in ways that I'm sure I don't even know! Today, in fighting this darn loneliness (that sometimes leads to boredom) he placed a dear friend in my path who I got to talk with for a while! That was such a highlight of my day, because God knew that she was JUST what I needed in that moment.
I keep going back to what He told me last night at church: "I notice you." I am so full of joy because God sees my heart. He knows what I am fighting to overcome and He steps in and fights for me when I become weary. When I have run out of ways to "just be okay"... He already has my next step planned and a way out in the works.
He is my Truth, my Comforter, my Peace, my Joy, my King, my Father, my Provider my Savior, my Refuge, my Strength... without Him, I am nothing.
Sunday, April 8, 2012
"Impact of the Gospel" - Day 1
Happy, joyous Easter everyone! I hope you had a wonderfully relaxing day filled with CELEBRATION of our RISEN KING!
As an overflow of my post last night, this week I am going to focus on the impact of the Gospel. Each day I will write about HOW I was impacted by the Gospel that day. This just means that I want to focus on how the good news of who Jesus is really does impact my day-to-day life. If you are a follower of Christ, He impacts yours, too. I think that sometimes we are blinded by our own pride, failures, misconceptions, or even busyness that we lose sight of WHO He really is and just how near He is to each of our hearts.
There were two things that stood out to me today:
1. Community
I am so thankful for the people who God has very purposefully surrounded me with in this (and every) season of my life. I moved in with a new family a week ago and today I felt so included in their Easter traditions. They make me feel welcome and comfortable. Then I got all dressed up (curled my hair and everything!) and went to celebrate Easter and eat dinner with the family that I nanny for and their friends/family. Again, it was SO wonderful to be a PART of something. We ate a delicious meal, enjoyed the beautiful weather and each other's company. Then I went to The Pursuit to celebrate Easter with my awesome church family.
The Gospel invites community. It is a shared belief that brings people together and creates family. There is something inside each of us that desires to be in relationship with one another and the good news of Jesus is all about LOVE.
2. Intimacy with Jesus
I just love it when I can sense God speaking directly to my heart! I am currently in a season of both loneliness and extreme intimacy with Jesus. I feel like every time I enter into worship lately, I just cry. Tonight at church, I started crying over some aspects of this loneliness in my life right now and immediately I felt the Lord say: "I notice you. You are beautiful to me." It just reminded me that I must reject this need for approval from other people and recognize that my God truly does see all of my heart and fulfill all of my desires.
I have MUCH to be thankful for!
How about you? How has the Gospel impacted your life today?
As an overflow of my post last night, this week I am going to focus on the impact of the Gospel. Each day I will write about HOW I was impacted by the Gospel that day. This just means that I want to focus on how the good news of who Jesus is really does impact my day-to-day life. If you are a follower of Christ, He impacts yours, too. I think that sometimes we are blinded by our own pride, failures, misconceptions, or even busyness that we lose sight of WHO He really is and just how near He is to each of our hearts.
There were two things that stood out to me today:
1. Community
I am so thankful for the people who God has very purposefully surrounded me with in this (and every) season of my life. I moved in with a new family a week ago and today I felt so included in their Easter traditions. They make me feel welcome and comfortable. Then I got all dressed up (curled my hair and everything!) and went to celebrate Easter and eat dinner with the family that I nanny for and their friends/family. Again, it was SO wonderful to be a PART of something. We ate a delicious meal, enjoyed the beautiful weather and each other's company. Then I went to The Pursuit to celebrate Easter with my awesome church family.
The Gospel invites community. It is a shared belief that brings people together and creates family. There is something inside each of us that desires to be in relationship with one another and the good news of Jesus is all about LOVE.
2. Intimacy with Jesus
I just love it when I can sense God speaking directly to my heart! I am currently in a season of both loneliness and extreme intimacy with Jesus. I feel like every time I enter into worship lately, I just cry. Tonight at church, I started crying over some aspects of this loneliness in my life right now and immediately I felt the Lord say: "I notice you. You are beautiful to me." It just reminded me that I must reject this need for approval from other people and recognize that my God truly does see all of my heart and fulfill all of my desires.
I have MUCH to be thankful for!
How about you? How has the Gospel impacted your life today?
Saturday, April 7, 2012
Resurrection Sunday: What's on Your Mind?
Tomorrow I celebrate the reality that Jesus Christ, God's Son, died on a cross and rose again three days later... all as a part of God's plan to redeem the world and cleanse us from our sin.
Uh, wow.
It is so easy for me, as a Christian who grew up immersed in the tradition of the church, to overlook the impact of that statement. Does the power and magnitude of the Gospel every shock, awe, inspire you or bring you to your knees in complete and utter reverence of the King of kings and Lord of lords? Don't give the typical "of course it does" answer here. Think about it for a minute. or a day. or a week.
How has the Gospel impacted YOUR life lately?
I pray that tomorrow is not just a normal day, or even a normal "Easter." I don't want to get too caught up in plastic eggs or chocolate bunnies or big dinners that I lose sight of the cross. In fact, I want every day to be that way... eyes completely fixed on the cross. Why should it only be on Easter that we acknowledge the Resurrection? I pray that on every other day the cross would be on the forefront of our minds and dictate our thoughts, actions and decisions.
Uh, wow.
It is so easy for me, as a Christian who grew up immersed in the tradition of the church, to overlook the impact of that statement. Does the power and magnitude of the Gospel every shock, awe, inspire you or bring you to your knees in complete and utter reverence of the King of kings and Lord of lords? Don't give the typical "of course it does" answer here. Think about it for a minute. or a day. or a week.
How has the Gospel impacted YOUR life lately?
I pray that tomorrow is not just a normal day, or even a normal "Easter." I don't want to get too caught up in plastic eggs or chocolate bunnies or big dinners that I lose sight of the cross. In fact, I want every day to be that way... eyes completely fixed on the cross. Why should it only be on Easter that we acknowledge the Resurrection? I pray that on every other day the cross would be on the forefront of our minds and dictate our thoughts, actions and decisions.
Friday, March 16, 2012
Absence Makes the Heart Grow Fonder...
It's been almost two months since I last posted something... I think that has got to be the longest stretch of time I've gone without writing! I'm not really sure why I stopped, besides that I was getting tired of not knowing WHAT to write. More realistically, I probably could think of too MANY things to write about and couldn't decide. I randomly thought about writing a couple days ago and resolved to start again. I don't want to give up! I know that God works IN me when I write. Hopefully the long break has made my heart fonder toward writing. Maybe I have some renewed inspiration in there somewhere.
Again, my mind is flooding with so many different things I could write about: what I'm learning, the crazy-ever-changing circumstances of life, growing relationships, understanding (and often MISunderstanding) grace, how I was so very wrong when I thought I could live off of 4 hours of sleep (and have paid for it for the past 5 days!)... I suppose this is a good place to start --
It's pretty easy to slip into the mentality of living some kind of "normal" life, right? Go to class, get good grades, find a job that will pay enough money to get a nice apartment and buy healthy food. We're "supposed" to make the kind of decisions that "just make sense." What if living radically was the norm? What if everyone lived a radical life that it wasn't so weird to see people going to the nations or speaking up about their faith or choosing to set their standards higher than the world deems necessary?
After hearing Nathan speak at Fuel - Campus Crusade - last night I got EXCITED. I'm excited about what God is doing around the world, on our campus and in my own life. I was reminded that I don't WANT a safe, normal, comfortable life. I severely limit the ways God can use me if I plant myself in my comfort zone. Selfishly, it's so hard to forgo comfort! My desire to serve God and see His name made known runs much, much deeper than my desire to be financially secure and have a lot of friends... I just need to examine my thoughts & actions to be sure that they line up with this desire.
Yesterday I met with a sweet girl from school and we walked through a simple study to learn more about the role of the Holy Spirit in our lives. When I left I felt so encouraged because it served as a reminder that this is what I was made to do. I've become so consumed with other areas of my life that ministry has become a task and not a way of life. I need to adjust OTHER areas of my life so that ministry can just happen naturally and not forcefully. I get energized by doing what God has called me to do! That meeting + the topic at Fuel yesterday made me realize how I need to make a massive change in the way I think. I'm pretty sure I had slowly begun to close my hands around certain areas of my life, which has caused me to live in fear. After realizing this, I know that I need to move toward SURRENDER in this areas and pursue the dreams that God has given me! There is purpose in them, and they are not that far off.
What do you need to surrender in order to follow God more freely?
Again, my mind is flooding with so many different things I could write about: what I'm learning, the crazy-ever-changing circumstances of life, growing relationships, understanding (and often MISunderstanding) grace, how I was so very wrong when I thought I could live off of 4 hours of sleep (and have paid for it for the past 5 days!)... I suppose this is a good place to start --
It's pretty easy to slip into the mentality of living some kind of "normal" life, right? Go to class, get good grades, find a job that will pay enough money to get a nice apartment and buy healthy food. We're "supposed" to make the kind of decisions that "just make sense." What if living radically was the norm? What if everyone lived a radical life that it wasn't so weird to see people going to the nations or speaking up about their faith or choosing to set their standards higher than the world deems necessary?
After hearing Nathan speak at Fuel - Campus Crusade - last night I got EXCITED. I'm excited about what God is doing around the world, on our campus and in my own life. I was reminded that I don't WANT a safe, normal, comfortable life. I severely limit the ways God can use me if I plant myself in my comfort zone. Selfishly, it's so hard to forgo comfort! My desire to serve God and see His name made known runs much, much deeper than my desire to be financially secure and have a lot of friends... I just need to examine my thoughts & actions to be sure that they line up with this desire.
Yesterday I met with a sweet girl from school and we walked through a simple study to learn more about the role of the Holy Spirit in our lives. When I left I felt so encouraged because it served as a reminder that this is what I was made to do. I've become so consumed with other areas of my life that ministry has become a task and not a way of life. I need to adjust OTHER areas of my life so that ministry can just happen naturally and not forcefully. I get energized by doing what God has called me to do! That meeting + the topic at Fuel yesterday made me realize how I need to make a massive change in the way I think. I'm pretty sure I had slowly begun to close my hands around certain areas of my life, which has caused me to live in fear. After realizing this, I know that I need to move toward SURRENDER in this areas and pursue the dreams that God has given me! There is purpose in them, and they are not that far off.
What do you need to surrender in order to follow God more freely?
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