2013

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Fear not, O land; be glad and rejoice: 
for the Lord will do great things. 

Joel 2:21

As another year closes out, I can with certainty look back and say "The Lord did indeed do great things, for He does all things well." This year will always hold numerous memories for me; the majority of them being very special ones. 

2013 marks the year when I earned 30 more college credits, met some online friends face-to-face, attended a conference in Washington, participated in several musical performances, saw increased babysitting opportunities, attended two funerals for close family members, and began teaching Sunday school. There are many, many more things I could list, but that would take far too long and that is not my primary intent for this post. 

The verse quoted at the beginning of this post would have been a good one to remember at the beginning of the year, perhaps. It looks forward to a future of good things. I could not have told you at the start of 2013 what kinds of great things I would encounter--and yet, I clearly saw this promised fulfilled. I can now look forward to 2014, knowing that the same promise holds true for each and ever one of God's children. 

It is interesting to note that God commands His people to "be glad and rejoice" in their present moment and not after He had done "great things". No, He called them to be joyful even when they could see what the future held. They were also commanded not to fear. Joyfulness in the Lord is a confidence that He holds your future in His hands. And confidence in the Lord replaces fear.

Our confidence comes from knowing that we have a *present joy...

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honor and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory. (1 Peter 1:3-8)

 and a *prospective joy...

Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, To the only wise God our Savior, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen. 

Sometimes I forget that I probably don't just have Christian readers, though. Maybe some of you don't have that joyfulness, trust, and confidence in the Lord. True, not all believers demonstrate those traits consistently, but they have the means of receiving it. 

True joy will only come through the Lord Jesus Christ—He is the Creator of it, and only He can give it. You may see happiness in doing “good works” or accumulating fame and fortune, and, while those things are not always inherently wrong, they will not provide you with eternal life. One day you will die…or the Lord will return before that happens, and in that final day when He judges the earth, you will either both fear and dread Him or you will join the thousands who will praise His name forever. You can choose to believe God doesn’t exist or that your good works will outweigh your bad, but that doesn’t eliminate the fact that your life will be measured according to the righteous standards of God’s law.

There is no other name, person, religion, or method that will prevent you from eternal damnation. (Acts 4:12) Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Him. (John 14:6) Through the substitutionary death of Christ on the cross, He took your sins on Himself, and provided eternal life to those who confess their sins, turn from them, and believe in the Lord. You will die and you will be judged—where is your eternal destiny?

For those of us who have eternal confidence, Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and forever. He is faithful, and has promised that the joy of the Lord is our strength. Fear not—don’t give way to the devil’s temptations, disappointments, and doubts. May you enter 2014 with gladness and joyfulness, knowing that He who has done great things, will continue to throughout this next year and until the day of Jesus Christ.

Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fullness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore. (Psalm 16:11)

May God go with you all.

Your sister in Christ,

Kaleigh

*Terms and quoted texts taken from my pastor's sermon.

Determination!

                                        "Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might;
                                     for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom,            
                                         in the grave, whither thou goest."  ~Ecclesiastes 9:10


I'd like to share a couple of stories with you that I read in Devotions both this morning and a few days ago.


"Charles F. Kettering, a noted scientist and inventor, believed that the easiest way to overcome defeat was simply to ignore completely the possibility of failure and to keep forging ahead.  He once gave an address to Denison University on this theme.  He told how he had once given a tough project assignment to a young research worker in a laboratory at General Motors.  He wanted to see how the man would react to a difficult problem so he kept from him notes about the project that had been filed in the lab's library.  These notes, written by expert researchers, included various sets of statistics and formulas that proved the assignment the young man had been given was impossible to do.

The young research worker set his mind to the project, and worked virtually night and day for weeks.  He refused to give up or think the project impossible.  One day he came confidently to Kettering to show his work.  He had succeeded in doing the impossible!

A little extra time...a little extra effort...a little extra care...a little extra attention sometimes makes all the difference between success and failure, and not only that, but the difference between good and great."

                                                                           ~~~

"There once was a Louisville University quarterback who dreamed of playing pro football.  Upon graduation, however, no pro team drafted him.  So, he wrote to several teams and finally got an opportunity to try out for the Pittsburgh Steelers.  He gave his best effort, but wasn't chosen.  His friends said, 'You got a raw deal...it wasn't meant to be...I guess it's time to hang up your cleats'.  But the young athlete didn't give up.  He continued to knock on doors and write letters.  Finally, he received another invitation.  But again, he didn't make the team.

Most people would have given up long before this point, but not Johnny.  He was fanatic about his personal dream.  From his early days of playing sandlot football, he had been obsessed with this goal.  So, patiently and persistently, he continued to pursue try out opportunities.  Finally, he was invited to try out for the Baltimore team...and he made the third string!  Through training and many long hours of drills and fitness building, he worked his way up to be starting quarterback.  Indeed, he became one of the greatest quarterbacks ever to play in the NFL.  The dreamer's name?  Johnny Unitas.

Keep driving until you arrive at your goal line!"



History is filled with determined people.  The 1984 USA All-Around champion, Mary Lou Retton, is another example.  She was in therapy constantly for five weeks leading up to the '84 Olympics after a much needed knee surgery had been preformed.  That year, she came home with one gold, two silver, and two bronze medals.  With her determination and positive attitude, she not only succeeded what seemed "impossible", she also became the first American to receive an All-Around gold medal.  I admire Mary Lou for that determination.  Not only for her fighting spirit, but because she was also born with hip dysplasia and still went on to perform amazing acts of agility and balance.  

Can you maybe think of some people in history who, though the thought of success seemed impossible, achieved it?  Those are the kind of people who are not willing to give up their dreams.  They have a vision and chase after it instead of expecting it to just be laid on their doorstep.

"Some people succeed because they are destined to, but most people succeed because they are determined to."

Phillipians 4:13 "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me."

In Christ,
Anna

Friendship: Guest Post

   Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man 

sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.

Proverbs 27:17

Today's post is written by a special girl: Kaleigh's youngest sister. Sarah (age 14) is an avid reader and writer when not doing schoolwork. She enjoys being adventurous while exercising. Her infectious personality often causes others to laugh along with her. She is on the left side of the above picture. Sarah hopes you are encouraged by this post! 

                                                                             ~~~~~

Friendship is one of the most special things God created, yet sometimes the hardest thing to hold together.

Proverbs 17:17a says “A friend loveth at all times”. Does this mean just when your friend does what you ask, just when they’re being nice, or just when they’re the easiest to love? No, “all” means “always”: entirely, totally, and in every respect. Even when they give you an attitude that is so hard to love.  

To love someone means way more when you fulfill it with actions. Saying “I love you” is something anyone can do, but going that extra step to show that person how you love him means a whole lot more in the long run.

The picture above shows two friends. The one on the right has been through a lot of trials lately, and no one knows why, but we continue to trust in God. After all, His plans are way better than ours. I used my knowledge of the Scripture, and the wisdom given to me by God to encourage my friend. It hurt me to see her suffer so badly, and though there were limits as to how far I could help her, I jumped at every opportunity possible. I used Scripture, prayer, and cards the most.

Encourage your friends when they hurt. If you can’t say anything to make them feel better, let them know you’re there for them, and are willing to listen to anything they may need to share or get out. When they lose loved ones or jobs, or fail tests, or get into relationship problems, sometimes just a Bible verse and e-card telling them you care can go a long way.  

Proverbs 27:17: “As iron sharpens iron, so a man sharpens the countenance of his friend”. Are we sharpening our friends for good, or are we tearing them down? Sharpening your friend can be asking a simple heart-provoking question, such as one I was asked recently: Where do you want to be in 20 years? Or “What are you filling your days with?” Show the people you love that you care what’s going on in their lives.

By God’s grace, we can keep our friendships strong. 

                                                                              ~~~~~

Great job, Sarah! Thank you for being willing to share your thoughts with us. :)  

Blessings,

Kaleigh 

His Rest!

And he said, 

My presence shall go with thee, 

and I will give thee rest. 

~Exodus 22:13~

Moses was not alone in questioning where the Lord was leading him. He was chosen for the overwhelming task of leading thousands of Israelites into the Promised Land, and sometimes God did not choose to make the path way explicitly clear--and then, Moses would plead with Him for direction. The verse preceding verse 13 says this: Now therefore, I pray thee, if I have found grace in thy sight, shew me now thy way, that I may know thee, and I may find grace in thy sight: and consider that this nation is thy people. Moses truly desired to know God--he also realized the impossibility of leading thousands of people without God's aid. And in the midst of Moses' query and confusion, God alleviates his fears, promising that His presence will go with Moses, and He would give him rest. 

In today's fast-paced society, we often forget to just "Be still, and know that I am God". (Psalm 46:10) His rest is set-apart from everyday activities. Jesus took the disciples aside from the crowd to rest with Him. (Mark 6:31) God gave us a natural means of rest by giving us one whole day of the week. God knew that or physical bodies and mental capacities would need a means of refreshment after six days of work. 

Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light. (Matthew 11:28-30)

Just because we come to Christ doesn't mean that we won't have any more work, but that He will give us the strength and refreshment to carry on for His kingdom with even more fortitude than before. Also His "burden" will be lighter than any we would choose or place on ourselves, because He knows exactly how much we can handle and exactly how much we need. Just like Moses' often sought God in the midst of confusion, so our foresight will be cleared when take God's "burden" and receive His rest, instead of struggling under our own imposed load. 

Because God is the ultimate source of our rest, we will be at peace when we claim His hope. We have hope because...

"I have set the Lord always before me: because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved. Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoiceth: my flesh also shall rest in hope." (Psalm 16:8-9) 

Because God is always with us, because He is our protector, because He is the one in control of our circumstances, we can be glad, and rejoice, and rest. And also rest because we are possessors of His hope.

"For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence, for my hope is from him." (Psalm 62:5)

"Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost." (Romans 15:13)

He is our hope, and He is our rest. Rest in His hope, for only then will you know the "peace that passes all understanding". (Philippians 4:7) Rest not only gives us a break physically and mentally, but it also provides us with the vigor and stamina to go on and do greater things for God. We need to learn to seek rest, so that we can more thoroughly fulfill the will of God. 

For thus said the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel, "In returning and rest you shall be saved; in quietness and in trust shall be your strength." (Isaiah 30:15)

"Prepare me always for what Thy providence shall bring forth. Let me never murmur, be dejected, or impatient, under any of the troubles of this life; but ever find rest and comfort in this, this is the the will of my Father, and of my God: this is for Jesus Christ's sake. Amen." (Thomas Wilson)

Be still my soul; the Lord is on thy side;

Bear patiently the cross of grief or pain;

Leave to thy God to order and provide;

In every change He faithful will remain.

Be still, my soul; thy best, they heavenly Friend

Through thorny ways leads to a joyful end.

Be still my soul; the hour is hastening on

when we shall be forever with the Lord,

When disappointment, grief, and fear are gone,

Sorrow forgot, love's purest joys restored.

Be still, my soul; when change and tears are past,

all safe and blessed we shall meet at last. 

Be Still, My Soul

In Christ,

Kaleigh

Going Home

"And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away." -Revelation 21:4



A place where there is no more cancer, no more dying, no more need for morphine to kill pain, no more tears to wipe away, no more bullets killing innocent school children, no more fear of government take overs. Heaven will have no broken friendships, no more car thefts or junkies. Heaven won't have drunks or poor people. No more careers, no more need for money, no freezing temperatures. No enemies will be there, nor weapons needed to fight battles. Heaven doesn't sound real, but it is.

As most of you know, my Grandpa Duerkop passed away last week, Monday the 7th. The service that was held on Friday was not sad, though most of the people who came didn't have a dry eye before it was over. Our family did not even call it a "funeral" as Grandpa didn't die (1 Corinthians 15:54). Yes, he left his weakened body of dust behind, but now he's alive and well in Heaven (2 Cor. 5:8)! As Christians, we know we where we will go. As Christians who know other Christians who pass on before us, we can be reassured that we will one day be reunited in God's Kingdom. Though we feel that separation on this earth, we realize that our loved ones are in a better place. A place free from pain and anger and drought and storm.

One thing that my Mom wanted at the Memorial Service, was the salvation message. A perfect time to share with those who are not yet in Christ, the message of Jesus and to give them hope for their souls. My Grandpa was strong in his Savior and his faith was steadfast. He was also a man of few words. He could spin a good story for you about his adventurous farming days though. He'd tell stories about how he'd have to go out and chase the draft horses down so he could hitch them to the farm equipment. That's where his strong dislike for them came about.

As my cousin's wife told me at the service, "we don't get over the loss, but we can get through it." But I urge you to not forget the person. Don't make it a point to lose the good memories that you have with him or her. Remember the part they played in your life and feel grateful for having known them and loved them. Because as Alfred Lord Tennyson put it, "Tis better to have loved and lost, than never to have loved at all". You may have lost a loved one or will in the future, and the verses below can be a comfort to you as you go through those times.   

We see the dying convict who believed that Jesus was the Messiah, had the reassurance of being with Christ that day.....

Luke 23:42-43:
"42 And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom.

43 And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, Today shalt thou be with me in paradise."

Revelation 21 also provides us with comfort......

Revelation 21:1-7:
"1 And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.

2 And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.

3 And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.

4 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.

5 And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful.

6 And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely.

7 He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son."

Satan has not won the battle of a Christian's life. Sin is destroyed because of the power of Christ's blood on the cross......

1 Corinthians 15:54-58:

"54 So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.

55 O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?

56 The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law.

57 But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord."

When we have passed from this earth....

2 Corinthians 5:8:

"We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord."

No, I'm not happy that I've lost my "earthly" Grandpa. But I do have a Grandpa who's up in Heaven sitting at Jesus' feet. I have a Grandpa who's been reunited with two of his children, his mom and dad, his brothers, and all of the many other Christians who preceded him. He's not floating around somewhere in peragatory; he's up there in all of Heaven's glory! 

In Christ,

Anna

His Joy!

Rejoice evermore.

1 Thessalonians 5:16 

Two simple words. Yet the weight of that command carries further than outward actions. 

For those of you who know me fairly well, you may think it ironic that one of my favorite books of the Bible is Philippians. For my readers who don't know me as well, Philippians is a book about joy, but my personality tends to run Pessimistic Sarcasm by default. In other words, a joyful life is one that requires work for me. 

I wrote a post entitled "His Joy" last year, but it didn't reach the depths that I wanted it, too. I have also been reading through a book entitled With the Master: In Fullness of Joy (Susan J. Heck) which is a Bible study on the book of Philippians. Combine that with receiving John Piper's devotional on joy this morning, as well as deciding to submit something for the next issue of a girls' newsletter (the topic just "happened" to be joy), and then reading about joy in my personal devotions this morning.  

So, in light of all that, here it is.

Paul speaks a lot about joy. As a man who endured great persecution, he is continually encouraging others to find their joy in the Lord, in other believers, and in their salvation.

Paul found his joy in the Lord.
He couldn't base it on his circumstances because they were constantly changing. Imprisonment, beatings, shipwrecks, wayward churches and "believers", and false teachers provided Paul with more than enough hardships to complain about. Yet, he didn't. In 2 Corinthians 7:4 he says "I am filled with comfort, I am exceeding joyful in all our tribulation". Paul knew where to find his joy, and because he clung to the steadfast joy of the Lord, he was able to say, "Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice." We have the hope of a Savior who is sovereign, and not only do we have that hope, but along with that God provides joy when we believe and trust in His will. "Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost." (Romans 15:13) God fills us with joy! We can't outwardly express joy every single minute, because some of our circumstances are truly not joyful. But that is not what determines what we feel like. The only way to be genuinely joyful is to allow Christ's joy and peace to reign in our hearts. Jesus said to His disciples "These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full". (John 15:11) It is the commands of Christ and the comforts of the Spirit that will fill us with joy.

Paul found his joy in other believers.
"Therefore we were comforted in your comfort: yea, and exceedingly the more joyed we for the joy of Titus, because his spirit was refreshed by you all." (2 Corinthians 7:13) There should be (and often is) joy among fellow believers. We share the same faith; we encourage one another in our walks with the Lord; we rejoice with those who rejoice. Titus' "spirit was refreshed" and that caused joy for Paul and many other fellow believers. Joy is contagious; often it's a domino effect. You can't help but pick up the joyfulness of someone when they are happy. And that's a good thing. Paul also had joy in other believers because he had confidence in them. "I rejoice therefore that I have confidence in you in all things." (2 Corinthians 7:16) Paul was joyful when lifting up fellow believers from Philippi in prayer. He greatly longed to be with them in person, but his joy stemmed from pleading for them before the throne of God. "Always in every prayer of mine for you all making request with joy." (Philippians 1:4) He knew that his and their joy would once again be fulfilled when they could fellowship in person again. "And having this confidence, I know that I shall abide and continue with you all for your furtherance and joy of faith; That your rejoicing may be more abundant in Jesus Christ for me by my coming to you again." (Philippians 1:25-26)

Paul found joy in his salvation.
It was from Paul's deep faith in Christ, that his joy increased. "...but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement." (Romans 5:11) If Christ had not provided a way of salvation, then our happiness in this world would be painfully temporary. While the happiness in this life is still short-lived, we have an ever-abiding joy because of the cross. The Man of Sorrows, the one who endured the excruciating death of the cross, bore the shame of the world with joy! And He it is who is the author and finisher of our faith. "Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God." Paul found joy in seeing the steadfast faith of the Colossian believers: "...I [am] with you in the spirit, joying and beholding your order, and the stedfastness of your faith in Christ." (Colossians 2:5) Watching others--maybe even people you've discipled--increase in their faith and grow in their stedfastness in the Lord is truly a joy. And you rejoice with them, because, as Matthew Henry states, "For by faith we stand firmly, and live safely and comfortable. Our strength and ability are owning to faith, and our comfort and joy must flow from faith". When you see others standing firmly for the Lord it provides great joy for the people around them. David, in his Psalm of repentance, prayed "Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation..." (Psalm 51:12). Salvation carries with it the joy of forgiveness--nothing held against you in spite of continual failures. The grace and mercy freely given to us provides us with a restored vision and a humble spirit to continually press onward.

And then in conclusion, Paul commands the Thessalonian believers to "rejoice evermore". Not just through wonderful circumstances; not just on a cheerful Sunday morning; not just when the depth of salvation is so real. No, he says "evermore". Always. Continually. Never-ending. The joy of the Lord is our strength. His joy and strength never fails, and the Author and Finisher of our faith has no end, either.

Rejoice in the Lord alway; and again I say, Rejoice. (Philippians 4:4)
I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. (Philippians 4:13)

When we come boldly to the throne of grace, there...only there, will we find that in His presence is fullness of joy. (Psalm 16:11)

Striving to please Him,
Kaleigh 

WWJS

"Be not rash with thy mouth, and let not thine heart be hasty to utter any thing before God: for God is in heaven, and thou upon earth: therefore let thy words be few." Ecclesiastes 5:2

My Grandma was always one to use those old sayings that honestly, still prove their need in our day and age. "A penny saved is a penny earned", "life is like a bowl of cherries", "practice what you preach", and "if you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all" were just a handful of those phrases that she would say. But though each saying deserves it's individual attention in separate posts, it'd be nice to touch base on at least one of these. 

"If you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all."

This does not exclude us from telling the truth. However, though the truth is important, we should look at being tactful first. We may see a friend as being overweight and may inwardly feel that they should go on a diet; but we probably aren't going to want to walk up to them and tell them what we're thinking. We realize that this type of conversation could hurt their feelings and we would try to avoid doing that if we really cared about how they would take what we said. And this would lead us to the point that I'd really like for us to focus on in this post: WWJS. Note: you have maybe heard of "WWJD" (What Would Jesus Do), but what if we were to look at it another way and ask the question: "What Would Jesus Say"?

What if every word we said reflected the tone of voice that Jesus would use. What if every word we said reflected Christ's love for us and we were to ricochet that love on those around us? What if the words we used changed the lives of our unsaved friends or family members? or even if we planted a seed in their hearts that pointed them towards Christ? Would we make more of an effort to speak with encouraging words, use words of wisdom, to think before we speak, maybe even to pray before uttering a word? How can we use our voices to lift up our brothers and sisters in Christ, instead of tearing them down?

"The trouble with the guy who talks too fast is that he often says something he hasn't thought of yet."

Think before we speak:

I can't tell you how many times I've wanted to slap my face for saying stupid things. Those are moments when I "speak first and think later". The mouth seems to keep moving, but I put the brain on pause. And to think that all that embarrassment could have been avoided if I had thought first and spoken later.

Ask ourselves if it's necessary:

If it's necessary to say something, we need to think out how we're going to say what needs to be said. It's not always about how you say them, it's what. (Although saying things in the proper tone is still vital in getting the right message across). Which leads us to... 

How will the other person take it:

When we have figured out what (or even how) we should say something, we will already be taking into consideration the feelings of the person we are addressing our words to, and respecting those feelings as that of another human being.  

Believe it's something Jesus would say:

We can't just think: "Yeah, I think Jesus would say something that way". We need to believe it. Is it loving? Is it respectful? Is it truthful? Is it necessary to bring up? Are our intentions right? By asking ourselves and thinking through our responses and statements, we will be avoiding embarrassing circumstances that we could get into by blindly opening our mouths and letting just anything come flooding out. Would what we say to someone after taking our next breath be something that we would hear Jesus say?    

Will hope spring forth from your lips? Will the things we say be blessings or curses? Do we want to make even a slight difference in someone else's life by the words we speak? 

As Christians, the world is watching us. "What Would Jesus Say?"

Sister in Christ,

Anna

Friendship: Maintaining

Therefore encourage one another 

and build one another up,

just as you are doing. 

1 Thessalonians 5:11

 "Compare the mink and the otter. They both have beautiful coats and are often hunted by man. They're both members of the weasel family, having sleek bodies with short legs. They're both wanderers. They eat a similar diet--mostly crayfish, frogs, and fish.

Yet in one way they aren't at all alike. They don't have the same disposition. The mink is always hostile. Often if will kill its own kind and even its own offspring. It'll slaughter a hen house full of chickens for the savage delight of it. Bred and raised in captivity for its pelt, the mink is as vicious in the barn as in the woods. It will quickly bite the hand that feeds it. 

By contrast, the otter is very friendly and incurably playful. Naturalists have seen otters frolicking in a stream or a pond for hours. When raised in captivity, the otter will make friends with all other kinds of animals, dogs included. A loving pet, it gets along well with humans and other animals alike.

Some people are like the mink, and others are like the otter. "Mink people" can't get along with others. They are often fighting, rebelling, or arguing. Others, like the otter, build and maintain right relationships."

[excerpt from Grade Seven BJU Bible Truths textbook]

I was reading through my worktexts from my high school Bible curriculum in preparation for teaching Sunday school, and I came across this lesson again. Combine that with the last couple hours before midnight and a music playlist, and you have my ideal setting for a blog post. ;) 

I immediately applied this illustration to friendships--though it was written and applies to all relationships. And so, as I often automatically do, I turned my questions and thoughts inward to my own relationships with friends. Was I building and maintaining communication with friends as I ought to? 

I don't usually have much of a problem building friendships, though it is something that grows over time--not an immediate process. But I never really thought about maintaining them. 

Maintain:

-to keep in an existing state

-to sustain against opposition or danger

-to continue or persevere in

-to support or provide for

As a relationship grows deeper, it doesn't require so much "work" to build it. Like a house is only built once and routinely updated over the years, so a friendship is built over the course of time and then stabilized by recurring interaction. The foundation for personalities, spiritual growth, and life settings, is already in place, but now it must have the continuing interaction for support. 

It is easy to get caught up in life, work, school, church, and family, and forget about everything else. Yet, a friendship cannot be kept in an existing state if there is no connection. Sometimes we just have to make time to spend time with people. If we see people as important in our lives, if we see them as men and women bearing the image of God, and if we see them as fellow soldiers for the Lord, then we will have to persevere in maintaining those friendships. When we realize the impact that we can have on a person--whether that be for 2 hours or 20 years--we will be willing to give of our time for them. Our regular duties in life often require our time, but money and college credits will not accompany us into heaven. Only the eternal souls of people will, and perhaps some of those people who will stand beside us in heaven will be the ones that we set aside time for. 

To illustrate: it's like what happens when you go away for a while and then come back and have to update everyone on your life. You feel somewhat disconnected until you've updated people on your life activities. If you never told anybody how things went while you were away, your lives would soon be distant from each other. Interaction is what sustains a relationship against danger--the danger being the possibility of losing that closeness.

In a society of constant activity and crammed schedules, sometimes we forget to just stop and remember the friends in our lives. We forget to maintain those relationships that were built. We forget to support those who have supported us. We forget to persevere and sustain the individuals that have walked along side of us. We forget that peoples' souls, emotions, and lives really do matter. 

And when we forget, we grow distant and indifference sets in. We begin to see people as only products on which to draw from for our satisfaction. We see them as just another part of life. And eventually this will lead to estranged relationships, and from that can come (as demonstrated by the mink's life) fighting, arguing, and rebelling, if we are not seeking to invest in the lives of those around us. 

There is no perfect relationship, and there never will be on this earth, but we can seek to resist the factors of life that Satan continually uses to pull people apart. We can persevere--even when our schedules are crammed--in sustaining believers around us, encouraging them and just being there for them. As demonstrated by the otter, let us build and sustain--let us maintain those friendships that God has placed in our lives. 

And one day, when we all meet together in Paradise, we will stand beside the ones who have shared in our lives. We will give glory to God as the complete body of the Church. It will not matter what fame or fortune we acquired while on earth. All that will matter is whether or not we have lived our lives on earth committed to His will--part of that being demonstrated by loving those around us in the same self-sacrificial way that Christ did, in laying down His life for His friends.

There is a brotherhood within the body of believers, and the Lord Jesus Christ is the common denominator. Friendship and fellowship are the legal tender among believers. (J. Vernon McGee) 

Will you maintain? 

In Him,
Kaleigh

Heartfelt Prayer

"Now it came to pass, as He was praying in a certain place, when He ceased, that one of His disciples said to Him, "Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples."
                                                        -Luke 11:1

This post was supposed to be primarily because one of our followers wanted to hear our thoughts on the topic of "prayer". But the more I thought about it, the more I realized that I'm also writing this because it's something I need to think about more often. So writing this makes me think of not just how it might help you, the readers, but how I can better approach our Father in heaven in the most honoring way. Jumping right into this, the first question to prayer that I would like to ask you is "why"? Why do we bother to pray when God already knows what our dreams are, what our thoughts are about, what we desire to have, or even what our pains are before we even experience them? Why do we take some time to talk to Him about things He already is aware of? After searching for the answer, we'll cover the "how" and "when" aspects of praying.

Why do we bother to pray? 
Prayer is our way of communicating with God. Really, it's not any different than talking with each other, except that prayer is on a Spiritual level. When we come to our Father in heaven, we praise Him for Who He is. We offer up thanksgiving to Him and acknowledge that He is the Giver of all that we have. We pray because we are not only told to, but because it's beneficial to us in seeking Christ and having fellowship with Him. We also pray, because we are seeking His will in a certain area(s) of our life and we would like direction (Psalm 40:8). We tend to pray because we want to ask God for healing for a health issue, guidance in making decisions, happy marriages, healthy children, satisfying careers, etc. that we believe are important in our lives (Luke 11:9-13).

Personally on some days, I feel like I'm bothering God by continuously talking to Him throughout the day. From struggling with thoughts to praying for a safe drive home from town, I find myself continually "chatting" with Him every other five minutes...or so it seems. But I've come to realize that He wants me to talk to Him and have a growing relationship. Talking with Him, keeps us on the same page and makes our relationship with Him grow stronger every day.

By praying, we are keeping that line open between Him and ourselves. We might pray for rain to help the crops grow, we might pray dad will get that job to support the family, we might even pray that we'll have a safe trip to the market and back. That's great(!), because we are told to "pray without ceasing" (1Thess. 5:17). Praying for God's protection, guidance, and care are just a few of the general things we may pray for and God loves that communication. Anytime that we open up and share what's on our minds with Him, He is overjoyed to see the commitment His children have in wanting that fellowship.


How should we pray?

In Luke 11:2-4, Jesus tells us how we should pray. "Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us day by day our daily bread. And forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who is indebted to us. And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one."

The first part speaks of how reverent His holy name is and then jumps to His will being accomplished here on earth. Asking God for daily substances to keep us alive, and asking Him to forgive and forget our sins as we [should] do with each other. Then it's a plea for God to keeping us from Satan and the temptations that are abundant in this world. We are to enter into prayer recognizing His holiness and remembering what awesome things that He has done in the past, is doing in the present, and believe that He will do more great things in the future. We are then to be thankful for the blessings that He bestows upon us and our families. In our prayers, we ask that He will extend His merciful hand upon us and forgive us. Also that we will forgive those who have wronged us. For if we cannot forgive our fellow brothers and sisters, how then can we expect a perfect God to forgive us when we fall (Matt. 6:15)? Jesus also tells us to pray for deliverance from the evil schemes of the devil. God will protect us from him; but in a world owned by Satan, we cannot expect to go far without seeing his handiwork.

To be honest, I've often wondered how to best pray. Do I need to talk to God as if He were my Master or Father? As both. Just like with our parents, we can usually speak to them respectfully, but also as good friends. I know that I can talk to God on a comfortable level. I don't have to get all stressed out, because I'm imperfect and may say things in a "clumsy" manner. God knows that I make mistakes and that's okay. He still listens. Just as He listens to you when you truly desire to have a "one-on-one" with Him.

It doesn't matter if we're excellent orators or if we stutter a lot. It doesn't matter if our prayers are five minutes or three hours long. The only thing we need to do is approach Him in a sincere and honoring way. He won't put cotton in His ears when we start to speak to Him from our hearts.

When can we pray to God?

We can pray at any time and in any place. God is omnipresent and can hear us whether we are on top of Mount Everest or in an underground cave.

Yeah, I've often wondered where I should pray and make that my "quiet place". Do I have to enter prayer on bended knee and folded hands or can I be doing dishes and talk with Him? I believe that in any situation, no matter where we are, no matter what day of the year, we can lift up our voices and He will hear us. The quote that says: "God can hear the smallest voice" may sound familiar to you. Whether you're talking out loud, whispering, or praying silently within, no word you say will be missed by Him. God hears each and every thought you think and knows exactly what you mean to say--even if it's hard to find the words.

But if you're like me, you find it hard to find a quiet time with jobs, school, social networking, and other activities being such demanding parts of your life. I'd like to raise a tough question though. Can you prioritize things, so that God is #1 and all the other activities take 2nd place? When we really think about it, though these things are a big part of our day-to-day schedules right now, they don't amount to anything in our relationship with Christ.

Personally, I've re-evaluated my schedule time and time again. It's super hard! But if we really want to stay on the same page with God and "keep the line open", we will need to set aside a certain time to talk and listen to Him. Even when we're busy, it's great if we talk with Him on the go, too. Though you may find (or have found) it harder to concentrate if your mind is going in a million different directions. However, we should pray without ceasing (1 Thess. 5:17). If we multi-task, it's harder to focus our energy on Him and find it much easier to just keep working on the present project--which will most likely "drown Him out". Like in the middle of a test, I sometimes find more peace if I can just break for a couple of seconds to just ask for God's help. As I said earlier, God doesn't put a word count on prayers.

As another personal note, I find mornings to work best for a prayer/devotional time. At night, I tend to be studying/working/watching a TV show; so mornings work the best. Plus, I feel that I'm starting the day out right. :) Of course, go with what works best for you. We all have different opinions and we might all discover that certain routines work better for us than they do for others. I encourage you to look for the best schedule that works for you and to stick with it as best as you can!


I hope that you are encouraged and are able to (if you have not already) find a time to spend with God in prayer. Remember that God doesn't expect a perfect, well-rehearsed, six-hour, bedside prayer. He just wants you to be open and honest, no matter where you are.

Psalm 5:2, "Give heed to the voice of my cry, My King and my God, for to You I will pray."

Sister in Christ,
Anna

His Day: The Lord's Day!

For the Son of man is Lord 
even of the sabbath day.

Matthew 12:8

In response to the "Announcement" Anna posted previously in June on Facing the Waves, one of our readers requested a post regarding Sunday worship. This was not a topic I had consciously thought about (hence the very late post), though I did for a short time a couple months ago. So, I went to Scripture and sermons to refresh my mind.  

Likely, we have all grown up with slight differences in how we observe Sunday. Many people want to know "What can't I do?", rather than focusing on the heart and asking "How can I best worship the Lord on His day?". Dividing this post into two sections, I will attempt to explain what the Lord's Day should mean to believers in the 21^st century. 

What Sunday is not...

Sunday is not the Sabbath. The Sabbath Day was given to the Jews--the Israelite nation. Sabbath was the day on which the Lord rested after He spoke His creation into being. This day was one of rest for God which served as a day of remembrance for the Israelites--a reminder to worship God as Creator. The Lord commanded the Israelites that the 7^th day of the week was to be a day of rest for the Jews and pointed to certain judgment if God’s laws were not kept. (Exodus 31:13-17)This day was to be one that was set-apart; it was marked for sanctification. Israel was not to act like the other nations around them; this Sabbath day was one created specifically for them—a sign of sanctification and rest, in order that they would remember their Creation, His creation, and their sinfulness.

Sunday is not a day in which we commanded to observe the Old Testament rules. The Lord laid out clear laws that the Israelites were to follow, and among those rules were many pertaining to the Sabbath day. They were not to collect manna on that day, and they were not to go on any long journeys, to name a couple. And whoever violated the Sabbath day was to be put to death. (Exodus 31:14) Through these laws, man was to recognize that Creation was marred and that man was filled with sin, and that the only way they could receive forgiveness was by keeping the law.

Sunday is not identified on Judaism’s calendar. The Sabbath day was the 7^th day of the week; one that was to be a reminder to the Israelites that God rested on this day. Not because He was weary, but because it was His day to enjoy His creation and bless all that He had made. (Genesis 2:3) The Sabbath day was a memorial to the original creation—a reminder that Paradise had been lost and forfeited by man’s sin and that there was now judgment if they disobeyed God’s law. The Sabbath was a sign to the Israelites connecting them with the Fall of Man and reminding them that the only way to regain a taste of that Paradise was by observing a day of rest—the 7^th day. The Sabbath was only a shadow of the substance (His rest), and yet it was a promise of future salvation.

What Sunday is…

Sunday is the 1^st day of the week! This is the day that approximately 2000 years ago, Christ victoriously conquered death, paid for the sins of mankind, and provided redemption, justification, and sanctification for all those who would believe in Him. (Luke 23:53-12:1-12) This is the day that Christ appeared to His disciples, showing them that He is risen—proving that all His past ministry and death made sense, that the Old Testament was broken once and for all, and that the Father affirmed His finished work on the cross. He also promises to His followers that they would receive the Holy Spirit after He had been received up into heaven. (John 20:19-23) Again, on the first day of the week (a different Sunday ;), the disciples received the Holy Spirit and were given the gift of speaking in tongues, and Peter preached the first “Sunday sermon”. (Acts 2:1-4, 14-43)

Sunday is a day in which we are no longer under the bondage of the law.  When Jesus died, He eliminated the priesthood, sacrifices, and holy days—including the Sabbath. Sunday was the day Christ arose and overthrew the law. He eliminated the need to work for salvation by following the law.  Believers rest from the works approach to righteousness, because we have entered into the new covenant—the one where Christ is our ultimate rest. The law only pointed to Christ—and Christ was the fulfillment of that law through His atoning work on the cross. We are not under the bondage of the law anymore, but rather, we are bondage of grace; and through grace, we have freedom in Christ. (Romans 14:1-6) (Galatians 4:9-11) The Sabbath laws were mere shadows of the hope to come; Christ’s resurrection is the hope. (Colossians 2:16-17) And while, Sunday on this earth is still only a shadow of the rest to come, we now have the promise of salvation. If we try to hold on to the old laws of God, then we make His finished work of no avail. No longer are we only left with a shadow of rest as the Old Testament provided, we now have the substance: Christ, and He is our complete rest. To paraphrase John MacArthur’s words: When Jesus picked the 12 disciples, He left the Old Testament leaders behind; when He picked the 1^st day of the week, He left the 7^th behind.

Sunday is a day in which we worship Christ as Redeemer, Savior, and Lord. We observe this day because this is the day when our Lord proved His deity and the sufficiency of His fulfillment of the law. After all, He was the one to demonstrate the throwing aside Pharisaical laws by healing and working on the Sabbath. (John 5:3-18) He isn’t honored with the keeping of some day of the week; He is honored in our worship of Him on the Lord’s day. While the other Old Testament commands are repeated in the New Testament, there is never a command to observe the Sabbath. The Sabbath was done away with, so the disciples came together on the first days of the week (And not just the first days! Sometimes they worshipped together for days in a row.[Acts 2:46]) , without the bondage of the law. This is the day when we glorify Christ as Redeemer; not worshiping old creation, but the new! This is “the Lord’s Day”: set-apart for Him. (Revelation 1:10)This is the day when the disciples gathered together to break bread, worship, sing, preach, and embrace the truth of the gospel. (1 Corinthians 16:1-2) This is not a day that is just a “stop-off” in the middle of the week; it’s a day to remember the glory of your salvation. We are not forbidden to work or play—but, remember, this is the day that God named as His own. Surely, we can give Him—He who created us, died for us, and saved us—one day of the seven He gives us. We are commanded not to forsake the assembling of believers, and especially as the coming of Christ draws nearer by nearer, so our communion with fellow brothers and sisters in Christ should increase. (Hebrews 10:25). Celebrate His resurrection and atoning work, by filling the Lord’s Day with worship, preaching, and fellowship; and rest in Christ and in the reality of your salvation. This is our day to find greatest delight in Christ and to fellowship with brothers and sisters in the Lord, because He rose from the grave, victorious over death, and  is now seated at the right hand of the Father, living to intercede for His chosen ones.

Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;) And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works; Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.

Hebrews 10:23-25

In Christ,

Kaleigh

Happy Birthday, Kaleigh!

“But the Lord is faithful, who will establish you and guard you from the evil one.” ~2 Thessalonians 3:3

Last time around, you wrote a special blog post for me on my 20th birthday and I will always cherish the kind things you said--whether or not some (or all) of those things were exaggerated, is another story). But I wanted to take this opportunity to write my birthday “comment” to you.

Kaleigh, this past year has been another chapter in your book. Another period in your life where you can chalk it up as being an eventful year filled with fun and sadness; and yet, as a memorable one. 

The memories from your 18th year will always be with you and with those whom you’ve shared them with. When you spend time with us--whether it be in the same part of the world or through a computer screen--memories are made and our friendships are made stronger. It’s been yet another year that I can see has been a challenging one for you and every time, you rise to each challenge, looking to our Father in heaven for His hand of protection and seeking His will to guide your every step. Your faith is remarkable and it’s encouraging to see you finish this 19th year in your life with the courage that you continue to show. You are ready for this next stage in your life, and will again be victorious when you serve Christ to the best of your ability.

Which brings me to the part of the many things that make up the Kaleigh we have come to know and love: such as your faith, your desire to see peace, your laughter and teasing, your concern for other’s well-being, and your desire to be the kind of woman that God has designed you to be. I have seen you increase in knowledge through only these last couple of years, and it's a joy to watch you grow ever closer to Him as a young lady. Peace among your friends is something that you have wanted to see for a long time now and is something you have continued to pray for. I can't imagine going through life without ever hearing your cute laugh. :D Your teasing is also something I enjoy getting and watching others get, too. Also, you have shown that your friends mean so much to you and that you care about both their physical and Spiritual well-being. And lastly, I see in you a desire to hold God's hand and have Him lead you in your life. Through your life, you've shown that you want Him to be pleased, honored, and glorified.



I know it's been difficult for you to think of turning another year older, as you've enjoyed your 18th year so much. But bigger and better things are ahead and quite honestly, we just don't have the choice to stay a certain age. :D But I know you will make the most of this year, as with every year. Continue to be faithful to Christ and He will see you through the good and bad times of your 19th year on this earth.

Thank you for being my friend, Kaleigh. I love to see your smile on Bible Study hangouts, hear your laugh over the telephone, and watch you interact with people. It's a blessing to know someone as sweet as you and I can't imagine going through this past couple of years without ever being friends. You are truly an inspiration, an encouragement, and a true friend. Thank you for being there for your friends and may we always do our best to be here for you. :)

                                                              

This is a song that has been special to both of us for a little while now and I wanted to re-post it as a "present" on your birthday. As an overview for those who have never heard it, the gist of the song is that when God looks down on us, does He find us faithful? When people see how we live, can others see that we are faithful to Him?

Find Us Faithful by Steve Green

Through your part of the ministry on Facing the Waves, Kaleigh, you have done an incredible job of being faithful to Him. Keep up the good work and continue to listen to His calling. :)

Blessings on your birthday, year, and life, dear sister. May you grow ever closer to Christ and seek His will more every day. Don’t lose sight of the Master. He’s got you in the palm of His hand and will never drop you.

Love you!

Anna