A Bigger Picture, Part Seven

There are five steps or phases included in the lectio divina, which in Latin, means “holy reading” or “prayerful reading”.[1] This practice has roots in ancient history and it focuses on feeling and listening to God speaking to us and transforming our lives.[2] When used alongside the inductive approach to biblical interpretation, these steps are meant provide revelation from the Spirit in accordance with God’s written Word. However, it is important to remember that our feelings are not necessarily always in alignment with the Spirit, rather, we must conform our emotions to what the Word of God shows us through the Spirit.[3]

   

The first step, Silencio, refers to the reader setting a quiet time aside to prepare his heart to enter the Lord’s presence.[4] This step should be helpful in any sort of devotional time, because in this fast-paced 21^st century, people often forget how to sit alone in the quiet to study the Word and pray. Reading the Word is hearing God’s voice, and prayer is communication with Him, so it’s vital to set aside regular time to worship the Lord.

  

The second step, Lectio, focuses on choosing a Scripture passage and reading it slowly out loud.[5] The reader needs to concentrate on allowing God’s words to say what they say, rather than reading his own words into it. Also the reader needs to apply the words specifically to himself and not to others, as is so easy to do. This aspect would definitely be vital for a Christian, because it is important to make sure that one is right with God before calling others out.

   

Meditatio directs the reader to connect the Scripture with some part of his current life situation. Reading the passage slowly again and allowing the words to sink into his heart and mind, the reader can more closely focus on what principles God is teaching. This step could be concerning, as it may lead some readers to overspiritualize the text, but through careful study, the reader can glean the principles that God has revealed to us.[6]

   

After concentrated study on the passage, the fourth step, Oratio, tells readers to use this time to pray through the passage, asking God to show His truth and point out areas where actions and attitudes need to be aligned to His Word.[7] Praying to God allows the opportunity to speak honestly with the Lord and often times helps to pinpoint areas of struggle.

   

The last step, Comtemplatio, includes the aspect of prayer in surrendering the past, present, and future to God in light of the passage that was read. Through prayer the reader also should ask that the Lord would continue His transforming work in his life, and then thank God for all He has done and continues to do.[8]

In conclusion, these five steps pointed me back to the meaning of my personal devotions—that of time

alone with God through reading and prayer. In choosing the passage from Psalm 62, I was reminded of God’s eternal character. He is our rock and our salvation and our fortress. Our hope rests in Him alone. Our glory comes from Him being our one refuge. It is in the needed silence that we learn to trust in Him. He desires our prayers and He is pleased to answer them in His timing and His way for His glory and our good. Through these verses, God instructs us to entrust our life to Him and to render to Him the cries of our heart, because He will be a refuge for us. He has promised that, and because of that promise we can remain unshaken and steadfast in our hope.

---

[1] J. Scott Duvall and J. Daniel Hays, Grasping God's Word (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2012), 231. /12.2.

[2] Ibid.

[3] Ibid., 230./12.2.

[4] Ibid., 231./12.2.

[5] Ibid.

[6] Ibid.

[7] Ibid.

[8] Ibid.

Sufficient Grace

And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

2 Corinthians 12:9

Sometimes our human nature is more than we can handle. We wrestle with sin again and again, and it becomes discouraging. We’re tempted to give up. The struggle is often consistently intense, and we long for just a moment of relief, but it does not come. Our weakness, our infirmities, our sinfulness is constant. We cry out to God to remove the pain from our hearts and minds, but He says “no”.

It’s not an empty “no”, however. He says “No. BUT I give you My sufficient grace to walk through your life with it. My sufficient grace is that which picks you up when you keep letting Me down. My sufficient grace is that which abounds in forgiveness each time you fall short of My glory. I promise that as long as you’re seeking My face, I will pour out my sufficient grace on you. I will give you an increased hatred for sin, so you will continually pursue after righteousness. You must share in My Son’s sufferings, for He was tempted like as you are, but My sufficient grace will make it possible for you.”

It is in weakness that Christ’s sufficient strength is made known. We cannot know the heights of His strength until we understand the deepness of our weakness. Only then will we glory in our struggles, temptations, trials, pain, and infirmities. We will glory because we know that through our sinful nature, Christ is increasingly magnified. It takes darkness to show forth the brightness of light, and when Jesus is held up to our sinfulness, we see Him in all His glory. His power rests upon us, giving our hearts and minds the strength of His sufficient grace.

No Condemnation

An excerpt from a devotional series I wrote two years ago.

There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh,

but after the Spirit.

Romans 8:1

Even though the law condemns us as guilty, the flesh serves the law of sin, and Satan attempts to throw our righteousness back in our faces—we have been redeemed from eternal damnation. The law has been fulfilled, and in Christ, we are free from the bondage of that law. Once in Christ we are no longer slaves to the flesh or to the Devil, but children of the Spirit. We are warring against principalities and powers of darkness, but the Spirit of freedom will guides us and teaches us as we abide in Christ. We are sinners, and we live in a sin-cursed world, but we are not of the world, but of Christ. And because our lives are hidden in Christ, there is no condemnation. Our sins have been as far removed as east is from west and buried in the depths of the sea. There is no remembering of them, for your name is in the Lamb’s book of life.

There is no judgment for wrong, for our lives were purchased and our sin was atoned for by the ultimate sacrifice. There are no arguments the devil can use against us. Condemnation is reserved for the unrighteous. The moment the Innocent Substitute died, the temple curtain was torn in two: no

longer was a priest needed to intercede for the people. As His redeemed, we come boldly to the throne of grace to find mercy. When the devil haunts you with your past, discourages you with the present, and threatens you with the unknown future, then you will face him and say “My condemnation has been removed. The One who paid the ultimate sacrifice will mete out justice fairly. I have nothing to fear. I am in Christ Jesus!”

At the Close of 2015...

This has been my theme verse for the year of 2015, and as the days of this year draw to a close, I find myself still reminded of it.

The believer's life is sure to bring joys and trials, but there is a promise that once we are in Christ, we are secure in him. Nothing can move us from the Father's love, the Son's protection, or the Holy Spirit's guidance. Christ Jesus has made me His own, and nothing can separate me from the love of God. It's not because we've obtained spiritual maturity or because we're perfect. We continue on in working out our own salvation because it's God who works in us and because Christ Jesus has made us His own. A people of his possession, the chosen ones, sent to live Jesus to the world and share His love to other believers.

I've been reading through all four Gospels as part of my reading plan, and I've almost finished John. John 14-17 especially have been some of my most favorite chapters in the Gospels. Jesus talks with His disciples shortly before He will be arrested and He provides them with the comfort and teaching they need in that moment. They don't understand it all until His ascension, but because the words were penned for us also, we, as the 21 century believers, benefit from it today.

We were made the possession of Jesus when He purchased our ransom by paying for our sins on the cross.

And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross. He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him. (Colossians 2:13-15, ESV)

He chose to remove the legal record against us, and not only did he just satisfy the requirement for a perfect blood sacrifice, but He also gloried and triumphed in it. He was pleased to do it. He set aside the majesty to heaven to be born, to die, and to rise again for the people He created. Our past, present, and future is nailed to the cross with Him. That's why we are in Him--He made us His own.

We are now citizens of a new country, a heavenly one, and we await a Savior, who, though is tarrying long in His return, will come again for He has promised. We're not of this world anymore. Scripture commands us to forsake the world and its desires and walk worthy of the Lord. We're saints saved by His grace through faith in Christ Jesus for His glory. Our life is hidden with Christ in God, and when our Life appears, we also will appear with Him in glory.

2015 gave us another year to walk as saints of God's kingdom. Perhaps we did, but in many ways we probably did not. Lord willing, 2016 will give us another year and through its challenges and blessings, we will be offered another season of spiritual growth to use for Christ. Let us not grow weary or fall by the wayside, but let us have courage to do what God has called us to. Not because we've obtained anything in and of ourselves, but because we forget what lies behind and we strain forward into what lies ahead. Let us press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. May our work for the Savior keep us humble but confident, weak but strong, patient but waiting. And wherever He calls us to go may we know that our time spent for God is not in vain, for it is done in the power of Jesus Christ. We are more than just conquerors. We're will reign with Christ as saints. Let us live like it. Let us thank Him for the days ahead in which we will be given opportunity to demonstrate our love for Him and for others.

Thank you all for your support and encouragement as friends and as readers of Facing the Waves. You are appreciated. May God go with you all and may you know His peace, comfort, and love in the days to come.

A Prophet Without Honor

Mark is the shortest Gospel chapter-wise, and I finished reading through it yesterday and today. But before I got to Mark, I read through Matthew. Jesus visits His home town, Nazareth, and is rejected by His own people. They take offense at what He says and are astonished at his teaching. And Jesus says this, "A prophet is not without honor except in his hometown and in his own household."

But He didn't just meet resistance and unbelief in Nazareth, for many people, homes, and towns refused to acknowledge who He really was. And as I read through Mark with that quote in mind, many of the accounts of Jesus ministry stood out to me as the Israelites rejected Him. He truly was a Man without apparent honor. He came to earth in a way that seemed dishonorable, and He died in earthly humiliation.

Perhaps the most forceful resistance came from the Pharisees, as they were the ones who ultimately rejected Christ and crucified Him. In Mark the scribes question Jesus' motives for healing the paralyzed man, and the scribes and Pharisees doubt Jesus when He goes to eat with the sinners and tax collectors. They accuse Jesus and his disciples of unlawful activity when they eat corn on the Sabbath, and they watch Christ to hope to accuse Him when He heals a man on the Sabbath. Other people beg Jesus to leave after he frees a man from the hold of demons. The Pharsees critisize Jesus disciples for not following man-made traditions, and though many are astonished by His teaching, their hearts are hardened to the truth. Those He ministers to can't decide if He's the resurrected John the Baptist, Elijah, or another of the prophets. And those who are so close to the truth turn away because it could cost them their material possessions.  His disciples consist of a bunch of men who don't understand His teaching and who fight for greatness among themselves. Men who betray and deny Him. And who leave His side at the moment they are needed most, even though they pledged their loyalty to Him. His forerunner, John the Baptist, is killed because of Herod's foolish oath. The most religious men of the time continue to defy the heart of the Gospel by selling and buying in His holy temple, and Jesus drives them out. He weeps when a friend dies and also when He looks out over the city He would have welcomed into His arms, but they would not believe. His brothers and sisters don't even believe in Him. He's captured by the people He will die to save. He's betrayed by one who had first-hand experience in the the love of the Son. He's denied by the man who proclaimed Him to be the Messiah. A ruler condemns Christ to death in order to please the Jewish leaders. He's dressed up in a robe and mocked. He's bears the curse of sin as He hangs on a cross. He's forsaken of God.

He was despised and rejected by men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief; and as one from whom mend hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not. He was oppressed, and he was afflicted...[he] was numbered with the transgressors; yet he bore the sin of many. 

(Isaiah 53:3, 7, 12) 

But the Son of Man who endured so much dishonor from His own creation, received complete and lasting honor when He was taken up into glory and seated at the right hand of the Father. His dishonor here was finished, and He now shares in the majesty of God. 

But there were some who honored the Lord and loved Him. There were the disciples that, for all their unloveliness, did follow Him in His ministry and carried on His message. There were those in the crowds who gave glory to God when they saw the sick healed. Two of His brothers write of Christ and are included in our Canon today. The wind and the sea honor and obey Him when He commands them to be still. The woman whose great faith prompts her to just touch Jesus clothing in order to be healed. The disciple that Jesus loved. The Syropheonician woman's faith. The disciple to whom it is revealed that Jesus is the Christ. The father who says "I believe; help my unbelief!" The blind man who receives sight and follows Jesus. The widow who probably didn't even know that Jesus was watching her give all that she had.  Mary who anoints Christ's feet in silent worship. And the women who loved Him enough to watch His death and then prepare His body for burial. And the disciple who admits "My Lord, and my God!"

The Prophet who came with a message for His own people was ultimately rejected. And though He was without honor in His home, He isn't anymore--that's why we have salvation. And so, too, it is with us. Jesus' followers were all without honor in their living and dying here on earth, but they were received into glory, and the shame of a temporary life compares nothing to the glory which shall come.

But we see him who for a little while was made lower than the angels, namely Jesus, crowned with glory and honor because of the suffering of death, so that by grace of God he might taste death for everyone. For it was fitting that he, for whom and by whom all things exist, in bringing many sons to glory, should make the founder of their salvation perfect through suffering. For he who sanctifies and those who are sanctified all have one source.

Hebrews 2:9-11a

Friendship: David and Jonathan

This week I was reading through 1st and 2nd Samuel for my personal devotions. Most of us are very familiar with the story and friendship of David and Jonathan, and I think sometimes we forget what real friendships are in today's take-it-or-leave-it culture. People place value in others that isn't returned, or they don't return the value of those who love them. But it was not so with David and Jonathan.

These two men made a covenant with each other. The Bible says "the soul of Jonathan was knit to the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul". David has his own amazing life story, and he has always been my favorite Bible character, but Jonathan's loyalty to David is almost unbelievable. As the son of King Saul, Jonathan would have been expected to succeed his father, but he not only recognizes David as the next in line for the throne, but Jonathan also gives his loyalty and friendship to him. And David returns it, too. Jonathan realizes that God has chosen David as the king after Saul, and he gives his allegiance to David. He gave up his own plans to God, and submitted and embraced the fact that David would be king because God chose him to be.

And even though Jonathan didn't live very long to live out his side of their covenant, he was faithful in what he could do. And when he died, David faithfully carried out his end of the covenant even to the descendents of Jonathan. He doesn't just give his loyalty to Jonathan, the king's son (the king who wanted to kill David), but he also remembers his promise and provides for Mephibosheth--Jonathan's crippled son--and possibly other family members and servants of Jonathan, as well.

And so these two were a good reminder again this week on some of the aspects of friendship: loyalty, sacrifice, love, allegiance. Jonathan didn't give up on David just because his father wanted to kill him. He didn't desert David when David had to flee from Saul. And David didn't forget his promise to Jonathan even when Jonathan was gone.

I read a quote by Matt Chandler on social media a few days ago...

Love says, "I've seen the ugly parts of you, and I'm staying." 

David and Jonathan weren't perfect, but I think they understood the meaning of friendship pretty well for the short time they were together. And I think this is just one of the many friendship examples that God gave us, so that we would learn how to be loyal to the friendship around us. Even Jesus called His disciples friends, for He was truly the Friend of Sinners.

A Life of Faith

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

Hebrews 11:1

Faith is intangible. You can’t touch it. You can’t see it. Sometimes you can’t even feel it. But faith holds to something. And now abideth faith, hope, love, these three. Faith holds on to hope. You hope for something because you love it, because you want it and desire it. The three are intertwined and cannot be separated. Love holds the three together, but faith cannot be faith without something to hope in.

Abraham went out from his homeland, not knowing where he went, but he hoped in the One who had guided him that far and Who had promised him descendants as numerous as the sand and stars. For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God. (Hebrews 11:10)

Sarah, the wife of Abraham--though one who laughed at the thought of bearing a child when she was past age--she hoped in God because she judged him faithful who had promised. (Hebrews 11:11) And from her son came the nation of Israel, and later the promised Messiah.

Noah "moved with fear" built an ark because He had faith in the God who said He would flood the entire earth.

These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. (Hebrews 11:13)

Faith is believing in the existence and presence of something you want. Something that is not yet here, but you see it in the future and you press towards it with all your might. You believe that it available even if that something isn’t yours, yet. Faith is grasping at what you don’t have, but clinging to each little piece of evidence, even if you can’t have the whole of it. Abraham never saw all the descendants that the Lord promised him, though he did see some. He was considered righteous for having faith in that which seemed impossible. He didn't give way to unbelief, but was strong in faith, giving glory to God; And being fully persuaded that, what he [God] had promised, he was able also to perform.  (Romans 4:20b-21) Sometimes that kind of faith means against hope yet still believing in hope.

Faith is the sheer determination to believe in what you hope for, what you love. The Lord gives the righteous their desires of their heart, and those are the desires you hold fiercely to and love. They are desires you would loathe to give up and that you wrestle in prayer for, yet He does not grant them immediately. Some desires are never fulfilled, yet we know what it is to have faith in them. David's heart's desire was to build a temple for God, but it was not his hope that would be fulfilled, for Solomon would build it. Moses never entered the Promised Land. Faith doesn’t seek out just what is tangible, for then it would never be satisfied. Faith hopes in the unseen and invisible—the future. While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal. (2 Corinthians 4:18) It clings to promises, desires, and hopes, and does not easily let go. And our hope is ultimately in an unseen victory, and unseen God, and unseen Paradise, all of which show themselves in part, but will only be manifest completely in glory.

In the words of James MacDonald:

God is at work. He assures me of His presence till the promises are fulfilled. I know you may be painfully waiting on God for some promises He's made....Listen, He's working....Stop looking at what you see, and walk by faith in God. He is at work, even when I'm not seeing it.

For it is by faith that you stand. A faith that's yielded in its hope in God. A courageous faith that is on its knees with lifted hands.

Allow your trials, sufferings, and challenges to strengthen your faith and increase your hope in the Lord. Do not grow weary in well doing, even if you don’t see your faith fulfilled, for His sanctification is for your good and His glory, and He will never withhold that which is best for you.

A Look Back at 2013

 

                                                    “Delight yourself also in the LORD,
                                                    and He shall give you the desires of
                                                             your heart”. Psalm 37:4

This is supposed to be the end-of-the-year post from me this time, and though we are already 18 days into the new year, I'm still going to write about 2013. I don't want to go into 2013 history and retell all the things that happened (or didn't happen as I had hoped); and this is because 2013 was probably one of the less rewarding years that I can remember. I became excited that 2014 was just around the bend and thought about all the great possibilities that it might offer. Because it's a fresh start to a new year! Also, you can check out my blog post here: Anna's Insights to find out what my big news update is for this year.

I would say that the brightest spot for me in 2013 was being able to purchase my reining horse, whom I enjoy very much. A lot of people need their “get-away-s”. Some go on vacation, some bury their heads in books, some go fishing, and some, like myself, go play with their animals. In 2013, I needed a lot of that “out” from all that was going on around me. It was indeed a challenging year that I would like very much to forget. As some—or perhaps most of you know—my Grandpa went to be with the Lord in October. We were all glad that he wasn't/isn't in pain any longer, but the occasion caused many negative repercussions in the family.

Perhaps, 2013 was less than desirable for you, too. But today is the day that the Lord has made (Psalm 118:24). God has granted us to see the start of yet another year. How we respond to the challenges is up to us, but be assured that He will never leave you nor forsake you (Deut. 31:6). God's not finished with you yet and 2014 is another chapter in your life. Circumstances, good and bad, are written in most of the chapters. How should we respond them? “Commit your way to the LORD, trust also in Him, and He shall bring it to pass” Psalm 37:5. Commit this day to Him and let Him lead you by the hand. God was alive and well before time began (He was), He is still alive and well in today's, mixed up society (He is), and He will one day come back for His saints and purge this wicked world (He is to come)!

If we will only draw near to God, He will draw near to us (James 4:8). When we commit our time and energy, our thoughts and our lives to Christ, He will never forsake us. For we are His children and God never forsakes His own (Psalm 94:14).

We only have this moment to make a difference, for we are not guaranteed the next moment, hour, nor day. We cannot belong to Satan and belong to God. Riding the fence or turning to God only in our desperate hour is not the right kind of relationship we should have with Him. If we only call out to God when we feel lost and hopeless, we cannot expect an answer! God is a jealous God and He wants our devotion on a moment to moment basis; not problem to problem. God shows us where we are wrong when we truly repent and admit that we are sinners. And when we partake of communion, we remember what Christ did when He shed His blood for us on the cross. Any man who eats and drinks, but does not belong to God, is only eating and drinking judgement on himself (1 Cor. 11:29). And God promises that if we come to Him, repent, and turn from our evil ways, He will wash those sins away (1 John 1:9).

If you have not yet committed yourself to the Lord, I urge you to talk with your parents, your pastor, or another family member. If you already have, my prayer is that you will walk closer than ever with Him this new year. If you want a resolution this year, don't just be convinced that it's important to trust God with every part of your life: be convicted. God's got great plans for you, friend! You have nothing to “fear, only trust and obey.”

“When we walk with the Lord
In the light of His Word,
What a glory He sheds on our way;
While we do His good will,
He abides with us still,
And with all who will trust and obey.

“Trust and obey,
For there’s no other way
To be happy in Jesus,
But to trust and obey.”

God bless,

Julianna

P.S. Just to let our friends who aren't on Google+ know, Kaleigh and I have made our 2014 video, so please be sure to check that out on our “About Us” page.

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

Trust?

And they that know thy name 

will put their trust in thee: 

for thou, Lord, 

hast not forsaken them that seek thee. 

Psalm 9:10

On my last coaching call Friday, my coach asked me a spontaneous question: "What have you been learning spiritually in the last couple months?" In theory, it wasn't that difficult of a question. However, I had to gather up everything from the past few months into one concise idea, and my answer came out something like this: "This may sound somewhat cliche, but I have been really learning to trust God." My coach reminded me that it was not cliche, because--no matter who we are or what our life is like--we all struggle to trust God at some time in our life. 

I don't think the difficulty lies in actually trusting God to work out our circumstances, but rather, our finite minds cannot comprehend how or why He will do what He says. God is so much bigger than we are, and just placing all we have into the hands of One is daunting. We'd rather control what happens, why it happens, and how it happens, but we can't do that if we leave it all with God. Giving everything to Him means that we stop trying to change and work things out in our own timing, but instead, surrendering it completely to Him. It's putting it down at the foot of the cross...and leaving it there, not picking it up again to ponder over the "why?" of it all. 

The Merriam-Webster dictionary defined trust as " assured reliance on the character, ability, strength, or truth of someone or something". To have confidence in the character, ability, strength, and truth of God. 

God's character...

"God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good?" (Numbers 23:19)

"...Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee." (Jeremiah 31:1)  

"Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it." (1 Thessalonians 5:24)

God's ability...

"Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think according to the power that worketh in us, 

Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen." (Ephesians 3:20-21)

"For this God is our God for ever and ever: he will be our guide even unto death." (Psalm 48:14)

"And he changeth the times and seasons: he removeth kings, and setteth up kings: he giveth wisdom unto the wise, and knowledge to them that know understanding." (Daniel 2:21

God's strength...

"Is not my word like as a fire? saith the Lord; ;and like a hammer that breaketh the rock in pieces?" (Jeremiah 23:29)

"Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid: for the Lord Jehovah is my strength and my song; he also is become my salvation." (Isaiah 12:2)

"And the Lord shall help them, and deliver them: he shall deliver them from the wicked, and save them, because they trust in him." (Psalm 37:40)

God's truth...

"Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me." (John 14:6)

"And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." (John 8:32)

"Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth:" (John 16:13)

Can we have confidence in the character, ability, strength, and truth of God? Absolutely. He will be glorified in our weakness as we rely on His power. So trust Him. "Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and learn not unto thine own understanding. It all thy ways acknowledge him and he shall direct thy paths." (Proverbs 3:5-6) It's easier said than done in most cases, but it's a command. 

...when you have no answers; trust in the Lord. 

...when you're emotionally and mentally worn out; trust in the Lord. 

...when your future is uncertain; trust in the Lord. 

...when you cannot see the beginning or end; trust in the Lord. 

...when He rewards you with unexpected blessings; trust in the Lord. 

...when relationships fail; trust in the Lord. 

...when God answers unspoken requests in unimaginable ways; trust in the Lord. 

...when going through deep valleys; trust in the Lord. 

...when the mountaintop is reached; trust in the Lord. 

And He will direct your paths.  He cannot lie. He is faithful and will do as He has promised. 

"Trust ye in the Lord for ever: for in the Lord Jehovah is everlasting strength." (Isaiah 26:4)

In Him,

Kaleigh 

At the Close of 2012...

Yes, it is the end of another year. Did you all really think the world was going to end on the 21st? (Just kidding.:D) Another year in which I saw great blessings. A year where I accomplished most of my 2012 goals. And a year in which I learned much (again).

Every year when I take the time to look back on the past, I am always amazed how much we can fit into 365 days. All the activities, social events, demands, requirements, schedules, family time, friend get-togethers, studies, commitments...really it's remarkable sometimes.

I saw the providence of God and the faithfulness of people again this year. I am currently writing out a newsletter of this year's activities, and it was amazing to see our Savior's hand in it all. He provided for our family when my dad's work slowed. He gave me the endurance to complete my music exams and graduate high school. I walked the oral surgeon's halls in His strength when I went to get my wisdom teeth out. I saw His hand in the events and decisions leading up to my degree consultation. When all seemed hopeless, I received His hope.

It was a challenging year; one that I would not push the rewind button on. However, I can look back now and I am grateful for what it taught me. Perhaps some of you remember the post I wrote back in March entitled He's Been There. All of those events are now past, and I can see that He truly was there and has been all along--just as He had promised. He is faithful.

I look forward to 2013, not because it will have no challenges to overcome, but because I can go forward in the strength of Christ. 2013 will be another year of challenges and blessings, but, Lord willing, it will be another that draws me closer to Him.

Anna and I have loved receiving and reading all your comments over the year. It has been a blessing to write for you all, and it has been an encouragement to us in the process. We hope that you will be encouraged through our next year of blogging. May you go forward into this new year "being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Jesus Christ." Live each and every day as though He were returning in the next moment. Enter His plans for you striving to do all to bring glory to Him. Don't give up; keep going. "Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart." (Psalm 37:4) And remember that "the One who gave the vision still calls, and what God calls us to do, He gives the strength to accomplish".

Deuternomy 31:8 (NIV 2011)
The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. 

John 16:33 (KJV)
These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world. 

Mark 4:37-41
And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full.
And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish? 
And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.
And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith?
And they feared exceedingly, and said one to another, What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?

I can face the waves, for I trust the One who made the ocean. 

Your sister in Christ,
Kaleigh
(and Julianna)

His Hope!

[After I wrote this post, my pastor gave a sermon on Sunday night about this exact topic. It was very refreshing and I'd encourage you all to listen to it as well. http://sermons.gbccv.org/?sermon_id=1159 God bless.]

"...But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have?" (Romans 8:24b)

I think I can safely say that everyone at some point in time has struggled with hope. Hope is not something we can handle, and we as finite human beings tend to have more faith when we can see or touch something. Hope often means waiting--waiting for something that we cannot see or cannot have...yet. In other words we are trusting that something will happen even if we have no clear evidence. Hope comes in different levels and forms. A four year old may hope for a certain gift. A twelve year old may hope to attend a birthday party with friends. A seventeen year old hopes to finish high school soon. A twenty-three year old hopes to find a job and get married. A forty year old hopes to see his grandchildren. It goes on and on...

"For you have been my hope, Sovereign Lord, my confidence since my youth." (Ps.71:5)

"...God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory." (Col.1:27)

What is our hope? Our hope is God. Our hope is in God. When all circumstances seem to be failing, when all possibilities are ruled out, when there is absolutely no reason to keep going, when there is nothing left but us and God, then we will see where our hope is. If it is in man, situations, money, or anything else, then our life will crumble. Man is fallible. Those we love will let you down--no matter how hard we try to ignore it--they will. Our complete hope cannot rest in man. Situations change all the time. They may be comfortable one moment and intensely emotional another moment. They will change frequently and shatter normality. Money is never certain. Economies fluctuate and banks change. We cannot think that money will give us hope when we need it. Whatever else you may hope in will let you down. In a depraved world nothing can remain the same at all times. A hope in God is a hope that never disappoints.

Our hope is God, and only God.  He is the only One who will never leave us--even when family and friends have left. He is the only One who can give true strength--even when our strength has ceased. He is the only One who be our Giver--even when all financial aid is gone. Our hope must be in God. If it isn't, our life will be nothing. We will have no hope of salvation, eternal life, or security in this world. If we can trust God for our salvation, why can't we hope in Him for the rest of our needs? His hope will never let us down--never in this life, and never in the next, either.

"Through him you believe in God, who raise him from the dead and glorified him, and so your faith and hope are in God." (1 Peter 1:21)

We can take hold of hope by trusting in God and by following where He leads even when we can't see the pathway ahead of us, and even when all the world is against us. To rest in His promises and daily surrender to His will is when we will embrace hope. It requires endurance during a waiting season. God doesn't call us to wait and hope in Him if He will not fulfill His promises. "We want each of you to show this same diligence to the very end, so that what you hope for may be fully realized." (Hebrews 6:11) Our hoping in Him does not go unnoticed, but we will need diligence in our daily tasks and perseverance to keep going when there is no other hope but God.  He will reward our patience. "So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded." (Hebrews 10:35) Be like Abraham who "when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going...And so from this one man, and he as good as dead, came descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as countless as the sand on the seashore." (Heb.11:8, 12) He had hope in an unchanging God, and God never, ever, once let him down. 

Don't give up. Hope in the Lord and He will renew your strength. His mercies are new every morning. Don't rely on yourself. "If you put your hope in the sovereign grace and power of God and not in your own strength, or in the approval of others or in money or in fleeting pleasures or in status, then when the limelight shifts off your ministry and your life, and the praise of man is gone, and the glamour of self-denial evaporates and all the supports of men crumble, then you SHALL endure—with the endurance of hope." (John Piper) 

“We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain, where our forerunner, Jesus, has entered on our behalf. He has become a high priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek.” (Hebrews 6:19-20)

We have a hope that is sure and steadfast. It will not fail. Ever. Though our hope may fail daily, His hope will never cease to give us grace and strength. He will give us the grace to see anything through. Our faith and hope must be in the One who calls and our confidence in doing what He lays before us. The results are in His hands because our tasks are beyond our strength. We do not choose to battle, but it is come. And we can have hope, because the outcome of all our battles is victory. We serve a risen Savior—a Victorious Savior!

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” (Romans 15:13)

Sometimes we go through trials

That are so hard to bear

We lift our face toward heaven

“God are you really there?”

I’ve asked that same question

And I’ve been down that road.

Looking back I now can tell you

He’s always let me know:

There is hope so hold on;

There is hope.

God has sent me here to tell you

There is hope.

And He knows just what you’re going through

And what the future holds.

As long as Jesus lives

There is hope.

In Christ,

Kaleigh

Give Thanks!

Last Monday was Thanksgiving Day for Canadians. Many people envision turkey, pumpkin pie and whipped cream, family and friends, a table loaded with food, or maybe certain colors and smells. Regardless of what traditions or practices people hold during that holiday, thanksgiving is a Biblical command. It is a command Jesus, Paul, David, Daniel, and so many others have modeled for us.

Matthew 15:36
And he took the seven loaves and the fishes, and gave thanks...

Ephesians 1:15-16
Wherefore I also...Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers. 

1 Chronicles 16:34
O give thanks unto the Lord; for he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever.

But...

This isn't a conditional command, though. Many people have no problem being grateful when life is great, but this is a command that is to apply to all circumstances. To the good and the bad; the happy and the sad; the easy and the difficult; the simple and confusing.

Ephesians 5:20
Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Giving thanks will not be always be an voluntary action for each wonderful occurrence in our lives. Certainly, we will praise God for those joyful times as well (Easy for me to say, right? After passing three tests in two days... :P;), but sometimes thankfulness will be a choice--not just a feeling. It will require an act of your will to give thanks for everything.

Thanksgiving is not an option. God didn't say...
"Give thanks when...
...your bills are all paid."
...you're passing all your tests."
...relationships are perfect."
...the sun is shining."
...friends are all in agreement."

But He did say...
"Giv[e] thanks always for all things."

I think praise and thanksgiving are related in many ways. Yes, we may praise God and not necessarily thank Him, and we can express thanksgiving without praise, but I think when we are truly thankful, our hearts will automatically praise God as well. Praise will naturally flow from a heart that realizes Who God really is and what He has done for us, and when we realize that, why would we not praise Him? 

Jesus prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane thanking God for His disciples--some of whom who would shortly betray and deny Him. Paul (and Silas) sang praises to God in the middle of a dungeon--their backs torn from the beatings they received. David continually praised God in the Psalms, even through some of the most difficult circumstances in his life. Daniel--the man committed to prayer even in the face of adversity--praised God when He revealed the king's dream to him. These men chose to praise God through the easy and the hard times.

Think about it: how could we not praise Him? Even in the most hopeless and stressful situations, He was always there: He never left us. Let's praise Him for His faithfulness. In the lonely stages of life, when friends have gone, He always stayed close. Let's praise Him for His love. When uncertainty and worry fills our minds, He is waiting on the other side--watching us walk by faith through the path He has created. Let's praise Him for never-ending care.

Fanny Crosby's second verse of "Praise Him! Praise Him" says it well:

Praise Him! Praise Him! Jesus, our blessed Redeemer!
For our sins He suffered, and bled and died;
He, our Rock, our hope of eternal salvation,
Hail Him! Hail Him! Jesus the Crucified!
Sound His praises! Jesus who bore our sorrows;
Love unbounded, wonderful, deep and strong;
Praise Him! Praise Him! tell of His excellent greatness;
Praise Him! Praise Him ever in joyful song!

How will you show your gratefulness to Him today? What will you praise Him for this week?

Psalm 100:4
Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.

Blessings,
Kaleigh

His Reasons!

Person: I don’t even know why it has to be like this.

Me: It’s for a reason.

Person: Yeah, what reason?

I have a bad habit of replaying my conversations with people. I think through them, analyze thoughts and motives, and realize what could have been said (or added) instead. I do it all the time, and these lines from a conversation these past two weeks are no exception.

I know now how I could have answered that question. I didn’t then. I’m not an “on-the-spot” answer-giver. I like to think through my answers (especially long ones), and sometimes by the time I do that people are onto something else.  I didn’t know what to say in answer to “what reason?”, and they didn’t expect me to. It was more of a rhetorical question.

As I was thinking about how to write this week’s posts, I came across some of my quotes that I have collected over the past couple years from people, blogs, sermons, or anywhere I find them. Many of them speak on this subject, and I will do my best to incorporate them here.

Why are things the way they are? In your home, at work, in society. There are many reasons perhaps, but this one I know: it is for our growth and strengthening of character.  Each circumstance and situation God places in our lives is for our maturing of character. Because His thoughts are not our thoughts, we may not immediately see His plans, but often times later in life we can look back and view the whole story as one who has been carried through it. Our growth is what God desires of us, and like precious metals in the fire, we cannot be purged of impurities until we have passed through the fire. We don’t often understand reasons for each trial, but we can remember the past and see that God did carry us. He never forsook His children, and when they needed Him most He was already there. “The blow at the outward man may be the greatest blessing to the inner man”: the maturing of our character.  God’s reasons always have a purpose; He does not call us to futility.

Sometimes God calls us to a seemingly impossible task. A task we could not accomplish in our own strength. That is when we realize that we need Him most, because “the task ahead of us is never as great as the Power behind us”. It is through His strength, and only His strength that we accomplish His calling and purpose. His power enables us to live for Him, to complete His tasks, and to shine our light in a dark world in every situation. Sometimes we feel like giving up because it’s so hard. But “when one must be forsaken, let not that one be Christ”; give up yourself, rather than leaving the One who gives you true strength. With Christ, the only way to fail is to quit, so don’t give up, because what God calls us to do, He will give the strength to accomplish. “When we are weakest, He is strongest—and when we step far out of our comfort zones, we step right into the comfort of Christ.” Whatever impossible obstacle God places in our journey, He will also provide a way over it—your good work will be rewarded either here or when you see Jesus face to face. One of God’s reason for each and every situation we face is to show His power—not ours—in our helplessness.

The wise will use the events God gives us as instruments in our life, to advance His character in our lives. Taking advantage of each difficulty and seeing how we can grow from it will mold us constantly to His image. God doesn’t give us impossible tasks, trials, or temptations. In each one, He has provided a way of escape, promised His faithful care, and given us Christ’s strength. And when we come to the end of our weakness, and see that we can do nothing, then we will more fully understand that “in our weakness, He is strong.” “God doesn’t call the qualified: He qualifies the called.” He knows we aren’t perfect, but through His strength He can accomplish anything in us and we can still fulfill His will. His good work in an imperfect people will be perfectly completed when He comes for us. Don’t lose hope when everything seems to stand still, when it seems that God is not listening, when it seems like you’re going backwards and not forward—don’t let those waves wash away your hope. My dad said this to me not that long ago: “Dark clouds aren’t always bad. Sometimes they bring a little rain which is good for growth. It’s when it’s thundering and lightening that it can cause the damage. But usually there is always sunshine after a storm. …always hope for that: the sunshine.”  There is a reason. We cannot often see it, but when we pass through (yes, through; even if we are stuck in it for the present), we will see Christ waiting on the other side where He was all along, guiding us, sustaining us, and carrying us when we needed Him most.

His reasons? To show His strength. To further His purposes. To increase our likeness to Him. To demonstrate His power. To testify of His glory. To give us a hope and a future. It is all His, and no glory belongs to us.

Jude 1:24-25

To him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy—to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power, and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen. 

In Christ,

Kaleigh