"For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven and do not return there but water the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater,
so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it."
Isaiah 55:10-11
Today I find comfort by remembering that God's mighty hand is the one which will bring forth all of the details that he has mapped out for my life. It's easy to become discouraged when we have certan ideas that don't work out. But we can rest that no matter what, whatever it is that GOD plans, it will be accomplished. Thankful for peace and rest in the sovereignty of our Creator.
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
Monday, May 23, 2011
The Rainbow in the Clouds
The rainbow appears when we have most reason to fear the rain prevailing; God then shows this seal of the promise, that it shall not prevail. The thicker the cloud, the brighter the bow in the cloud. Thus, as threatening afflictions abound, encouraging consolations much more abound. The rainbow is the reflection of the beams of the sun shining upon or through the drops of rain: all the glory of the seals of the covenant are derived from Christ, the Sun of righteousness. And he will shed a glory on the tears of his saints.*
Yesterday evening while in Winamac (celebrating Alicia's completion of high school!), a huge storm came through. Several of us stood outside watching the storm brew and standing in the midst of it while it greeted us with its powerful presence. To experience things like this is a marvelous reminder of the power of God.
I saw a miraculous thing yesterday. It may mean little to my readers but to me it was momentous. I have been praying for a rainbow for some time. I have experienced a few since, and although they are all beautiful, I've never seen anything like this one in my life. I want to record this and share some photos.
I'm so thankful to serve and know the God of all creation, who creates such beautiful things and blesses us by allowing us to experience his beauty through them.
*Excerpt from commentary by Matthew Henry on Genesis 9:8-17.
Yesterday evening while in Winamac (celebrating Alicia's completion of high school!), a huge storm came through. Several of us stood outside watching the storm brew and standing in the midst of it while it greeted us with its powerful presence. To experience things like this is a marvelous reminder of the power of God.
I saw a miraculous thing yesterday. It may mean little to my readers but to me it was momentous. I have been praying for a rainbow for some time. I have experienced a few since, and although they are all beautiful, I've never seen anything like this one in my life. I want to record this and share some photos.
*Excerpt from commentary by Matthew Henry on Genesis 9:8-17.
Thursday, May 19, 2011
Do All in Jesus' Name
"And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him." Colossians 3:28
"Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men." Colossians 3:23
These verses (along with the rest of the teaching in chapter 3) have been continually brought to surface in my life lately. It is so easy for us to do deceive ourselves into thinking that things we say or do are for God but ultimately what it boils down to is our selfish pride. We attain goals or say things to "build others up" but it's often resulting from our own motiviation to receive something for ourselves - not for the sake of Christ.
This may seem like a simple point on the surface. Have you been able to unerringly apply this truth to your life? I know I most certainly am not able to do it on my own - nor do I claim to have come even close. Only through the power of the Spirit of God may we even come close to reaching this goal.
I don't bring this to you (nor do I usually bring anything that I share here), assuming it is something new or greater than anything else anyone else has said. No, I hope I never reach that point in my walk as pride is our greatest enemy. I share this to encourage others. To point others to Christ. And I hope if I am ever wrong or if others wish to share with me on my blog (or anywhere else for that matter), that they would speak up.
"Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men." Colossians 3:23
These verses (along with the rest of the teaching in chapter 3) have been continually brought to surface in my life lately. It is so easy for us to do deceive ourselves into thinking that things we say or do are for God but ultimately what it boils down to is our selfish pride. We attain goals or say things to "build others up" but it's often resulting from our own motiviation to receive something for ourselves - not for the sake of Christ.
This may seem like a simple point on the surface. Have you been able to unerringly apply this truth to your life? I know I most certainly am not able to do it on my own - nor do I claim to have come even close. Only through the power of the Spirit of God may we even come close to reaching this goal.
I don't bring this to you (nor do I usually bring anything that I share here), assuming it is something new or greater than anything else anyone else has said. No, I hope I never reach that point in my walk as pride is our greatest enemy. I share this to encourage others. To point others to Christ. And I hope if I am ever wrong or if others wish to share with me on my blog (or anywhere else for that matter), that they would speak up.
Friday, April 22, 2011
The Greatest Act of Mercy
"He was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities."
I listened to this this morning. I found myself extremely humbled as I heard in intricate detail the pains and agony that Christ went through in his final hours, bearing the sin that I so selfishly commit against him every day of my life, so that I may be forgiven. I'm so thankful today for the grace that I do not deserve on my own, but through Christ I am granted, because of the selfless life and act of sacrifice and love that he poured out for all of us, so that our cups may truly overflow.
"He drinks for hours. He downs every drop of the scalding liquid of God's own hatred of sin, mingled with his white hot wrath against that sin. This is the Father's cup. Omnipotent hatred and anger for the sins of every generation past present and future. Omnipotent wrath directed at one naked man hanging on a cross. The father can no longer look at his beloved Son. His heart's treasure, the mere image of Himself; and he looks away. Jesus pushes himself upward and howls to heaven, "My God, my God! Why have you forsaken me?" Silence. Separation. Jesus whispers, "I'm thirsty." And he sags. The merciful centurion soaks a spnoge in sour wine and lifts it on a reed to Jesus' lips, and the sour wine is the sweetest drink he ever tasted. Jesus pushed himself up again and he cries, "It is finished!" And it is. Every sin of every child of God has been laid on Jesus and he drank the cup of God's wrath dry.... "Father, into your hands I commit my spirit!" And he dies." (Quoted from audio)
The picture painted here is a breathtaking representation of true love and sacrifice.
So here's what I heard: The Father's Cup: A Crucifixion Narrative
"Thank you, Jesus, for loving us so much that you gave your life so that your children may be forever freed from the grips of eternal sin and death. Thank you for the forgivneess of sins that we now have as a result of the pains you bore on the cross. Please grant us grace to be more like you - to love selflessly and to truly desire to turn from our wicked sin. We know that each time we sin, it pains you deeply. Please help us to love you so much and hate our sin so much that we desperately want to please you, living every moment and taking captive every thought and action for you. Please help us through the power of your holy spirit to be strengthened with all power, according to Your glorious might. Amen."
I listened to this this morning. I found myself extremely humbled as I heard in intricate detail the pains and agony that Christ went through in his final hours, bearing the sin that I so selfishly commit against him every day of my life, so that I may be forgiven. I'm so thankful today for the grace that I do not deserve on my own, but through Christ I am granted, because of the selfless life and act of sacrifice and love that he poured out for all of us, so that our cups may truly overflow.
"He drinks for hours. He downs every drop of the scalding liquid of God's own hatred of sin, mingled with his white hot wrath against that sin. This is the Father's cup. Omnipotent hatred and anger for the sins of every generation past present and future. Omnipotent wrath directed at one naked man hanging on a cross. The father can no longer look at his beloved Son. His heart's treasure, the mere image of Himself; and he looks away. Jesus pushes himself upward and howls to heaven, "My God, my God! Why have you forsaken me?" Silence. Separation. Jesus whispers, "I'm thirsty." And he sags. The merciful centurion soaks a spnoge in sour wine and lifts it on a reed to Jesus' lips, and the sour wine is the sweetest drink he ever tasted. Jesus pushed himself up again and he cries, "It is finished!" And it is. Every sin of every child of God has been laid on Jesus and he drank the cup of God's wrath dry.... "Father, into your hands I commit my spirit!" And he dies." (Quoted from audio)
The picture painted here is a breathtaking representation of true love and sacrifice.
So here's what I heard: The Father's Cup: A Crucifixion Narrative
"Thank you, Jesus, for loving us so much that you gave your life so that your children may be forever freed from the grips of eternal sin and death. Thank you for the forgivneess of sins that we now have as a result of the pains you bore on the cross. Please grant us grace to be more like you - to love selflessly and to truly desire to turn from our wicked sin. We know that each time we sin, it pains you deeply. Please help us to love you so much and hate our sin so much that we desperately want to please you, living every moment and taking captive every thought and action for you. Please help us through the power of your holy spirit to be strengthened with all power, according to Your glorious might. Amen."
Thursday, April 7, 2011
Make It A Matter of Prayer
When you are weary in body and soul
Cumbered with many a care
When work is claiming its strength-taking toll
Make it a matter of prayer.
And when you're discouraged, distraught or dismayed
Sinking almost in despair
Remember there's One who will come to your aid,
If you'll make it a matter of prayer.
And when you are lost in this world's tangled maze
When life seems a hopeless affair
Direction will come for all of your ways
If you'll make it a matter of prayer.
- Unknown -
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Hearing the Voice of God!
In the below article, John Piper explains how he heard the voice of God one morning in 2007. He talks about how he knew what he heard was clearly the words of God and how he will never forget those words and the details about which they came to him.
Can you imagine?! Hearing words directly out of the mouth of God, the creater of all of the world?! The One in charge of EVERYTHING who holds your entire life and all of the rest of the universe in the palm of his almighty hand?! Speaking to you?!
You can!! Pray. Open your bible. Read. His words are throughout all of the pages! :)
The Morning I Heard the Voice of God by John Piper
Can you imagine?! Hearing words directly out of the mouth of God, the creater of all of the world?! The One in charge of EVERYTHING who holds your entire life and all of the rest of the universe in the palm of his almighty hand?! Speaking to you?!
You can!! Pray. Open your bible. Read. His words are throughout all of the pages! :)
The Morning I Heard the Voice of God by John Piper
Monday, March 14, 2011
Our Aim
"You who see my soul within,
You who know my unknown sin,
Through your holy eyes let me
Learn what sin is unto Thee.
Make me, Pure One, as you art,
Pure in mind and soul and heart;
Never satisfied with less
Than your perfect holiness."
You who know my unknown sin,
Through your holy eyes let me
Learn what sin is unto Thee.
Make me, Pure One, as you art,
Pure in mind and soul and heart;
Never satisfied with less
Than your perfect holiness."
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