love out loud

graduation

2009-05-17T17:37:00.002-05:00

I am officially a college graduate.

Preserve me, O God, for I take refuge in You.
I said to the LORD, “You are my Lord;
I have no good besides You.”
As for the saints who are in the earth,
They are the majestic ones in whom is all my delight.
The sorrows of those who have bartered for another god will be multiplied;
I shall not pour out their drink offerings of blood,
Nor will I take their names upon my lips.
The LORD is the portion of my inheritance and my cup;
You support my lot.
The lines have fallen to me in pleasant places;
Indeed, my heritage is beautiful to me.
I will bless the LORD who has counseled me;
Indeed, my mind instructs me in the night.
I have set the LORD continually before me;
Because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken.
Therefore my heart is glad and my glory rejoices;
My flesh also will dwell securely.
For You will not abandon my soul to Sheol;
Nor will You allow Your Holy One to undergo decay.
You will make known to me the path of life;
In Your presence is fullness of joy;
In Your right hand there are pleasures forever.

-Psalm 16

integrity

2009-05-14T17:01:00.002-05:00

"Biblical integrity is not just doing the right thing; it’s a matter of having the right heart and allowing the person you are on the inside to match the person you are on the outside. This is how God is. This is how his people should be."

"Perhaps a good word to think of is “consistency.” There must be consistency between what is inside and what is outside. God is totally consistent. His actions and behaviors always match his character and nature. And his goal for us is nothing less. Christ’s objective for his disciples is to make us disciplined people. In the words of John Ortberg, “Disciplined people can do the right thing at the right time in the right way for the right reason.” Just like God."

certain of God, uncertain in all else

2009-05-11T13:34:00.002-05:00

Lately I have been learning about how the only thing that is certain is that everything is uncertain... except for God. He never changes: His love, His character and His promises are always true and real. However, He is constantly surprising us. God is a creative and passionate God: we never know the things He has planned for us. My dear sister in Christ, Sarah, has some great thoughts about this subject at her blog as well.

The following is a devotional about the beautiful uncertainly of life from My Utmost for His Highest by Oswald Chambers. I appreciate his thoughts about how to embrace this gracious uncertainty.

Graciously Uncertain
by Oswald Chambers

Our natural inclination is to be so precise— trying always to forecast accurately what will happen next— that we look upon uncertainty as a bad thing. We think that we must reach some predetermined goal, but that is not the nature of the spiritual life. The nature of the spiritual life is that we are certain in our uncertainty. Consequently, we do not put down roots. Our common sense says, "Well, what if I were in that circumstance?" We cannot presume to see ourselves in any circumstance in which we have never been.

Certainty is the mark of the commonsense life— gracious uncertainty is the mark of the spiritual life. To be certain of God means that we are uncertain in all our ways, not knowing what tomorrow may bring. This is generally expressed with a sigh of sadness, but it should be an expression of breathless expectation. We are uncertain of the next step, but we are certain of God. As soon as we abandon ourselves to God and do the task He has placed closest to us, He begins to fill our lives with surprises. When we become simply a promoter or a defender of a particular belief, something within us dies. That is not believing God — it is only believing our belief about Him. Jesus said, ". . . unless you . . . become as little children . . ." (Matthew 18:3). The spiritual life is the life of a child. We are not uncertain of God, just uncertain of what He is going to do next.

If our certainty is only in our beliefs, we develop a sense of self-righteousness, become overly critical, and are limited by the view that our beliefs are complete and settled. But when we have the right relationship with God, life is full of spontaneous, joyful uncertainty and expectancy. Jesus said, ". . . believe also in Me" (John 14:1 ), not, "Believe certain things about Me". Leave everything to Him and it will be gloriously and graciously uncertain how He will come in— but you can be certain that He will come. Remain faithful to Him.

i'm sticking with you

2009-05-10T00:42:00.005-05:00

I heard a new song today on the radio (at least, it's new to me) and the lyrics caught my attention. "Sticking with You" by Addison Roads describes a friendship between believers and their commitment to one another. It reminded me so much of my relationships with my sisters in Christ.

Me and some of my closest sisters have committed ourselves to one another: we are loyal for life. No matter where God takes us throughout our lives, we are committed to our church body and to one another. I would do anything for these girls, and I know they would do the same. God has blessed our friendships so much and I am incredibly thankful for these beautiful girls. I don't know where I would be without them- God has used them so much in my life!

This song just made me so thankful for these women in my life. So often we take our friendships for granted and don't see what incredible blessings we have. I am so thankful for each and every one one of my brothers and sisters in our church body: God has used each of them in my life. Regardless of who they are, what age they are, where they are from, what they have been through, etc... I have learned from each of them.

"Sticking with You"
by Addison Roads

Come on, it's me you're talking to
There's something going on inside of you
Don't have to say it
But I wish you would
Cause it would be much easier
You always hide behind yourself
You walk a lonely road with no one's help
I hate to break the news
You're headed for a fall

And if I have to jump, then I'll jump
And I won't look down
You can cry, you can fight
You can scream and shout
I'll push and pull until your walls come down
And you understand I'm gonna be around
I'm sticking with you
Sticking with you

Even if you try and shut me out
I'm staying here, 'cause that's what love's about
I might let you down, but I won't let you go
So lean into me, I want to know
Everything about the fear you hold
Inside, cause you and I are better than just one

Chorus

That's what it means to love you
That's what it means to have your back
That's what it means to show you

Chorus

delivers us from all

2009-05-05T15:32:00.006-05:00

I sought the Lord and He answered me
and delivered me from all my fears.
-Psalm 34:4

When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears
and delivers them out of all their troubles.
-Psalm 34:17

Many are the afflictions of the righteous,
but the Lord delivers him out of them all.
-Psalm 34:19

What are your fears? What are your troubles? What are your afflictions? The same promise is reiterated through each of these verse: GOD DELIVERS.

No matter how big your fears are, God can deliver you from them. No matter how many troubles plague you, God can deliver you from them. No matter how many afflictions burden you, God can deliver you from them.

Each verse also says that God delivers us from it ALL. Each fear, each trouble each affliction. All of them. God is so good! He is mighty to save.

verse of the moment

2009-05-05T00:10:00.002-05:00

This I recall to mind,
Therefore I have hope.
The Lord's lovingkindnesses indeed never cease,
For His compassions never fail.
They are new every morning;
Great is Your faithfulness.
"The Lord is my portion," says my soul,
"Therefore I have hope in Him."

-Lamentations 3:21-24

i hope this breaks your heart

2009-04-14T11:33:00.002-05:00

That Hideous Doctrine

by John Thomas

That hideous doctrine of hell is fading. How often have you thought of it in the past month, for instance? Does it make a difference in your concern for others, in your wttness? Is it a constant and proper burden?

Most believers would have to say no. But the individual isn't the only one to blame. After all, the doctrine no longer gets its float in the church parade; it has become a museum piece at best stored in the shadows of a far comer.

The reality of hell, however, demands we haul the monstrous thing out again and study it until it changes us. Ugly, garish, and familiar as it is, this doctrine will indeed have a daily, practical, and personal effect on every believer who comes to terms with its force.

Our Lord's words on the subject are unnerving. In Luke 16, He tells us of a rich man who died and went to Hades (the abode of the unsaved dead betwean death and final judgment). From that story and a few other revelatory facts, we can infer several characteristics of hell.

First, it's a place of great physical pain. The rich man's initial remark concludes with his most pressing concern: "I am in agony in this flame" (Luke 16:24). We do not make enough of this.

We all have experienced pain to some degree. We know it can make a mockery of all life's goals and beauties. Yet we do not seem to know pain as a hint of hell, a searing foretaste of what we will be spared from.

God does not leave us with simply the mute fact of hell's physical pain. He tells us how real people will respond to that pain. Our Lord is not being macabre; He is simply telling us the truth.

First, there will be "weeping" (Luke 13:28). Weeping is not something we get a grip on; it is something that grips us.

Recall how you were affected when you last heard someone weep. Remember how you were moved with compassion to want to protect and restore that person? The Lord wants us to know and consider what an upsetting experience it is for the person in hell.

Another response will be "wailing" (Matt. 13:42). While weeping attracts our sympathy, wailing frightens and offends us. It is the pitiable bawl of a soul seeking escape, hurt beyond repair, eternally damaged. A wail is sound gone grotesque because of conclusions we can't live with.

A third response will be "gnashing of teeth" (Luke 13:28). Why? Perhaps because of anger or frustration. It may be a defense against crying out or an intense pause when one is too weary to cry any longer.

Hell has two other aspects, rarely considered, which are both curious and frightening. On earth we take for granted two physical properties that help keep us physically, mentally, and emotionally stable. The first is light; the second is solid fixed surfaces. Oddly, these two dependables will not accommodate those in hell.

Hell is a place of darkness (Matt. 8:12). Imagine the person who has just entered hell--a neighbor, relative, co-worker, friend. After a roar of physical pain blasts him, he spends his first moments wailing and gnashing his teeth. But after a season, he grows accustomed to the pain, not that it's become tolerable, but that his capacity for it has enlarged to comprehend it, yet not be consumed by it. Though he hurts, he is now able to think, and he instinctively looks about him. But as he looks, he sees only blackness.

In his past life he learned that if he looked long enough, a glow of light somewhere would yield definition to his surroundings So he blinks and strains to focus his eyes, but his efforts yield only blackness. He turns and strains his eyes in another direction. He waits. He sees nothing but unyielding black ink. It clings to him, smothering and oppressing him.

Realizing that the darkness is not going to give way, he nervousiy begins to feel for something solid to get his bearings. He reaches for walls or rocks or trees or chairs; he stretches his legs to feel the ground and touches nothing.

Hell is a "bottomless pit" (Rev. 20:1, 2 KJV); however, the new occupant is slow to learn. In growing panic, he kicks his feet and waves his arms. He stretches and he lunges. But he finds nothing. After more feverish tries, he pauses from exhaustion, suspended in black. Suddenly, with a scream he kicks, twists, and lunges until he is again too exhausted to move.

He hangs there, alone with his pain. Unable to touch a solid object or see a solitary thing, he begins to weep.

His sobs choke through the darkness. They become weak, then lost in hell's roar.

As time passes, he begins to do what the rich man did--he again starts to think. His first thoughts are of hope. You see, he still thinks as he did on earth, where he kept himself alive with hope. When things got bad, he always found a way out. If he felt pain, he took medicine. If he were hungry, he ate food. If he lost love, there was more love to be found.

So he casts about in his mind for a plan to apply to the hope building in his chest.

Of course, he thinks, Jesus, the God of love, can game out of this.

He cries out with a surge, "Jesus! Jesus! You were right! Help me! Get me out of this!"

He waits, breathing hard with desperation. The sound of his voice slips into the darkness and is lost.

He tries again. "I believe, Jesus! I believe now! Save me from this!" Again the darkness smothers his words.

Our sinner is not unique. Everyone in hell believes.

When he wearies of appeals, he does next what anyone would do--assesses his situation and attempts to adapt. But then it hits him--this is forever

Jesus made it very clear. He used the same words for "forever" to describe both heaven and hell.

Forever, he thinks, and his mind labors through the blackness until he aches.

"Forever!" he whispers in wonder. The idea deepens, widens, and towers over him.

The awful truth spreads before him like endless, overlapping slats: When ! put in ten thousand centuries of time here, I will not have accomplished one thing. I will not have one second less to spend here.

As the rich man pleaded for a drop of water, so, too, our new occupant entertains a similar ambition. In life he learned that even bad things could be tolerated if one could find temporary relief. Perhaps even hell, if one could rest from time to time, would be more tolerable.

He learns, though, that "the smoke of [his] torment goes up forever and ever; and [he has] no rest day and night." (Rev. 14:11 NASB).

No rest day and night--think of that.

Thoughts of this happening to people we know, people like us, are too terrifying to entertain for long. The idea of allowing someone to endure such torture for eternity violates the sensibilities of even the most severe judge among us. We simply cannbt bear it.

But our thoughts of hell will never be as unmanageable as its reality. We must take this doctrine of hell, therefore, and make sure we are practically affected by it.

A hard. look at this doctrine should first change our view of sin. Most believers do not take sin as seriously as God does. We need to realize that in God's eyes, and in His actual plan, sin deserves eternal punishment in hell.

We can actually learn, by comparison, to hate sin as God hates it. As the reality of hell violates and offends us, for example, so sin violates and offends God. As we cannot bear to look upon the horrors of hell, so God cannot bear to look upon the horrors of sin. As hell revolts us to the point of hatred for it, so also God finds sin revolting. The comparison is not perfect, but it offers a start.

Second, the truth of hell should encouraged our witness. Can we ever hear a sigh of weariness, see a moment of doubt, or feel pain without being reminded of that place? In all honesty, can we see any unbeliever, watch his petty human activities, realize what he has in store, and not be moved with compassion? It encourages us to witness in word and in deed.

That hideous doctrine may grip our souls in dark terror and make us weep, but let us be sure it also prompts us to holiness and compassion.

we've got history on our heels

2009-04-12T23:39:00.002-05:00

"Trouble" by Caedmon's Call
Performed by Derek Webb

You say I've got trouble
I've got trouble all over me
I've got trouble since the day I was born
And it's not just a struggle
It's the blood running through my veins
It's all the clothes I've ever worn
And when I'm with You I feel so overdressed

The trouble is I'm not above or beyond anything
So I know You must be good for me
As far as You can and as bad as I am
I know You must be good for me

I'm a terrible lover
I never love You the way I should
And every single reason's wrong
Oh my sister, my brothers
We've got history on our heels
And We're running like we broke the law
With friends like these tell me, who needs the police?

The trouble is I'm not above or beyond anything
So I know You must be good for me
As far as You can and as bad as I am
I know You must be good for me

We're making noise in the temple
But we're skimming off the top
And we don't want you to suffer
But you don't want to stop
Because you know that it's the only way

The trouble is I'm not above or beyond anything
So I know You must be good for me
As far as You can and as bad as I am
I know You must be good for me

quotes

2009-04-10T13:43:00.001-05:00

"The more that we let God take us over, the more truly ourselves we become, because He made us. He invented all the different people that you and I intended to be. So when I turn
to Christ, when I give up myself to His personality, is when I first begin to have a real personality of my own."
-C. S. Lewis

"God gives His best to those who leave it up to Him."
-Jim Elliot

"Motion and busyness, no matter how great, yield nothing unless we allow God to give us the heart."
-Grant Lovejoy

"God cannot give us happiness and peace apart from himself, because it is not there. There is no such thing."
- C.S. Lewis.

"No amount of spiritual cosmetology can make us more presentable to God. God buys us in an as-is condition and says, 'I've been looking for you! I have just the place for you!' God who spoke us into existence, speaks to us now: 'Come out of self-hatred into my love. Come to me now,' he says. 'Forget about yourself. Accept who I long to be for you, who I am for you -your Rescuer- endlessly loving, forever patient, unbearably forgiving... You are a broken flower -I will not crush you- a flickering candle, I will not extinguish you. For once and forever, relax: of all places, you are safe with me."
-Brennan Manning

"Just think: you are here not by chance but by GOD's choosing. His hand formed you and made you the person you are. He compares you to noone else; you are one of a kind. You lack nothing that His grace can't give you. He has allowed you to be here at this time in history to fulfill His special purpose for this generation. You are GOD's servant in GOD's place at GOD's perfect time."
-Anonymous

wedding dress

2009-04-06T15:02:00.001-05:00

if you could love me as a wife
and for my wedding gift, your life
should that be all i’ll ever need
or is there more i’m looking for

and should i read between the lines
and look for blessings in disguise
to make me handsome, rich, and wise
is that really what you want

(chorus)
i am a whore i do confess
but i put you on just like a wedding dress
and i run down the aisle
i’m a prodigal with no way home
but i put you on just like a ring of gold
and i run down the aisle to you

so could you love this bastard child
though i don’t trust you to provide
with one hand in a pot of gold
and with the other in your side
i am so easily satisfied
by the call of lovers less wild
that i would take a little cash
over your very flesh and blood

(chorus)

because money cannot buy
a husband’s jealous eye
when you have knowingly deceived his wife

Barcelona 2009

2009-04-02T11:53:00.008-05:00

Barcelona was amazing! God is truly doing great things in that city.

For more information on the trip, check out the Europe Mission Blog.

Look among the nations! Observe!
Be astonished! Wonder!
Because I am doing things in your days--
You would not believe if you were told.
-Habakkuk 1:5

All the ends of the earth will remember and turn to the Lord,
And all the families of the nations will worship before You.
-Psalm 22:27

How you can be praying:

For Spain, Ireland and England to be reached with the gospel and that there would be revival in these nations.
For the salvation of everyone who heard the gospel.
That the tracts would be read and people would come to know the Lord through them.
For the new believers to be strengthened in their faith.
For the church in Madrid, Spain to grow and be strengthened.
That we would be faithful in keeping in communication with people we met.
That we would all be faithful what we learned on the trip- to grow and learn even after being back in Des Moines.
That we would remember the works of the Lord and be continually thankful.
That all of our lives would revolve around the gospel.

The Des Moines group in Barcelona

The Madrid, Spain team

My wonderful group! El Fuerzo!

Me and Laura (we met two years ago in Madrid and were re-united in Barcelona!)

The city...

Europe Mission Trip 2009

2009-03-12T10:21:00.003-05:00

Today I am leaving for Barcelona, Spain on a mission trip with my church, Walnut Creek Community Church! 79 missionaries are going to Plymouth, England; Cork, Ireland; and Baracelona, Spain.

You can stay informed of the mission in each country by reading the 2009 Europe Mission Trip Blog. At the WCCC site, click on the link for the blog. (If it's not up yet, it's because we aren't in Europe yet! Check back for updates!) :)

This mission trip won't be fruitful without a commitment to prayer, both by those going and those who will be here. If you would like, here is how you can be praying for the trip:

Please Pray...

That God's word would run rapidly and be glorified in these cities.
For many divine appointments and opportunities to share the Gospel.
That God would soften hearts and prepare people to hear the Gospel.
That we would see salvations.
Safety in traveling and in the country.
Grace for the language and cultural barriers. That God would give us grace in clearly communicating the Gospel in Spanish and that we would be able to understand the language.
That we would be completely dependent on Him and trust Him throughout the trip.
For wisdom in decision-making for the leaders.
To encourage the believers we meet in these countries.
That our teams would be unified and would love, serve and encourage one another.
That we would have obedient and willing hearts.

Thank you for your prayers!

Finally, brethren, pray for us that the word oft he Lord will spread rapidly and be glorified, just as it did also with you; and that we will be rescued from perverse adn evil men; for not all have faith.
-2 Thessalonians 3:1-2

and pray on my behalf, that the utterance may be given to me in the opening of my mouth, to make known with boldness the mystery oft he gospel.
-Ephesians 6:19

The Surrendered Life

2009-03-09T16:02:00.002-05:00

This is from My Utmost for His Highest, a daily devotional by Oswald Chambers. This is the entry from March 8:

The Surrendered Life

I have been crucified with Christ . . . —Galatians 2:20

To become one with Jesus Christ, a person must be willing not only to give up sin, but also to surrender his whole way of looking at things. Being born again by the Spirit of God means that we must first be willing to let go before we can grasp something else. The first thing we must surrender is all of our pretense or deceit. What our Lord wants us to present to Him is not our goodness, honesty, or our efforts to do better, but real solid sin. Actually, that is all He can take from us. And what He gives us in exchange for our sin is real solid righteousness. But we must surrender all pretense that we are anything, and give up all our claims of even being worthy of God’s consideration.

Once we have done that, the Spirit of God will show us what we need to surrender next. Along each step of this process, we will have to give up our claims to our rights to ourselves. Are we willing to surrender our grasp on all that we possess, our desires, and everything else in our lives? Are we ready to be identified with the death of Jesus Christ?

We will suffer a sharp painful disillusionment before we fully surrender. When people really see themselves as the Lord sees them, it is not the terribly offensive sins of the flesh that shock them, but the awful nature of the pride of their own hearts opposing Jesus Christ. When they see themselves in the light of the Lord, the shame, horror, and desperate conviction hit home for them.

If you are faced with the question of whether or not to surrender, make a determination to go on through the crisis, surrendering all that you have and all that you are to Him. And God will then equip you to do all that He requires of you.

Decision-Making

2009-03-04T23:56:00.007-06:00

The plans of the heart belong to man,
but the answer of the tongue is form the Lord.
-Prov 16:1

Commit your work to the Lord,
and your plans will be established.
-Prov 16:3

The heart of man plans his way,
but the Lord determines his steps.
-Prov 19:21

Commit your way to the Lord,
Trust also in Him, and He will do it.
-Psalm 37:5

We have a lot of decisions to make in this life- the affect not only ourselves, but those around us as well. How do we know where the Lord is leading?

This is from Tom Dunham's Daylights Devotional:

"Christian, when you contemplate decisions of life, wait for all the lights to be green- the lights of Scripture, prayer, conscience, counsel, and circumstances. If you have just one red light and run through it, it could mean trouble and pain."

What does God say in His word?
Have you prayed and sought His peace about this decision?
Do you have a good conscience about it?
Have you sought counsel from spiritual authorities and leaders?
Has God led you to the right circumstances for this decision?

The Benediction

2009-02-28T00:04:00.004-06:00

Someone made this sweet video to "The Benediction" by Jimmy Needham. Check it out...

Personal Responsibility

2009-02-24T15:44:00.003-06:00

Have you taken personal responsibility for your faith?

Last week at Alive, pastor Dan Rude of the Downtown Church spoke on taking personal responsibility for our relationship with Christ. Here are some things I learned from his message...

Observation: rarely do Christians take personal responsibility for their faith. Few take God seriously. This results in a lack of growth, complacency and eventually walking away from the Lord.

We can so easily justify our own habits and make excuses for our behavior. We know what we're doing is wrong, but we decide to do it anyway. Do we really think we have a "good excuse" for not obeying God?

We have one life. Let us not waste it by living a compromised, excuse-filled life. If God is real and His word is true, then He is worthy of my life.

Retain the standard of sound words which you have heard from me, in the faith and love which are in Christ Jesus. Guard, through the Holy Spirit who dwells in us, the treasure which has been entrusted to you.
-2 Timothy 1:13-14

--> We have been entrusted with something significant! God has entrusted us with the message of the gospel. There is nothing in the universe more important than sharing how Jesus Christ has died on the cross for our sins. We must share the good news with others: that in Christ is eternal life! Heaven and hell are real places and every single person will face God on judgement day. Will they be ready?

Do you take the Gospel seriously?

What matters? Not how much fun you have... not how much stuff you have... not not what others think of you... now how you did on that exam last week...

What matters is what you have done for Christ.

Have you taken personal responsibility for your faith?

love and acceptance

2009-02-22T23:13:00.006-06:00

"Until I find my significance, security and value from my relationship with Jesus, every relationship will be a dysfunctional attempt to get love and acceptance from others through my performance, manipulation, looks, barter or deceit."

-Chip Ingram

For the mountains may be removed and the hills may shake,
But My lovingkindness will not be removed from you,
And My covenant of peace will not be shaken,
Says the Lord who has compassion on you.
-Isaiah 54:10

And the Lord will continually guide you,
And satisfy your desire in scorched places,
And give strength to your bones;
And you will be like a watered garden,
And like a spring of water whose waters do not fail.
-Isaiah 58:11

rend your heart

2009-02-20T23:25:00.004-06:00

Rend.

It means to tear something into two or more pieces... to wrench something violently... to cause great emotional pain to a person or their heart.

REND. by Jimmy Needham.

You’ve been tarnished
And you’ve been stained
And all the varnish you’ve used
to cover up with is peeling away

Yet even now, return to me with nothing less
Than your wounded, broken heart
And cling to Me, your gracious King
Be shattered glass of empty jars and rend
Rend, rend, rend
Rend your hearts

I don’t need a grand display
Show me that your heart has changed
I don’t need a show
Only just to know
your own heart breaks

"Rend" by Jimmy Needham
from his CD "Not Without Love"

O Praise Him

2009-02-18T14:38:00.003-06:00

a classic...

(I know it's over five minutes long. But trust me- it's worth it. Take time out of your day to let your heart be refreshed).

Beautiful :)

seeking seriously

2009-02-16T23:22:00.000-06:00

If we want to develop a passion for the Lord, we've got to get serious about seeking the Him. Although He is pursuing our heart, we must respond.

Here is part of a devotional by Jack Stockdale called "Put Down this Devotional." It is part of Daylights, a daily devotional.

"If you want to really know God, it will cost you. The price is not readily quantifiable. I can tell you that, though this publication serves a valuable purpose, it alone will not create the spiritual environment necessary to the life of a true disciple. Your Lord desires to meet you in a level of intimacy which will require a serious investment of your time and of your mental, emotional and even physical energy.

So "rebel" against our modern idea that you can have something of great value for a nominal investment. Shout "No" to the siren song of all that distracts you and keeps you from the depth of relationship which God desires you to possess and experience.

Get serious about seeking God and you will find Him like never before."

-Jack Stockdale
"Put Down this Devotional"
Daylights Devotional
December 24, 2008

This pastor encourage us to immerse ourselves in reading and studying the Word of God; to pray, worship and partake in fellowship.

Are you serious about seeking God?
Are you willing to pay the cost?
Are you ready to invest in your relationship with Him?

Do you desire to experience Him like you've never imagined?

Are you in love with God or just His stuff?

2009-02-15T00:35:00.000-06:00

God has really been impressing this idea on my heart for the past few months: Do I love God? or do I just love the things He gives me? Here are two incredibly insightful and challenging excerpts on the importance of loving God more than His stuff:

"But when Jesus Christ is the object of faith there is a twist. He himself is all we need. If we only trust Christ to give us gifts and not Himself as the all-satisfying gifts, then we do not trust Him in a way that honors Him as our treasure. We simply honor the gifts. They are what we really want, not Him.

So biblical faith in Jesus must mean that we trust Him to give us what we need most- namely, Himself. That means that faith itself must include at its essence a treasuring of Christ above all things."

-Don't Waste Your Life by John Piper

"Are we in love with God or just His stuff?

Imagine how awful it would feel to have your child say to you, 'I don't really love you or want your love, but I would like my allowance, please.' Conversely, what a beautiful gift it is to have the one you love look you in the eye and say, 'I love you. Not your beauty, your money, your family, or your car. Just you.' Can you say that to God?

Our love for Him always comes out of His love for us. Do you love this God who is everything, or do you just love everything He gives you? Do you really believe that God loves you, individually and personally and intimately? Do you see and know Hm as Abba, Father?"

-Crazy Love by Francis Chan

I hope these authors challenge you as much as they have challenged me. I really encourage you to dive into this- what does your relationship with the Lord look like?

bearing fruit

2009-02-12T16:58:00.000-06:00

Is there fruit in your life?
Is it evident that God is at work in your life?

Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you unless you abide in me. I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing.
-John 15:4-5

These verses make it clear that God desires to bear fruit in your life. However, we must do our part. We must abide in Him. This means: to remain, to reside, to remain steadfast or faithful to. Basically, it means relationship.

What does it mean to "bear fruit"? God manifests fruit in our life in two different ways:

Fruit of the Spirit

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control
-Galatians 5:22-23a

--> These qualities will be produced in your life if the Holy Spirit lives in you and you yield to Him. These are qualities that God possesses and desires for you to possess as well.

Fruit of a multiplied life

the word of truth, the gospel which has come to you, just as in all the world also it is constantly bearing fruit and increasing
-Colossians 1:5b-6a

--> Multiplying our life means to share the gospel with others and lead them to Christ. This also includes discipling believers and leading them to know the Lord more and more. We must tell people that Jesus Christ died for our sins and has offered forgiveness if we lay down our lives and live for Him as our Lord and Savior. Check out Matthew 28:18-20.

Remember...

You did not choose Me but I chose you, and appointed you that you would go and bear fruit, and that your fruit would remain, so that whatever you ask of the Father in My name, He may give to you.
-John 15:16

God chose you. He longs to have a personal relationship with you- He wants you to know Him more because it is the best thing for you. He wants to give you a full life and fill you with joy. The more we abide in Him, the more we know Him! He wants to lavish His love on you!

So think about it...
Is your heart right with God?
Is there evidence of fruit in your life?
Do you possess the qualities from Galatians 22-23?
Are you multiplying your life and seeing others come to know Jesus?

chosen

2009-02-09T23:37:00.000-06:00

Just some thoughts from an incredible verse...

You are My servant,
I have chosen you and not rejected you.
Do not fear, for I am with you;
Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you, surely I will help you,
Surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.
-Isaiah 41:9b-10

What a beautiful promise! If you are a believer in Christ, then this promise is true for you today. You have been chosen by the very God of this universe to follow Him and experience His great love for you. He chose YOU to be completely His (John 15:16). Jesus Christ promises not to reject you- He is ready to meet you where you are.

How often do we look to ourselves, our circumstances, our friends or this world for answers? God asks us to look to HIM. We don't need to anxiously scramble about, searching for the solution. Instead, we are to turn our eyes to the Lord. He asks us to not worry, but to trust Him (Matthew 6:25-34).

Do you believe these promises? Do you believe that God will strengthen you, help you and uphold you? What a radical statement- God is on our side! He is FOR us (Psalm 56:9b). When we choose to believe these great and precious promises, we open our eyes to see the wonderful things God is doing in and through us.

Isn't it amazing: this one verse says so much about the Lord and His relationship with us. The Bible is full of wonderful promises upon which we can meditate, memorize and claim.

Want to see God at work in your life? Want to see proof of God's goodness, love and glory? Claim a promise found in the Bible, and let God wow you with his love!