Open Up...

As yet another semester begins I am set to reflect where God has brought me in these past weeks and months. Break was a time of turmoil, joy, excitement, pain, and so much growth; and, I know that this semester is bound to similar in so many ways.
As I drove to school at the latest possible moment on Sunday evening, I was forced to ponder and honestly wonder at where I will be when i look back at the semester that lies ahead in May. I know that when I trust in God alone, only beautiful things can happen.
Now, I am not saying that this semester will be easier than the last, but rather that I am going to be different. I will be different because my faith will be my stronghold. I will not depend on the world around me to give me any kind of hope, strength, or freedom from anything, but rather I will look to God in all things...in all circumstances.
Philippians 4:10-14 says, "I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that once again you renewed your care for me.You were, in fact, concerned about me but lacked the opportunity to show it. I don’t say this out of need, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. I know both how to have a little, and I know how to have a lot. In any and all circumstances I have learned the secret of being content—whether well fed or hungry, whether in abundance or in need. I am able to do all things through Him[b] who strengthens me. Still, you did well by sharing with me in my hardship" (HCSB). 
Paul wrote this at a time when he had every right to be upset with the circumstances that he was in; yet, he was nothing but joyful because he knew that God was in complete control of every moment. I want to live in the same way. Not in order to make anything easier, but to make my life glorifying to God in every way.
This semester, I will focus on where God is putting me. This means that I must be open to everything that He is going to do or ever wants to do in my life. I am ready to follow Him with an open heart and open hands. No matter what.

"The Chase"

With Christmas so close, things were bound to become a little chaotic. So, today I took a personal trip to my local Christian bookstore for some "me time". I thought I'd finish some last minute shopping, but God had a different idea. As I scanned the books (half of which I've already read) one stood out to me. It was The Chase by Kyle and Kelsey Kupecky. I don't know how to explain why it popped out to me amongst hundreds of titles, but I picked it up and started to read. Now, I always know a book is brilliant when I cry after the foreword...and this was just the case.

The question that the book poses is who am I chasing? Is it Christ...or the world that has consumed me for so long? When I really think about my answer, my heart breaks. I strive everyday to live a life that reflects and glorifies God, but I am constantly fighting the temptation to follow the call of the world.

The book quotes Proverbs 3:5-6 from the Message translation...and it hit me in a way that I did not expect.
"Trust God from the bottom of your heart; don't try to figure out everything on your own. Listen for God's voice in everything you do, everywhere you go; he's the one who will keep you on track."
This verse speaks to me because I know that no matter what the world has to offer, God is always greater...and His plan is so much better than anything that I could ever imagine or think up on my own.

My heart belongs to God, because He loves me in a way that nothing and no one in or of this world can, or will, ever fulfill or match.

My God is greater than everything, so I will trust Him in ALL things.

I will chase God with all my heart. After all, He already pursues me with unconditional love and grace that covers all sin.

What I am...

So often, we let the world define us...but that is not who we are.
Think of when you first heard the call of the gospel...now read this.

1 Corinthians 1:26-31 NIV
"Brothers and sisters, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him. It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. Therefore, as it is written: 'Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord.' "

God didn't choose you or me because we were, are, or ever will be perfect. He chose to save out of love...pure love. Love that doesn't boast, doesn't envy, and isn't proud. He chose you and me because His love for us is so great that our past, present and future sins are covered by the blood that Christ shed at Calvary. 

Who I am is defined by this perfect standard of love in Christ alone.

I am a daughter of the King and you, my dear friend, are His beloved child in a way that no man can ever comprehend. What I am is not defined by my past or what lies ahead, but only in Christ alone...and how I glorify Him.

So, may I boast forever in the Lord. For His holiness, righteousness, and redemption are the only standards that will define me. I am His.

Finally...

Today...August 16, 2015 I have chosen to be baptized in the name of Father, Son and Holy Spirit. 

My Testimony

Just as each of us, I was born into the sin of Adam. I was ultimately headed to destruction in the form of total separation from Christ. Nearly 6 years ago I chose to accept Christ as my savior, but until now…the impact of Christ’s unfailing love for me on the cross failed to touch many areas of my life. This was only because I continuously failed to trust Him in ALL things!

Today I choose to be baptized because I have surrendered my entire being to Christ. I understand that baptism does not save me…but rather that the grace of God reigns over me to cover me and make me new by the work of the Holy Spirit. I know that this life will bring hardships and suffering, but I can always look to Christ.

Philippians 4:10-13 reads that, “I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that once again you renewed your care for me. You were, in fact, concerned about me but lacked the opportunity to show it. I don’t say this out of need, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. I know both how to have a little, and I know how to have a lot. In any and all circumstances I have learned the secret of being content—whether well fed or hungry, whether in abundance or in need. I am able to do all things through Him who strengthens me.”

Even though my circumstances change…Christ is ALWAYS the same and He will ALWAYS be my stronghold when the world inevitably fails me.

So…I know that I am imperfect, but because of Christ I have been made new. This baptism is how I choose to proclaim that I am not the same. I am…in fact…forever changed!

{ Faith, Trust, and Unity }

Growing up I was constantly dependent on everything around me to bring me joy, love and satisfaction. When I became a believer I thought that my life could continue in the same way. I was very very wrong. According to Romans 8, when we accept the Christ as our savior we cannot be the same. Romans 8:9 states plainly that, "You, however, are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, since the Spirit of God lives in you." Simply...we are no longer our old beings, but rather we are fully renewed in Christ who always will and must dwell within us. 

~

Almost six years later I am still learning what it really means to depend fully on God. Not only must we put our faith in Him, but we also have to trust that His plan is better than anything we could ever imagine. Now...I know that this is sooo cliche...but it's is also very relevant. Jeremiah 29:11 is often cited when talking about God's greater plan, but no one really understands the significance of that passage. Jeremiah 29 is a letter to the people that Nebuchadnezzar exiled from Jerusalem to Babylon. They had no hope but in GOD alone! Now that is something to look at in amazement! So, if exiles in a time of war and heart ache can continue to look to God...what exactly do we have that is stopping everyone in society from coming to Christ?

~

Honestly...there is such a lack of unity in the world today that there is no hope in anything...not even Christ. Personally, when I chose to put my faith and trust in Christ alone...I found a unity that surpasses any love, hope, or false teaching within society. There is no greater love than what is found in Christ. I know that this is true because I am not the same!

~

Know that this is not easy! If it was, I wouldn't be writing about it...let alone continuously struggling with it each and every day. But...know that no matter how hard the circumstances of the world are, God still has a plan and it's going to be stunning! We are just a part of the greater picture that only God can put together one moment at a time. Jeremiah 29 is a great example of this because despite the exiles circumstances, they always found hope when they had faith and trusted in God who always has everything under control. 

~

So...take heart! Have faith, trust God, and it will all start to make sense. He promised.

Reflection

Congrats!!!

It's been a wild ride...but...you've made it!

 Another semester...and another school year complete! How does it feel? Are you sad and anxious...or are you relieved to be free? It's okay to feel so many things right about now. A chapter is closing and for many that can be a very scary thing...but take heart and know that whatever lies ahead is in God's hands and is in His plan! Now I understand and know that this doesn't make it any less terrifying to let go and move on with our lives...but it helps (at least a wee bit) to know that something good is bound to come.

Now...

 Before any of you who aren't students or teachers anymore (or ever want to be again) shut me out...keep reading because I have a feeling that this next part just might apply to you too.

~

What does any of this have to do with faith??? Well...earlier in the year (last semester) I wrote a post called "It Is Finished". It went over a similar aspect, but I had no clue where I would be at this point in my life. When Christ said that it was finished, He did not mean that our work was done. Every day I fight for faith that is my rock...and that is exactly what we must do as Christians who truly serve to glorify God in all that we do. I know that when I stand before Christ on the day of judgement at heaven's gate, I want to say that I did all I could to honor Him in every way. I want that same gratification for each and every one of us and so many more. Our suffering was complete at Calvary, but our duty to God is never finished until we sit with Him in eternity.

~

I realize that this is not easy to hear...after all didn't we just finish the year??? Okay, so...REJOICE!!! You've closed a chapter of your life...BE GLAD! But...don't forget that what is coming is also so important. After all, what great and memorable story ever ends with a beginning.

~

"I have glorified You on the earth by completing the work You gave Me to do."

- John 17:4

Growth in the Distance

As I sit at the Denver International Airport yet again, I have come to the realization that I have grown distant from this bloggy thing. So...I must start somewhere. 

These past few months have been anything but easy. Life has been hard...in fact...I've felt like giving up more than I would like to admit. I would get to these moments and it would feel like there was no where to go...but I always had a light (no matter how dim) that somehow shone God's everlasting love. I could not explain this overwhelming love that seemed to come from no where, but I know this...it is never too dark too give up. There is always light somewhere...even in the worst situations. Know that we can always call on God to save and forgive through the beauty of the grace that He promised every one of us at Calvary. 

You are stronger than you think because you have a God who can get you through anything.

Have faith, my friend, we often grow in the most distant places.