Don't you love it when conviction just washes over you?
Pretty sure I was supposed to give up Facebook for the duration of Lent. But I didn't. Now, as I'm praying through different things and desiring clarity...I realize how much easier it could have been if I had responded sooner to what I know God asked me to do. (Maybe not easier, but I would have had fewer distractions vying for my attention, and more time to commit to the Father.) Oh Lord, would You continue to take my every thought captive to Your perfect will...
Looking at my blog, I have three different posts that I started earlier this year, but never finished...I think I was waiting for the right words to wrap it up with a profound thought. (haha! Talk to me sometime - how profound do I think I am?!) More posts will be popping up, because God keeps revealing too much for me to keep it to myself ---> and it doesn't all fit within my facebook rectangle! I also began to question why the majority of my 'status updates' are Bible verses, and whether or not my 'friends' are encouraged or irritated by all of it.
...but I'm being honest! God is so gracious to have massively increased my desire for His Word (His truth! His promises! His love! His LIFE!!!) every. single. day. When I share a verse, it's just a snapshot of something that jumped out to me that morning. Somedays it's a hug, other days it's a knife that removes something of myself that shouldn't be there. ah! Another reason to appreciate blogging: italics. I can't italicize in a status update!
So, praise the Lord for being imperfect, unfinished jars of clay. =) I'm currently reading through the New Testament with two ladies right now; in 2 Corinthians with one and Mark with the other...love love love it. It never ceases to amaze me how the Word doesn't get old! 2 Corinthians 4:16-18 has been on my bedroom wall for years, but it was verse 15 that really echoed in my spirit today...
"For it is all for your sake, so that as grace extends to more and more people it may increase thanksgiving, to the glory of God."
All that I've tasted lately is His abundant grace and mercy, by the Blood of Jesus...God, may the thanksgiving abound, all for the fame of Your Name!
and oh snap! Yesterday was 2 Corinthians 3...so very rich.
verses 4-5: "Such is the confidence that we have through Christ toward God. Not that we are sufficient in ourselves to claim anything as coming for us, but our sufficiency is from God."
(wow) Would you let it just sink in that we really can do all things through Christ? In case you haven't heard - I am somewhat of an acronym fiend...love it, wouldn't trade it, praise God! But now I'm learning that it's a gift from God, how He'll give me one word and just escalate from there. So I'm sitting there pondering self-sufficiency and realize that it comes from
Surrendering
Everything (to the)
Lord
Forever.
(isn't God so cool?!) Simple words, daily/life-long process.
Hope your week is off to a fantastic start...and if it's not, just go to sleep. =) You'll wake up to new mercies, made especially for that day.
Pretty sure I was supposed to give up Facebook for the duration of Lent. But I didn't. Now, as I'm praying through different things and desiring clarity...I realize how much easier it could have been if I had responded sooner to what I know God asked me to do. (Maybe not easier, but I would have had fewer distractions vying for my attention, and more time to commit to the Father.) Oh Lord, would You continue to take my every thought captive to Your perfect will...
Looking at my blog, I have three different posts that I started earlier this year, but never finished...I think I was waiting for the right words to wrap it up with a profound thought. (haha! Talk to me sometime - how profound do I think I am?!) More posts will be popping up, because God keeps revealing too much for me to keep it to myself ---> and it doesn't all fit within my facebook rectangle! I also began to question why the majority of my 'status updates' are Bible verses, and whether or not my 'friends' are encouraged or irritated by all of it.
...but I'm being honest! God is so gracious to have massively increased my desire for His Word (His truth! His promises! His love! His LIFE!!!) every. single. day. When I share a verse, it's just a snapshot of something that jumped out to me that morning. Somedays it's a hug, other days it's a knife that removes something of myself that shouldn't be there. ah! Another reason to appreciate blogging: italics. I can't italicize in a status update!
So, praise the Lord for being imperfect, unfinished jars of clay. =) I'm currently reading through the New Testament with two ladies right now; in 2 Corinthians with one and Mark with the other...love love love it. It never ceases to amaze me how the Word doesn't get old! 2 Corinthians 4:16-18 has been on my bedroom wall for years, but it was verse 15 that really echoed in my spirit today...
"For it is all for your sake, so that as grace extends to more and more people it may increase thanksgiving, to the glory of God."
All that I've tasted lately is His abundant grace and mercy, by the Blood of Jesus...God, may the thanksgiving abound, all for the fame of Your Name!
and oh snap! Yesterday was 2 Corinthians 3...so very rich.
verses 4-5: "Such is the confidence that we have through Christ toward God. Not that we are sufficient in ourselves to claim anything as coming for us, but our sufficiency is from God."
(wow) Would you let it just sink in that we really can do all things through Christ? In case you haven't heard - I am somewhat of an acronym fiend...love it, wouldn't trade it, praise God! But now I'm learning that it's a gift from God, how He'll give me one word and just escalate from there. So I'm sitting there pondering self-sufficiency and realize that it comes from
Surrendering
Everything (to the)
Lord
Forever.
(isn't God so cool?!) Simple words, daily/life-long process.
Hope your week is off to a fantastic start...and if it's not, just go to sleep. =) You'll wake up to new mercies, made especially for that day.
Hehe...I feel like someone critiquing a brand new canvas after the artist has finished his work :). I know I told you this before, but I am so encouraged by your diligent and humble spirit for the Lord. Your honest admissions and quips reveal the joy and abundant life God is pouring out over you and it bursts forth in your writing. I am blessed every time I read your writing and am in turn encouraged to turn to Him in thanksgiving and praise. Keep posting the Bible verses, let the Word of God be brought forth unashamed - for it has the power to bring life to those who are dead (emotionally, spiritually, and mentally). I am proud of you my friend, and pray that He will continue to water the seed of the joy of His salvation within you so that it may bear much good fruit for His glory.
ReplyDeleteFor while we were still sinners, he nailed his love for us on the cross and forgave us that we might be free and that He might restore our relationship with him and experience the unsurpassing joy and peace in Him..... and through His suffering that we might share in His glory (my take on Jesus' story of love for us ;).