Hello,
Life has been so crazy with work and the family that I haven't had much chance to get on here and blog!
I am leading a fall Growth group for our church and we are going on a brief tour of the bible to see Jesus in the scriptures from start to finish. This is going to be an adventure.
This 1st week we are going through Genesis and I was thrilled to see Jesus in creation and in the covenant's of redemption with Abraham! Jesus is the same from the beginning to end but it is wonderful to focus on how he comes alive in all the scriptures.
I will be writing a little bit about each week to keep up on our progress!
Thursday, September 29, 2011
Thursday, June 30, 2011
Coming to God through the Trinity
At bible study this morning, I was blown away by some simple but profound concepts and had to share them. I am still chewing on this so pardon the fragmented thoughts. Hopefully it will make sense!We were discussing the end of Matthew 11. Jesus explained that he would only reveal things to those who are like children/unlearned/simple/trusting and not the learned or wise.
Jesus was announcing to the crowd that he was God's son and that only through Him could God be revealed. He said that all things were committed/given/placed under Him by His father. Jesus was referencing that before time began, God gave Him power over everything. God the Holy Spirit and Jesus had the whole plan of salvation put together before the foundations of the world. Mans fall into sin and death was not a mistake but God giving us the opportunity to choose Him of our own free will. The Trinity had the whole plan of salvation worked out and they know the whole story from beginning to end. God the Father wanted to give us the freedom to choose Him or walk away so that everyone who comes to Him does so by their free will. God was not willing that any should perish but that all would come to repentance. But He loves us so much that He doesn't force Himself upon us. We have the freedom to choose.
So the Holy Spirit works in the world through conviction of the heart and revelation of the truth of wrong, right, judgment and justice. He convicts our hearts and points us toward the need for a savior. Jesus steps in for us because He is the way, the truth and the life and no man can come to the Father but through Him. Jesus has complete authority over all and offered up Himself as the sacrifice for mankind's sin. When we come to Him and accept His gift of salvation, we enter into His family. Then Jesus reveals His father to us. Only through knowing Jesus the Son can we come to know God as Father. Before salvation God is only known to us as god but after salvation, He becomes our heavenly Father and Jesus works to continually reveal Him to us! How awesome is that?
There is still so much more to chew on but for now...
Thank you Jesus for revealing God to me as my heavenly Father!
Matthew 11:25-27 NIV
At that time Jesus said, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this is what you were pleased to do.“All things have been committed to me by my Father. No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.
At that time Jesus said, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this is what you were pleased to do.“All things have been committed to me by my Father. No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.
Jesus was announcing to the crowd that he was God's son and that only through Him could God be revealed. He said that all things were committed/given/placed under Him by His father. Jesus was referencing that before time began, God gave Him power over everything. God the Holy Spirit and Jesus had the whole plan of salvation put together before the foundations of the world. Mans fall into sin and death was not a mistake but God giving us the opportunity to choose Him of our own free will. The Trinity had the whole plan of salvation worked out and they know the whole story from beginning to end. God the Father wanted to give us the freedom to choose Him or walk away so that everyone who comes to Him does so by their free will. God was not willing that any should perish but that all would come to repentance. But He loves us so much that He doesn't force Himself upon us. We have the freedom to choose.
So the Holy Spirit works in the world through conviction of the heart and revelation of the truth of wrong, right, judgment and justice. He convicts our hearts and points us toward the need for a savior. Jesus steps in for us because He is the way, the truth and the life and no man can come to the Father but through Him. Jesus has complete authority over all and offered up Himself as the sacrifice for mankind's sin. When we come to Him and accept His gift of salvation, we enter into His family. Then Jesus reveals His father to us. Only through knowing Jesus the Son can we come to know God as Father. Before salvation God is only known to us as god but after salvation, He becomes our heavenly Father and Jesus works to continually reveal Him to us! How awesome is that?
There is still so much more to chew on but for now...
Thank you Jesus for revealing God to me as my heavenly Father!
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Open hands
I heard a new concept about going through life that has been challenging me a lot lately. All of us go through life thinking we have some control and holding aspects of our life in our mental hands. Sometimes we clutch at things like a 2 year old screaming "mine" at everyone who comes near. And sometimes we would gladly give away what we have in our hands for something else!
Here is a change in perspective on life! Holding life with an open hand allows God to come in and be boss of my life with much less stress and heartache.
Instead of clutching at things or control with a closed fist and God prying it out of my hands with pain and anguish (on my part), I can open my hand willingly. Letting go and holding my hand open lets God do amazing things in my heart and life with joy and blessing!
So I am going to start asking myself, "are you holding on with an open hand?"
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
Lately
Lately:
I'm learning to be obedient, especially when I don't want to
I'm learning to stay focused on my own walk with God and not worry about pointing out others to God as an excuse to not do what He says
I'm learning that asking God for more trust usually involves a new opportunity to get sweaty working it out with Him
I'm learning that humility is becoming
I'm learning that God is good all the time
I'm learning that I know less and less than I thought
I'm learning that life God's way is upside down of what seems normal
I'm learning to love God more each day
And I'm still learning more...
I love this adventure of life that God is walking with me. There is never a dull moment or a chance to be lazy because God calls to my heart all the time! Onward and upward!
I'm learning to be obedient, especially when I don't want to
I'm learning to stay focused on my own walk with God and not worry about pointing out others to God as an excuse to not do what He says
I'm learning that asking God for more trust usually involves a new opportunity to get sweaty working it out with Him
I'm learning that humility is becoming
I'm learning that God is good all the time
I'm learning that I know less and less than I thought
I'm learning that life God's way is upside down of what seems normal
I'm learning to love God more each day
And I'm still learning more...
I love this adventure of life that God is walking with me. There is never a dull moment or a chance to be lazy because God calls to my heart all the time! Onward and upward!
Monday, May 16, 2011
May verses of the Month
Verse # 9
Ephesians 6:2-3 NIV
"Honor your father and mother"- which is the first commandment with a promise- "That it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth."
Verse # 10
Isaiah 41:10 NLT
Don't be afraid, for I am with you. Don't be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.
Ephesians 6:2-3 NIV
"Honor your father and mother"- which is the first commandment with a promise- "That it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth."
Verse # 10
Isaiah 41:10 NLT
Don't be afraid, for I am with you. Don't be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.
Thursday, May 12, 2011
Ask, Seek, Knock
We studied a famous new testament passage today in bible study and I just had to share.
How often have I read and even studied this passage? But today I saw a new angle and it really gave me some meat to chew on. All these are commands in the present tense so that means they are supposed to be done continuously!
1) ASK
Continually come before God by prayer and ask for His wisdom (to learn, know and act like Him) and discernment in my life. I am also to continue to bring all my petitions, cares and concerns to Him. As I do this, His wisdom transforms my life and brings my prayers in line with Him.
2) Seek
Continually seek God's presence and spending time in Him. This is where I get depth and personal experience with my God as His child! I learn who God is and how He operates in me and in the world.
3) Knock
Continually knock on the door and it will open. When a door opens, we are welcomed in and walk through it to spend time with the person inside. God opens the door to us so we can come in and be a part of His family. I am a member of the family in the eternal sense but especially here and now. God welcomes me inside but He also instructs me in how to be a member of His family.
All these commands build together to grow faith in my heart. By asking, seeking and knocking, I am choosing to operate in the way God directs me before I see the results or know the outcome!
Chew on that!
Matthew 7:7-8 NIV
“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened."
“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened."
How often have I read and even studied this passage? But today I saw a new angle and it really gave me some meat to chew on. All these are commands in the present tense so that means they are supposed to be done continuously!
1) ASK
Continually come before God by prayer and ask for His wisdom (to learn, know and act like Him) and discernment in my life. I am also to continue to bring all my petitions, cares and concerns to Him. As I do this, His wisdom transforms my life and brings my prayers in line with Him.
2) Seek
Continually seek God's presence and spending time in Him. This is where I get depth and personal experience with my God as His child! I learn who God is and how He operates in me and in the world.
3) Knock
Continually knock on the door and it will open. When a door opens, we are welcomed in and walk through it to spend time with the person inside. God opens the door to us so we can come in and be a part of His family. I am a member of the family in the eternal sense but especially here and now. God welcomes me inside but He also instructs me in how to be a member of His family.
All these commands build together to grow faith in my heart. By asking, seeking and knocking, I am choosing to operate in the way God directs me before I see the results or know the outcome!
Chew on that!
Friday, April 29, 2011
Happy Resurrection Celebration
I know it is a little late but I couldn't resist sharing this! It made me laugh, jump and wait anxiously for this kind of celebration in heaven with the rest of my Christ family!!!!
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