Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.
~1 Corinthians 15:58 (NIV)
"I wanna look like love. Be more than just enough for the hearts that are broken, coming undone. It's up to you and me to leave a legacy if we're all they ever see. I wanna look like love.
If I believe there's a Saviour, is the proof in me? Is He alive and breathing? Is He what they remember, is He what they see when they look at me?"
~ Britt Nicole, from Look Like Love
The last number of weeks this song has been rolling around in my head.
I now only have three weeks left in my workplace. THREE! I can't believe how fast the time has flown by. Everyday my co-worker friend who I've been training and I talk about how it already a certain day. Each time we talk about it a bigger lump forms in my throat, and a bigger well of tears begins to form in my eyes. Time is going too fast...I'm not ready to leave there...
But I know it's time to start a new chapter in my life. The question running around in my mind is "do the people I work with see Jesus in me? Have I been an example to them? Have I shone the love of Jesus to them? When I am no longer working there will they remember me for me, or for what they saw in me?" My prayer and desire is that they will remember me for WHO they saw in me...not just me for me.
Right now these thoughts are all about my work situation, but reality is it should be the way every Christian should live their life. We should be living every day to shine the love of Jesus to everyone around us...regardless of how much time we have with somebody, because nobody is guaranteed tomorrow.
So, at work I have exactly 14 days left...14 days to pray "Lord use me." 14 days to say "Jesus, please make this day count for You." 14 days to look like Love. 14 days that I pray do not go by quickly...because I'm going to miss everyone of my coworkers....
I only have one more month left at my job. I can't believe how fast the time has flown by! I am very excited for the new chapter I'll be starting in the fall, but I am starting to be sad about leaving all the wonderful people I work with.
All the thoughts and emotions running through me right now have brought some thoughts and desires to the forefront of my mind.
Throughout my life I've always desired for God to use me as a missionary in my workplace. My current job is no exception. More than anything I want the people I work with to know Jesus. It's always hard to leave a job because I know the work there isn't done...but I trust God will bring others with the same desire I have to see the harvest in all my former co-workers lives.
In every job I've had I've seen lives be changed when coworkers come into contact with the Holy Spirit shining through me. People have asked questions. Others have apologized for swearing around me and have told me that "I can't swear around you." God's light has shone as I've been willing to be used by Him, and the darkness is exposed.
Tonight I was thinking about how these people in my workplaces have been affected by God's light and how they are drawn to it. The past couple weeks have been full of people asking when I'm done because they're going to miss me. I feel honoured, yet humbled at the same time. I'm just 'little old me' being used by my Great Big God!
All throughout the Bible God uses unlikely people to do great things for him. He used Moses, who had troubles speaking, to bring an entire nation out of captivity. He used Gideon, the smallest in his family, to defeat an army. He used David, someone who had been overlooked by his family, to defeat a giant. He used the least likely to do amazing things. I am overwhelmed that God has chosen me to shine His light in the darkness, so that I can plant, water, and harvest the seeds of His love.
I am sad to leave my workplace in one month. But I still have one month. One month to make a difference. In this last month, my prayer is that God will open up the doors wider than ever before...that I will see a difference around me.
As a song from my favourite childhood movie "God's Zoo" by the Gaithers says "I know You have a purpose, I'm waiting patiently. Next time You have a job to do, could you choose to use me?"
Over the past month or so I have been wanting to write this post. I've thought over and over of what to write. But I've put it off...life has been crazy busy! Tonight though, I really feel that it's time to write it.
Throughout the last year or so I've had such an ache inside me for my generation.
My generation is hurting. My generation is searching. My generation is falling.
I long to see my generation rise up. I long to see it stand tall.
As I look around I see people going to drugs. Going to alcohol. Living in sin. I see young pregnant girls trying to figure out how to fit into their new role as a future single mom.
I see people who go to church on the weekend, but during the week they do whatever pleases them...so they fit in with the crowd.
We were not called to fit in. We are called to make a difference. We are called to stand out. We are called to live in the world, but not be of the world. Yet I see my generation, Christians included, who are living in the world.
My heart aches so deeply to see these people rise up and shine for Jesus! They all have so much to give. They all have so many lives to reach for Him that only they can reach!
Why has this generation, my generation, settled for less than what God has for us?
Around two months ago I started watching American Idol because I heard of a young man on the show who was taking a stand for Jesus. The very first performance I saw of his was "Everything" by Lifehouse. As I watched Colton Dixon worship Jesus on stage as the world was watching, tears filled my eyes.
Colton inspired me. He showed me in that moment that my generation is not forgotten. He showed me that my generation still has hope. God IS raising up people to take a stand for Him. For Colton that stand is in front of millions. For me that stand is in front of my coworkers, as well as people I have met, and who I will meet throughout my life.
Will you also rise up? Will you stand firm for Jesus, no matter what? Will you live your life in a way that those around you will truly see Jesus living in you? Will you join the community of Christians who have already committed to living completely for Jesus? What a wonderful community it is!
Will you show the world Jesus is your everything?
Here is Colton's final American Idol performance of "Everything." (Sorry it's not full width.)
A few minutes ago I heard the song "Praying For You" by the Katinas. I hadn't heard it before but it really encouraged me this morning so I thought I'd share it with you!
"Tonight I'm prayin' for you Down on my knees for you Heaven can hear your name Tonight, I'm prayin' I'll keep on prayin' for you"
It's great to be reminded that God hears the names of those I'm praying for. It's amazing to think that He is the Creator of the universe and yet He knows ALL of us by name. He knows my heart. He loves us all. And, as I pray, as we pray, He is working...even if behind the scenes...to bring us all closer to Him.
In the days leading up to Easter, my church is going through a devotional book called "Seek God For The City 2012." The prayer from Monday's devotional stood out to me so I wanted to share it with you.
"Father, You've been constantly watching for Your long-lost sons and daughters to return to You. Awaken their yearning for You. Empower those who turn toward home. Run toward them as the come. Convince them of Your unchanging love, regardless of what they have done or how long they have been away. Let the homecoming party begin."
"Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you." ~Matthew 17:20
When I was younger, somewhere between the age of 9-12, my friend gave me the necklace in the picture for my birthday. In the middle of the heart is a mustard seed, and the square behind it has part of Matthew 17:20 on it. As the years have gone by the necklace has been tarnished, the resin holding the seed in the heart has yellowed, but the truth of the necklace remains - If we have faith in God, nothing will be impossible for us.
In life it is easy for faith to be tarnished. It is easy to allow circumstances to distract us or leave us hopeless. It is easy to lose heart.
As I was doing some cleaning a couple days ago I found my necklace, and as I found it God revealed something to me. All it takes is the smallest amount of faith that God can and will do something. A mustard seed is one of the smallest seeds, yet it grows into a large, sturdy tree. The same happens with faith. God takes an ounce of faith and turns it into something strong and unshakable.
I am thankful I found this necklace and was reminded to have faith and trust that God will continuously work. My friend, like others I know, is lost. Yet, although she is lost right now the necklace she gave me years ago reminds me to keep on believing. Keep on hoping. Keep on having faith in Jesus that nothing is impossible...nothing at all. They will come back to Him.
All it takes is faith. Faith to be able to HEAR them praising the Lord. Faith to be able to SEE them with arms lifted to their King. Faith to be able to SAY today is the day they are found.
A song on Phil Wickham's album Response called "This Is The Day" has been a real encouragement to me over the past week or so... Listen to it and declare life over those you know who are lost and need to be found. For today is the day of salvation!
A Photo Of Yourself And A Description Of How Your Day Was
Happy Thanksgiving! I hope you are all having a wonderful start to your weekend...I sure am!
My day today was amazing! It started off by sleeping in! After a long week, sleeping in was amazing! My grandparents are visiting for the weekend, so for brunch we had incredible food that was mostly made my my grandma and grandpa. Since my grandparents were bringing some of our favourite 'traditional' foods my mom's cousin and her family came over for brunch. We had a good visit with them!
Then after they left I took my grandparents out for a ride in my 'new' car! They hadn't seen it yet so it was nice to show it off!
After that we had a relaxing afternoon, waiting for the turkey to cook, and for my friend to come over. Traditionally our family has always spend Thanksgiving just as a family, but this year I really felt it on my heart to invite a friend over as her family has moved away. It was great to have Sarah over! We had a dinner/evening full of laughter...much to the expense of my brother! It felt great to have my entire family together, with my grandparents and Sarah!
God has blessed me abundantly! Though times have been extremely tough lately, I can't help but have an overwhelming sense of being blessed.
I am living closer to my extended family than I have since I was little. (And now a whole 15 minutes closer to my little cousins and Aunt and Uncle!!) God has brought me an amazing friend who is honestly more like a sister to me. God is also been bringing me a couple more friend! I just feel blessed, and extremely thankful!
And finally, I am so grateful for Jesus' amazing love for me and my family! He will never let us go...no matter if times are good or bad. He's holding us in the palm of His hand! I am so thankful for His great love for us all!
"And [Jesus] said: “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven." Matthew 18:3
I've been thinking about this verse ever since Friday night.
In case you missed my last post, on Friday night my little four year old cousin asked Jesus into her live. I saw my grandparents on Saturday and my grandpa told me of the conversation he had with Nevaeh the night before. It completely melted my heart!
...but it made me think. When I told some of my siblings (cause I was SOOOOOOO excited!!!) one of them said "but she's so young." That's just it. She's young....with pure faith. Like Jesus said, we can only come to truly believe in Him if we come with the faith of a child...pure and untainted by the things of the world. That is why I believe Nevaeh understands the love of Jesus more than someone who is much older than her. As we get older we try to examine and take apart everything, where as small children take everything how it is. They don't try to pull it apart based on circumstances. They just believe. And God honors that.
I don't think I'm explaining all this very well. I just found a video that may help to 'explain' through seeing a 5 year old girl sing her heart out to Jesus! Enjoy!
Goodbye to everything I had known for 9 years. I said goodbye to my friends. I said goodbye to my church. I said goodbye to my coworkers. I said goodbye to my city. I said goodbye to my province. Goodbye.
It's hard to imagine that a year has already gone by. In a sense it feels like it was just yesterday...the memories and emotions are all so raw still, yet it also feels like a lifetime ago because so much has changed in me.
I miss Kamloops so much. A part of me always will.
As tough as the past year and a half has been (including moving preparations, etc) I know God has used it to change me and shape me. He has used it to mold me. There are still what if's running around in my head about what would have happened if I stayed, but as I know from previous moves those will be there no matter what. Yet despite all the questions I still have I know I'm right in the middle of God's will for my life. I may still want to go back, but God has me here for a reason. A reason still to be seen.
Thinking about 'moving week' last year brought the song "Whatever You're Doing" by Sanctus Real back into my mind. It was my theme song last year.
"Whatever You're doing inside of me it feels like chaos but somehow there's peace. Though it's hard to surrender to what I can't see, I'm giving into something heavenly...Whatever You're doing inside of me it feels like chaos but I believe You're up to something bigger than me, larger than life, something heavenly."
Moving was chaotic. It was hard. Yet in the midst of it I know God has a plan. It doesn't mean I have to forget BC and all the memories I had there. It doesn't mean I should forget the friends I have there and keep my distance from them. No way! It means that chapter of my life has ended and a new one has begun. It means that I treasure the moments God gave me in Kamloops because they were used to shape me into who I was last year. And the new memories and new friends I'm making here are shaping me now. It's a place where the past and present collide...to fulfull God's plan for my life!
This has been something that has been on my heart for a few months now, ever since someone I know told me they weren't exactly going to stay in touch with me just because they had moved away... Ever since the day I got that message in May I've been reminding myself over and over again that I will never, ever treat anyone that way. I am blessed to have known all the people I have known, and while I may not continue to be close friends with everyone I've ever known, they will always hold a very special place in my heart...for God brought them into my life for a purpose, and I am so very grateful for those purposes!
Wow! Blogger has completely changed it's website! This may take a while to get used to!
On the weekend a lady by the name of Joan Hunter came to do some healing services and teaching. It was a great weekend! There were 8 services! Thousands of healings took place and on Saturday Joan Hunter did some training sessions to teach us some of the things God has showed her. I have always known God heals, but as I saw the thousands of healings occur I realized that God can and will use me, and every other Christian who steps out in faith. As I go out and pray for people to be healed Jesus will reach out and heal them! It's exciting!
Arms and legs grew. Backs, necks, and knees were healed. Shoulders were restored. Arthritis and Osteoporosis were healed. Walkers, slings, and crutches were left behind! Lives were changed forever! All thanks to Jesus!! It was amazing!
Other than being busy with all those services, I have been busy doing odds and ends around the house and enjoying my few weeks off before I start a new job. I kind of wish I had been smart and caught a ride to BC with my grandparents. It would have been nice to go to the mountains, especially because I do not know when I will be able to go back. With a full time job with limited vacation time it will be impossible to go away this summer...and I just may end up using my vacation time to go to Israel in February!! (If I have enough by then!) So it may be over a year before I can go back to my 'hometown'... :( BUT, I am thrilled to think that I may actually get to go to Israel!!! It would be a dream come true! I have always wanted to go there!!
Oh, and I printed out most of my pictures from 2010, so I'll hopefully be getting some scrapbooking done in the next couple weeks! Going through all the pictures from my last days in BC brought back so many memories! I can't wait to scrapbook them!
My camera cord is still missing, but I was able to put my memory card into my computer...in the past every time I tried this the card wouldn't go in...today it did thankfully!!
Here are the photos of my "Faith" cake!
Attempt #1: Fail
This was my first attempt at the "Faith" cake but unfortunately it crumbled. Lesson learned: Add more icing to chocolate mixture!
Attempt #2: Success!
I didn't have time to decorate this one, but the inside is what really counts...the cross! :) Now I know how to make it for next time!!
I found the idea for this cake at I Am Baker and since it looked so neat I had to try it!
I feel bad that I haven't written much lately... You'd think that with all the extra time I've had this month I would find time to blog! Haha! Unfortunately I have no clue where the past month has gone...there have been so many things around the house that I've been working on to keep me pretty busy!
I do have a fun post coming sometime this week! I've spent this morning baking a neat cake that I want to share with you all!! I'm excited about it!
But until then, I'll leave you with a song that's been speaking to me today. It's "Stronger" by Mandisa. I hope it will be an encouragement to you as well!
Usually...the flowers are blooming...the grass is turning green...the birds are singing. It's a time of year where reminders of life are everywhere. What once appeared to be dead and dormant is now beginning to shine.
The statement on my calendar for March says:
"After the winter comes the spring to show us that in everything there's always renewal divinely planned - flawlessly perfect, the work of God's hand." Helen Steiner Rice
This statement is so true. Not only in the physical sense of spring, but also in the sprititual sense of spring.
A little over 2000 years ago Jesus went to the cross...for you...for me. He came to bring life. He came to bring renewal. He came to bring hope. Jesus was born after years and years (I can't think of the number off the top of my head) of silence... That time probably felt like winter to the people of Israel. I'm sure they were wondering where God was, and why things were so silent. Yet, in God's timing He sent His Son Jesus into the world, to bring redemption to all mankind.
He endured the pain and suffering you and I deserve because of our sinful nature. He took it all upon His shoulders to bring us freedom. To bring us eternal life...if we choose to accept Him.
That's what this season is about.
The amazing thing though is that the story doesn't end there.
Jesus died upon the cross on what we now celebrate as Good Friday. On what we celebrate as Easter Sunday Jesus arose from the grave!! He beat death for eternity! He brought hope to what appeared hopeless! He brought life everlasting!
This Easter, like every other Easter, I'm celebrating the life, death, and resurrection of my Lord Jesus Christ! Easter is always an exciting time of year for me! Though I celebrate His life, death, and resurrection all year round, Easter is always a reminder that all around the world people are coming together in thanking Him for what He did for all of us.
As I celebrate this Easter I'm reminded of what He's blessed me with throughout this past year. As I have written about so many times over the past month or so, I've been really busy with school...but leading up to this weekend I've had a lot of blessings that have helped me get through the stress of school.
The first thing was meeting my best friend Kim at the airport on Thursday. I hadn't seen her in 4 months and so seeing her for the brief minutes I saw her for was amazing! I was reminded of the season of winter I went through in various friendships and how God has taken that winter and is beginning to grow something new in my life as I experience "spring". God has used Kim, and all my other new friends, to show me that in His timing, spring does arrive...no matter how long or hard winter was.
The second thing this weekend has held is the priviledge of seeing a lot of my extended family. For years I've wanted to live closer to my cousins. I always wanted to be able to "watch" them grow up...as in experience things with them that I couldn't because I lived hours away. Last night I babysat my three youngest cousins...something I always dreamed of but never imagined would be possible. This weekend will go on record as one with the most extended family at my house...other then when we celebrated my grandma's 65th birthday. I've seen both sets of grandparents, one aunt, two uncles, and four cousins!
This weekends been great! There's so much to be thankful for! Thank You Jesus for everything You have done for me! There aren't words to accurately describe how I feel right now...
I know this post is already long, but there is a song I want to share with you.
I just came across it, but it's a great reminder of how "We Are The Reason" Jesus came to earth, died, and rose again!
Hello everyone! I know I'm not really 'supposed' to be writing right now, but I figure I'd interrupt my blogging break for a moment.
School is coming along well! I'm completely finished my reading for Biology and Health, so I just have to finish my assignments for those two classes and do a little bit more Math and I will be finished!! I'm starting to see the end in sight!!
It looks like spring has finally arrived here on the prairies! I can finally see grass in my backyard, and I'm starting to visually plan out how we should landscape it this summer. Currently there are absolutely no flower beds, so I'm hoping to put some in as well as a garden! It's so nice to see the mountains of snow melting and hear the birds chirping in the morning!
What really prompted me to write today is a conversation I had with a lady yesterday. A lady came to the door where I was nannying and at first glance I thought she was trying to sell something. It turns out she wasn't trying to sell in the sense of sell that I was thinking of. She in fact was trying to 'sell' her beliefs to me. After talking to her briefly, and being interrupted by her everytime I tried to say anything important, she left and I walked away with an imprint that conversation left on my heart. Long story short, she was trying to invite me to a memorial service to celebrate Jesus' death or life, or however you want to look at it. A memorial service. Why hold a memorial service for the LIVING Jesus?! Unless of course you don't believe He truly is alive. I walked away from this conversation feeling an ache in my heart because I realized afresh how many people are not living with the hope that is found in Christ. The hope that He is alive.
At one point in the conversation she asked me if I had ever wondered why Jesus had to die. I said no I hadn't (and couldn't go on to say why because she interrupted me). And then right before she was leaving she said "So you don't have any questions?" And I said no I don't (because the answers are found in the Bible...but again I couldn't tell her this because she interrupted...). She proceeded to say "Well, good for you...because most people do." This is so true. So many people do have questions about life and about God. Unfortunately the people going around trying to answer the questions don't even have the answers themselves...they are forgetting about the most amazing Answer of all...Jesus in His life, death AND resurrection!
All of this reminded me of a song on one of the Passion CD's called "Like A Lion." The chorus of this song says "My God's not dead, He's surely alive. He's living on the inside, roaring like a lion." I'm going to post the song below so you can hear it and be reminded like I was about the hope found in Jesus and that He is alive, not dead. He is coming back again. And we need to let Him, who is living inside of everyone of His children (those who have asked Him to forgive them of their sins and live in them) roar like a lion through us so that those around us can also know the hope found in Him! Let's make this our mission over this coming up Easter season!
Sometimes I wish I was still little...living in Calgary, enjoying my time with my friends there...
This is a thought I mentioned to my dad this past weekend. On Wednesday I found out my friend Karissa's university hockey team had made it to the CIS National Championships for the first time in their history. The championship started on Thursday and ended today. I usually am not much of a sports fan, but for friends, I'll do anything to cheer them on!!
Watching Karissa's first game on Friday brought back lots of memories of when she was in Ringette, and then when she was first starting out with hockey. I remember going to her games as often as I could so I could cheer her on. I didn't know much about what was going on with the game, but I'd do anything to show my support... I really miss those days...before life became complicated... But, back to the game...
I texted Karissa on Friday and she made a comment that she "finally turned me into a hockey fan" and that "now [her] life is complete!" Haha! It brought a smile to my face. All week I had been trying to see some sort of reason why I "had" to stay home this week instead of going to visit Kim in NY. Last week when I was feeling upset about not going, my mom said maybe something was going to happen this week that I needed to be here for. I was doubtful, but I tried to keep my eyes open for something the entire week...until Friday. All of a sudden it hit me. I had to stay home for this championship. Not so I could watch it...but so I could show my support of Karissa. So I could show her I care about her.
You see, if I had gone to NY, I wouldn't have known about the championships (HER TEAM WON BRONZE BY THE WAY!! I am so proud of them!!), and I wouldn't have found out I could watch it online, and I also wouldn't have been able to show her my support...
I still wish I could have gone to NY to see Kim...but at the same time I am seeing more and more how God kept me here for a reason. It's been a cry of my heart to be there for Karissa...and in a way I was this weekend. I was thinking yesterday and I realized something extremely important. If something would happen to me, or to Kim, or if Jesus were to come back right now, I know where I'd be...I know where Kim would be. BUT, on the other hand if something were to happen to Karissa...I don't know where she would be...and that breaks me inside. So, for me to take this "God-moment" this weekend and be there for Karissa, I'm seeing how it was more important to eternity than me being in NY with Kim.
All this reminds me of a verse I read this week "We can make our plans, but the final outcome is in God's hands." (Proverbs 16:1 TLB) Now that I look at it again, it was Friday's verse on my daily verse calender...Friday was the day of Karissa's first game...crazy how God works!!
When things don't work out the way we want them to, I think it is important to look at it through God's view... Like this week...I didn't get to go away...something I was very disappointed about, but God knew better. He knew I needed to be there for Karissa this week...to shine His light into her life. If you are facing any disappointments, try to look for something God might be doing through it. Maybe He is going to do something beyond your imagination...something that will impact eternity...
The hand of the LORD was on me, and he brought me out by the Spirit of the LORD and set me in the middle of a valley; it was full of bones. He led me back and forth among them, and I saw a great many bones on the floor of the valley, bones that were very dry. He asked me, “Son of man, can these bones live?”
I said, “Sovereign LORD, you alone know.”
Then he said to me, “Prophesy to these bones and say to them, ‘Dry bones, hear the word of the LORD! This is what the Sovereign LORD says to these bones: I will make breath enter you, and you will come to life. I will attach tendons to you and make flesh come upon you and cover you with skin; I will put breath in you, and you will come to life. Then you will know that I am the LORD.’”
So I prophesied as I was commanded. And as I was prophesying, there was a noise, a rattling sound, and the bones came together, bone to bone. I looked, and tendons and flesh appeared on them and skin covered them, but there was no breath in them.
Then he said to me, “Prophesy to the breath; prophesy, son of man, and say to it, ‘This is what the Sovereign LORD says: Come, breath, from the four winds and breathe into these slain, that they may live.’” So I prophesied as he commanded me, and breath entered them; they came to life and stood up on their feet—a vast army.
~Ezekiel 31:1-10
This is one of my favourite passages of Scripture. It's so exciting to think about how God breathes His breath into the dry bones and they live. There is so much I could say about this passage...but since it's late I'll just leave you with the scripture to think about...and I'll also share a video with you. A few years ago I was a part of a dance team for a youth conference and we did a dance pretty much the exactly the same as the one in this video. (I was the same song, and most of the same dance moves...) I'm hoping to find a copy of my dance team, and eventually share it with you, but this one will have to do for now until I figure out how to take the old-fashioned video tape and turn it into a DVD or something... Enjoy! This is a powerful song!
At church tonight we sang the song "How He Loves" by David Crowder Band. Growing up in the church, I think it's been too easy to forget just how real the words are that we sing every week. Tonight we had communion, and while we were getting the emblems, we sang this song. I was reminded of just how much Jesus loves us.
Jesus loves us so much that He endured our pain. He took the punishment for our sin. Every beating, every mocking word, every cry of anguish was by all rights ours. But Jesus, in His love for us took our place. He took those beatings. He listened to each mocking word. He cried out in anguish. And ALL of it for you. ALL of it for me. ALL of it because of His love for us. He did nothing wrong. But He went to the cross for us. Thankfully the story doesn't end there, but continues on with Jesus going down to hell to get the "keys of death and hades" (Revelations 1:18) and then rising again, acending into heaven, and promising to return for everyone who loves Him!
As we sang "How He Loves" I was overwhelmed with how much Jesus really loves me. I was overwhelmed with the fact that no matter what I've done, or what I will do, He will NEVER leave or forsake me. Sometimes I get overwhelmed when I think of those I know and love who are not serving Jesus. Those who knew Him and knowingly turned their backs, or those who have never come to know Him. But tonight I realized something...God has never left them either. He has been with them always. He has been knocking on the door of their heart, aching to come in . He LOVES them too. He loves them so much that no matter what they are doing right now, He is still there with them, even if they don't realize it. He loves them so much that it pains them when they don't acknowledge them...but because of His love, He will continue standing with them, waiting for them to open their hearts to His love.
John 3:16 says: "For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whosoever believes in Him will not perish but have everlasting life."
God so LOVED, so that you and I can spend eternity with Him! He so loved that He came down to earth to live a life like you and me, only without sin. He endured the hurt, the pain, the suffering, the betrayal, the loneliness, and the grief that you and I deal with. All because He loves us and desires for us to spend eternity with Him in heaven! Wow! Thank you Lord!!
Here are a couple songs we've been singing at church that talk about how Jesus loves us, and how He endured our pain...
I just finished watching "The Chronicles of Narnia: Voyage of the Dawn Treader" for the second time. I have to say out of the three, this one is my favourite.
There is a line that really stood out to me from the end of the movie. Prince Caspian is given the opportunity to leave Narnia behind and go to Aslan's land. Caspian walks to the wall of water, but turns around and says something along the lines of "I've spent so much time looking for what I lost that I forgot about what I've been given: The people... I'm going to be a better king."
This line really got me thinking. As a Christian how often have I overlooked those around me. Those who are broken. Those who are confused. Those who are searching. Those who are walking through life without a true purpose. Those who need Jesus. How often have I been just like Prince Caspian and have looked at what I "lost" (selfish desires) versus what I have been given. There is a purpose for why I am here. There are people in my path who I need to reach out to. Why hold in the Light when there is darkness all around? Why keep the worlds best Gift to myself when it was meant to be shared with EVERYONE?
I desire to be faithful with what I have been given. I don't want to waste my life and find when the end comes that I did nothing. I want my life to be used fully. I want my life to be used to radiate the love of Christ. I want to become a better steward of what I've been given: grace and salvation from Jesus. Because that is really what the purpose of life is...
