I just have a few short thoughts for today.
First, if I were to ask you to tell me, "Who are you without using your name (or anyone's name)?" What would your response be? I think I would say something about my schooling and maybe where I live. I'd probably mumble something about being a Christ Follower...and then quickly change to talking about my accomplishments, music, sports, art, etc. But honestly, have you thought about it lately? WHO are you?
Second, I'm reading a pretty great book about grace. The title pretty much sums it up. It's called, "What's So Amazing About Grace?" and is written by Philip Yancy. So far, I would recommend it. There's so much in it, I don't even know where to begin. But I'll include just a few thoughts from the book.
Grace costs nothing for the recipients but everything for the giver.
We do not have to achieve but merely follow. HE has already earned for us the costly victory of God's acceptance.
Wow! Isn't that just incredible!
So...now, for those of us who have chosen to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, we are sons and daughters of the King of Kings! Sure, maybe we've heard that said a million times...but really, what does it mean? Well, first off, it means we are loved...beyond what we could dream or imagine. It also means that we have recieved grace...which, in turn, means we are no longer seen with all our wrongs, but when God looks at us, he sees beauty, purity, perfection...He sees His son, Jesus. Identity in Christ is something I'm sure we all struggle with. And there is just so much more I could say on the subject. But since my goal is to keep these posts most of the time somewhat short, I will end it now. But, don't be surprised if I come back to the topic oh so soon! :)
God bless you my friends!
"How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!"
1 John 3:1a
Thursday, January 27, 2011
Sunday, January 23, 2011
Be ministered to...
Life is really hard right now. And I'm sure that doesn't apply to just me. I don't want to use this space to whine and complain, or even necessarily to preach some lengthy message about gratitude and blessings. Yes, I have been blessed beyond measure, and I am so grateful to my God for that. But sometimes life just really hurts. And sometimes, no matter what one does or says, it's not gonna change the fact that it hurts. If anyone is interested, I'll share some of my story, but for now I just want to encourage you. No matter what you're going through, don't lose hope. No matter how difficult or dark the storm, praise God and hold to his promises, because He has NEVER forsaken those who seek Him! I want to share some songs that have really ministered to me and helped bring some light to these hard times. Just listen, and let your heart and soul be ministered to. Surrender yourself to the Lord and listen to him speak into your life.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oaO73cx4pn4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RZxsKF9RQos
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=New8i_eX3x8&ob=av2nl
God bless you.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oaO73cx4pn4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RZxsKF9RQos
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=New8i_eX3x8&ob=av2nl
God bless you.
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
worthy...
I've been dealing with some dark times for quite a while now. I don't know the purpose for it all, but I'm hanging on to the God who's holding me.
I found myself yesterday saying to God, "If you love me...PLEASE prove it..."
Right then, I felt Jesus' sadness as he spoke back to my heart, "I DO love you. Have you really forgotten what I did for you? Was that not enough?" It's the true love story.
Some things are just too hard to retell with the same meaning they had when they happened. But suddenly, I saw a man with the deepest, purest, love in his eyes, being dragged away towards a wooden cross. And though he said not a word, his eyes pleaded for me to understand that though this would hurt him - no, more than that - kill him, it was alright. He was resolved, because I was worth it to him.
Overwhelmed I started crying. Wow, what misdirected focus I've had. I've been crying and complaining that HE wasn't doing his part. But, he reminded me that I was the one who had forgotten what He's already done. He gave his life, because he loves me. He saw me as worthy, and died for love.
I found myself yesterday saying to God, "If you love me...PLEASE prove it..."
Right then, I felt Jesus' sadness as he spoke back to my heart, "I DO love you. Have you really forgotten what I did for you? Was that not enough?" It's the true love story.
Some things are just too hard to retell with the same meaning they had when they happened. But suddenly, I saw a man with the deepest, purest, love in his eyes, being dragged away towards a wooden cross. And though he said not a word, his eyes pleaded for me to understand that though this would hurt him - no, more than that - kill him, it was alright. He was resolved, because I was worth it to him.
Overwhelmed I started crying. Wow, what misdirected focus I've had. I've been crying and complaining that HE wasn't doing his part. But, he reminded me that I was the one who had forgotten what He's already done. He gave his life, because he loves me. He saw me as worthy, and died for love.
Thursday, January 6, 2011
Sometimes I just have to laugh...
I found myself today getting very jealous and slightly frustrated at something I had NO right to be jealous or frustrated about. And I just had to sit back, evaluate myself, and laugh.
It sometimes seems that life is defined in mile markers - by our accomplishments and maturity. Once we've reached a certain point or passed a mark, it's done, accomplished. We think, "I'm over that...that's something of the past." But how often do we find ourselves in situations where we feel like an insecure kid again? Don't we often find old feelings and frustrations rising back up in us? And just when we say, "Okay, I'm good, I've finally gotten past this." those old thoughts, attitudes and behaviors jump back into us and make us feel like we've accomplished nothing.
Isn't it funny how these things just come back up. I don't know how to describe them, but we often have to fight against habits and weaknesses our whole life. But here are a few extra interesting thoughts! :)
I'm reminded of that beautiful passage in chapter 12 of 2 Corinthians. In the 9th verse, God says, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Wow! In our weaknesses, struggles, frustrations, GOD IS STRONG!
And time and time again, we are told that the old self, our flesh, will rise up in us again. It is a constant battle. But Jesus never said, "Ask me into your heart everything will be perfect!" No siree! What He did say was, "Follow me." What he did say is, "Stand firm!" What he did say is, "Abide in Me."
Hmmm, interesting word. Abide.
And online dictionary defines abide as a verb. And here are some of the meanings:
1. to remain; continue; stay: Abide with me.
2. to have one's abode; dwell; reside: to abide in a small Scottish village.
3. to continue in a particular condition, attitude, relationship, etc.; last.
Let's think on that. I am learning day by day. And of course, it's not just something that's done and over with. It's a constant abidance in the Lord Jesus. :)
God bless you! And give me some of your thoughts! :)
~Meggie
It sometimes seems that life is defined in mile markers - by our accomplishments and maturity. Once we've reached a certain point or passed a mark, it's done, accomplished. We think, "I'm over that...that's something of the past." But how often do we find ourselves in situations where we feel like an insecure kid again? Don't we often find old feelings and frustrations rising back up in us? And just when we say, "Okay, I'm good, I've finally gotten past this." those old thoughts, attitudes and behaviors jump back into us and make us feel like we've accomplished nothing.
Isn't it funny how these things just come back up. I don't know how to describe them, but we often have to fight against habits and weaknesses our whole life. But here are a few extra interesting thoughts! :)
I'm reminded of that beautiful passage in chapter 12 of 2 Corinthians. In the 9th verse, God says, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Wow! In our weaknesses, struggles, frustrations, GOD IS STRONG!
And time and time again, we are told that the old self, our flesh, will rise up in us again. It is a constant battle. But Jesus never said, "Ask me into your heart everything will be perfect!" No siree! What He did say was, "Follow me." What he did say is, "Stand firm!" What he did say is, "Abide in Me."
Hmmm, interesting word. Abide.
And online dictionary defines abide as a verb. And here are some of the meanings:
1. to remain; continue; stay: Abide with me.
2. to have one's abode; dwell; reside: to abide in a small Scottish village.
3. to continue in a particular condition, attitude, relationship, etc.; last.
Let's think on that. I am learning day by day. And of course, it's not just something that's done and over with. It's a constant abidance in the Lord Jesus. :)
God bless you! And give me some of your thoughts! :)
~Meggie
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
Can't Keep it to Myself
"I, the LORD, have called you in righteousness; I will take hold of your hand. I will keep you and will make you to be a covenant for the people and a light for the Gentiles, to open eyes that are blind, to free captives from prison and to release from the dungeon those who sit in darkness." -Isaiah 42:6-7
"But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for His own possession, that you may PROCLAIM THE EXCELLENCIES of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light." -1 Peter 2:9
"I will sing of the LORD's great love forever; with my mouth I will make your faithfulness known through all generations. I will declare that your love stands firm forever, that you established your faithfulness in heaven itself." -Psalm 89:1-2
God has given me a love for people and for writing. Often times, throughout the day, God reveals to me little bits of insight and wisdom. So, here are the reasons for which I am creating this blog:
1) The verses above clearly explain that we are to tell of God's goodness, faithfulness, excellencies, not keep it to ourselves.
2) Writing things down and telling others about them helps me to learn them better and for those things to become more ingrained into me.
3) I love to write and share with others. I think God wants me to do this. :)
So I will try to post often. Some days it may be a verse or two. Other days, it may be a quote or a question. And still other days, it may be a novel. ;P
Anyways, but I hope and pray that God will use this blog to glorify Himself and bring encouragement, hope, peace, instruction, and joy to your life and mine. God bless you all!
~Meggie
"But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for His own possession, that you may PROCLAIM THE EXCELLENCIES of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light." -1 Peter 2:9
"I will sing of the LORD's great love forever; with my mouth I will make your faithfulness known through all generations. I will declare that your love stands firm forever, that you established your faithfulness in heaven itself." -Psalm 89:1-2
God has given me a love for people and for writing. Often times, throughout the day, God reveals to me little bits of insight and wisdom. So, here are the reasons for which I am creating this blog:
1) The verses above clearly explain that we are to tell of God's goodness, faithfulness, excellencies, not keep it to ourselves.
2) Writing things down and telling others about them helps me to learn them better and for those things to become more ingrained into me.
3) I love to write and share with others. I think God wants me to do this. :)
So I will try to post often. Some days it may be a verse or two. Other days, it may be a quote or a question. And still other days, it may be a novel. ;P
Anyways, but I hope and pray that God will use this blog to glorify Himself and bring encouragement, hope, peace, instruction, and joy to your life and mine. God bless you all!
~Meggie
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