What is the most expensive thing you can think of? A Lamborghini? Jewels? Houses?
What makes something expensive? Is is merely the intrinsic worth of an item, or does sentimental value play into it?
If somebody were to try and buy either of the following two items, which would be more expensive?
A Ferrari or
Christmas morning
Wait, you can't buy Christmas. It's a day.
Ok, play along with me. If someone could buy and sell a day, would you give it up for a million dollars? Maybe if it were just any day... but what about Christmas day? Hot chocolate or coffee, a crackling fire, a five year old understanding how much fun it is to give mommy a gift, singing Christmas carols while preparing dinner, peace, quiet, time with those you love and who love you....
So, there you have it. Most people who have that wouldn't sell that morning for the world. Those who don't have that would give the world to get it.
But there is something else that costs so much.... and yet it is totally worth it.
Forgiveness
I was studying for one of my Bible classes this past weekend and there was a chapter in the textbook on forgiveness. I thought I knew it all. But I didn't. One thing I had never heard was this: forgiveness always has a cost. A very high cost in some cases.
Think about being forgiven for your sins. The only thing that can pay for sins is death. Christ gave up His life to make that payment for you. But think about when you ask God to forgive you for your sins. Does He ask you to pay for them?
No. They've been paid for. He absorbed the cost Himself. Through giving up His Son to death because of our sin, the penalty was paid, but He doesn't demand restitution for the loss He suffered. He gives forgiveness to all who ask.
Notice I don't say say to everyone. Only those who ask. We have to ask for forgiveness for it to be given. True, the offended party can overlook the wrong and not develop bitterness or anger over it, but that is not forgiveness. Someone has to pay the price for the wrong (not the ultimate price, but the immediate inter-relational price).
If someone dents your car, is it forgiveness to ask them to pay to fix the dent?
No. That is justice. That is right. That is perfectly acceptable. But it is not forgiveness.
Forgiveness is paying to fix the dent yourself.
Why would anyone want to do that??? Well, because maybe the other person can never possibly be able to make restitution for the damage.
And what happens if no one ever pays to fix the damage? Well...
It stays.
Expensive? Yeah...
Worth it?
Well, you tell me.
Because of Him,
Missa
Sunday, November 10, 2013
Tuesday, October 22, 2013
Empty
Three things I have learned from going to college full time:
So I'm kinda joking a bit, but sometimes that is how it seems. And talking to those who are older than me, it sounds like it doesn't actually get better the older you get - you just don't have as much energy to do more things.
Have you ever thought about the fact that God doesn't get tired? Well,duh! Who else would be listening to our prayers at 2 am when we're working on our paper and the computer dies?
No, seriously. Our God is never weary, never weighed down by the cares of life, never sleeps, never faints, never even takes His eyes off of us to blink. He is vigilant, faithful, and cares for us more than we do.
On Monday, in chapel, the preacher was reading Isaiah 40. He was really only reading the first part to emphasize the perfect and enduring nature of God's word and the necessity for Bible translation. That afternoon, I was studying for a science test and came across a note I had made about a verse later on in the passage. Then, that evening I was getting ready to go running and was a bit antsy, so I pulled out my Bible again to read the same passage (once I get stuck on something, I have a hard time getting off of it until I have it completely processed in my mind).
The whole passage is speaking about the marvelousness of God and asks twice "Have you not known? Have you not heard?" concerning certain attributes of God. But I want to show one thing to you:
- You can either get an "A" in English or in your favorite class - not both (choose wisely)
- They give away twice as many room job demerits on Friday because nobody works the desk after classes
- You will get very sleepy - really! By the second week of school, you are falling asleep in classes
So I'm kinda joking a bit, but sometimes that is how it seems. And talking to those who are older than me, it sounds like it doesn't actually get better the older you get - you just don't have as much energy to do more things.
Have you ever thought about the fact that God doesn't get tired? Well,duh! Who else would be listening to our prayers at 2 am when we're working on our paper and the computer dies?
No, seriously. Our God is never weary, never weighed down by the cares of life, never sleeps, never faints, never even takes His eyes off of us to blink. He is vigilant, faithful, and cares for us more than we do.
On Monday, in chapel, the preacher was reading Isaiah 40. He was really only reading the first part to emphasize the perfect and enduring nature of God's word and the necessity for Bible translation. That afternoon, I was studying for a science test and came across a note I had made about a verse later on in the passage. Then, that evening I was getting ready to go running and was a bit antsy, so I pulled out my Bible again to read the same passage (once I get stuck on something, I have a hard time getting off of it until I have it completely processed in my mind).
The whole passage is speaking about the marvelousness of God and asks twice "Have you not known? Have you not heard?" concerning certain attributes of God. But I want to show one thing to you:
Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? there is no searching of his understanding.
He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength.
Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall:
But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint. Isaiah 40:28-31
Our God is not weary and doesn't faint. That is something that everyone should know and accept. But God is the One that gives us our strength. We are weary. We faint. God renews that which we have lost so that we can run without weariness and walk without fainting.
Another thing I've learned, somewhat recently but this is also just a review lesson for me, is that there are different kinds of weariness. Sometimes it is physical weariness. Without the proper amount of sleep and nutrition, your body wears down faster and faster until you can barely stay awake in chapel at 11, much less pay attention in your 4 pm class.
The second type of weariness is emotional or mental. You can reach a point where you're technically getting enough sleep, but because of just life in general, you are weary. And it's not necessarily something bad that happened, but just something that took up a lot of emotion in your day. For me, when I write, especially on this blog, I'm basically putting my devotional journal on here - that just takes a lot out of me. Sometimes it's comforting a friend who is hurting, sometimes it is a moment of complete joy and happiness. Somethings are just emotionally draining.
And then we have Christ. We love as He loved. We give ourselves to others for His glory. And there is always enough grace to make it through one more day.
I can tell you that there have been times this semester that I have gotten up before 5 and didn't fall asleep until after 2. I was completely worn out and was struggling to get the minimum amount of work done (lets not even talk about the "extras" of studying). But daily I found that He gave me energy to make it through. He gave it by different ways - a friend to talk to, an encouraging verse, a kind word at work.... But it was Him. He daily filled my life with His strength and then kept topping me off until I reached the end of the day - completely empty, but looking forward to the next day to glorify Him in His strength.
Because of Him,
Missa
Tuesday, September 17, 2013
Suntanned
During prayer group this week, we were reading a prayer letter from a missionary in Antigua who told the story of a man who did not want to get saved until he had had his fun. This unsaved man know that to be a Christian meant a radically different life from that of the world. That is what being a Christian is.
If you look at American Christianity throughout history, there has been a dramatic progression from having a noticeably different lifestyle to just blending into a crowd. This is due, not to a lack of true regeneration, but to a blurring of the line of what is good and what is bad. There is now what is called "a gray area" of "not that bad". Why is "not that bad" acceptable? What is the "that" that we are comparing our actions/words/entertainment choices on?
When you are first exposed to the sun at the beginning of the summer what happens? Initially, you will get burned. It hurts and you notice it and shy away from it. But sunburns don't last forever. For three months, though, you are being exposed more and more to the burning rays, and yet you don't get burned. You get more and more tan. Eventually, it can get to the point that you don't even see that you are tanned and spending hours outside no longer causes the pain it once did. It's only when you return from your vacation and come in contact with those who worked desk jobs all summer and are still pasty white that you see how far it has gone.
So think of sin in the same way. The first time you heard a curse word or profanity in a movie (and actually knew what it meant) were you surprised? Did it cause a bit of pain? But you were watching the movie with your family or close friend... and they thought it was fine... Or at least they didn't say anything about it.
Fast forward five years. Now you regularly watch movies with "questionable" (sinful) content. But it's only rated PG13! Or maybe even PG... But there is so much worse out there right now. This movie really isn't that bad.
I heard a sermon at camp about David. He was a man after God's own heart, but how was he so? In 1 Samuel 24, twice David sinned. Both times they were things that aren't that bad, and yet it says that his heart smote him. He felt the pain of sin. Instead of excusing it since it wasn't that bad, he repented and did not repeat the sin. In Psalm 101 we find his plan to stay away from sin:
Psalm 101 I will sing of mercy and judgment: unto thee, O LORD, will I sing.
I will behave myself wisely in a perfect way. O when wilt thou come unto me? I will walk within my house with a perfect heart.
I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes: I hate the work of them that turn aside; it shall not cleave to me.
A froward heart shall depart from me: I will not know a wicked person.
Whoso privily slandereth his neighbour, him will I cut off: him that hath an high look and a proud heart will not I suffer.
Mine eyes shall be upon the faithful of the land, that they may dwell with me: he that walketh in a perfect way, he shall serve me.
He that worketh deceit shall not dwell within my house: he that telleth lies shall not tarry in my sight.
I will early destroy all the wicked of the land; that I may cut off all wicked doers from the city of the LORD.
Because of Him,
Missa
Sunday, August 18, 2013
Enduring
*The following story is told in first person for dramatic effect ONLY. Any resemblance to people or events living or dead is purely coincidental*
I am very close to someone. I care about them more than anything and do what I can to serve them in sacrificial love. Not necessarily a spouse, but certainly a very close and dear friend. I confide in this person and they confide in me.
And then, one day, I learn that the trust we shared has been broken. This person has been taking my information and using it behind my back to mock me or to damage my reputation.
What am I going to do about it?! This is totally uncalled for, I have done everything for this person! I've served them and they turn around and stick a knife in my back! This is not fair! I shouldn't have to put up with this!
*Deep Breath* Well, maybe this was a one time sin.... Yeah, that's it. I can forgive and forget! Life returns to its placid state.
And it happens again!
Let us say, for the sake of shortening our words, that this cycle happens many times over several years until....
I just don't care anymore. I don't want to love that person anymore.
All right, story time is over. I think, in all honesty, this has happened to a lot of us. We've been betrayed by someone we love. How are you supposed to respond to this? Even when the offense has only happened once, not multiple times, how are we supposed to respond? To be completely honest, I am dealing with something like this right now, as well as watching a conflict like this develop and simmer for several months (years, really). How are we all to respond as Christians?
Someone whom I greatly trust gave this advice: apply 1 Corinthians 13. Isn't it great when God gives us very specific instructions on how to act?
Yeah, well I want to see anyone who can completely apply that passage! "Believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things"... Love is really hard! Love is not "when I feel like it" or "when they are always acting in a loving manner towards me" Did you know that we are supposed to even supposed to treat people this way when they are our enemies?! (Matthew 5:43-44)
So, the Bible really is pretty intense on this issue of what true love is. Let's just look at 1 Corinthians 13 in parts:
Charity (Love)...
- Suffereth Long - that means to suffer for a long time (i. e. you don't have a "last straw")
- Is Kind - We went over this in Sunday School today. Kindness is doing something for someone because you care about, whether you want to do it or not
- Envieth Not - You are not jealous of what the other person has that you don't (be it possessions, popularity, or personality)
- Vaunteth Not Itself - Basically it means that your goal is not to be lifted up or promoted by the object of your love. Your goal is actually to lift the other person up.
- Is Not Puffed Up - Don't be proud in a self-glorifying manner. (See the whole book of proverbs)
- Doth Not Behave Itself Unseemly - It knows where the boundaries are and stays well within them
- Seeketh Not Her Own - Look out for the other person, let God worry about Who is taking care of you
- Is Not Easily Provoked - Don't let your buttons get pushed (see "suffereth long")
- Thinketh No Evil - This is a hard one: don't assume that the person who is doing you wrong is actually being malicious. This is a really hard one. Personally, I love to talk issues out - to think out loud. Sometimes I want to have someone with a listening ear. That may be all that the issue is about. True, the other person may be lacking discernment as to who they are confiding in, but we are talking about your response, not their actions.
- Rejoiceth Not In Iniquity, But Rejoiceth In Truth - Don't silently gloat when the other person is falling on their face in sin! Just because you have an issue with them does not mean that the more they stumble the better because that might mean that they will finally get right with God - and you. Anyone who has struggled with sin can tell you that one sin leads to another which leads to another... and the more sin the harder it is to get it all right and taken care of. We should rejoice when we see them doing the right thing! That shows a tenderness towards God and perhaps a leading to restitution
- Beareth All Things - Carry the other person's burdens
- Believeth All Things - When they tell you that they are sorry... believe them
- Hopeth All Things - An old saying is "while there is life, there is hope". It is ok to hope for a restoration!
- Endureth All Things - No matter what happens... you will always still love this person. Period.
Please do not merely change your actions without making a verbal acknowledgment of your wrong! This is very important. When you do not admit your wrong, the other person will not see their need to admit their wrong. You are also dancing on the edge of pride, since you do not see the need to "go to thy brother" (Matthew 5:24) and humble yourself.
Please do not leave this website without reading two other posts of mine, if you have not already done so: Mirror Image and Soul Piercing. Please note, I am not writing to someone else, I am writing this to YOU.
Because of Him,
Missa
Saturday, August 10, 2013
Offending Gospel
Maybe this isn't a post for my regular readers... but it might be. Or maybe this post will just be one to refer to in future discussions. Definitely more practical than philosophical.
Manners matter.
Well, yeah, that's what my mom always said!
But have you ever really thought about what manners are and what their purpose is? Manners are actions or words used to make everyone around you as comfortable and non-distracted as possible. But does this really make a difference to a Christian?
Yup.
When you are having a conversation with someone, do you notice them doing things you were taught weren't polite? For example, as kids, we were not allowed to have our elbows on the table. Now, when I'm eating with someone, if they put their elbows on the table, it distracts me, even if only momentarily. The same goes for chewing gum in church, using language that is crude (not necessarily swearing, just unpleasant words), and cracking knuckles.
The point is, Satan will use whatever he has to to distract people from the Gospel, even bad manners. When someone displays poor manners, they are saying, even unintentionally, that they are the most important person in the room and they don't care what you think.
I've been told that having an attitude of not caring what people think is a good thing, and it probably is. Nevertheless, we must be aware that some actions completely repulse people. Without them, you are not that much at a loss, but your friends may be greatly benefited by them. You will never offend people by your lack of crudity, but rather attract people by your abundance of consideration.
Let me give another example in a slightly different direction. Recently, I was discussing an issue with a friend of mine concerning a recent news story about a boy not being allowed to wear a shirt with a confederate flag to school. While I agreed with the young man about it being an encroachment on our American liberty, I disagree that we should actually protest it, or intentionally wear that symbol (or any other one, for that matter) to make a statement. A common saying in this time is to "wear your heart on your sleeve". Let everyone know all of your opinions and vehemently defend them at all times.
But who are we proclaiming to the World? Ourselves? ... or Christ? In 2 Corinthians 4:5, Paul gives himself as a model for how we should act. We're preaching Christ and Him crucified. Verse 11 talks about living Christ in the flesh. We are living like Christians (little Christs) at the expense of who we are.
Now before you decry my statements as too harsh and impossible... consider this; when you purchase a Mac, you are communicating, in a way, that you want to be associated with that brand. You wear a Superman shirt because he's cool. You are continually preaching something - why must it be something of this World and not of Christ? Live your faith - in what you say, do, and display to those around you (1 Timothy 4:12)
Because of Him,
Missa
Manners matter.
Well, yeah, that's what my mom always said!
But have you ever really thought about what manners are and what their purpose is? Manners are actions or words used to make everyone around you as comfortable and non-distracted as possible. But does this really make a difference to a Christian?
Yup.
When you are having a conversation with someone, do you notice them doing things you were taught weren't polite? For example, as kids, we were not allowed to have our elbows on the table. Now, when I'm eating with someone, if they put their elbows on the table, it distracts me, even if only momentarily. The same goes for chewing gum in church, using language that is crude (not necessarily swearing, just unpleasant words), and cracking knuckles.
The point is, Satan will use whatever he has to to distract people from the Gospel, even bad manners. When someone displays poor manners, they are saying, even unintentionally, that they are the most important person in the room and they don't care what you think.
I've been told that having an attitude of not caring what people think is a good thing, and it probably is. Nevertheless, we must be aware that some actions completely repulse people. Without them, you are not that much at a loss, but your friends may be greatly benefited by them. You will never offend people by your lack of crudity, but rather attract people by your abundance of consideration.
Let me give another example in a slightly different direction. Recently, I was discussing an issue with a friend of mine concerning a recent news story about a boy not being allowed to wear a shirt with a confederate flag to school. While I agreed with the young man about it being an encroachment on our American liberty, I disagree that we should actually protest it, or intentionally wear that symbol (or any other one, for that matter) to make a statement. A common saying in this time is to "wear your heart on your sleeve". Let everyone know all of your opinions and vehemently defend them at all times.
But who are we proclaiming to the World? Ourselves? ... or Christ? In 2 Corinthians 4:5, Paul gives himself as a model for how we should act. We're preaching Christ and Him crucified. Verse 11 talks about living Christ in the flesh. We are living like Christians (little Christs) at the expense of who we are.
Now before you decry my statements as too harsh and impossible... consider this; when you purchase a Mac, you are communicating, in a way, that you want to be associated with that brand. You wear a Superman shirt because he's cool. You are continually preaching something - why must it be something of this World and not of Christ? Live your faith - in what you say, do, and display to those around you (1 Timothy 4:12)
Because of Him,
Missa
Sunday, August 4, 2013
Dazed
Green Thunder was robbed. If you don't attend Bob Jones, you likely will not understand, but please just acknowledge that fact as true. Just like the Cardinals were robbed in their Super Bowl attempt a few years ago by a terrible call, so was the Green Thunder team of the 2013 edition of Gold Rush Daze here at the big Bob.
What am I really talking about? When I arrived on campus in January, I was already hearing things about an event coming up in March. A huge campus-wide competition that only occurs once every four years. Of all the semesters I could chose to begin my studies, I had chosen the most epic.
For two and a half months, the anticipation grew with every midnight pep rally and Facebook meme. Then the day came that the students were allowed to decorate the entire campus, and it looked like Christmas had come back to raise it's ugly head (it really did look ugly).
But, unfortunately, events began to take place that tore through the veil of friendly competition. Decorations that had taken hours to make were destroyed. Pranks were played. Some really weren't that bad, but some were pretty destructive.
And the fun stopped.
The competition continued, but the few who had gone too far made the rest of us just wish for March 12th to be over.
One day. That's all. All the planning. All the money. All the late hours decorating. All for one day. All for the "rush" of Gold Rush Daze. I enjoyed the event as much as everyone, but at the end of the day, it really just felt empty. I was hoarse, sunburned, and very tired. I never wanted to see the colors green or red again.
A whole college campus consumed with the temporary.
But, don't we all struggle in that way? Some people call it the rat race, the business of life, or just life. We are consumed with the here and now.
And I don't just mean today.
In the big picture, we have eternity to look forward to as Christians. James 4:14 shows, in a way, how God views our life: a vapor.
A vapor. A tiny puff of water that disappears as soon as it has appeared. That's all that our life is. It's nothing!
And yet it is still something. We are given the number of our days, and no more, to be used to serve God for His glory. While we are here on this earth, ours eyes should be looking for "that blessed hope" and "glorious appearing of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ" (Titus 2:13). The world wants us to see life in the view that today is all that matters; get as much of a "rush" as you can from it. Someone once said (I forget who) that for Christians, this world is as close to Hell as we can get... and for the unsaved, it is as close to heaven as they can get. If that is true, then it is no wonder the unsaved are consumed with this world and the pleasures thereof. But why do Christians become enraptured with it... even within the goal of service?
I've noticed a pattern within my own life. When my focus is on Christ and glorifying Him and looking towards His kingdom, my joy and eagerness to serve Christ knows no bounds. I cannot get enough of His Word or spending time with His people. But when my life is consumed with the here and now, I know that I am only serving for self-glorification...and oddly enough, I'm ok with that, though I have lost the true joy that comes from service.
I'm ok with that?! Yeah, well as a selfish person living in a selfish world, its easy to forget my first and only true love and look back and enjoy what I see, then to continue in life walking backwards. But walking backwards is only easy for a short time. It becomes difficult... confusing. A path that was normal and easy a month ago is now a struggle to surmount. I cannot see all of the pitfalls of sin, and thus fall into them much more easily. I begin a downward spiral, obvious only to me and those who know me the best. Still I persist until, at last, I am driven to my knees begging for forgiveness. I thought that I was standing, but I fell. (1 Corinthians 10:12)
Keep your heart and mind turned to God, and do not allow the world to daze you with its charms and entice you away from Him and the true purpose of life - glorifying Him. Make your vapor count. (Thank you Ironwood)
Because of Him,
Missa
What am I really talking about? When I arrived on campus in January, I was already hearing things about an event coming up in March. A huge campus-wide competition that only occurs once every four years. Of all the semesters I could chose to begin my studies, I had chosen the most epic.
For two and a half months, the anticipation grew with every midnight pep rally and Facebook meme. Then the day came that the students were allowed to decorate the entire campus, and it looked like Christmas had come back to raise it's ugly head (it really did look ugly).
But, unfortunately, events began to take place that tore through the veil of friendly competition. Decorations that had taken hours to make were destroyed. Pranks were played. Some really weren't that bad, but some were pretty destructive.
And the fun stopped.
The competition continued, but the few who had gone too far made the rest of us just wish for March 12th to be over.
One day. That's all. All the planning. All the money. All the late hours decorating. All for one day. All for the "rush" of Gold Rush Daze. I enjoyed the event as much as everyone, but at the end of the day, it really just felt empty. I was hoarse, sunburned, and very tired. I never wanted to see the colors green or red again.
A whole college campus consumed with the temporary.
But, don't we all struggle in that way? Some people call it the rat race, the business of life, or just life. We are consumed with the here and now.
And I don't just mean today.
In the big picture, we have eternity to look forward to as Christians. James 4:14 shows, in a way, how God views our life: a vapor.
A vapor. A tiny puff of water that disappears as soon as it has appeared. That's all that our life is. It's nothing!
And yet it is still something. We are given the number of our days, and no more, to be used to serve God for His glory. While we are here on this earth, ours eyes should be looking for "that blessed hope" and "glorious appearing of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ" (Titus 2:13). The world wants us to see life in the view that today is all that matters; get as much of a "rush" as you can from it. Someone once said (I forget who) that for Christians, this world is as close to Hell as we can get... and for the unsaved, it is as close to heaven as they can get. If that is true, then it is no wonder the unsaved are consumed with this world and the pleasures thereof. But why do Christians become enraptured with it... even within the goal of service?
I've noticed a pattern within my own life. When my focus is on Christ and glorifying Him and looking towards His kingdom, my joy and eagerness to serve Christ knows no bounds. I cannot get enough of His Word or spending time with His people. But when my life is consumed with the here and now, I know that I am only serving for self-glorification...and oddly enough, I'm ok with that, though I have lost the true joy that comes from service.
I'm ok with that?! Yeah, well as a selfish person living in a selfish world, its easy to forget my first and only true love and look back and enjoy what I see, then to continue in life walking backwards. But walking backwards is only easy for a short time. It becomes difficult... confusing. A path that was normal and easy a month ago is now a struggle to surmount. I cannot see all of the pitfalls of sin, and thus fall into them much more easily. I begin a downward spiral, obvious only to me and those who know me the best. Still I persist until, at last, I am driven to my knees begging for forgiveness. I thought that I was standing, but I fell. (1 Corinthians 10:12)
Keep your heart and mind turned to God, and do not allow the world to daze you with its charms and entice you away from Him and the true purpose of life - glorifying Him. Make your vapor count. (Thank you Ironwood)
Because of Him,
Missa
Thursday, May 23, 2013
Long Distance Relationship
70% of all long distance relationships are doomed to end within seven months. Freshman college students vow that they will not be part of the statistics as she heads to Westcoast and he jets off to Bob Jones. They text each other faithfully every 5 minutes... until the time comes when she wants to have some girl time with her roomies and he begins to occasionally ignore a message or two. Then there's midterms, school sports, Starbucks study breaks, and video games that just make it so time is sapped and the boyfriend/girlfriend is pushed to a once-every-other-week-15-minute chat. That, boys and girls, is why long distance relationships fail.
So, how far away is God? We know the Sunday school answer. God is everywhere, so He must be right here. When you pray though, do your prayers get past the ceiling? That's a common colloquialism in Christianity today. Our relationship with God becomes strained because of problems throughout the day, or something we prayed about didn't turn out the way we hoped, or we just really haven't thought that much about God lately.
Have we turned God into the one we go to when we want someone who makes us feel good? I have seen long distance relationships that seemed to exist only for the occasional opportunities to go on a date when the couple returns to their hometown. Is that how we treat God? As a steady date?
When our relationship with Christ is good and fresh, when we are coming off of the latest spiritual high, when we come back from an amazing week at camp, we are so good about talking to Him and thinking about His Word. We pray, we read,we spend time adoring Him. Soon that begins to wane and we no longer crave His Word and His presence.
So what can be done? We are fallible people who easily leave our first loves for something else.
A truth that became very evident in my own personal life this is semester has become a motto for me:
You make time for what you love
The 30% of relationships that do not fail when the couple is separated almost always had a common factor: they had a plan for when they would talk to each other. Perhaps this is how we should treat our relationship with God. We must plan for when we will spend quality time with God. This doesn't mean that you don't seek Him during an "unscheduled" time, but that, no matter how busy the day is, you will only focus on Him for this certain period of time.
A lot of people call this quiet time, or personal devotions. I try to stay away from both of those terms. The first, because it reminds me of nap time from when I was a child. The second, because it leans toward a "have-to-do" attitude. We don't spend time with the ones we love because we have to, we spend time with them because we love them and want to know and understand them better. We do need to spend time with them, otherwise our view of them could be quite incorrect, but that is not the main reason we spend time with people.
Seek Him, know Him, have a constant relationship with Him.
Because of Him,
Missa
So, how far away is God? We know the Sunday school answer. God is everywhere, so He must be right here. When you pray though, do your prayers get past the ceiling? That's a common colloquialism in Christianity today. Our relationship with God becomes strained because of problems throughout the day, or something we prayed about didn't turn out the way we hoped, or we just really haven't thought that much about God lately.
Have we turned God into the one we go to when we want someone who makes us feel good? I have seen long distance relationships that seemed to exist only for the occasional opportunities to go on a date when the couple returns to their hometown. Is that how we treat God? As a steady date?
When our relationship with Christ is good and fresh, when we are coming off of the latest spiritual high, when we come back from an amazing week at camp, we are so good about talking to Him and thinking about His Word. We pray, we read,we spend time adoring Him. Soon that begins to wane and we no longer crave His Word and His presence.
So what can be done? We are fallible people who easily leave our first loves for something else.
A truth that became very evident in my own personal life this is semester has become a motto for me:
You make time for what you love
The 30% of relationships that do not fail when the couple is separated almost always had a common factor: they had a plan for when they would talk to each other. Perhaps this is how we should treat our relationship with God. We must plan for when we will spend quality time with God. This doesn't mean that you don't seek Him during an "unscheduled" time, but that, no matter how busy the day is, you will only focus on Him for this certain period of time.
A lot of people call this quiet time, or personal devotions. I try to stay away from both of those terms. The first, because it reminds me of nap time from when I was a child. The second, because it leans toward a "have-to-do" attitude. We don't spend time with the ones we love because we have to, we spend time with them because we love them and want to know and understand them better. We do need to spend time with them, otherwise our view of them could be quite incorrect, but that is not the main reason we spend time with people.
Seek Him, know Him, have a constant relationship with Him.
Because of Him,
Missa
Sunday, March 17, 2013
Two Roads
Everyday, we make decisions about ourselves and how we want the people around us to view us. Whether its something as simple as choosing white socks over black socks or as complicated as who we eat with (or don't eat with) in the dining common, decisions consume our lives.
Sometimes our decisions have long running effects. If you chose to wear black socks one day, I highly doubt that your purpose in life would change too much. The friends we chose does affect a good deal. The church you chose, though, has the strongest effect on our lives (providing we are not only going to church when we feel like it).
Most of our biggest and life-changing events occur during the our teen and college years. During our junior high years, we are the most impressionable. It is then that we determine what is cool and what is not. The friends we chose during those years will steer us either toward God or toward the world. During high school is when we begin to think and look toward the future and make decisions as to our lifetime goals. College is when we decide who we are. We are no longer under as much parental guidance. Suddenly, we are on our own, perhaps across the country, and we must make decisions about what we truly do believe.
60% of all college students leave the faith they grew up with. More then half. That's kinda scary. What happens is, the students decide to attend a secular university (not necessarily a problem) and are forced to be on the defensive spiritually. The problem is, these students are crippled without a shield to defend themselves. So many people share the same testimony: I grew up in a Christian home and got saved when I was a little kid. All of their life, their faith based on someone else (this is not saying they are not saved, just that their foundation was never strengthened). When asked why they believe something, the response often is "well, that is what my church teaches". There is no maturity behind a statement like that, and those in the world are waiting to hear it and jump to destroy a faith without foundation.
Teenagers are often raised with rules, yet lack the principles behind them. They hear "thou shalt not" or "thou shalt" day in and day out from school, church, and parents. Some will ask why, but most simply accept it (unless it "cramps their style").
This is why ministry directed at youth is so important. It is during this time that we have the opportunity to teach young men and women why they should believe what they do. As Christians, we are not called to follow our parents faith, we are called as soldiers, irrelevant of patriarchy, to stand up and defend our faith. More then that, we are called on to be on the offensive and proclaim our faith.
When a soldier stands to fight in battle, he does not chose to stand on think sand which will move and trip him, but rather on a solid rock so that he is stable and unshakable to wield his sword. Sand and rock are made up of the same thing, but one is ground up and the other is solid ground.
But how are these principles to be taught so that they do not become rules? Titus 2 and 3 give us a model to follow for teaching those who follow behind us in the practicality of the faith. 2 Timothy 2:2 goes further when Paul tells Timothy to tell others of the things which Timothy learned by Paul.
What is lacking is not education in the faith and the dos and don'ts, but understanding what a true relationship with God is. When our God becomes merely a god of rules, it is no wonder that the minute we are not forced to obey them, we turn away from them. But when our lives are lived because we are completely in love with God, we naturally will become more like Him and evidence the fruits of the Spirit. This leads to a desire to know as much as we possibly can about Him and study His word for the answers. Then we are led to ask why.
Why is not a bad question. Why is preparation for the battle. Why did Jesus die on the cross? Why did He have to rise again? Why do bad things happen to people? Why should I read a Book that is 2,000 years old? Why? This is how we must teach the upcoming generations: we must teach them to ask why before the world does. 1 Peter 3:15 says "But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear". In order to be ready, we must train. A soldier does not enter a battlefield with a sword if he has never touched one before. So should not a soldier of the cross venture into this world without knowing how to wield the sword of God. A soldier's commander makes sure that he is prepared by teaching him the skills necessary. We have a responsibility to teach those coming behind us how to wield their swords.
Because of Him,
Missa
Sometimes our decisions have long running effects. If you chose to wear black socks one day, I highly doubt that your purpose in life would change too much. The friends we chose does affect a good deal. The church you chose, though, has the strongest effect on our lives (providing we are not only going to church when we feel like it).
Most of our biggest and life-changing events occur during the our teen and college years. During our junior high years, we are the most impressionable. It is then that we determine what is cool and what is not. The friends we chose during those years will steer us either toward God or toward the world. During high school is when we begin to think and look toward the future and make decisions as to our lifetime goals. College is when we decide who we are. We are no longer under as much parental guidance. Suddenly, we are on our own, perhaps across the country, and we must make decisions about what we truly do believe.
60% of all college students leave the faith they grew up with. More then half. That's kinda scary. What happens is, the students decide to attend a secular university (not necessarily a problem) and are forced to be on the defensive spiritually. The problem is, these students are crippled without a shield to defend themselves. So many people share the same testimony: I grew up in a Christian home and got saved when I was a little kid. All of their life, their faith based on someone else (this is not saying they are not saved, just that their foundation was never strengthened). When asked why they believe something, the response often is "well, that is what my church teaches". There is no maturity behind a statement like that, and those in the world are waiting to hear it and jump to destroy a faith without foundation.
Teenagers are often raised with rules, yet lack the principles behind them. They hear "thou shalt not" or "thou shalt" day in and day out from school, church, and parents. Some will ask why, but most simply accept it (unless it "cramps their style").
This is why ministry directed at youth is so important. It is during this time that we have the opportunity to teach young men and women why they should believe what they do. As Christians, we are not called to follow our parents faith, we are called as soldiers, irrelevant of patriarchy, to stand up and defend our faith. More then that, we are called on to be on the offensive and proclaim our faith.
When a soldier stands to fight in battle, he does not chose to stand on think sand which will move and trip him, but rather on a solid rock so that he is stable and unshakable to wield his sword. Sand and rock are made up of the same thing, but one is ground up and the other is solid ground.
But how are these principles to be taught so that they do not become rules? Titus 2 and 3 give us a model to follow for teaching those who follow behind us in the practicality of the faith. 2 Timothy 2:2 goes further when Paul tells Timothy to tell others of the things which Timothy learned by Paul.
What is lacking is not education in the faith and the dos and don'ts, but understanding what a true relationship with God is. When our God becomes merely a god of rules, it is no wonder that the minute we are not forced to obey them, we turn away from them. But when our lives are lived because we are completely in love with God, we naturally will become more like Him and evidence the fruits of the Spirit. This leads to a desire to know as much as we possibly can about Him and study His word for the answers. Then we are led to ask why.
Why is not a bad question. Why is preparation for the battle. Why did Jesus die on the cross? Why did He have to rise again? Why do bad things happen to people? Why should I read a Book that is 2,000 years old? Why? This is how we must teach the upcoming generations: we must teach them to ask why before the world does. 1 Peter 3:15 says "But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear". In order to be ready, we must train. A soldier does not enter a battlefield with a sword if he has never touched one before. So should not a soldier of the cross venture into this world without knowing how to wield the sword of God. A soldier's commander makes sure that he is prepared by teaching him the skills necessary. We have a responsibility to teach those coming behind us how to wield their swords.
Because of Him,
Missa
Sunday, March 10, 2013
Right Of Way
Ye are not under the law, but ye are under grace! Romans 6:14 is the most freeing verse in the New Testament! It is simply amazing that God has sent His Son to completely fulfill the law in our stead and then to take the penalty for our failure to keep it to remove us from the ritual lifestyle of temple worship. We are no longer tied to sacrifices and dietary restrictions (yeah bacon!) to be able to maintain our relationship with Him. We can have a relationship with Him! We have access to God through a great High Priest who has experienced all of the temptations and hardships we have and is still without sin. We have instant access to this God.
But how far does this liberty allow us to go?
That truly is the wrong question to ask. If you need to define where the line of sin is, you should be as far away from that line as possible.
This past week during chapel at the big Bob, the topic was alcohol and the Christian. Throughout the entire week, social media exploded with "haters" who railed against the stand that this college took, insisting that because it was not strictly forbidden in Scripture, we should, as Christians, be allowed to consume alcohol on a social level. Please note, I am not talking about stuff like mouthwash and vanilla extract, but alcohol in the sense of beer, wine, or distilled liquors.
For me, the choice is clear for all Christians: we need to abstain from alcohol.
The purpose of our life as Christians is to glorify God in all that we say, do, eat, or drink. Glory can be defined as the visible manifestation of God's essence. (Thanks Pastor Mike. :) ) When we are consuming alcohol, can we truly say that this drink will be the best option to show my God to those around me? Well, it's just a drink, who really cares? Well, speaking from experience, the world knows that alcohol is not something Christians "do". I have worked in a secular environment where there were alcohol parties on a regular basis. I was among the youngest employees, yet I was over the legal drinking age. Everyone around me knew that I was a Christian. I never hid it, but rather proclaimed it as my reason for everything I did and how I responded. When the beers were passed around, I was asked if I would take one. When I gave my reason (which I will explain later) my co-worker shrugged it off. A few days later, she approached me and told me that if I had taken a drink, she would not have been able to believe that I was a Christian anymore. What's the big deal? One drink will not make me drunk.
The big deal is we are associated with our choices. Drinking of all kinds has been negatively associated in recent days as being a decidedly non-Christian activity.
In addition to this, medically it is truly unwise. The idea that I will not get drunk after one drink is actually not true. After one drink, your body has been affected. The alcohol enters your blood stream and begins to inhibit your vision and reasoning skills. You are no longer able to fully control your body. We are commanded to be filled with the Holy Spirit and allow Him to control us and not some other substance. It is fairly universally agreed among Christians that social drug use is to be condemned because you lose control over yourself. Why should anyone freely give up control simply because the Bible does not expressly forbid it? The principles are there in Scripture, Christians have chosen to ignore it.
Alcohol also is a poison and has been shown to increase the risk for cancer as well as self-inflicted injuries (car wrecks), and kidney/liver/stomach failure.
But they drank wine in the Bible! True, but not in the same way that it is drank now. Wine was always diluted with water... even among gentiles. Even the Romans, with their promiscuous ways, did not drink straight wine. The purpose of wine was to cleanse the water to make it drinkable. We have all seen the commercials on TV for charities dedicated to bringing good water to third world countries. In the times of the Bible, there was little understanding of sanitation processes. The idea of bacteria was not even conceived. There was simply the knowledge that if you added a small amount of wine to water, it would make it drinkable. The alcohol would kill the bacteria. (Wait, aren't we filled with good bacteria...?) Even now when traveling to other countries, the advice always is to not drink the water, unless you are able to somehow kill the germs (most likely by boiling the water).
The wine in the Bible was also not as intense alcoholically as it is now. We have sought out the way to get a buzz from this drink and have discovered distillation processes that were not possible with the technology available back then. Again, we are should not allow ourselves to be controlled by anything other then the Holy Spirit.
Consider again your testimony. I know people who were alcoholics. We are judged in our actions towards and around them. In 1 Corinthians 10, we have the illustration of the meat offered to idols. True, the meat itself was not bad, nor was it expressly forbidden. But Paul clearly shows that we are judged not only by our own personal conscience, but of those around us. I have already shown that the unsaved do not think it right for Christians to drink, but it is also true that there are Christians who have either personally struggled with alcoholism or have family who have struggled with it. Would it not be best to give up a small liberty for the sake of a brother?
Perhaps it is because my desire is to be in full time ministry, but I cannot see why any Christian would chose to imbibe socially. Consider carefully everything you do and seek to do all things completely and totally for the glory of God. Do not allow yourselves to "claim your freedom" because it is available.
When I was preparing to take the test to get my driving permit, I was told that there was no law that absolutely gave anyone the right of way. We are merely told who is to yield the right of way. The same is true of Christians. We are not told when we have the right to do something we are told to yield to those around us.
Because of Him,
Missa
But how far does this liberty allow us to go?
That truly is the wrong question to ask. If you need to define where the line of sin is, you should be as far away from that line as possible.
This past week during chapel at the big Bob, the topic was alcohol and the Christian. Throughout the entire week, social media exploded with "haters" who railed against the stand that this college took, insisting that because it was not strictly forbidden in Scripture, we should, as Christians, be allowed to consume alcohol on a social level. Please note, I am not talking about stuff like mouthwash and vanilla extract, but alcohol in the sense of beer, wine, or distilled liquors.
For me, the choice is clear for all Christians: we need to abstain from alcohol.
The purpose of our life as Christians is to glorify God in all that we say, do, eat, or drink. Glory can be defined as the visible manifestation of God's essence. (Thanks Pastor Mike. :) ) When we are consuming alcohol, can we truly say that this drink will be the best option to show my God to those around me? Well, it's just a drink, who really cares? Well, speaking from experience, the world knows that alcohol is not something Christians "do". I have worked in a secular environment where there were alcohol parties on a regular basis. I was among the youngest employees, yet I was over the legal drinking age. Everyone around me knew that I was a Christian. I never hid it, but rather proclaimed it as my reason for everything I did and how I responded. When the beers were passed around, I was asked if I would take one. When I gave my reason (which I will explain later) my co-worker shrugged it off. A few days later, she approached me and told me that if I had taken a drink, she would not have been able to believe that I was a Christian anymore. What's the big deal? One drink will not make me drunk.
The big deal is we are associated with our choices. Drinking of all kinds has been negatively associated in recent days as being a decidedly non-Christian activity.
In addition to this, medically it is truly unwise. The idea that I will not get drunk after one drink is actually not true. After one drink, your body has been affected. The alcohol enters your blood stream and begins to inhibit your vision and reasoning skills. You are no longer able to fully control your body. We are commanded to be filled with the Holy Spirit and allow Him to control us and not some other substance. It is fairly universally agreed among Christians that social drug use is to be condemned because you lose control over yourself. Why should anyone freely give up control simply because the Bible does not expressly forbid it? The principles are there in Scripture, Christians have chosen to ignore it.
Alcohol also is a poison and has been shown to increase the risk for cancer as well as self-inflicted injuries (car wrecks), and kidney/liver/stomach failure.
But they drank wine in the Bible! True, but not in the same way that it is drank now. Wine was always diluted with water... even among gentiles. Even the Romans, with their promiscuous ways, did not drink straight wine. The purpose of wine was to cleanse the water to make it drinkable. We have all seen the commercials on TV for charities dedicated to bringing good water to third world countries. In the times of the Bible, there was little understanding of sanitation processes. The idea of bacteria was not even conceived. There was simply the knowledge that if you added a small amount of wine to water, it would make it drinkable. The alcohol would kill the bacteria. (Wait, aren't we filled with good bacteria...?) Even now when traveling to other countries, the advice always is to not drink the water, unless you are able to somehow kill the germs (most likely by boiling the water).
The wine in the Bible was also not as intense alcoholically as it is now. We have sought out the way to get a buzz from this drink and have discovered distillation processes that were not possible with the technology available back then. Again, we are should not allow ourselves to be controlled by anything other then the Holy Spirit.
Consider again your testimony. I know people who were alcoholics. We are judged in our actions towards and around them. In 1 Corinthians 10, we have the illustration of the meat offered to idols. True, the meat itself was not bad, nor was it expressly forbidden. But Paul clearly shows that we are judged not only by our own personal conscience, but of those around us. I have already shown that the unsaved do not think it right for Christians to drink, but it is also true that there are Christians who have either personally struggled with alcoholism or have family who have struggled with it. Would it not be best to give up a small liberty for the sake of a brother?
Perhaps it is because my desire is to be in full time ministry, but I cannot see why any Christian would chose to imbibe socially. Consider carefully everything you do and seek to do all things completely and totally for the glory of God. Do not allow yourselves to "claim your freedom" because it is available.
When I was preparing to take the test to get my driving permit, I was told that there was no law that absolutely gave anyone the right of way. We are merely told who is to yield the right of way. The same is true of Christians. We are not told when we have the right to do something we are told to yield to those around us.
Because of Him,
Missa
Sunday, March 3, 2013
Effectual Fruit
How hard does a peach tree work to make peaches? Well, it doesn't, of course. It's a peach tree.
I've heard that illustration so many times in my life, but I do have to ask;
Are the fruits of the spirit, like love, joy, meekness, are they a choice or natural?
Maybe I'm the only one, but I've been taught that love is not merely a feeling, but that you actively chose to love someone, in a true Christlike manner. (Kinda talking about romantic love, but this really applies to all relationships in our life). So, if we are bearing fruit as a Christian, do we still have a choice in bearing fruit? If a Christian is not evidencing a certain fruit, are they really a Christian?
I was very convicted this past week that I am not a generally meek person. I love to argue for argument's sake. Meekness is a fruit of the Spirit, but it is certainly not a strong point for me. But does a fruit bearing tree ever struggle with producing less then excellent fruit?
Galatians 5:25 says "if we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit". It could also be translated as "since we have been given life by the Spirit, we ought to manifest that life in our walk". In our natural born state of being unsaved, we have no life. We are completely dead and are unable to produce any fruit of any kind. Through the work of the Holy Spirit, we are given life. Colossians 2:13 "And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses;" Our life as Christians is not mere physical life given to every creature that draws breath on this planet, but rather the complete and satisfying life of eternity, never to end, always to be in fellowship with our Creator. We are animated by the Holy Spirit unto life and good works, which God has set that we as Christians should do.
But God did not create robots. We are not reprogrammed at salvation to just spew out joy, peace, patience, goodness. It is a result of gratitude and love that we are constantly looking to know Him more and be more like Him. As we have the Holy Spirit giving us life in us, we ought to act like it. The thing about love is that it compels us. We act toward the object of our love in a manner that is not in our natural being. In this case, we show the fruits of the Spirit.
Love: Unconditional,
Joy:Inexplicable,
Peace:Incomprehensible,
Longsuffering: Undeterable,
Gentleness: Charitable,
Goodness: Everendurable,
Faith: Unmeasureable,
Meekness: Unavoidable,
Temperance: Unpoluteable
It is not in us to produce the fruit as dead creatures, but only through the life of the Holy Spirit.
Some say, though, that fruit can be imitated. Have you ever had a strawberry right off of the bush? Compare that to strawberry candy. Though there is some resemblance, it is so poor that no one who has had the fruit will have any difficulty telling the difference.
Because of Him,
Missa
Sunday, February 24, 2013
When Trials Come
When trials come no longer fear
For in the pain our God draws near
To fire a faith worth more than gold
And there His faithfulness is told
And there His faithfulness is told
Within the night I know Your peace
The breath of God brings strength to me
And new each morning mercy flows
As treasures of the darkness grow
As treasures of the darkness grow
I turn to Wisdom not my own
For every battle You have known
My confidence will rest in You
Your love endures Your ways are good
Your love endures Your ways are good
When I am weary with the cost
I see the triumph of the cross
So in it’s shadow I shall run
Till You complete the work begun
Till You complete the work begun
One day all things will be made new
I’ll see the hope You called me to
And in your kingdom paved with gold
I’ll praise your faithfulness of old
I’ll praise your faithfulness of old
Keith & Kristyn Getty
Sometimes I wonder if pride or selfishness could be called the root of all sin. Money is cited as being that, but isn't even the love of money based on the root of selfishness? I am amazed at how many things I can take pride in... Not the good "I'm proud of you son!" pride, but rather the slithering permeating pride that may only manifest itself on the outside as "humility". The best part is I think I'm being humble the entire time!
I found that I can even take pride in what God has done.
Trials come to all of us. If we overcome them, we are lauded as great heroes. If we fail, depending on the seeming epicness of the fail, we are either shunned or we refer to it as our stumbling block.
Heroes. That sounds so nice! "Yeah, I, uh, went through this trial, and, well, I responded thusly and smote the FLAMING ARROWS OF THE DEVIL!!!!" Toss some Bible verses in there and you'll be the model for the next Captain Bible comic book.
Here's the thing, maybe we don't actually do that. Verbally, we give all of the glory to God. It's not our mouth that directly worships God. It is our heart. Our attitudes and motives. Even though we can completely acknowledge when it comes down to it that surviving that trial had nothing to do with us and it was God alone, we are still inclined to congratulate ourselves.
It may not even be an immediate response. In my personal life, I never really told people about the situation for a few months. It was when I began to enjoy telling it to everyone I met that the pride started to sneak in. Did you know sin feels really good going down? And then it gives you the worst heartburn. Then we run for our gracious Savior for forgiveness, which He so freely gives.
Our trials are not all about us. James 1 tells us to count it all joy when we are in temptations (trials) because this produces the fruit of patience. 1 Corinthians 10:13 says "there hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it." The faithfulness does not have anything to with us, but rather the grace of God.
It's kinda like walking into the Louvre and standing next to the Mona Lisa and insisting that you painted it. That seems ridiculous, yet this is how our pride is.
Because of Him,
Missa
I found that I can even take pride in what God has done.
Trials come to all of us. If we overcome them, we are lauded as great heroes. If we fail, depending on the seeming epicness of the fail, we are either shunned or we refer to it as our stumbling block.
Heroes. That sounds so nice! "Yeah, I, uh, went through this trial, and, well, I responded thusly and smote the FLAMING ARROWS OF THE DEVIL!!!!" Toss some Bible verses in there and you'll be the model for the next Captain Bible comic book.
Here's the thing, maybe we don't actually do that. Verbally, we give all of the glory to God. It's not our mouth that directly worships God. It is our heart. Our attitudes and motives. Even though we can completely acknowledge when it comes down to it that surviving that trial had nothing to do with us and it was God alone, we are still inclined to congratulate ourselves.
It may not even be an immediate response. In my personal life, I never really told people about the situation for a few months. It was when I began to enjoy telling it to everyone I met that the pride started to sneak in. Did you know sin feels really good going down? And then it gives you the worst heartburn. Then we run for our gracious Savior for forgiveness, which He so freely gives.
Our trials are not all about us. James 1 tells us to count it all joy when we are in temptations (trials) because this produces the fruit of patience. 1 Corinthians 10:13 says "there hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it." The faithfulness does not have anything to with us, but rather the grace of God.
It's kinda like walking into the Louvre and standing next to the Mona Lisa and insisting that you painted it. That seems ridiculous, yet this is how our pride is.
Because of Him,
Missa
Monday, February 18, 2013
O Sacred Head
O Sacred head now
wounded with grief and cares bowed down.
I love to imagine and picture what it
was like during the events depicted in the Bible. This past Sunday evening, my
church remembered the Lord's Supper. For some reason, my mind tends to
track to the disciples and their sorrow, shock, and fear. Can you imagine? All of their hope, gone. In an evening, a moment, a kiss. It was over. The Bible clearly shows that, even though Christ told them over and over, they did not understand the forthcoming death and the resurrection to follow.
Perhaps this is a strange question, but what did Christ have going through His mind during his last few days and hours? I began this post with a line from a well known hymn, and I am wondering if it is correct... How did Christ look? When my God was there on the cross bearing my sins, how did his expression communicate to those around Him His true thoughts?
Pain, certainly, was there. A physical pain. The torture surrounding the final execution on the cross would've almost killed a person. Almost. I cannot imagine, nor even attempt to describe this pain.
I wonder if you could look in His eyes and see the love and compassion that He had. He cries out "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do!" Luke 23:34. He did not send a bitter look at the Pharisees standing off in their mock righteousness, nor did He only ask forgiveness for their sins, but also for the sins of everyone there. This would include the faithful few followers who stayed at His cross.
Perhaps grief was there. Imagine the pain of rejection of all but a few of your closest friends. To be killed by strangers. Even more acutely, perhaps, the rejection of His Father. To have a part of the Trinity be ripped from the other two is unfathomable. Because sin is so awful, our perfect Holy God could not even look at His Own Son as all of the sin from every person throughout time was laid directly on our Redeemer Lamb. To be rejected by friends and family is one thing, to be rejected by God is the epitome of despair.
But I also wonder, during His last few moments, was there a look of confidence, of victory? John 19:31 records the final words of our Savior "it is finished." As the Devil crowed with delight at the death of his enemy, was there a slight smile that decried the winner as being the One hanging on the tree?
I've seen many paintings of Christ on the cross and, almost exclusively, they show a defeated Christ with no hope. When I imagine my Christ, I see my victorious Hero who has brought hope to the world.
He did all of this, just for the sake of allowing us miserable creatures into His heaven! It is purely our own fault that we needed a Savior, yet He gives of Himself. No man took His life, He freely gave it up for our sake, John 10.
Because of Him,
Missa
Perhaps grief was there. Imagine the pain of rejection of all but a few of your closest friends. To be killed by strangers. Even more acutely, perhaps, the rejection of His Father. To have a part of the Trinity be ripped from the other two is unfathomable. Because sin is so awful, our perfect Holy God could not even look at His Own Son as all of the sin from every person throughout time was laid directly on our Redeemer Lamb. To be rejected by friends and family is one thing, to be rejected by God is the epitome of despair.
But I also wonder, during His last few moments, was there a look of confidence, of victory? John 19:31 records the final words of our Savior "it is finished." As the Devil crowed with delight at the death of his enemy, was there a slight smile that decried the winner as being the One hanging on the tree?
I've seen many paintings of Christ on the cross and, almost exclusively, they show a defeated Christ with no hope. When I imagine my Christ, I see my victorious Hero who has brought hope to the world.
He did all of this, just for the sake of allowing us miserable creatures into His heaven! It is purely our own fault that we needed a Savior, yet He gives of Himself. No man took His life, He freely gave it up for our sake, John 10.
Because of Him,
Missa
Thursday, January 31, 2013
Wrong thinking
Why is it so hard to be a Christian... among other Christians? Something I've noticed, since I've arrived here at BJU is that I'm having an increasingly hard time finding Christians who are passionate about Christianity. I'm not saying having fun isn't a good thing... but I've hung out with a few different groups and never has the topic of God come up... With the exception of the one time that one of the friends I was hanging out with mentioned that the entire time she had been there, she hadn't had a serious conversation with anyone and we should all talk about what we learned about God that week (I applaud the move). Unfortunately, instead of having a conversation about God, there were some giggles and a few people said that they thought John 3:16 was the best verse EVER..... No wonder she hasn't had a serious conversation since she got here.
This is a Christian College! Most likely, everyone you encounter here should be saved. Talk about it. Tell people your testimony. Discuss chapel messages... That's a great way to stay awake in chapel... if you know that you will be discussing it over lunch. The most I've heard anyone talk about chapel was when there was a bird in chapel. Everyone stayed awake for that one. No one remembers that he was making the point that God wants to save sinners.
Frankly, I think there is a bit of trying not to appear too weird. "If I bring up that subject, such and so might not like it", "there's plenty of preacher boys around here, they can be the ones to start that kind of conversation." Guess what... It only takes one person to start a revolution. Yesterday in chapel, I heard the story of William Borden. He was in training to be a missionary to China at Yale university (while it still was a college that produced ministers). He began a small prayer group in the morning (yes, before classes started) by the time he left, 1,000 of Yale's 1,300 students were involved in that prayer group. You would've been weird to not be in those meetings. He had an impact on nearly an entire college.
Here's the thing, though. If you are not willing to be bold when you are among friends, how can you ever expect to be bold when you are out among the enemy? My pastor calls it raising the flag of Christianity. That doesn't mean wiggling the tiny white handkerchief of defeat. A flag is tall, proud of what it stands for, and waves back and forth so that everyone can see what it really is. Why is our flag hidden? The moment we step off campus, people are watching us. Our testimony. How we act, what we say and do. The Devil has no problem pointing out our flaws to everyone around us. The time we slip up and say... maybe not a curse word, but certainly a word that Christians really should avoid. When we wear the skirt that is almost uncheckable just because the dorm supervisor didn't have a chance to stop us on our way out the door. When we are walking around the mall and complain about how legalistic BJU is with all of their rules.... People are listening. There have been a few times when I was eating a meal alone for one reason or another and I love to listen to other people's conversation. Sometimes I'll be sitting by myself and just start laughing at what the group at the table behind me is saying. There was one time when I saw a girl trying to put her plate away and dropped a napkin. For the next two minutes she tried to roll the napkin to the top of her foot and pick it up that way... She did eventually succeed, but as she walked past me talking to a friend I heard her tell him that she had only done it because she didn't want to bend down and mess her hair up. I know that I am not the only people-watcher in the world. Everyone around us looks at us. We live in a world of entertainment and we look to other people to entertain us. The lady at the store with her triple stroller... She is listening for intelligent conversation that is not coming from two-year olds. The elderly gentleman who sits on the bench with a cup of coffee waiting for the bus... He looks for smiles that are genuine.
We are Christians. It is wrong for us to think that acting like it makes us boring and we will never have any friends. When Christ is at the core of our relationships, we can do nothing less than grow closer together. Our life should not be about how many sins we can get away with or how many friends we have on Facebook. Our life should be for the praise, honor, and glory of God, our gracious and perfect Redeemer.
Because of Him,
Missa
This is a Christian College! Most likely, everyone you encounter here should be saved. Talk about it. Tell people your testimony. Discuss chapel messages... That's a great way to stay awake in chapel... if you know that you will be discussing it over lunch. The most I've heard anyone talk about chapel was when there was a bird in chapel. Everyone stayed awake for that one. No one remembers that he was making the point that God wants to save sinners.
Frankly, I think there is a bit of trying not to appear too weird. "If I bring up that subject, such and so might not like it", "there's plenty of preacher boys around here, they can be the ones to start that kind of conversation." Guess what... It only takes one person to start a revolution. Yesterday in chapel, I heard the story of William Borden. He was in training to be a missionary to China at Yale university (while it still was a college that produced ministers). He began a small prayer group in the morning (yes, before classes started) by the time he left, 1,000 of Yale's 1,300 students were involved in that prayer group. You would've been weird to not be in those meetings. He had an impact on nearly an entire college.
Here's the thing, though. If you are not willing to be bold when you are among friends, how can you ever expect to be bold when you are out among the enemy? My pastor calls it raising the flag of Christianity. That doesn't mean wiggling the tiny white handkerchief of defeat. A flag is tall, proud of what it stands for, and waves back and forth so that everyone can see what it really is. Why is our flag hidden? The moment we step off campus, people are watching us. Our testimony. How we act, what we say and do. The Devil has no problem pointing out our flaws to everyone around us. The time we slip up and say... maybe not a curse word, but certainly a word that Christians really should avoid. When we wear the skirt that is almost uncheckable just because the dorm supervisor didn't have a chance to stop us on our way out the door. When we are walking around the mall and complain about how legalistic BJU is with all of their rules.... People are listening. There have been a few times when I was eating a meal alone for one reason or another and I love to listen to other people's conversation. Sometimes I'll be sitting by myself and just start laughing at what the group at the table behind me is saying. There was one time when I saw a girl trying to put her plate away and dropped a napkin. For the next two minutes she tried to roll the napkin to the top of her foot and pick it up that way... She did eventually succeed, but as she walked past me talking to a friend I heard her tell him that she had only done it because she didn't want to bend down and mess her hair up. I know that I am not the only people-watcher in the world. Everyone around us looks at us. We live in a world of entertainment and we look to other people to entertain us. The lady at the store with her triple stroller... She is listening for intelligent conversation that is not coming from two-year olds. The elderly gentleman who sits on the bench with a cup of coffee waiting for the bus... He looks for smiles that are genuine.
We are Christians. It is wrong for us to think that acting like it makes us boring and we will never have any friends. When Christ is at the core of our relationships, we can do nothing less than grow closer together. Our life should not be about how many sins we can get away with or how many friends we have on Facebook. Our life should be for the praise, honor, and glory of God, our gracious and perfect Redeemer.
Because of Him,
Missa
Wednesday, January 30, 2013
Who?
Who is God? To you, personally. Our God is not a God who is unknowable. He is very knowable and very personal.
Perhaps we know all of the right answers. God is our Father. God is our Shepherd. God is my Savior. But how do we know that? And how does that affect our daily living? Until recently, I personally did not know or even seek to know my God on a personal level. Devotions stagnate to mere scientific gathering of facts.
It is at that point that one must turn to those much wiser then oneself. I was given a book by a close friend of mine at camp by Mardi Collier:
What do I know about my God? The premise of the book is a guided Bible study method that is continual. You can always work on it... at church, at school, at work. Every time the Word of God is presented, publicly or privately, learn what the passage tells you about God or how does something apply to your life. For example, the author recommends that you begin with Psalm 1. Once I finished my first read through I had created the categories "My God is In Control" and "What Should I Love". The next day, added "God Is My Father" and "My God Should Be Feared". The best part about this system is you can either create new categories or you can add to your already established categories. The purpose is to gradually build up your own personal counseling book.
The Holy Spirit illumines His Word to us. We have the responsibility to learn what the Bible teaches and actively pursue Christ-likeness. But how can you become like someone unless you know them? When I am around my best friend, I find that I sometimes take on some of her mannerisms like the way she tells stories, or laughs, or gets excited about different things, and simply longing to spend more time with her then we possibly can. When I spend time with my Best Friend, I find myself thinking the way He does, being excited about what He does, and continually talking with Him (yes, it does look crazy when I'm walking around campus having a silent conversation... complete with facial expressions).
Our God is there, knowable, and always ready for a good chat.
Perhaps we know all of the right answers. God is our Father. God is our Shepherd. God is my Savior. But how do we know that? And how does that affect our daily living? Until recently, I personally did not know or even seek to know my God on a personal level. Devotions stagnate to mere scientific gathering of facts.
It is at that point that one must turn to those much wiser then oneself. I was given a book by a close friend of mine at camp by Mardi Collier:
What do I know about my God? The premise of the book is a guided Bible study method that is continual. You can always work on it... at church, at school, at work. Every time the Word of God is presented, publicly or privately, learn what the passage tells you about God or how does something apply to your life. For example, the author recommends that you begin with Psalm 1. Once I finished my first read through I had created the categories "My God is In Control" and "What Should I Love". The next day, added "God Is My Father" and "My God Should Be Feared". The best part about this system is you can either create new categories or you can add to your already established categories. The purpose is to gradually build up your own personal counseling book.
The Holy Spirit illumines His Word to us. We have the responsibility to learn what the Bible teaches and actively pursue Christ-likeness. But how can you become like someone unless you know them? When I am around my best friend, I find that I sometimes take on some of her mannerisms like the way she tells stories, or laughs, or gets excited about different things, and simply longing to spend more time with her then we possibly can. When I spend time with my Best Friend, I find myself thinking the way He does, being excited about what He does, and continually talking with Him (yes, it does look crazy when I'm walking around campus having a silent conversation... complete with facial expressions).
Our God is there, knowable, and always ready for a good chat.
1 John 4:19 We love Him because He first loved us.
Philippians 3:8-10 Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for Whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but dung, that I may win Christ, and be found in Him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: that I may know Him, and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being made conformable unto His death.
Because of Him,
Missa
Monday, January 28, 2013
Consider the Lillies
Well, life, as you may have expected, has become abnormally busy for me... and this time it does not involve making money, but rather spending it at a pace faster then I ever have before.
College. I never though I would ever make it here. I teased my friends that college was only for the rich people... or the ones who willy-nilly absorb their entire bill as debt.
In November every year, my church back home has stewardship month. That's when Pastor gets to tell everyone that we should be giving more money to the church.
I'm joking.
He preaches on what it means to be a good steward. It has a lot to do with money, but it also concerns our time, witnessing opportunities, and our Christian life in general.
The past several years, I haven't really been under too great of conviction. I've only had a job during November once before this year and tithing on $20 a week wasn't that bad.
This past November, I became a Scrooge. There's nothing wrong with being frugal and thrifty. And living within your means. However, there is something wrong with keeping such a tight fist on your finances that you forget to even thank the God Who provided that money.
It's not that we are specifically commanded to tithe in the New Testament, however, we are expected to give cheerfully and not grudgingly to the local church (2 Corinthians 9:6-15). Well, since there is no baseline given, a lot of people kinda ignore the whole giving thing. To the point that the rest of us don't really feel guilty if we "miss a payment".
That was the point which I had gotten to.
God taught me, though, that if I am where He wants me to be, He will completely provide for me. In other words, holding tightly to the funds that He has given to me is kind of pointless. My purpose in going to college is to gain more skills so that I can better serve God in whatever ministry He calls me to. Right now, I am heading towards camp ministry, but God can change my life any time He wants to. So why, if I am serving the God who owns the cattle on a thousand hills, do I struggle with glorifying Him through my giving? I'm not focusing on God who changed my heart's desire, the God who has done exceeding abundantly above that I can ask or think, the God who has guided my every footstep to bring Him the glory. My focus has selfishly turned inward. I want to go to college. I want to go for MORE then one semester, I want, I want, I want.
What do I want? I want to serve God to the complete expenditure of my time, talents, and treasure for His glory alone.
Because of Him,
Missa
College. I never though I would ever make it here. I teased my friends that college was only for the rich people... or the ones who willy-nilly absorb their entire bill as debt.
In November every year, my church back home has stewardship month. That's when Pastor gets to tell everyone that we should be giving more money to the church.
I'm joking.
He preaches on what it means to be a good steward. It has a lot to do with money, but it also concerns our time, witnessing opportunities, and our Christian life in general.
The past several years, I haven't really been under too great of conviction. I've only had a job during November once before this year and tithing on $20 a week wasn't that bad.
This past November, I became a Scrooge. There's nothing wrong with being frugal and thrifty. And living within your means. However, there is something wrong with keeping such a tight fist on your finances that you forget to even thank the God Who provided that money.
It's not that we are specifically commanded to tithe in the New Testament, however, we are expected to give cheerfully and not grudgingly to the local church (2 Corinthians 9:6-15). Well, since there is no baseline given, a lot of people kinda ignore the whole giving thing. To the point that the rest of us don't really feel guilty if we "miss a payment".
That was the point which I had gotten to.
God taught me, though, that if I am where He wants me to be, He will completely provide for me. In other words, holding tightly to the funds that He has given to me is kind of pointless. My purpose in going to college is to gain more skills so that I can better serve God in whatever ministry He calls me to. Right now, I am heading towards camp ministry, but God can change my life any time He wants to. So why, if I am serving the God who owns the cattle on a thousand hills, do I struggle with glorifying Him through my giving? I'm not focusing on God who changed my heart's desire, the God who has done exceeding abundantly above that I can ask or think, the God who has guided my every footstep to bring Him the glory. My focus has selfishly turned inward. I want to go to college. I want to go for MORE then one semester, I want, I want, I want.
What do I want? I want to serve God to the complete expenditure of my time, talents, and treasure for His glory alone.
Because of Him,
Missa
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