"Jesus said to me, "My grace is enough for you. When you are weak, my power is made perfect in you." So I am very happy to brag about my weaknesses. Then Christ's power can live in me."
2 Corinthians 12:9 (NCV)
Paul discovered the secret to dealing with the unpleasant things in life. He decided to treat his weakness and difficulties as a gift from God. He could do this because he realized the weaker he became, the more he had to depend on God's strength. Paul asked God to take away his weakness, but God chose to leave it. Paul's weakness strengthened his relationship with God. God did not take Paul's difficulties away; God helped Paul deal with them.
Difficulties and challenges are a good thing; they are opportunities to allow God to do things he wouldn't otherwise do. You may face difficulties in your life that you wish God would just take away. God may supply what you nee to make it through your difficulties rather than remove them. For example, a father will take his child to the doctor and allow that child to be given what appears to the child as a big, painful shot. From first hand experience, I'm absolutely terrified of needles. A child, like myself, would not understand why his father allowed someone to hurt him until he was older and realizes that shots can make you well or keep you from getting sick. Remember that God sees beyond your moment of suffering.
When you ask for God's help, you gain the chance to see all the things he can do. Take your difficulties and weaknesses to God in prayer. Ask him to use them in a way that reveals his strength and greatness.
You may think of your point of weakness as the last place where God can work through your life. Have you ever considered the possibility that it might be the precise spot where God plans to work? Commit even your weaknesses and failures to God's good work.
Saturday, July 11, 2009
Friday, July 10, 2009
The Good Life
"I say this because I know what I am planning for you," says the Lord. "I have good plans for you, not plans to hurt you. I will give you hope and a good future." - Jeremiah 29:11 (NCV)
God is in control of the future -- your future in particular. God has your future planned. God knows everything you will do. God has a plan for you that he won't give up on.
The prophet Jeremiah wrote a letter to a group of people who believed in God but who were exiles in a country far from their home. The letter contained good news and bad news. God promised he had a good plan for their lives; however, they would first have to endure the consequences of not obeying God. God wanted them to know that everything they experienced was in his control and part of his plan.
There is no limit to the possibilities in your life when you commit your choices, your heart, and your life to God. Dream big and take your dreams to God. With his unlimited power and resources, nothing is impossible. Your part in his plan is to believe in God and obey him. Believe God can do anything, and never give up hope. You will be amazed at how much God can do in your life. God has a plan for where you will go to school, whom you will marry, and what kind of job you will have. Not only does God have knowledge of your future mate and career, but he also knows what you need to do. Your future will be more than you hoped for with him involved. Isn't is a comfort to know that your future rests not on your own abilities, but on God's?
Your future is in God's hands. What are you hoping for? Share your hopes with God and prepare to be amazed, because he has more in mind for you than you can imagine.
God is in control of the future -- your future in particular. God has your future planned. God knows everything you will do. God has a plan for you that he won't give up on.
The prophet Jeremiah wrote a letter to a group of people who believed in God but who were exiles in a country far from their home. The letter contained good news and bad news. God promised he had a good plan for their lives; however, they would first have to endure the consequences of not obeying God. God wanted them to know that everything they experienced was in his control and part of his plan.
There is no limit to the possibilities in your life when you commit your choices, your heart, and your life to God. Dream big and take your dreams to God. With his unlimited power and resources, nothing is impossible. Your part in his plan is to believe in God and obey him. Believe God can do anything, and never give up hope. You will be amazed at how much God can do in your life. God has a plan for where you will go to school, whom you will marry, and what kind of job you will have. Not only does God have knowledge of your future mate and career, but he also knows what you need to do. Your future will be more than you hoped for with him involved. Isn't is a comfort to know that your future rests not on your own abilities, but on God's?
Your future is in God's hands. What are you hoping for? Share your hopes with God and prepare to be amazed, because he has more in mind for you than you can imagine.
Thursday, July 9, 2009
Attempting to Define Faith
"Faith means being sure of the things we hope for and knowing that somethig is real even if we do not see it." - Hebrews 11:1 (NCV)
Faith isn't an easy word to define because faith is an indefinable quality that goes beyond words. The New Testament was originally written in the Green language. In that original text it said that faith is "the substance of things hoped and the evidence of things not seen." The word substance in Greek is hupostatis, which means a structure under something, a foundation, a steadfastness of mind. Faith is the firm foundation on which you rest everything you know about God.
The Bible provides knowledge and history about God. It is filled with truth that is not changed by circumstances. The Bible clearly states who God is, that He is truth and holiness. He doesn't change. Knowing who God is and knowing about His character is not enough. The Bible says even demons know who God is.
Without faith you would be limited to the here and now. You would know God only by what you could see, hear, touch, taste, and smell. There is so much about God that goes beyond your limited human senses. No one was present for creation. It was something God did alone. The Holy Spirit is unseen and can't be touched or heard or smelled or tasted. You can't use your own abilities to define and know faith. Faith is grounded in the truth of the Bible. Faith is accepting your experience with God while combining it with the certainty of the Bible.
Are you putting your faith in what you can see with your eyes, or in what you know to be true from the Bible? Faith isn't just wishful thinking. It's substantial. It's strong enough to build a life on.
Faith isn't an easy word to define because faith is an indefinable quality that goes beyond words. The New Testament was originally written in the Green language. In that original text it said that faith is "the substance of things hoped and the evidence of things not seen." The word substance in Greek is hupostatis, which means a structure under something, a foundation, a steadfastness of mind. Faith is the firm foundation on which you rest everything you know about God.
The Bible provides knowledge and history about God. It is filled with truth that is not changed by circumstances. The Bible clearly states who God is, that He is truth and holiness. He doesn't change. Knowing who God is and knowing about His character is not enough. The Bible says even demons know who God is.
Without faith you would be limited to the here and now. You would know God only by what you could see, hear, touch, taste, and smell. There is so much about God that goes beyond your limited human senses. No one was present for creation. It was something God did alone. The Holy Spirit is unseen and can't be touched or heard or smelled or tasted. You can't use your own abilities to define and know faith. Faith is grounded in the truth of the Bible. Faith is accepting your experience with God while combining it with the certainty of the Bible.
Are you putting your faith in what you can see with your eyes, or in what you know to be true from the Bible? Faith isn't just wishful thinking. It's substantial. It's strong enough to build a life on.
Saturday, March 14, 2009
"Without Him"
Today I decided to be a poet. That's right, Cameron Hesson wanted to be as great as Shel Silverstein. I woke up this morning with these words in my head, words that only God could've given me. I want to share these very words with you. Enjoy.
If it weren't for God's love
I'd be nothing
If it weren't for your mercy, Oh God
My life would have no purpose
Apart from you I'm empty
When I feel your presence
That's when your grace becomes known
The sudden warmth and comfort
let's me know, I was never alone
In the midst of darkness
I become frightened
It's your truth that sets me free
"The LORD is my light and my salvation;
Whom shall I fear?"
When you are beside me
I fear no more
Tell me I'm wrong
Assure me that I'm right
Whatever you may say
The Lord is my life.
Thursday, March 12, 2009
To settle the debate with a simple statement
For the last few days, I've been hearing more and more people claim they think Jesus will come back in their lifetime or in their grandkid's times. This actually annoys me, as bad as it is to say.
The more we look in scripture, things start to line up..yes! But also scripture says that Jesus will return whenever all the world has heard His name. I find that hard to believe when I think about the ignorance of most people and the stubbornness of each and everyone of us.
Scripture tells us to go and share the gospel of Jesus Christ to all people and take it to the edges of the earth, so why arent we doing just this??
I applaud each missionary out proclaiming the name of Christ today and in the past. They are doing the work that God has summoned us to do. However, we don't need to just focus on the farthest edges of this earth, but the edges of our community as well. Several people in your own school or town have probably not heard the Good News of Jesus Christ, so we need to get out there and DO SOMETHING!!
Back on topic though, here is my viewpoint about the end of times issue. Jesus will come back whenever Jesus feels We are ready. All the signs can point up to the dot and all the prophets can come up with false signs all they want and they coincidentally come true, but unless Jesus knows He is ready to call us home, we just need to quit worrying about that, and start worrying about preparing and changing our lives to match the character of Christ.
The more we look in scripture, things start to line up..yes! But also scripture says that Jesus will return whenever all the world has heard His name. I find that hard to believe when I think about the ignorance of most people and the stubbornness of each and everyone of us.
Scripture tells us to go and share the gospel of Jesus Christ to all people and take it to the edges of the earth, so why arent we doing just this??
I applaud each missionary out proclaiming the name of Christ today and in the past. They are doing the work that God has summoned us to do. However, we don't need to just focus on the farthest edges of this earth, but the edges of our community as well. Several people in your own school or town have probably not heard the Good News of Jesus Christ, so we need to get out there and DO SOMETHING!!
Back on topic though, here is my viewpoint about the end of times issue. Jesus will come back whenever Jesus feels We are ready. All the signs can point up to the dot and all the prophets can come up with false signs all they want and they coincidentally come true, but unless Jesus knows He is ready to call us home, we just need to quit worrying about that, and start worrying about preparing and changing our lives to match the character of Christ.
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Goal number one is....
First off, I'd like to apologize to all for the delay in the blog posts. That was not meant to teach you a lesson, I've just been very busy lately with FBLA and school work.
Last night, I was on the phone with one of my GREAT friends and she asked me a question that got my brain a spinning. The question she had asked was simply this, "what are your goals?"
The more I thought about it, God's voice became even clearer. Really it wasn't Meghan just asking for her own knowledge, God wanted me to understand what my own goals were.
Why is it so important to know our goals? Well in order to follow through on the goals, motivation has to be present. As the blog site says..you need to have the drive inside to accomplish whatever goals needed. God wants us to WANT to serve Him and WANT to share the gospel with everyone around us. He gives us that option.
When we live Christ-centered lives, we have the desire, or the DRIVE to serve God. It's like a second nature to us. Our goal from then is just to please God with everything that we do. Our goal is to hear the words "well done my good and faithful servant!" on the day of Judgment! Those should be our goals.
I encourage each and every individual that is reading this today to evaluate your goals, do they match up with what God wants, or is it all what you want?
Last night, I was on the phone with one of my GREAT friends and she asked me a question that got my brain a spinning. The question she had asked was simply this, "what are your goals?"
The more I thought about it, God's voice became even clearer. Really it wasn't Meghan just asking for her own knowledge, God wanted me to understand what my own goals were.
Why is it so important to know our goals? Well in order to follow through on the goals, motivation has to be present. As the blog site says..you need to have the drive inside to accomplish whatever goals needed. God wants us to WANT to serve Him and WANT to share the gospel with everyone around us. He gives us that option.
When we live Christ-centered lives, we have the desire, or the DRIVE to serve God. It's like a second nature to us. Our goal from then is just to please God with everything that we do. Our goal is to hear the words "well done my good and faithful servant!" on the day of Judgment! Those should be our goals.
I encourage each and every individual that is reading this today to evaluate your goals, do they match up with what God wants, or is it all what you want?
Saturday, February 28, 2009
So In Love
Today was a pretty great day. My father and I went to Bowling Green to get some church clothes and FBLA clothes, and it turned out that God had something else in store for me. Last night I had bought the book "The Shack," but later found out my sister had it already. So as I was exchanging it today, I decided to get Jeremy Camp's new cd "Speaking Louder than Before." On this album, Jeremy has a song called "So In Love," which has quickly become one of my favorites because of its meaning!
In the song, Jeremy talks about God's everlasting love and mercy for us, and how it can make us so in love with our maker, our best friend. The chorus packs a serious punch, It really showed me how deep my love really runs for my God and how I need to give God my everything and leave nothing behind.
I hope if you download this song or buy his new cd, that you too are shown how much you love God as well.
So many times I've fallen
So many ways I've failed you
So many times I've stepped out on my own
I know I'm undeserving
But I feel You are preserving
The only good that I have shown
The only word that I can bring
Are these very words I sing
To sing to You now
[CHORUS]
Cause I am so in love with You
There's nothing else I choose
You've stolen my heart
Yes, I'm all for You
Nothing can separate me
From the grace that You gave free
I know You'll never let me go
Even though You know my frailties
Every single thing about me
You show the greatest love that's known
The only word that I can bring
Are these very words I sing
I sing to You now
[Chorus]
I am so in love with You
There's nothing else I choose
You've stolen my heart
Yes, I'm all for You
[Chorus]I am so in love with You
There's nothing else I choose
You've stolen my heart
Yes, I'm all for You now
[BRIDGE]
Time and time again You show
The depth and love that You bestow
I never fully understand
It's too great for me to know
But I always try to bring
I try to bring You everything
[Chorus]
I am so in love with You
There's nothing else I choose
You've stolen my heart
Yes, I'm all for you now
[Chorus]
I am so in love with You
There's nothing else I choose
You've stolen my heart
Yes, I'm all for You now
In the song, Jeremy talks about God's everlasting love and mercy for us, and how it can make us so in love with our maker, our best friend. The chorus packs a serious punch, It really showed me how deep my love really runs for my God and how I need to give God my everything and leave nothing behind.
I hope if you download this song or buy his new cd, that you too are shown how much you love God as well.
So many times I've fallen
So many ways I've failed you
So many times I've stepped out on my own
I know I'm undeserving
But I feel You are preserving
The only good that I have shown
The only word that I can bring
Are these very words I sing
To sing to You now
[CHORUS]
Cause I am so in love with You
There's nothing else I choose
You've stolen my heart
Yes, I'm all for You
Nothing can separate me
From the grace that You gave free
I know You'll never let me go
Even though You know my frailties
Every single thing about me
You show the greatest love that's known
The only word that I can bring
Are these very words I sing
I sing to You now
[Chorus]
I am so in love with You
There's nothing else I choose
You've stolen my heart
Yes, I'm all for You
[Chorus]I am so in love with You
There's nothing else I choose
You've stolen my heart
Yes, I'm all for You now
[BRIDGE]
Time and time again You show
The depth and love that You bestow
I never fully understand
It's too great for me to know
But I always try to bring
I try to bring You everything
[Chorus]
I am so in love with You
There's nothing else I choose
You've stolen my heart
Yes, I'm all for you now
[Chorus]
I am so in love with You
There's nothing else I choose
You've stolen my heart
Yes, I'm all for You now
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