Only through Christ can we have freedom. Otherwise we are prisoners of our own sinful nature. There is no-one who is without sin, without blame, without wrong thoughts, actions, motives. But we have the ability to have freedom though our Lord and Savior.
John 8:36
So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.
2 Corinthians 3:17
Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.
Galatians 5:1
It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.
Ephesians 3:12
In Him [Christ] and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence.
Ephesians 3:11-12
This was according to the eternal purpose that he has realized in Christ Jesus our Lord, 12in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through our faith in him.
Freedom does not mean being able to do whatever you want, but rather having the ability to please the Lord. For in our sinful nature we were separated from God. But thanks to the mercy of Christ Jesus, we are able to enter into the presence of God and please Him. To no longer be a slave to solely our own desires. Freedom means the ability to do more, to be pleasing to God, to turn out back on our sinful natures by taking hold of what Christ has done for us.
Hebrews 11:6
But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.
Hebrews 13:15-16
Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name. {16} But do not forget to do good and to share, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.
Romans 3:23
for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,
Isiah 64: 6
All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags; we all shrivel up like a leaf, and like the wind our sins sweep us away.
Psalms 147:11
The LORD takes pleasure in those who fear Him, In those who hope in His mercy.
Psalms 149:4
For the LORD takes pleasure in His people; He will beautify the humble with salvation.
Jeremiah 9:23-24
Thus says the LORD: "Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, Let not the mighty man glory in his might, Nor let the rich man glory in his riches; But let him who glories glory in this, That he understands and knows Me, That I am the LORD, exercising loving-kindness, judgment, and righteousness in the earth. For in these I delight," says the LORD.
Ezekiel 33:11
"Say to them: 'As I live,' says the Lord GOD, 'I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from his way and live. Turn, turn from your evil ways!
John 3:16-17
"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. {17} "For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.
Romans 3:21- 24
But now the righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, even the righteousness of God, through faith in Jesus Christ, to all and on all who believe. For there is no difference; for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus whom God set forth as a propitiation by His blood, through faith, to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance God had passed over the sins that were previously committed, to demonstrate at the present time His righteousness, that He might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.
Our purpose in life is to bring glory and pleasure to the Lord. The only way this is accomplished is by accepting that we cannot, on our own, bring the Lord any glory and so we turn to the Christ Jesus, and through Him and His love we are able to please the Lord.
After all, when God first began the creation of the World, and specifically when He created man and woman. He declared that it was "good". It was pleasing to Him. And then the fall, the sinfulness of humans, caused it to no longer to be good. But through the sacrifice of Christ we are seen through His grace as "good" and pleasing to God once again.
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
Trying to figure it out
Each day I have to just do whats is put before me.
God has given me tasks to do everyday, and what He wants from me is to do learn to live for His glory, in light of His love, on the path He wants for me.
What does this mean practically?
Well I'm still trying to figure that out. So far this is what I have understood:
Spend time with God everyday, in His word and in prayer (Psalm 1:2-3, James 5:16,1 Corinthians 4:15-17, 1 Corinthians 11:1, Mark 1:35, Mark 6:46, Luke 4:42, Luke 5:16, Luke 6:12).
I need to wait on Him. In both small and large issues. (Matthew 6:25-34, Proverbs 3:5-6, Psalms 25:5, Psalms 25:21, Psalms 27:14, Psalms 37:7, Psalms 37:34, Psalms 62:5, Psalms 130:5, Jeremiah 14:22, Romans 8:25, 2 Thessalonians 3:5, Psalms 46:10)
Do things for others when the opportunity comes up. To live to help others and not just for myself (Acts 20:24, James 1:26-27).
God has given me tasks to do everyday, and what He wants from me is to do learn to live for His glory, in light of His love, on the path He wants for me.
What does this mean practically?
Well I'm still trying to figure that out. So far this is what I have understood:
Spend time with God everyday, in His word and in prayer (Psalm 1:2-3, James 5:16,1 Corinthians 4:15-17, 1 Corinthians 11:1, Mark 1:35, Mark 6:46, Luke 4:42, Luke 5:16, Luke 6:12).
I need to wait on Him. In both small and large issues. (Matthew 6:25-34, Proverbs 3:5-6, Psalms 25:5, Psalms 25:21, Psalms 27:14, Psalms 37:7, Psalms 37:34, Psalms 62:5, Psalms 130:5, Jeremiah 14:22, Romans 8:25, 2 Thessalonians 3:5, Psalms 46:10)
Do things for others when the opportunity comes up. To live to help others and not just for myself (Acts 20:24, James 1:26-27).
Sunday, May 23, 2010
Its better, but still...
I do not understand. I should be jumping for joy. After 4 months my best friend has decided that he can speak to me...only wait. It can only happen once a week.
OK. I understand where he is coming from. He has other friends he needs to focus on. Also sometimes its hard to not act as if "we are a couple", so he tells me. And I understand that. I agree that is difficult to do sometimes, but its what I have been trying very hard to do, because I don't want to lose a really good friend again.
Then he asks me, just before we get out of his truck, "Ok, I just really want to know, do you think we will ever be somethings again?
What a loaded question, with a few seconds to answer. So my response comes out like this "Oh I don't know....maybe?"(Though I don't even know if he heard the last part, he was on his way out of the truck).
Ugh, I wanted to kick myself, not exactly for my response, because that is the truth I don't know, but just for answering at all. I should have thought a second longer, prayed about it, something. Not just blurted something out like the idiot I continue to prove myself to be.
Haha, I can't help but laugh. What a question to ask. Why? I mean. "do you think we will ever be something again?" really? How on earth am I supposed to know that. Had he said "do you want to" or "how do you feel about me" or any rendition of those questions, I might have been able to answer but no, he didn't. Blessing in disguise? for me or for him? Its too early to tell.
The thing is I am not looking to be in a relationship. I just want his friendship. Sadly I think I sacrificed that long ago with being the idiot that I continue to be.
Oh to keep my heart open and vulnerable to God. I want to do what He wants. Why am I so deaf and blind.
Lord, I want to do what You want for me. How do I do that?
James 1:2-4
2Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. 4Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
Psalm 118: 24
This is the day that the LORD has made;
let us rejoice and be glad in it.
Psalm 118:28, 29
You are my God, and I will praise You;
You are my God, I will exalt You.
Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for He is good!
For His mercy endures forever.
and Jeremiah 29:11
Lord help me to live these out and to love You.
Cause I suck at it, and I really need Your help.
Especially with him.
OK. I understand where he is coming from. He has other friends he needs to focus on. Also sometimes its hard to not act as if "we are a couple", so he tells me. And I understand that. I agree that is difficult to do sometimes, but its what I have been trying very hard to do, because I don't want to lose a really good friend again.
Then he asks me, just before we get out of his truck, "Ok, I just really want to know, do you think we will ever be somethings again?
What a loaded question, with a few seconds to answer. So my response comes out like this "Oh I don't know....maybe?"(Though I don't even know if he heard the last part, he was on his way out of the truck).
Ugh, I wanted to kick myself, not exactly for my response, because that is the truth I don't know, but just for answering at all. I should have thought a second longer, prayed about it, something. Not just blurted something out like the idiot I continue to prove myself to be.
Haha, I can't help but laugh. What a question to ask. Why? I mean. "do you think we will ever be something again?" really? How on earth am I supposed to know that. Had he said "do you want to" or "how do you feel about me" or any rendition of those questions, I might have been able to answer but no, he didn't. Blessing in disguise? for me or for him? Its too early to tell.
The thing is I am not looking to be in a relationship. I just want his friendship. Sadly I think I sacrificed that long ago with being the idiot that I continue to be.
Oh to keep my heart open and vulnerable to God. I want to do what He wants. Why am I so deaf and blind.
Lord, I want to do what You want for me. How do I do that?
James 1:2-4
2Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. 4Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
Psalm 118: 24
This is the day that the LORD has made;
let us rejoice and be glad in it.
Psalm 118:28, 29
You are my God, and I will praise You;
You are my God, I will exalt You.
Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for He is good!
For His mercy endures forever.
and Jeremiah 29:11
Lord help me to live these out and to love You.
Cause I suck at it, and I really need Your help.
Especially with him.
Sunday, May 16, 2010
Summer
Summer has begun and it has begun well. Although I was very apprehensive about how this summer was going to go, God had already started giving me peace about it. But surprisingly in very unusual ways.
The Friday that Finals started, my first on beginning at 3 in the afternoon, I discovered that I could not take the summer math class I had planned on taking. In addition to that I found out that my AP Stats credit did not count for math. Meaning I would now have to take at least 3 hours of math classes at A&M, but probably more. This was hard to think about since I am not a fan of math, and am not good at calculus. But God used that as an opportunity to really understand the verse "Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." (Matthew 6:34). I had just posted that on my facebook earlier in the morning. God was showing me how I was not following Him in that moment, by worrying about the summer I was not trusting what God has in store for me. God used that verse and my father to show me that I was being hypocritical in saying I was trying to trust God while worrying about school. And after seeing that I was not trusting God, I looked on my wall and saw the note a friend had wrote me earlier in the semester "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you" (Jeremiah 29:11). (by the way, thank you again for that note, it has helped a lot). Almost immediately I felt relieved, and stopped worrying so much about what I could not change anyways. The Lord is so very gracious.
Then I found out that my mom had talked to a friend of mine, but didn't think it was a good idea to tall me what was said between them. That was hard to hear because I am a very curious person. But the Lord just gave me peace and let me know that He loved me. I needed to be loved, and I felt loved. The Lord is merciful and He tells us what we need to know about Him. He wants me to be curious about Him and desire to learn more and more about Him and His will for my life.
Then I arrived home I was greeted warmly by my family, and some friends. But was confused at how to act towards one other.
But as the summer has gone on, things have begun to take a turn for the better.
I might not be taking Biology or math this summer, though I might get some other classes in, which will still be good.
And I have gotten to hang out with my best friend quite a bit already. An unexpected blessing that I am extremely thankful for.
I will need to continue to pray, and be more diligent in keeping God has my focus since I won't have as much structured church time (as I did during the semester).
Lord, You are my life and my love. Help me to stay focused on You.
I want to dwell on Your greatness, Your mercy, what You have done for me.
Keep my focused on Your plan, and not let my selfish desires get in the way.
Thank You for Your grace, and all Your blessings. And my great friends.
I love You Lord.
The Friday that Finals started, my first on beginning at 3 in the afternoon, I discovered that I could not take the summer math class I had planned on taking. In addition to that I found out that my AP Stats credit did not count for math. Meaning I would now have to take at least 3 hours of math classes at A&M, but probably more. This was hard to think about since I am not a fan of math, and am not good at calculus. But God used that as an opportunity to really understand the verse "Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." (Matthew 6:34). I had just posted that on my facebook earlier in the morning. God was showing me how I was not following Him in that moment, by worrying about the summer I was not trusting what God has in store for me. God used that verse and my father to show me that I was being hypocritical in saying I was trying to trust God while worrying about school. And after seeing that I was not trusting God, I looked on my wall and saw the note a friend had wrote me earlier in the semester "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you" (Jeremiah 29:11). (by the way, thank you again for that note, it has helped a lot). Almost immediately I felt relieved, and stopped worrying so much about what I could not change anyways. The Lord is so very gracious.
Then I found out that my mom had talked to a friend of mine, but didn't think it was a good idea to tall me what was said between them. That was hard to hear because I am a very curious person. But the Lord just gave me peace and let me know that He loved me. I needed to be loved, and I felt loved. The Lord is merciful and He tells us what we need to know about Him. He wants me to be curious about Him and desire to learn more and more about Him and His will for my life.
Then I arrived home I was greeted warmly by my family, and some friends. But was confused at how to act towards one other.
But as the summer has gone on, things have begun to take a turn for the better.
I might not be taking Biology or math this summer, though I might get some other classes in, which will still be good.
And I have gotten to hang out with my best friend quite a bit already. An unexpected blessing that I am extremely thankful for.
I will need to continue to pray, and be more diligent in keeping God has my focus since I won't have as much structured church time (as I did during the semester).
Lord, You are my life and my love. Help me to stay focused on You.
I want to dwell on Your greatness, Your mercy, what You have done for me.
Keep my focused on Your plan, and not let my selfish desires get in the way.
Thank You for Your grace, and all Your blessings. And my great friends.
I love You Lord.
Monday, May 3, 2010
From the East to the West.
It is almost 4 in the morning and I have class starting at 9. Yet here I am unable to sleep. And why is that, someone may ask?
This is why, when I lay down thoughts of all my lowest moments come flooding in. My biggest regrets. Things I wish I could take back. Things I hate about myself, that I did to myself and to others. Things that make me sick to look at myself in a mirror or go to class, be among other people, talk to anyone. I feel like filth, slime, garbage, the scum of the earth. I quite literally hate those parts of myself. My past...my current thoughts....my fear of the future.
I try and force myself to think of Truth. I mean I know those things really are true of me. and that really hurts. But I try to think of what God says of me, but that is much harder. Why is it so much harder?
I know He cares for me, is seeking me out:
"What do you think? If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them has gone astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine on the mountains and go in search of the one that went astray? And if he finds it, truly, I say to you, he rejoices over it more than over the ninety-nine that never went astray. So it is not the will of my Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish." --Matthew 18:12-14 ESV
He loves me:
"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life". - John 3:16
Romans 5:8. But God shows and clearly proves His love for us by the fact that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
"We love because he first loved us."
1 John 4:19 New International Version
"Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends."
John 15:13 New International Version
He has forgiven me:
(God is love and...)
There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear ...
This is why, when I lay down thoughts of all my lowest moments come flooding in. My biggest regrets. Things I wish I could take back. Things I hate about myself, that I did to myself and to others. Things that make me sick to look at myself in a mirror or go to class, be among other people, talk to anyone. I feel like filth, slime, garbage, the scum of the earth. I quite literally hate those parts of myself. My past...my current thoughts....my fear of the future.
I try and force myself to think of Truth. I mean I know those things really are true of me. and that really hurts. But I try to think of what God says of me, but that is much harder. Why is it so much harder?
I know He cares for me, is seeking me out:
"What do you think? If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them has gone astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine on the mountains and go in search of the one that went astray? And if he finds it, truly, I say to you, he rejoices over it more than over the ninety-nine that never went astray. So it is not the will of my Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish." --Matthew 18:12-14 ESV
He loves me:
"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life". - John 3:16
Romans 5:8. But God shows and clearly proves His love for us by the fact that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
"We love because he first loved us."
1 John 4:19 New International Version
"Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends."
John 15:13 New International Version
He has forgiven me:
(God is love and...)
There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear ...
-- 1 John 4:18
"Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need."
Hebrews 4:16 New International Version
"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness."
1 John 1:9 New International Version
Lord, help me to hold onto Your truth. Not anything else, but Your truth, Your love, Your Grace, Your forgiveness. Help me to cling to You, Lord.
It is the cry of my heart to follow You
It is the cry of my heart
To follow You
It is the cry of my heart
To be close to You
It is the cry of my heart
To follow
All of the days of my life
Teach me Your holy ways, O Lord
So I can walk in Your truth
Teach me Your holy ways, O Lord
And make me wholly devoted to You
Open my eyes to I can see
The wonderful things that You do
Open my heart up more and more
And make it wholly devoted to You
In the secret, in the quiet place
In the stillness You are there.
In the secret, in the quiet hour I wait,
Only for You,'cause I want to know You more;
I want to know You,
I want to hear Your voice
I want to know You more.
I want to touch You,
I want to see Your face
I want to know You more.
I am reaching for the highest goal,
then I might receive the prize.
Pressing onward, pushing every hindrance aside,
Out of my way, 'cause I want to know you more
I want to know You,
I want to hear Your voice
I want to know You more.
I want to touch You,
I want to see Your face
I want to know You more....
Lord, I need to know You more.
"Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need."
Hebrews 4:16 New International Version
"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness."
1 John 1:9 New International Version
"Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus,"
Romans 8:1 New International Version
"Come now, let us reason together,"
says the LORD.
"Though your sins are like scarlet,
they shall be as white as snow;
though they are red as crimson,
they shall be like wool.""
Isaiah 1:18 New International Version
"In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace."
Ephesians 1:7 New International Version
"As far as the east is from the west,
so far has he removed our transgressions from us."
Psalm 103:12 New International Version
Lord, help me to hold onto Your truth. Not anything else, but Your truth, Your love, Your Grace, Your forgiveness. Help me to cling to You, Lord.
It is the cry of my heart to follow You
It is the cry of my heart
To follow You
It is the cry of my heart
To be close to You
It is the cry of my heart
To follow
All of the days of my life
Teach me Your holy ways, O Lord
So I can walk in Your truth
Teach me Your holy ways, O Lord
And make me wholly devoted to You
Open my eyes to I can see
The wonderful things that You do
Open my heart up more and more
And make it wholly devoted to You
In the secret, in the quiet place
In the stillness You are there.
In the secret, in the quiet hour I wait,
Only for You,'cause I want to know You more;
I want to know You,
I want to hear Your voice
I want to know You more.
I want to touch You,
I want to see Your face
I want to know You more.
I am reaching for the highest goal,
then I might receive the prize.
Pressing onward, pushing every hindrance aside,
Out of my way, 'cause I want to know you more
I want to know You,
I want to hear Your voice
I want to know You more.
I want to touch You,
I want to see Your face
I want to know You more....
Lord, I need to know You more.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
