If you are on to reading blog number three for the day, you are probably thinking, "Geez...she is going a little overboard with these posts!" Well, no worries. It won't always be like this! After four days of being snowed in, I just happen to have a lot to say. The best thing about this spontaneous vacation was the opportunity to spend a little more time with my Bible...and the Lord wasted no time in speaking some serious truth to me. This blog may seem a little haphazard and disjointed, but I've been all over the place in my quiet time this week...
First, who and what God uses to teach me never ceases to amaze me. There have been times I've been walking around or driving down the road and seen, heard, or read something, and then like five minutes later thought, "Wait, what?" God sneaks truth in my life all the time, and as I am learning to hear and receive it, I am finding myself beginning to continuously seek it out. So many times a smile has crossed my face as something has clicked in my heart and a new realization has been discovered. I am so thankful for those daily lessons, reminders, and discoveries.
Today, my sister and I went to Starbucks in between two of her classes. As we sat and chatted, my wandering ear couldn't help but overhear a conversation between two men nearby. They had their Bibles out and were clearly either accountability partners or part of the same small group. One of the men was seeking some encouragement for both his physical well being and his spiritual well being, and I heard him say, "I find that when I'm lazy in my physical life, I'm lazy in my spiritual life, and when I'm lazy in my spiritual life, I'm lazy in my physical life." DANG. What a simple piece of truth that is. When one of the areas of our life slips, isn't it so easy to let them all falter? As I searched for my own guidance in processing this man's thought, I came upon 1 Peter 1:13-16, which says,
13 So think clearly and exercise self-control. Look forward to the gracious salvation that will come to you when Jesus Christ is revealed to the world. 14 So you must live as God’s obedient children. Don’t slip back into your old ways of living to satisfy your own desires. You didn’t know any better then. 15 But now you must be holy in everything you do, just as God who chose you is holy. 16 For the Scriptures say, “You must be holy because I am holy.
As Christians, we are called to be holy and live obediently in every aspect of our lives. But what is spoken so easily and known so confidently isn't always so effortlessly obtained. It is a daily struggle for me to not slip back into old ways, and if I'm honest, I'd have to admit that I fail pretty regularly. What I know, however, is that I am not alone in this struggle. A reminder of what we've been called to be isn't the only thing that came from the conversation I witnessed over my peppermint white chocolate mocha today. I was also reminded of the importance of accountability. While I have some of the very best friends in the entire world and one of the most supportive small groups and church families I've ever encountered, asking for help and accountability has always been a struggle for me. I know the root of this struggle, however, and it's name is pride...not the "I think I'm better than everyone" type of pride, but the "I don't want anyone to know I have a weakness" pride. It's hard to admit you need help, but it is so very important. Don't miss that. At NewSpring Church one of our core values is "you can't do life alone." Our Pastor Perry Noble once said that we have to "understand that community is essential for commitment." The Bible says in Hebrews 10:24-25,
24 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, 25 not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
Whew, that's truth. There is no getting around it. Community is essential, as is accountability, and I need more of it in my life.
I sometimes become obsessed with a particular song and just turn the iPod on repeat. Today, that song was Hillsong's With Everything. Throughout my entire quiet time, I listened to it over and over because I know the song is the exact cry of my heart right now. Part of the lyrics say, "Break down our pride, and all the walls we've built up inside//our earthly crowns and all our desires, we lay at your feet..." That is my prayer every day, and I am so thankful that I was reminded today that in order to break down that pride, I have to be honest and vulnerable, reaching out to my small group for accountability on a daily basis.
Secondly, I am reading Marian Jordan's book Radiant. I'm only into chapter three, but it has already become an unbelievable source of truth and realization in my life. (I'm going to go ahead and say I think it's a book EVERY woman should read.) While reading this week, God used Marian's words to speak two truths to me. One: we behave how we believe. Two: I am chosen and loved by God.
Page 42 of Radiant says,
We behave how we believe. Our actions and attitudes stem from our self perception. So many people attempt to change their actions by sheer will or through discipline, not understanding that most of what we do is based upon our identity; therefore, we must start at the beginning.
That is some serious truth. The way we behave is completely reflective of what we believe about ourselves. If we believe we are priceless, hand crafted treasures, we will behave as such. We are "fearfully and wonderfully made" (Psalm 139:14), and our God loves us with an unfathomable intensity. 1 Peter 2:9-12 says that I am chosen. We are chosen. Marian's book reminded me that "the heart of God says, '[I am] worth fighting for.'" Can you believe that? Our God thinks that I am worth fighting for, and He feels that way about each of his children. That unconditional love is something we have to truly believe in to understand how special we each are. When we do understand that, all of our insecurities, struggles, issues, doubts, and fears will seem so minuscule because we know that "perfect love drives out fear" (1 John 4:18). I praise the Lord for the fact that I can know and believe that truth.
I realized today that I am exactly one week away from my 24th birthday...yikes. I took a second to think about the difference the Lord has made in my life...particularly over the last three years, and I couldn't help but be overwhelmed with gratitude for his grace and mercy. It's always good to remember where you've come from so that you can anticipate where you are going.
First, who and what God uses to teach me never ceases to amaze me. There have been times I've been walking around or driving down the road and seen, heard, or read something, and then like five minutes later thought, "Wait, what?" God sneaks truth in my life all the time, and as I am learning to hear and receive it, I am finding myself beginning to continuously seek it out. So many times a smile has crossed my face as something has clicked in my heart and a new realization has been discovered. I am so thankful for those daily lessons, reminders, and discoveries.
Today, my sister and I went to Starbucks in between two of her classes. As we sat and chatted, my wandering ear couldn't help but overhear a conversation between two men nearby. They had their Bibles out and were clearly either accountability partners or part of the same small group. One of the men was seeking some encouragement for both his physical well being and his spiritual well being, and I heard him say, "I find that when I'm lazy in my physical life, I'm lazy in my spiritual life, and when I'm lazy in my spiritual life, I'm lazy in my physical life." DANG. What a simple piece of truth that is. When one of the areas of our life slips, isn't it so easy to let them all falter? As I searched for my own guidance in processing this man's thought, I came upon 1 Peter 1:13-16, which says,
13 So think clearly and exercise self-control. Look forward to the gracious salvation that will come to you when Jesus Christ is revealed to the world. 14 So you must live as God’s obedient children. Don’t slip back into your old ways of living to satisfy your own desires. You didn’t know any better then. 15 But now you must be holy in everything you do, just as God who chose you is holy. 16 For the Scriptures say, “You must be holy because I am holy.
As Christians, we are called to be holy and live obediently in every aspect of our lives. But what is spoken so easily and known so confidently isn't always so effortlessly obtained. It is a daily struggle for me to not slip back into old ways, and if I'm honest, I'd have to admit that I fail pretty regularly. What I know, however, is that I am not alone in this struggle. A reminder of what we've been called to be isn't the only thing that came from the conversation I witnessed over my peppermint white chocolate mocha today. I was also reminded of the importance of accountability. While I have some of the very best friends in the entire world and one of the most supportive small groups and church families I've ever encountered, asking for help and accountability has always been a struggle for me. I know the root of this struggle, however, and it's name is pride...not the "I think I'm better than everyone" type of pride, but the "I don't want anyone to know I have a weakness" pride. It's hard to admit you need help, but it is so very important. Don't miss that. At NewSpring Church one of our core values is "you can't do life alone." Our Pastor Perry Noble once said that we have to "understand that community is essential for commitment." The Bible says in Hebrews 10:24-25,
24 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, 25 not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
Whew, that's truth. There is no getting around it. Community is essential, as is accountability, and I need more of it in my life.
I sometimes become obsessed with a particular song and just turn the iPod on repeat. Today, that song was Hillsong's With Everything. Throughout my entire quiet time, I listened to it over and over because I know the song is the exact cry of my heart right now. Part of the lyrics say, "Break down our pride, and all the walls we've built up inside//our earthly crowns and all our desires, we lay at your feet..." That is my prayer every day, and I am so thankful that I was reminded today that in order to break down that pride, I have to be honest and vulnerable, reaching out to my small group for accountability on a daily basis.
Secondly, I am reading Marian Jordan's book Radiant. I'm only into chapter three, but it has already become an unbelievable source of truth and realization in my life. (I'm going to go ahead and say I think it's a book EVERY woman should read.) While reading this week, God used Marian's words to speak two truths to me. One: we behave how we believe. Two: I am chosen and loved by God.
Page 42 of Radiant says,
We behave how we believe. Our actions and attitudes stem from our self perception. So many people attempt to change their actions by sheer will or through discipline, not understanding that most of what we do is based upon our identity; therefore, we must start at the beginning.
That is some serious truth. The way we behave is completely reflective of what we believe about ourselves. If we believe we are priceless, hand crafted treasures, we will behave as such. We are "fearfully and wonderfully made" (Psalm 139:14), and our God loves us with an unfathomable intensity. 1 Peter 2:9-12 says that I am chosen. We are chosen. Marian's book reminded me that "the heart of God says, '[I am] worth fighting for.'" Can you believe that? Our God thinks that I am worth fighting for, and He feels that way about each of his children. That unconditional love is something we have to truly believe in to understand how special we each are. When we do understand that, all of our insecurities, struggles, issues, doubts, and fears will seem so minuscule because we know that "perfect love drives out fear" (1 John 4:18). I praise the Lord for the fact that I can know and believe that truth.
I realized today that I am exactly one week away from my 24th birthday...yikes. I took a second to think about the difference the Lord has made in my life...particularly over the last three years, and I couldn't help but be overwhelmed with gratitude for his grace and mercy. It's always good to remember where you've come from so that you can anticipate where you are going.
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