It finally feels like Fall here - I know, it's almost November, but that's how long it takes here! I love the seasons. I love watching things change, how they die and then come to life again. It's awesome.
I also thinks it's a beautiful spiritual portrayal. Maybe (and especially) because I feel like in the Fall sin tends to stir up and be revealed; stated another way - my sin (and fleshly habits) must die.
I've seen the cycle happen a few times. God is at work in my heart revealing sin, I am convicted, and begin the process of walking in repentance (this is always a process for me because old sin habits die hard).
By Spring - new life! I am learning to walk in victory and repentance and beginning to see fruit! Though, of course, there are still setbacks. But, oh the joy of the seasons in playing out God's work in one's heart.
Isn't our God great?
Wednesday, October 31, 2012
Monday, October 22, 2012
God's Constant Love
A friend came over to visit yesterday. She said she had been praying for me and wanted to come and chat. I welcomed her gladly, but wasn't quite sure as to the "what" of the content of the visit.
I had shared with this friend some of my struggles over the past few weeks and she felt God had given her insight. What it boiled down to was this - I wasn't trusting God (vague, huh?)
As she gently and lovingly prodded me, my soul began to stir and this simple truth surfaced - I have this internal fear that God's consistent, loving presence is not always with me. This causes fear, panic, and uncertainty.
I can sit in seminary classes and learn ABOUT God all day - but knowing God, experiencing God is often a different thing altogether. It's about opening your heart and allowing God the Holy Spirit to search those deep places, reveal sin, bring conviction, and grant repentance.
It's scary. It's not fun to face old emotions and fears (trust me, these are old and deep); but the result brings healing, security.
We have been given armor to fight in the battle (Ephesian 6) and we have been told by Jesus to abide in him (John 14). Whether it's using our armor and fighting or simply resting in God's presence, we need to be with God more - allowing him to come in and have every aspect of our being.
When we come to see the lies and replace them with the truth, and then live daily in this truth - well, that is where amazing things happen within us.
May God continue to transform us - from the inside out.
I had shared with this friend some of my struggles over the past few weeks and she felt God had given her insight. What it boiled down to was this - I wasn't trusting God (vague, huh?)
As she gently and lovingly prodded me, my soul began to stir and this simple truth surfaced - I have this internal fear that God's consistent, loving presence is not always with me. This causes fear, panic, and uncertainty.
I can sit in seminary classes and learn ABOUT God all day - but knowing God, experiencing God is often a different thing altogether. It's about opening your heart and allowing God the Holy Spirit to search those deep places, reveal sin, bring conviction, and grant repentance.
It's scary. It's not fun to face old emotions and fears (trust me, these are old and deep); but the result brings healing, security.
We have been given armor to fight in the battle (Ephesian 6) and we have been told by Jesus to abide in him (John 14). Whether it's using our armor and fighting or simply resting in God's presence, we need to be with God more - allowing him to come in and have every aspect of our being.
When we come to see the lies and replace them with the truth, and then live daily in this truth - well, that is where amazing things happen within us.
May God continue to transform us - from the inside out.
Tuesday, October 16, 2012
Walking by Faith
When it comes to the point of fighting for joy, there must be a lot of walking by faith. Faith that God is who he says he is - merciful, gracious, slow to anger, abounding in steadfast love (Ex. 34:6). We must believe that the Holy Spirit is at work making prayers for us when we can't (Romans 8:26). We must believe that we are not condemned (Romans 8:1) and that nothing can separate us from the love of Christ (Romans 8:38-39).
Basically, we must fall back on the truths of Scriptures. I believe these times are also times where we are refined - where we begin to see that while we may SAY God is in control, we worry like we are. While we may SAY that we are not under condemnation, we live under unhealthy guilt. Staying in the Word as we fight for our joy is an essential part of our walk of faith, for when our minds are clouded with lies, Scripture brings to light the truth and, through the conviction of the Holy Spirit, challenges us to correct our thinking and believe the whole truth of God.
Basically, we must fall back on the truths of Scriptures. I believe these times are also times where we are refined - where we begin to see that while we may SAY God is in control, we worry like we are. While we may SAY that we are not under condemnation, we live under unhealthy guilt. Staying in the Word as we fight for our joy is an essential part of our walk of faith, for when our minds are clouded with lies, Scripture brings to light the truth and, through the conviction of the Holy Spirit, challenges us to correct our thinking and believe the whole truth of God.
Tuesday, October 9, 2012
Fighting for Joy
John Piper has written a book called "When I don't Desire God: How to Fight for Joy." I haven't read the book (yet), but I love the fact that Piper is honest enough to admit that sometimes Christians don't like (or want) to be around God. I like it, because sometime I hit those places and feel a little intimidated by saying that, by saying I don't want to be around Jesus.
Yet, recognizing this is important... because it usually means there is something deeper going on - some sin to repent of, some area where God wants to grow you.
So there you stand, fighting - fighting to WANT to spend time with Jesus in prayer, in the Word, and with other believers, but knowing you need to. Fighting to hear from God, to feel him move in your life, and waiting.
These seasons tend to be different lengths and can come at surprising times. They are never fun, but it is important to remember that he is faithful. The victory has already been won, we just have to stand firm.
Yet, recognizing this is important... because it usually means there is something deeper going on - some sin to repent of, some area where God wants to grow you.
So there you stand, fighting - fighting to WANT to spend time with Jesus in prayer, in the Word, and with other believers, but knowing you need to. Fighting to hear from God, to feel him move in your life, and waiting.
These seasons tend to be different lengths and can come at surprising times. They are never fun, but it is important to remember that he is faithful. The victory has already been won, we just have to stand firm.
Monday, October 1, 2012
Vows
This past weekend I started writing my vows to Magnus. I sat down and looked at the traditional vows and then I started looking up Scripture. I had SOOO much fun with it (though it's not totally done). It was taking time to contemplated how I love him and what I'm going to be committing to him - more than just romantic, gooshy feelings, but biblical, deep, honest commitments to him. What could strengthen my love for Magnus then to think through how I love him and how God has called me to love him?
Yet, how often do I sit down and contemplate these things of God? How often do I sit down and read the ways God loves me? Or (harder still) how I should love God? How often do I think through what should be beyond the feelings, but be some of the practical outworking of my love for God? Not often, let me tell you!
I think it would be good to reminded that, as a Christian, you are not under condemnation (Romans 8:1), to know that God has written down our days (Psalm 139:16) so nothing takes him by surprise. How good it would be to look at God's description of himself as merciful, gracious, slow to anger, abounding in steadfast love (Exodus 34:6-7)?
I think my heart would be stayed a little by this, lightened, and strengthen through this. Anxiety and fear would dissipate, rest would ensue. We serve a wonderful God who has revealed much to us - much of how beautiful he is, especially in Jesus. Yet, this relationship needs strengthening and guarding. Let us learn to continue to keep our eyes on Jesus (Hebrews 12:1-2), that we may be encouraged and fall more in love with him.
Yet, how often do I sit down and contemplate these things of God? How often do I sit down and read the ways God loves me? Or (harder still) how I should love God? How often do I think through what should be beyond the feelings, but be some of the practical outworking of my love for God? Not often, let me tell you!
I think it would be good to reminded that, as a Christian, you are not under condemnation (Romans 8:1), to know that God has written down our days (Psalm 139:16) so nothing takes him by surprise. How good it would be to look at God's description of himself as merciful, gracious, slow to anger, abounding in steadfast love (Exodus 34:6-7)?
I think my heart would be stayed a little by this, lightened, and strengthen through this. Anxiety and fear would dissipate, rest would ensue. We serve a wonderful God who has revealed much to us - much of how beautiful he is, especially in Jesus. Yet, this relationship needs strengthening and guarding. Let us learn to continue to keep our eyes on Jesus (Hebrews 12:1-2), that we may be encouraged and fall more in love with him.
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