This morning, I read through the book of Ephesians, which is chock-full of promises about our identity in Jesus Christ. "In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence," -Ephesians 3:12. What a wonderful reminder of the redemption he offers freely to us! Freedom and confidence. Not guilt, shame, judgement, or worry. Be encouraged - "but now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ," -Ephesians 2:13. End of story. We've been bought with a price, and we've been fully and completely redeemed if we place our faith in Christ. Are our everyday lives being shaped by this incredible truth?
Christ came to save us; he also came to bring freedom. He saved us from the pits of hell and the darkness of sin, yes. But there's more - what good is a rescue from a terrible car wreck if we are left to live out our lives in the emergency room, hooked up to an IV and machines? He doesn't just offer to save us, he offers to heal us: he wants us to be up and walking around, wounds healed, checked out of the hospital and liberated from what weighs us down. Jesus kicked off his public ministry (Luke 1:16-21) by reading this scripture aloud in a synagogue:
"The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion - to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair."
-Isaiah 61:1-3.
Jesus begins his public ministry by choosing this scripture to read - it must be central to what he came to do for us! He came to bind up our broken hearts, to tell of his redemption, to bring freedom for the captives and to set the prisoners free. What are you being held captive by? What kind of sin is in your life that's holding you back from experiencing the freedom Jesus brings? Are you worrying, are you believing in the lie that you can do life on your own, that you don't really need God? He wants to replace your struggles with healing. He will gingerly take the pieces of your heart that are tired and broken, damaged and painful, and put them into a semblance of a whole by wrapping it up with his unfailing love. Have faith in his promise that he will do it. That's what he came to do!
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Friday, July 17, 2009
...I call myself a blogger?
Phew! It has been quite a while, my friends. Since it might be a little much to rehash everything that's happened here in the last month, I'll write about whatever comes to mind (which are probably the most significant anyways).
I've had visitors! Lance braved the $49/night Summer Sea Inn (cockroaches and all) and we had a great time together. It was good to see him! He kicked my butt in cribbage and mini-golf... now I'm on a mission to even the score. Last weekend my parents came, and they really toughed it out at the Wyndham :) Ha!
Please pray for Steph and her family. Steph was one of the four student directors here on project. She left for home on Monday for the rest of the summer - her mom is in grave health right now. Please pray for comfort for Steph and her family and that the Lord would give them strength and peace during this time. We miss Steph a lot down here, too. Pray especially for them tomorrow (Saturday) as her mom will be going into surgery.
On Monday I was working the drive-thru, and one of my favorite customers made an appearance. Her name's Miss Geri. She's probably in her 60's, with bleached blonde hair teased within an inch of its life, bright lipstick, and an outspoken love for God. Steph's situation hit a lot of us pretty hard, and on Monday I was pretty emotional about the whole thing. When Miss Geri pulled up to the window we got to talking and I told her about it all. I think I asked her offhand if she would pray for Steph and her family, and before I knew it, Miss Geri leaned over, grabbed my hand, and prayed right then and there.
Jesus guarantees that life will be hard - "in this world, you will have trouble." Our hearts ache for Steph and what she's going through. I'm sure Steph's heart is breaking. Her mom knows and loves the Lord, but it doesn't mean that this whole thing doesn't hurt. What follows Jesus' declaration is a holy promise of God - "but take heart! I have overcome the world." He's our strength and our comfort. Life will not always make sense, there is pain, and there is sadness. But we have God on our side. His ways may be hard to understand sometimes, but he is God, and he is good.
Over the past few weeks there's been a lot of transition as the staff left for the summer. It's us 94 students, on our own! And I love it. We're learning a lot and spreading our wings. I'm co-leading the community team with Nate, and I'm having a blast doing it.
Please pray for my Russian friend, Olenka. Olenka is here for the summer, working a couple jobs and experiencing what America's all about. She's also seeking for truth in her life. I've gotten a chance to spend time with Olenka and share the gospel with her. I hung out with her again on Wednesday (we snuck into the Wyndham pool, haha) and we a deep conversation about God, prayer, faith, why bad things happen in life and why God doesn't step in and fix it all. Olenka said that she's been thinking more about God lately - please pray for her! It's obvious that God is drawing her near him more and more. Pray that she would find the Lord this summer and understand how incredible and strong his love is for her. I see Olenka again on Sunday - we're going out to lunch and shopping. Pray that she would come filled with questions about God, and pray that I'd be ready to answer anything she asks.
Last week, one of my managers had a severe asthma attack and an ambulance had to come. Needless to say, it was kind of scary. Perhaps it was the realization that there are no guarantees in life - that as much as we think we have tomorrow, we have no right to make that claim - but throughout the week I got to have some good talks about God with my co-workers, especially Toni and Katoria. Pray that I would have a chance to share God's love with my co-workers and to tell them specifically about what Christ has done in my life.
God is deepening my faith - I'm searching after Him and who he really is. I have this craving to know who he is, what he promises, what he's like: I've found that a right concept of God and having faith in him leads to genuine change in heart and attitude. I want to see God, and he's been showing me who he is through his word and what he promises there. He promises that if we seek after him with all our hearts, we will find him: "You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart." -Jeremiah 29:13.
Until next time, adeui!
I've had visitors! Lance braved the $49/night Summer Sea Inn (cockroaches and all) and we had a great time together. It was good to see him! He kicked my butt in cribbage and mini-golf... now I'm on a mission to even the score. Last weekend my parents came, and they really toughed it out at the Wyndham :) Ha!
Please pray for Steph and her family. Steph was one of the four student directors here on project. She left for home on Monday for the rest of the summer - her mom is in grave health right now. Please pray for comfort for Steph and her family and that the Lord would give them strength and peace during this time. We miss Steph a lot down here, too. Pray especially for them tomorrow (Saturday) as her mom will be going into surgery.
On Monday I was working the drive-thru, and one of my favorite customers made an appearance. Her name's Miss Geri. She's probably in her 60's, with bleached blonde hair teased within an inch of its life, bright lipstick, and an outspoken love for God. Steph's situation hit a lot of us pretty hard, and on Monday I was pretty emotional about the whole thing. When Miss Geri pulled up to the window we got to talking and I told her about it all. I think I asked her offhand if she would pray for Steph and her family, and before I knew it, Miss Geri leaned over, grabbed my hand, and prayed right then and there.
Jesus guarantees that life will be hard - "in this world, you will have trouble." Our hearts ache for Steph and what she's going through. I'm sure Steph's heart is breaking. Her mom knows and loves the Lord, but it doesn't mean that this whole thing doesn't hurt. What follows Jesus' declaration is a holy promise of God - "but take heart! I have overcome the world." He's our strength and our comfort. Life will not always make sense, there is pain, and there is sadness. But we have God on our side. His ways may be hard to understand sometimes, but he is God, and he is good.
Over the past few weeks there's been a lot of transition as the staff left for the summer. It's us 94 students, on our own! And I love it. We're learning a lot and spreading our wings. I'm co-leading the community team with Nate, and I'm having a blast doing it.
Please pray for my Russian friend, Olenka. Olenka is here for the summer, working a couple jobs and experiencing what America's all about. She's also seeking for truth in her life. I've gotten a chance to spend time with Olenka and share the gospel with her. I hung out with her again on Wednesday (we snuck into the Wyndham pool, haha) and we a deep conversation about God, prayer, faith, why bad things happen in life and why God doesn't step in and fix it all. Olenka said that she's been thinking more about God lately - please pray for her! It's obvious that God is drawing her near him more and more. Pray that she would find the Lord this summer and understand how incredible and strong his love is for her. I see Olenka again on Sunday - we're going out to lunch and shopping. Pray that she would come filled with questions about God, and pray that I'd be ready to answer anything she asks.
Last week, one of my managers had a severe asthma attack and an ambulance had to come. Needless to say, it was kind of scary. Perhaps it was the realization that there are no guarantees in life - that as much as we think we have tomorrow, we have no right to make that claim - but throughout the week I got to have some good talks about God with my co-workers, especially Toni and Katoria. Pray that I would have a chance to share God's love with my co-workers and to tell them specifically about what Christ has done in my life.
God is deepening my faith - I'm searching after Him and who he really is. I have this craving to know who he is, what he promises, what he's like: I've found that a right concept of God and having faith in him leads to genuine change in heart and attitude. I want to see God, and he's been showing me who he is through his word and what he promises there. He promises that if we seek after him with all our hearts, we will find him: "You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart." -Jeremiah 29:13.
Until next time, adeui!
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)