working hard

     School started again on Monday, and my midterms are next week (I have seven!). Naturally, I'm starting to realize that working hard isn't just working your tail off 24-7. There is a method to the madness. While I'm nowhere near good at working hard or working efficiently, I'm learning, and I thought I would share a few things that have helped me.

one) Pray. Jesus already knows what you need, so if you ask him for strength and diligence, he will for sure give it to you. (John 11:22) (James 1:5 - one of my all-time favorite Scriptures)

two) Prioritize. I know from experience that when you are juggling a lot of subjects (or projects at work, or whatever it is), it's hard to prioritize. Everything needs to be done! Right now! This mindset often leads me to stress and inefficiency. For example, maybe I have a lot of math to catch up on, but there is a Chemistry test due Monday. I'm really bad at Chemistry, so I should study. Meanwhile, I get further behind in math. The important thing is to take it one step at a time. It's not possible to multitask in this area. Don't try it - it only makes things worse. Figuring out what needs the most attention the fastest can help you get perspective. Once you are done that, you can move on.

three) Determine when you're not going to work. This is important because you can't work all the time. It's not healthy, nor does it produce the best results. There needs to be time for eating, sleeping, exercising, and spending brain-time on things that you enjoy. Quality of life MUST be maintained. I have decided that around approximately 8:30-9:00 at night, I will stop working or even thinking about school. My brain doesn't function properly when it knows I'm supposed to be relaxing. I usually read a good book after this point, so I can unwind and try to stop running on school adrenaline.

four) Find your motivation. I really hate it when I'm behind on a subject, or don't understand it and thus feel constantly confused and get poor grades. I've been in this situation enough so that this is my motivation to work hard. It won't get done if I don't do it. And the feeling of an A and understanding material is pretty darn awesome. :)

Hope this helps anyone who wants so badly to work hard but struggles with it, like me. Have a nice rest of the week, and to all of my classmates who read my blog: Happy Exams, and may the odds be ever in your favor!

s

first peter chapter two

Dear Christian,

This is who you are.

---

      So put away all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander. Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation—if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good.  
      As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious, you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. For it stands in Scripture:

“Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone,
    a cornerstone chosen and precious,
and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame.”

So the honor is for you who believe, but for those who do not believe,

“The stone that the builders rejected
    has become the cornerstone,”

and

“A stone of stumbling,
    and a rock of offense.”

They stumble because they disobey the word, as they were destined to do.

     But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light^. Once you were not a people, but now you are God's people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy. 
     Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul. ¹² Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation
 
     Be subject for the Lord's sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme,  or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good. For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people. Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God.  Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor. 
     Servants, be subject to your masters with all respect, not only to the good and gentle but also to the unjust. For this is a gracious thing, when, mindful of God, one endures sorrows while suffering unjustly. For what credit is it if, when you sin and are beaten for it, you endure? But if when you do good and suffer for it you endure, this is a gracious thing in the sight of God. For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps. He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth. When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly. He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed. For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.

- first peter chapter two. 

be watchful

Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong.

1 Corinthians 16:13

(One of my dear readers mentioned this verse in a comment on my post called "right around the corner." I thought it summed up perfectly what I was trying to say, and it's a great message. Thanks, ThePixie, for mentioning it in your comment. :))

a future and a hope

     Jeremiah 29:11 has been something of a "cliche" verse for me. Not in the sense that it's overrated or whatever, but it seems like I've heard it quoted so many times in so many contexts, that it's lost some of it's meaning to me. That's why I'm so excited that God has given me a new meaning to it. And that's why I'm writing this post. :)

     For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.

Jeremiah 29:11

     My former thought process when hearing this verse: It's very comforting that God knows exactly what is going to happen in my life, and I don't need to worry about it!

     It's not as if there is anything wrong with thinking that. It's the truth: God does know what is going to happen in the future (he planned it), and I really don't have to worry about anything. But that's as far as I got with this verse. The fascinating thing about the Bible is, since it is the inspired word of God, there are always new layers of meaning to it. God uncovered a new layer of this verse, and I'm just so excited about it. 

    I first realized it whilst doing math homework.

     Funny how this post was triggered by my math homework. Didn't I just write a post that started the same way?

;)

      It's hard being a sophomore in high school who happens to be doing a much more rigorous curriculum than most people my age that I interact with on a daily basis. For example, while they're watching a movie, I'm doing math or some other form of homework. Almost every single time. I use that example because that's precisely what happened to me an hour or two ago. My parents keep reminding me that all this school is necessary if I want to be accepted into Hillsdale (my dream college). I called that to mind as I was sitting on the floor doing math, just ten feet away from the happy, math-free movie-watchers. I thought of the work that was necessary if I wanted college. I thought of Jeremiah 29:11. 

     And I realized.  That future starts now. 

God has plans for me now. It's not like I'm just living my life, and one day, it will be THE future that's referenced in this verse. I'm living it.

     (It's super late at night as I'm writing this, so I know it's on the brink of incoherency. Sorry about that.)

     I suppose what I'm trying to say is that what I do now matters. It's part of God's big plan for me, and in the grand scheme of things, having to do math instead of watching a movie isn't really significant at all. Because it's part of God's huge and exciting plan for my life. It's nice to think about when I'm feeling discouraged about school and such (especially now, with four weeks of school left and finals looming ahead). I know that my hard work WILL pay off soon.

Anyway, that's my two cents on Jeremiah 29:11. I hope it was encouraging/enlightening/et cetera.
Excuse the rather flustered nature of the post. . . I'm tireeedddd. Haha. :)

Have a nice Tuesday.
-Sarah :)

 

Now on the first day of the week Mary Magdalene came to the tomb early, while it was still dark, and saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb. So she ran and went to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved, and said to them, “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid him.” So Peter went out with the other disciple, and they were going toward the tomb. Both of them were running together, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. And stooping to look in, he saw the linen cloths lying there, but he did not go in. Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb. He saw the linen cloths lying there, and the face cloth, which had been on Jesus' head, not lying with the linen cloths but folded up in a place by itself. Then the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, also went in, and he saw and believed; for as yet they did not understand the Scripture, that he must rise from the dead. Then the disciples went back to their homes.

But Mary stood weeping outside the tomb, and as she wept she stooped to look into the tomb. And she saw two angels in white, sitting where the body of Jesus had lain, one at the head and one at the feet. They said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping?” She said to them, “They have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid him.” Having said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing, but she did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?” Supposing him to be the gardener, she said to him, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away.” Jesus said to her, “Mary.” She turned and said to him in Aramaic, “Rabboni!” (which means Teacher). Jesus said to her, “Do not cling to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father; but go to my brothers and say to them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’” Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, “I have seen the Lord”—and that he had said these things to her.

John 20:1-18 

fiery trial - part 4 (revelation)

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good,

     for his steadfast love endures forever.

Give thanks to the God of gods,

    for his steadfast love endures forever.

Give thanks to the Lord of lords,

    for his steadfast love endures forever;

to him who alone does great wonders,

    for his steadfast love endures forever;

to him who by understanding made the heavens,

    for his steadfast love endures forever;

to him who spread out the earth above the waters,

    for his steadfast love endures forever;

to him who made the great lights,

    for his steadfast love endures forever;

the sun to rule over the day,

    for his steadfast love endures forever;

the moon and stars to rule over the night,

    for his steadfast love endures forever;

to him who struck down the firstborn of Egypt,

    for his steadfast love endures forever;

and brought Israel out from among them,

    for his steadfast love endures forever;

with a strong hand and an outstretched arm,

    for his steadfast love endures forever;

to him who divided the Red Sea in two,

    for his steadfast love endures forever;

and made Israel pass through the midst of it,

    for his steadfast love endures forever;

but overthrew Pharaoh and his host in the Red Sea,

    for his steadfast love endures forever;

to him who led his people through the wilderness,

    for his steadfast love endures forever;

to him who struck down great kings,

    for his steadfast love endures forever;

and killed mighty kings,

    for his steadfast love endures forever;

Sihon, king of the Amorites,

    for his steadfast love endures forever;

and Og, king of Bashan,

    for his steadfast love endures forever;

and gave their land as a heritage,

    for his steadfast love endures forever;

a heritage to Israel his servant,

    for his steadfast love endures forever.

It is he who remembered us in our low estate,

    for his steadfast love endures forever;

and rescued us from our foes,

    for his steadfast love endures forever;

he who gives food to all flesh,

    for his steadfast love endures forever.

Give thanks to the God of heaven,

    for his steadfast love endures forever.

I have had a revelation.

God's plan is good!

     I'm finally realizing this. Before, I tried to say it over and over in an attempt to convince myself that it's true, but God is being so kind and helping me to believe it. 

     I'm not all the way there - it still hurts to think that I'm not going to get my own way. Things that remind me of it pop up everywhere. But God's giving me grace! He DOES love me! And that is why I am giving thanks to the LORD - because his love endures forever!!! 

-Sarah :)

     

fiery trial - part 3 (if You want me to)

     Here's a video of one of my current favorite worship songs - If You Want Me To, by Ginny Owens. Please listen and be encouraged! I always am when I listen to it. This video has the lyrics in it so that you can follow along if you'd like. Also, at the end of the video, there's a section of Isaiah 43 that is one of my favorite "trial" passages.

-Sarah :)

New Mercies

     Remember a couple posts back, when I posted on the "less-read" books of the Bible? In that post, I mentioned a passage (one of my favorites from the whole Bible, actually) from Lamentations chapter 3.

     The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. “The Lord is my portion,” says my soul, “therefore I will hope in him.”

Lamentations 3:22-24

     Even though I commented a little on these verses in the post I did previously, I wanted to expand on it, since it seems to have become my "theme verse" recently. 

     One part that really sticks out to me is: "his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is his faithfulness." This is encouraging for me because I know that he will be faithful to me every day, no matter what my day-to-day struggles are. I feel like that sentence is quite cliche, like it's been said so much, and so it kind of loses it's meaning. But if I really dwell on it's meaning, the power of it comes back to me: he takes care of me every moment of the day! Today hasn't been one of my better days; there have been struggles, and I've been pushed almost to my limits. I was sitting here at my computer, slightly irritated by my circumstances today, when suddenly God reminded me of his faithfulness. 

"They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. . ."

     Although I didn't literally hear him say that, I knew it was from God. I was instantly encouraged by the fact that God was faithfully holding me up through my struggles. I know that I can make it through the day triumphantly if I trust that he grants me daily mercies. 

     Has God ever spoken to you through his Word like that? Maybe you didn't hear him audibly, but you knew he was trying to remind you of something. If that has happened to you, and if you'd like to, let me know in a comment on this post, along with the verse(s) that God used to speak to you. :)

-Sarah :)

Those less-read books of the Bible

     Habakkuk is one of those books of the Bible that you just don't read (OK, well maybe that "you" doesn't apply to you personally, but I think in general it's one of the books that is read less than certain others). For me, other books that I seldom read would include Lamentations, Philemon, Ezekiel, and Malachi. I have found, however, that reading these books can uncover some amazing truths that I never saw before because I hadn't read the book very much.

     So this post is for two passages that I found, one in Lamentations and the other in Habakkuk. These are two of my favorite passages in the Bible now. :)

---    

 The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. “The Lord is my portion,” says my soul, “therefore I will hope in him.”

Lamentations 3:22-24

     This passage is in the middle of chapter 3 of Lamentations, which, as the title of the book implies, is full of lament. The words before the opening verse of the above passage are "But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope," and it goes into a remembrance of the goodness and faithfulness of the Lord. 

---

Though the fig tree should not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines, the produce of the olive fail and the fields yield no food, the flock be cut off from the fold and there be no herd in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord; I will take joy in the God of my salvation. God, the Lord, is my strength; he makes my feet like the deer's; he makes me tread on my high places.

Habakkuk 3:17-19

     This passage is at the end of the book of Habakkuk, sort of acting as one last reminder of the joy and strength we can find in God, though our circumstances may be less than preferable.  

     ---

     Have you found any passages you really like by just flipping through the Bible, maybe reading in some of the books you don't read usually? What are some other favorite Scriptures of yours? 

-Sarah :)

Love and the Bible

     This is technically a Valentine's day post, but I didn't quite make it on time for the 14th. But who says we can't talk about love every day, especially when it's God's love we're talking about? The Bible talks about love a lot. The passage most people probably think of when reminded of Biblical love is 1 Corinthians 13, which says:

If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing.

 Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

 Love never ends. As for prophecies, they will pass away; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when the perfect comes, the partial will pass away. When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I gave up childish ways. For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known.

 So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love.

     This passage makes it clear that love is more than a feeling; it is an action. A verb. There is a rather extensive list in 1 Corinthians 13 of what love is: patient, kind, hopeful, humble. This would be a good passage to pray through if struggling with not loving someone.

     Below are some more Scriptures about love. Some of them are about loving one another. A lot of them are about the only perfect love: God's love for us.

A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another. 

John 13:34-35

There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love.

1 John 4:18


You have granted me life and steadfast love, and your care has preserved my spirit.
Job 10:12

Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit,[a] serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality.

Romans 12:9-13

For God so loved the world,[a] that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.

John 3:16

In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.
1 John 4:10



For your steadfast love is before my eyes, and I walk in your faithfulness.
Psalm 26:3

     

     There are a lot more verses about love I could post. One day I think I'll just sit down with my concordance and read all of the verses about love. :) If you try that, or if you do it for another word, or if you have a similar type of "Bible study" that you do, let me know in the comments section! I'd love to hear what y'all do to study God's word! :)

-Sarah :)

     

merry christmas!!!

And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. And the angel said to them, "Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger." And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,

"Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!"

--Luke 2:8-14

     Merry Christmas! I'm sorry this post is a little late. I hope your day was blessed as you celebrated the birth of our Savior and spent time with family and friends. 

     This post may be belated, but it's never too late for the Christmas story, right? The above passage, I think, sums up the story of Christmas pretty well. (Please, however, read the whole of Luke 2 when you get the chance.) The baby, the Savior, the king of earth and of heaven, was wrapped in swaddling clothes and laid in a manger––because there was no place for him in the inn. 

      No place for him? No place for God on earth? I wonder if those innkeepers would have tried to make room for Joseph and Mary if they had known the significance of who Mary bore in her womb. 

     But, so the Bible tells us, there was no place for them in the inn. God didn't want Jesus born in the best of hotels; nor did he want him born in a palace, as he surely deserved. No––he decided on a stable. This is God we are talking about, after all. He can start from anywhere and accomplish his plan. 

     We all know the rest of the Gospel story: Jesus grew up, and "increased in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and man." (Luke 2:52) He worked miracles and cast out demons. He gained the love and honor from the people, as seen in his procession through the town on a donkey, when the crowd shouted Hosanna! and laid their coats on the road. 

     However, this admiration was not shared by all. Soon after his triumphant procession, he was hanged on a cross by Roman soldiers. Hanged with nails. Nails driven into his hands and feet, his back raw and bleeding, his head poked with thorns. He was mocked. The Son of God was mocked! He was ridiculed and humiliated publicly. But this was not half of his pain, compared to the anguish that came with God's wrath being poured down on him. In the midst of his physical pain, Jesus had to bear––chose to bear––his Father's holy wrath. All of it. His Father, with whom he had spent all eternity with in a perfect, wonderful relationship, was now turning his back on his Son. 

    But Jesus, through this suffering, paid our WHOLE debt, and was victorious over the grave! He ascended into heaven, and now we look forward to his return, when he will take us home to live with him forever. 

     My Christmas challenge to you is: live your life in the light of this message. Because Christmas isn't just about the birthday in the stable (although that is a wonderful message in itself!). It's about the whole Gospel. I know we all know this news already, but thanks for reading through it again. :) 

     Merry Christmas and a happy New Year! God bless you!!! 

-Sarah :)

     

Oh give thanks to the LORD. . .

". . .for he is good; his love endures forever!"
1 Chronicles 16:34


"Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you."

1 Thessalonians 5:18

"And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful."

Colossians 3:15

"Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise! Give thanks to him; bless his name!"
Psalm 100:4

     I love Thanksgiving. I love all of the activity going on in the kitchen; the crackling fire in the fireplace; the laughter of family and memories in the making. I love staying in the warm house while the cold wind blows through the bare trees and leaves carpet the wet, muddy earth outside. 

     I love taking time to remember all that God has blessed me with, and thanking him for it. He has blessed me with so much: my wonderful family, my lovely friends, a warm house, good food, and so much more. 

     My sister had the idea to write down one thing we are thankful for every day of November (My four sisters and I do it; our list is now a few pages long!). We have listed everything from God's grace, to new mattresses, to bananas. It's a wonderful way to cultivate a thankful spirit and attitude towards our gracious God who gives us everything good. 

     So my challenge for you is: make a list. Write down even just 10 things you're thankful for (I promise you, once you get started, you'll end up with way more than that). And thank God for all that he has blessed you with. Even thank him for the times of trouble and hardship, and the things that we just don't naturally feel thankful for; because ". . .we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose." I thank God for hot chocolate even though I burned my tongue on it yesterday. :)

    And bless his name, like Psalm 100 says! Our all-powerful, loving God is worthy of our praise and thankfulness! Also, please read Psalm 136 (below). It's a wonderful song about all the wonderful things God has done and about giving thanks to him, for he is good!

    What are you thankful for? Let me know in the comments box!

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

-Sarah :)

Psalm 136 - 

Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good,

for his steadfast love endures forever.

Give thanks to the God of gods,

for his steadfast love endures forever.

Give thanks to the Lord of lords,

for his steadfast love endures forever;

to him who alone does great wonders,

for his steadfast love endures forever;

to him who by understanding made the heavens,

for his steadfast love endures forever;

to him who spread out the earth above the waters,

for his steadfast love endures forever;

to him who made the great lights,

for his steadfast love endures forever;

the sun to rule over the day,

for his steadfast love endures forever;

the moon and stars to rule over the night,

for his steadfast love endures forever;

to him who struck down the firstborn of Egypt,

for his steadfast love endures forever;

and brought Israel out from among them,

for his steadfast love endures forever;

with a strong had and an outstretched arm,

for his steadfast love endures forever;

to him who divided the Red Sea in two,

for his steadfast love endures forever;

and made Israel pass through the midst of it,

for his steadfast love endures forever;

but overthrew Pharaoh and his host in the Red Sea,

for his steadfast love endures forever;

to him who led his people through the wilderness,

for his steadfast love endures forever;

to him who struck down the great kings,

for his steadfast love endures forever;

and killed mighty kings,

for his steadfast love endures forever;

Sihon, king of the Amorites,

for his steadfast love endures forever;

and Og, king of Bashan,

for his steadfast love endures forever;

and gave their land as a heritage,

for his steadfast love endures forever;

a heritage to Israel his servant,

for his steadfast love endures forever.

It is he who remembered us in our low estate,

for his steadfast love endures forever; 

and rescued us from our foes,

for his steadfast love endures forever;

he who gives food to all flesh,

for his steadfast love endures forever.

Give thanks to the God of heaven, 

for his steadfast love endures forever.

Optimistic Christianity

We got Chinese food for dinner last night. (Chinese food is SO good, but the whole time you're eating it your feeling like the fortune cookie is probably just as "healthy" for you as the other food.)

:)

Anyway, when my sister opened her fortune cookie and read the fortune, she read:

"You take an optimistic view of life."

Normally, we ponder the fortune and it's probability, and then laugh. But this time, God revealed something to me through the little slip of paper in the cookie.

 I realized that a Christian will take an optimistic view of life, because they have have hope that they will never sink so low that they are out of God's saving reach. They have an opportunity to serve others and bring others joy through their words and actions, and the hope of eternal life in glorious heaven.

"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the ressurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead," 1 Peter 1:3


May grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord,


Sarah :)

"The Heavens Declare the Glory of God. . .

. . .and the sky above proclaims His handiwork."

     I wasn't thinking about Psalm 19:1 when I was lying in bed last night, retreating to the depths of the covers in an attempt to drown out the sound of the loudest thunder I have ever heard. I was thinking more along the lines of what I could think about instead, to take my mind off of the monstrous noises that seemed to penetrate my window. I wondered, "Is Jesus going to come back?" Somehow I wasn't all that ready for Him to come. I was afraid.

     Psalm 19:1, as well as another passage from Psalms that comes to mind. . .

"When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; what can flesh do to me?" - Psalm 56:3-4

. . .would have been a good thing to think about. Knowing that the thunder was a declaration of God's power, rather than something that seemed to be out of His control, would have enough to put my mind at ease. I pray that next time I am in that kind of situation, I will remember the words of God! The heavens declare the glory of God, they are not outside of his glory. When I am afraid of anything, I can trust God and not be afraid.

I hope this encourages you,

-Sarah :)

Titus 3 - Jesus changes everything - part 1 {Worthy11}

 
Hi!

I'm finally posting about Worthy!!!! Below is some of my notes on the first message we heard. More are coming. Enjoy!

     The theme of the youth retreat this year was "Jesus changes everything". This includes our faith, our evangelism, and much, much more! Jesus came to earth 2000 years ago, and he changed EVERYTHING. He made the blind see, the lame walk, the sick healthy, the dead rise, cast out demons, etc. Plus, he changed the way people looked at the law of Moses and how to live for God! 

     The first night, Mr. Brewer (our youth pastor) taught us about how Jesus changes us through grace. Below are some of my notes on this sermon.

     

     When Jesus changes us through grace, it's something only he can do. We cannot give spiritual sight to those who are spiritually blind. 

     Mr. Brewer gave the example of trying to explain what color looks like to someone who is blind. How could you explain it in a way that they could understand? You couldn't say that the color green looks like trees, because they don't know what trees look like either. The point is, describing color to a blind person is impossible.
    
     The first point he made was that Jesus changes our hearts. He saves us because of HIS righteousness, not because we did something great (we didn't). On a side note, I feel like that last sentence is something I've heard SO much. I have to ask God to make it real to me every time I hear that truth. Otherwise, I will block it out and not want to hear it anymore. I DO need to be constantly reminded of it!!! We don't contribute at all to bringing our salvation about, except to bring the sin that we need to be saved of.
     When we are saved, it is easy to take it for granted that we are chosen by God. To help us avoid this way of thinking, and instead be thankful to God that we were chosen, we can remember what we were like before we were saved. We were hateful, malicious, envious, foolish, disobedient, and rebellious. We were headed to hell. Thinking about how we were saved from eternal sorrow, regret, pain, and horror should boost our thankfulness to God a lot!
  
     The second point was that Jesus changes our religion. A works-based religion says: "If I obey, God will love me." A faith-based religion, a religion changed by Jesus, says: "God loves me because of who he is, regardless of how I perform." Of course, he is grieved when we sin, but his love for us never changes. Just because he is sad does not mean he is going to leave us alone.
     There is a song by Casting Crowns (I don't know what it's called :D) that I've heard on the radio, and part of it goes something like, "Not because of who I am, but because of what You've done. Not because of what I've done, but because of Who you are." I feel like that sums it up perfectly. :) Basically, a works-based religion is all about us, while a faith-based religion is all about Jesus.

The third and final point Mr. Brewer made was that Jesus changes our status. We go from being hateful and rebellious, to heirs of God. We go from wrath to mercy, all because of the Gospel. We get what Christ deserves.

Thanks for reading. I hope this encouraged you :)

-Sarah :)
     

     

Trust and Faith

Once, when I was reading in Romans, I came across this passage that spoke to me.

No distrust made him waver concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God, fully convinced that God was able to do what he had promised. That is why his faith was "counted to him as righteousness."

Romans 4:20-22

Trusting in God made Abraham's faith stronger! It says that he was "fully convinced that God was able to do what he had promised". I know that I could grow in being "fully convinced". I need to just trust that God will always do what he promises.

the parable of the persistent widow

I read this parable this morning in my quiet time. It's taken from Luke 18, and it teaches us that we must be persistent in prayer and not lose heart. It encouraged me to do this, and I hope it encourages you, too!

And he told them a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart. He said, "In a certain city there was a judge who neither feared God nor respected man. And there was a widow in that city who kept coming to him and saying, 'Give me justice against my adversary.' For a while he refused, but afterward he said to himself, 'Though I neither fear God nor respect man, yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will give her justice, so that she will not beat me down by her continual coming.'" And the Lord said, "Hear what the unrighteous judge says. And will not God give justice to his elect, who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long over them? I tell you, he will give justice to them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?"

"The battle is not yours but God's"

I know this is really long. But pleasepleaseplease read it through; it is an amazing story.

After this the Moabites and Ammonites, and with them some of the Meunites, came against Jehoshaphat for battle. Some men came and told Jehoshaphat, "A great multitude is coming against you from Edom, from beyond the sea; and, behold, they are in Hazazon-tamar" (that is, Engedi). Then Jehoshaphat was afraid and set his face to seek the LORD, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah. And Judah assembled to seek help from the LORD; from all the cities of Judah they came to seek the LORD.

And Jehoshaphat stood in the assembly of Judah and Jerusalem, in the house of the LORD, before the new court, and said, "O LORD, God of our fathers, are you not God in heaven? You rule over all the kingdoms of the nations. In your hand are power and might, so that none is able to withstand you. Did you not, our God, drive out the inhabitants of this land before your people Israel, and give it forever to the descendants of Abraham your friend? And they have lived in it and have built for you in it a sanctuary for your name, saying, 'If disaster comes upon us, the sword, judgement, or pestilence, or famine, we will stand before this house–and cry out to you in our affliction, and you will hear and save.' And now behold, the men of Ammon and Moab and Mount Seir, whom you would not let Israel invade when they came from the land of Egypt, and whom they avoided and did not destroy–behold, they reward us by coming to drive us out of your possession, which you have given us to inherit. O our God, will you not execute judgement on them? For we are powerless against this great horde that is coming against us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you."

Meanwhile all Judah stood before the LORD, with their little ones, their wives, and their children. And the Spirit of the LORD came upon Jahaziel the son of Zechariah, son of Benaiah, son of Jeiel, son of Mattaniah, a Levite of the sons of Asaph, in the midst of the assembly. And he said, "Listen, all Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem and King Jehoshaphat: Thus says the LORD to you, 'Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed at this great horde, for the battle is not yours but God's. Tomorrow go down against them. Behold, they will come up by the ascent of Ziz. You will find them at the end of the valley, east of the wilderness of Jeruel. You will not nedd to fight in this battle. Stand firm, hold your position, and see the salvation of the LORD on your behalf, O Judah and Jerusalem.' Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed. Tomorrow go out against them, and the LORD will be with you."

Then Jehoshaphat bowed his head with his face to the ground, and all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem fell down before the LORD, worshiping the LORD. And the Levites, of the Kohathites and the Korahites, stood up to praise the LORD, the God of Israel, with a very loud voice.

And they rose early in the morning and went out into the wilderness of Tekoa. And when they went out, Jehoshaphat stood and said, "Hear me, Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem! Believe in the LORD your God, and you will be established; believe his prophets, and you will succeed." And when he had taken counsel with the people, he appointed those who were to sing to the LORD and praise him in holy attire, as they went before the army, and say,

"Give thanks to the LORD, for his steadfast love endures forever."

And when they began to sing and praise, the LORD set an ambush against the men of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir, who had come against Judah, so that they were routed. For the men of Ammon and Moab rose against the inhabitants of Mount Seir, devoting them to destruction, and when they had made an end of the inhabitants of Seir, they all helped to destroy one another.

When Judah came to the watchtower of the wilderness, they looked toward the horde, and behold, there were dead bodies lying on the ground; none had escaped. When Jehoshaphat and his people came to take their spoil, they found among them, in great numbers, goods, clothing, and precious things, which they took for themselves until they could carry no more. They were three days in taking the spoil, it was so much. On the fourth day they assembled in the Valley of Beracah, for there they blessed the LORD. Therefore the name of that place has been called the Valley of Beracah to this day. Then they returned, every man of Judah and Jerusalem, and Jehoshaphat at their head, returning to Jerusalem with joy, for the LORD had made them rejoice over their enemies. They came to Jerusalem with harps and lyres and trumpets, to the house of the LORD. And the fear of God came on all the kingdoms of the countries when they heard that the LORD had fought against the enemies of Israel. So the realm of Jehoshaphat was quiet, for his God gave him rest all around.

- 2 Chronicles 20:1-30

the power of prayer and scripture

I have been learning about the power of prayer a lot lately. I have needed to pray for so many things that I don't have power to do anything else about. Prayer is my only weapon against the enemy right now.

Isn't prayer a wonderful thing? To be able to talk to the all-powerful God who is in control of everything, is amazing to me. And he loves to listen to us. He loves when we call on him for help. 'Cause, believe it or not, we actually can't run the universe! He is in control no matter how much we think we have it all down.

Which is a comforting truth, I think. The universe doesn't fall apart when we fail! It would be really bad if it did because we fail very, very often. We can't do it. But God can!

When we pray about trials and for help through them, we are giving our own strength up to God. We are admitting that we can't win against the devil without God's strength. I feel so safe when I cast my cares on Jesus! The enemy just can't win over the Lord!

My mom showed me Psalm 144 the other day. It's great to pray it. Sometimes I paraphrased it to match what my circumstances are when I prayed it. Here are verses 1-2, 5-11.

Blessed be the LORD, my rock,

who trains my hands for war,

and my fingers for battle;

he is my steadfast love and my fortress,

my stronghold and my deliverer,

my shield and he in whom I take refuge,

who subdues peoples under me.

Bow your heavens, O LORD, and come down!

Touch the mountains so that they smoke!

Flash forth lightning and scatter them;

send out your arrows and rout them!

Stretch out your hand from on high;

rescue me and deliver me from the many waters,

from the hand of foreigners,

whose mouths speak lies and whose right hand is a right hand of falsehood.

I will sing a new song to you, O God;

upon a ten-stringed harp I will play to you,

who gives victory to kings,

who rescues David his servant from the cruel sword.

Rescue me and deliver me from the hands of foreigners,

whose mouths speak lies and whose right hand is a right hand of falsehood.

God's power is so clearly shown in this Psalm! Especially in the middle paragraph, I think his power is shown. With a touch, he makes the mountains smoke! He can flash forth lightning! And he can rescue us from the many waters of trials.

I hope this encouraged you!

- Sarah :)

QUALIFIED

And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God. May you be strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy, giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

Colossians 1:9-14