Do you know one thing that utterly amazes me? It's something, that every time I think about it, every time I meditate upon it, I am left more perplexed than before. Not perplexed in a sense that is negative, or causes me strife, but perplexed in the sense that, no matter what, I will never be able to grasp the weight of it fully. It's so elusive, yet so true and evident in my life. It's a concept that seems completely ordinary to my everyday existence because I encounter it on a daily basis, yet I go on and live life normally, as if this thing were so common. But it's not. For many people, it's not something they have even experienced. For many, it's not something that's even real. But, it is. It is the realest thing in the entire world. It is my relationship with my Creator.
What is it about this relationship that completely boggles my mind? It's the simple fact that the Creator of the whole entire universe, the Creator who holds infinite knowledge, who has the mind to speak this world into existence in 6 days, yet did it with such minute detail, wants and desires to have a personal relationship with me. So close does my Creator want to be to me that He reveals Himself in the smallest details of my life. Yet, He still holds this world together. And, not only does He desire a relationship with me, but with everyone.
Does that not elicit perplexity?
Thursday, January 26, 2012
Sunday, January 22, 2012
Encouragement
I always find encouragement in the Word of God. When I am doubtful, I can read and be reminded of God's faithfulness. When I fear, I can read and be strengthened. When I am thirsty, I can read and find living water for my soul.
Recently, a friend and I were discussing how sometimes it is difficult to sense God's presence around you, even when you are seeking it. We asked whether it was on account of things that we are doing, or not doing; wondering if we pushed Him away. We also looked at the flip side of this, maybe this is what walking by faith means, pursuing even when we can't feel God.
As we were talking, a Scripture came to my mind from the book of Job, but I couldn't remember where it was found, so I began looking it up in the Bible. When I found it, I shared it with her: 'Yet He knows the way I have taken; when He has tested me, I will emerge as pure gold.'(Job 23:10) My friend asked me to read the context of the Scripture, so she could get a better understanding of what Job was saying. As I began to read it, my jaw dropped at the specificity of the Holy Spirit. He had something He wanted us to know:
Job 23:8-14
If I go east, He is not there, and if I go west, I cannot perceive Him. When He is at work to the north, I cannot see Him; when He turns south, I cannot find Him. Yet He knows the way I have taken; when He has tested me I will emerge as pure gold. My feet have followed in His tracks; I have kept to His way and not turned aside. I have not departed from the commands of His lips; I have treasured the words of His mouth more than my daily food. But He is unchangeable; who can oppose Him? He does what He desires. He will certainly accomplish what He has decreed for me, and He has many more things like these in mind.
Wow!!!!
I am pretty sure God answered our questions! The most wonderful thing about this is, that even when we don't know where He is, even when we can't feel His presence, He still knows where we are! He reassured us that we hadn't done anything to push Him away, in fact we were EXACTLY where He wanted us to be. He will certainly fulfill every promise He made us. We can so easily forget how much our Creator loves us! And, that walking by faith thing, yeah, it's a requirement, but God never let's us walk blindly.
The reason I wanted to share this story is because I know we're not the only ones that ever feel like this. Most of the time, most people feel this way. Because of it, due to the fact that we're such feelings based creatures, we simply assume He's not there and that there's no hope for us. That's simply not true! The only important thing is that God knows where we are, and He cares about our circumstances. So, be encouraged by the Word of God, which gives us a perfect window into Who exactly our God is, and what we can expect as His children!
Blessings,
Amanda
Recently, a friend and I were discussing how sometimes it is difficult to sense God's presence around you, even when you are seeking it. We asked whether it was on account of things that we are doing, or not doing; wondering if we pushed Him away. We also looked at the flip side of this, maybe this is what walking by faith means, pursuing even when we can't feel God.
As we were talking, a Scripture came to my mind from the book of Job, but I couldn't remember where it was found, so I began looking it up in the Bible. When I found it, I shared it with her: 'Yet He knows the way I have taken; when He has tested me, I will emerge as pure gold.'(Job 23:10) My friend asked me to read the context of the Scripture, so she could get a better understanding of what Job was saying. As I began to read it, my jaw dropped at the specificity of the Holy Spirit. He had something He wanted us to know:
Job 23:8-14
If I go east, He is not there, and if I go west, I cannot perceive Him. When He is at work to the north, I cannot see Him; when He turns south, I cannot find Him. Yet He knows the way I have taken; when He has tested me I will emerge as pure gold. My feet have followed in His tracks; I have kept to His way and not turned aside. I have not departed from the commands of His lips; I have treasured the words of His mouth more than my daily food. But He is unchangeable; who can oppose Him? He does what He desires. He will certainly accomplish what He has decreed for me, and He has many more things like these in mind.
Wow!!!!
I am pretty sure God answered our questions! The most wonderful thing about this is, that even when we don't know where He is, even when we can't feel His presence, He still knows where we are! He reassured us that we hadn't done anything to push Him away, in fact we were EXACTLY where He wanted us to be. He will certainly fulfill every promise He made us. We can so easily forget how much our Creator loves us! And, that walking by faith thing, yeah, it's a requirement, but God never let's us walk blindly.
The reason I wanted to share this story is because I know we're not the only ones that ever feel like this. Most of the time, most people feel this way. Because of it, due to the fact that we're such feelings based creatures, we simply assume He's not there and that there's no hope for us. That's simply not true! The only important thing is that God knows where we are, and He cares about our circumstances. So, be encouraged by the Word of God, which gives us a perfect window into Who exactly our God is, and what we can expect as His children!
Blessings,
Amanda
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
The Fellowship of Suffering
I had every intention of writing an original blog for tonight, however, life is busy at this present moment. I was going through some of the writings I have saved on my computer and came across this one that I wrote awhile back. I figured it was a good share since it was in line with the message tonight at church. Enjoy!
No, don't enjoy. Be challenged!
Okay, enjoy and be challenged together.
“My goal is to know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death, assuming that I will somehow reach the resurrection from among the dead.” Philippians 3:10-11
If suffering for a Christian means fellowship with Christ’s suffering, what does it mean when we try to avoid those situations that may result in heartache? What are we saying when we look upon hard times with reproach or even dread? What do we communicate to God when we say, “I can’t do what you’re asking me to do because it will be too painful for me,”? Let’s imagine for a minute, that when we perceive a painful situation from this perspective, that we are ultimately saying that we despise Calvary and Christ’s death on the cross. When we reject our personal crosses to bear, are we rejecting Calvary? This is a valid argument. We say we despise suffering, and Christ took suffering upon Himself, Christ was a man of sorrows, thus we are despising His life. We say, “We’re too good to suffer,” yet, the only One who was good knew nothing but suffering. We say, “Suffering is not the worthy way,” however, the Worthy One thought it worthy enough to suffer for humanity. What about the fellowship? What promise do we have in our own misery, loneliness, or despair? The promise we have is, “I’ll never leave you nor forsake you.”(Joshua 1:5) Although we feel alone in our suffering, we really are not alone in our suffering, for our Lord knew suffering, and our Lord is with us through it all. He is the High Priest who has been tested in every way that we have (Heb. 4:15), so we truly do fellowship with Christ through it. So, the next time we are faced with a challenge that may be painful, remember the night in the Garden, when Christ chose His Father’s will above His own, and chose suffering for His children, and know that when we embrace the suffering, we are embracing Christ.
No, don't enjoy. Be challenged!
Okay, enjoy and be challenged together.
“My goal is to know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death, assuming that I will somehow reach the resurrection from among the dead.” Philippians 3:10-11
If suffering for a Christian means fellowship with Christ’s suffering, what does it mean when we try to avoid those situations that may result in heartache? What are we saying when we look upon hard times with reproach or even dread? What do we communicate to God when we say, “I can’t do what you’re asking me to do because it will be too painful for me,”? Let’s imagine for a minute, that when we perceive a painful situation from this perspective, that we are ultimately saying that we despise Calvary and Christ’s death on the cross. When we reject our personal crosses to bear, are we rejecting Calvary? This is a valid argument. We say we despise suffering, and Christ took suffering upon Himself, Christ was a man of sorrows, thus we are despising His life. We say, “We’re too good to suffer,” yet, the only One who was good knew nothing but suffering. We say, “Suffering is not the worthy way,” however, the Worthy One thought it worthy enough to suffer for humanity. What about the fellowship? What promise do we have in our own misery, loneliness, or despair? The promise we have is, “I’ll never leave you nor forsake you.”(Joshua 1:5) Although we feel alone in our suffering, we really are not alone in our suffering, for our Lord knew suffering, and our Lord is with us through it all. He is the High Priest who has been tested in every way that we have (Heb. 4:15), so we truly do fellowship with Christ through it. So, the next time we are faced with a challenge that may be painful, remember the night in the Garden, when Christ chose His Father’s will above His own, and chose suffering for His children, and know that when we embrace the suffering, we are embracing Christ.
Wednesday, January 4, 2012
New Year, New Beginnings...
Or re-beginnings.
As the new year starts I would like to begin a serious attempt at blogging again. My faithfulness has wavered in writing on a regular basis. However, I think with it being a new year and all, I should re-try something I once tried before, but miserably failed at. And writing will not be the only area of my life in which there will be a re-beginning...again.
The purpose of this blog: to share my journey with Christ. I will be diligently trying to update once a week and the blog will contain things like a devotion or a sharing of the day to day lessons I learn, for anyone that is interested. Truthfully, I am simply ready to use the gift of writing that my Heavenly Father has given me for a greater purpose, because I believe now is the time. So I hope you enjoy (is anybody out there?)
If you would like a weekly email containing my blog submit your email address in the box at the top of the page, which will allow you to follow via email.
Blessings,
Amanda
As the new year starts I would like to begin a serious attempt at blogging again. My faithfulness has wavered in writing on a regular basis. However, I think with it being a new year and all, I should re-try something I once tried before, but miserably failed at. And writing will not be the only area of my life in which there will be a re-beginning...again.
The purpose of this blog: to share my journey with Christ. I will be diligently trying to update once a week and the blog will contain things like a devotion or a sharing of the day to day lessons I learn, for anyone that is interested. Truthfully, I am simply ready to use the gift of writing that my Heavenly Father has given me for a greater purpose, because I believe now is the time. So I hope you enjoy (is anybody out there?)
If you would like a weekly email containing my blog submit your email address in the box at the top of the page, which will allow you to follow via email.
Blessings,
Amanda
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