So as I sit here waiting on class to start the Lord had a little lesson He wanted me to learn. I was here organizing all of the documents on my computer trying to decide which of the many tasks I need to accomplish next. Lately I have personally been feeling very overwhelmed,and from what I can gather from my other friends I am not alone. This is a very tough time in the semester, and in particular a time where I tend to put my faith to the side to try to accomplish my worldly goals. Well the Lord has hit me over the head with a few things when I was not even seeking them out. That is one really awesome thing about our Lord. He still works in our lives even when we may not be focused on Him. Just another way he proves that He is so much bigger than any other thing we could ever imagine. He knows everything that we need.
I stumbled upon a song that I had copied the lyrics down from and saved as a word document. I had totally forgotten about this song, but it totally speaks to the feelings I have been feeling lately and to the current situation that I find myself in. I know many other seniors can relate to the feeling of almost breaking, but we need to remember that He has said He will not let that happen. The song is "He Said" by Group 1 Crew and here are the lyrics.....
"So your life feels like it don't make sense
And you think to yourself, "I'm a good person,
So why do these things keep happening? "
Why you gotta deal with them
You may be knocked down now, but don't forget
What He said, He said
"I won't give you more
No more than you can take
And I might let you bend
But I won't let you break
And know, I'll never, ever let you go"
Don't you forget what He said
Don't you forget what He said, He said
Who you are ain't what you're going through
So don't let it get the best of you
'Cause God knows everything you need
So you ain't gotta worry
You may be knocked down now, but just believe what He said
He said "I won't give you more
No more than you can take
And I might let you bend
But I won't let you break
And know I'll never ever let you go"
Don't you forget what He said
Don't fear when you go through the fire
Hang On when it's down to the wire
Stand tall and remember what He said
"I won't give you more
No more than you can take
And I might let you bend
But I won't let you break"
"I won't give you more
No more than you can take
And I might let you bend
But I won't let you break
And know I'll never ever let you go"
Don't you forget what he said
He said, what he said
Don't you forget what he said
What he said."
This song rings so true...we may feel knocked down now, but the Lord will not give us more than we can take. Definitely something I needed to hear today....thank you Lord for still pursuing me when I may be failing to pursue you the way I should!!!!
1 Peter 5:7
"Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you."
We have a best friend in the Lord that knows what is best for us and wants to be there for us, but we just simply have to open up and let him.
So blessed for such a simple reminder that my God always has my back and He has y'alls too!
God Bless and Go Frogs!
Tuesday, November 6, 2012
Tuesday, April 10, 2012
David v. Goliath
When you hear someone talk about David v. Goliath what comes to mind? For me it is all those years while growing up in the church, that we were told the story of this young man named David who beat this huge giant named Goliath with just a sling shot and a stone. Even at a young age I was able to wrap my mind around the fact that there had to be some help for David. In life there are times where we come up against a Goliath. It may not be a physically 9 foot tall man, but it can seem just about as hopeless as I'm sure it looked for David. In 1 Samuel we are told that Goliath is shouting to the Israelites and egging them on to come and attempt to fight him. Goliath has this very cocky attitude because he believes himself to be invincible. This can be seen in everyday life in the sense that there are things that we come up against that may seem to tower over us to such an extent that it looks hopeless.
Well David didn't let the looks of the situation stop him. He had a faith in his Lord to protect him. David has just come out of the fields where he was tending to his flock and while he was there he killed a lion and a bear. The Lord had timed it where David had build up his confidence by saving his flock from those beasts, and that gave him a little more faith to then stand at the feet of a giant. In the field the Lord provided David with the strength to kill what was attempting to hurt his flock of sheep. In the battlefield the Lord then provided David with the strength and courage that no one else had, and also provided him with the perfect tool to take down what was attempting to hurt the Lord's flock.
There is nothing that says this was an easy task for David, but with the Lord's strength and help he was able to accomplish such a difficult task. In life when there are tough times, it is okay to ask for help or to rely on the Lord. He is there for us, and He longs for us to have that relationship with Him and to trust Him to provide us with what we need to conquer what He brings us up against. For David, he just needed some inner strength, a sling shot, a stone, and of course most important of all...the Lord!
Below I have posted the lyrics to the song Voice of Truth by Casting Crowns. This song means a whole lot to me for many different reasons. The main thing I remember about this song is when I first heard it and really listened to the lyrics. I had a teammate introduce me to this song back in high school. I can remember that day like it was just yesterday except for a few unimportant details. We were having our pre game talk before one of our playoff games my sophomore year. I was on Varsity, but really never saw the court unless we were smoking them or an unfortunate injury had taken place. I had been struggling with that and with knowing who in my head to listen to. Well this teammate of mine had opened us up with prayer and had us listen to this song. We were the underdogs coming in to the match. The papers were already assuming the other team had won. Of course, as any athlete would be thinking, we were ready to prove them wrong. We sat and listened to this song soaking up every word. When the song ended, I remember being just ready to go out there and show everyone they were wrong about our team. We talked about the David and Goliath story, and how the Lord gave David the correct tools he needed to take down the giant. We focused on listening to our coach and each other and not what others had put in our head. We really took that song and made it happen. One of the details I don't remember is the outcome of that match, but the feeling I had with my team before going into it and the lesson we took from it is so much greater than what the outcome was.
VOICE OF TRUTH: CASTING CROWNS
"Oh what I would do to have
The kind of faith it takes to climb out of this boat I'm in
Onto the crashing waves
To step out of my comfort zone
To the realm of the unknown where Jesus is
And He's holding out his hand
But the waves are calling out my name and they laugh at me
Reminding me of all the times I've tried before and failed
The waves they keep on telling me
Time and time again. 'Boy, you'll never win!'
"You'll never win"
But the voice of truth tells me a different story
And the voice of truth says "Do not be afraid!"
And the voice of truth says "This is for My glory"
Out of all the voices calling out to me
I will choose to listen and believe the voice of truth
Oh what I would do to have
The kind of strength it takes to stand before a giant
With just a Sling and a stone
Surrounded by the sound of a thousand warriors
Shaking in their armor
Wishing they'd have had the strength to stand
But the giant's calling out my name and he laughs at me
Reminding me of all the times I've tried before and failed
The giant keeps on telling me
Time and time again "boy, you'll never win!
"You'll never win"
But the stone was just the right size
To put the giant on the ground
And the waves they don't seem so high
From on top of them looking down
I will soar with the wings of eagles
When I stop and listen to the sound of Jesus
Singing over me
I will choose to listen and believe the voice of truth"
As we go about our daily lives, we should remember this story of David and Goliath. Not for the fact that the underdog won, but for the fact that the Lord got David through what he was brought up against. We may be asked to step out of our comfort zone, but the Lord is there with us every step of the way! Have a blessed week!
Well David didn't let the looks of the situation stop him. He had a faith in his Lord to protect him. David has just come out of the fields where he was tending to his flock and while he was there he killed a lion and a bear. The Lord had timed it where David had build up his confidence by saving his flock from those beasts, and that gave him a little more faith to then stand at the feet of a giant. In the field the Lord provided David with the strength to kill what was attempting to hurt his flock of sheep. In the battlefield the Lord then provided David with the strength and courage that no one else had, and also provided him with the perfect tool to take down what was attempting to hurt the Lord's flock.
There is nothing that says this was an easy task for David, but with the Lord's strength and help he was able to accomplish such a difficult task. In life when there are tough times, it is okay to ask for help or to rely on the Lord. He is there for us, and He longs for us to have that relationship with Him and to trust Him to provide us with what we need to conquer what He brings us up against. For David, he just needed some inner strength, a sling shot, a stone, and of course most important of all...the Lord!
Below I have posted the lyrics to the song Voice of Truth by Casting Crowns. This song means a whole lot to me for many different reasons. The main thing I remember about this song is when I first heard it and really listened to the lyrics. I had a teammate introduce me to this song back in high school. I can remember that day like it was just yesterday except for a few unimportant details. We were having our pre game talk before one of our playoff games my sophomore year. I was on Varsity, but really never saw the court unless we were smoking them or an unfortunate injury had taken place. I had been struggling with that and with knowing who in my head to listen to. Well this teammate of mine had opened us up with prayer and had us listen to this song. We were the underdogs coming in to the match. The papers were already assuming the other team had won. Of course, as any athlete would be thinking, we were ready to prove them wrong. We sat and listened to this song soaking up every word. When the song ended, I remember being just ready to go out there and show everyone they were wrong about our team. We talked about the David and Goliath story, and how the Lord gave David the correct tools he needed to take down the giant. We focused on listening to our coach and each other and not what others had put in our head. We really took that song and made it happen. One of the details I don't remember is the outcome of that match, but the feeling I had with my team before going into it and the lesson we took from it is so much greater than what the outcome was.
VOICE OF TRUTH: CASTING CROWNS
"Oh what I would do to have
The kind of faith it takes to climb out of this boat I'm in
Onto the crashing waves
To step out of my comfort zone
To the realm of the unknown where Jesus is
And He's holding out his hand
But the waves are calling out my name and they laugh at me
Reminding me of all the times I've tried before and failed
The waves they keep on telling me
Time and time again. 'Boy, you'll never win!'
"You'll never win"
But the voice of truth tells me a different story
And the voice of truth says "Do not be afraid!"
And the voice of truth says "This is for My glory"
Out of all the voices calling out to me
I will choose to listen and believe the voice of truth
Oh what I would do to have
The kind of strength it takes to stand before a giant
With just a Sling and a stone
Surrounded by the sound of a thousand warriors
Shaking in their armor
Wishing they'd have had the strength to stand
But the giant's calling out my name and he laughs at me
Reminding me of all the times I've tried before and failed
The giant keeps on telling me
Time and time again "boy, you'll never win!
"You'll never win"
But the stone was just the right size
To put the giant on the ground
And the waves they don't seem so high
From on top of them looking down
I will soar with the wings of eagles
When I stop and listen to the sound of Jesus
Singing over me
I will choose to listen and believe the voice of truth"
As we go about our daily lives, we should remember this story of David and Goliath. Not for the fact that the underdog won, but for the fact that the Lord got David through what he was brought up against. We may be asked to step out of our comfort zone, but the Lord is there with us every step of the way! Have a blessed week!
Wednesday, March 7, 2012
What's The Plan?
How often do you wonder about what is coming next for you, or what the reason is behind something bad that happened? I know I personally am a very curious person! I always have those sorts of questions flowing through my head. But, the answer to all my questions I may never know, or may figure it out way later.
One thing I really try to think about, whenever I am dealing with my curiosity or my detective nature in trying to figure out the cause and meaning of a big event in my life, is that I am not required to know all of the answers. I have to remember who the one behind the events is, and that same person is orchestrating my life to be exactly what it needs to be. Our Lord is behind everything! That should be reassuring, but we are human and I know I struggle with accepting the fact that I am not the one that is in control of my life!
Today I was sitting enjoying frozen yogurt with a very good friend of mine. We started discussing how intricately put together we are and how awesome the big guy upstairs is for making us from dirt! We then got onto the topic of why bad things happen. That is a very deep topic in itself especially as a Christian looking at it. It then appeared in my quiet time without me actively looking for it. Crazy things that God does when He really wants us to grasp onto a certain idea or concept!
We all have heard the story of Job. I cannot even imagine the life that Job lived. To lose everything imaginable yet keep the attitude and faith that he did just absolutely blows my mind. I do like reflecting back on that story in times of struggle as a good reminder for how to respond to a time of struggle. First off, no matter what Job endured he kept his faith and kept praising the Lord. That is not an easy task by any means. We all go through things in our lives that we want to blame God for. Everyone has difficulties in their lives that come in many different forms, not one person's struggle any easier to handle than the next person's.
The important thing to remember is the fact that God does not cause these things to happen, but allows them to happen. It is against who He is to actually have a hand in the pain and suffering. In Job when the trials and bad things are about to happen, we see Satan present himself to the Lord. Satan is trying to get under God's skin and say that God's people are turning on Him. Then the Lord explains how faithful Job is and brags on Job's character, Satan then tries to figure out a way to get Job to fail. "Satan answered the Lord and said, 'Skin for skin! Yes all that a man has he will give for his life. However, put forth Your hand now, and touch his bone and his flesh; he will curse You to Your face.' So the Lord said to Satan, 'Behold, he is in your power, only spare his life.'" (Job 2:4-6). This is a perfect example of the Lord is not actually the one to harm you. He allows these things to happen with a cause behind them, and is the one who sets the limits that He knows need to be set. He is still in control, but not actually the one causing the pain and suffering.
Another thing that I try to remember when going through tough times is that there is a plan for even the bad things in life. Some people will get caught up in trying to figure out what wrong thing they did to deserve that pain and suffering, or why would something so bad happen to someone who has been so good. Neither of those are necessarily the case. In the book of John, we see Jesus actually out roaming the streets and teaching. He is out working miracles and teaching all of those who will listen. In John chapter 9 we see Jesus in Jerusalem and he encounters a man that has been blind since birth. "And His disciples asked Him, 'Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he would be born blind?' Jesus answered, 'It was neither that this man sinned, nor his parents; but it was so that the works of God might be displayed in him. We must work the works of Him who sent Me as long as it is day; night is coming when no one can work. While I am in the world, I am the Light of the world.'" (John 9:2-5) What if that man was actually never blind? Then Jesus would not have had that chance to show the people that were nearby and knew that beggar who He really is. There was a reason that man was born blind and was sitting exactly where he was when Jesus passed through, and that was to show the people out in the streets the power of our Lord and Savior. There is a reason for every single little thing that happens in your life! Do not get too focused on the terrible event, but instead hold your head up high and look to the Lord.
These tough events in life will come from all different sources and strike us all at different points in life. There is a reason that each event occurs exactly when it does, not any earlier or later than the Lord has planned. The events in our lives also affect those around us. We all are helping shape each other to be the people the Lord needs us to be. Whether it is a growing experience for you or a learning experience for your friends, each event will fulfill a great purpose.
One thing I really try to think about, whenever I am dealing with my curiosity or my detective nature in trying to figure out the cause and meaning of a big event in my life, is that I am not required to know all of the answers. I have to remember who the one behind the events is, and that same person is orchestrating my life to be exactly what it needs to be. Our Lord is behind everything! That should be reassuring, but we are human and I know I struggle with accepting the fact that I am not the one that is in control of my life!
Today I was sitting enjoying frozen yogurt with a very good friend of mine. We started discussing how intricately put together we are and how awesome the big guy upstairs is for making us from dirt! We then got onto the topic of why bad things happen. That is a very deep topic in itself especially as a Christian looking at it. It then appeared in my quiet time without me actively looking for it. Crazy things that God does when He really wants us to grasp onto a certain idea or concept!
We all have heard the story of Job. I cannot even imagine the life that Job lived. To lose everything imaginable yet keep the attitude and faith that he did just absolutely blows my mind. I do like reflecting back on that story in times of struggle as a good reminder for how to respond to a time of struggle. First off, no matter what Job endured he kept his faith and kept praising the Lord. That is not an easy task by any means. We all go through things in our lives that we want to blame God for. Everyone has difficulties in their lives that come in many different forms, not one person's struggle any easier to handle than the next person's.
The important thing to remember is the fact that God does not cause these things to happen, but allows them to happen. It is against who He is to actually have a hand in the pain and suffering. In Job when the trials and bad things are about to happen, we see Satan present himself to the Lord. Satan is trying to get under God's skin and say that God's people are turning on Him. Then the Lord explains how faithful Job is and brags on Job's character, Satan then tries to figure out a way to get Job to fail. "Satan answered the Lord and said, 'Skin for skin! Yes all that a man has he will give for his life. However, put forth Your hand now, and touch his bone and his flesh; he will curse You to Your face.' So the Lord said to Satan, 'Behold, he is in your power, only spare his life.'" (Job 2:4-6). This is a perfect example of the Lord is not actually the one to harm you. He allows these things to happen with a cause behind them, and is the one who sets the limits that He knows need to be set. He is still in control, but not actually the one causing the pain and suffering.
Another thing that I try to remember when going through tough times is that there is a plan for even the bad things in life. Some people will get caught up in trying to figure out what wrong thing they did to deserve that pain and suffering, or why would something so bad happen to someone who has been so good. Neither of those are necessarily the case. In the book of John, we see Jesus actually out roaming the streets and teaching. He is out working miracles and teaching all of those who will listen. In John chapter 9 we see Jesus in Jerusalem and he encounters a man that has been blind since birth. "And His disciples asked Him, 'Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he would be born blind?' Jesus answered, 'It was neither that this man sinned, nor his parents; but it was so that the works of God might be displayed in him. We must work the works of Him who sent Me as long as it is day; night is coming when no one can work. While I am in the world, I am the Light of the world.'" (John 9:2-5) What if that man was actually never blind? Then Jesus would not have had that chance to show the people that were nearby and knew that beggar who He really is. There was a reason that man was born blind and was sitting exactly where he was when Jesus passed through, and that was to show the people out in the streets the power of our Lord and Savior. There is a reason for every single little thing that happens in your life! Do not get too focused on the terrible event, but instead hold your head up high and look to the Lord.
These tough events in life will come from all different sources and strike us all at different points in life. There is a reason that each event occurs exactly when it does, not any earlier or later than the Lord has planned. The events in our lives also affect those around us. We all are helping shape each other to be the people the Lord needs us to be. Whether it is a growing experience for you or a learning experience for your friends, each event will fulfill a great purpose.
Monday, February 13, 2012
Valentines Day: You always have a Valentine!
Tomorrow is as we all know Valentine's day! This day can bring up quite the array of emotions in many different people. It has even lead people to make life changing decisions for the worse. I question why that is? The answer I have come up with is people just feeling unbelievably lonely! It is hard to see all of these couples with a partner going so far out of their way to spend so much money to show their love on a day like that. For all of you that plan on moping all day tomorrow and or consuming an entire tub of ice cream I have a simple question. Which is more valuable, $100 or a life?
The answer should obviously be a life. Tomorrow when you see all of these couples having such a great time keep one thing in mind. Your heavenly Father loves you so much he spent the ultimate price to be able to spend the rest of eternity with you! He sent His one and only Son to die on the cross for each and every one of us. That is the ultimate gift of love.
"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life."
John 3:16
Who is the creator of LOVE? Our heavenly Father! He is the ultimate example of how to love. We have taken love and turned it into something completely different than our Lord created it to be.
Love was created to be a very beautiful thing!
"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears. When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me. Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love."
1 Corinthians 13:4-13
Tomorrow instead of worrying about what you think your life is missing, or moping around about being "alone", remember that you have a pretty awesome Savior that loves you more than you could ever wrap your head around! He loves us unconditionally and longs for us to love Him back!
The answer should obviously be a life. Tomorrow when you see all of these couples having such a great time keep one thing in mind. Your heavenly Father loves you so much he spent the ultimate price to be able to spend the rest of eternity with you! He sent His one and only Son to die on the cross for each and every one of us. That is the ultimate gift of love.
"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life."
John 3:16
Who is the creator of LOVE? Our heavenly Father! He is the ultimate example of how to love. We have taken love and turned it into something completely different than our Lord created it to be.
Love was created to be a very beautiful thing!
"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears. When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me. Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love."
1 Corinthians 13:4-13
Tomorrow instead of worrying about what you think your life is missing, or moping around about being "alone", remember that you have a pretty awesome Savior that loves you more than you could ever wrap your head around! He loves us unconditionally and longs for us to love Him back!
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