how many girls will keel over for that line from ryan gosling haha
(Source: heychristiangirl)
- May 18 2012 | Notes 98 - Read More →
completely understood
(Source: heychristiangirl)
- May 18 2012 | Notes 52 - Read More →
so that’s what you say…hmmm HAHA jk about this one
(Source: heychristiangirl)
- May 18 2012 | Notes 13 - Read More →
I find this really humorous and very true
(Source: heychristiangirl)
- May 18 2012 | Notes 71 - Read More →
Seeing God for God
1 King 13 [The Man of God]
How awesome would it be to be simply referred to as “the man of God.” Nothing more and nothing less. In 1 King 13 we see such a person and not once does the bible state his name or facts about him other than his place of origin. Yet, each time, he is referred to as “the man of God.” And “the man of God” was nowhere shy from being an excellent servant of Christ. Bold enough to stand against the king, devoted enough to reject the kings rewards, and humble enough to restrain himself from worldly pleasures brought by the king. And even in his death he is to be a renowned prophet for standing against the king.
However, “the man of God” fails in time. Time seems to have a deep impact on many people in the bible and on us, it makes us jaded and tired and i’m sure “the man of God” became tired. Do you understand the physical burden that was placed on him? God told him you shall neither eat bread nor drink water nor return by the way you came. Basically, he’s fasting and not eating at all and he’s not allowed to go back home the quickest way he got there. And this isn’t the age of planes, cars, or whatnot…it’s the age of donkeys and sandals. And what’s more is that he remembered God’s exact instructions. So what do you have? You have a starving guy who obeys God and can’t return home in the swiftest route possible, total lack of physical comfort.
Doesn’t that relate to our faith? Most of the time when we first encounter God or begin to see this glimpse of God we’re so eager and excited, we memorize scripture, we serve, we read the bible, we reflect on God, we wear our What Would Jesus Do? braclets. Yet in due time, we feel dry and think I’m just upholding what God says. No longer is it our passion, but a duty that we feel like we have to uphold. And in that duty we easily compromise. We know God already says do this. And we know there is a greater reward in serving God. And that God is faithful. Yet in time we compromise and hope for a way out. I think that’s what happened with “the man of God.” Being in that position for so long although he knew exactly what God wanted him to do, for some reason he was looking for the next escape. And he fell. But what did he fall into. A lie? from what we see. But from what he knew at the time he fell into something good.
Take aside what we know, and think about a first hand perspective. The “man of God” had no idea he was being lied to, and rather he saw it as a blessing. He was probably thinking, “Oh yes, I can finally eat, thank you God.” Then what is his mistake? What was this sin? In the end, to keep it simple, he replaced God with another prize/reward. He replaced God for an idol. He replaced God for his well being. He made God second and the comfort that God brings first. He made God second and made his comfort first.
So what am I saying? What is the bible revealing to me? Sometimes the times makes us jaded. We easily became susceptible in wanting to detach from God. Yet, during those times don’t replace God for earthly rewards or even other Good things given by God.
To clarify, it’s a bit complicated but do you love the God who loves, who gives hope, who redeems, who cares, who is just? Or Do you love the love, justice, wrath, of God. Are you in love with God, for God. Or are you in love with God, for what he can do for you? Is God, God. Or is your desire for his promises your God? Because even good things became poison once they replace God. There is no other greater good than God. And I believe thats the greatest deception of all. Which is why so many times people think…God doesn’t answer my prayers…I don’t like this God. God hasn’t been good to me…I don’t like this God. God…how could you let me/my friend suffer…you can’t be God. The minute we limit God to simply his attributes and his actions we no longer see the fullness of God. God is meant to be an infinite mystery to finite beings. And until the day of glory when we see God face to face we won’t understand. But till then we can always rest in him and delve deeper into his word so that each day we can see glimpses of this glory to come.
So in the end, don’t replace God not just for bad things (i.e. anything we label sin so generically), but don’t even replace God for good things. Don’t put a limit on a limitless God, it doesn’t make sense. Make God your number one in all things. Make him your final choice and desire that he be limitless in your heart. Only then can we also appreciate the attributes of God and love his promises, his actions, and his character.
And just once more to clarify it’s like this. Do you love your friend/parents because they give you food sometimes? Because they are nice to you. Or do you love them for just being them. It’s a great distinction between loving a person and loving their actions/attributes. Love God
- April 27 2012 | Notes 1 - Read More →
Whatchu Know About Brotherly Affection?
Romans 12:10 “Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.”
- April 13 2012 | - Read More →
- March 26 2012 | Notes 3 - Read More →
[Flash 9 is required to listen to audio.]
:D ?
- March 17 2012 | - Read More →
Human Effort vs. God’s Will
1 Samuel 25
v.26 “…the Lord has restrained you from bloodguilt and from saving with your own hand.”
v.33 “blessed be your discretion, and blessed be you, who have kept me this day from bloodguilt and from avenging myself with my own hand.”
This is a radically different way of looking at my life. Why? Because my characteristic is filled with pride, arrogance, and insecurities which leads to criticism, distaste, indifference, and perfectionism. Every time I face an issue or a struggle, whether it’s financial and my bank account says [Checking: $0.02], or when it’s academic and my report card says [Organic Chemistry C-], or when it’s personal and I hear that someone has been bad mouthing me or people are growing a bias towards me [John is mean, John is weird, John is a hypocrite, Can you believe John did…], or even when it’s my own heart [I need to love that person…(1 second later) I’m grilling them or snickering at their comments].
My first solution is will-power. My first solution is I need to get a better job or save money. My first solution is I need to stop doing this and study more. My first solution is, “I’ll show them I’m awesome.” My first solution is, “I will prove to myself I can control my heart.” My first solution is me.
So many times I try to save myself from these problems. And even though I pray everyday I find myself sleeping or being distracted by my thoughts saying, “John just do this and it will get better, John you don’t have to love everyone, John it’s okay your a sinner, John you’re better than that person, John just compromise yourself.” I continually try to save myself, and even when I know I have to change my mentality or my focus I can’t seem to let go. So I pray and simply ask for him. For he will stop me from saving myself. And I know he will. Because so many times in my life he already has.So I come back to him for restoration. I come back to him who redeems.
Yet, I don’t want to be saved/avenged for my sake. David doesn’t say, “I KNEW IT, I knew God was going to kill Nabal for messing with me.” I would argue that David wasn’t expecting Nabal to die, but instead he just thanking God and is satisfied with what God does. Why? Because David tells Abigail to go in peace v.35. You don’t see David cursing Nabal or his Household. And even in v.39 David thanks God for stopping him. See, God removed all bitterness, ulterior motive, and deceit in David’s heart. Like David when I really let go of something, I have to let it go completely.
I can’t expect something for my sake. But instead I trust in him. I do. I trust in God. There is so much hope to the one who saved a sinner like me. To the one who chose to love me. Man, I suck but dang I’m awesome because of him who saves me. And I know you’re all awesome because of him. My hope/trust/faith rests in him.
- March 14 2012 | - Read More →
1 Samuel 20: [God Is More Adhesive than Super Glue or Gorilla Tape, More True than Will Power or a Heartfelt Vow]
1 Samuel 20: [God Is More Adhesive than Super Glue or Gorilla Tape, More True than Will Power or a Heartfelt Vow]
It starts with 1 Samuel 18:1 :”…the soul of Jonathan was knit to the soul of David.”
This connection wasn’t just some makeshift knitting or something that connects the two like magnets with nothing in between. The reason this knitting was so effective was because it utilized, metaphorically, the thread of God. God didn’t just mesh the two souls together so that Jonathan and David were directly connected, but God remained between them and became the bond that pulled them together.
1 Samuel 20:23, 42 “the Lord is between you and me forever, the Lord shall be between me and you, and between my offspring and your offspring forever.”
This bond goes beyond our single lifetime and goes into the next generation. This bond deals with forever (eternity). But the enormity of this bond isn’t limited to commitment but it is the driving force for David and Jonathan’s love for one another and their ability to give themselves selflessly to each other. See this is the same bond that Jesus made for us between God. God fulfilled his promise and kept his commitment to us with Jesus which allows us to be boned to him. And it’s not just a commitment of promise but one filled with love and power. It allows us to pray and read the word and to know the creator of the universe and really seek his supernatural peace, power, grace, mercy, love, and hope. And it even goes beyond into strength and physical healings and much more.
What if the reason we did anything was because of the bond of God? What if we were bound to our academics because of the Lord? What if we were bound to friends because of the Lord? What if we were bound to our girlfriends/boyfriends/husbands/wives because of the Lord? What if we were bound to knowing God because of the Lord? You see, if God is what is between you and everything in this world you make God first and God is a far better bond than will power, motivation, human conviction and anything physical; because God doesn’t fade away or die eventually like all physical things, but he goes on into eternity like godly things. Just like this friendship between David and Jonathan becomes something we can’t imagine everything we do, once we do it with the Lord between us, with him as our focus, becomes supernatural.
So what’s bonding you to your commitments. Are you still relying on yourself because it’s been pretty good so far? Yea, you can end up content and complacent but , ultimately, you’ll forsake a far greater bond, love, joy, peace, hope, and relationship that is found in God. And then in eternity you may not get the chance to see this God. Yet, an ultimatum shouldn’t be the driving force for our desire to know him. No, and it shouldn’t be because of our selfish desires and the benefits we may get. Rather, do we desires to know God, simply to know him? To know the creator of the universe, the father in heaven, the God who loved first.
- March 11 2012 | Notes 1 - Read More →
If God’s not your first priority it makes sense to be confused.
- March 5 2012 | - Read More →
The truth is my heart is volatile and my mind is deceptive…yet he is true. In, 2007 I kept saying this one line, “My heart vexed, my mind complex…my being perplexed.” Not to deny this. But now there is solidity and a firm foundation on hope each day. My God, why do you love me…Thank You. I am but your Servant and your steadfast love endures forever…Soli Deo Gloria…
- February 22 2012 | - Read More →
[Flash 9 is required to listen to audio.]
I Trust You Justin Frederick
You are my Shepherd and in You I lack nothing
You cause my heart to rest in knowing You
I will not worry for You know all that I need
You know before I even ask
…You’re Leadership has never failed me
- February 20 2012 | - Read More →
haha, cute and simple.
I love valentines day honestly, it’s great I wish people were more thoughtful and loving everyday~
If I could give chocolates/flowers or just do something to make someone smile everyday…I would do it :D
- February 14 2012 | Notes 1 - Read More →
Too many people want to love without knowing how to love. And not many people understand why we have this innate desire to love. See, if we have a passion our purpose shouldn’t be to uncontrollably express this passion without reason, rather we must first understand this passion within our heart, mind, and soul. Then we would realize that we must see who loved first. Once we see him we will be able to first love him, then ourselves, and finally those around us. Imperfection sustained by perfection.
- February 13 2012 | - Read More →
