Knowing God

I am reading Knowing God by J.I. Packer at the moment (a MUST read!) This book was written to help Christians know God truly and deeply. I'm not talking about the knowledge of God or even having momentous times when a person felt God. I'm talking about the emotional and relational connection a person has with God--a continuing two way relationship in which our obedience to Him comes out of our deep love for Him. It gets so confused with "godly knowledge" or "knowledge about God" and we completely miss the fact that Jesus died to give us a relationship.. not information. The Israelites had information about Him, but they weren't able to know the heart of God and feel His presence in their lives daily as they walked with Him. Salvation is a transformation--the beginning of real hope--the joyous communion of man and God once again--its grace that is poured out like a waterfall. 

Jesus said, "My sheep know my voice. I know them and they follow me." We know God because he first decided to know and love us. 

J.I. Packer said, "This is momentous knowledge. There is unspeakable comfort--the sort of comfort that energizes, be it said, not enervates--in knowing that God is constantly taking knowledge of me in love and watching over me for my good. There is tremendous relief in knowing that his love to me is utterly realistic, based at every point on prior knowledge of the worst about me, so that no discovery now can disillusion him about me, in the way I am so often disillusioned about myself, and quench his determination to bless me." -

Don't we feel most of the time that love is conditional? That if others knew this one thing about us, then they wouldn't love us. Time and time again we decide to hide our imperfections and struggles to meet the criteria the world displays. We not only role play with our peers or our family, but also (and unfortunately) with a Holy and Sovereign God.  Because we are so used to sweeping these things under the rug day after day, those pretend roles are etched on to who we think we are... until they are eventually pointed out. We must accept that God in His love and mercy knows every bit of our sin and imperfections (even more than we know about ourselves). We can't trick God--lets not try. He is waiting for us lay the script aside. Humbling ourselves before God-- raw before Him. This puts us exactly where we our meant to be: at His feet, ready to serve, living as empty vessels. Covering struggles or imperfections only worsens the ache to be fully loved. He is our portion and our satisfier. He fills each hole in our heart perfectly and completely. Let that put joy in our hearts and praise in our mouths when we get up in the morning... He loves us in spite of ourselves.. no matter what! What an unimaginable concept to realize that God thinks about YOU (even when your not thinking about Him)--He is with you every second of everyday--watching over you and loving you unconditionally. Lets give our all to truly know the One who gave His most prized possession for us. He is so worth it.

Being at His disposal

We all have times where we are pressured and consumed with future decisions. They happen more times than we would like for them to and its not easy to stop thinking about them. I keep asking myself, "What am I going to do for the rest of my life? Will I actually use my Elementary Education major? Should I be looking into psychology or counseling? And what about after that?!" I'm just not so sure. I am praying for clarity... actually I would really like for God just to tell me straight up, but then again where is my faith in His perfect plan in that. What He has given me right now is a peace. He is not leading me anywhere else and though I question at times, that peace keeps me where I am. He is sovereign and keeps bringing to mind "Do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself." (Matt. 6:34) My major is not my own and my time is not my own and as long as I am willing to be an empty vessel, He will use me where I am and lead me to where I will go. "Worrying does not empty tomorrow of its sorrow, it empties today of its strengths." -Corrie Ten Boom

Today, those questions consumed the first few moments of my morning, but as I opened up to read Keep a Quiet Heart the Lord swayed each one of them. Elisabeth Elliot was writing to individuals who had questions concerning their callings. She replied with, "The first thing was to settle once and for all the supremacy of Christ in my life. I put myself utterly and forever at His disposal, which means turning over all rights to myself, my body, my self-image, my notions of how I am to serve my Master." Oswald Chambers calls it, "Breaking the husk of of my independence of God." If our object is to save others, we cannot save ourselves. Being at His disposal shouldn't mean fear--we are under the complete control of a sovereign God that loves us and I could not think of anywhere that would have more joy and peace.

I keep reminding myself of this true statement. Since when has anything ever surrendered to God been wasted? Never. A life surrendered is a life He can use--A life worth of living.

Standing at the Crossroads

"This is what the Lord says:

'Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is; and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls.' 

But you said, 'We will not walk in it.' 

I appointed watchmen over you and said, 'Listen to the sound of the trumpet!' 

But you said 'We will not listen.' " Jeremiah 16:16-17

We all stand stumped at crossroads at one time or another. Not just the major crossroads, but little everyday decisions that land us yielding onto a different path--ones that will veer us off the path just enough for it to take some time before it loops back to His original. Sometimes we find ourselves in the crossroads that are very blatantly labeled "GOOD PATH" one way and "BAD PATH" the other and at other times we are ourselves stuck between a "GOOD PATH" and "THE BEST PATH." The latter path is usually the hardest to start walking-- its so easy to settle for the good path and be complacent-- especially when the best path looks like more work...and we think its not too bad because its still says "good" right? The definition for complacency: the experience of satisfaction and being at ease in one's situtation or accomplishments. Shouldn't that make a Christian hurt on the inside! Sadly, this how the world sees most "Christians" today-- living in bubble--Jesus is for them alone to enjoy. But how twisted does that sound?.. isn't a Christ follower supposed to be striving each day to look more like Christ? Never satisfied in our human selves as we continually strive for the goal and pull other's into the race to run along side us? Unfortunately the best path is not always taken and when the enemy can't get us using the "BAD PATH" then the "GOOD PATH" is an excellent alternative. Can't you just hear the enemy saying--"Hey, as long as they aren't doing much..its all good with me!"

I cringe thinking about how many times the Lord has shown me the the better path and I have said, 'I will not walk in it'. He pretty much screams at me with that trumpet sometimes! Afterwards, I stand back in awe of myself telling the Lord of the universe "nope, I'd rather not." How absolutely crazy is that? That is just when (like the Israelites in Jeremiah 16:19) our heavenly Father punishes us for our own good-- reminding us once again that He is giving us the "BEST PATH" for our ultimate good and His ultimate glory...so that we live our lives to the fullest-- not wasting it on the same old yield signs we are so used to seeing. He will not only be with us on the harder path, but holding our hands and LEADING us. Wouldn't you rather be on a path with your Sovereign God leading you then on a path by yourself? 

"For I am the Lord, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you." Isaiah 41:13

He is leading us step by step--over rocks, through dirt, and up mountains--lets come together, stay on His path, and strive to look more like Christ tomorrow than we did today. He, in His victory, is holding us... we have nothing to fear!

Went to the Hillsong United concert last night--incredible. I got just a tiny glimpse of what heaven is going to be like--all His people worshiping Him for who He is together. This was just one of the many of their new songs that are awesome. Check out the lyrics!

Just a Little Encouragement

I have been studying Hebrews 10-12 the past few days. Those chapters hit 3 huge areas in our lives--perseverance, faith, and discipline (I encourage all to read them). No matter how many times I have read these chapters, they seem fresh to me each time--reminding me of its holiness as the Word of God. It always amazes me how much a verse, not to mention a chapter, encompasses when broken down and studied. I feel like I'm drowning in a sea unworthiness! But how amazing is it, when we start to feel hopeless in being who He has called us to be, He reminds us of what He has already done. Our only jobs are to be vessels, willing to be molded, loving our Savior, and drawing others to Him. Simple task--not so simple as humans always. But praise be to Him who "planned something better for us" (Heb. 11:40) and who never gives up on us and promises that,"He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion." (Phil. 1:6)

Anyways, I just wanted to share some verses that have been encouraging to me lately to run this race that we (as Christ followers) have been graciously allowed to take part in.
Persevering: Hebrews 10
-"Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess for he who promised is FAITHFUL. And let us consider how we may spur on another on toward love and good deeds." 23-24
-"But we are not those who shrink back and are destroyed, but those who believe and are SAVED." 39
Faith: Hebrews 11 - reminds me that God uses ordinary men and women in un-imaginable ways because of one simple thing: trust.
-"Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see."-
-(talking about Moses) "He regarded disgrace for the sake of Christ as of GREATER value than the treasures of Egypt, because he was looking AHEAD to his reward. By faith he left Egypt not fearing the King's anger; he PERSEVERED because he saw him who is invisible." 26-27
-(talking about all who had faith)"They admitted that they were aliens and strangers on earth. People who say such things show that they are looking for a country of their own. If they had been thinking of the country they left, they would have the opportunity to return. Instead they were looking for a better country --a heavenly one. Therefore God is NOT ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them." 13-16
-"The world was not worthy of them" 38
I have had to ask myself this question many times and am being challenged to ask it much more: Right now, am I living in the world or of the world?
Discipline: Hebrews 12 
-"Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father?" 7  (I have to catch myself getting so frustrated with discipline because, when I really think about it, how wonderful and blessed (and so unworthy!) are we that our God treats us as sons and daughters?! Willing to discipline us for our good)
-"No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later one, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it." 11

Lord, remind me of this race daily: "Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sing that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the AUTHOR and PERFECTER, of our faith who for the JOY set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose hope." Hebrews 12:1-3

Beautiful Days Ahead

It was absolutely beautiful outside today; deep blue skies (not one cloud), a breeze, and 70 degrees. As I was walking to class--I deemed it a perfect day. Funny thing is: last night I was standing outside waiting for a ride from the library in the storm and pouring rain. What a 180 degree turn! As soon as God allowed the storm to pass--He gave us the most beautiful day. Today was even prettier than the days before the storm (or at least I thought so) and that reminded of something. Doesn't the Lord do that in our lives all the time?? We may not see the beautiful day ahead, but because of our hardships--he refines us; making us even more beautiful and Christlike than before the storm. Also, we notice the beautiful days because of the storms...we appreciate them! St. Augustine said, "The very pleasures of human life men acquire by difficulties." Difficulty opens our eyes to the pleasures we have taken for granted.

Here is a quote from the book I am reading:
"God in His mercy did not choose to remove the dilemmas with which he (Paul) faced [SOME OF HIS GREATEST MERCIES ARE REFUSALS], but choose instead to make Himself known to Paul because of them, in ways that would strengthen His faith and make Him a strengthener and an instrument of peace to the rest of us."

Be encouraged in that! If we are going through something (which every Christian should be)--it is because He is strengthening us in Him and molding us to become a strengthener in whatever He has planned! The best part about it is that He has promised we will NEVER stand alone through it. He is FAITHFUL to "never leave us or forsake us."

"Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us." Romans 5:3-5

Trusting in The Father

"The only escape from self-love is self-surrender." - E.E

"Whoever loses his life for Me will find it" -Matt. 16:25
"As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you. Now remain in my love. If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father's commands and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete." -John 15:9-11


We are in a constant position to learn how the Father loves. When I have resisted him, I have cheated myself and whenever I have surrendered I have found joy. Our battle is knowing that He will meet all our needs and knows FAR better. Of course, most of us have the knowledge that He is "sovereign" (or supreme) God, but yielding to what that means becomes a different story. It means every desire, every deadline, every missed something, every rejection, every door opened is all about accepting His promising and perfect will. His desires for us becoming ours --at every destroyed hope for ourselves TRUSTING that a most greater joy will be revealed to us. I read this really awesome quote that again re-iterates why we aren't always stuck with what we think we should have or our desires are suddenly thwarted: "Heaven is not here, its there. If we were given all we wanted here, our hearts would settle for this world rather than the next. God is forever luring us up and away from this one, wooing us to Himself and His invisible kingdom, where we certainly find what we so keenly long for."