Obedience..Have Your Way God..Have Your Way..

Well..
I seem to be facing a battle in my life right now, but i know that God is still God, despite all circumstances. Im learning to just accept being righteous, standing before God, knowing that NOTHING i can do that is GOOD nor bad will improve the way that God looks and sees me as. I am learning that there is this beautiful, infinite, eternal love that God has for me, and when i am in the fire, i have to hope to remember that i can still run into the arms of love. He is never changing! But yeah, i just pray that in this battle that the Lord is putting me through, that i can grow, and that i not complain about it. I went to the hub at HPC for a special college service friday night, and the guy was talking about how he couldnt seem to get the scripture out of his head of the one where Jesus was praying before He was to be crucified, saying

Luke 22:42
Father, if You are willing, please take this cup of suffering from me. Yet, i want Your will to be done, not mine. (New Living Trans)

He was talking about how, so many times, WE DO THE SAME THING! we want to get rid of what God has placed us in for a reason. That is SOO true! How many times have i personally cried out to God to please take this "cup" of relationships, loneliess, or etc away from me.

It is so cool that Jesus was fully man yet fully God. Jesus Himself didnt want to do what He was about to do, but i love what He says...."yet, i want Your will to be done, not mine". How obedient and selfless.

I encourage you to listen to the song Arms open wide, by Hillsong.

Hear our prayers..

I have fallen in love with Psalm 20 tonight. It is such a great psalm from David about Gods assurance of His faithfulness. Before i read this scripture tonight, i was listening to a song called "Hear us from heaven"..and when i read this scripture it just sort of clicked in my brain and i had a little happy God moment there.

verse 6 says:
Now i know that the Lord saves his annointed; He will answer him from His holy heaven with the saving strength of His right hand.

This might mean much, but for me, the entire passage of Psalm 20 really pulled my spirit. Because beyond all of our failures, busy lives, and chaos, hurt, and pain, God is going to be our strong tower. He will literally hear our cries from heaven and answer us in the days of trouble. He remembers us, He loves us, and will answer us in our times of distress. It may not be the answer we want or expected, but He is always there.

God is so faithful, it is truly amazing to feel and know His love, even in my weakness. Thank you God for being so faithful and so loving!

Psalm 20
May the Lord answer you in the day of trouble
May the name of the God of Jacob defend you;
2May He send you help from the sanctuary,
And strengthen you out of Zion;
3 May He remember all your offerings,
And accept your burnt sacrifice

4 May He grant you according to your hearts desire,
and fulfill all your purpose..

Well..life has been good lately. God is just so good in how He always teaches us things, though we may not understand what we are going through in the beginning, there is always a way to see and gain knowledge. God has really been convicting me about what it means to be a Christian..everyday. I heard a really good quote the other night from a speaker that we had that will stick with me forever. He said something along the lines, "We are either growing or dieing, there is no middle grounds". That is so true! I want to grow more and more everyday! I dont want what i have to go to waste. I want to take everyday and use it as an opportunity to minister to someone in someway, get better at my talents, and just show love to people. It is so encouraging to know that this place is so temperary. That if we are saved according to the gospel, we are going to heaven, where there are no more tears, suffering, and pain. Sometimes i forget that promise from God, but i have been reminded of the great gift that God has given us, eternal life! So our job, as Christians, (Christ followers), is to be the salt in the world, shine His light and love for all to see, and lead people to the cross so they can experience the same beautiful gift.

Matthew 5:14-16

14"You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. 15Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.

God is so good! And we are called as followers to shine the light and love. So, how will you shine the light in the darkness?