Rejoice

Verse of the Week:

"Even though the fig trees are all destroyed, and there is neither blossom left nor fruit, and though the olive crops all fail, and the fields lie barren; even if the flocks die in the fields and the cattle barns are empty, yet I will rejoice in the Lord; I will be happy in the God of my salvation."

- Habakkuk 3:17-18

Song of the Week:

At first glance, the verse above didn't seem to be very relevant to my life. I mean, who cares if the fig trees are destroyed and the olive crops fail? If the flocks die and the cattle barns are empty... what does it matter to me?

But upon further pondering, I realized that if I would have been living during the time period when this verse was written, those circumstances would have been horrific! If my fields and flocks and olive trees were my livelihood, then it would basically be like saying "Though I'm going to die and there is no hope left whatsoever, I will rejoice in the Lord!"

So what about this present time? What about the circumstance that YOU are going through right now?

"Even though my class load is huge and my homework is piling up; and though anxiety and depression are weighing on my heart; and though I'm struggling with an eating disorder and I just found out someone I love has cancer; though I am having family issues and relationship issues... I will rejoice in the Lord; I will be happy in the God of my salvation."

Though I'm not currently struggling with all the things I mentioned above.... perhaps you can identify with a few of them?

Hopelessness is found in the circumstances that the writer describes in Habakkuk. That same hopelessness can often be found in the circumstances we face on a daily basis. It is easy to lose hope when we are caught in the midst of circumstances or trials we didn't expect.

But there is a method to this hopelessness: REJOICE.

What a simple command. Yet, I would say, one of the most difficult to obey.

This week's challenge: REJOICE.

Napping = Suicidal Thoughts

I'm in Philosophy this semester... so let me attempt to apply logic to this situation:

1. Napping = no homework getting done
2. No homework getting done = bad grades
3. Bad grades = Bad GPA
4. Bad GPA = No entrance into Grad School
5. No entrance into Grad school = Depression
6. Depression = Suicidal Thoughts

So basically I've concluded that napping = suicidal thoughts

(This is a good way for me to talk myself out of napping.)

Any other chronic nappers out there?

Come Home

Verse of the week:

"Even the sparrow has found a home, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may have her young - a place near your altar, Lord Almighty, my King and my God." ~ Psalm 84:3

Song of the week:

Whether we admit it or not... we're all searching for something.

Some find what they're looking for. Others seem to search their life away... never satisfied.

Regret was the one thing I didn't ever want to be very acquainted with.

But I am.

I regret many things. I regret the way I treated my sister growing up. I regret relationship decisions I've made. I regret the sinful choices I continue to make on a daily basis. I have regrets.

But the beauty of it all is that... it's never too late to turn around and run back home into the safe arms of the Father. We can run... but we can never outrun His grace.

Often times I feel too sinful to love. I feel too broken to be made beautiful. I feel too hopeless to make a difference.

But then I hear:
"Mercy doesn't care what you've done"

I want to come back from the shadows. I want to turn from the wrong roads, the darkness, and the unknown.

... where His beautiful redemption is waiting... for me to come home.

What I'm searching for... what you're searching for...

He can satisfy.

So come home.

It Just Takes One

Verse of the week:

"Consequently, just as one trespass resulted in condemnation for all people, so also one righteous act resulted in justification and life for all people. For just as through the disobedience of the one man the many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of the one man the many will be made righteous." ~ Romans 5:18-19


Song of the week:

One.

One man.

One place.

One choice.

One sin.

One.

One man.

One cross.

One sacrifice.

One gift.


Have you accepted this gift? Do you live as if you've accepted this gift? Just some thoughts. Praise God that the gift of His son doesn't compare to the weight of our sins and the filth that we have to shamefully take ownership of! Our righteousness comes from Christ's selfless act. That's it. There is no other reason besides God's mercy and great love for us that he chooses to make us holy through Christ.

We can't do it.

And honestly, I am so thankful that I don't have to do it on my own... because I know the one who can overcome.

Week 2

Verse of the Week:

“My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand.” ~ John 10:27-28

Song of the Week:

Security.

What an illusion it can be sometimes.

Just when we think we've got it all figured out, things sometimes change in ways that we aren't expecting. Either the noise of life get's too loud that we no longer notice the whisper, or we get to busy to just pause and be still in the midst of the chaos. Either way, aspects of life continue to move and change.

Through it all, there are some statements and promises that God makes throughout scripture. One of them is found in the verse of the week: "... no one can snatch them out of my hand." Isn't that a beautiful thought? No one can snatch me out of my God's hand if I am consistently striving to surrender everything and walk with Him.

Life is constantly shifting... but some things don't change: when we call His name... he never hesitates to wrap us in endless grace. He brings us back into his arms which is truly where we belong if we are really honest with ourselves.

So why is true security not frequently present? Why is the security we tend to find so often only an illusion that leads to brokenness and disappointment? I would venture to guess that it's because we're looking for our security in all the wrong places.

We are secure in the arms of Christ. Rest there this week.