I'm a Christian woman who is learning daily from God's Word, and growing into the woman God has called me to be. Here you will find thoughts, questions, musings, and reflections of small issues, big issues, daily life, things that interest me, things that confuse me, and Bible verses.
Hello everyone! For today's Worship Wednesday, I want to share a song that has been on my radio all week long. It played Saturday, and Sunday, and then we sang it at church. And then it was on the radio Monday, and again on Tuesday. It also played on the radio this morning when I was driving to work, and this afternoon when I was driving home. I think the message is pretty loud. This is my worship jam this week, and I hope it speaks to you too. I've been singing it randomly all around the house - when I'm making dinner, when I'm cleaning up, when I'm getting ready to watch a movie, when I'm picking out a new book to read, even in the shower. And when I'm at work and can't raise my voice as loud (I do work in a library, after all), the song plays in my heart, and is louder than I can even make my voice go. In the middle of our troubles, when everything is dark and bleak, all we have to do is sing out praises to God, just raise that Hallelujah, and the darkness flees. It may not mean an immediate answer, or an escape from the troubles, but it will lift our spirits, and bring God's presence down to surround us. So, sing loud. And sing louder. Let His praises echo to the heavens. And drown out the troubles and the unbelief.
Hello everyone! So, in my women's Bible study group, we have been learning about how God sees us through the eyes of mercy and grace, and what the word flawless really means as applied to our lives. We've taken a break for the summer, and our "homework," so to speak, is to catch ourselves picking ourselves apart and focusing on our flaws and take those thoughts captive with God's Word and remind ourselves that we are flawless instead. It's quite the challenge, I'll admit. I'm studying Japanese, and even kanji seems easier at this point. But I know that doing it every day will make it a habit and that will improve my thinking, and overall, my character. So today, I want to challenge all of you. God doesn't see your past or your mistakes. When you accepted Him into your life and asked forgiveness, He gave it. Freely and without reservation. And now He sees you through the eyes of mercy. To Him, you are flawless. He doesn't see that awful thing you did before you met Him. He doesn't see that awful thing you're beating yourself up about when you slipped up after meeting Him. He doesn't see your scars. Your weight. Your diet. Your bank account. Your flaws and imperfections. He sees you as flawless through His Son, Jesus. So my challenge for you is that every time a flawed thought crosses your mind, take it captive. I'm too fat. I'm too skinny. I have so many pimples. I'm so ugly. I'm stupid. No one loves me. No one will ever love me. I messed up so bad no one could ever forgive me. And these are just part of what we tell ourselves on a daily basis! Me too. Don't leave me out. I've said at least three of these just this morning. It's a struggle. It's difficult. That's why it's a challenge. But challenges can be overcome. So, my challenge to you is this: When these thoughts happen, remind yourself that you belong to God, and He doesn't see that tiny imperfection at all. He sees you as beautiful. He sees you as flawless. And if you have trouble reminding yourself, just check out this song, and play it on repeat as long as it takes.
So, today is Independence Day for myself and my fellow Americans. It's a time when we reflect with gratitude on the many freedoms that we enjoy in this country that people in many other countries don't have. We reflect on the sacrifices that the people who came before us made, and are still making so we could enjoy those freedoms. We also barbecue. A lot. And shoot off fireworks. A lot. It's a total celebration. Sunday was Freedom Sunday, and my pastor preached on the freedoms we have in Christ. He reminded us that those freedoms did not come without cost - the cost of Jesus' blood, and the sacrifices of our obedience. Freedom isn't really free. Someone paid the price for it. Just as Jesus paid the price for our sins. So often we want the freedoms without the sacrifice. We want to ride on the hard work of others. And in some cases, we're allowed. We don't have to pay for our sins. We have brave men and women who have fought and continue to fight for freedom. But just because our freedom was given freely, that doesn't mean we don't have to fight for it. Every day. Satan does not like our freedom. He wants us to be bound. Slaves. To sin. To our flesh. And so we still have to fight for our freedom. Every day. But when we seek God, He will fight for us. Sometimes, though we want the freedom without any sacrifice. Just like sometimes we want to be part of God's kingdom without putting in the work it takes. His salvation is free. And we can have salvation without doing anything beyond believing in Jesus and asking sincere forgiveness for our sins. Or, we could go all in. We could believe and obey and sacrifice. And fight. So, I challenge you to do 3 things that I've already done this week. 1) Reflect on the freedoms that you have in God, and thank Him for each one. 2) Reflect on Jesus' sacrifice so that we could all enjoy those freedoms 3) Ask God to help you identify areas where you are doing well and areas where you fall short; then ask Him to show you how you can improve. Happy Independence Day to my fellow Americans! And to my fellow Christians, remember: every day is independence day for us. God bless y'all.
