Worship Wednesday: Victory

Today's post is about victory. I certainly haven't felt very victorious in 2020, and doubt continues to creep up on me, despite my attempts at more worship.

On Sundays, my church has been doing a live feed on the website, Facebook, and Youtube because no one could get to the church building (much like the pioneers during a blizzard) and even now some higher risk members (like myself) aren't going in-person to large gatherings. 

I wrote this post up a while ago and then school happened, and I just never posted it. So, today I want to share with you one of the songs my church's worship team sings.

I hope it encourages you to push away the doubt and to remember to walk in the victory that God has already accomplished in your life, even if you don't quite see it yet.

These are tough times right now, but the battle is the Lord's.

But thanks be to God who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. - 1 Corinthians 15:57

For the LORD your God is he who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies, to give you the victory. - Deuteronomy 20:4

What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? - Romans 8:31

Unfinished Business

 As this year draws to a close, I have been thinking about unfinished business. Although I have mostly been thinking about unfinished book/movie series, and video games I haven't completed yet, I have also been thinking about more serious topics.

I'm graduating from grad school next December with my Masters in Library Science, and I feel marvelously under-prepared, so I've been thinking about webinars I can take this year that can help me to learn some of the things I don't know or to brush up on skills I'm not confident with.

I have also been thinking about how 2020 kept me inside for most of the year. I didn't get to go most of the places I wanted to go this year. As I'm high-risk, I have even been doing church online, so my intention of finding somewhere in the church to volunteer was a bit of a bust this year. Well, I guess it was a complete bust, although I did do some research early in the year to see where I might be useful.

So, I've been thinking a lot about unfinished business.

It doesn't have to be deathbed monumental. It doesn't have to be as silly as an unfinished game. But what is your unfinished business of 2020? Was it an exercise routine you didn't get into? That's another of mine.

Or is there something related to the eternal scheme of God's kingdom?

Someone not yet forgiven? Someone you spoke harshly to and you need to apologize? Something you didn't say this year? Maybe, like me, you chickened out and took so much time deciding where to serve in the church that you didn't get a chance when everything shut down.

I meant to post more on my blog this year, and I have several ideas. School just took over, and I felt like I didn't have time. Of course, I also spent plenty of time reading and playing video games, so that accounts for most of my lost time this year. But there's still next year.

Whatever your unfinished business, it isn't too late yet. Even though we're mostly stuck inside for a while longer, there is still much we can do. And I'm not just talking about those video games.

We can read books that advance us spiritually. That's something I need to do more of in 2021.

We can visit our church online. Or, if your church is too small to post online, there are other churches that have great messages.

Even if we aren't able to attend church in-person, we can still connect with our congregation through Facebook, texts, phone calls, or by commenting on the church's weekly videos.

We can talk to our neighbors - from six feet away, wearing a mask so they don't think us disrespectful and will be more receptive to what we are saying- and tell them about God. We can give them information on our churches' websites/sermons. They don't have to go in the building right now or even when this is over if it's too overwhelming at first. God can meet them right in their home.

I have my own unfinished business. And you have yours. They may not be the same. Some of them may be just for fun, but some may be serious. Whatever your unfinished business of 2020, it isn't too late. Pray about it. Trust God. Step out in faith. And let's look forward to a better year, more productive in many ways.

Worship Wednesday: Behold Him

 Good morning, everyone! I'm sorry it's been a while since my last post. Between working full-time and grad school (both huge blessings) it was a pretty stressful year. Not to mention everything else that's going on.

I can't promise I'll post very regularly, but I'm going to try to work on some posts before next semester starts and we'll see what happens.

So, for today's post, I really wanted to do a Worship Wednesday. I really like doing these, and yesterday I heard the most amazing song while I was driving to work. I hope it touches you the way it touched my heart yesterday. Even though things are still tough right now, remember God has it all in control. If we find ourselves starting to forget, we just have to lift our eyes up. 

Sometimes I get so stuck on what I can see in my situation that I forget to look up. I forget that if I just lift my eyes to God, my situation won't seem so dire.

"I will raise my eyes to the mountains; From where will my help come from? My help comes from the LORD, Who made heaven and earth." Psalm 121:1-2

So just lift your eyes and behold Him.

Worship Wednesday: God of This City

No matter what is going on in the world, God is still God. He is still in control. Nothing has happened outside of His notice. He knows. He sees. And He cares. 

No matter where you are, God is still God of your city, even if you are the only one there who acknowledges it.

Today, I want to share one of my favorite worship songs, but not just in English. As some of you may know, I am studying Japanese, and I found this wonderful song in that beautiful language. I'm sure there are more, but these are just what I wanted to share today. How marvelous to know that we are all singing the same songs of praise to our God, no matter our language.

English:

Japanese:

So Will I - A Teaching on How Big Our God Is

 Good morning, everyone!

Have you ever sat and wondered how big God really is? Well, check out this message and see how that question is answered as the planets and stars that make up our universe are put into perspective.

It was certainly a change in perspective that I needed today.

Musings on Isolation

There's a lot going on right now that can often make me feel afraid.

Being isolated from people can also make me feel scared, or grumpy, or just lonely.

But I have learned something from our days of quarantine and isolation.

Isolation isn't all bad.

Even though I sometimes feel afraid with everything that's going on, I have learned a lot during this time, especially how to lean more on God, and to trust Him.

I've found that while I still sometimes miss people, especially my church family, that I actually like when it's just me and God. Prefer it even. Sometimes there are still distractions during this time, but there are fewer distractions with fewer social obligations.

So, I like some parts of isolation. It brought me closer to God, because I allowed myself to move closer to Him. It caused me to trust Him more, because I chose Him over my fear.

I'm still not ready to be around a lot of people, especially since our case numbers had been going up where I live (they seem to be going down finally), but I'm learning to just breathe, and to remember that God can and will handle this too.

And I'm so grateful that He is with me wherever I am, at church, or watching at home online. At work, or at home. By myself or in a room full of people. And I've learned to seek out His presence more, to feel it wherever I am, even when I am in the midst of a panic attack. Or rather, especially then.

And I'm learning to appreciate this time of social isolation, because it has brought me deeper into His presence.

I know things are a mess right now. I know we miss our friends and families and that some of us are high-risk and can't even go out to church like some can. I also know that God meets us wherever we are. Physically or spiritually. We just have to be open to meeting with Him.

Use this time of social isolation to spend more time with God. Seek Him while you are in your home, in your secret place. Use this time with fewer social obligations to get to know Him as you've gotten to know the friends and family who are so dear to you.

I pray that things settle down soon, but even if they don't, I know God's got this, and I will always be grateful for the extra time I got to spend with Him during my days of isolation.

Awake O Sleeper

And in keeping with the theme of my last post, I found this song by Jeremy Camp that I have to share.

Awaken, people of God. Wake, and seek God. Throw off the chains that bind you.

Awakened, not Woke

This post has been burning in me for quite a while and I struggled with it, mostly because I didn't want to write it, but God's been insistent, so here we are.

I have a couple issues with the word "woke." And that's not including the incorrect grammar.

We are living in a time where to be "woke" is the most important thing. To be "woke" is supposedly a cure-all for what ails our nations. To be "woke" is supposedly a magical fix for the terrible way people can treat and have treated each other.

Being "woke" is supposed to be a new way of opening our eyes to the injustices around us.

But being "woke" won't open our eyes. Like many things going on right now, being "woke" is just another form of the enemy's distraction, meant to keep us from an awakening in Christ.

Friends, what we need more than being "woke" is an awakening. We need Christ to open our eyes, to remove the distractions from our vision so we can see the Truth.

Being woke won't show you the Truth. It will show you the world's version of the truth, in a distraction that the enemy has created. But, friends, it has been a long time since the world started shutting its eyes to the Truth. Even Christians prefer to look away because the Truth can be painful. Sometimes it isn't what we want to hear.

But being awakened by Christ is the only hope. We need a spiritual awakening more than anything else. Only God can change people's hearts. Only God can bring about justice.

And friends, with the way things are going right now, we should all be on our knees praying for God to give us a spiritual awakening, that we are awakened to see the sin around us and in us. We should be praying that He tempers his wrath with mercy before it is too late. 

We need to focus on God and not our circumstances. We need to focus on His awakening, rather than the world's idea of being "woke."

There was a slogan about a decade ago at a Christian concert I went to that said "Awake. Arise. Advance."

Now is the time. Awake, people of God. Stop sleeping! Awake. Don't look to the world's truth. Look to God's Truth. Don't look around at the state of things. Keep your eyes on God. Look up! Awake o sleepers, awake!

And I said, 'Who are You, Lord?' And the Lord said, 'I am Jesus whom you are persecuting. But get up and stand on your feet; for this purpose I have appeared to you, to appoint you a minister and a witness not only to the things which you have seen, but also to the things in which I will appear to you; rescuing you from the Jewish people and from the Gentiles, to whom I am sending you, to open their eyes so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the dominion of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who have been sanctified by faith in Me.' - Acts 26:15-18

Do this, knowing the time, that it is already the hour for you to awaken from sleep; for now salvation is nearer to us than when we believed. The night is almost gone, and the day is near. Therefore let us lay aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. Let us behave properly as in the day, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual promiscuity and sensuality, not in strife and jealousy. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh in regard to its lusts. - Romans 1:11-14

("Behold, I am coming like a thief. Blessed is the one who stays awake and keeps his clothes, so that he will not walk about naked and men will not see his shame,") - Revelation 16:15

Peace Be Still

I know it isn't Worship Wednesday, but I really need to share this post.

It has been a rough couple of weeks. Between allergies, lack of sleep, pressure, changes that have to be made to our everyday lives due to the current situation, and some other stuff, I have just been feeling really run down. I've cried a lot the past couple weeks, but I haven't sought God as much as I should have.

There's a song that's been on my radio for a while, and I love it, but it wasn't until I was driving home one day last week that I really felt the words. Peace be still.

It didn't help with everything. It wasn't a magic fix, and some of my week was still rough. Even today has been rough in some ways, and maybe this week will be rough too. But this song reminds me that I don't have to shoulder everything by myself.

God speaks peace and all is well. And then I have the strength to do what He has asked of me, even when I don't feel very strong. He calms the storm if we let him.

There's a lot going on for me right now, and some of it causes doubts. That's probably true for all of you, too, right? Every day? We all struggle with that.

So, today, I don't have any words of wisdom or Bible verses, because I'm still trying to figure things out too. But this song just resonates within my soul, and I know someone else needs to hear it too.

"Peace be still. Say the word and I will set my feet upon the sea until I'm dancing in the deep."

Failure

I could go on an on about this subject. I could write a dissertation on this subject and have enough left over for a book series. I am no stranger to failure. I fail every day, even when I have tried my hardest. Sometimes my failure is tangible - something at work or in my homework. Sometimes it is spiritual - something I can't see, but can feel.

Regardless, failure can be crippling if we let it. When we fail, it can feel like we will never come back from it. But that isn't true. And let me tell you why.

Failure isn't the end.




Failure isn't the end.

God is still writing your story, and He already knew about the failure.



I know!

God already knew about the failure. Does it disappoint Him when we don't do what we are supposed to? Yes. Does it surprise Him? No. Nothing ever surprises Him. And He's already got a plan for the failure.

That doesn't mean we should stop trying our best. But we can give ourselves a little grace when we fail, because God certainly does.

So, we fail. We apologize. We get back up. We move on.

Failure isn't final. And it certainly doesn't define us.

So keep going. Don't give up.

Tremble

Hello everyone!

It's been quite crazy lately. The stores are low on food and there is no toilet paper! Why? Because people panicked.

I'm self-quarantined at home because my cardiologist panicked a bit.

Mom panicked a bit about us maybe losing our jobs.

In the midst of this crisis, people are trying to go about their normal lives, but panic is beginning to set in.

Panic can change your life. It can change your perspective. It can leave you trembling with doubt and worry.

And in the midst of that, we can sometimes forget to trust God, who is the One who can give us peace in the midst of uncertainty.

And as I sat thinking about that this week, I realized I wanted to share this post with all of you, along with a song that has been bringing me peace this week. I was going to share this as a Worship Wednesday, but I thought it didn't have to be, so here we are.

There is a real threat out there. We don't know a lot about the coronavirus and we don't have a cure. So, take care of yourselves and look out for one another. Practice social distancing and good hygiene.

And don't stop praying. This won't last forever, but in the meantime, God can and will give us the peace we need to stop our trembling doubts because He, and He alone, holds our lives in His hands.

Hope Beats

Hello everyone!

It's been a long time since I felt hopeful over my future. Sure, there are things that I look forward to - like being a full librarian, and becoming fluent in Japanese - but feeling truly hopeful? Nope. Not in...a longer amount of time than I really want to admit.

See, that's what doubt does to you. Doubt is the death of hope. And without hope, it's hard to have faith. And that's what Satan wants. He wants you to doubt. God. His promises. Yourself. Your abilities. What God has called you to do.

And when you listen to doubt in one area, when you question God and His promises, when you question His plan for your life, or even if He has one...then you leave yourself open for the death of hope.

And only God's Spirit can renew you and bring back that hope.

Full disclosure: I have struggled with lust most of my life, and whenever I doubt God and His plan and purpose, I have a habit of rebelling. And I use lust to rebel against God. And I know it makes Him sad, but it also hurts me. A lot. Even if I'm only looking at things and doing things with myself. It doesn't leave me feeling clean. And it certainly doesn't give me hope for my future.

So, last night was really bad. I had a rebellious night and I didn't get to sleep until about 2 am. And then I had to get up for church this morning. I got up around 7:30, and felt like I didn't have time to get to church at 9, because I still had to stop for gas this morning.

But, I dragged myself out of bed and decided that I wasn't going to let my mistake keep me out of church, because I genuinely want to serve God. It's hard sometimes, especially when I'm tired or when I'm not sure what He's doing in my life. But I knew it was my mistake, so I went to church anyway. I was a little late, but only by a couple of minutes.

And it was the best service I could have gone to today. It was exactly what I needed, from the worship music to the message. It reaffirmed God's power in my life, and His purpose for me.

But more than that, afterward, there was an altar call, and while I felt too ashamed to go up there, God met me where I was at, and His Spirit washed over me and we had a good heart to heart. And I feel cleansed, as though I had never sinned.

And I haven't felt like that in a long time. Maybe not ever.

So, why did I share this today?

Well, it was time. It was time to tell you my story, or part of it. It was time to share with you what's been going on with me, so you'll know you aren't alone. Whatever has been dragging you down or keeping you from God's presence, isn't capable of holding you there. Not when God alone has power over your life.

When Jesus shows up, your miracle doesn't depend on anyone or anything else. Jesus' presence reaches out and creates miracles. It depends on His power (limitless), and your faith (just a little bit). Reach out to Him, and He will meet you where you are.

When we stop giving Satan control over our lives, in the form of sin and doubt and worry, God renews us, and when we are renewed, it's a chance to ask Him to step in, and fight for us.

And when He fights, He always wins. Nothing and no one can stand against His power.

So, whatever is dragging you down, throw it off. Step into a quiet moment with God. Call out to Jesus. Release your pain. Your fears. Your tears. Worship Him, and listen.

When you do, I can tell you from recent experience, that He will do what only He can do.

He will restore your heart. Your faith. And you will feel hope beat again in your chest.

I love you all, and I pray that God restores you today.

Thoughtful Thursday: Perception

How do you see yourself? Are you harsher on yourself than others are? Most people are. I know I am.

The way I see myself isn't always in line with the way God sees me, though. In fact, it's often influenced by the way the world sees things.

These perspectives are vastly different.

The world's perception is contradictory and ever changing. Yet one thing remains. There is always something missing that it can't identify.

The world says: You're perfect as you are. Love yourself. But also, change yourself to be better. Liposuction! Plastic surgery! Breast implants! Acne medication! Mood medication! You can be a better you. You're not good enough. Once we fix you, you can love yourself. Or maybe not. Maybe you'll also need more surgery. And more expensive clothes. And tons of makeup.

God's perception of us is quite different. He sees us through eyes of perfect love. He sees what is inside of us, even the bad parts, and He still finds us wonderful enough to redeem with His only Son's life.

God says: Only I am perfect, but I created you in My image. Love yourself and love others because I love you more than anyone could ever explain. Only I have never sinned, but strive everyday to be holy, as I am holy, because I have set you apart from the world for myself. You will fail sometimes, but I will still love you, just as you are, flaws, imperfections, and insecurities included, and I will forgive you when you fail, as no one else can, if you will only confess and accept My forgiveness.

Sometimes we focus far too much on the world's perception of who we are and don't pay enough attention to who God says we are. So, next time that voice starts up in your mind about how you aren't good enough, about how you could change to be better, remember what God says. Remember who He says you are, and what He cares about. And only consider change if it brings you closer to Him, and further into His plan for your life.

Chronological Reading Plan

Hello everyone! I hope your 2020 has gotten off to a great start!

I remembered that I forgot to mention the reading plan I was doing this year, and I wanted to share it.

This year, I've decided to read the Bible in chronological order. If you remember, in 2018, I read it in order from beginning to end. I did this using the Bible app on my phone, Bible Gateway. I'm using this app for my reading again this year, and I'm sure most Bible apps will have this option. But if you don't have an app that offers the chronological option, or just don't like to use a Bible app for your daily reading, I wanted to offer a list of the readings in chronological order.

I'm not going to do a blog post for my readings this time. I'm still in school to get my Masters in Library Science, and I just got a full-time position at my library, so I won't have time to post every day, but I do hope to be able to post quite a bit, and I'm still working on the eternity series I mentioned.

So, this list is correct to the best of my knowledge, but I have just started the reading.

https://www.biblegateway.com/reading-plans/chronological/next

Please let me know in the comments if you find any errors, or if you have a preferred Bible app or reading plan, and why.

I look forward to sharing more with you this year as well.

Worship Wednesday: Tell Your Heart to Beat Again

Happy new year, everyone! I hope 2020 is filled with amazing things for you as you continue or begin your walk with God.

Last night, my church held a new year's service beginning at 11:30pm and going to 12:30am. It was absolutely amazing, and I'm so glad I went. It was a wonderful way to start the new year - praising God.

And so on that note, I wanted to start my 2020 blog that way too. And it's Wednesday, so that worked out perfectly.

Welcome to the first Worship Wednesday of 2020!

This song came on the radio Monday as I got to work and I knew I had to share it with all of you. Then it repeated as I was driving home from work yesterday, and I realized I would be able to post it on January 1, 2020 because it falls in line perfectly for the first Worship Wednesday.

So, a quick question for you:

What happened in 2019? What was the year like? Was it good? Bad? A mix of both? Were there things that hindered your walk with God? Were there also things that strengthened your walk with God?

I had a mix of both. I have a story I'm going to share with you all at some point about one of the things that hindered my walk with God that I was able to throw off last year, but not today. Today is just for the music.

But keep that thought in mind. What were you able to throw off in 2019 that was hindering your walk? Did you accidentally pick up something new? Or was it an old struggle that kept coming back to bother you and trip you up?

Well, I've got good news. Not only is today a new day, but it's a new year! Does anyone else know that wonderful Anne of Green Gables quote? "Tomorrow is fresh, with no mistakes in it." That's especially true with God. He takes our mistakes and He redeems them. We don't have to keep holding onto them anymore. 

So, as you listen to this song, I encourage you to let go of what was holding you back in 2019. Ask God to help you. And remember, yesterday doesn't have a hold on you anymore, because today is a new day with God, and his mercies are new every morning.

My favorite part of the song is this verse:

Let every heartbreak

And every scar

Be a picture that reminds you

Who has carried you this far

'Cause love sees farther than you ever could

In this moment heaven's working

Everything for your good

Sometimes we get hurt. Sometimes there are heartbreaks and scars, but we don't have to carry them into the next day. We can give them over to God, and He will carry them for us.

There were some heartbreaks for me in 2019, and some things that left scars on me, but God blessed me so much that my joy overflowed into worship.

May God bless you this year with so many wonderful blessings that you don't know how to contain your joy!