GRACE as a GIFT

The Lord has been so GRACIOUS!

This is the LORD's doing; it is marvelous in our eyes. This is the day that the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it (Psalm 118:23-24).

Nothing is of on my own accord. Jesus completely relied on the Father (John 15:), and I'm beginning to realize that there is nothing good in me except Christ that lives in me. The life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me (Galatians 2:20).

After seeing Joshua receiving the gift of salvation last night, I have been rejoicing in salvation! His salvation, my friends salvations, and my own salvation. It is nothing but marvelous in my eyes.

Joshua's story is incredible. It's by grace we are all saved, it is NOT of our own doing whatsoever and Joshua is a testimony to that (Ephesians 2:8).

I've been thinking about my baptism last night and tonight, and I'm just sitting here crying just trying to comprehend what the Lord has done in my life and his glory that I've seen. I'm praying that my uncle will be able to attend my baptism or baptize me. He raised me and nurtured in me in Christ's love. It wasn't his doing, he had no reason to love me, I'm not even blood. Just as the Lord has no reason to love us because we have sinned against him (Romans 3:23), we are justified by his grace as a GIFT, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus (Romans 3:24).

A New Song of Praise

Psalm 40.

Lord, you are worthy. You are worthy of all of my praise. You are faithful, and I am grateful. Thank you for being you, and I don't have to be ready because YOU are ALWAYS ready. I delight to do your will, O my God; your law is within my heart. Let me not hide your deliverance or conceal your steadfast love but instead speak of your faithfulness and your salvation! Your steadfast love and faithfulness will ever preserve me! You alone are my Help and my Deliverer. I pray for my brothers and sisters in You. That they may seek you and rejoice and be glad in you. That we may all sing continually, "Great is the Lord!" Do not delay, Father, you are my help and my deliverer.

My trip to Charleston, SC was interesting. I had fun, and God did some things that I did not expect (as usual). My pledge sisters and I became closer. I got to see exactly where my friend was in her walk with the Lord, and we didn't hang out that much. However, I think the Lord planted seeds, nevertheless. My joy came completely from the Father, and I praise him for that! There were some times that I could've been like, this sucks and I hate my life, but the Lord has built a strong foundation within me to know the truth and hide that in my heart.

I went to the first "the Oaks" meeting last night. God's doing something great that we aren't even ready for. As I'm starting to pray for the incoming freshman, there is joy that comes from the Lord that knows each and every single one of these incoming freshman.

Lord, hide your words in my heart so that I will always have your words to encourage a brother and sister and speak Truth to the world.

America Shemerica

God has completely wrecked and turned over my heart lately.

I'm in college. To get a degree. To get a nice job. To pay the bills.

NO.

Since I started college, I've prayed that God would move materialism out of my life. God has truly held me accountable on that. I saw all these nice things like tory burch shoes and everyone's cute puffy vests. Daddy, I need this, I need that. Oh forgiveness is a must. GOD HAS GIVEN ME EVERYTHING I NEED.

He is enough and when will we start realizing this?! It took me 19 years. I don't want to be in this mindset that I'll be comfortable forever. The majority of the world, isn't comfortable. My life is NOT more valuable than theirs. Blessings this, blessings that.

"It is more blessed to give than receive." - Jesus Christ

I started out with my major being Pre-Med, but I realized that that was just crap. I was in it to have nice things, be independent (completely contrary from the Word), and I'm really good at school. But in reality all of these things are giving ME the glory. As far from the Bible is from East to the West.

But thank goodness that God is sovereign and sufficient. I can rest in that He will provide. He will sustain us because He has given the offering of HIS ONLY SON. If we can rest in the fact that he gave his one and only Son.. you can bet He will give us enough to live according to our purpose.

I'm here to SEEK and FIND Him. I'm here to grow. I'm here to share the Gospel. I'm here to bear burdens. I'm here to live in mutual encouragement. I'm here to be FAITHFUL.

Screw Expectations

Why are we so sheltered? I went on a jog tonight, and I am fired up for believing in the One who was raised from the dead. In this American society, we're so caught up in silly cliches.. Do we want to be safe? Or do we want to BELIEVE in Jesus Christ? This might be an extreme point of view, but I got a new view on my faith.

Set your mind on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. Colossians 3:2

I want to take a leap of faith and believe that the Lord above is enough. I want to get a glimpse of His glory. I want to be in pursuit of Godliness. In all these things, I can because God has already given me hope. How many times do we give up on hope or look for it? We don't even have to be in search of this hope that set us free because He has already laid it out for us.

Jesus said to her, "Did I not tell you that if you believed you would see the glory of God?" So they took away the stone. And Jesus lifted up his eyes and said, "Father, I thank you that you have heard me. I knew that you always hear me, but I said this on account of the people standing around, that they may believe that you sent me." John 11:40-42

I can barely fathom the story of the death of Lazarus right now. We've heard it over and over, but this is absolutely mind blowing right now. Just read it like you've never read it before. Read it through the eyes of John.

This story isn't saying let's go do this or let's go do that. This story reminds me and restores my strength and hope in what Jesus Christ has done for me. I just start thinking about what life would look like if we truly put our trust in God to get a glimpse of his glory.

What get's me the most, is this story of faith. Or lack there of. What would happen if we lived radical lives and doing things the world and even believers think are crazy? What if everyone just started trusting in God and did things they've never had the courage to do before? Surely, the world would go mad, but the world would see a NEED for a Savior. How glorious grace would be.

Fire in the letters

How do I truly become passionate about the Word of God? I'd be lying if I told you that I love to read my Bible everyday. I read my Bible everyday, but I've never had a strong love and desire to read the Lord's perfect word.

A friend put it plainly to me today. He told me that him and his friend had a conversation about simply this, "if you could meet God right now and ask Him a question, what would it be?" What would God say? More than likely, He wouldn't give us an answer to whatever question we have. Because He has already given us the exact plan He wants us to live in. It's in there somewhere.

I want to fall in LOVE with the word. Every aspect of it. I want to be intrigued with what the Lord has for me. Conventional knowledge. Why do I look for answers in the flesh when I can look it up? Because I'm not willing to take the time out of my day to truly meditate on Scripture.

God's got a plan. I'm gonna live in it. Or definitely try to anyways...

I just need to start doing it though. I need to set up some guidelines I'd like to follow.

1. PICK A BOOK TO READ/MEMORIZE

2. Pray before reading.

3. MEDITATE on what I read.

I wanna fall in love with the most Godly man I know of, JESUS CHRIST! I'm just gonna start reading Mark.

I'm Alive

But God is so rich in mercy, and He loved us so much, that even though we were dead because of our sins, He gave us life.

-Ephesians 2:4-5

I was reading this this morning, and I was surprised at how much quiet time with God really means. I am no longer living at home with my parents, but in a new town with new people and a new sense of freedom. At first I was upset and lonely, but God has made me new today. After reading some Scripture, I have the strength to trust in God's love because of His mercy and what He has done for me. If He is willing to die for our sins, He has sure got my back through this college experience. Starting NOW, I want to know more of Him and fall in love with Him. We are saved by the works of Christ, and in that, I want Christ to work through me. God does all the work, I just have to obey. But that's the hard part. How do I obey Him, when I have no earthly parents to answer to in college? Will it enable me to listen to Him more or less? What if my faith becomes weak?

Father, guide me to do what is right and do what honorable. But most of all, Lord, draw me closer and closer to you. As deep as our relationship can be, I want to know you deeply. Take me in your hands right now, and give me the capacity to love more. Love my family more, love my roommates more, love my friends more, love strangers more, and love YOU more! Thank you for giving me hope today God.

"What a strange trip it's been"

My life is changing, and it's changing BIG. I'm about to start college, live without my family, I have no idea what's happening with a relationship I'm currently out of, and I can't listen to God because of my own desires and wills for my life.

If God has my best interests (which he does), and God rules the universe (which he does), how does Satan continually win me over?

Because, I'm not making God the LORD OF MY LIFE right now, he's just a part of it. At Summit, I heard from God so much and I was listening, then I was doing. Reality hit me hard. I broke up with my boyfriend because I thought that that would make me more dependent of God. Secretly, I've been putting some faith into Jake that he would come rescue me of what might have been a bad decision being knight of shining armor. Still hasn't happened. Nor has my capacity to love my Father grown.

I changed the name of my blog because I want a whole new feel to it. This is gonna be a journey. A walk. Not alone, but with my perfect heavenly Father. My sweet sweet Abba above. Abba is referred to when a child says, "abba, father!" They refer to their father not only as father but MY father. There isn't a specific translation, but it brings on a level of intimacy. I want the King of Kings to me mine, and I want a personal walk with Him with more intimacy to form a deeper relationship.

My whole life is changing, and I want to listen to Him and DO what He commands. I hope to post in this more.