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| FOR GREAT IS THE LORD AND MOST WORTHY OF PRAISE; HE IS TO BE FEARED ABOVE ALL gods.
1 Chronicles 16:25
Today was freshman orientation, and since I'm a peer leader I had to go in to welcome and help the freshmen out. One of the games we played as an ice-breaker to get to know eachother was an exercise where a question is asked and everyone must pair up and give their answer to their partner. One of the quetions was "What is your biggest fear in life?" Many of the answers included spiders or clowns or death, or even the future. In this passage, though, it is a different fear that is being refurred to. It is an indescribable, awesome fear. Alot of the time people fear things that are unknown to them. I find it amazing that while God is such a mystery to us, we can be so close to Him at the same time. He is an all-knowing, all-powerful, and all-loving God. Even though we can't understand everything (most things) about Him-- which can be scary to us-- we can trust in Him and know that His promises are something we can rest our lives on. "For no matter how many promises God has made, they are "Yes" in Christ. And so through him the "Amen" is spoken by us to the glory of God." 2Corinthians 1:20 | | |
| So... Ive been doing a lot lately. My play Godspell just ended last weekend, i have three track meets this week, two soccer practices and a game, prom is coming up (dont have a date or dress yet), i have to start studying for the SATs, im applying for national honors society, i have a test in every subject this week (three tomorrow), and i have to decide what classes im taking next year. I could go on with complaining about how busy i am but its not gonna make a difference. i have to do what i can and leave the rest to God... i mean after all He feeds the birds and clothes the lilies of the fields, which are so much less important to him than us. I just realized i need to chill and not worry about how much i will get done because He knows, and he will make sure im not faced with so much that i cant handle it. i just have to trust in him and completely give to him the things that are out of my control. prayer really helps, and so does knowing that HE WILL PROVIDE. ♥ | | |
| THESE THINGS I HAVE SPOKEN TO YOU, THAT IN ME YOU
MAY HAVE PEACE. IN THE WORLD YOU WILL HAVE
TRIBULATION; BUT BE OF GOOD CHEER, I HAVE OVER-
COME THE WORLD.
( JOHN 16:33 ) This verse reminds me of what Troy was talking about last night at youth group. We are so fixated on worldly things, following the example of society, that it hinders our ability to look different; to create a spark that people notice. Instead we tend to blend in, and we make that our goal as opposed to our goal being the opposite. How are we to preach the gospel and not live it? Its not possible. People are looking for example, not just empty words and not silence. I know it sounds cliche but its true: actions speak louder than words. We wonder why we are so stressed out-- its because we are trying to keep up with the world's standards. Its in God that we find peace and not until we find that peace can we share it with others. In the above verse it says that we can rejoice and not be worried because Jesus has overcome the world. Thank God! It is a blessing beyond comprehension that we dont HAVE to live like the world. that we can make a choice to follow God instead... Jesus' life and death has made this possible. He has given us a clear-cut example of what living apart form the world looks like. Of course we are still human and we are going to continue to sin, but how much better to know that you are not living solely for yourself like the rest of the world, that you dont need to meet other's expectations, you dont have to speek, live, love, and act like everyone else just to fit in. Remember what Troy read us; YOU WILL SAVE BOTH YOURSELF AND YOUR HEARERS. how awesome is that? you, through God, have the power to save everyone you know... anything is possible with God so get to it. 
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| Hey Guys... im sorry im so late but i had no internet connection on wednesday and was at green pond all day thursday, anywho: so now its good friday and im gonna write about Judas and Jesus in the washing of the feet. "you ought to wash one another's feet. I have given you a model to follow, so that as I have done for you, you should also do." John 13:14-15 We all have enemies, or even people who just plain annoy us. But think about this; among all twelve disciples, Jesus washed one man's feet who particularly stands out to me-- Judas. Now Jesus knew that Judas would completely betray him and still he chose to wash his feet. I don't know about you but i think feet are pretty disgusting, but think about back then. They were extremely dirty from having walked around all day in the dirt, dust, and mud, they were probably all cut up, blistered and calloused. repulsive. but also think about how this action was something a servant was supposed to do-- A SERVANT. So Jesus took on the role of a servant to those who were wayy undeserving. I have trouble doing that for anyone, much less a man who i know is about to willingly hand me over to my death. So the question is: what, for you, would be an act of service equivalent to washing someone's feet and would you do this for someone that you know would betray you even to the point of death? | | |
| "Jesus answered, 'Will you lay down your life for me? Amen, amen I say to you, the cock will not crow before you deny me three times.' " John 13:38 We all know the story of how Peter denied Jesus three times the night He was arrested. But listen to the question that Jesus asks him, "Will you lay down your life for me?" we are being asked the same question. Denial doesn't always come in a verbal form. We can also deny Jesus through our actions, or lack there of. When God gives us an opportunity during the course of any day, to do something in His name that Glorifies Him, and we see the opportunity yet choose to ignore it; we are denying Him and His working through us. We often (or at least i do) start to make up excuses for ourselves so we dont feel as guilty as we should. At my school there is a lottt of gossip (i mean it is an all girls school) and while I try not to get involved in it so much, I never really do anything to stop it. ("keep thy tongue from evil" Psalm 34:13) Even though i know im supposed to do something about it, ive become so used to it that i dont even realize it as much anymore. This becomes dangerous because it is numbing ourselves of the guilt that is natural and intended to keep us in check. If we cant stand up for God in simple situations like these how are we ever going to be able to lay down our lives for Him? Well Peter shows us that, with a change of heart and some holy spirit, its totally possible. All we need to do is pray and keep asking God. Yeah, youll still be human and have that inclination to sin, but with God's help, we can become stronger christians. (from reed to rock just like simon peter for whoever was at the retreat) | | |
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