lovingkindness.

lovingkindness might be one of the most rich words in the Bible. it is an attribute of the LORD. it is a meaning for mercy, amongst many others. it is something that cannot be changed. research more if you get a chance. but it is something i have been praying through. it is a covenant to those who believe. he will not take this lovingkindness away. he promised it to us forever when Jesus died for us on the cross. there are so many promises and moments of intimacy that go untapped because we do not dive into the riches of Christ. Psalm 136- David repeats again and again, his lovingkindness is everlasting. it never ends. Psalm 89:27 says that he will not take away his covenant of lovingkindness. Jeremiah 31- he has drawn us with lovingkindness. and a personal favorite for me so far :
"Let me HEAR your lovingkindness in the morning, for i trust in you. teach me the way i should go, for to you i lift up my soul." Psalm 143:8. Do we pray to hear the Lord's lovingkindess in the morning? it has become my prayer. in moments when i dont know if i can get out of bed, in moments when the day seems daunting, and in moments when i cannot wait to see what the Lord has in store for me that day, i want to hear his lovingkindness. because i know we don't always hear it. i know sometimes lies can seem bigger than reality. i am feeling it with my ability to lead a small group, be a good student, be a good housemate. but we can ask to hear it. it doesn't leave.
mercy. it is wonderful. and i think we forget the beautiful things the Lord has called us to. to mercy. to imtimacy. to purity. to Christ. to His Spirit. to walking with him. and mercy will bring that. i have been really into Sandra McCracken lately, especially thy mercy, My God. it is a beautiful reminder of the mercy of our God. and i have found, that through worship, you are reminded of Scripture, which makes me want to pray through Scripture. which has power, which restores. pray for mercy. pray to hear His lovingkindess. see how that changes things.

pray to see His glory. pray for Him to show Him your glory. praying for mercy, lovingkindess, and to see Him living in the big and small will chnage your life. becuase it will bring you life. trust Him, even when it seems hard, and he is not listening. he is. and he will bring you deliverance and joy and peace in such a new way that you could never see coming. but give up your time table. mercy is promised. but sometimes it takes a period of waiting for us to experience the fullness of salvation. so in that time of waiting- pray, talk to Him, remind yourself He just wants your heart. He just wants your soul, your mind, and your strength. His glory is beautiful. I promise. follow Him and give him your heart (Matthew 5:27, Proverbs 23:26) listen for Him and listen to him (Proverbs 8:34) he is always fighting for you. he is waiting for you to come to Him. and he wants to show you himself. i promise.

look up lovingkindness in Scripture. it will change you. see what passage means the most for you. ask him to dive into the depths of your heart with the meaning of that word. i promise you will not be the same.

grace & peace.

thoughts.

there have been so many times when i have gone to this blog.. wanted to post again and haven't. and to be honest it's because i don't really know what i want the purpose of it to be. and right now there are no readers. but let's say someone stumbles upon it. i want them to know that God moves. and that He is real. and that He heals, listens, and loves.
that it is about HIS glory. even when our lives and selves seem to think otherwise.
that we CAN choose joy, even in the midst of hard times.
and that sometimes, we really have to wait to see what He is planning.
easy? no. possible? heck yes.
so as i am starting this up again... some recent things come to mind.

this week i have learned the power of praying scripture. and to actually give thanks. it's not as easy as it seems. when you are crying in class every day for no reason, when you can't seem to find the joy in anything, when you don't know how to pray, what to read, or even what to ask. go. go to Him. wait. he will respond because He is faithful, in everything He does, not just because we are good. because that is who HE IS and when he says I AM, that does not change.
choose joy. when you are battling anxiety. when nothing goes your way. when you feel alone. choose joy.
it's for HIS glory. check your heart. we are actually seeking our own glory way more than his, and i know this because i am guilty. but seeking his glory, and praying and waiting for his glory will bring the most reward out of anything.
wait. wait for Him to move. he will do it.

we are reading a book called One Thousand Gifts in my house Bible study. thank you to libby ryder. i actually prayed for a couple months that she would start a bible study for my house (Brickhouse ladies) he hears us. libby also happens to be the person who got me excited about blogging. anyways- this week was chapter 2. and it has amazed me what He has done in the course of one week. completely prepare me. before i read this chapter... this was my big thing for the week
-teleios: greek for complete, whole.
-1 thes 5:16-18
-praying for wonders
- praying to see the joy in this
- praying that He would not delay (psalm 40)
- praying to give thanks for the place i was in, it seemed almost impossible. i was crying every day.


this is what this chapter was about.
-giving thanks
-choosing joy
-grace
EUCHARISTO.

it's harder than it thinks. but something she said was how much thanksgiving is linked to salvation. and being made well (sozo) and sozo means complete and whole.
and how when we can find thankfulness in something we can find joy in something. truth.
thanksgiving always precdes the miracle.

on Saturday, after deliberate prayers to be thankful and to see His mighty hand and outstreched arm
- found a Bible study that i lost at Barnes and Noble on the shelf. hello heart and soul of rachel wallick up for sale. are you kidding. makes for a good story.
- sermon on 1 samuel 14 on supernatural courage- probably one of the best sermons i have listened to. by Bill Johnson from Bethel Church
- restored friendships
- clarity, vision, restored joy

his love endures forever. think about it. never ending. forever on this earth, forever in heaven. hallelujah.

morning thoughts

Sitting on the porch this morning, I was thinking about how cool it is that we have an unseen world to look forward to, how great it is that we can have ears to see the unseen, that we have a whole other world that we can be looking to. Father, that we have you behind us, that we have you with us, and that we need to spend time with you in order to be able to see the unseen world, to be able to see the depths of things behind the superficial, behind the first glance. Because the whole earth is FULL of his glory!!  We are concerned with people’s souls, not their clothing, not their homes, their lives, we know that a future kingdom with beauty and splendor is awaiting us. We are concerned with their deep soul hungers, and wanting them to know that Jesus is the answer to those hungers. And we see the world going about its business, day after day, cars going to and fro, people going to work, people being outside, people enjoying the beautiful world the Lord has made. But there is a deeper rhythm to it all, a deeper buzzing beneath all of this. This world is being orchestrated by the hand of it’s master Creator. And in each and every minute, people are either moving towards you or away from you. but you have given us your Spirit, alive in us, so we have the ability to move towards you more and know you more in every minute. I pray that we would have hearts that earnestly ask that of You. and that we would pray for the power of the Holy Spirit as we come in contact with each and every person. Knowing they are thirsty for the living water that you have begun to fill us with. Yet another reason we need your eyes and ears: on the outside, those who do not know Christ are not going to look thirsty. They are not going to look like they need a Savior (well some will, but not all) so we need ears to hear and eyes to see that every person has a chasm in their soul that needs to be filled with the power of the Cross. That everyone needs to be washed by the beautiful blood. And that is why we cannot go off of what we see, because we cannot see need on the outside. We cannot see our needs on the outside, or on other believers, so we will not be able to see it on others. But know that everyone on this earth was made to drink Christ’s living water, and it is their biggest, deepest need. He literally created each and every one of us to be in fellowship with him. So lets be praying for the people in our life that need him, but even those who we don’t even know, that come into our work, that we pass on the street. And we don’t know how God is going to answer the prayers we pray over them, but we know that we are heard, and we know He will answer in some way. And he is wanting everyone to come to them, and wants to ask everyong, are you thirsty? He wants to fill tthem with his living water. He wants to fill every crevice of our souls with the fullness of himself. Knowing that he paid it all, he paid everything needed for everyone to come to him. And we have no idea how he is going to use everyone we see, but we know that if he could change Saul to Paul, and call him his chosen instrument, that he can do powerful things through the people we see in and throughout our everyday lives. So lets proclaim the message that John 17 so boldly talks about when Jesus prays to his father, that our message, through the Holy Spirit would bring a message of unity, with the power of Jesus that the thirsty souls today would see our love,  and believe that God the Father sent Him and loves us, just as God loves Jesus. 

verses to read and meditate on today from these thoughts: 

Psalm 47:5-7 “God has ascended amid shouts of joy, the Lord amid the sounding of trumpets. Sing praises to God, sing praises, sing praises to our King, sing praises. For God is the King of all the earth; sing to him a song of praise. God reigns over the nations, God is seated on his holy throne.”

Isaiah 6:3 “And they were calling to one another: Holy, holy, holy is the LORD Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory.”

1 John 5:14-15
"This is the confidence which we have before Him, that, if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests which have asked from Him."

2 corinthians 4:18 “So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.”

Acts 9:15 “This man is my chosen instrument to carry my name before the Gentiles and their kings and before the people of Israel.”

Matthew 28:18-20 “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded yu. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

John 7:37 “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him.”

John 17:20-23 “My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. may they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. I have given the, the glory that you gave me that they may be one as we are one. I in them and you in me. may they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.”

some great worship songs for today:
Jealous Kind- Jars of Clay
I Adore You- Phil Wickham
Everything Glorious- David Crowder Band
Our Great God- Mac Powell and Fernando Ortega
Sing Alleluia- Jennifer Knapp and Mac Powell
All I Need is You- Hillsong
Come and Listen- David Crowder Band

enjoy :) hope you can get to know Christ in a new way today. 

learning from our elders

I've been on a big Moses kick for a little while. I think we have so much to learn from him. Not in only what he did, and how he was used, but how God took him as he was to be used. Moses was the person that led God's chosen people to freedom. The Israelites. out of Egypt. by Moses. by Moses, who when God asked him to go talk to Pharaoh, said that he would not be good enough. lets's see:

"Moses said to the Lord, 'O Lord, I have never been eloquent, neither in the past nor since you have spoken to your servant. I am slow of speech and tongue." The LORD said to him, 'Who gave man his mouth? Who makes him deaf or mute? Who gives him sight or makes him blind? Is it not I, the LORD? Now go; I will help you speak and will teach you what to say." But Moses said, 'O Lord, please send someone else to do it.'Then the Lord's anger burned against Moses and he said 'What about your brother, Aaron the Levite? I know he can speak well. He is already on his way to meet you, and his heart will be glad when he sees you. You shall speak to him and put words in his mouth; I will help both of you speak and teach you what to do. He will speak to the people for you, and it will be as if he were your mouth and as if you were God to him. But take this staff in your hand so you can perform miraculous signs with it." Exodus 4:11-17

Moses was nervous. Moses didnt think he could do it. How many times to do we come to God like that? I think we should take comfort in this, but also find that from Moses' example, we know that God can work huge things through whoever he chooses, however he chooses. Know that Moses didn't think he was the man for the job. he wanted someone else to take the reigns. and God knew him, and God worked with him in his weakness, providing his brother Aaron. are you like that with God? are you even as open with God to tell him you don't think you can do it? are you doubting God? trust that He knows you. and he will provide. but God also shows us through the story of Moses, that when His Spirit is with us, we can do all things through Him. just come to Jesus. give him your heart. know that whatever task, person, or ministry He is leading you to, that He will provide for you.
Long after Moses, we have the ministry and vision of Paul. and a verse I think ties into this perfectly, that we can lean on and find such strength in is 2 Corinthians 12:8-9 "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." made perfect. that is bold. but that is Jesus. come to that grace.

There is a reason that Hebrews 12 starts with encouraging us in the presence of many witnesses, for we are in that presence. If we are in Christ, we have many witnesses that went before us. that we can look to. we can see how God used them, worked in them, molded, and healed them. look at Moses. someone who did not think he could even talk to Pharoah was the man who with the power of God, told this great king to 'let the people go.'
God can do something big through you. just get to know him. be listening for your call, however big or small. He will lead you.

I AM.

"But Moses said to God, "Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?"And God said, "I will be with you. ANd this will be the sign sent to you that it is I who have sent you: When you have brought the people out of Egypt, you will worship God on this mountain."
Moses said to God, Suppose I go to the Israelites and say to them, 'The God of your fathers has sent me to you,' and they ask me, 'What is his name?' Then what shall I tell them?" God said to Moses, "I AM WHO I AM. This is what you are to say to the Israelites. 'I AM has sent me to you.'" Exodus 3:11-14

Louie Giglio- I AM

Do you know this I AM? Has the Lord answered you as I AM? Trust that He will always answer, He will always be constant, and that he wants to answer as I AM. When God says, I AM is with you, no matter what you come to him with, you have the God of the Universe behind you, and know that His strength will guide you and get you through, just as he gave strength to Moses to free the Israelites.

a runner's challenge

so. not sure who likes running, but its definitely taking a while to grow on me. but if running a half marathon in on your bucket list, ya gotta start somewhere. so today as i was running on the treadmill, i thought of a really cool way to pass the time. what if we prayed for all of the other  women in the gym that we see working out? as i am looking around, there are music videos and magazines everywhere showing girls what they "should" look like. and how many girls think that is what they actually need to look like? especially those who don't know Christ. Christ definitely has the power to free us from any self image insecurities, or show us that just because the culture tells us to look one way, doesn't mean we need to. so lets pray for freedom for everyone who is at the gym with us! and i'm not saying everyone at the gym is struggling with self image, because i know exercise is important, but i'm sure everyone there could always use a prayer :) what if we are the only people in their days that would pray for them!

also- just saw voyage of the dawn treader... its awesome. my man cs lewis really knew what he was doing! for sure has lots of messages about walking with Christ here on earth!

epiphany

so lets back up a little to the beginning of Christmas break. God really allowed me to see him in so many new ways last semester, and I wanted to really understand why Christmas was so significant this year. So I asked the Lord to reveal new truths and connections both within scripture and learning about the Christmas Story. He answered in more ways than I could even type... he answered one in a really cool way today! I had prayed that I would really understand the significance of the three kings (magi) and how they would affect my walk and what role they played in the nativity story.
so panera is my fav spot. i go there all the time to have coffee and a quiet time. so today, after waking up a little late... i get there for breakfast when everyone else is eating lunch. and panera was packed. so after i get my bagel and coffee, i'm about to walk out when i see an open table out of the corner of my eye. perfect, another guy with a computer... i'll fit right in. so i go sit next to him, take out my Bible and computer, and the guy next to me smiles and says, "time for a Bible study?" we talk for a little about it, and my life (God seems to be really funny and i meet new friends almost every time I go to panera). before he leaves he says, oh just to let you know today the church celebrates the day of epiphany, you should read that along with what you were reading.
okay cool, if i'm honest i have no idea what that means. so i look up what the day of epiphany means and why it is celebrated. it is the last day in the 12 days of christmas. it represents the day that the magi came to bring Jesus his gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. when the magi did this, they were the first people to reveal Christ as King. and not only did they reveal he was the Christ, but they were the first gentiles to do it. which means from then on, the world knew Christ came for all peoples and all nations, not just a select few. since then, the church has used this day to look at its mission of what it means to call Christ Savior in the world, and what it looks like for them to do it.
so really, the magi had much more of a role in how the christmas story applies to me than i thought. their epiphany, or revelation allowed everyone to know Christ came for them. and now the church, and individuals, can reflect and see what it would mean for them to call Christ their Savior in the world. are we carrying the name of Jesus with us everywhere we go?
and how cool that God decided to answer my prayer in this way, so long after i even thought about it, and through a perfect stranger. He's a funny one.