living for today

Many times we hear this phrase, "live for today" but how do we actually really live it out. I think that is something that God has been teaching me recently. So many times I worry about what is to come or how I am going to overcome these sins in my life, but I need to focus on today. We must continue to fight today's fight. We cannot win tomorrows battle, but we will win these battles as we choose to fight each day. I think we forget that. We overcome our sins, our struggles, and the temptations of life by daily choosing to follow Jesus and live in His strength, surrendering all that we are to Him.
Live for today.
What does God want to do in me today? God knows the things we must do each day- work, school, doing the laundry, etc. But He still wants to use us in the midst of that. We need to be willing. Many times when I think about being open or willing to what God wants for me each day, i don't quite know what to do because I have responsibilities (like a job) and things I must do and I feel like the two don't work together. But God can still use us through those things. Don't belittle the mundane things of life that Jesus can use to transform others lives. Have a willing heart. This is definitely something I am trying to learn and apply to my life right now. Its not an easy thing, but it is worth it.
Matt. 22:37...Am i daily trying to give all that I am to God?

Steadfast

So recently I have really been thinking about the word steadfast again. It was a huge part of my time in texas at the HA and has consistently been something that I am reminded of. But recently I have been really learning from it. The dictionary defines it as:

1.

fixed in direction; steadily directed: a steadfast gaze.

2.

firm in purpose, resolution, faith, attachment, etc., as aperson: a steadfast friend.

3.

unwavering, as resolution, faith, adherence, etc.

4.

firmly established, as an institution or a state of affairs.

5.

firmly fixed in place or position.

And so many times when I think about steadfast I think about how I want to be steadfast for the Lord. Unmoving in my love and devotion to him. But in the last few days the Lord has really been showing me how HE is steadfast in his love for me. God is unwavering, firmly established, constant, unmovable in His love for me. There is absolutely nothing that i can do to change that love. What a comfort to know that my Savior loves me in such a way.

Psalm 63:3

Because your steadfast love is better than life,
   my lips will praise you.

Ok where to start? Have had a lot on my mind and on my heart lately. God has really been placing the persecuted church on my heart lately and to pray for them. Also challenging me in my faith, would I be willing to suffer for His name sake? Thats a hard question. I don't know that I can for sure say yes, but I pray that if it happened the Holy Spirit would strengthen me and I could trust that His plan is better than my own. I think we have to remember that life is like a mosaic. All the things we go through are little pieces. Some are beautiful, fun colors, others are ugly and not our favorite. But when the picture is complete, it makes a masterpiece that is beautiful beyond words.(didn't make this analogy up, but I love it and will always remember it) When was the last time you prayed for your brothers and sisters in Christ that are suffering? I know I definitely could use more time of my time praying for them instead of worrying about my tiny little problems.

I have also been realizing that I am not a vulnerable person. I don't like having my guard down for fear of being hurt. I think that I feel like I have to earn people's love or that if they find out what really goes on in my heart, they won't love me anymore or want to be around me. So this makes vulnerability a very scary thing for me. Not really sure what to do with all of this yet, but I guess the first step is realizing the problem. God is just doing a lot in me and its good. 

Also learning patience in my desires. God knows the things that my heart desires and he will fulfill them in HIS way, in HIS time, not mine. I need to trust that. I want to be single-mindedly focused on Him and the things that He wants for me. 

Also have been fully overwhelmed by the gospel and the cross lately. So amazing to think of what he did for me. That I could live with Him in eternity. All for His glory...have been reading and working to memorize Isaiah 53 with my housemates. Its such a powerful passage. Its overwhelming to think about what He did for us...