Since the beginning of being at the SOM, God really began to open my eyes to His Kingdom and the power that being focused on it can have in our world and our lives. Even since being home, God has continually been bringing this before my eyes and reminding me and teaching me more about it.
The Kingdom of God is something that Jesus talked about a lot. And we see through His teaching that it is in the hearts of His followers, not just a physical kingdom. When we are focused on the Kingdom, it affects everything that we do, and all that we are. It affects our attitudes, our actions, and our thoughts. Jesus taught us that there is so much to His Kingdom and he welcomes us to be a part of it.
"As much as you can believe for, you can have." This is one thing that has stuck with me from SOM. Our teacher was talking about the Kingdom, and this has continually challenged me. Why is it that many times we are living outside of the Kingdom? Are we really believing we can live in the Kingdom? "What you can see, you can enter; what you can't see, you can't enter." Are we looking for the Kingdom in our daily lives? Do we really believe we can have the promises of Jesus that come with living in the Kingdom of God? "What you see determines how you will live." In 2 Kings 6, Elisha had confidence in the time of trouble because he could see how the Lord was protecting them, but his servant feared because he could not see until the Lord opened his eyes to it.
My prayer is that God would open my eyes to His Kingdom, and what he is doing in my life and those around me. I want eyes to see what the Lord is doing, that I may be confident and not fear or worry.
When we live in the Kingdom, we are able to recognize that our identity is in Christ. That he loves us, with an eternal love, that does not depend on us in any way, and He will care for our needs. We are secure in Him, and that can lead us to take our focus off of ourselves, and meet the needs of others.
This is my desire for my life, that I can live a life that is not about myself, but God, and His Kingdom. And out of that, serve and love the people God puts in my life. Many times I forget or am not thinking, but I pray that I could be more aware and mindful of this, and live it out.
Thursday, January 17, 2013
Thursday, January 10, 2013
God's provision
Sometimes money can make me really anxious. I know all the verses about how God is our provider and how he loves and takes care of us but still many times I worry.
Recently Shaun and I have been needed a second car. Living 20 minutes apart makes it very difficult to share, especially when our schedules aren't the same. Last month in my newsletter to supporters I asked for prayer for that. Then that Sunday at church(it was in the bulletin prayer requests) someone said they might know of a car from a family in the church. The Thomas family had 6 days until they would be leaving for Kenya to do missions work and needed to sell their truck. We especially wanted a truck because my dad wants one and said he will buy it from us when we leave next year.
Now neither of us had much money but I had some in my savings so we had set a budget for what we could pay accordingly(which wasn't very much). But they ended up selling it to us for half of what we had thought, which was definitely less than what it was worth.
Now we are learning to drive standard which is also a blessing because we will need that in guatemala.
Then the next week Shaun found a job which we have been praying for as well.
This may not be the most interesting post to read but God has really been blessing us this month a lot and I wanted to share it and give Him praise for it. I am so thankful for His provision and the ways he works in our lives.
Recently Shaun and I have been needed a second car. Living 20 minutes apart makes it very difficult to share, especially when our schedules aren't the same. Last month in my newsletter to supporters I asked for prayer for that. Then that Sunday at church(it was in the bulletin prayer requests) someone said they might know of a car from a family in the church. The Thomas family had 6 days until they would be leaving for Kenya to do missions work and needed to sell their truck. We especially wanted a truck because my dad wants one and said he will buy it from us when we leave next year.
Now neither of us had much money but I had some in my savings so we had set a budget for what we could pay accordingly(which wasn't very much). But they ended up selling it to us for half of what we had thought, which was definitely less than what it was worth.
Now we are learning to drive standard which is also a blessing because we will need that in guatemala.
Then the next week Shaun found a job which we have been praying for as well.
This may not be the most interesting post to read but God has really been blessing us this month a lot and I wanted to share it and give Him praise for it. I am so thankful for His provision and the ways he works in our lives.
Wednesday, January 2, 2013
Jesus is in the boat
Mark 4:35-41
I love this story. After a full day of teaching many parables and explaining many things to the disciples, Jesus has them go out on the boat. I'm sure he knew there was a storm coming and that it would be a rough journey, but he still had them cross. I love that he was sleeping in the boat while they were all freaking out about the storm. I love that he just tells the storm to stop and it of course listens.
I think a lot of times I am like the disciples. Even though Jesus is with me in this journey, when it gets hard I just want to ask him if he cares what happens. But He has the power to take the storms away. He isn't worried about the trivial things I worry about or fear. Sometimes I just really need to remember that Jesus is in the boat. He is in control. He knows what is coming and what will take place. I do not need to fear. He can calm any storm. He can quiet the waters. He can bring stillness and make things calm. I just need to have the faith that He will do so.
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