1. Jesus
2. Jesus
3. Jesus
What's your purpose in this life? What are your priorities in life? What are you living or dying for?
The simple and full answer is Jesus! We are made to love Him, to be with Him.
God has been revealing Himself to me in totally awesome ways lately, it's hard to even describe. My times of reading/prayer/worship have been infused with new life and joy!
A few nights ago God really showed me something, I've been seeking after God's "movement" or "revival" more than I've been seeking after Him... It's so easy to have the best of intentions, but at the same time forget the reason for it all. It's about Jesus first, second, and third. Always about Him. How am I to bring the Gospel and love of Christ to people if I'm not in a passionate love relationship with Jesus?.... I'm reminded of a post I wrote in my old blog at the end of last year titled "Love Me First". That's what God showed me right after I got back from Africa, and I'm realizing that He is still, and probably will be for the rest of this life, teaching me this lesson. I can honestly say I am so thankful for this year of being back in Kansas. God's been teaching me how to love Him, and more importantly that He loves me! For much of this year I've just been frustrated that I can't be out there sharing God with people, but I need this time with Him in preparation for what lies ahead. Had I gone back to the mission field not long after my return from Africa I fear that I would have lost perspective.
My purpose is not to be a great missionary, be a good public speaker, or even the best witness with my actions. My purpose is simply to love Jesus. The reason He is calling me to Wales for the next year is not so I can get as many people saved as I can or help the Elliott's, the real reason is He wants to go on an adventure with me and draw me closer to Him. My purpose is Him... Granted, He does have other plans and reasons for sending me to Wales and I will be serving the Elliott's and desperately trying to share God's love with everyone, but it's about Him first!
In order for Jesus to be first, something must happen. I must die. I must die to my wants, my pride, and my selfish ambitions. I must die and lose my life so I can truly live! "Jesus replied, 'Now the time has come for the Son of Man to enter into his glory. I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat is planted in the soil and dies, it remains alone. But its death will produce many new kernels—a plentiful harvest of new lives. Those who love their life in this world will lose it. Those who care nothing for their life in this world will keep it for eternity. Anyone who wants to be my disciple must follow me, because my servants must be where I am. And the Father will honor anyone who serves me.'"
We spoke about this verse last night at Chi Alpha. The fact is that something is always dying. It's either your relationship with God and others, or it's your own petty "life"... I know that my so called "life" is nothing without God. I don't want it. I want God. I want to die for Him. I want to die to my flesh and even this physical life if it's in God's plan. Death is nothing to be feared. For when we die we live!
I pray that you will soon die to your "life" and begin to experience the LIFE God has planned for you. May we not fear dying to self and living for God. For He knows so much better and He has great plans for us. "Great plans I have for you!" That's what He is saying to us, but we must die before we can live.
God, may we all please die so we can LIVE with you!
Friday, August 12, 2011
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
Shout It Out!
God is so incredible! I can't help but want to shout it out from the mountain tops!!! He is love, He is our ever-present strength! He is LIFE! He's everything... My heart is filled with JOY :)
God's been showing up in my life is awesome ways lately. I think since I came to the realization that God loves me regardless, literally regardless of what I do, that I've just come to see and FEEL that love in a whole new way. I can't help but smile and I want to scream it out. God loves us!
So often I'm really not that joyful, but I've been straight up asking God to continue to bring me that joy in my life, and He's been bringing it!... It's funny that after I realized that God doesn't care how much of the bible I read in a day that I've actually been reading more. I started reading it online daily here. I've always read the New International Version, but reading it in the New Living Translation has been great. I enjoy the wording; it's easier for me to follow and it reads more like a story. Also, I've been reading in the morning, which has been very beneficial. I've wanted to do that for a long time now but just never ending up doing it. Starting out my day with Jesus is the only way to go!
I'm seeing God using this year in Kansas to prepare me for what's next. This last Sunday my pastor preached about desert places and how God can speak to us in those times in a whole new way. Being in the desert gets rid of distractions, makes us rely on Him, confirms our calling, it's a place of revelation, and a place of discipline. God really spoke to me through that message. It's something I was aware of, but He just confirmed it and made me realize again why I'm where I'm at.
I think I'm also starting to realize my spiritual gifts... I've felt for a while that one of my gifts may be encouragement. When someone is in need or crisis, spending time talking with them and trying to share God's love and peace with them brings my heart joy. I just love it... The latest book I read for my bible classes was about Acts. It talked some about Paul and Barnabas. Barnabas' name means "Son of encouragement" He wasn't some amazing preacher or evangelist, but he was always there to help and encourage Paul. He was aware of his gifts and limitations. When he wasn't able to do a certain aspect of ministry, he called on Paul... Even though my name is Paul, I'm finding that I'm really more of a Barnabas. I don't consider myself to be some amazing teacher, or a super out-going evangelist, but I love people and I love to encourage. That's a big reason I write these posts. I want to encourage others and share what God has been showing me. This is just one outlet for sharing that... I'm hoping to cultivate this gift more, and intentionally try to encourage those around me as much as I can.
I pray that when you read this God would bring you joy and encouragement. My God fill your life with an abundance of Himself.
Psalm 62:5-8 "Let all that I am wait quietly before God, for my hope is in him. He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress where I will not be shaken. My victory and honor come from God alone. He is my refuge, a rock where no enemy can reach me. O my people, trust in him at all times. Pour out your heart to him, for God is our refuge."
God's been showing up in my life is awesome ways lately. I think since I came to the realization that God loves me regardless, literally regardless of what I do, that I've just come to see and FEEL that love in a whole new way. I can't help but smile and I want to scream it out. God loves us!
So often I'm really not that joyful, but I've been straight up asking God to continue to bring me that joy in my life, and He's been bringing it!... It's funny that after I realized that God doesn't care how much of the bible I read in a day that I've actually been reading more. I started reading it online daily here. I've always read the New International Version, but reading it in the New Living Translation has been great. I enjoy the wording; it's easier for me to follow and it reads more like a story. Also, I've been reading in the morning, which has been very beneficial. I've wanted to do that for a long time now but just never ending up doing it. Starting out my day with Jesus is the only way to go!
I'm seeing God using this year in Kansas to prepare me for what's next. This last Sunday my pastor preached about desert places and how God can speak to us in those times in a whole new way. Being in the desert gets rid of distractions, makes us rely on Him, confirms our calling, it's a place of revelation, and a place of discipline. God really spoke to me through that message. It's something I was aware of, but He just confirmed it and made me realize again why I'm where I'm at.
I think I'm also starting to realize my spiritual gifts... I've felt for a while that one of my gifts may be encouragement. When someone is in need or crisis, spending time talking with them and trying to share God's love and peace with them brings my heart joy. I just love it... The latest book I read for my bible classes was about Acts. It talked some about Paul and Barnabas. Barnabas' name means "Son of encouragement" He wasn't some amazing preacher or evangelist, but he was always there to help and encourage Paul. He was aware of his gifts and limitations. When he wasn't able to do a certain aspect of ministry, he called on Paul... Even though my name is Paul, I'm finding that I'm really more of a Barnabas. I don't consider myself to be some amazing teacher, or a super out-going evangelist, but I love people and I love to encourage. That's a big reason I write these posts. I want to encourage others and share what God has been showing me. This is just one outlet for sharing that... I'm hoping to cultivate this gift more, and intentionally try to encourage those around me as much as I can.
I pray that when you read this God would bring you joy and encouragement. My God fill your life with an abundance of Himself.
Psalm 62:5-8 "Let all that I am wait quietly before God, for my hope is in him. He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress where I will not be shaken. My victory and honor come from God alone. He is my refuge, a rock where no enemy can reach me. O my people, trust in him at all times. Pour out your heart to him, for God is our refuge."
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