News from February 2011

Jesus is coming back TODAY

February 28, 2011

“Therefore keep watch because you do not know when the owner of the house will come back – whether in the evening or at dawn. If he comes suddenly, do not let him find you sleeping. What I say to you, I say to everyone: ‘Watch’” March 13:35–37

Jesus is talking about the ends times, and when the Messiah will return. Explaining that no one will know the date and time and that only the Father knows and he didn’t even tell Jesus or the angels so there isn’t a chance that he is going to tell us. That is why this story is so important. We will NEVER know when Jesus is coming back. It says in the bible. God isn’t going to tell us, so we need to be prepared because he could return at any moment.

What if Jesus came today? I suddenly felt panicked, I am not prepared. But didn’t Jesus ask me to be ready? Hmm..

If I look at my life, am I really living my life in anticipation of Jesus’ return, or am I just “living”. I find myself living in the mindset, “There’s always tomorrow” but what if there wasn’t a tomorrow, what if there was just today. Am I living my life like it is my last?? And I living the life God calls me to live: loving others, forgiving, serving, repenting, worshiping, living my life so obedient to having a deeper relationship with my creator, am I living to proclaim His name, to spread the gospel, to share with others the love Jesus has to offer?

I feel like a crappy Christian. I don’t live my life like that. If Jesus came today, I know I wouldn’t be ready. But I am not meant to be left feeling like I have failed; Jesus has given us such an amazing gift: grace. His mercy is new EVERYDAY and it is only by the power of the Spirit that our hearts are filled with passion for are a deeper, more intimate relationship with our creator. So at the beginning of each day, and before any other prayer is said, Spirit I pray for you to stir in me, feed the flame inside of me and give me a deeper passion to know you and follow your ways.

God, I want to thank you so much for your patience with me, you know I am not perfect- you didn’t make me perfect. Thank you, because through my imperfection your perfection shines. Give me strength, give me desire, give me passion so that today, and every day, I may live my life like it is my last. Keep me pure, keep me obedient, captivate my heart and never let it go.

I love you,
Kelsey

February 25, 2011

Mark 12:34

And when Jesus saw that he answered wisely, he said to him, “You are not far from the kingdom of God…”

As I read this…I’m not sure if there would be anything greater for me to hear from Jesus in this time, than these words: “You are not far from the kingdom of God.” He’s saying “you’re on the right track, you are growing…”

Growth is probably the thing I desire most at the moment, and right now growth feels far off… I often feel like true growth will never happen, I doubt Jesus so much in this…

I long for growth, but I also fear growth probably more than anything…maybe because growth forces me out of the known, into the unknown and abandonment of my own false securities…securities that I have held on to for far too long and have allowed to define and identify me and in so doing have rejected my identity in Christ.

I find growth is hard for me to measure, it’s not something I really feel or can see in my own life, and if it is, it is shortlived…

Today, I wonder what Jesus is saying to me, what He is whispering or maybe shouting over me and I am too deaf or too distracted to hear…Today, I both long for and fear growth, but pray that somehow I would move just one step closer to being not far from the kingdom of God…

I pray that His kingdom would be my ultimate desire and that I would be His willing vessel, regardless of comfort or security…

Jesus, move me towards growth, towards your kingdom and your glory…may all else truly pale in comparisson.

I pray this Jesus, in your Name, Amen.

Erin

February 24, 2011

Genesis 39:20–21 And Joseph’s master took him and put him into the prison, the place where the king’s prisoners were confined, and he was there in prison. But the LORD was with Joseph and showed him steadfast love and gave him favor in the sight of the keeper of the prison.

I always smile when I see situations where the Bible says that God was showing someone “steadfast love”...and yet I would NOT be “soaking in the love of God” if I found myself in a similar situation.

JOSEPH WAS IN PRISON!!!

And God showed him steadfast love.

How often do I blatantly ignore the love that God is showing me in any given second simply because His loving actions dont fit the definition of the love that I would like to be experiencing at that time?

The simple truth is that God is in a constant state of showing me love and kindness….I’m ALWAYS the beneficiary of HIS LOVE AND GRACE….

And yet the times where I acknowledge it are few and far between…I so often find myself questioning why God would let things happen to me…or to others…

And yet really what I need is to be able to understand the many forms that God’s love takes…and to trust in His love towards me.

Jesus let it be…

February 23, 2011

“Jesus stopped and said, “call him”. So they called to the blind man, “cheer up! On your feet! He is calling you.”

Mark 10 : 49

A blind man hears word that Jesus is nearby, so he yells out his name and asks that Jesus would have mercy on him. Others tell him to be quiet, yet he continues to shout out to Jesus.

Those words, “He is calling you” have really grabbed ahold of me.

Father, you call upon me daily. You call me to a life where I am stretched and challenged. A life where I get up and step into the unknown and draw closer to you. A life of walking the straight and narrow. Father you call on me. You call on Kyle Dyck of Kelowna to be a servant to the most high God and to those around him. I guess I would just say that GOD, the one who created the ENTIRE UNIVERSE, the one who is sooooo intimately involved with everything that has ever happened or will ever happen, calls upon me.

Father, may I submit to the calling you have on my life. Today and everyday. Help me to rise and to run the race and face the hardships and to fight the good fight. Help me to endure. Thank you for giving me a glimmer of your glory and may I be attentive to what it is you are calling me to do. I just LOVE saying it… You call upon me to make your glory known. Father I love you soooo much and may you ALWAYS receive ALL of the glory forever and ever,

Amen.

February 22, 2011

Oh the story of Joseph….the moment his story is mentioned song lines such as “red and yellow and purple and green….” or “go go go Joseph”, immediately come to mind. Not only have I seen this musical multiple times, I have even been in it. However, it is an amazing story of God’s faithfulness. It is a story where you can see the Lord’s hand and work so evidently.

Genesis 37:4
“But his brothers hated Joseph because of their father’s partiality. They couldn’t say a kind word to him.”

Genesis 37:26–28
“Judah said to the others, “What can we gain by killing our brother? That would just give us a guilty conscience. Let’s sell Joseph to those Ishmaelite traders. Let’s not be responsible for his death; after all, he is our brother!” And his brothers agreed. So when the traders came by, his brothers pulled Joseph out of the pit and sold him for twenty pieces of silver, and the Ishmaelite traders took him along to Egypt”

When I first read this I could not help but think of the cruelness of this plan; “Oh we don’t really like our brother…so…let’s kill him.” I tried to put myself in their shoes, thinking about how annoying my younger brothers can be and whether or not that would warrant me thinking it would be a good idea to just “get rid” of them. I can’t imagine wanting that, I can’t imagine disliking my brothers and being jealous enough to want to kill them or throw them in a pit.

As much as I cannot picture myself doing this literally….how often do I do this figuratively? As human beings, we tend to write people off very easily. When someone is more fortunate than we are or has more favour from someone we respect and desire to be favoured by, we immediately get jealous. We immediately begin to judge that person, look for their flaws; we begin to dislike them. And although we may not plot to kill them, we have mean thoughts or conversations surrounding them. This passage reminded me of how quick I am to judge and how I need to love no matter what.

Father, help me to see people through Your eyes. Remind me that no matter what we are all Your beloved children and I need to be less judgemental. It is not my job to judge them. You are good, thank You for Your love and faithfulness. I love you. Amen.

February 21, 2011

“If any of you are ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of you when he comes in his Father’s glory with the holy angels” Mark 8:38

When I read this piece of scripture this morning, I felt as if I had been physically hit with these words and I was left, winded, looking at my life.

Jesus is speaking to the crowed, calling them to deny themselves, take up their cross, and follow him. Jesus speaks in parables for most of his teaching using imagery to help the listener follow along. But this time he doesn’t. Jesus, using plain language, clearly says they whoever loses their life for him and for the gospel will save it. But whoever tries to save their life will lose it. Jesus is so blunt to this crowed, maybe he is agitated because he has just been rebuked by Peter, a mere human who does not have in mind the concerns of God. I wonder if Peter thought back to this teaching who he denies Jesus, when he is ashamed to speak out boldly for the gospel. In his time of pressure, Peter retreats back into the world.

I sit and look at my life. When someone has asked me if I believe in Jesus, I have never said no, I have always been true to the fact that I believe, but how many times have I been given an opportunity to share the word of Jesus and proclaim the gospel but have keep my mouth shut. I find myself defending my actions, “I might offend them” or “I might make them feel uncomfortable”. I make up these lame excuses to cover up the fact that sadly… I can be ashamed.

Jesus, I feel like you have just sucker punched me in the stomach. Why wouldn’t I want to share the amazing love you have to offer? I know, as I carry on with today you are going to present me with opportunities to be bold and to proclaim your name. Will I shy back and be quiet, ashamed of you, or will I step out in my faith and stop caring what the world thinks because frankly if allow someone to go to hell because I was too scared to tell them about Jesus then I guess I never really loved them in the first place. I know my opportunity is waiting, outside my bedroom door and up the stairs… Lord I beg you to guide me, soften their hearts and let me lean not on my own understanding, but fully on you because I don’t have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns. Just like Peter…

I love you,
Kelsey

February 18, 2011

Mark 7:26–30

26 Now the woman was a Gentile, a Syrophenian by birth. And she begged him to cast the demon out of her daughter. 27 And he said to her, “Let the children be fed first, for it is not right to take the children’s bread and throw it to the dogs.” 28 But she answered him, “Yes, Lord; yet even the dogs under the table eat the children’s crumbs.” 29 And he said to her, “For this statement you may go your way; the demon has left your daughter.” 30 And she went home and found the child lying in bed and the demon gone.

As I read through this passage of scripture, I am moved to tears by the beauty of this woman’s response to Jesus…she doesn’t argue or try to somehow prove her worth or value, she doesn’t take offence or attempt to defend herself…

She simply understands and accepts the truth; the truth that there is nothing in her that makes her worthy of Jesus. She could never do, never be enough, and rather than fight it, she accepts it and experiences the touch of Jesus on her daughter’s life.

I feel that my response, when confronted with the same truth as this woman is quite different… I try to somehow prove my worth or try to measure up, not just to Jesus, but to everyone in my life…and I, without fail, come up short…

What was true for this woman, is true for me…and I pray that my response would grow continually to be as that of the Syrophoenician woman.

Jesus, help me in my vision, may I see and accept myself as you see and accept me – broken, with nothing to prove to you…and yet deeply loved.

I pray this in your Name, Amen.

Erin

February 17, 2011

Have you ever read the miracle stories in the Bible…

Blind people can see…

Deaf can hear….

Dead…..become alive…

And think to yourself…..“yeah right.” ?

It’s easy for them….they were right there with Jesus…

Have you ever NOT prayed for something…because you were afraid the prayer wouldn’t be answered…

And that you would look like an idiot?

Have you ever wondered why God would heal one person….while another died?

Me too.

And what I have realized..

Is that I am too big…and my God is too small.

10.00am
02.20.2011

February 16, 2011

“Ignoring what they said, Jesus told the synagogue ruler, “Don’t be afraid; just believe.”

Mark 5:36

A man runs up to Jesus saying that his daughter is dying. Jesus follows the man to his place and along the way some guys come up and tell the man that his daughter is dead. Than Jesus says, “Don’t be afraid, just believe.” Putting myself in this mans shoes, I realize what he is facing… Accepting the facts or believing the truth? Does this man just face the fact that his daughter is dead or does he cling to the truth that Jesus saves and works in ways we can’t comprehend? I can see this man wrestling with this the entire way back home.

Father, I face a fear of uncertainty lots. Looking down the road and seeing what’s ahead, it’s easy to become afraid. Being in the “fog” has it’s ups and downs. My fear shows me my lack of trust and dependance on you. So instead of leaning on the wall of what is to come, may you help me to rest on the immovable fortress that is you. Help me to believe. To believe that I’m held SOOO tightly in your hand and that you are so much more greater than ANYTHING.

Lord Jesus, I come before you, asking that you would help me to fully believe. It sounds like a funny thing to say but that’s what is on my heart. Thank you for speaking so powerfully through the scriptures. Help me to embrace uncertainty and fully grab ahold of my Father who is going to guide me on an incredible adventure. May you continue to receive all of the glory forever and ever,

Amen.

February 15, 2011

Mark 4:39–40

“When he woke up, he rebuked the wind and said to the water, “Quiet down!” Suddenly the wind stopped, and there was a great calm. And he asked them, ‘Why are you so afraid? Do you still now have faith in me?’”

I can picture this story vividly in my mind. It kind of reminds me of some of the windy boat rides I have been on, just more intense. I can imagine sitting on the boat feeling not only ill but also in pain because of how hard the waves are rocking the ship. I can imagine the wind whipping around me and the rain pelting my body. I can imagine the fear and panic, the thoughts of “I am going to drown! Will this storm ever end?”.

I also attempt to imagine the unreal moment when Jesus “rebukes” the wind and water. The simple words of “quiet down” or “be still” are uttered from his lips and the wind stops; it is calm. What a powerful God we serve. Even the wind and the water listens to Him. How come it is so easy to forget this? Our God is Almighty and Powerful. He has authority over all.

How come we have so little faith? When the storms of life are raging, why do we turn to every other fortress or refuge to protect us? Why do we have so much difficulty believing that God is present? That He is watching over us? That He has his Hand in any and every situation, and has absolute control over the storm? When the time is right He will stop it, He knows what He is doing. He has a plan and a purpose.

Father, You are so mighty. You are powerful. I come before You today in awe. In awe of Your mighty works and Your absolute control. Your strength. Father, I pray today that I remember how faithful You are and that I turn to you in times of trouble. I surrender all today. I love you. Amen.

February 14, 2011

Then he looked at those seated in the circle around him and said, “Here is my mother, and my brothers! Whoever does God’s will is my brother and my sister and mother.” Mark 3:34&35

Jesus is told that his mother and brothers re looking for him. His answer is defiantly unexpected. Instead of saying, “Send them in, here I am!” He begins to say that everyone is his mother, brothers and sisters. One big family. The family of Christ.

I love my family, my mom, my dad and my sister. I have been blessed with such an amazing family, although they are not a part of Christ’s family I love them without a doubt and I would do anything for them. But if everyone who does God’s will is part of one big family then shouldn’t I love everyone in Christ’s family like my own? I love my family with unconditional love, they are my family, even if sometimes I don’t like them, I will always love them.

I defiantly don’t love everyone as if they were my part of my family. I struggle to love people with unconditional love.

God, you are love. You are they creator of love. Fill me with you so that I can love people with your love. May I love them with you unconditional love. The love you freely offer.

I love you,
Kelsey

February 11, 2011

Genesis 30

1 When Rachel saw that she bore Jacob no children, she envied her sister. She said to Jacob, “Give me children, or I shall die!” 2 Jacob’s anger was kindled against Rachel, and he said, “Am I in the place of God, who has withheld from you the fruit of the womb?”

22 Then God remembered Rachel, and God listened to her and opened her womb. 23 She conceived and bore a son and said, “God has taken away my reproach.” 24 And she called his name Joseph, saying, “May the LORD add to me another son!”

Pain and heartache seems to be a main component in this story…anger and bitterness against God and against one another…and it kinda leaves me wondering, what was God doing? What was His plan in all this?

Was He just walking them down a journey of learning to trust in Him, was this a consequence of some of the choices that Jacob had made?

I guess this story, this passage of scripture causes me to stop and reflect on my own life, on my own story, or rather God’s story in my life… What is He teaching me, what is he doing in me even now…and more importantly what will my response be?

Eventually God “remembered” Rachel and gave her the desire of her heart…but her response was one of “thanks God, please give me another son, please answer me again”... Shouldn’t the one son been enough of an answer to her prayer? Shouldn’t she have been grateful and satisfied without wanting more?

Is it really just never enough? In my own life, when God answers a prayer or makes Himself known to me, is it enough?

I often catch myself feeling a sense of entitlement to the blessings and things I feel I need or desire in my life… But what if God chooses to not answer me in these, what if He decides that His glory, His renown will be better made known in and through my life by leaving these desires unmet in my life…will I still worship Him, will I still trust in Him, will I surrender to Him above all else?

God, I feel a battle inside of me between trusting in you and fighting you…but you are much stronger and ultimately there is nothing I can do…so please help me to surrender to you, to your work, to your plan for my life.

In your Name, Amen.

Erin

February 10, 2011

Genesis 29:31
When the LORD saw that Leah was hated, he opened her womb, but Rachel was barren.

Again I’m confronted with the reality of the will and the sovereignty of God. Jacob had a plan – and it was all working out the way he wanted to…and then….problem.

Jacob – you slept with the wrong girl.

Ok…brief conversation later, everything is straightened out and Jacob is now back on target when all of a sudden…new problem.

The wife he loves is barren, and the wife he hates is pumping out kids like there’s no tomorrow.

So what is God doing here? What is it that He is trying to construct?

While I’m sure that Jacob had no idea at the time, God was actually using the children of Leah, and the eventual sons of Rachel to form the foundation of an entire nation. From those two women came the 12 tribes of Israel…

But what does this mean for me?

This morning I’m reminded of the futility of plan making apart from God. No matter how I see my life going the simple truth is that I’m not writing the story.

I actually have no control at all.

I can fight this, I can push against it, but probably the best option is to surrender to it and to allow the Master Author to bring the details of my life together.

Because it just makes sense….that the best author in the whole universe….is going to write the best story of all time…

So why would I try to steal his pen?

Jesus – please write YOUR STORY….and for what role I am blessed to play in it…thank you.

February 9, 2011

“His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men.”

Matthew 28 : 3–4

Amazing. This passage contains some crazy powerful descriptive words. I’ve never come across someone and compared them to lightning…At least as far as appearances go. I also think of his clothes and that they were “as white as snow.” That must’ve been difficult to even look directly at. The thing that blows my mind is that this is only an angel! I feel it provides a taste of what God and his Kingdom are like. Not to mention that by merely laying eyes on this beautiful angel it makes two fully grown men nearly pass out!

Father I read this verse and it brings a smile to my face. At first my smile ment, “cool! I lightning man!” Than as I thought about it more, I was reminded of the limitlessness of the awesome God I serve. The fact that some battle-hardened men can look at this angel and be filled with such a fear, just shows me that your glory can penetrate even through the thickest of skin and hardest of hearts.

Thank you for painting such a beautiful picture in my mind as I sit here. I pray that I would always be reminded and always blown away at the beauty of your glory and how it seeps into every nook and cranny. I ask that you would keep my heart soft to the scriptures and that people who don“t know you would experience you. I pray for those moments where my breath is stolen and my eyes are opened to my God and the glimpse of beauty that awaits. May you continue to receive all of the glory forever and ever,
Amen.

February 8, 2011

Matthew 27

Having grown up in the church, I have heard and read this story multiple times, have watched all of the movie accounts, I have heard several sermons on it… As much as it is difficult to admit, sometimes I feel like the meaning of this story gets lost on me. You know when you hear a story, read a book, or watch a movie so often that it loses some of its impact because you know exactly what is going to happen? I don’t want it to but I think that because I have heard this story so often in my life I forget to take the time to allow it to impact me; to really pay attention to what it means. I know what’s coming next, so I kind of check out. I am thankful every time I think about Christ’s sacrifice but I also know that I sometimes just read/hear the story and continue on. I think “Wow God, I cannot believe you did that for me! You are amazing!” And then I move on.

Today I read this story as if I had never read it before. Everything about it floored me. I sat there with tears in my eyes as I read. From Christ’s trial to the crucifixion, he was mocked and tortured. He received this treatment with humility and compliance, not once did he attempt to escape, not once did he argue, not once did he get angry or try to fight back….He just took it. And he received this treatment all because of me. Because of my sins. I have done nothing to deserve this kind of love, this kind of sacrifice. With my day in and day out actions, I put the One that I love on the cross…and because He loves me and desires a relationship with me so badly, He does it willingly.

Father, I am so sorry that I have allowed this story to lose its impact on me. I am so sorry for all the times I hurt You. Lord, You are so gracious and loving. I thank You for this sacrifice. For loving me enough to send Your Son to die for me….someone who does not deserve anything. I thank You for bringing this story back to life today, for moving in me. I pray that this be something I take with me everyday. That I do not forget the sacrifice You made. Allow it to change my heart and my attitude. Be my everything. I love you. Amen.

—Check out the song “How Deep the Father’s Love for Us”. It’s been on repeat all day!

February 7, 2011

I didn’t know what piece of scripture to write on this morning, Mathew 26 was full of beautiful teachings and so many verses were jumping out at me. At first I was going to write about the woman who pours perfume on Jesus. (Matt 26:6–13) Her sacrifice and love for Jesus is remarkable, pure and simple beauty. Then I was going to write about Jesus’ prayers to His father, the heaviness of His soul and His surrender to God’s will (Matt 26:39&42). Then I thought I would write about the sting Peter would have felt after the rooster crowed (Matt 26:75).

As I sat, thinking, I could see one recurring theme: obedience. The woman’s sacrifice to Jesus was in such obedience when she poured out perfume that could have fed her for a year. Let alone she didn’t even flinch when the disciples questioned her actions, all she saw was Jesus. She gave Jesus everything, literally.

Jesus says the His soul was heavy. What does He do? He gives it to His Father. Jesus doesn’t want to do what He is going to have to do but He doesn’t pray, “Father, take this all away”, He prays for God’s will to be done, “Yet not as I will but as you will”. Jesus is so obedient to His calling, He keeps His heart fixed on the Father and follows through with what the scriptures had said will be done.

Peter claims that he will hold his faithfulness to Jesus, even if it means death. But Peter couldn’t even keep his obedience to that promise when he is asked the first time, “You were also with Jesus of Galilee?” Have you ever done something, and didn’t really realize what you had done until someone points it out to you and it absolutely KILLS you to realize what you have done, your heart just sinks. The rooster did that for Peter, it reminded him of the promise he has just broken, and his unfaithfulness to Jesus. I know, I have.

I could pray a simple prayer today, “Jesus, make me more obedient” then close my laptop and go to work. I can carry on with my day without actually doing anything different. Praying to the God most high can truly move mountains, there is no doubt that prayer is important, that God hears prayers and that he answers prayers. But a prayer for obedience is not a prayer that is just said and no action is taken. Action must be taken. So God, I don’t just pray for obedience, I pray for opportunities to be obedient in all that I do, and by the power of the Spirit I would be able to keep my obedience. I want to love you, and pour all my perfume out on your head. And like Jesus, when my soul is heavy, will I look up to you and pray for your will in my life. Make me fall even more in love.

I love you,
Kelsey

February 3, 2011

Gen 24:58 – And they called Rebekah and said to her, “Will you go with this man?” She said, “I will go.”

It’s an interesting that has taken place here. God has provided a wife for Isaac, by sending his servant out to find her. This woman, has just agreed to go with a man she just met, to meet a guy she has never met…

And marry him.

Now culturally we don’t understand this, psychologically we think its crazy…but THEOLOGICALLY…

Its beautiful.

Its beautiful because of the simple fact that what has become so clear to this woman….is that GOD IS DOING SOMETHING….

And she wants to be a part of it.

In fact even when her parents want her to stay a few extra days, to delay the abrupt departure of their daughter with a stranger…

She says no.

I want to go.

God is doing something….and I want to be a part of it now.

I find that I can often relate to the mindset that says “God is doing something…and I want to be a part of it….eventually.”

When it works.

When it makes more sense.

When I’ve had some time to analyze the risk/reward ratio.

When I can fit it in.

But to drop everything, and just to go where God is leading…I don’t live there too often.

I like to maintain some semblance of control…some shred of comfort…

But maybe there is comfort in the chaos.

Maybe the anxiety I stir up resisting the change…is actually worse than the joy that is experienced in an unrelenting pursuit of Jesus.

Maybe its time to let go.

Jesus…help me to live recklessly – to give up everything if you call me to…to be completely surrendered to your calling.

If you are doing something…and you’re calling me to be a part of it…help me to say yes…immediately…not on my own terms.

February 1, 2011

Genesis 22: Abraham and Sacrifice

Genesis 22 is a story of Abraham’s obedience and faith being tested. I could not single out a particular verse from this passage because I love entire story. The brief recap: God asks Abraham to sacrifice Isaac, his only son from his wife Sarah. After some preparation, Abraham, Isaac and two servants begin the journey to the mountain. Before the sacrifice, Isaac asks where the lamb is, Abraham’s response is “God will provide a lamb,” and off they go. Abraham prepares the alter and then ties up his son. Just before Abraham is about to kill his son, he is stopped by an angel and sure enough, the Lord provided a ram and promises to bless Abraham and his family richly.

This story floors me, for multiple reasons. It is a story that models the obedience, trust and faith that I need to have as a Christ follower. Abraham’s immediate response to God’s call, is to just start the preparations. No questions asked, he just does it. And for the entire journey, he has faith and trust in God….God will provide.

It is also a story that demonstrates God’s love and faithfulness. God asks Abraham to sacrifice something that is so precious to him and when Abraham responds with obedience, He rewards him. He provides for him and blesses him.

If God were to say, “Brittany, take your loved ones and sacrifice them as a burnt offering,” or “Brittany, give up your voice and piano.” Would I be able to do it? Would I be able to sacrifice the things that I love dearly, the things that are the most precious to me?

Even something as simple as giving up my car or cell phone, the things that keep me connected to the world. What about simply my time and energy? So often God asks us to sacrifice the little things in life and we are so quick to ignore Him.

The question that, since I read this passage, has been running through my head all day is what would I be willing to sacrifice for my King? Would I be willing to give ANYTHING and EVERYTHING to Him if He asked? The little things, the big things….could I give them up?

After all, He is faithful. He can be trusted, right? So why is it hard? Why is it difficult, even when a story like this proves His love, His faithfulness, that He is trustworthy?

Father, I come before you today wanting to be this obedient. Wanting to be this willing to surrender everything to You. You are so faithful, You have everything in Your hands. I pray today that the posture of my heart is one of complete love and surrender. One that is willing. Willing to do anything for You alone, for Your Glory. I love you. Amen.

This is Love...

Date Posted: May 18 2012 by Erin MacIntosh
The Secure Place.

Date Posted: May 17 2012 by Brian Hawkins
A challenge.

Date Posted: May 16 2012 by Kyle Dyck
Thoughts and Thanks

Date Posted: May 15 2012 by Alecia Klassen