News from June 2011

Faith.

June 28, 2011

Romans 9:30–32

“Well then, what shall we say about these things? Just this: The Gentiles have been made right with God by faith, even though they were not seeking him. But the Jews, who tried so hard to get right with God by keeping the law, never succeeded. Why not? Because they were trying to get right with God by keeping the law and being good instead of by depending on faith. They stumbled over the great rock in their path.”

Faith has really been something that has been coming back to me lately. It has been emphasized in many of the passage I have been reading lately and therefore I have been thinking about it A LOT.

What is faith?

What does it mean to have faith?

What does a life of faith look like?

I do not have all of these perfect cookie cutter answers but…

I believe in Jesus. I believe he is love. I believe he is absolutely trustworthy. I believe he has ultimate authority and power.

So why do I doubt? Why am I so often the “Elder Brother”? The Christ-follower that so often bases their faith, their relationship with Christ, on performance?

Father. Help me to live a life of faith. A life lived for the good of others and the glory of YOU! I love you. Amen.

June 27, 2011

“Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?”
Romans 8:35

The truth is that nothing can separate us from Christ, except Christ himself for he holds and controls our hearts. It is fact that Christ has the power to turn me away from Him and that truth is the biggest fear in my life. I do have peace in my heart that He would only do that if it would bring Him more glory, or more people would come into relationship with him.

Maybe I am just selfish of my salvation. Paul wasn’t. Paul felt so much pain that there were so many people not in relationship with Christ that he would give up his own salvation for the sake of theirs. I couldn’t do that. When I think about this I find myself trying to be a better Christian, trying to do all the right things, trying to make myself more valuable to God as if saying, “Hey God, look at how good I am, look at all I can do, you need to keep me around. I am valuable to your kingdom!” As if he doesn’t already think I am valuable…

Trying to earn my salvation again…

Brian talked about lists in his message this past Sunday, about how we make “How to” lists like “How to live the gospel” or even “How to love people properly”. Our minds are viewing life as if we need a manual to live. In his message Brian said, “We cannot will ourselves to sinlessness, we are completely at the mercy of Jesus.” It always comes back to Jesus. Every time. We don’t need the lists, there is nothing I can do that will help me keep my salvation. I don’t have to live life with a list on how to spread the gospel, or how to pray, or how to worship, all I need it Jesus – from beginning to end, I just need to love him and through that everything else flows naturally.

Jesus I love you so much, I really wish I could just hug you, for real. You really are amazing; I just want to love you forever. I am so thankful that you hold my heart – keep it forever please. Don’t let this love fade.

I love you,
Kelsey

June 24, 2011

“Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!” – Psalm 46:10

This verse is like a hug and a kick all at the same time…I am comforted and confronted…

Comforted that regardless of life’s circumstances, in the midst of pain, brokenness, confusion, chaos…God is still God!

But, I am confronted by the truth that I don’t really believe this, that I am never just still and knowing that He is God, I don’t grab hold of His promises and live in them… It’s not that I have the confidence in myself and in my problem solving and so feel that I don’t need God and can handle this on my own…Maybe it’s that even after all these years of following Him…I still don’t know how to come to Him, rest in Him, be still and know that He is God. And even if I knew how to come to Him…there is still much distrust in my heart as to His heart for me…

Sometimes, often…if I am honest…I don’t trust His BEST…

There is so much brokenness and pain all around, it is everywhere and it can be overwhelming, paralyzing…really what can I do other than trust, other than rest in the God who is God always, the God who will be exalted among the nations, the God who will be exalted in the earth…the God who is even today exalted!

I love you Jesus and I am sorry for my distrust and disbelief…quiet my heart, quiet my mind, teach me to be still and know that you are God.

I pray this in your Name, Amen.

Erin

June 23, 2011

Have you ever found yourself wondering…whether or not your life had purpose?

Are you fulfilling God’s will for your life?

How do you even know?

Do I have meaning?

What does God want from me?

What does He want…..me to do?

Because it’s all in what we do, isn’t it?

Maybe that means vocationally, maybe morally.

Relationally…

But surely we have to do something…we have to do what God wants….

Don’t we?

Maybe our purpose isn’t found in what we do…

Or how we do it.

Maybe it’s in who we do it for.

Maybe the quest isn’t for the right action…

But for understanding for what purpose any action exists at all.

Maybe we don’t need to find ways to testify to grace….

But just need to understand that every breath in and out…every step….every moment of life we have…

IS the testimony.

Maybe life itself….is grace.

What does that change?

If this were true…

How would my life look?

10.00am
06.26.2011

June 21, 2011

Romans 4:20–21

“Abraham never wavered in believing God’s promise. In fact, his faith grew stronger and in this he brought glory to God. He was absolutely convinced that God was able to do anything he promised.”

I often think that I have this kind of faith. That I am absolutely convinced that God is able to do anything. But then I realize I am a HUGE doubter. That I put God in a box.

I pray prayers that I do not really think will be answered….not because I think that God can’t answer them but more because I just doubt that He actually will.

It is a matter of me choosing in that moment to trust and believe that God is who he says he is and even if he may not answer my prayer the way I want him to….he still answers them.

I as a human being lack the faith and trust that I should have in the God who will never forsake me.

Father, help me to have faith like Abraham. Help me to be absolutely convinced that you are able to and will do everything you have promised. I love you. Amen.

June 20, 2011

“Why are you so downcast O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my saviour and my God.” Psalm 42:11

My soul knows what it longs for; I know the sweet taste of grace; I know what it has felt like to have my soul on fire.

Sadly, this past week has brought so much sad news. It feels like the clouds have opened up and poured out their rain on this fire inside my soul – it’s not out, but it’s small and struggling – so much pain around me has made my soul downcast. Instead of patiently waiting upon God and tending to my small flame; instead of patiently sitting in the presence of God, soaking in his righteousness and allowing my faith to guide me, I heaped large logs onto my little fire, logs too big ever to ignite. I thought I had to pray more, than to pray deeper. I thought I had to read more of the bible, than to meditate on the words placed before me. My head was down, I was focused on my task: get my heart burning for Jesus again as fast as I can. I didn’t even think that maybe in this time of downcast God might actually be trying to teach me something, slowly.

It’s not about “more”, it’s about “deeper”

God, I feel a slight pain to be learning at the sake of other people’s misfortune. It is the truth that you give and take away, you make everything work for good. Thank you for slowing me down. I need you today to give me strength, hope, faith and grace. Ignite me soul, make it burn with passion. I say these words not because they are the words to pray but because I say them out of my love for you, and out of the faith that I believe you are a good God You love your children and you provide them with what they need. I need you.

I love you,
Kelsey

June 17, 2011

Romans 2:4

“Or do you presume on the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that God’s kindness is meant to lead you to repentance?”

I think there are many times when I take the kindness of God, the blessings of God foregranted….there is a sense of entitlement in me that my hopes, my dreams, my desires, my ideal is God’s best for me, and anything not in those plans is not God’s best… Who am I to somehow try to determine what God’s best is, who am I to try to bargain my will with God’s will?

The Bible says that “All the paths of the Lord are steadfast love and faithfulness” (Psalm 25:10) He is love, He is faithful….He does not just act in love, faithfulness and kindness…it is who He is…

His kindness is not meant for me to live in a sense of entitlement, expecting Him to fulfill my desires…

His kindness is meant to lead me to repentance, to see and recognize the sin in my life, to turn from it and toward Him in reverent awe, in gratitude and thankfulness – accepting and clinging to His grace and kindess…

Thank you for your kindness, that you teach and discipline in your love. Keep my heart soft to you and ready to do your will. I pray this in your Name, Amen.

Erin

June 17, 2011

Human beings have babies.

This is not a new thing.

This is not revolutionary.

Parents have been having babies for centuries.

But as any dad will tell you…the first time you hold your child…YOUR child…

NO ONE….has ever felt that way before.

NO ONE….has ever understood what you now understand.

It is new.

Completely uncharted territory.

Its new…and its good.

At what point does “new” become “old?”

And at what point does “old”....become “less good?”

The Gospel is called the “Good News”

And often when people first discover the Gospel….they may tell you…

NO ONE….has ever felt that way before.

God has been saving people for eons….but THIS…is new.

The question for us today is….has the GOOD NEWS….become Old News?

And has the Old News….become less good?

How do we return to the Good News?

How do we rekindle that feeling…that newness?

Why does Church….seem routine?

Why does the GOOD NEWS….not feel quite as good as it used to?

10.00am
06.19.2011

June 15, 2011

“Boldly and without hinderance he preached the Kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ.”
Acts 28 : 31

I read this verse and I get concerned. One man who is living a life where he could get killed or beaten or stoned at any moment and yet, even above his own safety he spreads your fame.

Here’s my concern. Paul was ON FIRE for You. Now fast forward a couple of thousand years. Why is it that an entire generation lacks that desperation?

Why is it that a hockey game appeals to me more than the desperate need for Your Kingdom? I can think of so many excuses. Its easy. People like me. I have lots of stuff. I feel accepted.

Kyle, you coward.

Father, rock my world. Time and time again my fire is doused by all that surrounds me. Father hear my prayer! Help me! God, change the way my very mind operates. I don’t want some stupid game to cloud out the NEED for you!

Every single person on this planet needs a saviour. Help them to find You. Help me to apply myself to what truly matters.

Amen.

June 14, 2011

Proverbs 22:2

“The rich and the poor have this in common: the Lord made them both.”

As I read this today, I am not so much reminded of the difference between the rich and poor but of the difference between people in general.

How often do we judge people? Or make generalizations and assumptions?

Too often I make quick judgements about someone I see walking down the street….or someone I have just met. Too often I let my first impressions of people get in the way of the relationship that could potentially unfold. Maybe that person just needed someone to talk to, someone to listen, someone to love them….but I let my selfishness and judgements of them get in the way.

Today I am reminded that God made the world and everything in it….EVERYONE in it….therefore I need to get over myself….(as harsh as that sounds)...and start to love people. We all have flaws, we all have imperfections and who am I to judge people?

Father, my prayer is simple today. Thank you for your creation. Thank you for your people. Help me to be less judgemental and much more loving. I love you. Amen.

June 13, 2011

Then Agrippa said to Paul, “Do you think that in such a short time you can persuade me to be a Christian?” Paul replied, “Short time or long – I pray God that not only you but all who are listening to me today may become what I am, except for these chains.” Acts 26:28&29

That’s not the answer I would have given.

Paul is fighting for his life, appealing to whomever they place before him. Bound because of his love for Christ, bound because of a desire to share this good news to others. It makes sharing the Gospel a little less desirable, to be chained and beaten for what you believe in. A true test of faith.

I face chains every day. They are not the tangible kind, but to me they might as well be. They are chains that my mind makes, they hold me back. The persecution of my life is fully a battle of the mind: caring too much about what people may think over the one who holds my life.

I could imagine Paul’s followers, sitting in that room hearing Paul testify for his life, cringing when they hear Paul’s answer to Agrippa’s question. I would probably be shaking my head, “yep he’s a dead man walking now.” But Paul speaks what his heart says, he doesn’t let the physical chains, or mental chains, hold him back.

I fight with these chains daily, but I never want to forfeit the truth of my faith to save me from circumstances, because every time I do it, I drive the nails deeper. I want to just sit in my pain, to have some sort of punishment for letting these chains rule my life, for causing Him so much pain, but He won’t let me.

Jesus, I make a mockery of the cross every time I chose to go against what you say for my own comfort and for the “sake of others” Please break me from my chains, the false chains the world provides.

Set me free,
Kelsey

June 9, 2011

Ps. 35:8–9 Let destruction come upon him when he does not know it! And let the net that he hid ensnare him; let him fall into it—to his destruction! Then my soul will rejoice in the LORD, exulting in his salvation.

Have you ever tried to bargain with God? I do it all the time. I try to convince him that he should do things my way – give me what I want – and then if he DOES….I will reward his performance and provision with my undying affection and devotion.

I mean…thats what God wants isn’t it?

Thats what he needs from me….right?

Often times I feel that in my effort to convince God that what I want is right – I lose sight of the heart posture that brings my to my knees in submission to His will and His plan for my life…which is where my peace ultimately lies.

But what then? I just convince myself that I should be Ok with horrible things happening all around me?

That hasn’t worked yet.

I don’t think it will ever work.

I cannot, by sheer force of will, simply convince myself to submit…the submission must be a response to a belief, the same way my fear and bargaining is a response to the belief that I know whats best for my life.

At the root of submission to Jesus….must be a belief that in my submission – I discover the BEST POSSIBLE way to live.

I have to trust and believe that Jesus loves me so much…that ONLY THE BEST OUTCOME FOR MY LIFE will be achieved.

And the truth is…I don’t.

I don’t always believe that I can trust His plan. All around my I see people suffering…dying. Sickness like Cancer and MS….Dimensia and Parkinsons.

Car accidents.

SIDS.

When does it stop…

And in my honest moments…I find myself asking…what if that was God’s story for me?

What if the Sovereign Lord of the universe….decided that I would know from first hand experience…what it is to suffer Cancer…

To experience illness….or to lose someone I love suddenly?

Do I believe that this really is the BEST POSSIBLE WAY that my life could work itself out? Do I trust that somehow the unfathomable love of the CREATOR OF THE UNIVERSE could possibly supersede the grief and pain that I would be feeling in that instant?

Not always.

Not even often.

What I typically want to do when I think of this….is bargain.

God…if you protect me from all these things….I PROMISE….I’ll be completely devoted to you forever..

Pray every day.

I need to stop doing this.

Jesus…the truth is….I don’t want to get sick. I don’t want to ever get a disease like Cancer….or MS….or Heart problems…

I don’t want to lose those closest to me.

But honestly….so much more than that….I want to know of your love in such a way that even if I did…

I know I would be OK.

I don’t want to bargain anymore. I don’t want to make any deals…I don’t want to convince you of anything…

Help me understand love. Help me understand your heart for me. Help me trust that however it is my life unfolds….

Its the best possible way.

Because you are sovereign. You are perfect. You are love.

June 8, 2011

“For those who fear him lack nothing. The lions may grow weak and hungry, but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing.”

Psalm 34 : 9

I read these words and the first thing that comes to mind is, “do you fear God?” When I read the stories of God pouring out his wrath I sure do. But everyday? Absolutely not.

It is one of the defining factors of a man, to have NO fear. I don’t overly enjoy discovering the flaws within myself, but it needs to happen on a daily basis.

Father teach me what it means to truly fear you. Kick me off my pedestal of manliness and help me to understand.

I read about it and talk about it but I haven’t put it into action in my own life.

Father, help me to fear nothing but you. i don’t know what that looks like or how to go about it, but I pray that you would teach me in this matter. May you receive all of the glory forever and ever,

Amen.

June 7, 2011

Psalm 33:21–22

“In HIm our hearts rejoice, for we are trusting in His Holy Name. Let Your unfailing love surround us lord, for our hope is in You alone.”

This is my simple prayer today. After reading that God merely spoke and the world was created…or reading the stories of Paul in Acts and how God always protects and delivers him…..how an I not trust in Him? How can my hope be put in something or someone else….and yet it is so easily done.

Father, in you my heart rejoices. You are completely trustworthy. I praise you and thank you for that. God help me to live a life so focused on you. Be at the centre of all I do Lord. People like Paul inspire me, for they truly live a life marked by you. One where you are their hope alone. Father help me to be that type of Christ follower. One who trusts and hopes in only in you and one who loves those around me. One who is willing to sacrifice everything for you. I love you. Amen

June 6, 2011

Better a patient man than a warrior, a man who controls his temper than one who takes a city. Proverbs 16:32

Patience, something I find I don’t have much of. The bible says that the LORD is slow to anger, and sadly I couldn’t say that about myself. I am a person who is quick to be irritated, quick to be angry, and quick to be to be frustrated… even with my own God. It seems funny to think that my patience can run slim with God. How can I not be patient with God’s plan when he has been so patient with me – and still is patient, even with my impatience. I pray and I want my prayers answered, like, now. I ask God a question, I want my answer, like, right now.

How can I not have time for God when he has all the time in the world for me?

God, I kinda feel like a crappy daughter right now… I struggle waiting on you, I have no good excuse – not like you need one. I don’t like waiting, for some reason it scares me, it stresses me out. LORD, help me to find peace in being patient. I have so many questions for you, and I want them answered now, I want some guidance and some peace on so many things right now so many decisions I feel I need to make; help me to be patient. You have immaculate timing LORD, help me to trust in your timing, keep me patient in all things.

I love you,
Kelsey

June 3, 2011

Acts 20

22 “And now, behold, I am going to Jerusalem, constrained by the Spirit, not knowing what will happen to me there, 23 except that the Holy Spirit testifies to me in every city that imprisonment and afflictions await me. 24 But I do not count my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.”

Paul was all about the gospel and sharing the gospel… He counted his own life as no value to him, and so he was willing to be led where the Spirit was leading him, though he knew it was going to be hard; he would face imprisonment and afflictions and his death.

My fear of the unknow so often keeps me from Jesus… I do not count my life as nothing, I hold onto it tightly, afraid to trust Jesus, afraid to allow Him to lead me where He wants to lead me…afraid of the cost…

Paul knew that following Jesus, sharing the gospel was going to cost him his life, yet his goal, his prize was this: “if only I may finish my course and the ministry I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.”

I am humbled and convicted by Paul’s words, by Paul’s life and his ministry in sharing the gospel…

Jesus, please continue to work in my heart that I would grow to be all about the gospel and sharing, living the gospel and loving people. I pray this in your Name, Amen.

Erin

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