In my study of chapter 23 of Acts, I have found myself completely amazed by the ministry of Paul. We speak of him often, but I never realized how much he endured to have the Word of God go forward. The ways he was tortured, but still determined to fulfill the will of God. I am encouraged by that and know that only God can direct the steps of those that follow Him.
While I find myself over taken by the true zeal of Paul, I find him a man of great example to our modern day church. As I find my days filled with frustration, I look to the sky and thank the Lord for the path that He is sending me on. A walk that is not always easy, but is filled with wonderful learning experiences and times of growth. I can't say that I live a life without mistakes, but I can say that I am determined to walk to road God has designed for me.
Paul's ministry was one of great persecution and I find myself reminded of this when I get the looks. I try to remind myself of the time that the Lord came to Paul in chapter 23 and God tells him that he should be of good cheer because the testimony he brought of Christ in Jerusalem he will now bring to Rome. Are we willing to endure the mob to get the Word of Christ forward?
Many of us have not taken a punch for the name of Christ, but I have heard of some who have. In that I am inspired to go forward with the gospel message and stand with assurance that this message is worth it all.
So, I leave you with this. Be of good cheer my brothers and sisters. You may have endured the mob, but remember it was for a great purpose. God is doing great things in 2014!
To all those being affected by the weather... stay warm and be safe!
January 6, 2014
December 31, 2013
Looking Back...
Sitting here on New Years Eve at 11:00 pm I find myself reliving 2013. I would say that this year has been a year of growth for me and one that has strengthened my walk in every step. I have been challenged in ways I never thought was possible, but I serve a faithful God and He knew what I needed. I am grateful for all things as the Bible tells us we should.
Today as I sat in the funeral of one of my longest and oldest friend's grandpa. I found myself realizing how quickly time goes. With a year filled with so many challenges I found myself looking through the stain glass and thanking God for His love. How selfish could I be in a time when others are grieving the loss of a loved one? And there I sat richer in the things that matter and crying because of all the heartache I felt around me.
As I get to the end of this year of great challenge, I find myself looking back at all the great lessons I learned in 2013.
I have learned patience in a completely different capacity. As I see large puzzle pieces in my life coming together I find God slowing me down in other areas to focus on the things of value in my walk and ministry. As the song goes "My life is not my own, to you I belong, I give myself, I give myself away".
In 2013, the scripture "lean not unto your own understanding" takes a new meaning for me. As I followed the voice of God to journey into unknown territories I found myself filled with great joy and anticipation for what is to come. However, in that time God has worked my patience and my need to understand His ways. Sometimes I have found that we don't need to understand why we just need to follow the lamp that He has given us and the pathway that He has spoken. All things shall come together in His timing as He orders our steps.
During the last couple months I have learned the importance of staying connect with godly friends. As the days filled with busy work I found myself growing apart from a friend who is a great encouragement to me. She has taught me much through my walk and has became one of the greatest friends I could have ever asked for. An ocean parts us and a time zone that is not the easiest to work around, but with technology we can be the strength to one anther that I believe God has intended.
Now last the most important part. During my time of refreshing and direction in August. God sent me on a journey that truly has changed my life forever. I spent much time with God taking in all that He had spoken to me through constant dreams. While I spent time away from the life that I have become accustomed to, He spoke into me great things. One that is of great importance to you all is that of writing. Ironically this was also the time that my computer decided to crash and until now have not been with a computer to write.
So, starting in 2014 I will be starting to write the book that the Lord has impressed on my life and also continue to blog. I want to thank you all who have became followers of my blog and let you know that your time spent reading is not unnoticed. Every time I go on and see the number of people reading my blog I find myself humbled at the work of God. I pray that 2014 is a time of great blessings for you and that together we can help impact this world.
With so much that has been take in during 2013, I find myself in great anticipation for what is to come. More growth means more growing pains and as He got me through last year, I know He will do the same this year. Happy New Year Everyone!
Today as I sat in the funeral of one of my longest and oldest friend's grandpa. I found myself realizing how quickly time goes. With a year filled with so many challenges I found myself looking through the stain glass and thanking God for His love. How selfish could I be in a time when others are grieving the loss of a loved one? And there I sat richer in the things that matter and crying because of all the heartache I felt around me.
As I get to the end of this year of great challenge, I find myself looking back at all the great lessons I learned in 2013.
I have learned patience in a completely different capacity. As I see large puzzle pieces in my life coming together I find God slowing me down in other areas to focus on the things of value in my walk and ministry. As the song goes "My life is not my own, to you I belong, I give myself, I give myself away".
In 2013, the scripture "lean not unto your own understanding" takes a new meaning for me. As I followed the voice of God to journey into unknown territories I found myself filled with great joy and anticipation for what is to come. However, in that time God has worked my patience and my need to understand His ways. Sometimes I have found that we don't need to understand why we just need to follow the lamp that He has given us and the pathway that He has spoken. All things shall come together in His timing as He orders our steps.
During the last couple months I have learned the importance of staying connect with godly friends. As the days filled with busy work I found myself growing apart from a friend who is a great encouragement to me. She has taught me much through my walk and has became one of the greatest friends I could have ever asked for. An ocean parts us and a time zone that is not the easiest to work around, but with technology we can be the strength to one anther that I believe God has intended.
Now last the most important part. During my time of refreshing and direction in August. God sent me on a journey that truly has changed my life forever. I spent much time with God taking in all that He had spoken to me through constant dreams. While I spent time away from the life that I have become accustomed to, He spoke into me great things. One that is of great importance to you all is that of writing. Ironically this was also the time that my computer decided to crash and until now have not been with a computer to write.
So, starting in 2014 I will be starting to write the book that the Lord has impressed on my life and also continue to blog. I want to thank you all who have became followers of my blog and let you know that your time spent reading is not unnoticed. Every time I go on and see the number of people reading my blog I find myself humbled at the work of God. I pray that 2014 is a time of great blessings for you and that together we can help impact this world.
With so much that has been take in during 2013, I find myself in great anticipation for what is to come. More growth means more growing pains and as He got me through last year, I know He will do the same this year. Happy New Year Everyone!
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