Ok, so have you ever had those nights at a worship service- where you KNOW the pastor is speaking only to you? Like the Lord has given him the Word just for your benefit only? ha....
Well, that was tonight for me at the Flood, a church service here in town….
The title of the sermon was 'Obstacles to Joy'…. And it is kind of ironic because I was definitely having a pity party this afternoon- falling into a slump of depression… I feel like I have been robbed of my joy lately. Like feeling complacent & worthless in my ministry, feeling unloved, wishing things would happen that haven’t & wondering if they will in relationships with people…. & more than all of that- feeling separation from God because I haven’t spent the time with Him that I need to…. Basically feeling empty & spent & emotional. Heck, I even painted my nails dark yesterday… ha
Anyways, the message tonight was about how its ok to feel these things- as long as we bring them to God. We pour our hearts to Him. Let Him know how we feel- because he understands what we’re going through. & remember God’s faithfulness in our lives- be thankful. And rest in the fact that he LOVES us & directs His love to us in ways we sometimes don’t notice or see.
I’m normally a very joyful person- most people would describe me this way… but lately I haven’t felt it. Until tonight- remembering what it's like to THIRST after God like a deer thirsts for water… longing to be in His dwelling place so much so that seeking after Him produces uncontrollable JOY in my life. Joy that hopefully overflows onto others.
I have less than 3 weeks left here…but I am hopeful for these next few weeks. God is going to do some amazing things. He is faithful to do such. He is going to move in my church, in my youth, in me. He is going to reveal even more things about Himself to me… I’m going to learn some powerful things the next few weeks. And my relationships with others- are going to be strengthened. I know it. And I am joyful for the little bit of time I get to spend with these people here- never again will I be in this situation with these same people- so instead of withdrawing- like I was starting to- I will trust in Christ & make the most of my time left. Hold nothing back. Love with all I have. Be selfless. Serve beyond myself. Be USED by Christ. And laugh as often as possible:)
Lord- thanks for restoring to me the JOY of my salvation!!
I pray you do the same for those that actually read this thing…
Be filled with JOY:)
Sunday, July 12, 2009
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
hosea 5.
This will change your life. hosea 5.. from the message.
(God speaking)
"And now, here's what I'm going to do: I'm going to start all over again. I'm taking her back out into the wilderness where we had our first date, and I'll court her. I'll give her bouquets of roses. I'll turn Heartbreak Valley into Acres of Hope. She'll respond like she did as a young girl, those days when she was fresh out of Egypt.
"At that time"—this is God's Message still— "you'll address me, 'Dear husband!' Never again will you address me, 'My slave-master!' I'll wash your mouth out with soap, get rid of all the dirty false-god names, not so much as a whisper of those names again. At the same time I'll make a peace treaty between you and wild animals and birds and reptiles,And get rid of all weapons of war. Think of it! Safe from beasts and bullies! And then I'll marry you for good—forever! I'll marry you true and proper, in love and tenderness. Yes, I'll marry you and neither leave you nor let you go. You'll know me, God, for who I really am.
"On the very same day, I'll answer"—this is God's Message— "I'll answer the sky, sky will answer earth, Earth will answer grain and wine and olive oil, and they'll all answer Jezreel. I'll plant her in the good earth.
I'll have mercy on No-Mercy. I'll say to Nobody, 'You're my dear Somebody,' and he'll say 'You're my God!'"
Dang, i just love this version of this passage. I love even more though, how God pursues us- even when we are worthless and empty and broken and "no mercy" and "nobody." He makes us Somebody. He loves us with an everlasting love. He wines & dines us. He takes us back to where we had our first date- He makes us fall in love with Him. He turns our Heartbreak alley into a valley of hope.
God is amazing. & he pursues us.... daily. The ultimate pursuer is at work- actively pursuing us. man, that is beautiful to me.
<3kath
(God speaking)
"And now, here's what I'm going to do: I'm going to start all over again. I'm taking her back out into the wilderness where we had our first date, and I'll court her. I'll give her bouquets of roses. I'll turn Heartbreak Valley into Acres of Hope. She'll respond like she did as a young girl, those days when she was fresh out of Egypt.
"At that time"—this is God's Message still— "you'll address me, 'Dear husband!' Never again will you address me, 'My slave-master!' I'll wash your mouth out with soap, get rid of all the dirty false-god names, not so much as a whisper of those names again. At the same time I'll make a peace treaty between you and wild animals and birds and reptiles,And get rid of all weapons of war. Think of it! Safe from beasts and bullies! And then I'll marry you for good—forever! I'll marry you true and proper, in love and tenderness. Yes, I'll marry you and neither leave you nor let you go. You'll know me, God, for who I really am.
"On the very same day, I'll answer"—this is God's Message— "I'll answer the sky, sky will answer earth, Earth will answer grain and wine and olive oil, and they'll all answer Jezreel. I'll plant her in the good earth.
I'll have mercy on No-Mercy. I'll say to Nobody, 'You're my dear Somebody,' and he'll say 'You're my God!'"
Dang, i just love this version of this passage. I love even more though, how God pursues us- even when we are worthless and empty and broken and "no mercy" and "nobody." He makes us Somebody. He loves us with an everlasting love. He wines & dines us. He takes us back to where we had our first date- He makes us fall in love with Him. He turns our Heartbreak alley into a valley of hope.
God is amazing. & he pursues us.... daily. The ultimate pursuer is at work- actively pursuing us. man, that is beautiful to me.
<3kath
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