I'm just going to jump right in..No clever little analogy or anything(:
"For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms." Ephesians 6:12
So I don't mean to get real weird real fast, but right there Paul is talking about spiritual warfare...So yeah...Satan..and demons and stuff.
As Christians, I think we all can agree that the only thing that makes us strong is the blood of Jesus, and the work of the Holy Spirit through us. The cool thing is that-that Holy Spirit-the one who is living in us- is all powerful...The same God that raised from the dead and conquered sin is inside us, and will work through us. We have been redeemed, so we are called to redeem.
If I were a "ruler of this dark world" that would scare the poop out of me. I know and believe that my salvation is secure, and I KNOW Satan knows that too.. so I think he will do everything in his power to keep me from spreading and furthering the gospel.
So, how does he do this?
Jesus is described in the Bible as the way, the truth and the life (John 14:6)
Truth, when looked up on google is defined as "the quality or state of being true." So if Jesus is TRUTH, then he is always true. Following me? (Lecrae has an awesome song called truth, I'll post lyrics at the end)
Now, here's what the Bible has to say about satan...
"...He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies." John 8:44-45
Complete, polar opposites. Which, makes sense...
Do you listen to the lies of the enemy? Guys, I don't mean to sound creepy but I'm just trying to be real. like it says earlier in my post, our struggles are against the authorities of this dark world...Maybe these are some lies that the enemy tells you:
-You're not good enough.
-You won't amount to anything.
-You're not attractive-nobody would ever want you.
-You're not skinny enough.
-You are not good enough for a savior.
-There IS no savior.
-You will only be happy if you get 'x' amount of money or 'x' amount of friends.
-You have to be perfect.
Those are the lies of the enemy. Those are things that trip us up, that keep us from running light towards the Lord.
"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us." -Hebrews 12:1
So how do we throw off these lies?
Ya'll, dig into the WORD! All those lies up there that I listed-I guarantee you that every single one of those can be combatted with truth that can be found none other than in the word of God. So I have a little challenge for anyone reading this.. Maybe there's something on that list up there that sort of strikes a chord in ya'll..A lie that you know you are believing. Or maybe there's something not listed..Even so, search and dig into the word to find truth to combat the lies. The Bible says that "the word of God is alive and active, sharper than any double edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart."-Hebrews 4:12
The Bible is literally God's prime way of communication with us. It's HIS words in there...and His Spirit that gave those words to the people that literally wrote it. And remember, the spirit that gave words to those people also lives inside of us..and that SAME spirit conquered the grave 2000 years ago, is coming back on a white horse, and will reign victorious. He.Is.Powerful. WAY more powerful than any ruler or force of this dark world. But we need to take advantage of the tools-of the ARMOR that God has given us so graciously. Beat that stinking devil with a Bible Verse. he doesn't stand a chance against the victorious one. The battle is WON, guys...But we can't just be passive and not fight back when we hear the lies of the enemy.
"Therefore, put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes you may be able to stand your ground, an d after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions, with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints." Ephesians 6:13-20
Praying for you guys.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eDHxnd6VFWs - Lecrae's 'Truth'
Friday, August 24, 2012
Monday, August 20, 2012
On a Scale of Earth to Eternity...
What's up guys?
I'm gonna be honest...Yesterday when I started this blog, and it good a good response, I started to take some of the glory for myself. I love writing, and I love processing what the Lord has taught me and putting it out online, but sometimes I forget how much of an incredible gift it is to even speak of the word of the Living God.
I'm praying as I'm typing this that the Lord does not allow anything of ME to seep into this blog-that those who read this will not pay any attention to my "style of writing" or my (attempted) wittiness..But that all that is taken away is that which has eternal weight.
Which, ironically, is what I want to write about today.
Lord, give me words to write.
Who here is a goal setter? I know I am. Guys, when I have something in mind that I want, I make pretty darn sure that I'll get there (as far as I can control). It's like a switch turns on in my brain, and all I can see is that goal. The problem with that switch is that there's no dimmer. If I let it, that goal can manifest and become an idol. let me give you a few examples in my life:
Choir-I had to be in the top choir by my sophomore year
Friends-I had to make sure I was FRIENDS with all the people in that choir
Perfection- The thought of messing up, of failing, of sinning- literally drove me insane. Every second I was worrying about what I was doing wrong. (That was a goal I never would, and never will reach, by the way).
Y'all, where is the freedom in that? I can tell you point blank I am not perfect, and it is by the GRACE of GOD that I am who I am(1 Corinthians 15:10). But I have learned lessons in the past couple years of my life-particularly my high school years so far. And I know I learned that those things held no weight-that all things will pass away. When I get to heaven, it won't matter how popular I was amongst my friends, or how well I did in choir. It just won't.
Don't misunderstand me, goals are NOT a bad thing. The Lord gives us drive and purpose for a reason..But here's what that reason is:
"And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him." -Colossians 4:17
But WHY does God tell us to do this? Why does He tell us to glorify Him, and Him alone? I know I struggle with this. Sometimes I become selfish and I covet that glory for myself-after all, it's MY singing voice-my personality..right?
Wow, wrong. So wrong.
"DONT BE DECEIVED, my dear brothers. Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. He CHOSE to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created." -James 1:16-18
Wow. That is literally crazy stuff. I don't remember where I read it-Oh, Jk, I do-Matt Chandler's book, Explicit Gospel (Good read!). But basically what Chandler talks about is how GOOD God IS.
So, I really like food. A lot. And I really like chipotle.A lot. When I go to chipotle and eat until I'm about to burst, that's a gift-I mean who can argue that chipotle isn't a good thing? That's a gift from the Lord..Everything that brings us pleasure (that is not sinful, mind you) is a gift from God. When I think about all the good things God has given me, I'm amazed. I am deserving of life and eternity in HELL, and he blesses me with a home, health, family, friends, sky ranch, and chipotle. What? God's salvation ALONE should be enough, and yet He gives me all this. So who am I to not give glory to the one who gives all things?
When I became a Christian (which I don't actually know the date and time, mind you), my life was given purpose. My life suddenly had meaning. And that meaning doesn't come from things of the world-it comes from knowing that I now am living for a kingdom that cannot be shaken (Hebrews 12:28). My life no longer holds the weight of the world-it holds eternal weight. I mean really, Guys...By God's grace, I'll live to be maybe 70-75 (or whenever he takes me, no moment is promised). Why on Earth would I live for those 70-75 years when knowing I have eternity to look forward to? Man, I want to be ready. I want to be preparing myself for my actual home, not settling for what this world has.
Father God, I pray that whoever reads this is encouraged-not by my words, but by what you have spoken through me. I pray that every ounce of every single thing we do in our life goes to your name and your kingdom. Allow your word to penetrate my heart, and let me go out living with a mindset of eternity.
I'm gonna be honest...Yesterday when I started this blog, and it good a good response, I started to take some of the glory for myself. I love writing, and I love processing what the Lord has taught me and putting it out online, but sometimes I forget how much of an incredible gift it is to even speak of the word of the Living God.
I'm praying as I'm typing this that the Lord does not allow anything of ME to seep into this blog-that those who read this will not pay any attention to my "style of writing" or my (attempted) wittiness..But that all that is taken away is that which has eternal weight.
Which, ironically, is what I want to write about today.
Lord, give me words to write.
Who here is a goal setter? I know I am. Guys, when I have something in mind that I want, I make pretty darn sure that I'll get there (as far as I can control). It's like a switch turns on in my brain, and all I can see is that goal. The problem with that switch is that there's no dimmer. If I let it, that goal can manifest and become an idol. let me give you a few examples in my life:
Choir-I had to be in the top choir by my sophomore year
Friends-I had to make sure I was FRIENDS with all the people in that choir
Perfection- The thought of messing up, of failing, of sinning- literally drove me insane. Every second I was worrying about what I was doing wrong. (That was a goal I never would, and never will reach, by the way).
Y'all, where is the freedom in that? I can tell you point blank I am not perfect, and it is by the GRACE of GOD that I am who I am(1 Corinthians 15:10). But I have learned lessons in the past couple years of my life-particularly my high school years so far. And I know I learned that those things held no weight-that all things will pass away. When I get to heaven, it won't matter how popular I was amongst my friends, or how well I did in choir. It just won't.
Don't misunderstand me, goals are NOT a bad thing. The Lord gives us drive and purpose for a reason..But here's what that reason is:
"And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him." -Colossians 4:17
But WHY does God tell us to do this? Why does He tell us to glorify Him, and Him alone? I know I struggle with this. Sometimes I become selfish and I covet that glory for myself-after all, it's MY singing voice-my personality..right?
Wow, wrong. So wrong.
"DONT BE DECEIVED, my dear brothers. Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. He CHOSE to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created." -James 1:16-18
Wow. That is literally crazy stuff. I don't remember where I read it-Oh, Jk, I do-Matt Chandler's book, Explicit Gospel (Good read!). But basically what Chandler talks about is how GOOD God IS.
So, I really like food. A lot. And I really like chipotle.A lot. When I go to chipotle and eat until I'm about to burst, that's a gift-I mean who can argue that chipotle isn't a good thing? That's a gift from the Lord..Everything that brings us pleasure (that is not sinful, mind you) is a gift from God. When I think about all the good things God has given me, I'm amazed. I am deserving of life and eternity in HELL, and he blesses me with a home, health, family, friends, sky ranch, and chipotle. What? God's salvation ALONE should be enough, and yet He gives me all this. So who am I to not give glory to the one who gives all things?
When I became a Christian (which I don't actually know the date and time, mind you), my life was given purpose. My life suddenly had meaning. And that meaning doesn't come from things of the world-it comes from knowing that I now am living for a kingdom that cannot be shaken (Hebrews 12:28). My life no longer holds the weight of the world-it holds eternal weight. I mean really, Guys...By God's grace, I'll live to be maybe 70-75 (or whenever he takes me, no moment is promised). Why on Earth would I live for those 70-75 years when knowing I have eternity to look forward to? Man, I want to be ready. I want to be preparing myself for my actual home, not settling for what this world has.
Father God, I pray that whoever reads this is encouraged-not by my words, but by what you have spoken through me. I pray that every ounce of every single thing we do in our life goes to your name and your kingdom. Allow your word to penetrate my heart, and let me go out living with a mindset of eternity.
Sunday, August 19, 2012
Behind the Title
Hey there! My name's Hannah. I'm a junior in high school, a singer, but most importantly a grace-addict. Where would I be without my Savior? This is a new blog I decided to start, dedicated to the sovereign work that my Father is doing in my walk with Him. I had a blog that I kept throughout my sophomore year, but I really fell out of writing. So here I am, and by the grace of God I pray that this blog will be kept up, just for the sake of glorifying Him.
SO let me explain to you why this blog is called what it is...
If you're reading this and you know me personally, you'll roll your eyes when you read what I'm about to write-because you know already...
My favorite place on earth is Sky Ranch. Got your eye roll out? Good. So I'll keep going(:
I was incredibly blessed to spend a whopping three weeks at sky ranch-one week being at the camp in East Texas, and two of those weeks with the oldest leadership group sigma in the stunningly beautiful Colorado mountains. All three weeks were so incredible, and I could literally go on and on about some super fun and super crazy insane stories-all varying from golden eyeballs to peeing in the woods to crazy works of the Lord.. But I'll just share one story!
During sigma, the camp in Colorado, we did our thing climbing mountains and chilling with kids in Denver, and then traveled home the second week on a thursday back to the camp in East Texas where our parents would pick us up on Saturday. We arrived to the East Texas camp (in Van) at around 8 AM on Friday morning, and were able to spend the day doing activities around camp-swimming, blobbing, sports, etc... Later that night the sigmas were able to go to a night of worship, and afterwords we went and sat outside and listened to one of our counselors talk. She stressed the importance of really talking time to process everything God had done the past two weeks, and talked about how to face the fear of going home. And then she asked us to just invite the Lord to speak to us.
I got a little sassy in my head when she said that...All throughout sigma I had been praying to just simply hear the voice of the Lord, and those two weeks I had not heard a thing-no audible voice, and that's what I wanted. A summer ago I went through a season where I heard-audibly heard God's voice, and for some reason I felt entitled to hearing His voice again-as if His presence wasn't enough. So I was doubtful, skeptical that I would hear anything.
Cool how God isn't dependent on our faith in Him, huh?
So I decided to pray-I simply asked the Lord-
Lord, what will my life look like when I get home? What do you WANT my life to look like?
I waited, I tried to be still. But I heard nothing. And all the sudden, a small, small portion of lyrics from the song 'Live Like That' by the sidewalk prophets came to mind-
"recklessly abandoned, never holding back."
Want to know what's sad? I almost missed it! Like I said, I'm a singer. I'm in choir. It's not rare for me to get a song stuck in my head. But here's the crazy thing. I didn't even know any part of the song EXCEPT the chorus. At the time, I couldn't have told you how the song started...And usually when I get a song stuck in my head, it's because someone else was singing it before.
Nobody had sung that song the whole trip-not from what I'd heard.
God had spoken-just not through the way I had expected.
So that's how I want to live my life this year. That's why I named the blog what I did. Guys, God calls us to surrender all control to Him-and it's not because he wants us to feel enslaved, it is so we can pursue righteousness. When we are in control, we fall. But when He holds all things, when we are truly abandoned, I think that's when we find the most freedom!
God is Good, guys. Please don't forget it!
SO let me explain to you why this blog is called what it is...
If you're reading this and you know me personally, you'll roll your eyes when you read what I'm about to write-because you know already...
My favorite place on earth is Sky Ranch. Got your eye roll out? Good. So I'll keep going(:
I was incredibly blessed to spend a whopping three weeks at sky ranch-one week being at the camp in East Texas, and two of those weeks with the oldest leadership group sigma in the stunningly beautiful Colorado mountains. All three weeks were so incredible, and I could literally go on and on about some super fun and super crazy insane stories-all varying from golden eyeballs to peeing in the woods to crazy works of the Lord.. But I'll just share one story!
During sigma, the camp in Colorado, we did our thing climbing mountains and chilling with kids in Denver, and then traveled home the second week on a thursday back to the camp in East Texas where our parents would pick us up on Saturday. We arrived to the East Texas camp (in Van) at around 8 AM on Friday morning, and were able to spend the day doing activities around camp-swimming, blobbing, sports, etc... Later that night the sigmas were able to go to a night of worship, and afterwords we went and sat outside and listened to one of our counselors talk. She stressed the importance of really talking time to process everything God had done the past two weeks, and talked about how to face the fear of going home. And then she asked us to just invite the Lord to speak to us.
I got a little sassy in my head when she said that...All throughout sigma I had been praying to just simply hear the voice of the Lord, and those two weeks I had not heard a thing-no audible voice, and that's what I wanted. A summer ago I went through a season where I heard-audibly heard God's voice, and for some reason I felt entitled to hearing His voice again-as if His presence wasn't enough. So I was doubtful, skeptical that I would hear anything.
Cool how God isn't dependent on our faith in Him, huh?
So I decided to pray-I simply asked the Lord-
Lord, what will my life look like when I get home? What do you WANT my life to look like?
I waited, I tried to be still. But I heard nothing. And all the sudden, a small, small portion of lyrics from the song 'Live Like That' by the sidewalk prophets came to mind-
"recklessly abandoned, never holding back."
Want to know what's sad? I almost missed it! Like I said, I'm a singer. I'm in choir. It's not rare for me to get a song stuck in my head. But here's the crazy thing. I didn't even know any part of the song EXCEPT the chorus. At the time, I couldn't have told you how the song started...And usually when I get a song stuck in my head, it's because someone else was singing it before.
Nobody had sung that song the whole trip-not from what I'd heard.
God had spoken-just not through the way I had expected.
So that's how I want to live my life this year. That's why I named the blog what I did. Guys, God calls us to surrender all control to Him-and it's not because he wants us to feel enslaved, it is so we can pursue righteousness. When we are in control, we fall. But when He holds all things, when we are truly abandoned, I think that's when we find the most freedom!
God is Good, guys. Please don't forget it!
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