This is war. Life is not a game created by sadistic gods; a meaningless endeavor to make sense of a senseless world. Nor is it meant solely for pleasure, "eat, drink and be merry, for tomorrow we die".
It is war. The sovereign God of the universe unfolding His plan with every stroke of the writer's pen and the warrior's sword. Intricately woven in the fabic of time, we are merely threads, each contributing to the Master's plan. He directs every move, all things happening "according to the counsel of His will" (Eph 1:11). He does what He pleases in the heavens above, and on the earth beneath (Psalm 115:3). Yahweh alone is King.
The realization sinks in, sits, unsettled. But this is a different story. The unthinkable has already happened. The Master has entered His plan, disrupted all logic, and died in this war. Our role in this masterpiece matters little; in the end, we all win.
We are fighting the wrong enemy. Is it because we don't understand? "Conduct yourselves with fear during the time of your exile" .. do we consider this world our home? "Do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance"... are we enslaved to the patterns of this world? (1 Peter 1:14,17)
We fight in desperation against the enemies we can see, the struggles we feel, the fear we can taste. A myriad of potential threats lies before us, all threatening to take the life we know, or dream to have. So we lash out, each in his own way, to protect and keep the reality and the distant dream alive.
But the real battle is inside. The real war is written on the pages of scripture, our orders clear: "Prepare your minds for action, be sober-minded, and set your hope fully on the grace to be revealed... be holy as I am holy" (1 Peter 1:13).
We were not "ransomed from our futile ways with perishable things... but with the precious blood of Christ". Our lives are worthy of so much more than a fixation on the world's futility! We have been redeemed, as a measure of grace, "for obedience" and so that our faith may be found "to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ" (1 Peter 1:18).
What are you fighting? Is it worth the life you have been given?
He is coming again. The Kingdom is near.
"You are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, called out of darkness into His marvelous light so that you may proclaim His praises" (1 Peter 2:9)
Tuesday, December 27, 2011
Friday, November 18, 2011
Oh the wonder...
Does life ever make you smile? I am convinced that our God delights in hiding His unfathomable humor in the most intriguing ways. Once revealed, we can only look up, shake our head, and smile, for "how unsearchable His judgements, His ways past finding out!" (Romans 8:33)
When we ask for strength, He makes us weak. We look for love, and all is stripped away. We cling to life, only to realize it is "when we lose our lives, for His sake" do we actually find it. "Oh God, make us grow!" we cry with our hearts... and then stand stunned as He painfully humbles us, to bring us low.
Yet, how else, could we learn of His love? If He should show us the path that must be trod, that hard road beaten down with the blood of the saints, would our hearts faint and shudder away? If we knew what lay before us, would we have the courage to step ahead?
"My grace is sufficient", always sufficient. I strain my eyes to see, hoping for a glimpse at what the future holds. But it is not to be, for one step is all He asks of me. Oh, there are days, yes I will admit, when all that is in me cries, "run ahead!" Yet His voice ever follows, and calls out to me, "trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding".
I think myself wise, then consider the birds and remember His words. "Look at the birds, for they neither sow nor reap... yet your heavenly Father feeds them". So why, O my soul, do you carry on so? Does His grace He ever give, for the trials up ahead?
"In all your ways, acknowledge Him", that is all we are asked to do. Does it make you feel small?
Do I dare to say, only then will He be all?
When we ask for strength, He makes us weak. We look for love, and all is stripped away. We cling to life, only to realize it is "when we lose our lives, for His sake" do we actually find it. "Oh God, make us grow!" we cry with our hearts... and then stand stunned as He painfully humbles us, to bring us low.
Yet, how else, could we learn of His love? If He should show us the path that must be trod, that hard road beaten down with the blood of the saints, would our hearts faint and shudder away? If we knew what lay before us, would we have the courage to step ahead?
"My grace is sufficient", always sufficient. I strain my eyes to see, hoping for a glimpse at what the future holds. But it is not to be, for one step is all He asks of me. Oh, there are days, yes I will admit, when all that is in me cries, "run ahead!" Yet His voice ever follows, and calls out to me, "trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding".
I think myself wise, then consider the birds and remember His words. "Look at the birds, for they neither sow nor reap... yet your heavenly Father feeds them". So why, O my soul, do you carry on so? Does His grace He ever give, for the trials up ahead?
"In all your ways, acknowledge Him", that is all we are asked to do. Does it make you feel small?
Do I dare to say, only then will He be all?
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
A little study on Angels..
An Angel’s Prerogative
An Angel is a “Messenger”, created by God (Neh 9:6) to do His will and glorify His Name!
I. Characteristics
a. Stronger than men, but not omnipotent (2 Peter 2:11)
b. More knowledgeable than man, but not omniscient (2 Sam 14:20, Matt 24:36)
c. Wiser than man, but not omnipresent (Dan 9:21-23)
II. Purpose and Work of Angels
a. Worship and Praise God (Isaiah 6:1-3)
b. Messengers to communicate God’s will to men (Passage above, Dan 9:21-23)
i. Guiding men, giving instruction (Matthew 1:20, Acts 8:26, Acts 10:1-8)
c. Providing – food for Elijah (1 Kings 19:4-6)
d. Delivering men from danger, released apostles from prison in Acts 5:17-20 etc
e. Answering prayer – Acts 12:1-17
f. Cares for believers at moment of death – Lazarus (Luke 16:22)
III. How many angels are there?
a. Myriads of Angels
i. Dan 7:10
ii. 2 Kings 6:17 (cool story to read if you have time!)
IV. How do they appear?
a. Can appear as Men or full of glory
i. Glory – men shake with fear (Matt 28:2-4)
ii. Ordinary man (Heb 13:2; Gen 18:1-2)
Monday, October 24, 2011
More
I want more. I find my heart crying out, "God is this really it? Is this all you have for me?". The tree of the knowledge of good and evil beckons me on, the legacy of the garden embedded on my soul.
Life is a bleeding, ugly, mess and yet You still call yourself "good"?
Here I am.
Doubting His goodness, distrusting His intent, discontented with what He's given.
I cover it up, smile and tell the world of His goodness. Why? I know it to be true. Only my heart cannot agree.
Everywhere I look, I see holes - black voids of sin and despair. Is this the world that You have created?
Or is this the world that I have created.
I hunger for filling, but look in a world that is starved.
But i know better, the answer is not here. Up above I look, where else can I hope?
Oh God, where are you in this pain, in this confusion of my soul?
Even He learned obedience by the things which He suffered.
Vision is found in the valleys.
I long to be conformed to the image of His Son, do I know what that means?
He took up His cross, and followed; became a servant, and gave up His life.
Will I take up mine to be found in Him?
Oh why must He ask for everything?!
How else could He give me His all.
Fighting, straining, I pry my hands open.
"God here I am".
Is He enough?
He is all that I have.
Yet I still want more, more of Him.
What of this mystery? This life I cannot comprehend?
The mystery is this - we are taken and changed.
In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye.
We shall see Him face to face.
Once i was without purpose or reason to live.
A stranger of promise. An enemy of God.
Now I am His own special people.
Called by His grace, covered in His love.
A chosen generation. A holy priesthood.
Daring to truly live.
Here.
Now.
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
1 Peter 1:10-12
"As to this salvation, the prophets who prophesied of the grace that would come to you made careful searches and inquiries, seeking to know what person or time the Spirit of Christ within them was indicating as He predicted the sufferings of Christ and the glories to follow. It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves, but you, in these things which now have been announced to you through those who preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven - things into which angels long to look"
The message of salvation has come to us. What a blessed reality! Today, I invite you to look with me at the four agents God has used to bring this salvation to us: The OT prophets, Holy Spirit, Apostles, and the Angels.
The prophets were God's spokesmen that prophesied "of the grace that would come". These men spoke wonders they didn't understand, and spent their lives searching the truth of their words! They died, not knowing the fulfillment of their promises - the Messiah that was to come. These "all died in faith, not having recieved the promises, but having seen them afar off were assured of them" (Heb 11:15). The words of the prophets paved the way for the Messiah, keeping the nation of Israel in anticipation of their Savior and delineating the circumstances surrounding His life.
The Holy Spirit was the agent behind the prophet's words. His inspiration revealed that this Savior would suffer, but that the glory He would reveal would far surpass the pain involved. In the New Testament period, the apostles wrote by the "Spirit that was within them" (Rom 8:9). It was this gospel that the apostles took to the ends of the earth. The men that had cowered and betrayed Jesus were transformed by the Spirit to endure all kinds of persecution for the gospel's sake! Paul came to the Corinthians "in demonstration of the Spirit and power" (1 Cor 2:5). The Spirit testified of the Messiah to come, and He is the one who gives us the power to understand.
Yet it is not man alone who is curious of this salvation. The angels also desire and "long to look" into this plan of salvation. I can only imagine what wonder they must experience, as they see the perfect Son of God slain upon a cross for sinful man. They are employed in the word of divine service, and live to glorify God by perfectly serving Him. It was angels who announced Christ's birth, ministered to Him in the desert, and stood by His grave when He arose - testifying of the time to come when He ascended. At the end of all days, they will sing "Worthy is the Lamb.. for You were slain, and purchased for God with Your blood men from every tribe and tongue and people and nation, You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to our God...Worthy are You to receive power and riches and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing!!" (Rev 5:7-12).
Are you humbled and blessed by these truths? For centuries the prophets inquired, the angels longed to see, and the apostles testified of this truth - that grace and salvation has come to the sons of men! How blessed are we among the peoples of this earth to know and understand?
By His Spirit, this "God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ" (2 Cor 4:6)
Praise to our King for this grace in which we now stand!
The message of salvation has come to us. What a blessed reality! Today, I invite you to look with me at the four agents God has used to bring this salvation to us: The OT prophets, Holy Spirit, Apostles, and the Angels.
The prophets were God's spokesmen that prophesied "of the grace that would come". These men spoke wonders they didn't understand, and spent their lives searching the truth of their words! They died, not knowing the fulfillment of their promises - the Messiah that was to come. These "all died in faith, not having recieved the promises, but having seen them afar off were assured of them" (Heb 11:15). The words of the prophets paved the way for the Messiah, keeping the nation of Israel in anticipation of their Savior and delineating the circumstances surrounding His life.
The Holy Spirit was the agent behind the prophet's words. His inspiration revealed that this Savior would suffer, but that the glory He would reveal would far surpass the pain involved. In the New Testament period, the apostles wrote by the "Spirit that was within them" (Rom 8:9). It was this gospel that the apostles took to the ends of the earth. The men that had cowered and betrayed Jesus were transformed by the Spirit to endure all kinds of persecution for the gospel's sake! Paul came to the Corinthians "in demonstration of the Spirit and power" (1 Cor 2:5). The Spirit testified of the Messiah to come, and He is the one who gives us the power to understand.
Yet it is not man alone who is curious of this salvation. The angels also desire and "long to look" into this plan of salvation. I can only imagine what wonder they must experience, as they see the perfect Son of God slain upon a cross for sinful man. They are employed in the word of divine service, and live to glorify God by perfectly serving Him. It was angels who announced Christ's birth, ministered to Him in the desert, and stood by His grave when He arose - testifying of the time to come when He ascended. At the end of all days, they will sing "Worthy is the Lamb.. for You were slain, and purchased for God with Your blood men from every tribe and tongue and people and nation, You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to our God...Worthy are You to receive power and riches and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing!!" (Rev 5:7-12).
Are you humbled and blessed by these truths? For centuries the prophets inquired, the angels longed to see, and the apostles testified of this truth - that grace and salvation has come to the sons of men! How blessed are we among the peoples of this earth to know and understand?
By His Spirit, this "God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ" (2 Cor 4:6)
Praise to our King for this grace in which we now stand!
Sunday, September 25, 2011
1 Peter 1:8,9
“And though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory obtaining as the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls”
I realized that I am taking this study far too slowly, and at this pace, I might never finish 1 Peter! Yet I cannot help but stop at every word, ponder, and gaze anew at the glories of His promises! They are truly new every morning… and so I’ve decided to spend a whole post on two verses!
I love Peter’s perspective. Out of all the disciples, Peter arguably spent the most time with Jesus. Yet he denied Christ 3 times, and was asked by Jesus, “Do you love me?” For him to write these verses “Though you have not seen Him, you love Him” is significant to say the least!
It is Peter’s humility in this passage, his encouragement that is so uplifting. Though they had not seen Jesus, they believed in Him and greatly rejoiced because of this belief! How many people did Peter see reject Jesus on earth?
The unshakable confidence that these people had in a God that they could not see was remarkable, and Peter wanted them to recognize it – intending to spur them on in their faith and not lose hope.
Love-Belief-Joy. Those who love Christ cannot help but believe His promises. A true faith and love in Him results in a joy inexpressible! What a marvelous truth! The deeper we study His character and more intimately we know Him, the stronger our love for Him grows. Yet how can we respond otherwise?
There are no faults in Him, no mask that hides His sin. Therefore, the fuller our understanding, the more beautiful His character, the more wonderful His grace and love to us. Has He not “freely given us ALL things? (Romans 8:32).
Our joy is inexpressible because the “outcome of our faith is the salvation of our souls”. We are constantly, presently delivered from the penalty and power of sin – from its guilt, condemnation, and wrath. It is our deliverance and fellowship with this Savior that enables us to have a joy inexpressible!
Thursday, September 22, 2011
1:5a-7
a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ;
“savlation ready to be revealed in the last time” – the rescue and deliverance from sin and self will reach its culmination in heaven. There, believers will become like Christ “for we shall see Him face to face” in the final state of sanctification (i.e. glorification).
“in this you greatly rejoice” – joy is the mark of all true believers, whatever state they are in. In light of the promise of eternal salvation, of course we rejoice! For we know that He is sovereign over every circumstance in our life… even the trials. Therefore, we can endure all things with patience and joy, knowing that our heavenly Father knows and rules over all – for our good! This joy is neither brief nor shallow, but is permanent and penetrates every aspect of life. It is a joy that comes from a deep-seated confidence in this protected inheritance, and it derives from the comfort of having a personal relationship with Christ.
“ even for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials” – The truth is, troubles are transitory. They are but a “momentary, light affliction” (2 Cor 4:17). Trials may be momentary, but their impact is eternal. They serve a purpose in our lives: to humble us, tear us away from worldly things, to teach us the value of relationship with Christ, enable us to help others, chastens us for sins, and helps to strengthen us spiritually.
The reason for trials? “so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which perishes, though tested by fire” - a new perspective on trials! Standing firm amidst trials solidifies our commitment to this faith we claim. We find confidence and joy in trouble, knowing that our faith is real and it is in a proven God. This is more valuable than gold that perishes! Trials refine us, prove to us what is really worthy of our lives, and remind us that we depend solely on the Lord for everything, so cling to Him!
So that this faith “may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ” – this is incredible. Believers who honor God in this life, can by their faithfulness in trials elicit praise for the Lord in the life to come. The glory that was the Son’s becomes in part, our own glory. When we see Him face to face, we shall become like Him.
One day, we shall be perfect and complete. Until then, we find grace for every trial in the shelter of His wings. His love could not want anything less than for us to find utter satisfaction in Him alone. There is nothing else worthy. So with every trial, we press on, for we live not for the temporary, but for the eternal!
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
1 Peter 1:3-4
"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable, reserved in heaven for you" (1:3-4)
"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ" - In the Old Testament, the Fathe was creator and redeemer, now we must associate Him as Father of our Master and Savior Jesus Christ.
"who according to His great mercy" - Why did God save sinners? It was His mercy. There was nothing in us to love, nothing in us worth saving. Yet God poured out His love upon us.. "while we were still sinners". We were in a miserable and pitiful condition, slaves to sin.. and He reached down in mercy and granted us eternal life.
"born again to a living hope" - In order for us to obtain this living hope, we must be "born again". This involves a spiritual transformation, from death to life! He has given us new hearts, and now we have the ability to live for Him. We fear death no longer, for our hope lies even beyond the grave, where we will enter the glorious presence of God and live forever in fellowship with Him!
"through the resurrection of Jesus Christ" - without the resurrection, 1 Cor 15:17 says we "would still be in our sins". Christ's resurrection ensured for all time the believer's living hope in heaven, finally counquering death and ending the curse. "He who believes in Him will never die" John 14:19
"to obtain in inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you" - Just as Israel received the land as their inheritance, so the church receives a spiritual inheritance in heaven. Nothing in this world can take away our inheritance in heaven. What confidence we have in Christ! We are sons and daughters of the King, co-inheritors with Christ! This inheritance is not based upon our works, but upon God's unconditional promise. Therefore, we have no reason to fear its loss, for our heavenly Father has guaranteed it with the Spirit that lives inside us! (Eph 1:14)
Remember the audience? Peter is encouraging persecuted Christians to have hope! Though their bodies may be burned, and all possessions taken away, they have an inheritance in heaven that cannot be taken away. O ye of little faith! Take heart! God has not forsaken you yet - He has saved you and raised you to a living hope, so cling to His promises wherever you are!
"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ" - In the Old Testament, the Fathe was creator and redeemer, now we must associate Him as Father of our Master and Savior Jesus Christ.
"who according to His great mercy" - Why did God save sinners? It was His mercy. There was nothing in us to love, nothing in us worth saving. Yet God poured out His love upon us.. "while we were still sinners". We were in a miserable and pitiful condition, slaves to sin.. and He reached down in mercy and granted us eternal life.
"born again to a living hope" - In order for us to obtain this living hope, we must be "born again". This involves a spiritual transformation, from death to life! He has given us new hearts, and now we have the ability to live for Him. We fear death no longer, for our hope lies even beyond the grave, where we will enter the glorious presence of God and live forever in fellowship with Him!
"through the resurrection of Jesus Christ" - without the resurrection, 1 Cor 15:17 says we "would still be in our sins". Christ's resurrection ensured for all time the believer's living hope in heaven, finally counquering death and ending the curse. "He who believes in Him will never die" John 14:19
"to obtain in inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you" - Just as Israel received the land as their inheritance, so the church receives a spiritual inheritance in heaven. Nothing in this world can take away our inheritance in heaven. What confidence we have in Christ! We are sons and daughters of the King, co-inheritors with Christ! This inheritance is not based upon our works, but upon God's unconditional promise. Therefore, we have no reason to fear its loss, for our heavenly Father has guaranteed it with the Spirit that lives inside us! (Eph 1:14)
Remember the audience? Peter is encouraging persecuted Christians to have hope! Though their bodies may be burned, and all possessions taken away, they have an inheritance in heaven that cannot be taken away. O ye of little faith! Take heart! God has not forsaken you yet - He has saved you and raised you to a living hope, so cling to His promises wherever you are!
Friday, September 9, 2011
1 Peter 1:1 Obedience
"Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who reside as aliens, scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, who are chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, by the sanctifying work of the Spirit, to obey Jesus Christ and be sprinkled with His blood: May grace and peace be yours in the fullest measure."
"Chosen... to obey" - I have been musing upon this one for a couple of days now. My salvation is for the purpose of obedience. Makes you stop and think, doesn't it? If we claim to call Jesus our Lord and Master, then doesn't it follow that we have committed our lives to obeying Him?
Slaves of Christ.. that phrase has become meaningless to us it seems. Yes, we understand, it means to give our lives in service to Him. But can we say that our lives are defined by this NOW?? I certainly cannot.
If we believe that God "works all things in accordance with His will" and that "all things work for the good of those who love Him" - then in any situation we should be able to respond with thankful and joyful hearts, knowing that He has determined our steps and that they are for our good!
Yet this is so often not the way that I live. This passage calls us back to truth: "we are His workmanship, created in Christ.. to do GOOD WORKS, which God prepared beforehand, that we should WALK IN THEM" Eph 2:10. Christ has hung upon the cross so that I would serve Him. He gave His life, made a way for me to be an inheritor of His kingdom by His blood, so that I will live as He commands, for my good and His glory. WOW.
"sprinkled with His blood" - As Moses descended down the Mt of Sinai, He brought the words of God to the people. They responded with words of obedience "All that you have said, we will do" Ex 24:3-8. To symbolize the covenant between the people and God, Moses splattered the altar (sym: God) with blood, and turned and threw the rest of the blood on the people. Their promise to obey was sealed in blood.
Christ has kept His part of the blood covenant, will you?
"Chosen... to obey" - I have been musing upon this one for a couple of days now. My salvation is for the purpose of obedience. Makes you stop and think, doesn't it? If we claim to call Jesus our Lord and Master, then doesn't it follow that we have committed our lives to obeying Him?
Slaves of Christ.. that phrase has become meaningless to us it seems. Yes, we understand, it means to give our lives in service to Him. But can we say that our lives are defined by this NOW?? I certainly cannot.
If we believe that God "works all things in accordance with His will" and that "all things work for the good of those who love Him" - then in any situation we should be able to respond with thankful and joyful hearts, knowing that He has determined our steps and that they are for our good!
Yet this is so often not the way that I live. This passage calls us back to truth: "we are His workmanship, created in Christ.. to do GOOD WORKS, which God prepared beforehand, that we should WALK IN THEM" Eph 2:10. Christ has hung upon the cross so that I would serve Him. He gave His life, made a way for me to be an inheritor of His kingdom by His blood, so that I will live as He commands, for my good and His glory. WOW.
"sprinkled with His blood" - As Moses descended down the Mt of Sinai, He brought the words of God to the people. They responded with words of obedience "All that you have said, we will do" Ex 24:3-8. To symbolize the covenant between the people and God, Moses splattered the altar (sym: God) with blood, and turned and threw the rest of the blood on the people. Their promise to obey was sealed in blood.
Christ has kept His part of the blood covenant, will you?
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
1 Peter 1:1-2
"Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who reside as aliens, scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, who are chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, by the sanctifying work of the Spirit, to obey Jesus CHrist and be sprinkled with His blood: May grace and peace be yours in the fullest measure."
I hope you are ready! This passage is packed with truth and filled with jewels. In short, it is beautiful. Shall we?
"To those who reside as aliens" - as a result of the persecution, believers from all over the Roman Empire were scattered because of their belief in Christ. The idea of "strangers and aliens" also comes from Hebrews 11:13. Those who trust in God confess that they are but strangers in this world because they are citizens in heaven. The ones who live by faith, "desire a better, heavenly country. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them" (Heb 11:16). The world is not our home, for our citizenship is in the heavens!
"chosen according to the foreknowledge of God" - Our citizenship in heaven is the result of God's choosing. In Chapter 2:9, Peter says that we are a "chosen generation". In the same way that God chose His people, Israel, He chooses His people now - the church. In the book of Ephesians, Paul tells the church at Ephesus that they have been "predestined according to His purpose who works all things after the counsel of His will" (1:11). Romans tells us that "No one understands, no one seeks after God" (3:11). Therefore, "No one can come to Me (Jesus) unless the Father who sent Me draws him" (John 6:44)
The foreknowledge of God is also more than a simple knowledge of future events. It is the Greek word "prognosis" which refers to God's eternal, predetermined, loving and saving intention. The same word was used in reference to God's knowledge from eternity past that He would send His Son to redeem sinners. His knowledge is based on His decisions, not merely an understanding of future happenings in the world. God does not take a "hands-off" approach to running the universe!
When God says "I have known you by name" to Moses, He means that He has an intimate relationship with Moses, not that He merely knows about him. To those whom He has redeemed, we also have an established, intimate relationship with our Creator. Psalm 139 says "O Lord, You have searched me and known me..." His foreknowledge involves a predetermining to know somone by having an intimate, saving relationship with them. Those whom He has "foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son" (Romans 8:29).
"sanctifying work of the Spirit" - refers to the separation and holiness of the believer from the world. Once a person is justified, or made right with God, the Spirit begins this sanctifying process. For the rest of a believer's life, the Spirit will be chiseling and molding that person into the image of Christ. The Spirit produces faith and repentance, and is also the guarantee of our inheritance in heaven. (Ephesians 1:14).
Making war on sin is the work of the Spirit. He separates us from darkness into light and changes our desires. When we find a love for righteouness and a hatred of sin in our souls, it is the work of the Spirit! Any good thing in us is the "fruit of the Spirit" (i.e. love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control)
Therefore, if you cannot find the work of the Spirit in your life, it is time to re-evaluate! Have you ever accepted the sacrifice of the Son of God on your behalf? If you have, then rejoice! For the Spirit is continuously changing you into the image of Christ! We are citizens of heaven...
I hope you are ready! This passage is packed with truth and filled with jewels. In short, it is beautiful. Shall we?
"To those who reside as aliens" - as a result of the persecution, believers from all over the Roman Empire were scattered because of their belief in Christ. The idea of "strangers and aliens" also comes from Hebrews 11:13. Those who trust in God confess that they are but strangers in this world because they are citizens in heaven. The ones who live by faith, "desire a better, heavenly country. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them" (Heb 11:16). The world is not our home, for our citizenship is in the heavens!
"chosen according to the foreknowledge of God" - Our citizenship in heaven is the result of God's choosing. In Chapter 2:9, Peter says that we are a "chosen generation". In the same way that God chose His people, Israel, He chooses His people now - the church. In the book of Ephesians, Paul tells the church at Ephesus that they have been "predestined according to His purpose who works all things after the counsel of His will" (1:11). Romans tells us that "No one understands, no one seeks after God" (3:11). Therefore, "No one can come to Me (Jesus) unless the Father who sent Me draws him" (John 6:44)
The foreknowledge of God is also more than a simple knowledge of future events. It is the Greek word "prognosis" which refers to God's eternal, predetermined, loving and saving intention. The same word was used in reference to God's knowledge from eternity past that He would send His Son to redeem sinners. His knowledge is based on His decisions, not merely an understanding of future happenings in the world. God does not take a "hands-off" approach to running the universe!
When God says "I have known you by name" to Moses, He means that He has an intimate relationship with Moses, not that He merely knows about him. To those whom He has redeemed, we also have an established, intimate relationship with our Creator. Psalm 139 says "O Lord, You have searched me and known me..." His foreknowledge involves a predetermining to know somone by having an intimate, saving relationship with them. Those whom He has "foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son" (Romans 8:29).
"sanctifying work of the Spirit" - refers to the separation and holiness of the believer from the world. Once a person is justified, or made right with God, the Spirit begins this sanctifying process. For the rest of a believer's life, the Spirit will be chiseling and molding that person into the image of Christ. The Spirit produces faith and repentance, and is also the guarantee of our inheritance in heaven. (Ephesians 1:14).
Making war on sin is the work of the Spirit. He separates us from darkness into light and changes our desires. When we find a love for righteouness and a hatred of sin in our souls, it is the work of the Spirit! Any good thing in us is the "fruit of the Spirit" (i.e. love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control)
Therefore, if you cannot find the work of the Spirit in your life, it is time to re-evaluate! Have you ever accepted the sacrifice of the Son of God on your behalf? If you have, then rejoice! For the Spirit is continuously changing you into the image of Christ! We are citizens of heaven...
Friday, September 2, 2011
Intro to Study!
The blessings derived from studying the Word are more than I can mention. The power of God is in the gospel! I love 1 Peter because it is full of encouragement and hope in the midst of suffering.
My prayer is that through this study the “eyes of your understanding will be enlightened, so you may know the hope of His calling, the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and the exceeding greatness of His power towards those who believe” Eph 1:18.
Time to get going, don’t you think???
Background:
As any good bible scholar knows (of which you now are!), the background to a book is most important. It sets the stage for the writing, and gives the audience a context to correctly read the book.
The book of 1 Peter was written to believers who were about to suffer mightily for their beliefs in Christ. Only several years later, Nero would blame the Christians for the fires in Rome – thus spreading persecution like wildfire. Christians would soon become the enemies of Rome, crucified, burned at the stake, and thrown to the lions. Even Peter, the writer of this book, would lose his life as a result of the persecution.
But this was Peter, and on this “Rock” Christ would build His church. Headstrong and impulsive during Christ’s ministry, Peter lived up to His name after Christ’s ascension by fearlessly preaching the gospel, performing miracles, confronting Jewish authorities, and disciplining sinning church members. The Holy Spirit had transformed this lowly fisherman into a Man of God.
His epistle was written to those in the present part of Turkey (Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia). The purpose for his writing is beautiful: to encourage believers to stand firm in the true grace of God (5:12), even in the face of escalating persecution and suffering. And to do so triumphantly! For they are chosen by God and their inheritance awaits them in heaven. No persecution can take their joy, for their eyes are on the eternal.
My purpose for writing is so together we can grow in the love and knowledge of Christ. Why? Because. Knowing Christ is worth it =)
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
This is WAR
I wish i had the words.. but i don't. He has left me speechless, but He has given a friend the words my heart wishes to utter. May it refine, strenghten and uphold you.. and give you strength.
"I’m quick to share the beautiful things. But sometimes you just gotta face the ugly. And after speaking with so many loved ones this week, I feel a pile of suffering going on around us.
So today especially I feel like I need to share how human and weak I am
AND
that I am not without hope.
It hurts being human. Badly.
The broken relationships, distant relationships, wounded relationships
The pressures, responsibilities, expectations
The screw ups, weaknesses, incompetency
The pride and selfishness within us that seem to corrupt everything
The painful surprises, the “curve-balls” that hit us in the gut, the yet-another-burden
I felt like I was simultaneously feeling every-single-one of those things last night, and I’d had it.
I was crying out Romans 7:24-25 to the Lord:
“Wretched man that I am! Who will set me free from the body of this death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!”
In that overwhelmingly deep weariness, I was just ready to be face-to-Face with my Lord.
“Fear not,”
But there is meaning and a reason that I should suffer. There is a part of me lacking and festering, and the Lord knows this and loves me – so He brings the refinement.
“For those whom the Lord loves He disciplines, and He scourges every son whom He receives.’ It is for discipline that you endure… but He disciplines us for our good, that we may share in His holiness. All discipline for the moment seems not to be joyful, but sorrowful; yet to those who have been trained by it, afterwards it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness.”
Hebrews 12:6-7, 10-11
Even Christ Jesus, Son of the living God, Sovereign over all the universe was Himself perfected through suffering, listen!
“Although He was a Son, He learned obedience from the things which He suffered.”
Hebrews 5:8
We suffer to become more like Him.
Look again at Hebrews 12 “that we may share in His holiness”
“But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the surpassing greatness of the power may be of God and not from ourselves: We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed but not despairing; Persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; Always carrying about in the body the dying of Jesus, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body. For we who live are constantly being delivered over to death for Jesus’ sake, that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our mortal flesh.”
2 Corinthians 4:7-11
Because in the middle of pain, sin, and death – we as children of God that have called on the Name of Christ Jesus and His victory on the cross for SALVATION – find in the middle of all this rottenness
a life
and a peace
that are indescribable.
“For I have redeemed you,”
We know that there is a reason we suffer. We know that we will be better because of our suffering. We know that Christ empathizes with our suffering. We know that Christ lifts us before the Father in our suffering.
“Therefore we do not lose heart, but though our outer man is decaying, yet our inner man is being renewed day by day. For momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison, while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal.”
2 Corinthians 4:16-18
“Since then the children share in flesh and blood, He Himself likewise also partook of the same, that through death He might render powerless him who had the power of death, that is, the devil; and might deliver those who through fear of death were subject to slavery all their lives. For since He Himself was tempted in that which He has suffered, He is able to come to the aid of those who are tempted.”
Hebrews 2:14-15, 18
“Hence, also, [Christ] is able to save forever those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them.”
Hebrews 7:25
“In hope against hope he believed…yet, with respect to the promise of God, he did not waver in unbelief, but grew strong in faith, giving glory to God, and being fully assured that what He had promised, He was able also to perform.”
Romans 4:18, 20-21
“…for He Himself has said, ‘I will never desert you, nor will I ever forsake you,’”
Hebrews 13:5
“God is not a man, that He should lie, nor a son of man, that He should repent; has He said, and will He not do it? Or has He spoken and will He not make it good?”
Numbers 23:19
“And you shall remember all the way which the Lord your God has led you in the wilderness these forty years, that He might humble you, testing you, to know what was in your heart, whether you would keep His commandments or not. And He humbled you and let you be hungry…that He might make you understand that man does not live by bread alone, but man lives by everything that proceeds out of the mouth of the Lord.”
Deuteronomy 8:2-3
“Though He slay me, I will hope in Him…”
Job 13:15
“I have called you by name;”
Scripture isn’t all you can do, it is the most you can do. You have a fierce and deadly enemy, and you must utilize your weapon of Scripture, the breath of God, that is even more powerful.
“Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls about like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. But resist him, firm in your faith…”
I Peter 5:8-9
“For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh, for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses. We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ.”
2 Corinthians 10:3-5
Let me say this again, if you feel under attack –
it’s because you are. Fight.
“Finally, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of His might. Put on the full armor of God, that you may be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the full armor of God, that you may be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm.”
Ephesians 6:10-13
Fight.
“... The sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God.”
Ephesians 6:17
“Sustain me according to Thy WORD, that I may LIVE.”
Psalm 119:116
You will make it through. He knows you can make it through this. The ugly will be made beautiful.
“For He Himself knows our frame; He is mindful that we are but dust.”
Psalm 103:13
“No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, that you may be able to endure it.”
I Corinthians 10:13
“Everything that can endure fire, you shall put through fire,
and it shall be clean.”
Numbers 31:23
“You, O God, have tested us; You have refined us as silver is refined. We went through fire and through water; but You brought us out to rich fulfillment.”
Psalm 66:10
“…to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the LORD for the display of his splendor.”
Isaiah 61:3
He is with you.
“For I am the Lord your God, who upholds your right hand, who says to you, ‘Do not fear, I will help you.’”
Isaiah 41:13
“Nevertheless I am continually with Thee; Thou hast taken hold of my right hand. With Thy counsel Thou wilt guide me, and afterward receive me to gory. Whom have I in heaven but Thee? An besides Thee, I desire nothing on earth. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.”
Psalm 73:23-26
You have victory.
“And after you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish you.”
I Peter 5:10
“But when this perishable will have put on the imperishable, and this mortal will have put on immortality, then will come about the saying that is written, ‘Death is swallowed up in victory. O Death, where is your victory? O Death, where is your sting?’ The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law; but thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord.”
II Corinthians 15:54-58
“You are mine.”
Isaiah 43:31
Wednesday, August 3, 2011
A time to wait..
I have come to the end of many things, in order that God may usher in a new beginning. Have I a clue what that will be? To tell the truth, I have never felt more lost than now.
For centuries man has tried to fill the place of God. Mythology is full of stories (Promethean stealing the fire brand comes to mind) that exalt the wisdom of men above the knowledge and plans of God. Modern man has also taken up the cry, “You must fight for your own destiny! Only you know what can bring you ultimate happiness! God doesn’t know what is best for you!”
Ashamed, I find myself echoing their cries.
This time at home has been one of trial, mystery, frustration and confusion. What will this next step in life be? I ran from God yet still He has found me. As before, He only asks one question, “Will you trust Me?”
He only asks for everything.
The choice lies before me now, as it has always. Will I choose to trust Him and give up all my hopes, dreams, and plans to wait on Him? Or will I abandon all that I have learned and pursue my own path to personal happiness?
He asks me to wait. To give up this restlessness I feel in my soul, and take up the mantel of those who trust in Him.
Six months ago, I wrote in my journal: “His sovereignty cries at me from this land (Israel), begging me not to make the same mistakes as the Israelites, and take my life into my own hands. So instead, I am going to entrust my life to you, O Lord, knowing that You will be faithful to do what is good. I rejoice to think that all things are at Your disposal and it delights me to leave them there. I am fully pleased with Your will, whatever it is, and cheerfully give my life to the keeping of Your wise and capable hands”.
So many lessons are simply reminders.
I am convinced that there is nothing more difficult than waiting with contentment. It acknowledges that surrender to God is the only option, for it is a confession that we cannot see ahead and do not know the way. Therefore, it is my desire above all else to be the one that waits with “breathless expectation” for the life God has prepared in advance for those who love Him!
“Those who wait for God are pilgrim souls that have no tie that will hold them when the definite command is issued; no prejudices that will paralyze their effort when in some strange coming of the light they are commanded to take a pathway entirely different to that which was theirs before; having no interests either temporal or eternal, either material or mental or spiritual, that will conflict with the will of God when that will is made known”
For now, I wait. Learning "whatever state I am in, to be content" (Phil 4:11).
"May the God of peace make you complete in every good work to do His will, working in you what is well pleasing in His sight" (Heb 13:20-21)
Saturday, July 23, 2011
A New Look at Missions
3 days in the HOT sun painting a trailer. Building a ramp. Subway for lunch. Last week I felt like I was on the gospel version of Extreme Makeover! Missions week was a whole new experience for me. I took the week off of regular camp to sleep in a tent with girls who came to minister the gospel through service. Through it, I learned more about discipleship than anything!
We laughed together, painted together, and just shared life. Instead of having set times to pour into their lives, I had to make the most of everyday, normal life. God taught me to use every opportunity to speak truth into girls' lives and not waste a moment!
But more than anything, He taught me that He is the one who changes hearts. Monday night, I challenged them to grow in their knowledge of the God that they were serving. I was met by mostly blank stares. They grew up in church, what more did they need to know?
The frustrations I felt the next two days brought me to tears. My burden for the gospel overwhelmed my soul. If only they could know the wonder and beauty of a deeper relationship with Him! All day I was waiting to challenge the hypocrisy I saw in their lives - serving Him without a desire to truly KNOW Him. And yet, all opportunities to do so eluded me.
As I lay there dead on thursday night, my face in the grass, (no really, I mean it, I die in our skit ) God spoke to me. "Ellen, will you stop preaching to them and listen to my Spirit? I must do the work in their hearts. Listen to Me. Enjoy the time with them and trust ME. If I give you an opening, speak truth. But until then... " I was humbled more than you know. After the skit we laughed together and the leaders then sent them up to the prayer chapel.
They came RUNNING back an hour later, more excited than I had seen them all week. "Ellen! We all just realized that if we are going to share the gospel, we need to really know it! What can we study? Where do we start?" We talked for another 3 hrs about life and the importance of studying His Word and letting His truth influence every part of their lives! All the while I thought they weren't listening, God was working. One of the girls told me she had been thinking about my challenge all week!
By the end, they had planned a missions trip to Japan and a biblestudy leading up to it for those who were planning on going. Four of the girls have already started reading books of the bible! Is God powerful to save? Why yes. Yes He is =)
We laughed together, painted together, and just shared life. Instead of having set times to pour into their lives, I had to make the most of everyday, normal life. God taught me to use every opportunity to speak truth into girls' lives and not waste a moment!
But more than anything, He taught me that He is the one who changes hearts. Monday night, I challenged them to grow in their knowledge of the God that they were serving. I was met by mostly blank stares. They grew up in church, what more did they need to know?
The frustrations I felt the next two days brought me to tears. My burden for the gospel overwhelmed my soul. If only they could know the wonder and beauty of a deeper relationship with Him! All day I was waiting to challenge the hypocrisy I saw in their lives - serving Him without a desire to truly KNOW Him. And yet, all opportunities to do so eluded me.
As I lay there dead on thursday night, my face in the grass, (no really, I mean it, I die in our skit ) God spoke to me. "Ellen, will you stop preaching to them and listen to my Spirit? I must do the work in their hearts. Listen to Me. Enjoy the time with them and trust ME. If I give you an opening, speak truth. But until then... " I was humbled more than you know. After the skit we laughed together and the leaders then sent them up to the prayer chapel.
They came RUNNING back an hour later, more excited than I had seen them all week. "Ellen! We all just realized that if we are going to share the gospel, we need to really know it! What can we study? Where do we start?" We talked for another 3 hrs about life and the importance of studying His Word and letting His truth influence every part of their lives! All the while I thought they weren't listening, God was working. One of the girls told me she had been thinking about my challenge all week!
By the end, they had planned a missions trip to Japan and a biblestudy leading up to it for those who were planning on going. Four of the girls have already started reading books of the bible! Is God powerful to save? Why yes. Yes He is =)
Monday, July 11, 2011
A Heart for the Broken
In ministry, it is easy to become emotionally detached from the heartache that is embedded in so many girls' lives. Not this week. My heart was broken for them, in a way that it has never been broken before. Tears poured down my face on friday because I felt for them in a way that I cannot describe... my spirit groaned with words that cannot be uttered!
My girls this week were desperate for love. No one cared about them at home - their families were either addicted to alcohol or themselves. I spent the entire week, hour after hour, just listening to them talk about their lives, the mundane and the serious.
I was challenged by my own words to them. Do I truly believe that God is enough to satisfy every longing in our souls? Can He truly bring life and peace in the midst of severe trial? As I exhorted them to live for Him, to trust Him to lead and guide their lives, I laughed to myself. How much more do I need to trust Him for the future ahead?!!
After my tears had begun to cease, I went to find my girls and hang out with them. I found one of them in bed, crying over the lostness of girls she had just met that week.What grace God has to give us people to feel with! We talked for an hour, encouraging one other to live for Him - to love those who need Him. As we prayed together, I thanked God with all my heart for her fellowship in the gospel!
It is those moments that make all the trials of camp worth it. The moments when I'm straight up preaching the gospel and the girls can't take their eyes off of me because they are so enraptured with His truth. The times when we talk for hours, pouring His word and encouragement into their lives... even the moments when I'm acting like a maniac and they realize for the first time that being a Christian is a whole lot of fun!
Camp has taught me more than I imagined possible. More than anything, it has taught me that His gospel is the answer to every issue that life brings. His truth is life! So why are we so slack in sharing it?
My girls this week were desperate for love. No one cared about them at home - their families were either addicted to alcohol or themselves. I spent the entire week, hour after hour, just listening to them talk about their lives, the mundane and the serious.
I was challenged by my own words to them. Do I truly believe that God is enough to satisfy every longing in our souls? Can He truly bring life and peace in the midst of severe trial? As I exhorted them to live for Him, to trust Him to lead and guide their lives, I laughed to myself. How much more do I need to trust Him for the future ahead?!!
After my tears had begun to cease, I went to find my girls and hang out with them. I found one of them in bed, crying over the lostness of girls she had just met that week.What grace God has to give us people to feel with! We talked for an hour, encouraging one other to live for Him - to love those who need Him. As we prayed together, I thanked God with all my heart for her fellowship in the gospel!
It is those moments that make all the trials of camp worth it. The moments when I'm straight up preaching the gospel and the girls can't take their eyes off of me because they are so enraptured with His truth. The times when we talk for hours, pouring His word and encouragement into their lives... even the moments when I'm acting like a maniac and they realize for the first time that being a Christian is a whole lot of fun!
Camp has taught me more than I imagined possible. More than anything, it has taught me that His gospel is the answer to every issue that life brings. His truth is life! So why are we so slack in sharing it?
Saturday, July 2, 2011
ALL THINGS
"I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some. I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings." 1 Cor 9:23
This summer, I have become the intellectual, the athlete, the redneck (haha well at least i tried!) and the crazy middle schooler! I've played hard, laughed loud, and loved the unlovable for the sake of Christ. It has been one of the best experiences of my life!
This week, I duckied (guided single rafts) with a pile of crazy high school girls - who named me "mama duck" at the beginning of the trip haha. Down the river, they managed to get stuck on quite a few rocks.. which meant i heard "mama duck, come save me!" more than enough times! We laughed all the way down, all the while they were stealing my heart. By the end of the week, random boys were calling me that and wishing I was their guide!
The week has taught me that serving Christ in the little things is just as important as in the "big" things. Acting like a crazy girl, screaming and jumping into freezing water doing the "dying chicken" train at the beginning of the week set up the best relationship with a girl I've had at camp. She stayed up and talked to me till 4 in the morning on friday, sharing what Christ was doing in her life!
The exhaustion, the moments of wondering if I'm crazy, all those were worth it for the sake of Christ. He is worth our every moment! All of life should be this way. Every moment lived because the gospel has changed our lives, which makes us want to change others. That girl taught me so much as well "questioning the faithfulness of God is just dumb, He has shown us through the Scripture that He has always been!"
From the mouth of babes eh? =)
This summer, I have become the intellectual, the athlete, the redneck (haha well at least i tried!) and the crazy middle schooler! I've played hard, laughed loud, and loved the unlovable for the sake of Christ. It has been one of the best experiences of my life!
This week, I duckied (guided single rafts) with a pile of crazy high school girls - who named me "mama duck" at the beginning of the trip haha. Down the river, they managed to get stuck on quite a few rocks.. which meant i heard "mama duck, come save me!" more than enough times! We laughed all the way down, all the while they were stealing my heart. By the end of the week, random boys were calling me that and wishing I was their guide!
The week has taught me that serving Christ in the little things is just as important as in the "big" things. Acting like a crazy girl, screaming and jumping into freezing water doing the "dying chicken" train at the beginning of the week set up the best relationship with a girl I've had at camp. She stayed up and talked to me till 4 in the morning on friday, sharing what Christ was doing in her life!
The exhaustion, the moments of wondering if I'm crazy, all those were worth it for the sake of Christ. He is worth our every moment! All of life should be this way. Every moment lived because the gospel has changed our lives, which makes us want to change others. That girl taught me so much as well "questioning the faithfulness of God is just dumb, He has shown us through the Scripture that He has always been!"
From the mouth of babes eh? =)
Sunday, June 19, 2011
Oh Life =)
Well. It was bound to happen. After 5 weeks of no sleep, driving 14 hrs for a wedding in two days, and continually pouring into people's lives, I was due for a major breakdown.
After banging my leg, getting locked out of my friend's house where i planned on napping and resting, and trying to sleep in a sauna with the light on - I gave in unashamedly to the natural woman's response to such frustrating circumstances... buckets of tears!
What a week. I started it by becoming deathly ill and ended up spending tuesday in bed with a fever and chills. Still sick, I lost my voice screaming in the river and yelling for the Revelation skit on Thursday. That night i drove 2 hours to Annika's, slept 4 1/2 hrs and drove 4 hrs that morning to a rehearsal lunch. My sad attempt at sleep came after a wedding and a drive back to camp!
To God, it was a perfect opportunity to teach me to rely fully on Him! (Isn't it always like that?) I opened my Bible in desperation, only to be met with Heb 4 "There remains therefore a rest for the people of God". Tears coursed down my cheeks. Oh how I long for that eternal rest!
"We do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses... let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need".
This week, I have been struck by the realization that the gospel is always the proper response to life. It is the answer to a 12 yr old's question of how to live for Him, the friend who struggles with inadequancy in ministry, the woman who's husband is cheating on her, and my own frustrations and need for encouragement.
It is so simple yet so profound. Christ died to give us life, breaking the power of sin and death! He is all we need for life and Godliness - His gospel is the balm for every wound and the strength we need for each trial. It is the reason we can have true joy!
And so, we "present our bodies as a living sacrifice" for that is our only "reasonable act of service" to a God that has saved us and changed us to be like His Son! We are fellow heirs with Christ - the curve balls that life throws cannot overpower this truth.. if we are immersings ourselves in it!
So I have decided to thank Him for entrusting to me His ministry of reconcilation, especially to those in middle and high school... and to eat a massive steak and maybe some chocolate!!
May the gospel give you encouragement this day as we join together to live for Him!
After banging my leg, getting locked out of my friend's house where i planned on napping and resting, and trying to sleep in a sauna with the light on - I gave in unashamedly to the natural woman's response to such frustrating circumstances... buckets of tears!
What a week. I started it by becoming deathly ill and ended up spending tuesday in bed with a fever and chills. Still sick, I lost my voice screaming in the river and yelling for the Revelation skit on Thursday. That night i drove 2 hours to Annika's, slept 4 1/2 hrs and drove 4 hrs that morning to a rehearsal lunch. My sad attempt at sleep came after a wedding and a drive back to camp!
To God, it was a perfect opportunity to teach me to rely fully on Him! (Isn't it always like that?) I opened my Bible in desperation, only to be met with Heb 4 "There remains therefore a rest for the people of God". Tears coursed down my cheeks. Oh how I long for that eternal rest!
"We do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses... let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need".
This week, I have been struck by the realization that the gospel is always the proper response to life. It is the answer to a 12 yr old's question of how to live for Him, the friend who struggles with inadequancy in ministry, the woman who's husband is cheating on her, and my own frustrations and need for encouragement.
It is so simple yet so profound. Christ died to give us life, breaking the power of sin and death! He is all we need for life and Godliness - His gospel is the balm for every wound and the strength we need for each trial. It is the reason we can have true joy!
And so, we "present our bodies as a living sacrifice" for that is our only "reasonable act of service" to a God that has saved us and changed us to be like His Son! We are fellow heirs with Christ - the curve balls that life throws cannot overpower this truth.. if we are immersings ourselves in it!
So I have decided to thank Him for entrusting to me His ministry of reconcilation, especially to those in middle and high school... and to eat a massive steak and maybe some chocolate!!
May the gospel give you encouragement this day as we join together to live for Him!
Sunday, June 12, 2011
This is Week 2
My life at Snowbird..
Today: Lorelei and I hiked up the mountain next to camp to do our devotions. Our 360 degree view of the brush covered mountains around us was simply amazing! Cliff jumping was next - It just so happened to be raining as we jumped 40 ft off a rock face into the lake below =) We swam across the lake, played with the rope swing and had a fabulous time. We ended the day with coffee, volleyball, and Hercules. Simply amazing.
This past week was very different than the first. The girls that were in my group were 19 yr old youth leaders. Instead of sharing the simple gospel, we dug into the Word to challenge them to live for Him! God taught me so much through our study of Hebrews 1 and the last part of 10. It is not enough to simply look back on how God has changed you and what He has saved you from, one must be faithful and persevere to the end!
If we call ourselves believers, we must strive wholeheartedly after the gospel, immersing ourselves in His word and living each part of our lives in surrender to His will. What a challenge and encouragement! At the end of the week, one of them even became a Christian! She came depressed and discouraged, and left with the joy of the Lord. It was so beautiful to see =)
If I can summarize the week's lesson, it is this: mind, body, soul, and strength should be devoted to serving the Lord. He is so gracious to save us from the pit of sin and self and transfer us into the Kingdom of His light! Living for Christ and through His power is best - in every aspect of life!
Never stop abiding, never stop learning, never stop serving, never stop fighting. In this is life =)
"Be Killing Sin or Sin Will be Killing You"
Today: Lorelei and I hiked up the mountain next to camp to do our devotions. Our 360 degree view of the brush covered mountains around us was simply amazing! Cliff jumping was next - It just so happened to be raining as we jumped 40 ft off a rock face into the lake below =) We swam across the lake, played with the rope swing and had a fabulous time. We ended the day with coffee, volleyball, and Hercules. Simply amazing.
This past week was very different than the first. The girls that were in my group were 19 yr old youth leaders. Instead of sharing the simple gospel, we dug into the Word to challenge them to live for Him! God taught me so much through our study of Hebrews 1 and the last part of 10. It is not enough to simply look back on how God has changed you and what He has saved you from, one must be faithful and persevere to the end!
If we call ourselves believers, we must strive wholeheartedly after the gospel, immersing ourselves in His word and living each part of our lives in surrender to His will. What a challenge and encouragement! At the end of the week, one of them even became a Christian! She came depressed and discouraged, and left with the joy of the Lord. It was so beautiful to see =)
If I can summarize the week's lesson, it is this: mind, body, soul, and strength should be devoted to serving the Lord. He is so gracious to save us from the pit of sin and self and transfer us into the Kingdom of His light! Living for Christ and through His power is best - in every aspect of life!
Never stop abiding, never stop learning, never stop serving, never stop fighting. In this is life =)
"Be Killing Sin or Sin Will be Killing You"
Sunday, June 5, 2011
The First Week
The first week of camp is over! I am so exhausted but yet so fulfilled; there is nothing like sharing the gospel. I have learned so much already and heard the Lord's calling on my life more strongly than I ever have before. Hopefully, it will encourage and uplift your hearts!
This past week, I have fallen in love with six 12 and 13 yr olds =). Most of them come from families who only use Jesus' name in vain - yet they had such a thirst for the knowledge of God. In our small group times, they asked all kinds of questions: How is God 3 in 1? What is hell like? Why did Satan think He could win against God?
But the question that got me the most was "How do missionaries know that they are called?" I explained that God lays a burden on their hearts, and they can't imagine doing anything else - they MUST share the gospel. The camper than asked me "Ellen, were you called to Snowbird?" I stopped.
God had called me here and laid it on my heart to share the gospel to young women! In fact, He had been calling me to that through high school and college. As i knelt before the altar on friday night, tears streaming down my face, I finally acknowledged that this is what He has created me to do, I must share the gospel to the women of this world. Do I have a clue where that will lead? Nope. But I know that He will lead and guide me all the way.
After the sermon on missions, I held six weeping girls in my arms. Their families are not Christians and destined for hell. As we talked, I challenged them to be missionaries to their families, to read and study His word so that their lives would be a reflection of Him! I write this so you may be encouraged; God is working in the lives of young people even today. They promised to read and study - the book of John first. Pray that the Lord would continue to grow them even amidst adverse circumstances!
My favorite part of the whole week was studying the first chapter of Mark with them. 12 girls came to me and asked if I would do a biblestudy with them! For a whole hour, I taught about John the Baptist, Jesus and His ministry, and how we can correctly respond to His words. What a blessed time! After a semester studying the Life of Christ in Israel, I cannot help but smile - He has prepared me for this. I showed them pictures of Israel that pertained to the chapter - the wilderness where Jesus was tempted, the synagogue at Capernaum etc.
The gospel of Jesus Christ is changing people's lives, even before my very eyes. Is it changing yours?
This past week, I have fallen in love with six 12 and 13 yr olds =). Most of them come from families who only use Jesus' name in vain - yet they had such a thirst for the knowledge of God. In our small group times, they asked all kinds of questions: How is God 3 in 1? What is hell like? Why did Satan think He could win against God?
But the question that got me the most was "How do missionaries know that they are called?" I explained that God lays a burden on their hearts, and they can't imagine doing anything else - they MUST share the gospel. The camper than asked me "Ellen, were you called to Snowbird?" I stopped.
God had called me here and laid it on my heart to share the gospel to young women! In fact, He had been calling me to that through high school and college. As i knelt before the altar on friday night, tears streaming down my face, I finally acknowledged that this is what He has created me to do, I must share the gospel to the women of this world. Do I have a clue where that will lead? Nope. But I know that He will lead and guide me all the way.
After the sermon on missions, I held six weeping girls in my arms. Their families are not Christians and destined for hell. As we talked, I challenged them to be missionaries to their families, to read and study His word so that their lives would be a reflection of Him! I write this so you may be encouraged; God is working in the lives of young people even today. They promised to read and study - the book of John first. Pray that the Lord would continue to grow them even amidst adverse circumstances!
My favorite part of the whole week was studying the first chapter of Mark with them. 12 girls came to me and asked if I would do a biblestudy with them! For a whole hour, I taught about John the Baptist, Jesus and His ministry, and how we can correctly respond to His words. What a blessed time! After a semester studying the Life of Christ in Israel, I cannot help but smile - He has prepared me for this. I showed them pictures of Israel that pertained to the chapter - the wilderness where Jesus was tempted, the synagogue at Capernaum etc.
The gospel of Jesus Christ is changing people's lives, even before my very eyes. Is it changing yours?
Saturday, June 4, 2011
Welcome to Snowbird Camp! In the last week, I have danced, dressed up, and shared the gospel more than I ever have in my life. It has been a crazy roller coaster but I wouldn't want to be anywhere else =) God has certainly called me to this place.
Snowbird is different than any other camp I have experienced. The staff is committed to sharing the true gospel, and not pressing campers into emotional decisions. We are entrusted with the gospel, and we preach it to them multiple times a day!
A brief schedule so you get a feel for the camp.. Mornings we have a worship/sermon time - so fun because we get crazy and dance while they enter in! - and then breakout sessions for extra learning (how to study the bible, hell, preaching the gospel, modesty etc). Lunch is next! After lunch, the students leave for recreation - hiking, biking, canoeing, horse back riding, white water rafting etc.
I work the skeet shooting rec and guide down the Nanahala river - white water rafting. So much fun! After dinner is another session for woship and preaching. Each night we have a different activity after our sermon: tues night we do a slam dunk contest, wednesday we split up the girls and guys and have a talk.. with a girl dance party in-between! Thursday night is a re-enactment of Revelation 17.. Satan and his demons kill the martyrs and Christ comes to save his people and throw Satan in the pit! More on that later!
The staff here is a gift from God. We learn, serve, and love one another for the sake of the gospel. Every week we are so exhausted, but we find encouragement through our fellow brothers/sisters in Christ. It is a blessing to be apart of the body of Christ.
Each week, I am assigned to a specific church and the girls they bring. Our job is to spend time with them and pour into them for the purpose of sharing the gospel. We lead share groups after each night session with those girls as well. It blows my mind how open they become after you share a solid week with them!
I have already learned so much from 2 weeks of staff training and 1 week of camp.. but since my intro has been long enough, you'll have to stay tuned for lessons learned!
Snowbird is different than any other camp I have experienced. The staff is committed to sharing the true gospel, and not pressing campers into emotional decisions. We are entrusted with the gospel, and we preach it to them multiple times a day!
A brief schedule so you get a feel for the camp.. Mornings we have a worship/sermon time - so fun because we get crazy and dance while they enter in! - and then breakout sessions for extra learning (how to study the bible, hell, preaching the gospel, modesty etc). Lunch is next! After lunch, the students leave for recreation - hiking, biking, canoeing, horse back riding, white water rafting etc.
I work the skeet shooting rec and guide down the Nanahala river - white water rafting. So much fun! After dinner is another session for woship and preaching. Each night we have a different activity after our sermon: tues night we do a slam dunk contest, wednesday we split up the girls and guys and have a talk.. with a girl dance party in-between! Thursday night is a re-enactment of Revelation 17.. Satan and his demons kill the martyrs and Christ comes to save his people and throw Satan in the pit! More on that later!
The staff here is a gift from God. We learn, serve, and love one another for the sake of the gospel. Every week we are so exhausted, but we find encouragement through our fellow brothers/sisters in Christ. It is a blessing to be apart of the body of Christ.
Each week, I am assigned to a specific church and the girls they bring. Our job is to spend time with them and pour into them for the purpose of sharing the gospel. We lead share groups after each night session with those girls as well. It blows my mind how open they become after you share a solid week with them!
I have already learned so much from 2 weeks of staff training and 1 week of camp.. but since my intro has been long enough, you'll have to stay tuned for lessons learned!
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
Lessons from Israel!
"I was glad when they said to me, Let us go into the house of the Lord. Our feet have been standing within your gates, O Jerusalem! (Ps 122)
I hope you all have enjoyed this time together, learning and living in the land of Israel with me! Since it is my last Israel post... I made it long to not disappoint! =)
In Israel, lessons are taught by images and pictures (every word has an image/story behind it!). Jesus himself, being a Jew, taught this way through the use of parables and stories. So i figured, why not tell you what i learned the Israeli way?
I hope you all have enjoyed this time together, learning and living in the land of Israel with me! Since it is my last Israel post... I made it long to not disappoint! =)
In Israel, lessons are taught by images and pictures (every word has an image/story behind it!). Jesus himself, being a Jew, taught this way through the use of parables and stories. So i figured, why not tell you what i learned the Israeli way?
Sometimes in life, you just have to climb. "In this world you will have tribulation, but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world" Jn 16:33. Israel isn't the easiest place live, so sometimes, you just have to buck up and start climbing! Christianity is much the same way. It isn't always easy - but Christ has promised us that He will give us peace in the climb!
"The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want" Psalm 23. The hill country of Judah where Jerusalem is located is full of shepherds watching over their sheep, even to this day. When Jesus spoke of His role as a Shepherd, He was using images that were familiar to His audience. "My sheep know my voice" - it is true. We watched as two folds separated as both shepherds called to their sheep. Do you know the sound of His voice? Can you distinguish it amidst the calls of this world?
"As the deer pants for the water, so my soul pants for You, O God" Psalm 42:1. Israel is, for the most part, a dry and weary land. They depend on God and cry out to Him for water to sustain their lives. This picture is in the Judean wilderness, where David hid from Saul as he waited 9 YEARS for the Lord to fulfill His promise to make him king. Do we long for our Savior as a weary man longs for water in the middle of a desert? Do we need Him as much as the body needs water? How much more should we! "Apart from Me, you can do NOTHING" Jn 15:5
A beautiful picture of the Dead Sea with the mountians of Moab and Edom behind it. God came to the lowest part of the earth to proclaim His good news to the world! What makes Israel special and set apart? God chose them. Nothing of their own merit or the land's bounty - only that God set His favor and name upon this land and people. In this do we boast "only in the corss of our Lord Jesus Christ" (Gal 6:14) because we as Christians were chosen in the same way! Not of our own merit but because He chose to demonstrate His love toward us while we were still sinners.
The Pass of Michmash and Geba where Jonathan charged with his armorbearer and routed the Philistines. Two men that believed God and his promises, enough to stake their lives on it. His courage speaks to us today "Come, let us go over to the garrison of these uncircumcised (Philistines); it may be that the Lord will work for us. For NOTHING restrains the Lord from saving by many or by few" Our God is an awesome God. He is looking for those who will trust and obey!
"My sould, wait in silence for God alone, For my expectation is from Him. He only is my rock and my salvation; He is my defense; I shall not be moved" (Psalm 62:5-6). What a picture of God as our rock! On the mountaintop of Masada, 300 Jews held off thousands of Romans for 3 years on a rock. But God was against them, wanting to punish them so they died. Physical rocks can never save, but God on high as our Rock is a foundation that will never be shaken. Put your trust in Him!
Remember Samson killing a 1000 men with a Jawbone near Timnah? Picture enactment is the best! The Lord is our strength!
The Temple Mount with the Mount of Olives in the background. So much religious fascination with the city of Jerusalem. Almost every religion has a place in this city. Yet the true God does not dwell in cities made with m\en's hands, but in our spirits. We yearn to be nearer to Him - people pray at the Wailing Wall for that purpose - but He is not to be found in physical objects. "The Lord is near to the broken-hearted, and saves those with a contrite spirit" (Ps 34:18)
The Sea of Galilee - the place of Jesus the Messiah's ministry. He came not to the strong, powerful, and important; but to those who recognized their need for a Savior. For most of His ministry, He stayed around the Sea of Galilee - Capernaum, Bethsaida, Chorazim, Magdala, and the place of the Sermon on the Mount are all only a couple miles from each other. I love this picture because it reminds me of His sovereignty "For it is God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ". To Him be the glory for the things He has done!
And so the journey has ceased. Yet the lessons He has taught me and continues to teach me through my time in Israel will never end. His faithfulness is beautiful and overwhelmingly good!
As I start my summer here at camp in North Carolina, I will continue to blog. So if you would like to keep reading, you are welcome! Otherwise... Shalom! May God bless you and keep you, as you strive to know and serve Him more!
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
Culture SHOCK
Yep. It's officially hit me. I'm no longer in Israel. I knew the change would be strange "Woah, that cup is HUGE! You mean I can refill it as many times as I want???" or absentmindedly sticking my gum in the flight safety manuel... and cutting off at least 50 people to get on the plane (Israelis don't stand in line.. they smush).
But i wasn't prepared for the differences in me. I laughed to myself as both my parents whipped out their GPS's just in case we got lost, even though i basically knew where we were going. At IBEX, if we got lost it didn't matter, we'd find it somehow.. so enjoy the scenery along the way! Israelis have little care for time and so I find myself dillydallying the day away, in no hurry at all, watching as my family scurries to make the most of it.
The biggest struggle, however, is learning to transfer what I've learned from Israel to America. The lessons God has taught me in the last 3 1/2 months are so valuable to life, I don't ever want to forget! Yet, it is so different here, and therefore the application of those lessons has been different too. For those 3 1/2 months, I lived and breathed with 28 other students who lived life solely in that moment to learn and talk about Christ.
Oh how i miss that fellowship.
And yet, God has been so good and faithful. The same God that brought me through the land of Israel lives in my heart here in America. He has ordained my steps, and taught me that wherever I am, is exactly where He wants me to be. So though it may feel strange for a time, He has promised to go before me!
As my 16-yr-old Israeli friend told me, "wherever you are, be ALL there". As much as I miss Israel, it is so good to be home. Life moves us from place to place and the the choice is always in front of us, "will you make the most of THIS moment? Or waste it reminiscing on the last?"
I thank the Lord for Israel. The memories I will never forget. He brought me and taught me in a way that I never dreamed was possible.. but for now, my place is here. Truth be told, I am getting so excited about what He has in store for the future!
So before this blog post fun ends, I want to share with you what Israel has taught me.. so look for "lessons from Israel" in the next couple of days!
Shalom till then!
But i wasn't prepared for the differences in me. I laughed to myself as both my parents whipped out their GPS's just in case we got lost, even though i basically knew where we were going. At IBEX, if we got lost it didn't matter, we'd find it somehow.. so enjoy the scenery along the way! Israelis have little care for time and so I find myself dillydallying the day away, in no hurry at all, watching as my family scurries to make the most of it.
The biggest struggle, however, is learning to transfer what I've learned from Israel to America. The lessons God has taught me in the last 3 1/2 months are so valuable to life, I don't ever want to forget! Yet, it is so different here, and therefore the application of those lessons has been different too. For those 3 1/2 months, I lived and breathed with 28 other students who lived life solely in that moment to learn and talk about Christ.
Oh how i miss that fellowship.
And yet, God has been so good and faithful. The same God that brought me through the land of Israel lives in my heart here in America. He has ordained my steps, and taught me that wherever I am, is exactly where He wants me to be. So though it may feel strange for a time, He has promised to go before me!
As my 16-yr-old Israeli friend told me, "wherever you are, be ALL there". As much as I miss Israel, it is so good to be home. Life moves us from place to place and the the choice is always in front of us, "will you make the most of THIS moment? Or waste it reminiscing on the last?"
I thank the Lord for Israel. The memories I will never forget. He brought me and taught me in a way that I never dreamed was possible.. but for now, my place is here. Truth be told, I am getting so excited about what He has in store for the future!
So before this blog post fun ends, I want to share with you what Israel has taught me.. so look for "lessons from Israel" in the next couple of days!
Shalom till then!
Monday, May 2, 2011
Shalom to Israel
Yesterday was my last day in Israel. What a blessing it has been! A time to remember that God is faithful, and to see His hand in the land and in the lives of the students with me. I shall love them forever =)
What a week it has been! Lots of goodbyes, tears, and "last times". Rachel and I hopped on a bus and went shopping in Jerusalem! Our prayer group had a sharing/tell Ellen goodbye time at the Schlegels - fudge, homemade ice cream and brownies - a woman's dream. We shared our hearts and the things He has taught us. Movie night, sleepovers, and a final goodbye breakfast will remain in my heart forever.
Main lesson from all of us? God is faithful.. so REMEMBER. Israelis have learned not to forget. Even today, sitting in the airport, the siren for the Holocaust Remembrance Day sounded. We all stood to remember, as tears coursed down many cheeks. Their history must not be forgotten.
In the same way, should not we remember the things the Lord has done in our lives? He has been so faithful and true, and brought us each to a place so we will know and glorify Him better. Israel was my time to remember, to be in a land that screamed of His work. Every place we visited cried for us to remember that God is involved in the dealings of men.
So I challenge you to do the same. As I sat overlooking the Judean hills for the last time, i was struck by the land and the people once again. "Never forget" it seemed to say, "What God has done in your life this semester!"
He has opened my eyes to see anew the beauty of the Scriptures! And He gave me a family to grow with while I was there.. to see His goodness in my life and theirs.
Do i have an idea what the future holds? Not a clue. But I do know that my God is faithful to keep me so in this I rejoice! Oh friends! "Taste and see that the Lord is good! There is no want to those who fear Him. Therefore, I will bless the Lord AT ALL TIMES, His praise will continuously be on my lips" Ps. 34.
Shalom Israel.. Toda Abba, Hodu la Adonai Ki Tov! (Peace Israel.. Thank you Father... Give thanks to the Lord for He is Good!
What a week it has been! Lots of goodbyes, tears, and "last times". Rachel and I hopped on a bus and went shopping in Jerusalem! Our prayer group had a sharing/tell Ellen goodbye time at the Schlegels - fudge, homemade ice cream and brownies - a woman's dream. We shared our hearts and the things He has taught us. Movie night, sleepovers, and a final goodbye breakfast will remain in my heart forever.
Main lesson from all of us? God is faithful.. so REMEMBER. Israelis have learned not to forget. Even today, sitting in the airport, the siren for the Holocaust Remembrance Day sounded. We all stood to remember, as tears coursed down many cheeks. Their history must not be forgotten.
In the same way, should not we remember the things the Lord has done in our lives? He has been so faithful and true, and brought us each to a place so we will know and glorify Him better. Israel was my time to remember, to be in a land that screamed of His work. Every place we visited cried for us to remember that God is involved in the dealings of men.
So I challenge you to do the same. As I sat overlooking the Judean hills for the last time, i was struck by the land and the people once again. "Never forget" it seemed to say, "What God has done in your life this semester!"
He has opened my eyes to see anew the beauty of the Scriptures! And He gave me a family to grow with while I was there.. to see His goodness in my life and theirs.
Do i have an idea what the future holds? Not a clue. But I do know that my God is faithful to keep me so in this I rejoice! Oh friends! "Taste and see that the Lord is good! There is no want to those who fear Him. Therefore, I will bless the Lord AT ALL TIMES, His praise will continuously be on my lips" Ps. 34.
Shalom Israel.. Toda Abba, Hodu la Adonai Ki Tov! (Peace Israel.. Thank you Father... Give thanks to the Lord for He is Good!
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