Today God really reminded me of how much he loves me. His love for me is extravagant and just more that I can ever imagine. His love is more intimate than any other friend’s love for me. I don’t even choose to be loved by Him, He loves me no matter what. His love is amazing, and stronger than any other love I have ever known. It’s overwhelming and enticing. It’s irresistible. It’s grace-filled. It’s mighty. It covers all of my sin and is greater than all the “good” things I have done put altogether. It’s not contingent on what others think of me. It is not dependent on any other factor than God’s mercy. It’s just…God. God IS love.
god
Lord
god, jesusI feel like everyone here at SBU talks about God using the same phrase: “The Lord”. Which I think is an amazing phrase for God. “Lord” means
“a person who has authority, control, or power over others; a master, chief, or ruler”.
My question is, can you really call God your Lord? That would mean that you have surrendered complete control and power over to him, that he is the ruler of your life. For me, I can call God my Father because I go to Him for things and He disciplines me the way a Father should. I call Him my Friend because I chill with Him and have an ongoing relationship with Him. I call Him my Savior because He saved me from myself and my sin. I call Him Provider, Counselor, Healer, etc. But man, would I like to call Him my absolute Lord. I hope one day to get to that place where I can honestly call Him the LORD of my life.
Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter.Matthew 7:21
I guess my challenge to you is to think, is God really the Lord of your life?
*I’m not bashing the usage of “Lord”, only examining how powerful it truly is :)
As a fun aside, I asked facebook what their favorite names for God were!
Plant, Water, Watch :)
bible, christianity, god, youth ministrySent from my mobile. Enjoy.
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I planted, Apollos watered, but God was causing the growth. So then neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but God who causes the growth. 1 Cor 3:6~7.
Theme off my summer :)
Ministers, being ALL Christians, are simply God’s workers. Some plant seeds, meaning they are initially working in a person’s life. Some water those seeds, meaning they are invested in discipleship. We are all Planters at some point, & Waterers at other points. You might be a Planter & Waterer for the same person. It is inevitable that it will take multiple Waterers for even just one person.
The task isn’t easy; that’s why there’s a great reward for it. Every person who calls on the name of the Lord for salvation is called to be a Planter & Waterer. But in the end, it is God who causes growth. When a person you’ve been ministering to comes to Christ, it’s not YOU who have saved them, but the irresistible grace of God that draws them to salvation. You are indeed essential, but glory is God’s.
Even when I am not faithful…
christianity, faithfulness, god, testimony God is incredibly faithful. I know this sounds like a cliché thing to say, but it is so incredibly true. At camp last week, I had the opportunity of taking an extra class with some of my high school girls that I’m leading as an intern this summer at a church. The class was called Digging Deeper, and it was about digging deeper into the Word of God and how to study it. The young lady who led the class said something that stuck with me—Having a relationship with Christ is more than believing IN Him, but BELIEVING Him. Duh! Haha. But I needed this to become true in my life.
One night at camp I was talking to God as I was falling asleep. I began to thank Him for a particular person that He put in my life that has become a spiritual brother to me, who has been constantly affirming me and speaking Truth. As I was talking to God, I stopped and started to cry. I realized that He answered my prayers, in more ways than I even thought! Going into this summer, some of my biggest prayers were for women to be in my life as disciplers and mentors. There were a few women from the church who were small group leaders for the high school girls. Throughout the week they were encouraging and inspirational to me, and lifted me up constantly. I realized that the Lord answered my prayer, which really has been something I have wanted my whole life. I have never really had women in my life as spiritual advisors (I’ve had two—my old youth leader who left my life in the eighth grade and my old boss. We could also maybe count my grandma). What a blessing from the Lord! And at the end of the week, one of the women told me that she wanted to continue a relationship with me. I am entirely in awe of this. I can’t even believe that this is happening. I mean, I SHOULD believe it, because I KNOW from experience and Scripture that MY GOD can do ANYTHING!
I could use prayer in one area—I need to be more confident in my knowledge. I am incredibly intelligent and have a lot of potential, but I am not exercising that. I am dumbing myself down and constantly telling myself how unfit I am as a teacher and discipler. I know that the Lord has incredibly equipped me for the jobs He has me doing. I trust in that. But I need confidence in it. I am a great teacher. I know how to relate to students. I love to study. I have lots of knowledge and even wisdom (I am not trying to boast in this, I have only obtained this through the Lord’s equipping of me and seeking after Him for it). It’s time for me to be confident in it. I am NOT a ditz. I think critically and philosophically, time to show it! I know this seems like an odd request, but I could use some prayer warriors for this :).
From Daddy
godI know I haven’t written in a while… I am keeping three seperate journals for two classes…and I haven’t really had time to blog. A friend tagged me in a note on facebook today with something that I needed…a letter from Daddy.
My Dear Child,
You may not know [and understand everything about] me, but I know everything about you (Psalm 139:1). I know when you sit down and when you rise up (Psalm 139:2). Even the very hairs on your head are numbered (Matt 10:29-31). For you were made in MY IMAGE (Genesis 1:27). In me you live and move and have your being (Acts 17:28). For you are my offspring (Acts 17:28). I knew you even before you were conceived (Jeremiah 1:4-5). I chose you when I planned creation (Ephesians 1:11-12). You were not a mistake for all your days are written in my book (Psalm 139:15-16). I determined the exact time of your birth and where you would live (Acts 17:26). You are FEARFULLY and WONDERFULLY made (Psalm 139:14). I knit you together in your mother’s womb (Psalm 139:13). And brought you forth on the day you were born (Psalm 71:6). I have been misrepresented by those who don’t know me (1 John 4:16). And it is my desire to LAVISH my love on you.(1 John 3:1). Simply because you are my child and I am your Father (1 John 3:1). I offer you more than an earthly father ever could (Matt 7:11). For I am the PERFECT Father (Matt 5:48). Every good gift that you receive come from my hand (James 1:17). For I am your provider and I meet all your needs (Matthew 6:31-33). My plan for your future has always been filled with Hope (Jeremiah 29:11). Because I LOVE YOU with and everlasting love (Jeremiah 31:3). My thoughts toward you are countless as the sand on the seashore (Psalm 139:17-18). And I rejoice over you with singing!!! (Zephaniah 3:17). I will NEVER stop doing good to you (Jeremiah 32:40). For you are my treasure possesion(Exodus 19:5). I desire to esablish you with all my heart and all my soul (Jeremiah 32:41). And I want to show you great and marvelous things (Jeremiah 33:3). If you seek me with all your heart, you will find me (Deuteronomy 4:29). Delight in me and I will give you the desires of your heart (Psalm 37:4). For it is I who gave those desires (Philliipians 3:13). I am able to do more for you than you could possibly imagine (Ephesians 3:20). For I am your greatest encourager (2 Thess 2:16-17). I am also the Father who comforts you with all your troubles (2 Corinthians 1:3-4). When you are brokenhearted, I AM CLOSE TO YOU (Psalm 34:18). As a shepherd carries a lamb, I have carried you close to my heart (Isaiah 40:11). One day I will wipe away every tear from your eyes (Revelations 21:3-4) And I’ll take away all pain you have suffered on this earth (Revelation 21:3-4). I am your Father and I love you, even as I love my son, Jesus (John 17:23). For in Jesus my love for you is revealed (John 17:26). He is the exact representation of my being (Hebrews 1:3). He came to demonstrate that I am for you, not against you (Romans 8:31). And to tell you that I am not countint your sins (2 Cor 5:18-19). His death was the ultimate expression of my love for you (1 John 4:10). I GAVE UP EVERYTHING I LOVE THAT I MIGHT HAVE YOUR LOVE (Romans 8-31-32). If you receive the gift of my son Jesus, you receive me (1 John 2:23). And nothing will ever separate you from my love again (Romans 8:38-39). Come home and I will throw the biggest party heaven has ever seen (Luke 15:7). I have always been Father, and will always be Father (Ephesians 3:14-15). My question is… will you be my child (John 1:12-13)? I am waiting for you (Luke 15:11-32).
Love,
Your Dad the Almighty God.
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Heather Lea Kenison 