All vain ambition, seeking after the approval and honor that comes from man, is only a substitute for reality: the hope of heavenly glory and immortality. This hope comes with keeping our focus on God, thereby maintaining our first love.
“What a revolution would come to us all, if it became the one fixed aim and ambition of our lives to stand before God, and to do always those things that are pleasing in His sight.” - F.B Meyer
So he who wishes to advance must always begin again…patience with oneself…is the foundation of progress.
Conversion is the lifelong transformational process of being remade into the image of God. It is so much more than simply trying to avoid sin. The focus of repentance and conversion is Jesus, not my sin nor my self. My attachment to sinful ways of being is much too strong to ever be undone by mere willpower. There is no substitute for surrender to divine love as the fuel to propel such undoing. Divine love transforms both my heart and my will. Divine love enables me to choose God’s will over mine. Without this, repentance will be nothing more than a self-help scheme based on effort and resolve.
How He Loves.
This morning I had the opportunity of leading worship at the Coast Hill’s women’s Bible Study. I’m so thankful that God has provided a Church community for me here. Although it’s only been 3 months since I moved to California, I already feel welcomed and am starting to feel at home. This morning, Jessy and I got to lead together. After two songs, “How He loves” by John Mark McMillan and “Always Forever” by Phil Wickham, Jessy brought the word and the reminder that God’s love is abundant and perfect. I was in awe as I sat there listening to her speak and thinking of the journey God has brought each of us on in understanding and experiencing His love. I praised Jesus for His love and prayed for the ladies that they would fully grasp it as well. How different our lives are when we are surrendered to His love…
Getting to do ministry this morning was such a refreshing time for me. A reminder of why I’m going to grad school and a reminder that I need to use and cultivate the gifts God has given me. It’s exciting to think about the endless possibilities in this life, when I surrender to the One who’s love is perfect.
This is Rachel. I can’t fully express what a blessing this girl has been to me. In July I had to say goodbye (for now at least) to our season of living in the same city together and today she finally arrived for a 5 day vacation with Jessy and I out here in southern California. It’s insane to think this time last year we were just settling in to our lives as roommates. What a blessing it was to come home after my long days interning at Jill’s House and paint our nails, laugh, cry and share our burdens with each other.
God is so sovereign in the people He chooses to put in our lives. Tonight I’m especially thankful that He has chosen to create us as relational beings. Friendship is such a gift, the burdens we carry and trials we go through seem lighter and not as difficult when we are relying on our relationship with Him for strength and giving/receiving support and love from the people He has placed in our lives. This journey becomes such a joy when we aren’t living it alone. Even despite distance, God is able to use relationships to challenge, grow, encourage and strengthen you. I pray that you too would be encouraged by and intentional with the people God has placed in your life.
Tonight I’m reminded of these things as I contemplate the joys that have come from my friendship with the beautiful Rachel McCullough. I’m so looking forward to these next 5 days together. For the first time in almost 3 months, not on Skype, through texing or phone conversations but right here in the same city! What a blessing!
Let the weekend fun begin!
The key to leadership development lies not in the experiences, whether good or bad, but in people’s responses to those experiences.
Let us daily fly to the cross, to the Spirit, to forgiveness, to where love and its transforming power awaits.
Let me be most satisfied in You…
I’m sitting in Starbucks with a Pumpkin Spice steamer in hand memorizing 2 Timothy 3:16-17. This is an assignment due tonight for my Hermeneutics class. What a blessing to have to memorize scripture for a grade. Each week we have a new verse. 1 Tim 4:7b-8, James 1:2-5 and now the one that is before me which speaks of the Word, that God has breathed, being profitable for teaching, reproof, correction and training in righteousness.
Ever since I was 5 years old, the importance of Scripture memorization has been encouraged over and over again through different sermons, teachers and brothers and sisters in Christ. I’ve always known that it’s important but for the first time in my life I’m really starting to understand why. I’m learning that with the living Word of God hidden in my heart I’m able to meditate on the Lord throughout the day and in times of joy and hardship. It takes discipline for sure. Which takes sacrifice but the reward is great enables us to draw closer to our heavenly father as we get to know our Savior by the power of the Holy Spirit.
What Scripture verse are you memorizing? How is it transforming your mind and heart? If you aren’t memorizing I encourage you to start. It’s revolutionary for your relationship with the Lord and such an important aspect of our walk with Jesus and the sanctification process we go through in this life.
God’s plan is always greater than my understanding, and if I limit myself to holding on to assumptions, I will miss out on the blessing of His joy and peace in my life.
We shall have all eternity to celebrate the victories, but we have only the few hours before sunset in which to win them. - Amy Carmichael
Build me a home inside Your scars. Build me a home inside Your song. Build me a home inside Your open arms, the only place I ever will belong.
Beyond thankful for this girl. Follow her on Twitter @jessybaugh.
It’s Official
Tonight I registered for my Grad School classes! Starting August 24th I’ll be taking classes at Talbot Theological Seminary! This semester I’ll be taking 3 courses, Hermeneutics, Theology and Spiritual Formation. It’s such a blessing to see God working everything out. I was definitely behind on getting financial things in order with the school so the chances that my classes would be closed by the time I was cleared was likely. Despite some set backs, everything processed and I am now officially enrolled! This week I received my green apron and barista manual and started training at Starbucks as well. Sadly there hasn’t been much time for the beach this week but praise the Lord I’ll be ready to start a regular class and work schedule at the end of the month. Such a blessing. I’m amazed at the sovereignty of God in preparing this path before me and His provision all along the way. {Seriously amazed}
I haven’t been able to mark as many authors as I hoped off my Summer reading list but I just began reading Onward by Howard Schultz (The CEO of Starbucks). I came across a very interesting paragraph and as I have been looking back at the events, conversations, road blocks and choices that led me to move out here to California, I couldn’t help but relate to the things Howard said:
There are moments in our lives when we summon the courage to make choices that go against reason, against common sense and the wise counsel of people we trust. But we lean forward nonetheless because, despite all risks and rational argument, we believe that the path we are choosing is the right and best thing to do. We refuse to be bystanders, even if we do not know exactly where our actions will lead.
For me, the decision to move to California and spend 2 years studying in seminary seemed to go against logical reason for sure. Why would I move all the way across the country and leave my family and community? Why would I choose to leave the “security” of having a full time job with benefits and go back to having school loans? Why? Why? Why? I’ve learned throughout my life that my decisions must be based on the will of God and not what culture or people say or think. Obedience to God means pleasing Him, serving Him and knowing Him more. When those things are in place the actual circumstances, daily happenings and life choices seem to be exactly what God intends. Even when everything may not be fully figured out, sometimes you just have to trust God and take risks.
Living for the Lord has been such an adventure, risks and all. As I start classes at the end of this month, and turn 24 years old (August 31st), I want to remember that God is with me in this journey and that it is ultimately for His glory. Today I’m reminding myself and encouraging you to continue resting in His promises. He is good, loving and worthy of our devotion. We have one life to live, our joy in it comes from living for His glory.
Sincerely,
Me, once again a college student!!!!
Faith is confidence in the person of Jesus Christ and in His power, so that even when His power does not serve my end, my confidence in Him remains because He is who He is.
