4/17/12

This Week in Scripture; God shames the wise and the strong.

But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, so that no human being might boast in the presence of God. - 1 Corinthians 1:27-29 I've constantly noticed that God has a way of making Himself known; He always chooses those that aren't strong or wise by the world's standards (Mainly because those that are worldly-wise and worldly-strong are always blind to God or refuse to acknowledge His presence.). Of course, those that are worldly-wise and worldly-strong will make fun of those that appear to be weak and foolish; that's to be expected, especially if those that are "weak" or "foolish" are dependent on the Lord to get them through the day. Here's the secret: Those that appear to be fools or weak are more than aware of their inability to please God; they are aware of their need for a Savior. Those that claim to be strong or wise always fall for the old bait-and-switch that the enemy (He is a mere creature and not on equal footing with God!) constantly employs. In many ways, I am a fool in the world's eyes; I am a weakling to them. However, my God has the upper hand and He will deal with them justly; my concern is to share the Gospel with anyone I come in contact with. **** Today is my birthday (For the record, I'm 31; I know I look younger.); I plan to celebrate later in the week. God bless!

4/12/12

This Week in Scripture; mourning into dancing

You have turned for me my mourning into dancing; You have loosed my sackcloth and clothed me with gladness, that my glory may sing Your praise and not be silent. O Lord my God, I will give thanks to You forever! - Psalm 30:11-12

Sorry for the late blog post; this week has been hectic (With a 2 1/2 year old, things will always be crazy; it's never a dull moment in my house.)! :D

Speaking of said 2 1/2 year old, she is an excellent reminder of two things for me: total depravity of man, and the joy that God grants us. On one hand, she is a depraved creature; she won't desire to touch God's righteousness or to seek after God (See Romans 3:10-18.); she desires what she thinks is right for her. It's my job as her mother to correct her when she's wrong, comfort her when she's in pain, and love her even if she's trying to be unlovable.

On the other hand, she makes me laugh when I'm in the foulest of moods; she's smart (A little too smart for her own good sometimes!); she's naturally a happy kid who is expressive and joyful. In that case, she's the closest thing to Godly joy that I'm able to observe apart from my walk with the Lord.

This week, I was also reminded of my grandmother, who died two weeks after Bee was born (Grandma's birthday is this Sunday; she would have been 80 this year.). While I was joyful with Bee's birth, I was mourning my grandmother's death at the same time; God was perfect in His timing in regards to both events. During that time of mourning, He clothed me in gladness.

I'm grateful that God provided joy in time of sadness; may I not be silent in praising His Name!

4/3/12

This Week in Scripture; pleading for mercy!

To you, O Lord, I cry, and to the Lord I plead for mercy: “What profit is there in my death, if I go down to the pit? Will the dust praise you? Will it tell of your faithfulness? Hear, O Lord, and be merciful to me! O Lord, be my helper!” - Psalm 30:8-10

Even though we know that God protects us, we still beg God to spare us of certain atrocities and trials that come our way; either He chooses to allow those trials to come (To strengthen our faith and dependence on Him!) or to allow them to pass us by, since He doesn't give us more than what we can handle. We normally receive those trials, even though we don't want them.

Jesus didn't want to die, either, but He followed God's will anyway (He was also resurrected from the dead; for that we should be grateful that God considered us worth dying for!). May our Prophet, Priest, and King be praised!

This week is Holy Week for Christians; the climax being Resurrection Sunday ("Easter" for those wondering; I don't use the word.), when Jesus physically rose from the dead after suffering a brutal and painful death of crucifixion. He had the weight of His elect on Him, and the Father withdrew His presence from His begotten Son ("For our sake He made Him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God." - 2 Corinthians 5:21).

All of that for us that He has chosen from the foundation of the world.

That still boggles my mind, and I've been a Christian for 10 years!

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all. (2 Corinthians 13:14)