Death is Necessary

     The power of God's Word is amazing. It absolutely amazes me. I love it when He shows me something I've never seen before. I love it when He shows me a new perspective on something I've seen a million times before. I love it when scripture speaks to my heart, and inspires my soul. I love it when I come across something I need to hear, at exactly the time I need to hear it. I love it. There is power in the Word of God. It absolutely leaves me speechless. It leaves me in awe. The Creator of the universe, speaking directly to me, through words penned down by men thousands of years ago - words that were inspired by the Holy Spirit of God,  How awesome is that?!

     

Take this passage that I came across today for example:

"But Christ being come a high priest of good things to come, by a GREATER AND MORE PERFECT tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building; neither by the blood of goats and calves, BUT BY HIS OWN BLOOD he entered in ONCE into the holy place, HAVING OBTAINED ETERNAL REDEMPTION for us. For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of a heifer sprinkling the unclean SANCTIFIETH to the PURIFYING of the flesh: HOW MUCH MORE shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit OFFERED HIMSELF WITHOUT SPOT to God, purge your conscience FROM DEAD WORKS to serve THE LIVING GOD?" ~ Hebrews 9:11-14

 There is so much power packed into just a few short verses. It goes on to say,

"And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that BY MEANS OF DEATH, for the REDEMPTION OF THE TRANSGRESSIONS that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the PROMISE OF ETERNAL INHERITANCE. For where a testament is, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator. For a testament is of force after men are dead: otherwise it is of no strength at all while the testator liveth."(15-17)

      Okay. First of all, I want to take a look at the word "testament" - how many times have I used this word and never even really understood what it meant?? I've been in church my whole life, I took a Bible History class in high school, and I took Old Testament and New Testament courses in college. Yet it wasn't until I read this scripture today that I really grasped the meaning of it. I never even considered that the testament of the Bible has the same meaning as a Last Will and Testament. It is basically a covenant, a promise, declaring who inherits all of your belongings when you die. Well, what good is a will if you never die? It's just a sheet of paper, an empty promise. SO IS THE WORD OF GOD. God's Word is a promise to His children, and He could only fulfill this promise by sending His son to this earth to live a perfect life and die for the pardoning of our sins. Could ten thousand angels have come and took Jesus off the cross, and carried Him away to Heaven? Absolutely. But His death was necessary in order for us to be forgiven of our sins. His death was necessary in order for us to inherit eternal life. His death was necessary in order for us receive the free gift of salvation. His death was necessary in order for us to have direct access to His presence. He became the mediator. He purchased our redemption. His death fulfilled the promise, and enforced His will - making us His inheritors. His death ensures our eternal life.
     But, just as a testament without death is meaningless - so is our testimony. If you have never died to your self, then you have never truly accepted the inheritance that Christ promised to you. You must first lay down your life. Spiritually, you must die to the sins of this world. Lay those sins down, pick up the cross of Jesus Christ and follow Him. Forgiveness is waiting for you. Redemption is waiting for you. But more than that, hope is waiting for you. Hope is waiting for you, because God didn't let death become the end of His story. He arose from the grave three days later, giving us the hope of a future, and assuring us that He alone has power over the grave.
     Have you taken the necessary steps in order to assure that your testimony is strengthened and enforced? Christ already made the way. He became the sacrifice, and paid the price that we could not pay ourselves. Have you accepted His offer? The promise of eternal life, that never-ending inheritance, can be yours. All you have to do is pray. Admit that you are a sinner. Confess your sins to Him. Profess that you believe in His death and resurrection. It's that simple. Christ already signed the Last Will and Testament. He signed it with His blood. All that's waiting is your signature. Will you make the choice to die to your sins? Christ will make you a new creation. He will give you a new life greater than anything you could ever imagine.

"Life is a maybe. Death is for sure. Sin is the cause. Christ is the cure."

"I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me."

~ Galatians 2:20 ~

Transitions

     Well, it's official. I am no longer a teenager. This is the first birthday that I actually felt older as soon as the clock struck 12:00. I can't say that it is a happy birthday though, for many reasons. One of the most prominent being that my friend Trey Lida would have been 23 years old today, and instead of celebrating with him, I am turning the age that he was when God called him home. That has been a hard concept to deal with. It really makes me wonder, what am I doing with my life?? Do I have dreams of what I want to do, and visions of what I want my life to look like? Sure. Do I think God has a plan for my life? Of course! But what am I doing TODAY to better the kingdom of God? What am I doing TODAY to make a difference in the life of someone else tomorrow? If God called me home a little over 4 months from now like he did with Trey, would I be ready? If he called me home a year from now like he did with Ariane Patterson, would I be pleased with the life I had lived? Because right now, I honestly feel like I'm just wasting the time that God has so graciously given to me.

     One thing that has been on my mind a lot these last few weeks has been the idea of transitions. Last year at the Verge we did a series on Transitions. When I looked up my notes from the series in my journal, these are some of the scribbling's I found... 

"We are always in transition, always in the middle, always in between two things"

"Who we used to be, who we are now, who we want to be"

"Physical birth, spiritual birth, physical death, eternal life"

"You must die so Christ can live, and you must live so Christ can be made known"

"Transitioning your view of God from who you want Him to be, to who He really is"

"We don't go through transitions to come out the same, God doesn't have you here so you can leave the exact same as you were when you came in"

     Talk about a God moment! Reading those notes from over 4 months ago, God began to speak to me all over again. We go through little transitions all the time in our daily life. But today is a big transition for me. I am no longer a teenager. I can't blend in with the crowd anymore. I can't follow along blindly anymore. I've been hiding from a calling. For years, God has been calling me to LEAD. He's been preparing me for it, but I keep hiding behind the leadership skills of others. When God called Trey home, I felt the calling stronger than ever. But when some of the other leaders grew up and moved on with their lives, I could no longer hide behind them. So I just hid, all alone. Now there is no one to hide behind, and I'm reminded of Adam & Eve, hiding from the presence of the Lord. Nothing is impossible WITH God, but hiding FROM God... now that's impossible! His Holy Spirit dwells WITHIN us. No matter where we run, He's still there. His presence never leaves. The sound of our own voice can't drown out the still small voice of the Holy Spirit, nor can the sounds of the enemy. I can make a choice to turn the other way, and I can blend in with another crowd. But in God's eyes, I would stick out like a sore thumb. His calling would not change. His voice would not change. His presence would not leave. I refuse to go through this period of transition unchanged. I refuse to live a life without purpose. I refuse to live a life unfulfilled. So I'm coming out of hiding. 

This is the vision God has given to me, four clear & distinct purposes...

1) Start a youth worship service

2) Start a young leaders bible study

3) Be a mentor & counselor

4) Write 

There it is. Written out, plain as day. I can't deny it anymore. So I ask that you please hold me accountable. Don't let me lose sight of this vision. As much as I dislike the thought, I am now an adult. There is no denying it. I can't keep planning for my life, and never living it. This is it. This is all I've got. I can't let it pass me by. I've got to make the most of the time God has given me. I pray that I can make the most of whatever time I have left. I pray that I can live a life that makes my Savior proud, and fulfill the plans He has for me.

"But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you."

~ Matthew 6:33 ~

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

~ Jeremiah 29:11 ~

"Let no man despise thy youth, but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity."

~ 1 Timothy 4:12 ~

Healing is a Process

"Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy loving-kindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me. Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest. Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me. Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom. Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice. Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities. Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy Holy Spirit from me. Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit. Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee. Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, thou God of my salvation: and my tongue shall sing aloud of thy righteousness. O Lord, open thou my lips; and my mouth shall show forth thy praise. For thou desirest not sacrifice; else would I give it: thou delightest not in burnt offering. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise."

~ Psalm 51:1-17 ~

     Last week was Human Trafficking Awareness Week at my school. We had multiple events throughout the week to get people informed, make them aware, and show them how they can make a difference. The week culminated with a Needtobreathe concert on Saturday night. Half of all the proceeds from the concert benefited Project Rescue - an organization that helps victims of sexual slavery. The whole week was truly an eye-opening experience. But Project Rescue was by far what made the biggest impact on me. I was just awestruck by how amazing this organization is, and how devoted they are to serving Jesus Christ and helping these woman come out of bondage. Throughout the week God began to break my heart for the women around the world who are in the bondage of sexual slavery. The motto of Project Rescue is "Hope Starts Here" and for them, hope comes in the form of a three step process. First of all, hope comes through the rescue of women who have become victims of sexual slavery. The Project Rescue representatives told us that this rescue often comes in the form of unexpected miraculous events. It can also come in the form of negotiations or raids. The second step towards hope is through the restoration of these young women. They are restored physically through medical exams, mentally through education and vocational training, emotionally through counseling, and spiritually through prayer, bible study, and worship. Finally, hope also comes through prevention. Prevention involves awareness, education, and outreach. I think that Project Rescue's mission is a beautiful and powerful process that is definitely changing lives. The more I thought about it, the more I was reminded of God's "Hope Starts Here" process. You see, we've all been in bondage at one time or another in our lives. Most of us have not been bound by any physical form of slavery, but we've all been bound emotionally, mentally, and spiritually. I was deep in a dark pit of loneliness and doubt when God found me. I was on the verge of depression when He lifted me up. I was bound by the chains of false religion, but He opened my eyes and set me free. Just like with Project Rescue, the hope that God offers comes in three steps. First is the rescue process. Rescue can happen through a raid - God's rushes into your darkness and pulls you out. It can happen through a miracle - God does something completely unexpected and unexplainable to show you that He is God. And finally - God's most common form of rescue is through negotiation, through prayer. He speaks softly to your heart, convinces you of His love, and you in turn surrender your life to Him. The next step of hope comes in the form of redemption - eternal salvation. 1 Corinthians 6:20 and 7:23 tell us that we are bought with a price. God redeemed us; He saved us from sin and the power of Satan when he sent His Son to die. The blood of Jesus Christ purchased our freedom. The third and final step of hope is the process of restoration. This is the one that takes awhile. If we're being honest, the restoration process is never really done. Restoration is the healing process, the spiritual journey, the search for meaning, the period of growth, the daily transformation. Healing is a process. Spiritual cleansing is a process. The renewing of your mind is a process.

Love Casts out Fear: 1 John 4:8 tells us, "There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear." What are you afraid of? When you truly understand the love of God, you will have nothing to fear. God is love. He is perfect, and He has the to ability to cast out our fears. We've got to surrender them to Him though. We've got to show Him our love, and then watch as He takes away our fears. This verse goes on to say, "He that feareth is not made perfect in love." Healing is a process. We are perfection in progress. We are made in the image of God. He is our creator, therefore we must trust Him to restore us. We must fear Him with reverence, not with apprehension - that is the only way we will be made perfect in His love. 

Follow Where He Leads: Have you ever noticed in scripture that whenever Jesus heals someone it's usually after they've been following Him. Luke 9:11 says, "And the people, when they knew it, followed him: and he received them, and spake unto them of the kingdom  of God, and healed them that had need of healing." When the woman with the issue of blood came to Jesus, she came from behind (Matthew 9:20). So many times we think we have the answers, we think we can solve our own problems - so we jump in front of God. Spiritual healing can only take place when get behind Him, and follow wherever He leads. 

Reach Out in Faith: What did the woman do after she got behind Jesus and followed Him? She reached out and touched Him. "For she said within herself, If I may but touch his garment, I shall be whole" (Matthew 9:21). It wasn't the physical touch that released Jesus' power. He was walking through a crowd of people, there is no doubt that others were bumping up against him, but none of them were healed of any sickness. It was the faith that accompanied her touch that brought healing. We may not be able to physically touch Jesus right now, but we can reach out to Him. The Holy Spirit is now what links us to Him, and we can touch the hem of His garment through prayer. When we reach out in faith, believing in the power of His touch, then we too will be made whole. 

Continue in Prayer: Paul tells us in Colossians 4 and Ephesians 6 to continue in prayer, to pray without ceasing. This is something that God has personally been convicting me about lately. You can't pray about something one time and expect God to answer. You have to continue in prayer. Show Him that you're serious about it, show Him your devotion. So many times when God answers our prayer, we stop praying. God knows that, so why would He answer a prayer if answering it means that our communication with Him stops? He desires our friendship and communication. We need to stay in constant communication with Him throughout the day. We need to take our requests to Him on a daily basis, not just in our moment of need. And we can't just use Him as a crutch or someone to complain to or get things from either - we need to take time and thank Him as well. He is worthy of our thanksgiving. 

Study to Show Yourself Approved: Spiritual healing doesn't just come from asking for it in prayer either, you need to study His Word to show yourself approved. 2 Timothy 2:15 says, "Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." God's Word is a lamp to our feet and a light to our path (Psalm 119:105). Everything we need to know about hope, healing, spiritual cleansing, and the renewing of minds is in God's Word. It is His instruction manual to us, our daily inspiration and encouragement. Hide His Word in your heart that you may not sin against Him (Psalm 119:11). Let God's Word speak to you and offer your heart the healing that it so needs and desires. 

Give With a Humble Heart: When I think of humility and having a servants heart, I think of the three Mary's in the Bible. Mary, the mother of Jesus, was obedient to God's calling on her life. She accepted His plan without hesitation, saying, "Be it unto me according to thy word." Mary, sister of Martha and Lazarus, took the time to sit at the feet of Jesus and listen to His Word (Luke 10). She poured out her expensive oil on his feet, and washed his feet with her hair. Martha served the supper, but Lazarus and Mary sat and ate with Jesus. Which is more important? Which offers more healing? In John 12, Judas seemed to be concerned about the poor when Mary started pouring out her expensive oil, but was his motivation genuine? Our service needs to be an act of worship. Our service needs to be done with a humble heart. We are talking about spiritual cleansing, healing, and renewal. Martha was so busy serving Jesus that she lost sight of Jesus Himself. Her service wasn't done as an act of worship, but as an act of duty, and she probably walked away from that dinner feeling more physically drained than spiritual renewed. Judas wasn't focused on Jesus or the poor, but only on himself and money. He neither worshiped nor served Jesus, but only concealed his pride in the form of concern for the poor. Pride is one of the biggest roadblocks of spiritual healing, and so often it is hidden under the disguise of service, worship, or concern for others. Mary poured out what was most valuable to her as an act of worship, she humbled herself to the lowest form to show her love for Christ. In the same way, Mary Magdalene (often believed to be the sinner who washed Jesus' feet in Luke 7) washed His feet with her tears. She didn't have much to give, but she gave all she had, and she held nothing back. She showed no shame, paid no attention to those who judged her, and focused only only Jesus. She showed Him how much she appreciated His forgiveness, and she she showed him her love - and she did it through humble, sincere, and passionate service. She was made whole. Transformed. Cleansed. Renewed. Healed. 

"I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God."

~ Romans 12:1-2 ~

Asking Tough Questions, Getting Tough Answers

My Beloved Daughter and Friend,

Our relationship is not where it needs to be because you are in need of spiritual healing. Your heart is defiled and in need of cleansing, and your mind is in need of renewal. You accepted me six years ago, and since then you've been learning about me... but you have yet to really try and get to know me, you have yet to fully trust and follow me without hesitation, and you have yet to truly show me that you love me with all your heart, mind, soul, and strength. I know you better than you know yourself, and I've shown that to you. I know your deepest desires, and I've tried to fulfill them, but you won't give me control. I've guided your steps and I've spoken to your heart, but I hardly ever hear back from you. Your silence breaks my heart sometimes. I've loved you, more than you will ever understand, and I've demonstrated my love to you in every way possible. I've provided your needs and answered your prayers - even the prayers that you never actually prayed. I even laid down my life for you, just to show you that I love you and desire your friendship. What are you still searching for? Haven't you learned yet that with me you are never alone? I am love, and only my love will satisfy you. I'm waiting patiently for you, and I have great things in store. I've chosen you for a purpose, and I'm not giving up on you.

Always and Forever,

Your Heavenly Father and Best Friend

***

"A false balance is abomination to the Lord: but a just weight is his delight. When pride cometh, then cometh shame: but with the humble is wisdom. The integrity of the upright shall guide them: but the deceit of the unfaithful shall destroy them." 

~ Proverbs 11:1-3 ~

Finishing Well

"I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith."

~ 2 Timothy 4:7 ~

          Last week I read a quote from Beth Moore that really  got me thinking. The question she posed was, "Will you finish your race in the wilderness or in the Promised Land?" She was, of course, referring to Moses, who was unable to enter the Promised Land because he disobeyed God. Moses fought a good fight. He ran the race well. From being protected on the Nile as a baby, to the burning bush, to leading the people out of Egypt, to the parting of the Red Sea, to receiving the commandments of God on Mt. Sinai - Moses was used by God to do extraordinary things. But in Numbers 20 God told him to speak, and instead he smote. One act of disobedience. He didn't believe God, didn't take Him for His promises, and as a result his life ended while he was still in the wilderness. Moses's disobedience did not keep God from providing water to His thirsty children, but it did keep Moses from being able to lead them into the Promised Land (Deuteronomy 34:4). When I was thinking about all of this, I couldn't help but compare Moses to Paul in the New Testament. Paul not only ran the race well, but he also finished well. How many of us will be able to look back on our lives and say, "I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith." The odds are that most of have lost the faith at times. We don't always take God for his promises, we don't always trust what he tells us to do, and sometimes we disobey him because we think that our ways are better. God may continue providing your needs, just as he did for Moses and the children of Israel, but the question is - how will your disobedience affect you in the end? I don't know about you, but just seeing God's plan from a distance is not good enough for me. I want to be able to enter into the Promised Land. I want to be able to live the life God has planned for me, and I don't want my selfish disobedience to get in  the way of that. I want to fight a good fight and not only run the race well, but finish it well too. I want to take God for His promises and trust Him in all things. God used Moses, even in His disobedience, to show us what not to do. He used Paul to show us what to do. What kind of example do you want to be? Moses and Paul were both great men of God who made a lasting impact on the Kingdom of God. They both ran the race well, but only one finished well.
          Now, in looking at this from a different perspective, I looked at the lives of Cassie Bernall and Rachel Joy Scott. Maybe these names sound familiar to you, maybe you've never heard of them. Both of these young women's lives were cut too short, and although I never met them, they both have made a lasting impact on my life and I look forward to talking with them when we meet in Heaven. They are both considered modern  day martyrs because they were killed for their faith in Jesus Christ at Columbine High School just over 13 years ago. Unlike Paul and Moses, both of these girls finished the race well. However, they both took very different paths to get there. I can't explain their stories to you in all of it's depth, so I highly recommend that your read their stories for yourself (She Said Yes by Misty Bernall, Rachel's Tears by Beth Nimmo and Darrell Scott). Cassie did not always run the race well, she went through that rebellious teenage stage, and during that time her life was filled with bitterness, darkness, and anger. But God transformed her, and in the end of her life her faith in God was so strong that, even when confronted by her killers, she did not deny it. Like Paul, Rachel on the other hand, both ran and finished the race well. Of course she had her moments of struggle as well, we all do. But she sought God in all things, she trusted His word, and in the end He led her to the Promised Land - just as He promised.
          Maybe you haven't ran your race well up until this point. That's okay. Paul was a Christian killer before God saved him (Acts 9), and Cassie was involved in all kinds of evil before she surrendered her life to Christ. Just because you didn't start the race well, doesn't mean you can't finish well. Today is a new day, a new beginning. As long as there is air in your lungs, there is still time to make a change. Tomorrow is not promised though, so if you want to finish the race well then you need to start today!

Life and Death

"I lived my life,

I died my death.

But I never lived

And I never died,

The life and death

That mattered most.

For I never

Lived in His death,

Or died to my life."

     This is a poem that was truly InspiredByGod, because I could not have come up with it on my own if I had tried. I was working on my homework, which involved writing a haiku, and I was thinking about springtime. I was thinking about winter dying out, and new life blossoming. Suddenly the phrase, "Death has died, New life is born" came to me. As I pondered that phrase, this poem came to me word for word. The Bible talks multiple times about dying to our sins and being made alive in Christ. But for someone who doesn't know Christ, they have never experienced that and don't know what it is like to die to yourself and live for Christ. They don't know what it is like when death has died and new life is born.  So this poem is, in a way, the final confession of someone who has lived and died without Christ. How will you reflect on life when all is said and done? Please, don't let this poem be your final confession. Christ died to give you new life, and when He arose from the grave, death died and eternal life became His free gift to you. Will you accept His gift of love today? Tomorrow is never promised. Today is the day of salvation.

Transparency

I want to be transparent.

I want to be real.

I'm tired of the fake smiles, masks, and charades.

Church isn't a game to be played,

And being a Christian isn't a role to be performed.

This life wasn't meant to be a stage for us to shine,

We're just running the lights and pointing them to You.

Lord, I don't want to be seen,

But invisibility is not what I'm searching for.

I have a purpose that can't be achieved if I never let them see.

I want to meet You somewhere in the middle.

Let me be transparent,

Let me be real.

Peel back the layers, and uncover my disguise.

Give me strength to let the scars show.

Help me to not be a ashamed of these broken pieces.

You brought me together and made beauty from the ashes,

You created something new and I want them to see.

I want them to want what You've given freely to me.

Let my life be an advertisement promoting Your name.

Father, when the world looks at me,

I pray they see a mirror reflection of You.