II Peter 1

"But know this first of all, that no prophecy of scripture is a matter of one's own interpretation, for no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God." II Peter 1:20-21

This is a reminder that the Bible is not just a bunch of stories made up by men who wrote them ages ago. A reminder that it is truly the spoken word of God, and that it applies yesterday, today and forever. It is living and active!

trying not to think about it

Just doing a little "venting" here... I'm thinking about how stuff at work is really ticking me off.. but in the scheme of things, is it really worth it to get worked up over this? Um, no, it's not. So, I'm going to try and focus on something else besides for myself. Yeah, stuff is screwed-up, but it's not in my control so I need to let it go.

Instead, I should think about how Jeremy Camp is going to be on KLOVE in a few minutes. yippee..

"There will be a day, with no more tears, No more pain, no more fears, There will be a day when the burdens of this place will be no more, we'll see Jesus face to face!" Jeremy Camp

Hebrews 4:12-13
"For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account."

Jeremy Camp Live

www.jeremycamplive.com

I'm so excited, Jeremy Camp's new album comes out today with live recordings of their tunes. I love this band and I'm so thankful they are so bold for Christ.

Desperation

I was listening to a devotional by Jeremy Camp for his song "Surrender," and I was really, completely touched by something he said that I had to write it down. In it, Jeremy Camp says : "The more I walk with the Lord, the closer my walk goes with Him, the more I realize my desperation for Him." I just love this, because it reminds me of the writings of Paul.. "For He has said unto me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.' Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. Therefore, I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties for the sake of Christ, for when I am weak, then I am strong." II Corinthians 12:9-11 (I'm thankful to say I typed that from memory.) In this, I remind myself that when I struggle with something it just allows me to lean on Him more.. that I am desperate for Him!
The quote was taken from one of Jeremy Camp's devotionals for the song "Surrender." It's a reminder that we need to come before the King and daily surrender to Him.
Purify this tainted soul
I'm tired of living life a fool
Soften up this hardened clay
To be a servant this I pray
A reflection of you I long to be
So your kingdom I will seek
I surrender to your throne
I will make my heart your home
Oh I surrender to your throne
I've taken things I thought my own
Only to reap what I've sown
You've given back the years I've fought
Unending love and grace you've brought
Eterna hope and peace you bring
And forever unto you I will sing
I surrender to your throne......Jeremy Camp

releasing the struggles..over and over!

"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." John 16:33

I get so caught up in myself, caught up in my struggles with my demons. I make them so big in my mind and get all tangled up--so much so that I feel I need to leave everything and everyone behind--including my husband and daughter. I am not speaking of dying, but just leaving.. packing up and heading out but, unfortunately, myself will always follow. I know, I know, this sounds horrible, but this is the degree to which this struggle has plagued me. But, I came upon an enlightenment this morning as I was listening to Rita Springer--in this particular song she says "I'm grabbing onto the garments of grace." And it hit me, I need to hold onto His grace and never let go. My God is so, so much bigger than any struggle I could ever conceive in my mind. His Grace Is Enough! These are words and "concepts" that are not new to me, but this time I take them to heart. I make them my prayer. I accept this struggle, Lord, I hold onto it, make it make me feel miserable and ashamed, unworthy of your death and resurrection........... Now, I release it to you. I will rest in your everlasting grace.

For the past few weeks I've been feeling somewhat in a spiritual slump. Realizing that the slump was most likely the result of not spending enough time in the word, I broke out the Bible and a book a dear friend gave me by Jerry Bridges, The Pursuit of Holiness. Instead of "feeling" (Praise God that our true relationship with Him is not just based on our "feelings!") instantly renewed and holy, I felt anxiety and angst. I was so displeased with my lack of willingness to turn away from my repetitive sin---sin that grieves my Lord. I began to question whether or not I was truly His child... whether I had truly taken on the conversion and transformation that this entails. Instead of giving up and turning back to my lackluster life, I pressed on and I prayed. I shared my concerns briefly with Renee, and also with my husband. They were able to open my eyes and my heart to the fact that the anxiety and angst towards my sin are a good thing. Just being cognizant of this alone brought me into a new light and closer to my Savior. Struggling with sin doesn't make me unsaved, it makes me more reliant on Him! Through this reliance I gain humility and seek His grace. Renee pointed out that if I was "perfect" in my battle with sin, I would fall into the sin of pride. I know I will not be perfect, I will not be complete until I meet Him face-to-face on that beautiful day. Until then, I will seek to do His will, to be grieved by my sins as much as they grieve my Savior and rely on His grace, faith and love.

A bush in the desert or a tree by the stream?

This is not very original, because I am 'copying' the encouraging word from K-Love radio on June 1st. The scripture was from Jeremiah, which I admit, is not a chapter I turn to frequently when I pick up my Bible. It brought to me great encouragement (hence the name, "encouraging word") in my walk with our most Heavenly Father. When I feel like I'm being attacked by the enemy, I still need to perservere and find my solace and strength in the Lord. (His power is perfected in my weakness!)
Thus says the Lord,
"Cursed is the man who trusts in mankind
And makes flesh his strength,
And whose heart turns away from the Lord.
"For he will be like a bush in the desert
And will not see when prosperity comes,
But will live in stony wastes in the wilderness,
A land of salt without inhabitant.
"Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord
And whose trust is the Lord.
"For he will be like a tree planted by the water,
That extends its roots by a stream
And will not fear when the heat comes;
But its leaves will be green,
And it will not be anxious in a year of drought
Nor cease to yield fruit. " Jeremiah 17: 5-8
Lord, help me to place my trust in you, to not seek approval from my peers, co-workers, friends! Help me to be bold and courageous in my walk with you, so that my roots will be planted firm by your living water! Help me to withstand the "heat" from the enemy who prowls around and seeks to devour!