some things i have been studying the past few weeks are:
1. predistination
2. freedom in Christ (new covenant & Jesus)
3. battle of the mind
lets just say. its been a unique few weeks. could these subjects be any more larger and include any more detail?? when God calls us to grow, we better be ready, and we better know our stuff. im really being challenged this week only because i believe what i believe because i was told what to believe, and now, i'm learning it needs to be MY personal belief.
my devos this week:
in Hebrews 12 Moses sees a burning bush. (this is a very simplified version :) ). Moses was warned by God "do not come closer". God restrained Moses for a good reason! God knew an unholy man would face death in the presence of a holy God. His words of rejection were actually words of love and words of compassion. In this story we see a contrast between Gods LAW and Gods GRACE.
Law: do not come any closer because you are NOT worthy
Grace: i have made you worthy through Jesus!
Because of the new covenant, and Gods grace through Jesus, we are commanded and called to "COME".
isaiah 55 "come"
matthew 11:28 "come to me"
hebrews author states, "you have come to God!"
james 4 "come near to God"
revelation even wraps up the whole bible with mentioning "come" several times
His law warns us, yet is grace welcomes us. Jesus came to the earth so that we can come to God!!
Monday, March 12, 2012
Monday, January 23, 2012
{our story}
Joel and I met in the spring of 2009 and the second we met I honestly remember thinking to myself, “what if I marry this boy?” Who knew…!
One of the first moments I knew that Joel and I would be great together was a trip to Chicago that we took with some friends. Joel was the most patient driver I have ever ridden with- I was amazed. With my road rage, I knew that this would be a good fit for me. His peace and patience made the day perfect and I loved watching how he enjoyed life. I remember coming home and being excited that I had found a friend that I had felt safe and at peace with!
We started hanging out more over the summer of 2009. Joel doesn’t talk much, and he began to get flirty over text.I finally got it out of him that he liked me, and our first date was August 4th, 2009. Our first date happened to be 3 days into a 21 day cleanse that I was doing. Lucky him! I knew that I would let him hold my hand that night when I saw that he had made me a fruit platter…it was gorgeous. His mom later asked about the date, and I told her what he had made, and she said, “Sara Jo! He CUT fruit? My son CUT fruit? He must love you. He has never cut fruit. You need to marry him now.”
Our second date included the game “20 Questions” in order to get him to open up – we became best friends that night.
A month after dating, and convincing others over and over again that we were just “dating”, we decided to go to GCC’s first Wednesday service. It was honestly the most awkward service I have ever sat through. I wanted to die. All that week Joel and I had discussed taking the next step, but he was so nervous. Once the Pastor started talking, my face turned bright red and I wanted to run out. The guy next to me, I’m sure, was wondering why I was looking at him the whole time, because I couldn’t look over at Joel. The pastor continued to talk about how in life, we are faced with scary situations and sometimes we just need to “jump” and trust that God will take care of us. He said that when we jump, we are not jumping into an abyss, but we are jumping into the arms of God, who will protect us and bless our decision.
The next morning, I woke up with a few text messages that he had sent me over night. It had been obvious that he had not been up all night praying about us. The last text I got said, “I'm ready to jump…will you jump with me?”
What a great way to wake up!
We became official on September 5th, 2009, became engaged March 17th, 2010, and got married August 6th, 2010. We got married on our 11th month of being together, and celebrated 1 year of dating after a month of marriage. There are countless times where God had made clear the direction of our relationship. Many times, it was the simple prayer of “God, put our hearts where they need to be, because this is going so fast!” But of course, God knew what He was doing, and of course, we were terrified at times, but that is what made it an amazing journey. My marriage to Joel has been such a blessing. God truly blesses those who love Him and “jump” into His will for their lives- and I am truly honored to fall in love with the same person every day.
Wednesday, January 18, 2012
{everyone is on God's heart}
Yesterday I went to Meijer to buy clocks for JAM. When I walked out, I had realized it had started to rain and said out loud, "Seriously??". As I gathered my bags out of my cart, this man came out from the corner, took his headphones off and asked if he could bother me a second. Now I admit, I get upset when people ask for money. I'm guilty of always assuming that everyone has friends like me that I can call and they would do anything for me. I said he could and he proceeded to tell me that he lost his wallet. I asked where he needed to go and he said downtown. I offered to find a ride for him and he said no, so I left.
I pulled into the church parking lot and turned around. I thought to myself, I am pathetic, I can give away $20.
I parked and ran back in. I went up to him and said, "So...you say you lost your wallet...did you report it?" He said he had and he lost it on the bus. Well, then I felt dumb. This was a true story. I pulled out my $20 and gave it to him. He told me he only needed a few dollars to get on the bus and that he would give me change. He wanted to re-pay me and I told him no and that I didn't want that. I said if he ever wanted to thank me, he can stop by the Vineyard. Next thing I knew, we were both getting emotional. Right then, the bus pulled up and I said, "is that your bus?" He said, "now it is- I got to go get change". We exchanged names and I left.
I was then overwhelmed and cried all the way back to work...only because I knew that man was on Gods heart, and I had obeyed.
My final thought from this encounter is this- I am constantly reminded by the world that my financial situation cannot afford to help others. I mean, I really don't have money to just "hand out". Yet God reminded me that because of HIM, I always have time and money to help others, because its not MY money, its HIS...
I pulled into the church parking lot and turned around. I thought to myself, I am pathetic, I can give away $20.
I parked and ran back in. I went up to him and said, "So...you say you lost your wallet...did you report it?" He said he had and he lost it on the bus. Well, then I felt dumb. This was a true story. I pulled out my $20 and gave it to him. He told me he only needed a few dollars to get on the bus and that he would give me change. He wanted to re-pay me and I told him no and that I didn't want that. I said if he ever wanted to thank me, he can stop by the Vineyard. Next thing I knew, we were both getting emotional. Right then, the bus pulled up and I said, "is that your bus?" He said, "now it is- I got to go get change". We exchanged names and I left.
I was then overwhelmed and cried all the way back to work...only because I knew that man was on Gods heart, and I had obeyed.
My final thought from this encounter is this- I am constantly reminded by the world that my financial situation cannot afford to help others. I mean, I really don't have money to just "hand out". Yet God reminded me that because of HIM, I always have time and money to help others, because its not MY money, its HIS...
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
{worship thought}
"ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. for everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened."
i feel like this verse really portrays how i've seen WORSHIP lately. it all started this past spring with me being challenged to "see myself at the throne" when i worship. i have also always been challenged to "mean what you sing" while worshipping.
this year how i worship has completely changed, and i'm so grateful! it did just start off with me forcing myself to imagine me being at the feet of Jesus...and over time God has blessed that and made it so much more.
while i worship...i imagine that i am at the feet of Jesus and my whole past week of good and bad circumstances come to mind. i find myself thanking Him for all the blessings that past week, and pleaing for better outcomes than what i see coming.
what do you see when you worship?
do you hear God when you worship?
Saturday, November 12, 2011
{thankful}
things i am thankful for...
1. my husband: joel is such an understanding, hard-working,compassionate and loving husband. he is definately my better half. he calms me down, defends me, loves me, challenges me, and reminds me every day by his actions of how lucky i am to have married someone completely opposite of me:) he makes me laugh every day..fo real
2. family: i am thankful that my in-laws and parents hang out even when joel and i are not around. i love that they go out for dinner together and go to each others houses to visit without worrying whether or not joel and i will be there. i love that i am still close to my parents and can talk to my in-laws about anything! its such a blessing to have your parents and in-laws always in constant support of your marriage and who you are as a person.
3. my car: God told me the other day, "sara, your car will not die". needless to say, i wish i was getting a new car soon, but again, its not a priority!...i guess :) so i am thankful it will survive whatever we encounter until the proper time.
4. our apartment: i love my apartment. true, i complain about it sometimes. but its space that we NEED. my biggest worry is that we buy a house that has un-needed space. when we move, i will miss having to re-organize the closet every time i do laundry just so it all fits again...and i will miss my whole apartment being a laundry room.
5. my job/my church: LOVE my job. i love the kids, i love my volunteers, and i love how Jesus is working at the Vineyard. i love that we love people and i love that i am loved there as well. its such an open and honest place, where God is present and the Holy Spirit is always active. i love that prayer is a priority! the friends/support i have there is such a fun and loving aspect of my life. i couldnt imagine my life without those people!
6. small group/friends: i am so grateful that joel and i have a group of friends that we, hmmm, probably hang out with about every night. and some that come over once a week! :) i love living life with all of them! they bring so much laughter to joel and i's life. and i love that we each have others to go to and enjoy time with even when were in our pjs.
7. marriage: i love my marriage. i love that God has blessed our marriage and i love that it is easy for us to seek God in our marriage. marriage has been a blast :)
8. Jesus/God/Holy Spirit: i would be doing this whole paragraph in caps if i could :) i love being in love with Jesus. i love that i can talk to God and know that He hears me. i love that the Holy Spirit is alive and active in my life and has allowed so many blessings upon me, joel, and our marriage. i love that despite what people say, God still reigns. i love that He is the judge, and we are not. i love that He is in control, no matter what people do. i love that He is compassionate, yet just. that He blesses, yet punishes. God is God. and i love that i am not in charge of my own life! i love that He has it planned out for me already, and i can just enjoy the ride while loving Him.
what are you thankful for? lets not skip to Christmas!
1. my husband: joel is such an understanding, hard-working,compassionate and loving husband. he is definately my better half. he calms me down, defends me, loves me, challenges me, and reminds me every day by his actions of how lucky i am to have married someone completely opposite of me:) he makes me laugh every day..fo real
2. family: i am thankful that my in-laws and parents hang out even when joel and i are not around. i love that they go out for dinner together and go to each others houses to visit without worrying whether or not joel and i will be there. i love that i am still close to my parents and can talk to my in-laws about anything! its such a blessing to have your parents and in-laws always in constant support of your marriage and who you are as a person.
3. my car: God told me the other day, "sara, your car will not die". needless to say, i wish i was getting a new car soon, but again, its not a priority!...i guess :) so i am thankful it will survive whatever we encounter until the proper time.
4. our apartment: i love my apartment. true, i complain about it sometimes. but its space that we NEED. my biggest worry is that we buy a house that has un-needed space. when we move, i will miss having to re-organize the closet every time i do laundry just so it all fits again...and i will miss my whole apartment being a laundry room.
5. my job/my church: LOVE my job. i love the kids, i love my volunteers, and i love how Jesus is working at the Vineyard. i love that we love people and i love that i am loved there as well. its such an open and honest place, where God is present and the Holy Spirit is always active. i love that prayer is a priority! the friends/support i have there is such a fun and loving aspect of my life. i couldnt imagine my life without those people!
6. small group/friends: i am so grateful that joel and i have a group of friends that we, hmmm, probably hang out with about every night. and some that come over once a week! :) i love living life with all of them! they bring so much laughter to joel and i's life. and i love that we each have others to go to and enjoy time with even when were in our pjs.
7. marriage: i love my marriage. i love that God has blessed our marriage and i love that it is easy for us to seek God in our marriage. marriage has been a blast :)
8. Jesus/God/Holy Spirit: i would be doing this whole paragraph in caps if i could :) i love being in love with Jesus. i love that i can talk to God and know that He hears me. i love that the Holy Spirit is alive and active in my life and has allowed so many blessings upon me, joel, and our marriage. i love that despite what people say, God still reigns. i love that He is the judge, and we are not. i love that He is in control, no matter what people do. i love that He is compassionate, yet just. that He blesses, yet punishes. God is God. and i love that i am not in charge of my own life! i love that He has it planned out for me already, and i can just enjoy the ride while loving Him.
what are you thankful for? lets not skip to Christmas!
Monday, September 26, 2011
{He is close}
"the Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit" -psalm 34:18
this past month has been a doozy. growing up, we are so careless, and we always assume that relationships and life will stay the same, right? and then life happens. and kids become individuals, adults. and sometimes, life takes you different directions. even if we are family, we are different people.
this month, i feel like i'm learning another lesson that God wants to teach me. and i always find myself weary and exhausted in saying, "again!?? i JUST learned another lesson!"...sometimes i've heard God go, "i know...deal with it"
of course, i'm not positive He says this, but i feel it. it may be me telling myself to shut up and just do what i feel i need to do. i realize i keep learning lessons because i'm a crappy human being. i dont deserve any of the love and grace that has been given to me. but God loves me. God gives me NEW mercies every day. it amazes me! i'm loved! i'm forgiven! yet i'm such a horrible person! :)
im not iffy on sharing how i feel about this. because i think a lot of us feel this way when we re-encounter the undeserving, overwhelming love that our God has for each and every one of us.
"no eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love Him- but God has revealed it to us by His spirit"
1 Corinthians 2:9-10
this past month has been a doozy. growing up, we are so careless, and we always assume that relationships and life will stay the same, right? and then life happens. and kids become individuals, adults. and sometimes, life takes you different directions. even if we are family, we are different people.
this month, i feel like i'm learning another lesson that God wants to teach me. and i always find myself weary and exhausted in saying, "again!?? i JUST learned another lesson!"...sometimes i've heard God go, "i know...deal with it"
of course, i'm not positive He says this, but i feel it. it may be me telling myself to shut up and just do what i feel i need to do. i realize i keep learning lessons because i'm a crappy human being. i dont deserve any of the love and grace that has been given to me. but God loves me. God gives me NEW mercies every day. it amazes me! i'm loved! i'm forgiven! yet i'm such a horrible person! :)
im not iffy on sharing how i feel about this. because i think a lot of us feel this way when we re-encounter the undeserving, overwhelming love that our God has for each and every one of us.
"no eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love Him- but God has revealed it to us by His spirit"
1 Corinthians 2:9-10
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
{God will NOT fail me}
saying that "God will NOT fail me" is not a selfish thing. its not me saying i'm better than anyone, or that i have it all together. whats it saying? its saying that i believe and have faith that God fulfills HIS promises to even the least of these...me.
in the Bible, God has SO MANY promises about love, forgiveness, salvation, the Holy spirit, everlasting love, encouragement, provision, hope, blessings, answered prayers, Christ returning, peace, joy, freedom! are you sick, depressed, disappointed, tempted, weak, afraid, doubtful, fearful, grieving, suffering, having trouble obeying authority?
SO MANY ANSWERS...if only we took the time to read the scripture and be re-assured of Gods promises!
"no eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who LOVE HIM" 1 Corinthians 2:9
my hope is that every day i continue to love my Savior, who has promised me every good thing that He has. sometimes i feel so stupid for being doubtful and unfaithful to Him. yet He is faithful to me.
how unworthy! HOW LOVED! God works for the GOOD of those who LOVE HIM... such hope that we can cling too!
in the Bible, God has SO MANY promises about love, forgiveness, salvation, the Holy spirit, everlasting love, encouragement, provision, hope, blessings, answered prayers, Christ returning, peace, joy, freedom! are you sick, depressed, disappointed, tempted, weak, afraid, doubtful, fearful, grieving, suffering, having trouble obeying authority?
SO MANY ANSWERS...if only we took the time to read the scripture and be re-assured of Gods promises!
"no eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who LOVE HIM" 1 Corinthians 2:9
my hope is that every day i continue to love my Savior, who has promised me every good thing that He has. sometimes i feel so stupid for being doubtful and unfaithful to Him. yet He is faithful to me.
how unworthy! HOW LOVED! God works for the GOOD of those who LOVE HIM... such hope that we can cling too!
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