Yesterday, in conversation with one of my co-workers who was a direct hire into the position I would like to be hired on as (I'm currently a temp), I came to find out how much take home pay he gets each check. It's something like $1000 more a month than I make now. Wow. One of my goals in this job is to be hired full time as a process operator (the position I mentioned above), and should that happen, and that really is the starting pay, I could get completely out of debt in 20 months and be able to support a family.
Tonight, at Ignite, I couldn't get this idea out of my head, and it was distracting me from worshiping the Lord. I found my self singing one thing with my brain actively saying "I hope I get that position. I hope in this. Hope hope hope." Note the train of thought here is focused on hoping in getting a job, not in Christ. My active hope in that moment was in making money and having a good position.
Yet the Bible tells us not to hope in money. In fact, if identifies doing so as idolatry. No servant can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money. - Luke 16:13. So as my good friend Bryan Morton put it tonight, "We have this enemy, and he's going to try to pull us away from God, and to do that, he's going to bait the line with good things. Getting out of debt, that's a good thing, but our hope is only in that, then it's bad."
So my prayer is this: God, don't let me hope in a good job, good paycheck and a good future. Let me trust you in your infinate goodness, holiness and wisdom, that your plan is perfect. You alone are worthy of my trust.
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Monday, June 29, 2009
my awesome day of answered prayer...
So this morning I was running late. One of those days where I kept forgetting everything upstairs. I almost made it all the way to my car before realizing that I didn't have my keys on me. That sort of morning. So as I drove to work, almost ten minutes later than I usually leave, I started praying. I prayed that God would get me to work on time, even though I had left late. I prayed that I would be awake and alert all day. I prayed that I would have fruitful conversation and would be a good representative of Christ.
I called my boss and told him that I would be arriving just as he was finishing the morning meeting. Somehow, I managed to get to work before he had even started. Then, I was put on a process that I really enjoyed, working with a guy that I hadn't gotten to work with in over a month, and the conversation just led into the gospel!
So in answer to my prayer, 1) I was right on time to work. 2) I was put on a job that kept me awake, alert and made my day fly by, and 3) I got to share the gospel.
God rocks!
I called my boss and told him that I would be arriving just as he was finishing the morning meeting. Somehow, I managed to get to work before he had even started. Then, I was put on a process that I really enjoyed, working with a guy that I hadn't gotten to work with in over a month, and the conversation just led into the gospel!
So in answer to my prayer, 1) I was right on time to work. 2) I was put on a job that kept me awake, alert and made my day fly by, and 3) I got to share the gospel.
God rocks!
Saturday, June 20, 2009
Some verses I read today...
I was reading in Lamentations today, when I stumbled accross these verses:
Lamentations 3:25-27 - The Lord is good to those who wait for him to the soul who seeks him. It is good that one should wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord. It is good that he bear the yoke in his youth.
Yesterday, as I was driving and Conlan was snoozing, I was praying. I was praying about a situation in my life that needed some guidance, and I asked God to please give me a verse the next time I opened my Bible concerning whether I should take action now or wait and see what happens. It is good that one should wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord. Sweet.
Then, I read on and got these verses which are a strong comfort to me in many situations:
Lamentations 3:31-33 - For the Lord does not cast off forever, but though he cause grief, he will have compassion according to the abundance of his steadfast love. For he does not willingly afflict or grieve the children of men.
No good parent wants to hurt his children, but there is a difference between discipline and affliction. God does not afflict his children, though he disciplines us as any good parent does. So when God asks me to sacrifice, it is not to push me down, but it is to his glory for my best.
Praise up!
Lamentations 3:25-27 - The Lord is good to those who wait for him to the soul who seeks him. It is good that one should wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord. It is good that he bear the yoke in his youth.
Yesterday, as I was driving and Conlan was snoozing, I was praying. I was praying about a situation in my life that needed some guidance, and I asked God to please give me a verse the next time I opened my Bible concerning whether I should take action now or wait and see what happens. It is good that one should wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord. Sweet.
Then, I read on and got these verses which are a strong comfort to me in many situations:
Lamentations 3:31-33 - For the Lord does not cast off forever, but though he cause grief, he will have compassion according to the abundance of his steadfast love. For he does not willingly afflict or grieve the children of men.
No good parent wants to hurt his children, but there is a difference between discipline and affliction. God does not afflict his children, though he disciplines us as any good parent does. So when God asks me to sacrifice, it is not to push me down, but it is to his glory for my best.
Praise up!
Friday, April 10, 2009
reflecting...
The last three months have been a time of trial for me. On Feb 2nd, I was laid off from my job. In that time, I've sent in about 40-50 applications and got a total of three interviews, one of which I got the time wrong and missed it completely. However, God is a faithful provider and he gave me a job that I start monday.
But in the last three months, I've had to struggle through not having enough money, having to lean on others for help, fight to maintain identity and some semblance of self worth, saying good bye to good friends, and about a month ago, I broke down completely. I couldn't do it anymore. I had no strength left of my own, but I had to keep on going.
So while driving around Horsetooth, sobbing and crying out to God, he spoke a simple truth to me: I should be the source of your strength, your hope, your courage and your joy. You have failed because you wanted to find worth in prestigious work, the beautiful girl and the ability to help anyone with any problem at any time. You wanted to find worth in people pursuing you for fun times as well as for deep conversation and council. You wanted to find worth in the creation and not in me. That's why you're on empty. That's why you have no where to go now, but to me. Find these things in me, put yourself aside and I will provide them for you.
Today is Good Friday, the celebration of the Death of Jesus Christ. He lived a perfectly sinless life, in total communion with his Father, God. He is our example in this life of obedience and service. However, today is the celebration of his death, and just as Christ died to self and went on to be sacrificed for our sins, we ought to die to ourselves for the sake of Christ. This is impossible to do, however, unless we are connected to the source of our hope and joy, that is Christ. In two days, we celebrate Easter Sunday, the celebration of his ressurection, and just as Christ was raised from the dead, so we are raised to new life in him, for him and through him.
But in the last three months, I've had to struggle through not having enough money, having to lean on others for help, fight to maintain identity and some semblance of self worth, saying good bye to good friends, and about a month ago, I broke down completely. I couldn't do it anymore. I had no strength left of my own, but I had to keep on going.
So while driving around Horsetooth, sobbing and crying out to God, he spoke a simple truth to me: I should be the source of your strength, your hope, your courage and your joy. You have failed because you wanted to find worth in prestigious work, the beautiful girl and the ability to help anyone with any problem at any time. You wanted to find worth in people pursuing you for fun times as well as for deep conversation and council. You wanted to find worth in the creation and not in me. That's why you're on empty. That's why you have no where to go now, but to me. Find these things in me, put yourself aside and I will provide them for you.
Today is Good Friday, the celebration of the Death of Jesus Christ. He lived a perfectly sinless life, in total communion with his Father, God. He is our example in this life of obedience and service. However, today is the celebration of his death, and just as Christ died to self and went on to be sacrificed for our sins, we ought to die to ourselves for the sake of Christ. This is impossible to do, however, unless we are connected to the source of our hope and joy, that is Christ. In two days, we celebrate Easter Sunday, the celebration of his ressurection, and just as Christ was raised from the dead, so we are raised to new life in him, for him and through him.
Monday, March 23, 2009
some comforting verses...
Deuteronomy 31:6 - Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you."
Joshua 1:5 - No one will be able to stand up against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you.
Matthew 28:20b - And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.
John 10:27-30 - My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father's hand. I and the Father are one.
Luke 12:7 - Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.
Psalm 139:1-10 - O LORD, you have searched me
and you know me.
Joshua 1:5 - No one will be able to stand up against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you.
Matthew 28:20b - And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.
John 10:27-30 - My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father's hand. I and the Father are one.
Luke 12:7 - Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.
Psalm 139:1-10 - O LORD, you have searched me
and you know me.
You know when I sit and when I rise;
you perceive my thoughts from afar.
You discern my going out and my lying down;
you are familiar with all my ways.
Before a word is on my tongue
you know it completely, O LORD.
You hem me in—behind and before;
you have laid your hand upon me.
Such knowledge is too wonderful for me,
too lofty for me to attain.
Where can I go from your Spirit?
Where can I flee from your presence?
If I go up to the heavens, you are there;
if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.
If I rise on the wings of the dawn,
if I settle on the far side of the sea,
even there your hand will guide me,
your right hand will hold me fast.
Saturday, February 28, 2009
You are my King, O God;
ordain salvation for Jacob!
Through you we push down our foes;
through your name we tread down those who rise up against us.
For not in my bow do I trust,
nor can my sword save me.
But you have saved us from our foes
and have put to shame those who hate us.
In God we have boasted continually,
and we will give thanks to your name forever.
-Psalm 44: 6-8
I was once given an audio book by my good friend Mike entitled "I am not, but I know I AM". The entire focus of the book is that I am infinitely small, but God is infinitely large, powerful, in control, and the purpose of the entire universe's existence centers on him. How often do I need to be reminded of the fact that my life, being a part of that universe that he created, centers on him as well, and that the universe does not center on me.
More than that, how much does God want us to rely on him for victory so that we can boast in him, and not in ourselves. This is the very foundation of our faith, that it is God who chose us and saved us, and it is by faith that we are saved, not by our actions, so that it is God who is glorified, not us. I can say nothing of my own salvation except to point to God and say, "he did it all, not me."
ordain salvation for Jacob!
Through you we push down our foes;
through your name we tread down those who rise up against us.
For not in my bow do I trust,
nor can my sword save me.
But you have saved us from our foes
and have put to shame those who hate us.
In God we have boasted continually,
and we will give thanks to your name forever.
-Psalm 44: 6-8
I was once given an audio book by my good friend Mike entitled "I am not, but I know I AM". The entire focus of the book is that I am infinitely small, but God is infinitely large, powerful, in control, and the purpose of the entire universe's existence centers on him. How often do I need to be reminded of the fact that my life, being a part of that universe that he created, centers on him as well, and that the universe does not center on me.
More than that, how much does God want us to rely on him for victory so that we can boast in him, and not in ourselves. This is the very foundation of our faith, that it is God who chose us and saved us, and it is by faith that we are saved, not by our actions, so that it is God who is glorified, not us. I can say nothing of my own salvation except to point to God and say, "he did it all, not me."
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Ephesians 1... I love it!
Tonight, I was reading Ephesians 1:3-14, and decided to break it down into a list. I do this sometimes, but I wanted to cut through the beautiful language and get to the meat of the passage. It says so much about who God is towards us, but always keeps one thing running through the entire section: The praise of God's glorious grace. Everything he does is to the praise of his glory, which is central to our identity as believers of Jesus Christ. Our very being is to the praise of God, not ourselves, therefore our entire existence should reflect his glory. So, here's what the passage says:
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, 4 even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love 5 he predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, 6 to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved. 7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, 8which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight 9 making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ 10as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth.
1. He blessed us (v. 3)
2. He chose us before the creation of the world (v. 4)
2a. Which means that he planned for us.
3. He made us holy and blameless before him. (v. 4)
4. He loves us (v. 4)
5. He predestined (or planned. see no. 2) our adoption (v. 5)
6. He adopted us as his sons (v. 5)
7. He did this according to his will, so he wanted us (v. 5)
8. He blessed us with his grace in Christ. (v. 6)
9. He has redeemed us (v. 7)
10. He has forgiven us (v. 7)
11. He has lavished his grace on us (v. 8)
12. He has made his will known to us (v. 8)
13. He unites all things in him, including us (v. 9)
14. He has given us an inheritance. (v. 11)
15. We are to his praise of his glory (v. 12)
16. We are sealed with the Holy Spirit (v. 13)
17. We are guaranteed our inheritance - the Holy Spirit (v. 14)
What does this passage say about God?
1. Take the list about us, and switch the wording around. He does all of these things.
2. He plans, and is in complete control of creation. (vs. 3, 4, 5, 8, 9, 10, 11)
3. He is to be praised (vs. 3, 6, 7, 12)
4. His is merciful (forgiving sins and giving grace). (vs. 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
All in all, we can look at this passage in one of three ways: We can see how much we are blessed, we can see how amazing God is, or we can see both. If we look at this from only the first perspective, it puts the focus on us, and we can easily distort this to say that we are the center of God's attention. If we focus on only the second, then we miss out on the amazing blessings that come from a life given to God. But if we focus on the third, then we see that God blesses us for the purpose of bringing himself glory. God's main concern is with his own glory, but that is the best thing for us as humans. Even in blessing us, God is still the center of the story, not us. I love this passage because it shows me that, even in my blessing, I am not the center of the universe, God is in complete control, and I can live in complete abandonment to him.
Praise up!
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, 4 even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love 5 he predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, 6 to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved. 7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, 8which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight 9 making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ 10as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth.
11In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will, 12so that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of his glory. 13In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, 14who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.
What does this passage say about us as believers?1. He blessed us (v. 3)
2. He chose us before the creation of the world (v. 4)
2a. Which means that he planned for us.
3. He made us holy and blameless before him. (v. 4)
4. He loves us (v. 4)
5. He predestined (or planned. see no. 2) our adoption (v. 5)
6. He adopted us as his sons (v. 5)
7. He did this according to his will, so he wanted us (v. 5)
8. He blessed us with his grace in Christ. (v. 6)
9. He has redeemed us (v. 7)
10. He has forgiven us (v. 7)
11. He has lavished his grace on us (v. 8)
12. He has made his will known to us (v. 8)
13. He unites all things in him, including us (v. 9)
14. He has given us an inheritance. (v. 11)
15. We are to his praise of his glory (v. 12)
16. We are sealed with the Holy Spirit (v. 13)
17. We are guaranteed our inheritance - the Holy Spirit (v. 14)
What does this passage say about God?
1. Take the list about us, and switch the wording around. He does all of these things.
2. He plans, and is in complete control of creation. (vs. 3, 4, 5, 8, 9, 10, 11)
3. He is to be praised (vs. 3, 6, 7, 12)
4. His is merciful (forgiving sins and giving grace). (vs. 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
All in all, we can look at this passage in one of three ways: We can see how much we are blessed, we can see how amazing God is, or we can see both. If we look at this from only the first perspective, it puts the focus on us, and we can easily distort this to say that we are the center of God's attention. If we focus on only the second, then we miss out on the amazing blessings that come from a life given to God. But if we focus on the third, then we see that God blesses us for the purpose of bringing himself glory. God's main concern is with his own glory, but that is the best thing for us as humans. Even in blessing us, God is still the center of the story, not us. I love this passage because it shows me that, even in my blessing, I am not the center of the universe, God is in complete control, and I can live in complete abandonment to him.
Praise up!
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