A Couple Thoughts

I haven't done my devotions yet tonight, plan on doing them right after this. So I don't really have any bible verses to base this one although I'm sure it'd only take me a couple minutes to find some. No, this time I was sitting here enjoying some great music and praising God. Whenever I listen to Christian music I really like to focus on the lyrics, you can learn so much from song lyrics and they can be just as inspiring as the word is. A couple of the songs made me think back on the post I had written a couple days ago on God's love for us. It also made me think that it's so important that we don't just keep that wonderful love to ourselves. God's love must be shared! I was listening to Brandon Heath- Give me your eyes-
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P5AkNqLuVgY&ob=av2e
Love that song. I want that, I want the Lord to give me his eyes so I can truly see what is going on around me and show unconditional love and share the word of God with them. I so badly want to go into mission work, I don't know how I'll get there but I know it starts with where I am right here and now. Mission work isn't just going out to Asia, China, or some place like that. Mission work can be done anywhere, including right here in Calgary, Alberta. There are so many people here that need to know God. I always hear people talking about how their so excited for the Lord to come back, well as excited as I am also to spend eternity with him.. I'm not ready for him to come back, it makes me sad to think that I'd be going to heaven because I'm saved but there are so many that ended up going to hell. Everyone has a chance to learn about God and know him, and some people will get that chance through you if you can get up the courage to talk with them. I guess it bugs me that there are Christians all over the place being slaughtered for their faith in the Lord meanwhile I'm sitting here in a comfy bed blogging about my faith. I shouldn't just be writing, I need to be living it also. I guess I just don't really know where to start, as well as I am quite nervous to talk to people about such a huge thing. I guess that's where trusting God comes in, can't remember what verse it is or where it is in the bible, forgive me for misquotation as I don't know the exact words but it talks about how we should not be troubled when talking to people about the Lord, because at the right time he will give us the words to say, he will be speaking to them through us! I'd love to be used by the Lord in that way! What better way to be used than to have the Lord speaking to people through us and bringing them to know his amazing and powerful love? I don't know what else to say, I guess that's it really. I just think it's so important not only to have God's love and have your faith in God, but also to go out and share it! After all, that is why we're here! Another great song is Flyleaf- Cassie (Acoustic version)- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F-EBHBZJAmw&NR=1&feature=fvwp
"Don't be shocked that people die, be surprised you're still alive." Such a powerful line, but I need to go do my devotions now so I can head to bed, leave a comment and tell me what you think on that line and this post! Continue keeping your relationships with God real and share it with others also.

Another post on Faith and Trust

Been reading a lot on things to do with faith and trust in God lately. I started off reading in Ephesians where it was simply talking about how great God's love for us is and it made me think of how much God really does deserve our praise and faith in Him. Then I started reading in James, because I love that book. James 1:6 says-

"But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind." (NIV)

I've always had this verse memorised, and like I said in my last post I don't know why because I never really knew the meaning of it till recently. Now I can read it and the meaning is so clear- God wants us to trust him. If you are struggling with something in life and ask for God's help, but don't really believe he's going to help or that he is able. I'm sorry but nothing is going to change, if you want that problem to change then you need to learn to trust God and have faith in him. I don't know why cause it doesn't really connect with this verse so great but on the topic of faith in my head I thought of Job. So I started reading there where I have another two favourite verses.

"The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; may the name of the Lord be praised"
Job 1:21 (NIV)

"Shall we accept good from God and not trouble?" Job 2:10 (NIV)

I've actually always found these verses funny. Not in a bad way of course, but just thinking that it's so true! We are always so quick and happy to accept anything good given to us from God as a blessing, but as soon as we're given a hardship we whine, complain, tell God that our life isn't fair, and just kind of lose our faith and trust in Him. Reminds me of the Israelites and when they were in the desert. They were very glad to praise God when they were delivered from Egypt, but as soon as God tested their faith along came the complaints. They lost their faith. Don't let hardships in life cause you to lose faith, because faith is extremely powerful.

"I tell you the truth, if you have faith, and do not doubt, not only can you do what was done to the fig tree, but also you can say to the mountain, 'Go, throw yourself into the sea,' and it will be done." Matthew 21:21 (NIV)

Now, I really hate to break it to you, but that mountain over there isn't going to throw itself into the ocean for you unless you have some sort of secret power us regular humans don't know about. But, this verse really is a great example at just how powerful your faith in God can be. If you truly trust God, then he can do some very amazing miracles in your life.

Prayer in Faith

But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind.  James 1:6 (NKJV)

That's always been one of my favourite verses. I honestly have no clue why though, because I never really knew the true meaning to it. I always told myself that someday I would learn the meaning to it. Well lately, God has been teaching me the meaning. I've always had pride issues; I hate asking for things, and when I do I never believe I'll actually get it. Even if it's something I actually need. Whenever I prayed to God I never really trusted that he would pull through and help or do what I was praying for. Something I've realised lately, that the only way it works is if you actually pray in faith that He is truly able. I would pray that I could find a good job and home, but I didn't think it was possible so I didn't trust the Lord would pull through and help. So after that eventually he would put me in a situation where I would be absolutely desperate for help, so I'd be forced to give a thoughtful and good prayer and had no choice but to trust Him. When I started trusting I got a job, and a home. Now that job didn't last, I wasn't meant to be there. I got a job the next day... and also got laid off right away but they didn't tell me they didn't need me till I had already quit my other job. So right now I am unemployed, but I've started praying again. This time I know God will help me, he never lets me down when I am in need. Today I got some calls and have set up 2 interviews for next week as well as I may be getting an apprenticeship in construction/framing. I was down to my last penny, and needed money for rent, food, and a bus pas so I could continue looking for a job. I was so scared but I stopped and prayed, trusting God would help. Then before any other thoughts could creep in, I went to bed. The next morning (this morning) I had a large of money given to me. Praise the Lord for he is good. I guess all I'm trying to say is don't take God for granted. Don't ask for things out of selfishness because he will not answer to that, neither will he answer if you are not truly trusting and having faith in Him. He loves us and wants us to trust him, and he can do some very amazing and wonderful things if you do.

Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.
Proverbs 3:5,6 (NIV)