Onward and Upward.....

Do ever feel like no matter how hard you push or how fast you run you will simply never get there? i struggle with this feeling of insufficiency often. Then i was reading God's Word today and I stumbled across Philippians 3. I particularly zoned in on verses 12-16 Here Paul writes this:

"2 Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. 13 Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, 14 I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
15 Therefore let us, as many as are mature, have this mind; and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal even this to you. 16 Nevertheless, to the degree that we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule,[a] let us be of the same mind."


I also like The Message paraphrase version too:

"2-14I'm not saying that I have this all together, that I have it made. But I am well on my way, reaching out for Christ, who has so wondrously reached out for me. Friends, don't get me wrong: By no means do I count myself an expert in all of this, but I've got my eye on the goal, where God is beckoning us onward—to Jesus. I'm off and running, and I'm not turning back.
15-16So let's keep focused on that goal, those of us who want everything God has for us. If any of you have something else in mind, something less than total commitment, God will clear your blurred vision—you'll see it yet! Now that we're on the right track, let's stay on it."


When we look at ourselves it is so easy to zone in on everything that we lack, but here Paul tells us to not worry about. Keep our eyes on the goal. I love how Paul admits to his own imperfections here. I often find myself looking with envy at the people around. I think man, why can't i be where they are in their faith? Today i am sitting here asking God to help me change my perspective and realize that I am right where I need to be. I know that if I continue to look backwards eventually I will trip but when I look forward the road looks painfully long. I know everybody has been there so you know how hard it is not to be discouraged. God has placed such a path before christians that we either have to be "totally committed" or not at all. It's hard to just be 100% committed to God's will. Very hard but that's how it has to be if we really want to impact the world for Christ. The more I seek God, the more I put Him first, the more I can see His vision and will for my life and that brings me hope. Then the road doesn't seem so long or so hard. I think the message here is to keep on keepin on and just commit yourself to the vision that God gives you no matter how difficult or far off.

What is Worth?

In our society today we are surrounded by images and people that tell us what "worth" is; what makes us "worth" something to this world. I've been reading through Ephesians, which is my favorite New Testament book, and it has really made me consider my view of what "worth" really means. In the first few chapters Paul talks about what Christ did for us and then he begins to talk about the church and how we approach ministry. If you have never read it before you should Ephesians is an excellent read. The part that made me think today was 5:2-6 "2 And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma.
3 But fornication and all uncleanness or covetousness, let it not even be named among you, as is fitting for saints; 4 neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks. 5 For this you know,[a] that no fornicator, unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. 6 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience." Covetousness, coarse jesting, empty words; isn't that so what our society is. This is what made me ponder my measure of worth and then repent for my own heart. It is so easy to let ourselves believe that we need to be smart, rich, beautiful, or talented to be worth something. For many of us we have even doubted our worth to God and His Kingdom because of lacking these things. But God doesn't want us to measure ourselves in this way. I believe that Satan wants to deceive everyone, even the church, with these empty words and promises. You know "If you can get this promotion, you'll be happy", "If you just wear this, you'll be happy" "If you build a bigger, high tech sanctuary, you'll be happy" and so on. I know for me as a woman, Satan tries to tell me that I am not vital to God's work because I'm a woman. There are a million lies he tells and so many of us believe them. So what is worth something? ?According to the Bible our worth is found in our calling in the Kingdom of God and serving God wholeheartedly. All of us have a calling in God's Kingdom. Paul writes in 1:18 "18 the eyes of your understanding[a] being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints," "HOPE" I love that word :) It's in that calling that we find hope for the future. No longer should we allow ourselves to be deceived by what society says we "need" to be or have but allow ourselves to let God dictate our futures and let God dictate the Church's future. It is to easy to allow ourselves to be held back by what we think life should look like or worrying about what others think our life should look like. I know from experience this only leads to misery and pain. We must submit ourselves to God as a "sacrifice to God" and let Him direct our steps. It is only when we live in that place that we can truly know our worth to God and to the world.

"1 I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, 2 with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love, 3 endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism;"
Ephesians 4:1-5

Break My Heart

When shadows surround Me
And My sorrows seem never ending
You break through
the darkness and free my soul
I cry out to you

Break my Heart
Make it new, Make it new again
Here's my Life
God it's all, God it's all
for you
Break my heart

Let Your Peace, Oh God rule within me
As a thankful song my soul will sing (2x)

Find Rest Oh, My Soul

Find rest, oh my soul
In God alone
My hope
My rock
My salvation

When my soul is weary and my heart has broken
Where can I run to hide?
I need you Lord, my strength, my refuge
Your love so deep and wide

Find rest, oh my soul
In God alone
My hope
My rock
My salvation

Worship

As I crawl up to the cross
I remember the cost
Your love and grace so deep
Then I can hardly speak
I look upon your face
As you bear my disgrace
And all at once I feel my burdens
Lifting away

I worship you my God
I worship you my King
Your sacrifice has set me free
So I can worship you

I lay my fears to rest
no more fears, no regrets
And all my hopes and dreams
I lay down at you feet
I feel your spirit close
As I gaze upon the beauty
Of my Holy Lord who's never-ending
Grace covers me

I worship you my God
I worship you my King
Your sacrifice has set me free
So I can worship you

I will worship
I will worship
I will worship
Jesus Christ, my king