John 15:12

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My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.

John 15:12

This is the bible verse that I am memorizing this week with my Sunday School girls.

Blessed.

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I read this today during my quiet time. This passage completely contradicts what we are constantly being told to believe in the world. Every time I turn on the TV or get online I have to make a decision on what I am going to believe. Am I going to believe what the world tells me? Are riches, power, keeping a a perfect persona, and pursuing my own selfish desires all that important? What good do they do?

Instead, Jesus tells us to give up what the world tells us to believe. He lets us know that we will be blessed beyond measure. A happiness outside of worldly circumstance. That is so hard to comprehend. I feel like as a part of society I am constantly being bombarded with what the world thinks I should be. I can't wrap my head around the idea of finding complete happiness in adversity. Not found wanting more. Complete satisfaction.

Our time in this world is so very temporary. What is 90 something years (if we are lucky) compared to all of eternity? Think about how long eternity is. It is forever. Never ending. A very long time. I want to store up my treasures in heaven. That is what really counts, isn't it? In times when the world is beating us down, all we have to do is look to what the Lord has planned for us in Him. It makes those tough days all the sweeter.

His Grace is Sufficient

Earlier I shared number 29 on my list: To memorize 10 scriptures. Well, here goes the first one. 

But He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me.  That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weakness, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

2 Corinthians 12:9-10

Cup of Joy: Peter's Faith

I have been reading this book for my small group. And, at first I will admit. This book looks a bit dull...and a bit like a wannabe Jesus Christ Superstar.  The phrase, "Don't judge a book by its cover," comes to mind. This book is not at all dull, and provides practical ways to be a modern disciple. 

All this being said, the text really stands out to me. Specifically, the story of Peter that Bill Hull reiterates. In   Luke 5:1-11 Jesus calls his first disciples. Peter's character is really exemplified in this text. I don't really know what it would be like to be a fisherman during that time, but I do understand that it wasn't a highly coveted career. However, Peter was good at his job. He Knew the intricacies of catching fish. So, when Jesus, a carpenter, tells him how to do his job I can only imagine how hard it was to trust him. He even questions Jesus. Bill Hull points out that it seems as if Peter is really saying: "I don't mind you preaching on my boat, but you don't need to interfere with my business. You are not a fisherman. I know what I'm doing." Yet, Peter still decided to trust Jesus' judgement. He had to have looked ridiculous. He risked his credentials, reputation, and time in order to follow Jesus' instructions. And, it paid off big time. 

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I think about this, and I can't help but thinking of all the time I compartmentalize Jesus into this nice little box. I tend to think of Jesus only as a preacher/teacher at a pulpit. Only, in reality, He knows a lot more about Everything. He would be 10 million times better at any profession or hobby. He is all knowing. Yet, I only allow him into my life on my time schedule. It doesn't make sense. Peter took a huge risk trusting Jesus and it paid off. He was willing to be made a fool. I can barely find 10 minutes to devote to Him. 

The Lord tested Peter's faith and he passed. He was humbled by the experience. He was ready to drop out of the whole disciple gig, and Jesus hit him right at home. In a place where it would truly affect Peter. It happens to me all the time. I get so caught up in my own toils and troubles that I completely forget to pull out the Jesus box in my life. Then, when my faith is truly tested, I quickly remember my good friend Jesus.  And it is only with His help I can truly succeed. 

So with all this, I just want to encourage you to make Jesus a key component in your life. Take him out of the box. The world makes it so easy to think we can do everything on our own. But, I'm telling you from personal experience, we can't. We need Jesus to come and save us. Every. Time. 

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Cup of Joy

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Joy. The state of delight. A huge part of my list is growing closer to the Lord, which will be shown through a variety of ways in the next 999 days. I want to explore the joy that has been given to me through the Lord, Jesus Christ. Now, it is super easy for me to throw God by the wayside and get Wayyy too caught up in my own daily happenings. I am unbelievably self-absorbed. So I want to make it a point every Tuesday to delight in what the Lord is doing in my life in my "Cup of Joy". Because, really, it's not about me. It's not, as much as I might like to think it is. Without Christ, I wouldn't be where I am today. I have him to thank for, well, everything.

Here lately, I have been thinking a lot about prayer. I recently came across an old prayer journal from my junior year of college. Woah, what a year that was! My prayers in 2008 and 2009 are some of the same as my prayers are today. It is beyond crazy to see the way Jesus works, though. Crazy, I tell you! Two of my prayers in January 2009 were only just recently answered, this year. Over 2 years later! Those two years of waiting were tough to say the least. But, how can you Not find absolute joy in the Lord when you see the fruition of prayer!? He constantly amazes me. 

Sadly, I only kept that prayer journal for a few short months. Boo. School started, and I got caught up in the world. In myself. I threw my journal to the wayside because I didn't make time for it. Now, two years later, I am kicking myself. What other prayers has the Lord fulfilled that I am completely oblivious to? With that being said, #45 comes into play. My moleskin is ready is rearing to go. It is going to be a hard one. But, I am willing to take the challenge!

45. Keep a Prayer Journal. Actually keep one...for more than a month or two.

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All this to be said, I want to encourage everyone who reads this to join me in creating a prayer journal. You will be amazed by the results. The Big Guy Upstairs is doing some mighty and powerful things. Things we can't even dream about. Even when things get rough and tough out there, just remember, He has an ever loving plan. One to build us up, not destroy us. 

“Look at the nations and watch— 

   and be utterly amazed.
For I am going to do something in your days
   that you would not believe,
   even if you were told. 

-Habakkuk 1:5