What a beautiful time of year. As we are fully immersed in the school year and life is busy in so many ways, we are able to delight in the beauty of the Lord. The leaves on trees changing from green to beautiful hues of red, orange, yellow, and purple. Once their beauty has reached its peak they fall-- one by one they pile up on the ground, waiting to be raked up by people like you and me.
The changing of seasons can represent so much, and fall, slowly fading into winter, is no different. I think the falling of leaves can be such a beautiful image for Christians. As we watch the leaves fall we can see such a beautiful imagery taking place. We live our lives day by day, we delight in the joys and sorrows of loved ones, we enjoy the company of our friends, strive to learn and grow in our studies, and work diligently at our jobs.
The greenness of leaves can be seen as new life, youthfulness, or birth, for although we are clueless as to how long each of our lives will be, we have been made new through Jesus. But as we live, we reach our point of beauty, just like the leaves achieve their brilliant hues; eventually the LORD calls us home to him, similarly to the leaves falling and taking their place on the ground. It is not morbid, or sad, but a delight! With love for Christ, we will reach our point in heaven and the beauty of our earthly life will be magnificently changed into the beauty of heaven! That's not to say, however, that heaven is our only goal -- the life on earth is to be lived in love for the Father, and Him alone.
Monday, November 16, 2015
Wednesday, November 11, 2015
Hello Y'all,
I'm so excited to share with you a discovery that was new to me, but first I'd like to ask you a question: Have you ever doubted or questioned the Lord? I am growing up in a Christian home, and up until a year or so ago I NEVER thought for myself in terms of my personal faith. If your story is similar, have you ever wondered why that is? Let me put it simpler: as a homeschooled student I tend to think about public schools, and how the teens attending them often are exposed to peer pressure and often they "go with the flow." Living out my life and experiencing regular Sunday school, Bible classes, youth group, and confirmation class, all my questions were answered; weren't they? See, in the past few years I have begun to find answers myself, re-affirming those answers I received in Sunday School. I am finally beginning to understand so many more things for myself, like baptism and the Lord's Supper.
Maybe I went "with the flow" for some years, but I am so grateful for my Christian parents, aunts, uncles, grandparents, Sunday morning church, Bible studies, the list goes on. By the grace of God I am a Christian, but God certainly used those previous things to shape and strengthen my faith. Obviously though, my faith is not perfect, so when I start doubting I automatically feel terrible, feeling as if I have betrayed my Father in heaven. But is doubt really bad? That's what I'm excited to share: doubt is not bad!
Read Job. Job doubts, questions, and even mocks the Lord. I began reading the book of Job, and when I was halfway through I thought to myself, wasn't Job supposed to be a faithful man? Why does he question his Lord? Read it yourself and come to your own conclusion. What I realized is that the Devil often places doubts in our minds, and many Christians push them away, refusing to acknowledge them. I pushed them away, I didn't want to doubt! But isn't that being dishonest with God, hiding your heartfelt feelings? It is SO important to acknowledge those doubts and questions so that the Lord can use them to strengthen your faith! Don't hide them away and let them torment you, that's what Satan wants! Talk to the Lord and honestly spill everything out, then listen.
I'm so excited to share with you a discovery that was new to me, but first I'd like to ask you a question: Have you ever doubted or questioned the Lord? I am growing up in a Christian home, and up until a year or so ago I NEVER thought for myself in terms of my personal faith. If your story is similar, have you ever wondered why that is? Let me put it simpler: as a homeschooled student I tend to think about public schools, and how the teens attending them often are exposed to peer pressure and often they "go with the flow." Living out my life and experiencing regular Sunday school, Bible classes, youth group, and confirmation class, all my questions were answered; weren't they? See, in the past few years I have begun to find answers myself, re-affirming those answers I received in Sunday School. I am finally beginning to understand so many more things for myself, like baptism and the Lord's Supper.
Maybe I went "with the flow" for some years, but I am so grateful for my Christian parents, aunts, uncles, grandparents, Sunday morning church, Bible studies, the list goes on. By the grace of God I am a Christian, but God certainly used those previous things to shape and strengthen my faith. Obviously though, my faith is not perfect, so when I start doubting I automatically feel terrible, feeling as if I have betrayed my Father in heaven. But is doubt really bad? That's what I'm excited to share: doubt is not bad!
Read Job. Job doubts, questions, and even mocks the Lord. I began reading the book of Job, and when I was halfway through I thought to myself, wasn't Job supposed to be a faithful man? Why does he question his Lord? Read it yourself and come to your own conclusion. What I realized is that the Devil often places doubts in our minds, and many Christians push them away, refusing to acknowledge them. I pushed them away, I didn't want to doubt! But isn't that being dishonest with God, hiding your heartfelt feelings? It is SO important to acknowledge those doubts and questions so that the Lord can use them to strengthen your faith! Don't hide them away and let them torment you, that's what Satan wants! Talk to the Lord and honestly spill everything out, then listen.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)