For God is the King of all the earth;
sing to him a psalm of praise. God reigns over the nations;
God is seated on his holy throne. (Psalm 47:7, 8 NIV)
It is confusing to know that here on the earth now God is present and in control ultimately but the fullness of his kingdom and will is not yet here. For he reigns from heaven now and yet the time is coming when there will be a new heaven and new earth and God will reign on the earth with his people. So now we live in the time between. We know the king and yet we do not fully live in his kingdom.
God show us how to live and glorify you. Help us to trust you even now and in the world where your kingdom is coming. I want to see your kingdom come even here and now in my life and this world! Use me for your work Lord. I sing praise to your name!
Amen
Sunday, September 30, 2012
Saturday, September 29, 2012
Psalm 46: Be still and Know our lord is God
God is our refuge and strength,
an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way
and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam
and the mountains quake with their surging. The Lord Almighty is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress. He says, "Be still, and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth." The Lord Almighty is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress. (Psalm 46:1-3, 7, 10, 11 NIV)
This is such a good reminder to us. That in hard times. In struggles and even when it seems like the world is falling apart we can hold on to this: that our Lord is God, and that he will be exalted. He is victorious and yet he loves us. Our Lord is with us and he is for us. He is our mighty fortress though the world rage in him we will stand until death to live eternally with him. For there is no promise of health or wealth in this world. But we have an eternal imperishable inheritance in heaven!
Lord remind me of your love and your victory. Lord I am sorry I fear and put my hope in this world. Remind me that in you we have life eternal. Set our hopes on you and in heaven!
Amen
an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way
and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam
and the mountains quake with their surging. The Lord Almighty is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress. He says, "Be still, and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth." The Lord Almighty is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress. (Psalm 46:1-3, 7, 10, 11 NIV)
This is such a good reminder to us. That in hard times. In struggles and even when it seems like the world is falling apart we can hold on to this: that our Lord is God, and that he will be exalted. He is victorious and yet he loves us. Our Lord is with us and he is for us. He is our mighty fortress though the world rage in him we will stand until death to live eternally with him. For there is no promise of health or wealth in this world. But we have an eternal imperishable inheritance in heaven!
Lord remind me of your love and your victory. Lord I am sorry I fear and put my hope in this world. Remind me that in you we have life eternal. Set our hopes on you and in heaven!
Amen
Monday, September 24, 2012
Meditations Psalm 43
Why are you downcast, O my soul?
Why so disturbed within me?
Put your hope in God,
for I will yet praise him,
my Savior and my God.
(Psalm 43:5 NIV84)
Lord I pray you would be more in my life and in my heart. That in times of trouble I would not be downcast and without hope. I pray I would put my hope in prayer to you Lord. For you are my God and my Savior!
Amen
Why so disturbed within me?
Put your hope in God,
for I will yet praise him,
my Savior and my God.
(Psalm 43:5 NIV84)
Lord I pray you would be more in my life and in my heart. That in times of trouble I would not be downcast and without hope. I pray I would put my hope in prayer to you Lord. For you are my God and my Savior!
Amen
Sunday, September 23, 2012
Meditation: Psalm 41 David
I said, “O Lord, have mercy on me;
heal me, for I have sinned against you.”
(Psalm 41:4 NIV84)
I get lost in the Old Testament sometimes. Again and again It seems like people put their hope in their righteousness and believe that sickness and death are a punishment for sin.
I see here in David a humility and desperation for the Lord.
Lord I don't understand you or your law or your ways. Lord teach me and guide me. But my hope is in you and that is enough.
heal me, for I have sinned against you.”
(Psalm 41:4 NIV84)
I get lost in the Old Testament sometimes. Again and again It seems like people put their hope in their righteousness and believe that sickness and death are a punishment for sin.
I see here in David a humility and desperation for the Lord.
Lord I don't understand you or your law or your ways. Lord teach me and guide me. But my hope is in you and that is enough.
Wednesday, September 19, 2012
Meditation Psalm 39: Gods Grandeur and our smallness
“Show me, O Lord, my life's end
and the number of my days;
let me know how fleeting is my life.
You have made my days a mere handbreadth;
the span of my years is as nothing before you.
Each man's life is but a breath.
Selah
Man is a mere phantom as he goes to and fro:
He bustles about, but only in vain;
he heaps up wealth, not knowing who will get it.
“But now, Lord, what do I look for?
My hope is in you. (Psalm 39:4-7 NIV84)
Today God reminded me how majestic and mighty and great he is. For he is creator of all the universe and all life. We humans are so small. We are often so selfish and prideful. We think we are the center of it all that our friends our job the church, the world and even You God are all about us. But God this is all for your glory by ours. You bless us with joy and salvation not because we matter but because of your great love. For in all the universe you know the name of every star and every hope and sin in each persons heart. Jesus you died for us in our smallness because of your majesty!
Lord humble me to know how gran and powerful you are and how small I am change my heart to rejoice in your low and creation and serve.
and the number of my days;
let me know how fleeting is my life.
You have made my days a mere handbreadth;
the span of my years is as nothing before you.
Each man's life is but a breath.
Selah
Man is a mere phantom as he goes to and fro:
He bustles about, but only in vain;
he heaps up wealth, not knowing who will get it.
“But now, Lord, what do I look for?
My hope is in you. (Psalm 39:4-7 NIV84)
Today God reminded me how majestic and mighty and great he is. For he is creator of all the universe and all life. We humans are so small. We are often so selfish and prideful. We think we are the center of it all that our friends our job the church, the world and even You God are all about us. But God this is all for your glory by ours. You bless us with joy and salvation not because we matter but because of your great love. For in all the universe you know the name of every star and every hope and sin in each persons heart. Jesus you died for us in our smallness because of your majesty!
Lord humble me to know how gran and powerful you are and how small I am change my heart to rejoice in your low and creation and serve.
Wisdom Proverbs 20: Glorifying God with our schedule
A sluggard does not plow in season;
so at harvest time he looks but finds nothing.
Do not love sleep or you will grow poor;
stay awake and you will have food to spare.
Make plans by seeking advice;
if you wage war, obtain guidance.
A man's steps are directed by the Lord.
How then can anyone understand his own way? (Proverbs 20:4, 13, 18, 24 NIV84)
I have been lacking discipline in how I prioritize and use my time especially recently. Even harder is that you call me to work and follow you in the way you guide not the easy way or my way. For if I sow seed in the wrong season my labor is in vain and harmful even. Jesus I pray that I remember you have a plan for me and that you guide my steps that I may bring you glory. God I pray you would put your desires and plans first on my heart. Not sleep or entertainment or even success in ministry. Lord I ask for your heart and discipline and I want to be diligent and faithful with the calling an time you give me.
Amen
so at harvest time he looks but finds nothing.
Do not love sleep or you will grow poor;
stay awake and you will have food to spare.
Make plans by seeking advice;
if you wage war, obtain guidance.
A man's steps are directed by the Lord.
How then can anyone understand his own way? (Proverbs 20:4, 13, 18, 24 NIV84)
I have been lacking discipline in how I prioritize and use my time especially recently. Even harder is that you call me to work and follow you in the way you guide not the easy way or my way. For if I sow seed in the wrong season my labor is in vain and harmful even. Jesus I pray that I remember you have a plan for me and that you guide my steps that I may bring you glory. God I pray you would put your desires and plans first on my heart. Not sleep or entertainment or even success in ministry. Lord I ask for your heart and discipline and I want to be diligent and faithful with the calling an time you give me.
Amen
Monday, September 17, 2012
Meditation proverbs 19:3
A man's own folly ruins his life,
yet his heart rages against the Lord. (Proverbs 19:3 NIV84)
This is a hard word to hear. Even though I may try and work hard, without wisdom my plans and my ministry may struggle. I know my heart is corrupt and rages against the Lord when my plans fail.
Lord I beg for wisdom and your plans. Lord I want to trust you more.
Amen
yet his heart rages against the Lord. (Proverbs 19:3 NIV84)
This is a hard word to hear. Even though I may try and work hard, without wisdom my plans and my ministry may struggle. I know my heart is corrupt and rages against the Lord when my plans fail.
Lord I beg for wisdom and your plans. Lord I want to trust you more.
Amen
Friday, September 14, 2012
Wisdom from Proverbs: Listening
A fool finds no pleasure in understanding
but delights in airing his own opinions.
He who answers before listening—
that is his folly and his shame. (Proverbs 18:2, 13 NIV84)
Lord I confess I am quick to speak and share my opinion rather than listen first. Please humble me to listen to others and to you Father and counselor. Please put this on my heart and the heart of students in InterVarsity. Let us not be proud but seek to respect and learn from each other and from you. For you have a word for us if we would but listen.
Amen
but delights in airing his own opinions.
He who answers before listening—
that is his folly and his shame. (Proverbs 18:2, 13 NIV84)
Lord I confess I am quick to speak and share my opinion rather than listen first. Please humble me to listen to others and to you Father and counselor. Please put this on my heart and the heart of students in InterVarsity. Let us not be proud but seek to respect and learn from each other and from you. For you have a word for us if we would but listen.
Amen
Job 2 What if God gives us trouble?
His wife said to him, “Are you still holding on to your integrity? Curse God and die!”
He replied, “You are talking like a foolish woman. Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?”
In all this, Job did not sin in what he said. (Job 2:9, 10 NIV84)
Job lost it all. First his material possessions. But even worse he lost his family as all his children died and hi wife gives up and encourages Job to sin and curse God so this suffering would end.
Job is a difficult book to read if you hold on to a gospel of prosperity believing God always gives us what we want or always good things.
How do we respond in trouble?
Do we still believe God is good?
What if you lost all your closest family?
Those are tough questions. I don't want to face them. But it really brings up the question: is Jesus enough?
Or do we really believe Jesus is enough when he blessed us?
Is Jesus sacrifice enough if here and now we lose it all, if we are alone and lost and hungry?
Lord you are both sovereign and savior! Remind me of your greatness and my smallness. Yet remind me of your great love and your death on a cross. I want to believe in my heart that the cross is enough Jesus. But my faith is small and I desire prosperity. Lord change my heart!
Amen
He replied, “You are talking like a foolish woman. Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?”
In all this, Job did not sin in what he said. (Job 2:9, 10 NIV84)
Job lost it all. First his material possessions. But even worse he lost his family as all his children died and hi wife gives up and encourages Job to sin and curse God so this suffering would end.
Job is a difficult book to read if you hold on to a gospel of prosperity believing God always gives us what we want or always good things.
How do we respond in trouble?
Do we still believe God is good?
What if you lost all your closest family?
Those are tough questions. I don't want to face them. But it really brings up the question: is Jesus enough?
Or do we really believe Jesus is enough when he blessed us?
Is Jesus sacrifice enough if here and now we lose it all, if we are alone and lost and hungry?
Lord you are both sovereign and savior! Remind me of your greatness and my smallness. Yet remind me of your great love and your death on a cross. I want to believe in my heart that the cross is enough Jesus. But my faith is small and I desire prosperity. Lord change my heart!
Amen
Sunday, September 9, 2012
Is Jesus a gift offered to everyone?
My Friend and fellow IV
intern at CU: Ivanna and I were having this discussion and struggling through the issue
of people in the past and present that have not heard of Jesus or truly known
him in this life. Do all people get a chance to know and choose Jesus or not?
We obviously don't know
and God this is all in your sovereignty and mystery.
But we put together our
understanding of some scripture and what God says about all people.
This is good, and pleases God our Savior, 4 who wants all
people to be saved and to come to a
knowledge of the truth.
1 Tim 2:4
Everyone
1) Lives
Then the Lord God
formed a man[c] from the dust of the ground and
breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a
living being.
Genesis 2:7
2) Dies
Everyone will die someday. Death comes to godly and sinful
people alike.
Ecclesiastes
9:2
3) Is Resurrected after the first physical death
a) Some in the first resurrection
They came to life and reigned with Christ a
thousand years. 5 (The
rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were ended.)
This is the first resurrection.
Revelation 20: 4-5
b) But all stand before the throne: the dead alive!
And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened.
Revelation 20:12
4) Will bow on their knees to Jesus
Who, being in very nature[a] God,
did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage;
7 rather, he made himself nothing
by taking the very nature[b] of a servant,
being made in human likeness.
8 And being found in appearance as a man,
he humbled himself
by becoming obedient to death—
even death on a cross!
did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage;
7 rather, he made himself nothing
by taking the very nature[b] of a servant,
being made in human likeness.
8 And being found in appearance as a man,
he humbled himself
by becoming obedient to death—
even death on a cross!
9 Therefore God exalted him to the highest place
and gave him the name that is above every name,
10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
11 and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.
and gave him the name that is above every name,
10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
11 and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.
Philippians
2:6-11 NIV
5) Faces Judgement to Life or Death
a) To the Lake of Fire
Then death and Hades were thrown into
the lake of fire. The lake of fire is the second death. 15 Anyone
whose name was not found written in the book of life was thrown into the
lake of fire.
Revelation 20:14
b) No Judgement but Eternal Life!
God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. 12 Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son
of God does not have life.
1 John 5:11
My understanding is that God has given everyone
all of this. For in earth in creation and the gospel all will know
Christ in part. In the end at the resurrection all will know absolutely and every knee bow in to Jesus for Jesus Christ is the Son
of God, Savior and Lord. So all people are given this gift and this is our choice eternally: to choose the second death by choosing
self and rejecting our Lord or to submit our hearts and eternity to Christ
and live forever!
Lord please reveal to our hearts and minds what is true and what is not of you.
Lord we love and submit to you.
You are victorious for it is done!
Amen
Saturday, September 8, 2012
Meditation psalm 40: Wait patiently for you Lord
I waited patiently for the Lord;
he turned to me and heard my cry.
He lifted me out of the slimy pit,
out of the mud and mire;
he set my feet on a rock
and gave me a firm place to stand.
He put a new song in my mouth,
a hymn of praise to our God.
Many will see and fear
and put their trust in the Lord.
Blessed is the man
who makes the Lord his trust,
who does not look to the proud,
to those who turn aside to false gods.
(Psalm 40:1-4 NIV84)
Lord I am not patient like you. You patiently work in hearts and this world. I want everything now. In my ministry I am mad at you when things aren't happening big and right now. Lord I want to wait and trust in you! Teach me to pray boldy, go faithfully and hope patiently for you Lord. I want I trust in you alone Lord.
Amen
he turned to me and heard my cry.
He lifted me out of the slimy pit,
out of the mud and mire;
he set my feet on a rock
and gave me a firm place to stand.
He put a new song in my mouth,
a hymn of praise to our God.
Many will see and fear
and put their trust in the Lord.
Blessed is the man
who makes the Lord his trust,
who does not look to the proud,
to those who turn aside to false gods.
(Psalm 40:1-4 NIV84)
Lord I am not patient like you. You patiently work in hearts and this world. I want everything now. In my ministry I am mad at you when things aren't happening big and right now. Lord I want to wait and trust in you! Teach me to pray boldy, go faithfully and hope patiently for you Lord. I want I trust in you alone Lord.
Amen
Meditation Psalm 39: Lord you are our only hope!
You have made my days a mere handbreadth;
the span of my years is as nothing before you.
Each man's life is but a breath.
Selah
Man is a mere phantom as he goes to and fro:
He bustles about, but only in vain;
he heaps up wealth, not knowing who will get it.
“But now, Lord, what do I look for?
My hope is in you.
Save me from all my transgressions;
do not make me the scorn of fools.
You rebuke and discipline men for their sin;
you consume their wealth like a moth—
each man is but a breath.
Selah
“Hear my prayer, O Lord,
listen to my cry for help;
be not deaf to my weeping.
For I dwell with you as an alien,
a stranger, as all my fathers were.
(Psalm 39:5-8, 11, 12 NIV84)
Lord, your discipline is painful but good. I pray I would learn the lesson you have for me. Humble me to know I am not in control and your ways are not my ways. Remind me of your love and that you are good. Lord you are our only hope, my only hope in my life, in my ministry and forever more. Please Lord hear my cry for your kingdom to come here at CU and in my heart.
Amen
the span of my years is as nothing before you.
Each man's life is but a breath.
Selah
Man is a mere phantom as he goes to and fro:
He bustles about, but only in vain;
he heaps up wealth, not knowing who will get it.
“But now, Lord, what do I look for?
My hope is in you.
Save me from all my transgressions;
do not make me the scorn of fools.
You rebuke and discipline men for their sin;
you consume their wealth like a moth—
each man is but a breath.
Selah
“Hear my prayer, O Lord,
listen to my cry for help;
be not deaf to my weeping.
For I dwell with you as an alien,
a stranger, as all my fathers were.
(Psalm 39:5-8, 11, 12 NIV84)
Lord, your discipline is painful but good. I pray I would learn the lesson you have for me. Humble me to know I am not in control and your ways are not my ways. Remind me of your love and that you are good. Lord you are our only hope, my only hope in my life, in my ministry and forever more. Please Lord hear my cry for your kingdom to come here at CU and in my heart.
Amen
Thursday, September 6, 2012
Please Lord give us wisdom
The name of the Lord is a strong tower;
the righteous run to it and are safe.
Before his downfall a man's heart is proud,
but humility comes before honor.
He who answers before listening—
that is his folly and his shame.
A man's spirit sustains him in sickness,
but a crushed spirit who can bear?
A gift opens the way for the giver
and ushers him into the presence of the great.
The tongue has the power of life and death,
and those who love it will eat its fruit.
A poor man pleads for mercy,
but a rich man answers harshly.
A man of many companions may come to ruin,
but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.
(Proverbs 18:10, 12-14, 16, 21, 23, 24 NIV84)
Lord Aris, Jing and I don't know how to love or reach the Darley dorms. Go we want to see your kingdom come there! Please God work a miracle. Help us to be faithful in working towards your hope in small and big ways. God fill us with your vision and hope for Darley and the 480 students there. God thank you for wisdom in your word an from friends. Humble us to listen and try again in new ways.
Amen
the righteous run to it and are safe.
Before his downfall a man's heart is proud,
but humility comes before honor.
He who answers before listening—
that is his folly and his shame.
A man's spirit sustains him in sickness,
but a crushed spirit who can bear?
A gift opens the way for the giver
and ushers him into the presence of the great.
The tongue has the power of life and death,
and those who love it will eat its fruit.
A poor man pleads for mercy,
but a rich man answers harshly.
A man of many companions may come to ruin,
but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.
(Proverbs 18:10, 12-14, 16, 21, 23, 24 NIV84)
Lord Aris, Jing and I don't know how to love or reach the Darley dorms. Go we want to see your kingdom come there! Please God work a miracle. Help us to be faithful in working towards your hope in small and big ways. God fill us with your vision and hope for Darley and the 480 students there. God thank you for wisdom in your word an from friends. Humble us to listen and try again in new ways.
Amen
Meditation Psalm 38: I am weak
For I am about to fall,
and my pain is ever with me. I confess my iniquity;
I am troubled by my sin. Many have become my enemies without cause;
those who hate me without reason are numerous. Those who repay my good with evil
lodge accusations against me,
though I seek only to do what is good. Lord, do not forsake me;
do not be far from me, my God. Come quickly to help me,
my Lord and my Savior.
(Psalm 38:17-22 NIV)
I am weak and weary Lord. I feel like my ministry is failing. Please Lord, I can't even see my sin and what I am doing wrong. You are my only hope and I beg that you be with me and with the Darley dorm now.
Amen
and my pain is ever with me. I confess my iniquity;
I am troubled by my sin. Many have become my enemies without cause;
those who hate me without reason are numerous. Those who repay my good with evil
lodge accusations against me,
though I seek only to do what is good. Lord, do not forsake me;
do not be far from me, my God. Come quickly to help me,
my Lord and my Savior.
(Psalm 38:17-22 NIV)
I am weak and weary Lord. I feel like my ministry is failing. Please Lord, I can't even see my sin and what I am doing wrong. You are my only hope and I beg that you be with me and with the Darley dorm now.
Amen
Wednesday, September 5, 2012
What is IV all about?
Kim and Aris are co MCs for Large group thursday nights at CU IV.
Today Kim and I talked about what it means to be an MC. But I think it applies to IV, ministry and life in general. Sometimes we make ministry and leading in InterVarsity a business. As leaders we aren't having fun. We are following up because we have to, not because we are excited for them to come. But if we don't want to come people feel that and think why would I want to come.
But if we go back to the basics then God will use that.
What is IV all about?
Being a community that is authentic and fun while figuring out the whole Jesus and faith thing.
Let's get back to that and see what happens.
Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with the Lord's people who are in need. Practice hospitality. (Romans 12:9-13 NIV)
God help us as IV and help me:
To make my love sincere
To hold to what is good
To love others first
Be believe with passion!
Be joyful
Carry hope!
Be Patient
Be generous
God please guide us in how to go as you send us. Help us to be real and have fun. God help IV to be a loving and joyful family adopted into your household by Jesus death and by the holy Spirit. God I don't know how to do all of this, I don't know how to reach Darley or get a small group bible study to happen there. But Lord you do. Please Lord we need you and we want to see your kingdom come!
Amen
Today Kim and I talked about what it means to be an MC. But I think it applies to IV, ministry and life in general. Sometimes we make ministry and leading in InterVarsity a business. As leaders we aren't having fun. We are following up because we have to, not because we are excited for them to come. But if we don't want to come people feel that and think why would I want to come.
But if we go back to the basics then God will use that.
What is IV all about?
Being a community that is authentic and fun while figuring out the whole Jesus and faith thing.
Let's get back to that and see what happens.
Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with the Lord's people who are in need. Practice hospitality. (Romans 12:9-13 NIV)
God help us as IV and help me:
To make my love sincere
To hold to what is good
To love others first
Be believe with passion!
Be joyful
Carry hope!
Be Patient
Be generous
God please guide us in how to go as you send us. Help us to be real and have fun. God help IV to be a loving and joyful family adopted into your household by Jesus death and by the holy Spirit. God I don't know how to do all of this, I don't know how to reach Darley or get a small group bible study to happen there. But Lord you do. Please Lord we need you and we want to see your kingdom come!
Amen
What does it mean to carry hope?
This year my job title is campus staff or ministry intern. The roles include bible study leader, intern team member, gathering freshmen. But another role I have is to carry hope.
What does it mean to carry hope?
I think I am learning what it means to carry hope that Jesus is at work. In the midst of hardship I am learning. In the midst of rejection. When only one person of the 30 we invited to come to bible study come. I am learning what it means to carry hope to the people who come, for my coleaders Aris and Jing. For myself as this is my job and it seems like I am failing.
I am learning to carry hope that God is good and has good plans. And next week we are going to go at it again and try to invite differently. I am not just putting on a smile. I admit this week sucked, but I am carrying hope that god will use this. That we will go at it again in prayer and faith that God will do a new thing next week and every week.
My prayer is this: (for myself, for Aris, for Jing, for CU IV, for all of CU, for the world!)
Sustain me, my God, according to your promise, and I will live;
do not let my hopes be dashed.
(Psalm 119:116 NIV)
Amen
What does it mean to carry hope?
I think I am learning what it means to carry hope that Jesus is at work. In the midst of hardship I am learning. In the midst of rejection. When only one person of the 30 we invited to come to bible study come. I am learning what it means to carry hope to the people who come, for my coleaders Aris and Jing. For myself as this is my job and it seems like I am failing.
I am learning to carry hope that God is good and has good plans. And next week we are going to go at it again and try to invite differently. I am not just putting on a smile. I admit this week sucked, but I am carrying hope that god will use this. That we will go at it again in prayer and faith that God will do a new thing next week and every week.
My prayer is this: (for myself, for Aris, for Jing, for CU IV, for all of CU, for the world!)
Sustain me, my God, according to your promise, and I will live;
do not let my hopes be dashed.
(Psalm 119:116 NIV)
Amen
Luke 10: Jesus sends us as he sends the 72
After this the Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them two by two ahead of him to every town and place where he was about to go. He told them, "The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field. Go! I am sending you out like lambs among wolves. Do not take a purse or bag or sandals; and do not greet anyone on the road. "When you enter a house, first say, 'Peace to this house.' If someone who promotes peace is there, your peace will rest on them; if not, it will return to you. Stay there, eating and drinking whatever they give you, for the worker deserves his wages. Do not move around from house to house. "When you enter a town and are welcomed, eat what is offered to you. Heal the sick who are there and tell them, 'The kingdom of God has come near to you.' But when you enter a town and are not welcomed, go into its streets and say, 'Even the dust of your town we wipe from our feet as a warning to you. Yet be sure of this: The kingdom of God has come near.' (Luke 10:1-11 NIV)
What does this mean for us as Christians in 2012? Is the harvest still plentiful. Here at CU Boulder ,is Jesus at work opening hearts? In the Darley dorm Aris, Jing and I were sent to is God at work?
What about when we spend hours planning and inviting and 1 person comes? Do we give up and go on? Maybe, but maybe we wipe the dust off our feet this week and go at it again . Maybe for next Tuesday we just get to know one person and bring them.
God I want to be faithful to you. Please help us to believe you have good planned for us as leaders and for Darley and the 480 students there.
Amen
What does this mean for us as Christians in 2012? Is the harvest still plentiful. Here at CU Boulder ,is Jesus at work opening hearts? In the Darley dorm Aris, Jing and I were sent to is God at work?
What about when we spend hours planning and inviting and 1 person comes? Do we give up and go on? Maybe, but maybe we wipe the dust off our feet this week and go at it again . Maybe for next Tuesday we just get to know one person and bring them.
God I want to be faithful to you. Please help us to believe you have good planned for us as leaders and for Darley and the 480 students there.
Amen
Job 15: Where is God? Yet who are we to question God?
But you even undermine piety
and hinder devotion to God. "Are you the first man ever born?
Were you brought forth before the hills? Do you listen in on God's council?
Do you have a monopoly on wisdom? What do you know that we do not know?
What insights do you have that we do not have? Are God's consolations not enough for you,
words spoken gently to you? Why has your heart carried you away,
and why do your eyes flash, so that you vent your rage against God
and pour out such words from your mouth? "What are mortals, that they could be pure,
or those born of woman, that they could be righteous?
(Job 15:4, 7-9, 11-14 NIV)
Who am I to question God and his plans?
And yet I do. When ministry is hard and it seems like God is not providing I question God and his goodness and whether he even cares. When Aris and I spend hours working on our bible study and inviting people and one new person comes, I doubt. Does God really care about the Darley dorms, does he really care about those freshmen or about us?
Yes! Jesus died on a cross for them! But maybe they are not ready for a bible study. Maybe right now what they need is an authentic and fun community.
God I don't understand you or your plans. But in the midst I want to be faithful and believe you are at work.
Amen
and hinder devotion to God. "Are you the first man ever born?
Were you brought forth before the hills? Do you listen in on God's council?
Do you have a monopoly on wisdom? What do you know that we do not know?
What insights do you have that we do not have? Are God's consolations not enough for you,
words spoken gently to you? Why has your heart carried you away,
and why do your eyes flash, so that you vent your rage against God
and pour out such words from your mouth? "What are mortals, that they could be pure,
or those born of woman, that they could be righteous?
(Job 15:4, 7-9, 11-14 NIV)
Who am I to question God and his plans?
And yet I do. When ministry is hard and it seems like God is not providing I question God and his goodness and whether he even cares. When Aris and I spend hours working on our bible study and inviting people and one new person comes, I doubt. Does God really care about the Darley dorms, does he really care about those freshmen or about us?
Yes! Jesus died on a cross for them! But maybe they are not ready for a bible study. Maybe right now what they need is an authentic and fun community.
God I don't understand you or your plans. But in the midst I want to be faithful and believe you are at work.
Amen
Tuesday, September 4, 2012
Who is in Control? Proverbs 16:9
In their hearts humans plan their course,
but the Lord establishes their steps. (Proverbs 16:9 NIV)
Do I really believe this?
Thinking back on my college experience, I would have to say yes. My plan was to go to Colorado School of Mines for an Engineering degree. But God so much more along the way as I became involved in InterVarsity. My faith slowly became a part of my whole life. I met people who changed by perspective. I labored in ways that changed my heart. And today with my engineering degree I work for InterVarsity sharing the gospel and love of Jesus with college students.
Not my plan but Gods. And I love it!
but the Lord establishes their steps. (Proverbs 16:9 NIV)
Do I really believe this?
Thinking back on my college experience, I would have to say yes. My plan was to go to Colorado School of Mines for an Engineering degree. But God so much more along the way as I became involved in InterVarsity. My faith slowly became a part of my whole life. I met people who changed by perspective. I labored in ways that changed my heart. And today with my engineering degree I work for InterVarsity sharing the gospel and love of Jesus with college students.
Not my plan but Gods. And I love it!
Meditation Psalm 37: Patient in righteous living
Trust in the Lord and do good;
dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. Take delight in the Lord,
and he will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord;
trust in him and he will do this: He will make your righteous reward shine like the dawn,
your vindication like the noonday sun. Be still before the Lord
and wait patiently for him;
do not fret when people succeed in their ways,
when they carry out their wicked schemes. Refrain from anger and turn from wrath;
do not fret—it leads only to evil. For those who are evil will be destroyed,
but those who hope in the Lord will inherit the land.
(Psalm 37:3-9 NIV)
God I have little faith. But God I want to believe that in time righteousness will being good to the world. Please Lord help my unbelief. Please help me to live by your righteousness patiently trusting in you and acting as you guide even when I doubt.
Amen
dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. Take delight in the Lord,
and he will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord;
trust in him and he will do this: He will make your righteous reward shine like the dawn,
your vindication like the noonday sun. Be still before the Lord
and wait patiently for him;
do not fret when people succeed in their ways,
when they carry out their wicked schemes. Refrain from anger and turn from wrath;
do not fret—it leads only to evil. For those who are evil will be destroyed,
but those who hope in the Lord will inherit the land.
(Psalm 37:3-9 NIV)
God I have little faith. But God I want to believe that in time righteousness will being good to the world. Please Lord help my unbelief. Please help me to live by your righteousness patiently trusting in you and acting as you guide even when I doubt.
Amen
Saturday, September 1, 2012
Job cries out to God for a Savior
"He is not a mere mortal like me that I might answer him,
that we might confront each other in court. If only there were someone to mediate between us,
someone to bring us together, someone to remove God's rod from me,
so that his terror would frighten me no more. Then I would speak up without fear of him,
but as it now stands with me, I cannot. (Job 9:32-35 NIV)
I hear in Jobs heart a longing for a savior. A God who knows his suffering and pain. And God has answered for all of us. Jesus came to live among us to suffer and die for us. The Son of God became flesh for us. Praise be to God our Father and Jesus our Lord an savior.
Amen
that we might confront each other in court. If only there were someone to mediate between us,
someone to bring us together, someone to remove God's rod from me,
so that his terror would frighten me no more. Then I would speak up without fear of him,
but as it now stands with me, I cannot. (Job 9:32-35 NIV)
I hear in Jobs heart a longing for a savior. A God who knows his suffering and pain. And God has answered for all of us. Jesus came to live among us to suffer and die for us. The Son of God became flesh for us. Praise be to God our Father and Jesus our Lord an savior.
Amen
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