So i've tried everything to be more consistant with this blog but the fact of the matter is that i'm just a little too stressed out AND worried about one too many classes to update it everyday (or even frequently) so i'm making the decision to put this blog on hold until
May 2, 2009
(a.k.a. the beginning of finals week- which equals more time)
so i will return to Like a Tree then
Peace Be with You!
(and yes, that will prolly mean me not doing my devos as often either =/ i kno, i fail)
**pps! prayer would be VERY nice as well... >.<**
Friday, April 10, 2009
Monday, April 6, 2009
I changed my mind...
I decided to go through Romans! (well go through it again...) AND like i have been awfully busy with school i decided to just write down the scriptures i found interesting every day (no responses unless i feel like i really need to do it) and just leave the ramblings for days i have more time...
So here we go:
4-4-09:
"I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jews, then for the Gentile."
Romans 1:16
"You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgement on someone else, for at whatever point you judge the other, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgement do the same things. Now we know that God's judgment against those who do such things is based on truth. So when you a mere man, pass judgment on them and yet do the same things, do you think you will escape God's judgment? or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, tolerance and patience, not realizing that God's kindness leads you toward repentance?"
Romans 2:2-4
"To those who by persistence is doing good seek glory, honor and immorality, he will give eternal life. But for those who are self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow evil, there will be wrath and anger."
Romans 2:7-8
"All who sin apart from the law will also perish apart from the law, and all who sin under the law will be judged by the law. For it is not those who hear the law who are righteous in God's sight, but those who obey the law who will be declared righteous. (Indeed, when gentiles, who do not have the law, do by nature things required by the law, they are a law for themselves, even though they do not have the law, since they show that the requirements of the law are written on their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts accusing, now even defending them."
Romans 2:12-15
"No, a man is a Jew if he is one inwardly; and circumcision is circumcision of the heart; by the spirit, not by the written code. Such a man's praise is no from men, but from God."
Romans 2:29
5/4/09
"Therefore no one will be declared righteous in his sight by observing the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of sin"
Romans 3:20
Peace be with you.
P.S. Here's "In Your Freedom" by Hillsong! xD
So here we go:
4-4-09:
"I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jews, then for the Gentile."
Romans 1:16
"You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgement on someone else, for at whatever point you judge the other, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgement do the same things. Now we know that God's judgment against those who do such things is based on truth. So when you a mere man, pass judgment on them and yet do the same things, do you think you will escape God's judgment? or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, tolerance and patience, not realizing that God's kindness leads you toward repentance?"
Romans 2:2-4
"To those who by persistence is doing good seek glory, honor and immorality, he will give eternal life. But for those who are self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow evil, there will be wrath and anger."
Romans 2:7-8
"All who sin apart from the law will also perish apart from the law, and all who sin under the law will be judged by the law. For it is not those who hear the law who are righteous in God's sight, but those who obey the law who will be declared righteous. (Indeed, when gentiles, who do not have the law, do by nature things required by the law, they are a law for themselves, even though they do not have the law, since they show that the requirements of the law are written on their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts accusing, now even defending them."
Romans 2:12-15
"No, a man is a Jew if he is one inwardly; and circumcision is circumcision of the heart; by the spirit, not by the written code. Such a man's praise is no from men, but from God."
Romans 2:29
5/4/09
"Therefore no one will be declared righteous in his sight by observing the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of sin"
Romans 3:20
Peace be with you.
P.S. Here's "In Your Freedom" by Hillsong! xD
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
A New Believer, what next? O.o
This once a week thing is killing me...
school has been hectic, my devotions have been occasional, and and i've been working a lot more since the beginning of this semester...
Recently, like more tonight that any time before, i've been really thinking about the man i will end up marrying (God willing of course...). Honestly, i am not planning on getting married any time soon- like mid to late (more mid) twenties are good for me but i have a feeling that whoever i end up with needs to be as unique as i am (and as amazing OBVIOUSLY.....)*psst. i was trying to be sarcastic :P*
Like i want a strong christian who knows the word and who is on the same page i am. Like i want someone who will hold me as accountable as i will with him. But i don't think i could stand being with a conservative christian- we'd get into so many fights it wouldn't even be worth it.
lol- but enough of me being a little girl- devotions!!!
I ended up doing the book of Psalms for my next project; i've been thinking that i should go through it. AND if you didn't know, that is where the title of this blog came from:
"But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on this law he mediates day and night. He is like tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers"
Psalm 1:2-3
(no duh, you should know that b/c it's right up there on the top of the screen :P)
I think this scripture is really important, to me and to everyone else. We are to meditate on God's word every single day. When we make it a habit to read God's word on a daily basis, we find ourselves at peace and more guarded from the enemy and his wickedness. It is when we dwell in God's word that be can consider ourselves righteous. When man decides that he is going to follow Christ, he is free from sin but is still prone to fall back into his sinful nature. Only through Christ can you dwell in good- consistently.
If you see anybody who has disciplined themselves to meditate on the world every day and every night you see a difference in how they handle their life. They handle the bad and messy with such grace and peace and confidence because their extensive look at the word has enable them to learn enough about God that they know that the "...Lord, has never forsaken those who seek [him]"
I think what a lot of people don't realize is that it is ok, as a Christian, to have doubt and to have questions about Christ and God and the Word. Those are things that God wants us to have in order to help us know him more- without the ability to think and have a mind and to have logic, we are not going to be able to learn about God more and learn to love him more.
I know that for me, asking my father about things i don't understand in the bible helped me with a lot of my doubts because he would sit me down with the word and pull out scripture to help me bridge gaps in my knowledge. Some things tho, i just left unanswered but kept on reading my bible and God opened my eyes to the answers of the questions i had in my heart.
I know that recently i've been feeling a little frustrated- i don't understand why no one can see this! if you trust in God and you pray for understanding he will not forsake you. If you seek him, He will answer. I know it's true because it happens to me all the time- to the the point that i hardly remember them now a days. God is always opening my eyes to things that i couldn't have seen without him. My father is like that and some of my really close friends are like that as well :)
So i guess what i'm saying is that if one is reading the word but is not understanding it, or even having doubts about it- continue reading and continue praying and find a spiritual mentor to help guide you. The biggest and hardest part about being a new believer is that there is a lot of faith and trust that needs to be put in from early- that's because there really isn't a lot you know about God yet on an intellectual level. The next step for someone who want to really take their faith seriously is to meditate on God's word day and night- whether or not it makes sense at first. Have faith!
a collection of all the other passages i liked from my devotions:
25/3/09
"Many are saying of me, 'God will not deliver him.' But you are a shield around me, O Lord; you bestow your glory on me and you lift my head. To the Lord I cry aloud, and he answers me from his holy hill."
Psalm 3:2-4
"I lie down and sleep; I wake again, because the Lord sustains me. I will not fear the tens of thousands drawn up against me on every side"
Psalm 3:5-6
"I will lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety."
Psalm 4:8
Sunday-
"He who is pregnant with evil and conceives trouble give birth to disillusionment. He who digs a hole and scoops it out falls into the pit he has made. The trouble he cause recoils on himself; his violence comes down on his own head."
Psalm 7:14-16
Wednesday-
"The Lord is a refuge for the opposed, a stronghold in times of trouble. Those who know your name will trust in you, for you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you."
Psalm 9:9-10
school has been hectic, my devotions have been occasional, and and i've been working a lot more since the beginning of this semester...
Recently, like more tonight that any time before, i've been really thinking about the man i will end up marrying (God willing of course...). Honestly, i am not planning on getting married any time soon- like mid to late (more mid) twenties are good for me but i have a feeling that whoever i end up with needs to be as unique as i am (and as amazing OBVIOUSLY.....)*psst. i was trying to be sarcastic :P*
Like i want a strong christian who knows the word and who is on the same page i am. Like i want someone who will hold me as accountable as i will with him. But i don't think i could stand being with a conservative christian- we'd get into so many fights it wouldn't even be worth it.
lol- but enough of me being a little girl- devotions!!!
I ended up doing the book of Psalms for my next project; i've been thinking that i should go through it. AND if you didn't know, that is where the title of this blog came from:
"But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on this law he mediates day and night. He is like tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers"
Psalm 1:2-3
(no duh, you should know that b/c it's right up there on the top of the screen :P)
I think this scripture is really important, to me and to everyone else. We are to meditate on God's word every single day. When we make it a habit to read God's word on a daily basis, we find ourselves at peace and more guarded from the enemy and his wickedness. It is when we dwell in God's word that be can consider ourselves righteous. When man decides that he is going to follow Christ, he is free from sin but is still prone to fall back into his sinful nature. Only through Christ can you dwell in good- consistently.
If you see anybody who has disciplined themselves to meditate on the world every day and every night you see a difference in how they handle their life. They handle the bad and messy with such grace and peace and confidence because their extensive look at the word has enable them to learn enough about God that they know that the "...Lord, has never forsaken those who seek [him]"
I think what a lot of people don't realize is that it is ok, as a Christian, to have doubt and to have questions about Christ and God and the Word. Those are things that God wants us to have in order to help us know him more- without the ability to think and have a mind and to have logic, we are not going to be able to learn about God more and learn to love him more.
I know that for me, asking my father about things i don't understand in the bible helped me with a lot of my doubts because he would sit me down with the word and pull out scripture to help me bridge gaps in my knowledge. Some things tho, i just left unanswered but kept on reading my bible and God opened my eyes to the answers of the questions i had in my heart.
I know that recently i've been feeling a little frustrated- i don't understand why no one can see this! if you trust in God and you pray for understanding he will not forsake you. If you seek him, He will answer. I know it's true because it happens to me all the time- to the the point that i hardly remember them now a days. God is always opening my eyes to things that i couldn't have seen without him. My father is like that and some of my really close friends are like that as well :)
So i guess what i'm saying is that if one is reading the word but is not understanding it, or even having doubts about it- continue reading and continue praying and find a spiritual mentor to help guide you. The biggest and hardest part about being a new believer is that there is a lot of faith and trust that needs to be put in from early- that's because there really isn't a lot you know about God yet on an intellectual level. The next step for someone who want to really take their faith seriously is to meditate on God's word day and night- whether or not it makes sense at first. Have faith!
a collection of all the other passages i liked from my devotions:
25/3/09
"Many are saying of me, 'God will not deliver him.' But you are a shield around me, O Lord; you bestow your glory on me and you lift my head. To the Lord I cry aloud, and he answers me from his holy hill."
Psalm 3:2-4
"I lie down and sleep; I wake again, because the Lord sustains me. I will not fear the tens of thousands drawn up against me on every side"
Psalm 3:5-6
"I will lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety."
Psalm 4:8
Sunday-
"He who is pregnant with evil and conceives trouble give birth to disillusionment. He who digs a hole and scoops it out falls into the pit he has made. The trouble he cause recoils on himself; his violence comes down on his own head."
Psalm 7:14-16
Wednesday-
"The Lord is a refuge for the opposed, a stronghold in times of trouble. Those who know your name will trust in you, for you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you."
Psalm 9:9-10
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Hiatus- and no there's no good reason for it...
Sorry again for being so lame =/
and i think i've only done my devo's twice in the more than a week long hiatus...
FAIL
So i decided to do Philippians next and it was such a short book that i finished it the second time i did devotions... (it was like 4 chapters long :P)
I'm mad busy so i'm just going to go through the verses that stood out to me =/
(again, sorry for being so lame)
18-3-09
"And this is my prayer; that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ"
Philippians 1:9-10
"For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for him,"
Philippians 1:29
Monday-
"Then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose."
Philippians 2:2
"Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God w/o fault in a crooked and deprived generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe"
Philippians 2:14=15
"Do not be anxious about anything but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. Ad the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."
Philip. 4:6-7
"I can do everything through him who gives me strength."
Philip. 4:13
and i think i've only done my devo's twice in the more than a week long hiatus...
FAIL
So i decided to do Philippians next and it was such a short book that i finished it the second time i did devotions... (it was like 4 chapters long :P)
I'm mad busy so i'm just going to go through the verses that stood out to me =/
(again, sorry for being so lame)
18-3-09
"And this is my prayer; that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ"
Philippians 1:9-10
"For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for him,"
Philippians 1:29
Monday-
"Then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose."
Philippians 2:2
"Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God w/o fault in a crooked and deprived generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe"
Philippians 2:14=15
"Do not be anxious about anything but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. Ad the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."
Philip. 4:6-7
"I can do everything through him who gives me strength."
Philip. 4:13
Sunday, March 15, 2009
A bucket O' Hebrews :P
So i was bad again this weekend and i did not do my devo's friday, or saturday, and today i'm prolly not gonna actually get down and read a chapter.
If it counts, Friday i had to wrap up some stuff (which i'm glad i did btw!!!)/ pack?/ leave that night to go to the airport
Saturday i was tired and fighting on whether i should sleep, pack or neither (i think i ended up doing more of the latter...)
And today i don't really have an excuse...
I'll just say right now that there's been a lot of issues that have been going on in my mind:
Predestination
Battle Cry Controversy
the "Customized Jesus" thing (yea, again)
and a few more smaller issues. I know that i don't really have time to go over it right now (HOMEWOOOOOORRRRRRRKKKKKK!!!!!! T_T). and like Tomorrow's monday, and will be a busy day for me, physically and spiritually, i highly doubt i would have time to write any kind of devotional anyway (with all the hw due tuesday... :( ....)
Plus i am having a hard time deciding what book in the bible i should do next- i want to do something short and in the new testament (like i jut finished one in the Old testament) but i'm not exactly sure what. Maybe 1 and 2 Peter? idk, i know i went through a John phase (John, 1 John, 2 John, 3 John...). But idk... I might have already gone through the Peters...
I guess i'll just leave you with some of my fav (rather highlighted) verses from Hebrews:
"The Son is the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. after he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven."
Hebrews 1:3
"But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness"
Hebrews 3:13
"For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow"
Hebrews 4:12
"Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness. But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves in distinguish good from evil."
Hebrews 5:13
"And so after waiting patiently, Abraham received what was promised."
Hebrews 6:15
"But because Jesus lives forever, he has a permanent priesthood. Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them"
Hebrews 7:24
"By calling this covenant 'new,' he has made the first one obsolete; and what is obsolete and aging will soon disappear."
Hebrews 8:13
~yea, that's definitely a topic that's waaaaay to complex and intricate to go into right now...
"Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another- and all the more as you see the Day approaching."
Hebrews 10:25
"Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see"
Hebrews 11:1
~yes, i am aware that i am posting this scripture again- (i just really like it ;D)
"No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it."
Hebrews 12:11
"Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord"
Hebrews 12:14
"Remember those in prison as if you were their fellow prisoners, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering"
Hebrews 13:3
~Compassion! Empathyyyyy!!!!
"Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise- the fruit of lips that confess his name. And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased."
Hebrews 13:15
If it counts, Friday i had to wrap up some stuff (which i'm glad i did btw!!!)/ pack?/ leave that night to go to the airport
Saturday i was tired and fighting on whether i should sleep, pack or neither (i think i ended up doing more of the latter...)
And today i don't really have an excuse...
I'll just say right now that there's been a lot of issues that have been going on in my mind:
Predestination
Battle Cry Controversy
the "Customized Jesus" thing (yea, again)
and a few more smaller issues. I know that i don't really have time to go over it right now (HOMEWOOOOOORRRRRRRKKKKKK!!!!!! T_T). and like Tomorrow's monday, and will be a busy day for me, physically and spiritually, i highly doubt i would have time to write any kind of devotional anyway (with all the hw due tuesday... :( ....)
Plus i am having a hard time deciding what book in the bible i should do next- i want to do something short and in the new testament (like i jut finished one in the Old testament) but i'm not exactly sure what. Maybe 1 and 2 Peter? idk, i know i went through a John phase (John, 1 John, 2 John, 3 John...). But idk... I might have already gone through the Peters...
I guess i'll just leave you with some of my fav (rather highlighted) verses from Hebrews:
"The Son is the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. after he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven."
Hebrews 1:3
"But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness"
Hebrews 3:13
"For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow"
Hebrews 4:12
"Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness. But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves in distinguish good from evil."
Hebrews 5:13
"And so after waiting patiently, Abraham received what was promised."
Hebrews 6:15
"But because Jesus lives forever, he has a permanent priesthood. Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them"
Hebrews 7:24
"By calling this covenant 'new,' he has made the first one obsolete; and what is obsolete and aging will soon disappear."
Hebrews 8:13
~yea, that's definitely a topic that's waaaaay to complex and intricate to go into right now...
"Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another- and all the more as you see the Day approaching."
Hebrews 10:25
"Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see"
Hebrews 11:1
~yes, i am aware that i am posting this scripture again- (i just really like it ;D)
"No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it."
Hebrews 12:11
"Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord"
Hebrews 12:14
"Remember those in prison as if you were their fellow prisoners, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering"
Hebrews 13:3
~Compassion! Empathyyyyy!!!!
"Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise- the fruit of lips that confess his name. And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased."
Hebrews 13:15
Thursday, March 12, 2009
Everything and the End of a Book
So i've been having this kind of spiritual block these last two days and it's getting hard to interpret my bible and stuff like that, idk- there's something i need to take care of and i don't think this block is going to go away until i take care of it.
Everything- by Lifehouse
Most ppl know this song from the Everything Human Video
but the song by itself is so powerful too- i just never noticed until i was singing it in Church
On another note: i reached the end of Isaiah!!! :D
"I will set a sign among them, and I will send some of those who survive to the nations- to Tarshish, to the Libyans and Lydians (famous as archers), to Tubal and Greece, and to the distant islands that have not heard of my fame or seen my glory. They will proclaim my glory among the nations."
Isaiah 66:19
No interpretations today, i'm just not getting anything :(
Peace be with You.
Everything- by Lifehouse
Most ppl know this song from the Everything Human Video
but the song by itself is so powerful too- i just never noticed until i was singing it in Church
On another note: i reached the end of Isaiah!!! :D
"I will set a sign among them, and I will send some of those who survive to the nations- to Tarshish, to the Libyans and Lydians (famous as archers), to Tubal and Greece, and to the distant islands that have not heard of my fame or seen my glory. They will proclaim my glory among the nations."
Isaiah 66:19
No interpretations today, i'm just not getting anything :(
Peace be with You.
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Revelations
Sometimes, i feel like us Christians get too caught up with all these different roles that we need to play. We want to one up another with 'who raised their hands first' at worship, who sang loudest, who spoke in tongues, who said a divine word- basically who was more 'spiritual' than everyone else. That kind of pressure, i think hinders a person's worship. I know that sometimes i find it hard to distinguish if i am praying and worshiping for others or for God.
But tonight i felt something that i haven't felt in a long time- long meaning maybe a year or so. I was totally overcome by God: to the point i was just shaking uncontrollably. It was just weird but good to feel. I mean, it happens every once and a while- and it used to happen a lot when i started really focusing when i worshiped, but at some point it was like God just said 'enough of that,' and i really didn't know why. I still don't know why actually! Maybe because he wanted my close period with him to be when i was intellectually, not emotionally, dumbfounded by him? hmm... that could be it... (if you haven't noticed, i tend to be pondering while i'm typing :P). But it was good to feel- I can't even begin telling you how many times i have prayed to God to let me feel him again. JUST ONCE! That was one of my struggles all through Italy- God never truly took over my senses over there. I cried about it, i prayed about it, i read about it, but it just never came. Instead tho- i filled gaps in my knowledge of God that you wouldn't believe. New revelations came to me every single day.
So i guess that must have been it then. Maybe God pulled away the feeling part for a while so that i could focus all my attention on becoming close to him through my mind and my knowledge of him. Interesting. I guess the next question would be will it happen again? is this just a one time thing or did I break though a barrier that God temporarily put up for me? Time will tell...
"Since ancient times no one has heard, no ear has perceived, no eye has seen any God besides you, who acts on behalf of those who wait for him"
Isaiah 64:4
~like i said before, What makes our God so unique is that all he asks of us is to make him our Lord. He wants us to love him and put faith in Him and he will answer us when we do so. Other religions you have to work hard- cause that way, if nothing happens then you can just blame urself. With our God, there is not alot of room to blame ourselves. We have to risk it all by just having faith that he will answer you.
"Do not be angry beyond measure, Oh Lord, do not remember our sins forever. Oh, look upon us, we pray, for we are all your people"
Isaiah 64:9
~This is a crazy powerful scripture. It just highlights the problem with the old covenant in the nutshell: THIS IS WHY WE NEED JESUS!!! If you read Isaiah through, God is fairly strict with his people. He punishes them for their sins if they did it for a while- and it was a harsh punishment. There is frustration between God and his people. God cannot come close to his people as long as there is sin between him and them. That sin wasn't going to go away as long as the people continued to sin and not take the measures to cover it. When the Israelites sinned too much, God just got very frustrated. There is his people- the one that he has put aside as his own- and they are dishonoring him over and over and over and over and over.
Thanks to Jesus, that isn't us anymore. Jesus took away the sin we did in the past and the sin we are going to do in the future. God doesn't have to see us as too filthy to even touch anymore, he can be close to us now with no kind of separation. Thank you Jesus!!! O.O
"Behold,, I will create new heavens and a new earth. The former things will not be remembered, nor will they come to mind"
Isaiah 65:17
~i wanna go over this now, but now is not the time...
"The wolf and the Lamb will feed together, and the lion will eat straw like the ox, but dust will be the serpent's food. They will neither harm nor destroy on all my holy mountain."
Isaiah 65:25
Peace be with you.
But tonight i felt something that i haven't felt in a long time- long meaning maybe a year or so. I was totally overcome by God: to the point i was just shaking uncontrollably. It was just weird but good to feel. I mean, it happens every once and a while- and it used to happen a lot when i started really focusing when i worshiped, but at some point it was like God just said 'enough of that,' and i really didn't know why. I still don't know why actually! Maybe because he wanted my close period with him to be when i was intellectually, not emotionally, dumbfounded by him? hmm... that could be it... (if you haven't noticed, i tend to be pondering while i'm typing :P). But it was good to feel- I can't even begin telling you how many times i have prayed to God to let me feel him again. JUST ONCE! That was one of my struggles all through Italy- God never truly took over my senses over there. I cried about it, i prayed about it, i read about it, but it just never came. Instead tho- i filled gaps in my knowledge of God that you wouldn't believe. New revelations came to me every single day.
So i guess that must have been it then. Maybe God pulled away the feeling part for a while so that i could focus all my attention on becoming close to him through my mind and my knowledge of him. Interesting. I guess the next question would be will it happen again? is this just a one time thing or did I break though a barrier that God temporarily put up for me? Time will tell...
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"Since ancient times no one has heard, no ear has perceived, no eye has seen any God besides you, who acts on behalf of those who wait for him"
Isaiah 64:4
~like i said before, What makes our God so unique is that all he asks of us is to make him our Lord. He wants us to love him and put faith in Him and he will answer us when we do so. Other religions you have to work hard- cause that way, if nothing happens then you can just blame urself. With our God, there is not alot of room to blame ourselves. We have to risk it all by just having faith that he will answer you.
"Do not be angry beyond measure, Oh Lord, do not remember our sins forever. Oh, look upon us, we pray, for we are all your people"
Isaiah 64:9
~This is a crazy powerful scripture. It just highlights the problem with the old covenant in the nutshell: THIS IS WHY WE NEED JESUS!!! If you read Isaiah through, God is fairly strict with his people. He punishes them for their sins if they did it for a while- and it was a harsh punishment. There is frustration between God and his people. God cannot come close to his people as long as there is sin between him and them. That sin wasn't going to go away as long as the people continued to sin and not take the measures to cover it. When the Israelites sinned too much, God just got very frustrated. There is his people- the one that he has put aside as his own- and they are dishonoring him over and over and over and over and over.
Thanks to Jesus, that isn't us anymore. Jesus took away the sin we did in the past and the sin we are going to do in the future. God doesn't have to see us as too filthy to even touch anymore, he can be close to us now with no kind of separation. Thank you Jesus!!! O.O
"Behold,, I will create new heavens and a new earth. The former things will not be remembered, nor will they come to mind"
Isaiah 65:17
~i wanna go over this now, but now is not the time...
"The wolf and the Lamb will feed together, and the lion will eat straw like the ox, but dust will be the serpent's food. They will neither harm nor destroy on all my holy mountain."
Isaiah 65:25
Peace be with you.
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