Bible school Life.

Wow, what to say first. So much has happened! I am now a student at Waukesha New Tribes Bible Institute. I work at Daryland Busses, driving a shortbus(score!).  Haha. I have four dorm mates, Aimee, Hannah,Sarah, and Jennifer. They are great, though I admit, I hardly see any of them.(Sad face) I finally got my older brothers as well as a twin too! Hannah(a different Hannah than my dorm mate) is a gal so much like me it's scary, and we have a grand ol' time together. And my brothers... =) The dorms here have the choice of hooking up a guys room and a gals room to be "dorm brothers and sisters", so those introverted ones will get a chance to hang out with more people during dorm events. I have four dorm brothers, and they are AWESOME! Nate, Aaron, Tyler(Aimee's brother in real life) and Jake. Man, I am LOVIN it. =)
I just finished my first block of classes. I guess that's a two -3 week period or something, 'cause two of my first classes ended and we started two new ones. It's been amazing so far. We have Evangelism in a Postmodern world, we just finished Bibliology and Biblical Foundations, and we are starting Pentatuke(sp?) and Proverbs. Amazing classes, and I'm learning so much.
I can feel myself growing in leaps and bounds here, and really only a small bit of it has to do with the classes. Really, I have found a great group of brothers and sisters in Christ and we have set up a firm fellowship. It's hard being away from home, and I miss my family like CRAZY. So many things happening without me, yet I can just feel that I am in God's will for me. He smoothed things over so well, and peace is over me like a blanket, even through the rough times.
My second week here was the hardest week in my life. I ended up stressing myself so much over bus training  and leaving my family that I made myself sick. Every morning I would wake up, throw up, feel sick, get better, and the repeat. It was really bad for a while, and I was feeling very overwelmed, especially when classes started and I had to sit in back in case I threw up. God taught me so much through that though, and I had so many bessings of prayer and gifts from people that I still feel overwelmed by the goodness of the people God has placed in my life. God did provide for me, and one of the other students here, who went through massage school, was able to figure out something about my stomach moving from the place it should be, and she fixed me! Yay! God provides! Anyway, It's been eventful, but it's been AMAZING! I can't wait to see what God has for me next! Ok, battery life is almost dead. Just wanted to write a quick update. God Bless you all!
                        Angie

New Directions.

           Here I am, sitting on the couch with normal family life bustling around me as usual. It seems so regular, but the fact of the matter is that I will be leaving my family and my home in less than 12 hours. I will be traveling up for a small vacation in Michigan before heading over to my new "normal" life at New Tribes Bible Institute, Waukesha WI. My mind is bustling with a million details and worries, most of them having to do with money, leaving family, and not forgetting anything.
           Every time I start worrying, I have to remind myself of the verse that talks about not worrying. You know the one that talks about how the lillies of the field do not worry about where they will stay or how they will eat or anything like that, but God provides for them, and how much more will He provide for us, His own children. I find it a good and calming concept for me to dwell on at the moment.
          Anyway, it's really scary, leaving my family and going off to live in some fridgid northern country, but I do believe that God wants me there, at least for a time, and that one way or another He will provide for all my needs. It's rough to trust Him with so much, knowing how far away I will be and what a long time it will be. I love my family so much, and I'm gonna miss them allot, but I feel so blessed that there are so many ways to stay connected with them, facebook, skype, phone, and even letters!
          I believe that, though I will be far away from my family for this time, God will bring more people into my life and bless me through knowing them. The thing I'm most excited for (besides the food. rofl!), though, is the Bible Teaching! I have grown up in a Christian setting, but I still find myself so ignorant! I can't wait to learn and grow more, even knowing that once I graduate, I will have only grown, not attained perfection. I understand that I will never know everything, but I'm so excited to learn more!
           Please pray for me as I start on this new journey. I don't know how many people will be reading this, but I plan to keep my blogg updated(as much as I have time for), and will be giving my address so that you know how to contact me if you want. =) Thanks for reading and God Bless!

Time is in His hands.

You know, it seems to me that most of our lives are governed by time. Everything from a tender young age is governed by the time we have on this earth. I cannot count the times I have heard people(or have myself) refer to an event with a "I can't wait!" So many single brothers and sisters in Christ have expressed disappointment because they can't seem to find the right soulmate at that time. I have felt that myself sometimes. Then there is Impatience for something to happen faster, or something to be different, for someone to do something.
Therein lies the problem. Everything in our lives has to happen soon, right away, or along that line. It is by no means something that I am innocent of, I just want to point out something that has been on my mind.
Time has been on my mind so much lately. I'm leaving so soon, I've had such a short time with my brother-in-law and sister, I wont see some people who I am leaving for such a long time. And then there is more immediate things like, I have to work this much time today, but I want time to hang out, or rest. I also want time with my family, or time to pack, or any number of things. Time, Time, Time. It seems logical to work it out so I make the most of it, but the words in a specific song really just hit me in this last week. How Great is our God says, "Age to age He stands, and time is in His hands, begining and the end."
Although it's easy to say that time is in God's hands, it's much harder to place MY time in His hands. I have stuff I want to get done. I have places I need to be. God understands. But no, this mentality is as destructive as the very distress brought on by my schedule. Ther truth of the matter is, time is not only in His hands before and after, but also NOW. Not just that, but it BELONGS to Him. He created time, and it is His to keep.
If you noticed, in the last paragraph, I metioned that it was MY time. Though that is often my mindset, the truth is that it is anything but mine. I am Christ's and He is mine now. With the mindset of "my" time, I am separating what is meant to be one. Indeed, it is not my time but His.
God has promised everything to work together for good for those who love Him. It might be difficult to give up your wants, dreams or even your needs, but it is a sure thing that God is only working time for the ultimate best it can be. He is our want, dream, and need now. We can rest in the fact that He is in control of everything, and controlls it for the best. Anyway, that's just my thougths. =) Jumbled as they are, I hope you gained some insight/encouragement/ fun from this. =) Thanks for reading! 
@ngie.

Prophecy of Christ, Day 5

Genesis 28:13-15
There above it stood the LORD, and he said: “I am the LORD, the God of your father Abraham and the God of Isaac. I will give you and your descendants the land on which you are lying. Your descendants will be like the dust of the earth, and you will spread out to the west and to the east, to the north and to the south. All peoples on earth will be blessed through you and your offspring. I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go, and I will bring you back to this land. I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you.”
    
          Ok, so the prophecy is right there in verse 14 (The part that starts off with "Your descendents will"), and it is almost excactly like the promise given to Abraham and Isaac, except for this is now to Jacob. Now when I was little, I always kinda used to wonder why Jacob got to have the promise passed down to him instead of having it passed down to Esau. I mean, it was Esau's birthright, and Jacob tricked him out of it. I couldn't understand why God would honnor a trickster. But the real reason was that Esau had dishonnored the promise by giving it up for a simple bowl of soup. He didn't think it was important. Jacob understood that the promise was an amazing honnor and blessing. Just and interesting note I always think of when I read this. =)
       I love the last part, which is verse 15. He promised to be with Jacob wherever he went, and would not leave till the promise had been fulfilled. Now, for back then, this was a pretty big deal. I mean, we have it sooooo good. We have the Holy Spirit with us 24/7! But back then, God couldn't dwell among men because, obviously, men sin(so do women), and without Christ as our perfection, we were seperated from God. He was going to great lengths even then, I mean, He could have totally left us sinful dorks to ourselves back then, but he came down and spoke to us as much as He was able.
        So cool! And totally shows you the reason why I'm going through this study! I want to see where we were without Christ, but also how Christ was brought forth. How through the ages, God brought the promise to life. It's so cool. =)
              Alrighty, Shalom!

Prophecies of Christ, Day 4

          Well, I missed a couple days. =/ Soory! Anyhow Day 4!
Genesis 26:3-5
Stay in this land for a while, and I will be with you and will bless you. For to you and your descendants I will give all these lands and will confirm the oath I swore to your father Abraham.
    I will make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and will give them all these lands, and through your offspring all nations on earth will be blessed,
    because Abraham obeyed me and kept my requirements, my commands, my decrees and my laws.
         Here, the passing of the promise from Abraham to Isaac is confirmed. Back story, the reason that God was telling Isaac not to move... or rather the reason Isaac was considering going down to Egypt, was that there was a famine. =) So yah, just 'cause some of you might be like "Why wouldn't he stay?"
          Oh, and I thought verse 5 was so cool, so I included it. It's like Exodus 20: 5-6
   You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, but showing love to a thousand generations of those who love me and keep my commandments.
         Idk, just kinda what was brought to mind when I read that. =) Haha. Anyway, it's cool to keep track of how the promise is passed from generation to generation, and how it is given to those who follow God's will. There really isn't much said about Isaac, so I've always kinda assumed he lived a rather unremarkable life. What do you all think?
              Well thanks for reading, and God bless!
                                  Shalom!

Prophecies of Christ Day 3

Genesis 22:18
and through your offspring all nations on earth will be blessed, because you have obeyed me.”
     
      Ok, so this comes right after Abraham goes to sacrifice Isaac at the Lord's command, but he is stopped last minute and given a ram to sacrifice instead. Great story about faith, and it also has some symbolism of Christ, but I don't really consider it a prophecy. Again, it's more symbolism than an out and out prophecy.
      Well anyhow, this is really the same as what was said to Abraham back in chaper 12(see Day 2 blogpost), but the cool thing about it is, it's after all this rich symbolism of Christ. And you thought I didn't like the whole symbolism thing! Not! I love it! It's great, it's just not what I'm supposed to be studying. =) I need to stay on track. Haha. So now that we have that cleared up, back to the verse.
      Oh man, if I had just been put in Abraham's shoes, I would not be concious to hear what the angel had to say to me. Major Freakout moment! The dude had come like.... centemeters away from killing his son! His Only son, I remind you, since he sent Hagar and Ishmael away. Shnap! Anyway, he believed God, and it was credited to him as rightiousness. And he was blessed because of his faith. His obedience not only blessed him, but all nations! How cool is that!
        Haha, anyhow, some of what I'm getting through this is that whether we obey God or not does have an impact. I mean, God would have sent His Son for us either way, because He is rich in mercy and He knew from the time He created us where we would end up. But He loves us and wants to save us. But because of Abraham's obedience and faith, he was allowed to become the father of the nation that Christ was born through. Sweet stuff eh? I think it's really cool, and I'm LOVING this study! Hope ya'll are too. =)
                  Shalom!            

Prophecies of Christ, Day 2

Genesis 12:2-3
“I will make you into a great nation,
   and I will bless you;
I will make your name great,
   and you will be a blessing.
I will bless those who bless you,
   and whoever curses you I will curse;
and all peoples on earth
   will be blessed through you.”
         
              Ok, so day two, and although the list had more in between this verse and that, none of them were really prophecies of Christ.... Idk. So anyway, prophecy #2. This prophecy is spoken to Abraham when God first calls him. This is when. Here, God is promising that Abraham will father the nation that the Messiah would come through. "all peoples on earth will be blessed through you" That is refering to the blessing of the Messiah, the blessing of Christ. Cool stuff eh!? Imagine being told told that you're going to be the father of a great nation, (that's after you are pretty much sure you'll die without ever having a child) and not only that, but through that nation, the Savior of the world would come. The the Messiah would have a direct lineage from you! Whoa.... Cool Beans Eh?
                     Ok, so one of the verse that kinda references to Christ but doesn't really... Idk what really to think of it, is Genesis 4:4 "And Abel also brought an offering—fat portions from some of the firstborn of his flock. The LORD looked with favor on Abel and his offering," Now you can see here, there is slight symbolism of Christ and what will happen in the future, but it isn't a direct reference. You undersand why I was confused now hu? Well, I decided to just go on with the direct references, but I figured I could include a little note about it on here. The other references refer to the need for a blood sacrifice, but again, I wanted a direct reference about Christ. =) Any comments, questions? Please feel free to put them down. =) Shalom!
                
                                                                       

New Bible Study.

       Hey ya'll! Idk who reads this, but I figured I'd just keep posting 'cause I like haveing somewhere to write down and share all my thoughts and new learnings. =) So anyway, onto the real point of this post. Over the next few.... well months to a year really, I shall be going through and once a day reading a prophecy concerning Christ.
       There are well over 100, probably more around 300, so you get why I would be going over this for a year. Feel welcome to join me, and hopefully I'll be able to post little somethings on what I read each day 'n such. Also, I have a pretty good list of most of the prophecies ( I wouldn't dare to even think that the list has all of them), so if you want me to send that to you, please just ask.
       Now on to the good stuff! The first verse on the list, and the verse for today is Genesis 3:15.
And I will put enmity
   between you and the woman,
   and between your offspring and hers;
he will crush your head,
   and you will strike his heel.”

      Alrighty, so this is one of the most well known prophecies of Christ, or at least it's the one that I've heard about the most. This is set in the passage where God curses the man, woman, and Satan(serpent). This particular part actually is a curse on the serpent. This is telling Satan his ultimate fate.... he will always be the  enemy of Christ, and though he will strike at Christ's heel( all the ways that he tries to get rid of the prophecy throughout the ages, eventually peaking with the crucifiction of  Christ), Christ will crush his head.  It's refering mostly to the crucifiction though, according to what I've been told.
         Anyway, there is more to talk about and think on, but really, you could just go on forever! So I'll stop here. =) I'd love to hear about your thoughts on it, dear reader. Please comment, or message me, or something! I really would enjoy hearing about your personal take on all this. =) Have a great God filled day, and God bless.
                   Angie Out!

Sacrifice.

How many of us really realise exactly how much Christ gave up to be with us. And then, after we realise that, how many of us understand what a gift it is. And once we understand, that, how many of us take that into our lives?
This particular subject has been heavy on my heart lately. As I read Matthew 26 and 27 the other night, I was just suddenly hit by how nonchalantly I read this. Here it was, the event in history that is the basis for my faith, the reason for who I am, and I read it as if it was a story.
Upon realising this, I stopped and went back to the beginning of chapter 26. Reading through, this time with a heart to see the truth, I understood exactly how painful the death of Christ was. Not just physical, but in every single aspect. He lived a life of rejection, was betrayed by one of His own disciples, abandoned by the others, brutally beaten, sentenced to death by His own people, put to death in the most painful way possible, while taking on all sin that has ever been or ever will be for everyone, ( people have killed themselves because of the guilt they carry over their sins, and He took that on multiplied by like.... gazillions) and worst of all, He was separated from His father. God turned away. I can't fathom how painful that would be for me, and my love for God is not even a portion of what Christ is capable of having, much less has. Oh the pain. It breaks my heart.
How can we read this like it is nothing? And even more, how can we live like this is "normal". It's part of our every day life yes, but since when is any part of Christianity normal? Since when is every day for a Christian normal?
I started thinking of how we normalise things in our lives, such as prayer..... or even saying "Dear Jesus" at the beginning of prayer. Reading the Bible, talking about Christ sacrifice, living out His life and love, oh the list goes on and on. My prayer for myself and for others is that we will not normalise Christ. I want to feel the heartbreak of the cross every day, because through that comes incredible joy. No, not sacrificing Christ over and over again, but understanding each and every day that He went through intense pain, because that understanding gives me just a glimpse of the great love he holds for me. I don't want to be normal. Idk, just what's been on my mind lately. =)

Balance and turns.

So today, I went to dance class (totally awesome btw) for the second time ever, and we learned how to do a special kinda twirl. I forget what it’s called, and yes, I did totally fail at it, but like most of the other ballet things we do, it’s all a matter of balance. Everything is up on your tip toes in ballet, and you have to have really good balance to do anything.

But for this particular dance move, you have to twirl on one foot, tip toe, in a full circle, and land with your foot behind you. Sounds easy, right? Nu Uh! Now I have been working on my balance for months, and this move, for me, is as hard as learning to walk! The problem is not mainly in the mechanics of it though. Yes, I need to make many things become a habit in order to do it perfectly, but the main problem I noticed, was balance.

In order to make a full turn and get my foot behind me for a uniform turn, I need to have balance on my one foot and stay in a full passé while I’m turning. My biggest problem was when I took my focus off balance and onto the mechanics, and in that time, I lean and get off balance. Well, as I realized this and how I need to think in order to correct it, it got me thinking. =)

Allot of people talk about “balancing” their lives, and with spiritual life, getting “back on track”. When I think of getting back on track, I always think of one of those mono rails, and I would think you need to balance those really well to get them to stay on that one little track. But yah, my life has been a little like this lately, and I have been trying to get back on that little mono rail track, but it seems I keep falling off.

Anyway, these two things connected for me, and I came up with a spiritual analogy.

When your spiritual life is off balance and you try to get back onto that narrow road, many times you try to focus on how you should look when you are up there, but that doesn’t work. And just like in my dance, I can’t focus on the mechanics or even the balance to actually balance well either. I have to focus on where my balance comes from. In our spiritual lives, that would be God.

                It’s so hard ‘cause we have the goal of looking a certain way and doing certain things, just like when doing that turn, I have the goal of having everything look specifically right. But in order to even balance well enough we don’t fall, we need to find our “Center of Balance” as Daniel always tells me. And isn’t the Christ the center of everything for any Christian? When we focus on the mechanics of Christianity, we focus on works, and when we focus on balance itself, we focus on ourselves and our feelings, not Christ. No, in order to have a balanced life, a balanced spiritual life, we need to focus on where our balance comes from. And what this the answer? Same as it’s always been, and is, and will be. Jesus. =) Haha. Yay!

First ever yg lesson I taught!

Hey, so I decided to post the first ever lesson I taught for Mk and Friends youthgroup. =) Kinda a momentious thing for me... haha. =) Idk. Anyway, yah, this is what I taught the girls for split sessions, Friday the 18th, Febuary 2011.

Overview from Jenna’s lesson.

Reasons why we want to date and verses that show how God can fulfill those desires better than any man can.

Love

Psalm 86:15 “But you, O Lord, are a compassionate

and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness.”

Belonging

Ephesians 1:5 “In love he predestined us to be adopted

as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will.”

Security (constant)

Psalm 36:7 “How priceless is Your unfailing love! Both

high and low among men find refuge in the shadow of Your wings.”

Status

Romans 8:16-18 “The Spirit himself testifies with our

spirit that we are God's children. 17Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs

of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we

may also share in his glory. 18I consider that our present sufferings are not worth

comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.”

Pursued

Luke 19:10 “For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost."

Affection

Zephaniah 3:17 “The LORD your God is with you, he is

mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he

will rejoice over you with singing."

Lust

1 Thessalonians 4:4-6 “That each of you should learn to

control his own body in a way that is holy and honorable, not in passionate lust like

the heathen, who do not know God;”

What is important on this earth is building a relationship with GOD,

because that is the only relationship that will LAST and FULFILL your

hearts desire for ETERNITY.

God is the only thing that lasts—here and there.

If our relationship with God is the most important thing, then we need to be sure

to put our lives in positions to where we can most LEARN, GROW, and FALL IN

LOVE with our Savior.

Angie’s  Notes

Proverbs 19:22
What a person desires is unfailing love;
better to be poor than a liar.

When Jenna taught this lesson, her point was that you should pursue God first. We desire unfailing love, and God is the only one who can provide it.

     Lamentations 3:32
    Though he brings grief, he will show compassion,
    so great is his unfailing love.

So does this mean that we shouldn’t want to have a relationship with a guy? No, we were created first for God, but we were also created to be a helpmate to a man.

Genesis 2:20-22

 So the man gave names to all the livestock, the birds in the sky and all the wild animals. But for Adam no suitable helper was found. So the LORD God caused the man to fall into a deep sleep; and while he was sleeping, he took one of the man’s ribs and then closed up the place with flesh.  Then the LORD God made a woman from the rib he had taken out of the man, and he brought her to the man.

But we should have godly relationships, glorifying to God. How can we do that? Well, to start off, if we are not in a relationship or even if we are, we should start by building a solid foundation. The Bible does address how a wife and a husband should act, and also how young women and young men should act.

Now the purpose of dating is marriage, so my advice would be to start by not dating until you are ready to get married. But if you are looking to be ready to date in a way that glorifies God, I suggest start by laying a foundation. The basis of any foundation should be God. Start with that. Then add onto it godly qualities and lay a foundation of maturity in God.

Modesty – 1 Timothy 2:9-10

A very important trait for a woman. Modesty is acknowledging that you are a treasure, and protecting that treasure, body and mind.  God formed woman as a thing of beauty, and that beauty is to be shared with one man only. Don’t wear revealing or suggestive clothing. Many people talk about this, but only because it is important for a woman to understand. Not only are you causing temptation to sin for men around you, but you are giving away little bits of that treasure to anyone who looks at you. Also important though, is to act modestly. Excessive flirtation, vanity, low physical boundaries, and consistently seeking attention are some of the ways someone could act immodest. This causes you to devalue yourself and eventually others to do so too. You go from a priceless treasure to tarnished copper in the eyes of those who behold your immodest actions.

Submissiveness – 1 Timothy 2:11-12

This is a good quality for any woman. Submissiveness is readily and willingly following another’s lead as long as it glorifies God. Also, I believe it includes encouraging them. Encouragement is one of a woman’s strongest gifts. Submissiveness is not blind obedience. If someone is doing something wrong, we can speak out against it.  Again, submissiveness is readily and willingly following another’s lead as long as it glorifies God. A woman should obey her husband and her authorities and can choose not to obey other men, but I believe that submissiveness is encouraging and supporting leadership, not striving to hold it. 

               

Self-Control  – Titus 2: 5 (part one)

Self-Control is one of the traits mentioned in the Bible as desirable most often, for  men and women alike.  Self-Control is holding back ones normal (sinful) action or reaction in a circumstance and replacing it with a godly and helpful one . It includes many different areas, but for women, most often it is needed in the area of the tongue. Just as one of woman’s strongest strengths is encouragement, one of their worst flaws is lack of control over the tongue. Gossip, slander, and/or cutting words seem to come naturally to women, and it is one of the most unattractive things in the world to see. (These things can also be protrayed without words.) Great self-control is needed to halt a sinful tongue, but with God’s help, one can make one’s words “full of grace and seasoned with salt.”  Self control should be practiced in every area of one’s life though, not just one.

Purity – Titus 2:5 (part two)

Purity is a beautiful thing to see in a woman.  Purity is when something or someone is clean and unpolluted by surrounding filth.  There are two types of purity. The first is physical purity, untouched and innocent, this would be saving yourself for marriage. The second is purity of mind. Choosing not to involve yourself in the filth and sin of the world surrounding us, keeping our minds holy and set apart. I hope that all of you are choosing to stay physically pure, but I want to talk about purity of the mind. Purity is when you choose to set your mind on God rather than sin. If someone is talking about something dirty, or if a movie or book is portraying something sinful, by choosing to remove yourself from the influences of it and think upon holy and “pure” things. God.  Some may try to scorn you for your innocence, but purity cannot be scorned by filth.  Remain pure in mind.

There are many more aspects of godly women and good foundations, but these are a few main ones I wanted to cover. Proverbs 31 is a great place to look for more if you are interested in searching out this subject on your own.

Lastly, I wanted to mention a few foundations you should look for in a guy.

First and most important, HE MUST BE A BELIEVER! – 2 Corinthians 6:14– Relationships between a Christian and a non Christian can result in disaster. God is protecting us by setting this standard. 

He also should be Self- Controlled. Titus 2:6– He should not be unable to control his lust or anger. A guy who cannot do that is no man but a boy, and he could be a danger to you.

And He should be a leader, setting an example by doing good. Titus 2:7(a). – If you are dating a guy, you should be ready to consider marriage, and a husband should be the leader in both physical and spiritual life. If he cannot be the leader, he isn’t ready for marriage and thus not ready for dating.  Not being able to be a leader also includes him leading in the wrong direction. If a man is leading you away from God, then you should not follow. Remember, It is always God first.

Lastly, he should speak with integrity, seriousness and soundness of speech. Titus 2:7(b)-8 A man who is a leader and a believer should show these things in his life, especially when it comes to God. Integrity is a respect and “fear” of God and living his life following the Lord’s commands, Seriousness means that he would not take God’s commands lightly, and Soundness of Speech means that what he says comes straight from the truth.

Hebrews 3:3

”Jesus has been found worthy of greater honor than Moses, just as the builder of a house has greater honor than the house itself.”- Hebrews 3:3

Just wanted to drop a real quick note on this ‘cause it’s just awesome! I heard this verse as we did dinner devotions tonight, and I loved it. Idk how I ever missed it before, but I suppose God always has a reason for keeping some things from exploding my mind till the right time. Recently, He has been teaching me allot about confidence in Him.

Side note. Ain’t it cool how when you need it most, God will bring everything together to teach you about it? I mean, you hear about it in the most unrelated ways, in the most opposite of places. Sermons, personal devos, family devos, someone just randomly mentioning something, or even conversations with random people you come across! It’s super sweet!

Back to the main point though. This verse relates to me because I have been realizing that confidence in Christ is way different than just confidence. Confidence in Christ is not just trust, though that’s a part of it. It’s just Christ! There is not much other way to describe it.

Confidence in Him is not just trusting He’ll provide, and it’s not just knowing that He’ll work everything out eventually. It’s more really just focus on Him completely and totally. It has nothing to do with you actually. Silly how the biggest things in life has nothing, yet everything to do with us. It’d be way confusing if we didn’t have the Holy Spirit to guide us, eh? Thankyou Lord for yet ANOTHER good and perfect gift. =)

Anyway, this verse is saying, you give Jesus honor over even the highest, most famous follower of God ever. And the simple reason is this. Would you give honor to a house rather than the builder? Think about it. Would you go see that new house down the street and say, “Oh my goodness house! You put yourself together so nicely! Look at the way you slope on that side to keep the rain off, and look how strong you are!”

Ridiculous! The builder put everything that is there in place, painstakingly, slowly. To glorify the house would be like praising a phone for connecting friends, or a book for being intelligent. How stupid, right? Haha. =) But Christ is the good builder. I have confidence in him because it has nothing to do with me or what I do from my side. It has everything to do with what He does. He has always made strong and lasting houses, and I trust Him to do the same with me. =) Not because of me or my past experience, but because of simply Him… But that’s what it always boils down to right? Simply Christ.

“For every house is built by someone, but God is the builder of everything.  “Moses was faithful as a servant in all God’s house,” bearing witness to what would be spoken by God in the future.  But Christ is faithful as the Son over God’s house. And we are his house, if indeed we hold firmly to our confidence and the hope in which we glory.” – Hebrews 3:4-6

New Learnings n' fun stuff.

Well, I haven’t written in a while, but I figured I’d share a few things that have been encouraging me lately. First is the verse 1 Peter 1:3. My favorite part in that is where it talks about God giving us a living hope. How encouraging is that!? I mean, hope that is living is also growing, right? That means, no matter what, our hope is consistently growing, and our hope is always grounded, so it’s not going to up and fly off somewhere. Christ is our hope, and he is a living, breathing, and growing hope that is solidly planted in us as believers. Coolio!  

Another thing that has really been catching my attention is just how much the Lord is faithful to provide. I mean, yah, we talk about it all the time, and most times we know He will be faithful. But , snapdragons, He always manages to surprise me, even when I expect Him to provide! It makes me laugh with joy, but it also makes me sad. I mean, yes, I love how He always goes at least one step further than I expect, but in trying not to expect great things, I realize how weak my faith is.

Thankfully, the dependability of Christ is not connected with anything I do, and any faith is enough to do great things with! Faith as small as a mustard seed and all that, eh? =) Which brings me to another point! Confidence in Christ. I have realized how much I worry when I’m around other people. Did I say the wrong thing, do they think I’m acting stupid, am I too weird? But God has consistently been reminding me in the most gentlest of ways, “Why does their opinion matter? I am all you need.”

Snapdragons, the release that you feel when you understand that! I don’t have to worry about what they think of me, in fact, I can hope they aren’t even thinking about me! I can just love God, love them, and be a servant to Christ. It takes up so much time when you are worrying about other people, but when you are freed from that, you can focus so much more on serving as Christ’s worker.

Then people notice you, but you wanna know a secret? Haha. It’s NOT you! They don’t always realize it, but it’s Christ in you! So wasting all this time worrying about oneself is really rather pointless and stressful! God has given us freedom from that!

Anyway, those are just a few main points that have been brought to me lately, and I figured I’d share them with you. If you have anything to share, please include me, ‘cause I’d love to hear about how God is working in you!  Love you my wonderful siblings in Christ! Angie Out!