The Lord has really been speaking to me lately about denying self. This has been the topic of every sermon, devotion, or lesson I have heard recently. Tonight was no different. Bro Adams gave a devotion about carrying your cross and following Jesus.
I would like to share with you what God has been dealing with me about.
Genesis 22:2-3 "And he said, Take now thy son, thine only son Isaac, whom thou lovest, and get thee into the land of Moriah; and offer him there for a burnt offering upon one of the mountains which I will tell thee of. And Abraham rose up early in the morning, and saddled his ass, and took two if his young men with him, and Isaac his son, and clave wood for the burnt offering, and rose up, and went unto the place of which God had told him."
No questions, no comments, no "But God that's too much." He just obediently "Rose us and went." Isaac, his only son, the son he loved, was being asked of him.
Tonight Bro Adams stated: "Abraham’s attitude on Mount Moriah was, “I don’t have to survive. What I want, what really makes me happy in life doesn’t have to survive today. God’s will that is what must survive.”
Today, what I want, what I desire, my thoughts, my feelings, none of those matter. None of that is important to me. Jesus, His will, His desires, they must survive. They must live on. Even when it hurts me. Even when it's uncomfortable, I must die.
Matthew 16:25-26 says; "For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it. For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?"
That day, Abraham was giving his all, his very precious "self."
Tonight I sit here faced with a question. What will you give. What sacrifice will you make for Me?
You see when it comes down to it, Hannah doesn't have to survive. Hannah isn't important, but, Jesus, his will, his calling, are.
Paul said in Philipians 3:4-7 "Though I might also have confidence in the flesh. If any other man thinketh that he hath whereof he might trust in the flesh I more. circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee, concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless. But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ."
Abraham gave all. Paul gave all. What will you give? What will I give? These last few weeks I have been "Learning to Die." Not physically, but spiritually die out to the flesh. Give literally everything to Jesus.
No, it isn't easy. No, i'm not perfect. Yes, there are days when I totally fail. (It's an everyday thing.) Yet, I can't give up. I must die.
So, my question for you is; in these last days when material possessions are everything and people live only for themselves, are you willing to die? Are you willing to give all?
5/27/2011
5/12/2011
Book Review: "The Final Summit" By Andy Andrews
This book centers on David Ponders, a very successful 74 year old business man. After suffering the loss of his dearly beloved wife, Ellen, Mr. Ponders finds himself in a pit of despair, feeling unneeded. Contemplating taking his own life, Mr. Ponders soon learns that he is needed to help answer the one question that will save humanity. You will travel with Mr. Ponders as he attempts to answer this question with other figures in history.
After reading the summery I concluded that this book could have some spiritual impact on my life. I was very disappointed that it is not written for that purpose. I would say that this is more like a self help book. Also, I do not agree with everything that was said in this book.
Although the style with which it is written is very easy to read, it did get a bit monotonous in the middle, but it has a very exciting twist near the end. In the beginning it is somewhat confusing, because it follows the book, “The Traveler,” which I have not read. Thankfully, the author gives enough background information that it all becomes clear the more you read.
I enjoyed this narrative very much as a fictional read, but I don’t necessarily feel that it is study guide material. This is simply my personal opinion.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255
After reading the summery I concluded that this book could have some spiritual impact on my life. I was very disappointed that it is not written for that purpose. I would say that this is more like a self help book. Also, I do not agree with everything that was said in this book.
Although the style with which it is written is very easy to read, it did get a bit monotonous in the middle, but it has a very exciting twist near the end. In the beginning it is somewhat confusing, because it follows the book, “The Traveler,” which I have not read. Thankfully, the author gives enough background information that it all becomes clear the more you read.
I enjoyed this narrative very much as a fictional read, but I don’t necessarily feel that it is study guide material. This is simply my personal opinion.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com
5/05/2011
My Jesus Walks On Water
Matthew 14:
25: And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea.
26: And when the desciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, it is a spirit; and they cried out for fear.
27: But, straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer, it is I: be not afraid.
28: And Peter answered hom and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water.
29: And he(Jesus) said, Come.
And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus.
30: But when he(Peter) saw the wind boisterous, he was afrais; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me.
31. And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and sais unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore dist thou doubt?
32: And when they were come into the ship, the wind ceased.
We love to read this story and say, "(tisk tisk) Peter, Peter, why didn't you just trust that Jesus would keep you?" Yet, if you are like me, you do the very thing that Peter did.
We beg Jesus, "Lord take me higher. Higher in you." Then, when he does, we feel the difficult winds and we start to doubt. Knowing that we are sinking we immediately call upon Jesus and he rescuse us asking, "When did you start doubting me?" Just as soon as we reach our "comfort zones" again the wind ceases.
Going higher can be a bit uncomfortable it takes us from the norm to the unorm. In the unorm we are able to feel the winds stronger. If we take our eyes off of our purpose we can become scared out of our minds. But, might I point out that scripture says that he immediately caught Peter. He didn't wait until he was halfway down, or until he felt that Peter has suffered enough. He caught him immediately.
"Oh Jesus, help me. As I desire to draw closer to you, help to realize that you are there. Even when the winds blow, even when I start to feel the force of them you are there. Help me to understand that if I start to sink, you will catch me immediately. Lord, give me the faith to trust you completely with no doutbs."
25: And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea.
26: And when the desciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, it is a spirit; and they cried out for fear.
27: But, straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer, it is I: be not afraid.
28: And Peter answered hom and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water.
29: And he(Jesus) said, Come.
And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus.
30: But when he(Peter) saw the wind boisterous, he was afrais; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me.
31. And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and sais unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore dist thou doubt?
32: And when they were come into the ship, the wind ceased.
We love to read this story and say, "(tisk tisk) Peter, Peter, why didn't you just trust that Jesus would keep you?" Yet, if you are like me, you do the very thing that Peter did.
We beg Jesus, "Lord take me higher. Higher in you." Then, when he does, we feel the difficult winds and we start to doubt. Knowing that we are sinking we immediately call upon Jesus and he rescuse us asking, "When did you start doubting me?" Just as soon as we reach our "comfort zones" again the wind ceases.
Going higher can be a bit uncomfortable it takes us from the norm to the unorm. In the unorm we are able to feel the winds stronger. If we take our eyes off of our purpose we can become scared out of our minds. But, might I point out that scripture says that he immediately caught Peter. He didn't wait until he was halfway down, or until he felt that Peter has suffered enough. He caught him immediately.
"Oh Jesus, help me. As I desire to draw closer to you, help to realize that you are there. Even when the winds blow, even when I start to feel the force of them you are there. Help me to understand that if I start to sink, you will catch me immediately. Lord, give me the faith to trust you completely with no doutbs."
4/20/2011
AND....the lights went out....
As I came to my senses I thought,"This is the part where prince charming comes in." But, as I opened my eyes, I only saw the old shop vendor with his wrinkles and crinkles. "Surely not him," are the words that came to mind.
Our trip started out as any other. The Nigerian shoe market was our destination. We got there and immediately Mae (One of my friends) found some gorgeous shoes. We were only there about 1 hour when the sun got to be too much for me. I needed something cold to wet my parched throat. As I looked around for signs of something, anything I saw a man selling soft drinks. Thinking this would be a good choice; I bought one and downed it immediately. Feeling refreshed we continued on our shoe quest.
Not more than 15 minutes later....I began to feel a bit nauseated and light-headed. My first reponse was the need to escape the suffocating heat. Doing what every girl knows to do, I called.........my mother. Relief was insight, or so I thought.....
I found my friends and told them of my plans to leave the market. We agreed that I would wait for them, as they were almost finished, too. While watching them try on hats, I began to get the distinct feeling that I was about to faint. Being the romantic that I am, I decided that nothing as exciting as fainting could possibly happen to me.
The next thing I remember....I was sprawled out in the middle of the walkway, hearing my name called out over me, "Hannah," "Hannah." Yes, it was Jaydie. Upon opening my eyes I saw the old shop keeper and not the Prince Charming I was hoping for! So much for my knight in shining armor.
Coming to my senses, I realized that Amber, Jaydie and Mae were moving me to a bench and out of the walkway. How dreadful of them to wake me.... I had been in such a deep and calming sleep, or so it seemed to me. But, reality was certain. I was back in the Nigerian Market. It was still 100 degrees. The sun was blistering and my head was throbbing!
At this point, the "dying yovo" had the attention of the whole market. As, I was sitting on the bench trying to figure out what had just happened, the sweet shop owner was running around franticly doing his best the make me comfortable.
My mother was on her way, but we knew the only way out of the market was to walk. At this point I was becoming a bit nauseated as well. My very brave friends, to whom I owe my very life, set out to get me out of there. Mae got on one side of me and Amber on the other. Jaydie walked behind carrying our bags and making sure we didn't trip.
It felt like the farther we walked through the market, the farther away the exit moved. There were a few points that I thought I wasn't going to make it. But, by the grace of God and with the help of Mae, Jaydie, and Amber, we made it through.
So, what have I learned through all of this?.....fainting is not the romatic excitement hollywood makes it out to be. Rather, it's a bit scary and painful!
Thank you everyone for your prayers. This is one of those stories that we now look back on and laugh at. lol
Our trip started out as any other. The Nigerian shoe market was our destination. We got there and immediately Mae (One of my friends) found some gorgeous shoes. We were only there about 1 hour when the sun got to be too much for me. I needed something cold to wet my parched throat. As I looked around for signs of something, anything I saw a man selling soft drinks. Thinking this would be a good choice; I bought one and downed it immediately. Feeling refreshed we continued on our shoe quest.
Not more than 15 minutes later....I began to feel a bit nauseated and light-headed. My first reponse was the need to escape the suffocating heat. Doing what every girl knows to do, I called.........my mother. Relief was insight, or so I thought.....
I found my friends and told them of my plans to leave the market. We agreed that I would wait for them, as they were almost finished, too. While watching them try on hats, I began to get the distinct feeling that I was about to faint. Being the romantic that I am, I decided that nothing as exciting as fainting could possibly happen to me.
The next thing I remember....I was sprawled out in the middle of the walkway, hearing my name called out over me, "Hannah," "Hannah." Yes, it was Jaydie. Upon opening my eyes I saw the old shop keeper and not the Prince Charming I was hoping for! So much for my knight in shining armor.
Coming to my senses, I realized that Amber, Jaydie and Mae were moving me to a bench and out of the walkway. How dreadful of them to wake me.... I had been in such a deep and calming sleep, or so it seemed to me. But, reality was certain. I was back in the Nigerian Market. It was still 100 degrees. The sun was blistering and my head was throbbing!
At this point, the "dying yovo" had the attention of the whole market. As, I was sitting on the bench trying to figure out what had just happened, the sweet shop owner was running around franticly doing his best the make me comfortable.
My mother was on her way, but we knew the only way out of the market was to walk. At this point I was becoming a bit nauseated as well. My very brave friends, to whom I owe my very life, set out to get me out of there. Mae got on one side of me and Amber on the other. Jaydie walked behind carrying our bags and making sure we didn't trip.
It felt like the farther we walked through the market, the farther away the exit moved. There were a few points that I thought I wasn't going to make it. But, by the grace of God and with the help of Mae, Jaydie, and Amber, we made it through.
So, what have I learned through all of this?.....fainting is not the romatic excitement hollywood makes it out to be. Rather, it's a bit scary and painful!
Thank you everyone for your prayers. This is one of those stories that we now look back on and laugh at. lol
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