Called to be

Yesterday I found out that my pastor and his family are moving to another  state in June.  I am sad that they are leaving; I almost cried during our last worship song.  At the same time, I want the best for them, so I am happy that they are following what they feel led to do.

I hope that the members of our small church stick together despite the loss of our pastors; we really have become a family in Christ.  I think that the good thing is that it is pushing us all to take a more active role in our walk with Christ. I think it has left everyone thinking, ‘well, what can I do to make this work? How can I help others and myself stay strong in faith?’

Changes can be hard.  I also am left thinking, ‘man it took us so long to find a church that we really loved and now we have to search all over again.’  But, I believe that everything happens for a reason and I am trusting in God for this one.  After all, the reason we go to church is to feel nearer to God, and he is not limited to a single church or location or person.  He is everywhere and it is him that I seek.

Jeremiah 29:11 speaks to this situation perfectly:

“For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. In those days when you pray, I will listen. If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me. I will be found by you,” says the Lord. “I will end your captivity and restore your fortunes. I will gather you out of the nations where I sent you and will bring you home again to your own land.” Jeremiah 29:11-14

See, God has plans for us.  He wants us to call on him with our whole heart so that all of his wonderful plans for us can be fulfilled. He doesn’t want half our heart; he wants it all.  I think that sometimes changes like this one in my church can be good because it stirs in us a desire to seek God more; to do more.

This morning as I prayed about this, these scriptures really spoke to me:

“fan into flames the spiritual gift God gave you…For God has not given us a spirit of timidity and fear, but of power, love, and self-discipline.” Timothy 2:6-7

“the Lord is faithful; he will strengthen you and guard you from the evil one.” 2 Thessalonians 3:3

“May the Lord lead your hearts into a full understanding and expression of the love of God and the patient endurance that comes from Christ.” 2 Thessalonians 3:5

“Now may our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal comfort and a wonderful hope, comfort you and strengthen you in every good thing you do and say.” 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17

We have to count on God to lead us and strengthen us, allow ourselves to be filled with the hope that he graciously gives us and trust in Him.

“‘I see that the LORD is always with me.
I will not be shaken, for he is right beside me.
No wonder my heart is glad,
and my tongue shouts his praises!
My body rests in hope.
For you will not leave my soul among the dead
or allow your Holy One to rot in the grave.
You have shown me the way of life,
and you will fill me with the joy of your presence.” Acts 2:25-28

I pray for each of us to call on the Holy Spirit to give us the strength to be everything that we are called to be.

I’m counting on you, God.

Please bless us father and help us to be the people that you want us to be. To do all of the things for you that you deserve and desire.  Lead us father. Guide us through this life.

Amen.

The Change

I was a captive.                                    I am free.

I was hurt.                                              I am healed.

I was angry.                                           I am at peace.

I was longing.                                        I am satisfied.

I was desperate.                                   I am filled.

I was suffering.                                     I am rejoicing in Your presence.

I was cruel.                                            I am forgiven.

I cursed others.                                   I praise you, God.

I hated.                                                    I am touched by the love of Jesus.

I wanted to die.                                   I want eternal life.

I was haunted.                                     I am released from torment.

I was everything.                               Jesus is everything.

I was an easy druggie.                     I AM a child of God.

Thank you Lord for saving me from the person that I was and changing me into who I am now.

I love you. You are my King. You are my everything.

I am humbled by your presence.

I am astounded by your grace.

I am freed by your mercy.

I am in love with you Lord.

You are my everything.

 

 

A New Song

Sometimes I sit and think about the past; where I have been, what I have done, the emotions that I have felt, and the people I have known along the way.  Not too long ago it was almost always a painful process and one that I would try to avoid because of a sickened feeling of shame and regret that would overtake me.  My mind would race over the mistakes that I’ve made and the consequences that ensued and each time I thought of them I would relive the emotions that I had felt at the time.  It often seems that the memories we want most to forget are the ones that chase after us unrelentingly.   To be freed from the torment that used to be unavoidable within my mind is a sweet gift that I will never stop being grateful for.

I heard a song the other day that reminded me of this, “I’m Not Who I Was” by Brandon Heath.  I love when I run into a song, poem or book that makes you feel like the author has felt the same as you.  Then I think about how beautiful it is that there is one author who has felt every feeling that I ever have and that by his grace everything is made new again.  He has given me a new song to sing.  Here is what I am singing about: Psalm 40:1-3 and Hosea 14.

Jessica