Isaiah 41:10, 13-14 - “Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness. For I the LORD thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee. Fear not, thou worm Jacob,(I love how he puts us in our proper place ;) and ye men of Israel; I will help thee, saith the LORD, and thy redeemer, the Holy One of Israel.” Did you notice how many times it mentions me doing something (other than telling me not to fear)? Not once does it say that Chrystal will do this or Chrystal will do that. All throughout these verses God says “I” will or ”I” am….God is the ONLY One who I can safely place my trust in. Not my friends, not my family and not even in myself. God has promised to uphold and strengthen me and it doesn’t depend one little bit on who I know or on the things that I do!
In the book of Nehemiah the people are reminded of all the things that God did for them. God saw their afflictions, He he heard their cry at the Red Sea, He showed signs to Pharoah, He divided the sea before the people, He threw their persecutors into the deeps of the waters, He led them by a cloudy pillar by day and a pillar of fire by night, He gave the ten commamndmens, He gave them bread when they were hungry and water when they were thirsty, and finally He kept His promise about giving them the land. (Ch. 9) And yet, you won't believe what the people did... They made a molten calf and verse 18 says that they actually said "This is thy god that brought thee up out of Egypt!" Are you kidding me?!?! If that had been me and they had tried to give the credit to a calf, that they themselves had made, after all I had done for them, they'd have been smoked! Yet Vrs. 19 shows Gods response. "Yet Thou in Thy manifold mercies forsookest them not in the wilderness: the pillar of the cloud departed not from them by day, to lead them in the way; neither the pillar of fire by night, to show the light, and the way wherein they should go." God's mercy is absolutely mind-boggling. God is faithful to us even we aren't faithful to Him. What we do does not affect what God does! Praise the Lord! I would pretty much be beat into pulp by now if that weren't the case! ;)
However, I have often wondered why God continues to uphold and sustain me, when He knows that I will continue to fail Him? The answer comes in Nehemiah 6:16- "And it came to pass, that when all our enemies heard thereof, and all the heathen that were about us saw these things, they were much cast down in their own eyes; (They suddenly didn't see themselved as quite so strong and mighty)for they perceived that this work was wrought of our God!" and Isaiah 41:20 also gives us the answer...“That they may see, and know, and consider, and understand together, that the hand of the LORD hath done this, and the Holy One of Israel hath created it.” God does it to bring glory to Himself. Because we know, and are continually shown, that we as humans have no strength to win spiritual battles, to save someone from hell, to have the peace we need when going through a rough time, etc., the only thing that we can conclude is that it is all God! So many times we like to think that we had something to do with winning a spiritual battle or bringing a soul to Christ etc., when in reality it was all God; demonstrating His greatness to us, as He allowed us to be a part of a very special plan. When we try to take the credit for what He has done, we are defeating the very purpose for which God has created us; to bring ALL the Glory to Him!
We serve an incredible God!
Chrystal
Great things He hath taught us, great things He hath done
And great our rejoicing through Jesus the Son
But purer and higher and greater will be
Our wonder, our worship, when Jesus we see!
January 27, 2009
January 26, 2009
Be Still My Soul
1. Be still, my soul; the Lord is on thy side;
Bear patiently the cross of grief or pain;
Leave to thy God to order and provide;
In every change He faithful will remain.
Be still, my soul; thy best, thy heavenly, Friend
Through thorny ways leads to a joyful end.
2. Be still, my soul; thy God doth undertake
To guide the future as He has the past.
Thy hope, thy confidence, let nothing shake;
All now mysterious shall be bright at last.
Be still, my soul; the waves and winds still know
His voice who ruled them while He dwelt below.
3. Be still, my soul, though dearest friends depart
And all is darkened in the vale of tears;
Then shalt thou better know His love, His heart,
Who comes to soothe thy sorrows and thy fears.
Be still, my soul; thy Jesus can repay
From His own fulness all He takes away.
4. Be still, my soul; the hour is hastening on
When we shall be forever with the Lord,
When disappointment, grief, and fear are gone,
Sorrow forgot, love's purest joys restored.
Be still, my soul; when change and tears are past,
All safe and blessed we shall meet at last.
Bear patiently the cross of grief or pain;
Leave to thy God to order and provide;
In every change He faithful will remain.
Be still, my soul; thy best, thy heavenly, Friend
Through thorny ways leads to a joyful end.
2. Be still, my soul; thy God doth undertake
To guide the future as He has the past.
Thy hope, thy confidence, let nothing shake;
All now mysterious shall be bright at last.
Be still, my soul; the waves and winds still know
His voice who ruled them while He dwelt below.
3. Be still, my soul, though dearest friends depart
And all is darkened in the vale of tears;
Then shalt thou better know His love, His heart,
Who comes to soothe thy sorrows and thy fears.
Be still, my soul; thy Jesus can repay
From His own fulness all He takes away.
4. Be still, my soul; the hour is hastening on
When we shall be forever with the Lord,
When disappointment, grief, and fear are gone,
Sorrow forgot, love's purest joys restored.
Be still, my soul; when change and tears are past,
All safe and blessed we shall meet at last.
January 21, 2009
far far away....
Hey, i was looking at all the posts you guys have put on the blog and there are ALOT of them, and then i started looking for the last thing i posted, so i found one and i posted it like....a year ago.it's just been so tough, trying to get up and have my time with God, and i feel so far away from Him.i think quizzing will help me get back on track with God and if you guys could just pray for me, and pray that i would have my time EVERY DAY with God.
YOU GUYS ARE THE BEST YOUTH GROUP EVER!!!!!!! and our youth leaders aren't that bad either haha just kidding youth leaders! =)
Zach R.
YOU GUYS ARE THE BEST YOUTH GROUP EVER!!!!!!! and our youth leaders aren't that bad either haha just kidding youth leaders! =)
Zach R.
Are you Man's, Man?
Galations 1:10 For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ.
Do you want to be man's man or Christ's servant, obviously Paul chose to be God's servant, and look what happened to his life!
An obvious comparison is David and Saul. Saul was Man's favorite guy, good looking, tall, strong, and ended up being a known as a bad king. David was Christ's servant, tho not perfect but, known as a man after God's own heart!
Jordan
Do you want to be man's man or Christ's servant, obviously Paul chose to be God's servant, and look what happened to his life!
An obvious comparison is David and Saul. Saul was Man's favorite guy, good looking, tall, strong, and ended up being a known as a bad king. David was Christ's servant, tho not perfect but, known as a man after God's own heart!
Jordan
Are you Man's, Man?
Galations 1:10 For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ.
Do you want to be man's man or Christ's servant, obviously Paul chose to be God's servant, and look what happened to his life!
An obvious comparison is David and Saul. Saul was Man's favorite guy, good looking, tall, strong, and ended up being a known as a bad king. David was Christ's servant, tho not perfect but, known as a man after God's own heart!
Jordan
Do you want to be man's man or Christ's servant, obviously Paul chose to be God's servant, and look what happened to his life!
An obvious comparison is David and Saul. Saul was Man's favorite guy, good looking, tall, strong, and ended up being a known as a bad king. David was Christ's servant, tho not perfect but, known as a man after God's own heart!
Jordan
January 18, 2009
Hey so I was listening to some music today. And I came across this song that really spoke to my heart. And also was really a song that really show my stand point on music. this is the part that really stood out to me "I'm gonna raise my voice like thunder and leave the world in wonder of the change. The change in side of me and I will never stop believing that You are the reason for this change. the change inside of me. So there it is that's why I do what I do.
Jacob V
Jacob V
January 16, 2009
My study on Ruth....
I have been doing a study on the book of Ruth for the past few days.... I have done it before, but never in depth with commentaries or anything. I am finding it very interesting, and very rewarding! And even though I'm sure both genders can get something out of the book of Ruth, this post is def. from a girls prospective (mine..lol...), so you girls will probably find it more interesting! ;)
The thing that stuck out probably the most, was that in chapter 3 verse 11, Boaz tells Ruth that "all the city of my people doth know that thou art a virtuous woman". I mean she was a new comer, and she did nothing to draw attention to herself, and yet because of her attitude on life and her kind spirit, all the city knew that she was a great Godly woman! What a testimony!!! When Ruth and Naomi first came back, Naomi wanted to be called Mara (bitterness..) That was her testimony, and Ruth had lost her Husband as well, but she was not bitter. Another thing that i found kinda interesting is that even though Naomi said she was bitter, she still believed that it was God that allowed those things to happen in her life... she said "the Almighty hath dealt very bitterly with me" She was still acknowledging the sovereignty of God in her life, and she knew she must deal with it. These past few days I've been asking myself, am i the kind of woman that people look at and say "wow there is a virtuous woman"? Or, am I just like the rest? Another reason why this has been on my mind is because I've been reading a book by Elizabeth George called "Beautiful in God's eyes". the book was saying that God's standard of beauty is not our standard of beauty.. God is in a category by himself and so is his standard of beauty! But it also said don't ever be discouraged or feel overwhelmed by God's standard for beauty because He gives us, day by day, a lifetime to reach it! The Proverbs 31 woman was virtuous as well, and her price is far above rubies... Elizabeth George was saying that just as gems increase in value as time passes, we who are God's beautiful woman-his jewels-should too!!!! So what an encouragement to know that God does not expect me to be the perfect kind of woman as soon as i get saved, but He expects us to work at it, and over time, we will become the woman that he wants us to be! One of the neatest things was that King Lemuel's Mother fully expected him to find this kind of woman, we know that to be this kind of woman is attainable.. some people have this view of the Proverbs 31 woman as a fantasy, of a goal that could never be reached, but Ruth obtained it! And we can too!!!! Also, remember that "you are what you get". So if you want to get a good Godly guy someday, remember that you must be the right kind of girl! ( if there are any guys still reading at this point i think you can change things around and make your own applications.. ;) Anyways, I'll be praying for all of you out there to become the right kinda of woman/man that God wants you to be! Never lose sight of the goal!
Love in Christ,
Rachel
The thing that stuck out probably the most, was that in chapter 3 verse 11, Boaz tells Ruth that "all the city of my people doth know that thou art a virtuous woman". I mean she was a new comer, and she did nothing to draw attention to herself, and yet because of her attitude on life and her kind spirit, all the city knew that she was a great Godly woman! What a testimony!!! When Ruth and Naomi first came back, Naomi wanted to be called Mara (bitterness..) That was her testimony, and Ruth had lost her Husband as well, but she was not bitter. Another thing that i found kinda interesting is that even though Naomi said she was bitter, she still believed that it was God that allowed those things to happen in her life... she said "the Almighty hath dealt very bitterly with me" She was still acknowledging the sovereignty of God in her life, and she knew she must deal with it. These past few days I've been asking myself, am i the kind of woman that people look at and say "wow there is a virtuous woman"? Or, am I just like the rest? Another reason why this has been on my mind is because I've been reading a book by Elizabeth George called "Beautiful in God's eyes". the book was saying that God's standard of beauty is not our standard of beauty.. God is in a category by himself and so is his standard of beauty! But it also said don't ever be discouraged or feel overwhelmed by God's standard for beauty because He gives us, day by day, a lifetime to reach it! The Proverbs 31 woman was virtuous as well, and her price is far above rubies... Elizabeth George was saying that just as gems increase in value as time passes, we who are God's beautiful woman-his jewels-should too!!!! So what an encouragement to know that God does not expect me to be the perfect kind of woman as soon as i get saved, but He expects us to work at it, and over time, we will become the woman that he wants us to be! One of the neatest things was that King Lemuel's Mother fully expected him to find this kind of woman, we know that to be this kind of woman is attainable.. some people have this view of the Proverbs 31 woman as a fantasy, of a goal that could never be reached, but Ruth obtained it! And we can too!!!! Also, remember that "you are what you get". So if you want to get a good Godly guy someday, remember that you must be the right kind of girl! ( if there are any guys still reading at this point i think you can change things around and make your own applications.. ;) Anyways, I'll be praying for all of you out there to become the right kinda of woman/man that God wants you to be! Never lose sight of the goal!
Love in Christ,
Rachel
January 12, 2009
then the things of earth grow strangely dim
The last few weeks have been hard for my family. My big brother Matt is going though a very tough time. His wife filed papers for divorce. As things keep happening to the
people around me I am once again reminded of the fact that none of us are in control
of our lives. I have been reading and thinking through the way that God is never changing and the way we praying does not move God to help us but rather puts us in a place to receive the blessing that He is already giving to us. This is mind blowing to me. and I am again reminded of the greatness of the God who saved me. That is just a small part of what God was sent my way since i last posted. So please pray for my brother and his wife, for no care is too deep for the hand of God to make whole.
I am so glad God has given me friends that care about me. I will try to post again sometime in the not too far future.
Jacob V
people around me I am once again reminded of the fact that none of us are in control
of our lives. I have been reading and thinking through the way that God is never changing and the way we praying does not move God to help us but rather puts us in a place to receive the blessing that He is already giving to us. This is mind blowing to me. and I am again reminded of the greatness of the God who saved me. That is just a small part of what God was sent my way since i last posted. So please pray for my brother and his wife, for no care is too deep for the hand of God to make whole.
I am so glad God has given me friends that care about me. I will try to post again sometime in the not too far future.
Jacob V
Satisfaction in God
Ok...so I know that I just posted something to this same extent but Jordan and I have been reading a book together by John Piper called "When I Don't Desire God- How to fight for Joy" and when we came across the following paragraph tonight I almost fell out of the chair again. (or to be more technical...rolled off the bed ;) As I've said a million times before...God has such a way of bringing us things at just the right moments, over and over again until He has driven His point into our thick heads.
"God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in him. Therefore, to make pretensions about honoring him more, while not calling people to the most radical, soul-freeing satisfaction in God alone, is self-contradictory. It won’t happen. God is glorified in his people by the way we experience him, not merely by the way we think about him. Indeed the devil thinks more true thoughts about God in one day than a saint does in a lifetime, and God is not honored by it. The problem with the devil is not his theology, but his desires. Our chief end is to glorify God. We do so most fully when we treasure him, desire him, delight in him so supremely that we let goods and kindred go and display his love to the poor and the lost.
Good stuff! The last few days have been extremely encouraging to me. Not only has God shown Himself faithful through His Word, but also through true friends who have been there to share what God has been doing in their lives. Living the Christian life may be hard and at times discouraging, but every moment is eventually worth it!
"It is helpful to be reminded that our desires—no matter how small—have been awakened by the spiritual taste we once had of the presence of God. They are an evidence that we have tasted. It is also helpful to be reminded that our desires are only a tiny part of what is to come. That truth can rescue us from despair and keep us fighting in this fallen world for all the joy possible in God. But the truth that the finite soul will always want more of God than it presently experiences will not be frustrating in the age to come. Then when we are perfected and have our resurrection bodies, the longings that remain will not be because sin is competing with God for our affections. Rather the reason will be that finite minds cannot receive the fullness of infinite greatness and glory. It must be given in (glorious but manageable) increments every day for eternity. In the age to come, desire for more of God will never be experienced with impatience or ingratitude or frustration. All desire in the age to come will be the sweetest anticipation, rooted ever more deeply in the enlarging memories of joy and in the ever-gathering pleasures of gratitude. God will not take from us the pleasure of anticipated pleasures. He will heighten it. He will give us for all eternity the perfect intermingling of present pleasure and anticipation of future pleasure. Anticipation will be stripped of all frustration. Its ache will be a wholly pleasant ache."
Can't Wait!!!!!!!
Chrystal
"God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in him. Therefore, to make pretensions about honoring him more, while not calling people to the most radical, soul-freeing satisfaction in God alone, is self-contradictory. It won’t happen. God is glorified in his people by the way we experience him, not merely by the way we think about him. Indeed the devil thinks more true thoughts about God in one day than a saint does in a lifetime, and God is not honored by it. The problem with the devil is not his theology, but his desires. Our chief end is to glorify God. We do so most fully when we treasure him, desire him, delight in him so supremely that we let goods and kindred go and display his love to the poor and the lost.
Good stuff! The last few days have been extremely encouraging to me. Not only has God shown Himself faithful through His Word, but also through true friends who have been there to share what God has been doing in their lives. Living the Christian life may be hard and at times discouraging, but every moment is eventually worth it!
"It is helpful to be reminded that our desires—no matter how small—have been awakened by the spiritual taste we once had of the presence of God. They are an evidence that we have tasted. It is also helpful to be reminded that our desires are only a tiny part of what is to come. That truth can rescue us from despair and keep us fighting in this fallen world for all the joy possible in God. But the truth that the finite soul will always want more of God than it presently experiences will not be frustrating in the age to come. Then when we are perfected and have our resurrection bodies, the longings that remain will not be because sin is competing with God for our affections. Rather the reason will be that finite minds cannot receive the fullness of infinite greatness and glory. It must be given in (glorious but manageable) increments every day for eternity. In the age to come, desire for more of God will never be experienced with impatience or ingratitude or frustration. All desire in the age to come will be the sweetest anticipation, rooted ever more deeply in the enlarging memories of joy and in the ever-gathering pleasures of gratitude. God will not take from us the pleasure of anticipated pleasures. He will heighten it. He will give us for all eternity the perfect intermingling of present pleasure and anticipation of future pleasure. Anticipation will be stripped of all frustration. Its ache will be a wholly pleasant ache."
Can't Wait!!!!!!!
Chrystal
Lord God Almighty,
Holy is thy wisdom, power, mercy, ways, works.
How can I stand before Thee with my numberless and aggravated offenses?
I have often loved darkness,
observed lying vanities,
forsaken thy given mercies,
trampled underfoot thy beloved son,
mocked thy providences,
flattered thee with my lips,
broken Thy covenant.
It is of thy compassion that I am not consumed.
Lead me to repentance, and save me from despair;
Let me come to thee renouncing, condemning,
loathing myself,
but hoping in the grace that flows
even to the chief of sinners.
At the cross may I contemplate the evil of sin,
and abhor it,
look on him whom I pierced,
as one slain for me, and by me.
May I never despise his death by fearing its efficacy for my salvation.
And whatever cross I am required to bear,
let me see Him carrying a heavier.
Thus may my soul rest in thee, O immortal and transcendent one, revealed as thou art in the Person and work of thy Son,
the Friend of sinners.
(From "The Valley of Vision; A Collection of Puritan Prayers and Devotions"
How can I stand before Thee with my numberless and aggravated offenses?
I have often loved darkness,
observed lying vanities,
forsaken thy given mercies,
trampled underfoot thy beloved son,
mocked thy providences,
flattered thee with my lips,
broken Thy covenant.
It is of thy compassion that I am not consumed.
Lead me to repentance, and save me from despair;
Let me come to thee renouncing, condemning,
loathing myself,
but hoping in the grace that flows
even to the chief of sinners.
At the cross may I contemplate the evil of sin,
and abhor it,
look on him whom I pierced,
as one slain for me, and by me.
May I never despise his death by fearing its efficacy for my salvation.
And whatever cross I am required to bear,
let me see Him carrying a heavier.
Thus may my soul rest in thee, O immortal and transcendent one, revealed as thou art in the Person and work of thy Son,
the Friend of sinners.
(From "The Valley of Vision; A Collection of Puritan Prayers and Devotions"
January 8, 2009
A new perspective
“People are dying and going to hell.” This is a quote that Dr. Bob III says before every chapel service. I had always thought that this was a rather morbid way to start a service and quite honestly, I always pass off this saying as an old man beating a point to the ground.
Until this morning…
My cousin called crying, to tell me that a mutual friend of ours had hung himself in his garage yesterday morning. To say the least I was shocked. He had never struck me as someone that would commit suicide. He was a senior in high school and a star football player. What would induce him to take his own life… I can’t imagine.
As I was going through all the emotions that followed, a thought suddenly hit me. He was not saved. He had apparently reached a point where he thought there was nothing worth living for… in essence he had no hope. As I thought of this another thought hit me, “in all the times that I talked to him… in all those times, I knew he wasn’t saved… and yet I never once shared the gospel with him.” I mean he knew I am a Christian and that there are things that I don’t say and do, but never once did I share the hope of Jesus Christ. I had to ask myself “WHY?!” what was I afraid of?! I knew he had issues and yet I never cared enough to share with him the true hope. I know that just my sharing the gospel with him probably wouldn’t induced him to get saved just… but the seed would have been sown again.
Anyways, if ya’ll could pray for his family. His mom died 5 years ago of cancer so it’s just his sister and dad left. And his 15 yr old sister is the one that found him so she is having a really hard time of it.
In Christ,
Kristin Hanson
Until this morning…
My cousin called crying, to tell me that a mutual friend of ours had hung himself in his garage yesterday morning. To say the least I was shocked. He had never struck me as someone that would commit suicide. He was a senior in high school and a star football player. What would induce him to take his own life… I can’t imagine.
As I was going through all the emotions that followed, a thought suddenly hit me. He was not saved. He had apparently reached a point where he thought there was nothing worth living for… in essence he had no hope. As I thought of this another thought hit me, “in all the times that I talked to him… in all those times, I knew he wasn’t saved… and yet I never once shared the gospel with him.” I mean he knew I am a Christian and that there are things that I don’t say and do, but never once did I share the hope of Jesus Christ. I had to ask myself “WHY?!” what was I afraid of?! I knew he had issues and yet I never cared enough to share with him the true hope. I know that just my sharing the gospel with him probably wouldn’t induced him to get saved just… but the seed would have been sown again.
Anyways, if ya’ll could pray for his family. His mom died 5 years ago of cancer so it’s just his sister and dad left. And his 15 yr old sister is the one that found him so she is having a really hard time of it.
In Christ,
Kristin Hanson
January 6, 2009
God and his wisdom
God is a whole lot better than us, he does things with the things everyone gets to use, in a completely different way.
- With love he saved the world, and guides us
- Love in today's world, leads to some pretty harsh decision's
- Love also turns to hate, and divorces.
- With power God healed and helped others
- With power thousands of Jews were killed on holocaust
- Being a king he chose to be a pauper
- being a pauper we try to live like kings, selfishness, greed.
- With blood God saved the world
- With blood we kill many in wars, and murders.
And yet he saved us.
You can add a lot more to this list, the way God does things, and the way we do them, is a very big contrast.
The Pursuit of Holiness
It seems like every time I post I have just been through a really tough struggle or am in the midst of one. That is probably due to the fact that it is during struggles that God seems to teach me the most. My most recent struggle may seem rather odd to some of you but to some, you'll know exactly what I'm talking about. Satans attacks are subtle and often we do not even realize it is he who is attacking us.
Recently I have been struggling with this fear of doing wrong...which in one sense can be a good thing...but not when it robs you of bringing God the most glory by finding joy in Him. I had this gripping fear that if I messed up, everything would be over. God would be so disappointed in me. He can't bear to look on sin so He wouldn't be able to look on me. I wanted so badly to live a life that would please Him. Therefore I was trying to live with this conscious thought of doing everything perfectly. Yet of course...we're humans...and sadly this isn't attainable for us (until heaven). I have seen how selfish and evil my heart still is despite what I may like to think of myself. This was putting me into such a turmoil. I couldn't seem to get my mind off of my own failures. I was so paranoid about everything I did and to be quite honest, it was torture.
I received several excellent books for Christmas, and have been reading a book by Nancy Leigh DeMoss called "Holiness; The Heart God Purifies" ever since I got it from Jon and Renee. Last night I almost fell out of my chair when I started reading the chapter that I happened to be on. There was an excerpt from a letter that Hudson Taylor had sent to his sister while he was doing missionary work in China. In it he had said, "I hated myself; I hated my sin...I felt that there was nothing I so much desired in this world (as holiness), nothing I so much needed. But so far from in any measure attaining it, the more I pursued and strove after it, the more it eluded my grasp; till hope itself almost died out...I cannot tell you how I am buffeted sometimes by temptation. I never knew how bad a heart I had...Often I am tempted to think that one so full of sin cannot be a child of God at all. I prayed, agonised, fasted, strove, made resolutions, read the Word more diligently...but all was without effect. Every day, almost every hour, the consciousness of sin oppressed me. Is there no rescue? Must it be to this end- constant conflict, instead of victory, too often defeat? All the time I felt assured that there was in Christ all I needed, but the practical question was how to get it out. He was rich, truly, but I was poor; He strong, but I weak".
I couldn't believe what I was reading. This could have been something I myself had written, for it described so perfectly what my struggle of late has been. And here I thought I was the only one who had ever struggled with such a stupid thing. (Btw...I'd strongly encourage you to go to http://www.btinternet.com/~a.ghinn/hudson.htm and read the entire letter that Hudson wrote to his sister. It would be be well worth your time.)
Anyways, I was eager to find out what had solved this problem for Hudson Taylor and so I continued reading. Apparently he too had been reading a book...One by John Mcarthy called "Christ is All", and here is the quote that he took from it, "But how to get faith strengthened? Not by striving after faith, but by resting on the Faithful One." Hudson Taylor responded to this by saying "As I read I saw it all! "If we believe not, He abideth faithful." I looked to Jesus and saw (and when I saw, oh, how joy flowed!) that He had said, "I will never leave you." "Ah, there is rest!" I thought. "I have striven in vain to rest in Him. I'll strive no more. For has He not promised to abide with me-never to leave me, never to fail me? But this was not all He showed me, nor one half. As I thought of the Vine and the branches, what light the blessed Spirit poured direct into my soul! How great seemed my mistake in having wished to get the sap, the fulness out of Him. I saw not only that Jesus would never leave me, but that I was a member of His body, of His flesh and of His bones. The vine now I see, is not the root merely, but all-root, stem, branches, twigs, leaves, flowers, fruit: and Jesus is not only that: He is soil and sunshine, air and showers, and ten thousand times more than we have ever dreamed, wished for, or needed. Oh, the joy of seeing this truth! I do pray that the eyes of your understanding may be enlightened, that you may know and enjoy the riches freely given us in Christ. Oh, my dear sister, it is a wonderful thing to be really one with a risen and exalted Saviour; to be a member of Christ! Think what it involves. Can Christ be rich and I poor? Can your right hand be rich and the left poor? or your head be well fed while your body starves?... And since Christ has thus dwelt in my heart by faith, how happy I have been! I am no better than before (may I not say, in a sense, I do not wish to be, nor am I striving to be); but I am dead and buried with Christ -- aye, and risen too and ascended; and now Christ lives in me, and "the life that I now live in the flesh, I live by the faith of the Son of God, Who loved me, and gave Himself for me. I am as capable of sinning as ever, but Christ is realised as present as never before. He cannot sin; and He can keep me from sinning. I cannot say (I am sorry to have to confess it) that since I have seen this light I have not sinned; but I do feel there was no need to have done so. And further -- walking more in the light, my conscience has been more tender; sin has been instantly seen, confessed, pardoned; and peace and joy (with humility) instantly restored"
God knew that I needed to read that. He knew I needed to be reminded that it is nothing I do that will gain me any favor with Him. When God looks upon me He sees the righteousness of His Son. Christ is ALL I need. This thought alone is enough to give me the strength I need to find joy in my own pursuit of holiness.
On Sunday night Pastor Walters said something in his message that I have been thinking about today. "You will rise no higher than what you mediate on". For a while now I had been "meditating" on my failures and how I couldn't seem to do anything right. It was all that I could think about. No wonder I was struggling so much! No wonder I couldn't seem to get anywhere! Thank God for men and women who have gone before us, who have struggled and come out victors, who can direct us back to the right path because they themselves know what its like to have drifted off and lost their way. Such a calmness, peace and joy have been mine since my focus has turned to Christ. I have been reminded that Christ died for me even though He knew I'd still sin. I have been reminded that "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." (1 John 1:9) and finally I have been reminded that "I am continually with Thee: Thou hast holden me by my right hand. Thou shalt guide me with Thy counsel and afterward receive me to glory." (Psalms 73:23-24)
What a loving, faithful, forgiving God!
I'd appreciate your continued prayers!
Chrystal
Recently I have been struggling with this fear of doing wrong...which in one sense can be a good thing...but not when it robs you of bringing God the most glory by finding joy in Him. I had this gripping fear that if I messed up, everything would be over. God would be so disappointed in me. He can't bear to look on sin so He wouldn't be able to look on me. I wanted so badly to live a life that would please Him. Therefore I was trying to live with this conscious thought of doing everything perfectly. Yet of course...we're humans...and sadly this isn't attainable for us (until heaven). I have seen how selfish and evil my heart still is despite what I may like to think of myself. This was putting me into such a turmoil. I couldn't seem to get my mind off of my own failures. I was so paranoid about everything I did and to be quite honest, it was torture.
I received several excellent books for Christmas, and have been reading a book by Nancy Leigh DeMoss called "Holiness; The Heart God Purifies" ever since I got it from Jon and Renee. Last night I almost fell out of my chair when I started reading the chapter that I happened to be on. There was an excerpt from a letter that Hudson Taylor had sent to his sister while he was doing missionary work in China. In it he had said, "I hated myself; I hated my sin...I felt that there was nothing I so much desired in this world (as holiness), nothing I so much needed. But so far from in any measure attaining it, the more I pursued and strove after it, the more it eluded my grasp; till hope itself almost died out...I cannot tell you how I am buffeted sometimes by temptation. I never knew how bad a heart I had...Often I am tempted to think that one so full of sin cannot be a child of God at all. I prayed, agonised, fasted, strove, made resolutions, read the Word more diligently...but all was without effect. Every day, almost every hour, the consciousness of sin oppressed me. Is there no rescue? Must it be to this end- constant conflict, instead of victory, too often defeat? All the time I felt assured that there was in Christ all I needed, but the practical question was how to get it out. He was rich, truly, but I was poor; He strong, but I weak".
I couldn't believe what I was reading. This could have been something I myself had written, for it described so perfectly what my struggle of late has been. And here I thought I was the only one who had ever struggled with such a stupid thing. (Btw...I'd strongly encourage you to go to http://www.btinternet.com/~a.ghinn/hudson.htm and read the entire letter that Hudson wrote to his sister. It would be be well worth your time.)
Anyways, I was eager to find out what had solved this problem for Hudson Taylor and so I continued reading. Apparently he too had been reading a book...One by John Mcarthy called "Christ is All", and here is the quote that he took from it, "But how to get faith strengthened? Not by striving after faith, but by resting on the Faithful One." Hudson Taylor responded to this by saying "As I read I saw it all! "If we believe not, He abideth faithful." I looked to Jesus and saw (and when I saw, oh, how joy flowed!) that He had said, "I will never leave you." "Ah, there is rest!" I thought. "I have striven in vain to rest in Him. I'll strive no more. For has He not promised to abide with me-never to leave me, never to fail me? But this was not all He showed me, nor one half. As I thought of the Vine and the branches, what light the blessed Spirit poured direct into my soul! How great seemed my mistake in having wished to get the sap, the fulness out of Him. I saw not only that Jesus would never leave me, but that I was a member of His body, of His flesh and of His bones. The vine now I see, is not the root merely, but all-root, stem, branches, twigs, leaves, flowers, fruit: and Jesus is not only that: He is soil and sunshine, air and showers, and ten thousand times more than we have ever dreamed, wished for, or needed. Oh, the joy of seeing this truth! I do pray that the eyes of your understanding may be enlightened, that you may know and enjoy the riches freely given us in Christ. Oh, my dear sister, it is a wonderful thing to be really one with a risen and exalted Saviour; to be a member of Christ! Think what it involves. Can Christ be rich and I poor? Can your right hand be rich and the left poor? or your head be well fed while your body starves?... And since Christ has thus dwelt in my heart by faith, how happy I have been! I am no better than before (may I not say, in a sense, I do not wish to be, nor am I striving to be); but I am dead and buried with Christ -- aye, and risen too and ascended; and now Christ lives in me, and "the life that I now live in the flesh, I live by the faith of the Son of God, Who loved me, and gave Himself for me. I am as capable of sinning as ever, but Christ is realised as present as never before. He cannot sin; and He can keep me from sinning. I cannot say (I am sorry to have to confess it) that since I have seen this light I have not sinned; but I do feel there was no need to have done so. And further -- walking more in the light, my conscience has been more tender; sin has been instantly seen, confessed, pardoned; and peace and joy (with humility) instantly restored"
God knew that I needed to read that. He knew I needed to be reminded that it is nothing I do that will gain me any favor with Him. When God looks upon me He sees the righteousness of His Son. Christ is ALL I need. This thought alone is enough to give me the strength I need to find joy in my own pursuit of holiness.
On Sunday night Pastor Walters said something in his message that I have been thinking about today. "You will rise no higher than what you mediate on". For a while now I had been "meditating" on my failures and how I couldn't seem to do anything right. It was all that I could think about. No wonder I was struggling so much! No wonder I couldn't seem to get anywhere! Thank God for men and women who have gone before us, who have struggled and come out victors, who can direct us back to the right path because they themselves know what its like to have drifted off and lost their way. Such a calmness, peace and joy have been mine since my focus has turned to Christ. I have been reminded that Christ died for me even though He knew I'd still sin. I have been reminded that "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." (1 John 1:9) and finally I have been reminded that "I am continually with Thee: Thou hast holden me by my right hand. Thou shalt guide me with Thy counsel and afterward receive me to glory." (Psalms 73:23-24)
What a loving, faithful, forgiving God!
I'd appreciate your continued prayers!
Chrystal
January 3, 2009
We need to have a party for all these birthdays!
Happy Birthday Zach Vreeland. We're so glad that your family has become a part of our church. Thanks for being a part of the youth group. May God give you a deeper knowledge of Him as you continue to grow in this coming year of your life. Best Birthday Wishes!
We have another Birthday Girl!
Happy Birthday Anna Motley! We'll be praying for you in this new year of 2009. Keep seeking and know that you will find. Thanks for your bubbly personality and involvement in SIGMA. God Bless!
January 1, 2009
HAPPY NEW YEAR
"I wish you...a happy new year. May it be a year in which your walk will be close with God; your frame calm and serene; and the road that leads you to the Lamb marked with purer light. May it be a year in which you will have more largely the spirit of Christ, be praised above sublunary things and be willing to be disposed of in this world as God shall please. As every moment of the year will bring you nearer to the end of your pilgrimage, may it bring you nearer to God..." (-Excerpt from a letter Adoniram Judson wrote to his future wife on New Years Day-)
