encouragement

"One day at a time, and hold tight to those things that bring you joy.  And remember how much you are loved!!"

Encouraging words all the way from NZ.  Thanks, E Mill.

more on promises...

I recently listened to this sermon on Isaiah 61.  Which has led me to these questions:

• How is the Lord calling me to be part of fulfilling His promises (preaching good news to the poor, comforting the broken hearted, proclaiming freedom to the captives, etc.)?
• What is my ministry supposed to look like this year?
• What am I waiting on?  And has God promised it?

i've been learning

I've been learning that some of the things I think God promises might not really be the things God actually promises.  Example -- I can easily get myself into this place of thinking that God promises me a life of ease, comfort, happiness, and clear decisions.  But God does not promise me those things because he is a relational God.  What I sometimes want God to promise -- happiness, comfort, etc. -- are actually relationLESS promises.  The fulfillment of all those things can easily lead to living self-sufficiently without me recognizing my need for Christ.

So what does God actually promise?  That He is with me always.  Has been, is, will be.  Always.  (Joshua 1:9, John 1:14)  He promises a relationship.  It's simplicity is what makes it so complex.  In my head, I make it so complicated.  I long for ease and comfort.  Or rather, I think I'm longing for ease and comfort but really I'm longing for Jesus.  Never will life be infinitely comfortable or happy or easy.  Never will every decision be clearly black and white.  But that's why I need Jesus.  That's what I've been learning:  I need Jesus.  And my longing for other things is just a further indicator of my desperate need for Christ.  So when life is comfortable or uncomfortable, happy or unhappy, easy or hard, black and white or the murkiest shade of grey, seek Christ.  Abide in Him recklessly and trust in Him unconditionally.