Baptism thoughts
Recently, while struggling with discontentment, I began to complain to a friend about circumstances in my life, and being the faithful sister she is, asked me at the end, “So, what are you thankful for today?”
This question is so relevant as I look forward to being baptized next weekend. At times, I’m blind to what I already have, and let discontentment breed in my heart. As I look back in my walk with God and how He’s grown me and the abundance of grace He’s shown to me, there is nothing more that I can say except words of thanksgiving and praise.
My first baptism happened in middle school while I was still going to Catholic church, when I didn’t understanding anything about being a Christian. I wanted to be baptized because only then could I go up to receive the weekly communion; I felt self conscious being the only person who had to sit out during this time of mass. I knew nothing about my sin, and my need for a Savior. Now, almost a decade later, I am preparing to being baptized with sincerity.
Discontentment is like poison; it starts to spread through everything it touches, such as my mind, my heart and my actions. I lose sight that I once was in rebellion, blind to my sin, that I used to be an enemy of God, only deserving of His wrath and condemnation. Instead, Christ died for me, so that I may live… it is absolutely and completely humbling to realize that God would save a sinner like me and use me for the advancement of His Kingdom. I am reminded that everything good I have is not something I deserve, but God’s mercies for me. I am so thankful that He is so patient with me and continues to sanctify me despite times when I still sin, and when my heart wanders from Him.
I am excited for Easter weekend :)
"Jesus does not say, ‘Come to me all you who have learned to concentrate in prayer, whose minds no longer wander, and I will give you rest.’ No, Jesus says, ‘Come to me all who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest.’ (Matthew 11:28) The criteria for coming to Jesus is weariness. Come overwhelmed with life. Come with your wandering mind. Come messy."
A Praying Life by Paul Miller (via thehumblerejoice)
(via mango-rain)
Sermon Reflections
And you were dead in the trespasses and sins 2 in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience— 3 among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body[a] and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind.[b] 4 But[c] God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, 5 even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— 6 and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7 so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God,9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast.
(Ephesians 2:1-9)
This past Sunday, our pastor talked in great detail about those two words in verse 4… “But God…”. He explained the week before about the verses that comes before it - understanding our spiritual state before God’s intervention in our lives. We rejected God and waited only for condemnation. He said that if we really understood our lives before Christ, those two words, “But God…” should be the sweetest sound to us. We were dead in our trespasses, deserving no grace but God made us alive, through no good work of our own.
Definitely humbled and reminded of my great need for a Savior this advent season :)
(Source: faunasworld-moved, via mamakinzz)
A good sister reminded me that peace does not come from the absence of trials, but from the presence of Jesus.
Things may not always be smooth sailing or a bed of roses… I’m blessed already to see signs of God’s grace and truth in my life.
Time to practice setting aside my fears and worries, and trust in His guidance.
One way I need to work on in my faith in God is to obey His commands.
Sometimes, though, His commands go against what I am naturally inclined to do…
At times when I want to be impatient, He calls me to be patient. When I want to be unkind, He calls me to be kind. When I don’t want to be loving, He calls me to be loving.
This is probably my greatest struggle these days, especially when those things are being tested. It’s just easier and more satisfying to do what my flesh wants. But true faith in God means trusting that His ways are higher than mine and His ways are wiser than mine. He doesn’t command these things for the sake of trying my patience. He desires my sanctification and desires to see me become more and more like Christ each day. It’s so difficult though because many times I can’t see the immediate fruit of obedience.
Time to refocus my heart and ask God for strength.
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Praise of the week:
After several months of prayer and thinking, I have finally decided on a church back in Norcal. I feel really blessed for many reasons. I pray that God will continue to challenge me in my walk with Him through the leaders and through the brothers and sisters there.
:)
