Grab Some Pens & Highlighters!

I recently found a wonderful project that John Piper has launched on Desiring God. It is called "Labs" or "Look At The Book".

I personally found it helpful as I am more of a visual or hands-on learner. I already underline key phrases and verses in my Bible, write out definitions to words that stump me and sometimes add a little colored ink to really hone in on a point! The way Piper slowly dissects the Word is a good example, teaching us to process each word/phrase and it's meaning.

Check it out for yourself! And here is a link to a passage I personally have really clung to over the last few years!




http://www.desiringgod.org/labs/what-will-please-god

I Would Sink Too

"O you of little faith, why did you doubt?" -Matthew 14:31b

Sometimes, I'm a "stay-in-the-boat" kinda girl when it comes to stepping out in faith. The riskier the endeavor, the tighter I cling to the rail. There are many reasons for this, namely, I'm a sinner! God has been revealing to me that part of this lack of faith, is rooted in pride.

I keep walking up to the edge of the boat, peering through the rain, out at Jesus...and sinking Peter. I say to myself, "Nah, I'm not gonna be THAT guy!". If I just stay here in the boat, I won't sink into the waves. I won't have to hear Jesus say, "O you of little faith" or hear those on the boat say, "I can't believe Sam didn't trust Jesus!". I don't want to "fail". I don't want the shame. I rather stay "safe" and rest in my pride. (Well, atleast my flesh does.)

But God's spirit within me, longs to trust in the Lord with all of my heart and not lean on my own understanding. To not measure the depth of the water or the height of each wave. What I'm beginning to see is that if I stay here on the deck as a bystander, I won't experience Jesus reaching out His hand and taking hold of me (so-to-speak).

"Jesus immediately reached out His hand and took hold of him." - Matthew 14:31a

And I know that this is just what the Lord does in these situations. I have trusted the Lord before, laying aside inhibitions and He has "reached out His hand to me" when I began to sink with doubt. God is a kind Father. (Psalm 103)

I need to let go of my pride. Whether I stay "safe" or step out and people see my weakness, I am a sinner. That fact remains the same. But I am a forgiven sinner. My life has been redeemed! "Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come."-2 Corinthians 5:17 All my boast and hope are in Christ!

So, in the times when "playing it safe" is a blatant refusal to obey the Lord, I need to jump off the boat and get a little wet! If I trust Jesus and walk to Him confidently without fear- glory be to the Lord! And if I become afraid and disappear into the waves, Jesus will uphold me- glory be to the Lord! "Not that we are sufficient in ourselves to claim anything as coming from us, but our sufficiency is from God..." 2 Corinthians 3:5

Starting this Blog has been on my mind for a while and I just kept clinging to the side of the boat. I felt like maybe God wanted me to use my time & writing to encourage others,...but oh, the doubts and fears! My Husband was more than an encourager to me to "jump"...he kinda pushed me in (with a big grin on his face!). :-) He bought me a new computer and told me to write! So, if you are reading this and have been encouraged, praise God...and thank Brian! :-)

-Sam

Bonus Material for your Encouragement:

1) Read Matthew14:22-33
2) Hillsong United's "Oceans"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dy9nwe9_xzw

Yesterday, Today & Always

My Husband & I had our first baby 6 weeks ago. Abe is such a sweet gift from God and definitely an answer to many prayers!!! Our home has been touched with a blessing from Heaven! We love his little yawns, kitten noises and the dimples in his cheeks when he flashes us a grin!

But even in a time of "sunshine & rainbows" there is still a dark shadow cast upon my heart by sin! Even the most precious moments in life are affected by our sin! I've always been a sinner and will be until I die. Abe's arrival doesn't really change anything regarding that, except that it highlights a few sins....like my selfishness! To cut-to-the-chase, when I'm not walking in the Spirit, I'm a girl who will serve others in love & joy,...as long as....

As long as I have accomplished my "to-do list" for the day and have time.
As long as I "feel" ready for the task needing my assistance.
As long as I "feel" adequate.
As long as I have had time to pray and get "fueled" up for the challenge.
So on, and so forth!

If you are a Mom already, you can see where my way of doing life and Abe's high demands for milk, comfort & a clean diaper collide! We tend to have a few collisions a day.

So, I can already see I need to focus more on Christ and walk in the Spirit, in order to handle the spontaneous needs of a ten pound human! (But we can talk about that in another blog!)

As you can imagine, I was a little discouraged over this illuminated sin. And I hadn't been to church much since Abe's birth. And sleep-deprivation never helped anyone (I don't think) ;-). Everything was a bit out-of-focus, and my attempts to preach the Gospel to myself were weak.

Then, by God's grace, my little family of three, walked into church yesterday! Late. But we made it! :-) The worship band had just begun playing "Revelation Song" (one of my favorites). The band and vocalists sounded great and the church was singing with their whole heart! Immediately the words, "Holy, Holy, Holy, is the Lord God Almighty" just overtook me with relief! Oh! My weak heart had forgotten that even when I'm caught up in sin or discouragement, upset with God's way of ordering my life or just plain exhausted...HE IS HOLY!!! It doesn't matter what I think or feel....God is HOLY!

"Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever!" -Hebrews 13:8
"Your way, O God, is holy; What god is great like our God?" -Psalm 77:13
"Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come!" -Revelation 4:8b

Once again, I was reminded to readjust my focus. To turn my eyes away from myself and onto my Heavenly Father, the Holy One! Reassurance of His grace, His power and His love sustain me onward in His peace!! May you remember to:

"Turn your eyes upon Jesus,
Look full in His wonderful face.
And the things of this earth,
will grow strangely dim,
in the light of His glory and grace."

-Sam

Bonus Material for your Encouragement:

 1) R.C. Sproul's book, "The Holiness of God" is a great read!
2) "Revelation Song"

http://www.godtube.com/watch/?v=7LDKYPNX