Step into my head...if you dare

Living Under Grace

noreply@blogger.com (amr) — Sat, 01 Aug 2009 01:19:00 +0000

Simeon and Levi are bretheren; instruments of cruelty are in their habitations. Genesis 49:5

Living under grace is not a new testament concept. God has been forgiving his people/providing a means for forgiveness from the day he said "let us make man in our image" (Genesis 1:26). The same holds true here, as we look at the blessing Jacob pronounces over each of his sons prior to his death. They had all done wrong, such as when they worked in concert to get rid of their brother Joseph (Genesis 37). In spite of that, that is not their legacy. We don't remember Judah as a schemer, or Levi as a murderer. Instead, we learn that Jesus the Messiah descended from Judah (Matt 1, Luke 3), whose name means "praise" (Gen 29:35). Similarly, Moses and Aaron, the leaders of the Exodus came from the tribe of Levi, the same tribe that was charged with the priesthood and bearing the presence of God (the ark of the covenant).

Don't lose faith just because you've made a mistake. God can and will use you in spite of you. In fact, sometimes it takes being faced with your sin to push you to where you need to be in God. If Moses had not killed the Egyptian (Exodus 2), he would not have fled Egypt and would not have encountered God in the way that he did.

Don't be a slave to your sin. It does not define you. Allow God to help you through your struggles. HE IS YOUR KEEPER!

-AMR

Blessed and Highly Favored

noreply@blogger.com (amr) — Sun, 21 Dec 2008 05:35:00 +0000

The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.
He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.
Psalm 23, kjv

I know I've been away for awhile, but in this season of remembrance of the birth of our savior, I just wanted to take a minute to share a reminder of just how good God is, and the true reason for the season.

Every winter I drive from NC to Boston to spend some time at home before Christmas. This time, due to the weather I stayed overnight in NJ to avoid the snow, and planned to leave this morning with enough time to get home before the road had time to freeze.

I had just gotten into CT and there was traffic, but it was moving pretty well when a car swerved from the middle lane into the left lane where I was driving. I beeped at it, and also swerved into the shoulder to avoid hitting it. The roads had been treated but apparently the shoulder, while plowed, had not, so it was icy slush. I lost control and did a 360 (or more accurately, a 180) across the 3 lanes of traffic, before I came to a stop in the shoulder on the right side of the road, facing the oncoming traffic (hitting the guard rail with my left bumper).

By the grace of God, no one hit me, nor did I hit anyone as I spun across those lanes of traffic. A kind woman (an angel!) who witnessed it stopped, called the police for me, and waited until they arrived, because as you might imagine, although physically unhurt, I was pretty shaken up. I was ok when I called my aunt to tell her what had happened, but fell apart when I was finally able to reach my mom on the phone, so it was truly a blessing not to have to wait alone, because due to the resulting traffic, it took ~20 min for a state trooper to arrive.

When the trooper arrived, he stopped the traffic so I could turn the car around. Other than damage to the bumper, the area above the bumper, and the tail light that hit the guardrail, the car is fine. It was mechanically sound, so after I received the police report I continued on my way, with 200 miles left to drive.

The rest of the trip was an adventure, because my nerves were on edge and couldn't help crying tears of joy periodically, thinking about what could have happened. It got worse when I got to northern CT/RI, where the road was so bad at some points that I could not even see the lanes. I also ran out of windshield wiper fluid somewhere in CT, and was scared to pull over/take an exit to try to clean the window for fear of getting stuck. I drove no faster than 40 mph the last 120 miles, and the last 20 miles of the trip were so bad all I could do was pray for God to get me home safely, and as you can see, he did. TO GOD BE THE GLORY!

Take some time out of the gift giving madness this holiday season to think about what God has done for you TODAY. Do not take the life he has given you for granted, because you never know what tomorrow will bring.

Merry Christmas!

-AMR

Church Girl

noreply@blogger.com (amr) — Mon, 20 Nov 2006 18:26:00 +0000

God's Way is not a matter of mere talk; it's an empowered life. (1 Cor 4:20, msg)

Every "good" churchgoer knows (or at least knows of) the fruits of the spirit. These are things like love, kindness, gentleness, patience, etc, but when was the last time you took inventory of your fruits? It's great to go to church, fellowship with other believers, and to openly give God his due, but what about those other moments? What do you do when fellowshipping with nonbelievers? Do you feel like the only way to share your faith is by the physical act of telling someone? What about showing them. This is the root of the idea Jesus is talking about. Our actions are a reflection of our hearts, and while we may not always get it right, being circumcised of the heart means that we continue to be patient with our kids when they are getting on our last nerve. It means that when we do slip and flip someone off for cutting us off when we're already running late, that we repent the best way we know how (if not right away).

Running along with this idea is that words do have power. Be mindful of your words, especially in front of children, who may not have the ability to filter out the negative, and may actually tear someone down unknowingly, based on something they heard from us. The word says that false prophets are identified by their fruit. What kind of fruit are you bearing? Are you speaking life or death into those around you?

Are you a church girl (or guy) or a disciple of Christ?

-AMR

Perfection in Weakness

noreply@blogger.com (amr) — Thu, 08 Dec 2005 09:44:00 +0000

I've been singing with the worship team at my church for the last 6 months or so. Now, I can carry a tune, but under most circumstances I would never get myself into a situation that required the use of a microphone. The group is small (6 people), and typically the same 3 people sing the lead/do the exhortation. I am always happy to support anyone who wants to sing a lead (as long as it's not me) but after awhile I got picked to lead a song. Just so you know, I am not very comfortable with public speaking (let alone singing), so it was a big deal.

Fast forwarding to the present...we've sung the song a couple of times now, and each time I still freak about what to say/how to say it, but God has definitely been able to use me, in spite of me, to bless his people. I've still got a lot to learn, but I am thankful for the opportunity to serve and grow in this capacity.

But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong. (2 corinthians 12:9-10, although I suggest you start at v.1 for context)

So what's the point? Well, guess what...we're not perfect. We have weaknesses, we make mistakes, and sometimes we just don't feel like doing the right thing. Fortunately we serve a God that will use us in spite of us...that's the idea behind "perfection in weakness". God has a call for each of us, and when the time is right he will supply just what we need to witness for HIS glory. As it says in my email signature, "God doesn't choose those who are able, he enables those he chooses".

Are you allowing God to be made perfect in your weakness?

-AMR

Where Does Your Help Come From?

noreply@blogger.com (amr) — Fri, 04 Nov 2005 07:19:00 +0000

I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the LORD, which made heaven and earth. ( Psalm 121:1-2)

I drove to a little town out in the country tonight to hear my Pastor preach. I drove alone, but managed to get to the church without too much trouble. There were 2-3 other carloads of people travelling back to Durham that I saw at the church, but rather than follow one of them, I decided to find my own way back. I have a pretty good sense of direction, and a good visual memory, but for some reason I had a hard time reversing my steps, and I actually had to turn around and go back at least 4 times.

I was determined to do things my way, even though I was low on gas and was travelling alone in the dark in the middle of nowhere (yes, I know i'm a city girl but it sure looked like the middle of nowhere to me). Dumb, I know, but in spite of all my years of education, I still seem to prefer to exercise my right to do stupid things.

Looking back on the experience, I realize that I often treat God this way too. It's like I'd rather go it alone and try things my way before I'm ready to acknowledge that I might actually need some help. Even when the road is dark, and in the depths of my spirit I know that I'm not really sure of the way, my first instinct is nearly always to look to self before God. Where's the logic in that?

Fortunately for me, God is always looking out for me, and is able to keep me from falling, in spite of my best attempts to throw myself into a pit. And what about those times when I do seek God's guidance first, yet still find myself struggling through a jungle, you ask? Simple. I know that God will never leave me nor forsake me, so that even when I can't see or feel him, I know that he's there and that he will take me to a place of clarity at exactly the right time.

From whence does YOUR help come from?

-AMR

I'll Trust You Lord

noreply@blogger.com (amr) — Sun, 30 Oct 2005 07:06:00 +0000

Better is one day in your courts
than a thousand elsewhere;
I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God
than dwell in the tents of the wicked.
For the LORD God is a sun and shield;
the LORD bestows favor and honor;
no good thing does he withhold
from those whose walk is blameless.
O LORD Almighty,
blessed is the man who trusts in you.
(Psalm 84:10-12, NIV)

What a beautiful passage. I know that some of you may even sing the song based on this passage on occasion. The question is, do you really believe that? Does your life reflect that? I know that for me personally, if we were to review my life for just the past week that there would be many things on the tape suggesting that I prefer to "dwell in the tents of the wicked." Clearly none of us has a "walk [that] is blameless," but that certainly doesn't mean that we won't receive "good thing[s]" from God. So what's the catch? We can't receive what God has for us if we are not willing to submit to him. In fact, sometimes submission requires that we give up the very things we hold dear, things that WE thought were what God wanted us to have. What does that mean? Well, sometimes God has to shake things up to get our attention.

Remember Abraham? God promised that he would make him the father of many nations, allowing his wife Sarah to give birth to a child long after she thought it was possible. Then, God did the unthinkable, asking Abraham to offer his long awaited son as a sacrifice. A pretty crazy request if you ask me. However, we don't have a God's eye view, and we never will, for his "thoughts are not our thoughts, and our ways are not his ways" (is 55:8). Abraham had to show God where his heart was, and God spared the life of Isaac, although he certainly didn't have to.

God may not be asking you to sacrifice your child, but maybe there are things in your life that it's time to stop trying to control.

What are you holding onto that is keeping God from blessing you? Just let go, and let God.

-AMR

This is the Day

noreply@blogger.com (amr) — Tue, 20 Sep 2005 07:00:00 +0000

faith will save you, faith will save you
faith will save you, stay safe
but the wind might change i will still remain
i will still be here
but the wind might change i will still remain
i will always be there for you
faith will save you, faith will save you
faith will save you, stay safe
- The Cranberries

Every time I hear this song, it reminds me of God, and the words he is constantly speaking to my heart. Okay, okay, to be honest, the song is really about people but in reality, God is the only one who can live up to these words. How many times have you promised a friend to "always be there," only to find that "circumstances" get in the way when the need finally arises.

It can be rough when your situation changes dramatically and you feel like you're all alone to face it. We come to depend on certain familiarities in life, whether it's a person, thing, or even just a routine. If you woke up tomorrow with nothing, could you still carry on? If you lost your entire family in a single accident, could you find the motivation to get out of bed each morning and continue to live your life?

We live in a world where very little is certain. Technology tries to tell us that we're invincible, but time and time again we're proven wrong as we get torn down, and must struggle to recover and rebuild.

Check yourself: what do you depend on?

Give Blood, Give Life

noreply@blogger.com (amr) — Sat, 10 Sep 2005 09:27:00 +0000

"If any Israelite or foreigner living among them eats blood, I will disown that person and cut him off from his people, for the life of an animal is in the blood. I have provided the blood for you to make atonement for your lives on the Altar; it is the blood, the life, that makes atonement. (Leviticus 17:10-11)

Ever since I came to Duke I've been a regular at the campus blood drives. Every two months, I make sure to eat well, and stay hydrated so that my blood is acceptable for use. Why bother? Because I know that there are plenty of people in need, and the 1-2 hour sacrifice is no big deal. When you go, the Red Cross always provides some sort of gift to donors, and this time it included one of those silicone wristbands everyone is crazy about. On first glance it was just a cool way to explain why I had gauze secured to my arm (a heck of a lot better than those "be nice to me, I gave blood" stickers). However, I was looking at it later on and just stopped:

Give blood. Give life.

Take a moment to think about that. As "valuable" as my O+ blood is, it can't really give life. In fact, there is only one person whose blood really can give life, and that is the blood of Jesus Christ. The songwriter says "there is power, power, wonder working power in the blood, of the lamb..." and how true that is. It is only by his stripes, his suffering, his death and resurrection that we are freed from the destructive bonds of sin.

Will the wristband fad fade? Of course. In fact, regardless of what everyone else does I'll probably get tired of wearing mine in the near future, but that's okay, as it's already served its purpose. This moment will come again when the time is right. I don't know about you but I'm thankful for the little reminders God places in my path about who he is and his love for me.

The blood of atonement has already been shed. Have you received the gift of life?

-AMR

Trust God

noreply@blogger.com (amr) — Tue, 26 Apr 2005 07:04:00 +0000

For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: (Luke 12:48 - excerpt)

Wow. God is so faithful. This past sunday was the big day. A day of firsts for me. The first time leading worship in a regular church service. The first time playing piano at my current church home. The first time leading a worship team at all, actually.

I was talking to a friend earlier on Saturday about some of my hang-ups..."what if I don't know what to say" ... "what if we can't make a connection with the congregation and people aren't able to worship with us" ... "they're not used to being flexible...what if we run out of songs"... but some point I decided I just had to stop thinking about the "what ifs" and just put it in God's hands. I went home around 2:30, and sometime around 5am, I got down on my knees to pray. Ultimately my prayer was for God to be glorified, and for hearts to be ministered to. I prayed that our hearts and minds would be clear and that we would be able just do our thing and let God be God.

...Be strong and of good courage, and do it: fear not, nor be dismayed: for the Lord God, even my God, will be with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee, until thou has finished all the work for the service of the house of the Lord. (1 Chronicles 28:20)

I didn't sleep that night, but the morning started out fine. We got to the church on time, but even after we had prayed and the testimony service was starting, I still wasn't sure how much of a leading role I was going to be able to take. I knew in my heart that it was important to "introduce" the songs, but I also knew that the words had not been there the day before during rehearsal. I had thought about a few relevant verses ahead of time to get me started, but it still was an exercise in faith to stand up to that microphone time and time again. [For the record, I hate microphones, and typically lose what little confidence I may have had initially when forced to use one]. Not that I should have expected any less, but God was right there through that whole experience, and I had no trouble finding the words or the confidence when the time was right. I managed to lose my singing voice about halfway through the set, but to me, that was just another reminder of how little I had to do with the "success" we were having.

For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.
(2 Timothy 1:7)

In spite of everything, the biggest challenge was still having the courage to actually go up to the piano for the invitation/altar call. I was hoping that our musician would be there, but it turned out that he could not make it, leaving me with two options. Either I could have one of my friends play a random song softly on the guitar, or I could do something I hadn't done in like 7 years and play piano in church. I chose option two. Although I had practiced the hymns and could play them pretty well at home, in my 10 years of recitals and other piano performances I had NEVER previously been able to play piano in front of anyone without a paralyzing case of the nerves resulting in a lot of stupid mistakes. Pastor Cheryl preached a sermon on trust that seemed tailor-made to my situation, although it turns out it was a message I had already heard and received (and for once was actually walking in). I was obedient and just let it go, inching my way down to the piano. It took a last "nudge" from the Pastor to get me to actually start playing, but play I did. It was far from perfect (or at least as "good" as I knew I was capable of playing), but it didn't matter. This was not for or about me, and I was completely at peace, even as I floundered through my mistakes.

And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. (Romans 8:28)

After the service I couldn't help but feel such joy, as people told me how much they enjoyed the music, and the message in particular. I was told that they had seen the anointing on me, and I could certainly testify to that. It was definitely an answer to many prayers. God is so faithful.

I can't believe how much God's been stretching me these past few weeks. The word says that if we are faithful over the little things that he will continue to bless us (mt 25:14-30), and after this experience (and others) I can't disagree. What does it mean to step out on faith? It means that you truly turn everything over to him and just let God be God all by himself. He doesn't need our help. How do I know? Well, if the last 700 words haven't convinced you read on because I'm not done testifying.

Blessed is the man who makes the LORD his trust... (Psalm 40:4 - excerpt)

For those who don't know, my mom has been my advisor in pretty much every aspect of my life through every trial I've ever faced, praying for and with me, and basically encouraging me to trust God in spite of my fears. Other people have come and gone in my life to supplement this, but my mother has been the only constant. Except this time. Normally I talk to my mom on the phone every other day or so on weekdays, and daily on weekends, and more if I'm stressed or have other things to talk about. Why is it that I couldn't reach her on the phone at all this weekend? I tried 2-3 times a day, and couldn't manage to get in touch until it was all over. She, of course, already knew about the event and my fears, so I knew she was praying for me, but it's not the same as having the actual voice contact. Why do I mention this? Well, God says "trust me," not your mother, your boyfriend, your pastor, etc. When you look around and find that you are seeking help from, and depending on the people in your life more than God, then that's problematic. I thank God for reminding me that he is the one from whence cometh my help (ps 121). He is the source of my strength...I certainly can't ask for more than that!

Trust in the Lord with all thine heart and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. (Proverbs 3:5-6)

-AMR

Rediscovering Holiness

noreply@blogger.com (amr) — Fri, 22 Apr 2005 08:40:00 +0000

Psalm 29:1-4, 10-11

(kjv, emphasis mine)

Give unto the LORD, O ye mighty,
give unto the LORD glory and strength.
Give unto the LORD the glory due unto his name;
worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness.
The voice of the LORD is upon the waters:
the God of glory thundereth: the LORD is upon many waters.
The voice of the LORD is powerful;
the voice of the LORD is full of majesty.
The LORD sitteth upon the flood;
yea, the LORD sitteth King for ever.
The LORD will give strength unto his people;
the LORD will bless his people with peace.

Okay, so I know I'm supposed to be "on break" from these until after my prelim, but I came across the following article some time ago and wanted to share it with the rest of you. I know I've been pretty quiet, but I have been thinking about all of you! This is a busy time of year for those still in school, but I encourage you to take some time out to read this when you get a chance.

What is holiness? The message bible says the following:
So here's what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life--your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life--and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him. ~Romans 12:1, msg
Take a few minutes to think about the past week. Are you really presenting yourself as a "living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God"? (kjv)

-AMR

check out today's devotional

an update

noreply@blogger.com (amr) — Fri, 25 Feb 2005 20:27:00 +0000

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!
Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything,
by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding,
will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:4-7

First of all, I want to say THANK YOU to all of you who've offered prayers, emails (and ecards) in support of me leading up to my exam this past wednesday. I'm sorry for the delay in sending this out, as I'm sure a lot of you have been wondering, but I've spent the last two days trying to catch up on sleep. The exam came and went as scheduled, and unfortunately, I did not pass. I'm not the first of my classmates to fail the exam this year, but it was still not something I expected and I'm still processing it. I said this last time I emailed most of you, but I'll say it again-- I know that my worth is not dependent on the results of any test, and I just thank God for his faithfulness in being with me through all of this.

I will have another opportunity to take the exam at the end of May, so I would appreciate your continued prayers and support as I prepare to embark on three months of intense preparation. People have remarked that I seem to be taking all of this pretty well, and I can honestly say that I am at peace with all of this. I know that God will give me the wisdom to make the right decisions this time around and I WILL pass this exam.

Jesus comes and lovingly says to us, in essence, "Sleep on now. That opportunity is lost forever and you can't change that. But get up, and let's go on to the next thing." In other words, let the past sleep, but let it sleep in the sweet embrace of Christ, and let us go on into the invincible future with Him. -- Oswald Chambers

-AMR

Honoring God

noreply@blogger.com (amr) — Thu, 25 Nov 2004 10:12:00 +0000

"God doesn't desire more of our time sometimes; He desires more of our attention all the time." --John Fischer (PDL)

Believe it or not, it is possible to put God first without escaping for an extended retreat into the mountains. We honor God with our faithfulness to the things and circumstances he has blessed us with, even if it doesn't seem "spiritual". So what does that mean? Study for that exam that seems to cover a ridiculous amount of material. Prepare for that presentation for those clients, even if it's "not that big of an account". Do these things with a joyful heart, encouraging others to do the same. Without GOD, you wouldn't be in school at all. Without GOD, you wouldn't have a job to supply your needs. As this season of thanksgiving falls upon us, remember the SOURCE. Even if God never does another thing for you, he's already done so much more than you could have ever expected or deserved. He's delivered you from things both seen and unseen. If that's not something to give thanks for, I don't know what is!

Happy Turkey Day!
-AMR

"We are pressed on every side by troubles, but we are not crushed and broken. We are perplexed, but we don't give up and quit. We are hunted down, but God never abandons us. We get knocked down, but we get up again and keep going."
(2 corinthians 2:8-9, nlt)

Don't Worry

noreply@blogger.com (amr) — Tue, 26 Oct 2004 10:53:00 +0000

If GOD doesn't build the house, the builders only build shacks.
If GOD doesn't guard the city, the night watchman might as well nap.
It's useless to rise early and go to bed late,
and work your worried fingers to the bone.
Don't you know he enjoys giving rest to those he loves?
(Psalm 127:1-2, msg)

For those who don't know, I'm in the midst of studying for my preliminary exam. Virtually every night I say up late reading various book chapters and articles, only to forget the bulk of what I "learned" over the next few days. As you might imagine, this is pretty frustrating, especially given that the exam is just over 3 weeks away at this point. I can't say that I'm freaked out, because I know that God will give me victory over the exam if I do my part and put in a good faith effort, but it is definitely unsettling.

A friend recently asked what I thought the problem was, and I mentioned that I was feeling like I had drifted in my relationship with God-- almost to the point that I didn't feel like I "had time" to clear my head and spend some true quality time with God. I'm sure you all see the obvious flaw in this sort of thinking...since when is an exam more important than making things right with God?!

Life is tough and the world lays many burdens on our shoulders. We can work as hard and as long as we want at achieving the goals that define us as "successful," but if God is not part of the equation our human effort means nothing. The result can only be more frustration, followed by failure. Giving God your best, and spending quality time regularly with him does not necessarily mean that he will take the cup from you (luke 22:42), but it does insure that you do not labor in vain. If you are right with God then there is no need to worry about the responsibilities that burden you. God will give you the strength you need to press on.

Trusting God you just can't go wrong.

-AMR

Strengthen thy Brethren

noreply@blogger.com (amr) — Tue, 05 Oct 2004 07:39:00 +0000

Luke 22:31-32 (KJV)

And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.

*I know I spoke on these verses not too long ago, but I've gotta go back there so bear with me!

Simon Peter was one of Jesus' beloved, but my favorite thing about him was his humanity. Every time I read about Peter, particularly during the time before the crucifixion, I see him try to do the right thing, only to put his foot in his mouth. Even as Jesus is arrested, he still doesn't seem to "get it," as he cuts off the ear of one of the men coming to arrest Jesus (John 18:10-11).

Many of the original leaders of the early Christian church certainly didn't seem like the "type," judging by worldly standards. In fact, not long after this passage we find Peter denying Christ not once, but three times. Jesus knew and understood the failures that Peter would have, but still saw something in him that was invisible to everyone else, transforming him into one of the greatest leaders the church has ever had.

Why did God set up the church to be one body? Why is it important that we don't try to live in complete isolation from our brothers and sisters in Christ? Simple. God knows that we are weak. That's part of our humanity. He gave us one another so that we can build each other up and encourage one another in the faith. He provided companionship so that we can develop relationships with others to keep each other accountable before God. How many times have you found yourself slipping away from God, only to have a caring friend speak encouraging words that could only have come from God?

Are you growing in your own faith? What about those who are closest to you? When was the last time you testified about the way God has worked through your own struggles to help out a friend going through a similar situation? In Galatians, Paul instructs us to "carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. " (Gal 6:2, NIV)

Don't be afraid to "strengthen thy brethren." God will equip you as needed to do all that he calls you to. I challenge you to take some time out this week to share some words of encouragement with your friends, as often a few simple words can make a huge difference.

-AMR

It's Not About You

noreply@blogger.com (amr) — Sat, 25 Sep 2004 06:42:00 +0000

It's all about you, Jesus
And all this is for you
For your glory and your fame
It's not about me,
As if you should do things my way
You alone are God
And I surrender, to your ways*

Some of you may recognize this song as one we used to sing in IV. Even if you don't recognize it, how many times have you sang a song like this without really meaning it? I know that for me there are a lot of times when I'd like to think I mean it when I say that I'm surrendering to God's ways, when really what I mean is that "I'm happy to surrender as long as it doesn't interfere with my own selfish desires". What does this mean in terms of a prayer life? If you're anything like me, then it's important to be aware of how we talk to God, and what we should strive for when presenting our requests and desires to him. Remember that just because we've thought about it, and decided that things should turn out a certain way does not mean that it is God's will for things to go according to our plan. Sometimes he lets us go through some trials in order to better prepare us for victory.

Does it hurt sometimes when you do poorly on that paper you spent what seemed like every waking moment on, or when you don't get that job you thought was tailor made for you? of course! but that doesn't mean that God doesn't care about you, and that he's not watching out for you through the process. Remember that in spite of what the world may be telling us, this life is not about us, and how to make the most money so we can buy expensive stuff. It's about developing our own personal relationship with God, and planting seeds by sharing our testimony with others so that they too might begin to seek God.

Lord God,

I thank you for this new opportunity to talk to you. Thank you for being Jehovah Jireh, OUR provider, and for looking out for each and every one of us, even when we turn our backs to you. Father I ask that you create within each of us a spirit of wisdom, such that we might choose to act in ways that glorify you. I pray that our words might be a reflection of our hearts, and that you might remove the fear that often keeps us from "surrendering to your ways". Help us to align our desires with your heart Lord, as it is only by seeking you that we can resist the temptations of the world. Be with my sisters and brothers in Christ as they begin this new day that you have created. I pray your annointing upon each and every one of them, that they might hear a new word from you today Lord. In JESUS' name I pray, Amen.

Test Your Faith

noreply@blogger.com (amr) — Thu, 26 Aug 2004 07:34:00 +0000

Luke 22:31-32 (msg)

"Simon, stay on your toes. Satan has tried his best to separate all of you from me, like chaff from wheat. Simon, I've prayed for you in particular that you not give in or give out. When you have come through the time of testing, turn to your companions and give them a fresh start."

Have you ever felt like you were being singled out? Going through something that you feel you don't deserve? How do you respond? Do you retreat, trying to stay away from others to be alone to wallow in your misery? Or maybe you find yourself lashing out at anyone and everyone, forcing them to taste your suffering. Why do you think God allows some people to go through some trials while others seem to always have everything go their way?

The devil works through our weakness, feeding us lies that we cultivate and allow to fester when things don't go our way. Remember that nothing happens without God's permission, and that sometimes he allows us to go through some things so that we have a testimony to share with those around us. This is exactly the situation we find Simon Peter in.

THE SCENE: after the Lord's supper, before Jesus goes to the Mount of Olives to pray (before his arrest).

When Jesus first selected Simon to be a disciple, he changed his name to Peter (or Cephas), meaning rock. He planned for Peter to be one of the primary players in the foundation of the church following his death, but at this point he is not yet ready. He has the enthusiasm of a good disciple, boldly claiming that "[he is] ready to go with [Jesus] to prison and to death" (v. 33), yet he still manages to deny his relationship with Christ not once, but three times that very same day.

Stay on guard against the devil's lies, particularly when you find yourself getting into a rut. When it seems like God's not listening and things are falling apart around you, it's time to elevate your witness. Perhaps the lessons you learn now will come in handy down the line when you won't have the time to go through all the steps and you'll need to go straight to the answer. Perhaps you'll come away with a testimony that helps someone else you haven't even met yet. Fixate on God's goodness, and the things you take for granted that he has afforded you. Don't give up on God, because he certainly will not give up on us, no matter how much we deserve it.

-AMR

The Message

noreply@blogger.com (amr) — Sun, 22 Aug 2004 08:36:00 +0000

Romans 1:1-5, msg

I, Paul, am a devoted slave of Jesus Christ on assignment, authorized as an apostle to proclaim God's words and acts. I write this letter to all the Christians in in Rome, God's friends. The sacred writings contain preliminary reports by the prophets on God's Son. His descent from David roots him in history; his unique identity as Son of God was shown by the Spirit when Jesus was raised from the dead, setting him apart as the Messiah, our Master. Through him we received both the generous gift of his life and the urgent task of passing it on to others who receive it by entering into obedient trust in Jesus. (emphasis mine)

At my church here in Durham we often read the passage we're studying in both NRSV and also in Eugene Peterson's translation, The Message Bible. I was reading through the salutation to Paul's letter to the Romans and I was struck by Paul's fervor, which comes through very early on in the letter. This translation's version of verse 5 (highlighted above) describes our role as evangelists as an "urgent task." In fact, that's exactly what it means to be an apostle-- to be one who carries the good news to others. Paul writes with the same urgency that he exhorts us to have when sharing the gospel with others.

Think about the most exciting thing that may have happened recently, be it a cool vacation, a new job, a new toy, etc. What was your first inclination once you found out about it? You probably felt an urge to pick up the phone to call a friend, parent, significant other, etc. Why? because it's good news that you want those around you to be able to share with you.

You may have felt the same fervor with regards to sharing about your newfound relationship with Christ when you first became a christian but for those of you who have known Christ for a long time, how do you feel now? Have you allowed yourself to become comfortable to the point that you never really think about sharing about what should be the most important thing in your life?

My pastor always challenges us to take the trinity challenge, and I pass this challenge onto you. Share with three people in the next week-- whether it be testifying about how God has worked in your life recently, inviting someone to church, or simply saying "God loves you". Paul says that "[he] is not ashamed of the gospel" (v.16). Can you say the same thing? Is this reflected in your actions?

-AMR

Lean on Me

noreply@blogger.com (amr) — Thu, 19 Aug 2004 12:38:00 +0000

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened,
and I will give you rest.
matthew 11:28

This time of year can be very difficult. The summer is winding down, and with it, that sense of freedom and flexibility. I've found that whether your life changes significantly come summer or not, there's a change in mindset that accompanies the change in temperature. Similar to new years, you start to make plans for all the things you're finally gonna get around to doing, and one day, you wake up and realize that it's August 19th and those plans haven't gotten beyond the planning stages. For some, school is starting back up, adding a level of complexity to what is already a busy life. For others, the realization that at least for the foreseeable future, that school will *not* be starting up again has finally come. Say goodbye to the security of having the next year already planned out for you.

You're probably wondering why I choose to remind you of this. Well, I have intimate knowledge of how crappy life can seem at this time of year. When we start to feel down, we basically have two options: 1) to turn away from God, and try to "work harder" to make our lives right or 2) to just surrender our fears and doubts to him. God knows that we are weak. He knows that we have a tendency to break down when things don't seem to be going our way. The good news is that when we are weak, he is strong. Unlike our friends, family, etc, he is the definition of faithful. If we call on him, he will answer.

Going through a rough spot? Ask the Lord to give you relief. If you call on him, he will answer (not necessarily in the way you would like, but that's a story for another day :-p). Spend time with the Lord. If you're not listening, you won't hear what he has to say. Allow him to give you the peace you need to get through your trial.

-AMR

Check out Oswald Chamber's devotional of the day.

Free Money

noreply@blogger.com (amr) — Sun, 15 Aug 2004 06:15:00 +0000

Provision. That's the subject the following devotional was filed under. What really comes to mind when you think about that term? Are you thinking of that new car you wish you could afford? the digital camera that everyone else has while your stuck in the dark ages with your 35mm? What about the hot new fourth generation iPod? At what point do you stop and think about the essentials of life, health, and strength that allows us the opportunity to even think about anything else? It seems that only when we are lacking in one of those things that we even stop to consider that God woke us up on yet another day. That he allowed us to have a roof over our heads. When was the last time that you thanked God for these simple blessings?

God is good. All the time, and he knows our needs intimately. He hears our prayers and always answers them, although not always with the timing or answer that we desire. Regardless of the things that we feel that we are lacking in life, remember that God doesn't owe us anything, so we don't have any right to covet someone else's blessings. Rejoice in the Lord and wait on him. He will never leave you the way that people can (and will). Let his grace carry you through your tough times.

Paul wrote in his letter to the Phillippians that we ought to "rejoice in the Lord always" (4:4). Think about what that means in practical terms. Ask God to open your heart, and to help you understand what true "provision" is all about.

-AMR

Read the devotional from RBC Ministries "Soul Journey" (june 7, 2003)

What do you do when you're faced with the truth about yourself?

noreply@blogger.com (amr) — Fri, 07 Nov 2003 05:40:00 +0000

(**heavily inspired by Rev. LaKeesha Walrond's 10/26 sermon**)

John 4:5-19, 39-42

So he came to a town in Samaria called Sychar, near the plot of ground Jacob had given to his son Joseph. Jacob's well was there, and Jesus, tired as he was from the journey, sat down by the well. It was about the sixth hour. When a Samaritan woman came to draw water, Jesus said to her, "Will you give me a drink?" (His disciples had gone into the town to buy food.)

The Samaritan woman said to him, "You are a Jew and I am a Samaritan woman. How can you ask me for a drink?" (For Jews do not associate with Samaritans.^[1] )

Jesus answered her, "If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water."

"Sir," the woman said, "you have nothing to draw with and the well is deep. Where can you get this living water? Are you greater than our father Jacob, who gave us the well and drank from it himself, as did also his sons and his flocks and herds?"

Jesus answered, "Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again,but whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life."

The woman said to him, "Sir, give me this water so that I won't get thirsty and have to keep coming here to draw water."

He told her, "Go, call your husband and come back."

"I have no husband," she replied.

Jesus said to her, "You are right when you say you have no husband. The fact is, you have had five husbands, and the man you now have is not your husband. What you have just said is quite true."

"Sir," the woman said, "I can see that you are a prophet.

Many of the Samaritans from that town believed in him because of the woman's testimony, "He told me everything I ever did." So when the Samaritans came to him, they urged him to stay with them, and he stayed two days. And because of his words many more became believers. They said to the woman, "We no longer believe just because of what you said; now we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this man really is the Savior of the world."

Sometimes the hardest truth to see is the truth about ourselves. We are quick to point out the flaws of others, but how often do we sit back and really take a look at what we've packaged away inside? Christian culture often pulls us into a nasty cycle of deception, in which we go out of our ways to present ourselves as someone we're really not. That's obviously not the message of grace, and salvation by faith. The problem is that we start thinking to ourselves (sometimes unconsiously) things like: What would people at church/fellowship think if they knew that I abused the painkillers they gave me for my surgery? That I like to drink when depressed? or that I'm consumed with self-destructive thoughts? When thinking about others it's easy to take the high road, assuring yourself that you would not look at a christian friend differently who admits that they have a drinking problem, a gambling problem, or that they like to look at pornographic material. That's great in theory, but in practice is that really your reaction?

Given that, it's not surprising that we build walls around our sin. We'll open up about the sinful things we did before we became a christian. We'll share how we had a bad interaction with someone and wished that God would not bless them, or that we've been in a spiritual rut. While these are important, it's more important to be honest with yourself and especially with God.

When you are in a relationship with Jesus Christ it's important to realize that he already knows everything about you but he still loves you. Life is not about us, and what we can do for Jesus, but rather it's all about Jesus, and how his grace is sufficient. He does not expect perfection, but he does call us to be faithful, and it is throught that faithfulness that he can fulfill our needs, deliver us from our sinful secrets, and mold us into the person he created us to be.

What do you do when you're faced with the truth about yourself?

The Samaritan woman in the story changed the subject, rather than deal with the issue Jesus confronted her with. What about you? Are you sharing your testimony? What do you do when you're faced with the truth? Go tell somebody.

Drowning

noreply@blogger.com (amr) — Fri, 25 Apr 2003 05:01:00 +0000

"Save me, O God, for the waters have
come up to my neck. I sink in the miry depths,
where there is no foothold. I have come into the
deep waters; the floods engulf me. I am worn out
calling for help; my throat is parched. My eyes
fail, looking for my God."
Psalm 69:1-3 (NIV)

Maybe I'm just too preoccupied with school these days, but when I came across this verse the other day, I immediately thought about school, and how it seems like you reach a certain point in the semester where you're just drowning in work. For those of you still in school, I'm thinking it's getting to be about that time. Remember that God is with you to help you through anything-- not just "major" crisises. While people can let you down, remember the God will "never fail you nor forsake you" (joshua 1:5).

hang in there. crunch time will be over sooner than you think!

-AMR

More Grace

noreply@blogger.com (amr) — Sun, 06 Apr 2003 06:20:00 +0000

And so begins a new week. Don't forget to set your clocks forward an hour! As you can see, this week's devotional is taken from the daily devo. These are Paul's words to the church in Corinth, but they apply to us as well. God is with us each and every day, speaking to us, and working through us more and more as we strive to commit our lives to him. Don't be discouraged when you fall, but rather use the situation to learn more about yourself, and how to use the gifts that God has given you.

God Bless
-AMR

-----------------------------------------------------------

The Daily Devo
by Pastor Steve Baney
More Grace
1 Corinthians 1:4-6 "I always thank God for you because of his grace given you in Christ Jesus. For in him you have been enriched in every way - in all your speaking and in all your knowledge - because our testimony about Christ was confirmed in you." (NIV)

Are you beginning to learn what God's grace can do? It enriches us in every way. It benefits the way we talk and think. And it makes your life a testimony to the power of God. Let his grace influence you today. Ask him daily to purify you more and more.

Father, fill me with your powerful grace.

Scripture quoted from Holy Bible, New International Version.
Wheaton: Tyndale House, 1988.

One of God's Great "Don'ts"

noreply@blogger.com (amr) — Fri, 04 Apr 2003 08:25:00 +0000

Trust in the LORD with all thine heart;
and lean not unto thine own understanding.
In all thy ways acknowledge him,
and he shall direct thy paths.
Proverbs 3:5-6

Well, it's that time of year again. The semester's winding down, the summer's coming, and parents are starting to pester you about finding that perfect resume builder internship, or full time job. Whether you've been sending out resumes for months, or you just started 2 weeks ago, it's getting to be that time of year where you really start to worry about the uncertainty of the future. The thing is that worrying not only doesn't change the situation, but it also pulls you away from God, as you aren't trusting him to work things out. The right opportunity is not always what you would like, but if you pray for God to open the door, and trust that he really does know what is best for you, in the long run you will not be disappointed. In spite of what may seem like failures and our own inadequacy (trust me, i've been there!), remember that God sees the big picture, and because of that there are times when he will say "wait" or "no." It's all about trust and patience.

-AMR

Check out Oswald Chamber's 7/4 devotional

Dios Te Dice / God Says

noreply@blogger.com (amr) — Tue, 25 Mar 2003 12:11:00 +0000

Back again after (another) long hiatus, I thought i'd send this one along. I hope that everyone is doing well, in spite of the constant stressors around us... This is a translated version of a devotional I received from Arturo Quirós Lépiz. For those of you daring enough to want to tackle the original spanish, you can scroll past my translation to the original.

-AMR

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

God Says

When you say: "I can't figure things out..."
God says: "I direct your paths" (Proverbs 3:5-6)

When you say: "It's impossible..."
God says: "All things are possible" (Luke 18:27)

When you say: "I'm feeling lonely..."
God says: "I will never leave you, nor forsake you" (Hebrews 13:5)

When you say: "I can't do it...."
God says: "You can do all things" (Phillipians 4:13)

When you say: "I don't deserve forgiveness..."
God says: "I forgive you" (1 John 1:9/Romans 8:1)

When you say: "I'm afraid..."
God says: "Don't be afraid, I am with you" (Isaiah 41:10)

When you say: "I'm tired..."
God says: "I will give you rest" (Matthew 11:28-30)

When you say: "No one truly loves me..."
God says: "I love you" (John 3:16/John 13:34)

When you say: "I don't know how to proceed..."
God says: "I will show you the way" (Psalms 32:8)

When you ask: "How do I find God?"
God says: "Through my beloved son, Jesus Christ" (1 Timothy 2:5/Acts 4:12/John 3:16)

...and when you want to know all that God wants to tell you, just be still and take in his miracles.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Dios Te Dice

Cuando dices:... "No puedo resolver las cosas..."
Dios te dice: "Yo dirijo tus pasos" (Proverbios 3:5-6)

Cuando dices: "Es imposible..."
Dios te dice: "Todo es posible" (Lucas 18:27)

Cuando dices: "Me siento muy solo..."
Dios te dice "No te dejaré, ni te desampararé" (Hebreos 13:5)

Cuando dices: "Yo no lo puedo hacer..."
Dios te dice: "Todo lo puedes hacer" (Filipenses 4:13)

Cuando dices: "No merezco perdón..."
Dios te dice: "Yo te perdono" (1 Juan 1:9 - Romanos 8:1)

Cuando dices: "Tengo miedo..."
Dios te dice: "No temas, que yo estoy contigo" (Isaías 41:10)

Cuando dices: "Estoy muy cansado..."
Dios te dice: "Yo te haré descansar" (Mateo 11:28-30)

Cuando dices "Nadie me ama de verdad..."
Dios dice: "Yo te amo" (Juan 3:16 - Juan 13:34)

Cuando dices: "No sé cómo seguir..."
Dios te dice: "Yo te enseñaré el camino" (Salmos 32:8)

Cuando te preguntas... "¿Qué camino me conduce a Dios...?"
Dios te dice: Mi Hijo Amado JESUCRISTO (1 Timoteo 2:5 - Hechos 4:12 - Juan 3:16)

...Y cuando quieras saber todo lo que Dios quiere decirte... ... SOLO CALLA Y ADMIRA SUS MILAGROS

Have You Ever Been Alone With God

noreply@blogger.com (amr) — Tue, 18 Feb 2003 05:51:00 +0000

And now for another dose of my late night musings :-)

It can be frustrating to travel this journey of life, without really knowing where you're going at times. Every time you think you've gotten something figured out, it's like you turn a corner and find a brand new puzzle to sort out. God has our best interests in mind, and he gives us what we need when the time is right. I was going through some of Oswald Chamber's devotionals and I came across this one. Take some time out to be alone with God and really listen to what he has to say.

God Bless
-AMR

Check out Oswald Chamber's 1/12 devotional