Unrepentant Sin

Two years ago today, I lost one of my friends & mentors to the Consequences of unrepentant sin. Memories are rushing through my brain... It seems like it was just yesterday... How quickly time flies by!

This one situation changed the way that I view everything- God, faith, family, life, love, marriage etc. Not a day goes by that I'm not affected by it... September 2010 was the hardest thing that I have ever walked through.

It taught me the utter importance of accountability. A person is a lot less likely to make decisions that will adversely affect the community around them, if they walk in accountability with other believers, being mentored by older Christians...

"A lone ranger is a dead ranger..."

It taught me the importance of community. My Church family grew a lot stronger & closer together, as the result of this event. I have never seen so many people from so many different walks of life pull together & rally together as the result of this decision.

"And let us consider how to stir up one another to love & good works,
not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some,
but encouraging one another,
& all the more as you see the Day drawing near..."

- Hebrews 10:25

It taught me the importance of honesty and vulnerability. If we aren't honest with those around us & let them see our faults, weaknesses & sins, then we are twice as likely to do things that we wouldn't dare to do, if we were being held accountable.

"My lips will not speak wickedness,
& my tongue will utter no deceit.."

- Job 27:4

It taught me the importance of self-control. We must learn to bring our flesh, desires, thoughts, hearts etc into submission unto the Lord.

"But among you, there must be not even a hint of sexual immorality &
all impurity or covetousness, as is proper among saints..."

- Ephesians 5:3

It taught me the importance of prayer. Prayer changes things!

"Therefore, confess your sins to one another
& pray for one another, that you may be healed.
The prayer of a righteous person availeth much..."

^{- James 5:16}

It taught me the importance of holding our family & friends accountable. If I see one of my fellow believers backsliding & falling into sin, it is my duty before the Lord to humbly confront

"Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression,
you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness.
Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted..."

- Galatians 6:1

God is bringing Good from the Pain. He is working all things together for His Glory & our Good. He has a Plan & Purpose for all involved through this. He knows what He is doing. And we are trusting Him through this. :)

"And we know that God works all things together

for the good of those who love Him,
who have been Called according to His Purpose..."

- Romans 8:28

Surrendering Our Precious Dreams to God

This quote has changed my life. It hangs framed on my wall, on the dashboard in my car etc.
May we learn how to surrender our precious dreams to God!

God has been teaching me this lesson of trust & surrender for about four months now. I still haven't fully grasped the significance of it yet...

Deep down, I do believe in trusting God fully, no matter what happens, no matter what life throws at me. But when it comes down to actually living out that belief, I have a harder time with it.

"'For I know the Plans I have for you,' declares the Lord,

'Plans for good & not for evil, to give you a future and a hope...'"

- Jeremiah 29:11

This is not my first post on surrendering our precious dreams to God. (You can see my other post here). Also see what I've been reading on this topic- here (what inspired this thought 2 months ago), here & here.

Last night, I read a quote that impacted me. It is-

"Stress often comes from holding onto a dream too tightly."

 

I don't know who said it. Or how I ran across it. But it's stuck in my brain all night & again this morning. I can't get it out of my head.

 

"And we know that all things work

together for the good of those who love God,
who have been Called according to His Purpose..."

- Romans 8:28

(my life-verse)

 

Expanding on the topic, carrying it further- It's also about us failing to entrust that dream to God, letting Him mold His Will into our desires; trusting Him with the outcome, no matter what happens.

 

This is a hard lesson for me to learn, especially when my dreams don't match God's exactly. Sometimes I desire things that God doesn't have in mind.

 

"'For My Thoughts are not your thoughts,
neither are your ways My Ways,' declares the Lord.
^'For as the Heavens are higher than the earth,
so are My Ways higher than your ways
    & My Thoughts than your thoughts...'"

- Isaiah 55:8-9
 

I am reminded of these song lyrics-

 

"All to You, I surrender/
Everything, every part of me/
All to You, I surrender/
All of my dreams, all of me..."

- Kim Walker-Smith

("Surrender")

 

And of

 

"For we walk by faith, not by sight."

- 2 Corinthians 5:7

 

And of my favorite song-

I will Walk by Faith/
Even when I cannot see/
Well because this broken road/
Prepares Your Yill for me.."

- Jeremy Camp

("Walk by Faith")

 

As one of my friends brought to my attention today, it isn't just our dreams that we sometimes struggle with leaving at God's feet. Sometimes we hold onto things (possessions, wealth, careers, hobbies, activities, people etc) too closely, not daring to fully trust God with them. Like we could do a better job ourselves. What blasphemy! (and what a rediculous thought!)

 

So, in closing, some food for thought...

 

* What are you holding onto too closely?
* What are you afraid to surrender to God fully?
* What are you afraid to lose?

* Do you trust God completely, no matter what?

* Have you fully surrendered your dreams, desires, passions etc to God?
* Do you trust that God knows best?

 

"And I am sure of this,  that He who began a good work in you
will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.."
- Philippians 1:6

9/11/01 WE REMEMBER.

Today, eleven years after that tragic day, we remember the lives lost, but not forgotten. Of those who paid the great sacrifice- the firefighters & policemen who gave their lives that others might live.

"Greater love hath no man one than this,
he that lay down his life for his friends..."

- John 15:13

 

I am grateful to our troops overseas, who are sacrificing their lives that we may yet be FREE, "One nation under GOD, indivisible, with liberty & justice for all..."

WE. WILL. NOT FORGET.