In Christ I'm a New Creation!

“We are careful not to judge people by what they seem to be, though we once judged Christ in that way.  Anyone who belongs to Christ is a new person.  The past is forgotten, and everything is new.  God has done it all!  He sent Christ to make peace between Himself and us, and He has given us the work of making peace between Himself and others” (2 Corinthians 5:16-18).

Why is it that we do that?  We take a look at someone and can already determine where their heart is.  This is so common amongst our society that it’s not even funny.  We know God tells us not to judge people, yet we do it anyway.  Why is that?  It’s like we have something planted inside of us that has grown into our minds and souls.  We judge a person by clothing, hair, style, music, friends, and choices they have made in their life.  Why do we do that?  What does to judge mean exactly?  To judge means “to form an opinion or conclusion about.”  We just see someone and we already have an opinion about them.  I don’t know what makes us feel as though our opinion matters to anyone, but we share it, don’t we?  “Wow, what is that girl wearing?”  “Oh, she has a kid and she’s not married.  She must have made some bad decisions.”  “That guy is covered in tattoos; he must be a bad guy.”  Now, I know those are a little old school and we probably heard our parents and pastors telling us not to make these same judgments growing up.  But, the point I think God is trying to make here and all throughout scripture is, even though we don’t say them out loud, we still think them.  That is enough to be called a judgment. So, now that I have discovered that I am completely, 100% guilty of judging people, what can I do to change?  Well I’ll tell you what, any time you start to form an opinion of someone in your mind, think about Christ and what He died for.  He died for those of us who are lost, those of us who have messed up, those of us who don’t have it all under control, those of us who need help.  We need to remember that “anyone who belongs to Christ is a new person.  The past is forgotten, and everything is new.  God has done it all!”  What?!  You mean that every sin that has been committed was placed on Jesus’ hands?    So, instead of making judgments about what we see with our eyes, remember that every sin was placed on Jesus making us righteous with God.  “Christ never sinned!  But God treated Him as a sinner, so that Christ could make us acceptable to God” (5:21).  Wow!  I don’t know about you but if someone is considered righteous in God’s eyes, then who are we to make a judgment call about someone else?  God judges all of us by what we have judged others by.

“Our firm decision is to work from this focused center: One man died for everyone. That puts everyone in the same boat” (2 Corinthians 5:14 MSG).

What are you afraid of?

“We never give up. Our bodies are gradually dying, but we ourselves are being made stronger each day.  These little troubles are getting us ready for an eternal glory that will make all our troubles seem like nothing.  Things that are seen don’t last forever, but things that are not seen are eternal. That’s why we keep our minds on the things that cannot be seen.”  2 Corinthians 4:16-18

Today I decided to start with the verse.  All of 2 Corinthians 4 is phenomenal but this last part is the summary, and it is my favorite part.  Paul has talked about what our ministry is up until this point.  Remember our ministry is our testimony, what Christ has done for us.  For me, my ministry is where God has brought me to.  Yes, it is the “I was lost and now I’m found” story.  Many people have that ministry as well.  But what about your testimony makes it appealing or even relatable?  Let me tell you!  It is where you decided to trust God with EVERYTHING!  Not just a few things; not just the big stuff; EVERYTHING.  Don’t have that yet?  Then we need to gain a better understanding as to why we haven’t given up everything to Him.  He is the CREATOR of the ENTIRE UNIVERSE right?  I mean, He did put all of the stars in the sky and called them by name, right?  Then why don’t we trust HIM with EVERYTHING?  Let me tell you what I think it is:  I think we are too afraid.  We are too afraid of what God might call us to do?  He might call us out of our comfort zone.  He might call us to do something that is dangerous.  Or He may call us to do something that we just don’t think we have time for.  WOH!  It’s true though isn’t it?  We are afraid.  And I think it’s about time we stood up and faced these fears.  “The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God” (4:4 NIV).  Look around you, there are people blinded of the GLORY of Christ!  They are dying inside.  They are blinded by the god of this world, which is the devil.  If we don’t step up, we are letting the people around us die and die forever.  That’s tough stuff, I know.  I can’t believe I am actually writing this.  I can’t believe I am actually facing one of my fears right now by telling all of my fellow believers this: WE NEED TO GROW UP AND STOP MESSING AROUND!  God is calling us to change the direction that this generation is going.  We need to be the leaders of a higher calling.  No more of this slacking off!  LET’S GET OFF OF OUR BUTTS AND CHANGE THE WORLD!  “But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.  We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down but not destroyed.” (4:7-9 NIV).  It is with those words that we must be encouraged to tell others about Jesus, not afraid.  Just remember that verse I gave you in the beginning. “Things that are seen don’t last forever, but things that are not seen are eternal.  That’s why we keep our minds on the things that cannot be seen” (4:18).

Where the Spirit of the Lord is...

What is liberty?

Liberty means “the quality or state of being free; permission especially to go freely within specified limits; privilege.”  I especially like the last two definitions of liberty because I think it goes well with our relationship with the Lord.  Today I read 2 Corinthians 3 and boy-oh-boy did it hit me hard.  The first part of 2 Corinthians, Paul talks about what our ministry is.  He says that it is not written in words.  Our ministry is written “on tablets of human hearts”(3:3).  I love how he says that we show others that we are the ministry of Christ; we are the work of Christ, “written not with ink but with the Spirit of the Living God”(3:3).  I just love that.  I think that it shows me that my God is bigger than the stories that portray Him. 

In the next verses (3:7-18) Paul talks about the Old Covenant and the New Covenant.  The Old Covenant is the Commandments given to Moses, which came before Jesus, the New Covenant being Jesus.  If you remember the 10 Commandments story, you recall them being carved in stones.  The Commands were placed among the Israelites to keep them from sinning (Exodus 20:20).  This Old Covenant was given to save the Israelites from eternal damnation.  Remember this was before they could just ask the Lord to forgive them of their sins and all was forgiven.  Jesus had to come to the earth as a human and die a death that He didn’t deserve in order for us to be under a New Covenant.  So here Paul says, “Now if the ministry that brought death which was engraved in letters on stone came with glory…” (3:7) “…will not the ministry of the Spirit be even more glorious?  If the ministry that condemns men is glorious, how much more glorious is the ministry that brings righteousness!”  Our ministry is our testimony!  It’s true!  My innocence in front of the Almighty Father God is not from following a set of rules or living a certain way.  It is from Jesus, His Son who came to set me free from the burden of my sin.  How glorious is this New Covenant that comes to give all who accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, the blamelessness in front of God the Creator of the Universe?  Oh how glorious it is!  The Old Covenant was good but the New Covenant is far greater.  “Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where that the Spirit of the Lord is there is liberty!” (3:17).  The Spirit of our Lord is placed inside each and every one of us, if we have accepted Christ to be the Ruler of our hearts.

2 Corinthians 3

God’s New Agreement

3 Are we once again bragging about ourselves? Do we need letters to you or from you to tell others about us? Some people do need letters that tell about them. ² But you are our letter, and you are in our^[a] hearts for everyone to read and understand. ³ You are like a letter written by Christ and delivered by us. But you are not written with pen and ink or on tablets made of stone. You are written in our hearts by the Spirit of the living God.

⁴ We are sure about all this. Christ makes us sure in the very presence of God. ⁵ We don’t have the right to claim that we have done anything on our own. God gives us what it takes to do all that we do. ⁶He makes us worthy to be the servants of his new agreement that comes from the Holy Spirit and not from a written Law. After all, the Law brings death, but the Spirit brings life.

⁷ The Law of Moses brought only the promise of death, even though it was carved on stones and given in a wonderful way. Still the Law made Moses' face shine so brightly that the people of Israel could not look at it, even though it was a fading glory. ⁸ So won’t the agreement that the Spirit brings to us be even more wonderful? ⁹ If something that brings the death sentence is glorious, won’t something that makes us acceptable to God be even more glorious? ¹⁰ In fact, the new agreement is so wonderful that the Law is no longer glorious at all. ¹¹ The Law was given with a glory that faded away. But the glory of the new agreement is much greater, because it will never fade away.

¹² This wonderful hope makes us feel like speaking freely. ¹³We are not like Moses. His face was shining, but he covered it to keep the people of Israel from seeing the brightness fade away. ¹⁴ The people were stubborn, and something still keeps them from seeing the truth when the Law is read. Only Christ can take away the covering that keeps them from seeing.

¹⁵ When the Law of Moses is read, they have their minds covered over ¹⁶ with a covering that is removed only for those who turn to the Lord. ¹⁷ The Lord and the Spirit are one and the same, and the Lord’s Spirit sets us free. ¹⁸ So our faces are not covered. They show the bright glory of the Lord, as the Lord’s Spirit makes us more and more like our glorious Lord.

Radiance....what is it?

Picture by Marc Adamus

http://marcadamus.deviantart.com/

Today, I got to read some more of Marian Jordan’s book “Radiant”.  I just love the title of that.  I came in to work this morning, so exhausted.  My sweet little girl was sick all night last night and I’ve just been bogged down with everything going on in my life.  I’ve been exhausted the past few weeks, or maybe even months, with things that have just been on my mind.  It’s like they keep running and running and never stop.  I don’t know where they came from, it’s like they showed up out of nowhere and started attacking me.  I know that in all of my confusion, God is not the Author of that.  So, I really started reading my Bible and writing more.  Low and behold, a devotional blog site came into existence.  I’ve never “technically” blogged before.  By “technically” I mean, that anyone has actually read.   But I am really enjoying it.  I think that it helps with all of these thoughts that I have.  Plus God is speaking to me each morning when I read His Word and His ever-present glory is shining around each word, and I love it!  Back to Marian Jordan’s book “Radiant”, I am just so thankful for this book.  I have barely begun reading it and I already know how much of an impact it is going to have on me.  It’s all about what makes us radiant.  Radiant means “showing happiness: expressing joy, energy, or good health in a pleasing way.”  Wow!   That is from dictionary.com, people!  I am just overwhelmed by that.  That is my desire in this life.  I want to be radiant.  When others look at me, I want them to say, “There is something about her that is drawing me towards her!”  Do you know what it will be?  JESUS!  So, how do we get to that level of radiance?  Is it by doing nice things for other people?  Or is it by following all the “commandments”?  Or do we gain radiance from going to church and listening to the messages?  Nope, none of that will give me a radiant heart that shines for others to see.  What?  Are you serious?  Then what?  Radiance comes from a heart that KNOWS he or she is redeemed.  Ok, so if some of you are completely confused right now, that is perfectly fine.  But what I want you to get most out of this devotional, is not how to live or what we need to do as believers in this life,  BUT what you set your mind on each day!  That’s it!  If you set your mind on things of this world, you will be disappointed.  And who wants to be disappointed?!  This means if you begin to live your days for a goal or a desire then you will never be satisfied.  It’s true.  Look at all of the famous people and people with riches beyond measure, are they happy?  No.  No one is ever truly happy without Jesus.  Christ is the reason we even have a chance in this life.  Once we realize what He did for us, and I mean REALLY did for us, that is when we will shine like the sun!  Marian Jordan says it best, “The motivation to live pure and holy lives comes from our love for Jesus.  We long for the day when we will see His face, and we want to live in a way that pleases Him,” (Radiant.pg 15).

Forgiveness and Knowing Our Imperfections

When I first read 2 Corinthians 1:12-24 I am going to be completely honest with you, I had absolutely no clue as to what the heck Paul was saying.  If you haven’t read it, I suggest you do.  Read it once, twice, maybe three times and you still, most likely won’t understand what he is saying.  So I had to ask God again, “Are You sure that this is what you want my devotional to be about today, Lord?”  Of course He said “yes”.  So I did some research (yes, internet research) and read an article that explained exactly what I was having trouble understanding in these verses.  What Paul is saying here is that, he is flaky. Woh!  Paul, the Great Follower of Jesus Christ Himself, has admitted to being flaky?  Why?  Why would Paul admit it?  I know I sure wouldn’t, especially in a letter to a bunch of people.  But the cool thing here is that Paul is a sinner.  At one point in 1 Corinthians 16 Paul had told them of his plans to see them (the Corinthians) but it wouldn’t happen for a while.  But when they got the letter they didn’t like it (most likely they didn’t want to wait to see him) so Paul came almost immediately.  The visit didn’t go well but he still promised he would be back again soon.  But instead he sent a letter when he was supposed to come.  So now in 2 Corinthians, Paul is writing his fourth letter.  He begins to address his lack of consistency in word and action.  Let me tell you why I love this: because Paul points out his own flaws and doesn’t make up excuses.  That is something we all need to take for ourselves, especially as Christians.  I think a lot of times we are quick to judge other people’s wrongs and don’t admit, even to ourselves, that we have our own issues that need some addressing.  I am definitely speaking for myself here.  I remember there was a girl that I knew through a friend that was struggling with finding her true identity.  She went to church but I don’t think she truly knew how loved she was by the Savior.  So anyways, she got pregnant and was continuing to live the lifestyle she had been living (parties, etc.).  I knew exactly what she was going through because I, myself had done the same.  But I didn’t respond with love.  I responded with quick judgments and scornful hate for what she was doing.  I don’t know exactly what she was going through because I never brought myself back down to her same level.  I lived in this “oh, I know it’s wrong because I did it, but now I don’t,” kind of level (if that makes any sense).  One time I saw her at Underground (she was still pregnant)and I really felt the Lord telling me I needed to ask for forgiveness from her.  I am going to be completely honest with you, I have never asked for forgiveness from anyone.  I know, that’s really crazy, but it’s true.  So, I did.  I went up to her and it was like the words couldn’t come out of my mouth.  I stuttered and stammered but I finally said, “I am so sorry for the way I have treated you.”  She couldn’t look at me.  I felt as though my heart had been so heavy, for so long and it was finally lifting.  I hugged her and her friend that was with her.  I don’t know what she felt like afterwards, because I never saw her again.  I do know that I was being obedient to the Lord and I could now point in the direction of Christ to her and others like her.  What I am trying to say in this very long, very personal devotion is that WE HAVE ALL FALLEN SHORT OF THE GLORY OF GOD.  What that means is, I do not deserve to go to Heaven after that, but Christ died for that.  He died for my sin and He died for your sin, so you can be with Him someday.  He does want us to reconcile with people that we have wronged, though.  But think of the testimony it would have on your life and on that other person.  I hope today we can remember that we don’t have to live like we are perfect but we can know that Christ is perfect and that His promises stand firm. 

“Christ says “Yes” to all of God’s promises. That’s why we have Christ to say “Amen” for us to the glory of God. ²¹ And so God makes it possible for you and us to stand firmly together with Christ. God is also the one who chose us ²² and put his Spirit in our hearts to show that we belong only to him.” 2 Corinthians 1:20-22 (CEV)

Patiently Enduring

What does it mean to be “patiently enduring?”

Patient means “able to wait without becoming annoyed or anxious.”  Enduring means “continuing or long lasting.”  Wow!  I don’t know about you but when I think of the word patience I didn’t immediately say, “Oh that means I need to wait without being annoyed or anxious.”  How the heck can anyone wait for something, especially if it’s long lasting, without getting anxious?  That is something I DEFINITELY have a hard time with.  I know it’s possible to obtain, although a patient person is very hard to come by these days.  Paul says in 2 Corinthians 1:3-7 exactly where this “patient endurance” comes from.

“All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort.  He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us. ⁵ For the more we suffer for Christ, the more God will shower us with his comfort through Christ. ⁶ Even when we are weighed down with troubles, it is for your comfort and salvation! For when we ourselves are comforted, we will certainly comfort you. Then you can patiently endure the same things we suffer. ⁷ We are confident that as you share in our sufferings, you will also share in the comfort God gives us.”

So what I am getting from this is that, God is our comfort.  When our lives are filled with anything but Christ, this is hard to imagine.  If Christ is our comfort through anything then we should have no reason to be anxious or annoyed in waiting because we know that the Almighty, Creator of the Universe CAN handle this one little bump in our lives.  It’s like we know these things but we can’t imagine the end of the suffering.  I think that when we start looking into our problems and trials and think, “someday I will no longer hurt from this because it will come to an end and then my problem will officially be over.”  But that is not how life works.  Life is filled with problems.  If one thing ends another one begins and we are consistently looking for the end of that problem.  Take for example money problems.  Let’s say we are purchasing a house and things are going great; we move in; we live there for a few years.  Then all of the sudden, the air conditioner goes out (if you’re in Texas, you know that is probably one of the worst problems to ever have).  The air conditioner guy says it’s going to be $8000 to put in a new A/C because it’s completely shot.  You spend all of your savings on replacing your A/C unit.  The problem is over, the trial is passed but the next day your company decides they are cutting jobs back and your job is going to be cut.  Now all of your savings is gone and your job is ending as well.  See what I mean?  We live in a world where there are problems after problems happening all around us.  But, it’s how we react in those situations that will reflect to others about where we put our hope in.  If I was a worldly person, I would be devastated by the loss of my savings and the loss of my job.  But if my hope and comfort was in something not of this world, like GOD, my Creator, then I would have nothing to be anxious about.  I would know who my God is and that He is going to “rescue us” (vs 10).  “In fact, we expected to die.  But as a result, we stopped relying on ourselves and learned to rely only on God, who raises the dead.  And He did rescue us from mortal danger, and He will rescue us again.  We have placed our confidence in Him, and He will continue to rescue us” (vs 9-10).  If we can have this same outlook on all of our problems, then we will feel comfort.  And when we are comforted through problems, then others are comforted.  What better way to show others the power of our Savior, then by “patiently enduring” through each and every trial?

New Beginnings

So, I finally did it!  I created myself a blog!  I am not really sure how this will go, but we shall see. 
Not even sure if people read these things anyways, but I need a place to post my devotions and it seemed like just the thing.  I titled my blog "A Princess After God's Own Heart" because Sarah means Princess, and well, I desire to grow closer to God's heart every day.  I know, so clever. haha

I started this blogger because I love to write, well... type actually (writing hurts my hand, cuz my mind thinks faster then I write).  I've been writing since I was about 10.  When I was in Junior High I typed a story on my giant desktop computer, that was 15 pages long, just for fun (crazy, I know).  We didn't have internet at that time, so it was the next best thing I could do with my time.  I recently posted some of my journal entries on Facebook and got several suggestions to start a blog or do something more with them other than posting them on there.  So here I am.  My hopes and dreams for this blog are that it will inspire just one person to think differently about God.  I am not afraid to speak my mind, so I may be abrupt, but it is with love that I say these things.  Someone in our generation needs to speak out, so here goes nothing...

"For I am not ashamed of this Good News about Christ.  It is the power of God at work, saving everyone who believes—the Jew first and also the Gentile.  This Good News tells us how God makes us right in his sight.  This is accomplished from start to finish by faith.  As the Scriptures say, “It is through faith that a righteous person has life."  Romans 1:16