Come as you are

Everytime I hear the words “Come as you are”… two things come to mind. The first thing I think about is Jesus (my present state of mind) and 2nd thing that comes to mind is a blast from my past… a popular song from the ‘90’s by Nirvana titled Come as You Are. 


Jesus + Rock Music =.

Jesus said in Matthew 11:28-30 - Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light. –
Amen. Couldn’t have said it better myself, but I sure am glad Jesus said it 2010 years ago (or somewhere around there). I think a huge misconception of how to become a Christian and how the ‘modern day’ Christian is perceived is this: You don’t have to make changes and then come to Christ. You just come as you are, with all of your baggage.


I had about 200 suitcases full of junk when I went knocking at Jesus’ door on July 24th... and guess what? He took me in, with all 200 suitcases.. (and being the gentleman that He is, He even carried my junk for me) gave me a place to rest and learn and I haven’t left his house yet.  Since moving into Jesus’ home, I have had daily talks with him (many of which have taken place in my car on Central Expressway…) and with His counsel, love and guidance, I have been able to make HUGE changes in my life.. but those changes could have never been made without Jesus. I may have been able to make changes here and there on my own, but it wouldn’t have been easy. His yoke is much easier and he’s an outstanding companion and teacher!  Jesus, if I haven't told you today how much I love you, allow me to now... Jesus, I love you - you are the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, the rock of my strength in whom I take refuge and my Savior.


I entered His home with my 200 suitcases, and with the help of Jesus we have gladly thrown out about 100 of those suitcases together. I still have 100 that I am diligently working on, but I’m working on it with Him and He knows me inside and out and will never give me more than I can handle at one time. What an awesome, loving and sovereign God He is.


Now, from my Nirvana 90’s song; it says “Take your time, hurry up, choice is yours, don't be late”.  Kurt Cobain, you hit it right on the money! No one can tell you when it’s your time to come to Christ… just like this song says… take your time or hurry up, the choice is yours.. but don’t be late… No living person can tell you when to come to Christ, but the Bible, which is the living word of God, can -  “I tell you, now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation.” 2 Corinthians 6:2


Salvation is gained by receiving the gift God has already given us... Jesus Christ. If you want to receive the salvation that is available through Jesus, place your Faith in Him. Fully trust His death as the sufficient sacrifice for your sins, completely rely on Him alone as your Savior. If you have received Jesus as your Savior, say a prayer to God and tell God how thankful you are for Jesus. Offer praise to God for His love and sacrifice. Thank Jesus for dying for your sins and providing salvation for you. Cast all of your burdens on Him and embrace Him (Jesus) with all your heart.

Prayer for the Day by Stormie Omartian
Lord, I feel as if my faith is tested every day. Help me to pass those tests so that my faith will be strengthened and shine as pure gold. Help my faith to remain strong, steadfast, and unwavering so that my actions will glorify You in the sight of others. I pray that every trial I go through will make my trust in You and Your Word grow stronger and stronger.  In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ.  1 Peter 1:6-7

... Cause I Gotta Have Faith!

"Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen"(Hebrews 11:1).  "And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him." (Hebrews 11:6).

Faith begins and ends in the realm of the unseen.  It is conviction supported by evidence concerning things we do not know by personal experience.  But, by faith we accept that the invisible things of God are behind the visible universe.  By faith we hope for an eternal home in heaven, though we have never seen that paradise with our earthly eyes.

The Faith we have must have two elements:  It is conviction of truth.  We "must believe that He is."  It is also trust.  We "must believe ... that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him."  Conviction causes us to accept His word without question.  Trust leads us to obey Him without hesitation.

Every step we take on life's journey that is pleasing to God is a step taken in faith. "For we walk by faith, not by sight" (2 Corinthians:5-7).

Prayer for the Day by Stormie Omartian:
Lord, I know You have called those of us who are Your sons and daughters to have faith in You and in Your ability to keep us and guide us.  Help me to do that.  Help me to make faith a daily walk.  Help me to learn to live by faith in all that I do and to trust You for each day and all that is in it.  I know my brokenness cannot be mended without faith in Your ability and desire to do it.  I trust You to do whatever is necessary to bring me to complete wholeness.

I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek.  For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, "The just shall live by faith."   Romans 1:16-17

Family Resemblance

Happy Anniversary to my Mom and Rod!

Exactly 20 years ago today, November 17, 1989 - the Lord blessed me with a new earthly father to raise me.  I remember being a little unsure about this new fellow from South Dakota with red hair that was going to be my 'dad', but my mom was happy so I was happy.  I had lunch with him today and before he got there, the nice lady asked if I was ready to order and I mentioned that I was waiting for my dad to get there.  After he did, I noticed a look of shock on her face (thinking - how is that her dad?).  As I was sitting there talking my head off (as usual) and he was patiently listening (as usual) eating his usual order (a cup of soup with 1/2 a sandwich)... I had a thought about family resemblance.  

Now, clearly by this picture Rod and I don't resemble each other much, LOL - but the Lord really put a thought in my mind.  I thought of "...clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience." - Colossians 3:12.  So what I'm taking from that today is, sure Rod and I don't resemble each other much physically, but I hope and pray that when people look at me they see a family resemblance.  I hope that someday I will be a reflection of all that Rod is... which is a person that is clothed with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.  I thank the Lord that he placed Rod in our lives and he has been such a wonderful example to me in so many ways.  I love you Mom and Rod and am extremely happy for the 20 years you are celebrating together today.   

Prayer for the Day by Stormie Omartian
Lord, I turn to You as the solid rock on which I stand and ask that You would lead me in the way I should go. I seek Your guidance and revelation. I look to You for wisdom and correction. I don't want to take a step without knowing You are leading me. The decisions I need to make must be the right ones, so don't let me make a mistake. Even when I must make a quick decision, help me to do so with great accuracy because of the wisdom and knowledge You have put in me. Make me sensitive to the presence and leading of Your Holy Spirit in my heart. You are my rock and my fortress; therefore, for Your name's sake, lead me and guide me. Psalm 31:3

 

Forgiveness

Sometimes we hurt each other intentionally, sometimes unintentionally, but either way it takes immense amounts of mercy and grace to forgive each other. Everyone needs mercy; we all stumble and fall at one point or another and need help getting back on track. We should always offer forgiveness to each other and be willing to receive it from each other. "You must make allowance for each other's faults and forgive the person who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others" -Colossians 3:13.

The grace and mercy that God has showed us time and time again should be our motivation to show mercy to others and to forgive them whole-heartedly.

Prayer for the Day by Stormie Omartian
Lord, I need Your guidance in my life right now.  I have to make decisions that I don't want to make without knowing Your will for me.  Give me wisdom and revelation about these things.  Your counsel is great above all others.  Your guidance is perfect.  I seek Your counsel and guidance today.  Fill me with Your wisdom so that when I have to make a quick decision, it will be the right one.  I find great comfort in knowing I am in Your perfect will.  "This also comes from the Lord of hosts, who is wonderful in counsel and excellent in guidance." -  Isaiah 28:29

Hi Mommy - I love you

I pray for the Lord to speak to me through something or someone every day.  He often does this through my children.  Everyday when I get home from work the first thing my little boy, Caleb, says to me is "Hi Mommy - I love you" and embraces me with a hug the moment he sees me.  After that he'll ask me for something 99% of the time, but before he does he always says Hi, tells me he loves me and embraces me.  It melts my heart everyday!  And even though it happens everyday, each day it feels just as good as yesterday.  The days that he doesn't run up to me and do it, I feel a little disappointed but I know he still loves me and I still love him.

 

This is probably how God, as our Heavenly Father/parent, views us as His children.  He desires us to say "Hi, I love you" before we say or do anything else or ask for anything; - for us to acknowledge Him, embrace Him and love Him just because he's Him, not for anything He has done or that we'd like for Him to do- but just for being there.

Prayer Requests:

 - Please lift the Pastor at my church and his wife (Randy and Nancy) up in prayer.  They are going through a rough season of their life right now and are very dear to our church.

Prayer for the Day by Stormie Omartian
Lord, Your merciful kindness toward me brings me great comfort. Help me to remember that Your love and mercy never fail, especially during the times when it seems as if my prayers have not been answered. Help me to see that even in difficult struggles, You are always on my side. Thank You that You are a good God and the life You have for me is good. Help me to trust that about You at all times, so that I will seek Your comfort and guidance at the first sign of trouble or difficulty. Let, I pray, Your merciful kindness be for my comfort, according to Your word to Your servant. Psalm 119:76

New Kid on the Blog

As an official "New Kid on the Blog" - please bear with me as I begin to learn the culture that is blogging.  This stuff is a lot harder than I realized right at first!  Any suggestions and/or tutorials are MORE than welcome! 

I hope to blog at least once a week, and/or daily.  Most of the blogs will be either God driven, life driven, or Rene' driven.  =)  

Prayer for the day by Stormie Omartian

Lord, I thank You for Your Word that guides me, gives me life, and comforts my soul. When my soul is troubled, afflicted, or afraid, help me to find comfort in Your presence and in Your truth. When I go through things that torment my soul, I pray that the comfort of Your Holy Spirit will ease my pain, and the comfort of Your Word will enlarge my perspective. Help me to get to the point that I seek comfort and guidance from only You and from nothing or no one else. This is my comfort in my affliction, for Your word has given me life. Psalm 119:50