My heart B R E A K S.
Within these past two weeks there has been so much death.
Three friends dear to me have lost parents.
A lady at my church here in Columbia passed away.
A man at my church back home passed away.
A classmate and old coworker was killed in a boating accident. She was only 21 years old.
During all of this, my heart is breaking for everyone around me. Seeing a close friend of mine and her sister close their mother's casket, nearly tore me apart. I can't imagine the pain she is feeling. Seeing the multiple messages my former coworker's sister puts on her wall everyday about how much she misses her dear sister who meant so much to her, breaks my heart. Receiving a text from a dear mentor and friend of mine saying that her father passed and she is preparing the arrangements, breaks my heart. Hearing about the man at my home church dying after a gruesome fight with cancer, breaks my heart. Hearing of a lady who had been coming to my church passing away, breaks my heart.
One thing all of this is reminding me is that nothing is forever and constant, except Christ. We need to appreciate each and every person in our lives and show that appreciation while they are still here. It's so easy to get caught up in our own busy schedules and neglect the ones around us. Sometimes I get so caught up in my life in Columbia and the things going on, that I forget to call home or come home to spend time with the ones dearest to my heart. These past two weeks have reminded me to take that time out to spend with my loved ones. To give them their flowers and love while they are still alive.
From a gospel standpoint, it has reminded me to tell everyone I come into contact about Jesus. Not just because I don't want them to go to hell, BUT because Jesus' love is better than anything this world can ever offer. And spending eternity with Him will be the best ever! These tragedies have produced in me an even deeper sense of urgency in sharing the truth of Jesus!
For all my friends and family who are grieving, be encouraged:
1. The Lord is NEAR to the brokenhearted (psalm 34:8). He is right there with you, holding you close. God understands your grief because His only son died on a cross for our sins.
2. God is a comforter. He comforts us in our affliction. He cares for us (2 Corinthians 1:3-4, Psalm 147:3).
3. When Jesus returns, there will be no more death. For all who have accepted Christ, there will be eternity spend with Jesus. Praise God!
Praying for everyone who is brokenhearted! Hold on! God fights for you! Pour your heart out to Him! When you are weak, He is strong (2 Corinthians 12:9-11)!
Friday, July 11, 2014
Wednesday, July 2, 2014
It's NOT about me.
Warning: This post you are about to read is one of full transparency.
This morning, I woke up with my heart heavy. Heavy because I realized that lately I have made so many things about me.
It's NOT about me. It's not about how many likes I get on Facebook. It's not about whether or not people think I'm beautiful. It's not about how much time I put into serving others. It's not about whether or not I've failed or succeeded at being a mentor or discipler. It's not about whether or not someone respects me. It's not about me having the perfect six pack. It's not about how much money I have in my back account. It's not about the number of people who attend small group. It's not about how great of a leader I am. It's not about where I serve or what type of mission I'm apart of. It's not about how many people read this blog, follow me on Instagram, Twitter, or friend me on Facebook. It's just ABSOLUTELY, POSITIVELY NOT ABOUT ME!!!!!
IT'S ALL ABOUT JESUS!
It is so easy to get caught up in ourselves. Something that starts off being about the Lord can immediately turn into something that is about us. We have no good apart from Him (Psalm 16:2).
This is such a humbling reminder for me because it reminds me that I have to DEPEND on the Lord each and every moment of the day. I can do nothing apart from Him. I can't even purely serve Him if I am not abiding (dwelling) in the vine.
"Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself. Unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine: you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do NOTHING." -John 15:4-5
"By this my father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples." -John 15:8
These two verses clearly state three things:
1. Jesus is the vine and we are the branches.
2. Whoever abides in Him bears much fruit. We can do NOTHING apart from Him
3. God is glorified when we ABIDE in Jesus. This bears much fruit.
This walk with Jesus is a moment by moment, day by day thing.
The moment I take my eyes of Jesus, is the moment I begin making things about me or become prey to temptation and many other things.
I have to CONSTANTLY renew my mind.
"DO NOT be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the RENEWAL of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God what is good and acceptable and perfect" -Romans 12:2
"Set your mind on things ABOVE, not on things that are on Earth." -Colossians 3:2
"I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against thee." -Psalm 119:11
"Let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God." -Colossians 3:16
Letting these truths penetrate my heart today and everyday. Thank you Lord for breaking me. May you be glorified in my life. Hide me behind your cross. It's not about me. It's about your glory being revealed.
MKJ<3
This morning, I woke up with my heart heavy. Heavy because I realized that lately I have made so many things about me.
It's NOT about me. It's not about how many likes I get on Facebook. It's not about whether or not people think I'm beautiful. It's not about how much time I put into serving others. It's not about whether or not I've failed or succeeded at being a mentor or discipler. It's not about whether or not someone respects me. It's not about me having the perfect six pack. It's not about how much money I have in my back account. It's not about the number of people who attend small group. It's not about how great of a leader I am. It's not about where I serve or what type of mission I'm apart of. It's not about how many people read this blog, follow me on Instagram, Twitter, or friend me on Facebook. It's just ABSOLUTELY, POSITIVELY NOT ABOUT ME!!!!!
IT'S ALL ABOUT JESUS!
It is so easy to get caught up in ourselves. Something that starts off being about the Lord can immediately turn into something that is about us. We have no good apart from Him (Psalm 16:2).
This is such a humbling reminder for me because it reminds me that I have to DEPEND on the Lord each and every moment of the day. I can do nothing apart from Him. I can't even purely serve Him if I am not abiding (dwelling) in the vine.
"Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself. Unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine: you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do NOTHING." -John 15:4-5
"By this my father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples." -John 15:8
These two verses clearly state three things:
1. Jesus is the vine and we are the branches.
2. Whoever abides in Him bears much fruit. We can do NOTHING apart from Him
3. God is glorified when we ABIDE in Jesus. This bears much fruit.
This walk with Jesus is a moment by moment, day by day thing.
The moment I take my eyes of Jesus, is the moment I begin making things about me or become prey to temptation and many other things.
I have to CONSTANTLY renew my mind.
"DO NOT be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the RENEWAL of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God what is good and acceptable and perfect" -Romans 12:2
"Set your mind on things ABOVE, not on things that are on Earth." -Colossians 3:2
"I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against thee." -Psalm 119:11
"Let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God." -Colossians 3:16
Letting these truths penetrate my heart today and everyday. Thank you Lord for breaking me. May you be glorified in my life. Hide me behind your cross. It's not about me. It's about your glory being revealed.
MKJ<3
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