iWitness

Yesterday afternoon I had the opportunity to go out in the community to do surveys to see what people are interested in and to generate Bible study interests.  We also took a little "Steps to Christ" with us to give to those we met who were interested in spiritual things.  It was a great witnessing opportunity, a nice way to spend a good portion of Sabbath afternoon!  Because I am evolved with iWitness (a Bible worker's club on campus), I took the left over Steps to Christ with me to keep in my room till the next outreach, or so I thought....

"Do you want to go to China Kitchen with me for lunch?"  I asked my roommate.  "I would like to get a hot lunch with some vegetables."  "Sure", she replied, "but what about 4 Corners Cafe?"  "We can go there if you would like, I might still go to China Kitchen though, it's right next door," I said.

As I got ready to go I decided to take a different purse (don't ask me why) that had more room in it.  As I put my wallet into the other purse, I was impressed to put in a Steps to Christ (it fit nicely but wouldn't have fit in my other little purse).  I didn't know exactly why I was taking it, but I was just impressed that perhaps someone at China Kitchen might need it.

As we looked at the menu at 4 Corners, I decided I didn't want to get any food there, so I went to China Kitchen.  As I was waiting for my order, I overheard a spiritual conversation, I couldn't tell if the three men had just come back from church or not.  I decided I would go and sit in.

There were two "older" men as well as one man probably in his mid-twenties.  One of the men pulled up a chair for me, and we began to talk.  One man was an Adventist, the other was apparently his friend a non-Adventist, but a nice christian man.  The young man was visiting from New York!  The friend said "he's my nephew, we are trying to straighten him out."  We had a nice conversation together, my room mate joined as well.  I left the younger man a Steps to Christ, his Uncle said, "He needs to get saved!"

I hope that he will read the book see Jesus in a way that He has never seen him before and becomes converted!

This afternoon was a needed reminder to me that witnessing is not just to be something we talk about in church, not just an outreach activity to plan for, not a club or an event....but, the way we live our lives!

"Ye are my witnesses; saith the Lord, and my servant whom I have chosen: that ye may know and believe me, and understand that I am he: before me there was no God formed, neither shall there be after me."  - Isaiah 43:10

"Behold!"

"Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God....Beloved now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be, but we know that when He shall appear, we shall be like Him:  for we shall see Him as He is.  And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself even as He is pure."  

- 1 John 2:1-3

"Behold" - Dictionary definition:  "To perceive through sight or apprehension:  to see, or to gaze upon:  observe."

As I meditated on these verses this morning in my devotions, something hit me - not a new thought necessarily - we become what we look at!  Why does the apostle John say we will be like God when He appears?  Because we will see Him as He is - we will see him face to face!  Looking is what transforms us!  We don't know yet what type of people exactly we are going to be, we only know that we are going to be like Jesus.  Do we wait till we are going to be changed at Christ second coming?  No!  We start now to behold Christ, and to purify our hearts by "obeying the truth"  (1 Peter 1:22).

One of my favorite examples of beholding Christ face to face is Moses.  "And the Lord spake unto Moses face to face, as a man speaketh unto His friend...."  Exodus 33:11.  The Bible also says that "The man Moses was very meek, above all the men which were upon the face of the earth."  Numbers 12:3.

Another example we have is that of King David.  He was called a man after God's own heart.  In the Psalms he writes "One thing have I desired of the Lord, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life,..."  Yes, of course all of us are looking forward to Heaven, to wearing robes, and crowns, to being there with all our loved ones, and most importantly to be with Jesus.  But why was David so anxious to be in the house of the Lord?  "To behold the beauty of the Lord and to inquire in His temple."  (Psalm 27:4).  Seeing Jesus was so important to David!  Could this be one of the reasons that He was called a man after God's own heart?  Because He focused on Jesus?  He behold Him, and meditated in His Word?

One of the biggest challenges I face is that of being tempted to compare myself with others.  As a teenager I remember trying to make a "model" for myself - the ideal me - based on things I found in different people that I admired.  From peers who had high academic scores, those who were very musical, to strong spiritual leaders, and soft-spoken compassionate ladies.  I am reminded of the hall of fame in Hebrews chapter eleven.  After speaking of all those who had great faith, the author of Hebrews admonishes us to look "Unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith...."  Hebrews 12:2  No matter how good our role models may (or may not) have been, our example is Jesus!  Jesus endured all things - even the death of the cross.   What are we willing to endure for His sake?

Our vision is something that Heaven has always been focused on healing.  We are in desperate need of seeing as God sees!  And seeing the Spiritual realities that are all around us!  "For our light afflictions, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen:  for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal."  2 Corinthians 4:17-18.  When appearances look surmounting or difficult, do we look up to Jesus who says, "Your redemption draweth nigh"?  I am reminded of one of my favorite stories in the Bible.  When Elisha and his servant were surrounded by the chariots and horses of the enemy, Elisha told his servant:  " 'Fear not: for they that be with us are more than they that be with them.'  And Elisha prayed, and said, 'Lord, I pray thee, open his eyes, that he may see.'  And the Lord opened the eyes of the young man; and he saw: and, behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha."  2 Kings 6:16-17

Oh how I long for my eyes to be open!  May we each see our need of vision for "Where there is no vision the people perish..."  Proverbs 20:18.  May we each recognize our need and follow Christ's admonishment to the Laodiceans "and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see."  Revelation 3:18.  And may our ardent desire truly to be to behold Christ!

"As for me I will behold thy face in righteousness:  I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with thy likeness."  

- Psalm 17:15

"But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory , even as by the Spirit of the Lord."  

-  2 Corinthians 3:18

Change

Change.  One thing in life that you can always count on, that is change.

The longer life goes on the more change I seem to notice.  Moves, graduations, etc., life is always changing!

The last few years have been a whirl wind of changes for me.  Almost two years ago my family moved to Minnesota, I say my family because I went to Ohio to canvass for the summer (This was after my first time away from home at college 2011 - a big change!).  When I came back "home" to Minnesota what a change!  They didn't have a house that was livable yet, and so we were living in the church!  The year found me teaching, my first "full time job"!  Summer I led canvassing in Minnesota and then fall 2013 found me at Southern.

Even here, at Southern, there's lots of changes.  Some of the friends I made last semester haven't stayed this semester, some are graduating this May or December.  I have a new roommate this semester.  I have made more new friends, I have new Professors, and new classes with different students.

Change.  It can be scary.  It can be exciting.  It can be hard, even close to heart-breaking at times.  It can also be a blessing, and can bring joy - change can be an adventure!

Starting off this semester was difficult for me, I was worried, not sure if I could stay and I started the semester feeling more self-conscious than last semester.  Change.  It isn't always easy, and knowing that it won't be long till things will change again doesn't help either.  But I am very thankful that I don't have to trust my feelings.  Thee more time I spend reaching out to others, counting blessings and claiming promises, the happier I am.  I am truly grateful for the changes in life, and I am even more grateful for the opportunity to stay at Southern (less change).

I am thankful that changes in life bring out weaknesses, that draw me closer to Jesus and give me the opportunity to lean on Him, so that my weaknesses can become strong through His strength!  What a blessing that change can be an opportunity to grow!

In a world of change I am thankful that I can count on a God who "is the same yesterday, today, and for ever"! (Hebrews 13:8) He will never change, He promises "I will never leave or forsake thee" (Hebrews 13:5).

"Swift to its close ebbs out life's little day; Earth's joys grow dim, its glories pass away; Change and decay in all around I see; O Thou, who changest not, abide with me!"  

-Henry F. Lyte

Life

The sheet of paper is blank, and so is my life.  A page waiting to be filled, a story waiting to be written, where will I go, what will the story look like?  A new life was born today my sweet little cousin, Emily.  A life begins, someone else’s life ends.  “Whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow.  For what is your life?  It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away.” - James 4:14.  The wise man said it well when he penned the words: “Vanity, vanity, saith the preacher, all is vanity.” - Ecclesiastes 12:8

Why am I awake?  I should be sleeping soundly in preparation for tomorrow…a day of school, and work: classes, homework, canvassing, exercise…the normal life, not busy enough for my liking, nothing overly exciting, and yet not all predictable, nor all known successes.

My mind whirls, looks ahead at my life…the possible options ahead.  The realization strikes me, I really need Jesus!  The urge to be in control leaves me feeling frustrated, with the realization that I can’t control my life!

Who are the friends who I can pour my heart out to?  What is going to keep me busy this semester?  What are the jobs God has for me?  What am I going to do with my time?  Who are the people that God wants me to reach out to on this campus?  Wait, Am I trying to find my fulfillment in people?  In my accomplishments or successes? Am I looking for security in a well laid predictable plan for my life?

As I look into the future, I can’t see myself doing ultimately what my dream is for my life any time soon…it would take a miracle, it would have to be something that God worked out for me.  So I ask myself, do I lack faith?  Am I just not seeing how God is preparing me for the future, and how He is leading me right now?  Or is it just not close at all to the time for those dreams to blossom?  And are they really God’s dreams for me or just my own?

I see a common thread in my contemplation this evening, it’s all about me.  What can I do to fill my time, what can I do to help other people, what would make me happy, what do I want for my future? 

But I don’t like the self who I am…I see my flaws, I see how self-centered, and self-reliant I have been.  I don’t want to be this way, I pray!  The beauty of it is that Jesus does not see me for who I am, He sees me for who I can become.  In light of my current thoughts, the responsibility I have to bear as His child, the work of being His ambassador to the world, it seems to good to be true that God would trust me with that!  God does not compare me to my classmates, my best friends, or to my parents.  He looks at me as an individual. He has a path for my feet.  I am thankful for the beautiful promise that God is there for me whenever I call Him, where ever I am!  "Then shalt thou call, and the Lord shall answer; thou shalt cry, and He shall say, Here I am." - Isaiah 58:9, and "There shall not any man be able to stand before thee all the days of thy life:"  "Have not I commanded thee be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest." - Joshua 1:5, 9

A definition of life floods into my mind…"And this is life eternal that they may know Thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom thou hast sent.” - John 17:3  “I am come that they may have life and that they may have it more abundantly." - John 10:10.  I like those definitions of life!  God’s Word is my comfort, knowing God is true life, and peace – heaven can begin here on this earth, right where I am at, even when I don’t know the future!  I can trust the One Who came to give me life more abundantly!

"Thank you God that You are the source of true life!  Thank You that You have a plan for my life!  May I be in tune with You that I may know where You are leading me, and most importantly, transform my selfish heart into Your likeness, and make me the person you want me to be!  Amen."  

Knit Together

Some things take time to build....they don't just develop overnight.  Building a house for example takes time, but building anything of substantial value takes time.

Over Thanksgiving break I picked up a new "hobby", not knitting, but crocheting.  I really love it!  I decided to make scarves for my family and a best friend to give them as Christmas gifts.  As I kept crocheting, and began getting faster at it, the list of people I wanted to make scarves for grew and grew!  I also decided to do some experimenting by taking two different colors of yarn and putting them together in the same scarf, the result was beautiful!  As I thought of the time I have spent crocheting over breaks, spare minutes, and even during finals weeks, I thought of how well it really illustrates friendship.

What is it that makes you feel close to someone, maybe even the first time you meet them?  You have a mutual understanding and connection somehow?  What makes you do something kind for someone else?  What makes you think of them, instead of yourself?  What makes you send a text message to a friend?  What makes you send a letter to a friend?  What makes you say I love you?  How did you get close enough to them to even call them your friend?

It's something that makes you feel close together even when you are miles apart...it's the commitment to keep in touch - even if it's not convenient....it's that feeling that you have a lot in common with someone even when you just meant them, because your love is founded in the same place - Jesus Christ.  Something deeper than a feeling, something deeper than what you enjoy....a principle....a decision....a lifestyle.....It's living by Jesus' commandment.  It's adding to your faith, "virtue, and to virtue knowledge; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; and to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity."  (2 Peter 1:6-7)

As I was going over 1 Corinthians 13, I was impressed by something in the first verse.  "Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal."  (Verse 1)  Being a musician, I have often wondered the significance of this illustration.  What is it about Charity, that, without it, all the lovely words I could say are just like a tinkling cymbal?  It finally hit me...there is not flow, no rhythm, nothing to hold the piece together and make it musical.  That's what love is - it holds things together, it makes a beautiful melody.
Love, brotherly kindness, it's all apart of the knitting together process...it's the bond of Christian, it's the glue that holds us together, the blessed tie that binds.

"For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ....That He would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; 

That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; 

that ye, being rooted and grounded in love may be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; And to know the love of Christ, 

which passeth knowledge...."

-Ephesians 3:14, 16-19

"By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, 

if ye have love one to another."  

-John 13:35

Lead Me

I was on my way back to the dorm from vising a dear friend who was staying an hour and a half away from Southern.  I stopped at a gas station to get gas, and decided to get a snack.  It had been over 6 hours since lunch, and it was a long trip back, so, no big deal....

As I opened my eyes from praying that God would bless the "food", and give me a safe trip back, I couldn't help but wonder, "Can God really bless what I'm eating?"  Junk food?  Needless to say, I didn't fully enjoy the snack.  The Pringles were way too salty, so I didn't eat too many, I decided that the granola nut bar had too much sugar, so I didn't eat it.  All that left was trail mix, I'm so glad I decided to get that!

As I thought about it, I couldn't help but wonder, how often do I do the same thing in my life?  I make my own plans, my own choices, and then ask God to bless them, instead of letting Him guide me fully in all my decisions!  Do my prayers take on this type of format? "Dear God, please bless my plans to the usefulness of my life of service to You, be with me and keep me safe in the journey of life. Amen."  How often do I have my "meal" all planned?  I know what type of mission or ministry I want to work in, what type of person I would like to marry, etc., etc.  But without following God's plans for me, the end results of my own decisions will ultimately just leave a bad taste in my mouth!

With all the promises of God's Word, it shouldn't be hard to truly trust Him to fully lead in my life!

" 'For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the Lord, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future.' "  

-Jeremiah 29:11

"I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye."  

-Psalm 32:8

And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying This is the way, walk ye in it,when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left."  

-Isaiah 30:21

"Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in Thy presence is fulness of joy; at Thy right hand there are pleasures for ever more."  

-Psalm 16:11

May my prayer ever be: "Lead me in Thy truth, and teach me: for Thou art the God of my salvation; on Thee do I wait all the day"!  

-Psalm 25:5

Radical Protection

As I walked out of the Primary Sabbath School class room that we had been sleeping in, I felt impressed that I should read my Bible before I left for the trip back to Tennessee.  I shrugged it off, thinking “I don’t have time.”  Again, I felt impressed I really needed to read my Bible.  I decided I would listen to the Bible being read while I was on the road.

An hour or so later found me driving and listening to the beautiful Psalms and meditating upon God’s Word as well as a Biblical principle that I hope to write about later.  After eating some finger food for breakfast, I decided to listen to some music.  For some reason I felt drawn to an album of scripture songs entitled “Radical Protection”.  The verses included “The angel of the Lord encampeth round about them that fear Him and delivereth them.”  “God is our refuge and strength a very present help in trouble”.  “Fear not for I am with thee be not dismayed for I am thy God I will strengthen thee Yes I will help thee, I will uphold thee with my righteous right hand.”  Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on thee because he trusteth iin thee.  Trust in the Lord forever for in the Lord Jehovah is everlasting strength.”  I didn’t realize the significance of those verses at the moment but I soon would.

The trip had went uneventfully, and I was making really good time, not a lot of traffic.  I had been on the Interstate for maybe about an hour at the most, when I drove off an overpass, hit black ice, and lost control of my car.  It all happened so fast!  Before I knew what was happening to me, I was facing the guard rail separating the lane I was in from the left lanes and oncoming traffic.  “God help me!”  I prayed, as I thought “This is it!  I’m going to be in a terrible accident!"  But my car swung over to the opposite side, almost off the road, but them back to the other side, until it landed perpendicular to the road, hitting the guard rail.  I have never been so thankful to crash!  It meant stopping from fishtailing back and forth!  It meant the end – but a good end, I had not hit anyone, and I was alive and completely unharmed!

As I reflect on this experience, I can see now why God wanted me to be in His Word especially this morning, and why He lead me to listen to the scripture songs about the angel of the Lord delivering them that fear Him.  December 31^st 2013 could have been the end for me!  But I am so thankful that God is not finished with me yet!

As I go into the new year – 2014 – I am reminded that there is an enemy who would like nothing less than to destroy God’s remnant people seeking to serve Him with their whole heart!  I feel the need for God’s protection and guidance more than ever before.  The question that I am left to ponder, is how faithful am I being?  Am I listening to the nudge of the Holy Spirit and taking that time to spend in God’s Word and in prayer?  If my end was near would I be ready?  Would the example I left behind for others be one that I would not be ashamed of?

May God surround each one of us with His radical protection – both spiritual and physical – throughout this new year!