Am I royalty?

I think that one of the dreams of every little girl, at one time or another, to be a princess. I have always been in-love with the british royal family.  The thought of riches, royalty and power.
A few months ago a dear friend gave me a book. "His Princess" by Sheri Rose Shepherd. I would HIGHLY recommend this book. It is a devotional, and every day is a different love letter.
Ephesians 2:10 says, "For we are his masterpiece. He has created us anew." If God is king, and we are his children, that makes us royalty!
One of the lies, that I have always struggled with is that no one loves me. And this past summer, I realized that it was in fact a deep lie. If you think about it. God, created you and I in his image. Therefore we are perfect, although we are corrupt due to sin.
Romans 5:8 says, "But, God shows his love for us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." If that is not true love then I don't know what is.
Rick Warren, a pastor, wrote, "God is love. He didn't need us. But he wanted us. And that is the most amazing thing."
In fact, we were not made to "fit it" instead we were made to stand out. Not to be a show off, to be lead other to God. Don't buy into the picture of love that Hollywood has painted. True love, was God creating us in his image and then sending his son to live a shameful life, and to die a painful death, for you. Someone once asked me, "When was it that you realized that if you had been the only person in the world, then God would have still sent Jesus to die JUST FOR YOU!" What an amazing thought! If you have trusted in Christ, then you a royalty! You and the son or daughter of a King. And not just "A King." But, "The King!"
-Annakatherine

Who is in Control?

Over the last few months, I have been extremely busy. From Speech and Debate to church, my time just seemed to always be running out. A few weeks ago, my computer crashed and I lost all of my files. However, the first thought in my mind was not "Why did God allow this?" But instead it was "wow, I really don't have time for this."

Jeremiah 29:11 says, 

"For I know the plans I have for you says the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope." 

This verse shows how God is in control of every situation. And regardless of our current circumstances His plan will prevail. I know for me,  I often have doubts of how God can turn whatever I am walking through into something good. But, scripture teaches in Romans 8:28-32,

 "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. For those who God foreknew he also predestined to be contromed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. And those who he predestined, he also called; those who he called, he justified; those he justified, he also glorified. What then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all- how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?" 

These verses always encourage me that whenever I am walking though something, God is in control and He has a plan that is for my benefit. I heard one pastor say onetime that he used to worry that if he was focused on God, he might miss meeting his future wife. And then he read these verses. And what he realized was that God wanted the best for his life. (And his future wife's) So, that even if he missed her the first time, if it was the best thing for his life, then God would show both of them. (P.S. He did meet her and they got married, and now have several children.) 

No matter what your circumstances are; Either sunny or rainy. God is in control and he will work for the good of his children! 

-Annakatherine 

Battle Number Seven

 

 

 

My last and final battle that I will be talking on is the battle that we all fight in our day to day lives. 

The battle of Tolerance, and what that word really means.             

 

The definition of the word tolerance has changed over the years to something in the opposite of its original meaning. Tolerance is identified as “a fair, objective, and permissive attitude toward those whose opinions, practices, race, religion, nationality, etc., differ from one's own; freedom from bigotry” (Dictionary.reference.com 2014). To be tolerant of another person’s ideals, religion, or belief system sounds reasonable unless one looks at the living evidence that show this is no longer an accurate description.

The following excerpt comments on this subject: “Moral relativism is the view that ethical standards, morality, and positions of right or wrong are culturally based and therefore subject to a person's individual choice” (Moral Relativism 2011). Essentially, it is the idea that while there may be some reason for believing that there is a right and a wrong, everyone can make up their own mind about this. Since when has it been neither right nor wrong to murder a man?

From the beginning of time, murder has been punishable by death. Taking the life of another human being is not man’s right, but God’s. Therefore, how can this be justifiable? Man is taking the responsibility of being god, and setting himself up as greater than any other. He can then say it is his right to kill if he feels led to for whatever reason he believes applies.

A Christian apologetics blog speaks on the idiocy of this ideal: “…here appears a non-refutable self-refuting moral statement. What if another culture exists that does not share the same value of tolerance?...The moral relativist’s own belief system forbids him to judge the moral belief system of the other culture based on his own moral belief system and thus forbids him from making his original statement about tolerance” (Moral Relativism Failure 2011)

Tolerance is defined in modern culture as tolerating all beliefs except those beliefs that do not tolerate others. An obvious example is Christianity. Christianity is coming under relentless fire because it cannot tolerate homosexual relationships. This is simply because the teachings that Christianity is based upon condemn those that live this lifestyle. Therefore, while tolerance is a good thing, without a correct definition, there is no hope for a “tolerant” society.

~Marissa

Battle No. 5

                Fear has the capacity to disarm soldiers, turn people against their kings, and destroy relationships. Fear is defined as “something that causes feelings of dread or apprehension; something a person is afraid of.” (Dictionary.reference.com 2014) A word that adequately defines this fear is xenophobia which is derived from the Greek word for stranger. There are many things that humans are fearful of for good reason. A person does not tread on a snake purposefully if he knows that it could kill him. Likewise, if men misunderstand the cultures of this world, then fear is a natural side effect.

                Take for example the ancient Indians of South America. The first indigenous group encountered by Columbus was the 250,000 Taínos of Hispaniola who represented the dominant culture in the Greater Antilles and the Bahamas. These people were grossly mistreated and persecuted for no other reason than that they were considered heathens who had little or no understanding of what it was to be human. (Wikipedia. Article “Indigenous peoples of the Americas” 2014)

                Another example is the Salem witch trials, which were a series of hearings and prosecutions of people accused of witchcraft in colonial Massachusetts between February 1692 and May 1693. This atrocity is in fact the result of lack of information and ignorance. Those that conducted the trials said many years later that they were ashamed to have taken part in such barbarities.

                It is comprehensible that what we as humans do not understand that which we fear. What we should consider though, is the fact that we need not fear what we cannot comprehend, but rather, seek to unravel the case itself. In doing so, we will have not only conquered the fear of the unknown, but also acknowledged that God is in control of the circumstances, and that so long as we trust Him there is nothing to fear.

-Marissa

#4

 

Battle Number Four.

Time Management.

Now you're laughing. A teenager talking about time management? The sky just fell! But honestly, time is our most precious commodity, and in America, it often seems that life is becoming crowded with so many things, that time is obsolete. We rush, we hurry, we scramble to get as much done as possible each day, and we crash in the early hours of the morning, totally drained and exhausted. And we tell ourselves that we can handle it.

We jam more and more things into our lives, thinking that we can do all things without paying the price. But there is a price to be paid for everything we do, just like magic had a price in the old fairytales that we read as children. And the price of cramming so much into our lives is less and less productivity. The quality of our work rapidly takes a downward turn, and we experience burn-out like nobody's business.

As you can probably see, I'm mostly talking to myself. Time management has always been difficult for me, and this year has been harder than any other that I can remember. It seems that everything I am doing is causing me to forget my Bible study time and other important things. I crash late, and drag myself out of bed in the morning way too late. It's a good thing I am still in school, or I would probably lose my job.

This does not mean I don't care about this, rather, I am disgusted with myself. I often think that being a 'young adult' would mean that I should grasp the concept of time management. After all, it would just be in my favor. Being a 'young adult' brings it's own challenges and trials, but that doesn't mean that we should forget that we have the responsibility to manage our time in a way that is glorifying to God.

The solution is simple, but difficult. Give up some of those things that we do, and spend that empty space in our lives on God. Giving Him some of our precious time results in a lesson on humility and organization. While time may mean so much to us that we measure it in nanoseconds, we all need to remember that every bit of that time is God's. He created it, therefore we should give it back to Him.

-Marissa

Glory

 

 

Battle # 3

 

Glory.

                Glory is defined as “very great praise, honor, or distinction bestowed by common consent of the people.” There is nothing wrong with glory in and of itself, but rather, what we do with that glory once it is granted to us. It is very easy for men to take pride in their work, but it is hard for us to differentiate between holy pride in what God has done through us, and what we accomplish “on our own.”

                The downfall many come to when they have accomplished a task is their pride. Humans take great pride in what they accomplish, and if they do not give the proper glory and honor to God, that pride will consume them. Those that pride themselves of their achievements forget those who helped them to that pedestal and the God who gave them the talents to achieve the task.

                That is not to say that the deeds that we undertake and conquer do not have their own rewards. It is better to seek happiness and fulfillment in these tasks than men’s praise. We must remember though, that there is no true happiness or fulfillment without the forgiveness of the Cross.

                In the world of music, a performer is lauded for his accomplishments every time he places his fingers on his instrument. The problem with this is that it boosts the musician’s pride in his work, and he often forgets that without those that stand behind him, there is no accomplishment to be had. It is difficult to avoid the trap of believing that we are better than we are when the audience praises us extravagantly.

                Each day we have the choice to claim completed duties as our effort alone, or to give the honor to those that trained us, guided us, and He who created us. Only once we have given up our hunger for fame, glory, and honor here on earth, will we discover the true meaning of happiness and fulfillment. True honor is only given to those who seek to do whatever business the Father has given them to the best of their ability with the right attitude. Proverbs 29:23 says: “A man's pride shall bring him low: but honor shall uphold the humble in spirit.”



Happy Valentine's Day!!!

Hey everyone!! I have a crazy day ahead of me, but thought I would take a moment to send out a Happy Valentine's Day!!! On this day, we girls often think that we should be getting attention, but what if God want's us to serve others today? Every year, I work at my church two nights, for Valentine's banquets, and I find more joy serving others, than receiving attention myself. So this is my challenge for you today. What can you do for your neighbor this morning? What about that homeless person you see everyday on your way to work? Does that waiter look tired? Give him a bigger tip, and say something encouraging!

God put us on this earth, not to glorify ourselves, but to glorify Him, and what better way to do that than serving the least of these, His children? Today is often sad for those who have lost a loved one, or those who feel alone. Be sensitive of other's feelings, and spread love around to strangers in Jesus' name!

What if I speak in the most elegant languages of people or in the exotic languages of the heavenly messengers, but I live without love? Well then, anything I say is like the clanging of brass or a crashing cymbal. What if I have the gift of prophecy, am blessed with knowledge and insight to all the mysteries, or what if my faith is strong enough to scoop a mountain from its bedrock, yet I live without love? If so, I am nothing. I could give all that I have to feed the poor, I could surrender my body to be burned as a martyr, but if I do not live in love, I gain nothing by my selfless acts. Love is patient; love is kind. Love isn’t envious, doesn’t boast, brag, or strut about. There’s no arrogance in love; it’s never rude, crude, or indecent—it’s not self-absorbed. Love isn’t easily upset. Love doesn’t tally wrongs or celebrate injustice; but truth—yes, truth—is love’s delight! Love puts up with anything and everything that comes along; it trusts, hopes, and endures no matter what.

Love will never become obsolete (1 Corinthians 13:1-8).

 

Happy Valentine's Day!!!
~Marissa