Day 149: "It Is I"

Mark 6:49-51

Mark 6:49-51 ESV "But when they saw him walking on the sea they thought it was a ghost, and cried out, for they all saw him and were terrified. But immediately he spoke to them and said, 'Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid.' And he got into the boat with them, and the wind ceased. And they were utterly astounded."

Day 102: "Not as the World Gives"

John 14:27

John 14:27 (ESV) "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid."

Day 101: "Treasure"

Genesis 43:23

Genesis 43:23 (ESV) "He replied, 'Peace to you, do not be afraid. Your God and the God of your father has put treasure in your sacks for you. I received your money.' Then he brought Simeon out to them." 

Day 77: "You Will Gain Your Lives"

Luke 21:18-19

Luke 21:18-19 (ESV) "But not a hair of your head will perish. By your endurance you will gain your lives."

Day 75: "Led Astray"

Luke 21:8-9

Luke 21:8-9 (ESV) "And he said, 'See that you are not led astray. For many will come in my name, saying, "I am he!" and, "The time is at hand!" Do not go after them. And when you hear of wars and tumults, do not be terrified, for these things must first take place, but the end will not be at once.'" 

* * * * *

There are five different passages in Luke 21 referencing fear/fearlessness/faith. We will be going through them in the next several days! I'd encourage you to read through the whole chapter in context to find the different connections and be encouraged by the words of Jesus.
Have a blessed day!
-M.

Day 59: "God Gave Him Rest"

2 Chronicles 20:29-30

2 Chronicles 20:29-30 (ESV) "And the fear of God came on all the kingdoms of the countries when they heard that the Lord had fought against the enemies of Israel. So the realm of Jehoshaphat was quiet, for his God gave him rest all around."

Day 25: "Fight for Your Brothers"

Nehemiah 4:14-15
Nehemiah 4:14-15 "And I looked and arose and said to the nobles and to the officials and to the rest of the people, 'Do not be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome, and fight for your brothers, your sons, your daughters, your wives, and your homes.' When our enemies heard that it was known to us and that God had frustrated their plan, we all returned to the wall, each to his work."

Day 12: "Face to Face"

Judges 6:22-23

"Then Gideon perceived that he was the angel of the LORD. And Gideon said, 'Alas, O Lord GOD! For now I have seen the angel of the LORD face to face.' But the LORD said to him, 'Peace be to you. Do not fear; you shall not die.'"

Day 6: "For You Are With Me"

Psalm 23:4

Psalm 23:4 "Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me."

This verse in David's psalm is a rock to me. I desire - I crave - to know that Jesus is with me every day, in each moment. It is not that I feel less capable or more capable dependent on His presence, it is more a matter of breathing. I don't feel like I need my God.

I need Him.

I am encouraged that David doesn't say he feels God's presence, because physically or emotionally feeling the nearness of God is not something I experience often. The valley of the shadow of death certainly doesn't sound fun. I have walked it; I know it better than His presence. It does not seem that presence of Christ would be near in such a place. But to David, it is not about feeling Christ near; rather it is knowing He is near though the feeling has come and gone. 

And yet, comfort is found in the rod and staff of Jesus. The discipline and protection of the Good Shepherd. Those tools bring a stray sheep close to the fold and force back the predators. For this reason, I am comforted when Jesus convicts me that I am moving far from Him, because I know He is bringing me back close, to where I am safe from sin's teeth.

Today I pray for you, as you read this. May the Lord direct you. May He comfort you with His presence. The valley you may be walking in may be the deepest and darkest one you have ever walked, yet I pray His perfect love casts out any fear that is in you. And may you always know the close abiding presence of the Lord who never leaves in the darkness.

-M.

Thoughtful

Hello friends! M. here! What? We haven't talked since last year?

Oh. Right. About that....

I wish I had a valid excuse but life is just busy sometimes. I've been involved with work, school (I'm taking intro to psychology right now, and it's simultaneously fascinating and incredibly boring), thinking a lot (about psychology, Jesus stuff, future decisions, etc.), and trying to begin to prep for heading to college in the fall.

I've been thinking a lot lately.

I kind of wanted to post on what I've been thinking about. So much has been on my mind, the range of situations and contexts and ideas and theories and hopes and worries couldn't all be described in just a simple blog post. However, this will hopefully be a snapshot of them.

I've been thinking a lot about personality theories and type, because it's been in my assignments for school. Through the study and self-assesment I have been struggling with a sort of identity crisis because I really wanted to know which type I fit best with but I also didn't want to get it wrong. I want to know why I think and act the way I do, where I fit in the world, and the way I can best honor God.

I've been thinking a lot about plans for school. I've been making lists of lists that I need to make of the things I need to do before school! (Crazy much? Yeah.) I can't believe how excited I am to go to college in the fall. Honestly, this opportunity, the degree program, the financial situation, and every fine detail feels like the perfect fit and more God-orchestrated than what I could have imagined.

I've been thinking a lot about Grace. It's the theme this semester at our choir and getting to learn it as we begin the year has been more impactful than I can put into words. There is a sort of natural, raw, untainted beauty about how the person who was epitome of perfect chose to be scarred for my sake, and continually pours out mercy to me each morning.

I've been thinking a lot about thinking. I have so many questions. How can a thought honor or dishonor God? Can I control my thoughts? Can I change the way I process and deal with information? Is it healthy to think so much? Why is the world inside my head so loud?? 

I don't know the answers to questions like these. And if you know me, you know I hate saying I don't know the answer to a question.

Everything in my life seems kind of random right now. My work schedule isn't very routine, my schoolwork changes after only short periods of time, and my thoughts are flying in every direction. "Why does life have to be so crazy?" I ask over and over again.

Then I remember there is only one thing. In the end, this chaos will fade and the questions will no longer matter, and I will see Jesus. And He is King, and nothing else matters.

Yeah, some peace and some rest would be great right now, but He is King and is doing what's best.
Yeah, the answers would be great right now, but He is King and doesn't have to answer to me.
Yeah, having more routine and less stress would be fantastic, but He is King and there is Grace.

"Be still and know I am God." 

(Psalm 46:10)