Get off that rock! part 1

While we were kayaking, my son started eating a snack.  While he was distracted with that, his kayak ran straight into the only huge rock sticking out in this section of the wide, clear river.  We’d even tried to yell and warn him, but he was so distracted that he couldn’t hear us.

Sometimes we get distracted.  In life, we eat, clean the house, work, invest in relationships, drive places, pay bills, etc.  And while we’re distracted with those things, sometimes we run into the 1st big obstacle that sticks out.

People might even warn us.  But there we are.  Stuck on a rock.

We can stay there, stuck and unable to move forward.  We can let it be the place where we take up residence.  Or we can do like my son did and break free.

He knew how to safely get his boat off the rock.  It took a bit of patience and effort, but to him it was worth it.

If we’ve found ourselves stuck on some obstacle in life, it might be time to break free.

We may be able to just wiggle a tiny bit and quickly break away.  Small changes.  A new attitude.  A decision to simply move on.

Or we may find that it takes a bit more patience and effort to move on.  But, it will be worth it!

Distractions and obstacles are all it takes to keep us from remembering that God showed how much He loved us by having Christ die for us, that faith in Him causes God to accept us, and that Christ’s death has allows us to live in peace with God.

We are loved.  So we can get off the rock.  Those around us are loved, too.  They need to know it.

“Finally, my friends, keep your minds on whatever is true, pure, right, holy, friendly, and proper.  Don’t ever stop thinking about what is truly worthwhile and worthy of praise.”  Ph. 4:8

Get off that rock! part 2

jamie

(not an actual picture of my son)  😉

Advertisement

He chose you

“…just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world…”

Yes.  There is more to that Scripture in Eph. 1:4, but this morning, I wanted to point out to you and to me that God chose us before the foundation of the world.  If you’ve been wondering if you were chosen, if there has been any doubt in your mind if the gospel message is for you, if you weren’t sure if you were lovable enough for Him, then let this verse reassure you this morning…He chose YOU before the foundation of the world.  And then He sent His Son, Jesus, to die on the cross to ensure that Your salvation would be in place if you chose to believe.

Thursday night I went to visit an elderly man that I have befriended over the last few years.  He is a precious man that has spoken encouragement and life into me over the last couple of years, and when I went into his house he said that his heart was racing with me being there because he was so excited to see me.  When I left there that night I was in tears.

This man chose me.  He chose to be my friend, to speak encouragement into my life, to want to be my friend; and when he saw me, his heart was literally racing with excitement.  That says so much to me.  I went there to see him because I love him, but I left there feeling so overwhelmed with love.

God chose us before the foundations of the world!  He speaks life and encouragement into us through His Word more than any person could ever do.  He sent His only Son to die so that we could be with Him for eternity.  That’s how much He wants to be with us.  Y’all!  He wants us!  We are chosen!  If you have ever doubted it…let those doubts be erased now.  He loves You!

His,

jamie

God helps all the fools

Pr. 26:11:  “As a dog returns to his own vomit, so a fool repeats his folly.”

This is the verse I chose this morning, but couldn’t quite get my thoughts together to write anything must about it.  I have been praying about it and thinking over it all day, and have landed on something I didn’t quite expect.

I have a lot of regrets about the person I used to be.  When I look back on my past, I definitely do not have rose-colored glasses.  My glasses are more burnt sienna.  Everything seems tainted by pride, ignorance, selfishness…the list could go on and on.

The point today; however, is not my sordid past or a lack of self-appreciation.  The point today:  Jesus!  I thank my God for sending His Son, Jesus Christ, to die for my sins and to make me a new creation.  My future is definitely seen through rose-colored glasses, as I look towards heaven, towards my returning Savior, towards the hope in God on which I can depend every moment of my life.

My Savior came to wipe away my past and my follies so that I can have life more abundantly and have an eternal future.  It’s still up to me to try to improve myself and stay away from repeating folly, but the beauty is that I have a Helper who walks every step with me.  I don’t have to do it in my own strength.  I can abide in the Lord and walk in the Spirit and let them guide my way.

Thank you, Lord, for forgiveness, for making me a new creation, and for your redeeming, everlasting love!

Looking forward to a future filled with hope and rosy views,

jamie