Living as Christ.

We all long for something. Whether its longing for the upcoming installment of a favorite movie or book series (e.g. "The Hunger Games: Catching Fire"), a meal to satisfy the stomach rumbles, a holiday after a weary season, or a certain kind of relationship, longing is an everyday reality.

As Christians, we all long for the coming of our Lord to bring about the completion of the Kingdom of God. Especially in the weariness and uncertainty of this present life, we long for the certain hope and destination that is ours in Christ Jesus. Yet, the reality is that we have not yet entered that promised Rest. We are still journeying forward through the mire and muck of a fallen world.

How do we maintain courage and persevere in walking faithfully in this life before we enter Heaven's Rest? Paul's answer is found in Philippians 1:21, "For to me to live is Christ and to die is gain." We see here that we not only have a future hope in Christ, but also a present hope.

We are able to endure and persevere with the hope that in the end there will be certain deliverance and victory: to die is gain. This is reason to rejoice! Paul writes, "Yes, and I will rejoice, for I know that through your prayers and the help of the Spirit of Jesus Christ this will turn out for my deliverance, as it is my eager expectation and hope that I will not be at all ashamed" (v.19-20). Paul wasn't just referring to his hope to no longer be in physical bondage, as he is under house arrest while writing this letter, but he is also speaking of his ultimate deliverance from a weak creation longing for the perfect heavenly rest (2 Cor. 5:2).

Paul uses triumphant language demonstrating his faith in the certainty of Christ's victory. In Christ's death and resurrection, he defeated the curse of sin (death) and effectively atoned for the sin of all who believe in him. As we are united in Christ, we will never be defeated or can be condemned for the sin he already paid the price for. Nothing can separate us from the love of God, "we are more than conquerors through him who loved us" (Rom. 8:37). So, that's our future hope of ultimate deliverance, that is sure because of the work of Christ on the Cross.

Our present hope is found in this: Living is Christ. In 2 Corinthians 5:9, Paul recognizes that he would rather be at home with the Lord, but that regardless of where he is he knows that his purpose is living to glorify the Lord: "So whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to please him."

We have good work that was created for us by God, and we are strengthened by God's abundant grace to invest the different gifts he has given to us individually in his wisdom (Eph. 2:8-10). If we invest and cultivate skills in any area of our life, we are expecting a certain result. If you want to be a good cook, you read some recipes and learn from the example of an experienced cook. If you want to do well at a sport, you practice and go hard in the games. God tells us that we will "reap what we sow," and that he supplies all that we need to invest and grow in godliness and the Kingdom of God: "And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work" (2 Cor. 9:8).

Paul recognizes that, in living and life, he has a fruitful labor given to him by God. He says that living will benefit the Philippians and be used to bring them "progress and joy in the faith" and glory to God (Phil. 1:25-26). This is a labor shared by every believer. God calls us to live lives worthy of the gospel ,wherever we are. Whatever roles you are in: wife, daughter, mom, sister, friend, Church member, student, employee, we have the opportunity to honor God and live lives worthy of the gospel (Phil 1:27). In Christ, our living always has purpose.

Jim Elliot once wrote, "Let not our longing slay the appetite of our living." If we only dwell on the future hope, and neglect the present hope offered in Christ we kill the abundant joy of living for Christ. So, we cry out, "Come, Lord Jesus!" and rejoice in the Lord, while we are still waiting and laboring.

Pain, Pride, and Priorites

For the past couple of months I have been dealing with severe lower back pain.  The kind of pain that won’t let you sit, stand, move, or sleep without constantly reminding you it’s there.  I knew I needed to go to the chiropractor, but I stubbornly put it off. I made excuses as to why I didn’t really need to go and foolishly spent way too much time combing the internet for ways I could treat myself at home. Time after time, Tyler would gently encourage me to just go to the chiropractor, but I would not heed his clearly superior advice. And so, I remained in pain . . . which just got worse.  Finally, about a week ago, I listened to Tyler’s urging and made an appointment for the next day.  

At the risk of sounding overdramatic, words cannot accurately express what relief I found by finally going to my chiropractor.  Seriously.  I was able to sleep through the night for the first time in weeks.  I could sit and stand without moaning or grimacing.  When I went in for a follow up appointment, my chiropractor asked me, “Why did you wait so long to come in?  You knew this was the only way you’d feel better.  Why did you wait?”  

Her words made me think . . . not just about my back pain but also about my faith and walk with the Lord.  How often have I been in a situation where I am struggling — with a sin, with a conflict, with an attitude, with a difficulty, with feeling dry in my soul — and yet I delay and, in many cases, refuse to go to the Source of relief & comfort?  To my chagrin, I must admit that it is too often.  And why would I wait? Especially when this is what I can find . . . 

Isaiah 26: 3 - “You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts You.”

Phil. 4:6,7 - “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

Proverbs 18:10 - “The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous man runs into it and is safe.”

For me, I have found that the answer to why I delay to seek the Lord in His Word and in prayer is ultimately rooted in pride.  I think I know better.  I don’t feel like running to the Lord and scripture because I know I will have to submit to Him and His truth.  I foolishly listen to my feelings that it will be easier if I just keep plugging along in my current state.  Like I said, good ol’ fashioned pride.  

All too often pride keeps us from being able to partake in the joy of resting in Christ.  It prevents me from the blessedness that comes from submitting to God’s will.  Seeking Him, knowing Him, and communing with Him is one of the things that Paul tells us is God’s will for our lives.  

Romans 12:2 - “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.”

How else can I renew my mind than by pursuing the Lord in His Word and in prayer? It grieves me when I realize how I have failed to keep time with the Lord as a priority because I know that regardless of how busy you or I may be, we always make time for the things we want to do.  Always.  

I know how easy it is to become distracted, burdened, and busied by so many other things.  If I am not careful and vigilant I let those things (some of them very good in and of themselves) slowly take over my focus and become much weightier in my priorities.  God is crowded out, and I am left dry in my soul and ineffective for the kingdom.  

My pride will tell me I can make do or even thrive if continue on in this way, but that is nothing but a lie.  I have been reminded yet again how desperately I need my God and His precious Word.   It isn’t just that He must have 1st place . . . He must have preeminence in everything I do.  Seeking the Lord isn’t just something I do with my Bible and a cup of coffee each morning.  Seeking Him must be part of all that I do.  

I encourage you to take some time this week and consider if pride or misplaced priorities are keeping you from knowing our great God as intimately as He desires us to.  I know I am, and I ask that you keep me in your prayers! 

Much love and God bless!

Elisabeth 

Unmet Expectations and the Goodness of God

We all have expectations. Each day we wake up we have an expectation of how that day is going to go (whether big or small) and yet every day we face unmet expectations. The past few months the Lord has been teaching me that in spite of my expectations, God is the one who determines my path… and is to be trusted. That path isn’t always easy.  In fact, sometimes it’s really hard.  Sinners that we are, we too often focus on our desires outside of Him. Here’s a confession: It is impossible to be content with anything if focused on earthly desires and not on the God who gives grace. In fact when we realize that those are the only options, the circumstances of life show us where our desires are truly rooted! We must not find contentment in our circumstances and we must have faith in God who has allowed us to go through whatever we are facing.

Have you ever caught yourself saying, “IF ONLY__________then I would be happy”? Many times we think that if our circumstances were different then we would be happy or content. However, this is sinful thinking and will lead us down a path of wrong thinking that will make us discontent. When we ask the “what if’s”, we are not trusting God and allowing ourselves to think rightly about Him.  We know we will all face trials and afflictions in this life.  Yet many times they come as a surprise to us. Why is this? Well, our expectations of how we thought life was meant to be have been overturned.  We love and cherish our thoughts and ideas about how we see our life above that of the infinite mind of God.  As believers, we shouldn’t be surprised when we face trials.  Even when the unexpected takes us by surprise, we must trust that God’s sovereign plan has allowed it in our lives for good.  Why?  Because ultimately, it’s not about us and what our flesh craves.  It’s about bringing glory to Jesus Christ by trusting in the grace only He provides.

“The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. The Lord is my portion, says my soul, therefore I will hope in him. The Lord is good to those who wait for him, to the soul who seeks him… For the Lord will not cast off forever, but, though he cause grief, he will have compassion according to the abundance of his steadfast love; for he does not afflict from heart or grieve the children of men." (Lamentations 3:22-25;31-33)

“All the paths of the Lord are steadfast love and faithfulness, for those who keep his covenant and his testimonies.” (Ps. 25:10)

What a good and loving God we serve that He is faithful to keep His promises to us and that He has compassion on us!! I am a sinner who has already been given more than I deserve, which is Christ who took my sin and declared me righteous that I might have eternal life with Him!! The Lord will not disappoint us if we put our hope and trust in Him.  I can say that I am so thankful for the trials the Lord has allowed in my life because through them they have grown me closer to Him and have caused me to realize how sinful my heart really is and my need of Christ. I pray that I would set my expectations and hope in Christ and trust Him that He will direct my steps.

I would encourage you to take some time to think about what expectations you might have and ask God to show you through His Word if these are right. Whatever circumstances the Lord is allowing in your life right now are to grow you and make you more like Him. We have to cling to the Lord and place our hope in Him and trust that He is good.  I pray that we can “count it all joy when we face trials of various kinds, for we know that the testing of our faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” (James 1:2-4)

Hope you all have a great week!

Love,
Brooke

A Heart of Submission and Prayer

Lately my heart has been so thankful for God’s design of submission. And that through His Son, I can learn to be submissive in the most impactful ways that glorify Him to the up-most. Before the Lord so graciously saved me, I viewed submission in all the wrong ways. I thought of it as a demeaning term and that it was something I had to do because it was “right” or because my guy friends told me I needed to do it ‘cause I was a girl. You can imagine my attitude towards submission then as an enemy of God. But through God’s grace He changed the way that I viewed and lived out this term. He caused me to realize the great privilege I have in learning what it means to submit to the glory of Himself with all my “…heart, soul, mind, and strength.” (Matthew 22:37) I’ve experienced the joy that comes when I submit my will to the Father’s. Learning to trust in Him in the day to day circumstances excites my heart to further serve the Lord. Sometimes submission isn't always the easiest thing to do or even what I want to do when my flesh fights it, but as a woman of God it is something I must learn to do in the hardest of times.

In the past few weeks the Lord has granted me an incredible, wonderful new avenue for me to learn submission. Just when I thought I had a good handle on it, God had a new challenge for me and knew the need for me to learn still. I honestly never thought I could learn so much in such a short period of time, but through marriage God has continued to open my eyes to my daily need for Him in order to submit and serve Him and my husband the way I am called to. When I fully submit to my husband I am ultimately submitting to the Lord. Learning to humbly serve the Lord as a single person has just continued into the relationship I have with my husband.  How thankful I am for this area where I can continue to be challenged to grow!

Submission has also made me incredibly aware of the need for prayer and the importance of it in my life. Apart from the well-known scriptural calls to prayer, there are really two great human reasons, I've learned, why we ought to pray. One because of the fact that prayer is the source of power for growth and perseverance in our spiritual lives. How am I to know how to best serve and love my husband, others, and my Savior unless I am constantly on my knees asking for the knowledge to best do so? How am I going to grow in endurance in the various areas of my life if I am not going and laying down my life before the Father daily? The scripture tells us that “…He has given us all that we need for life and godliness.” (2 Peter 1:3), through the living out of His Word. What better way can we honor and glorify the Lord than to align ourselves to His Holy Word and praise Him for it every day that we live? The second reason is that prayer bends our will to God’s will, which is what submitting our life is all about. Prayer and submission weren't designed to pull God to my will, but to align my will to His. How awesome is this?! How awesome is it that we as God’s children have the privilege to have our wills aligned with our Savior! Even when we don’t understand why life brings hardships and trials, we can fully trust in the Lord and have a true peace when we submit to Him and trust that He knows and has the best in mind for us "...for those who love Him and are called according to His purpose." (Romans 8:28-30)

Yet how few of us exploit this opportunity to draw from Him the power we need to press on or to have our will bent to God’s. How I have failed in the past to try to understand how to better serve my Lord, how to submit my life to Him, and praise Him in thanksgiving. Yet, He is SO gracious! He has provided us a way to draw closer to Him and enter into His presence daily….through the saving power of the Gospel and through prayer! Adoration and praise for our God quite naturally leads to the presentation of our bodies – our entire lives – in an ultimate act of worship. After the apostle Paul says, “For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever! Amen.” (Romans 11:36), he immediately calls us to submission: “Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God – this is your spiritual act of worship” (Romans 12:1).

Through learning about submission to God I realize that my devotion results in a conscious yielding of every part of my personality, every ambition, every relationship, and every hope to Him. This is a daily task of laying down my life in which, by God’s grace, you and I can grow and one day be presented "...fully mature in Christ." (Colossians 1:28) I pray that this encourages you to submit and praise the Lord in whatever stage of life you are in. Submitting to the Lord is one of the single most effective ways we as women can make the Gospel attractive to others and exhibit a true heart of worship!

"In all things, praise Him."

Tiffany

It's gonna be okay...and even better than that.

To be completely honest, this last month has been the hardest month I have had in a long time. Details aside, it was mixed with decisions that needed to be made, uncertainty, anger, fear, sadness, restlessness, lots and lots of tears (which I blame at least 50% on being 32 weeks pregnant)...lots of highs and lows. I found myself being "okay" one minute to being a puddle of tears the next. "What the heck is wrong with me?!" I kept asking myself. I knew some of the things I felt were valid, human emotions, but I also knew that I couldn't go on like this indefinitely.

Our pastor here has been preaching through Ephesians, and the last several weeks has been on the armor of God (Ephesians 6). Last Sunday was just what I needed to hear...balm for my soul, really. He was talking about how Christians have to constantly remind themselves of the gospel in order to be armed against Satan's attacks- not just reminding ourselves what Christ has done for us on the cross (although it definitely includes that!), but also the present help and future hope that we have as His children. It was nothing new, nothing I haven't heard before, but it spoke directly into my fears and sadness. Even hearing Pastor Todd simply say, "it's going to be okay!" was a relief to my restless heart.

You know what? At the end of the day, Christ is still King. He is still my Savior, He is still the one that holds me in the palm of His hands. Even though the present trials are not a huge deal in the grand scheme of things, He still cares. That truth alone brings me to tears (as if I haven't cried enough this month!) :) Not only does He care, He has secured for us, His precious children, a certain hope of a new heavens and a new earth with Him eternally. So while it doesn't discount the hardships we face day to day, it gives us perspective and the strength to keep going.

So as simple as it may seem, remind yourself of the big picture. We don't have to pretend the trials aren't there, but we don't have to go through them as if there is no end in sight...because there is. A beautiful, glorious end where He will make all things new.

Sweet Jesus Christ, my sanity
Sweet Jesus Christ, my clarity...
Christ has died and Christ is risen
And Christ will come again 
("Mystery" by Charlie Hall)

Dust Bunny Sins and Not Loving this World

“Let us seek treasure in heaven, lest we awake to find that we are paupers for evermore.” – JC Ryle

The Lord recently gave me a check-up that left me speechless.

Have you ever been in a situation, an ordinary day with an ordinary conversation, and a little something comes up and you find yourself shocked at your response.

In the words of You’ve Got Mail, “Boom! It’s Mr. Nasty.”

I think the Lord gives us those opportunities to show us the dust bunny sins that hide under the couch in our hearts. The Lord recently blessed me with one of these sweet opportunities, where Clay threw out a random idea and I was surprised at the panic I felt in my heart. “What!! Change the way things are? May it never be! I like my life! I like the way things are. I like what I have! No change!!!!”

And “Boom” – there was Mr. Nasty.

My response revealed so many flaws, among which were

                - forgetting that my life needs to be aimed at God’s glory, not my own

- thinking I own anything

- thinking I needed to be happy

-clinging too tightly to the things of this world

And I am so grateful that the Lord showed me this. I struggled and stewed and prayed, and am still praying, confessing the idols in my heart and asking God to give me the grace to destroy them. I’ve had to copy Paul David Trip and physically pray with my hands open to remind myself that “The Lord gives, and the Lord takes away; Blessed be the name of the Lord.” It is difficult not to get caught up in what I see. I am too often distracted by what my hands can touch. My eyes linger on pretty, glamorous things that do not actually matter.

And here is where the need to renew my mind becomes so clear. 1 John warns about this very thing, 

saying,

“Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world – the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life – is not from the Father but is from the world. And the World is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.” 1 John 2:15-17

As Jesus taught in Luke 9:23-25,

“And he said to all, ‘If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever saves his life for my sake will find it. For what does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses or forfeits himself?’”

I am always in danger of being like the crowd who followed Jesus when they were fed, but left him afterward. The daily taking up the cross, realizing the world and its desires are passing away, and being diligent to do the will of God who abides forever is a worthwhile yet constant battle. I don’t want to be deluded; I don’t want to be distracted from the reality of God’s call on my life.

How about you? How do you battle the tempting sirens of this world? What keeps you from being sidetracked by earthly things?

Love

Lately, I have been thinking a lot about love.  After all, this has certainly been a summer packed with weddings. I’ve had friends who have gotten engaged.  Tyler and I just celebrated our second anniversary.  Yes, love is in the air! But this isn’t the love that I’ve been thinking about.  

The love of the body of Christ, the love that should be between believers . . . this is the love that the Lord has continuously brought to my mind and confronted my heart with over the last several weeks.  I’m immensely grateful for the recent teaching we’ve received from Pastor Shane on 1 Corinthians 13.  And in the weeks that have followed, I’ve had to ask myself a difficult question.  Where is my love?  

I don’t think it’s a secret that a very real danger that exists in any church, even one that is wholly dedicated to deep, exposition of the Word, is that we can fool ourselves into equating agreeing with truth with putting truth into action.  Honestly, it’s a lot easier for me to sit under teaching and think of all the ways other people need to hear what’s being taught than for me to admit that I need to hear it.  Additionally, I need to stop going into times of preaching, teaching, or Bible study with the assumption that just because I know truth doesn’t mean I’m living it out.  Instead, I need to assume that I am always lacking, because guess what?  I am.   

Here are some hard truths on love I’ve had to wrestle with, admit to, and in many cases, repent of: 

 1.  Love changes how I think

 I’m commanded to love ALL believers. 

There is no shortage of verses in Scripture requiring us to love the body, but one of the clearest to me is found in John 13: 34-35.  

“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you 

have love for one another.”

There are no conditions or caveats put on this love for the body.  No “you only have to love believers who are your closest friends” or “you only have to love believers who don’t annoy, frustrate, or irritate you.” This is a call to love all believers at all times under all circumstances.  

It’s very easy for me to come to church or college group with the mindset that I’m going to fellowship with just my friends or the people that I may know really well.  That is selfish.  I ought to come with the mindset of “Are there new people/visitors to whom I can be a friend? Who can I encourage today outside of my comfort zone?” In truth, the best friendships and relationships I have today, including that of my husband, are ones that forced me to get out of my comfort zone and meet new people.  I should never be content that I have “just enough” friends within the body and lack the desire to forge new relationships.  If that is my heart, I don’t have love for all believers.  And if I don’t have love for ALL believers, I don’t have love at all.  

2.  Love changes what I do

Love = Service

Phil. 2:3-8 “Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus,who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped,  but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.

Our greatest example of a loving, selfless, sacrificial life is Jesus Christ.  He loved us to the point of death.  But imagine if Christ responded to the command from His Father to love us poor, weak, annoying, unlovable people with human and selfish excuses: 

“Ugh! Her?!? I don’t feel like dying for her! She is so annoying!”

“Can’t I just die for my disciples?  I mean, they’re my friends.”

“I’m tired and I’ve had a long day.  I’ll do it tomorrow.” 

I’m so grateful that Christ’s love is not like that! And His love wasn’t in word only but in action, too!  Love is a choice.  Love is an action.  Love that is real and genuine will be fleshed out in ministry.  And that ministry isn’t always convenient or even appreciated.  However, if I truly love the body, I will be pursuing ways to serve the it, rather than myself.  

3.  Love changes who I am 

Am I really changed?

1 John 4: 7-11 “Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God.  Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love. In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him. In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, 

we also ought to love one another.”

Love for the church is not only a command but it is also a mark of true, genuine belief.  Lack of love for believers has many faces.  It’s more than just being at odds with someone.  It can manifest itself as selfishness that refuses to serve but expects to be served, a critical spirit toward church leadership, failure to seek out ways to encourage those beyond my most intimate circle of friends, ignoring the call to be transparent with each other and seek to be discipled as well as to be discipling, etc.  

I had a professor in college who was known for saying, “Ministry is a natural overflow of your love for God.  So, if you aren’t ministering to others, what does that say about your love for God?” Over the years, and even in the last few weeks, I’ve had to do this “gut check.”  What does my pattern of love (or the lack thereof) say about my faith?  Does it prove my salvation to be real?  Or should I be concerned about what I’m seeing?  

My heart in sharing this with you all and encouraging you to think on these things is not to be harsh.  But I do hope it is shocking.  Why?  Because shocking things get our attention.  And, when it comes to God's commands for love, we need to pay attention because the stakes are high.  If we continue to live in such a way that only receives theological teaching, doctrine, and truth about love but neglect to put it into practice toward ALL of the body, we are living in a state of delusion.  We delude ourselves into thinking we are growing, learning, and maturing.  We think we are okay, when in fact we are lacking a primary and vital thing . . . love for God and for His church.  

The truth is that I haven’t been loving as I ought to.  But now, confronted with truth, I am called to act not just agree.  If I love the Lord, I will pursue keeping His commandments . . . I will pursue love.  So, pursue it I will.  May we all as young women of faith, exhort, encourage, and challenge each other to love as He commands us to . . . to love as He first loved us.  


Elisabeth