Letter to God

Dear Lord,

All the things in my life have been a work of your sovereign care. Everything that you have worked in my life has been the result of your grace. All the thanks and glory should be given to you. You have changed my life. God, help me see your beauty. I will perish if I do not see your glory. Everything that is good in my life is only a shadow to your infinite worth. All that is true and beautiful is found you. You have revealed yourself in the beauty of your Son. Awaken my heart once again. Help me see the beauty of your Son crucified for a wretch like me. Thank you that you loved me in my unfaithfulness. Thank you that you died for me when I was your enemy. Thank you that I was dead in my sins and you made me alive. Thank you for giving me a living hope. Thank you for giving me strength. Thank you for giving me a family who loves me. Thank you for the church that you have provided me. Thank you for being the great provider. Thank you for meeting my needs. Thank you for drawing me to yourself. Thank you that there is none like you. Thank you that YOU alone are exalted. Thank you that there is no God besides thee. Thank you that You are the God of righteousness. Thank you are unfading and undefiled. Thank you that you became defiled for us. Thank you for the gospel. Thank you that you died so that we may see your worth. Thank you that the world was in sin and error pinning, till you appeared and the Soul felt its worth. Thank you for pain so that you would show me that you Heal. Thank you for discipline because you are a Father to your children. Thank you for your Holy Spirit, for it is by Him that I see the glory of the cross. Thank you for Your Word, it is through your Word I learn how to live life and love righteousness. Thank you for the birth of Your precious Son. Thank you that you will never leave me nor forsake me because your Son was forsake for me. Thank you for the blood that cleanses me of my filth. Thank you that you are the thought that cleanses my wickedness. Thank You that you loved the world when it hated you. Thank you that You alone are infinite in worth. Thank you that you are the Creator. Thank you for changing my life. Thank you that I have no good thing besides thee. Thank you that you alone have living water. Thank you that you are the bread of life. Thank you for the offense of the cross that sames sinners. Thank you that you are worth more than anything in the world. Thank you for loving me despite my failures. Open my eyes and enlarge my heart to see your worth. Thank you for the Glory of Jesus Christ.

Heaven should be sweeter

Heaven should be way sweeter than the world. Heaven should be more desirable than the world. If Christ is not becoming increasingly sweeter, and heaven filling more and more of my thoughts, it might be a sign that I am satisfied with this world. This world is hell for a believer exactly because we do not see Jesus face to face. For a believer, earth will be as close as hell because we are not in the very presence of the Lord now. For an unbeliever, earth will be as close as heaven because of the many graces that they receive without acknowledging the Creator. I pray that I would not be satisfied with this world. This world is crap without my Jesus. He is the only one that can satisfy. He is the only one in whom I see rays of hope, happiness, and love. I want to see my Jesus. I want my soul to be satisfied in Him alone. What a friend I have in Jesus!

I'm in love with Jesus Christ

Every time I hear whispers of the gospel, my heart rings with joy. My human nature tries to please God by WHAT I DO, but when I remind myself WHAT HE HAS DONE, I am convinced that there is no other Savior as beautiful as MY Jesus. I want the whole world to see the beauty of MY Savior. I grieve that I live in this God-ignoring world. I grieved that I do not give more attention and love to my Savior. So many times I make Christianity a religion rather than a relationship through what Christ has accomplished on the cross. Jesus tells me not to grow cold, or he will remove my lampstand as he speaks to the church of Ephesus in Revelation 2. God, burn this fire and increase it and ignite it for your name's sake. I have been praying this for awhile I know you will answer this because I desire that YOUR NAME MIGHT BE GLORIFIED. DO this for your name's sake.

LET ME SEE YOUR GLORY, LEST I PERISH. I WILL FIGHT TO SEE YOUR GLORY AND MAKE YOU MY TREASURE. HOLY SPIRIT HELP ME.

No Boasting

"Let Him who boasts, Boasts in the Lord"

I was reading 1 Corinthians this morning and was reminded once again that I cannot boast about anything because it is God's doing that I am in Christ Jesus. How are you to be humble? Remember that I deserve nothing except judgment, yet Christ has come to die and rise again on my behalf and bestow His Spirit upon me. Moreover, Christ has given me spiritual gifts for equipping and serving the saints. Each has his own gift and measure of faith according to what God has given. The message of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, and I should weep over people who do not see this message of glory. The time is short, and I need to be completely devoted to the Lord and His kingdom.

As I have been doing my devotions, I also see that Paul is radically Spirit centered. Paul wants to preach in the power of the Spirit. He wants to train people to discern by the Spirit. It is also by the Spirit that we put to death sin. It is by the Spirit that we obey. I need to learn how to walk in the Spirit and obey. The Spirit is God as much as Jesus is God.

Prayer

Lord, help me pray. Help me see the importance of prayer. Help me communion with You and to be fervent in seeing Your kingdom come and Your will be done. Please ignite a passion in me for Your name's sake. Be my treasure. Give me eyes to see your infinite worth. Help me see the rays of your infinite glory shining through your Son on Calvary. The Son hangs on a cross, displaying infinite mercy and infinite justice. Move in your people. In Jesus Name, Amen.

The Kingdom is Here

I was reading Luke this morning, and was once again reminded that following Christ means committing your whole life to him. Judgment is soon coming to a world in rebellion against him. People make many excuses so that they would not follow the Savior. EVERYTHING has to be invested in the kingdom. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. God also commands me to be merciful to those who cannot repay me back. God you have to burn in me a passion for your name's sake. I also read that no one can follow Christ unless he hates his own father and mother and brother and wife and anything else that will not exalt Christ in one's life. This does not mean literally hate your parents, but it means that you cannot love your family or anything more than Christ. Where is my heart? What do I love? Is Christ the love of my life? Does my time show it? Does my actions show it? Does my love for other believers show it? Does my money show it? God, please remove any inconsistencies in my life. Show me the reality of the kingdom. Those who would follow Christ must take up their crosses daily and renounce all things daily for the sake of the Kingdom of God which is coming in glory.

Cultivating Thankfulness

Here was an interesting insight I heard on the radio this morning as I was driving to school. I should begin to cultivate faithfulness and give thanks in all circumstances. God is working out is good and sovereign plan. Here are some things I am thankful for:

• God did not leave me to go on with my depravity. If were not for the grace of God, I would be entangled with so much more sin and have no hope and purpose in life. I would still be Peter Pan.
• Going to Talbot is such a privilege, studying under top Christian philosophers.
• I have a job in a tough economy with a Christian work environment.
• I have a church family
• I have a faithful Pastor
• God uses my brokenness to weave out his beautiful artpiece
• I will be out of credit card debt this month!
• I am free to use my singleness to serve Christ and make the most out of every day
• I am able to teach God's Word and his faithfulness in my life
• God helped me give up things for greater things. Let go of the world and God gives you true joy.
• I have a home to live in
• I have food provided for everyday
• I have a car
• I have a blanket
• God meets my needs every month
• I have a second job at a cool paintball store where I can spend time in the Word

Wow, there is really a lot to be thankful for! Praise the Lord!