SINFUL = FULL OF SIN

the only way i will be found faithful at the end of the day is if Jesus keeps me faithful. i have no faithfulness of my own.

Who can say, "I have kept my heart pure; I am clean and without sin"?
~Proverbs 20:9~

UNDERSTANDING THE PROPHETS

i interrupt my letter and thank you card writing to post my most recent thoughts - my journal entry this morning at that! (actually, i'm just in desperate need for a break from my papers and cards and envelopes.)

i am understanding more and more the heart of the prophet. that the insight God gives leads to repentance and trust in Him. that the sorrow begins in the heart of the one called to speak. that a prophet lives to please God and not people.

being back here and having the platform i now have to speak out on the state of missions in our church, i recognize the unique position that God has placed me in. i am, perhaps, a modern day prophet? on first thought, it sounds lofty. but what is a prophet? it is one whom God has given a message to speak and is compelled to speak His word, despite people's reactions, acceptance, rejection, popularity or disdain. from my experiences this past year, i know that God has given me much to speak on; that God has a challenging message for the leadership and those around me to hear and hopefully act on. i also know that this past year has taught me to speak what i know i need to speak. i can hide no longer.

i only pray that i would be full of love - that it would not all be for nothing. Lord, help me!

If I have the gift of prophecy...but have not love, I am nothing.
~1 Corinthians 13:2~

REALITY IS

the great truth, i discovered today, is that God's word is the Word of LIFE. the great lie of the enemy is that God's word leads to death. in the struggle against sin, we are often deceived into thinking that obedience to God's Word will mean loss for ourselves - loss of freedom, loss of relationships, loss of enjoyment of life... so we shy away from it, or dread to hear what He has to say. but the truth is that His decrees are for our delight - everlasting delight, not just temporary thrill. God is always for life. although His word may demand surrender or even death to certain parts of us or things that we cling to, that death is actually the first stage of real life. the life we think is life, then, is actually death in His eyes. real life, to God, is death to ourselves. of course, reality is not defined by what we think it is, but by what God says it is. and when we remember that God's desire is for us to really live, we can truly say that His decrees are our delight.

did i just confuse everyone? ;p

I delight in Your decrees;
I will not neglect Your Word.
Psalm 119:16