Communion

Communion. It's not just this thing you do in church. It's not just eating and drinking something. It's not just thinking, "Yeah, I'm a Christian. Drink this. Eat that. Think a little. Done."

No. It's not just any of that. It's so much more. It's so much deeper than that.

When I was little, I would listen to the pastor as he would preach and read the same passage whenever we had communion, and to be honest, I didn't think much of it. I didn't have communion at that age, and I didn't understand why not. But now, I do. Because having communion is a way of recognizing what Jesus did for you on the cross. It's saying, "Hey, Jesus. I know what You did for me and I want to thank You. I want to praise You, for what You did for me. I'm thinking of how You bore my sins on the cross." It's remembering what's been done for you.

Yet, when I was a kid, I would watch the body (the bread) and the blood (the juice) and think, "Hmm. There's a nice snack to tide people over till lunchtime. Lucky people." Hey now! Don't go judging my 5 year old way of thinking, okay! I'm sure if you look way deep down, you'll realize that you thought that way too.

I do hope you get that I think differently now! I don't just have communion to have a little morsel to tide me over till lunchtime. I like having communion because I like how it helps me reflect. It helps spark that connection to Jesus' death and resurrection.

I like it because every once in a while, admit it, we all need that swift kick in the Spiritual petunia to remind us that we're not here because of anything we've done. We're here because of what's been done for us.

"This is not about what you've done, But what's been done for you..."

AH-mazing words from the song "You Are More" by Tenth Avenue North. See, communion is a reminder that we're not here, being sons and daughters of God, because we got here all on our own. We're not just here because we did anything like died for our own sins.

We're here because of what God did for us! He sent us the ultimate sacrifice. He sent His own Son to die for our sins so that we could have eternal life. That is what communion is all about! It's acknowledging the gift of life that we've been given! It's acknowledging that Jesus died for our sins and we need to be reminded of that every once in a while to have a consistent relationship with Him.

Admit it: Without communion, our relationship with Him would go slack. We would stop realizing the love that was behind this sacrifice. We'd brush it off easier. And we'd just think it was no big deal. But you know what? It IS a big deal.

That is what communion is. A reminder about what's been done for us to achieve the relationship with God. Jesus DIED on a cross for our sins just so we could have an eternal life and relationship with God. Can you imagine that? He D-I-E-D for us! For a relationship! And we still have a choice??? If my son had to die for all your sins, I'd make you all believe in a flash! I'd say, "I gave up my son for this, and if you don't believe right this instant, SOMEBODY'S GONNA GET HURT REAAAAAL BAD!"

But God doesn't do that. Not only is He a sacrificial being by sacrificing His son, but He's also a God of choices. He GIVES us a choice to follow or not! He sacrifices His son and THEN says, "Oh, hey, by the way, you have a choice." If that's not AH-mazing, I don't know what is.

That shows how loving our Heavenly Father is. So next time you have communion, I hope you truly do remember what a big deal it is.

Communion. It's not just a snack. It's a relationship.

"While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when He had given thanks, He broke it and gave it to His disciples, saying, "Take and eat; this is my body." Then He took a cup, and when He had given thanks, He gave it to them saying, "Drink from it, all of you. This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. I tell you, I will not drink from this fruit of the vine from now until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father's kingdom." - Matthew 26:26-27

Forgiveness

Forgiveness. Oh my. What a difficult thing! Sometimes it's easy, and other times hard. It depends what the circumstances are, am I right? If it's one thing I've learned this year, it's forgiveness. Or you could say I was scared into it by a certain Bible verse that I'm sure many people have been scared by.

"For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses." - Matthew 6:14-15

I was flipping through Matthew one day, when I stumbled upon that verse, and I've kept it in my head ever since as a reminder. For some people forgiveness is a touchy subject. Maybe something happened that made them bitter towards it. Maybe a friend hurt you and your having trouble letting that go?

Whatever the case may be, it doesn't change that it's difficult, am I right? But you know what? By holding that grudge, it's not benefiting anyone. It's always best to forgive. Does you holding that grudge affect them in any way? No. It doesn't. They'll go on with life, not caring at all and living life like they've done nothing wrong. And you'll be left feeling bitter about it. Not cool. So let me ask you again? What is the benefit of NOT forgiving someone? There is none. What is the benefit of forgiving someone? Everything! You no longer have that bitterness inside and you no longer have that raging anger that makes you want to pop their heads off like barbie dolls! AWESOME, EH? Yes, I think so.

When Jesus was on the cross what did He do? Let's take a look at that in Luke 23 right now.

32. Two other men, both criminals, were also led out with him to be executed.

33. When they came to the place called the Skull, the crucified him there, along with the criminals- one on his right, the other on his left.

34. Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing." And they divided up his clothes by casting lots.

Can you believe it? Jesus is there being tortured and nailed to a cross and he asks God to forgive them!!! UNBELIEVABLE! But yet, that's how forgiving Jesus was. And is. And that's how forgiving we need to be. That's what they mean by forgiving those who hurt us. We need to be like God in that way. He forgives every single thing we do, no matter how big, and no matter how small! We need to be like that. If someone hurts you, you need to forgive them.

"And whenever you stand and praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father also who is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses." - Mark 11:25

"Then Peter came up and said to him, "Lord, how often will my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times? Jesus said to him, "I do not say to you seven times, but seventy times seven." -Matthew 18:21-22

"Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful. Judge not, and you will not be judged; condemn not, and you will not be condemned; forgive, and you will be forgiven." -Luke 6:36-37

"Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you." -Ephesians 4:32

"Good sense makes one slow to anger, and it is his glory to overlook and offense." -Proverbs 19:11

And like I said in my previous post on Love Your Enemies (http://daughteroftheone.blogspot.com/2011/05/just-to-let-you-know-this-isnt-for-my.html)

"To the contrary, "if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head."

Then his master summoned him and said to him, "You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me. And should not you have had mercy on your fellow servant, as I had mercy on you?" And in his anger his master delivered him to the jailers, until he should pay all his debt. So also my heavenly Father will do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother from your heart." -Matthew 18:32-35

Stephen was the perfect example of forgiveness:

"And as they were stoning Stephen, he called out, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit." And falling to his knees he cried out with a loud voice, "Lord, do not hold this sin against them." And when he had said this, he fell asleep." -Acts 7:59-60

So was Paul:

"At my first defense no one came to stand by me, but all deserted me. May it not be charged against them!" -2nd Timothy 4:16

And Joseph as well:

"As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today. So do not fear; I will provide for you and your little ones" Thus he comforted them and spoke kindly to them." -Genesis 50:20-21

Why don't you give it a go?

Remember: ‎Forgiveness doesn't always mean forgetting... It doesn't always mean being best friends again with the person that hurt you. It means moving on from the hurt. It means knowing that the hurt is there, but not acting on the anger that it produced. It means learning to let go. And it means being able to greet that person with a smile on your face, no matter what.

The first step to forgiveness is acknowledging that it hurt you and learning how to move on from that hurt.

The second step: Overcome the anger that it gives you. Reading scriptures help a lot.

The third step: Greeting that person with a smile and showing God's love.

Any fool can criticize, condemn, and complain but it takes character and self control to be understanding and forgiving. - Dale Carnegie

Psalm 90 - A prayer of Moses, the man of God.

This is what our guest speaker talked about in church today. And I REALLY loved that! So I thought I would share these passages with you in hopes that you learn from them as much as I learned from them.

Psalm 90

1: Lord, You have been our dwelling place throughout all generations.

2: Before the mountains were born or You brought forth the whole world, from everlasting to everlasting You are God.

3: You turn people back to dust, saying, "Return to dust, you mortals."

4: A thousand years in Your sight are like a day that has just gone by, or like a watch in the night.

5: Yet You sweep people away in the sleep of death- they are like the new grass of the morning:

6: In the morning it springs up new, but by evening it is dry and withered.

7: We are consumed by Your anger and terrified by your indignation.

8: You have set our iniquities before you, our secret sins in the light of Your presence.

9: All our days pass away under Your wrath; we finish our years with a moan.
10: Our days may come to seventy years, or eighty, if our strength endures; yet the best of them are but trouble and sorrow, for they quickly pass, and we fly away.

11: If only we knew the power of Your anger! Your wrath is as great as the fear that is Your due.

12: Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.

13: Relent, LORD! How long will it be? Have compassion on Your servants.

14: Satisfy us in the morning with Your unfailing love, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days.

15: Make us glad for as many days as you have afflicted us, for as many years as we have seen trouble.

16: May Your deeds be shown to Your servants, Your splendor to their children.

17: May the favor of the Lord, our God, rest on us; establish the work of our hands for us- yes, establish the work of our hands.

I just love how powerful this shows our God to be! He is our dwelling place, our home! Our house isn't a home until we think of it as a home. And to me, until I invite God into my house, it isn't a home. But in the first verse, it shows that God is our home! He is our dwelling place. Such a comfort to know that wherever we go, God goes with us, and that makes it a home. What an awesome God we have! What a powerful, loving Heavenly Father we have!

And while reading this, I can feel the power of God in me. I can feel His love wrapping around me. The speaker talked about how we know God's love is there because we read the Bible and read about how He loves us. But a lot of times we feel like His love is distant and that He only pops in like a distant uncle.

We know the truth of God and His love for us, but do we truly believe it? Most of us don't believe it until we experience it. When His loving arms wrap around us in a comforting embrace, only then do we truly know that our God is here and loves us, am I right?

God will seem like He isn't there sometimes. But this week, I listened to someone's testimony and an example that he gave of a time like this is a father and his baby who is learning to walk. The father steps back sometimes and waits for the child to take his first steps alone and walk into his arms. The child will fall a lot of times, but the father is always there to catch him. It's all in the process of learning. It's God giving us space to learn about following Him. And learning to trust that He will be there waiting to catch us when we fall. God never leaves us. He is always here. He's just standing back so that we can learn to take those trusting steps to Him.

Our God is a powerful God. And in times like these, we can walk towards God and feel His loving embrace again as we fall into His arms. So it works like this:

God lets go and takes a step back.

We know that God still loves us.

We take the trusting steps forward.

Sure, we fall a couple times.

But God is always here to catch us.

We just need to trust Him.

We fall into His open arms.

And we experience His love for us as He holds us in His arms.

Thank You, God, for being such a wonderful Father. Thank You for creating us and for loving us and for comforting us in our times of need. Thank You for wrapping Your arms around us and for being our Dwelling Place. And thank You, Father God, for catching us when we fall.

Amen <3

The Proverbs 31 Woman

What is one thing that is a distraction to young women? That's right. Guys. Not necessarily a good thing. Sure, it's not a bad thing, but when we start to think about guys more then God, we definitely need to reevaluate our priorities. God should always come first, no matter how hard that may be.

Here's an easier way of looking at it. God has someone planned for you. The perfect person for you. But first: You need to become the perfect woman for that man. If you didn't work hard to be that woman, what would happen?

The man wouldn't have the woman that God fully intended him to have. Not a good thing. Not cool. By focusing wholly on God at this time in your life, you can become the woman that God intends for that man. Let's take a look at the Proverbs 31 woman:

10) A wife of normal characters who can find? She is worth far more than rubies.

11) Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value.

12) She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life.

13) She selects wool and flax and works with eager hands.

14) She is like the merchant ships, bringing her food from afar.

15) She gets up while it is still night; she provides food for her families and portions for her female servants.

16) She considers a field and buys it; out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.

17) She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks.

18) She sees that her trading is profitable, and her lamp does not go out at night.

19) In her hands she holds the distaff and grasps the spindle with her fingers.

20) She opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy.

21) When it snows, she has no fear for her household; for all of them are clothed in scarlet.

22) She makes coverings for her bed; she is clothed in fine linen and purple.

23) Her husband is respected at the city gate; where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.

24) She makes linen garments and sells them, and supplies the merchants with sashes.

25) She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come.

26) She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue.

27) She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness.

28) Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her:

29) "Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all."

30) Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.

31) Honor her for all that her hands have done, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.

The Proverbs 31 woman is the woman that God wants us to be. This woman is also patient and kind. She does not envy. She does not boast. She is not proud. She is not rude. She is not self-seeking. She is not easily angered. She keeps no record of wrongs. She does not delight in evil, but rejoices with the truth. She always protects. She always trusts. She always hopes. She always perseveres. She does not fail.

Yes, you guessed it. The main ingredient for this woman is to be love. She is the perfect, wholesome example of love. That is what you need to be. That is what I need to be.

To make it easier, you can repeat these affirmations every day. Tape it to your mirror and say it to yourself every morning when you wake up. It helps a great deal. More then you know...

I am patient.

I am kind.

I do not envy.

I do not boast.

I am not proud.

I am not rude.

I am not self-seeking.

I am not easily angered.

I keep no record of wrongs.

I do not delight in evil.

But I rejoice with the truth.

I always protect.

I always trust.

I always hope.

I always persevere.

I never fail.

Have confidence that you are all these things. And keep in mind that it's not about what you want for yourself concerning these matters of the heart. It's about what GOD wants for you. Got it? It's not about what you want, it's about what God wants for you.

He wants to give you someone. Right now, as your reading this, He could be preparing that person for you and forming that special person into the perfect person for you. It's time to jump into God's plan and start focusing on Him.

Be a woman after God's own heart.

It's time to start learning how to be that special woman.

Are you ready?

It Does Not Envy?

Jealousy. Why is it there? Why do people feel it? Why does being jealous of someone else make us so insecure about ourselves? Why does it make us feel so small? And why does it seem to eat us up inside?

Because it's something to hinder us, that's why. When we feel jealous about someone, do you notice how in some cases, it can diminish our affection for them, and sometimes, eliminate it altogether? And that is satan's plan when he plants jealous thoughts in our minds.

"Look at her style. It's so much cooler than yours."

"She's got everything. Looks, personality, a boyfriend."

"Check that out! That kids got the new iPhone and you don't even."

"Everybody likes her... Cause she's so likable. And your so dull compared to her."

"Wow... She's got the perfect body and your just fat."

"Look... A perfect, happy family. All together."

"Wow... She's always going on vacations cause she's so rich and all. And your just stuck in your hometown doing nothing."

"Your life sucks, because you have nothing, and see that person over there? Yeah, they have everything. Unlike you."

"He's done something with his life... Don't you wish you were that brave? But your not."

You've all heard those words before. Whether they were spoken aloud, or just pushed into your mind, you've heard them, and many times, you've believed them. But you shouldn't. Because God has made you the way you are supposed to be.

1. The first jealousy issue I'm going to address is looks. Why are looks so important? THEY DON'T MATTER!

"Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart." (1st Samuel 16:7)

"Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart." (1st Samuel 16:7)

"Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart." (1st Samuel 16:7)

Yes, I just wrote that out three times. But that's okay, because everyone needs to know that and everyone needs to know that it's 300% TRUE! Why should we envy other people's looks? Does it really matter what we look like? No, it doesn't. We're not on earth to worry about whether or not we have perfect hair, or the perfect body. We're here to further God's kingdom.

God designed each of us in His own image.

He designed us uniquely.

He designed us perfectly.

We are fearfully and wonderfully made. (Psalm 139:14)

We are all designed by a wonderful Creator, Who knew what He was thinking when He made us. He loves us the way we are.

He thinks we are perfect, no matter what.

He thinks we are beautiful, inside and out.

There can never be a more beautiful you. (More Beautiful You, by Johnny Diaz)

Never think that God made a mistake when He created you. God doesn't make mistakes.

All of that is true! SO TRUE!!! NEVER doubt that!!! The world will tell you things. But you know what? Just blow it over. It DOES NOT MATTER! We are not to care about what the world thinks and what they say about us. Being insecure about our looks and envying someone's looks, that weakens us. That makes us an easy target for the enemy to strike us down! BELIEVE what is written above, because it's all true! God is our creator. Everything He creates is beautiful, BECAUSE He created it.

You. Are. Beautiful.

Inside. And. Out.

2. Next is personality.

So what if she's outgoing and your not?

So what if he's all that and a bag of chips just because of how crazy he is?

So what if everything she says is the funniest thing since Star Trek waffles?

Who cares! God made you the way you are!

So what if your not the outgoing one or the crazy one or the funny one? Maybe your meant to be the shy one. The quiet one. The serious one. God made you this way.

Why does it bother you? Why?

I'm not going to answer these questions.

This is something you need to think about and come to terms to yourself.

3. And last is this:

Remember the story of Cain and Abel? Cain and Abel both give sacrifices, but Abel's is more pleasing. And then, Cain's jealousy turns to anger and hatred and he murders his own flesh and blood.

See what jealousy does?

Remember the story of King Saul? He was jealous of David because of the attention that David got when he killed Goliath. He attempted to kill David several times.

See what jealousy does?

Remember the story of Joseph? His brothers were so jealous of the attention that he got from their father, that they sold him off as a slave to passing tradesmen.

See what jealousy does?

Remember King Herod? He was jealous of baby Jesus. He was afraid that his throne would be taken from him and this new king would reign instead. He ordered all children under the age of two to be killed.

See what jealousy does?

Jealousy is a wicked thing. It doesn't belong in us. When we become jealous of someone because of something they've done or accomplished, that's not Christian. We need to ask for God's help in changing that. We need to get that jealousy out! We need to stay pure and away from jealousy!

The Tenth Commandment is: "You shall not covet your neighbor's house; you shall not covet your neighbor's wife, or male or female slave, or ox, or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor." (Exodus 20:17, Deuteronomy 5:21)

In order to do what God wants us to do, we need to get rid of jealous, completely. It should have no hold on us. It shouldn't be there. It does not belong in our lives. Ask God to rid yourself of it.

"Love is patient, love is kind. IT DOES NOT ENVY, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil, but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails." (1st Corinthians 13:4-8)

In order to BE love, we need to be ALL of that! We can't just be some of it. We need to strive to be all of it. So strive! REJOICE with the truth! Be who God called you to be. Be who He created you to be. And love it. Love every minute of it. Love every inch of yourself. From the tip of your toe, to the last hair on your head.

Remember! God made you special! And He loves you VERY much!

Dedicated to a very special person.

Faith

Faith. What words can describe faith? How can someone possibly describe such a dedicated action? I've heard a few descriptions on faith.

I know that "Faith without works is dead" (James 2:17)

And I know that "Faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see." (Hebrews 11:1)

And that "Faith is not believing that God can. It's knowing that He will."

That last ones my favorite. To me, having faith in God is one of my most difficult challenges. I know many of you may laugh at hearing that. Especially, if you've heard me say "God will provide" numerous times. Really though, I need to continuously have the words, "Have faith, Naomi." playing in my head. And anytime I'm reminded to have faith is a welcome time indeed.

The question I ask today is why is it so easy to have faith in God when we're younger, but not when we're older? God tells us that we "Must have the faith of a child." To go more into depth, "Assuredly, I say to you, Whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it." (Mark 10:15, Luke 18:17)

We need child-like faith to be the Christians that God wants us to be. In order to be all we can, we need to step out and know that God will be with us and guide us no matter what.

When we're children, it's so easy to believe what's we're taught, right? God will say, "Trust me." And we'll say, "Okay." But as we grow older, God still says, "Trust me." But now we're saying, "Well, God... Here's the thing..."

All God's ever asked of us is to believe in Him and have faith. It shouldn't be too hard! We get so caught up in things down here, I know that, but still, that's no excuse.

We want to do great things, don't we? Well, in order to do that, we NEED to have FAITH! No questions asked! God says, "Have faith," you say, "YESSIR, GOD!" Got that?

The Red Sea didn't part just because Moses raised a stick. No, he had FAITH!

The walls didn't just tumble down because a bunch of people got exercise walking around it for seven days. They had FAITH!

Are you getting the theme here?

Do you expect to do great things? Cause your gonna need faith. You can't pull a Peter and walk on water without faith. So, go ahead and have faith. Who knows! Maybe, one day, that'll be you parting seas, breaking down walls, and walking on water.

Although... Just to be on the safe side... You probably shouldn't try that last one just yet.

Spiritual Warfare.

War. What is your first thought when you hear that word? Your probably think of fighting. Or poverty. Or guns. Or even death.

A lot of people say war is sinful because it brings strife into this world. But although the things that happen during war are painful and sometimes sinful, it is sometimes a requirement, unfortunately.

A lot of people also think that war is caused by God because shouldn't He do something to stop it? Sin is actually the root of war.

Matthew 15:19 - For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, slanders.

Before sin entered the world, there was no war. None. And why would there be? I mean come on! In a perfect world, there wouldn't be war. But when sin entered the world, a darkness entered the human heart and whamo! War! We've got envy, anger, etc. And all of that can lead to war.

Really though, why do people focus so much on the war of this world? Even Christians! And I totally respect how people want to fight for their country and such, but shouldn't we be more focused on the Spiritual battle that rages inside us? Even when every country can be at peace with one another, there'll always be a battle inside. And sometimes its Spiritual war that drives people to fight each other.

I know fighting an inner battle can be a lot harder than fighting an actual physical battle. And we don't need guns and knives to fight this war! We need GOD! He is the ultimate Leader in our war! He commands us to put on the full armor of God!

"Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints," - Ephesians 6:10-18

Take that to heart! Fight your battle! God has entrusted you with a place in His army. That is an HONOR. Never slack in fighting the Spiritual battle. The enemy will ALWAYS attack the weakest person. Take up your battle weapon and fight like you never have before. STRENGTHEN yourself so that God's army can benefit from your perseverance. Never give up.

Stop fighting your petty wars and start fighting one worth winning! We're only on this earth for a short time, but we're in eternity FOREVER! So pick a side and start fighting.