just writing out loud

Devoted blogger, I am apparently not! :-)  I've been focused on other things. This past summer and fall have been spent on work, family, and being a remodeling project.... God's been continuing to work on my foundation.  :-)  (He's always either working on our foundation, or shaping us to be more like Christ, isn't He? ;)
Funny though, I just read through the 9 posts that I've written here and I was really encouraged.  Probably because it's more God's Word than it is me... and also thinking back to where I was when each post was written, how true the lesson was, and once again, how faithful God is. 

I wrote the following with a pen and paper first... just writing from the heart.  Here's a glance at my notepad... just written out a bit neater. :-)


(Intro)I know my Jesus. I know my God- the One true God. I know He hears me, cares for me, and has a good plan for me. I know that I'm loved... and have been adopted into the family. I know how good He is.... and I want others to have this too.


(Faith)I want to be able to say at the end of the day, and at the end of my life, "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith; in the future there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day; and not only to me, but to all who have loved His appearing."
-2 Timothy 4:7-8


A friend of mine encouraged me this past spring with Philippians 1:6 which says, "For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus."
I know I have a lot to learn, but through Jesus I have been made righteous before God... and I am learning in the Bible that as His child, God is on my side.


Also had a light bulb moment reading this scripture:
"...and without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who earnestly seek Him." -Hebrews 11:6
The part that got me was "ah-hah! God's character is that He is a rewarder of those who earnestly seek Him.... and without believing this about Him, and having faith that it is true for me, I can't please Him." That dissolves the case for seeking God as wholeheartedly as I know how, and then worrying if I'm really pleasing Him. So, as I said a minute ago... I am learning in the Bible that as His child, God is on my side. Literally, powerfully, and as a loving Father.


(Hope) "The Lord will deliver me from every evil deed, and will bring me safely to His heavenly kingdom; to Him be the glory forever and ever. Amen." - 2 Timothy 4:18


"...Jesus is at the right hand of God, the Father, interceding for us- pleading our case for us." -Romans 8:34


"The Lord is faithful, and He will strengthen and protect you from the evil one." -2 Thes. 3:3

"For God has not given us a spirit of timidity- or of fear- but of power, and love, and sound judgement." -2 Timothy 1:7

(Love) I came across a statement recently that hit deep in my heart:

"3.5 billion unreached people on earth could form a line that would stretch around the equator 25 times. God, break our hearts for the lost."

(Conclusion) I guess it all comes down to three thoughts: FAITH, HOPE, & learning to LOVE and pray for my world. As the Word says, "the greatest of these is love."