importance

Today I started stressing for trials........weird because I don't really stress. I suppose it's because I was so focused on the outcomes of what would happen, thinking I had everything under control.

I think in the midst of stress, God humbles me to let me know (again) that I can't do anything by myself. Every time I feel like I'm on top of things and in total control, God humbles me by throwing me into stress and anxiety. He reminded me, through worship music (Anchor), that my hope is in HIM and that that is my anchor, it holds me in place and I think that really comforted me at the time when I was stressing out a lot.

It also reminded me that when times are hard, I should be running to Him for comfort, not to stress or ice cream. Where success and dreams will fail me, God will always satisfy.

In Isaiah today, I was reading about fasting, which I THINK (don't quote me) is talking about religion and how it shouldn't be about us humbling ourselves to look good but rather about helping others and shining a light for God. It reminded me that my role, first and foremost, was a servant of God regardless of what season of life it is. Trial period? Still a servant of God. I was challenged to not forego being a light for Him and serving His people when it comes at a cost to me and what I find important because ultimately, His name is the most important.

so yes. Trial musings.

"The LORD will guide you always; 

he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land

and will strength your frame.

You will be like a well-watered garden,

like a spring whose waters never fall."

- Isaiah 58:11

everything

Our hearts they cry, be glorified. Be lifted high above all names.
For you our King, with everything, we will shout forth your praise.


Everything.


something I thought about listening to this song and writing English scaffolds - everything we do is for Him and for His praise.

worth

My quiet time today was Isaiah 51 and it was really packed so trying to get all my thoughts together....

1. Self-worth
This was really the main idea I took out from here mainly because it's something I've been thinking about recently because of thoughts about the future and stufffs. Basically what God is saying in this passage is that we shouldn't worry about what the world thinks of us and, I suppose, what worth the world puts on us because we have Him! Particularly interesting today...two of my friends reminded me of this before this quiet time. One of them was addressing my "need" to be picked and she just said: "Why do you need people to pick you? You already know your worth." This resonated when I read the Word just then because I guess it reminded me that in ALL contexts (ministry included) I am not defined by how much potential people see in me but rather, I am defined by Christ alone. My other friend was talking to me about scholarships and how co-op was the 'prize' and I expressed that I felt although my whole future was riding on whether or not I got this scholarship. His response was: "Jesus is the real prize, and you already have Him". So that was a great reminder, again, that worth is defined by Christ, not how appropriate someone thinks I am for any particular role.
LOOK LOOOK LOOK

"Hear me, you who know what is right,

you people who have taken my instruction to heart:

Do not fear the reproach of mere mortals

or be terrified by their insults.

For the moth will eat them up like a garment;

the worm will devour them like wool.

But my righteousness will last forever,

my salvation through all generations." 

Isaiah 51:7-8

And again in v12-13

"I, even I, am he who comforts you.

Who are you that you fear mere mortals,

human beings who are but grass,

that you forget the LORD your maker,

who stretches out the heavens

and who lays the foundations of the earth,

that you live in constant terror every day

because of the wrath of the oppressor,

who is bent on destruction?

For where is the wrath of the oppressor?"

Isaiah 51:12-13

2. Everlasting salvation

Sort of relates to the previous point but this was about God's salvation and how it lasts forever. Sounds simple, but its quite profound. It lasts foreeverrrrrrr, even though our world which seems to important will fade away

"Lift up your eyes to the heavens,

look at the earth beneath;

the heavens will vanish like smoke,

the earth will wear out like a garment

and its inhabitants die like flies.

But my salvation will last forever,

my righteousness will never fail"

Isaiah 51:6

3. We are God's people

Has it ever occurred to you that God, the creator of everything, chose you? This God who created EVERYTHING, calls us His people. Wow. 

"I who set the heavens in place, 

who laid the foundations of the earth,

and who say to Zion,

'You are my people'"

Isaiah 51:16b

kbye