Which are you?

The following is one of the newsletters I received from Open Doors International. The newsletter is entitled Standing Strong Through the Storm and can be subsribed to at biblegateway.com. It is very powerful and I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.


WHICH ARE YOU?

I can do all this through him who gives me strength. Philippians 4:13

A young woman went to her mother and told her how things were so hard for her. She did not know how she was going to make it and wanted to give up. She was tired of fighting and struggling. It seemed as one problem was solved a new one arose.

Her mother took her to the kitchen. She filled three pots with water. In the first, she placed carrots, in the second she placed eggs and the last she placed ground coffee beans. She let them sit and boil without saying a word. In about twenty minutes she turned off the burners. She fished the carrots out and placed them in a bowl. She pulled the eggs out and placed them in a bowl. Then she ladled the coffee out and placed it in a bowl.

Turning to her daughter, she asked, “Tell me what you see?” “Carrots, eggs, and coffee,” she replied.

She brought her closer and asked her to feel the carrots. She did and noted that they were soft. She then asked her to take an egg and break it. After pulling off the shell, she observed the hard-boiled egg. Finally, she asked her to sip the coffee. The daughter tasted its rich aroma.

The daughter then asked. “What does it mean, mother?”

Her mother explained that each of these objects had faced the same adversity—boiling water—but each reacted differently. The carrot went in strong, hard and unrelenting. After being subjected to the boiling water, it softened and became weak. The egg had been fragile. Its thin outer shell had protected its liquid interior. But, after sitting through the boiling water, its inside became hardened. The ground coffee beans were unique, however. After they were in the boiling water they had changed the water.

“Which are you?” she asked her daughter. “When adversity knocks on your door, how do you respond? Are you a carrot that seems strong, but with pain and adversity, do you wilt and become soft and lose your strength? Or are you an egg that starts with a malleable heart, but changes with the heat? Do you have a fluid spirit, but after a loved-one’s death, a relationship breakup, a financial hardship or some other trial, have you become hardened and stiff? Does your shell look the same, but on the inside you are bitter and tough with a stiff spirit and a hardened heart? Or are you like a coffee bean? The bean actually changes the hot water, the very circumstance that brings the pain. When the water gets hot, it releases the fragrance and flavor. If I am like the bean, when things are at their worst, I get better and change the situation around me through Christ-likeness.

When the hour is the darkest and trials are their greatest do you elevate to another level? How do you handle adversity?

RESPONSE: Christians are like carrots, eggs or coffee beans. They don’t know how strong their response is until they get into hot water. Which are you?

PRAYER: Lord, help me realize that every experience You gives me, every person You put in my path, is the perfect preparation only You can see.

Standing Strong Through The Storm (SSTS)
A daily devotional message by SSTS author Paul Estabrooks

© 2011 Open Doors International. Used by permission

Salvation

Salvation. Most of us have heard of John 3:16 which says, "For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only son so that whoever believes in Him shale not parish but have everlasting life". But some may be asking, what is salvation? How do I accept this message? How should I respond? All excellent questions. Here is a scenario to help break this down:

Three people flying on a plane are approached by a man who tells them this: "This plane is about to crash and everyone still on board will die. If you want to live, take this parachute and jump off the plane now."

The first person tells the man he is crazy and rejects the parachute. The second person takes the parachute but remains in their seat. The third person takes the parachute and immediately straps it on and jumps off the plane. Not long after this, all three of the plane's engines burn out. The plane crashes and everyone on board, including the first and second person, dies. The third person, however, lives. 

What can we learn from this scenario? Three things. First:

1) Salvation is a free gift.

The parachute represents salvation. Notice none of the three people were required to pay for the parachute; it was simply offered to them. Salvation is a free gift offered to us by God. We do not have to earn it or some how deserve it. It is a free gift of everlasting life offered to all. With this gift we are pardoned from our sin and rebellion against God and are given a new life in Jesus Christ. But like with all gifts, we are now faced with the following: a choice.

2) Salvation is a choice.

Those three people on that plane had a choice: to take the parachute or reject it. God offers this free gift of everlasting life to all. All are now faced with a choice: to accept or reject salvation. This is a very important choice; one that cannot be taken lightly. Acceptance leads to eternal life; but rejection leads to eternal death. Heaven and Hell are real destinations and where we will spend our eternity all starts with making a choice. The question is, will you accept or reject this free gift of salvation?

Someone may point out that although the second parson accepted the parachute, they still died. An excellent observation. This leads me to my third point.

3) Salvation requires a response.

While both the second and third parson accepted the parachute, only one responded the man's warning and jumped off the plane. The third person realized that they could not stay on the plane if they wanted to live. When we truly embrace salvation, we realize that we can no longer continue living the way we were: in sin and rebellion against God. For if we continue to live in sin after claiming to have accepted salvation, salvation has had no real impact on our life and we are still on the path to destruction. Salvation calls us to live a new life: a life in Jesus Christ. Second Corinthians 5:17 states "if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new." 

Salvation. It is a free gift. It is a free gift offered to all without us having to earn or deserve it. It is a choice. Will you accept or reject this free gift? It requires a response. When we truly embrace salvation, we will leave behind our old ways, for behold! We are a new creation! 

We fall down, we get up

Forgiveness. Sometimes it is hard to forgive others when they wrong us. But often times it is even harder for us to forgive ourselves when we sin. We can't see how God could possibly forgive us for our wrong doings. We feel that either we have sinned too much, done the same things over and over again, or have done something so big that God could not forgive us. The guilt, the shame, the blame hold us down like chains. Chains that have bound our hands and feet to the ground; paralyzing us. Paralyzing us in our mind, body, and soul.

Forgiveness. This is, however, far from the truth. God is more than willing to extend forgiveness to us when we sin. Though our sin may be great, God's grace is greater. Romans 5:20 says, "Moreover, the law entered that the offense might abound. But where sin abounded, grace abounded much more."

Forgiveness. If you have discovered this blog post and find yourself in a place where the weight of your sin has you bound, feeling hopeless, Jesus is inviting you into the throne room of grace. The price of admission is simply a broken spirit. For a broken and contrite heart will not be turned away (Psalms 51:17). Simply come before the Lord and begin to confess your sins. As you confess your sins, begin to meditate on the following scriptures, letting their truths wash over you:

"If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." 1 John 1:9

"As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us." Psalms 103:12

"For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their lawless deeds I will remember no more." Hebrew 8:12

Forgiveness. Imagine that Jesus is standing before you, speaking those words of scripture to you. As you feel the weight of your sins lifting off your shoulders begin to give praise and thanks to God. He is mighty and worthy of the praise! Thank you Jesus for your amazing love and forgiveness in spite of my sin!

Forgiveness. You are not alone in this struggle. This morning I begun to feel the burden and weight of my own sins. But as I began to pray, God, as he often does, will put a song in my spirit. When I began to listen to this song it lifted my spirit and reminded me that though I fall down, I can get back up again. The following is the song God gave to me. I pray that it would minister to you as it did to me and raise your spirit. You may have fallen, but you can get back up again!

My God is Awesome!

Music. Music inspires. Music can uplift. Music renews the soul. Music can strengthen and encourage. Music can bring peace and tranquility. Music can make tears of joy flow. Music.

I enjoy listening to music. I enjoy listening to music that comes from God with a message that speaks to me when I need it most. I enjoy listening to music that brings tears to my eyes and I cannot help but respond with gratitude in my heart for all that He has done for me.

I have a song I want to share with you. This song is called Awesome. It speaks of a God who is awesome. A God who can move mountains. A God who can keep you in the valley. A God who can protect you from the rain. A God who brings healing to the broken, and strength to those weakened. If you are weary from the burdens of life and are having a hard time pressing on, this song is for you. If you need healing for your broken heart, this song is for you. If it feels like you are going through the valley of the shadow of death, this song is for you. If you are on the mountain top and just want to give God a shout of praise for all that He has done for you, this song is for you.

Bellow is a video of Pastor Charles Jenkins & Fellowship Chicago performing the song Awesome. I hope and pray that this song will touch your heart and life like it has touched mine. That it will help strengthen and encourage you as you walk this road of life. That it will cause you to think about the goodness of God and all that He has done for you to the point that your soul cries out, hallelujah! Thank you Jesus! Glory to God! Hallelujah!

Change of seasons

Fall. A beautiful time of the year where the leaves change colors and paint the landscape with vibrant yellows, reds, and oranges. As I was driving down a hilly, narrow, country road on my way to Church yesterday morning, I thanked and praised God for this beauty that surrounded me. Truly God is an amazing architect. The beauty of His creation is just astounding. He is so worthy of praise and glory for the works His hands have wrought.  Thank you God for the beauty and wonder of your creation!

Fall. A busy time of the year as students head back to school, crops are harvested, and yard work needs to be done. But in the midst of all the busyness I would encourage you to take time out of your busy schedule and just enjoy the beauty of God's creation. Give Him the praise and thanks as you witness the transformation taking place around you. The change of seasons. What an amazing God we serve! All praise and thanks belong to and is due unto His name! 

Not Alone

When it rains it pours. It seems that whenever times are hard, things just start pilling up. If it's not one thing, it's another. Everything seems to come all at once. It seems that the cares and stresses of life start pilling up, becoming larger and larger; a boat anchor tied to the ankle, dragging down down down into to the depths.  All the worries and past failures, cares and stresses, all the things that need to get done... seems there is not enough time to do it all. Is there anyone out there? Anyone at all? Anyone who knows? Anyone who cares? Anyone who will listen? Listen to the cries of an aching heart? Listen and not judge?

To all those who feel this way. To all those who ask these questions. To all those who are struggling. To all those who feel as though they are caught in the storms of life, like a boat tossed about by the waves, wet and cold and trying to hold on. You are not alone. You are not alone in your struggles. You are not alone in the storm. There is someone who knows how you feel. There is someone who has been through what you have been through. There is someone who cares very much about you. Someone who knows sorrow and is familiar with suffering. Someone who can sympathize with every weakness. Someone who has experienced rejection, pain, loneliness, hurt to such an extent that is far beyond any human comprehension or understanding. That someone was beaten, flogged, and had his flesh ripped off to the point where his form was no longer recognizable. That someone had his hands and feet nailed   to the cruelest torture device known to man - the cross - where he bore the weight of the sins of the world on his shoulders - my sins and your sins. That someone was even forsaken by his own father; such a separation no human mind can fathom. That someone is Jesus Christ. And the most amazing part of it all? Jesus went through all of that because he so dearly loves you. Jesus went through all of that because he wants to have a relationship with you. Jesus went through all of that because he wants to enter your heart and soul, rearrange your life, renew your mind, and give you life more abundantly. I cannot even begin to describe how crazy, unfathomable, and amazing his love is for you. He is always there for you. Never will he leave you nor will he ever forsake you. Just call on the name of Jesus! Take him at his word! You are not alone.

Below are the lyrics to one of my favorite songs, Not Alone by Red. Whenever I feel alone or overwhelmed by everything going on in life,  these words come to mind. As you read these lyrics, picture Jesus standing before you, saying those very words to you.


"Not Alone"

Slowly fading away
You're lost and so afraid
Where is the hope in a world so cold
Looking for a distant light
Someone who could save a life
You're living in fear that no one will hear your cries
Can you save me now

I am with you
I will carry you through it all
I won't leave you I will catch you
When you feel like letting go
Cause your not, your not alone

Your heart is full of broken dreams
Just a fading memory
And everything's gone but the pain carries on
Lost in the rain again
When will it ever end
The arms of relief seem so out of reach
But I, I am here

I am with you
I will carry you through it all
I won't leave you I will catch you
When you feel like letting go
Cause your not, your not alone

And I'll be your hope when you feel like its over
And I will pick you up when your whole world shatters
And when you're finally in my arms
Look up and see love has a face

I am with you
I will carry you through it all
I won't leave you I will catch you
When you feel like letting go
Cause you're not, you're not alone

And I will be your hope
And I will pick you up
And I will be your hope
And I will be your hope

Slow fading away
Your lost and so afraid
Where is the hope in a world so cold

A little piece of heaven

Heaven. What comes to mind when you think about heaven? No more sorrow or pain? Streets paved with gold? Being dressed in a white robe, having wings and a little gold halo above your head, and singing in an angelic choir for all eternity? There is more to heaven then this. We will be in the presence of God. Let me say that again. We will be in the presence of God. Think about it. We will experience the fullness of all that is God for all eternity. The bible says that God is spirit, light, and love. We will experience the fullness of His spirit. The fullness of His light. The fullness of His love. We will be so filled with the Lord and His spirit, light, and love that we won't be able to help but clap our hands and shout hallelujah at the top of our lungs! We won't be able to help but worship and serve the Lord with the fullness of our being for all eternity! We won't be able to help but give praise to God! There won't be a single moment in heaven that we won't be filled with complete love, complete joy, and complete peace. All praise and glory be to God!

There will be no more sickness. No more illness. No more cancer. No more blindness. No more pain. For we will all have perfect bodies free from the sin and corruption of this present age. There will be no one in need in heaven. No more homeless people. No more struggling to make ends meet. No more living in projects. No more wondering where the next meal will come from.  For we will all be of one heart and mind, sharing everything and claiming nothing for our own. There will be no more sin. No more hate. No more lies. No more steeling. No more murder. No more pride. No more greed. No more lust. No more idolatry. For Satan will be conquered once and for all and all the wicked of this present age shale perish with him in the lake of fire for all eternity. God will be victorious! And all those who valiantly conquered and ran this race of life with perseverance keeping their eyes fixed on Christ who is seated at the right hand of the throne of God will receive a crown of life. Surely better is one day in the courts of God then a thousand else where. Surely one day spent in the courts of God in the life to come will make a thousand days of trials, sufferings, and persecutions in this life so worth it. All praise and glory be to God!

Here are the videos to a couple of songs that come to mind when I think about heaven. I hope you enjoy!

MercyMe: I can only imagine

Jeremy Camp: There will be a day