Good evening lovely people! I would like to share some thoughts and expand on the Bible study I enjoyed while at the Youth Gathering. We studied the book of Philippians and I have to say I absolutely LOVE that book! Man so much great stuff packed in there!
I am going to focus on chapter 3 verses 8-9.
" Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith. "
In our world, having stuff is a big deal. The more stuff you have, the cooler you are. It's a fact and sadly it's normal. I deal with dis-contentedness ALL the time. I see what my friends and others have and I want it. I think I need more and more. We as Christians, though, need to count earthly things as loss because they will not last. They will not come with us to heaven as much as we want them to.
Our worth is not in what we own, but in Who owns us. We are Children of the Heavenly Father! Heirs to the Kingdom of heaven. God loves us so much that He sent His only Son to endure a horrific death so that we might be with Him in Heaven ( John 3:16) When we except His love and forgiveness we can boast in that. We are works of the Ultimate Creators hands. What other evidence do you need to prove that you have worth?
In this chapter Paul describes what he owns here on earth as rubbish...in Greek terms that means dung or poop. Wow, some language there! The point is He wanted to get HIS point across. Without Christ we are nothing. But the good news is, We DO have Christ!!! YAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! There is SO much joy in those words. I pray that, not only for me but for you who read this, realize this as you grow in your faith. That if we lost everything we ever owned, including our loved ones, we would still have joy and hope in the Lord and His promise of Salvation. Just think about Job and how the devil attacked every aspect of His life. He lost all of his riches, his family and even became deathly ill. But he STILL praised God. I pray that we can also do that too :)
To finish this off I want to point out verse 9. We do nothing to gain Christ. He has done it for us. We don't have to stress about how much good or bad we have done in life. Because if we did that, we would all go to hell. JESUS took care of the cost. Don't make his sacrifice seem like not enough by trying to get Salvation on your own. Rest in peace that it's taken care of. All you have to do is follow.
FYI a lot of these thoughts are from the leaders of the Bible Study. Though some are my own. Just a disclaimer.
Choose Joy this day!!
Mel~
Thursday, August 4, 2016
Wednesday, August 3, 2016
Unexpected Experiences
I have to apologize for not posting in about four months. Here I thought that during the summer I would be writing a post twice a week. But I back and I am excited to be sharing how The Lord has been working in my life this summer.
Typically I like to hang out at home and not really travel. This summer though the majority of July was spent away from the comforts of home. One of the places I went was New Orleans for the National Youth Gathering for Lutherans.
I was really excited to finally be a part of it! I was hoping to grow in my relationship with Christ and to be refreshed! Well The Lord had a different plan, as almost always. Instead of being uplifted, I was frustrated and annoyed. Instead of getting advice through the seminars that I could apply to my life, none of it seemed to really apply to my situation. I was so upset with how the week was going. I tried to put my motto of Choosing Joy to action and to hold my tongue when I could have said a lot of nasty things.
But now as a look back on what happened that week, The Lord really had a plan to teach me some things. He taught me how to hold my tongue and how to be a positive witness among those who were negative and whose actions were of the world. Through some of the mass events, Christ spoke directly to me and made me bawl of happiness and relief. Oh how I felt the loving arms of my Savior around me during those moments!
The fact is, we all know we all have flaws. It a part of the whole sin package. But The Lord knows we can't overcome those flaws on our own. We need his forgiveness and his grace and his love. Without those things we are dead to sin. I thank God for the unexpected experience I had on the trip. It has strengthened my faith more than I could have known!
Your sister in Christ, Mel
Typically I like to hang out at home and not really travel. This summer though the majority of July was spent away from the comforts of home. One of the places I went was New Orleans for the National Youth Gathering for Lutherans.
I was really excited to finally be a part of it! I was hoping to grow in my relationship with Christ and to be refreshed! Well The Lord had a different plan, as almost always. Instead of being uplifted, I was frustrated and annoyed. Instead of getting advice through the seminars that I could apply to my life, none of it seemed to really apply to my situation. I was so upset with how the week was going. I tried to put my motto of Choosing Joy to action and to hold my tongue when I could have said a lot of nasty things.
But now as a look back on what happened that week, The Lord really had a plan to teach me some things. He taught me how to hold my tongue and how to be a positive witness among those who were negative and whose actions were of the world. Through some of the mass events, Christ spoke directly to me and made me bawl of happiness and relief. Oh how I felt the loving arms of my Savior around me during those moments!
The fact is, we all know we all have flaws. It a part of the whole sin package. But The Lord knows we can't overcome those flaws on our own. We need his forgiveness and his grace and his love. Without those things we are dead to sin. I thank God for the unexpected experience I had on the trip. It has strengthened my faith more than I could have known!
Your sister in Christ, Mel
Thursday, May 5, 2016
A crazy bunch of things
So I have decided to kinda just let my thoughts out about life in this post. I was inspired by some Tumblr quotes. So here it goes.
I thought he was the one. The guy the Lord had picked out for me. I even prepared to give part of my heart to him. But I already had. Because when he stopped talking to me, my heart broke like we had actually been together. I asked God to intervene if he wasn't the one, but when I got the answer, I was mad. That's not what I wanted. Why can't I have that special someone in my life. I'm ready for it. Or am I? Maybe I wasn't and that's why I got the answer "no". What do I need to do to be ready? Is it my maturity? Is my faith too weak? Do I even need a guy? No, not really. I am fine and confident without one. He wasn't worth my time anyway. I deserve better. Yet I feel like there isn't any better than him. But I need to focus on other things. God will bring the right guy in the right time. I need to focus on school, friends and family. It's not like those thing make life any easier. I know I'm blessed beyond belief but sometimes I just can't handle life anymore. I just want it to freeze. Nothing to worry about. Just me and Jesus. In prayer and song. No homework to worry about. No social drama. No tears, no stress. God why can't you just give me a break, because that's what I think I will do: break. Give me strength and comfort. Protect my faith as I get older. Help me to rely on You in all of this. In the long run it means nothing. In time all these questions will be answered. People and stress will be forgotten. Homework will be done. And You, You will remain the same. You will never leave or forsake me, for I am Yours.
I thought he was the one. The guy the Lord had picked out for me. I even prepared to give part of my heart to him. But I already had. Because when he stopped talking to me, my heart broke like we had actually been together. I asked God to intervene if he wasn't the one, but when I got the answer, I was mad. That's not what I wanted. Why can't I have that special someone in my life. I'm ready for it. Or am I? Maybe I wasn't and that's why I got the answer "no". What do I need to do to be ready? Is it my maturity? Is my faith too weak? Do I even need a guy? No, not really. I am fine and confident without one. He wasn't worth my time anyway. I deserve better. Yet I feel like there isn't any better than him. But I need to focus on other things. God will bring the right guy in the right time. I need to focus on school, friends and family. It's not like those thing make life any easier. I know I'm blessed beyond belief but sometimes I just can't handle life anymore. I just want it to freeze. Nothing to worry about. Just me and Jesus. In prayer and song. No homework to worry about. No social drama. No tears, no stress. God why can't you just give me a break, because that's what I think I will do: break. Give me strength and comfort. Protect my faith as I get older. Help me to rely on You in all of this. In the long run it means nothing. In time all these questions will be answered. People and stress will be forgotten. Homework will be done. And You, You will remain the same. You will never leave or forsake me, for I am Yours.
Monday, April 11, 2016
Open Your Eyes
I want to start off with apologizing for not posting in such a long time. To be honest, I haven't had good ideas for a post. I am really excited for today's post though! Hope you enjoy it :)
I went on a mission trip to New Orleans last summer with my youth group. Our main mission was to open our eyes to the people around us. Even though Hurricane Katrina came over ten years ago, there is still a lot of hurt and damage in that city and that week we saw a lot of it. Some of the worst.
You would think that our mission would be to help and change others who were in need there. In a way it was, but I changed as a person that week.
I started off the week by just wanting to help. I looked down at the people we saw and worked for. I felt pity on them, yes, but I also felt superior to them. I thought I had it better and I never wanted to imagine being them for one minute.
I couldn't picture being without all of my nice things: having a safe place to lay my head at night, knowing that I would go to school the next day, be fed at least three times a day and to have more than enough clothes to wear.
The more we talked as a group, though, each night, the more each day I changed my outlook on the world. Instead of judging or feeling superior, I felt equal to them. We are ALL children of God. Sinners in need of a Savior.
The truth is, the people that I encountered each day were amazing people. They had so little, yet they were some of the richest in joy and contentment. By the time the week ended, I didn't want to leave. I didn't want to go back to a world were nothing was enough. Where everyone was self-centered and rude and discontented. Where negativity is the normal way to respond.
That week in New Orleans, Christ opened my eyes to the people around me; His people, people just like me. People just like you.
Have a great week! In His love,
Melody :)
I went on a mission trip to New Orleans last summer with my youth group. Our main mission was to open our eyes to the people around us. Even though Hurricane Katrina came over ten years ago, there is still a lot of hurt and damage in that city and that week we saw a lot of it. Some of the worst.
You would think that our mission would be to help and change others who were in need there. In a way it was, but I changed as a person that week.
I started off the week by just wanting to help. I looked down at the people we saw and worked for. I felt pity on them, yes, but I also felt superior to them. I thought I had it better and I never wanted to imagine being them for one minute.
I couldn't picture being without all of my nice things: having a safe place to lay my head at night, knowing that I would go to school the next day, be fed at least three times a day and to have more than enough clothes to wear.
The more we talked as a group, though, each night, the more each day I changed my outlook on the world. Instead of judging or feeling superior, I felt equal to them. We are ALL children of God. Sinners in need of a Savior.
The truth is, the people that I encountered each day were amazing people. They had so little, yet they were some of the richest in joy and contentment. By the time the week ended, I didn't want to leave. I didn't want to go back to a world were nothing was enough. Where everyone was self-centered and rude and discontented. Where negativity is the normal way to respond.
That week in New Orleans, Christ opened my eyes to the people around me; His people, people just like me. People just like you.
Have a great week! In His love,
Melody :)
Friday, March 25, 2016
It's over and done
Today is Good Friday. The day that Jesus was beaten, nailed on a cross and died as a crucified Savior. Today was the day when all of our sin was washed clean. Forgotten. Forgiven. Forever.
‘The Son of Man must be delivered over to the hands of sinners, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.’ ” Luke 24:7
This is what had to be done for our salvation. For the Son of Man to be lifted up and offered as a perfect sacrifice for many. His sacrifice was out of the love He had for us. The pain-for us, the blood-for us. This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. Matthew 26:28.
Our salvation has been paid for. There is nothing left for us to do except to take Jesus into our hearts as our Savior.
In His promise, we have the hope that just as He rose from the dead, so too will we along with our loved ones who have gone before us be raised.
We have the occurrence that on the Last Day we will be with Him in paradise.
Sorry this was a shorter post and that I haven't written in a while. I don't think this message really needs a lot of words. It's simple. Jesus loves you, He has a plan for you. Part of that plan was to die for you.
Blessings to you all this Holy week,
Melody :)
‘The Son of Man must be delivered over to the hands of sinners, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.’ ” Luke 24:7
This is what had to be done for our salvation. For the Son of Man to be lifted up and offered as a perfect sacrifice for many. His sacrifice was out of the love He had for us. The pain-for us, the blood-for us. This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. Matthew 26:28.
Our salvation has been paid for. There is nothing left for us to do except to take Jesus into our hearts as our Savior.
In His promise, we have the hope that just as He rose from the dead, so too will we along with our loved ones who have gone before us be raised.
We have the occurrence that on the Last Day we will be with Him in paradise.
Sorry this was a shorter post and that I haven't written in a while. I don't think this message really needs a lot of words. It's simple. Jesus loves you, He has a plan for you. Part of that plan was to die for you.
Blessings to you all this Holy week,
Melody :)
Thursday, March 10, 2016
The Power of Prayer
So it's been a little bit of a crazy and overwhelming week. It seemed to me that life was getting a little bit easier for me and I had been more happy and joyful then I had been in a long time. Then all of a sudden, the hard news started rushing in.
On Monday night my Aunt called crying. My cousins had found my Grandma lying on the floor. She had fallen the night before and couldn't get up. She is paralyzed on both sides. I was in shock and since we didn't know how bad it was ,we (my family) hoped that she wouldn't live through the night.
I couldn't picture being without my Grandma so soon. I didn't want her to leave yet, but I knew that if Jesus wanted her home, that's the way it had to be.
Being so scared for my Grandma's life, I did the only thing I could think to do and that was to call my best friend Bekah. I barley said anything and she told me she was on her way over. She ran in my room and hugged my hard. She didn't say much, but what she did say was the best thing " have you prayed yet?". She was right. I immediately started to pray and so did she. I could hear her whispering to not take me Grandma yet. Exactly what was in my mind. I know that God used Bekah for me that night.
I felt a peace after we prayed. I knew that Jesus heard me and He had me and my Grandma and my whole family in His arms. Everything was going to be alright.
Then on Tuesday I found out that a dear women in my life has cancer. Nothing can really be done and there is no telling how long she will live. I couldn't understand why God would allow all of this hurt and sad news to fall upon me in such a short amount of time. Then my mom told me the attitude of my friend. She was joyful and content. She knew the Lord would take care of her, even if that meant to take her to her eternal home.
I thought to myself that if she, the one with cancer could find joy, certainly I could. I prayed that I could trust God to give me peace through the rough stuff. He did.
Lastly, before Lenten worship last night I had one of my lows. I leaned over to my mom to tell her that I was about to cry and I didn't know why. I started balling in the church balcony. Church was about to start and the devil decided he didn't want me to worship my God. So my mom prayed over me. She prayed for peace and comfort to come on me, for me to find joy in worshiping my God. Again I felt peace. I wasn't all fine and dandy after the prayer, it took sometime to be OK again. But I knew the Lord was hovering over me and I was in the palm of His hand.
Prayer is such an amazing gift God has given to us all. We can talk to Him about anything at anytime. We can have a one-on-one conversation with him anytime we want. Go to God in happiness, sadness or stress. He wants to hear your voice and help you.
Your sister in Christ,
Melody :)
On Monday night my Aunt called crying. My cousins had found my Grandma lying on the floor. She had fallen the night before and couldn't get up. She is paralyzed on both sides. I was in shock and since we didn't know how bad it was ,we (my family) hoped that she wouldn't live through the night.
I couldn't picture being without my Grandma so soon. I didn't want her to leave yet, but I knew that if Jesus wanted her home, that's the way it had to be.
Being so scared for my Grandma's life, I did the only thing I could think to do and that was to call my best friend Bekah. I barley said anything and she told me she was on her way over. She ran in my room and hugged my hard. She didn't say much, but what she did say was the best thing " have you prayed yet?". She was right. I immediately started to pray and so did she. I could hear her whispering to not take me Grandma yet. Exactly what was in my mind. I know that God used Bekah for me that night.
I felt a peace after we prayed. I knew that Jesus heard me and He had me and my Grandma and my whole family in His arms. Everything was going to be alright.
Then on Tuesday I found out that a dear women in my life has cancer. Nothing can really be done and there is no telling how long she will live. I couldn't understand why God would allow all of this hurt and sad news to fall upon me in such a short amount of time. Then my mom told me the attitude of my friend. She was joyful and content. She knew the Lord would take care of her, even if that meant to take her to her eternal home.
I thought to myself that if she, the one with cancer could find joy, certainly I could. I prayed that I could trust God to give me peace through the rough stuff. He did.
Lastly, before Lenten worship last night I had one of my lows. I leaned over to my mom to tell her that I was about to cry and I didn't know why. I started balling in the church balcony. Church was about to start and the devil decided he didn't want me to worship my God. So my mom prayed over me. She prayed for peace and comfort to come on me, for me to find joy in worshiping my God. Again I felt peace. I wasn't all fine and dandy after the prayer, it took sometime to be OK again. But I knew the Lord was hovering over me and I was in the palm of His hand.
Prayer is such an amazing gift God has given to us all. We can talk to Him about anything at anytime. We can have a one-on-one conversation with him anytime we want. Go to God in happiness, sadness or stress. He wants to hear your voice and help you.
Your sister in Christ,
Melody :)
Thursday, March 3, 2016
Dating-It's Purpose
So it's a little ironic that I would be the one to write about the purpose of dating and how to date because I have never had a boyfriend or really gotten too close to having one.
I have had my fair share of crushes over the years and some were definitely more serious then others. But I have been taught valuable lessons from my parents and siblings as well as observing my friends who have been in and out of relationships.
Dating now a days is definitely very popular and it can distinguish what kind of person you are; if your popular, pretty, sporty, smart etc. Dating almost places you in certain levels on the social status. If you aren't dating someone, that can bring you down. You might think to yourself "What's wrong with me? Am I ugly? Do I need to work out more? ( that one is me for sure) Do I need to bump up my grades?". Tons of things come to mind when we do or don't have that significant other.
Sadly, one thing that rarely comes to mind when people are looking for a relationship is the purpose of that relationship: to find the person God has called you to be with, serve and serve with and love and to cherish for the rest of your life.
Dating has become a game to see if we can get the hottest, sportiest, smartest boyfriend or girlfriend in school. Or worse yet, who can we get in bed with the fastest. What fun is that??
Datings ultimate purpose is for finding that spouse that you will be with till the day you die (no pressure or anything). We should be discerning in who we choose to date. What are they like? Do they meet what is the most important to you. Moreover, are they a Christian??
It's hard to not say yes to anyone who wants to go out with us. But think about it; do you want fast, or forever? (shout out to the eHarmony commercial :) )
So make a list of what you want in a spouse, and don't settle for anything less!
Have a Great day! God's blessings :)
Melody
I have had my fair share of crushes over the years and some were definitely more serious then others. But I have been taught valuable lessons from my parents and siblings as well as observing my friends who have been in and out of relationships.
Dating now a days is definitely very popular and it can distinguish what kind of person you are; if your popular, pretty, sporty, smart etc. Dating almost places you in certain levels on the social status. If you aren't dating someone, that can bring you down. You might think to yourself "What's wrong with me? Am I ugly? Do I need to work out more? ( that one is me for sure) Do I need to bump up my grades?". Tons of things come to mind when we do or don't have that significant other.
Sadly, one thing that rarely comes to mind when people are looking for a relationship is the purpose of that relationship: to find the person God has called you to be with, serve and serve with and love and to cherish for the rest of your life.
Dating has become a game to see if we can get the hottest, sportiest, smartest boyfriend or girlfriend in school. Or worse yet, who can we get in bed with the fastest. What fun is that??
Datings ultimate purpose is for finding that spouse that you will be with till the day you die (no pressure or anything). We should be discerning in who we choose to date. What are they like? Do they meet what is the most important to you. Moreover, are they a Christian??
It's hard to not say yes to anyone who wants to go out with us. But think about it; do you want fast, or forever? (shout out to the eHarmony commercial :) )
So make a list of what you want in a spouse, and don't settle for anything less!
Have a Great day! God's blessings :)
Melody
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