Future and Hope

Many times, when we look at ourselves, we don't see what we can become. But when God looks at us, He sees what we can become by His grace. I often only see what I am currently, and it's usually a pretty negative perception of myself.

When Jesus first saw Simon, whose name in Greek means "reed", He changed his name to "Peter", which means "rock". But did Peter instantly become someone with the characteristics of a rock - solid, stable and unshakable? No, for a long time, he continued to act like a reed that bends every which way the wind blows.

Once, when Peter saw Jesus walking on water, he took a bold step of faith and said, "Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water." Then, as he was walking on the water, he saw the boisterous wind, got scared and when he began to sink, cried out, "Lord, save me!" (Matthew 14:28-30) Another time, he said, "Lord, I am ready to go with You, both to prison and to death." (Luke 22:33) Then, a few hours later, he denied knowing Jesus not once, but three times. (Luke 22:54-62)

Yet, throughout his reed-like behavior, Jesus kept calling him "rock" until one day, how Jesus saw him began to take root in him. That day, on the Day of Pentecost, Peter stood up to preach and 3,000 people were saved! (Acts 2:41) Peter had indeed become a rock, a pillar in the early church.

That was how Jesus transformed Peter. And that is how God wants us to change the people and situations in our lives.

God did not tell us to call those things which exist as they exist. What is the point of stating the obvious? It is not going to change anything. No, God tells us to call those things which do not exist as though they did, and they will! (Pastor Joseph Prince) Look at Abraham's story...


That is what the Scriptures mean when God told him, “I have made you the father of many nations.” This happened because Abraham believed in the God who brings the dead back to life and who creates new things out of nothing. (Romans 4:17 NLT)

Abram was given the name Abraham by God. Abraham means "the father of many nations," but Abraham wasn't a father. Therefore, he was mocked and rejected by others because his name didn't tell of his current state; it told of his future. Though others may not have seen it, it didn't seem to discourage him enough to not obey God. So when God tells us what He believes about us, don't let others discourage you enough to turn from God and to not believe His plans for your life.

For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord . “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. (Jeremiah 29:11 NLT)

How Will You Be Remembered?

I was reading Pastor Perry Noble's blog today, and I wanted to share a question that shook me. He was talking about all the political division and drama going on in our country right now. Our two presidential candidates think they will be elected/reelected by how much they slander the other person. No wonder America is so divided! In this post, he had a question that made me stop and think - not about any presidential candidates, but about all of our lives.

"Will history remember you because of what you were against or what you stood for?"

I read this and thought, "Wow. How many times have I been more focused on what I've been against rather than what I stood for?" That's not at all how any of us should live.

I serve a God who says, "If I'm for you, then who can stand against you? (Romans 8:31)" And since that's our God, why should I even focus on what I'm against? God will take care of all of that as long as I focus on what I'm for. So much peace comes with this. When I stop focusing on all that I am against, God's peace will overwhelm over me.

During this busy season of life and all this political drama, I'm going to focus on who I stand for, and it's not any political candidate.

Settled

It took about 2 years, but now we feel settled here in Washington. We rented two homes before buying this one, so we're happy to not have to move every year (or less)! We both have great jobs that we love, and we bought a house about a month ago. We wish we were closer to our family and friends, but we do love it here! God has truly blessed us for our obedience in moving here.

People have been asking to see photos, so here they are. It's not completely put together, but you won't judge me, right?

Master Bathroom

Master Bedroom

Bedroom #2

Bedroom #3 - Empty room that needs to be painted. I mean, I love the blue ceilings, walls, and drapes.

Hall Bathroom

Laundry Room

Basement Living Space

Kitchen 

Dining Room

Backyard where fire-pit will be

Sport Court

Backyard with Fort 

Living Room

Living Room from another viewpoint

Office - Don't mind all the stuff everywhere. It's all my school stuff.

Foyer in entryway with the greeters

I never thought I would like the layout of a tri-level home, but it really has an open feel that we love! Come visit us! We have extra room. :)

Good Friday

Many of us treat Good Friday as we would any other day. We get so busy that we forget the importance of this day. What's worse is that many of us live our whole lives in the same way. We go about our daily lives forgetting the importance of each and every day. The Word tells us that each day we're given is a gift from above. What if we really lived with that in mind?

We all know what happened on Good Friday. Jesus was crucified and died for our sins so we can live eternally with Him. Often, we hear that and treat it as if someone just said, "Vegetables are good for you." We know the truth and have heard it so much, we grow numb to it.

Think back to what it was like for the disciples or Jesus' close friends and family on Good Friday. Think about the hopelessness and despair they were feeling between Friday through Sunday morning. Their reason for living, their hope died that dark day. Then on Sunday morning, some friends and Jesus' mother went to the tomb to mourn the death of their friend and son. But the tomb was empty, and Jesus was alive! Their sadness and mourning quickly turned to joy and gladness when they found out that Jesus had risen from the dead. I know from that moment on, they had hope again.

So many people live their whole lives as if the only time they were alive was between Good Friday and Easter Sunday (before finding out Jesus rose from the dead). But we don't have to live in hopelessness and despair because...

"God decided in advance to adopt us into His own family by bringing us to Himself through Jesus Christ. This is what He wanted to do, and it gave Him great pleasure. So we praise God for the glorious grace He has poured out on us who belong to His dear Son. He is so rich in kindness and grace that He purchased our freedom with the blood of His son and forgave our sins." (Ephesians 1:5-7)

We are free! God chose us, despite our shortcomings and issues. He chose to sent Jesus to die a horrible death so we can live in freedom! We don't have to focus on all our problems. God can take away fear, rejection, hopelessness, worry, depression, etc. So let's live out our lives with grateful hearts to a God who gave it all for us! We have no reason to live in darkness anymore, for Jesus came to give us light. Have a Good Friday and a Happy Easter!