Yesterday I did not write a blog post. I was really upset about this at first, but then God gently reminded me that what He desires is a relationship, not rules. I have to be careful that I don't write this every day just to say that I'm writing it every day, but rather because I'm really listening to what God wants to teach me every day.
So anyway, I was coming back from a Swing dance on campus, and saw a friend of mine sitting by himself, looking rather forlorn. So I stopped and asked him if he was ok. He said he was ok, and I almost left it at that. Two months ago I know I would have done just that. But something told my spirit to stay and talk with him and pray with him. Several weeks ago I heard someone talking about an atheist friend of theirs, who said that one of their biggest issues with Christianity is that they don't act like they believe what they preach. "You say you'll pray for people, but then you never do! If prayer is so powerful, why don't you just pray for them right there??" So I asked him if I could pray for him, and I'm so glad I did. Gosh, lifting up and encouraging each other is so important!! Not just to the one who is suffering, but to both sides. We hung out until an ungodly late hour...but I'm so glad we did. One thing that he said to me really impacted me. He said, "Grades are important because we've been commanded to do everything with excellence (1 Corinthians 10:31), but when it really gets down to it, grades are not what matters. People matter." I'm starting to realize just how right he is...for someone who went into this semester thinking that she really wouldn't invest in anyone this semester because there was no point in doing so, since I'd be graduating in three months, that's really a very drastic change of opinion.
But anyway, I finally got to bed and then got up today and started my day. And man, how I've missed God. I didn't write yesterday because I didn't make time to spend with Him all day, and then today I was also really busy. So it's been like over 2 days since I've spent real, one-on-one time with Him. And I'm dying. God has given me a taste of Who He is, and now that I've tasted Him (Psalm 34:8), I don't want to go a day without Him. That's why God asks us to give him our firstfruits...which includes our time (Proverbs 3:9). He wants our best, and when we wait to give Him our offering until everything else has been handled, it will certainly not be our best and, like with me these past few days, it might not be given at all. Don't stiff God. It's not worth it. The only reason He asks for your best is so that He can give you HIS best! I'm pretty sure that's a trade that all of us would benefit from making.
So anyway, I was coming back from a Swing dance on campus, and saw a friend of mine sitting by himself, looking rather forlorn. So I stopped and asked him if he was ok. He said he was ok, and I almost left it at that. Two months ago I know I would have done just that. But something told my spirit to stay and talk with him and pray with him. Several weeks ago I heard someone talking about an atheist friend of theirs, who said that one of their biggest issues with Christianity is that they don't act like they believe what they preach. "You say you'll pray for people, but then you never do! If prayer is so powerful, why don't you just pray for them right there??" So I asked him if I could pray for him, and I'm so glad I did. Gosh, lifting up and encouraging each other is so important!! Not just to the one who is suffering, but to both sides. We hung out until an ungodly late hour...but I'm so glad we did. One thing that he said to me really impacted me. He said, "Grades are important because we've been commanded to do everything with excellence (1 Corinthians 10:31), but when it really gets down to it, grades are not what matters. People matter." I'm starting to realize just how right he is...for someone who went into this semester thinking that she really wouldn't invest in anyone this semester because there was no point in doing so, since I'd be graduating in three months, that's really a very drastic change of opinion.
But anyway, I finally got to bed and then got up today and started my day. And man, how I've missed God. I didn't write yesterday because I didn't make time to spend with Him all day, and then today I was also really busy. So it's been like over 2 days since I've spent real, one-on-one time with Him. And I'm dying. God has given me a taste of Who He is, and now that I've tasted Him (Psalm 34:8), I don't want to go a day without Him. That's why God asks us to give him our firstfruits...which includes our time (Proverbs 3:9). He wants our best, and when we wait to give Him our offering until everything else has been handled, it will certainly not be our best and, like with me these past few days, it might not be given at all. Don't stiff God. It's not worth it. The only reason He asks for your best is so that He can give you HIS best! I'm pretty sure that's a trade that all of us would benefit from making.
Psalm 63
1 You, God, are my God, earnestly I seek you;
I thirst for you, my whole being longs for you,
in a dry and parched land where there is no water.
I thirst for you, my whole being longs for you,
in a dry and parched land where there is no water.
2 I have seen you in the sanctuary and beheld your power and your glory.
3 Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you.
4 I will praise you as long as I live, and in your name I will lift up my hands.
5 I will be fully satisfied as with the richest of foods; with singing lips my mouth will praise you.
3 Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you.
4 I will praise you as long as I live, and in your name I will lift up my hands.
5 I will be fully satisfied as with the richest of foods; with singing lips my mouth will praise you.
6 On my bed I remember you; I think of you through the watches of the night.
7 Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings.
8 I cling to you; your right hand upholds me.
7 Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings.
8 I cling to you; your right hand upholds me.
9 Those who want to kill me will be destroyed; they will go down to the depths of the earth.
10 They will be given over to the sword and become food for jackals.
10 They will be given over to the sword and become food for jackals.
11 But the king will rejoice in God; all who swear by God will glory in him,
while the mouths of liars will be silenced.
while the mouths of liars will be silenced.
A very wise post that every Christian should consider.
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