6.19.2013

Random, but Sincere Thoughts

My mind has been overwhelmed with many different thoughts within the last week and I've wanted to blog to let it all out there....but I couldn't find the words until now. I've wanted to talk about forgiveness, being broken, being strong in the faith, the evil one and so much more.

Tonight, I was supposed to go to church with a friend. We had plans on meeting at 6:50 in the church parking lot and going together and getting dinner after. About 10 minutes before, all our plans changed. She got held up at work and wasn't feeling well. Not her fault, but unfortunately life happens sometimes. So, this left me at a cross-road. Do I go without her (into a church I've never been in) or do I go home? Because I am weak, I went home. You see, if I would have been in Ryan and going to my home church alone it wouldn't be a big deal - I know everyone there and it doesn't faze me. But because I'm such an introvert and my anxiety levels shot through the roof when I thought about going in alone, I chose the cowardly way. Needless to say, I am so very frustrated with myself. I know my mom would be the first to argue that I wasn't going alone - I had Jesus by my side and I completely agree with her. However, it's still scary.

Which brings me to my next point - am I really that broken that I can't fully rely on God to be by my side and not rely on others to make it easier? That scares me. I want my God to be my all in all. Don't get my wrong - He is. But I don't want to have to worry about going alone. I should be stronger in my faith than that.

Should I not be remembering, Philippians 4:13? Not that going to church is hard at all - but going alone I should keep in mind Philippians 4:13.

But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.  -- 2 Cor. 12:9-10
 
We are made strong by God's power. His power is made perfect in our weakness.
 
What do you think? Comments? Questions?
 
Keep the Faith,
Cherish
 

6.05.2013

Re-discovering the Word.

Do you ever have that "aha" moment when a scripture finally clicks in your head. Either someone explains it to you very well or you've read it enough times that it's finally had time to reveal itself to you? I did on Sunday. Sunday morning the preacher spoke on 1 Corinthians 9:19-24. It says:


19 For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a slave to all, so that I may win more. 20 To the Jews I became as a Jew, so that I might win Jews; to those who are under the Law, as under the Law though not being myself under the Law, so that I might win those who are under the Law; 21 to those who are without law, as without law, though not being without the law of God but under the law of Christ, so that I might win those who are without law. 22 To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak; I have become all things to all men, so that I may by all means save some. 23 I do all things for the sake of the gospel, so that I may become a fellow partaker of it. 24 Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win.

I highlighted the verses that really get me. 

In this passage, he's saying he made himself a SLAVE to those who didn't know Christ. He did this to show the love of Christ and to lead more people to the gospel. He was with the Jews, so he became a Jew. He made himself weak for the weak. He put himself in someone else's shoes to be like them and "understand their side of things". He did this to lead more to Christ. He didn't frown on these people nor turn away. He took his faith a step further and made himself like those he was trying to save. He became all things to men to save them. What a great example of the love of Christ and how to be a true leader and follower. 

What are your thoughts? 

Keep the faith, 
Cherish

1.15.2013

Got Patience?

I am not sure about you, but for me patience is something I struggle with t r e m e n d o u s l y. Friends and family members are always telling me "Be patient Cherish, have faith!" or something to that extent. Sooo, I got to thinking...what does having a lack of patience really mean? Who does that make me as a person? When you lack patience, you start to get doubts in your mind because of over-thinking things. When you start doubting, your trust shrinks in the person you're being patient for (or at least I think so). In many situations, my impatience leads to doubting and not trusting the one "person" who I need to trust the most, God. What kind of Christian does that make me? Yes, I realize I'm human and I'm going to sin -  I can't get away from that no matter how hard I try..but I should NEVER lose trust in God. Typically, when I'm being impatient about something I pray about it almost constantly. Almost to the point where it's obsessive. Usually, it gives me peace of mind knowing God is hearing my prayers and He's working at it -but at HIS speed. Sometimes it takes a little more than prayer - it takes scripture to remind me that God works for the good of those that love Him (Romans 8:28). I went ahead and looked up a few more to remind me tonight and this are a few of my favorites for the particular thing I'm being impatient about right now.

"Be still before God and wait patiently for Him...." Psalm 37:7a
"I waited patiently for the Lord; He turned to me and heard my cry." Psalm 40:1
"Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer." Romans 12:12


These verses give me comfort in knowing that GOD HAS THIS! He knows what He's doing and He hears my every thought even if it's not a prayer to Him. He knows me BETTER than I know myself so why do I lose that trust sometimes when it comes patience. Silly me.