Pay It Forward

I know that some people who post those "pay it forward" kind of things are just doing it to encourage others to do the same and give to those in need (if you've done this in not trying to step on your toes, I really want to encourage you to something greater). I've seen churches and prominent Christians post things about what they did to help someone. Sure, it gets a lot of likes and retweets and shares, and may even make you feel all warm and fuzzy on the inside. But that's just temporal stuff. What lasts is when the only person you share that good deed with, other than the one who received the blessing, is God. What if we did that? What if, instead of looking for some likes and shares and a viral Internet post to showcase our good deeds, we took those things before God. We would have the satisfaction of knowing that our all-knowing Father had seen what we'd done. Then, instead of having an Internet post that will spike in interest for a few minutes and be forgotten the next, we would also know that we would be rewarded in a more long term way. Again, maybe this is one of those things where we may not get rewarded this side of Heaven. But this is another way we can show our love to God - by being obedient to what He's asked of us. I'm learning a lot about that in my own personal study. Maybe I'll post more about obedience later. Like I said, I'm still learning. This was the verse of the day on the Youversion Bible App. It's a verse that has come to mind when I see the blogs and the Pinterest posts about paying it forward or posting your kind acts, etc. I don't want to make an act of kindness about me. I mean, shouldn't our kindnesses point to Christ anyway? Father, help me to give generously to those in need, without feeling the need to share (or overshare) on social media or elsewhere. Let me guard my speech, that it wouldn't be about me boasting about what I've done, but that I would boast only of You. Give me eyes to see that the reward from you should satisfy. In Jesus' name, Amen

A photo posted by Nora Whelan (@technoindigo) on Jan 3, 2015 at 9:03pm PST

Do Good and Don't Give Up

Whatever you're doing.  However you are serving others. Don't give up. Don't quit. Even if you are not given credit. Even if no one ever sees what you do. If no one ever hears of your deeds. Don't quit. Don't let pride steal away the blessing that is coming. Don't do it for the blessing. That's just the icing on the cake. But do good out of response to God. Because He loves us. Don't let the worldly desires of acknowledgment and accolades weary you if they don't come. Do good because you are a child of God. Do good because deep down in that new person that you are, you really want to. The flesh doesn't want to do good. It gets tired and lazy and selfish. But don't you know we all struggle with that tired, lazy, selfish flesh that just wants to stay comfortable? Doing good isn't always comfortable. Sometimes it's dirty, or too cold or hot, or stinky, or it keeps you up late. Sometimes doing good runs you face first into your fears that you have to trust to God while you strive to keep at it. But whatever you do, don't give up or get weary in doing good. There's a blessing coming. I don't know when, or where, or how (or if?) that might manifest this side of heaven... But a blessing is coming. Even if it's only our reward in heaven, isn't that enough? Isn't Christ enough of a reward to keep us motivated toward doing good? I'm convicted in my own spirit of these things as I write this. He should be enough for me. God, I thank you for the opportunities You have given me to do what is good. Help me to stay strong in the doing, and focus on You. I praise You for your abundant grace, that You do bless your people this side of heaven. But let whatever blessings you have for me on this earth not be my focus or my goal. Lord, help me live to please Your Spirit and do Your will. In Jesus' name, Amen.

A photo posted by Nora Whelan (@technoindigo) on Jan 2, 2015 at 4:52pm PST

New Year's Eve

God knows what's going to go on in our lives, when we don't. Especially when we don't. We try to plan. We try to do things our own way. But God knows what's going to happen. His will isn't for our harm. If we find ourselves in captivity - captivity to sin, living in the wilderness, in a dry season - we need to pray. And we need to truly seek His face. God promises that when we seek Him we will find Him. Let's seek His face this year. Let's look for Him, whether we are rejoicing or whether we are facing isolation and captivity through some circumstance from without or from within. Whatever we find ourselves, we should pray. We should seek His face. We should draw closer to Him, de we can find Him, and share in the blessings He longs to pour out to us. #NYE

A photo posted by Nora Whelan (@technoindigo) on Dec 31, 2014 at 7:40pm PST

Set Apart

Romans 12:2 (ESV)

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

John 17:15-18 (ESV)

I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one. They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth. As you sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world.
  

2 Corinthians 7:1 (ESV)

Since we have these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body and spirit, bringing holiness to completion in the fear of God.

1 Peter 5:8 (ESV)

Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.

Colossians 3:1 (ESV)

If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.

John 15:19 (ESV)

If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.


Just a few of the verses about being set apart.


So called Christians keep acting like the world.

I want to live set apart.

For those under pressure

Reading 2 Corinthians one day, it dawned on me that some of the first few verses of the passage are very powerful in how they say that what you go through is for the glory of God. In my NIV Study Bible, it notes that Paul is probably speaking here in the third person about himself, for literary effect, and not speaking of an actual group of people unless the context indicates such. So I wrote down the passage in first person, as if Paul were speaking of himself here. Look at what he is saying to this congregation:

We were talking tonight during Bible study about how people see things happening to people and they can't understand why. Our pastor mentioned a story someone online told about a car wreck they had seen, and the 4 believers who had been in a car that wrecked and rolled, and then caught fire, had seen a spiritual being pull them from the wreckage. The person online had asked why the wreck had happened in the first place. The primary answer we all thought of was that God would get the glory. I can think of many other situations in which this passage would be applicable. If someone has been in a life threatening situation, dealing with disease, battling depression or suicidal thoughts, facing financial strain or other stresses so great that you don't know what to do... any time something happens that brings you to despair that you cannot handle, or puts you in fear for your life, and you come through that, God should be given the glory. He has brought us through those things so that we would rely on Him. Whatever He has brought you through. Whatever He is bringing you through. He is with you.

~ ~ ~

Below I've included the video "Just Keep Breathing" by We The Kings. Although the group is not a Christian band, this song has a very Christian spiritual theme to it (at least in how I'm looking at it, God can speak so much through music that's not "Christian" music). I follow the CTFxC on YouTube, which is the bassist for the band, Charles Trippy's channel for his daily vlogs. I know that the language and lifestyle of the members is far more secular than Christian. But I think they realize that there's something more. Recently they have been thanking their fans for their thoughts and prayers due to Charles having some seizures recently, after celebrating one year since his first. So they have at least given some credit there. However, there is so much in this song. It's an encouragement that you're not alone. Let go of the things that are too much for you. I'd like to follow that up with "Give it to God". Let it go and give it to God. Don't try to hold on to it. As Professor Scott Johnson of Bethel College used to say, "Inhale grace. Exhale gratitude." God will give you the grace to get through whatever it is pressing down on you. Give Him praise that He has, or is, delivering you.

Perplexed

So many things on my mind that I could write about right now.

Today was our last big work day at the new church building to get it ready for Resurrection Sunday... which is tomorrow. It was hard, but we did it, Praise God! Kind of thankful we're not having Bible Study in the morning, because we will be focusing on the main service. We had a test-run tonight, to get the kinks worked out of the sound system and such. Two people were baptized, and we had food and fireworks afterward.

For some reason it feels like it's been a long time since I've been with my church family. It's only been since Sunday. But worshiping with them tonight was much needed. My heart has been longing to sing out in worship. Probably because this week has been one that has had me perplexed. The last couple of months or so have been super stressful all around, but this week was just... different.

I thought it was interesting, when I read the passage from 2 Corinthians 4:8-9 that this is where the song "I'm Trading My Sorrows" gets its lyrics. The leave out the part about being perplexed, but not in despair. Of course it didn't rhyme with the rest of the lines/rhythm of the song (though if they tried hard, I'm sure it *could* have worked!) But it is such a powerful line. If we are perplexed - We don't know what to do. But we are not in despair over it, which would be the normal response to not knowing what to do about something. Because isn't that what we do when we don't know what to do? We fret, we worry, we let our thoughts run rampant and they kind of take over. But as Christians, we don't have to be that way. We can be perplexed. However, we don't have to fret, or worry, or over-think things to the point we want to pull our hair out and scream.

So if you are hard pressed, perplexed, persecuted, struck down, or all of the above; take courage, because in Christ you are not crushed, you're not to despair, you're not abandoned, and you are not destroyed.

I know this is the last thing the enemy wants you to hear, much less think and believe. But maybe you just have to believe this to get through whatever it is you may be going through. Maybe this is a choice you have to make. Maybe it is a new attitude that the Holy Spirit has given you. Maybe you're just having a bad day and you need some encouragement. Be encouraged. Life doesn't have to be like it's always been.

It's been a while

It's been a while since I've posted. Not that I haven't had things to post about. I have been sidetracked by work, being sick with a sinus infection, and trying to help out with the new church building as much as possible.

I have a new craft project I'll be working on as soon as I can get my supplies. It will involve carving basswood. I am so excited for this!

So much other stuff I would like to post right now, but I have to get going. I might make a post through the week if I have time. This is all I have for not.