The New Year

Unlike most, I do not hope for a "happy" New Year, but a challenging one. I think Americans, generally speaking, are happy enough. I started a book yesterday, and it only opened my eyes that we, if I may speak for many, are very comfortable in our present lives. We don't have to think much about it. We are encouraged to be comfortable. I think it's time to get out of this filthy realm and ignite what God really has in mind.

I realize that just saying this is not going to do anything really. But I have been thinking about how we, Christians, are going to make a difference if we don't speak up. Wearing W.W.J.D bracelets or T-shirts isn't going to do much if our lives aren't matching what we stand for. After all, we are ambassadors of Christ. We must try to represent him as best as we can. We can't just sit here and expect people to question us if we don't get out there and give them something to question.

My New Year Resolution: I want to thirst so much for God until it hurts. I want to see what he has in store and be willing to do that and beyond what he asks without question. I want Christians to be distinguished and different from non-believers and even lukewarm Christians. I want people who have zeal and are completely RADICAL. Out of their minds for Christ. I want to be that. I want there to be a death in me, and a new reviving of Christ in my life. I want to shed that unnecessary skin and be clothed anew. I want Christians to fall in love more and more everyday with Christ. To know Him, and grow. I want to touch people all over and share with them. I want God's people to unite and start a revolution.

A Revolution. 2011.

Relax, Take it Easy

It is really easy to get caught up in the stress and freak outs of final week. I was beginning to feel a little overwhelmed because I have so much stuff to do before the semester is over, but then I remembered that everything I am doing is for God. Everything. I also started thinking that he has everything in control. I don't have to worry about anything. Everything will happen how he planned it. Plus, what does worry really do? Does it help? Does it make anything better? I think not.

So therefore, the best thing to do is relax, take time and breath, and meditate on the thought that God has everything in control. Leave all your worries and anxiety on him. He's got your back. He can help so much better than we can worry.

Just remember these words: Relax, take it easy. For there is nothing that we can do WITHOUT CHRIST! Everything you do for him is never wasted, but selfish ambition, or performing for human satisfaction will be wasted if you aren't doing it for Christ. We can do anything with him.

Delight yourself in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart. Psalm 37: 4

We Are From the Lowliest of All Things- Dust

I was reading my daily devotions, and the topic was titled "Uncommonly Unique." I thought...hmm..this should be interesting..

So I go on reading and it discusses how we are no coincidence, accident, or anything, other than "fearfully and wonderfully made." This quote coming from Psalm 139, probably my favorite of them all. I think it is completely breath-taking that humans, coming from dust, are still fearfully and wonderfully made. We come from DUST! We could have been made from anything, but God chose dust.

I looked up the different translations for "fearfully and wonderfully made" and came across a few others including: "strangely and delicately formed," "amazingly and miraculously made," and "wonderfully complex." So my thought then is this: coming from dust, why weren't we made the lowliest of the creatures. I mean, we could've been made from anything higher really. But we come from dust, and he chose to make us his workmanship, his masterpiece. Does this not amaze you? He could've kept us the lowliest positions, but instead we were made to rule over all the creatures.

Do you know what dust is made from? It can range from dead skin cells, corpses of dust mites, concrete, and stone dust. We come from dead things, and were breathed into, and then given life! How incredible!

Do you want to know the irony in that? Every creature besides us, his masterpieces, choose to obey everything he says to do. We were the only ones given free will, and yet we choose to abuse it. His workmanship can't even obey what he has asked.

The creation rejecting the Creator.

We come from dust, and yet somehow God treasures us in a way that I cannot even fathom! And it breaks my heart, I mean it really tears me up inside, to think that we put a limit to ourselves. God made us for him. It is awesome that he would want to use someone like me! Someone coming from dead skin and dead dust mites...Wow.

He doesn't care what we think of ourselves because he knows every thought, action, motive, every detail about us and knows us completely. And still, he loves us and wants to use us for his will.

There really is no one like you, LORD.

He is set apart [HOLY]

One of the most greatest things I can ever be thankful for is the gift of having a holy father who loves me and chooses to love me despite who I am.
Do you ever think about what if God wasn't special? What if he was like every other (false) god? What would make him worthwhile? Well..the good news is that he isn't like every other (false) god. He is alive, and has been forever.
Even better than him even existing is the fact that he knows us completely. Into the deepest corners of our hearts, he knows. Every thought, every motivation. And yet, he chooses us. He loves us, and chooses us to work for him. We are completely undeserving of this spectacular gift.
Why on earth would he ever choose me? I wouldn't choose me. And yet, he does. Even though I know how despicable I am, and how pathetic, he know, and STILL CHOOSES to use me.
It's entirely amazing.

Not only this, but he gives us sooooo many blessings that I lose count of, and take for granted --extremely. I just don't get it. I can't believe how awesome he is.
How incredible! Would you not agree?

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone.

My Renovation

I don't blame God for wanting to spit me out. It disgusts me how lukewarm I am sometimes. I'm reading a book called Crazy Love, by Francis Chan. It's a great book.  I mean, I care more about the creations of this world and choose to worship them instead of the Creator itself!! See the problem here? I often compare myself to others and only give part of my time with Him, when he wants it alllll. All the time! Why do I fear telling people about how amazing He is? I care more about actions and performing instead of what is going on internally.

Many people would use the term of heart surgery, but I heard someone recently call it suicide. We must every day be killing our old selves and being born into the new one. Searching ourselves, and doing what is pleasing to God. Crucify every unholy thought and just do a complete renovation of your heart and mind.

Easier said than done, huh? It's not easy, but I think that's the point. For me, it is my nature to want to control every single thing that happens. And when it doesn't go my way, I try to calculate why that is. God didn't want us to control everything. What would be the purpose of that? He wants us to need him. We do need him, more desperately than we know (or may possibly ever comprehend).

I don't even know if any of this is making sense, because I'm just rambling thoughts. I hope someone can relate. I just feel so completely undeserving. I want that relationship. And the good news is is that it's there for the taking! You can get it anytime! What a blessing.

I'm so thankful we have a relentless, and unconditionally loving God.

Making A Reservation

I was thinking the other day about how I get frustrated when I feel I have to make a reservation to see my friends. Why should I say hey can we hang out next week? Or can I have a girl's night? And then it hit me, I wonder if God thinks the same thing. "Hey Miriah, can I spend some time with you today?" Why should I do this to a God that loves me so much? I mean this God literally spoke and the world was created. Why would I not want to spend time with him?! He sees the depths of who I am, loves me still, and I choose to "set aside" time for him? Why does he only get my left over time? "Oh, well 30 minutes is enough.." No. God deserves all of me, all the time. Yes, it is good to read your bible every day, but we should be constantly with him, talking to him.

Just think..
What if God gave each of us a plant that symbolized our spiritual growth. Would yours be growing? Dead? Not even planted yet? Everyday we should be falling more and more in love with him. This God loves harder than we can even imagine.

Proverbs 23 says, "O my son, give me your heart. May your eyes delight in following my ways."

Do we really delight, enjoy, get excited, enthused about seeing, hearing, talking with, and being near God?