Not really a post of things I have written, but a list of verses that have been ringing in my head (and heart)..And also a quote from a book by John Piper, a man that God uses to excite me about the gospel.
I feel like God's sovereignty has been a theme lately that the Holy Spirit has been speaking to me about. I often feel so out of control, wonder at what I must do or what must happen for what I consider ideal..Then God steps in and reminds me that I am His tool--my service is for HIS plans that HE is initiating..He allows me to play a part, YES, buut I take a part in a work He is already doing--I don't really start something new for Him. Futhermore, He has been reminding me that He is the One who provides my every need (this is a broad concept--by need I mean all the "roles" that I feel need to be filled, all the things I feel must happen for me to live "happily ever after" of sorts). Of course I already have "known" of His being my provider in the general sense, but through walking with Him and growing up with Jesus, He begins to show me what that looks like in new ways. It's so simple when you're a child.
Growing up with Jesus is sweet, though, because you begin to see and witness the truth of His promises in fresh, deeper and more personal ways. As I once heard a pastor describe it, it's like how we believe in gravity--we all know it exists because we've been taught about it and have experienced it on a basic level. But we would believe it in a whole new way if we jumped from a skyscraper--then we would know it at a much deeper level. This is what it is like to grow in our faith..
..And now I leave you with what I originally planned to share before I started rambling:
[5] The LORD descended in the cloud and stood with him there, and proclaimed the name of the LORD. [6] The LORD passed before him and proclaimed, “The LORD, the LORD, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness, [7] keeping steadfast love for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, but who will by no means clear the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children and the children's children, to the third and the fourth generation.” [8] And Moses quickly bowed his head toward the earth and worshiped.
(Exodus 34:5-8 ESV)
[10] “Be still, and know that I am God.
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth!”
(Psalm 46:10 ESV)
(*Note: God is going to make His Name and Ways known. Yes, we seek to glorify Him, but ultimately He is the One who reveals Himself.)
[9] The heart of man plans his way,
but the LORD establishes his steps.
(Proverbs 16:9 ESV)
(*Note: God is the One who leads us, who brings us into places where He asks us to serve Him.)
When we celebrate the gospel of Christ and the love of God, and when we lift up the gift of salvation, let us do it in such a way that people will see through it to God Himself..May they say, 'Christ is all!' Or, to use the words of the psalmist, 'May those who love your salvation say evermore, 'God is great!'" (Psalm 70:4). Not mainly, "Salvation is great," but "God is great!"
--From John Piper's God is the Gospel, discussing how the point of the gospel is intimacy with our God Himself. Let us not forget that salvation is not about gaining heaven (although that does come along with faith in Jesus), but gaining God Himself!
