Psalm 143:8

"Let me hear in the morning of your steadfast love, for in you I trust. 

Make me know the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul."

 ~ Psalm 143:8

Christ's Righteousness: A New Coat of Paint

Today I came home from work with my skin speckled with red dust. My face, arms, and calves were tan, my face was coated in sweat, and my hair was frizzy and plastered around my head. When I walked inside, my siblings gave a little gasp, exclaiming that I looked pretty funny. I agreed with them!

I have been working on used playground equipment that was donated for the kids at my workplace. The red paint is chipped and peeled. Today’s task was sanding off the red paint to get down to the original metal so that we can put on a fresh coat of paint. It is hard, dirty, hot, work, but it's satisfying to see the metal coming through the paint.

Yesterday - while doing the same task - I tried to think of an analogy between sanding old paint off of a playground and our spiritual lives. Silly as that may sound, I ended up learning something wonderful when God opened my eyes to see.

Before we trust in Christ alone for our salvation, we’re dirty sinners, with paint peeling all over the place. When God reaches into our lives, draws us to Himself, and we believe on Him in faith, something amazing happens. Our dirty paint is removed and a new coat of fresh, beautiful paint is put on.

"To put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness." ~ Ephesians 4:22-24

Am I talking about paint? No. I'm talking about “righteousness”. Apart from Christ, we are dirty, disgusting sinners. We can do nothing good on our own. Romans 3:23 tells us that "all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." 

When Christ is our Lord and Savior, we have His righteousness put upon us. Instead of the old, dirty, peeling rags of our sin, we have the new, clean, beautiful righteousness of Christ put upon us. When God looks at us, He sees Jesus.

It was difficult for me to sand off the old paint, but it was so much harder for Jesus to die on the cross – both physically (because of the crucifixion) and spiritually (because He bore the wrath of God). His death and resurrection atoned for our sins and gave us new life. Jesus did the dirty work so that we could be covered in His righteousness.

"For our sake He made Him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in Him 

we might become the righteousness of God." ~ 2 Corinthians 5:21

As we repent of our sin and walk in Christ, we can rest in the joy of being in His righteousness – not our own. We have been given such a gift in belonging to God and being clothed with Christ.

"And be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, 

but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith."

~ Philippians 3:9 

If you believe on Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, you have been made a new creation and are called to walk in the light of life, covered in the righteousness of our amazing God. Isn’t it wonderful, my friends?!?!

Love in our amazing Lord,

Christina

P.S. If you have never believed on Jesus Christ alone as your Lord and Savior, feel free to email me or talk to a family member or friend who is a Christian. If God is drawing your heart to Him, answer His call! It is an amazing journey of faith to walk with God! 

Soli Deo Gloria - To God Alone Be the Glory!

Psalm 139:23-24

"Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: 

And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting." 

~ Psalm 139:23-24

Sleep in Peace

Have you ever laid in bed at night, unable to sleep because there is so much on your mind? It’s been like that for me recently. I crawl under the covers, tired from a long day and ready for sleep, but my mind is as active as ever. Worry creeps in as I wonder what my Fall schedule will look like and how busy I’ll be. Will I have time for everything I want to do? What if I wear myself down?

Yesterday as I was looking over my schedule (since I started my college classes for the semester), I learned that this Fall isn’t going to be as busy as I expected. The weeks when I thought I would have too much going on, I found that those were the weeks when a certain activity stopped. I was amazed. And I've been sleeping better. 

As I think about how prone I am to worry and stress about the future (even the very near future), Jesus’ words come to mind:

“Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself.

Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.” ~ Matthew 6:34

 I like that. We don’t know what’s ahead, but God does. He calls us to trust Him. In context, Jesus is teaching the people not to be anxious about their food or clothing, for He will provide. God is the provider and He is in control of our lives, so we can trust Him and not be anxious.

Whatever perplexities we are facing, we can remember that God is in control. He is at work. He is doing all things well and working all things together for good in our lives. Even if we can’t see around the “bend in the road”, we can walk by faith.

“For we walk by faith, not by sight.” ~ 2 Corinthians 5:7

In the book Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery, the heroine (who is one my favorite storybook characters), red-headed, imaginative Anne Shirley was planning to study at Redmond (a college). But she realizes the need to stay home with Marilla Cuthburt, the woman who adopted her and raised her, whose eyes are failing. When she tells Marilla about her decision she says,

                             

“When I left Queens’ my future seemed to stretch out before me like a straight road. I thought I could see along it for many a milestone. Now there is a bend in it. I don’t know what lies around the bend, but I’m going to believe that the best does. I wonder how the road beyond it goes – what there is of green glory and soft, checkered light and shadows – what new landscapes – what new beauties – what curves and hills and valleys further on” (Page 303).

I don’t know about you, but when there’s a bend in my road which I can’t see around, I get worried. Unlike my concerned spirit, Anne has an attitude of faith. She doesn’t know what’s ahead, but she trusts that there are good things on the path.

As Christians, we know that God has promised that

“for those who love God all things work together for good,

for those who are called according to his purpose.” ~ Romans 8:28

There may be difficulties ahead. But God has it under control. We can go to sleep in peace because God is holding us and our lives in His hand. Whatever you're worrying about, whatever is bringing you stress, and whatever makes you lie awake in bed, bring it to Jesus, walk by faith, and fall asleep.

I hope you sleep well tonight, resting in the knowledge that God is in control.

“In peace I will both lie down and sleep;
    

for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.”

~ Psalm 4:8 

Love in Christ,                                                                 

Christina

Soli Deo Gloria – To God Alone Be the Glory!

Psalm 43:3-4

"Send out your light and your truth; let them lead me; 

let them bring me to your holy hill and to your dwelling! 

Then I will go to the altar of God, to God my exceeding joy, 

and I will praise you with the lyre, O God, my God." 

~ Psalm 43:3-4

Fix Your Eyes on Jesus

I have had a lot on my mind lately. My plans. My finances. My ministry. My health. My beauty. My self-consciousness. My friends. My schedule. My future. Did you notice a pattern (and an annoying one at that)? In my thinking, I’m focused on “my” life instead of remembering that life is all about Jesus. It is so easy for me to take my gaze off of my Savior and put it onto myself and my problems.

The last couple days, I’ve spent very little time with the Lord. Instead of setting my eyes on God, I was looking at my own life and failing to have the peace God promises His children. Weariness had set in to my heart. But my heart found quietness last night as I sat down with my Bible and journal and spent time reading Scripture, praying, and writing down the insights God gave me from His Word. God renewed my soul. Today, I have felt the restfulness of being in Christ and looking to Him.

Isaiah 26:3-4 is a beautiful passage:

“You keep Him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because He trusts in you.

Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord God is an everlasting rock.”

When our eyes are “stayed” or fixed firmly on God, we have His “perfect peace.” This is the same peace Paul mentions in Philippians 4:6-7.

“Do not be anxious about anything, 
but in everything by prayer and supplication

with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.

 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding,

will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

There have been so many times in my life when instead of running straight to God with my worries and plans, I pushed Him aside and chose to stress about it myself, trying to figure everything out on my own. But it doesn't work, because I can't live life alone. I need Jesus. We need Jesus. When we look to Him and read His Word, our perspective is changed as we recognize His greatness and beauty and that He deserves and has earned our trust.

As I was reading Scripture last night and seeking God’s renewing grace, I came across this verse.

“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

Our God is wonderful. As we are still before Him and see His power and exaltation, the things in our lives grow less important and stressful. He grows more amazing to us as we know Him more and recognize that we can trust Him and lean on Him.

So, Friends, let’s take our eyes off of ourselves as we walk this path and set them on Christ. Laying aside everything that distracts us and setting our attention on Jesus brings such peace. As we learn to be still and know that our God is God and delight to spend time in His presence, we can walk with quieted hearts. We find rest when we look away from “me” and fix our eyes on Jesus.

"Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, 

let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely,

and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,

looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith,

who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross,

despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God."

~ Hebrews 12:1-2

Growing with you,

Christina

Soli Deo Gloria - To God Alone Be the Glory! 

Proverbs 37:5

"Commit your way to the Lord; trust in Him, and He will act." 

~ Proverbs 37:5

Meeting Report and Video

We had such a wonderful young ladies fellowship meeting today at Kellogg Forest - a park with beautiful walking trails! It was a blessing to gather with these precious girls to spend time together, talk about the Lord, and pray. Memories include eating lunch together, singing, talking around the picnic tables, praying in small groups, walking (really fast!) on the trails, sitting by the water, and having a wonderful time being gathered together as sisters-in-Christ, walking this path of life with joy!

I put together a fifteen minute video to share what we talked about as well as some photos from the day, and "Be Thou My Vision", a song we sang during the meeting. Enjoy! Here's the link: https://vimeo.com/103025129.

Special thanks to the wonderful families who came!

Love in Christ,
Christina

Soli Deo Gloria ~ To God Alone Be the Glory! 

Matthew 7:24

"Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them 

will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock." 

~ Matthew 7:34

The Good…Or the Best?

Have you ever heard the saying "the good is the enemy of the best?" Paul understood this when he wrote,

"'All things are lawful for me,' but not all things are helpful. 'All things are lawful for me,' 

but I will not be enslaved by anything." ~ 1 Corinthians 6:12

Paul knew that he could do anything that didn't go against God's commands. We have liberty in Christ to choose whatever we want to do within the boundaries of God's laws, but not everything we can do is helpful and some things may even enslave us by causing us to be "addicted" to them.

Last night, God was impressing the thought on my heart that I may be living in the "good" and not embracing His "best" for me and today I was reading a biography and found a quote along these lines.

Lilas Trotter was a missionary to African Muslims in 1888 until her death in 1928. She had a sweet closeness with her Lord and deep desire to see the unbelievers in Algeria come to salvation. She wrote the following words. (I realize that this is a long quote, but please read it slowly, for there is much truth shared from the heart of this godly woman.)

"Never has it been so easy to live in half a dozen good harmless worlds at once - art, music, social science, games, motoring, the following of some profession, and so on. And between them we run the risk of drifting about, the 'good' hiding the 'best'…

It is easy to find out whether our lives are focused and if so, where the focus lies. Where do our thoughts settle when consciousness comes back in the morning? Where do they swing back when the pressure is off during the day?…Dare to have it out with God…and ask Him to show you whether or not all is focused on Christ and His glory…

How do we bring things to focus in the world of optics? Not by looking at the things to be dropped, but by looking at the one point that is to be brought out. Turn your soul's vision to Jesus, and look and look at Him, and a strange dimness will come over all that is apart from Him." (From Noel Piper's book entitled Faithful Woman & Their Extraordinary God, pages 46-47.)

Lilas encourages us to turn our eyes to Jesus and delight fully in Him - for this is the "best". We need to ask ourselves whether or not we are being drawn closer to God and honoring Him or drawing away from God and dishonoring Him with the things we do with our time. There is so much joy and beauty in fixing our eyes on the Lord and loving and worshiping Him with all our hearts.

What things in our lives are like the "art, music, social science, games, motoring" that Lilas mentioned? For me, God opened my eyes after a conversation with my family to areas where instead of living out the very best God has for me, I'm just pursuing the "good". For me, these things are internet, movies, certain books, and food.

These are activities that aren't necessarily wrong in and of themselves (if they are, we need to run, not just limit our intake). God helped me to see the need to get my focus off of these things and on to Him. These areas may or may not be struggles for you. I encourage you pray and examine your heart for the pursuits in which you aren't truly seeking God's best in your life. This is truly a heart matter and one we can only face by God's grace. When we come to the Lord in prayer and a humble heart, asking God to open our eyes,  He will show us and guide us into His best for us - which is far greater than we can even imagine!

It's important that we don't just seek to limit things in our lives without adding in other, "best" activities that do draw us closer to the Lord and honor Him. Here's the list the Lord brought to mind:

• Spend more time with the Lord, in His Word and prayer.
• Have time with each of my family members.
• Help in the kitchen and around the house.
• Play the piano, flute, and sing.
• Work on ministry projects.
• Eat good, healthy food.
• Read non-fiction. 
• Write.
• Encourage friends through letters, emails, and conversations.

Your list is probably going to look very different - but please include spending more time with the Lord. This is something we all need and truly, when we are spending time with the Lord and looking fully to Him, by His grace, as Lilias encouraged us, the things of this world grow less important! Pray for the Lord to show you His "best" for you.

Why do I share all this? Because I need to be seeking more after Jesus. It's a struggle for me to keep my eyes fully fixed on Him. Like Lilas said, "Where do our thoughts settle when consciousness comes back in the morning? Where do they swing back when the pressure is off during the day?" Last night as I was falling asleep, so much was running through my mind. Movie scenes and pictures jumbled up with thoughts about my devotions. It is my desire to fall asleep thinking only of my Lord. I can't change my habits on my own, but His Spirit and grace are given to me - as they are given to all of you who have trusted Him as your Lord and Savior - so through Him I can learn to pursue His best for me. His ways are more wonderful and so much greater than mine! I want more of Him and less of me and this world.

Paul reminds us,

"If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, 
where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 
Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth." 

~ Colossians 3:1-2

And the writer of Hebrews tells us,

"Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, 
let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, 
and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 
looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, 
who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, 
and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God."

~ Hebrews 12:1-2

Our goal in life is to glorify God and draw closer to Him. Let's lift up our eyes, away from the things that distract us and onto the things that point us to Him. The path we walk with Jesus is glorious when we are fixed on Him. He is beautiful and when we are seeking Him, we experience the greatest joy, satisfaction, and purpose. There is incredible peace when we are pursuing His "best" for our lives. 

God deserves all our worship - not just a little. Jesus showed us what to do with our lives when He said,

"You shall love the Lord your God will all your heart and 
with all your soul and with all your mind." 

~ Matthew 22:37b

He continued, guiding us on what else to do with our time,

"You shall love your neighbor as yourself." ~ Matthew 22:39b

Our time should be spent loving God and loving other people, through the strength of our wonderful Lord. 

There is much you can choose to do today. What will you do? Will it be God's best for you? Or is it just "good"? Remember, you can only pursue God's best by His grace working in you. Lean on Him and let Him reveal Himself to you.

Let's walk this path together with great joy, pursuing God with all our hearts and seeking His very best for our lives, not just the "good". This is a wonderful pursuit with Him and it is absolutely amazing to lift up our eyes and look to Jesus and love Him with all our hearts. He alone will satisfy. I want to love and glorify Him more. I'm still learning. Let's learn together, asking is it just something "good" or is it the very "best"?

Love from your Sister-in-Christ,
Christina

Proverbs 22:6

"Train up a child in the way he should go; 

even when he is old he will not depart from it." 

~ Proverbs 22:6

Photo Credit: Alyssa H.

Wissmann Family - Step By Step

The Wissmanns, a Christian, bluegrass-playing family, wrote and performed a song about walking "Step by Step" in God's ways. I hope you enjoy and are blessed by this video! 

Love in Christ,

Christina

Soli Deo Gloria ~ To God Alone Be the Glory 

Proverbs 3:25-27

"Let your eyes look directly forward, and your gaze be straight before you. 

Ponder the path of your feet; then all your ways will be sure. 

Do not swerve to the right or to the left; turn your foot away from evil."

 ~ Proverbs 4:25-27

Photo Credit: David B.