Feeling broken

Last night, as I laid in my bed not able to sleep at 1am, I started praying. As my Dad has told me; "If you're awake, then you should pray and listen to God." I had a lot on my mind. Most prominent was some problems our dog is having. He may not live much longer. And I've grown up with him, and it's going to be really sad when he goes. . . And that was what I was having a conversation with God about.

And this morning I got yet another answer to my cry;

Romans 9:15-20

New International Version (NIV)

“I will have mercy on whom I have mercy,

and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.”

¹⁶ It does not, therefore, depend on human desire or effort, but on God’s mercy. ¹⁷ For Scripture says to Pharaoh: “I raised you up for this very purpose, that I might display my power in you and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth.” ¹⁸ Therefore God has mercy on whom he wants to have mercy, and he hardens whom he wants to harden.

¹⁹ One of you will say to me: “Then why does God still blame us? For who is able to resist his will?” ²⁰ But who are you, a human being, to talk back to God? “Shall what is formed say to the one who formed it, ‘Why did you make me like this?"

God will do as God will do. It may be hard, but ultimately; "Who am I, a human being, to talk back to God?"

I will thank God for the time He's given me with one of my best friends.

"Through everything God is still God, and God is still good."

Alyssa

Walking toward the only light.

Walking, is something that we all could just aimlessly do. But we don't usually just walk around without a reason or purpose of doing so. What I am saying is; usually when a person is walking, they're trying to get somewhere, to some type of goal, may that goal be very important or just a stroll to go somewhere, there is still a goal in mind.

You can also say that is true with almost everything we do in life, whether that be work, play, sports, etc. We all have some goal of either getting better, making money, having fun and so on.

Here is the big question though; Do you have a goal in mind when it comes to your faith? Now if you do, what type of goal? Is it something along the lines of memorizing more bible verses, doing a devotion each day or praying more?

Well what about walking and talking with The Creator, in a very real and intimate relationship?

That sounds pretty amazing doesn't it? Well let me tell you something, you aren't the only one who wants an intimate relationship --- He wants one with you too! God longs for us to seek Him, to talk to Him, to truly love Him!

Joshua 24:14-23

New International Version (NIV)

¹⁴ “Now fear the LORD and serve him with all faithfulness. Throw away the gods your ancestors worshiped beyond the Euphrates River and in Egypt, and serve the LORD. ¹⁵ But if serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD.”
¹⁶ Then the people answered, “Far be it from us to forsake the LORD to serve other gods! ¹⁷ It was the LORD our God himself who brought us and our parents up out of Egypt, from that land of slavery, and performed those great signs before our eyes. He protected us on our entire journey and among all the nations through which we traveled. ¹⁸ And the LORD drove out before us all the nations, including the Amorites, who lived in the land. We too will serve the LORD, because he is our God.”
¹⁹ Joshua said to the people, “You are not able to serve the LORD. He is a holy God; he is a jealous God. He will not forgive your rebellion and your sins. ²⁰ If you forsake the LORD and serve foreign gods, he will turn and bring disaster on you and make an end of you, after he has been good to you.”
²¹ But the people said to Joshua, “No! We will serve the LORD.”
²² Then Joshua said, “You are witnesses against yourselves that you have chosen to serve the LORD.”
“Yes, we are witnesses,” they replied.
²³ “Now then,” said Joshua, “throw away the foreign gods that are among you and yield your hearts to the LORD, the God of Israel.”

When you say that you will serve the Lord, it isn't just a light commitment, it is a very serious commitment. When you say it, MEAN it, then LIVE it!

Psalm 40:10

New International Version (NIV)

¹⁰ I do not hide your righteousness in my heart;
I speak of your faithfulness and your saving help.
I do not conceal your love and your faithfulness
from the great assembly.

Speak of His faithfulness and saving grace everywhere you go, don't just hide it in your heart, share it!

When you walk and talk with the Lord I can promise you, it is truly amazing.

God Bless!


Alyssa

Am I really that big?

Today I was reading "Crazy Love by Francis Chan" and something hit me so hard, Francis was saying "God is all-knowing..." But that wasn't the part that hit me hard, it was this:

Hebrews 4:13

New International Version (NIV)

¹³ Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.
-----
"It is sobering to realize that this is the same God who is holy and eternal, the Maker of the billions of galaxies and thousands of tree species in the rainforest. This is the God who takes the time to know all the little details about each of us. He does not have to know us so well but He chooses to."

Lord you have CHOSEN to know me! And yet I say, "Why am I worthy?" but even then, I say; "Thank you Lord for allowing me to be worthy of you!"

Tonight the Lord has laid on my heart "Am I really that big?" How finite am I, REALLY?

Such a picture is given in these passages:

Proverbs 30

New International Version (NIV)

Proverbs 30

Sayings of Agur

¹ The sayings of Agur son of Jakeh—an inspired utterance.
This man’s utterance to Ithiel:
“I am weary, God,
but I can prevail.
² Surely I am only a brute, not a man;
I do not have human understanding.
³ I have not learned wisdom,
nor have I attained to the knowledge of the Holy One.
⁴ Who has gone up to heaven and come down?
Whose hands have gathered up the wind?
Who has wrapped up the waters in a cloak?
Who has established all the ends of the earth?
What is his name, and what is the name of his son?
Surely you know!
⁵ “Every word of God is flawless;
he is a shield to those who take refuge in him.
⁶ Do not add to his words,
or he will rebuke you and prove you a liar.

Lord you are so perfect. Utterly flawless, so are your words. Teach me to listen to your flawless guidance, to seek your perfect face more, to realize how big and amazing you really, truly are.

Psalm 139

New International Version (NIV)

Psalm 139

For the director of music. Of David. A psalm.
¹ You have searched me, LORD,
and you know me.
² You know when I sit and when I rise;
you perceive my thoughts from afar.
³ You discern my going out and my lying down;
you are familiar with all my ways.
⁴ Before a word is on my tongue
you, LORD, know it completely.
⁵ You hem me in behind and before,
and you lay your hand upon me.
⁶ Such knowledge is too wonderful for me,
too lofty for me to attain.
⁷ Where can I go from your Spirit?
Where can I flee from your presence?
⁸ If I go up to the heavens, you are there;
if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.
⁹ If I rise on the wings of the dawn,
if I settle on the far side of the sea,
¹⁰ even there your hand will guide me,
your right hand will hold me fast.
¹¹ If I say, “Surely the darkness will hide me
and the light become night around me,”
¹² even the darkness will not be dark to you;
the night will shine like the day,
for darkness is as light to you.
¹³ For you created my inmost being;
you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
¹⁴ I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful,
I know that full well.
¹⁵ My frame was not hidden from you
when I was made in the secret place,
when I was woven together in the depths of the earth.
¹⁶ Your eyes saw my unformed body;
all the days ordained for me were written in your book
before one of them came to be.
¹⁷ How precious to me are your thoughts, God!
How vast is the sum of them!
¹⁸ Were I to count them,
they would outnumber the grains of sand—
when I awake, I am still with you.

Why do we ever feel bigger than The Creator? Never ever can we hide from you. How awe-filled and comforting is that thought, yet even overwhelming.

Lord, how amazing and wonderful it is to know that you WANT to know me!

Lord reveal your awe-someness to me. I ask that you are not silent, speak. Fill me with your words!

Alyssa

Like a lion.

My God's not dead, He's surely alive and He's living on the inside roaring like a lion!

God is on the inside of me roaring like a lion. He wants me to show everyone how much power he has. I feel like bursting with this privilege of Him speaking through me. I don't have the right words to explain the awe that I feel. It brings me to my knees in humbleness; that, The Lion, is living inside of and using me...

Here is what He has shown me, to share with you;

Psalm 24

New International Version (NIV)

Psalm 24

Of David. A psalm.
¹ The earth is the LORD’s, and everything in it,
the world, and all who live in it;
² for he founded it on the seas
and established it on the waters.
³ Who may ascend the mountain of the LORD?
Who may stand in his holy place?
⁴ The one who has clean hands and a pure heart,
who does not trust in an idol
or swear by a false god.
⁵ They will receive blessing from the LORD
and vindication from God their Savior.
⁶ Such is the generation of those who seek him,
who seek your face, God of Jacob.
⁷ Lift up your heads, you gates;
be lifted up, you ancient doors,
that the King of glory may come in.
⁸ Who is this King of glory?
The LORD strong and mighty,
the LORD mighty in battle.
⁹ Lift up your heads, you gates;
lift them up, you ancient doors,
that the King of glory may come in.
¹⁰ Who is he, this King of glory?
The LORD Almighty—
he is the King of glory.

And with that, I do not have anything else to write.

Alyssa

Totally and Unwavering.

I was at a track meet today, and after I had run one of my races I got to thinking on my form and how I could improve in my training the next week. When I say improve, I mean working on my endurance so I have more left to sprint to the end.

Which got me to thinking; God has already got the endurance thing figured out. He doesn't need to improve his "form" for "next week." He IS totally unwavering.

Unwavering means: "Strong and steady despite opposition."

And God shows us His faithfulness in His Word;

Psalm 86:11

New International Version (NIV)

¹¹ Teach me your way, LORD,
that I may rely on your faithfulness;
give me an undivided heart,
that I may fear your name.

So often we have to be reminded to be taught, and rely on God.

Psalm 89:2

New International Version (NIV)

² I will declare that your love stands firm forever,
that you have established your faithfulness in heaven itself.

Lord I will declare YOU! I will declare your love stands firm FOREVER!

Psalm 89:8

New International Version (NIV)

⁸ Who is like you, LORD God Almighty?
You, LORD, are mighty, and your faithfulness surrounds you.

There is none like you Lord. It brings such relief to me that only HE is truly mighty, no one on earth could ever compare.

Psalm 117:2

New International Version (NIV)

² For great is his love toward us,
and the faithfulness of the LORD endures forever.
Praise the LORD.

Totally unwavering.

Psalm 119:75

New International Version (NIV)

⁷⁵ I know, LORD, that your laws are righteous,
and that in faithfulness you have afflicted me.

We will not be without affliction, but we will not be without God either.

God is the only one we can totally put our trust in, to never lead us wrong. Hallelujah!

Alyssa

Are you speaking Lord? Or rather, am I listening?

He loves even the sick. How many times do we think, in situations that someone is sick, that "God doesn't care."

But He cares more than we would like to say.

This is a broken world. There is sin, brokenness and sickness. BUT God has a purpose for each and every person. But even as I say that, I also say; are we really listening to God? Maybe that's something that we should think about (or actually do) in these hard situations.

But take God's word for it, not mine!

Exodus 9:16

New International Version (NIV)

¹⁶ But I have raised you up for this very purpose, that I might show you my power and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth.

. . . There is also another way I want you to look at this; it is written in Job, and should be a wake up call to us all.

Job 33

New International Version (NIV)

Job 33

¹ “But now, Job, listen to my words;

pay attention to everything I say.

² I am about to open my mouth;

my words are on the tip of my tongue.

³ My words come from an upright heart;

my lips sincerely speak what I know.

⁴ The Spirit of God has made me;

the breath of the Almighty gives me life.

⁵ Answer me then, if you can;

stand up and argue your case before me.

⁶ I am the same as you in God’s sight;

I too am a piece of clay.

⁷ No fear of me should alarm you,

nor should my hand be heavy on you.

⁸ “But you have said in my hearing—

I heard the very words—

⁹ ‘I am pure, I have done no wrong;

I am clean and free from sin.

¹⁰ Yet God has found fault with me;

he considers me his enemy.

¹¹ He fastens my feet in shackles;

he keeps close watch on all my paths.’

¹² “But I tell you, in this you are not right,

for God is greater than any mortal.

¹³ Why do you complain to him

that he responds to no one’s words?

¹⁴ For God does speak—now one way, now another—

though no one perceives it.

¹⁵ In a dream, in a vision of the night,

when deep sleep falls on people

as they slumber in their beds,

¹⁶ he may speak in their ears

and terrify them with warnings,

¹⁷ to turn them from wrongdoing

and keep them from pride,

¹⁸ to preserve them from the pit,

their lives from perishing by the sword.

¹⁹ “Or someone may be chastened on a bed of pain

with constant distress in their bones,

²⁰ so that their body finds food repulsive

and their soul loathes the choicest meal.

²¹ Their flesh wastes away to nothing,

and their bones, once hidden, now stick out.

²² They draw near to the pit,

and their life to the messengers of death.

²³ Yet if there is an angel at their side,

a messenger, one out of a thousand,

sent to tell them how to be upright,

²⁴ and he is gracious to that person and says to God,

‘Spare them from going down to the pit;

I have found a ransom for them—

²⁵ let their flesh be renewed like a child’s;

let them be restored as in the days of their youth’—

²⁶ then that person can pray to God and find favor with him,

they will see God’s face and shout for joy;

he will restore them to full well-being.

²⁷ And they will go to others and say,

‘I have sinned, I have perverted what is right,

but I did not get what I deserved.

²⁸ God has delivered me from going down to the pit,

and I shall live to enjoy the light of life.’

²⁹ “God does all these things to a person—

twice, even three times—

³⁰ to turn them back from the pit,

that the light of life may shine on them.

³¹ “Pay attention, Job, and listen to me;

be silent, and I will speak.

³² If you have anything to say, answer me;

speak up, for I want to vindicate you.

³³ But if not, then listen to me;

be silent, and I will teach you wisdom.”

Did you catch the last three verses? Verse 31-33. If not look back and read them. God told Job to "Pay attention, and listen to me; be silent, and I will speak."

The question I want you to ask yourself is; am I paying attention? Am I being silent enough, or am I speaking so that I do not hear HIM speaking?

God is truly amazing.

Alyssa

A Sinner, yet Saved.

Oh how we do not know what we do Lord! My heart cries for the sins I have committed! How oh how Lord could you ever love me? How oh how could you ever forgive me? A sinner who nailed you to the cross, through my sinning, nail by nail I pounded each one in, selfishness my only thought. I did not know what I did. And yet, in my brokenness, in my selfishness, in my unworthiness, you saw a life worth saving!

Isaiah 57:15

New International Version (NIV)

¹⁵ For this is what the high and exalted One says—
he who lives forever, whose name is holy:
“I live in a high and holy place,
but also with the one who is contrite and lowly in spirit,
to revive the spirit of the lowly
and to revive the heart of the contrite.

Definition of CONTRITE

: feeling or showing sorrow and remorse for a sin or shortcoming.

My heart cries: "Why Lord, do you see something worth saving in this human life?"

And my Lord answers: Because I love you. I sent my son to die for you because I love you my child and I have a purpose especially for you!

Ephesians 2:4-5

New International Version (NIV)

⁴ But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, ⁵ made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved.

2 Timothy 1:9

New International Version (NIV)

⁹ He has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time,

We don't save ourselves, no matter how much we would like to think so.

Ephesians 2:8

New International Version (NIV)

⁸ For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—

Praise the Lord, for he is truly amazing!

Get closer in your walk with God, I promise it will be rewarding.

Have a awesome day or night!

Alyssa

Walking on water... Well not exactly.

Hello! I hope you had a wonderful day.

Today I went water tubing and boy oh' boy was it fun!

Even though I had a blast, it also got me to thinking. Allow me to explain; while water tubing usually you get thrown off at least once, especially when that is the drivers, well, not so subtle goal. :) And that was what happened after being pulled in a very quick figure eight, I was thrown off and into the lake. But even when I was being thrown through the air and into the water, I didn't panic. "Why?" you may ask? Well not only was it the confidence that I can swim well, I also had a life jacket on, which of course would give anyone a peace of mind, that even if you couldn't swim, you know you would still pop back up to the surface and be carried by the life jacket.

"What's so amazing about you talking about a life jacket?" you ask?

Well Jesus Christ is kinda like our life jacket. Again allow me to explain...

Actually the Bible explains it best:

2 Timothy 1:9

New International Version (NIV)

⁹ He has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time,

And He saves us continually! He calls us to take chances that He has told us to take. He will always be there to carry you and hold you! So don't be afraid to take a stand for Christ, He'll always be right there with you! We can't walk on the water, but HE can.

I know this is a short post, but I hope it's made you think.

God Bless!

Alyssa

Living?

It has definitely been a long while since I've written an update. Sorry!

As you can see the title of this post is called "Living?" what exactly pops into your brain when you read that? Do you say; "Well yes that is what I'm doing right at this moment, reading your post. What of it?" Well today I am not only asking the question of living, I am also asking the question; "Are you SPIRITUALLY living?" Now this question may, or may not have you puzzled. And if it doesn't, I'll still explain.

Now you are obviously breathing, thinking, comprehending and in some way reading this post. So apparently you ARE living. But are you REALLY living? You see what I mean to get across to you is, do you know the one who is The Creator of life? Do you know The only one who knew you even before you were born, and even now, wherever you are? Do you have a personal relationship with Him?

If you do, praise the Lord! But if you don't I want to share something with you.

1 Corinthians 15

The Resurrection of Christ

¹ Now, brothers and sisters, I want to remind you of the gospel I preached to you, which you received and on which you have taken your stand. ² By this gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you. Otherwise, you have believed in vain.
³ For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, ⁴ that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, ⁵ and that he appeared to Cephas, and then to the Twelve. ⁶ After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers and sisters at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep. ⁷ Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles, ⁸ and last of all he appeared to me also, as to one abnormally born.
⁹ For I am the least of the apostles and do not even deserve to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. ¹⁰ But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me was not without effect. No, I worked harder than all of them—yet not I, but the grace of God that was with me. ¹¹ Whether, then, it is I or they, this is what we preach, and this is what you believed.

The Resurrection of the Dead

¹² But if it is preached that Christ has been raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? ¹³ If there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. ¹⁴ And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith. ¹⁵ More than that, we are then found to be false witnesses about God, for we have testified about God that he raised Christ from the dead. But he did not raise him if in fact the dead are not raised. ¹⁶ For if the dead are not raised, then Christ has not been raised either. ¹⁷ And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins. ¹⁸ Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ are lost. ¹⁹ If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are of all people most to be pitied. ²⁰ But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. ²¹ For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. ²² For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive.

Did you catch what was said in verse 21 and 22? The end says "In Christ all will be made alive." If you are in Christ you are truly, alive! And you will be truly alive always and forever with Christ. It's pretty amazing to think that you can be not only living, but living for The Creator of the universe!

I pray you have already made the decision to live for Christ, but if you haven't yet I pray you will soon!

Have a wonderful day or evening!

God Bless!

Alyssa