Gathered in Grace: March 2011

Tuesday, March 29, 2011

Flame - "Tonight"

Oh, I just wanna be, I just wanna be
Closer to Your heart, You will find me there
Everything I am, it's because of You
It's because of You, and now, we sing
Tonight, I'm giving You all of me
Tonight, I let go of everything
Tonight, I'm giving You all of me
Tonight, tonight, tonight
I give You all of me

I can see You talking to high priest, Peter just denied You
For the second time, one more time he will deny You
One of the officers smacked You in the face,
But he didn't understand that You were actually grace
But the people would rather see the release of a thief,
Than to know forgiveness and be with the Prince of Peace
And as they screamed for Pilate to crucify You,
I hear my own voice because every day I deny You
But yet You still bore the cross on Your vertebrae, walking to Golgotha
What a display of grace
I see Your weakened body beaten, can't keep me from crying
Your cross was very heavy, they gave it to Simon
Then You were crucified, they divided Your clothes
Like the Scriptures prophesied, You died and You rose
Two thousand years ago, slaughtered on the tree
You gave all of You, I'm giving all of me

Oh, I just wanna be, I just wanna be
Closer to Your heart, You will find me there
Everything I am, it's because of You
It's because of You, and now, we sing
Tonight, I'm giving You all of me
Tonight, I let go of everything
Tonight, I'm giving You all of me
Tonight, tonight, tonight
I give You all of me

This I pray Lord, to be like Abraham
Ready to give it all, my only son as the lamb
Ready to sacrifice, everything if You ask
Because nothing is mine, not this life that I have
Everything I own, oh Lord is a gift
So who am I, to hold it with a firm grip
I give You my talent, I give You my time
I give You my eyes, I give You my mind

Oh, I just wanna be, I just wanna be
Closer to Your heart, You will find me there
Everything I am, it's because of You
It's because of You, and now, we sing
Tonight, I'm giving You all of me
Tonight, I let go of everything
Tonight, I'm giving You all of me
Tonight, tonight, tonight
I give You all of me

Monday, March 28, 2011

Finding Confidence in God's Plan

For almost a year now, I have been in the 'in between' phase in life. I am not a student any longer, but I still haven't made it into the working world. During the first several months I thought I had everything figured out. I thought I knew where my life was headed and had all these plans and dreams in my head. Of course, God reminded me that MY plans and MY dreams were just that, MINE. I had failed to recognize that I am not master of my life. Yes, I claimed the Lord was Master, but my focus was not really on HIS will. I was not really concerned with HIS plan for my life. So, when my plans and dreams were no longer plausible, my life turned upside down. As a result, my life was filled with uncertainty and no clear direction. This is not really my favorite position to be in. I don't need specific details of everything, but I like to at least have some sort of idea where my life is headed. But, God decided to leave me clueless, knowing I had much to learn about His perfect plan. For the past few months, (along with so many other things!) He has taught me a lot about this.

First, God's plan is for our good. In Romans 8:28, we are told God works everything out for our good. Does that mean everything is going to be peaches and butterflies?? Of course not. Look specifically at what it says, "...God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose." ALL things. There are going to be tough, dark, lonely, sad times in life, but I can be confident that ALL of that is in accordance with God's will and ALL of that will ultimately be for my good. Jeremiah 29:11 says that God knows His plans for our lives and those plans will be for our good, not for our harm. I can rest assured that God's plans for my life really are best because Scripture testifies that fact. God's will really is for my good, and so much better than anything I could come up with myself.

Second, God's plan has already been set. God already knows what is going to happen and has already planned every little detail of our lives. In Isaiah 49:1, Isaiah said that God called him from the womb. Likewise, Paul said in Galatians 1:15 that God set him apart, "even from my mother's womb." And, don't forget Psalm 139:16, "Your eyes have seen my unformed substance; and in your book were all written the days that were ordained for me, when as yet there was not even one of them." Think about that for a minute. God knew all of our days, every little detail, even before we were born! Wow. Doesn't that just blow your mind?! Nothing escapes Him. He knows EVERYTHING, and has since before we even existed! Why can I have confidence in God's plan for my life? Because, He knows everything that will take place. He already has everything planned out. I can find comfort in the fact that He will lead me in the right direction because He knows what is coming.

Third, God's plan cannot be thwarted. Sometimes I think if I just pray hard enough or live my life in a certain way God will eventually change His mind and redirect His plan to fit in with my ideas. But, there is no use in trying to go against His plan. No matter what I try to do, God will not turn back His hand. He will not change what His will is for my life. I was reading Isaiah 14 today and was a bit punched in the face with verse 27, "For the Lord of hosts has planned, and who can frustrate it? And as for His stretched-out hand, who can turn it back?" Upon more research, I came across many verses with this same truth. Job 42:2 says that God can do all things, and nothing can change His plan. Proverbs 21:30 says that nothing can succeed against the Lord. Daniel 4:35 says that God does what He pleases with people and no one is able to hold back His hand. Psalm 33:11 says that God's plans stand forever. I could go on, but I think the point is made clear. Nothing can stand against God's plans. Nothing I do will change what He has already planned to do. In fact, it is quite the opposite. God changes our plans (Job 5:12, Ps. 33:10, Prov. 19:21, Is. 8:10).

God is all-powerful and all-sovereign. Nothing can stand against Him. Nothing can turn back His hand. He is also a loving God who has the best in mind for His people. Because of this, we can be confident in His plan for our lives. We can completely put our trust in Him and completely give our lives to Him, because He already knows what is in store for us, something far beyond anything we could plan ourselves. We can live our lives in great hope, free from anxiety, knowing that He who created us will take care of us and will lead us in the right direction (Matt. 6:25-34).

As I look over the past year, and specifically the last six months, I cannot help but be so grateful God's plan prevailed. I see now how every little detail worked according to His perfect plan. He has orchestrated every event to bring about His will. And, boy, is it so much better than anything I had planned! Yes, these last months have been very difficult, full of darkness and loneliness and sadness. But, through all of this I have also experienced overwhelming joy and satisfaction in God and have grown so much closer to Him! I have also grown more than ever in maturity and wisdom (still have a long way to go!) and I am confident I never would have had my own plans taken place. Praise the Lord for His sovereignty and perfect will, saving us from our ill-conceived and mediocre plans! How amazing and fulfilling our lives become when we are seeking and living for His will and not our own! Thank you, sovereign Lord!

May God be glorified in ALL that we do!

Thursday, March 24, 2011

Life Enjoyment and Kingdom Expansion

So, I have joined the blogging world. Not something I would have ever seen myself doing. I am not one of many words. Just ask any of my family members the last time they received a hand written note from me. It just doesn't happen. However, lately I have been overwhelmed with the desire to write and share things the Lord has been teaching me. I guess this is just one of the many ways He has changed me over the past 6 months or so. The girl that used to express things in as few words as possible is now overcome with eagerness to write, write, write. (Do not be confused. I have always liked to talked. The Van Dyke women have never had a problem in that area. But, I failed when it came to expressing thoughts in writing.) Now, I have the desire to write and figured, "why not start a blog and share my thoughts with others?" God teaches all of us so many things and I believe He wants us to share those things with others. A way to encourage those who are going through similar things. And, a way for others to hold us accountable and correct us when we may not be on target with His will. So, here I am. Sharing my thoughts with those who will listen. Grateful for the opportunity to be used by God, even in a small way.

I just finished reading through Ecclesiastes and the 24th verse of ch. 2 really got me thinking. "There is nothing better for a person than that he should eat and drink and find enjoyment in his toil. This also, I saw, is from the hand of God." Within the past few months, I have really had a desire to not waste my life. I have tried to make sure I am living all for Christ, and not for myself. In our culture, we are constantly seeing people live out the idea that life is for our enjoyment. Everything I do is about me. If I am not happy, I must change my life in order to be happy, even if that means to live selfishly. How contrary to the gospel this is! My life should first, and foremost, be lived for Christ and then for those around me.

But, I have been so concerned about not living for myself, that I sometimes forget what Ecc. 2:24 says. God has given gifts of enjoyment, so it is o.k. for me to do things I enjoy doing. However, I must guard myself against getting too comfortable in that kind of lifestyle. Is it alright for me to do things I enjoy doing? Of course! God gives us gifts for our enjoyment and we are to be thankful for them. However, it is sinful when those things become priority and cause us to neglect God and neglect people. So, when reading Ecc. 2:24 (and the rest of the Scripture) I must do so in the context of the gospel. How do I enjoy God's gifts in a way that Christ and His Kingdom remain priority?

Jesus and Paul both speak about this concept (Luke 12:16-21, 1 Timothy 6:17-19). God has richly blessed us and has given us such a great opportunity! From His hand come many great gifts for our enjoyment. What better way is there to really enjoy His gifts than by sharing them with others?! Using God's gifts for our own personal enjoyment has no great purpose. Our lives should be lived in a way that is expanding the Kingdom and we cannot do that if we are only concerned with having fun and enjoying our God given gifts. By sharing our blessings with those around us, we are going beyond just enjoyment. We are spreading God's love and, ultimately, expanding His Kingdom. Now, THAT has great purpose! I am so thankful for the Lord's great blessings and pray that I am not only able to enjoy them myself, but share them with those around me with the hope that His Kingdom may be expanded through it.

May God be glorified in ALL that we do!

Gathered in Grace