This thing called Grace...

This post is not meant to be perfectly coherent... Its a subject that i struggle to grasp and put at work in my life. So please bare with me, there are some things on my heart and I'm not sure the correct words are in my head.

Grace - Unmerited favor... This concept that alludes me... I mean I get it, I can't do anything to earn God's love.
Eph 2: 8-9
For ye are saved by grace, through faith; and this not of yourselves; it is God's gift: not on the principle of works, that no one might boast. 
And i know my exact problem here... Let me state it plainly, I judge myself to be unworthy. I struggle this this feeling of unworthiness in some many areas of my life; To the point at times when i'm just waiting for someone to tell me that it was a mistake and i no longer belong. This feeling that there must be someone else that is smarter, prettier, better, kinder or more qualified than me. I have the feeling sometimes when i walk in to School and i just wait for someone to tell me that they made a mistake in accepting my application (Its called impostor syndrome) or when i am on edge waiting for my friends or boyfriend to tell me our relationship is over. There is no reason for this, I can't shake it, and I've tried. I've tried to reason my way through my insecurities, to grasp some sort of problem that I can eliminate or fix. But it always comes back to this one question: Why in the world would ANYONE, especially God choose me? What could He have possibly seen in my stupid choices, reckless decisions and selfishness to say "yeah that's the one, I want HER".
Then tonight for some reason it just hit me... Iam not chosen for who I am now at this point in time, I was chosen for who i am becoming. God chose me because he saw what i would become as i walked in his light and righteousness. His chose me because he saw what his power could effect in me.
Proverbs 4:18
But the path of the righteous is as the shining light, going on and brightening until the day be fully come.
The point being that God doesn't choose to extend grace to us because of our qualifications, he extends his love and grace to us because of our Kingdom potential. He chooses us for everything that his power and love can effect in us. Because you were made in his image, you have the potential to become like him, abounding in love, joy, peace and a lover of truth and justice; Spreading the good news and doing good works in his name. This calling that he has placed on my life cannot be changed or removed; regardless of how inadequate i feel.
Romans 11:29
For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable.
Just because i feel unqualified now doesn't mean i will never be qualified. If fact God is qualifying me as we speak. He started by making me clean by washing away my sins and cleansing me with his blood; now his is purifying and teaching me in the school of spirit. I am made worthy by he who has seen my end and ESTABLISHED it as GOOD.
Innately, I am not worthy of anything. But i truely hope that the people who have chosen to have me in there lives chose me not based on the "Now me", because I don't hope to stay with these flaws for long. I hope that God maybe gave them a small glimpse of the "future me", the one that is purified, a more perfect reflection of my creator in whose image i was made.

Don't Fall Short of Glory

Colossians 1:27  To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:

Christ in you the hope of glory.... It is the hope of glory because if Christ is in you, you have the chance to choose glory, to not fall short of the mark... This is working toward the perfect example of Christ: To only do the work of the Father, nothing else.

Once we are saved, we should not be falling short of glory. Since we were removed from the sin nature, we should be hitting glory Every Single Time. The flesh is at war with the spirit, trying to keep you from hitting the mark of perfection. You must have hope and confidence that you will hit glory every single day; You can't get to glory without faith. Our greatest authority is that we can CHOOSE GLORY over sin(missing the mark). You must have a strong will for glory. You can't have a passive attitude when working to fulfill your destiny and reach glory. There is a pressure in this world that will try and conform you to miss the mark. But learn to recognize it and don't let that pressure keep you from choosing glory!

These are some Tips that someone once told me:

Recognize temptation - don't ignore it, that's not faith. Faith doesn't ignore problems; faith sees the obstacle and recognizes that the word of God is stronger. Darkness only has power through illusion and confusion. Call it out and speak the Word of God over the problem; the word is you sword --> use it fight.

Make a choice for glory- every sin is based on misuse of power, position, authority or ability. You have been given power, position, authority and ability to choose God's glory. Some things God has put in your control. When you make a habitual choice for glory, things will no longer be temptation for you. You can configure your mind so that certain things will not register with you... You can configure your mind to see GLORY in every situation. Temptation is not evil, not choosing glory is when it becomes sin(missing the target).
Philippians 2:5-13
Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.

God is working in you to have the same vision of GLORY. Keep your eyes on the GLORY, you have to see the glory in order to choose it.

Transformation is irreversible change. Let God transform your mind by keeping it renewing it to the Word. The word of God and prayer must be used to choose glory. You have to keep your life flow going...  Give God a foot hold, to flush living water through you, that water brings life.

Everyone has a plan till they get punched in the face. Make your training instinctive, so that your spirit man is buff in the fruit of the spirit and faith and grace, power and glory. Choosing glory should be our first reaction. Train when there is nothing so that when you get punched in the face choosing GLORY is you first reflex. You must be constantly  vigilant.

-MiniMug

Count it all Joy... James 1:2-4

Ok, so I know that everyone and their brother likes to quote this verse at you when you are going through something rough. But as i was studying today, i saw somethings that i hadn't really noticed before and thought i would write them down. 

James 1:2-4
Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.


Now let me give you some definitions:

• Joy - cause or occasion for jubilation 
• Encounter - Peripipto in the Greek meaning to "fall into" 
• various - random 
• trials - enticement of sin or times of adversity 
• Endurance - deliberate purpose, steadfastness and constancy.

Basically this verse is saying to celebrate when you happen to fall in to rough spots. You can celebrate because you KNOW that as you pass this test your endurance or patience is getting stronger. You know what else patience is for... patience has a lot to do with faith. As soon as your patience runs out you are no longer walking in faith. Because faith WAITS confidently knowing that what God has promised he WILL DO! So if you don't have patience you cant have faith and without faith its impossible to please God! Summary: Patience --> Faith --> Pleasing God --> Happy God --> Happy (or Joyful) you! See it all makes sense... This is why we find Joy in trials. We also find joy in our trials because we KNOW that God has created a way out for us; but that is another day and another blog.

Those first couple verses are great and they make me want to stop and just praise Jesus for a while, but it was the last verse that i really began thinking about today. So verse 4 tells us to "let" endurance have its perfect work in us. I've always thought that this meant: "ok, I'll just trudge through this hard spot and passively "let" things "pass" and that is me practicing patience. But I realized my mistake when i look us the word "let" in the Greek....

• let - verb --> "echo" --> hold ones self to a thing, lay hold of, adhere to and cling to...

This is not the passive interpretation that i had envisioned. Actually it is quite the opposite.. Being a verb this word is an action word. If i remember correctly from my years of watching Grammar Rock: "VERB - that's whats happening". You have to cling to endurance; endurance is not passive at all. Think about when you are running: you are trying to set a new personal record or expand your distance. I can tell you from experience that is NOT PASSIVE. I have to FORCE my legs to keep moving, my lungs to keep breathing; let me tell you there is a LOT of positive self talk going on during that time of endurance to reach my goals. It's the same thing here, you have to cling to your endurance or it will slip away from you before you know it. 

So hold your self to endurance... In whatever you are going through, don't loose your deliberate purpose to steadfastly and constantly cling to God's promise of good. Because the one who calls you is faithful and HE WILL DO IT. (1 Thessalonians 5:24)

Extra bonus: you know why cultivating endurance cultivates perfection - perfection meaning without blemish or defect, free from sin! It because if you have the endurance, you have the patience to wait for the fulfillment of the promise of something better, better then the earthly temporary gratification that sin will give you.

Thoughts and responses are more than welcome...
-G

When it comes to Testing

So i have been thinking a lot about tests and testing. I blame it on the Finals Extravaganza that is the end of M1 year. Note:First year medical students are affectionately referred to as M1's. I have noticed there is a vast difference between KNOWING the answer and knowing where to FIND the answer. I have know this a long time but I feel like the reality of the fact is really sinking in for the first time. But I want to point out that knowing where to find the answer doesn't do you much good if you are not in a open notes, open book test. And i have found that these types of exams are few and far between. (I think I've maybe had one open notes/open book exam in my entire schooling history.)
This morning i was walking to an exam and thinking about my spiritual life and how exactly testing works in the spiritual realm. So lets lay so ground for what was going on in my head.
Bible = Textbook
Test = What Life and the Devil throw at you
Knowing = Having the Word of God in your Heart and Mind = Memorizing Scripture.
NOTE: That means that Church is class, Devotions are personal study times and Prayer is like office hours with the Prof... (ok so maybe my mind took this a bit too far.) lol.
The Word of God is your sword (that is a tool used for fighting off the devils schemes)...

Ephesians 6:10-17, Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, , against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. Stand firm therefore, having girded your loins with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

We use the Word of God against the devil, but in order to use a sword you have to have that sword in your hand. When the test comes against you, the last thing you want to be doing is scrambling around in the mess of distractions in your life for the Word. When the enemy comes in like flood you don't want to be trying to remember where your put your boat. That is why we are told to be on the look out, to be ready; just in case today there is a pop quiz.

1 Peter 5:8, Be vigilant, watch. Your adversary the devil is like a roaring lion. He prowls around looking for someone to chew up and swallow.

In addition, you can just think you know what the bible says. That's when you get people quoting people and hymn instead of the bible. (I.E. "God helps those who help themselves" is not from the bible its the moral of Aesop's Fables, Hercules and the Waggoner."). Some folks are blatantly ignorant and other just don't know the details of the Word. But that just translates into picking up a toothpick and asking "is this my sword, I never bothered to find out what it looked like much less practice using it" or "I think this might by my sword but I always get it confused with my shoe horn..." In both of situations you get the kids that are sitting up all night right before the test trying to cram. And that might get you the passing grade but it will defiantly not get you the A!
I don't know about you but I don't just want to "get by" in this life... I want to rule and reign... You know: Head and not the Tail, above only and not beneath. God promised us LIFE... not only that but LIFE MORE ABUNDANTLY (the amplified says: to the full, till if overflows).

John 10:10, The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance (to the full, till it overflows)

In the Greek the word that they use for life here is Zoe, you know what we call the "God kind of life". Let me tell you that God doesn't live under someones feet. The Greek Lexicon translates it as "The state of one who is possessed of vitality or is animate, absolute fullness of life, to be among the living, not lifeless, not dead, to be fresh, powerful, efficient; living water, having vital power in itself and exerting the same upon the soul".... GAAAHHH I'll take that!
OVERCOMING.... I want to overcome the flesh, test and trials which are of this world. This is how I will overcome!

1 John 5:4, For everyone forn of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith.

Do you know where our faith comes from... It come from hearing and knowing the word of God....

Romans 10:17, So faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of GOD. 

So the conclusion of today musings are this: Memorize more scripture!
-Mini Mug

1 Timothy 4:12-16

Get the word out. Teach all these things. And don't let anyone put you down because you're young. Teach believers with your life: by word, by demeanor, by love, by faith, by integrity.Stay at your post reading Scripture, giving counsel, teaching. And that special gift of ministry you were given when the leaders of the church laid hands on you and prayed - keep that dusted off and in use. Cultivate these things. Immerse yourself in them. The people will all see you mature right before their eyes! Keep a firm grasp on both your character and your teaching. Don't be diverted. Just keep at it. Both you and those who hear you will experience salvation

Soft. Broken. Moldable

In some manner of speaking I've hardened my heart. I had continued in practices that I knew where wrong and in doing so callused my heart against hearing the voice of God. Whatever gave me the idea that doing so would be healthy, fun, or worth it, I don't know. But I have to say that I desire that those practices end here. I am serious about serving God with all my heart! I am not a flake, fake or halfway convinced.
Today I took the first steps in taking a stand...
Will it be a struggle? Yes!
Will I be committed? 110%
Will it be a worth it? Yes!

1Corinthians 15:58
Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.
In His strength,
-Mini Mug

Feelings that don't define me

Uggg. so lets just run down the list of things I feel right now.

Frustrated.Overwhelmed.Impatient.Worthless.Stressed.Defeated.Mad.Aggravated.Tired.Disappointed.Lost.Sad.Doubtful.
Upset.Small.Insignificant.Foolish.Stupid.Crushed.Ordinary.Confused.Letdown.Inferior.Weak.Blind.Shortsighted.Superficial.

But I will not let things feelings define how I live my life. I refuse to let this world definition of success ruin my self confidence. I may not be the smartest, quickest, most personable individual on the face of this earth, but that does not mean that I am in anyway insignificant or worthless. No I don't win everytime, but I will not let my self quit. I don't quit, I can't quit. I have been amazingly and undeservingly been graced with the potential to be something great were it matters- in the kingdom. And I will not let myself grow weary in reaching that goal. These feelings of doubts will not define me and my attitude.
I refuse.. I REFUSE...

God has my path.. and it's like the light of dawn.. It just keeps getting brighter and brighter! I know this.. And I defiantly believe this...Jesus you Light up my sky. because of you I am..
At Peace.Blessed.Loved.Forgiven.Carried.Strengthened.Lifted Up.Helped.Filled with Joy.Saved.Heaven Bound.Supported.
Victorious.Humbled.Righteous.Patient.Faithful.Thankful.Filled with Awe and Praise.Floored.Ecstatic.I am Heaven Bound!

The 4 Outs

Knowing God does not happen by accident. It takes deliberate action.
1 Cor 9:24-Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one gains the prize? Run in such a way that you may WIN.

Winning is giving everything and running as hard as you can. God doesn't give pity prizes.
Thus when you run:
Throw-out: Every excuse for not winning. Excuses are drugs to make us feel better about failing. Here is the evidence:
Heb 12:1- Let us lay aside everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles and let us run with endurance the race set before us.
Watch-out: Set a guard over your heart. Watch what you put in your eyes and ears. Because the things you look at and listen to effect your heart. Because out of the heart flows life.
Proverbs 4:23- Watch over your heart with all diligence for out of the heart spring the issues of life.
Cry-out: God is not deaf, he is not callused or immune to his children's cries.
Jeremiah 33:3-'Call to Me and I will answer you, and I will tell you great and mighty things, which you do not know.'
Isaiah 65:24-It will also come to pass that before they call, I will answer; and while they are still speaking, I will hear.
Lastly,
Stand-out: Don't conform to this worlds standards of living. Have a fig tree standard, Be ready in season and out of season. When Jesus found the fig tree without the figs, he cursed the tree and it died. He expects us to always be baring fruit. Don't substitute excuses for fruit.
2 Timothy 4:2 - Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction.
So, in short. Be intentional! Use everyday to grow closer to your savior. Put him first and take time to listen to his voice.

Where is my Desire?

So I'm at work reading the latest book my PI gave me, and I'm listening to music as a song I haven't heard in forever came on. It was Close by Jeremy Riddle. And at the end of his song he sings "I must see more of you".
And I got to thinking... When was the last time that I cried out with that kind of passion. I must say I thinks its been awhile. But that is not what I want from my self. The last thing I want is to be a sideline Christian. But at times I think thats where I'm headed. Where is the passion and fire that burn so furiously only a few short months ago. I still want more of God, but I feel like I'm burning with desire anymore.

So homework for MiniMug. Find out were that flame started flickering and rebuild the fire.
-MiniMug

Food in the Desert

So exciting news... I'm all settled in to my summer program a priztker school of medicine. And wow, I could totally see myself here for the next nine years... I think I may be falling in love with a new school... (no offense UW@ Madison). Love my roommate. She is such a sweetheart. She is from Nigeria and quite beautiful inside and out! The other students in my program are great as well. It seems as though we will all be quite close by the end of the summer. It's a interesting feel to be on the complete opposite end of the higher education spectrum, Everyone here wants to be a doctor! And I must admit that for the first time I felt like I was on the right track.  Today we toured the campus and stopped by the Anatomy lab and took a quick look at parts of a cadaver. To be quite honest I didn't know how I would feel seeing a cadaver for the first time, but I only felt eagerness to get in my own anatomy class and learn more. I'm feeling more and more sure that M.D. P.h.D is the right thing for me.. That is EXCITING!! Yay!

So only down side of this summer is the lack of information. They neglected to tell us that we wouldn't have a meal plan when our dorms have no kitchen (except for a community kitchen for the entire building!) soooo they told us that we have to buy all of our own meals (eating out everyday) CRAZY! so I'm planing on buying a refrigerator and cooking in the community kitchen.. That should be quite an experience. But I am thankful for this wonderful oporttunity and I can't wait to see just wait God has in store for me here.

Look to the LORD and his strength;
       seek his face always. 
-Psalm 105:4

Things to Remember

Beauty is-- Not what you are but what you will become

Learning is -- Not how much you know but what you comprehend

Knowing is -- Not just having something in your mind, but in your heart.

Courage is -- Not the absence of fear but the faith and love to over come it

Being is -- Not just existing but Living life to the fullest

Talking is-- Not just commenting about the weather, but what brought you through the storms and how you've grown through them.

Silence is -- Not the absence of noise, but the loudness of the still small voice

Listening is -- not just hearing, but understanding.

Growing is -- not become two inches taller but growing deeper in you faith (thanks Angela)

Loving is -- Not a feeling, but an action you live out every day. (1 Corinthians 13: 4-8)

Winning is -- Not where you place but how you played (giving it your all)

Maturing is -- Experiencing the unknown and dealing wisely and honestly with what life brings you.

Burning is -- Not a just a single flame, but an All Consuming FIRE..

Becoming is -- Not looking at the past, but looking to the future.

It is also -- Not outward, but it starts in the heart.

Falling is -- Dangerous, but at the right time totally worth it.

Breaking is -- Not the end of the world.. but the beginning of a wiser you.

Liking is --  not complicated, its simple.. I LIKE!! (wuv you Pendo ).

Missing someone is -- Not something small, but a hole in your heart and life..

Asking is -- not just stating a question but requiring an answer

Prayer is -- not listing your problems but conversing with your Father

These are things to remember... And of which I need to be reminded of daily!

-MiniMug

His plan... Not Mine

He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it.
-1 Thessalonians 5:24
You know, some how I always think that I've got this one. And every time I think I've got it down I wind up falling on my face. Wow, how graceful. Thank God that he is full of grace and does not kick me out into the street for being a selfish idiot. I'm humbled by the fact that I'm not perfect...
It happened any recently, I tried to take control of my life and mold it into my plan... And again I was disappointed with the result. I started asking God why things weren't working out for me, and then that quite voice said "Your trying to drive your life without a license..." That usually is a problem and accidents almost always happen with inexperienced drivers. The verse here in 1 Thessalonians 5:24 doesn't say that when you call your self he is faithful, but HE who calls you is faithful.
Hmmmm... That's right he does the calling... there is another slight laps in memory that led to a week of frustration and bad attitude. Wow, thanks God for jogging my memory...

And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.
-Rom 8:28

But when God, who set me apart from birth and called me by his grace, was pleased to reveal his Son in me so that I might preach him among the Gentiles
-Gal 1:15-16

'For I know the plans that I have for you,' declares the LORD, 'plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope.
-Jer 29:11

Habits only stay Habits if you make a Habit of doing them

So sometimes I forget that even if you have good study habits... habits are only habits as long as you keep them up. It takes many times to build a habit but only one time to break one.

So here is the thing.. I think I forgot this term that you have to keep up the study habits if you want to keep on succeeding. I've been struggling with finding a balance between school, play, God and reaching out. I think I forgot that I'm not just at this school by chance. I'm here for a reason, I'm here to be taught but also to teach. The more time I spend tutoring and mentoring people. The more I'm convinced that its going to have a permanent place in my life.  But recently I've gotten so caught up in the teaching and reaching out, I forgot about the learning.

Today I was reading my devo's and this was a little reminder to me.
2 Timothy 2:15
Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth.

Now the way I saw it today was:
Minimug, be diligent to present yourself approved to me!
First thought that comes to mind is diligence, I have not been employing diligence in my life. I'm been doing a lot of unnecessary things that were not needed in the lest.
Second thought, I haven't "presented" myself to God in the longest time. In fact I think I've been doing a lot of hiding from him.
3rd thought, I don't think he'd approve of a lot of things that I've been doing.. For the past week and a half I have been a grump.... G-R-U-M-P Grump and extremely irritable. (So much so, I find it hard to believe my friends still hang around me!). This needs to change, NOW.
So Next part of the verse:
As a Workman who is need not be ashamed.
Not much to be said here but in the past few weeks I've been ashamed. And that feeling has done nothing for my self esteem or poise. I feel like crap all the time, and not that it should but it causes me to treat other people like crap as well. (Oh, grace and mercy please).
Lastly,
Accurately dividing the word of truth.
I don't think I've done a good job of this lately. Actually I think I've done a pretty sucky one.

In short I've realized again that you have to do the work to get the grade. And I am rightly corrected, and humbly chastened. So this is me going home to study for my test tomorrow and read some of that Good Book that is the word of Truth.

Be diligent and be Blessed!
-MiniMug
 
Study and be eager and do your utmost to present yourself to God approved (tested by trial), a workman who has no cause to be ashamed, correctly analyzing and accurately dividing [rightly handling and skillfully teaching] the Word of Truth.
2 Tim 2:15

Is God big enough or is he BIG ENOUGH!

So we all know that God is big... He is almighty, omnipotent, all powerful, and well He's GOD.
But do you  know it.. In your time of need is it obvious to you. Is it more than head knowledge that you can trust him in any situation, at any time. Is trusting God habit, second nature, your immediate response? 

We all know that with this life comes trials and rough times, but we are never told by Jesus that we should be depressed and subdued by these things. In fact he tells us the exact opposite, that we are to be undaunted, of good cheer (happy), and CONFIDENT in his authority over the world.

John 16:33
I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have [perfect] peace and confidence. In the world you have tribulation and trials and distress and frustration; but be of good cheer [take courage; be confident, certain, undaunted]! For I have overcome the world.

Lets rewind and read that again.... "I have overcome the world. [I have deprived it of power to harm you and have conquered it for you.]" The world and all its trials and hardships are CONQUERED through JESUS CHRIST!! God does not lie and faith expects God to act on his word. Faith expects God to be who he says he is and do what he says he'll do.

Has he come through for you before? Does he change?

Malachi 3:6
For I, the LORD, do not change; therefore you, O sons of Jacob, are not consumed

James 1:17
Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow.

Numbers 23:19
God is not a man, that He should lie,
Nor a son of man, that He should repent;
Has He said, and will He not do it?
Or has He spoken, and will He not make it good?

If he came through before... Why wouldn't he come through again? Is he not looking to do good things for his children???

Psalm 35:27
Let those who favor my righteous cause and have pleasure in my uprightness shout for joy and be glad and say continually, Let the Lord be magnified, Who takes pleasure in the prosperity of His servant.

Isaiah 30:18
And therefore the Lord [earnestly] waits [expecting, looking, and longing] to be gracious to you; and therefore He lifts Himself up, that He may have mercy on you and show loving-kindness to you. For the Lord is a God of justice. Blessed (happy, fortunate, to be envied) are all those who [earnestly] wait for Him, who expect and look and long for Him [for His victory, His favor, His love, His peace, His joy, and His matchless, unbroken companionship]!

Psalm 68:19
Blessed be the Lord,
Who daily loads us with benefits,
The God of our salvation!  Selah

Lamentations 3:22-23
Through the LORD’s mercies we are not consumed,
Because His compassion's fail not.
They are new every morning;
Great is Your faithfulness.

I can't say that I serve a God that is all powerful and good,  if he makes the sun rise every morning but can't solve my finance problems, or my broken relationships. (Now we understand that many of our problems have to do with our fleshly desires and passions. It was that the devil that made you go max out your 10 credit cards on Coach shoes, or Bears Tickets, when you have no way of paying them. That was you yielding to the lust of your flesh...  God works with us and in us to solve many of these problems in our life.)

God is Bigger than your problems believe me..

Job 26:7-14He it is Who spreads out the northern skies over emptiness and hangs the earth upon or over nothing.
⁸He holds the waters bound in His clouds [which otherwise would spill on earth all at once], and the cloud is not rent under them.
 ⁹He covers the face of His throne and spreads over it His cloud.
¹⁰He has placed an enclosing limit [the horizon] upon the waters at the boundary between light and darkness.
¹¹The pillars of the heavens tremble and are astonished at His rebuke.
¹²He stills or stirs up the sea by His power, and by His understanding He smites proud Rahab.
 ¹³By His breath the heavens are garnished; His hand pierced the [swiftly] fleeing serpent.
¹⁴Yet these are but [a small part of His doings] the outskirts of His ways or the mere fringes of His force, the faintest whisper of His voice! Who dares contemplate or who can understand the thunders of His full, magnificent power?
Do you need money??? My god owns the cattle on a thousand hills!!

Psalm 50:10-12
¹⁰ For every beast of the forest is Mine,
         And the cattle on a thousand hills.
 ¹¹ I know all the birds of the mountains,
         And the wild beasts of the field are Mine. 
 ¹² “If I were hungry, I would not tell you;
         For the world is Mine, and all its fullness

Do you need Comfort? I serve the GOD of All Comfort!

2 Cor. 1:3-7 "Blessed be God, even the Father of our LORD Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and The God Of All Comfort;
Ps. 23:4 "Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for Thou art with me; Thy rod and Thy staff they comfort me.

Do you need Grace? His mercies are new every morning!

Lamentations 3:22:23
Through the LORD’s mercies we are not consumed,
Because His compassions fail not.
²³ They are new every morning;
Great is Your faithfulness.

Chosen to OBEY

so this is a slight side thought from the Armor of God... but It's what I've been thinking about lately.

1 Peter 1:1-2 (New American Standard Bible)

Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who reside as aliens, scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, who are chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, by the sanctifying work of the Spirit, to obey Jesus Christ and be sprinkled with His blood: May grace and peace be yours in the fullest measure.ok so first I dont have much to say about this so I'll just post some verses. and a few comments...

1 Peter 2:11 (Amplified Bible)

Beloved, I implore you as aliens and strangers and exiles [in this world] to abstain from the sensual urges (the evil desires, the passions of the flesh, your lower nature) that wage war against the soul.

you are an alien... that means you dont live like the people in this world... we are not called to fitt in we are called to standout... not only that but we are called to ABSTAIN!!! I'm not a huge fan of the word but there it is... in the bible... defiantly a bible term.. Abstainace is the only guaranteed way to stay clean from sin...

secondly...
We are chosen to OBEY.... interesting isn't it... I'll be back on this topic later... but let me know what you think it means??? cause I'm pretty sure that God is going to have to do clearing on the fact...
In Christ
-MiniMug

Preparation of the Gospel of Truth

and I can't seem to keep on the weekly thing can I???
so.. Here we are at the Preparation of the Gospel of Truth

Ephesians 6:15 (Amplified Bible)

And having shod your feet in preparation [to face the enemy with the firm-footed stability, the promptness, and the readiness produced by the good news] of the Gospel of peace.

Now I believe that this has a two fold meaning.
ONE... We need to have our feet shod to face the enemy. We need to be ready to judge anything that might come before us. And also to combat the devils scams, Jesus did this when he was tempted (Check out Matt 4:1-11). Notice that is didn't save him that he was the son of God but that he KNEW the truth (the word of God) and that the fact that he KNEW that word it set him free.

John 8:32 (Amplified Bible)

32And you will know the Truth, and the Truth will set you free.

2 Timothy 2:15 (New King James Version)

15 Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

Psalm 16:8 (Amplified Bible)

8I have set the Lord continually before me; because He is at my right hand, I shall not be moved.

TWO... We need to be ready to give an answer. We need to be ready to share the word with anyone who ask us about Jesus. When someone ask you about your God, you don't want to have to say “wait come back in a week and we'll talk about it then”. Ummm I think that might be a bad Idea.. the opportunity may never come again.. that maybe a soul lost because I didn't study the word of God..

1 Peter 3:15 (New King James Version)

15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear.

2 Timothy 4:2 (New King James Version)

2 Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all long suffering and teaching.

Side note: Hopefully I will be blogging every week now that I am back at school.. I hope you will all see me a little more often.
God bless you all,
-MiniMug

The Breastplate of Righteousness

It's been awhile.. and I have no excuses to offer..

Lets look at our scripture again..

Ephesians 6:11-18 (Amplified Bible)
Stand therefore [hold your ground], having tightened the belt of truth around your loins and having put on the breastplate of integrity and of moral rectitude and right standing with God.
What is Righteousness-
Righteousness is right standing with God. Being able to stand before God pure and blameless in his sight.

2 Corinthians 5:21 (New American Standard Bible)
He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.
Righteousness is given to us when we are saved but we must maintain this righteousness by acting on the commandments that God has given us.. In other words we have FAITH that we are made righteousness but we know that Faith without works is dead.

James 2:26 (New American Standard Bible)
For just as the body without the spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead.
Thus, we act according to the righteousness bestowed on us, and bare the fruit of righteousness in our lives. Righteousness is not what we do, but rather who we are influencing what we do...
For example... Abraham...

Genesis 15:5-9 (Amplified Bible)
And he [Abram] believed in (trusted in, relied on, remained steadfast to) the Lord, and He counted it to him as righteousness (right standing with God).

Abram not only believed but to show that he believed God's promises he left his family and moved to the WILDERNESS... the desert.. now if that is not Faith and dedication I don't know what is. But the point is that he not only had faith, but Abram had actions to match that faith. He didn't just talk the talk... He also walked the talk...

Now a breastplate was a piece of amour that was worn as protection or an item of status..

So lets look at protection first.

Now directly underneath the breastplate is the heart. We all know that physically, the heart is a vital organ, without the heart the body can not survive. The quickest way to kill a man is to stop his heart from beating. Its the same for the spiritual heart, When we become spiritually dead because of sin our heart stops its communication with God. Thus the quickest way for the devil to spiritually “poison” a person is through the heart.. Because of this God warns us to take up protection.

Proverbs 4:23 (New American Standard Bible)
Watch over your heart with all diligence,
For from it flow the springs of life.

Righteousness is a way to avoid having sin enter our lives. Following the commandments that God has given us guards us from the sin that so easily entangles us. Righteousness is not a one time deal, its an everyday sort of thing... like putting on you clothes.

Ephesians 4:22-24 (Amplified Bible)
Strip yourselves of your former nature [put off and discard your old unrenewed self] which characterized your previous manner of life and becomes corrupt through lusts and desires that spring from delusion;
And be constantly renewed in the spirit of your mind [having a fresh mental and spiritual attitude],
And put on the new nature (the regenerate self) created in God's image, [Godlike] in true righteousness and holiness.
Constantly being renewed... Constantly means again and again.. not just once.

Now as to the Item of Status...

Righteousness is your Item of Status... It declares that you are a child of the King.. The bible says that they will know them by what they do..

Matthew 7:11-19 (New American Standard Bible)
"You will know them by their fruits. Grapes are not gathered from thorn bushes nor figs from thistles, are they? "So every good tree bears good fruit, but the bad tree bears bad fruit.
“A good tree cannot produce bad fruit, nor can a bad tree produce good fruit.
Thus by putting on Righteousness you are showing to others that you are a part of the body of Christ.

1 Peter 2:8-10 (Amplified Bible)
But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a dedicated nation, [God's] own [a]purchased, special people, that you may set forth the wonderful deeds and display the virtues and perfections of Him Who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.

God bless you all
-MiniMug

The Belt of Truth!!

Ok so lets start with the main verse...

Ephesians 6:14 (Amplified Bible)

Stand therefore [hold your ground], having tightened the belt of truth around your loins

Let's look at "girding your loins". I take it to mean binding up everything that hinders you from running your race. Lies entangle like no other, so keeping the truth as a belt to keep your members from tripping you up sounds great to me. This reminds me of Elijah:

1 Kings 18:44-46 (Amplified Bible)

And at the seventh time the servant said, A cloud as small as a man's hand is arising out of the sea. And Elijah said, Go up, say to Ahab, Hitch your chariot and go down, lest the rain stop you. In a little while, the heavens were black with wind-swept clouds, and there was a great rain. And Ahab went to Jezreel. The hand of the Lord was on Elijah. He girded up his loins and ran before Ahab to the entrance of Jezreel [nearly twenty miles].

WOW!!! Thats just cool! Just think of what God can do with you if you are prepared to gird up your loins for him.

Job 38:3 (Amplified Bible)

Gird up now your loins like a man, and I will demand of you, and you declare to Me.

Job 40:7 (Amplified Bible)

7Gird up your loins now like a man; I will demand of you, and you answer Me.

Take responsibility of your words and actions, make sure they are spoken and acted in truth.
Gird up the loins of your mind; get rid of everything that could hidden or trip your  the lies of the world.

1 Peter 1:13 (New American Standard Bible)

Therefore, prepare your minds for action, keep sober in spirit, fix your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

1 Peter 1:13 (New King James Version)

Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;

BE READY at the drop of a hat... keep your loins girded...

Luke 12:35 (New King James Version)

  Let your waist be girded and your lamps burning

Be ready to speak the truth..

Proverbs 12:17 (New King James Version)

  He who speaks truth declares righteousness,

      But a false witness, deceit.

John 8:32 (New International Version)

Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."

I LOVE JESUS!

STAND Therefore!

EPHESIANS 6:10-18
10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.
11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to STAND, against the wiles of the devil.
12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.
13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withSTAND in the evil day, and having done all, to STAND.
14 STAND therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness,
15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
16 above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one.
17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God;
18 praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints

I'm going to be blogging about the armor of God for the next 7 -8 weeks. We've been studying it in my bible study and God has been revealing some amazing things in his word.

But first I want to think about Standing and Putting on the armor of God.

Paul tells us to "put on the whole armor of God" then again tells us to "take up the whole armor of God." I'd like to point out that he doesn't say "put on some of the armor of God."
Without the full armor we will only be half protected. Look at this verse

Romans 13:12 (Amplified Bible)
12The night is far gone and the day is almost here. Let us then drop (fling away) the works and deeds of darkness and put on the [full] armor of light.

Putting only half the armor on is like mixing light and darkness. Guarding yourself is certain ways and leaving other part open to sin and corruption. Notice in

1 John 1:5-7
This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. If we claim to have fellowship with him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live by the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.

We can't continually walk in darkness and in light, thus Paul encourages us to put on the entire armor of God... Full protection from the enemy of Darkness.

Ok, so we know to put on the whole armor of God, But after that what happens. Well I've found myself a lot of times after i put on my armor, sitting or laying down spiritually; In this sort of passive attitude. But think about this.. God doesn't call us to be passive.. He said STAND, notice Paul says it more than once, He says it FOUR times.

may be able to STAND
may be able to withSTAND
having done all, to STAND
STAND therefore

Repetitions usually mean importance right? Once you put on the armor of God STAND, don't sit, don't Cry, don't pout, don't sleep. Stand. Be ready, Be at attention. You are representing a Mighty Man of Valor. You are representing the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. STAND, its a lot easier to defeat a sitting or sleeping army.

1 Peter 5:8 (New International Version)
Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.

So be ready, be alert and self-controlled, put on the WHOLE armor of God and then STAND. With confidence and dignity in the person God has made you to be.

Philippians 1:6
And I am convinced and sure of this very thing, that He Who began a good work in you will continue until the day of Jesus Christ [right up to the time of His return], developing [that good work] and perfecting and bringing it to full completion in you. 

Fruit

Matthew 3:10 - And even now the axis laid to the root of the trees. Therefore every tree which does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown in the the fire.
Good Fruit         Other Fruit
good fruit             ok Fruit
                            bad fruit
                             no fruit

Revelation 3:15-16 - I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were hot or cold. So then because you are luke-warm I will spit you out of my mouth.

Proverbs 11:3 - The integrity of the upright will guide them, But the perversity of the unfatihful will destroy them.

I am convicted.  enough said...

Living a life of worship

School is officially started and I'm getting into the swing of things. It looks to be quite a busy term, however I'm looking forward to deepening my relationship with God through the scheduled nature of my life.

So to the topic of interest for this week...Living a life of worship.

Worship is not an activity that we restrict to church setting. Worship is a lifestyle, in addition to the time we set aside to focus on praising and giving thanks to God.

Worship-  To regard with ardent or adoring esteem or devotion;
                The reverent love and devotion accorded a deity.

Worship is soo much more that church every Sunday morning and Wednesday night. To be true worshipers the bible says we must worship in spirit and in truth.

John 4:23-24
But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.”

Your spirit should be in constant communion with God(1 Thessalonians 5:17, Ephesians 6:18). Because we are new creatures in Christ and dead to the old man. Our new man is of the Spirit or constantly aware of the spirit. Which in turn means we should be constantly aware of God's presence in our lives on a second to second basis. There should(in a perfect world) never be a time when thoughts of God are not on you mind, In some way shape or form. We should be fascinated with the thought of him,  yet our minds are so trained on the flesh that we "forget" about him for the periods of time that we are not in Church or doing our devotions. And in those times that we "forget" about him, we forget who he made us, and who we are destined to become. We are Christians, Christ followers bearers of the holy name of God. When you bear someones name you are a representative of that family. We represent the body of Christ, our lives should be a reflection of Jesus' life.

Romans 12:1-2

Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.

Offering your body... We carry our bodies around EVERYWHERE... using our bodies is not restricted to Church time. Wherever your body goes it should be glorifying God. NO EXCEPTIONS!! A living sacrifice.. Your spiritual ACT of worship. Worship is using ALL your time energy and resources to express our love for God. God extravagantly* expressed his love for you by sending Jesus... why not do the same for him.
John 14:15
" If you love Me, you will keep My commandments."
Romans 13:9-10
Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for he who loves his fellowman has fulfilled the law. The commandments, "Do not commit adultery," "Do not murder," "Do not steal," "Do not covet," and whatever other commandment there may be, are summed up in this one rule: "Love your neighbor as yourself." Love does no harm to its neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.
So by this we see that loving God is keeping the commandments of which the GREATEST is "Love your neighbor as yourself." I'm pretty sure we all love ourselves a great deal thus we should love other as least that much... In fact we should love them MORE because we should see people how God sees people, and if he love you Extravagantly, he love the next guy just as much.

In accordance to the word, this weeks endeavor is to make my lifestyle one of Worship.
By loving EXTRAVAGANTLY.
 * There is a whole different blog in this word right here... Check this out.. this is how God loves us.
Extravagantly
1.spending much more than is necessary or wise; wasteful:
2.excessively high:
3.exceeding the bounds of reason, as actions, demands, opinions, or passions.
4.going beyond what is deserved or justifiable
5.wandering beyond bounds
Now may the Lord of peace Himself give you peace always in every way. The Lord be with you all.(2 Thessalonians 3:16)
-MiniMug