Just When I Need Him

Well, this morning pretty much was not fun at all. I had a nasty test, received my GRE scores, and was told that I would have to stay another year at school. So, as you can see I was a little upset. (I also want it to be known, that I wil NOT be staying at school another year, that situation will be resolved another way. That is what I was told though.)

So, as I was walking to work, and rather upset I started humming a song without even realizing it. I hummed it for 5-10 minutes before I even realized what I was humming. It was an old hymn that we don't even sing that often at my church. As I hummed and realized the words to the song, God comforted me, and for that I am thankful.

Just when I need Him, Jesus is near,
Just when I falter, just when I fear;
Ready to help me, ready to cheer,
Just when I need Him most.

Just when I need Him, Jesus is true,
Never forsaking all the way through;
Giving for burdens pleasures anew,
Just when I need Him most.

Just when I need Him, Jesus is strong,
Bearing my burdens all the day long;
For all my sorrow giving a song,
Just when I need Him most.

Just when I need Him, He is my all,
Answering when upon Him I call;
Tenderly watching lest I should fall,
Just when I need Him most.

Just when I need Him most,
Just when I need Him most,
Jesus is near to comfort and cheer,
Just when I need Him most.

The World, at My Back Door...

Okay, first, there is a dispute among my friends and I, which of the two doors that lead into my apartment is the back door. Secondly, technically, there is not much directly outside either of those doors, although there does seem to be a snake that likes to hang around outside our home.

However, despite all of that, God has been showing me that the world really is at my back door, metaphorically speaking. He has also been showing me that it has been that way for quite awhile. I just didn't care. I've been to Europe and Latin America. I love to travel, but here in Hannibal, MO God has brought the world to my back door. As with most colleges there are international students, but I have a unique opportunity to connect with them. I get to teach them English for the semester. In my class I have 14 students that speak three different languages, and are from seven different countries, which include Spain, Brazil, and Turkey. Fourteen different people, with different backgrounds, religions, all having one thing in common. They need to know the love of Jesus.

My first response to that has always been, "Great, they need Jesus. Who would be the best person to tell them?" Then God reminded me that it was not about who would be the best person. It was about me realizing that I was the one that needed to be showing them God's love, not because of who I am or what I can do, but simply because of what Christ did for me.

"I will give you as a covenant for the people, a light for the nations." Isaiah 42:6

Whenever anyone leaves their back door, they are entering the world. That sounds incredibly simple, I know, but we are to be a "light to the world." (Matthew 5:14) The world is at my back door. Am I being a light?

It is a Fearful Thing...

There is a verse in my Bible, from Hebrews 10, that I have underlined. When I was reading from there this morning, and I read that verse, and I read that verse it occurred to me that it is one that is probably too often overlooked.

It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. - Hebrews 10:31

It's a whole lot nicer for us when we think about the loving characteristics of God. This is especially the case when we are disobeying Him, and we know it. "Oh, it will be ok. God will forgive me. He loves me."

Yes, God does forgive, and He does love, but He is also just. This verse reminds us that He is living and not just sitting in Heaven ignoring our actions. The verse right before that reminds us that "The Lord will judge His people." Notice it says His people. That means Christians, not just unbelievers.

It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. - Hebrews 10:31

And now, a friendly reminder...

Isn't crazy when God just reminds us in the most unusual ways, that He is God, and our job is to praise Him? So, I'm eating my delicious, gummy, peach rings from Bass Pro, and I look at the Nutritional facts. At the very bottom of the label was a little saying.

"Take time for family and pray. Always give praise."

What a random place to share that we are to praise God

"You who fear the Lord, Praise Him!" Psalm 22:23a

Hold Fast

It is the end of summer. I can't help thinking about the title of my last post when I write that. The end of summer is really just the beginning of school. The beginning of my Senior year in college, the beginning of new friendships, more homework, coffee house chats, and oh so much more. Usually, I write an end of the summer post. I tell what I did, and what I learned, etc... I really don't want to look back over the summer. Yes, some amazing God things happened. God grew me a lot. Still, I would have to say that it was the hardest summer of my life. So, instead of my usual "End of the Summer List" I'm just going to share a bit about what taught me.

My verses for the summer were:
Ephesians 6:10-20
Phil. chapter 1, especially verse 20
Proverbs 3:5-6
Nahum 1:7

And oh so many more.

I would have to say the thing that God taught me the most the summer was just how we have to hold fast to His Word. There were times that the only thing I was able to do was hold fast to a verse that God reminded me of. I really can't explain it, but God just grew me in how I needed to hold fast to His truths and promises.

As for that in the good soil, they are those who, hearing the word, hold it fast in an honest and good heart, and bear fruit with patience. - Luke 8:15

Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. - Hebrews 10:23