A Truth

Life is hard, that's true. It's just as true that God is still God no matter what. In that truth, rejoice!

Love

I hurt. Yep, today I hurt, because I love. I mean I don't only love today, but today is a day that I hurt more than usual.

I hurt for the people sitting beside me that don't love my Jesus. I just want them to know Him, and to love Him.

I hurt for my Christian brothers and sisters who say they love Jesus, but refuse to completely surrender their lives to Him, to know Him more, and to love Him more.

I hurt, because I love.

Today's verse for the day - Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. 1 John 4:8

Thank You, God, for the hurt, that comes from the love that I have, that comes from knowing You.

This is Me

On my gallivanting around the World Wide Web, one of my favorite stopping off points is the "NASA Photo of the Day" website. http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/archivepix.html





Today I clicked on one of the pictures, and this is what I saw.

It was an interesting picture of a lighthouse shining in the foggy night. When I saw it, these three words came to mind, "This is me."

You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. - Matthew 5:14

In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. - Matthew 5:16

I am a light to the world. Am I shining for Him?

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?