I chose Isaiah 43 1-4 to memorize last week and this week (since it was longer, I decided to give myself two weeks to memorize this one!) How awesome is this?!?
"Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you." He ransomed ME!! He paid for ME!! He wanted me back so badly that He was willing to pay any price.
"I have called you by name; you are mine." He knows my name! He tells everyone that Tammy is mine. He paid a very high price for me. He thought I was worth His life - every lash he received, every blood drop he shed was worth it to Him because I am His child.
"When you go through deep waters, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficutly, you will not drown. When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you." Notice He didn't say, "IF you go through deep waters...rivers of difficulty...or fire of oppression, but WHEN you go through, He will be there. He never promised we would have an easy life or that He would always keep us from suffering, but He did promise that when we go through these difficult times, He will be with us...He won't let us drown...He won't let us be consumed by the fire...He will walk THROUGH the fires with us, just like he did with Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego.
"... because you are precious to me. You are honored, and I love you." I may not feel precious to anyone at times, or honored, or loved. I may not even be worthy of honor or love, but my God thinks I'm precious and He honors me and loves me always.
Why is that so hard for us to believe sometimes (most of the time)??
Sunday, January 24, 2010
Saturday, January 9, 2010
A New Year.....
It has been almost a whole year since I've last posted. I think everyone who would read this blog understands why I've been absent for a while. I guess you could say I've been on a journey this past year. Certainly not a journey of my choosing, but a journey of unexpected challenges that has resulted in intentional growth in many areas of my life.
I would be outright lying if I said this past year was easy or even good - it has been neither of those things. However, I can say that I have been able to see many blessings through this time of extreme difficulty.
A new year and a new decade begins for me as most years do for everyone, that is setting new goals. In years past, though, I've set resolutions with only half hearted intentions of fulfilling them. I already feel this year is going to be different for me. I've set some pretty lofting intentions this year, but the motivation behind them are much more deeply rooted, so with that, I already feel accomplished.
I guess I need to take a step back and explain that since last February this journey has not only been self-searching, but God seeking. And He has revealed Himself to me as I've never known Him before (not for His lack of faithfulness, but because of my disobedience). So most of my plans this year revolve around getting to know Him better and trying to be more obedient.
Part of this obedience means doing that one thing that a lot of people struggle with, and that is actually tithing. I have given offerings in the past and I have given generously over the years, but I have to say I've never given exactly 10% of my income as we are commaded to do in the Bible. This is quite a commitment, I must say. I'm working toward a budget and figuring what I'm going to cut out in order for me to be able to meet this commitment.
I would be outright lying if I said this past year was easy or even good - it has been neither of those things. However, I can say that I have been able to see many blessings through this time of extreme difficulty.
A new year and a new decade begins for me as most years do for everyone, that is setting new goals. In years past, though, I've set resolutions with only half hearted intentions of fulfilling them. I already feel this year is going to be different for me. I've set some pretty lofting intentions this year, but the motivation behind them are much more deeply rooted, so with that, I already feel accomplished.
I guess I need to take a step back and explain that since last February this journey has not only been self-searching, but God seeking. And He has revealed Himself to me as I've never known Him before (not for His lack of faithfulness, but because of my disobedience). So most of my plans this year revolve around getting to know Him better and trying to be more obedient.
Part of this obedience means doing that one thing that a lot of people struggle with, and that is actually tithing. I have given offerings in the past and I have given generously over the years, but I have to say I've never given exactly 10% of my income as we are commaded to do in the Bible. This is quite a commitment, I must say. I'm working toward a budget and figuring what I'm going to cut out in order for me to be able to meet this commitment.
My next major intention for the new year is continuing on a fitness regiment that has already lasted about 8 weeks. I work out about 6 days a week - 3 with a trainer and 3 on my own. I've grown to understand that if my health is lacking, I can't do what God needs or asks me to do. I'm happy to report that in the first 8 weeks, I've lost 4% body fat, went from being able to do 13 push ups to 30 (and these aren't the "girly" push ups, either!), and I've lost 3.25 inches in various parts of my body. A goal inside this goal is to run a 5K sometime in February or March. I've also actually made all my meals at home for the last two weeks and have taken my lunch every day to work. That, in itself, is a miracle! :o)
The third intention is to learn more about who God is. As I've said, I started down this path and don't plan to stop now. I read my Bible every morning and every night. I'm attending a Community Bible Study group every week (studying the Book of Revelation), doing another Bible study with my small group ladies from church (studying the Book of Esther) and I've set a goal to memorize a Bible verse every week this year.
- Dec 27: Hebrews 10:36: Patient endurance is what you need right now so that you can continue to do God's will, then you will receive all that He has promised. (NLT)
- Jan 3: John 15:7: But if you remain in Me, and My Word remains in you, you may ask for anything you want and it will be granted. (NLT)
There are so many awesome promises God gives us in the Bible. I'm anxious to learn more of them and see them transpire in my life.
As I continue down this path this year, I plan to document bits and pieces of my journey here. I hope to give some insight on what God is teaching me along the way and hope that you will be blessed just as He has already blessed me.
Until next time....God bless!!
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