Prayer Is . . .

“Sometimes I consider myself there as a stone before a carver, whereof he is to make a statue; presenting myself thus before GOD, I desire Him to form His perfect image in my soul, and make me entirely like Himself.” –Brother Lawerence (Practicing the Presence of God)



I love this imagery . . . we are the stone and prayer is going to God and saying “chip away”. Form me, cut me, mold me . . . make me look like you.

Prayer is to be carved into the image of the Son.

Oh LORD would you carve me with your tools . . . your people, trials, challenges . . .



Oh LORD would you carve me with your Living Water . . . your word, your very presence . . .



To look less like me and more like Christ.

100 Names of Jesus

Found this on Twitter a few days ago, posted by Emmanuel Fellowship's blog here

Too good not to share this post! How cool would it be to study each of these names this summer??

After personally experiencing the authority and power of Jesus as He spoke peace to a raging sea, the disciples were left sitting in the stillness, wet from the rain and wondering:

“Who is this man?” they asked. “Even the winds and waves obey him!” –Matthew 8:27 (NLT)

Over and again the Bible answers this amazing question by giving us glimpses of the character of Jesus through the names and descriptions we find of Him.

Here is a list of 100 Names of Jesus we find in the pages of the Bible. You can find the verses and study the context of each name by accessing the Logos Online Bible.

Advocate (1 John 2:1)
Almighty (Rev. 1:8; Mt. 28:18)
Alpha and Omega (Rev. 1:8; 22:13)
Amen (Rev. 3:14)
Apostle of our Profession (Heb. 3:1)
Atoning Sacrifice for our Sins (1 John 2:2)
Author of Life (Acts 3:15)
Author and Perfecter of our Faith (Heb. 12:2)
Author of Salvation (Heb. 2:10)
Beginning and End (Rev. 22:13)
Blessed and only Ruler (1 Tim. 6:15)
Bread of God (John 6:33)
Bread of Life (John 6:35; 6:48)
Capstone (Acts 4:11; 1 Pet. 2:7)
Chief Cornerstone (Eph. 2:20)
Chief Shepherd (1 Pet. 5:4)
Christ (1 John 2:22)
Creator (John 1:3)
Deliverer (Rom. 11:26)
Eternal Life (1 John 1:2; 5:20)
Everlasting Father (Isa. 9:6)
Gate (John 10:9)
Faithful and True (Rev. 19:11)
Faithful Witness (Rev. 1:5)
Faith and True Witness (Rev. 3:14)
First and Last (Rev. 1:17; 2:8; 22:13)
Firstborn From the Dead (Rev. 1:5)
God (John 1:1; 20:28; Heb. 1:8; Rom. 9:5; 2 Pet. 1:1;1 John 5:20; etc.)
Good Shepherd (John 10:11,14)
Great Shepherd (Heb. 13:20)
Great High Priest (Heb. 4:14)
Head of the Church (Eph. 1:22; 4:15; 5:23)
Heir of all things (Heb. 1:2)
High Priest (Heb. 2:17)
Holy and True (Rev. 3:7)
Holy One (Acts 3:14)
Hope (1 Tim. 1:1)
Hope of Glory (Col. 1:27)
Horn of Salvation (Luke 1:69)
I Am (John 8:58)
Image of God (2 Cor. 4:4)
King Eternal (1 Tim. 1:17)
King of Israel (John 1:49)
King of the Jews (Mt. 27:11)
King of kings (1 Tim 6:15; Rev. 19:16)
King of the Ages (Rev. 15:3)
Lamb (Rev. 13:8)
Lamb of God (John 1:29)
Lamb Without Blemish (1 Pet. 1:19)
Last Adam (1 Cor. 15:45)
Life (John 14:6; Col. 3:4)
Light of the World (John 8:12)
Lion of the Tribe of Judah (Rev. 5:5)
Living One (Rev. 1:18)
Living Stone (1 Pet. 2:4)
Lord (2 Pet. 2:20)
Lord of All (Acts 10:36)
Lord of Glory (1 Cor. 2:8)
Lord of lords (Rev. 19:16)
LORD [YHWH] our Righteousness (Jer. 23:6)
Man from Heaven (1 Cor. 15:48)
Mediator of the New Covenant (Heb. 9:15)
Mighty God (Isa. 9:6)
Morning Star (Rev. 22:16)
Offspring of David (Rev. 22:16)
Only Begotten Son of God (John 1:18; 1 John 4:9)
Our Great God and Savior (Titus 2:13)
Our Holiness (1 Cor. 1:30)
Our Husband (2 Cor. 11:2)
Our Protection (2 Thess. 3:3)
Our Redemption (1 Cor. 1:30)
Our Righteousness (1 Cor. 1:30)
Our Sacrificed Passover Lamb (1 Cor. 5:7)
Power of God (1 Cor. 1:24)
Precious Cornerstone (1 Pet. 2:6)
Prince of Peace (Isa. 9:6)
Prophet (Acts 3:22)
Resurrection and Life (John 11:25)
Righteous Branch (Jer. 23:5)
Righteous One (Acts 7:52; 1 John 2:1)
Rock (1 Cor. 10:4)
Root of David (Rev. 5:5; 22:16)
Ruler of God’s Creation (Rev. 3:14)
Ruler of the Kings of the Earth (Rev. 1:5)
Savior (Eph. 5:23; Titus 1:4; 3:6; 2 Pet. 2:20)
Son of David (Lk. 18:39)
Son of God (John 1:49; Heb. 4:14)
Son of Man (Mt. 8:20)
Son of the Most High God (Lk. 1:32)
Source of Eternal Salvation for all who obey him (Heb. 5:9)
The One Mediator (1 Tim. 2:5)
The Stone the builders rejected (Acts 4:11)
True Bread (John 6:32)
True Light (John 1:9)
True Vine (John 15:1)
Truth (John 1:14; 14:6)
Way (John 14:6)
Wisdom of God (1 Cor. 1:24)
Wonderful Counselor (Isa. 9:6)
Word (John 1:1)
Word of God (Rev. 19:13)

I have personally experienced Jesus through many of the names found on this list, but one of my greatest treasures is to know Him as my friend.

Do you know Jesus? Which of these names have you discovered Him to be?

{Emmanuel Fellowship Church Blog: Monday Morning Review}

Theology of Waiting

Started this book about a month ago. Short book, deep thoughts.



Andrew Murray says waiting on God is the greatest place to be . . . because waiting on God is the way to knowing God. It's a place of deep dependence and deep trust in the LORD. It's a place of surrendering your will to His.

Waiting is knowing.
Waiting is depending.
Waiting is trusting.
Waiting is surrender.
In.God.Alone.

"Give God His glory by resting in Him, by trusting Him fully, by waiting patiently for Him. This patience honors Him greatly; it leaves Him, as God on the throne, to do His work; it yields self wholly inot His hands. It lets God by God." (p.31)

"The word patience is derived from the Latin word for suffering. . . Patience then becomes our highest blessedness and our highest grace. It honors God, and gives Him time to have His way with us. It is the highest expression of our faith in His goodness and faithfulness. It brings the soul perfect rest in the assurance that God is carrying on His work. It is the token of our full consent that God should deal with us in such a way and time that He thinks best. True patience is the losing of our self-will in His perfect will." (p.37)

Easier said than done Andrew Murray!

Do you view waiting as a gift of grace?
Do you view at as blessing to deepen your dependance on the LORD?
As way to strengthen your faith?
Do you find contentment in the wait?
Do you seek to be strengthened by the strength of His might?

Me neither. But I'm LEARNING to be content in my circumstances (Philippians 4:11). Learning. Growing. Waiting. Trusting.

"Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him . . ." (Psalm 37:7)

"Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord" (Psalm 27:14)

Questions from Life Group

This semester in life group, we all submitted any questions we had about God, life, the bible, Christianity, etc. Here are all of the questions we're going through! Aren't they great??

Why are all sins considered equal?
- Are there different degrees of sin?
- How can all sins be the same?

What is the condition of our hearts?

Is the Holy Spirit in children?

How do you trust in the LORD’s timing or be content when your heart’s desire for your life is not being answered and you watch all of your non-Christians friends get what you want?

Can you lose your salvation if you turn too far away or become hardened?

You hear people say its normal to have times when you questions your faith. How do you know when your questioning is an issue needing attention?

How do we handle dealing with someone we’ve approached about their sin appropriately who publicly claims to be a Christian but refuses to repent?

How do I know the bible is true if my argument is scripture?

Why did God create us to be inherently sinful?

Does God give consideration to people who were born into atheist (or other religion) families and are not exposed to Him or taught false theology at an early age?

How can I read the bible and actually glean something deeper and profound from it?

How can you be a light without talking about the bible?

How do you start the conversation with someone who is adamantly against hearing anything?

How do you defend your faith with Bible verses when the other person uses bible verses against you?

How can I be an even better example of the LORD to the lost?

Does God give consideration to people who were born into atheist (or other religion) families and are not exposed to Him or taught false theology at an early age?

What do you say when someone is unsure about how to process a death of a loved one and is lost?

When you are witnessing to someone on their deathbed how do you know if they are saved?

What do you say to people that call themselves Catholic/Christian? As the same thing?

How do you love like the LORD? Love difficult people, like family members that cause problems?

How do you love your family members that have hurt you?

How do you deal with people who don’t understand you and therefore judge you or persecute you?

Is it a sin to smoke marijuana just because it’s illegal? What happens if it becomes legalized?
-Why do some look at cigarettes as a sin if its legal?

Why do some Christians believe stem cell research is a sin? Didn’t God create the people who discovered it?

What is the bible’s stance on homosexuality?

When and why is divorce acceptable?

What happens when a couple has divorced but they want to get back together? Is there divorce still a sin if they get back together?

How do we handle dealing with someone we’ve approached about their sin appropriately who publicly claims to be a Christian but refuses to repent?

Who are the women of the bible? And what were there roles?

How can you balance being an “independent woman” or career minded woman while still being submissive?

How can I completely trust God with our finances?

Does tithing relate only to giving directly to the church?

Why did Jesus come at the point in history when he did?
-Why not now in a time of social media, where more would see him?

Why isn’t the doctrine of the Trintity more clear in the bible?
-I know the bible says Jesus is the image of the invisible God. So that means He is God. I can try to grabst that somehow,with God,there can be more than one that are exactly the same.He and Jesus,but what about the Holy Spirit? Does the bible say the Holy Spirit is God too?

Who do I pray to? Father? Jesus taught us to pray to Him. Some say it doesn't matter which we pray to....but during my prayers, I try to include them all so I don't worship one more than the other. So confused...Help me!

What do you say to someone who claims to have the ability to heal people physically through the spirit?

What is your take on Rob Bell’s view on Heaven and Hell (Love Wins)?

Are the events of the world following what is written in Revelation?

How can the LORD permit terrible tragedy happening to innocent believers versus intervening like he’s done in the past (Old Testament) times?

Why is it easy to forgive others, but hard to forgive myself?

Tips for Sharing Your Faith

{Sharing Your Faith Starts in the Most Unexpected Place}

Sharing your faith can be terrifying, for many reasons: you don’t know how, you don’t know why, you feel inadequate, you feel incompetent, you feel guilty because you know you’re “supposed” to, etc.

I think when we understand why sharing our faith is so important, it makes it easier for us to know how to share our faith.

“Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6)

Apart from Christ, people have no chance at spending eternity in heaven with the Father. They will remain far off, in broken relationship, without hope. If we don’t share, they can’t hear. If they don’t hear, they can’t believe. If they don’t believe, there’s NO hope (Romans 10).

Sharing brings hope.

So how do we offer hope??
I don’t think sharing your faith starts with knowing “5 points of Evangelism” or an index card with good questions or any other list of “how to’s”. Those are helpful along the way, but not a starting place. So where do we start? What do we do?

#1) Be Compassionate
I think the place to start when sharing your faith is a place of brokenness, a place of compassion. Sharing your faith starts with a broken heart.

“And Jesus went throughout all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.” (Matthew 9:35-38)

Jesus looked on people with compassion. He was out teaching and proclaiming the gospel . . . with compassion. He hurt as He healed. That is where sharing starts. We are to feel mercy for the lost and love them so much that we look past our fears, to offer them hope.

#2) Pray Intentionally
"Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving. At the same time, pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ, on account of which I am in prison— that I may make it clear, which is how I ought to speak." (Colossians 4:2-4)

We are to actively seek out opportunities through prayer to share Christ. The gospel is a message that must be spoken, it’s good news that must be announced! We must pray for open doors and for boldness and clarity when we speak.

#3) Live Authentically
"Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person. (Colossians 4:5-6)

“You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people's feet. “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that[b] they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. (Matthew 5:13-14)

We are to live in a way that is authentic and honest. Our lives should bring credibility to the gospel and glorify the LORD. Our lives should be what attract's people to the gospel the most.

#4) Know Your Bible
"but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect” (1 Peter 3:15)

We are to be people who know our bibles. The reliability of the bible, the story of redemption in the bible, places to take people to see the beautiful work of Christ and Christ crucified. We need to be fluent in our bibles to be able to explain to people what we believe.

#5) Preach it!
"For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another. But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life." (Titus 3:3-7)

Share your story of how you were once foolish, disobedient, and far off. Then share the message of the gospel, the good news, that Jesus died so that we may live! Share about His forgiveness of sin and His power to redeem.

Sharing your faith is NOT always easy, but hopefully these tips will help you to reach out to others the same way Christ reached down for us.

See compassionately.
Pray intentionally.
Live authentically.
Speak knowledgeably.
Preach boldly.

Why We NEED the Rain

{Theology of Pain}

Monday morning, as I was driving to work, it was slightly raining, but I could see the sun bursting through the clouds just a bit.


Which reminded me of a song from when I taught preschool. So I started singing it. (That’s what happens when you teach little kids (or have little kids) the songs that get stuck in your head are usually by world renowned artists like Greg & Steve, Raffi, or in my case Charlotte Diamond.) Maybe some of you know it?

“Each of us is a flower, growing in life’s gaaarrrden. Each of us is a flower, we need the sun and the rain.”

If this post just got to hokey for you, that’s okay, you can stop reading.

So I’m singing this song as I drive to work (ridiculous, I know). I was thinking of how so many people throughout the weekend posted how much they love the rain! And all I can ever think of is how much I hate it. Rain gives me terrible headaches. I was in bed most Friday afternoon because of a headache and ingesting handfuls of advil all day Sunday. I don’t enjoy anything about the rain.


Except I kept telling myself “we need it”. To wash the air, to nourish the plants, to water the earth so crops can grow.

We need rain. So I’ll endure the pain because we need the rain.

Do you see where I’m going with this?

You didn’t know Charlotte Diamond was a theologian did you?

So it is in my life. I don’t like the rain: the hard times, the trials, the storms. I don’t like the rainy, dark, stormy, icky days. I like sunshine and blue skies! I like easy, comfortable, happy days.

But I would never grow if I didn’t have those kinds of days, just as a plant wouldn’t grow without the rain. I wouldn’t grow to be more Christ-like if my whole life was happy and comfortable. If anything, I would probably backslide because I would never need to depend on Christ for anything.


The rainy days are what help us to depend on Christ, to grow to be more like Him, and be nourished in a different way. We need the sunshine, but we also need the rain. Otherwise we'd wither away.

So this week, I looked at my “rainy days” a little different. I look through my trials, my pain, my lessons as a source of nourishment that help me grow.


"For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven and do not return there but water the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it." (Isaiah 55:11-12)

What it Means to be a Daughter

{What my earthly father taught me about our Heavenly Father}

One of my favorite ways to think of the LORD is thinking of Him as my Heavenly Father. My Abba Father, my daddy.

A God that is safe, comforting, loving. A God who wants to protect His children and delights in me as His daughter. A dad who teaches me, guides me, and loves me.

I had an earthly father who was very much like this.

He was a defender/protector.
When we were little, when we started school, my dad had a plan. He told us that sometimes strangers come to schools to try and take children. He said they'll tell us "your mom and dad asked me to pick you up today". He said if anyone ever tried to pick us up from school that we didn't recognize, we were to ask them our family's code word (which was strawberry). If they didn't know it, to run away screaming and tell a teacher!

He was a teacher.
I can remember driving on trips out of town and my father pointing out the window to a field of crops, teaching us what was growing. Or coaching us in softball and giving us pitching tips. Or as we grew older, teaching us what boys were really after and making sure we knew just how valued we were as his daughters.

He was a comforter.
I can remember in 6th grade one of our close family friends died. I was crying on my bed and my father came in, hugged me, and said he was sad too. And we sat and cried together.

He disciplined me.
Oh goodness this was hard for him though! He told me once as he was spanking me (this is harder for me than it is for you, which in my head I thought what the heck, than why are you doing it??!) He didn't like disciplining us but he did because he wanted to teach us right from wrong.

He loved me.
I can remember many times my dad telling us how much we were loved. He would stroke our hair as we slept (even until I was a teenager). Every Valentine's day he would bring all of us girls flowers!

He delighted in me.
I can remember laughing with my dad a lot! He loved to tell his friends stories about funny things we said or did. He loved to talk with me about school, politics, whatever! We had so much fun together. He truly was my favorite person to be around.

And so it is with our Heavenly Father. Our Father in Heaven protects us, defends us, teaches us, disciplines us, loves us, and delights in us as His daughters. His commands are to protect us from harm (physically, emotionally, spiritually). His discipline is to keep us on the right path, His path. His love is lavished on us.

When I think of God this way, I can't help but want to spend time with Him! I love to learn about Him through studying His word, worship Him through song, talk to Him through prayer. And not just request after request to change my circumstance, but just talk to Him.

Thank Him for who He is and for calling me from darkness to light (Colossians 1:13-14), for adopting me as His daughter (Ephesians 1:5), and delighting in me (Psalm 18:16-19).

Our Abba Father, our daddy . . . brings me so much comfort and joy!

*I know for some of you, the word father or dad brings up very different feelings. I'm praying for you, that the LORD would redeem those words and create a new meaning, His meaning, for fatherhood. It breaks my heart to think of your scars. But I'm thankful we can know the One who heals.

Identity in Christ

Ephesians 1. A passage I go back to often to be reminded of who am I in Christ. I took the time to memorize it last summer because it was so dear to me.

Read through and let the LORD sing it over you. Circle the verbs verses 1-14 and write them out in a list to be reminded of your identity in Christ. Read the last few verses and write out characteristics/promises of God and use that as a list to praise Him!

Greeting
1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, To the saints who are in Ephesus, and are faithful in Christ Jesus: 2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Spiritual Blessings in Christ
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, 4 even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love 5 he predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, 6 to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved. 7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, 8 which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight 9 making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ 10 as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth.

11 In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will, 12 so that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of his glory. 13 In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, 14 who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.

Thanksgiving and Prayer
15 For this reason, because I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all the saints, 16 I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers, 17 that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him, 18 having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, 19 and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might 20 that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, 21 far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. 22 And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church, 23 which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.

From Sinner to Saint

Last Thursday, I shared how we as a life group spent time in Genesis 1-3 talking about where sin comes from. If He created all things and said they were good, then when does evil enter the picture? Why does God create us with the ability to sin? Why do we pursue sin?

Super fun topic, right? No not fun, but so essential to understanding why Jesus had to come, die, and rise again. So that we may be reconciled and to walk in His power daily to defeat sin!

The best part about understanding our sin is it helps us understand our need. Our need for a Savior and our need for a Helper. One to save us from our sin (and restore us back to right relationship with the Father) and one to help us from continuing in sin.

So while it's not the most uplifting topic, it's definitely foundational to the Christian life!

Our sin helps us understand His grace.

And the beauty of it all is that we don't have to remain in sin. Our identity doesn't have to be that of "sinner" for all of our lives. When we place our faith in Christ and trust Him, our identity is no longer sinner . . . it's saint.

When we trust in Christ and His blood that cleanses us, we become saints. (Just read Chapter 1 of the epistles in the New Testament: To the saints at Ephesus, Corinth, etc.)

Saint: Holy one. A believer. One who's been redeemed. One who's set apart.

Saints not because of OUR action, but because of CHRIST's action on our behalf.
He makes us holy, he makes us clean, he makes us saints.

The Holy Spirit then works in us to helps us become free from our bondage to sin, and desire godliness above all.

The LORD not only provides a way through Christ to be forgiven of our sin, but He also provides away through the Spirit to no longer remain in sin.

Forgiven of the penalty of sin (through Christ).
Released from the power of sin (through the Holy Spirit).
And eventually in eternity, removed from the presence of sin (with the Father).

Though sin may not be a favorite topic for some, it is one of mine. Because it shows me my need, helps me find comfort in His grace, and live in gratitude for His sacrifice. My identity is not longer sinner, but saint.

Where Does Sin Come From?

{A Trip Back to the Garden}

This semester in life group we made a list of questions about God, life, the bible, etc. and we're just working our way through them, seeking truth from His word.

You need to know that absolutely none of us are bible scholars. We are all at different places in our walk with Jesus. Some are curious, some brand new Christians, some grew up in church, some did not. We’re just a group of fun, different, messy women trying to understand and love God in a deeper way.

Here were the questions we covered this week:
-Where does sin come from?
-Why are we inherently sinful?
-Did God make us this way?
-Why didn't He just make us good without the possibility of being sinful?

We dove right in to Genesis 1-3 to read with our own eyes. We noticed right away in Chapter 1 it says over and over after God created something that “it was good”. Our LORD, the Maker, makes things good from the beginning.

So if He doesn’t make us sinful then where in the world does sin come from?

And we see it in Genesis 3. We see it begins with Eve’s lack of trust, lack of faith in the Father. She doubts God’s very word. The enemy convinces her to doubt God, that His consequences aren’t that bad, He can’t really mean you’ll die, He’s holding out on you.

Do you see it:
“Now the serpent was more crafty than any other beast of the field that the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God actually say, ‘You shall not eat of any tree in the garden’?” And the woman said to the serpent, “We may eat of the fruit of the trees in the garden, but God said, ‘You shall not eat of the fruit of the tree that is in the midst of the garden, neither shall you touch it, lest you die.’” But the serpent said to the woman, “You will not surely die. For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” (Genesis 3:1-5)

So she gives way to the doubt, and believes the enemy that God is holding out on her (ingratitude, lack of faith). She trusts her own desires, she puts her wisdom above God’s (pride) and indulges. Surely if I want it, if it looks good, if it feels good, than I should be able to eat it. God doesn’t know what’s best for me, I do. I choose my way over His (selfishness).

Do you see it:
So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate, and she also gave some to her husband who was with her, and he ate. (3:6)

And as result, the fellowship, the peace, the intimacy they had with the Father was broken. They feel guilt, shame, fear, and regret. Then the eyes of both were opened, and they knew that they were naked. And they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves loincloths. And they heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God among the trees of the garden.” (3:7-9)

But God loved them so much He wouldn’t let them hide. He knew where they were, He knew all along. When left to mankind’s choice, we will always choose our way over God’s. We will always choose what feels good, what looks good, what we think is right over God.

A loving Father has to give us this choice, the choice to choose Him.

Which is where our questions “why not just make us without the desire to sin?” comes into play.

The desire to sin comes from the freedom to choose.
God doesn’t makes us sin, we choose it.
If He doesn’t allow us choice, then it isn’t love.

Which is real love . . .
Loving because you want to OR loving because you’re forced to?

God wants us to love Him, he doesn’t force us to love Him.

We looked up at each other and said “so what now? If we will always choose sin, how do we ever have a shot at seeing God?"

That’s when we discovered this little verse tucked away in chapter 3. After they confess their sin (though God already knew) and God reveals the consequences for their sin (death, strife, enmity, etc), He also reveals HOPE.

“I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring;
he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel.” (3:15)

Her offspring will bruise the enemy’s head.

This offspring is Jesus Christ! This is the first glimpse of Jesus in the Old Testament, it’s foreshadowing Christ’s death that will conquer sin once and for all!

So we see God gives us abundance.
God gives us choice.
God gives us consequence.
God gives us HOPE.
God gives us Christ.

He knew and knows we will choose sin. Christ was a part of the plan all along.

In our sin, in our choice against God, He loves us enough to provide a way to be reconciled.

We walked away realizing you can't understand John 3:16 without understanding Genesis 3:15.

The reason we need a Savior, is because of our sin.

Thank You Jesus.

“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus” (Romans 3:23-24)

“But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8)

Theology Thursdays: Where Do We Start?

“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction.” Proverbs 1:7

This verse is a great beginning place as we study theology and explore God's word in a deeper way. After all, it shows us where the knowledge begins, in fear of LORD. To gain knowledge . . . start with fear.

What does it mean to fear the LORD? To have a deep respect or admiration and humility before the Maker and Redeemer. Before we can go any further in our understanding we must come to a deep place of reverence for the LORD.

We should be in awe of the LORD and worship Him because...

He is glorious
“The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.” Psalm 19:1

He created us
“For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb.” Psalm 139:13

He chose us
“For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will”
Ephesians 1:4-5

We are saved
"For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved." Romans 10:13

We are adopted
“For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, "Abba! Father!"” Romans 8:15

Christ lives in us
“I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” Galatians 2:20

We are justified and glorified
"And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.” Romans 8:30

We are blessed
And the angel said to me, "Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb." Revelation 19:9

Our Creator reached down from on high and rescued us . . . bringing us into a spacious place (Psalm 18:16-19).

Remembering the things listed above is how we humble ourselves, worship, stand in awe, and fear our LORD. That kind of fear is the beginning of knowledge and wisdom. Thanksgiving and praise for what He did to us, in us, and through us. I hope we bow our hearts today in reverence, filled with fear, that we would receive knowledge from our King.

Theology Thursday: Questions

Last week, I asked "If you could find the answer to any question about God, the bible, spirituality, life, etc. what would you ask?"

Here were some of the questions that you responded with:

Why did Jesus come at the point in history when he did?

Why isn’t the doctrine of the Trintity more clear in the bible?

Why are all sins considered equal? Are there different degrees of sin?

How do you love like the LORD? How do you love difficult people? People that have hurt you?

Can you lose your salvation if you turn too far away or become hardened?

Why did God create us to be inherently sinful?

Who are the women of the bible? And what were there roles?

How do you know the bible is true?

Plus 50 more! We'll be spending this semester as a life group going through the bible to find the answers! Check back on Thursdays for answers to these theological questions (get it-Theology Thursdays), and feel free to leave any others you may have!

Q & A

I’ve mentioned before I did not grow up knowing the LORD or with much knowledge about the bible. So, when I started to seek Truth, I had LOTS of questions.

For me, I grew up hearing all the time about Jesus being “the only way”. I heard “Don’t you know He died for your sins?” I had no idea what this meant or how it could be true. So for me, before I placed my faith in Christ, I had some questions.

1. Who is Jesus?
2. What does His death have to do with me?
3. Why is HE the only way to Heaven?

Although we are saved by grace, through faith (Ephesians 2:8), there are some facts, some knowledge we base our decision on. I needed to hear some evidence, some truth, and some explanation of these things. I needed to know before I believed. Because after all, with knowledge comes understanding, right?

There are still many things I don’t understand. I know I walk by faith, not by sight (2 Corinthians 5:7). I also know God says His thoughts are not like our thoughts, and His ways are higher than our ways (Isaiah 55), but I still have lots of questions. Many of which I believe I can find the answer to.

So . . . how about you? Do you find yourself asking questions, trying to understand better, make sense of it all? I don’t think we’ll ever fully grasp God and His infinite wisdom or His purpose to why things happen . . . but I certainly think if we ask, if we seek, we can find answers.

What questions do you have? If you could find the answer to any question about God, the bible, spirituality, life, etc. what would you ask? Leave it below, let’s answer seek Him out together!

“If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.” (James 1:5)