Always Protected

I noticed, as I was coming home from school the other day, the inlet of an ocean not far from my house. The water was dark and gray. It thrashed about and tossed helpless floating docks everywhere. It was beautiful and frightening all at the same time. I don't know if any of you have ever listened to the song "Sometimes He calms the Storm", but that water sure looked like a storm was about to break loose. As I looked at the water, I remembered how God has promised us that he will never leave us, no matter how hard things get. It doesn't matter if the water is trying to swallow you whole, it doesn't matter if the wind won't stop battering you to pieces, God is always there for you. All you have to do is cry out to Him.

"Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you." Hebrews 13:5b
"As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you." Joshua 1:5b

-Peace

The Great Commission

This last Saturday, I was listening to Mark from Casting Crowns talk about their mission trip with World Vision to Africa, and I was convicted that we don't share the gospel message. Sure we send money to needy families in third world countries. We give our money and our time to helping out at a homeless shelter. We send people to Europe, Asia, even the slums of our cities, but we ourselves don't witness for God. We sit back and support others and send others to do the work God has called us to do. You don't have to go to Africa or China to plant a seed. You can plant it in your own garden - in your home, your school, your neighborhood. We can make a difference, all we have to do is obey.
"Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you."
Matthew 28:19-20a

-Peace

The Broken Binder

I was looking at my binder today and I thought about how it’s covered in duct tape because it falling apart on the outside but the inside is perfectly fine. Not for long though because, it’s fraying so much that the tape can’s hold it and soon it will spread to the inside. That made me think about how we try to patch up our own live by ourselves with “duct tape” (self-help programs, clothes, money, friends, etc.) and we will continue to believe that everything fine. Only it’s not and we know it when we realize that we have been lying to ourselves. Until we bring ourselves to God we can’t find true healing. Only Jesus can truly fix us. The song for the week: Lead Me to the Cross, by Hillsong United

~Hope