IfYouGiveAMindensenABlog

I truly believe that FAITH is the balance between fear and foolishness

...but how do you find that balance?

Commitment. A word that tends to scare people these days. Well, this past Sunday I went to a church whose message was about commitment, and boy was I not prepared for what God would do.

Have you ever had people disappoint you? Let you down? Break a COMMITMENT? Well, me too. In fact, as sad as it is, words of commitment to my family have come to be known as 'two week notices'. It's kind of a joke now, which is NOT how things are supposed to be. Commitment is very important, nothing great happens without it. However, with all the poor examples of commitment around us, how are we supposed to take it seriously?

Well, as obvious as it should have been, God reminded me on Sunday how HE made a commitment with us when He sent JESUS, and how HE has NEVER broken a commitment. He is faithful, trustworthy, and will ALWAYS be there. It was like Jesus was saying, "Look Mindy. Look how committed I am to being in a relationship with you...before you were even born I DIED for you. See...you can trust me. I'm here for you, I've been here for you, I'll ALWAYS be there for you." I don't think the speaker was trying for a 'moving' service but I was definitely crying through most of it. Not anything dramatic, but as I stood there during the worship session at the end of the service tears started streaming down my face. I didn't have to fear commitment anymore, or fear being abandoned or left alone because that's IMPOSSIBLE to happen with God.

So, thank you God for being my source of JOY, my refuge, and my strength. Thank you for ALWAYS being there for me. You are my comforter and provider. I KNOW you are in control, and have my best in mind. Thank you for you peace!

God is GOOD! ♥

Mark 4:35-41 and Luke 8:22-25 record the story of Jesus calming the storm. This amazing story depicts Jesus' FEARLESSNESS even in the face of a TERRIFYING situation. Last week the Mark story was brought to my attention a lot, along with Mikeschair's song "Let the Waters Rise". Two lessons have come from the mediation on the passage and the message of the song.

1- God is WAY bigger than any worldly situation. Even if to us the situation seems grim. God is not startled/frightened, He's calm/collected and IN CONTROL. He has the WHOLE world under His authority, and there is NOTHING GREATER than HE! Praise God!

2- because He is this GREAT and POWERFUL God, who really does hold all authority in heaven and earth, HE IS the ONE to FEAR. May's theme is "Humility", and the first step to humility is recognizing our proper place in relation to God. For things to work out right, we need to allow God to be our ALL, to step-out of ourselves, and let God take over. It sounds constricting, but really when we reach that perfect state of humility, and fully become the empty vessels for God to use, and fill with HIS glory, that is when we are able to really LIVE; live in the peace/joy/goodness...(the Fruits of the Spirit Galatians 5:22-23)the blessings that come from living in perfect harmony with our Creator! and we're promised glory with (THROUGH) HIM in the end.

"You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being." Revelation 4:11"

"...the greatest among you should be like the youngest, and one who rules like the one who serves." Luke 22:26b

"For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. when Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory." Colossians 3:3-4

God is Good! ♥