Psalm 55:16-17

But I call to God, and the Lord will save me. Evening and morning and at noon I utter my complaint and moan, and he hears my voice.

[faithwithlove]

365 Days of Truth: Day 1

Oh my gosh! It’s 2018!! I am overjoyed that God blessed us with another year together, in harmony so that we can grow together. One of my new year’s resolutions was to be in the Bible everyday this year - and to read the whole thing by the end of the year. To help my accomplish my goal, I’ll be using the She Reads Truth app, which so far has been amazing. Today, I just wanted to share 3 things I learned on Day 1 reading through Genesis 1, 2, and 3, as well as John 1.

1. Just because God kicks you out of the garden, doesn’t mean He’s left you.

Ok, kind of confusing title, but the truth in it is very important. When Adam and Eve ate the fruit from the “bad tree,” they began to know the difference between what is essentially good, and what is essentially evil. Because of their betrayal to God, and because of the chance they may eat of the fruit again (and live forever), God casts them out of the garden. He adds work and pain to their lives, and the world becomes sinful. Even though it seems that all hope is lost for them, and that God has some how turned His back on us because of them, that isn’t the case. Time and time again after we brought sin into the world, God doesn’t choose to leave us. He still love us, He is faithful. He even brings His son to us, as our real hope in John 1. So alright, you probably get it by now: He’s got us in His hands and all that, but what does that mean for you? Well it means that even though it may seem like God has turned His back on you, that maybe you have turned your back on Him, or things aren’t going the way you thought they would, He is there to help you pick up the pieces, being faithful, even when it isn’t deserved.

2. Being in the world, but not of it, is possible.

One of my favorite people mentioned in the Bible is John the Baptist. He seems kind of crazy - but in a good way (like most of my friends to be honest). It says that John the Baptist was of the world but not in it and that he was from his own but his own did not know him. What does that mean? It means he lived differently than everyone else. In a lot of ways actually, and if I’m not mistaken, he actually ate locusts and lived in the desert. So... he was a pretty cool guy. What made him stand out even more? He was a messenger of God. He paved the way for Jesus, proclaiming that there will be one greater than him that will follow him. He lived his life for God. He didn’t live in the now, he wasn't thinking about building a life or a legacy on earth, but building a kingdom and a family in heaven. He was looking much farther than what people thought of him, or how he was going to make money. He thought about what God wanted for him, and for the people in this world. Sometimes, we need to take that perspective too. We need to stop looking at what clothes to wear, or how to get that special someone to notice us. Sometimes, we just need to look towards the heavens and ask God, “What do you want for my life?”

3. “You will see greater things than these.”

Alright, last point - thanks for sticking with me! I think this is the most important.  As we begin the New Year, we think a lot of things. We think, “Can I keep the happiness I worked so hard for in the year before, or is it all going to go down hill?” or “Have I flatlined in my life, have I already peaked?” I’m even sure some of it’s flooded over from the last year too. But don’t worry, I have some news for you: “You will see greater things than these.” This is slightly out of context though, so let me back up. When Nathanael follows Jesus in John 1, Jesus shows him His omniscience, and Nathanael immediately praises Him. Jesus then says, “Because I said to you, ‘I saw you under the fig tree,’ do you believe? You will see greater things than these.” Greater things are coming, and even though it feels like all hope is lost, that nothing can redeem you from this rut you've gotten into, something will. Jesus will. Like I’ve mentioned before, He is faithful, even when we feel faithless. So have positivity! Something greater isn’t always just around the corner, but it’s there - and it may not come the way you thought it would. Still, God’s going to work through you this year, like He always has. Don’t give up.

So that’s it! Thanks for reading. I feel blessed that God is working in my life right now, even though I’m not sure how. He is doing something and this just may be it! Have faith!

Thank you once again,

Liv