my movie

Since this past summer, Jerod and I have gone through many trials- air conditioner broke, both of our laptops are toast, the Jeep's transmission went out, our indoor heating unit broke, someone to come fix it again $250, Jeep's flat tire $95, best friend got married and moved, and then there are always the in and out things in our daily life together as newly married couple.

And in case we wondered if God was trying to teach us something we began a study of James as a church. Convenient huh? It was just what we needed! And James talks about it right at the beginning; James do not let us miss it! "Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of many kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing." James 1:2-3

I've found that over the past several months I've been watching my own movie. As things are happening, God is allowing me to see Him change me and open my eyes to what He has for me almost as its happening. I see moments of sin and moments of joy, times were I need to be quiet, times were He's given me the strength to speak truth and the more I seek Him, the sooner I realize His work in my life. I play back the scenes and see where I went wrong, where God extended grace to me, where God convicted me, where He was evident in my life.

I've noticed this lately too- when I take my eyes off of other people and I ask the Lord to show me what I need to learn or see in a situation, then I'm able to see clearly and know more what it is I'm to do. If I walk around only praying for others and not for myself then I'm not practicing humility. I need Jesus. Trials in my life remind me of my great need for a Savior! We can not go at this life alone.

Even trials that go beyond money, trials with friends, family, coworkers, etc. Conflict is another reminder of my need for Jesus, especially conflict with those who do not love Jesus. Before I loved Jesus, He died for me, He loved me, He forgave me- Romans 5:8. How much more so ought we extend the grace that has been given to us with those who do not love Jesus? What mercy and love is this? How wonderful! When we see our great need for a Savior, we respond differently, we react differently.

I'm praying for the Lord to provide opportunities for me to share the Gospel, for the Holy Spirit to guide me in that process. I desire so much to be bold, but also to earn the write to speak into someones life and tell them the best news they will every hear! It is hard though- when you pray God responds. Am I ready for this? The Bible calls us to be ready to share the hope we have- 1 Peter 3:15. I need to be ready; I need to feed myself, as Pastor Tyler says.

"Although I am less than the least of all of God’s people, this grace was given to me: to preach to the gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ." Ephesians 3:8

dmj.

{a}dvent

⁶ For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

⁷ Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this.

Isaiah 9:6-7

Advent, a time to looking forward of what is to come. This Advent season, Pastor Tyler has been focusing on the names of Jesus from Isaiah 9- Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. That has got to be one of the great mysteries of our faith, that God could send Jesus as a baby and He could be all those things, even as an infant. It is mysterious and hopeful all at the same time. Christ had to grow and learn like a human, but He still had many of the qualities of God.

God's gift to us, salvation began as an infant. Jesus was not what the people at the time were looking for, He wasn't the WARRIOR, sword drawn, ready to do physical battle. Jesus spent His life ministering to the HEART of the people. What the Jewish people had been longing for, looking for and praying for was finally there and sadly so many of them missed it.

I'm reminded of my study of the Patriarchs by Beth Moore. She pointed out that many of the events in the Old Testament pointed to the coming Messiah. A perfect example is Abraham and Issac. God asked a great thing of Abraham- take the son I gave you and sacrifice him. What?! Abraham obediently took Issac. I love the verse in Hebrews.

¹⁷By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises was in the act of offering up his only son, ¹⁸ of whom it was said, "Through Isaac shall your offspring be named." ¹⁹He considered that God was able even to raise him from the dead, from which, figuratively speaking, he did receive him back.

Abraham believed that God not only kept His promises but could bring Issac back to life to do it! At what seems like the last minute, God provides a suitable sacrifice for Abraham. This points to the coming of Christ. Jesus would atone for the sins of the world. Jesus would take our place so we do not have to live a life separated from Him.

I love the song that was sung at Vintage 21 yesterday at the 11:30am service. I was back in the kids area checking my email and these words were sung- "No greater love story heaven could tell, God's gift of redemption, Emmanuel." Such true words.

What a wonderful reminded of the gift we've been given through Christ Jesus.

dmj.