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Preface:
I don't often get too personal on this blog, but
I have not been myself lately..
I have been feeling sort of down.
I have been trying not to show it, and go on as usual.
But this Sunday at church, my Pastor, Dan Woolery's
message really spoke to me more so than usual.
So I knew I needed to share with everyone
how I have been and what I have learned
or at least been reminded of this week.
I pray that God uses this to touch your heart.
And maybe even give you some encouragement
when ever you are not feeling like yourself.
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There are some days when I feel sad.
When I dont feel good enough.
When I am a "social outcast".
When I dont feel good enough.
When I am a "social outcast".
When I get down and feel rejected.
And then I am reminded that MY (and your)
Savior, Jesus Christ, was also rejected*...
By his OWN people and he still is by most of the world!
Why should I expect to be any different or be
treated better than God's own son!?
I am also reminded that Jesus was chosen,
chosen by God!
And I am also chosen by God.
I am in Christ, so I am accepted.
Even when the world doesn't want me,
I know that God does.
And that is what matters most.
So I need to be me, the me God made me to be.
Because He made me with purpose and reason.
God does NOT make mistakes.
I may not be an amazing writer,
I may not be a world famous photographer,
I may not be the most creative woman in blogland,
I may not be the tidiest house wife,
Im not the most interesting, popular, beautiful, funny.. what ever, person.
Im not the most interesting, popular, beautiful, funny.. what ever, person.
I may not be anyone worth anything to the world around me...
and the list goes on...
But I do know God thinks the world of me,
He gave His ONLY son for me
and has a plan for me.
He gave His ONLY son for me
and has a plan for me.
He can and WILL use me to inspire, lift up and encourage others
as well as bring them to know Him,
If I allow Him to work in me!
These two things stood out and spoke to me the most to me this Sunday:
These two things stood out and spoke to me the most to me this Sunday:
"God made us who we are so we could make known who He is."
And
"Being a part of God's people makes all other worldly things pale in comparison."
~ Pastor Dan Woolery, First Christian Church
Helpful Bible Verses
John 15:19-25 (New International Version, ©2011)
19 If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you. 20 Remember what I told you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’[a] If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also. 21 They will treat you this way because of my name, for they do not know the one who sent me. 22 If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not be guilty of sin; but now they have no excuse for their sin. 23 Whoever hates me hates my Father as well. 24 If I had not done among them the works no one else did, they would not be guilty of sin. As it is, they have seen, and yet they have hated both me and my Father. 25 But this is to fulfill what is written in their Law: ‘They hated me without reason.’
a chosen and precious cornerstone,
and the one who trusts in him
will never be put to shame.”[b]
7 Now to you who believe, this stone is precious. But to those who do not believe,
“The stone the builders rejected
has become the cornerstone,”[c]
8 and,
“A stone that causes people to stumble
and a rock that makes them fall.”[d]
They stumble because they disobey the message—which is also what they were destined for.
9 But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. 10 Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.
19 If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you. 20 Remember what I told you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’[a] If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also. 21 They will treat you this way because of my name, for they do not know the one who sent me. 22 If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not be guilty of sin; but now they have no excuse for their sin. 23 Whoever hates me hates my Father as well. 24 If I had not done among them the works no one else did, they would not be guilty of sin. As it is, they have seen, and yet they have hated both me and my Father. 25 But this is to fulfill what is written in their Law: ‘They hated me without reason.’
1 Peter 2:4-10 (New International Version, ©2011)
The Living Stone and a Chosen People
4 As you come to him, the living Stone—rejected by humans but chosen by God and precious to him— 5 you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house[a] to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. 6 For in Scripture it says: “See, I lay a stone in Zion,a chosen and precious cornerstone,
and the one who trusts in him
will never be put to shame.”[b]
7 Now to you who believe, this stone is precious. But to those who do not believe,
“The stone the builders rejected
has become the cornerstone,”[c]
8 and,
“A stone that causes people to stumble
and a rock that makes them fall.”[d]
They stumble because they disobey the message—which is also what they were destined for.
9 But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. 10 Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.
I do pray that this little post speaks to your heart and
that I continue to allow God to use me for His will
and purpose for my life.
That I would bless God in ALL that I do.
That I would bless God in ALL that I do.
Thank you for taking the time to read and
get a little more personal with me.
Prayers and encouragement is always welcome.
As well as prayer requests. Id love to hear from you
and be an encouragement/support to those who need it.
and be an encouragement/support to those who need it.
*Not that I have ever been rejected or persecuted like Jesus was,
but there are times when we all feel so low and beaten down
by the world and worldly expectations.
Amen! Keep your head up towards the sky, girl :) You are not alone, never was or will be. Thank you Jesus that we have an opportunity to recognize our weaknesses, however, we thank you more for making your strength manifest through that <3 Love you Maria!
ReplyDeleteGreat post you. I know just how you feel, it is so hard to remember the truth when all we hear and even tell ourselves are a lot of lies. I am there myself in many ways. Thanks for the reminder!
ReplyDeleteAwesome reminder. I have been feeling the same way lately and this reminds me where to keep my focus. I am so glad you followed God's lead he will bless you mightly.
ReplyDeleteMust you listen to God and post things like this? LOL! Thanks, girl. I needed to hear this today--and everyday. It has been so stressful, so insane, and most of the time I just feel alone. Gosh darnit, now you're gonna make me get all overwhelmed and emotional and cry!
ReplyDeleteGreat post girl!
ReplyDeleteTotally needed this today. I have had a difficult past few days and needed some extra encouragement. Thanks so much!!! Things like this are why I love you and your blog.
ReplyDeleteStephanie put it well when she said she often just feels alone . . . me too.
Oh, totally feelin' this!
ReplyDeleteI was just reflecting on this verse last night-
Isaiah 53:3 He was despised and rejected by men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief; and as one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not.
We are facing a fiery trial unlike any kind, and it's taking everything in me just to hold onto Him and not fall into the pit! But I KNOW He has already gone before us, so what am I to fear?
Also, wanna share this quote by one of our favorite Pastors, John Piper-
"God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in him."
Praise God!
Glad the Lord spoke to your heart-He has such an awesome way of doing this!
www.iheartmygluegun.com
This is a beautiful post<3 It was just what I needed to hear, thank you for being such a willing vessel for Christ :)
ReplyDelete