White: Purity

I'm sure you're surprised. :)

I had known the Bible talked a lot about purity, but I have to admit my e-sword search results were a little different than I thought--the topics were very diverse.

The Bible speaks of...

purity of ministry

"We put no obstacle in anyone's way, so that no fault may be found with our ministry, but as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: by great endurance, in afflictions, ... by purity, ... the Holy Spirit, genuine love; by truthful speech, and the power of God..."

{II Corinthians 6:3-7}

the Word of God

"The words of the LORD are pure words, like silver refined in a furnace on the ground, purified seven times..."

{Psalm 12:6}

my heart

"So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart."

{II Timothy 2:22}

human sinful nature

"Who can say, 'I have made my heart pure; I am clean from my sin'?"

{Proverbs 20:9}

God's work in human hearts

"How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to Your word."

{Psalm 119:9}

my life's aim

"And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God."

{Philippians 1:9-11}

a woman's characteristic

"...train the young women ... to be self-controlled, pure, working at home, kind..."

{Titus 2:5} 

my thought life

"Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things."

{Philippians 4:8}

God's wisdom

"But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere."

{James 3:17}

responding in hope

"And everyone who thus hopes in Him purifies himself as He is pure."

{I John 3:3}

all ESV

Gray: Security

I'm not quite sure why...but gray is "security." I love gray--it's a wonderful accent, and I love silver jewelry. I don't think I questioned any of the other colors/qualities, but gray=security made me stop and think.

Then I realized that I do think of gray as cozy
   ~like my fleece blanket
     ~like a rainy fall day shrouded in mist
       (while I'm inside reading a book, of course :)
       ~like the quiet early morning or hushed twilight shadows...
But maybe that's just me. :)

Anyway, gray is security, and this is what came to mind first.

I am the Good Shepherd.

The Good Shepherd lays down

His life for the sheep.

He who is a hired hand and not a shepherd,

who does not own the sheep,

sees the wolf coming and

leaves the sheep and flees,

and the wolf snatches them and scatters them.
He flees because he is a hired hand

and cares nothing for the sheep.

I am the Good Shepherd.

I know My own and My own know Me,

just as the Father knows Me

and I know the Father;

and I lay down My life for the sheep.

My sheep hear My voice,

and I know them, and they follow Me.
I give them eternal life,

and they will never perish,

and no one

will snatch them out of My hand.

My Father,

who has given them to Me,

is greater than all,

and no one is able to snatch them

out of the Father's hand.

{John 10:11-15; 27-29}

Black: Mystery

Mystery.

What are you doing tomorrow? What do you think you’re going to do tomorrow?  It never goes exactly as planned, we know that…and yet we still assume “that will happen” or “we’ll have time for that.”

“Do not boast about tomorrow,” Proverbs 27:1 warns; “for you do not know what a day may bring.”

I had plans—a blog post that wasn’t written (it’s still floating around my brain…maybe someday :) ). A Saturday work shift that I got covered at the last minute while I took a trip to the local CVS clinic. Halfway through my antibiotic and a few naps later, I am on my way to feeling normal. None of that was planned this week.

There’s also the bigger plans—going back to school in person. I wasn’t expecting them to drop my major. I wasn’t expecting not to get the job (and the financial aid) at school. I wasn’t expecting God to change my direction.

Now I’m staying home, working the same job I’ve been at for 6 years, “digging in deep” in ministry at my church, taking classes online through Northland International University. I didn’t plan on any of that. Honestly, it doesn't look as easy or as fun as my plan. My plan looked solid and scheduled; I have no idea where God’s plan will take me.

But guess what—I also didn’t plan on the awesome summer I had. I helped out with VBS, and was able to be a part of both our church’s teen and junior camps. I didn’t plan on receiving a scholarship through work—and then after I’d registered for classes, realizing the college gave me their scholarship for online students, as well. I wasn’t planning to be so humbled and awed by the work of God, by His endless mercy and grace.

I’ve struggled with the change of plans. It was a dying to self and accepting God’s better ways.  It is a dying to self and accepting God’s better ways every day…every moment.

What does Tomorrow hold? What do a hundred Tomorrows hold?

Praise God I don’t know about tomorrow. But I praise God He knows—because His plan is far better than anything I could ever dream of. We can embrace the mystery of tomorrow because God is already there.

Brown: Endurance

My purple wisdom posts are up and dated accordingly. :) 

This week is brown; and, since it wasn't one of my sister's colors, I got to pick it out myself (a color always has several qualities connected to it). Endurance is the quality that caught my attention. So far it's been interesting to think about the various aspects/situations that warrent endurance and see it in Scripture. Stay tuned!

(And I actually don't have a brown text color...so however it shows up for you, this was the closest to brown I could get!)

Pink: Friendship

"You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God." {James 4:4}

"You see that faith was active along with his works, and faith was completed by his works; and the Scripture was fulfilled that says, "Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness"--and he was called a friend of God." {James 2:22-23}

What am I willing to do to be God's friend?

What am I willing not to do to be God's friend?

Is God enough for me?

((Remember that salvation is by grace alone...but don't forget we are called to live in a certain way.))

I'm Back . . .

It was another camp week for me--this time junior camp with five 9-11 year old girls in a week that not only set the record for the hottest day of junior camp ever, but also had us shivering in our sweaters as we came in from the rain. All-in-all, lots of fun. :)

I had hoped to schedule some posts ahead of time, not wanting to miss either purple or wisdom, but coming back from teen camp having caught a certain loved person's cold :), and working, and trying to get stuff done...extra blogging didn't happen.

I hope to post-date some wisdom posts, Lord-willing, as well as put together some for this week--which, in case you wanted to know is pink ~ friendship.

But because I was sad when I realized I didn't even put up my purple-framed picture, purple goes up today. :)

Happy August!

Living Wisely

"Look carefully then how you walk,

not as unwise but as wise..."

{Ephesians 5:15}

How do I live?

"Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him."

{Colossians 3:16-17}

Walking in Wisdom

"Not that we dare to classify or compare ourselves with some of those who are commending themselves. But when they measure themselves by one another and compare themselves with one another,

they are without understanding."

{II Corinthians 10:12}

What does my interaction

with others look like?

"Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving

side by side for the faith of the gospel..."

{Philippians 1:27}

Praying for Wisdom

"If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him."

{James 1:5}

What is my prayer?

"And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God."

{Colossians 1:9-10}

Seeking Wisdom

"So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise,

she took of its fruit and ate..."

{Genesis 3:6}

Where do I turn for wisdom?

"All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work."

{II Timothy 3:16-17}

Purple : Wisdom

(So Solomon asked) " 'Give Your servant therefore an understanding mind to govern Your people, that I may discern between good and evil, for who is able to govern this Your great people?'

It pleased the Lord that Solomon had asked this."

{I Kings 3:9}

What do I desire?

The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom, and whatever you get, get insight.

{Proverbs 4:7}

Trusting

Mary trusted:

"And Mary said, 'Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.' And the angel departed from her."

{Luke 1:38}

Daniel's Friends trusted:

"'If this be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of your hand, O king. But if not, be it known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up.'"

{Daniel 3:17-18}

What examples come to your mind?

I couldn't resist . . .

quote from somewhere online...

Blue: Trust

How much do you trust God?

"And those who know your name put their trust in you, for you, O LORD, have not forsaken those who seek you." {Psalm 9:10}

"You who fear the LORD, trust in the LORD! He is their help and their shield." {Psalm 115:11}

"When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I shall not be afraid. What can flesh do to me?" {Psalm 56:3-4}

"Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your heart before him; God is a refuge for us." {Psalm 62:8}

I'm afraid the answer is not enough. But the more God draws me to Himself, the more I see how worthy He is to be trusted. I'm still a work in progress, climbing higher. How about you?

Aqua...

pardon the bars...this is a Fairy Blue Bird
from the Omaha Zoo a few years ago :)

For everyone else, this is aqua week.

For me and 80 other people from my church, this is teen camp week. :) I'm super excited ~ this is my first camp experience and am honored to be a room leader! This is the first year our church has staffed our own teen camp and it will be hosted by a camp down near the Ozarks.

So while you look for aqua, I'll be looking for some fun times and hopefully a whole lot of "God-work."

Until next time...

Peaceful Lives

Because we have peace withGod, peace should show up in our lives in other ways...

We are commanded to “flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart” (II Timothy 2:22) and to “strive for peace with everyone…” (Hebrews 12:14) On the heels of “bearing with one another” and loving one another, Paul tells us to “let the peace of Christ rule in [our] hearts, to which indeed [we] were called in one body.” (Colossians 3:15)

We are instructed to leave our anxieties in the hands of our capable Father, and in doing so, we will experience “the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, [which] will guard [our] hearts and [our] minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:7)

We are encouraged as Paul encouraged the Thessalonians: “Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times in every way. The Lord be with you all.” (II Thessalonians 3:15)

Green : Peace

“Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Romans 5:1)

Have you ever pondered what it means to have peace with God?

>As a Christian, I no longer am under God’s wrath. I will never know His wrath.

>One day, I will enter heaven, walk those streets of gold, and bask in the very presence of God.

“But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For He Himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in His flesh the dividing wall of hostility by abolishing the law of commandments expressed in ordinances, that He might create in Himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace, and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility. And He came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near. For through Him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father.” (Ephesians 2:13-18)

I am brought near.

I am reconciled to God.

I have access to the Father.

I have peace.

Yellow: Joy

{16:11} 

You make known to me the path of life;

in Your presence there is fullness of joy;

at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

{21:6} 

For You make him most blessed forever;

You make him glad with the joy of Your presence.

{30:5} 

For His anger is but for a moment,

and His favor is for a lifetime.

Weeping may tarry for the night,

but joy comes with the morning.

{32:11} 

Be glad in the LORD,

and rejoice, O righteous,

and shout for joy,

all you upright in heart!

{33:1} 

 Shout for joy in the LORD,

O you righteous!

Praise befits the upright.

{35:27} 

Let those who delight in My righteousness

shout for joy and be glad and say evermore,

"Great is the LORD,

who delights in the welfare of His servant!"

{63:7} 

For You have been my help,

and in the shadow of Your wings

I will sing for joy.

{68:3} 

But the righteous shall be glad;

they shall exult before God;

they shall be jubilant with joy!

{92:4} 

For you, O LORD,

have made me glad by Your work;

at the works of Your hands I sing for joy.

{126:5} 

Those who sow in tears

shall reap with shouts of joy!

Psalm 86

Incline your ear, O LORD,

and answer me,

for I am poor and needy.

Be gracious to me, O Lord,

for to You do I cry all the day.

Gladden the soul of Your servant,

for to You, O Lord,

do I lift up my soul.

For You, O Lord,

are good and forgiving,

abounding in steadfast love

to all who call upon You.

Give ear, O LORD,

to my prayer;

listen to my plea for grace.

In the day of my trouble

I call upon You,

for You answer me.

There is none like You among the gods,

O Lord, nor are there any works like Yours.

For You are great and do wondrous things;

You alone are God.

I give thanks to You,

O Lord my God,

with my whole heart,

and I will glorify Your name forever.

For great is Your steadfast

love toward me;

You have delivered my soul

from the depths of Sheol.

But You, O Lord, are a

God merciful and gracious,

slow to anger and abounding in

steadfast love and faithfulness.

Show me a sign of Your favor,

that those who hate me may

see and be put to shame because

You, LORD,

have helped me and comforted me.

Orange: Encouragement

The song Complete in Thee has been one of my favorites ever since the first time I sang it at BJU.

Lately it's been a huge encouragement for me ~ even when I don't feel like I have many friends or if anybody likes me at all... I can just think of the cross and know that I matter.

Jesus died for me. While that should send us to our knees in humbleness and gratitude, it also comforts and encourages my heart when it is sad and lonely.

God knew all about me, even my sin, and yet He still chose me. He wants me. Do I deserve this grace and love?

No.

But that doesn't change that fact that I belong to God, and He desires to walk in fellowship with me.

Praise God for His indescribable gift!

Dear Savior, when before Thy bar

All tribes and tongues assembled are,

Among Thy chosen will I be,

At Thy right hand, complete in Thee.