wow, Random....

So, I have some random thoughts today.  Something I've been thinking about for a while, then something just brought to my attention yesterday, and something we did this weekend...

First, Matthew 4:22... It says "and they IMMEDIATELY  left the boat and their father and followed HIM."  Really, immediately?!?!?!  WOW!  They left their comfort zone and their father, to follow someone they hardly knew.  REALLY?!?!?!  Again, WOW!!!  How many are truly willing to do that?  I mean, sure, it's easy to leave the crappy parts of your life to follow Jesus, but to love him more than your family?  To trust him enough to leave everything you've ever known?  To leave your life as you know it and follow someone who tells who how hard it's gonna be but that the blessings will far outweigh the heartache?!  To trust enough to do that....  REALLY?!?!  I don't know about you but that is soooooo not easy for me.  That is a daily decision I make.  "Ok, Lord, today I'm gonna follow you.  I'm going to make every decision for the day based on what you would do."  And then... an hour later I've COMPLETELY failed already!!!!  So maybe it's an hourly decision, an extremely hard one at that!!!  It is my goal daily to follow him.  I'm soooooooooo grateful for such a merciful Lord!  I'm so grateful that, undeserving as I am, He loves me enough to pick me up, wipe off the dust, kiss the boo boo's, and encourage me to try again!

Now, the second thing going through my head...  The newest bible study I'm doing is "Breaking Free" by Beth Moore.  I must say, so far it's a huge smack in the face to the truth about what's holding me captive; what is keeping me from the abundant life God is trying so desperately to give me.  One of the things that hold our hearts captive from God is pride.  Did you know, "pride often disguises itself... "  people think they are "too far gone to save, too wicked, too sinful.  Such people would be shocked to hear that their attitude is a form of pride as well.  They think their sin or problem is bigger than God."  WOW!!!!  Never thought of it that way.

Next, Matthew 5:6...  This past weekend our youth participated in a Disciple Now weekend.  The theme was "hunger".  "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied."  Hunger for Christ, He is the only thing that can completely satisfy us!  He will never "dry up", He will forever overflow, with mercy and grace and love and... well the list goes on.  Whatever you need He has and is ready and begging to share it with us!!

Well, I just thought of something else from my bible study that I'd never thought of.  I would say that faith is not  a huge issue for me.  I'm just not a person who has to touch, see, feel, etc. to believe.  However, I also acknowledge the fact that MANY people are.  Now, saying that I also must say that I have a hard time understanding why.  How can you not, after Him showing you umpteen times, have faith that he's gonna do it again?!  Well, here's the wake up call I got....  "If you are not struggling with belief, be careful not to judge another's weaker faith (Rom 14:1 - As for the one who is weak in faith, welcome him, but not to quarrel over opinions).  Some believers have been in chains for so long and have tried so hard to break free in the past, they have almost given up hope for the future." - Yeah, Joybeth, don't push them farther away by "judging" or questioning!  Pray for them, give them a break, show them through your faith that God will provide, again and again!

I pray that my life will glorify christ in all I do!  Please forgive me, Lord, of my impatience and misunderstanding!  Please show me how to help those around me come closer to you, and please continue to bring me closer to you!