 ........And it's time for another FMF (Five Minute Friday) (link: http://katemotaung.com/2014/10/23/five-minute-friday-and-a-giveaway-day-24-dare/ ) ....... seems these are all I have time for posting lately! I must remedy that.... Anyway, this FMF is ....................................................................... DARE.
READY, GO! (Inspired by Matthew 14:22-33) I can hear Jesus calling me, challenging me, encouraging me, "Step over the rising waters, take my hand, and dare to be free. Dare to give me your trust when you fall face first in the dust. Dare to love and serve when you've worn out every nerve. Dare to see blessings when it seems you have nothing. Dare to hold tight to my side when life is a roller-coaster ride. Dare to reach for your dreams no matter how far they seem. Dare to believe my promises are true and that I have a never-ending love for you Dare to find your peace, your strength, your joy, your hope, your every need in me. And as you do this, you are daring to be set free. For when you dare to step out over crashing waves to grasp my hand, chains of fear, insecurity and doubt will break open as I lead you to land. Dare to come to me, for I have the keys you need. Dare to rest in my love, O my beloved one. Matthew 22-33: Immediately he made the disciples get into the boat and go before him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, but the boat by this time was a long way from the land, beaten by the waves, for the wind was against them. And in the fourth watch of the night he came to them, walking on the sea. But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, and said, “It is a ghost!” and they cried out in fear. But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid.” And Peter answered him, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” He said, “Come.” So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, “Lord, save me.” Jesus immediately reached out his hand and took hold of him, saying to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased. And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”
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There is something fascinating about "new." Whether it's a kid with a new toy, an adult with a new car, a college grad moving to a new town, or parents expecting a new baby... ...from trying new food to a new job... ...from a new hairdo to a new house... With anything new there's a mix of emotions involved -- a thrill of anticipation, a chill of fear, a surge of happiness, a rush of excitement, a sense of wonder. Each new thing has these emotions in varying degrees, but even a simple new thing brings at least a small measure of emotional energy. This is the first common thread among "newness." What is the other common thread? Think about it. What happens after some time passes? Does something that is new stay new? By its very definition, something that's new cannot remain new. The new wears off and it becomes familiar. And the emotions tend to fade along with the newness. At a glance, this is no different with the Christian experience. As a new believer in Christ, after realizing who I am and who God is and putting my faith in Him alone, I was so excited and “on fire for God” as the expression goes. I had such a thirst for knowledge and such a passion for growing in faith and following God. But then that wore off. The routines and busyness of life set in and crowded out all that energy and zeal. And now sometimes God is just part of the routine, and sometimes I just ignore Him because I get too busy, or because it seems like too much work. Every so often there is a spark of renewal – brought on by a retreat, a touching sermon, a deep discussion at bible study… but then the kindling for that burns out as well. But that is not how it should be for those following the God that the Bible presents. The God of the Bible is about more than just a ticket into heaven -– yes, if you repent and believe in Him you will be guaranteed to go to heaven, but God wants to give you more than that –- He wants to see your life changed, renewed, on this side of heaven. Jesus said, “I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.” The apostle Paul wrote, “So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day.” (2 Corinthians 4:16) Every day is an opportunity for an adventure with God. Something new to learn, a way to grow, a chance to share His love. If I could wake up in the morning and have this attitude, and ask God to guide me and be mindful of Him through the day, I would never be bored from the ordinary, nor overwhelmed by the busyness. Rather, I would be "staying new". Staying new –- it may seem like an oxymoron, but with God all things are possible. And He is all about making things new. In fact, as a Christian I am called to "put on the new self" (Colossians 3:1). God has made me new, and that is more than just a one time deal; it is an ongoing process. Each new day is a chance to be renewed -- as long as I "stay new" by abiding in Christ. Linking with http://katemotaung.com/2014/10/02/five-minute-friday-and-a-giveaway-day-3-new/ for five minute friday (although with this I believe I went a bit beyond five minutes... I was on such a roll!)  |
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Please respect my intellectual property and ask permission before reproducing any content. All rights reserved. AuthorHi, I am Angela, and welcome to my blog. I am a woman trying to rise above the tides of this life, seeking to grow closer to God and share His love in the process. Archives
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Hi there, I am so glad you stopped by! I hope you find encouragement and stimulating thoughts in what I share here! My goal is to pursue God and His goodness and inspire others to do the same! 
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© Copyright Seeking Life Beyond
All rights reserved. Please ask permission before reproducing any content on this site. Thank you!
All rights reserved. Please ask permission before reproducing any content on this site. Thank you!