Ephesians 2

8 God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can't take credit for this; it is a gift from God.9 Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it.10 For we are God's masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.

Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.
1 corinthians 9:22-27

"I run in the path of your commands, for you have set my heart free."
Psalm 119:32

Leaving in fear.

I would say a majority of my semester has been God working and uprooting my fears in my life... These passages have been encouraging to me. So, I thought I would share them.

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.”- Joshua 1:9

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Do Not Worry

Matthew 6:25-34

²⁵"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? ²⁶Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? ²⁷Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life^{b]" style="font-size: 0.75em; line-height: 0.5em; ">[b]}?

²⁸"And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. ²⁹Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. ³⁰If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? ³¹So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' ³²For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. ³³But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. ³⁴Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own."

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acts 18:9-11 I think this passage shows fear vs obedience/ trust.

Paul was so faithful..

⁹One night the Lord spoke to Paul in a vision: "Do not be afraid; keep on speaking, do not be silent.¹⁰For I am with you, and no one is going to attack and harm you, because I have many people in this city." ¹¹So Paul stayed for a year and a half, teaching them the word of God.

Pain

I have been reminded lately how the Lord goes to a great extent to get our hearts. He also is not one to leave his children hanging.

"Come let us return to the Lord.

He has torn us to pieces,

BUt he will heal us,

He has injured us,

but He will bind up or wounds."

Hosea 6:1

I have realized over the past year or so that in order to look more like Christ and to be closer to God, I need transformation. A lot of times with this transformation,which is a process comes pain. Sometimes God has to rip things out of my life that I am simply unwilling to give to him.

If we desire to be followers, we will be facing many moments of intense-hard transformation.

"Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will."

Romans 12:1-2

You won't relent.

You won't relent- Misty Edwards

You won't relent

Until You have it all

My heart is Yours

I'll set You as a seal upon my heart

As a seal upon my arm

For there is love that is as strong as death

Jealousy demanding as the grave

And many waters cannot quench this love

Come be the fire inside of me

Come be the flame upon my heart

Come be the fire inside of me

Until You and I are one

While listening to this song I was reminded of God's deep love for His creation. That He continues to pursue us despite our sinful ways.

Relentless: not to be placated or appeased or moved- determination- a necessity- persistent search- never ceasing.

I think its amazing to have a God that is determined to have my heart.

Joel 2:12-14 (NIV)

¹² 'Even now,' declares the LORD, 'return to me with all your heart, with fasting and weeping and mourning.'

¹³ Rend your heart and not your garments. Return to the LORD your God, for he is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love, and he relents from sending calamity.

I want to be free from everything, that keeps me from loving You.

"For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together." Colossians 1:16-17