Aside: God is in 2013. God never fails. So I can never consider this blog a fail. Even though this blog had very few posts we know that God is STILL working powerfully in our class! I can’t wait to hear how Courtney’s experience in rural China was, also from Jessi and her missions trip to Haiti and how Cindy and Octavia’s cultural/educational experience was in China. I also would love to share about my experience in Haiti for a missions trip. I really think that for the most part, things like those can be shared on the blog but I think I would love to hear them in person. So lets have a joint prayer first thing in the semester just to start things off right and praise God as a reunited 2013!!!!
So just to contribute a bit, I would like to share what I read during lunch today. I am going through the Psalms and it’s so wonderful. As I’ve shared the many people I’ve met up with this summer, it’s such a blessing to read the psalms that the worship artists have used to inspire their songs. This is awesome because it reminds me of the songs and puts me in a worshipful mood all day! Today I read Psalm 84. This was totally the psalm that inspired “Better is One Day”. It is such a wonder to be in the presence of God and really experience His touch in our lives. I really appreciated that verse about being a mere gatekeeper than a guest in the dwelling of the wicked. Choosing God over all else is totally worth it in my opinion ;).
One of the many themes that God has been allowing me to experience this summer is the theme of God’s presence in my life. At AMI Revolution it was easy to see that God would show up and bless us b/c it was a retreat. We took time aside to give Him glory for 3 or so days. But what impacted me the most was that it was in my city! I live there! God came to me in my hood. Usually we limit God’s presence to a remote place where all we do is talk about Him. But having AMI in the city I was living in for the summer showed me that the elements needed for God’s presence to manifest in our Christian experience are believers and a heart that longs for Him. Therefore, God’s presence ought to be where you are!! You can be moved to break out into worship, prayer, tears, just because God resides in His people. Most of what I prayed for at AMI was for God to make His home in my heart. It was the song of the summer, brothers and sisters, and it resonated so loudly.
God gave me the cry then showed me what it looks like to have Him in my heart. Later in the summer I read Psalm 48 (Read it, Not kidding, just do it! It is soooooo moving) about the fortress of God and how NOTHING can attack it or defile it. I was struggling with temptation and I realized that if God was in my life and I let him live in me, NOTHING could harm my spiritual life and my relationship with Him. God totally showed His mighty strength and granted me victory and a peace knowing that God is guarding my heart which is His home! Please tell me why anyone would choose to go on with life without our God!!
Then today in Psalm 84, the sons of Korah realize that we dwell in God’s presence and when he is in our hearts, we have nothing else to do but give Him praise! It is also true that the Lord inhabits the praises of His people! How lovely is the Lord’s dwelling place! Make sure you live there! Make sure you make His home in your heart and life! All you will ever do, then, is praise and glorify Him forever! He will be there.
Peace out yo!
very encouraging!!
ReplyDeletesanks!
will check out psalms soon~