Holy Week Thoughts

Here we are in March of 2016...how did the time move so quickly. We are in the days leading up to the remembrance and celebration of the death and resurrection of Christ. Wednesday is the quiet day in our Scriptures. A day of reflection and anticipation for me. As I have pondered and meditated the meaning of these sacred days, I have once again entered into an awe-filled state. It amazes me that this human race that is so sinful, is so desperately loved by the One who created us. The traumatic events in Brussels yesterday is just another reminder of how lost many in our world are. My heart breaks for those who have lost loved ones in these tragic times. May God heal their broken hearts.

My heart also breaks for those who are on the other side of this situation. They are lost, yet believe they are enlightened. What they are dying for, they embrace and believe in strongly enough that they are willing to give their lives for the cause. Even so, Jesus died for them. Jesus came to this earth a babe, nestled in the womb of a virgin teenage girl, was born, grew, taught, trained disciples, shared His message; healed the sick, lame, blind, deaf and dumb. He didn't stop there, oh no. He then surrendered His rights, His comfort, and His freedom - all for His love of humanity. His grace-filled, boundless, limitless love drove Him to cry out in agony - pain of the sins of the world were placed on Him as He was nailed to that cross so many years ago on Calvary.

As He bore the burdens of us all, He had an important word of hope to all - "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do," (Luke 23:34 NKJV). Jesus' story didn't finish on the cross or in the grave because He arose defeating death. Today, He is alive and is interceding on our behalf. He loves us so much and has made a way that all people - no matter your background, culture, gender, age, social standing - to have a personal relationship with Him. God the Father is waiting for each of us to accept His Son as their Savior. Jesus was the perfect sacrifice - He died once for all. He loves you. He will forgive every sin when we repent of it. He has paid the price to restore you to the relationship He created you for. Are you ready to accept His gift of grace and celebrate this Easter as a new creation?

Praying for you,
Natalie

New Snow - New Life

"Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean;

Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow,"

Psalm 51:7 NKJV

This morning as I crawled out of bed and looked out the window, my eyes were blessed with the beauty of a new fallen snow. Now, please don't misunderstand me. I do not like snow, but something inside me rose up and took in the beauty of my world covered with a fresh blanket of new-fallen snow. I pulled on some clothes, boots, gloves, coat, and hat; grabbed the shovel and opened the door. Much to my surprise the snow was packed against the bottom of the door so I found myself shoveling before my feet exited the house.

As I was shoveling, I enjoyed close communion with my Lord and prayed for and about many things. During this time, I couldn't help but notice how clean everything looked. As I moved the snow away, the dirt began to show and my heart was drawn to a powerful truth of our lives in Jesus.

When we come to Jesus, He cleans us. He washes us by His blood that He shed at Calvary for our sins and He makes us clean: "whiter than snow". Just as the new fallen snow covers the dirt and mess of this world, Jesus blood cleanses us from our sin and makes us new creations. However, it is not long before we go back to our human ways and commit sin: large or small. A negative thought, a judgment towards someone, overeating, lust, jealousy: you name it. These things are all sin in our lives and push away the cleanliness that Jesus offers us by His blood.

The question in all of this is: what will we do about the dirty sin in our lives? Will we continue in it or will we repent and seek restoration with Jesus and seek to be cleansed once again? Without repentance there is no salvation. Without repentance there is no restoration. You get to choose. Jesus is calling and waiting for you to make a decision. When you do He is good to bring you back to a healthy and thriving relationship with Him. Choose Him today.

Blessings, Natalie

Bye Bye Negativity

"Search me, O God, and know my heart;

Try me, and know my anxieties;

And see if there is any wicked way in me,

And lead me in the way everlasting,"

 (Psalm 139:23-24 NKJV).

 

 

We are beginning a new year. A chance to begin again. For some of us that is a great thing, some of us may be a bit apprehensive at the thought of another year. Wherever we find ourselves, excited or anxious, here we are.

 

 

Life can be tough. Thoughts swirl around in our heads like the makings of a smoothie. Round and round the pieces fly, breaking into bits, yet some stubborn ones refuse to break up and blend in. What can we do with those stubborn bits? We don't have to live bound by thoughts that tear us up, regrets that seem to always find their way to the top don't have priority unless we allow them to. However, in the midst of those looming regrets, failures, and (may I just say it) stupidity on our part or someone else's we aren't forsaken.

 

We have a Savior who has already paid the price for our failings. Jesus loves us and longs for us to come to Him with those woes that keep us hesitant about the future. Do you know who holds the future? God does. Not your boss, not your spouse, not your failures, not the voice screaming inside you that tells you that you're not good enough, strong enough, smart enough, skinny enough, or anything else it may say.

 

If you are struggling with any negative views of yourself: STOP right now. Surrender to the Lord. Jesus is waiting. Pray the Scripture at the top of this post and wait for His answer. He will search you and guide you. 2016 has the potential to be an amazing year - will you give it to Him and allow Him to "lead you in the way everlasting"? 

 

Praying for you, Natalie

Who Is Jesus?

It has been a long time since I have posted. It has been a very busy year for me. I have finished all of my courses for ministerial preparation and I will soon move into the hands-on supervised ministry part. Though I have learned much, there is so much more to learn. I look forward to this upcoming chapter of my life as I follow God's will for me.

Yesterday, I had the privilege of breaking God's word in our church and sharing the message while our pastors are away taking the youth to Follow2015 in Indianapolis. As we are coming quickly to the close of 2015 and look ahead to 2016, I would like to share the message that God laid on my heart to share yesterday. So, Who Is Jesus?

Before I give you the paraphrased version of the message I delivered yesterday, I want to encourage you to open God's Word and read John 1:1-14. Take time to read it carefully and see what it says about who Jesus is.

1. Jesus Is Light - In five verses, John uses the word light seven times. Most of these refer to Jesus as the Light, but each time, the word light is used in opposition to the darkness. If you didn't read from the RSV, that translation translates verse five a bit differently "...but darkness has not overcome it," (John 1:5). The darkness has not overcome the Light - nothing can or will overcome Jesus. He is the true Light of the world (John 1:9). Jesus freely offers light to all, yet not everyone will accept it. Sadly, much of the world rejects His Light because the love of sin blinds humanity to the Light of God. But there is hope because God will always have followers until the day of Jesus' return. Are you one of them?

2. Jesus Is Life - Verse twelve tells us we become children of God by accepting the gift of a new birth, not because we are human, but because we receive and accept the gift given. We must do our part. Remember though, it's not about what we do, but about what He's done. The father/child relationship flows not from being created, but from believing Him. When we accept Jesus in our lives, we have the promise of salvation and will spend eternity in His presence. If you haven't given your life to Him, what is stopping you?

3. Jesus Is Lord - Verse 14 tells us that the "Word became flesh and dwelt among us." Jesus left the perfection of heaven and chose to take up residence in a teenager's womb so He could be born like the rest of us. He lived on this earth and faced temptations - the same as we do daily - and overcame them all. He didn't just appear to be a man. Jesus was a man. The cradle was not the beginning nor was the cross the end. Jesus defeated death and Hell and is alive today. His life on earth was simply a blip in time for Him. He was alive before the cradle and lives today and forever. As you look toward 2016, can you look back over 2015 and say with confidence that Jesus is Lord over your life? Has Christmas been about Him, or something else? Will you choose now to allow Jesus to be Lord over your life today and every day for the rest of your life? If not, why not? If so, pray and tell Him. Seek His guidance and direction. Look to 2016 with expectancy and hope for He is Lord.

May the peace, love, and joy of Christ dwell in you richly as you submit to His Lordship over your life. Blessings to you and yours for 2016. In Jesus' joy, Natalie

Hungry? Thirsty? Get More of Jesus!

"Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen." Ephesians 3:20-21 NKJV

I wonder if you are like me and have read this particular verse a number of time but didn't really see the promise contained in it. Take a few minutes and read it over and over, then really meditate on it. Drink in the truth of the Scripture. God has given us His Word to feed hungry souls, to quench the thirst of our parched cravings. He has given us the answer - Himself!

Lots of times we pray for stuff: healing for our family and friends, money to take care of our needs, answers to our prayers of all shapes and sizes and such things. Have we ever slowed down long enough to think about how many times we've prayed for more of Jesus? This is truly what we need. Please don't get me wrong, Jesus told us to bring our needs to Him and we should, but in the midst of that, we need to be praying for Jesus to come and fill us will His Spirit and invade our lives powerfully. We need His empowerment to go out into this corrupt and broken world to be effective for Him. There is so much hurt and pain, yet the Lord is sufficient for all the needs out there. If we would look beyond the physical needs and pray to be used by God in His plan for our world then we would see amazing things happen for Him. He sees beyond what we see. He knows far more than we could ever begin to imagine. He sees the heart and penetrates the darkness in ways unknown to humanity. What an exciting experience to be part of!! Will you join with me in praying for more of Jesus? Will you partner with Him to do those things He calls you to do? Will you trust Him to keep His promise to do "exceedingly abundantly above all we ask or think?"

I'm praying for you. In Jesus' joy,
Natalie

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Today begins a brand-new year. A time to look back and see from where you've come and a time to look ahead and see where you want to be. This is the perfect time of year to determine how you want to live your life. Have you been satisfied with your life: joyful, content, peaceful, patient, filled with kindness for others and that type of thing? Or are you lacking joy, contentment, peacefulness, and filled with resentment and anger toward others?

 

 

I encourage you to take time today and reflect on these things. This assessment begs the question: what are you going to do about it if you are sliding toward the negative side of things? Taking time on a daily basis to study God's Word is the prescription I would recommend for whatever is ailing you. Take time to sit down for 15 minutes a day and read from His Word. Pray and allow the Words to soak in and change you. Ask for His Holy Spirit to assist you in this endeavour. Do not try to do this alone. He is right there with you. Allow Him to be your sufficiency and to cover you with His grace and mercy.

 

 

Dear Heavenly Father,

I pray for each precious one who reads this post and takes it to task. Lord, strengthen them as they take on the challenge of reading and soaking in Your Word each and every day. Father, give them the discipline needed to get the job done. I pray Your Spirit would fill them - each one - and reveal the truths of the Scriptures You have chosen for them to read each day. May You work in their lives daily to shape them into the likeness of Jesus Christ Your One and Only Son. In His precious and Holy name I pray, Amen

A New Life

“This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone: a new life has begun.” 2 Corinthians 5:17 NLT This promise is not to be taken lightly. It is filled with hope. This Scripture verse tells us that we are made a new creation in Christ. We are no longer the person we once were. We can live victorious lives because, “The old life is gone; a new life has begun.” Are you stalled in the past? Do you feel controlled by your past? Does it seem like you wear your past on your sleeve for the whole world to see? Then this promise is for you! You do not have to believe the lies of the enemy that says you will never be any different or that you are a loser (or a whole range of other lies). You have a promise of a new life and hope in Jesus Christ. Every single person has a past. There are things in your past that you could not control. There are things in your past you could have chosen to do differently. There are things you may wish you could forget. Choosing right now, in this moment, to live for Christ and asking for and accepting His gift of forgiveness for your mistakes and believing Him, gives you a new life. You can rejoice in the fact that you are a changed, new person. Can you commit your life into His capable, nail-scarred hands? Can you allow Jesus to heal the wounds of the past, whether they are self-inflicted or inflicted at the hands of someone else? Can you allow Jesus to come into your life and make you whole? Your new life will not be perfect. Don’t think of this as a miracle-cure or a cure that will happen in a moment in time. It may take many times of giving your hurts to the Lord, before you feel the pain recede. But, it can and will happen when you give it all to Him. Jesus told us that there will be times of trouble, but we needn’t be afraid because He is with us. When we give our lives to Him, we can call on Him anytime and He hears our prayers. One of my favorite promises is Hebrews 13:5, “…I will never leave you nor forsake you,” (NKJV). And He doesn’t. He is there in all ways, always. One important fact to realize is that our relationship with Him is active and living. It is not a one-sided deal where He gives and gives and we take and take. We need to spend time in His presence, speaking and listening for His still, small voice that speaks to our hearts. He may also use our circumstances and the Christian people around us, but rest assured He will speak. Don’t allow your past dictate your future. Everyone has “skeletons” in their closet – so to speak. Accept the promise of a new life in Jesus Christ, give your heart to Him, believe that He loves you and wants better for you than you can imagine, then commit your life to living for Him. Seek His will and direction for your life and live in His promises. He is waiting for you to call out to Him.