Last night I was reading my Bible where I have been studying in 1 Peter, and these were the next two verses. I found it just beautiful! Even though I never have or will see Christ in this life, I still love Him and believe He is alive. I can feel His presence and see the work He does all around me. I know that every blessing comes from Him. I don't deserve this life, yet it has more to offer than I could ever imagine. I am filled with this amazing joy every day, even when challenges come because I know they are for my own good. I know that I am saved and Christ lives in me. This is a great feeling that everyone and anyone can experience, too. I pray that we will not be ashamed to have faith and press on through life and be His disciples!Saturday, September 28, 2013
Love, Believe, Have Joy
Last night I was reading my Bible where I have been studying in 1 Peter, and these were the next two verses. I found it just beautiful! Even though I never have or will see Christ in this life, I still love Him and believe He is alive. I can feel His presence and see the work He does all around me. I know that every blessing comes from Him. I don't deserve this life, yet it has more to offer than I could ever imagine. I am filled with this amazing joy every day, even when challenges come because I know they are for my own good. I know that I am saved and Christ lives in me. This is a great feeling that everyone and anyone can experience, too. I pray that we will not be ashamed to have faith and press on through life and be His disciples!
Sunday, September 8, 2013
God's Grace
Lately, the verses that have been making an impact on me have all contained the word grace. Every Wednesday morning, the girls cross country team meets at Chick-fil-a before school to do a Bible study. This week I shared a couple verses and quotes that stood out to me from Ryan Hall's book Running with Joy. He did an interview with Running Times magazine that was mostly centered on his faith. When asked if he is as good a runner as he is because he trains harder or because he is more talented, he responded with saying "I am what I am because of the grace of God" which reminded me of a verse I had found during my personal Bible study just the day before. 1 Corinthians 15:10 says, "But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace to me was not without effect. No, I worked harder than all of them--yet not I, but the grace of God that was with me." This is one of my new favorites because I get asked questions all the time about how I run so fast, do so well in school, have so much joy, and many other things. I can't explain much, except that I do what I do because God has blessed me with the opportunities.
Another thing that has helped keep me humble and positive through all sorts of circumstances is 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 and what Ryan said about that. "But He said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong." Ryan used just the part until weakness, but I continued on when I was reading, and it just gets better. Like he said in the interview, "I may not always win or do something great, but I will always have enough strength to accomplish the purpose God has called me to race for." Even more than that, I can be glad I have weaknesses because that is where God shines through. He makes up for everything I lack. When I fail, I still have every reason to praise Him. His grace lifts me up so that others can see Him at work. I can be joyful, even when the going gets tough, because His power can be made known even more.
I have also felt lately that time is not passing me by, but running me over. I feel constantly rushed and always have a list of things to do. I too often get distracted doing things that aren't necessary, but I feel like I "have" to do them. Then before I know it, it's over half an hour after I wanted to be in bed. Looking back through old Instagram pictures for a photo contest at church, I found a verse I had forgotten about, but that I had come to love last season. Acts 20:24 says, "However, I consider my lift worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me--the task of testifying to the good news of God's grace." Again, more about grace! This time it's not only talking about the grace I receive, but sharing that grace to others. This can apply to my life in several ways. When I am literally racing for cross country, it hurts. I want to be finished and then feel great. My goal is to finish that race with all I have, but then also to continue to let God's light shine through me the entire day to all the people who will see me. Also, in the race of life, I want to be able to finish strong, so that when I see Jesus, He will be proud that I, His servant, worked for His glory. God's grace gives us so much to live for and hope and joy for every moment. I want everyone to have the opportunity to know this feeling. This is what really has worth in life. Even though material things of this life seem so important, they are worthless in comparison with eternal life in Christ. Working to win souls for Him will always fill our hearts more than winning any competition ever will.
Another thing that has helped keep me humble and positive through all sorts of circumstances is 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 and what Ryan said about that. "But He said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong." Ryan used just the part until weakness, but I continued on when I was reading, and it just gets better. Like he said in the interview, "I may not always win or do something great, but I will always have enough strength to accomplish the purpose God has called me to race for." Even more than that, I can be glad I have weaknesses because that is where God shines through. He makes up for everything I lack. When I fail, I still have every reason to praise Him. His grace lifts me up so that others can see Him at work. I can be joyful, even when the going gets tough, because His power can be made known even more.
I have also felt lately that time is not passing me by, but running me over. I feel constantly rushed and always have a list of things to do. I too often get distracted doing things that aren't necessary, but I feel like I "have" to do them. Then before I know it, it's over half an hour after I wanted to be in bed. Looking back through old Instagram pictures for a photo contest at church, I found a verse I had forgotten about, but that I had come to love last season. Acts 20:24 says, "However, I consider my lift worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me--the task of testifying to the good news of God's grace." Again, more about grace! This time it's not only talking about the grace I receive, but sharing that grace to others. This can apply to my life in several ways. When I am literally racing for cross country, it hurts. I want to be finished and then feel great. My goal is to finish that race with all I have, but then also to continue to let God's light shine through me the entire day to all the people who will see me. Also, in the race of life, I want to be able to finish strong, so that when I see Jesus, He will be proud that I, His servant, worked for His glory. God's grace gives us so much to live for and hope and joy for every moment. I want everyone to have the opportunity to know this feeling. This is what really has worth in life. Even though material things of this life seem so important, they are worthless in comparison with eternal life in Christ. Working to win souls for Him will always fill our hearts more than winning any competition ever will.
Saturday, August 24, 2013
All About Happiness
Each week, my running log has quotes, tips, and encouragement to look at. A couple weeks ago, things just kept coming up in Bible studies, church, songs, even my teacher at school, and the book I am reading that were telling me to just enjoy the moment. Life means so much more than the things I worry about. My running log had this quote in it by Jackie Joyner-Kersee, a six time Olympic medal winner: "The medals don't mean anything, and the glory doesn't last. It's all about your happiness." God also said in John 10:10, "I have come so that you may have life, and have it to the full." Jesus came to die so that we could live. But not just live to be alive, live to the full. Time goes by extremely fast. I am completely shocked at how quickly the past 2 years of my life have been, and it just keeps speeding up. "Be very careful, then, how you live--not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore, do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is." Ephesians 5:15-17. Remember what the most important things in life truly are, and enjoy them.
Sunday, August 18, 2013
Remember the Gift Giver
My youth group at church has started a little study book recently called Don't Waste Your Sports. It is all about using the gifts God has given us to glorify Him and make known to the world His love, mercy, salvation, and everything about Him. It is so challenging, and I'm loving it so far! It is a small, pocket-sized book, so it can be toted anywhere! I hope to share bits and pieces of what I learn as I go.
The chapter I just read was titled Play to the Glory of God. There was a great analogy about how when we are young kids, our parents always told us at birthdays and holidays to open the cards (usually first), and thank the person who gave that gift. Before we get started using what we've been given, we need to pray to thank God for that gift. Mahaney says this:
The chapter I just read was titled Play to the Glory of God. There was a great analogy about how when we are young kids, our parents always told us at birthdays and holidays to open the cards (usually first), and thank the person who gave that gift. Before we get started using what we've been given, we need to pray to thank God for that gift. Mahaney says this:
“The
gift doesn’t reinforce selfishness; it draws attention to the Giver.” We shouldn't go through the day tearing the wrapping paper off one gift after another forgetting to read the card. Ingratitude is a sin, and an insult to God. This is what has hit me really hard. Humbly using my gifts I've been given is an act of worship to God!
Saturday, August 17, 2013
Trojan Train
Every Friday of a football game, a big group of kids meet together in a parking lot in town to do what we call the "Trojan Train." This was the morning of our Jamboree for our conference, also the first time we did this for the school year. I must say that was the best participation I have ever seen! This is the truck I rode in. One of my lifelong best friends drove her Papaw's truck so that the senior cheerleaders, a few friends, and the WAOS (Women Ambassadors Of Spirit) could have a great ride! In front was the AOS (guys) followed by the guys Street Team, then us, then the girls Street Team. Everyone else who came followed behind. We have outfits, painted faces, flags, hazard lights blinking, horns blowing, and people dancing and yelling out the cars driving to school! (We are followed by a policeman so it's okay!) We all think it is hilarious to see the looks on the faces of the freshmen's parents who dont know what we are doing. This was my best arrival to school and got me and everyone else so pumped for the things to come this year! I'm so thankful to have such a supportive Trojan Nation!
Monday, August 5, 2013
1 Corinthians
Parts of this book have been hitting me hard as I make my way through the chapters. I really liked chapter 4, titled Apostles of Christ. It humbled me, and that is what I needed with school starting and the cross country season getting into full swing.
"I care very little if I am judged by you or by any human court...it is The Lord who judges me." 1 Corinthians 4:3-4
This is what Paul said speaking of himself. This is how I also should live because when we are in Christ, we are not held under human's judgment. We are all sinner, and God is the only one who knows everything to the very depths, therefore He is the only one who can make sound judgments. When we are living for Christ, we don't have to worry about what others say about us.
"For who makes you different from anyone else? What do you have that you did not receive? And if you did receive it, why do you boast as though you did not?" 1 Corinthians 4:7
This book tells a lot about how we are not our own, but that we belong to Christ. I would be nothing without Him. I am a human being, sinner, like everyone else. Everything I have, every possession, talent, opportunity, and just life is a gift from God. There is no reason for me to be proud or boast in anything. Everything I have was given to me, I did not earn it. So when people see me out in the world, I want them to be able to see God's work being done, not attention being drawn to me.
"Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body." 1 Corinthians 6:19-20
I was given the Holy Spirit to live in me and guide me. I was bought by Christ at the price of death on a cross; that is what has given me everything I have, not my own works. God gave me this body and my abilities to be a tool for Him, so this really hits me as a runner. Every race, people see me running. They are watching how I respond to situations. I want everything I say and do to be pointing to the One who gave me the ability. To honor God with my body in this situation would be to give everything I have to do my best and let Him take care of the rest. My attitude will show people His love. I must use every step of my life to reflect who He is, and stay humble; He gives me all I truly need. My goal is to lift Him higher.
"I care very little if I am judged by you or by any human court...it is The Lord who judges me." 1 Corinthians 4:3-4
This is what Paul said speaking of himself. This is how I also should live because when we are in Christ, we are not held under human's judgment. We are all sinner, and God is the only one who knows everything to the very depths, therefore He is the only one who can make sound judgments. When we are living for Christ, we don't have to worry about what others say about us.
"For who makes you different from anyone else? What do you have that you did not receive? And if you did receive it, why do you boast as though you did not?" 1 Corinthians 4:7
This book tells a lot about how we are not our own, but that we belong to Christ. I would be nothing without Him. I am a human being, sinner, like everyone else. Everything I have, every possession, talent, opportunity, and just life is a gift from God. There is no reason for me to be proud or boast in anything. Everything I have was given to me, I did not earn it. So when people see me out in the world, I want them to be able to see God's work being done, not attention being drawn to me.
"Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body." 1 Corinthians 6:19-20
I was given the Holy Spirit to live in me and guide me. I was bought by Christ at the price of death on a cross; that is what has given me everything I have, not my own works. God gave me this body and my abilities to be a tool for Him, so this really hits me as a runner. Every race, people see me running. They are watching how I respond to situations. I want everything I say and do to be pointing to the One who gave me the ability. To honor God with my body in this situation would be to give everything I have to do my best and let Him take care of the rest. My attitude will show people His love. I must use every step of my life to reflect who He is, and stay humble; He gives me all I truly need. My goal is to lift Him higher.
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