Revelation 2:2-5.

I'm beginning to read the book of Revelation, the final book in my journey of the New Testament this semester. This book is most known for its apocalyptic teaching and the end times. However, the first 3 chapters don't concentrate on that just yet. Chapters 2-3 specifically are charges to the 7 churches at the time. The first one in chapter 2 is the one to the church in Ephesus. John was praising them for all they had done so far, and God was helping him dictate what to tell each of the churches, including this one. Starting in verse 2, it tells us that God (through John) says,

"'I know your works, your toil and your patient endurance, and how you cannot bear with those who are evil, but have tested those who call themselves apostles and are not, and found them to be false. I know you are enduring patiently and bearing up for my name's sake, and you have not grown weary.

Sounds like they're on the right track, right?

Let's keep reading (starting in verse 4):

But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first.

These people had forgotten for Whom they were enduring persecution! They had forgotten the relationship that they had originally had with Him. They had forgotten the real reason for their carrying out their works. They were doing all of the "right things," but they had forgotten the reason for doing those things!

Continuing on in verse 5, God tells them through John:

Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first. If not, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent."


Wow . . . This is pretty serious. It should be, and rightly so, because God takes our relationship with Him seriously. 


This is convicting to me as I go about my life. When I read that passage, I thought about how I live my life. I'm a good kid. I do my homework, turn in all my assignments, don't cheat, don't swear, hang out with other "good" kids, and strive to be the best Christian I can be. Most of the time, though, I don't even realize why I'm doing the things I do; I just do them without thinking about it. Sometimes, I read my Bible without giving a thought to what it says. I need to be evaluating myself constantly in the things I do, especially in regards to my relationship with Christ. Why do I do the things I do? Is it because I feel like I have to? Or do I actually take pleasure in doing this, in growing closer to Christ? If I honestly say "no," why is that? What can I do to fix that? It can be a really great opportunity to let Christ mold me and shape me more into the person that He wants me to become.

Here's a convicting question: do I think of Christ as my first love? I should. I know I should. But do I truly think of Him that way?

I think deep down, I think of Him mainly as my GPS; the person that gets me through life. He is definitely my Savior and my Lord. But is He my first LOVE?

When I think of a first love, the first thing I think about is how much you want to talk to someone when you're in love. You want to talk to them EVERY single day, every single minute of your day, telling them every single little detail. You want to get to know them more and you want what they want. You want them close to you, to pursue you, to cherish you. As a woman, this is what I dream of happening to me someday. This IS my dream.

Here's a thought: Christ has already pursued me. He already cherishes me. He wants me to become closer to Him in our relationship. Yet, I have the audacity to say "no" to that sometimes. Sometimes, I don't want what He offers. I seek approval from another human, a friend to laugh at my jokes, or affirmation from my professors. I'm looking for that relationship that is meant for only me and Christ in someone else, because I feel like He's not really there. I feel like I need someone in the flesh instead.

I don't, though. Why would I want to trade this never-ending relationship with Christ, who has already loved me perfectly and has bought me with a price, for earthly things that won't last forever?

Very convicting. Lord, forgive me for all the times I don't feel or think that You are enough to satisfy me.

The Sky Above Proclaims His Handiwork.

Most days when I drive home from JBU, I get to enjoy a beautiful sunset signifying the day's end. Sometimes the rays of sunshine peak out from behind darkened clouds, or the sky turns a magnificent bright pink and orange color. No matter what it looks like, sunsets are always ALWAYS beautiful to me and have a very special place in my heart. "Well, I know they're really pretty and all, but why?" you may ask. Let me remind you of a Bible story. Remember Noah (yeah, the guy who built the really big boat and got all the animals in there two-by-two)? God was bringing judgment upon his creation by way of an earth-wide flood, because of their sinfulness. He had mercy on Noah and his family, and they all got on that boat and were there for a really long time. When they were finally able to get off the ark, they made sacrifices to God, showing Him their thankfulness and love for Him by guiding them through this terrifying, yet incredible event. God then commanded them to "be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth." With that, He gave them a rainbow as a reminder for them that He would never again destroy the world again by the means of a flood. "But wait a minute, what does that have anything to do with sunsets?!" you may question. Well, sunsets are like God's rainbows to me. I enjoy them for beauty's sake alone; I take pleasure in watching the brilliant colors flood the sky. But more importantly, they symbolize so much. To me, when God gives us a sunset, it's like He's saying, "This is the end of today. Think about the wonderful things and events that occurred today. Even if today wasn't the best day ever, this is the end of today, so tomorrow is a new day; you get a fresh start! I love you, and I'm giving you this sunset as a reminder that I am with you always, and will never leave your side as you go through this seemingly crazy life." WOW! How awesome is that?! It's such an amazing gift and such a great reminder for me that God IS there with me, no matter where I am in life. Even though I have a lot of rough and tiring days, He gives me His promise of a sunset, to simply enjoy its beauty and to remind me that tomorrow is a new day, with new opportunities to further His kingdom. Psalm 19:1 says, "The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork." Sunsets just scream God's creativity and presence. How could we not remember this when we see them?? THIS is why I'm thankful that I get to drive home every day.

A Great High Priest

I was reading Hebrews for my New Testament class tomorrow, and I came across chapter twelve in the book. Verses 1 and 2 are the ones that everyone has memorized (and for good reason!) They say:

Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.

I start with these verses because it is 2 and a half weeks until finals week at JBU, and everyone, and I mean EVERYONE, is starting to not care about school. We are all tired, frustrated, and impatient right now. It's so close to the end of the semester, that we're all in this state of I-don't-care-about-how-well-I-do-and-I-just-wanna-finish. As I have stated in a previous blog post, this semester has been extremely difficult for me. It has pushed me to my limits physically, spiritually, emotionally, and mentally. Several times, I've almost thrown books at my wall and exclaimed, "That's it! I'm not cut out for this! I quit!" But I haven't. And I'm so glad I haven't. Even though it's been really tough, it's been such a period of growth and maturity for me, that I wouldn't change it for anything.

Going back to the book of Hebrews, still in chapter twelve, a lot of people miss out on the rest of this beautiful chapter. In verse 3, the author says, "Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted." I've felt weary AND fainthearted many times this semester, today being one of those times. Yet, Christ took on those burdens so that we would not be weary and fainthearted forever.

There's no doubt we WILL go through those tough times. Continuing in verses 6 and 7, the author of Hebrews tells us:

For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives.
It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as sons. For what son is there whom his father does not discipline?

And later, in verse 11:

For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.

There is a purpose in the discipline we go through; we become more like Christ by it. In a previous chapter in Hebrews (4:15-16), Christ is our great High Priest, because He intercedes for us on our behalf to God the Father. Since Christ has been tempted like us, He knows what we're going through; He understands us completely because He was completely human, just like us. Yet, He was without sin, and of course He's also God, so He is able to intercede for us to the Father. How wonderful that is to have a Savior that completely understands our hardships and trials...

Since we have this great High Priest and Savior, who knows and understands fully what we're going through, let us keep running the race at full speed. You may feel like giving up right now. Why even try anymore?

Do not give up. God wants our best from us. Christ gave His all for us, so let's give God the best of what we've got! Let's finish strong.

Reflections on the Cross.

I decided to read all four Gospel accounts of the trials and crucifixion of Jesus this morning. It's interesting comparing the different accounts of different men; they all have small differences between them, but they all say the same message. We discussed that a little in our New Testament class this semester.

I noticed that Matthew and Mark's Gospels are very straight-to-the-point and not very detailed. Luke and John's Gospels go a little bit more in detail, but in different areas. Luke gives more emphasis on Peter's denial of Jesus, because it's the only Gospel where it mentions that Jesus turned and looked at him. WOW. To have denied Jesus not only once, but THREE times and then to have the Son of God's eyes staring into yours... No wonder Peter wept bitterly after this humbling and awful event. Luke also goes into more detail about Jesus' trial before Pilate, and it's the only Gospel that tells us that Pilate sent Jesus to Herod also. Lastly, it's also the only Gospel that tells us what the criminals (who were crucified with him) said.

John's Gospel gives us more details about the conversation between Pilate and Jesus. It is also the only Gospel that tells us that Jesus said, "It is finished!" Every time I read that, it gives me chills just picturing this scene in my head. No longer did we need to make daily sacrifices here on earth to make us right before God. No longer did we have to be separated from God's presence. The curtain, which had separated us from God, was torn in two. Because of Christ, the great Sacrificial Lamb, who died in our place, I am free from the bondage of my sin. The battle over sin was won. I am FREE! Because of that, I have no guilt in life, no fear in death. Because of what Christ went through on the cross, and because He is ruling in my heart, I will get to be in God's presence someday and live with Him forever. What an amazing thing that will be!

What a humbling thing to think about... I think about everything I've ever done, and I can't help but be ashamed of quite a few things. Jesus, the holy and perfect Son of God, was spit on, flogged, mocked, bloody, weakened to the lowest possible state... to save me from my sin and to make me right before God? How can it be? "Why should I gain from His reward? I cannot give an answer."

But that's the beauty of the cross; NONE of us deserved to be able to stand in God's presence spotless. We are all sinners. We are born into sin. There is nothing we could do to earn God's favor. Yet, He provided a way so that we could stand before God CLEAN. I am still human, and I still sin. But because Christ is reigning over my heart and life, God sees Christ in me, and proclaims me as spotless. I am justified before God. I am FREE!

"But this I know with all my heart: His wounds have paid my ransom!"

Think of what all Christ went through. Think of the cross. Read all of the Gospels. This is my challenge for all of you.

I love you all. Have a very Good Friday!