Justification

Well, I promise to update this more than once a week. There are so many things I could write about but once again the “topic” I had set aside to discuss has been demoted for a more recent update on what was preached in church tonight.  Rev. Smyrl preached on Romans 8 and focused in on verse 31,

“If God is for us, who is against us?”

He also talked about justification, which is where I want to spend my time. (This one will actually be short!) Rev. Smyrl gave an example of a real life event that had happened to him. He and a man had been having a conversation about this topic and this is what the man said. “I think I get it. So we, as humans and sinners, (one in the same) have a dirty, sinful, and broken inside, but because of Jesus we are covered by His goodness on the outside – that’s how it works. That’s why a holy God can look at us, even though we are sinful creatures.” (I’m paraphrasing by the way, despite my wonderful listening skills I cannot remember exactly what was said during the service.) Rev. Smyrl replied and said, “You’re asking the right questions but you see, it’s the exact opposite. When we enter into a relationship with Jesus Christ, He makes us new. He purifies and cleanses our INSIDE and until we arrive in Heaven where He will give us new glorified bodies, we are stuck in this OLD WRAPPER.” Did you catch that!? I did not realize, until tonight, that I had a completely distorted view of justification. God has cleaned my inside and made it white as snow – He has called me daughter and has made me and heir, which completely blows my mind. I am a sinner, yes – but I have been made new and I long for the day when Christ’s work will be completed in me and I will obtain my glorified body.

Check Your Heart...

Well, before any one has the chance to say it, ‘I know it has been FOREVER and way too long since I have blogged!’ I just finished up my second year of college and my first year of experiencing the whole “away from home” thing – and to be honest, it has been one of the best and most rewarding things I have ever done. God has been so faithful and I will expound upon that in the near future. (And I do mean near, I promise. Probably tomorrow or the next day  ) There are certain things, “activities”, people do, whether by themselves or with friends and family, that has a special place of meaning and significance. One of the things I love to do with my family is to go to church. This sounds kind of cliché I know. But it’s the truth. I think the reason it holds a special place in my heart is because it’s one of the few things my “busy” family has the chance to do together. I treasure the moments of eating dinner at FBC Jax and I savor every delicious and delectable sip of sweet, sweet tea! I just love being around the dinner table with my mom and dad, sisters, brother-in-law, and nieces and nephew. It’s a precious time. But I also love being in my church; MY church. (I know it’s not my church and I know that the church isn’t a building but the people. However, I love sitting in the pews, sensing the welcome-ness and sweet spirit of people who love the Lord.) Tonight was my first Wednesday night back. It was wonderful! I was so encouraged by the preaching of Nehemiah 8:1-8. I have debated whether or not to simply summarize what this piece of scripture is about or to really explain it and I have decided that it is TOO GOOD to pass up, so this may be a long blog. (And if you actually read my blogs, which I’m sure is VERY few, then you should be used to it. :) The Israelites had just returned and had rebuilt the wall. (If you read it, which I encourage you to do, this will make more sense. However I am going to try to make it understandable without you having to read it.) The rebuilding of the wall was a huge victory and as soon as the Israelites were finished, (vs.1) “All the people gathered together” and asked Ezra to PREACH! We don’t do that. Since when have you been rejoicing over the victory of a football game and got so caught up in the excitement you asked someone to preach the Word!? They were begging for a blessing. They wanted to praise the Lord for their victory! It says in verses 3 that Ezra read “from daybreak until noon.” We get irritated when the pastor preaches 5 minutes passed his scheduled time… we would all probably get up and leave if he told us he was going to talk for 5 hours. Yet these people listened attentively! (vs.3) We can’t even stay alert in our OWN prayers; what a reminder these people are of true diligence. It then says in verse 5, “As he opened it, all the people stood up.” There was a respect for God’s Word. We get tired of our music minister telling us to stand up and then to sit down…then when our pastor gets up to preach, he tells us to stand up… when in reality we should be standing up out of respect before he even has to ask us. I know I have ranted way too much, but this message and passage of scripture really spoke to me. God really spoke to me. We should be excited to be in His word and His house. Are you excited to spend time with God? Are you looking forward to Sunday or dreading it? Check your heart and check His word. “It’s good to be back!”