Urgency...

Have you ever read something over and over and it's never really struck you?! But then, you read it at some other point and the message rings loud and clear, almost like the words jump off the page and kick you in the face?! Yeah, that was my experience yesterday! It wasn't fun, but it was eye-opening and convicting to understand God's Word on a level that I had never reached before.

I can't tell you how many times I have read Matthew 24, when Jesus talks about the end times, the destruction of the temple, and the Great Tribulation. But out of nowhere, while reading this passage yesterday, I came across verse 14 and I was blown away! Not only was I excited to find something that I have apparently overlooked for years, but I was convicted about the laziness of my own heart to share the Gospel of Christ. Seriously, read it! That verse says,

And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed
throughout the whole world as a testimony
to all nations, and then the end will come.
- Matthew 24:14

Think about it for just a moment. Study those words. Are you starting to understand the absolute and total urgency for the gospel to go out to all of the world. What this verse is saying is that until all nations hear, the end will not come! I mean, I don't know where you stand, but I want Jesus to come back ASAP! So, what can I do help?! Well, a positive start would be obedience to the Word of God by telling others. I can put aside myself and my desires and be a disciple. I can get off my butt and share the Word. I can pray for the workers of the harvest. I can send new workers to the harvest. I can go plant the seeds and be a part of helping the harvest happen! Whatever I do, I can do it all for the glory of my KING! And I can do it with a joyful and expectant heart. Joyful because He has given me an incredible opportunity and great privilege to take part in declaring His name to the world! Something He could just snap His fingers and do on His own, but He allows me to take part! Expectant because He is powerful and can change the hearts of those who hear His Word.

I cannot wait until the day when all the nations have heard the sweet name of our Savior. Then, and only then, can I rest. I can rest because on that day, He will come to take me home! The day when I see my Jesus return to claim me can't come soon enough! Go into all the world, my friends! He is mighty to save the nations! May His Kingdom be exalted and expanded and His name be glorified! God is so good... :)

Filled...

Can I just say that God is stinkin INCREDIBLE!! He is so good and so worthy of praise! As I stood in the fellowship hall tonight, in the midst of worship, I realized that I have nothing to offer! My life, it is of no use to His kingdom if it has anything to do with me! As we sang the following song, my arms raised to the ceiling, my hands opened and empty, it doned on me that the only way Christ will ever get any glory from my life is for me to stay that way, open and empty, reaching out to Him. In His oh so loving and subtle ways, God reminded me that empty hands and an open heart that cry out before the throne of God is all He is asking for. For only then, can He fill me! He is able to do it all! Praise the Lord that He is big and mighty. He is requires so little, yet bestows so much! Friends, we serve a faithful and gracious and loving King! God is so good... :)

So I’ll stand

With arms high and heart abandoned

In awe of the One who gave it all

I’ll stand

My soul Lord to You surrendered

All I am is Yours

So Sweet...

For as the heavens are higher than the earth,

so are My ways higher than your ways

and My thoughts than your thoughts.

Isaiah 55:9

Lately, primarily meaning the past week and weekend, I have really struggled with trusting God in every little aspect. I have been faced with issues that have nothing to do with me, but that have ROCKED my world in too many ways. But, as always, God has been so faithful and gracious to show mercy and lead me back toward His throne. He has given me so many opportunities to re-establish my foothold in His word and on His promises and He has taught me many lessons through the examples of Godly friends and their lives that echo His. I have been reminded that none of this life is about Sarah and how much easier things would be if I would just lean on His cross and give my burdens and worries of this world to Him. He doesn't need help running my life and I forget that far too often. Oh how I hate learning the same lessons over and over. I pray that God would give me the mindset of Isaiah in times like these to proclaim the power of God in my life. Praise the Lord that his mercies never cease and He continues to restore my soul. He is faithful and worthy of all praise! God is so good...... :)

Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus

Just to take Him at His word

Just to rest upon His promise

Just to know 'Thus saith the Lord'