Memory Verse (s) and more.

We are heading into our last 3 weeks of ministry on campus for this school year, and finishing our first year of full-time vocational ministry. There is so much to say of growth, struggle, learnings, joys, regrets, and praises. But, just for today, know that this verse has been and will be my prayer in these last few weeks, in the midst of weariness and the temptation to cruise to the finish line of May 13^th.

“Therefore my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord knowing that in the Lord, your labor is not in vain.” 1 Corinthians 15:58

It's very comforting to know that, if in Lord, our work is never in vain. 

We received a training at our staff meeting today from our Campus Crusade Bay Area director. He is working on his Ph.d. right now, is a professor at Fuller seminary, and does ministry at Stanford. Really smart guy. He shared so much good stuff, but one thing he shared, in passing really, was what he used to share with his students at Stanford. He would tell them, "Stanford is making you a lot of promises they can't keep. If you bank on those promises they'll end in death. Life comes from Jesus Christ alone."

 We talked a lot today about how Jesus' promise of LIFE, and LIFE abundantly (John 10:9), is at the very heart of the gospel. That the promise of Christ is goodness and true life in the way God intended it. In all of our relationships- with God, self, others, creation, and our work- and in our lives here partly, but eventually, completely. 

At the end of the gospel of John, he summarizes by saying, "...these are written so that you may understand the Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name." (John 20:31) Jesus came that we may have LIFE in his name. 

So...

"Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom." Psalm 90:12

It is healthy for me to remember the brevity of this life. As I remember the "here then gone again" nature of life- the vapor, dust to dust, passing wind nature of my humanity- it reminds me that my truest life is coming in God's kingdom, which necessitates a value shift in my days here. It makes my sojourning here and now more meaningful, more urgent, more rooted in the values of the kingdom that is here but not fully. It is good for me to remember that our time here is short so that I don't dig my roots too deep. 

Whether it is Stanford, Cal Poly, a magazine cover, my own desires for riches or praise, there are lots of promises of life, joy, peace, and fulfillment being thrown at me in the world; and yet, only one promise for life will truly hold up, and it is that we have life in His name. Thank you, Jesus.  

M.V.'s to encourage

I’ve had to shorten my memory verses lately. Now that the busyness of life is back in full swing (note blog neglect), I don’t have quite as much time to memorize long Scriptures. But, I thought I’d share a few recent ones, in the hope of encouraging you and sharing how God has been using them in my life.

“But God has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain salvation, through Jesus Christ our Lord who died for us so that whether we are awake or asleep we might live with him.” 1 Thessalonians 5:9-10

[This is the good news! God hasn’t destined me for his wrath, but through Jesus taking His wrath for us, I’ve been destined for salvation. In a world where questions of purpose and destiny and uncertainty are consuming, this is good news to my soul.]

“Jesus said, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet he shall live; and whoever lives and believes in me shall never die.” John 11:25-26

[This almost makes me want to cry. My Grandpop has been in the hospital off and on for the past three weeks. It’s been a roller coaster especially for my dad and his siblings, and my exhausted Grandmom. He is still in the hospital as I write this, and there is a lot of uncertainty in terms of what will happen. My heart aches just thinking of his weak body lying in a hospital bed for so many days, and it aches for my family there with him, as well. I’ve shed my tears about it, and am certain I’ll shed many more. I’m thankful that God showed me this Scripture that gives me so much hope, so much joy, and so much peace- and that I was able to share it with my Grandpop in a letter. The reality is that our bodies give in and give out and if it’s not today, it’s another day…for ALL of us. The profound hope and promise that Jesus is offering here is that “though we die”…our bodies fail, accidents happen, life is a vapor, we are simply sojourning…we can really LIVE in him. As one prone to fear, my fear is relieved in light of Jesus’ words, and I am caused to worship.]

“But these are the fruits of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such things there is no law. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit.” Galatians 5:22-25

[My, how I need the Spirit of God to produce these things in me! I actually had a moment yesterday where I told myself, “No matter what anyone does or says to me today, I’m just going to choose to be kind and patient and loving and gentle.” Not two minutes later I was being NONE of those things in response to a simple question from Matt of, “Do you think you’ll be ready to go on time?” I am so painfully aware of my need to walk in the Spirit and to ask God to help me be a woman that is honoring to him. ]

I really hope that in memorizing Scripture or doing anything in my spiritual life, I don’t mistake knowing about God for knowing God. I think knowing about him could be cool and is good for "giving a talk" or "sounding spiritual", but knowing God is life and death and everything good and true in between. 

Memory Verse this week.

"And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? If then, you are not able to do a simple thing as this, why are you anxious about the rest? Consider the lilies how they grow: they neither toil nor spin yet I tell you not even Solomon in all his glory was arrayed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass which is alive in the field today and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much more will he clothe you, O you of little faith? And do not seek what you are to eat or what you are to drink, nor be worried. All the nations of the world seek after these things and your Father knows that you need them. Instead, seek his kingdom and all these things will be added to you. Fear not, little flock, it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom. Sell your possessions and give to the needy. Provide yourselves with moneybags that do not grow old, treasure in heaven that will not fail, where no thief approaches and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there also your hear will be." Luke 12:25-34

Christ is calling us to something radically different than what is normal, natural, or culturally venerated. There is treasure that does not fail and moneybags that don't grow old to be living for...so why are we are we seeking our own kingdoms and things that will die with us? 

This is my memory verse this week...

“Do not fear those who can kill your body but cannot kill your soul. Rather, fear him who can destroy both body and soul in hell. Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And yet not one of these will fall to the ground apart from your Father. But even the hairs on your head are all numbered. Fear not, therefore, you are of more value than many sparrows. So, everyone who acknowledges me before men I will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven. But, whoever denies me before men, I will deny before my Father in heaven.” Matthew 10:28-33

I can be prone to fear. But I love the logic here. Why fear those who can hurt my body, if my soul is safe? Fear is one of the worst feelings ever, I think, and it points to a great lack of trusting the Lord for me. I am praying God makes this a part of me and helps me more and more to overcome fear in every aspect of life because “perfect love casts out fear” (1 John 4:18).