Hard Words

After Jesus explained that he was the bread of life, some of his disciples said, "This is a hard saying; who can listen to it?" (John 6:60).

Have you ever had something like that happen in your life? Something that was really hard to understand, hard to grasp, but something God was calling you to do anyway?

I've been praying that God would help me do something, that he would prepare me for a change coming in my life. I've done it slightly begrudgingly, not really wanted to have to change. Well, God has answered my prayer, and instead of being rejoicful (ha, I totally just made that word up), I've kind of been like, 'you know God, I would have been ok if you hadn't answered this one.' Does the phrase, "be careful what you wish for" come to mind?

I've been trying to remind myself of God's sovereignty, however. God knows what's best for me, whether I want him to follow through on the prayer or not. And then I have to remember that it was He who placed the situation on my heart anyway, so it was in His will that I should be praying about it from the beginning.

So, what's the point of this post? I guess to share with you what I'm learning, to follow God's will for your life--He knows what's best. No matter how hard it seems, He has a plan, He has a purpose.

Disciples

I think one of the biggest problems in the church today is a decreasing number of disciples. By disciples, I mean people who are truly in God's word, who are leaders, who openly share their faith, in short, things that a typical Christian should do. Jesus says, "If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free" (John 8:31-32).

Where are all the disciples? Let me be clear, I am definitely speaking to myself on this too. How can we as Christians expect to be disciples if we are not daily in God's word and constantly meditating on it and letting it change us? We can't!

Father, I pray that you would give us all a desire for your word!

Great Songs

Here's some songs I've downloaded recently from iTunes, because I like them so much and they're awesome. You should check them out! Some of them are really common, and so multiple artists have done them, but here's the ones I chose:

Rescue, Desperation Band
Lead Me To The Cross, Hillsong United
Give Us Clean Hands, White's Chapel Worship
The More I Seek You, White's Chapel Worship
Better Is One Day, Matt Redman

The cool things about these songs is the common them they have, and the fact that God has placed them on my heart and I've been singing them recently. The first two are about our desperation and desire for God, when we are sinking in despair. The third expresses our desire for a clean and holy life for God, and the fourth is our realization that as we seek God, we will grow closer to Him. The fifth is our exultation and celebration of the hope of glory and righteousness that we will have for all eternity with the Father. He is all we desire and need. Hallelujah!!