We can't afford to look for Jesus in grandiose, immaculate places. He's there, sure. But we really need to be searching in the least of places. We need to go and find Him in the darkest of places. And it is in those dark places we will find Him lifting the darkness, bringing a light to those who need it the most. 'The day is coming where the night will be no more.' We must watch for it. We must be ready for it. We need to help spread His light, the light that He has so willingly given us. And we need to be a generous, outgoing, and loving people. A people of prayer.
' "No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father." '
[Mark 13:32]
November 30, 2008
November 29, 2008
Ch. 260 - Anticipation
I submitted my Café 1040 application yesterday. It's a pretty big deal to me. I feel incredibly anxious! God knows what is in store for me in the future and if this is included, then great. If it is not, that's great, too. Either way He's got something planned for me and I will be happy with whatever He hands me.
'Bring joy to your servant, for to you, O Lord, I lift up my soul.'
[Psalm 86:4]
'Bring joy to your servant, for to you, O Lord, I lift up my soul.'
[Psalm 86:4]
November 28, 2008
Ch. 259 - Habitual Love
I want to love so much that it becomes habit.
But I want that love to not be shallow and meaningless.
I want it to be purposeful and true.
' "If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even 'sinners' love those who love them." '
[Luke 6:32]
But I want that love to not be shallow and meaningless.
I want it to be purposeful and true.
' "If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even 'sinners' love those who love them." '
[Luke 6:32]
November 27, 2008
Ch. 258 - Give Thanks
I don't think we give thanks to God nearly as often as we should.
I think about this fact often, but especially when Thanksgiving rolls around.
'Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever'.
[Psalm 107:1]
I think about this fact often, but especially when Thanksgiving rolls around.
'Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever'.
[Psalm 107:1]
November 26, 2008
Ch. 257 - Opening Up
I have no clue what I'm going to do in the future.
I have no clue where I'm going to be.
I have no clue who I'm going to be working with.
I have no clue who I'm going to start a family with.
I've said it before, I'll say it again: I do not like not having a set-in-stone plan. I do not like not knowing what's going to happen. Don't get me wrong, spontaneity is fine. And surprises are fantastic. But when it really comes down to it, I like having a good bit of knowledge as to what will be going down, and when, and where, and with whom.
I'm still really struggling with simply knowing that God will take care of it all. I know He'll set the ball in motion, but I have to acknowledge what He's doing and take that first step towards it. And that's tough. I think I'd be having a much easier time with everything if I weren't so darn indecisive... not gonna lie.
I'm basically taking one step forward, then two steps back.
And it's all because I'm not putting enough trust in God.
I'm not okay with that.
' "Lord, if it's you," Peter replied, "tell me to come to you on the water." "Come," he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, "Lord, save me!" Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. "You of little faith," he said, "why did you doubt?" And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, "Truly you are the Son of God." '
[Matthew 14:28-33]
I have no clue where I'm going to be.
I have no clue who I'm going to be working with.
I have no clue who I'm going to start a family with.
I've said it before, I'll say it again: I do not like not having a set-in-stone plan. I do not like not knowing what's going to happen. Don't get me wrong, spontaneity is fine. And surprises are fantastic. But when it really comes down to it, I like having a good bit of knowledge as to what will be going down, and when, and where, and with whom.
I'm still really struggling with simply knowing that God will take care of it all. I know He'll set the ball in motion, but I have to acknowledge what He's doing and take that first step towards it. And that's tough. I think I'd be having a much easier time with everything if I weren't so darn indecisive... not gonna lie.
I'm basically taking one step forward, then two steps back.
And it's all because I'm not putting enough trust in God.
I'm not okay with that.
' "Lord, if it's you," Peter replied, "tell me to come to you on the water." "Come," he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, "Lord, save me!" Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. "You of little faith," he said, "why did you doubt?" And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, "Truly you are the Son of God." '
[Matthew 14:28-33]
November 25, 2008
Ch. 256 - I Am In Christ
This was my Bible verse of the day, and I really appreciated it. I'm not doing too hot right now and so it was a very encouraging verse for this point in time.
'Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death.'
[Romans 8:1-2]
'Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death.'
[Romans 8:1-2]
November 24, 2008
Ch. 255 - Inexpressible JOY
'Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls.'
[1 Peter 1:8-9]
12. September 2010 Edit:
It has been almost two years since I posted this verse. It is most certainly fascinating to think about all that has happened these past twenty-two months. Change. Growth. Development. Et cetera, et cetera, et cetera... For example, one thing that has changed is my view of joy. While this verse does claim that we are "filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy" based upon the receiving of salvation, it is different from the joy that we may have over, say, the birth of a child. The joy that we are given upon receiving our salvation does not last. We can "retrieve it", simply remember it, through our mind... but if we truly desire a portion of that joy, we need to ask for it. Granted, God will sometimes just give it to us without asking... surprise... but the joy that we think we know is not the joy of God.
[1 Peter 1:8-9]
12. September 2010 Edit:
It has been almost two years since I posted this verse. It is most certainly fascinating to think about all that has happened these past twenty-two months. Change. Growth. Development. Et cetera, et cetera, et cetera... For example, one thing that has changed is my view of joy. While this verse does claim that we are "filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy" based upon the receiving of salvation, it is different from the joy that we may have over, say, the birth of a child. The joy that we are given upon receiving our salvation does not last. We can "retrieve it", simply remember it, through our mind... but if we truly desire a portion of that joy, we need to ask for it. Granted, God will sometimes just give it to us without asking... surprise... but the joy that we think we know is not the joy of God.
November 23, 2008
Ch. 254 - All These and More
Jesus came as someone the people were not expecting - a tiny infant.
They were expecting a mighty king.
A conquering hero.
A brave warrior.
These things are all true of Him, of course, but it may have not seemed like He was any of those at the time He was on earth. He was merely human, although God incarnate, a baby. He died a sinner's death, crucified.
But He is still that mighty king. And even though He is that mighty king, He is still our king. He is personal. Not only to believers as the Church, but also to believers as individuals. He is ours. He lives in each of us (given we've invited Him in, that is). But are we living our lives in a manner that is evidence of this?
Walk the talk.
We should be wanting more of Him.
We should be bowing down to this King.
We should be turning to Him for counsel and rest.
' "Out of the north he comes in golden splendor; God comes in awesome majesty. The Almighty is beyond our reach and exalted in power; in his justice and great righteousness, he does not oppress. Therefore, men revere him, for does he not have regard for all the wise in heart?" '
[Job 37:21-24]
They were expecting a mighty king.
A conquering hero.
A brave warrior.
These things are all true of Him, of course, but it may have not seemed like He was any of those at the time He was on earth. He was merely human, although God incarnate, a baby. He died a sinner's death, crucified.
But He is still that mighty king. And even though He is that mighty king, He is still our king. He is personal. Not only to believers as the Church, but also to believers as individuals. He is ours. He lives in each of us (given we've invited Him in, that is). But are we living our lives in a manner that is evidence of this?
Walk the talk.
We should be wanting more of Him.
We should be bowing down to this King.
We should be turning to Him for counsel and rest.
' "Out of the north he comes in golden splendor; God comes in awesome majesty. The Almighty is beyond our reach and exalted in power; in his justice and great righteousness, he does not oppress. Therefore, men revere him, for does he not have regard for all the wise in heart?" '
[Job 37:21-24]
November 22, 2008
Ch. 253 - Matter of Fact
I love school right now.
I've got so much to do.
Finals are in a couple weeks.
I've got research to perform, papers to write, reading, studying.
But I don't mind any of it, because I love what I'm in school for.
I love learning.
And through these obligations, these requirements, I am learning so incredibly much, as well as growing in my faith.
What more could I ask for?
Well.
I suppose I could ask for more assignments and such... but I'm not going to take it that far.
I'm not that weird.
I've got so much to do.
Finals are in a couple weeks.
I've got research to perform, papers to write, reading, studying.
But I don't mind any of it, because I love what I'm in school for.
I love learning.
And through these obligations, these requirements, I am learning so incredibly much, as well as growing in my faith.
What more could I ask for?
Well.
I suppose I could ask for more assignments and such... but I'm not going to take it that far.
I'm not that weird.
November 21, 2008
Ch. 252 - Wake UP!
Sometimes, I just never learn.
So when I find myself finally getting that slap in the face from God... I don't get too upset. Because I know I deserve it.
And because He knows what's best for me.
And because sometimes it takes something extreme to make me change my ways.
But man, those slaps in the face hurt pretty bad, let me tell you.
'... but God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in his holiness. No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful... '
[Hebrews 12:10-11]
So when I find myself finally getting that slap in the face from God... I don't get too upset. Because I know I deserve it.
And because He knows what's best for me.
And because sometimes it takes something extreme to make me change my ways.
But man, those slaps in the face hurt pretty bad, let me tell you.
'... but God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in his holiness. No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful... '
[Hebrews 12:10-11]
November 20, 2008
Ch. 251 - My Honor
'My salvation and my honor depend on God; he is my mighty rock, my refuge.'
[Psalm 62:7]
I think the fact that this verse includes 'my honor' is really interesting.
Makes you think, doesn't it?
[Psalm 62:7]
I think the fact that this verse includes 'my honor' is really interesting.
Makes you think, doesn't it?
November 19, 2008
Ch. 250 - Hey you! Yeah, you!
Just in case you didn't know...
'Dear children, keep yourselves from idols.'
[1 John 5:21]
'Dear children, keep yourselves from idols.'
[1 John 5:21]
November 18, 2008
Ch. 249 - Speaking to Me
God is close.
I feel Him so near.
And I wouldn't have it any other way.
God's been speaking to me through a lot of mediums lately, I feel.
I know what He wants me to do - it's what I want and need to do, too.
And I wouldn't have it any other way.
God is answering prayer like you wouldn't believe.
I am so glad to have a God who not only hears, but listens.
And I wouldn't have it any other way.
I am blessed.
'Light is shed upon the righteous and joy on the upright in heart. Rejoice in the Lord, you who are righteous, and praise his holy name.'
[Psalm 97:11-12]
I feel Him so near.
And I wouldn't have it any other way.
God's been speaking to me through a lot of mediums lately, I feel.
I know what He wants me to do - it's what I want and need to do, too.
And I wouldn't have it any other way.
God is answering prayer like you wouldn't believe.
I am so glad to have a God who not only hears, but listens.
And I wouldn't have it any other way.
I am blessed.
'Light is shed upon the righteous and joy on the upright in heart. Rejoice in the Lord, you who are righteous, and praise his holy name.'
[Psalm 97:11-12]
November 17, 2008
Ch. 248 - Fight!
Today I kept thinking about warfare and what I wrote about the school a few days ago. And then just a few minutes ago I checked my e-mail and was cleaning out my inbox. I noticed that I had actually saved a devotional from Rick Warren titled 'How to Fight Spiritual Warfare'. Hm. Whaddya know? I actually don't remember reading it. I probably clicked on it so that it wouldn't appear as a new email and was going to read it later. I thought I'd share it on here, because I liked it a lot.
How to Fight Spiritual Warfare
'For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.'
[Ephesians 6:12]
There are four things we need to do when we are battling spiritual warfare in our lives:
1. Acknowledge the adversary. Satan is real (1 Peter 5:8-9). When you’re being attacked, it’s proof that you’re a believer. The more you make an impact for God, the more the Devil is going to fight you. You never outgrow it; it just gets more intense. If there were no Devil, why would God send his Son to fight what does not exist? The Bible says in 1 John 3:8 [NLT], "The Son of God came to destroy these works of the Devil."
2. Accept God-given authority. Most believers are very ignorant about the authority they have to use against the Devil. Matthew 28:18-19 says we have all authority in heaven and earth. Then Jesus says, "Therefore go and make disciples …" He transfers the authority to you and me. He does that because he’s given us a specific mission (2 Corinthians 5:20).
3. Put on God’s armor. When Paul wrote about the whole armor of God (Ephesians 6:11-17), he was in prison chained to a Roman guard. Paul used the Roman centurion as a model for spiritual armor. Paul says, just as the Roman soldier is properly dressed to do battle, we also need to be dressed for battle. For instance, I will often pray, "Lord, I put on the helmet of salvation that will protect me from the thoughts the Devil will try to give me. I don’t want to think the Devil’s thoughts. I don’t want to think my thoughts. I want to think your thoughts, so that that I may be a voice for you. I put on the belt of truth. Lord, I want to share the truth, not falsehood. I want to lead people into righteousness."
4. Aim the artillery. The battlefield for spiritual warfare is primarily in your thought life, in your mind (2 Corinthians 10:4-5). Paul says the weapons God gives us to use demolish arguments – that’s the way people think; they pull down pretension – that’s the way people think. We take every thought captive.
In this battle for thoughts, we have four weapons: humility, faith, truth, and praise.
How to Fight Spiritual Warfare
'For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.'
[Ephesians 6:12]
There are four things we need to do when we are battling spiritual warfare in our lives:
1. Acknowledge the adversary. Satan is real (1 Peter 5:8-9). When you’re being attacked, it’s proof that you’re a believer. The more you make an impact for God, the more the Devil is going to fight you. You never outgrow it; it just gets more intense. If there were no Devil, why would God send his Son to fight what does not exist? The Bible says in 1 John 3:8 [NLT], "The Son of God came to destroy these works of the Devil."
2. Accept God-given authority. Most believers are very ignorant about the authority they have to use against the Devil. Matthew 28:18-19 says we have all authority in heaven and earth. Then Jesus says, "Therefore go and make disciples …" He transfers the authority to you and me. He does that because he’s given us a specific mission (2 Corinthians 5:20).
3. Put on God’s armor. When Paul wrote about the whole armor of God (Ephesians 6:11-17), he was in prison chained to a Roman guard. Paul used the Roman centurion as a model for spiritual armor. Paul says, just as the Roman soldier is properly dressed to do battle, we also need to be dressed for battle. For instance, I will often pray, "Lord, I put on the helmet of salvation that will protect me from the thoughts the Devil will try to give me. I don’t want to think the Devil’s thoughts. I don’t want to think my thoughts. I want to think your thoughts, so that that I may be a voice for you. I put on the belt of truth. Lord, I want to share the truth, not falsehood. I want to lead people into righteousness."
4. Aim the artillery. The battlefield for spiritual warfare is primarily in your thought life, in your mind (2 Corinthians 10:4-5). Paul says the weapons God gives us to use demolish arguments – that’s the way people think; they pull down pretension – that’s the way people think. We take every thought captive.
In this battle for thoughts, we have four weapons: humility, faith, truth, and praise.
November 16, 2008
Ch. 247 - A Nightmare of a Question
For the past six months I have been haunted by a question that always ends up floating to the front of my mind at least once before the end of the day. There are maybe three or four people who know what this question pertains to - and that's actually far too many, in my opinion. Thus, please forgive me for not posing said question at this point in time.
I was talking with a friend about it tonight. I was surprised to learn that the subject matter is something he struggles with, too. I found it interesting that in the sense of Christian conventionalism, we both have a very similar view regarding salvation.
I think God puts people such as my friend in our lives to let us know that we are not, in fact, alone in our trials and tribulations. It's nice to have a physical being to turn to... to get that immediate feedback when we need someone to listen and want that audible input.
Now, don't get me wrong. I know we can always talk to God and put our absolute trust in Him. We need to rely on Him. But it really is great to have that support in friends and family while we are here on earth.
I thank God for all the blessings He has bestowed upon me, especially within the last year. It has been a year and one month since God has truly turned my life upside-down and started to change my heart. I have so much to be grateful for. And I wouldn't want it any other way. Everything is connected. I wouldn't be here at Central Christian College of the Bible if it weren't for what happened last year out in Utah... but I also wouldn't be bothered daily by this daunting question if it weren't for what happened last year out in Utah... However, I keep my faith in God and try my best not to worry, because I am able to find strength and joy in Him and thus persevere daily. And I worship Him with my life because of what He and His Son have done for me.
'Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise - the fruit of lips that confess his name.'
[Hebrews 13:15]
I was talking with a friend about it tonight. I was surprised to learn that the subject matter is something he struggles with, too. I found it interesting that in the sense of Christian conventionalism, we both have a very similar view regarding salvation.
I think God puts people such as my friend in our lives to let us know that we are not, in fact, alone in our trials and tribulations. It's nice to have a physical being to turn to... to get that immediate feedback when we need someone to listen and want that audible input.
Now, don't get me wrong. I know we can always talk to God and put our absolute trust in Him. We need to rely on Him. But it really is great to have that support in friends and family while we are here on earth.
I thank God for all the blessings He has bestowed upon me, especially within the last year. It has been a year and one month since God has truly turned my life upside-down and started to change my heart. I have so much to be grateful for. And I wouldn't want it any other way. Everything is connected. I wouldn't be here at Central Christian College of the Bible if it weren't for what happened last year out in Utah... but I also wouldn't be bothered daily by this daunting question if it weren't for what happened last year out in Utah... However, I keep my faith in God and try my best not to worry, because I am able to find strength and joy in Him and thus persevere daily. And I worship Him with my life because of what He and His Son have done for me.
'Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise - the fruit of lips that confess his name.'
[Hebrews 13:15]
November 15, 2008
Ch. 246 - Step Out
I'm tired of feeling as if I'm not doing anything with my faith.
'Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also the interests of others.'
[Philippians 2:4]
'Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also the interests of others.'
[Philippians 2:4]
November 14, 2008
Ch. 245 - Stewardship
This week's memory verse:
'The earth is the Lord's, and all it contains,
The world, and those who dwell in it.'
[Psalm 24:1, NASB]
'The earth is the Lord's, and all it contains,
The world, and those who dwell in it.'
[Psalm 24:1, NASB]
November 13, 2008
Ch. 244 - Small Answers Matter
I've had a great day - and it all started with a text message at 5:47 this morning. It's strange to think how a simple text message can put your day into motion with happiness and excitement. This message was from someone whom I care about greatly and love very much. Unfortunately, we've both been kind of cut out from each other's lives. It's really sad, honestly. Now, I can't say I know this friend's heart; I don't know where he is with God. But I've been praying for him for a good year now about his relationship with Christ... and more recently about our friendship and contact. So this text message was, in a way, an answer to prayer. It was a small answer - but it was a small answer to an awfully big prayer. It just goes to show how greatly God works in our lives and how small, simple things can build up our faith in Him.
'I will turn their mourning into gladness, I will give them comfort and joy instead of sorrow.'
[Jeremiah 31:13]
Awww yeah. Taking the Bible out of context, one verse at a time.
It's how I do.
'I will turn their mourning into gladness, I will give them comfort and joy instead of sorrow.'
[Jeremiah 31:13]
Awww yeah. Taking the Bible out of context, one verse at a time.
It's how I do.
November 12, 2008
Ch. 243 - Safely Searching
I am hungry for God. It's not that I haven't eaten anything for some time and that's why I'm hungry... it's like I'm never full. And I just want as much as possible. Not to simply hold me off for awhile, but to make me feel more than completely satiated. I don't know exactly what will give me that feeling of fullness. I don't know what I need - or what I even want. But I want something.
I want something more.
The thing is, I don't want to get ahead of myself. I don't want to start looking for something, find it, and then get so caught up in it that I actually find myself falling away from God [as opposed to growing closer to Him]. For example, this past spring I was looking for something more. I thought I had found it - found something that had all the answers and was just the thing for me. But I went about everything in a very unsafe way, which was completely dropping a lot that was actually very dear to me. People. God's word. Places, meetings. All for that sense of closeness. Satisfaction. Knowledge. Truth. However, I have since realized that in doing so, I actually gave up these things. And I ended up paying the price. I still am a little bit, in fact, but for the most part I have peace about it all. I am blessed to have a God who loves unconditionally, who saved my heart through the whole ordeal so that I could turn back to Him and still have life in His Son.
But I have certainly learned my lesson. And that's why I'm saying that I want to safely go about searching for... whatever it is that's on my heart - because I don't even know what it is yet. Isn't that strange? I'm sure I'll find it eventually. I think it's simply something along the lines of being challenged. I know I've mentioned this before, but I have yet to feel truly challenged in my faith. So hopefully there will be a bit of progress in regards to this sometime soon.
If anything, I will search for God.
Seek Him.
Wait for Him.
God is good.
'Delight yourself in the Lord and he will you give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord; trust in Him...'
[Psalm 37:4-5]
I want something more.
The thing is, I don't want to get ahead of myself. I don't want to start looking for something, find it, and then get so caught up in it that I actually find myself falling away from God [as opposed to growing closer to Him]. For example, this past spring I was looking for something more. I thought I had found it - found something that had all the answers and was just the thing for me. But I went about everything in a very unsafe way, which was completely dropping a lot that was actually very dear to me. People. God's word. Places, meetings. All for that sense of closeness. Satisfaction. Knowledge. Truth. However, I have since realized that in doing so, I actually gave up these things. And I ended up paying the price. I still am a little bit, in fact, but for the most part I have peace about it all. I am blessed to have a God who loves unconditionally, who saved my heart through the whole ordeal so that I could turn back to Him and still have life in His Son.
But I have certainly learned my lesson. And that's why I'm saying that I want to safely go about searching for... whatever it is that's on my heart - because I don't even know what it is yet. Isn't that strange? I'm sure I'll find it eventually. I think it's simply something along the lines of being challenged. I know I've mentioned this before, but I have yet to feel truly challenged in my faith. So hopefully there will be a bit of progress in regards to this sometime soon.
If anything, I will search for God.
Seek Him.
Wait for Him.
God is good.
'Delight yourself in the Lord and he will you give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord; trust in Him...'
[Psalm 37:4-5]
November 11, 2008
Ch. 242 - Warriors of God
I'll let you in on a secret:
When I am looking for something specific, I often look right over it.
Under it.
Next to it.
Behind it.
It's right there in front of me, but I don't see it.
Maybe it's because I'm too focused on something else.
Maybe I'm in too big a hurry.
Maybe I get too distracted by other things.
And I'll get frustrated.
In typical Natalie-fashion, I'll go to my mom (who is the boss and in charge of the Keene household). She, in turn, will go straight to what I've been looking for, point it out, and give me the look that I have all too well come to associate with this type of situation.
I knew it was there the entire time - I could sense it - but my eyes were not open. And then, as soon as someone points it out to me, they are opened and I see clearly.
Something similar happened to me this morning.
Before I continue, I must tell you how much I love the school I'm attending, Central Christian College of the Bible. I really do love it. I love the people here, I love the campus itself, I love my teachers, my classes. There's simply something very special about it. It is a beautiful light in a dark community and I am honored to be part of it. I definitely feel that I belong at Central and that God placed me here for a reason. I'm still figuring out what that reason is, but [thankfully] I finally have the patience to not mind taking things one day at a time. Now, also understand that I'm not saying Central and the people involved with the school are without fault. There are weaknesses, breaks in the chain. There are people here whose hearts are not right with God, for example. But I don't want to focus on the 'bad' aspects, because I believe there is more positive than there is negative in this place.
But this morning, my eyes were opened to something that is of a negative nature. Something dark. Something that hurts. Something that destroys. It's not like I've never experienced it before. I've dealt with it. Faced it. Been kicked down by it.
This 'it' is the enemy.
You may think, 'Uh, Natalie, you're at a Bible college...
How could Satan affect anything?
You're all surrounded by fellow believers.
Satan can't touch you.'
Here's the deal. This morning in my SALT class, my small group leader mentioned that she had received a text from our teacher about a veil of darkness that was over our school, and that we are truly under spiritual warfare with the enemy - and that we should pray about it. As soon as my leader read the text, my heart skipped a couple of beats. That was it. For the last month or so, I've felt something was... off. Not with myself entirely - but in general... something was not right. I've felt uneasy. Uncomfortable. So as soon as it was said, I realized just how true it is.
As aforementioned, I said our school is a light in the community it's situated in. I like to think we do a lot of good for a lot of people. We're working hard. We're sharing the love, spreading the Word. And through it all - studies, devotionals, personal time with God, etc. included - we are drawing closer to God. But the closer we draw near to Him, the more frustrated Satan becomes... and the more he tries to pull us down. Unfortunately, it's working. I say this from personal experience these past few weeks, as well as from learning of others' misfortunes and stories of the attacks they've felt on their spirits and hearts lately.
One thing the school's really been working on is prayer - and this is a great, great thing. Prayer is one of our greatest weapons against the enemy. We can't let our guard down, though. It needs to be constant. And we need to constantly be worshiping God with our lives - not just during chapel or on Sunday mornings. I think Christianity is a lifestyle. It's a tough lifestyle, though. You have to work at it. You have to learn to persevere. You can't become accustomed to giving up easily. You have to be in the here and now. You can't worry about tomorrow or the next day. Fortunately, God is always with us. We can lean on Him. We can trust Him. We can depend on Him. We can talk to Him. He does give us strength. He does give us love. He does give us answers. But we should give everything to Him. He wants our joys. He wants our struggles. He wants us, just as we are. He wants a relationship.
I think that's something we forget often. And I think that's a weakness that Satan is using against us. We focus so much on school or work or completing service hours [or finding a spouse...], and not enough on our relationship with God. I also think that we are not a united body in Christ. There are always going to be cliques. There is always going to be gossip. There are always going to be childish, immature games being played. But we're not working at repelling any of this. And it's affecting our relationships with one another. And if we're to be worshiping God with our entire lives, it affects our relationship with Him, as well. So it's important that we fight these things, because all it is is Satan wanting to come between ourselves and God.
I know this is becoming quite the novel, and that it's sort of all over the place. I don't really know where I'm going. But it's all been on my heart lately, so I thought I would just get it out there. It's just sad that the closer we get to God, the more Satan tries to pull us away from Him. Fortunately, it only makes us stronger in the end. And I suppose it's a good sign when we are attacked, because it can only mean that we are doing something right.
'Look to the Lord and his strength; seek his face always.'
[Psalm 105:4]
When I am looking for something specific, I often look right over it.
Under it.
Next to it.
Behind it.
It's right there in front of me, but I don't see it.
Maybe it's because I'm too focused on something else.
Maybe I'm in too big a hurry.
Maybe I get too distracted by other things.
And I'll get frustrated.
In typical Natalie-fashion, I'll go to my mom (who is the boss and in charge of the Keene household). She, in turn, will go straight to what I've been looking for, point it out, and give me the look that I have all too well come to associate with this type of situation.
I knew it was there the entire time - I could sense it - but my eyes were not open. And then, as soon as someone points it out to me, they are opened and I see clearly.
Something similar happened to me this morning.
Before I continue, I must tell you how much I love the school I'm attending, Central Christian College of the Bible. I really do love it. I love the people here, I love the campus itself, I love my teachers, my classes. There's simply something very special about it. It is a beautiful light in a dark community and I am honored to be part of it. I definitely feel that I belong at Central and that God placed me here for a reason. I'm still figuring out what that reason is, but [thankfully] I finally have the patience to not mind taking things one day at a time. Now, also understand that I'm not saying Central and the people involved with the school are without fault. There are weaknesses, breaks in the chain. There are people here whose hearts are not right with God, for example. But I don't want to focus on the 'bad' aspects, because I believe there is more positive than there is negative in this place.
But this morning, my eyes were opened to something that is of a negative nature. Something dark. Something that hurts. Something that destroys. It's not like I've never experienced it before. I've dealt with it. Faced it. Been kicked down by it.
This 'it' is the enemy.
You may think, 'Uh, Natalie, you're at a Bible college...
How could Satan affect anything?
You're all surrounded by fellow believers.
Satan can't touch you.'
Here's the deal. This morning in my SALT class, my small group leader mentioned that she had received a text from our teacher about a veil of darkness that was over our school, and that we are truly under spiritual warfare with the enemy - and that we should pray about it. As soon as my leader read the text, my heart skipped a couple of beats. That was it. For the last month or so, I've felt something was... off. Not with myself entirely - but in general... something was not right. I've felt uneasy. Uncomfortable. So as soon as it was said, I realized just how true it is.
As aforementioned, I said our school is a light in the community it's situated in. I like to think we do a lot of good for a lot of people. We're working hard. We're sharing the love, spreading the Word. And through it all - studies, devotionals, personal time with God, etc. included - we are drawing closer to God. But the closer we draw near to Him, the more frustrated Satan becomes... and the more he tries to pull us down. Unfortunately, it's working. I say this from personal experience these past few weeks, as well as from learning of others' misfortunes and stories of the attacks they've felt on their spirits and hearts lately.
One thing the school's really been working on is prayer - and this is a great, great thing. Prayer is one of our greatest weapons against the enemy. We can't let our guard down, though. It needs to be constant. And we need to constantly be worshiping God with our lives - not just during chapel or on Sunday mornings. I think Christianity is a lifestyle. It's a tough lifestyle, though. You have to work at it. You have to learn to persevere. You can't become accustomed to giving up easily. You have to be in the here and now. You can't worry about tomorrow or the next day. Fortunately, God is always with us. We can lean on Him. We can trust Him. We can depend on Him. We can talk to Him. He does give us strength. He does give us love. He does give us answers. But we should give everything to Him. He wants our joys. He wants our struggles. He wants us, just as we are. He wants a relationship.
I think that's something we forget often. And I think that's a weakness that Satan is using against us. We focus so much on school or work or completing service hours [or finding a spouse...], and not enough on our relationship with God. I also think that we are not a united body in Christ. There are always going to be cliques. There is always going to be gossip. There are always going to be childish, immature games being played. But we're not working at repelling any of this. And it's affecting our relationships with one another. And if we're to be worshiping God with our entire lives, it affects our relationship with Him, as well. So it's important that we fight these things, because all it is is Satan wanting to come between ourselves and God.
I know this is becoming quite the novel, and that it's sort of all over the place. I don't really know where I'm going. But it's all been on my heart lately, so I thought I would just get it out there. It's just sad that the closer we get to God, the more Satan tries to pull us away from Him. Fortunately, it only makes us stronger in the end. And I suppose it's a good sign when we are attacked, because it can only mean that we are doing something right.
'Look to the Lord and his strength; seek his face always.'
[Psalm 105:4]
November 10, 2008
Ch. 241 - Asking to Tame
'The tongue that brings healing is a tree of life, but a deceitful tongue crushes the spirit.'
[Proverb 15:4]
Oh, to such a great extent do many people need to hear this...
[Proverb 15:4]
Oh, to such a great extent do many people need to hear this...
November 9, 2008
Ch. 240 - In Good Spirits
Things happen for a reason. And as difficult as that may be to fully comprehend, it's true. It's even more difficult to embrace what life throws at you (sometimes literally...). But knowing that God is fully in control somehow makes all situations seem that much easier to swallow and digest. So it is with a light heart that I say to stay positive, keep your head up, and embrace things as they are. We can't turn back time. We can't control the past or the future. What happens, happens. And everything is part of God's great plan. So why worry? Why stress? There's no need to do so.
Give it all to God.
Don't look back.
'The Lord is faithful to all his promises and loving toward all he has made. The Lord upholds all those who fall and lifts up all who are bowed down.'
[Psalm 145:14]
Give it all to God.
Don't look back.
'The Lord is faithful to all his promises and loving toward all he has made. The Lord upholds all those who fall and lifts up all who are bowed down.'
[Psalm 145:14]
November 8, 2008
Ch. 239 - My Song
'In that day you will say: "I will praise you, O Lord. Although you were angry with me, your anger has turned away and you have comforted me. Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. The Lord, the Lord, is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation." '
[Isaiah 12:1-2]
11. September 2010 Edit:
My God is not angry with me. How many times have we heard, "Nothing you do will make God love you more or less."? A lot, most certainly. And it is true. God delights in me and loves me like no one ever could. He will never fail me, fading away into nothingness like something or someone of this finite world. If I have been born into Christ, alive in Him... and the Holy Spirit is truly within me... if I am living my life for God like I say I am... I needn't think twice that the Lord is my song. I sing of Him, for Him, in His Spirit... He provides the lyrics.
[Isaiah 12:1-2]
11. September 2010 Edit:
My God is not angry with me. How many times have we heard, "Nothing you do will make God love you more or less."? A lot, most certainly. And it is true. God delights in me and loves me like no one ever could. He will never fail me, fading away into nothingness like something or someone of this finite world. If I have been born into Christ, alive in Him... and the Holy Spirit is truly within me... if I am living my life for God like I say I am... I needn't think twice that the Lord is my song. I sing of Him, for Him, in His Spirit... He provides the lyrics.
November 7, 2008
Ch. 238 - Romance Me, Lord
How does God romance you?
Perhaps it's through music. Or people. Books. Intercession. Nature. God can, and will, romance you through a certain medium - and through more than one, perhaps. For me, it is through nature. Especially the night sky. And wooded areas. I don't know what it is about these things. But when I look up to the supposed heavens above, I can't help but think about God. I am reminded of God's glorious splendor in the great expanse. To have placed the stars in the sky, knowing each by name - and to also have placed me here and know me... what a beautiful thought. And I can't help but feel God in forests and the timber; I feel safe. I feel comfortable. And I always feel very close to God. I find the woods very beautiful. I haven't seen all of His creation's beauty... I am not well traveled, and even if I were and even if I am to be - there's so much that I will never see. But when I am in the woods, I could care less. I mean, if I were to die tomorrow, I would be fine with that, knowing that I truly have seen great beauty in God's creation. I see beauty in the simplest of things. I like that about me. And I hope God does, too.
'And God said, "Let there be lights in the expanse of the sky to separate the day from the night, and let them serve as signs to mark seasons and days and years, and let them be lights in the expanse of the sky to give light on the earth." And it was so. God made two great lights - the greater light to govern the day and the lesser light to govern the night. He also made the stars.'
[Genesis 1:14-16]
Perhaps it's through music. Or people. Books. Intercession. Nature. God can, and will, romance you through a certain medium - and through more than one, perhaps. For me, it is through nature. Especially the night sky. And wooded areas. I don't know what it is about these things. But when I look up to the supposed heavens above, I can't help but think about God. I am reminded of God's glorious splendor in the great expanse. To have placed the stars in the sky, knowing each by name - and to also have placed me here and know me... what a beautiful thought. And I can't help but feel God in forests and the timber; I feel safe. I feel comfortable. And I always feel very close to God. I find the woods very beautiful. I haven't seen all of His creation's beauty... I am not well traveled, and even if I were and even if I am to be - there's so much that I will never see. But when I am in the woods, I could care less. I mean, if I were to die tomorrow, I would be fine with that, knowing that I truly have seen great beauty in God's creation. I see beauty in the simplest of things. I like that about me. And I hope God does, too.
'And God said, "Let there be lights in the expanse of the sky to separate the day from the night, and let them serve as signs to mark seasons and days and years, and let them be lights in the expanse of the sky to give light on the earth." And it was so. God made two great lights - the greater light to govern the day and the lesser light to govern the night. He also made the stars.'
[Genesis 1:14-16]
November 6, 2008
Ch. 237 - Taking the Time, Revisited
Alright. So. I have not spent time to sit down and blog recently (for one week, to be precise). The last time this happened was only about two months ago. I didn't think it would happen again, but that is obviously not the case. I don't have any reasons for this happening. And I'm not going to make excuses... but I do think it's basically just laziness and going to bed later than I should be, thus not wanting to spend time writing. Just like last time, I am not going to try and catch up for each day missed. I'm simply going to pick up from right here, right now, and move on.
Diving straight in, things are going really well. I've actually been kind of down for the past couple weeks - but spiritually, things are on the incline. I've felt closer to God in the past four days or so than I have in quite some time. I don't really know what I'm doing differently. Praying and interceding more? Trying to listen to God better? Opening my Bible more (... and not just for class)? I think part of it is that I truly am slowing down. I'm still learning patience. I'm searching for joy every day. I'm taking in the beauty of all things and people. I'm learning so much, both in class and out of class. And I believe I am finally putting my words to action in focusing on God. I always say that I think I am, or that I am going to, but do I?
......
Let's just say that I am glad my God loves me no matter what.
And that I'm always glad to see how incredibly mighty my God is.
And that I'm always glad to see how very well God knows what is best.
This week's memory verse:
'So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience;'
[Colossians 3:12, NASB]
Diving straight in, things are going really well. I've actually been kind of down for the past couple weeks - but spiritually, things are on the incline. I've felt closer to God in the past four days or so than I have in quite some time. I don't really know what I'm doing differently. Praying and interceding more? Trying to listen to God better? Opening my Bible more (... and not just for class)? I think part of it is that I truly am slowing down. I'm still learning patience. I'm searching for joy every day. I'm taking in the beauty of all things and people. I'm learning so much, both in class and out of class. And I believe I am finally putting my words to action in focusing on God. I always say that I think I am, or that I am going to, but do I?
......
Let's just say that I am glad my God loves me no matter what.
And that I'm always glad to see how incredibly mighty my God is.
And that I'm always glad to see how very well God knows what is best.
This week's memory verse:
'So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience;'
[Colossians 3:12, NASB]
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