"The Morning I Heard the Voice of God"

My brother sent this to me this morning to listen to, and I have to encourage you guys to do the same. It's a sermon by John Piper on hearing the voice of God.

Follow this link:
http://www.desiringgod.org/ResourceLibrary/MediaPlayer/2021/Audio/

Trust me, you won't regret having spent 5 minutes of your time to listen to this.

A Finite Follower of an Infinitely Wise God

"Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand."

-Proverbs 19:21

I had so many plans. Plans to be a nurse; plans to be a wife and a mom, which is an awesome gift and responsibility, but I also planned to find my happiness and completion there; plans to live a comfortable American life--but the purpose of the Lord stands firm in my heart and life and I couldn't be more humbled and thankful.

I NEVER imagined that I would be a missionary. Honestly, when missionaries would come to visit our church I thought to myself, "These people have to be insane to leave their families and their own culture and language and go to a place that is completely different. Why would they want to do something like that?" And then I began to truly learn what it meant to follow Christ and I realized that these people weren't crazy, but obedient worshipers of their Savior. And HE began to do a work in my heart to show me that His purpose was quite different than the plans I had in my mind.

I went to the Czech Republic for the first time the summer of 2006. I don't know how else to describe what happened when I stepped off of that plane other than, "Okay God, this is what you have been preparing me for." I walked into a country where I had never been before, with people that spoke a language I couldn't understand beyond 'fakt' and whose culture was completely outside of everything I was used to--and yet I felt like I was at home. I didn't know exactly what was going on in my heart, but I knew that whatever it was, God was doing something significant in my life.

For those of you reading this who have never been to the Czech Republic, I wish I could take you there with me. I wish you could see the hopelessness in the eyes of so many and yet the great hope that comes when you hear the testimony of just one life that has been completely transformed and brought from darkness into marvelous light. I wish you could feel what it's like to know that you are part of something SO much bigger than yourself, something that has eternal significance. I know that God is at work in amazing ways all over the world and I praise Him for that. But, I am so thankful that He has allowed me to see some small part of His plan for all the earth as it unfolds in the Czech Republic and that He has laid upon my heart a love and a burden for the people of this country.

I know that I am SO inadequate to be part of what God is doing in the Czech Republic. In fact, when I begin to think in terms of what I can do in my own strength and power, I am completely overwhelmed and feel like quitting. But, then I remember that the same power that raised Christ from the dead is at work in me (Ephesians 1:19-20) and that I am simply a jar of clay meant to display HIS beauty and power (2 Corinthians 4:7).

So, here I sit today, simply trying to follow my Savior. There are plenty of reasons why it would be easier or more comfortable to stay in America. But, there's one reason to go to Czech: my life is no longer my own and my Savior has changed me to be His obedient worshiper. Jesus Christ died not just to save me from hell, but to change my heart so that I might display His beauty and sufficiency to a dark and desperate world. As of right now in my life, fulfilling that means beginning the process of being a full-time missionary in the Czech Republic. I have made plans in this direction knowing that I don't know the mind of the Lord or the plans He has. I know that regardless of what plans I may make, HIS purpose prevails and in that I rejoice.

Because He is faithful to fulfill His purpose,

Emily

Crossing-out I

"And he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised." - 2 Corinthians 5:15

I am so thankful that I no longer have to live for myself. Self is the most frustrating, worthless, and aimless pursuit I could ever live for. I praise God that He died so that my life now has a purpose so beyond me. I have learned so much this summer, but one thing that God has graciously opened my eyes to over and over again is how much I view everything in light of me. I realize that as we follow Christ, there are some things that we must learn over and over again in varying degrees--the loss of self is one of those things. But, I'm thankful for God's kindness that leads to repentance and that when I am living only for myself, I have a constant aching within my soul. It's as if my heart knows that it's free to live for something more and isn't content to just pursue the next self-fulfilling thing. As soon as I begin to live for myself and lose sight of the reason God has saved me, I begin to lose heart and grow quickly discouraged--not to mention trying to serve Him apart from Him is not only impossible, but the attempt is completely exhausting.

As I was sitting on the train by myself the other day, I was reading the story of a missionary woman named Helen Roseveare. She was a missionary in Africa and had to battle self also. Helen was becoming easily frustrated and burnt-out in her ministry. One of the men in the people group she was ministering to pulled her aside and told her that they could see so much Helen that they couldn't see Jesus. Ouch! He then painted a beautiful picture for her in the dirt floor. He began by telling her that self is our greatest enemy. He then drew a line in the dirt. Referring to Galatians 2:20, he said that following Christ is asking God to cross out the "I" in our lives, drawing a line through the line he had previously drawn. If you can picture this, you know that this picture would make a cross. He told Helen that the Cross is the 'crossed-out I life.'

"It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me."

This story rang painfully true within my heart. Do people see so much Emily that they don't see Jesus? Am I trying so hard to please people and make them think something of me that I am not showing them my Savior, the one who died so I would no longer have to live for myself?

"If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me."

I must crucify myself daily and follow Christ--leaving behind my desires, my hopes, my fears and walk as He walked. It is a daily battle and I know that I will continue to learn more about this as I grow to become more like Him. But, my prayer is that He will continue to teach me what it means to cross-out the I and that He would continue to make me feel uncomfortable until people see more Jesus than Emily.

Bohumin Camp

Here are the faces of the people you've been praying for! 

These are the faces of the precious girls in my English class.  To my left is Dania, then Aneta, Andrea (the other American English teacher), then Andrea (the one you've all been praying for), then Martina.  Praise God for the work He's done in Aneta's life.  She just accepted Christ this past year!  Amen!  Continue to pray for Andrea and Martina.  

Martin and Martin.  The Martin on the left is SO close to accepting Christ!  Just 2 months ago, he proclaimed that he didn't believe in God.  This week, he has taken huge steps.  He is talking about God's will for his life, said himself that he is close to believing, and last night he PRAYED with one of the translators after Gospel night!  Praise God for what He is doing in Martin's life and pray that Martin would take the final step of surrendering his life to Christ!

The Martin on the right told us in discussion group last night that he believes in God and that English camp has helped him to realize more about who God is!  He is very young, but pray that God would draw him to Himself even now!  

Loving in Deed and in Truth

I am always amazed at how much God can teach His children in such a short period of time. I have only been in CZ for a little over a month and it seems as if I have learned as much in that period of time as I learned all of last year. I think that comes from a lot of different reasons, but mostly the heightened awareness of God and His presence and especially of my need for Him. Satan attacks in so many ways and tries to take our focus off of Jesus. But, as always, I am realizing that in Christ I have every weapon I need to stand firm against the attacks of Satan. I remember an analogy one of my professors gave in class concerning spiritual warfare: we keep fighting with a water gun when we have an entire army behind us. I try fighting Satan on my own when in Christ I have DIVINE power to destroy strongholds.

One of the ways that Satan has been distracting me is through huge discouragement. There have been so many times where I have felt so discouraged and defeated at the end of the day and wonder if God even used me that day, wonder how I can be so sinful....I'm absolutely overwhelmed with how sinful and imperfect I am. Yet, God has been faithfully reminding me that He is God and the He is accomplishing His purposes in my life--and not only in my life but in all of creation. It gives me great hope to be reminded of the fact that I am so far from being perfect and that I am a sinner, but that Jesus is a great Savior and that He WILL complete the work He began in me.

With that being said, one of the ways that He is completing His work in me is through helping me to realize how quick I am to speak, how empty my phrases are, and how much more I need to stop thinking that loving people or walking in wisdom is found in what I say. The Czechs are some of the most sensitive people in what they say. They think long and deeply before they say anything and I know that when they say something, they truly mean it. The perfect example of that was my friend Viktor. I have been working with Viktor in the Cheb youth group for 3 years now and he has become one of my close friends. At the end of camp, he told me he loves me as his sister. Then, he showed me for 2 days straight.

I was supposed to be alone in Prague after the team left on Thursday and then find my way to the train on Friday. But, Viktor stayed in Prague on Wednesday night so that he could be there on Thursay so I wouldn't be alone. Then, he decided to stay until Friday so that he could take me to the train station. Not only that, but he carried my incredibly heavy backpack the entire time both days, and slept on our friend Marketa's floor on Thursday night so he could come with me on Friday. Viktor didn't have to do anything...he didn't have to stay, carry my bag, sleep on the floor...but he showed me how powerfully Christ's love is at work in him. Viktor could have never said anything to me and I would have known that he loved me because of how much he actively loved me.

So, the conclusion I have come to is this: I need to stop talking and start loving. I am reminded of the verse in 1 John 3:18 "Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth." My words mean nothing if they are not followed by action. As I walk into a new camp, my prayer is that I will be able to love with my life and not with my mouth. At times I feel overwhelmed because I feel like it's humanly impossible to love in this way. And praise God that it is! But, I know that my Savior died and rose again so that I might know His love and then be able to love others with that same love which is now powerfully at work within me.

Lost in Translation

One of the most enjoyable parts of cross-cultural ministry is the many people who are trying to speak a language other than their own and messing up along the way. It's not just the Czechs speaking English...it's also the Americans speaking Czech (namely me). So, here are some funny mistakes that have been made the past few days.

What was meant: "I am so excited!" -me
What was said: "I am so painted!"

What was meant: "You are welcome, my son." -Máma Novákova
What was said: "Please, my son."

What was meant: "This is a TV series." -Honza
What was said: "This is TV cereal."

And the best one yet-
What was meant: "We will play 4 games before dinner."
What was said: "We will have foreplay before dinner."

There will be many more to come.... :)

Update #1

Dobry Den!

That's right, I am officially in the Czech Republic! As I am writing this, I am sitting in the Novakoví home...a place I am all too familiar with. This is the first Czech home I stayed in my first trip to the Czech Republic and Honza and Zuzka's parents have given me the privilege of calling them Máma and Táta (mom and dad).
I just wanted to thank all of you for your prayers for safe traveling...God answered those prayers so faithfullly! It is 12:37 AM right now...my body is SO confused. I lost an entire day and was incredibly tired when we first landed because it was 4 in the morning our time, and now my body is waking up, but it's time to go to bed!!!! I'll adjust. :)
As we were traveling today, God has already begun to work in my heart and change me. Something He has been convicting me of is my need to be more thankful and grateful, to pray without ceasing by thanking Him often throughout my day. So, today I have many things to be thankful for:
1) That Landen and I were able to fly on the same plane--that's right! God chose to remind Landen of our lack of control and His perfect control before we even left Los Angeles. It's a long story, but there was some type of mix-up and we were almost guaranteed to be separated with me flying in on my own a few hours after Landen. But, as Landen said, "God is in control of all things...even the British." And He is! British Airways got both of us on the plane! Praise God!
2) For the Wright brothers--thank you for leading us in the invention of the airplane!!!! As I was sitting on the very LONG flight to London, I began to complain (in my mind, not out loud :) ) It's so tiring and uncomfortable and just plain LONG. But, God knew exactly what He needed to do to humble me. The book I was reading on the plane was a collection of biographies of missionary women. Their voyage to the mission field was through ships that would take 6 months or more to arrive at their destination and almost every time, they were sick almost to the point of death!!! Emily, seriously....you're complaining because you don't have enough leg room! Get over yourself!!!!!
3)Reunions--Saying goodbye is one of my least favorite things...except when I know that it is temporary because seeing brothers and sisters that I love after a year of separation is SOO sweet! I was blessed to spend the day with Honza, Viktor, and Jenny. And, Jenny asked me to be a bridesmaid in her wedding in January!!! What a sweet blessing!
4)That God reigns and is the same yesterday, today and forever--As I was talking to the woman next to me on the plane, she could not say enough about the beauty of Prague. I agree, it is one of the most beautiful places I have ever seen. But what I see beyond all of that is such hopelessness and sin and the need for a Savior! And, it is such a beautiful thing to know that even in the place that is the darkest and feels as if we are suffocating because of the depth of sin, OUR GOD REIGNS!!!! We can bring the good news of Jesus Christ to the Czech Republic because the God of the universe sent His Son to conquer sin forever...nothing can hold Him back! Reading through the lives of these missionaries, I was so humbled to see their selfless sacrifice and boldness for the sake of Jesus Christ. But, the author pointed out that they were serving the same God and He never changes!!! I can bring the same hope and boldness to Czech because I am serving and following the same God who is just as powerful and gracious and merciful and just. He is the SAME!!!
5) Salvation--covering all of these things is the constant reminder that it is only by God's undeserved grace that I can even see my need for Him, can have the hope to change, the hope to spend eternity with Him, and the promise to be used by Him. I don't deserve to be saved or to call upon the God of the universe...but for some reason that can only be described by who HE is, He has seen fit to bless me with the priceless gift of knowing Him, of being saved from my sin, and being able to walk in His commandments. Thank you so much Jesus, for dying so that I might live!!!!

Okay, that's all for now. Crazy to see how much God has already taught me and we've only just begun! I would keep writing, but I should probably sleep. My eyes are bloodshot and that's never a good sign. Let me leave you with some things to pray for:
1)For the time this week in Cheb doing Bible training. I still have no idea what the set-up will be like or how God will work this out. We're just taking it one step at a time! Pray that we would be an encouragement to the youth group and challenge them to grow in Christ.
2)For strength--physically because we're all tired from traveling. Spiritually because I can already see the small ways that Satan is attacking and the war that is being waged against our own flesh.
3) For the students coming to camp, both believers and non-believers. There will be 80 people total at camp this year (including Americans) which is huge for a camp in Czech. Pray for those who don't yet know Christ that they would be open to the gospel and for the believers that they would walk away following after Christ even more faithfully.
4)For unity and vulnerability between Landen, Adam, Jenny and I and between us and the Czechs. Pray that we would be united on one purpose as a body with Christ as the head!

"Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever!" -Psalm 107:1

His thankful and dependent child,
Emilka :)

Czech Republic Prayer Letter

Here is the prayer letter I sent out in case you didn't get it...please be praying for God's mighty hand to be moving in the Czech Republic!!!!

“I appeal to you, brothers, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to strive together with me in your prayers to God on my behalf.” (Romans 15:30)

I am writing this letter, first of all, to say thank you. Those words just don’t seem like enough as I see the ways that God has used all of you to provide for both my financial and prayer needs while I am in the Czech Republic. If you are receiving this letter, it means that you have committed to being part of the ministry in Czech either through prayer, finances or both. Know that your partnership in this ministry is helping to further the Kingdom of God for all eternity! Now, let me tell you some specific ways that you can pray for the work that God is doing across the world this summer. I will start by giving you a brief breakdown of what my time over there will look like:
June 21-22: Leave USA and arrive in Prague, Czech Republic; immediately travel by train to Cheb, on the Western side of the country.
June 22-July 7: Bible training with the youth group in Cheb, focusing specifically on the leaders within the group, helping to equip them for ministry. We hope to have 4 hours each day of formal Bible training, showing the students how to study God’s Word more effectively. The rest of the time will be focused on discipleship and one-on-one time with the students, showing them how to lead Bible studies, what accountability looks like, and developing deeper relationships with them. Keep in mind, this is all what we have planned, but we don't know specifically how God will use this time!
July 8-11: Travel to Eastern side of the country, meet up with the rest of the team and begin training and preparation for English camp.
July 12-19: Travel back to Western side of the country for English camp. This is the time when many non-believing and Atheist students will be hearing the good news of Jesus Christ for the first time! The time at English camp consists of teaching English, hanging out with students to develop relationships, encouraging Christian students, and presenting the gospel to those who have never heard.
July 20-23: Follow-up time with the students from camp, while staying with them in their homes.
July 24-25: Travel back to Prague for team de-brief and a day in Prague.
July 26-August 10: While the US team heads back home, I head back to Malenovice (traveling alone!) to start the process all over again with the Bohumin group (on the Eastern side of the country)—from training to English camp to de-brief!

Here’s how you can pray during this time:
-For the time that we will be in Cheb doing Bible training; this is a new ministry that has never been done with this youth group. We are walking in as prepared as we can be, but also open to being flexible and open to what God would have us do during this time. Pray that we will accurately present God’s Word and would help the leaders to be more effective in their ministry.
-For God to be preparing the hearts of the students both in Cheb and Bohumin. Pray that He would unveil their darkened minds to the truth of Jesus Christ and that they would come to the knowledge of their Savior!
-For a continual trust in God and His strength and enabling. Pray that I would be continually dependent upon God and not myself. Pray that I would be sensitive every second to the leading of the Holy Spirit and that I would be effective only by the grace that He provides.
-For safety in traveling, especially while I travel alone; also for energy amidst long traveling days!
-For protection against the attacks of Satan. Satan loves to bring warfare on God’s people when we are serving Him in ministry. Pray that we would not let fatigue, whether spiritual or physical, keep us from being effective for Jesus Christ!

For the sake of His Kingdom,
Emily Klopfenstein

On the Road Again

Well, my life as a vagabond continues. I realized the other day that in the past year, I have moved a total of 7 times, not including spending most of the summer in the Czech Republic last year. And, the traveling continues as I leave to head back to the Czech Republic exactly one week from today for almost 2 months. As with all circumstances in life, God has used my "unsettled" lifestyle to teach me a few lessons.
1)This world isn't my home and I'm never supposed to feel comfortable or settled here. Not having a set 'home' on earth has allowed me to long for my eternal home even more, to finally enter into that rest one day...for GOOD.
2) God's plan is perfect and He has a specific task for me in each of these places. Whether that means being faithful and doing my work well at a community college, or serving my parents as much as possible while I'm at home, my life is His and no matter where I'm at, He can use me if I am simply faithful with what He places before me.
3) God is faithful to prepare me for each new step before I even know that I am going to take that step. When I am faithful to Him at each step, He prepares me in His timing for what's next. The first year I returned from Czech, I struggled almost daily to be faithful here in America and to serve Him where I was at. I longed so much just to be back in Czech and it was so hard for me to take the daily small steps when I had huge steps in mind (namely steps that led me to the Czech Republic.) This year, He was so faithful to give me the grace every single day to find joy in serving Him right where He had me, to find opportunities to further the Kingdom right where I was at. I still had a heart for Czech and still longed to be there, but I knew that I wasn't there yet and there was much to be done here before I went there. As I sit here today, I am getting more and more excited to go back to Czech. I'm excited to see my brothers and sisters in Christ there, to see the people who are so close to finally surrendering their lives to Jesus, to eat Czech food and smell Czech smells, to be surrounded by people speaking a different language, to see God through the eyes of a new believer--and I have been excited for these things all year, but God has been so faithful to change my desires so that more than being in a place, I just long to be faithful--wherever that may be.

So, there you have it. As of today, I have no clue where I will be living when I return from the Czech Republic. But, I know the God who does and I trust Him and find my rest and home in Him. No matter where I'm at, I have but one purpose:

"Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ." -Philippians 1:27

Gar-Bear

I want to tell you about the most rewarding and challenging part of helping teach 3rd grade at Trinity Classical Academy: Garrett Combs. Garrett is one of the funniest children I have ever met, but also the most difficult to teach. I always like to say that Garrett reminds me of what Shay Thomason was like as a child. Rarely can you look over at Garrett and find him sitting still, ready to learn. More often than not, Garrett is squirming in his seat with his imaginary gun in his hand ready to shoot the enemies he has pictured in his mind. In line, while every other student is walking in line silently, Garrett is somewhere towards the back doing some sort of strange prance or walk. If I wasn't supposed to be a mature adult in front of Garrett, I would probably laugh at him all day. But, seeing as how I am supposed to help teach and instruct him, I have to refrain (I know...one of the most difficult tasks for me to do..EVER).

One of the things I love about Garrett is his stories. He loves to tell stories that will make the entire class laugh. I'm pretty sure that 99% of his stories have been embellished greatly. Today, he told the story of how his dad proposed to his mom. Keep in mind (and this shouldn't come as a surprise) that Garrett's parents are both stunt people. So, Garrett has absolutely no fear of pain or danger. I don't even think he has a concept of what that is. With that being said, the story of how his parents got engaged is totally fitting for this family. And it all happened on April Fool's... :) Remember, this is the account as told by Garrett.

Garrett's dad took his mom for a horseback ride in the mountains. Garrett didn't say this, but I imagine that it was probably a pretty romantic day together in the mountains, not one of sadness. When they reached their destination, Garrett's dad told his then girlfriend that he had been thinking and wanted to talk to her about something. As a girl, I know what must have been running through her mind..."I'm going to get engaged!" Well, Mr. Combs did something a little different. He said, "I've been thinking and...I think we should start seeing other people." With that, he placed something in her hand and rode away on his horse, down the mountain. I imagine that Mrs. Combs was pretty stunned...I mean, what do you even do in that moment? Yell at him? Cry? I don't even know. But, after her knight had ridden away without her, she looked at what he had placed in her hand. It was a paper that said, "April Fool's!" and attached to it...her engagement ring!

I have to say that although incredibly frustrating for Mrs. Combs and even slightly rude, that is one of the most creative proposals I have ever heard of. Fitting for the parents of my pal Gar-Bear.

With that being said, Happy April Fool's day, everyone! And please, don't play a prank that is as harsh as Mr. Combs. :)

Good News

I love when the Holy Spirit reveals or awakens a new understanding of a verse that has been read hundreds of times. As I sit here on the day deemed "Good Friday" I am humbled when I think of how truly good the news of Jesus Christ is. As I went through my day today, I realized that even my indifference towards the cross of Jesus Christ and my inability to fully grasp the depth of love displayed that day points even more to how great this sacrifice really was. He died for me knowing that in my sinful flesh I would never be able to worship Him as He is worthy of. My flesh can't possibly contain the praise that this sacrifice demands and it certainly can't express that praise fully. So when I read verses such as the following, I am humbled even further that the God whose hands formed my very substance would die for someone who is incapable of bringing Him the praise due His name and who rebels against his holiness every single day.

And if you call on him as Father who judges impartially according

to each one's deeds, conduct yourselves with fear throughout

the time of your exile, knowing that you were ransomed from

the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable

things such as silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Chirst,

like that of a lamb without blemish.

1 peter 1:17-19 (ESV)

In the NIV translation, it reads, "live your lives as strangers here in reverent fear." Here's the deal: because of what Jesus Christ has done, my brief life is to be lived in reverent fear. He rescued from the empty life that my forefathers lived. They lived their lives in fear of judgment and execution. Blood had to be shed for every sin they committed. And even though I look at their lives of doubt and worry and unfaithfulness to the Lord and think that their foolishness is too great for my understanding, I know that my heart is just as prone to sin as theirs apart from Jesus Christ. But now, I have hope through Jesus Christ because He has ransomed me from a life of emptiness and self-service and slavery to sin and given me a life of reckless abandonment and freedom to love and serve Jesus Christ, to know Him and be known by Him! And the sacrifice of Jesus Christ is complete and finished. The blood shed was shed by a lamb without any blemish or stain and it was shed for someone as shameful and dirty as a sinner like me!

Think of how complete the blood of a perfect Savior is. "For if the sprinkling of defiled persons with the blood of goats and bulls and with the ashes of a heifer sanctifies for the purification of the flesh, how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, purify our conscience from dead works to serve the living God." (Hebrews 9:13-14) That's the most beautiful part: the blood shed not only forgives me of my sin and makes me right before the holy and perfect God, it enables me to live a life of service to Him! I am in a time of exile here on earth, I am a stranger. And yet I have been forgiven and redeemed by the Creator of the universe and can now live a life of service to Him. The forgiveness of sins is not the end. Jesus Christ came to die to forgive me of my sins as a means to me being able to live a life of service to Him which points to the end of God being glorified! I have been enabled to live a life worthy of Jesus Christ because of what He has done. I am no longer a slave to sin, but I can live for and worship my Savior and serve the living God! That is good news!

Child-like Faith

I have lots of blogs in the works (in my mind at least), but I just wanted to share some other thoughts in the meantime. The following are responses that the third graders had when asked the question, "What can we thank God for?"

1) That He is kind and gentle

2) That He cares for us and provides for us

3) That He created us to live for Him

4) That He watches over us

5) That He is who He is and never changes

6) That this world is not our home

7) That we can see and read the Bible and know Him

8) That He is courageous and powerful and forgives us

9) For sushi

10) For video games

There were more responses, but I've listed only that which I wrote down. How sweet to see our Heavenly Father through the eyes of a child. May we develop hearts that can praise Him for such sweet blessings that we so often take for granted, and have faith like that which belongs to "such as these."

"But Jesus called the children to him and said, 'Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.'" -Jesus, as recorded in Luke 18:15-17

New

I love the idea of newness. A new book when you open it for the first time and hear the binding crack. A new idea or concept that pushes me to seek out greater knowledge. A new friend that you feel like you've known your whole life when in reality it's only been days. And even the thought of a new year excites me.
I often think that the idea of "resolutions" has become so overused that there is no incentive any longer to even follow through with what was resolved. But, I still get excited when I think about starting a brand new year. It's a fresh opportunity to begin doing things that I've wanted to try every single day and yet fail because it's too overwhelming. And, even though that excitement may only last a few weeks and then it's back to the mundane, the fact that I can be faithful to what I resolved to do gives me hope that those few weeks can turn into much more.
One of the new things that I have been realizing is the way that God teaches his children and genuinely changes them at the very core of who they are. It's not superficial or shallow...it reaches to the very core of the person and transforms their understanding of God, of people, of the universe He created. Stepping into that new understanding often feels like stepping into a new world because it is so refreshing to look at things that are so ordinary and see something absolutely breathtaking. I praise God that He has been so faithful to do that in my heart...to finish the work He began in me. He loves me enough to change me and that change brings a new excitement to love Him and fear Him and walk in obedience.
I wonder how God looks at us. We are not mundane or ordinary because He formed our very being and created us in our mother's womb. He knows the potential we have as His children who have His spirit at work in us. He knows how deeply we can be changed by Him through His Word and His Spirit. He knows that because of Christ, we are no longer who we used to be. Once sinners and enemies of Him, we are now His sons and daughters.

We are a NEW creation.
2 Corinthians 5:17 says, "Therfore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come."

The former life we lived, the bondage we were in to sin, the eternal damnation that was ours....it has passed. It's gone.

The NEW has come. The new life of freedom in Him, of becoming like Him, of living with HOPE. This is the life that we can walk in as followers of Jesus Christ.

He not only asks us to obey, or to follow a list of do's and dont's--He changes our hearts so that we have no greater desire than Him and that obedience becomes our greatest joy.

As we begin this new year, let's live in this newness. Let's live lives of rejoicing and gladness that we have been made new and that our former lives have passed away. Let's not just talk about it...let's live like we've been given a new life! Jesus Christ died so that we can have this new life...let us not make his death be in vain. We are NEW!

You take an ordinary day

And turn it in to flowers like the month of May

And you see all my pain

And cry over it for hours 'til I'm new again

You make me NEW

~Bethany Dillon