The FEARLESS abundant life!!

I’ve recently been reading through the Book of Acts along with the Letters Paul wrote to all of the people he witnessed and discipled to in Acts.  Yes I have to do this for a class, but I am learning so much through it. And I love it!

I always knew Paul was a warrior. A fierce and strong man of God. But I guess I never thought of why he was like that or realized what made him like that. It never truly sank in the dedication of Paul. The confidence Paul had in knowing that Jesus was always with Him, telling him what to say, where to go, and how to do everything was almost unbelievable.

I just read Acts 21-23 and was completely overwhelmed almost to tears with how God provided and took care of Paul.  In Acts 21 the people Paul was currently with were trying to persuade him to stay with them. They loved Paul and did not want him to leave and go to Jerusalem because they knew that when Paul went to Jerusalem he would be persecuted and possibly killed. They wanted Paul to be safe and wanted Paul to live. So you know what Paul said to them? look at this!!!

“Then Paul answered them, ‘What are you doing weeping and breaking my heart? For i am ready not only to be imprisoned but even to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lords Jesus Christ!” (Acts 21:13 ESV)

See? Paul knew they were right, Paul knew he could possibly get killed and Paul could almost guarantee that he would be imprisoned. But He also knew that that was where God had called him! He knew that Jerusalem was where God wanted him to go. So Paul also knew that nothing would stop God from doing HIS will.

So think, when God calls you to do something… when The Holy Spirit is compelling your heart to talk to someone about God, or telling you to do this job or that job, or to even go here or go there, why do you say NO?!?! obviously that is where God wants you to go and God has designed you to do it so nothing can or will stand in the way of God. If God wants you to die, then be excited because then you get to go live with Him away from distractions and you will finally SEE Him fully! You should have confidence in God’s name and know that if God wants you to talk to someone about Himself, then obviously God is going to use it! trust that promise! Paul’s life is a prime example of a life completely in tune with the Holy Spirit. Paul lived a full, abundant, and exciting life, and minutes before he died I know he did not regret one minute of it.

I bet Paul would have never wished he could go back and relive his life with total comfort and safety in a big house with a white fence and a lot of money… (just something to ponder).

oh yeah and by the way, Paul did not die in Jerusalem, he was imprisoned but he was actually being protected by the people who were plotting to kill him. God worked it out so well (duh)!!!!! it blows my mind!!! (but it shouldn’t)

I want to live a life full of Christ. I want to be able say as Paul did in Acts 21:13 , “I am ready to die for the name of Christ.”

well, i tried to explain it.

people say im crazy. people say im in my own world. i’ve been accused of ceaseless singing or humming. apparently smiling is involuntary and they want to know why. so here’s why.

I know THE wonderful one  and He talks to me all the time. He caresses my face with the breeze and excites me with the wind. He shows me how He dances over me and how He has power over me. He shows me how He creates and how how he changes and orchestrates. I feel his hand dguiding me with each step and word.  He gently tells me when I make a mistake and when I screw up our day. He calls me to repentance and He always forgives me. He makes me feel so unworthy and so incredibly worthless but at the same time so beautiful and purposeful. He just makes me fall apart when I see Him smiling at me! He always lets me know He loves me and it makes me laugh because that word love is so rich and so deep. He shows me His creation and brings me to my knees. He lets me worship Him in silence or in loud joyous noises! He laughs at me even when I make a stupid joke and I just roll my eyes and call  Him crazy.  When I am mad and crying, He runs to me and comforts me. He then lifts me up and carries me through whatever storm im facing. He whispers promises in my ear and I look around wonder if other people hear. He shows me stories and promises in His book and I just gaze at Him in wonder… how did He know just what to say. Sometimes He does so much for me and I feel like I cant give enough back, I fall down on my face and I fear Him! It is the strangest emotion I ever have. He stands over me in all of His power and glory and I cant help but wonder why all He IS, would come to all im NOT. And he comes to me so passionately and lovingly. He grabs me unexpectedly from time to time and just hugs me tight to remind me I am His. When He does this I cant help but laugh and delight in Him. The looks my fellow peers have given me make me wonder if I am the only one who knows Him in this way. He tells me to tell them about how He saved me. He squeezes my heart so hard sometimes because I am not His only love. He loves everyone else I come in contact with and wants to be with them the same way He is with me. Its wonderful to welcome someone into this happy, joyful family. And after I welcome them, I run away with My Lord and we celebrate! complete with dancing, crying, and laughing. I cant wait to see His physical face. I cant wait to touch the scars He received over me. I know I will stand in Him and through Him complete.  What a glorious day that will be. I am truly in love. And well… I just cant calm down about it.