"Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
This verse, if fact, was actually not a part of my daily Bible reading suprisingly. It was a part of a daily devotional I signed up to recieve by email. It caught my attention because of something that happened in my life today:
During lunch, a guy (let's call him Eugene) had his bookbag stolen. Eugene is one of my friends, I first met him on the bus on the first day of school. When I found out, by being told by someone else, that his bookbag had been stolen, I was utterly shocked. The first thought that entered my mind was "How?" It just did not make sense to me, at all. How does your bookbag get stolen when it's right next to you? Well, I said a quick prayer about Eugene finding his bookbag and returned to talking with some of my friends. About ten minutes later, the same person told me that Eugene had finally found his bookbag in the trash can of the restroom. I was immediatly relieved, but then was told that his expensive graphing calculator was missing from his bookbag. I was shocked again.
Being in his next class, I was "privledged" to witness some of his first reactions. We did a lab, and I felt nudged (not physically, but spiritually, by God) to sit at his table. I did, and I'm glad I did too. I was able to offer some comfort, and by the end of class he was smiling again. I quoted a verse for him, one of my favorite actually, "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to His purpose." Romans 8:28
He rode the bus, but unfortunately others on the bus started laughing and making fun of the situation when he told them about it. I tried to intervene, but am not sure that I accomplished anything. The reason that that verse caught my eye while reading the email devotionals is because I wish now that I would have told Eugene that verse too. I have it memorized, and I believe it could have helped. Maybe I'll remember tomorrow.
Ok, closing statements, because this post is getting a little long. "Be joyful always." That statement sounds at least for me almost impossible. Always joyful? It's like "No way!" But, then again, happiness and joyfulness are not the same thing. Happiness is based on the circumstance. Joy is based on the knowledge that there is a Heaven and that we as Christians will be there someday.
"Pray continually." That's pretty hard too, though for me prayer often does seem easier than being joyful. Continually? That's all the time! I know I certainly don't do that, but I've realized that the more I pray during the day, the better my day is and the more happy I am with my circumstances. I also realize that as I pray more, it becomes easier and easier to pray just a little more each day.
"Give thanks in all circumstances." Wow. Thanks in everything? This is also difficult. What is there to be thankful for with losing a calculator? Well, I remember telling Eugene to look at the bright side, and he responds with a smile, "At least I'm still alive!" But I guess there's more than that. Maybe in losing a calculator, you can be thankful for the time that you did have the calculator, or even be thankful that you ever had enough money to own a calculator.
"For this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." So, it's God's will for us to be joyful, pray continually, and give thanks in all circumstances. It's because he knows the outcome of this. He knows our lives will be better overall. He knows everything. God is good all the time, and all the time God is good.
†God Bless†
Bria
Thursday, September 30, 2004
Wednesday, September 29, 2004
Verse of the Day
Ok. I relize that I have not really been posting very often, and that even that is an understatement. I just haven't had time. I continue to procrastinate everything, even posting this. So I've decided to try to put on one post a day, even if the post is just a verse I thought interesting or uplifting or something like that. This verse (or verses maybe) will probably come from my daily Bible reading, but it might not. I may comment, but I might not. It just depends. I'm not sure what exactly it depends on, but I don't need to so I guess that's ok. My verse for today:
"Behold, the Lord's hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; Nor His ear heavy, that it cannot hear." Isaiah 59:1
I think really what this is saying is that God can and does hear us and can and does save us. He's not hindered, as we are. I know that I myself am not able to help some people who need help, because their on the other side of the world or I don't have anything that could actually help them. I can pray, but that still would not be me saving them, it would be God. Also, the hearing part. I know that I often have trouble hearing people who want to talk to me, even if they are right in front or right behind me. Actually, even today I recall an example of this. I was selling candy for a fundraiser, and twice, in different parts of the day, people have had to ask me for candy two or three times before I even realized they were there. I was distracted. Someone else had to point them out to me. But, you see, God doesn't need someone else to show Him that we're praying to Him. He knows it instantly, and can hear everyone at once. His ear's not heavy, or as the Message version would put it "God's ears are not stopped up." God is good all the time, and all the time He is good.
†God Bless†
Bria
"Behold, the Lord's hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; Nor His ear heavy, that it cannot hear." Isaiah 59:1
I think really what this is saying is that God can and does hear us and can and does save us. He's not hindered, as we are. I know that I myself am not able to help some people who need help, because their on the other side of the world or I don't have anything that could actually help them. I can pray, but that still would not be me saving them, it would be God. Also, the hearing part. I know that I often have trouble hearing people who want to talk to me, even if they are right in front or right behind me. Actually, even today I recall an example of this. I was selling candy for a fundraiser, and twice, in different parts of the day, people have had to ask me for candy two or three times before I even realized they were there. I was distracted. Someone else had to point them out to me. But, you see, God doesn't need someone else to show Him that we're praying to Him. He knows it instantly, and can hear everyone at once. His ear's not heavy, or as the Message version would put it "God's ears are not stopped up." God is good all the time, and all the time He is good.
†God Bless†
Bria
Tuesday, September 14, 2004
Influence
Lately I have begun to realize what a great impact other people have on the way I act, both to them and to other people. For example, say there's a person named Beryal (not a real person by the way) at my school. I know that Beryal exists, she sits near me in at least one class, but I don't know her. I have relatively no opinion about her at all. Then, one of my friends says something similar to, "I find Beryal annoying." Suddenly I begin to be affected by it. The next time I see Beryal, I find myself almost naturally finding her annoying, without having any intention of having that thought and no reason to think that way except for the fact that a friend told me that she was annoying. Words are powerful. Actions are powerful. Often I wish that I was not affected in such ways by other people. But I don't believe I have ever been able to feel what it's like to not be influenced by another person. That might not be that great either. I believe there's a reason for this influence "problem." It works the other way too. When I see someone doing something good or saying something good about another person, I seem to be affected by that too. I begin to view the person as nice and want to know them better. I want to be able to do the good thing that the other person is doing and help others in that way.
I have now come to realize just how great an influence I might have on other people. This is all the more reason to be a good example. To strive to follow Jesus's example, who is really the only person I should ever strive to be like. I know that I can never be as great as Jesus, that it's impossible, but that doesn't mean that I shouldn't try to get as close as I can. God is good all the time, and all the time God is good.
†God Bless†
Bria
I have now come to realize just how great an influence I might have on other people. This is all the more reason to be a good example. To strive to follow Jesus's example, who is really the only person I should ever strive to be like. I know that I can never be as great as Jesus, that it's impossible, but that doesn't mean that I shouldn't try to get as close as I can. God is good all the time, and all the time God is good.
†God Bless†
Bria
Sunday, September 05, 2004
Marriage
I'm so excited! My cousin just got engaged! It hasn't even been like half of a day yet! Yay! I'm so happy for them! I can't believe that I get to share in this experience. She goes to school three hours away and was visiting with her "dating partner/boyfriend." He is so great. He has a personality similar to mine, one that likes things organized and enjoys thinking alot about different things. My cousin is like just the opposite. She is all active and outgoing, repeatedly arriving places late and enjoying talking to people. Not that I don't enjoy talking to people, it's just that talking to people drains my energy and it requires effort.
Well, this huge event in the life of my cousin caused me to stop and think. I wonder if such a day will ever happen to me. I know it's a long way away. I also know God knows if that day will take place, and if it will, exactly when and where and with who. I don't know. I have no idea, really. But I'm glad God knows. I'm glad God has a plan. If He didn't, I wouldn't be able to enjoy my cousin's excitement so much. I would be more worried about me and my future. That would be so selfish. I'm glad that I can look at this day as a source of expectancy. I can remember the joy and excitement, and know that someday, if it be God's will, this will also happen to me. I'm willing to wait. I have a "true love waits" ring on my left hand. It's my purity ring. I plan to keep it there on my left hand until the day, if it ever takes place, that it is replaced with and engagement ring. Only if it be God's will. My life is completely in His hands. For all I know, I could die tomorrow. For all I know, I could live for another 100 years. I'm glad that God knows what will happen and I don't have to worry. I can trust in Him.
He knows what the future will bring, and chooses which parts of the future to reveal to me now and what to save until later. He knows when I'm ready. One piece He has shown me, roughly two years and two months ago, was that in some way, shape, or form I will someday use sign language as a part of my job. I don't know how yet, but this is one part of God's plan for my life that He has shown me. I am glad for that. I know a lot of signs already, and sign while worshiping in church. It makes the worship real to me, I can see what I'm really saying. I have to consentrate on the words and what they mean in order to sign, in a way this fights against the part of my brain that wishes to drift off while singing the words.
God is good. He has a plan. I am really glad that he does. God is good all the time, and all the time God is good.
†God Bless†
Bria
Well, this huge event in the life of my cousin caused me to stop and think. I wonder if such a day will ever happen to me. I know it's a long way away. I also know God knows if that day will take place, and if it will, exactly when and where and with who. I don't know. I have no idea, really. But I'm glad God knows. I'm glad God has a plan. If He didn't, I wouldn't be able to enjoy my cousin's excitement so much. I would be more worried about me and my future. That would be so selfish. I'm glad that I can look at this day as a source of expectancy. I can remember the joy and excitement, and know that someday, if it be God's will, this will also happen to me. I'm willing to wait. I have a "true love waits" ring on my left hand. It's my purity ring. I plan to keep it there on my left hand until the day, if it ever takes place, that it is replaced with and engagement ring. Only if it be God's will. My life is completely in His hands. For all I know, I could die tomorrow. For all I know, I could live for another 100 years. I'm glad that God knows what will happen and I don't have to worry. I can trust in Him.
He knows what the future will bring, and chooses which parts of the future to reveal to me now and what to save until later. He knows when I'm ready. One piece He has shown me, roughly two years and two months ago, was that in some way, shape, or form I will someday use sign language as a part of my job. I don't know how yet, but this is one part of God's plan for my life that He has shown me. I am glad for that. I know a lot of signs already, and sign while worshiping in church. It makes the worship real to me, I can see what I'm really saying. I have to consentrate on the words and what they mean in order to sign, in a way this fights against the part of my brain that wishes to drift off while singing the words.
God is good. He has a plan. I am really glad that he does. God is good all the time, and all the time God is good.
†God Bless†
Bria
Thursday, September 02, 2004
School
I have not posted for quite a long while. You see, I eventually completed the summer projects I recieved from my school (two days before school started actually), and then I started school. Between everything happening, I sorta forgot almost entirely about blogger.
You know, I like my "new" school. I like my classes, I like my teachers, I like who is in my classes, I like who is in my lunch periods...basically the only thing I tend to dislike is the homework that is automatically attached to school. God orchestrated it so perfectly. He knew who to put as my teachers, He knew what electives I should get, and I am so glad that is true. I was sure that I was going to be happy with school because God's in charge. I also knew that if there was some thing about school that I didn't like, "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose." (Romans 8:28). I know God has everything planned out for me and He knows what is going to happen. I am willing to be content with that. I am content with that. I don't have to know what's going to happen.
One problem that I've encountered at school is Science Olympiad. I was on the varsity team in my school last year, and the team did really well: we actually made it to Nationals. The middle school is allowed to bring back five ninth graders to participate on their team again. One of the problems is that our coach left the school because he wanted to go to college some more while still teaching, and he found a great job at another school. He was one of the main reasons alot of us were participating in Science Olympiad at all. Now the people in charge don't necessarily really know what their doing: they haven't done it before. There is no one to really decide who is going to be on the team this year. I want to be one of those who goes back, but one of my best friends isn't sure and is really stressed about it. Another of the want-to-go-back people is trying to pressure a certain five people to go back. It is just a huge, confusing, mess. We need a miracle. We need God's help.
I've been praying about this situation, and when I see the group of five again, I will propose praying together. This will be tough for me I think. I tend to become really nervous when praying outloud while others are listening. It also doesn't help that I've never prayed with this group before. I need God's help. I need courage. I want everything in Science Olympiad to work out. I don't want a horribly catastrophic event to happen. But only God can prevent one from happening. I need His help. I need His guidence.
If you are reading this, will you please pray about this Science Olympiad thing? I am becoming stressed with it even whe in shouldn't. God will work it out. I know He will. God is good all the time, and all the time God is good.
†God Bless†
Bria
You know, I like my "new" school. I like my classes, I like my teachers, I like who is in my classes, I like who is in my lunch periods...basically the only thing I tend to dislike is the homework that is automatically attached to school. God orchestrated it so perfectly. He knew who to put as my teachers, He knew what electives I should get, and I am so glad that is true. I was sure that I was going to be happy with school because God's in charge. I also knew that if there was some thing about school that I didn't like, "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose." (Romans 8:28). I know God has everything planned out for me and He knows what is going to happen. I am willing to be content with that. I am content with that. I don't have to know what's going to happen.
One problem that I've encountered at school is Science Olympiad. I was on the varsity team in my school last year, and the team did really well: we actually made it to Nationals. The middle school is allowed to bring back five ninth graders to participate on their team again. One of the problems is that our coach left the school because he wanted to go to college some more while still teaching, and he found a great job at another school. He was one of the main reasons alot of us were participating in Science Olympiad at all. Now the people in charge don't necessarily really know what their doing: they haven't done it before. There is no one to really decide who is going to be on the team this year. I want to be one of those who goes back, but one of my best friends isn't sure and is really stressed about it. Another of the want-to-go-back people is trying to pressure a certain five people to go back. It is just a huge, confusing, mess. We need a miracle. We need God's help.
I've been praying about this situation, and when I see the group of five again, I will propose praying together. This will be tough for me I think. I tend to become really nervous when praying outloud while others are listening. It also doesn't help that I've never prayed with this group before. I need God's help. I need courage. I want everything in Science Olympiad to work out. I don't want a horribly catastrophic event to happen. But only God can prevent one from happening. I need His help. I need His guidence.
If you are reading this, will you please pray about this Science Olympiad thing? I am becoming stressed with it even whe in shouldn't. God will work it out. I know He will. God is good all the time, and all the time God is good.
†God Bless†
Bria
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