Help me to know how much it cost
For You to die upon that cross,
To take my sins and cast them away
So that I might with You forever stay!
Help me to know the depth of Your love,
Give me the passion to proclaim why You came from above;
That others might know and experience such joy,
Old or young, girl or boy.
Help me to know what Your will is for me
To carry it out so You are honored and pleased;
To rely on You and Your strength alone
Knowing I'm but dust whom only You could atone.
A poem the Lord gave me recently!
Learning to delight in Jesus,
Hannah
Saturday, March 31, 2012
Friday, March 23, 2012
Friendship With God
"Shall I hide from Abraham that thing which I do?"
Genesis 18:17
"This chapter brings out the delight of real friendship with God as compared with occasional feelings of His presence in prayer. To be so much in contact with God that you never need to ask Him to show you His will, is to be nearing the final stage of your discipline in the life of faith. When you are rightly related to God, it is a life of freedom and liberty and delight, you are God's will, and all your common-sense decisions are His will for you unless He checks. You decide things in perfect delightful friendship with God, knowing that if your decision are wrong He will always check; when He checks, stop at once.
Why did Abraham stop praying when He did? He was not intimate enough yet to go boldly on until God granted his desire, there was something yet to be desired in his relationship God. Whenever we stop short in prayer and say- "Well, I don't know; perhaps it is not God's will," there is still another stage to go. We are not so intimately acquainted with God as Jesus was, and as He wants us to be- "That they may be one even as we are one." Think of the last thing your prayed about- were you devoted to your desire or to God? Determined to get some gift of the Spirit or to get at God? "Your Heavenly Father knoweth what things ye have need of before ye ask Him." The point of asking is that you may get to know God better. "Delight thyself also in the Lord; and He shall give thee the desires of thine heart." Keep praying in order to get a perfect understanding of God Himself."
by Oswald Chamber in "My Utmost for His Highest"
This devotional for today challenged me as I search for God's will for my life. I realized that I shouldn't be searching for His will but for Him. Am I more devoted to serving Him or knowing Him? Which is more important in the long run? I have so much more to learn about Him and His Word. I should not be content with just scratching the surface. Will you dig deeper with me?
Learning to delight in Jesus,
Hannah
Sunday, March 18, 2012
Blooming?
"I went down to the garden of nuts to see the verdure of the valley, to see whether the vine had budded And the pomegranates had bloomed."
Song of Songs 6:11
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| Photography for Jesus |
Another thing I've been asking myself is "am I blooming or am I just growing?". Growing is good, don't get me wrong, but if a plant just grows it never accomplishes its true purpose...to bloom. When a plant blooms it proves that it has reached full maturity. It's beauty is admired by all passer-by's or perhaps it is plucked and given away to one deserving of it. Am I blooming right here, right now or am I content with just growing? Am I being used where I'm planted or am I "saving" my service for something worth-while? Is not every place of service worth-while if it is for Jesus? These are thoughts that have been on my head of late. What are some of yours?
"And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him."
Colossians 3:17
Learning to delight in Jesus,
Hannah
Saturday, March 10, 2012
Marriage
One of the greatest gifts is to have the opportunity to watch two wonderful, godly people join together in holy matrimony! I enjoyed such a blessing earlier today!
The Lord has instituted marriage to be a holy union between a man and a woman for several purposes. I'd like to list a few that I've learned below.
1) One of the Lord's goals for marriage is to bring forth godly seed.
"But did He not make them one, having a remnant of the Spirit? And why one? He seeks godly offspring. Therefore take heed to your spirit, and let none deal treacherously with the wife of his youth."
Malachi 2:15
Children are the next generation's pastors, missionaries, doctors, evangelists, teachers, mothers, fathers, etc. If we didn't have godly children being taught by godly parents the world would be drastically different. They are the ones picking up the torch and carrying it on for the gospel's sake. The Bible clearly states that children are a blessing. I'm so thankful that my parents embraced this truth. They are already beginning to reap the fruit that they've sown.
2) Another of the Lord's goals for marriage to accurately represent Christ and His church. Wow, what a responsibility!
"Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing,but that she would be holy and without blemish."
Ephesians 5:25-27
There should be a stark contrast between a couple who loves the Lord and is trying to honor Him in their lives and those who are just trying to make it work. People are always watching you...may we never forget that!
3) A third thing was for fellowship and encouragement. See what Solomon says in his book Ecclesiastes.
"Though one may be overpowered by another, two can withstand him. And a threefold cord is not quickly broken." Ecc. 4:12
Or what about what God said at the very beginning...
"And the Lord God said, "It is not good that man should be alone; I will make him a helper comparable to him.""
Genesis 2:18
It is always easier to finish a race with someone you know beside you. They encourage, strengthen, and challenge you. That is what I believe God calls a husband and wife to be to each other.
Although I have not yet embarked into this part of life. I look forward to the day the Lord gives me a man than I can serve, encourage, and finish the race with. But if that is not where He wants me to serve Him then I must trust that He has plans far better, beyond what I could ever ask, think, or imagine. I strive, with the Lord's help, to accomplish this verse while single (however long that may be ;)....
"There is a difference between a wife and a virgin. The unmarried woman cares about the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and in spirit."
1 Corinthians 7:34
Perhaps I'll do a post about singles next.... :)
Learning to delight in Jesus,
Hannah
The Lord has instituted marriage to be a holy union between a man and a woman for several purposes. I'd like to list a few that I've learned below.
1) One of the Lord's goals for marriage is to bring forth godly seed.
"But did He not make them one, having a remnant of the Spirit? And why one? He seeks godly offspring. Therefore take heed to your spirit, and let none deal treacherously with the wife of his youth."
Malachi 2:15
Children are the next generation's pastors, missionaries, doctors, evangelists, teachers, mothers, fathers, etc. If we didn't have godly children being taught by godly parents the world would be drastically different. They are the ones picking up the torch and carrying it on for the gospel's sake. The Bible clearly states that children are a blessing. I'm so thankful that my parents embraced this truth. They are already beginning to reap the fruit that they've sown.
2) Another of the Lord's goals for marriage to accurately represent Christ and His church. Wow, what a responsibility!
"Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing,but that she would be holy and without blemish."
Ephesians 5:25-27
There should be a stark contrast between a couple who loves the Lord and is trying to honor Him in their lives and those who are just trying to make it work. People are always watching you...may we never forget that!
3) A third thing was for fellowship and encouragement. See what Solomon says in his book Ecclesiastes.
"Though one may be overpowered by another, two can withstand him. And a threefold cord is not quickly broken." Ecc. 4:12
Or what about what God said at the very beginning...
"And the Lord God said, "It is not good that man should be alone; I will make him a helper comparable to him.""
Genesis 2:18
It is always easier to finish a race with someone you know beside you. They encourage, strengthen, and challenge you. That is what I believe God calls a husband and wife to be to each other.
Although I have not yet embarked into this part of life. I look forward to the day the Lord gives me a man than I can serve, encourage, and finish the race with. But if that is not where He wants me to serve Him then I must trust that He has plans far better, beyond what I could ever ask, think, or imagine. I strive, with the Lord's help, to accomplish this verse while single (however long that may be ;)....
"There is a difference between a wife and a virgin. The unmarried woman cares about the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and in spirit."
1 Corinthians 7:34
Perhaps I'll do a post about singles next.... :)
Learning to delight in Jesus,
Hannah
Saturday, March 3, 2012
Recipe: Au Gratin Potatoes
It is currently 8:30 pm and I still haven't written up a weekly post! Oh well, I guess you'll have to settle with a quick recipe :). This recipe is great as a side dish with hamburgers, tuna, or chicken. Enjoy!
Au Gratin Potatoes
9 potatoes, sliced thin
1-2 onions, chopped
1 stick butter
Little over 1/2 cup flour
3 1/2 cups milk
3 1/3 cups shredded cheddar cheese
Salt and pepper to taste
Saute onions and butter. Once onions are soft add flour as you stir. Then slowly add milk, salt, and pepper. Turn up to medium heat until mixture begins to bubble. Add as much milk/flour as needed until you reach the right consistency. Add cheese and stir. Pour over thinly sliced potatoes. Cook covered at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 1 1/2 hours.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
My mom, some siblings, and I competed in our first 5K this morning. It was exhilerating! I am not, repeat NOT, a gifted runner but I kept saying this verse to myself throughout the morning:
"But those who wait on the LORD shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint."
Isaiah 40:31
Although I definitely did not fly (I was hoping I would sprout wings or something ;-) the Lord still taught me that sometimes His strength is not given in exactly the way I want. His ways are not our ways...they are so much higher! What a great God we have!!
Learning to delight in Jesus,
Hannah
Au Gratin Potatoes9 potatoes, sliced thin
1-2 onions, chopped
1 stick butter
Little over 1/2 cup flour
3 1/2 cups milk
3 1/3 cups shredded cheddar cheese
Salt and pepper to taste
Saute onions and butter. Once onions are soft add flour as you stir. Then slowly add milk, salt, and pepper. Turn up to medium heat until mixture begins to bubble. Add as much milk/flour as needed until you reach the right consistency. Add cheese and stir. Pour over thinly sliced potatoes. Cook covered at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 1 1/2 hours.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
My mom, some siblings, and I competed in our first 5K this morning. It was exhilerating! I am not, repeat NOT, a gifted runner but I kept saying this verse to myself throughout the morning:
"But those who wait on the LORD shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint."
Isaiah 40:31
Although I definitely did not fly (I was hoping I would sprout wings or something ;-) the Lord still taught me that sometimes His strength is not given in exactly the way I want. His ways are not our ways...they are so much higher! What a great God we have!!
Learning to delight in Jesus,
Hannah
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