Paradox

Some days, I go to dark places and set a light for those who will go later.

Some days, I feel the deepest pain so I can share hope with those who will follow.

I am seen as mad.
But insanity lies in the facades of men.

There is life only in humility.
Freedom only in submission.

That beautiful paradox.

Counting The Cost

"When Christ calls a man, he bids him come and die."
-Dietrich Bonhoeffer


Salvation cost God everything. Discipleship will cost us everything.


"Enter ye in by the narrow gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many are they that enter in thereby. For narrow is the gate, and straitened the way, that leadeth unto life, and few are they that find it."

-Matthew 7:13-14

Kosmos

How I struggle daily to renounce the things of this world.
How reluctant I am to pick up my cross and follow him.
His heart must break.

"Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him... And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever."

1 John 2:15, 17

Moving Backwards

Then Jesus called a little child to Him, set him in the midst of them, and said, "Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven."

-Matthew 18: 2-4

Father, make us like little children.

Pain

We must not let pain give way to cynicism, but let it deepen our love for those in suffering.

"I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. As I have loved you, you should also love one another. By this all shall know that you are My disciples, if you have love toward one another."
John 13:34-35

May we partake in the suffering of our oppressed brothers and sisters.

Success

"Living a life of faith means never knowing where you are being led. But it does mean loving and knowing the One who is leading. It is literally a life of faith, not of understanding and reason - a life of knowing Him who calls us to go. Faith is rooted in the knowledge of a Person, and one of the biggest traps we fall into is the belief that if we have faith, God will surely lead us to success in the world."

-Oswald Chambers, My Utmost for His Highest

"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth."
Matthew 5:3-5

Humility

Lord, let me be filled with your power. Yet more importantly, make me humble.

"Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a servant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death, even death of the cross."
-Philippians 2:5-8

The Likeness Of Men

If we have learned anything from Jesus, it is that Love is not necessarily what you give, but what you give up. It is not sacrifice out of abundance, but the sacrifice of abundance itself.

"Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, [and] coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to [the point of] death, even the death of the cross."
-Philippians 2:5-8

Coming In First

His word is a fire, his tongue is a sword. It pierces my heart and sets fire to my soul. 


"So the last will be first, and the first last. For many are called, but few chosen."
-Matthew 20:16


Do we really believe this?...

Fire

"You cannot receive yourself through success, because you lose your head over pride. And you cannot receive yourself through the monotony of your daily life, because you give in to complaining. The only way to find yourself is in the fires of sorrow."

-Oswald Chambers, My Utmost for His Highest


Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life.  If anyone serves me, he must follow me; and where I am, there will my servant be also. If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him. "Now is my soul troubled. And what shall I say? 'Father, save me from this hour'? But for this purpose I have come to this hour. Father, glorify your name." Then a voice came from heaven: "I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again."

John 12:26-28

Things I Know For Sure

May God's spirit speak as you read these words.

"You have heard that it was said, 'You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust."

- Matthew 5:43 - 45

Darkness

"When God gives you a vision and darkness follows, wait."
- Oswald Chambers, My Utmost For His Highest

"I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” 
John 16:33