Consistency and Faithfulness

So…
Yes, I know its been quite a while blog.
Don’t hate, appreciate.

So I’ve been thinking… Which is a good thing, I tend to do it quite often. Typically I use my blog to put my thoughts on “paper” so to speak. So lately I’ve been thinking about my responsibility as Christian to be Faithful and Consistent with what God has given me. As a result, this obviously isn’t a short lesson to learn, therefore I have reason as to why I have not blogged lately.

I think that in today’s world there is a terrible epidemic with people my age. This epidemic: inconsistency and being unfaithful. Don’t get me wrong, I’ve struggled with this tremendously.

The problem I see with our/my generation is a sense of entitlement. Yes I know I’m appeasing all of you older readers out there, now who are giving me amens! Not to point the finger but some of this is a result of how my generation was raised by parents and mentors. People my age have all of these dreams and ambitions, which don’t get me wrong, is a great thing. But, the problem is, we feel as if we can get to these goals and accomplishments instantaneously. So much so, we feel entitled to getting these dreams, goals, and ambitions without doing any sort of work or labor.

So as a result of this attitude of entitlement my generation has, without doing any type of work to accomplish these dreams and ambitions. We get a generation that is flippant and inconsistent. A generation that runs from one thing to the next trying to find happiness. Which at its root is a type of insecurity.

But as Christians, pursing Christ and attempting to emulate a life pleasing to him we need to understand that we are called to be consistent and faithful to him and his will. I am so thankful everyday that Christ was faithful to us. He could have left us in our sin and God could have not sent his Son to die for us, fulfilling so many prophecies in the Old Testament. Funny how the prophecy of his return in Revelation 19 He is refereed to as Faithful and True. For he is consistent and faithful to his promise of returning for his Bride the Church. Don’t be a hypocrite, be faithful and consistent with what God has given to you now, not what He is going to give you later. Christ has a ministry that needs to flow from you in every time and portion of life that you are in, don’t miss it.

In other news. I can’t stop listening to this song.

Death In His Grave

Though the Earth Cried out for blood
Satisfied her hunger was
Her billows calmed on raging seas
for the souls on men she craved

Sun and moon from balcony
Turned their head in disbelief
Their precious Love would taste the sting
disfigured and disdained

On Friday a thief
On Sunday a King
Laid down in grief
But awoke with keys
Of Hell on that day
The first born of the slain
The Man Jesus Christ
Laid death in his grave

So three days in darkness slept
The Morning Sun of righteousness
But rose to shame the throes of death
And over turn his rule

Now daughters and the sons of men
Would pay not their dues again
The debt of blood they owed was rent
When the day rolled a new

On Friday a thief
On Sunday a King
Laid down in grief
But awoke holding keys
To Hell on that day
The first born of the slain
The Man Jesus Christ
Laid death in his grave

On Friday a thief
On Sunday a King
Laid down in grief
But awoke with keys
Of Hell on that day
The first born of the slain
The Man Jesus Christ
Laid death in his grave

He has cheated
Hell and seated
Us above the fall
In desperate places
He paid our wages
One time once and for all

Question & Answer Part 1

So, I know it’s been a while, since I’ve posted, but a few weeks ago, I posed an open session. Ask me any question and I’ll answer, since then I’ve received a few emails (interesting enough, all from pastors but the original) and here is what we have. A soon to be college JR, religion major, trying to answer fairly deep theological/cultural questions.

Lucky me, the first and original question I could quickly form an answer/opinion on. The rest may take a little while, not as long from the original post to ask question to this point, but a while to at least think out a little bit.

So let’s hop to it. First question, “If Satan repented today, what would happen”

An interesting question, something I’ve never really thought much of in short. Growing up in a Christian home, I was taught Christ is coming back, and to be prepared, or you will go to hell. So, this is such a pure question, and in short, my answer is (not because of my prior upbringing) Satan can’t. It is literally impossible for him to repent.

As we read the bible, we can conclude that sometime after when God created everything, Genesis 1:1 and Genesis 3:2 (Where we first see Satan in serpent form) there was some sort of fall of heavenly beings. I’m not going to get into the debate as to when this exactly happened, for this is irrelevant for this discussion.

So the next question is what exactly happened during this fall? 2 Peter 2:4 gives us a quick look at what is said about the fall. It reads “⁴For if God did not spare angels when they sinned, but sent them to hell, putting them into gloomy dungeons to be held for judgment;” so we can attain from this that there was some sort of rebellion, that caused sin, heavenly beings (angels as referenced above) were sent to the dungeons of hell to wait for their judgment (Christ’s return, when all will be judged).  Jude 1:6 also supports this claim “⁶And the angels who did not keep their positions of authority but abandoned their own home—these he has kept in darkness, bound with everlasting chains for judgment on the great Day.” In this last reference we can see that there is a time that has been set in place, as to when the fallen angels, (Satan included, as he also was an angel). They will be kept there bound in chains until the “great day” or “judgment day”.

So, in short, Satan his fellow fallen angels are bound to hell, and earth, until the day of judgment. They initially made their one and only decision to follow God and his works, or become prideful and rebel. They obviously chose rebellion which led to sin entering the world. Now they are locked in their decision locked to roam earth and hell until the Day of Judgment and Christ’s return.

If you have any other questions feel free to email me at itlacey@liberty.edu I’d love to hear from you and answer more questions.

Design-AWhiteStone

A Design I did for my sisters blog AWhiteStone

Design

If you would like me to design you something please let me know!

Question and Answer

So last night as I was driving a received a text from a close friend, asking me my opinion on a theological question he had. Him and his small group had been discussing their opinions and thoughts on the issue. He asked me if I would do a quick write up on my blog on what exactly was my opinion. (I will gladly write up my opinion in a following post) But, it got me thinking, why not do a simple question and answer time?

So if you have any question, about theology, religion, my beliefs or anything of that nature feel free to email me at itlacey@liberty.edu and I will answer any question to the best of my ability.

No question is stupid, no question is wrong, no question is to crazy, feel free to ask anything, and I’ll keep it anonymous.

Email away: itlacey@liberty.edu

Revelation 19

As you read this try and visualize the image John is seeing.

¹¹I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice he judges and makes war. ¹²His eyes are like blazing fire, and on his head are many crowns. He has a name written on him that no one knows but he himself. ¹³He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is the Word of God. ¹⁴The armies of heaven were following him, riding on white horses and dressed in fine linen, white and clean. ¹⁵Out of his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations. “He will rule them with an iron scepter.”^[a] He treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God Almighty. ¹⁶On his robe and on his thigh he has this name written:

KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.

He will be faithful to His bride, He will return in the near future.  Are you living with expectancy? Are you living life seeking his face? Or just going through a daily routine? If you truly have experienced His love, it will change you. If you haven’t, all you have to do is ask, and he will bestow.

A White Stone

Amazing God things are happening in Amarillo Texas, with the help of my sister. Please check it out!

http://awhitestoneblog.wordpress.com/

Isaiah 62

Zion’s New Name

¹ For Zion’s sake I will not keep silent,
for Jerusalem’s sake I will not remain quiet,
till her righteousness shines out like the dawn,
her salvation like a blazing torch.

² The nations will see your righteousness,
and all kings your glory;
you will be called by a new name
that the mouth of the LORD will bestow.

³ You will be a crown of splendor in the LORD’s hand,
a royal diadem in the hand of your God.

⁴ No longer will they call you Deserted,
or name your land Desolate.
But you will be called Hephzibah, ^[a]
and your land Beulah ^[b] ;
for the LORD will take delight in you,
and your land will be married.

⁵ As a young man marries a maiden,
so will your sons ^[c] marry you;
as a bridegroom rejoices over his bride,
so will your God rejoice over you.

⁶ I have posted watchmen on your walls, O Jerusalem;
they will never be silent day or night.
You who call on the LORD,
give yourselves no rest,

⁷ and give him no rest till he establishes Jerusalem
and makes her the praise of the earth.

⁸ The LORD has sworn by his right hand
and by his mighty arm:
“Never again will I give your grain
as food for your enemies,
and never again will foreigners drink the new wine
for which you have toiled;

⁹ but those who harvest it will eat it
and praise the LORD,
and those who gather the grapes will drink it
in the courts of my sanctuary.”

¹⁰ Pass through, pass through the gates!
Prepare the way for the people.
Build up, build up the highway!
Remove the stones.
Raise a banner for the nations.

¹¹ The LORD has made proclamation
to the ends of the earth:
“Say to the Daughter of Zion,
‘See, your Savior comes!
See, his reward is with him,
and his recompense accompanies him.’ “

¹² They will be called the Holy People,
the Redeemed of the LORD;
and you will be called Sought After,
the City No Longer Deserted.

Are you burdened for your city? for your nation? for the lost? Where do you spend your time in prayer? Asking God what he can do for you? or what he can do for others?  Matthew 6: 21 “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”  Hes coming back, we best be prepared as his bride.

Refinement

I had a tough week this week, to say the least. I truly was… well nearly indescribable how tough my week was, if it could have happened it did. So much happened I can’t write it all, but I was discouraged and hurt, at rock bottom. As I was driving to church this song came on my IPOD (CD version, lyrics are from CD version too) but anyway I just began to worship God, despite what had gone through. To be honest my time with God had been pretty terrible during all the junk that went down, some because I couldn’t get up in the mornings to do it, but thats beside the point. I just began to worship right there in the car, it didn’t matter what my situation was or how I felt, and God met me in my truck. He thanked me for prasing him in the hard time. He told me this week that me and my hall was “Job”, and Satan had chosen me and my leadership team, and my hall to pursue this week. I really didn’t know what to say, and I still don’t know, but emotion just began to fill me up, encouragement, peace, love, thankfulness, so many things I just wept. Even now I don’t know how to finish this statement or post or thought, whatever you want to call it, but if I had one thing to say to a fellow Christian it would be this: despite your situation, despite your feelings, God will never allow something to happen to you that you can not endure. Even the Devil himself has to come and request permission to lay a hand on you, it says that in Job. Tough situations create you into the man or woman God wants you to be. So press into him let him take you through the fire, take you through the rain, take me through the testing, test you, try you, prove you, and refine you.

Awake, awake, O north wind
Awake, awake, O south wind; blow over me
Come, O winds of testing
Come, winds of refreshing; blow over me

Pre-chorus:

Let the winds blow, let the winds blow (7x)
Let the winds blow

Chorus:

Fling wide the door to my soul
Open up the door to my heart
Have your way, have your way
Have your way, yeah

Post-chorus:

I won’t be afraid; I will face the wind
I won’t be afraid; I’ll embrace the flame

Bridge:

Take me through the fire, take me through the rain
Take me through the testing, I’ll do anything
Test me, try me, prove me, refine me like the gold, like the gold