Mustard Seeds

So today in my new study I read from Daniel 2:1-49. Even though I had read it before, God revealed different things to me. The verses that spoke to me the most were verses 19-22: 19  Then the secret was revealed to Daniel in a night vision. So Daniel blessed the God of heaven. 20  Daniel answered and said: “Blessed be the name of God forever and ever, For wisdom and might are His. 21  And He changes the times and the seasons; He removes kings and raises up kings; He gives wisdom to the wise And knowledge to those who have understanding. 22  He reveals deep and secret things; He knows what  is  in the darkness, And light dwells with Him. (Daniel 2:19-22, NKJV, via Bible Gateway) These verses speak of how Daniel took the time to praise God for His answer to Daniel's prayer. That Daniel blessed God for this shows his devotion. Daniel's ability to remain calm when he heard his death sentence shows his faith in God. If each of us held this kin...

As per yesterday's post, I went to Lifeway today (a Christian bookstore) and purchased a bible study. Actually I purchased two. But I started one today. I bought the John MacArthur bible study on Daniel and the Beth Moore bible study book for her Daniel study as well. A friend from church has the dvd series that I am going to borrow for that one. For awhile now I have felt that God wants me to dig deeper into the book of Daniel. So I'm going for it. I started the MacArthur study today when I got home. I think I am going to love it. I read the introduction today and did the first section of study over Daniel 1:1-21. If you don't recall, this section of scripture talks about how Daniel and his friends asked to be fed vegetables instead of the rich foods of Nebuchadnezzar. God showed his faithfulness in that He made Daniel and his friends look healthier after the 10 days of eating vegetables than the other men that were eating the king's delicacies. Because Danie...

So I am going to be honest. I have been struggling to be faithful in studying my bible. For awhile. I have been reading it. But in the loosest sense of that word as well. I skim the words to mark of that I read it for that day. (Google Images) In the coming year, I do not want to focus on reading so much as I want to learn how to study the bible. For real. I want to dig into God's word, grow closer to Him, and learn how to listen not just talk at Him. So as I work on being selfless in my prayer life (see my previous post), I am also going to work on studying. There is no way that I am going to continue to grow closer to God if I do not learn how to study His Word. I want to ask you to share any ways that you have that help you to study God's Word. Please leave comments below. Thanks for reading. In God, Emily

As I write this post, I am mourning with some of my closest friends over the lost of a dear loved one. I cannot being to fathom what they are going through as they deal with this loss. As they have been dealing with the sickness that cancer brings, our nation has been reeling from the tragedy that happened last week. I look around and I see the need for prayer everywhere I turn. I think about all of the facebook and twitter posts I saw last week about how people are praying for people in Connecticut. I think it is wonderful that people are praying for those that are hurting. But it makes me sad that tragedy is what has to happen for people to pray for each other. As I continue to pray for those affected by the shooting and for my dear friends, I just want to challenge you. Don't let tragedy be the only thing brings you to God in prayer for others. Pray for others on a daily basis. Don't let your selfishness hold you back from lifting others up. And don't thin...

‎"There is one body and one Spirit- just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call- one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God, and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all." (Ephesians 4:4-6) As I read this scripture this  morning, I sat here thinking... When the scriptures clearly tell us that we all have one hope, one Spirit, and one God, why do the denominations argue over every little detail? We all have one hope. We are called to eternal life and to enjoy God forever in resurrected glory. We are called to bring praise to God forever. So why can't we seem to follow God's command this side of heaven? Just a little something to get you thinking this morning. Take some time today to think about this scripture. Thanks for reading. In God, Emily

So as I was listening to this song on youtube, I came across the story behind it. I thought I would share, so here it is: Here is a link to the song he is talking about in the video that I posted a few days ago:  Even If -Kutless Thanks for reading. I hope to get back to really blogging about what God is doing in my life after things calm down a little bit, but for now, songs will have to suffice. In God, Emily

Music is such a great type of worship! I love how God can speak to us through it and we can turn around and praise Him back. :) Thanks for listening! In God, Emily

I absolutely LOVE this song! The words speak such truth... Let God speak to your heart! Thanks for listening! In God, Emily

Today, at my college, there was a chapel convo for us to attend. It was not mandatory, but we do have to go to five per semester. I was not planning on going, but I had a friend invite me to go with her at the last minute. I figured, "Well, I might as well. At least I will have someone to sit with." I had no idea that God was planning on using the speaker to speak to me about a situation that I am dealing with right now. The speaker talked about how we need to give back to God the "stuff" in our lives, to dedicate what God has given to us back to Him. I have been struggling with a decision the last couple of days and I realized that I cannot control the outcome on my own. I also realized that I had not given my heart completely to God before that moment. I was expecting God to show me what to do in the situation when I had yet to surrender fully to Him. I realize now that God will lead me and guide me to the right man some day, but first I had to give ...

So I got a private dorm room this year. Lots of things led to that decision, but that's not what this post is about. One of my best friends came to visit from way far away and she is a much better sew-er than me. She helped me to learn how to make curtains for my dorm. They are super cute! And I am really excited about them. :) But we forgot to take pictures during the process so these are just of the finished product. And we had to squeeze it in during nap time. So here is the pattern. The story behind the pattern is that my dorm colors are gray and yellow, but I have a blueish-tealish pillow case. And I have a green crocheted afghan that my mom made me last year for my dorm room before I picked my colors. Here is a picture of the whole curtain. And here is a picture of someone when they just got up from nap time. :) These are definitely going to brighten up my dorm room. :) I am very excited about these. Thanks so much for helping me! Thanks for reading! ...

So I am always hearing new music on Air1. And it is always such an encouragement to me. So here's another one. :) Hope you enjoy! Thanks for reading/listening! In God, Emily

Last night at church, we had a bible study on the first five verses of Revelation 22. It was very interesting for me because I have never really studied Revelation. Before I was saved, I was actually scared to read it because of what little I knew of its content. Anyway, God was speaking to me about having joy for His coming, about being excited and ready for it. And to be honest, it scares me now too. I know that when Jesus comes back all those who are saved will enter into a forever reign with Jesus and God as the heads. But I know so many people that do not know of God's grace and mercy. And I know that I am not doing enough to tell others about it. But this morning, God continued to speak to me about this. My daily devotion this  morning was right out of the lesson last night at church. Here is what it said: But when the world has seen the light, they will dance with joy.   I Could Sing of Your Love Forever Heavenly Delight Children know how to be enthusiast...

Another great song! The words are just so full of truth. In God, Emily

Tenth Avenue North's new song "Losing" is all about forgiveness.  Listen to the words and let it touch your heart. Because there is truth in these words. Listen. Forgive.  Lose. Below is a video journal of one of Tenth Avenue North's members, Mike Donehey. If you can get past the odd beginning, he really speaks truth in this as well. Thanks for reading. In God, Emily

Last Sunday, as the men at my church were giving their testimonies for Courageous Sunday, one of them mentioned a verse that got me thinking. I never really thought to look and see if God said anything about something that I have been struggling with for years. I knew that I needed to work on it, but I never imagined that God gave such clear instruction on it. And I thank Him that He revealed this verse to me. The second half of 2 Corinthians 10:5 reads, "and take every thought captive to obey Christ." Who knew that God said something about thoughts that we have that we don't want to have but can't seem to escape? This verse has encouraged me even in the past three days to draw closer to God and follow His command. When a thought enters your mind that you don't want to have, you just have to take it captive as the verse says. You must find a way to stop the thought in its tracks. It may not always be easy. It may not always be what you want to do...

Last night at church, we mentioned some of these verses. What they said really stuck with me, so when I got home and was reading my bible before bed, I looked at them a little closer. It is an encouragement to me to read about how, when we don't know what to pray, the Holy Spirit intercedes for us.  26  Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For  we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but  the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.   27  And  he who searches hearts knows what is  the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit  intercedes for the saints  according to the will of God.   28  And we know that for those who love God all things work together  for good, for  those who are called according to his purpose.   29  For those whom he  foreknew he also  predestined  to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order th...

This beautiful view is what welcomed me home from church tonight. I am so thankful for God's beauty, just one of the ways He reveals Himself to us. Thanks for reading.  In God, Emily

How confusing it is sometimes to be a woman. Or even just to be human. We want one thing. God wants another. We know what God wants even as we (want to) disobey Him. We feel God's conviction about something and turn right around and do it anyway. Sometimes I feel as though my head (thoughts) have gone crazy. I obsess over things I shouldn't. I worry way too much. I know something is wrong when God convicts me of it, but I don't feel bad for doing it, all the same. I know that I can't be the only one that struggles with these things, but how do you talk to someone else about something that you can't even make sense of yourself? God never promised that life on earth would be easy. He didn't promise that sins would be easy to overcome. But He did promise to help us, guide us, and love us despite all of our crazy mishaps and failures. Here is a song that has been on my mind ALOT lately. Listen to the words. It is such a wonderful promise and truth. I...

So I really struggle with timing. I want things now and God has not planned to give those things to me now. I've been struggling with one thing in particular for quite a while now. I'll almost get over (around, through) it, and then all of the sudden I'm dealing with it in a whole new way. No matter how many times God speaks to me about this, I still come back to struggle again and again. A friend once told me that we go through the same trials over and over because there is something God has left to teach us. While this may be true, I think sometimes it is my own pigheadedness and stubbornness that causes me to struggle over and over. Yesterday, as I was struggling, I felt God lead me to some Scripture that I have read countless times. It is wonderful in the truth that it speaks. I just can't seem to grasp it in both my heart and my head. I know in my head, but I can't seem to get it to spread to my heart. Anyway, here is the Scripture that God led me to ...

On this cool(er) summer day, this is the beautiful view that God has made for His creation to enjoy! I wanted to share a little bit about the changes that have been happening. About a week and a half ago, I got two new best friends. One is called Crutches and the other is called Immobilizer Knee Brace. I dislocated my knee cap... for the second time. So I went to the doctor and it looks like surgery for me. But I have to wait three weeks for it to heal before I go back to the doctor and see what he says. I've kind of been struggling with this. But not nearly as much as I thought I would. When it happened, I felt God's peace instantly. I know He is at work in this situation. But it scares me none-the-less. I guess this might be another way for God to help me learn to rely fully on Him because I can't do this on my own. While I am excited to see what He is going to do through this situation, I am scared of what might happen at the same time. This is just one of...

‎"Who shall ascend the hill of the LORD? And who shall stand in his holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift his soul to what is false and does not swear deceitfully. He will receive blessing from the LORD and righteousness from the God of his salvation. Such is the generation of those who seek him, who seek the face of the God of Jacob." Psalm 24:3-6 Just thought I would share these verses. They remind me of the song that states, "Give us clean hands and give us pure heart. Let us not lift our souls to another." What a powerful statement! In God, Emily

This month has been crazy for me because I signed up to take a May mini term class for college. Physiological psychology is a lot of information to cram into three and a half weeks. But today, I finish up. I have a powerpoint presentation tonight and an online open-book exam that is due tonight. Then I will be free from this class! It has been interesting with all this different things I have learned, but it has also been very stressful because it is so much to do is such a short time. More to come later on what else has been happening. Thanks for reading. In God, Emily

I know that I have been posting many music videos lately. But that is one way that God really speaks to me. I pray that these songs will touch your lives as they have touched me. I want this song to be my prayer right now. A good friend recently told me that it is really good to focus on the words of the song, not just the music. So please, listen to the words. Let God speak to your heart. Thanks for reading/listening, again. In God, Emily

So  we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us.  God is love, and  whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him.   By this  is love perfected with us, so that  we may have confidence for the day of judgment, because  as he is so also are we in this world.   There is no fear in love, but  perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not  been perfected in love.   We love because he first loved us.   If anyone says, “I love God,” and  hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot love God  whom he has not seen.     And  this commandment we have from him: whoever loves God must also love his brother. 1 John 4:16-21 This is what God has led me to this morning. I hope it speaks to you as well. Thanks for reading. In God, Emily

This is an essay that I wrote tonight for my Christian Faith class. I just wanted to share it will all of you guys. There are many other costs to following Jesus Christ than just the ones that Mr. McLaren talked about in this chapter. In Philippians 3:7-8, the bible says, “But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ…” But no matter what the costs may be and no matter what the gains may be, as Christians we are supposed to count it all as loss. The change that takes place in our lives the moment we ask Jesus into our hearts is breathtaking, amazing. It is only something that God can do. The changes that take place over the few weeks or months, maybe even years, after becoming a Christian, a “Christ-follower”, an imitator of Christ, are astoundi...

So I had seen this movie before today, but I decided to watch it again. The faith that is shown throughout the movie is amazing. And it's true. To see this kind of faith portrayed a movie that made it this big is awesome because that means that people are being reached through this movie.  If you have never seen it, I would highly recommend it. Our God is definitely alive! And He is at work!  Praise His name! In God, Emily