First of all, happy New Year! As this new year starts and I go back to school I am reminded of all the things that are good and new, but also the things that bother me or are troublesome. Yet as this verse says, though we have affliction in this world, He has overcome the world, so therefore we in Him have overcome the world as well. I'm so joyful that I have overcome the world! In Him the troubles of the world have no effect on me! I can just enjoy the Lord.
I just especially marvel at the faithfulness of Daniel in his worship of God, that he would even risk being thrown into the lions' den to pray to the Lord for His plan, which is to restore Israel after seventy years. I pray that I and other brothers and sisters would have the same faithfulness to also pray for His plan even under persecution--to pray for His kingdom and expression among the church, just as Daniel prayed for His kingdom and expression on earth at that time, which were the Israelites.
I this past week had been very busy and it felt very out of the ordinary, because it was the week before Christmas vacation. I had many things to do and finish before the end of the week, and I forgot many things, and that was why I couldn't update until now.
I just feel really happy that the Lord preserves me from evil, all the parts of me. That is because I see many bad things happening at my school, some of which are very damaging. I am just really glad that the Lord will even sanctify me for His coming. I really pray for some of the students at my school, and I thank the Lord that I can await His coming with hope and in sanctification, now and at every time.
It's one thing to talk about the Word of God, and another to really experience it, and I experienced the contents of these verses. This entire week I was very busy, and that is the reason for my late update. Most of the nights I slept at one o'clock in the morning. I was very anxious about my assignments and tests because of the sudden crunch on time. One day I even fell asleep before finishing all my work, but the Lord let me rest and woke me up earlier so I could finish studying. From this incidence I really learned that there is no use in being anxious, that I just need to trust in Him, because all things are in His hands and He will take care of me.
I enjoy that no matter what happens in our life, good or bad, the Lord deserves to be praised. He is the same forever, and He never changes. HIs glory and compassion and love never changes, so no matter what changes in our life, I'm just glad we can look to Him who never changes, and praise Him with joy!
I am all moved in to my new house now, and I just thank the Lord for the prayers
of the saints and that the move was successful.
I chose these verses because many times I think I have done something wrong
(and probably have), but that is nothing, because we are all freed in Christ
Jesus from condemnation and guilt. Although it is not good to do something
wrong, I am glad that we are under the law of the Spirit of life and can
just take His blood to cleanse us from our sins, and can take His life to
go on and enjoy Him.