How good it is that the Lord chose us even before the foundation of the world! It is really by His mercy that we are saved. It's not any good work we did that compelled Him to choose us, but He chose us in love! HE would even cause us to be holy--separate and set apart--for Himself! I just really feel blessed that the Lord chose me. Perhaps it is because He saw that we would choose Him, but whichever way, He chose us first. It's confusing, but it doesn't matter. The Creator of the universe chose us for Himself!
I was away last week at a gathering of the young people on the east coast. There we sang and prayed together and learned about God's full salvation for us. It was a wonderful time. But because of it I didn't update last week, so there was no verse for last week. But I feel that it was worth it. Being with other believers my age and loving the Lord together was very encouraging, and last week was a precious time.
Sometimes I wonder if I've really let the Lord make His home in my heart. Most of the time I just wander off to do my own thing. I don't let Him do what He wants or move around in me. When someone makes himself at home at a certain place, it means that he can do whatever he wants to the place, because it is his home. It reflects his preferences. Especially today, though I've had a lot of fun, being on vacation and all, and I sense the Lord wants me to have fun, too, I've been sort of ignoring the times that He called to me, to speak to me. I guess I'm making it difficult for Him to make His home in my heart. But then it's not by our efforts, is it? Lord, thank You that You strengthen us into the inner man. You make Your home in our hearts. Lord, lead me to be open to You.
Trials cannot not come, and sometimes they excruciatingly hard to get through. It's at those times that we sometimes question the Lord, and are sometimes angry at Him for letting such things happen. A few years ago, I went through some pretty hard times. I felt so alone and fearful, but eventually the Lord brought me through and helped me deal with it. It's not that He made the situation suddenly better or anything, but it was the peace and joy in Him, and it was the coming to terms that finally came through Him. One of the fellow sisters in the church is going through a very hard time right now. It is so bad that her faith is faltering. When I hear of her situation, my heart breaks, because I know in part, if not in full, how she feels, but I also know that if she trusts in the Lord, she will be able to come through. Prayer lays the tracks for the Lord's move, and she desperately needs prayer right now. So if there are any fellow brothers and sisters out there, pray for her. We all go through trials, big and small, and I know I myself need to be reminded constantly that the Lord is faithful, and He always has the best for us. Lord, keep us all just trusting in You.
Day by day we have so many temptations to do so many things we shouldn't do. I know at least I face many temptations each day. This is not a recent thing, of course, but present throughout my life. Yet I am glad that the Bible tells us that we will not be tempted beyond what we are able to handle! It's a real encouragement, because sometimes it seems we are caught in a trap of temptation, such as with lying. Sometimes I don't even realize that what I wanted to say was a lie until it gets out of my mouth. But praise the Lord! We are able to handle it in Christ. We are no longer technically living, but only Christ who lives in us, lives in me! I find that if I just let Christ reign in me, I am able to overcome all sorts of situations. Not only that, but I get the pure joy of being with Him. The experience is very real. The Lord is very sweet. These few past days I just find myself repeating this verse, and I become very joyful. I no longer live but Christ, God Himself, lives in me!
The term "Christian" used to be a term of reproach for the believers of Christ, starting in Antioch. Thus, the last verse says, "but if as a Christian, let him not be ashamed..." Though Christian is no longer a derogatory term today, I feel that we are often still reproached for being Christians, for believing in and loving Christ. In the "open-minded" atmosphere of today, anyone who does actually and truly believe in Jesus Christ is often looked down to as a hypocrite or a deluded, "backward" person. The modern world has no room or heart for the Lord. Yet their reproach towards us is not a cause of shame or suffering, but should be a glory. I know I don't like to be reproached, but I guess I should remember that it is an honor to be reproached for His name. Praise the Lord that we are Christians, people who are one with Christ!