caitlin’s life journal. 08.16.2011

2 Kings 24:13

As the Lord had declared…

observation If you read the previous scripture (as well as that which follows) you can see that Israel has had a line of kings (by this point of the story) that are disobedient to God. The Bible tells us that they did evil in the eyes of the Lord. As the Lord had declared indicates that the people had been told what would happen if they didn’t follow him. THEY KNEW THAT THERE WOULD BE CONSEQUENCES FOR THEIR ACTIONS, and yet, they ignored the words of the Lord and did what they thought was best. Dumb.

But, then again, I do exactly the same thing on a daily basis whenever I sin. God promises us things (we like to remember the good, positive promises) that will happen as a consequence of our actions. It’s time to start listening.

application

Psalm 112

1 Praise the Lord.
Blessed are those who fear the Lord,
who find great delight in his commands.

2 Their children will be mighty in the land;
the generation of the upright will be blessed.

3 Wealth and riches are in their houses,
and their righteousness endures forever.

4 Even in darkness light dawns for the upright,
for those who are gracious and compassionate and righteous.

5 Good will come to those who are generous and lend freely,
who conduct their affairs with justice.

6 Surely the righteous will never be shaken;
they will be remembered forever.

7 They will have no fear of bad news;
their hearts are steadfast, trusting in the Lord.

8 Their hearts are secure, they will have no fear;
in the end they will look in triumph on their foes.

9 They have freely scattered their gifts to the poor,
their righteousness endures forever;
their horn will be lifted high in honor.

10 The wicked will see and be vexed,
they will gnash their teeth and waste away;
the longings of the wicked will come to nothing.

continuing you on in today’s reading you will find the above example of some of God’s promises: blessed are those who fear the Lord, the righteous will never be shaken, the wicked will be vexed. Yes, there are a lot of promises for those who follow and serve Him, but since God is just, there are also promises of what will happen if we turn from Him and ignore His quiet beckon back to remember our relationship with Him.

Be encouraged to do what is right! Our God is a God of justice and there are consequences for our actions. He will forgive us our sins, but that does not mean we will automatically evade the consequences.

(also, don’t just do what is right because you want to avoid the consequences. a reflection of love for someone is to do what you know they will like… obey because you love God, and when that’s not enough [because sometimes it isn't], remember the consequences of what you do)

prayer Lord, help me to learn and obey Your will. I don’t want to be stuck in a pattern of disobedience. I want to love you with my actions. I want to do Your will today and everyday. I know I can’t do it on my own strength, and that is why I turn to you and seek Your strength and guidance in my day. I want to remember You in every decision I make. Be blessed by my life today.

Tainted Freedom

Judges 21:25 NIV

In those days Israel had no king; everyone did as they saw fit.

observation
It keeps saying this. Before, after, and sometimes right in the middle of the stories in Judges, we are told there was no king and everyone did what they wanted. And look at the craziness that takes place. Right there, in chapters 19-21, I just read about how a Levite(or church worker) had a concubine (not a wife) and she cheated on him, left him, and ran home. Then there’s a part about a town of Israelites acting like Sodom and trying to rape a new visitor to the town (the same Levite). Only, unlike the story of Sodom, there are no angels to save them. The guy sends out his concubine, and she is gang-raped and beaten to death. Then the guy takes her body home to CUT HER UP and send her body all over to rally the troops. Then they almost wipe out one of their own tribes! This is everyone living as he sees fit. Lame!

application
In those days there was no king. Because God was their k ing. But they ignored God. They lived with the freedom of not having a ruler over them. And it corrupted them; their freedom was tainted. Freedom in this world is not true freedom. It is tainted by our sin and this broken world we live in.

Galatians 5:1 NIV

It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.

We have true freedom in Christ. Some people only see the do’s and don’t's, and they miss the bigger picture. We are incapable of being trustworthy with our own freedom. I am made to worship and serve something. If I serve the Lord, I have true freedom in my service. But if I serve anything else, I am just doing what I please, and I am bound to end up doing the same things that Israel did in those days: whatever I want. Which will lead to my destruction.

prayer
Lord, help me to be Your servant, and not a slave to myself and my selfishness. I want to be and do what I was made for, not whatever thing seems right in that moment. Help me. change me. Make me like your son. I am yours. Amen.

Everyday?

Everyday it’s You I live for;

Everyday, I’ll follow after You;

Everyday, I’ll walk with You my Lord;

-Hillsong

Everyday? Try once a week. Same amount of syllables. Doesn’t have the same ring to it, though. But everyday is a lot! I mean, I was tired today. My head hurts. I’m pretty sure something I ate is trying to kill me. The babies wouldn’t sleep. I have a to-do list that could wrap around the Earth a few times. And I have this whole marriage thing to attend to (thankfully, I have a gracious and understanding wife). I have all of this everyday. Where am I supposed to have time to spend with God? Especially that meaningful, quiet time that is the important, life-changing kind.

I am at church a lot. But like I always tell the students, being at church really doesn’t mean anything. You need to be there, but that can’t be it. I even read my Bible a lot. But it’s more for sermon prep, or teaching, or in response to a question, than it is for my own benefit and relationship with God. And I pray. Pretty much everyday. But not like I could. God knows there is a depth to prayer that I haven’t touched on all that often lately.

I must confess, everyday is a bit of an overstatement for me. The kind of everyday that is in the song: I live for You everyday? Walk with You everyday? Follow You everyday? I think this is talking about something deeper than praying over meals and reading about the message. But, I also have a gracious God who wants to restore that deep, daily relationship with me. So, I am pushing on again toward heaven with the intent of reading regularly, praying deeply, listening openly, and seeking endlessly.

I will sing this song as a reminder of my commitment. I want to live for GOD everyday. And I know that in saying that, I’m on my way.

LIT Alive is moving!

Hey all!

We’re moving LIT Alive to 2nd service starting next week, Sunday, March 20! Make sure to join us. Our church is getting too big for the space, so come to first service (which is less packed) and then join us during second service out in the Tabernacle to talk about what we heard. It’s going to be so awesome!

Side note: DON’T FORGET TO CHANGE YOUR CLOCKS! Daylight Savings starts this weekend (March 13) and you don’t want to be late for church!!

WINTER CAMP: info about where we will be

Pinecrest Christian Conference Center

1140 Pine Crest Road

Twin Peaks

CA 92391

Get Directions

(909) 338-4243

pinecrest-ccc.com

WINTER CAMP INFO!

Hey, Winter Camp is tomorrow. If you are going, here is the info:

I (PB) will be driving the van.  Jeff Soumokil will be driving his beast of a truck. Both vehicles seat 7 passengers each.

In case you didn’t get the email, or it wouldn’t load, etc., here is the schedule and list of what to bring:

Please bring the remaining balance with you on Friday: $30.
This low amount is due to the number of students going and the amount of money raised with the breakfast burritos.

WHAT TO BRING

• Sleeping bag/pillow,
• towels,
• toothbrush
• personal hygiene items,
• warm clothes,
• SNOW APPROPRIATE CLOTHING! boots, gloves, snow pants.
• Bible,
• extra cash (there is a snack bar, and there will be an offering for Speed the Light on Saturday night)
• and a great attitude!

WHAT NOT TO BRING

• Make sure that your students do not bring anything of value to camp or it may end up missing. Please reinforce this.

• ipod
• laptop
• cell phone

This weekend is for fellowship with God and with other students. You can’t fellowship while tuned out to your music. Consider it fasting if need be, but please leave the electronic distractions at home.

We don’t want them, but if you bring them, we may hang on to them for you until the ride home.

Thank you.
All questions and concerns:
Pastor Brian | 714.553.9766 | brian@hisplace.com

Winter Camp Schedule

PI & PII

~Friday PM~
4        Meet at His Place
430        Leave
5.30        Registration (we’ll be late for this)
7.30        Counselor Meeting
8.15        Session I
10.15        Cabin Time
11        Free Time
12        In Cabins
12.30        Lights Out
———————————————————————————————-

~Saturday AM~
8        Early Prayer
8.30        Counselor Time
9        Breakfast
10        Session II (Jr. High & High School split)
12        Lunch
———————————————————————————————-

~Saturday PM~
1        Rec.
3        Free Time
5.30        Dinner
7        Session III
9        Cabin Time
10        Free Time
11        Late Night
12        In Cabins
12.30        Lights Out
———————————————————————————————-

~Sunday AM~
8        Early Prayer
8.30        Counselor Time
9        Breakfast
10        Session IV
11        Head Home
2pm        Back at His Place

LIT All Nite

No sleep. Games, food, all nite long,