FORYOU&YOU&YOU

"And so here I am, preaching and writing about things that are way over my head, the inexhaustible riches and generosity of Christ. My task is to bring out in the open and make plain what God, who created all this in the first place, has been doing in secret and behind the scenes all along. Through followers of Jesus like yourselves gathered in churches, this extraordinary plan of God is becoming known and talked about even among the angels! All this is proceeding along lines planned all along by God and then executed in Christ Jesus!" -Ephesians 3:9-12
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→ 16 Oct 12 at 3 am

John 16, ESV

tags: John  ESV  BSSM  Gospels 

"1”I have said all these things to you to keep you from falling away. 2#They will put you out of the synagogues. Indeed, #the hour is coming when #whoever kills you will think he is offering service to God. 3And they will do these things #because they have not known the Father, nor me. 4But #I have said these things to you, that when #their hour comes you may remember that I told them to you.
The Work of the Holy Spirit
“I did not say these things to you from the beginning, #because I was with you. 5But now #I am going to him who sent me, and #none of you asks me, “Where are you going?” 6But because I have said these things to you, #sorrow has filled your heart. 7Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for #if I do not go away, #the Helper will not come to you. But #if #I go, #I will send him to you. 8#And when he comes, he will #convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment: 9concerning sin, #because they do not believe in me; 10#concerning righteousness, #because I go to the Father, and you will see me no longer; 11#concerning judgment, because the ruler of this world #is judged.
12”I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. 13When #the Spirit of truth comes, #he will #guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but #whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. 14He will #glorify me, for he will take what is mine and declare it to you. 15#All that the Father has is mine; #therefore I said that he will take what is mine and declare it to you.
Your Sorrow Will Turn into Joy
16#”A little while, and you will see me no longer; and #again a little while, and you will see me.” 17So #some of his disciples said to one another, “What is this that he says to us, #”A little while, and you will not see me, and again a little while, and you will see me”; and, #”because I am going to the Father”?” 18So they were saying, “What does he mean by “a little while”? #We do not know what he is talking about.” 19#Jesus knew that they wanted to ask him, so he said to them, “Is this what you are asking yourselves, what I meant by saying, “A little while and you will not see me, and again a little while and you will see me”? 20Truly, truly, I say to you, #you will weep and lament, but #the world will rejoice. You will be sorrowful, but #your sorrow will turn into joy. 21#When a woman is giving birth, she has sorrow because her hour has come, but when she has delivered the baby, she no longer remembers the anguish, for joy that a human being has been born into the world. 22#So also you have sorrow now, but #I will see you again, and #your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you. 23#In that day you will #ask nothing of me. Truly, truly, I say to you, #whatever you ask of the Father in my name, #he will give it to you. 24Until now you have asked nothing in my name. #Ask, and you will receive, #that your joy may be full.
I Have Overcome the World
25”I have said these things to you in figures of speech. #The hour is coming when I will no longer speak to you in figures of speech but will tell you plainly about the Father. 26In that day you will ask in my name, and I do not say to you that I will ask the Father on your behalf; 27#for the Father himself loves you, because #you have loved me and #have believed that I came from God.# 28#I came from the Father and have come into the world, and now #I am leaving the world and going to the Father.”
29His disciples said, “Ah, now you are speaking plainly and not #using figurative speech! 30Now we know that #you know all things and do not need anyone to question you; this is why we believe that #you came from God.” 31Jesus answered them, “Do you now believe? 32Behold, #the hour is coming, indeed it has come, when #you will be scattered, each to his own home, and #will leave me alone. #Yet I am not alone, for the Father is with me. 33I have said these things to you, that #in me you may have peace. #In the world you will have #tribulation. But #take heart; #I have overcome the world."

♥ 6590
→ 16 Oct 12 at 3 am

I Am the Way, and the Truth, and the Life
1#“Let not your hearts be troubled. #Believe in God;# believe also in me. 2In #my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that #I go to prepare a place for you?# 3And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you #to myself, that #where I am you may be also. 4And you know the way to where I am going.”# 5#Thomas said to him, “Lord, #we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?” 6Jesus said to him, “I am #the way, and #the truth, and #the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. 7#If you had known me, you would have #known my Father also.# From now on you do know him and #have seen him.”
8#Philip said to him, “Lord, #show us the Father, and it is enough for us.” 9Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you so long, and you still do not know me, Philip? #Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, “Show us the Father”? 10Do you not believe that #I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I say to you #I do not speak on my own authority, but the Father who dwells in me does his works. 11Believe me that #I am in the Father and the Father is in me, or else #believe on account of the works themselves.
12“Truly, truly, I say to you, #whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I #am going to the Father. 13#Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that #the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14#If you ask me# anything in my name, I will do it.
Jesus Promises the Holy Spirit
15#“If you love me, you will #keep my commandments. 16And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another #Helper,# to be with you forever, 17even #the Spirit of truth, #whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and #will be in you.
18“I will not leave you as orphans; #I will come to you. 19#Yet a little while and the world will see me no more, but #you will see me. #Because I live, you also will live. 20#In that day you will know that#I am in my Father, and #you in me, and #I in you. 21#Whoever has my commandments and #keeps them, he it is who loves me. And #he who loves me #will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and #manifest myself to him.” 22#Judas (not Iscariot) said to him, “Lord, how is it #that you will manifest yourself to us, and not to the world?” 23Jesus answered him, #“If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and #we will come to him and #make our home with him. 24Whoever does not love me does not keep my words. And #the word that you hear is not mine but the Father’s who sent me.
25“These things I have spoken to you while I am still with you. 26But the #Helper, the Holy Spirit, #whom the Father will send in my name, #he will teach you all things and #bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you. 27#Peace I leave with you; #my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. #Let not your hearts be troubled, neither #let them be afraid. 28#You heard me say to you, #“I am going away, and I will come to you.” If you loved me, you would have rejoiced, because I #am going to the Father, for #the Father is greater than I. 29And #now I have told you before it takes place, so that when it does take place you may believe. 30I will no longer talk much with you, for #the ruler of this world is coming. #He has no claim on me, 31but I do #as the Father has commanded me, #so that the world may know that I love the Father. Rise, let us go from here.
-John 14, ESV

(via hisloveandstrength)
tags: John  Gospels  ESV  BSSM 
I Am the Way, and the Truth, and the Life 1#“Let not your hearts be troubled. #Believe in God;# believe also in me. 2In #my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that #I go to prepare a place for you?# 3And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you #to myself, that #where I am you may be also. 4And you know the way to where I am going.”# 5#Thomas said to him, “Lord, #we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?” 6Jesus said to him, “I am #the way, and #the truth, and #the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. 7#If you had known me, you would have #known my Father also.# From now on you do know him and #have seen him.” 8#Philip said to him, “Lord, #show us the Father, and it is enough for us.” 9Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you so long, and you still do not know me, Philip? #Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, “Show us the Father”? 10Do you not believe that #I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I say to you #I do not speak on my own authority, but the Father who dwells in me does his works. 11Believe me that #I am in the Father and the Father is in me, or else #believe on account of the works themselves. 12“Truly, truly, I say to you, #whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I #am going to the Father. 13#Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that #the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14#If you ask me# anything in my name, I will do it. Jesus Promises the Holy Spirit 15#“If you love me, you will #keep my commandments. 16And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another #Helper,# to be with you forever, 17even #the Spirit of truth, #whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and #will be in you. 18“I will not leave you as orphans; #I will come to you. 19#Yet a little while and the world will see me no more, but #you will see me. #Because I live, you also will live. 20#In that day you will know that#I am in my Father, and #you in me, and #I in you. 21#Whoever has my commandments and #keeps them, he it is who loves me. And #he who loves me #will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and #manifest myself to him.” 22#Judas (not Iscariot) said to him, “Lord, how is it #that you will manifest yourself to us, and not to the world?” 23Jesus answered him, #“If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and #we will come to him and #make our home with him. 24Whoever does not love me does not keep my words. And #the word that you hear is not mine but the Father’s who sent me. 25“These things I have spoken to you while I am still with you. 26But the #Helper, the Holy Spirit, #whom the Father will send in my name, #he will teach you all things and #bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you. 27#Peace I leave with you; #my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. #Let not your hearts be troubled, neither #let them be afraid. 28#You heard me say to you, #“I am going away, and I will come to you.” If you loved me, you would have rejoiced, because I #am going to the Father, for #the Father is greater than I. 29And #now I have told you before it takes place, so that when it does take place you may believe. 30I will no longer talk much with you, for #the ruler of this world is coming. #He has no claim on me, 31but I do #as the Father has commanded me, #so that the world may know that I love the Father. Rise, let us go from here. -John 14, ESV
♥ 1950
→ 16 Oct 12 at 2 am

Donald Miller  (via thisisyourmaverick)

(Source: asfierceaslions, via salvationishere11)

"And there is something profoundly humbling about knowing God. I’m not talking about the trinket God or the genie-in-a-lamp God. I mean the God who invented the tree in my front yard, the beauty of my sweetheart, the taste of a blueberry, the violence of a river at flood. There are a lot of religious trends that would have us controlling God, telling us that if we do this that and the other, God will jump through our hoops like a monkey. But this other God, this real God, is awesome and strong, all-encompassing and passionate, and for reasons I will never understand, he wants to father us."

♥ 338
→ 16 Oct 12 at 2 am

C. S. Lewis (via favoredgrace)

(Source: yesdarlingido, via hisloveandstrength)

"It is safe to say that the pure at heart shall see God, for only those pure at heart want to."

♥ 2673
→ 10 Sep 12 at 1 pm

John Piper  (via godmoves)

(Source: desiringgod.org, via alifeoftruth)

"Whenever your heart starts to be anxious about the future, preach to your heart and say, ‘Heart, who do you think you are to be afraid of the future and nullify the promise of God? No, heart, I will not exalt myself with anxiety. I will humble myself in peace and joy as I trust this precious and great promise of God—He cares for me.’"

♥ 17199
→ 01 Sep 12 at 1 pm

God’s Love and Ours

“7 Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God.8 Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.9 This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him.10 This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.11 Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.12 No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.

13 This is how we know that we live in him and he in us: He has given us of his Spirit.14 And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world.15 If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in them and they in God.

16 And so we know and rely on the love God has for us.
God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them.17 This is how love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment: In this world we are like Jesus.18 There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.

19 We love because he first loved us.20 Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen.21 And he has given us this command: Anyone who loves God must also love their brother and sister.”

-1 John 4:7-21, NIV

—

Hmm… I just realized that I am so spoiled. 

I have those parents that have trouble saying, “no” even when it is pretty, absolutely necessary. And to think, my parents have just been recently been saying, “no” to things, but just tiny things here and there, and that already turns me for a loop!

But really, I have so many clothes. 

And people always tell me that I do.

Especially when they see my room.

And all of my clothes. Everywhere. 

In general, all of my stuff is everywhere.

Because I have so much stuff.

Because my parents have been spoiling me :(

But it’s because they love me so much.

And I am not trying to brag or anything, in all honesty.

I just don’t think I’ve ever realized…

That maybe working and giving is their, my parents’, love language.

Because working and giving, they do that a lot. And in really thinking about it, I see how much they love me and just want me to be happy.

I kind of can barely believe doubting that my parents care for me and doubting actually liking them. And I especially can barely believe that I still go shopping. And that my parents can still be happy for me whenever I find something cute and am really happy about it. 

I think that I have been letting the enemy gain a better grip on the foothold he’s put on my heart, because I expect my parents to show their love in this way or that. But love languages, God, You are teaching me so much more about that, thank You so much. 

My goodness gracious, my parents love me. Thank You, God. For showing me that and for blessing me with them. In asking You to open my eyes and undeafen my ears, to soften my heart, You’ve exposed to me the things that need to go, the things I need to do. And You have shown me how much bitterness I have towards my parents, how much I need to forgive and lovelovelove. But You knew what needed to be done in order for that to happen. You’re continuing to humble me and for taking that much care, I am so grateful. I hope that the way I live my life shows You that. I hope that through being able to see my parents’ love for me, sincere, earnest, love, love that looks more like Yours will be able to freely overflow from within me, from You within me, with no more holding back of my flesh. Because no matter how much I don’t think my parents deserve my love sometimes, which is an outrageous thought to begin with, oh, how the enemy can blind!, I don’t deserve love either. But You give me so, so much. And it’s not my love I’m denying them, because nothing is mine, and You are all things Good. You are Love. And denying them respect, obedience, love, kind words, kind gestures, that is denying them You. And I have no right to do that, to anyone, ever. And I am sorry for ever letting myself think that I ever did. 

Thank You that You’ve already Forgiven me, God. I love You zozo much! In Jesus Christ’s Name, I pray, Amen!

(via nothingearthlyminded)
tags: parents  God is Able  humbled  answered prayer  encouragement  conviction  thanksgivings  Thank you God!  praise  1 John 
God’s Love and Ours “7 Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God.8 Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.9 This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him.10 This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.11 Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.12 No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us. 13 This is how we know that we live in him and he in us: He has given us of his Spirit.14 And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world.15 If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in them and they in God. 16 And so we know and rely on the love God has for us.God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them.17 This is how love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment: In this world we are like Jesus.18 There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. 19 We love because he first loved us.20 Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen.21 And he has given us this command: Anyone who loves God must also love their brother and sister.” -1 John 4:7-21, NIV — Hmm… I just realized that I am so spoiled.  I have those parents that have trouble saying, “no” even when it is pretty, absolutely necessary. And to think, my parents have just been recently been saying, “no” to things, but just tiny things here and there, and that already turns me for a loop! But really, I have so many clothes.  And people always tell me that I do. Especially when they see my room. And all of my clothes. Everywhere.  In general, all of my stuff is everywhere. Because I have so much stuff. Because my parents have been spoiling me :( But it’s because they love me so much. And I am not trying to brag or anything, in all honesty. I just don’t think I’ve ever realized… That maybe working and giving is their, my parents’, love language. Because working and giving, they do that a lot. And in really thinking about it, I see how much they love me and just want me to be happy. I kind of can barely believe doubting that my parents care for me and doubting actually liking them. And I especially can barely believe that I still go shopping. And that my parents can still be happy for me whenever I find something cute and am really happy about it.  I think that I have been letting the enemy gain a better grip on the foothold he’s put on my heart, because I expect my parents to show their love in this way or that. But love languages, God, You are teaching me so much more about that, thank You so much.  My goodness gracious, my parents love me. Thank You, God. For showing me that and for blessing me with them. In asking You to open my eyes and undeafen my ears, to soften my heart, You’ve exposed to me the things that need to go, the things I need to do. And You have shown me how much bitterness I have towards my parents, how much I need to forgive and lovelovelove. But You knew what needed to be done in order for that to happen. You’re continuing to humble me and for taking that much care, I am so grateful. I hope that the way I live my life shows You that. I hope that through being able to see my parents’ love for me, sincere, earnest, love, love that looks more like Yours will be able to freely overflow from within me, from You within me, with no more holding back of my flesh. Because no matter how much I don’t think my parents deserve my love sometimes, which is an outrageous thought to begin with, oh, how the enemy can blind!, I don’t deserve love either. But You give me so, so much. And it’s not my love I’m denying them, because nothing is mine, and You are all things Good. You are Love. And denying them respect, obedience, love, kind words, kind gestures, that is denying them You. And I have no right to do that, to anyone, ever. And I am sorry for ever letting myself think that I ever did.  Thank You that You’ve already Forgiven me, God. I love You zozo much! In Jesus Christ’s Name, I pray, Amen!
♥ 7
→ 01 Sep 12 at 12 am

Steffany Frizzell during worship at Bethel Church, Redding CA 

tags: steffany frizzell  Bethel  worship  encouragement  conviction  deep cries out 

"I won’t stop no, I must have You. I won’t stop no, I must have You for myself!"

♥ 21
→ 31 Aug 12 at 10 pm

Verse of the Day: Ecclesiastes 4:10 (via if-god-had-a-tumblr)

(via alifeoftruth)

tags: Ecclesiastes  community  small group 

"If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up."

♥ 226
→ 31 Aug 12 at 10 pm

Francis Chan (via iammeanttolive)

(Source: littleflock1232, via a-restless-wind)

tags: Francis Chan  encouragement  conviction 

"If Jesus really is your Shepherd, imagine if Almighty God, you could see Him right here physically walking with you. Wouldn’t you kind of want to go through the valley of the shadow of death? Just to see what He does? What we try to do sometimes is set our lives up so that even if God did lead, we’re okay if He leads us besides still waters, we’re okay if He makes us lie down by green pastures, but what about when He leads us here in the valley of the shadow of death? There ought to be this side that’s actually excited about it. [We say,] ‘Okay, this is going to be cool, I’m going to see God come through. I’m going to see this side of the Shepherd that I didn’t see before by the still waters.’ A ‘responsible’ person would say, ‘Don’t ever go through the valley. Don’t ever let your Shepherd lead you there.’ … And yet here’s this sheep going, ‘No, I’ll go through. I’m fearless. Because He’s with me. It’s actually going to be exciting to see how He comes through for me.’"

♥ 1474
→ 31 Aug 12 at 3 pm

“Radical” by David Platt (via breanna-lynn)

(Source: lovegod-lovepeople-lovelife, via a-restless-wind)

tags: David Platt  radical  encouragement  conviction  God is Able 

"I remember sitting outside a Buddhist temple in Indonesia. Men and women filled the elaborate, colorful temple grounds, where they daily performed their religious rituals. Meanwhile, I was engaged in a conversation with a Buddhist leader and a Muslim leader in this particular community. They were discussing how all religions are fundamentally the same and only superficially different. “We may have different views about small issues,” one of them said, “but when it comes down to essential issues, each of our religions is the same.”
I listened for a while, and then they asked me what I thought. I said, “It sounds as though you both picture God (or whatever you call god) at the top of the mountain, and I may take one route up the mountain, you may take another, and in the end we will all end up in the same place.”
They smiled as I spoke. Happily they replied, “Exactly! You understand!”
Then I leaned in and said, “Now let me ask you a question. What would you think if I told you that the God at the top of the mountain actually came down to where we are? What would you think if I told you that God doesn’t wait for people to find their way to him, but instead he comes to us?”
They thought for a moment and then responded, “That would be great.”
I replied, “Let me introduce you to Jesus."