Lent with Lozza — Day Thirty-Eight

Had a busy day of shopping and planning to get ready for my girls weekend coming up. Really looking forward to it! I was hoping I would at least have 8 girls and turns out I'll have about 16! Way more than I planned for, but isn't that how God works? If you could be praying for the weekend, leaders and the girls who will be coming that would be great. Really just want them to walk away and know how much God loves them.

I am my beloved's and my beloved is mine. 

-Song of Solomon 6:3

Love this verse. How awesome is it that God calls us His beloved? 

Lent with Lozza — Day Thirty-Seven

Me and my girls are still looking at the story of Job. It's a long book so we are only about a third of the way through, but I love the story and especially some of the points Job's friends make.

Job has become a defeated man. He lost his family, his property and is somewhat on the verge of losing his sanity I think at times. Basically, he wants God to kill him and get it over with. He becomes really proud asking why would God do this to him? He says he beliefs are solid, but he starts to challenge God almost. One of his friends Zophar calls him out on this.

Yet if you devote your heart to him and stretch out your hands to him, if you put away the sin that is in your hand and allow no evil to dwell in your tent, then, free of fault, you will lift up your face; you will stand firm and without fear.

-Job 11:13-15

I love this. Zophar is really getting down to the nitty gritty. If Job has such faith in God then why isn't he using it? Sound cliche but if you're going to talk the talk you gotta walk the walk. God knows where our hearts are. We can't fool Him. 

Lent with Lozza — Day Thirty-Six

So I had my weekly bible study this morning on the book Crazy Love. The chapter we just read was really interesting. It was on love. Sounds simple enough right?

Chan talks about how we should love Jesus and not in the way say we love ketchup, but the way we love our spouses or children, even more than that. Some people find this intimacy with Christ to be weird or impossible. Chan says if we want that close relationship it's possible. It's not about trying harder or doing certain things more, it's about being open to Him and letting Him help you.


"The fact is, I need God to help me love God. And if I need His help to love Him, a perfect being, I definitely need His help to love other, fault-filled humans. Something mysterious, even supernatural must happen in order for genuine love for Gof to grow in our hearts. The Holy Spirit has to move in out lives."

And I don't think Paul could say it any better than this:

The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.

 -Galatians 5:6

Christ is someone you can be real with. No games. No gimmicks. And he loves you. Unconditionally. What more could you want?

Lent with Lozza — Day Thirty-Five

Sin is everywhere. Not just big sin. All sin.

But I am afraid that just as Eve was deceived by the serpent’s cunning, your minds may somehow be led astray from your sincere and pure devotion to Christ.

-2 Corinthians 11:3

When we turn to sin we turn away from God. To prevent this we should be actively running towards God. Praying to Him and listening to what He is telling us. 

I love this:

Let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. 

-Hebrews 10:22

I think the key word here is sincere. God knows us. He knows if we aren't sincere. So who are we trying to fool?

Lent with Lozza — Day Thirty-Four

Baiting.

I'm not talking about the stringing a worm on a hook kinda baiting. I'm talking about Satan and how he is constantly trying to bait us.

Satan wants nothing more than to sabotage our relationship with God. He is the master at picking up on our weakness and targeting us. I like to think of Satan's pursuit as positive instead of negative. We could see it as as just an attack or we could see it as motivation. Motivation to turn to Jesus.

If we are alert we can see Satan's bait for what it is—lies and deceit.

Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.

-Ephesians 6:11

Lent with Lozza — Day Thirty-Three

Last night was the launch of a new/revised service for ages youth and above called Encounter. It was really laid-back and very similar to the church I attend back in the states. We did a bit of worship, had a talk, discussed, prayed and closed with a song. If I had to be honest it was probably the only time I've had goose bumps and really felt like I was worshipping since I've been here. Not to say I haven't felt the presence of God and that he isn't here in Nunthorpe. I just felt like it was the first time things weren't so rigid and to be even more frank, boring.

Mike, our director of YFC did a talk about how great and big God is and how great and big His love for us is. I loved this one piece of scripture he used:

The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they reveal knowledge. They have no speech, they use no words; no sound is heard from them. Yet their voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world. In the heavens God has pitched a tent for the sun.

-Psalm 19:1-4

How can you not be in awe when you read this? How great is our God! 

Lent with Lozza — Day Thirty-One and Thirty-Two

Yesterday I kept telling myself to remember to blog and then I completely forgot. Not doing so hot at this lately. But I'm determined to keep trying!

The gospel this morning was from the book of John. I'll let you have a read:

Now there were some Greeks among those who went up to worship at the festival.They came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, with a request. “Sir,” they said, “we would like to see Jesus.” Philip went to tell Andrew; Andrew and Philip in turn told Jesus.Jesus replied, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. Very truly I tell you, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds. Anyone who loves their life will lose it, while anyone who hates their life in this world will keep it for eternal life. Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves me. “Now my soul is troubled, and what shall I say? ‘Father, save me from this hour’? No, it was for this very reason I came to this hour. Father, glorify your name!” Then a voice came from heaven, “I have glorified it, and will glorify it again.” The crowd that was there and heard it said it had thundered; others said an angel had spoken to him.Jesus said, “This voice was for your benefit, not mine. Now is the time for judgment on this world; now the prince of this world will be driven out. And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.” He said this to show the kind of death he was going to die.

-John 12:2--33

The whole passage is Jesus talking about his upcoming death and why it must happen. His death has a purpose, to save us. The part I bolded though is not only for Him, but for us too. It reminds us that the things on this earth are not important. Selfishness and trying to hold on to this life only destroys us in the end. If what we want is a life with Christ then we must be willing to give up this worldly life and focus on our heavenly one. 

I love this quote from C.S. Lewis:

There is no safe investment. To love at all is to be vulnerable. Love anything, and your heart will certainly be wrung and possibly be broken. If you want to make sure of keeping it intact, you must give your heart to no one, not even to an animal. Wrap it carefully round with hobbies and little luxuries; avoid all entanglements; lock it up safe in the casket or coffin of your selfishness. But in that casket—safe, dark, motionless, airless—it will change. It will not be broken; it will become unbreakable, impenetrable, irredeemable. The alternative to tragedy, or at least to the risk of tragedy, is damnation. The only place outside Heaven where you can be perfectly safe from all the dangers and perturbations of love is Hell.

If we truly love Jesus then we are giving up our claim on this life. And if we are truly a servant of Him then we will end up in His heavenly kingdom. 

Lent with Lozza — Day Thirty

We are still reading Job in my girl's bible study and I really loved a passage in chapter 10 today. Job questions God's actions (or what he thinks are his actions) and comes to the conclusion of how crazy it is to think we can challenge/question God. God is all powerful and beyond us in so many ways. I love how Job describes Him here. A wonderful reminder of how great and wonderful He is and how small, and unworthy we are. 

His wisdom is profound, his power is vast. Who has resisted him and come out unscathed? He moves mountains without their knowing it and overturns them in his anger. He shakes the earth from its place    and makes its pillars tremble. He speaks to the sun and it does not shine; he seals off the light of the stars. He alone stretches out the heavens and treads on the waves of the sea. He is the Maker of the Bear and Orion, the Pleiades and the constellations of the south. He performs wonders that cannot be fathomed,    miracles that cannot be counted. When he passes me, I cannot see him; when he goes by, I cannot perceive him. If he snatches away, who can stop him? Who can say to him, ‘What are you doing?’ God does not restrain his anger; even the cohorts of Rahab cowered at his feet.

-Job 10:4-13

Lent with Lozza — Day Nineteen through Twenty-Nine

So I realize it has been forever since I blogged. Spring break and then a computer crashing will do that to you. But enough excuses!

We are still reading Crazy Love and though I've missed the last couple bible studies I've really enjoyed this book. It's challenging and it's eye opening. One of the last chapters I've read was about being lukewarm. One little bit really hit me.

He measures us and anticipates our departure from this earth to be with him—and we wonder, indifferently, how much we have to do for Him to get by. 

I can't lie and say that this isn't me at times. Sometimes I fit God in and do things because I feel like I should when really it should be the other way around. I find myself distracted and pulling away. And let's face it folks if we don't have that strong relationship with him then we are lukewarm. Doing more, taking on more tasks, etc is not going to change that. Chan says that the only way to avoid being lukewarm is to fall madly in love with Christ. And he's right. 

Lent with Lozza — Day Eighteen

One of the hardest things to refrain from is judgement, at least in my opinion. It's easy to have preconceived notions and make rash judgements on someone's character. The Bible is clear about this not being our place. 

Do not judge, or you too will be judged.

-Matthew 7:1

If we were perfect and holy maybe we could, but we aren't. God is the only one to whom any of us answer to. It's not our place or our purpose to judge while we are on earth. When we criticize and belittle others we are disrespecting God and his authority. We need to model ourselves after Christ, showing mercy and grace to others. 

Lent with Lozza — Day Seventeen

They say the older you get the wiser you get, but no matter how old you are it's nice to have someone to turn to. God encourages us to seek wisdom out before we make decisions:

...for attaining wisdom and discipline; for understanding words of insight; for acquiring a disciplined and prudent life, doing what is right and just and fair; for giving prudence to the simple, knowledge and discretion to the young.

-Proverbs 1:2-4

And yes the advice we get is not always good advice, but often times it makes us think, if not giving us some accountability and protection. God is the one person though that we can always turn to. His guidance is superior to all others. If we take advice from others we must then seek out to God for Him to lead us the right way. After all, He loves and wants what is best for us. 

Lent with Lozza — Day Sixteen

First off I'm writing this post sitting in PARIS! I flew in today to meet my parents and sister for a travel! Couldn't miss my blog post though, so here it goes:

Motive.

If I asked you what your motive was what would you say? Whether it was in a conversation with a friend,  the day, your life, etc. I'm sure most of you have heard the story of Mary and Martha in Luke 10. If not, have a quick read:

As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!” “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”

-Luke 10:38-42

Martha's ulterior motive is to get recognition. She wants to be appreciated. Instead of enjoying being in Christ's presence she is worried about making a good impression. If you feel like you are getting off track ask the Lord for help. It's important to remember that while doing things is great and wonderful, you have to remember who you do things for and why.

So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.

-1 Corinthians 10:31

Lent with Lozza — Day Fifteen

Working with kids I get a lot of questions. Questions that are hard to answer. Some you just can't. There's no explanation because we don't understand everything about God and we never will.

We talk about God having a plan for each and every one of us. A rational question might be: why pray for things if God already has a plan? What does it matter if I pray or not? If His way is perfect then he doesn't need me...

Wrong.

God listens. He wants to have a relationship with us. One where we can voice hopes, fears, etc. I believe that when we let God know us, truly know us, He takes this into account of His plans for us. God even tells us our prayers are powerful:

Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.

-James 5:16

Prayer is not only a way to express ourselves but a way to help us with temptations, trials, sickness, etc. 

Do you pray like it makes a difference?

Lent with Lozza — Day Fourteen

This morning in our weekly Christian Union in the secondary school we looked at Romans 8. Our YFC director, Mike, and his son, Thad, came to lead. It was the perfect chapter to look at because we've been studying the fruits of the spirit with the kids.

¹ Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, ² because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death. ³ For what the law was powerless to do because it was weakened by the flesh, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh to be a sin offering. And so he condemned sin in the flesh, ⁴ in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. ⁵ Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. ⁶ The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace. ⁷ The mind governed by the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so. ⁸Those who are in the realm of the flesh cannot please God.⁹ You, however, are not in the realm of the flesh but are in the realm of the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, they do not belong to Christ. ¹⁰ But if Christ is in you, then even though your body is subject to death because of sin, the Spirit gives life because of righteousness. ¹¹ And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of his Spirit who lives in you.² Therefore, brothers and sisters, we have an obligation—but it is not to the flesh, to live according to it. ¹³ For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live. ¹⁴ For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God.

I think this is an awesome reminder that God is with us through the Spirit. The Spirit lives in us. It gives us life. Mike used a version of the Bible that talked about when we have the Spirit with us we are part of an adventure with God. I loved that. Life with God is an adventure. And we should be asking what's next?

Lent with Lozza — Day Thirteen

If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.

-1 Corinthians 13:1-3

Everyone recognizes this book and chapter as the "love chapter" and Paul makes it very clear that if we are to be Christians we must have love. Without it, all the things we do are in vain and worthless. God can't be fooled by a performance, no matter how good it is. And love is something that has become so ordinary to us - we love pizza, we love our favorite TV show, etc. A lot of times we cling to and show emotion for things that are shallow and short lived. 

We forget to realize that love was a gift, first shown to us for God. He loved us so much that he sent his son to live and die for us. As Christians we get to feel that love and practice it in our lives. 

Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. 

-1 John 4:8

As we live lives centered on God we become like Him, like love. 

Lent with Lozza — Day Twelve

In the same way, you who are younger, submit yourselves to your elders. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because,“God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.” Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.⁷ Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.

-1 Peter 5:5-10

This morning in our YFC team meeting our director Mike brought up this passage. I love the line I bolded. It's such an awesome description of the constant spiritual battle going on at all times. Satan will jump at any chance to catch us and he is playing for keeps. In order to keep him at bay we must be diligent in our faith. Mike made a good point saying that fatigue is a great window for Satan. When we are tired, busy and worn out we are weak, open to sin. God cares for us and in return we must treasure that relationship, guarding it and keeping it safe from Satan. 

Lent with Lozza — Day Eleven

This morning in Cafe Church we talked about burdens and the cross we each must bear as a Christian.

Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.

-Matthew 16:24

Each of us has burdens in life. Some are great and some are small. It also may seem that some have hardly any at all and others are loaded with an almost unbearable amount. The Bible tells us that we must help one another:

Carry each other's burdens, 
and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. 

-Galatians 6:2

Now this isn't to say that we should pick up someone else's cross and carry it for them. It's a reminder that we all may stumble at some point. As Christians and follower's of Christ we must lend a hand to our fellow believers. When they are in need we can help lighten their load and likewise. Ultimately though we have God to rely on:

Give your burdens to the Lord, and he will take care of you. He will not permit the godly to slip and fall. 

-Psalm 55:22

If we rest our faith and lives in Him we will never fall. 

Lent with Lozza — Day Ten

They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed and depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit and malice. They are gossips, slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant and boastful; they invent ways of doing evil; they disobey their parents; they have no understanding, no fidelity, no love, no mercy. Although they know God’s righteous decree that those who do such things deserve death, they not only continue to do these very things but also approve of those who practice them.

-Romans 1:29-32

These verses are one of those eye opening reads. Here Paul places gossipers and slanderers in the same category as God-haters and murderers. Seems a little dramatic, but when you think about it it makes perfect sense. When we do something as small as gossip it's a little habit that grows and eventually hardens our heart to sin. Just because it's a small sin doesn't mean it still isn't a sin. 

Lent with Lozza — Day Nine

Did you know our tongue is the most powerful muscle in the human body? Did you also know it's probably one of the most valuable tools we have?

Take a moment to think about how you talk to people. Is it kind? Is it condescending? Is it hurtful?

I must admit I'm guilty of all of these at times. Sometimes I let my emotions rule my tongue before I think about what I'm doing. A few weeks ago we were studying the book of Proverbs and I really liked this:

The tongue of the righteous is choice silver, but the heart of the wicked is of little value. The lips of the righteous nourish many, 
but fools die for lack of judgment

-Proverbs 10:20-21

Christ commands us to love and serve others. Our speech is a great way to do that. This is so cliche, but if you "walk the walk and talk the talk" you can do great things. Of course this can be argued the other way too; we must show actions and not just words, but I think you get my point. Words are just as powerful as actions. 

May my tongue sing of your word,
 for all your commands are righteous.

-Psalm 119:172

Lent with Lozza — Day Eight

Today was our weekly bible study and we looked at Crazy Love again. Chan's second chapter is all about death. Sounds morbid, but it's another great thought to make you think.

Watch this:

Chan makes a really good point. Today could be our last day. We don't know when our time is up, but we do know who created us. 

For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him.

-Colossians 1:16

We were created for God. Are we living each day working for His purpose? 

In the book, Chan talks about how easy is to stress, worry and just be busy. 

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

-Philippians 4:4-6

Right there. The Bible tells us not to worry or be anxious. If we are living our lives for God and are still worrying/stressing then isn't that like saying we don't trust Him or He isn't important enough?

Chan makes a really good analogy of asking you to think of life like a movie. So many of us live that movie like it is all about us when really we are just an extra. God is the main character. Our scene is brief and small. 

Now listen, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.” Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.

-James 4:13-14

How great is the line, "You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes"? If that doesn't put us in our places, I don't know what will. We have to stop living selfish lives, forgetful of the one who made us. 

He is everything. Not us.