45

Day Forty-Five

November 10, 2010

I am now caught up on my days! Praise God that there's no school tomorrow! Thank you to all the veterans who have served and for those who are serving right now. Thanks to you we can call ourselves a "free country."

But there is a freedom worth more than what we have in America. There's another war going on. And a very valuable life was lost for it. There is a victory, and it gives us the best kind of freedom- freedom from sin. The war is between God and Satan. The fatality was that of Jesus Christ, who came to earth (onto the battle field) knowing that He was going to die. The best part? Christ didn't stay dead. He rose again on the third day, conquering death, overcoming Satan, having paid the debt for our sin, giving us both freedom from sin and eternal life! Hallelujah! His war story? It's called the gospel and it's all recorded in a book called the Bible. War might not be my favorite thing to think about, but I praise God for the men and women serving our country. I praise Him still because every war reminds me of Jesus Christ and how I don't deserve my salvation. If you have any questions talk to a Pastor or a Christian you trust.

I have a friend in math. I hate strongly dislike math, but I love sitting sometimes in front and sometimes behind her. She's always jumpy and freaking out over small things, so I told her that one of my goals for this year is to help her relax and chill out :D. I wrote her name down in my planner. I also got to give one of my friends a Bible today. The gospel is being preached.

God is good. God is great. God is awesome. God is indescribable!

Romans 6: 17-18;

"But thanks be to God that, though you used to be slaves to sin, you wholeheartedly obeyed the form of teaching to which you were entrusted. You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness."

Luke 23:44-46, 24:2-6a;

"It was now about the sixth hour, and darkness came over the whole land until the ninth hour, for the sun stopped shining. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two. Jesus called out with a loud voice, "Father, into Your hands I commit my spirit." When He had said this, He breathed His last. They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. While they were wondering about his, suddenly two men in clothes that gleamed like lightning stood beside them. In their fright the women bowed down with their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, "Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here; He has risen!"

44

Day Forty-Four

November 9, 2010

I love my school. I love walking through the halls and waving at 20 different people and saying hi to almost everyone I see. I love having people to talk to in all my classes. I might hate strongly dislike math, but I love the people I sit with. I love the social aspect. Most importantly, I love using these opportunities that God blesses me with to share the gospel! I love helping give people a reason to smile.

Since Thursday I have now made it through the books of Proverbs, Ruth, Matthew, Daniel, Hosea, 1 & 2 Timothy, Titus, 1, 2, 3 John, and Amos! This book is so good! So hard to put down! So encouraging! So convicting! So helpful! So real! So important! So true! So unbelievable! God loves us so much to give us a direct way to learn about who He is! And better yet- if we want to talk to God all we have to do is pray! We don't even have to say it out loud! God knows our thoughts. God is so amazing, so big, so powerful, so perfect, so REAL! And yet He loves me? He cares for me? He wants to listen to me? I am constantly in awe of my Lord, Savior, Creator, and Best Friend.

I spent today once again absorbed in God's amazing Scripture. How can I help others grow spiritually or answer questions they may have if I don't know what I'm talking about? It's like taking a test without studying or coming to class. You might know a few answers, but you're going to fail nonetheless.

Isaiah 40:28;

"Do you not know? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom."

1 Corinthians 1:18;

"For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God."

"They say it sounds insane
We say that we've been changed
By the power of
Crazy Love
This world, it looks at us
Like we're ridiculous
Baby, it's all because
Of Crazy Love"

-from the song "Crazy Love"

Hawk Nelson

43

Day Forty-Three

November 8, 2010

My Bible reading hasn't stopped! I can't get enough! My prayer is that this love for God's Scripture won't be a momentary enthusiasm. I finished my AWANA lesson for this week and next week in class.

So before I mention today I have to mention this past weekend! On Friday night and Saturday I went with friends from my old church to Seattle Harvest at the Key Arena. It was amazing! I got to worship to songs by Kutless, Revive, Hawk Nelson, Jeremy Camp, The Katinas, and Crystal Lewis in an arena FULL of other believers and those who have yet to know God's insane love for us. I got to watch as thousands of people came down to the floor to say the sinner's prayer. I got to listen to Greg Laurie speak as he told some and reminded others about the importance of Christ and how amazing the GIFT of salvation is. I wish I could have gone Sunday too, but I had other commitments.

In English Amanda and I were looking through our Bibles looking for encouraging/important Bible verses for teenagers. It was an amazing reminder on how to act. It was convicting! I want to share all of this joy with everyone else. I feel like so much more should have happened by now since we're two months into the school year, but I need to be patient and go by God's timing- even if I want things to go faster.

God's plan vs. my plan. Well, my plan is to be friends with everyone with no confrontation or clash. God's plan is apparently that one of my English friends stops talking to me. I love her so much, but if that's God's plan then I will accept it and constantly keep praying for her.

Matthew 7:7;

"Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you."

Philippians 1:27a;

"Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ."

Philippians 3:8-9;

"What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things, I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ- the righteousness that comes from God and is by faith."

Day 42

Day Forty-Two

November 5, 2010

God has blessed me with a whirlwind busy (yet very productive) life, so I am writing this on the 10th. Time to get all caught up!

So yesterday I mentioned how I got to read my Bible for the majority of some of my classes. The Bible is so amazing and so full of important messages and lessons that I couldn't put it down! Today again I read my Bible with every minute of spare time I had. In the past two days I have finished Proverbs, Ruth, and Matthew. This reading is helping me so much! I'm better focused, better prepared for my day, and more alert as to what's going on around me and what influences I'm soaking in. Nobody commented on me reading my Bible today, but I don't read my Bible for other people to notice. It's a great way to start a conversation, but my main goal is always to grow closer to and more in love with my God!

I finished the lab in science with the really sweet girl. I also started writing down names in my planner throughout the week. They aren't always names- but some way that I can remember different people. I write down my friends, my acquaintances, and random people I see in the halls. Then, when I get home I pray for them. I don't always have anything specific for different people, but I lift up their lives to God in prayer because He knows what they need. It also helps me keep the focus off of myself and back onto the main goal: reaching out to others with the love of Christ.

2 Timothy 2:15;

"Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth."

2 Timothy 3:16-17;

"All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work."

Day 41

Day Forty-One

November 4, 2010

I had an amazing day today! I got to wake up to the book of Proverbs, continue reading it in Advisory and French, and even got through a few chapters in Matthew. God has taught me so much today and He has already given me three different opportunities to share the knowledge I gained through Proverbs today with my friends who needed to hear it. Two arguments are being settled right now thanks to the words God showed me throughout the day.

For some reason high school kids love to start drama. The smallest drop of a pencil could ruin years-long friendships. God hates when His people fight each other! I have to admit- I'm not perfect! (No matter what people try to tell you! haha... just kidding :D) Today I thought I was avoiding confrontation when my reaction actually caused another one. I didn't realize this until I got home and saw a Facebook post. As humans we cannot avoid conflict and we will always get ourselves into trouble. But as Christians we need to realize our wrongs we must make amends and ask for forgiveness. When I found out how much I hurt my friend I had to send her a private message and ask for her forgiveness. I admitted my wrong. It's not easy. And announcing this now for everyone to read about? Well, honoring God is most important to me- not what other people think. I am cleansed and washed clean. More importantly, when I was apologizing to my friend I was able to share a part of the gospel with her and tell her, in a gentle and respectful way, what God thinks about fighting with each other.

My favorite part about today was talking to the girl in Chemistry that took forever for me to have the courage to say hi to. She's really nice and really sweet! I get to do another lab with her tomorrow.

Proverbs 17:14, 19;

"Starting a quarrel is like breaching a dam; so drop the matter before a dispute breaks out. He who loves a quarrel loves sin; he who builds a high gate invites destruction."

Matthew 5:38-39;

"You have heard that it was said, 'Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.' But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also."

2 Timothy 2:23;

"Don't have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels."

40

Day Forty

November 3, 2010

Today, I must say, was a good day. I'm still praying for all of my friends in English class. I feel like each time I see them the world is pulling them harder and harder.

At lunch the guy with the bad mouth was still sitting with us, but today God blessed me and Amanda. We sat at the table for all of lunch with no major disruptions like the last few days! Praise God! While I was sitting there Amanda and I saw one of our friends leave the lunch room looking really upset. I was able to text her and remind her that God is in control and that the best thing she can do is pray and ask God for help. She might not have listened to me. She might have deleted the text. But holding each other accountable and keeping our friends in check is so important and so necessary to the kingdom of God.

We had a test in Chemistry today. For some reason God gave me a mathematical mind (even though I hate strongly dislike math), so the test was no problem for me. (Who knew so much math is involved with Chemistry?!) I didn't have much review to do, but others around me did. Because of this gift that God has blessed me with, I was able to help others around me understand half-lives and the effects of radiation. Right before my teacher handed out the test I noticed a lot of students psyching themselves out. I started making jokes and telling funny stories and ripping up my eraser like Humpty Dumpty. They were a little bit more relaxed and hopefully it helped them concentrate. It helped me! Praise God that every day in Chemistry I can help give someone a reason to smile! After the test one of the kids came up to me saying, "I think you got me three extra points on my test!" Praise God! He used my least favorite subject to bring Him praise!

Matthew 6:25;

"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes?"

Psalm 126:3;

"The LORD has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy."

2 Corinthians 12:9;

"But He said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me."

Day 39

Day Thirty-Nine

November 2, 2010

Today is election day! I can't vote yet unless it's for the school elections, so I'm spending today praying for the people who can vote and that they will make the right decisions. The best comfort is knowing that God is in control of everything and it will all work out for His glory one way or another.

I was at lunch today when Amanda and I once again had to get up and leave the table. Some kids sitting near us used horrible language and I just could not take it anymore. In this world, especially in a public high school, we cannot get away from immoral influences. Bad thoughts and wrong choices are being thrust at us from TV, music, billboards, and the people around us. I choose godly music for my iPod, am careful about what I watch on TV, try not to pay attention to inappropriate advertisements, but I can't get away from people. Amanda and I can walk away from the table, but there are still kids walking around doing things we know are wrong. I can't control what other people do, but I can control how I react to it. I won't join in and I won't compromise my morals and beliefs just to fit in. As a testimony to everyone else I will stay true to myself and, more importantly, my God.

In English we are talking about evil and the seven deadly sins. We have to evaluate different deeds (like stealing a pen or killing an enemy) and rate them on how evil we think they are. Then we have to write about our own character flaws and how evil we are. The Bible says all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. I'm going to use this opportunity to share the gospel in my assignment.

Romans 3:23;

"For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God."

Romans 6:23;

"For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord."

Philippians 4:13;

"I can do everything through Him who gives me strength."

1 Corinthians 10:13;

"No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, He will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it."