1. Fearing the Lord > Walking in obedience.
Through reading the old testament and the book of Revelations I realized that I never actually feared the Lord. I fear Him because honestly… He could decide to kill us because of our sinfulness. HOWEVER, he chooses to extend grace and walk besides us. Too often then not, we as believers forget the power of God. We choose to sit and take lightly our sinfulness. YES we are a new creation & we live under the new covenant but that doesn’t mean that Gods heart has changed towards sin. We are covered by Jesus blood but we should still live understanding the power of the Lord & worship Him. This has allowed me to walk in obedience and check my heart. He is our father YES… but he is also KING of KINGS & LORD of LORDS.
“And he said with a loud voice, “Fear God and give him glory, because the hour of his judgement has come, and worship him who made heaven and earth, the sea and the springs of water.” Revelations 14:7
2. Understanding the Holy Spirit
I learned so much about the Holy Spirit this year. How the Spirit doesn’t just sit in our hearts when we accept Jesus as our Savior but it continues to help us grow in discernment of good and evil and much more! The Spirit testifies for you and works in crazy ways in us if we let Him. What’s even more beautiful is that understanding the Holy Spirit allows me to understand that I in fact don’t do anything… but it is the SPIRIT in me that gives me wisdom, knowledge, understanding, and love that I myself can’t do alone.
“In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promise of the Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.” Ephesians 1:13
3. Knowing who I am as a daughter of God. Personal Relationship?
There are so many things that i’ve learned this year about myself. One thing I know that I have grown in is that my identity doesn’t lie on anything but the Lord. That even if someone took all the things in my life away I can firmly find satisfaction in that I am His daughter & live for Him alone. He has allowed me to remember who He has called me to be and not what the world (or myself) labeled myself to be.
“and I will be a father to you, and you shall be sons and daughters to me, say the Lord Almighty” 2 Corinthians 6:18
4. Thinking eternally – The kingdom
I have so often thought my life here on earth mattered so much… and it still does. BUT God has taught me to look eternally. Our life here on earth is so short so we should be able to make decisions and treat others as if we were living for the kingdom. Not our kingdom, but HIS. He has called us to bring others to HIM so that they could spend eternity with Him. We should live our lives not investing in earthly riches but heavenly riches. Through this… we can see glimpses of His kingdom on earth.
“There fore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire.” Hebrew 11:28
5. Community is a must – Building one another up in truth & in light. High love & correction. Words having so much power.
I have never had such intentional community. A community of believers who not only encourage one another but help correct one another to be more like Jesus. I have learned what it looks like to not only LOVE people through actions but through words. I have seen truth set so many people free. I have seen the Lord work with each one of us as we strive for one goal – to know Him. I realized it is so important to have people in your life that not only go to church with you, but keep you accountable and push you to grow closer to the Lord
“Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and help together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.” Ephesians 4:16
6. The enemy is fo’ real: He comes to steal, kill, and destroy. (read revelations – One of my new favorite books)
Before the race I only though demon possession or the devil comes to places that are horrible. However, this year I have learned that the enemy is everywhere trying to steal, kill, and destroy families, relationships, countries, and the world. He chooses to use our weaknesses and put lies into our minds that would cause us to doubt the power of the Lord. The enemy is sneaky and uses cunning ways to partake in our lives. We have to remember that we are filled with the Spirit of the Lord that guides us to know how to use the light that we carry to cast out darkness.
“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.” John 10:10
7. The Old Testament is legit. The new testament is So good. The word is life giving.
God has drawn me closer to Him and revealed so much about himself through the word. It has allowed me to go deeper and be renewed each day as I start my day off with it. It is indeed and two edged sword that convicts me, challenges me, & grows me.
“For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.” Hebrews 4:12
8. The power of prayer & worship – The intimacy that is found in prayer and worship.
I’ve always loved prayer and worship, but this year God has taken me deeper to see the power of prayer and the beauty of worship. I feel closest to the Lord while worshipping and it’s been so awesome finishing off the race in Africa where everyones voice is flawless and the stars are bright. Excited to worship and praise the Lord for all of eternity with angels & all!
“All the earth worships you and sings praises to you; they sing praises to your name” Psalms 66:4
9. Sharing your testimony. OUTward focus of all the things that God is teaching you!
I love sharing about the things that God has taught me and is revealing to me. How he has changed my life and redeemed so much of my past. He continues to create testimonies in my life that I can encourage other people with! We should always be mindful of the things that He is teaching us so that we can testify to others! I have been telling some of my close friends back at home how important it is to know your testimony so that when someone asks why you believe in the Lord, you can testify of His goodness in your life.
“But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my couse and the ministry that I received from teh Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.” Acts 20:24
10. Gifting – Everyone has a role. You are important because God is your creator. He wants YOU to partake in his Kingdom.
So many times in my life I have felt like I was “just a christian.” A person who did good because of God, but I have learned this year that God uses EVERYONE for the furtherance of the kingdom. That everyone has a role. That we aren’t just little human beings that go to church and do good things, but we are children of the most High King who has gifted us with interests and spiritual gifts so that we can be used to glorify God by bringing others closer to him! Don’t be a spectator, but partake a role! Ask yourselves what you’re good at and see how God can use you!
“For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. Having fits that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them…” Romans 12:4-6
11. Not limiting God & His power.
I have learned that God is limitless. Yes. Limitless. Beyond our human understanding. That he isn’t someone constrained by people or teachings you’ve heard on your past.
God is good y’all. The verse that sums up my race is that I have grown to love the lord with all my heart, soul, mind, and strength, and love my neighbor as myself.
Peace out P-Squad.
You will forever be a special part of my life.
But I know there is still so so much more that God has for me. This year will be a small glimpse of some of the best days of my life, but there is still much more that is yet to come.
