John 3:30 (NASB)
"He must become greater; I must become less"
John 3:30 (NIV)
"He must become greater and greater, and I must become less and less"
John 3:30 (NLT)
29-30 “That’s why my cup is running over. This is the assigned moment for him to move into the center, while I slip off to the sidelines.
John 29-30 (the MSG)
"When he had received the drink, Jesus said, “It is finished.” With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit."
John 19:30 (NIV)
You Bore our Sins/shame/guilt when you said
IT IS FINISHED…
…YOU meant
IT IS FINISHED
Today is 10 days into the 40 days leading up to Easter, also known as lent. This year, for lent, I have decided to give up on me and add more of HIM. I am using John 3:30 as my 'theme' verse during this time.
Check out my past blog HERE for more detail on that.
I've been having people keep me accountable (which has really helped-so thanks all!) but I also figured that I should/wanted to update this blog on how I am doing and what God has been teaching me so far, through this season. I honestly wish I could say that each morning, I have been up bright and early with a heart that has been eager to dive into the Word and spend time in prayer-but that has not been the case. Day 1-3 was awesome. A solid hour with God, our CREATOR and Father was such a great way to start the day…and OH so refreshing!! Spending that time praying, reading scripture and just being still before Him was a blessing!
Unfortunately, like most 'new years resolutions" type things, the first day or two starts off really well. The excitement, will power and drive to 'get it done' is there…unfortunately, as the time goes on…it gets harder-the will power to wake up; becomes less…at least I find that it does for me. I could use the excuse that I have not been feeling good this past week and I was up almost every night (sometimes multiple times) due to cough attacks and plain ol not feeling good. These are totally legit reasons…but its still an excuse and here is why…
Christ calls us to "give thanks in ALL circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus" (1 Thess. 5:18) and to "Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." (James 1:2-4). OKAY God, I will praise you even through my coughing fits and lack of sleep.
That being said, God has been speaking to me, revealing Himself to me through the time I am spending with Him-even if it IS HIM waking me up at 2, 3, and 4 in the morning with a name on my heart-to pray, pray pray. Seriously-that happened a few times this past week-guess I never really DID say a time specific..so long as I started my day with Him…guess that also includes crazy morning hours!!! (After all, Mark 1:35 states that even Jesus arose early in the morning, found a solitary place on His own, and prayed).
(John 3:30)
Those early risings in the morning-have turned out to be a blessing-in more ways then one. God has used them (early mornings) to bring encouragement, to allow me to pray (and cry) with/for a friend in a moment of their need and pain. That same morning/day- I also received some tough news from two other friends (separate situations) of things going on in their lives. It was again, at this point-that my heart was completely broken. I found myself calling out to God. Yet, at the same time-there was a burning rage within me that grew. A rage so intense, that I have only experienced a few other times in my life. A rage that is hard to explain…A rage NOT against people or GOD, but again the devil, evil and the sin in this world. A rage that fueled the fire within me to 'go out' into all Nations-bringing the HOPE of the GOOD NEWS of Salvation and God.
I knew I would need prayer that day for strength and energy and He once again, provided an abundance of energy that I needed to get me through a full day of work and youth…a strength and energy that I know only came from Him. Praise Him!!
Like I said, I know God is speaking to/through me. Psalm 34 sticks out, as another passage of scripture that really spoke to me. 'Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him." (v. 8) specifically…taste and see-God is inviting us to seek His face…He reminds that He is indeed GOOD and we are blessed if we take refuge in Him. He is also constantly reminding me to trust Him–>He will provide in every sense of the word (another blog for another day maybe!)
I am 10 days into the 40…and still….
