All things new.

Gosh, I'm finally getting this written on here! I've wanted to blog everyday, but I just couldn't get my thoughts together {in a good way}. The Lord is speaking all the time {through friends, random conversations, and my quiet time.} 

Of course, the sermon today was right on point. Part of it is exactly what's been going on in my heart. 

We sang a new song at Highlands written by the awesome John Larson.... & it's about making all things new. The song really touched my heart so deeply because that's what this summer has been all about for me. God has redeemed me and given me such joy.

Pastor Chris started a new series today.... can I just say that I look forward to hearing from him each Sunday? He's such a great teacher & he is living to further the kingdom. 

The message was about close encounters & Jacob's encounter with Jesus. 

{Watch tonight @ 6:00p.m. if ya can!}

Until you have an encounter with Jesus you can not fully understand His love for you. You must experience it. Not someone else, YOU. It's very difficult to love and trust Him if you've never encountered  His presence and love. 

I was in need of an encounter with Him this summer. I needed to meet with Him. I needed to know that He had not forgotten me. I needed to know that He had plan. BUT, I had to get there by taking control myself, so that He would be all that I had. It was said today, that either we must take the initiative, or God will allow events to happen that will bring us to our knees, so that He is all we have.

God did this. He allowed me to go through the events from February to April, through procedures and meds, knowing that none of them would get me the end results that I longed so desperately for. He knew. And even though I, so stubbornly & selfishly, made those decisions, He was ready, waiting to embrace me & forgive me for taking things into my own hands. {What a gracious and loving Father we have.} 

 I have encountered the Living God & He has made all things new. 

There were three points that PC made in part 2 of the message. They outlined perfectly what has taken place in my life because of this encounter with Jesus.  

1. A new strength. 

I am strengthened because I am not relying on my own power to get me through each day. It is the opposite of what we think. We think that if we try and try and try some more on our own, we will get more done. NOT TRUE! It's only when we rely on Him and are weak that we receive His perfect strength.

It says in Isaiah 40:29-31, "He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; BUT those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. 

2. A new identity. 

When you have an encounter with God, you are given a new name. He has given me a new name. I am a new creation, a new wife, a new daughter, a new friend. I'm able to be all of these things because I encountered His presence. 

It says in Isaiah 43:18-19, "Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland. 

3. A new joy. 

When you have an encounter with the Lord, you are filled with a new joy. A joy that is overflowing & unexplainable. I can definitely say that He has given me this joy. It is so deep in my soul and I pray that it can be seen by others. This is the gospel. People will wonder what is causing this joy... They will wonder & you will be able to tell them... Jesus did this. 

In Psalm 16:11, the Bible says, "You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand." 

Whoa.

Long post. 

Sorry about that. 

Props to you for reading all of it. 

The Lord is good.... So good.  

Hope each of you are having a blessed day... If you haven't spent some time with Jesus today, I encourage you to do it. You won't regret it. 

Much LOVE!