Friday, June 30, 2006

Lately, while on my breaks at work, I have been reading through 1 Cor. I know I have read bits and pieces of it, but reading it all the way through was a real eye opener for me. God has shown me that He is a faithful God so many times over the past few days. Right when I need it most, when everything inside of me has been stretched, and I am about to break down and cry; He’ll send me a break. A breath of fresh air, an enduring promise.

When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: “Death has been swallowed up in victory.”

“Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?”

The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

1 Cor. 15:54-57

“Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed—in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed.”

1 Cor. 15:51-52

Reading that gives me such joy. Such hope and peace in my heart. I can almost sense the joy and excitement Paul has in sharing this.


Saturday, June 3, 2006

Flee the evil desires of youth, and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.
-2 Timothy 2:22

I cannot tell you how much that verse has spoken to me over the past few days. I was telling my father this morning that it seems like Paul thought, "Humm, this might help Addi in two thousand years, so I will be sure to write it down in my letter to Timothy."

Lately, I have really been thinking about the life I have had, and the people I come into contact with each day. How much of a legacy have I led? When I see people day in and day out, do they see Christ's love in me? Even when I am grumpy because rude customers hurt my feelings, am I setting a Godly christian example? I sat down earlier and thought about how many people I have the chance to share the gospel with. But do I jump at the chance? Not normally. People at work know that I am different by the way I live and act, so maybe I will have more opportunities in the future.

While closing the store, a girl that I work with decided to give me some advice. "If a man ever tells you that He is a virgin, run the other way fast." I only smiled because if she only knew that I have been praying for years that my someone will stay pure, and that God would protect him from people like, well, her. With the verse that has been on my heart lately, this conversation was very ironic. My heart was telling me to run from the very thing she was telling me to run too.

I love letters. Paul's letters to Timothy are my favorite. I love my Lord, too.