Jesus Is Real
26 May, 2015
Just because I have a Christian blog does not mean I've got this whole Christian-lifestyle figured out. You can probably tell from the recent hood rap music video's I've been putting at the ends of my latest posts that I'm not the prototype Christian. I wish I was closer with God than I am. In fact, the reason I started this blog was because I knew it would help keep me accountable to spending time with Him. If you get a chance, scroll through some of my first ever blogs... back in 2013. I had an obvious hunger for God in those blogs. Not a hunger to please man, a hunger to please HIM. My recent blogs have grown more and more watered down, focused more on ME and wisdom I have to offer (which is not much at all) instead of HIS TRUTH found in the Word.
There's 2 types of teaching: exegesis and eisegesis. Exegesis literally means to "draw out of," which in terms of Scripture means the teaching is done based straight out of the Word. For example, someone will turn to a Bible chapter, find the main lesson, and use the verses to solidify the point. Eisegesis, the opposite, is when someone comes up with an idea themselves and THEN looks to scripture to back it up. For example, when I wanted to write on inner beauty, I googled "inner beauty scriptures" and used those as my examples. I didn't find a particular chapter and break it down to say exactly what God wanted to say, I instead said what I wanted to say and had God back me up.
SO, that was probably incredibly confusing. Point of the matter is, my recent blogs have been much more eisegesis, meaning I'm not allowing God to write through me like I used to. I used to read my Bible for literally an hour a day the first few months I became a Christian. Not because someone told me to or because I felt forced to, but literally because I couldn't get enough! I was obsessed with it. Once I realized God was ACTUALLY real and left us a Book all about His promises, I could not put it down. I'd sneakily read in class, I'd read in the lunch line on my phone app, I'd listen to it on walks. I was a walking Bible. Nowadays, reading my Bible is much more of a chore than a desire. I used to crave time with God more than my physical food, and that's sayin' something cuz this girl likes to eat!
I read my old blog posts yearning to have that closeness with Jesus I used to. I want my life to have the COLOR it used to have. I want to get back to that honeymoon phase with Jesus, not this "we've been married forever and I'm bored of you" phase. I want to be in awe of His beauty. I want to crave prayer and Bible time. I want to want Him.
He is a God whose door is always open. Thankfully I know He'll let me in, even having turned my back on Him again and again.
Jesus, give me a life with color again. Give me a life of purpose and grace and truth and excitement. Take away my anxiety, stress, worries, fears, and insecurities. Shine Your light on all the dark corners of my heart. Brush away all the dust of my eyes... help me to see You. I love you. Forgive me.
Your daughter, Paige
Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? And not one of them is forgotten before God. Why, even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not; you are of more value than many sparrows. - Luke 12: 6-7
Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. - Romans 12:2
Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” - Hebrews 13:5
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you. - Phil. 4:8-9
For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother's womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well. - Psalm 139:13
Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” - Matthew 11:28
But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” - James 4:6
But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. - Romans 5:8
For I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.” - Matthew 9:11
For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. - Romans 3:23
If you pour yourself out for the hungry and satisfy the desire of the afflicted, then shall your light rise in the darkness and your gloom be as the noonday. And the Lord will guide you continually and satisfy your desire in scorched places and make your bones strong; and you shall be like a watered garden, like a spring of water, whose waters do not fail.- Isaiah 58:10-11
“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.- Matthew 7:7
Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” - Matthew 26:41
The Lord appeared to him from far away. I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore I have continued my faithfulness to you. - Jeremiah 31:3
For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. - John 3:17
The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing. -Zepheniah 3:17
Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. -Galatians 6:7-8
