Jesus didn't die for you...

Jesus didn't Die for you...

I'm sure you have heard before, whether you believe or not, that "Jesus died for you."  

I'm writing this to those of you who have the same reaction I once did to that statement...

When I would hear this proclaimed I could not connect with the "big deal" it was made out to be.  Because to me, what is the big deal about dying if you know you're coming back to life? Anyone who would make this statement also believed that He had indeed rose again, and had not remained in death.  

For me, believing He died and rose again wasn't a difficult concept, it was understanding why His death was made out to be such a sacrifice; after all, He came back to life...

But, there is more...

Jesus did not just die... 

"But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed." - Isaiah 53:5

Jesus did not "die peacefully in His sleep." Jesus "death" lasted for days.  He was slowly mocked, shamed, beaten, and crucified.

A definition of crucify: to treat with gross injustice; persecute; torment; torture.  

Jesus received the worst torture one could have.  And to know he did it willingly...

 If anyone had the "power" to escape this treatment and ultimately that death, it was Jesus, but instead, He said "whatever your will is father."

He took it on, refusing anything to dull the pain, suffering until the final moment when he gave up his last breath.

"For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit" 1 Pet 3:18

Jesus was laughed at...

Mocked...

Spit on...

Bruised...

Stabbed...

Beaten...

Tortured...

He bled...

Cried...

And Died FOR YOU and Me

And I choose to Live for Him.

Forever.

Eternally.

The girl you knew is Dying...

Dear Friends, 

Old and New, 

I have wondered at times, what you think when you see glimpses of my life today. 

Quite likely, it appears to be different then "when you knew me."

Truth is, it IS DIFFERENT.

Not because I am DIFFERENT, but because I am NEW.  

If you are thinking that I am unqualified, insufficient, undeserving, or unworthy of who I am today...YOU ARE RIGHT!

I thank Christ Jesus our Lord who has enabled me, because He counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry, although I was formerly a blasphemer

, a persecutor, and an insolent being; but I obtained mercy because I did it ignorantly in unbelief. And the grace of our Lord was exceedingly abundant, with faith and love which are in Christ Jesus. This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief. However, for this reason I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might show all longsuffering, as a pattern to those who are going to believe on Him for everlasting life. Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, to God who alone is wise, be honor and glory forever and ever.

It is only because of Christ, and In Christ that I am who I am...

Getting a little closer everyday, to who I was meant to be...

The person you knew is dying a little everyday, and I could not be more ALIVE!

---1 Timothy 1:12-17--- 

 

"I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me." -Gal 2:20

"For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel's will save it." -  Mark 8:35

"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come." - 2 Cor 5:17

little Dreams

In my last post I referred to the quote that

"If what you're dreaming is possible even if God doesn't show up, then you are not dreaming big enough"

Well I after I wrote that I had a realization that what I was planning, wasn't big enough! 

My husband has wanted to host a concert as a fundraiser for a couple years.  Last spring I got on board and told him that we would do it for our developing non-profit (see previous post.)

But to be honest, I really didn't think it would be possible.  We didn't have so many of the necessary resources to put on an event such as this.

But I'm here to admit I did not consider the number one, and ONLY Source that we ever really need!

I was not dreaming big enough.

But thankfully Brett was!

And God did show up and the concert is going to happen!!!

March 13, 2015 in Melbourne, AR at the John E Miller Auditorium! 

The Start a Fire tour featuring 

UNSPOKEN

JONNY DIAZ & 

JJ WEEKS BAND

Purchase Tickets HERE

He doesn't need me.

When God asks you to do something, you can bet there will be work involved.  If it were something easy then we would have no need to ask for his help.

I'm also discovering, that a lot of things he asks of me, seem to be far from my wheel house.  Tasks I am clearly unqualified and seemingly incapable of.  But if He only asked the possible of us, then where would His glory come from?  Why would we need him? 

I read something..somewhere... Once that said if what you're dreaming is possible even if God does not show up, then your not dreaming big enough.

As God laid it on our hearts to start this missions organization, it was exciting. 

 But to be honest it has become extremely taxing.  I have read more legal words I don't understand than ones I do. In all my ignorance I didn't realize exactly what all it would involve to complete this process.

Daily I am reminded just how unqualified we are to do this.  

But we are not meant to do any task on our own. 

Through this process I am learning to be led by the One who chose us.

The One who leads us.

The One who is only asking us to obey.

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UPDATE:    
-We have filed our Articles of Incorporation with the state.  This means we are officially a corporation called "We Arise Missions." 
-We have applied for and received our EIN.  Which is basically a number we need that identifies us with the IRS; the EIN is neccessary for the application to be a 501(c)3 organization. 
-Recently we have started filling out the 30+ page application for the IRS.  We are going to finish it to the best of our abilities and then find a CPA to go over it with us and finalize any changes needed before we submit it to the IRS.

Please pray for this process, some days I feel like we are in way over our head, but we just keep praying that God stays in control and leads and guides every step!

Also, we are nearing our first big financial deadline for the Costa Rica mission trip, we are all very excited!


“I am blown away that my God, who could do this all by Himself, would choose to let me be a little part of it.” - Katie Davis, Kisses from Katie