I am part of the Fellowship of the Unashamed. I have the Holy Spirit power. The die has been cast. I have stepped over the line. The decision has been made—I am a disciple of His. I won’t look back, let up, slow down, back away, or be still. My past is redeemed, my present makes sense, my future is secure. I’m finished and done with low living, sight walking, smooth knees, colorless dreams, tame visions, worldly-talking, cheap giving, and dwarfed goals.

I no longer need pre-eminence, prosperity, position, promotions, plaudits, or popularity. I don’t have to be right, first, tops, recognized, praised, regarded or rewarded. I now live by faith, lean in His presence, walk by patience, am uplifted by prayer and I labor with power.

My face is set, my gait is fast, my goal is heaven, my road is narrow, my way is rough, my companions are few, my Guide is reliable, my mission is clear. I cannot be bought, compromised, detoured, hired away, turned back, diluted, or delayed. I will not flinch in the face of sacrifice, hesitate in the presence of the adversity, negotiate at the table of the enemy, pander at the pool of popularity, or meander in the maze of mediocrity.

I won’t give up, shut up, let up, until I have preached up, prayed up, paid up, stored up and stayed up for the cause of Christ.

I am a disciple of Jesus, I must go till He comes, give till I drop, preach till all know and work till He stops me. And when He comes to claim His own, He’ll have no problems recognizing me. My banner will be clear!

 

Firstly I am busy writing exams and it’s reached the stage where my brain is starting to feel like a piece of cheese left on the counter too long. To try and remedy that I’ve been reading some amazing blogs and I’ve been so inspired by the creative, successful bloggers out there. And so many bloggers/photographers that are incredibly talented your head wants to explode because of the pretty pictures. I truly am inspired.

Secondly I have been loving summer in South Africa. Rainy days, stuck-inside-because-it’s-so-hot days, and those perfect in-between days that are quickly fading as we move closer to mid-summer. Ah, pure bliss.

Lastly I have been so challenged in my life by the teaching of John Piper.  Wow, a few weeks ago we attended a conference where he was one of the main speakers and boy, have I been thinking and praying a lot.  His whole message could basically be summed up as :”God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him.” Now go chew on that for a couple of weeks! Hahaha!

Well, seeing as my study break is now over I’ll have to end this blog post right here. Thanks for reading!

Lyrics:

I will glory in my Redeemer
Whose priceless blood has ransomed me
Mine was the sin that drove the bitter nails
And hung Him on that judgment tree
I will glory in my Redeemer
Who crushed the power of sin and death
My only Savior before the Holy Judge
The Lamb Who is my righteousness
The Lamb Who is my righteousness

I will glory in my Redeemer
My life He bought, my love He owns
I have no longings for another
I’m satisfied in Him alone
I will glory in my Redeemer
His faithfulness my standing place
Though foes are mighty and rush upon me
My feet are firm, held by His grace
My feet are firm, held by His grace

I will glory in my Redeemer
Who carries me on eagle’s wings
He crowns my life with lovingkindness
His triumph song I’ll ever sing
I will glory in my Redeemer
Who waits for me at gates of gold
And when He calls me it will be paradise
His face forever to behold
His face forever to behold
His face forever to behold

Almighty God, You alone can bring into order the unruly wills and affections of sinners: Grant Your people grace to love what You command and desire what You promise; that, among the swift and varied changes of this world, our hearts may surely there be fixed where true joys are to be found; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

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-Matthew 7:24

Recently a Christian bookstore near my home sadly had a closing down sale. They were selling all their books at half-price which basically means that I went crazy and bought A LOT of books.  There’s this one devotional book that caught my eye so I read the descriptions and all the reviews(there are quite a few!).  Ultimately I decided to take the challenge. Now you’re probably wondering why I say ‘challenge’?  The book is all about ‘experiential devotions’ and for 120 days you read a devotional as well as do something practical to make it real and memorable. In the prologue Andy Flannagan (the author) talks about Jesus creating moments that the disciples never forgot.  He also says that knowing grows in the doing, which I totally agree with.  I had heard all my life that Jesus loves the little children, but actually by ministering to them for 2 years I realised just how much He really loves them. It’s mind-blowing!

Last words in the prologue – “Warning: This book will annoy you.  If you use it properly, it will make your life less comfortable but I guarantee that you’ll also feel more alive than you ever have.  Enjoy the adventure!”

I thought it might be a good idea to post updates periodically on how I am doing in this adventure and maybe share how it’s hopefully changing my life for the better.  I will be starting today with the first part that’s about the book of Colossians.  My first activity is to send encouraging ‘truth-telling’ sentences to ten people.  Here goes…

P.S. If you want to find out more about this book you can check out the website by clicking on the cover:

Fair are the meadows, fairer still the woodlands,
Robed in the blooming garb of spring;
Jesus is fairer, Jesus is purer,
Who makes the woeful heart to sing!

Beautiful Savior! Lord of all the nations!
Son of God and Son of Man!
Glory and honor, praise, adoration,
Now and forever more be Thine.

(from the hymn ‘Fairest Lord Jesus’ by Joseph A. Seiss)

(Image from http://www.sxc.hu)