I decided yesterday to start rereading Acts, after we discussed baptism in the Holy Spirit at college group. I got a whole new insight, and today decided that I need to start this blog back up again, and that Acts would be a perfect book to start with! The plan is to study one or two chapters per post (depending on length), highlighting verses that stand out. So, let's get started!
"For John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now." 1:5
What we can take from this: I think the main thing that should be taken from this is that these two kinds of baptism are NOT the same thing. Jesus is saying that these people have already been baptized with water, but soon they will be baptized with the Holy Spirit. I went eight years after being baptized with water before I was baptized in the Holy Spirit.
"It is not for you to know times or seasons which the Father has put in His own authority." 1:7
What we can take from this: This one is a huge one. I need reminded of this every single day. This makes me think of the old quote, "We plan. God laughs." If you are walking with God, you should be desiring your life to be what He intends it to be. If that is so, then you must let go and realize that your plans may not come to fruition. The plans I made for my life at the age of 14 were extremely off course to what God wanted for me. My life is nothing like I imagined it would be at this point in my life, but that's okay as long as it is going in the direction God wants it to go. God will reveal hints as to where we are going, but it is by faith that we must trust that His plans are better than our own.
"But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you.." 1:8
What we can take from this: I think this is fairly self explanatory, but just in case it isn't - we often forget that we have been given power. We are mighty warriors of God's Kingdom, but we often feel meek. We are not weak or meek, that is a LIE of the enemy! God has given us power and authority, but we have to have the faith and right intentions to access it.
"And while they looked steadfastly toward Heaven as He went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel, who also said, "Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven." 1:10-11
What we can take from this: I see two main things to point out in these verses. First, we are assured that Jesus is coming back. I look at that in two ways, also. For one, the Holy Spirit was to return to us. Also, Jesus will one day return to take us all up into Heaven with Him. The second thing is that this statement makes it clear that the Holy Spirit is indeed Jesus. Just as God gave a piece of Himself to create Jesus, Jesus gave a piece of Himself to create the Holy Spirit. I know that isn't theologically correct, but it's always how I've looked at things so that they would appeal more to the logical part of my brain.
Basically, the rest of this chapter discusses the replacement of Judas as one of the twelve disciples. While I suggest that you read the chapter in its entirety, I don't have anything specific to study about it. So I will just suggest that you go ahead and read the rest of Acts 1 on your own. :)
Tuesday, July 17, 2012
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
My Testimony
So, it occurs to me that I have not shared my testimony yet on here with all of you wonderful people! I realize that it is not exactly a Bible Study, and I will hopefully get it moved to somewhere clickable, rather than on the blog itself, but for now...here you go!
Ever hear someone say that they were "raised as a Christian" or "raised in a Christian home"? Well, that was me. For years I thought that I was a Christian myself, simply because my mom was/is (and at the time I thought my dad was too). I always believed that God was real, and had some basic faith, but to call myself a Christian would be a bit of a far stretch. It wasn't until I was about fourteen that I feel I could truly call myself by that name, and it was when I was fifteen that I was finally baptized. Sometimes I question my motives, though, and wish that I had it all to do over again. I know that a baptism is more a declaration for those around you to see, and therefore there is no point in doing it again, but it just feels like I did it for the wrong reasons. I truly believed and wanted to be baptized, but the only reason I chose that exact time was because my friend wanted to, also. I didn't want to do it alone. Now I wish I would have waited until I TRULY knew what my faith meant to me (well, as close as I can get for now. Can we ever truly know, until our dying day, that is?).
So, things went downhill for me from there. I had suffered from depression since the age of ten, and quite possibly before then. It just wasn't until that age that any medical professionals would even CONSIDER that that could be my issue. Even then, it took them years to take the right actions. My life sucked. I'm not going to sugar coat it, I'm just going to come out and say it - my life was a living hell. I spent years wanting to die. I spent years wondering why God created me in the first place. I couldn't help but wonder why He would create someone just to suffer. I began to wonder if I was a creation made only to satisfy His sick amusement. It was my pain and lies of the enemy that created these thoughts, but at the time it didn't really matter where they came from.
My razor blade was one of my best friends. We certainly spent a fair amount of time together. I never slit my wrists, but I did cut. I overdosed on pills a few times, too, but only once did I actually get an emergency room visit out of it (thankfully). I was discharged, because you see, I was a very good actor. No one ever suspected that anything was wrong unless I wanted them to. So basically, unless you were my mom, you had no idea. I spent my time listening to "emo" music and watching horribly gory and scary movies. I'll admit right now that I still occasionally like a good scary movie, but I can't handle the gore anymore, a gift that I feel God gave me. I barely ever prayed and most of my friends were not Christians. The ones that were were the ones that I avoided. I was in a very bad place.
When it turned out that I wasn't going to be finishing school, the one thing that I had taken pride in my whole life, I was crushed. This felt like the final straw, my last reason to live taken away from me. And even worse, I lied to my dad about it for years. I told him I was going, when I wasn't. He knew the truth pretty much the whole time, but I didn't know that until right before he moved out. I lied. I cut. I tried to kill myself. I entertained every single negative thought that came within reaching distance of my mind. I left SO many cracks open for the devil to enter that it's amazing I'm even still here.
I could probably go into MUCH more detail about the painful events that happened in my life, but I will just leave it at that. I feel like that is a pretty good summary of how bad life was for me, or at least how bad I felt it was.
Anyway, when I was 21 I decided to get a haircut downtown. Yes, that is actually relevant to this story! Afterward, my mom and I went and listened to some old family friends play music. We were invited to the new "church" the family had started up. I use quotations because there is no actual pastor, and it is more of a fellowship. To me it was a chance to be in a church environment where I was no longer left behind. Coming from a church of around three thousand, and being shy, makes it easy to be passed right by. I knew from the very first time going that God was about to start making changes.
I struggled a TON over the next year, most likely because the devil felt that he had to fight extra hard at this point. Things were very up and down, very much a roller coaster of life. It wasn't until a friend convinced me to go to College Group, a group of young adults that worship and just love God with all we have, every Friday night that things took a complete one eighty for me.
The very first night I went, my new friend was spoken to by the Lord. He told her that someone in the room struggled from anxiety, and long story short, a bunch of people prayed over me and I was told that I was healed. I was wary, I admit. I had began to gain a greater trust in God a few weeks before, but I had my doubts. I also couldn't help but think, "If this is what happens the first week, what happens the second?" Well, as I left and heard my friend shout, "You are healed, girl!" my new life began.
Six weeks ago this coming Friday I WAS healed. It wasn't just my anxiety, either. It was my depression (I'm still on medication, but who knows, maybe one day even that will be gone). It was my desire to party. It was my desire to drink. It was my desire to stop being a "good girl" as I had begun to feel that it was a bad label to have. Now I wear it with pride!
I learned that you CHOOSE to be happy. Take today, for instance. It started out majorly crappy. I didn't want to get up. I had gone through MAJOR spiritual warfare last night, and I was exhausted not only physically, but spiritually and emotionally, too. I was tired of letting things get in my way of success, though, and so I dragged myself out of bed and got to school. My day turned around because I chose to turn it around, and even more so, because God put amazing Christian friends in my path throughout the day.
I have been healed. I have become a totally new person. That shy girl I was? Yeah, she's pretty much gone. Sometimes, I'm impossible to shut up. I'm much less afraid to speak up these days. I'm excited to share my story and God's Love with others. I know, without a doubt, that God has BIG plans for me and my life. I know that I truly am the Miracle Baby that my mom has called me my entire life. I am truly Healed. I am truly Saved.
Ever hear someone say that they were "raised as a Christian" or "raised in a Christian home"? Well, that was me. For years I thought that I was a Christian myself, simply because my mom was/is (and at the time I thought my dad was too). I always believed that God was real, and had some basic faith, but to call myself a Christian would be a bit of a far stretch. It wasn't until I was about fourteen that I feel I could truly call myself by that name, and it was when I was fifteen that I was finally baptized. Sometimes I question my motives, though, and wish that I had it all to do over again. I know that a baptism is more a declaration for those around you to see, and therefore there is no point in doing it again, but it just feels like I did it for the wrong reasons. I truly believed and wanted to be baptized, but the only reason I chose that exact time was because my friend wanted to, also. I didn't want to do it alone. Now I wish I would have waited until I TRULY knew what my faith meant to me (well, as close as I can get for now. Can we ever truly know, until our dying day, that is?).
So, things went downhill for me from there. I had suffered from depression since the age of ten, and quite possibly before then. It just wasn't until that age that any medical professionals would even CONSIDER that that could be my issue. Even then, it took them years to take the right actions. My life sucked. I'm not going to sugar coat it, I'm just going to come out and say it - my life was a living hell. I spent years wanting to die. I spent years wondering why God created me in the first place. I couldn't help but wonder why He would create someone just to suffer. I began to wonder if I was a creation made only to satisfy His sick amusement. It was my pain and lies of the enemy that created these thoughts, but at the time it didn't really matter where they came from.
My razor blade was one of my best friends. We certainly spent a fair amount of time together. I never slit my wrists, but I did cut. I overdosed on pills a few times, too, but only once did I actually get an emergency room visit out of it (thankfully). I was discharged, because you see, I was a very good actor. No one ever suspected that anything was wrong unless I wanted them to. So basically, unless you were my mom, you had no idea. I spent my time listening to "emo" music and watching horribly gory and scary movies. I'll admit right now that I still occasionally like a good scary movie, but I can't handle the gore anymore, a gift that I feel God gave me. I barely ever prayed and most of my friends were not Christians. The ones that were were the ones that I avoided. I was in a very bad place.
When it turned out that I wasn't going to be finishing school, the one thing that I had taken pride in my whole life, I was crushed. This felt like the final straw, my last reason to live taken away from me. And even worse, I lied to my dad about it for years. I told him I was going, when I wasn't. He knew the truth pretty much the whole time, but I didn't know that until right before he moved out. I lied. I cut. I tried to kill myself. I entertained every single negative thought that came within reaching distance of my mind. I left SO many cracks open for the devil to enter that it's amazing I'm even still here.
I could probably go into MUCH more detail about the painful events that happened in my life, but I will just leave it at that. I feel like that is a pretty good summary of how bad life was for me, or at least how bad I felt it was.
Anyway, when I was 21 I decided to get a haircut downtown. Yes, that is actually relevant to this story! Afterward, my mom and I went and listened to some old family friends play music. We were invited to the new "church" the family had started up. I use quotations because there is no actual pastor, and it is more of a fellowship. To me it was a chance to be in a church environment where I was no longer left behind. Coming from a church of around three thousand, and being shy, makes it easy to be passed right by. I knew from the very first time going that God was about to start making changes.
I struggled a TON over the next year, most likely because the devil felt that he had to fight extra hard at this point. Things were very up and down, very much a roller coaster of life. It wasn't until a friend convinced me to go to College Group, a group of young adults that worship and just love God with all we have, every Friday night that things took a complete one eighty for me.
The very first night I went, my new friend was spoken to by the Lord. He told her that someone in the room struggled from anxiety, and long story short, a bunch of people prayed over me and I was told that I was healed. I was wary, I admit. I had began to gain a greater trust in God a few weeks before, but I had my doubts. I also couldn't help but think, "If this is what happens the first week, what happens the second?" Well, as I left and heard my friend shout, "You are healed, girl!" my new life began.
Six weeks ago this coming Friday I WAS healed. It wasn't just my anxiety, either. It was my depression (I'm still on medication, but who knows, maybe one day even that will be gone). It was my desire to party. It was my desire to drink. It was my desire to stop being a "good girl" as I had begun to feel that it was a bad label to have. Now I wear it with pride!
I learned that you CHOOSE to be happy. Take today, for instance. It started out majorly crappy. I didn't want to get up. I had gone through MAJOR spiritual warfare last night, and I was exhausted not only physically, but spiritually and emotionally, too. I was tired of letting things get in my way of success, though, and so I dragged myself out of bed and got to school. My day turned around because I chose to turn it around, and even more so, because God put amazing Christian friends in my path throughout the day.
I have been healed. I have become a totally new person. That shy girl I was? Yeah, she's pretty much gone. Sometimes, I'm impossible to shut up. I'm much less afraid to speak up these days. I'm excited to share my story and God's Love with others. I know, without a doubt, that God has BIG plans for me and my life. I know that I truly am the Miracle Baby that my mom has called me my entire life. I am truly Healed. I am truly Saved.
Thursday, January 5, 2012
Isaiah 65:17-18: Rejoice in the New
This will be yet another short Bible study, as it is only two verses. This one, and the previous one, are ones that I decided to study while at a church service on New Years Eve. I loved that they spoke about being new at a time when things were about to be made new again, so to speak. This one isn't really that hard to understand, so I don't know how much input I will have, but I just really want to post it. I truly hope that you can get something out of such a short study!!
"For behold, I create new heavens and earth; And the former shall not be remembered or come to mind." - Isaiah 65:17
How this relates in our lives: I think there are a TON of ways that we could relate this to our own lives, some that are spiritual and probably some that are not. I think the main one is when we become Born Again Christians. The old is made new, we become a new creation. I don't know about you, but five weeks ago tomorrow, when it all changed for me, I full on began to feel like a new creation! I was no longer the girl I had once been. Now, I wasn't new to being a Christian, but I WAS new to trusting God totally and completely. I WAS new to leaning mainly on Him and a group of Christian friends that would hold me up in prayer and encouragement (not new to having such friends, but new to leaning on them). I WAS new to being outgoing and putting myself out there. I could probably list at least twenty ways that I became new, but we'll just leave it at that for now. Point is, I became new. The old me was gone. Now, I don't think that this verse would suggest that we don't learn from our mistakes, but I DO think that we need not dwell on them. I get SO caught up in mistakes that I make sometimes that I feel lost, and as though I can't ever find my way back! There is no need to remember and/or dwell on such things. And as a whole, this goes for earth in a literal term, too. No one wants to forget 9/11, but we don't want to dwell on it. I am just now realizing, as I type, how many ways this is applicable. Isn't it just so exciting how many ways we can apply God's Word to our lives?
"But be glad and rejoice forever in what I create; For behold, I create Jerusalem as a rejoicing, And her people a joy." - Isaiah 65:18
How this relates in our lives: Are you ever afraid of change? I definitely was before my transformation, and do you want to know a secret? I still am sometimes! But here's the deal, worrying gets us nowhere, and any and all change can be used to better the Kingdom of our Lord! So, when something is made new or changes, rejoice in it and remember that it's because God has something better! Didn't get into the school of your dreams? Well, maybe God has something planned for you somewhere else that you couldn't have accomplished from there. I know that accepting my depression and not finishing high school as something that God would use was basically impossible for the longest time. Finally, though, the moment came when I got my GED, started community college, and was healed! Now I have experiences that I can share with others. Now I can tell someone else struggling with any or all of those things that it WILL get better and that they will come out stronger for it. I feel as if I have rambled myself off course here, but it was a point I felt moved to make. Bottom line is this: you can complain or worry (which will get you nowhere) or you can rejoice in what God has planned for you, which will get you everywhere!
I pray that you have gotten at least something out of this, as I feel like I went WAY off course and possibly made no sense. Sometimes I think I start going in one direction, focusing on one area, when God decides to steer me in a different direction. And hey, who am I to argue with God? So, thank you for reading and God bless!!! <3
30 Day Challenge: Day 5
"For behold, I create new heavens and earth; And the former shall not be remembered or come to mind." - Isaiah 65:17
How this relates in our lives: I think there are a TON of ways that we could relate this to our own lives, some that are spiritual and probably some that are not. I think the main one is when we become Born Again Christians. The old is made new, we become a new creation. I don't know about you, but five weeks ago tomorrow, when it all changed for me, I full on began to feel like a new creation! I was no longer the girl I had once been. Now, I wasn't new to being a Christian, but I WAS new to trusting God totally and completely. I WAS new to leaning mainly on Him and a group of Christian friends that would hold me up in prayer and encouragement (not new to having such friends, but new to leaning on them). I WAS new to being outgoing and putting myself out there. I could probably list at least twenty ways that I became new, but we'll just leave it at that for now. Point is, I became new. The old me was gone. Now, I don't think that this verse would suggest that we don't learn from our mistakes, but I DO think that we need not dwell on them. I get SO caught up in mistakes that I make sometimes that I feel lost, and as though I can't ever find my way back! There is no need to remember and/or dwell on such things. And as a whole, this goes for earth in a literal term, too. No one wants to forget 9/11, but we don't want to dwell on it. I am just now realizing, as I type, how many ways this is applicable. Isn't it just so exciting how many ways we can apply God's Word to our lives?
"But be glad and rejoice forever in what I create; For behold, I create Jerusalem as a rejoicing, And her people a joy." - Isaiah 65:18
How this relates in our lives: Are you ever afraid of change? I definitely was before my transformation, and do you want to know a secret? I still am sometimes! But here's the deal, worrying gets us nowhere, and any and all change can be used to better the Kingdom of our Lord! So, when something is made new or changes, rejoice in it and remember that it's because God has something better! Didn't get into the school of your dreams? Well, maybe God has something planned for you somewhere else that you couldn't have accomplished from there. I know that accepting my depression and not finishing high school as something that God would use was basically impossible for the longest time. Finally, though, the moment came when I got my GED, started community college, and was healed! Now I have experiences that I can share with others. Now I can tell someone else struggling with any or all of those things that it WILL get better and that they will come out stronger for it. I feel as if I have rambled myself off course here, but it was a point I felt moved to make. Bottom line is this: you can complain or worry (which will get you nowhere) or you can rejoice in what God has planned for you, which will get you everywhere!
I pray that you have gotten at least something out of this, as I feel like I went WAY off course and possibly made no sense. Sometimes I think I start going in one direction, focusing on one area, when God decides to steer me in a different direction. And hey, who am I to argue with God? So, thank you for reading and God bless!!! <3
30 Day Challenge: Day 5
Sunday, January 1, 2012
Ephesians 4:20-24: We Are New!
So, I thought that it was a perfect time to post about being new. I have a few different good places to study in that area, and will probably focus on them the next 2 or 3 days. Today, we will be looking at Ephesians 4:20-24. This will be a fairly short study, as it is focusing on certain verses, rather than the entire chapter, but I hope you get something out of it anyway!
"But you have not so learned Christ, if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught by Him, as the truth is in Jesus: that you put off, concerning your former conduct, according to the deceitful lusts." - Eph 4:20-22
How this relates to our lives: Well, to me this says that if we have given our lives to Christ, truly given ourselves to Him and decided to follow His Truth and His Will, we will obey. Lust is just one of the many things that we are to avoid. This makes me think of the 10 commandments. We may make mistakes, but we no longer DESIRE to be our former selves. We desire God more than the horrible things we used to do. We feel conviction when we mess up. God comes before all of those lies we tell ourselves.
"...and be renewed in the spirit of your mind." - Eph 4:23
How this relates to our lives: Basically, we have to renew our spirits and our minds daily. We make mistakes, and we must ask God to forgive. We have to make an effort to not look at that guy/girl and lust over them or to not cuss. It can be hard to respect certain people, but we need to try. And when we mess up, we need to go to God with humility. We need to ask to be forgiven and that He will change our hearts.
"...and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness." - Eph 4:24
How this relates to our lives: Well, God created us new. The moment we gave our lives over to Him, we became a new creation. You see now how this relates to the New Year? It is a fresh start, a time to make amends, to work on changing things we don't like about ourselves, and to make goals. Is growing closer to God one of your goals? I know it is one of mine. And if it isn't, then you should really think about making it one of them. You should search your heart and find what is missing. I can already tell you, if you don't have Jesus, then that is what is missing.
2012 is going to be an amazing year. I know that God is going to move and do INCREDIBLE things! I know that God will change me and those around me in amazing ways. I know that God's Hand will be in everything that I do because that is what I chose. I desire more and more of God at all times. I desire for Him to take complete control. He has made me into a new creation very recently. It's a New Year, maybe it's time that you were made a new creation too!
Happy New Years and I love you guys!
"But you have not so learned Christ, if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught by Him, as the truth is in Jesus: that you put off, concerning your former conduct, according to the deceitful lusts." - Eph 4:20-22
How this relates to our lives: Well, to me this says that if we have given our lives to Christ, truly given ourselves to Him and decided to follow His Truth and His Will, we will obey. Lust is just one of the many things that we are to avoid. This makes me think of the 10 commandments. We may make mistakes, but we no longer DESIRE to be our former selves. We desire God more than the horrible things we used to do. We feel conviction when we mess up. God comes before all of those lies we tell ourselves.
"...and be renewed in the spirit of your mind." - Eph 4:23
How this relates to our lives: Basically, we have to renew our spirits and our minds daily. We make mistakes, and we must ask God to forgive. We have to make an effort to not look at that guy/girl and lust over them or to not cuss. It can be hard to respect certain people, but we need to try. And when we mess up, we need to go to God with humility. We need to ask to be forgiven and that He will change our hearts.
"...and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness." - Eph 4:24
How this relates to our lives: Well, God created us new. The moment we gave our lives over to Him, we became a new creation. You see now how this relates to the New Year? It is a fresh start, a time to make amends, to work on changing things we don't like about ourselves, and to make goals. Is growing closer to God one of your goals? I know it is one of mine. And if it isn't, then you should really think about making it one of them. You should search your heart and find what is missing. I can already tell you, if you don't have Jesus, then that is what is missing.
2012 is going to be an amazing year. I know that God is going to move and do INCREDIBLE things! I know that God will change me and those around me in amazing ways. I know that God's Hand will be in everything that I do because that is what I chose. I desire more and more of God at all times. I desire for Him to take complete control. He has made me into a new creation very recently. It's a New Year, maybe it's time that you were made a new creation too!
Happy New Years and I love you guys!
Friday, December 30, 2011
Acts 12: There Is Freedom!
So, I prayed before opening my Bible today that He would bring me to a good passage to study, one that I could come on here and post about. I have been reading Thessalonians, and right now I couldn't relate that to a study. So I decided to look through my Bible at things I had highlighted. It brought me to Acts 12, which just happened to be perfect for the recent events in my life. I know that I was guided there by the Hand of God. So, let's dive right in! I will be relating this to what has been going on with me lately, but it could easily relate to anyone!
So, let's start here.
"Peter was therefore kept in prison, but constant prayer was offered to God for him by the church." - Acts 12:5
How this relates to our lives: The church = all of the people that have prayed for my through my 12 years of depression; family, friends, my church, etc. People prayed for this man, and we all know how God works when we pray in groups! In fact, lets check out what happens next!
"Now behold, an angel of the Lord stood by him, and a light shone in the prison; and he struck Peter on the side and raised him up, saying, "Arise quickly!" And his chains fell off his hands." - Acts 12:7
How this relates to our lives: The chains (along with the cell and gate that will be mentioned in future verses) represent my depression and anxiety. For you, they may represent something else holding you down, such as any type of addiction or thing that is preventing you from fully committing to God. Now, I don't know about you, but if an angel appears to me and tells me to get up, and my chains fall away, I am going to listen! For me, this was the moment when Aimee yelled, "You are healed!" My chains fell to the ground at that moment, and I was healed. So the angel can easily be represented in your life as a friend or relative, sometimes even a complete stranger! Keep an eye out for your angel!
"Then the angel said to him, "Gird yourself and tie on your sandals"; and so he did. And he said to him, "Put on your garments and follow me." - Acts 12:8
How this relates to our lives: This is where obeying comes in. When I was told that I was healed I had to believe it and pursue it. I couldn't just stand there and do nothing. If Peter hadn't followed that angel, he would have just remained in that cell, probably for the rest of his life! To me, this is where "doing our part" comes in. This is where faith comes into play.
"So he went out and followed him, and did not know what was done by the angel, but thought he was seeing a vision." - Acts 12:9
How this relates to our lives: This basically just connects to the faith I mentioned in the last verse. He followed the angel, doing what he was told, and he didn't even think at the time that it was going to get him anywhere. He thought he was dreaming, but he chose to obey. This sounds like blind faith to me! I also think that a lot of times we think that good things are merely "visions" or "glimpses" in our life, that they couldn't last. This happens to me a LOT, but I have to keep going with the flow, not being complacent just because it may be hard to believe it is real.
"When they were past the first and the second guard posts, they came to the iron gate that leads to the city, which opened to them of its own accord; and they went out and went down one street, and immediately the angel departed from him." - Acts 12:10
How this relates to our lives: Once again, the gates (like the cell and chains) represent something that was holding Peter back. They represent my depression. The chains were holding you down, but the gate was there just in case the chains didn't hold. The gate seems like the hardest part to get through, but we can! You can get through that gate of addiction, depression, or whatever is plaguing you...you just have to allow God to open it for you!
"And when Peter had come to himself, he said, "Now I know for certain that the Lord has sent His angel, and has delivered me from the hand of Herod and from all the expectation of the Jewish people." - Acts 12:11
How this relates to our lives: Faith!! He realized that it had all been real. It reminds me of going from being blind to being able to see. He had no idea what was going on, and then God showed him. I once was blind, but now I see!! He was freed, to boot! He was now free, and this is where choices come into play. What are you going to do with the freedom that God gave you? Let's not waste it, okay? Let's use that freedom to better the Kingdom of the Lord!!
"...And he said, "Go, tell these things to James and the brethren."..." - Acts 12:17
How this relates to our lives: He shared what had happened with others. For me, this is the testimony of sorts. I have told SO many people what happened to me one month ago today. Are you sharing your faith? Even if you don't know how to evangelize just yet (I know I don't!) you can share your own story!
"Then immediately an angel of the Lord struck him, because he did not give glory to God. And he was eaten by worms and died." - Acts 12:23
How this relates to our lives: Herod was the enemy here. So basically this tells me that the enemy cannot win. Whether that enemy be the addiction or the enemy as in Satan. Either way, the enemy CANNOT win!! How comforting is that? No matter what we go through in life, God will defeat the enemy! God will ALWAYS win! I don't know about you, but to me this is SO comforting! Don't ever let the devil get the best of you.
"But the Word of God grew and multiplied." - Acts 12:24
How this relates to our lives: Have you been healed? Have you found the peace that exists only within our Lord? If so, it is time to go and spread it around!! We CAN help the Word of God multiply! Remember that feeling of peace and comfort and joy that you felt the first time you truly let God in? Well, don't keep that feeling to yourself! Go and share it, go and help other people feel it, too!
So, this was my first post and I am very interested in feedback. I would love to hear other points of view and also any suggestions on my layout (love it? hate it? let me know!). Thank you for reading and GOD BLESS!!! <3
A song that played as I posted, and it is SO fitting! Enjoy:
So, let's start here.
"Peter was therefore kept in prison, but constant prayer was offered to God for him by the church." - Acts 12:5
How this relates to our lives: The church = all of the people that have prayed for my through my 12 years of depression; family, friends, my church, etc. People prayed for this man, and we all know how God works when we pray in groups! In fact, lets check out what happens next!
"Now behold, an angel of the Lord stood by him, and a light shone in the prison; and he struck Peter on the side and raised him up, saying, "Arise quickly!" And his chains fell off his hands." - Acts 12:7
How this relates to our lives: The chains (along with the cell and gate that will be mentioned in future verses) represent my depression and anxiety. For you, they may represent something else holding you down, such as any type of addiction or thing that is preventing you from fully committing to God. Now, I don't know about you, but if an angel appears to me and tells me to get up, and my chains fall away, I am going to listen! For me, this was the moment when Aimee yelled, "You are healed!" My chains fell to the ground at that moment, and I was healed. So the angel can easily be represented in your life as a friend or relative, sometimes even a complete stranger! Keep an eye out for your angel!
"Then the angel said to him, "Gird yourself and tie on your sandals"; and so he did. And he said to him, "Put on your garments and follow me." - Acts 12:8
How this relates to our lives: This is where obeying comes in. When I was told that I was healed I had to believe it and pursue it. I couldn't just stand there and do nothing. If Peter hadn't followed that angel, he would have just remained in that cell, probably for the rest of his life! To me, this is where "doing our part" comes in. This is where faith comes into play.
"So he went out and followed him, and did not know what was done by the angel, but thought he was seeing a vision." - Acts 12:9
How this relates to our lives: This basically just connects to the faith I mentioned in the last verse. He followed the angel, doing what he was told, and he didn't even think at the time that it was going to get him anywhere. He thought he was dreaming, but he chose to obey. This sounds like blind faith to me! I also think that a lot of times we think that good things are merely "visions" or "glimpses" in our life, that they couldn't last. This happens to me a LOT, but I have to keep going with the flow, not being complacent just because it may be hard to believe it is real.
"When they were past the first and the second guard posts, they came to the iron gate that leads to the city, which opened to them of its own accord; and they went out and went down one street, and immediately the angel departed from him." - Acts 12:10
How this relates to our lives: Once again, the gates (like the cell and chains) represent something that was holding Peter back. They represent my depression. The chains were holding you down, but the gate was there just in case the chains didn't hold. The gate seems like the hardest part to get through, but we can! You can get through that gate of addiction, depression, or whatever is plaguing you...you just have to allow God to open it for you!
"And when Peter had come to himself, he said, "Now I know for certain that the Lord has sent His angel, and has delivered me from the hand of Herod and from all the expectation of the Jewish people." - Acts 12:11
How this relates to our lives: Faith!! He realized that it had all been real. It reminds me of going from being blind to being able to see. He had no idea what was going on, and then God showed him. I once was blind, but now I see!! He was freed, to boot! He was now free, and this is where choices come into play. What are you going to do with the freedom that God gave you? Let's not waste it, okay? Let's use that freedom to better the Kingdom of the Lord!!
"...And he said, "Go, tell these things to James and the brethren."..." - Acts 12:17
How this relates to our lives: He shared what had happened with others. For me, this is the testimony of sorts. I have told SO many people what happened to me one month ago today. Are you sharing your faith? Even if you don't know how to evangelize just yet (I know I don't!) you can share your own story!
"Then immediately an angel of the Lord struck him, because he did not give glory to God. And he was eaten by worms and died." - Acts 12:23
How this relates to our lives: Herod was the enemy here. So basically this tells me that the enemy cannot win. Whether that enemy be the addiction or the enemy as in Satan. Either way, the enemy CANNOT win!! How comforting is that? No matter what we go through in life, God will defeat the enemy! God will ALWAYS win! I don't know about you, but to me this is SO comforting! Don't ever let the devil get the best of you.
"But the Word of God grew and multiplied." - Acts 12:24
How this relates to our lives: Have you been healed? Have you found the peace that exists only within our Lord? If so, it is time to go and spread it around!! We CAN help the Word of God multiply! Remember that feeling of peace and comfort and joy that you felt the first time you truly let God in? Well, don't keep that feeling to yourself! Go and share it, go and help other people feel it, too!
So, this was my first post and I am very interested in feedback. I would love to hear other points of view and also any suggestions on my layout (love it? hate it? let me know!). Thank you for reading and GOD BLESS!!! <3
A song that played as I posted, and it is SO fitting! Enjoy:
30 Day Challenge: Day 3
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