Everyday Devotions by an Ordinary Christian

Everyday Devotions by an Ordinary Christian

Thursday 13 March 2014

Eternity

You, O LORD created me
so I'm alive.
I'm alive!!
And I have been redeemed!
This means, I'll live for eternity!


What is eternity?
I thought about it for many days
some days, the thought hurt my head,
and some days, the thought caused tears.


FOREVER.
That is eternity.
However, we do not know or understand that.
It is outside of time.
I'll never die, technically speaking. 
I will live forever. 
Think about it. 
I used to only think about my time on earth.
Heaven was just a place for me
that I was going to after I died. 


But a week ago,
my mind was opened to reality.
No one that I've talked to
understood my train of thought. 
My thoughts about eternity
caused me to marvel at my existence.
That once I'm created, 
I'm never going to disappear.
Whether I go to Hell
or Heaven,
I will always exist.
We don't just live and then disappear.


Like I can't believe I'm alive!
That God created me
so that I can live for an eternity!
Once you can grasp that idea,
your eyes open up to your real destination.


People tell you to live for the eternity that's coming.
You believe it because it makes sense spiritually,
and it sounds spiritual. 
However, do you understand what that means??


Look at the timeline of your life,
of the time that your soul will be existing.
Life on earth can be wiped off by a single pass of a nail file
across the tip of your longest nail. 
Eternity is the universe compared to those molecules
that got filed off.
Do you kind of see the significance of your eternal life/existence?


Your life now, DOESN'T MATTER.
Your life in Eternity, DOES MATTER.
And that's why we should be filled with love and compassion
for those on the road to eternal death. 
We should put ourselves out there
to let God use us as His vessels
so that many more can escape the unbearable
eternal death. 


And we will be with God for Eternity,
we do not want to be regretting our decisions
when we go before the LORD,
before His judgement seat.


I have started being more aware of what is going on
relating to my actions to the thoughts that go on
inside my head.
I have taken captive the thoughts
that do not bring glory to Christ,
the thoughts that are sinful and selfish.
Knowing my destination and my goal
has given me confidence to live my
life for the LORD.
To dedicate every decision that I make to Him.


I encourage you to ask the LORD
for wisdom when trying to understand your
destination.
So that you too, can change how you live,
how you think,
and how you relate with others.
So that you can make sure that you are
prepared for that coming eternity.

Sunday 2 March 2014

Christmas Wishes To My Family

This is the card I made my family for Christmas. I had to show them first before publishing it. My family means so much to me and even my wishes cannot put to words how precious they are!

Dearest Family,

How shall I begin?
Should I tell you how blessed I am to be 
a part of this family?
Should I tell you how much I truly love you all?
How much you mean to me?
How I'm so lucky to be raised in a Christian home?
How mommy and daddy, you have brought me up with love 
and how fortunate I am?
How dear siblings, you are amazing,
and I love your many nicknames?

Oh all these things I want to tell you!
But there is so much more to say!
Let me begin by addressing each one of you.

Dear Mommy,
you are so strong. 
You are so strong. 
I've thought before that you are wrong sometimes,
but I've truly realized that mothers do know best.
And when you say that you know everything,
there is so much truth to that.
So many times I fail to realize just how loving and caring you are.
That when you punish me, 
it is a way of protecting me,
shaping me into a better person.
I am however, the issue.
For in my teen years I am stubborn,
and all I care about is "me". 
I want to enjoy life.
But what I fail to see is that there are different ways to enjoy life.
And if I continuously enjoy life 
without any care for my future,
there will be no enjoyment in the future.
I can see you struggling to help me,
trying to make me see what you see, 
preparing me for what I cannot see,
but what you have previously experienced.
You make sure to guide me in the way that is the LORD's.
There are many things that I have learned from you
and I just want to tell you that I am trying,
I'm trying to do what you're telling me to.
It might look like I'm not caring,
but I do try.
I think about your words continuously
and when I fail you, 
I do feel terrible.
You love God so much and I can't say how happy it makes me
when I see that you are encouraging your friends to study
His Word further. 
You are a brilliant woman, 
so full of knowledge.
I look at you and think if I'll ever be as knowing as you.
You are a mother who can help with my confusing homework,
who encourages me to work towards my goals,
who tells me that I'm capable of so much
if I only try.
You set limits for me
that I never knew I could reach.
I would not have achieved what I have achieved
without you.
I love you so much mommy.
"She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks."
Proverbs 31:17

Dear Daddy,
you are so loving and caring, 
and not to mention very comic.
I look forward to your coming home every night, 
so that you could throw in a few lame jokes
that make me laugh so hard. 
You are very easy going and you love the LORD.
You have a passion for deep studies and the 
things you have taught me and my siblings
are amazing. 
You always encourage us to study our Bibles further,
to not just read,
but to understand and question.
You have such a kind heart and what you've done in your work,
to support our family just amazes me.
You don't only inspire my sister,
but you inspire me. 
To have the peace that you have.
You have made sure that our household was one
that honoured the LORD.
You express your love for me so greatly every day,
I do not know if I am even capable of doing the same for you.
You have lead and guided our family in the paths
that honour and glorify the LORD. 
Thank you daddy.
I love you.
"He who fears the LORD has a secure fortress, and for his children it will be a refuge."
Proverbs 14:26

Dear Sister,
where shall I begin?
Oh how I fail to realize just how much you love me!
Everyday you tell me how much you love me,
you care for me as a loving sister would care for her little sister.
You create so many memories.
and although you are not home all the time,
the times that you do come home are so precious.
I love you so much and I want you to know that.
I am sorry for my stubbornness,
you have an older sister instinct to be protective, 
and I fail to realize that. 
You have the gift of prayer dear sister.
You pray for everyone you know and
you've been doing it since you were two!
It has truly amazed me.
And to be honest with you,
I have been trying to pray like you
for I think it is a wonderful thing.
Please continue praying like you do.
I thank you so much that not only are you 
a wonderful sister,
but also a great friend. 
I love you so much.
"Say of your sisters, 'My loved one.'
Hosea 2:1

Dear Brother and Twin,
for the one who has been with me since the womb,
you are one of the greatest blessings I have received from the LORD.
You are not only wise,
but funny,
loving, 
and strong.
Oh how much you love the LORD!
You are bold and courageous for you just profess
your love for our God everywhere you go.
Not to mention that your raps are absolutely amazing
and deep.
You have a gift my brother.
You have a way of expressing very important things
through your raps that actually cause people to listen
and consider your words.
Continue writing raps dear twin,
and rapping them too!
They can truly change someone's life
and are a great way of glorifying our 
LORD and Saviour.
You are a brilliant man
and have a great heart.
I can't tell you just how much you mean to me.
I wish to grow much closer with you
and to learn from you.
You are one of the most obedient people 
I know and such a trusting friend.
Remember back when we would spend every moment together.
We are still those siblings,
and we are still best friends.
I love you so much my brother.
“Say of your brothers, ‘My people,”
Hosea 2:1