I have found a tool for those of you who are my regular blog readers, but often come check my blog and realize you are 3 or 4 behind (several people have told me this has happened to them before).
There is a way where I can add your email to a list and my blog will email to you instead of you having to come and check my blog on the website.
If you'd like to be added to that list you can leave a comment (I've enabled it where you can leave comments even if you don't have a google account) or you can shoot me an email (jessatate@gmail.com)
I have been honored by the amount of people who have told me they read my blog and that it has touched their lives in some way.I know that many of you aren't really avid internet people and want to make it as convenient as possible for you to continue to read my blog whether I am in the US or out doing missions again.
Thanks so much and Be Blessed,
J. Tate
PS: for those of you who are mostly only readers on facebook the blogs should continue to import to facebook, however i've had several people tell me that they are not doing so, at some point I'll log on and see why they are no longer doing so!
Sunday, September 26, 2010
All Sufficient DAY 12 of 40
Everyone is looking for something.
Being content is a place that many in our society have never been.
The reason is because our contentess seems to be completely conditional.
I'm content if...
fill in the blank with whatever seems to make you happy for that particular moment in time. I'd be content if I just had a job, a boyfriend, were married, my family cared about me, my dad hadn't left, my kids would serve God, my friends spent more time w/ me, I wasn't loaded down w/ homework, whenever i have a good salary, if i were respected more, whenever i graduate...
Everything seems to be conditional on this next "place" we need to get to.
Don't worry I'm preaching to myself too. It's been an extremely effective tool of the enemy to divert our attention from the present and have us hooked so far in the future that we are seemingly ineffective in the now.
We love to quote Philippians 4:13, but have you taken the time to look at the verses prior to it? Philippians 4:10-13
“For I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength.”
He knows that He can do anything through Christ BECAUSE He has learned to be content in every situation.
I'll be honest I'd say at the very heart and root of our contentness problem is once again a lack of faith. We forget who the God we serve is and we forget to run into His arms and receive all we need.
Why do you need a boyfriend? are you lonely? Why do you need a better salary are you in lack or greedy? Why do we need that next "place" what is it that God is not able to provide for you RIGHT NOW?
We serve a God who is ALL SUFFICIENT, in everything He is able to provide if we would go to Him and receive.
The lions may grow weak and hungry, but those who seek the LORD lack no good thing. (Psalms 34:10) This is just one of countless verses that display that FACT that God provides over and over again, He meets all your needs (Philippians 4:19). It doesn't matter what the need is emotional, physical, supernatural, He shall supply all your needs.
Perhaps we are discontent because we have forgotten to run to the source of all needs. I encourage you to look up scripture on God's provision. You'll leave refreshed, encouraged, and diligently seeking after the heart of God for your needs.
He is all sufficient.
Be Blessed,
J. Tate
Being content is a place that many in our society have never been.
The reason is because our contentess seems to be completely conditional.
I'm content if...
fill in the blank with whatever seems to make you happy for that particular moment in time. I'd be content if I just had a job, a boyfriend, were married, my family cared about me, my dad hadn't left, my kids would serve God, my friends spent more time w/ me, I wasn't loaded down w/ homework, whenever i have a good salary, if i were respected more, whenever i graduate...
Everything seems to be conditional on this next "place" we need to get to.
Don't worry I'm preaching to myself too. It's been an extremely effective tool of the enemy to divert our attention from the present and have us hooked so far in the future that we are seemingly ineffective in the now.
We love to quote Philippians 4:13, but have you taken the time to look at the verses prior to it? Philippians 4:10-13
“For I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength.”
He knows that He can do anything through Christ BECAUSE He has learned to be content in every situation.
I'll be honest I'd say at the very heart and root of our contentness problem is once again a lack of faith. We forget who the God we serve is and we forget to run into His arms and receive all we need.
Why do you need a boyfriend? are you lonely? Why do you need a better salary are you in lack or greedy? Why do we need that next "place" what is it that God is not able to provide for you RIGHT NOW?
We serve a God who is ALL SUFFICIENT, in everything He is able to provide if we would go to Him and receive.
The lions may grow weak and hungry, but those who seek the LORD lack no good thing. (Psalms 34:10) This is just one of countless verses that display that FACT that God provides over and over again, He meets all your needs (Philippians 4:19). It doesn't matter what the need is emotional, physical, supernatural, He shall supply all your needs.
Perhaps we are discontent because we have forgotten to run to the source of all needs. I encourage you to look up scripture on God's provision. You'll leave refreshed, encouraged, and diligently seeking after the heart of God for your needs.
He is all sufficient.
Be Blessed,
J. Tate
Thursday, September 23, 2010
Bye Bye Facebook DAY 11 of 40
Yes I finally took the plunge to release myself from the world of the social networking wonder, facebook.
It was indeed a hard decision, but a needed one. Well, for those of you who are my friends on facebook you know that I do indeed love posting my status updates, new links I find, inspiring quotes, and all the mobile uploads that I can manage.
The issue at hand is not one at the fault of facebook and honestly not at the fault of myself. It was simply a decision.
I'm in a new era an my life (duh I write about it all the time) and therefore have to make more of an effort to pursue my walk with Christ. I had to question myself last night by asking "Am I diligently seeking after God?" The Bible says that God is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him, so what the heck does that mean?
Do I diligently seek Him because when i wake up I read my bible and spend time in prayer, is it diligently seeking simply because I go to church 3x a week, how about speaking in my youth group, doing missions in africa? Which of these qualify for me to be able to say I am diligently seeking you Lord.
When I asked myself the question I already knew the answer, God I'm not diligently seeking, and therefore need to make changes to my lifestyle.
Diligently seeking doesn't have tasks list, you can't check off your works, go to enough church services, etc. to qualify, diligently seeking is a question of the heart. Do you want God? Do you crave Him? Do you desire Him? Does your lifestyle show a consistent pattern of seeking after Him?
Perhaps you could look at my life and have thought that I diligently sought after God and yes of course I have before, I go through times when I do, but I can honestly say that for the past month I have not diligently sought Him. I've done research for messages I was going to preach, I've read my Bible consistenly, I've prayed everyday, but I haven't hungered and diligetnly sought the heart of God.
Yet, I've still wanted His blessing, His protection, His intimacy, His rewards, His promises, without having to put effort or make sacrifice to see Him, the exceedingly great reward in the first place!!
Whew the lazy, sinful, unfaithful, person that I am, but thank God from whom there is great forgiveness, mercy, justice, love, and my sins are cast as far as the East is to the West and when we realize our sin we must do a 180 degree turn and flee from it.
That is the decision that I made. That it was time to diligently seek my creator, therefore I did delete my facebook and make several other needed changes in my life so that I may give space, room, and time to diligently seek my Creator. To be with Him, to prize Him, to make Him my main priority, not just "being a Christian" not just going to church, not just mission work, not just doing Godly things, but legitimate time spent in being still and knowing He is God, legitimate time spent in diving into His word and seeking His will, dwelling in His presence and receiving peace, love, grace, direction, correction, etc. and time just to enjoy my Daddy God.
Be Blessed,
J. Tate
It was indeed a hard decision, but a needed one. Well, for those of you who are my friends on facebook you know that I do indeed love posting my status updates, new links I find, inspiring quotes, and all the mobile uploads that I can manage.
The issue at hand is not one at the fault of facebook and honestly not at the fault of myself. It was simply a decision.
I'm in a new era an my life (duh I write about it all the time) and therefore have to make more of an effort to pursue my walk with Christ. I had to question myself last night by asking "Am I diligently seeking after God?" The Bible says that God is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him, so what the heck does that mean?
Do I diligently seek Him because when i wake up I read my bible and spend time in prayer, is it diligently seeking simply because I go to church 3x a week, how about speaking in my youth group, doing missions in africa? Which of these qualify for me to be able to say I am diligently seeking you Lord.
When I asked myself the question I already knew the answer, God I'm not diligently seeking, and therefore need to make changes to my lifestyle.
Diligently seeking doesn't have tasks list, you can't check off your works, go to enough church services, etc. to qualify, diligently seeking is a question of the heart. Do you want God? Do you crave Him? Do you desire Him? Does your lifestyle show a consistent pattern of seeking after Him?
Perhaps you could look at my life and have thought that I diligently sought after God and yes of course I have before, I go through times when I do, but I can honestly say that for the past month I have not diligently sought Him. I've done research for messages I was going to preach, I've read my Bible consistenly, I've prayed everyday, but I haven't hungered and diligetnly sought the heart of God.
Yet, I've still wanted His blessing, His protection, His intimacy, His rewards, His promises, without having to put effort or make sacrifice to see Him, the exceedingly great reward in the first place!!
Whew the lazy, sinful, unfaithful, person that I am, but thank God from whom there is great forgiveness, mercy, justice, love, and my sins are cast as far as the East is to the West and when we realize our sin we must do a 180 degree turn and flee from it.
That is the decision that I made. That it was time to diligently seek my creator, therefore I did delete my facebook and make several other needed changes in my life so that I may give space, room, and time to diligently seek my Creator. To be with Him, to prize Him, to make Him my main priority, not just "being a Christian" not just going to church, not just mission work, not just doing Godly things, but legitimate time spent in being still and knowing He is God, legitimate time spent in diving into His word and seeking His will, dwelling in His presence and receiving peace, love, grace, direction, correction, etc. and time just to enjoy my Daddy God.
Be Blessed,
J. Tate
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
Encounters DAY 10 of 40
I would say that a supernatural encounter is anytime the supernatural overlaps in with the natural. The type I'll talk about is simply God encountering us.
To list a few that I've seen in my life... instant healing (swollen knees returning to size, an arm growing back, deaf ears hearing, cancer disappearing, and more), demons casted out, angel sightings, etc.
I'm sure that when you first read that paragraph there are many reactions going on
1) I'm a liar
2) i'm about to go on a charismatic tangent
3) maybe you're saying praise God
Though I've seen many of what we call the "big" miracles, I want to talk about something different. We too often overlook the miracles that occur around us everyday. Every person reading this has had a miracle today... you breathe, you woke up. The truth is you don't even rise from your sleep unless the Lord allows you too, so congratulations today the Lord wanted you alive and awake! LOL.
How about something as simple as peace from God. When there is chaos and hopelessness around you and all you have is peace. God gave you that peace, He came in an supernaturally encountered your world.
Of course the field of answered prayers is a whole other arena when God comes in and supernaturally or even sometimes naturally by using natural things, changes a situation or person.
I could really talk about this forever, but we need to remember that our God is a God of encounter. He created you for relationship with Him, so it would be foolish to think that He'd never want to touch your life, that He'd never want to intervene, or communicate with you.
I think we get too caught up in our day to day life and we lose the fascination of the Creator of the universe being available to you. Available to communicate with, available to cry with, available to make requests to, available to lean on, available to give you that miracle you need, available to love you and give you the strength and peace you need.
We serve a God who desires to encounter us are you listening, are you watching, do you even want it?
Be blessed,
J. Tate
To list a few that I've seen in my life... instant healing (swollen knees returning to size, an arm growing back, deaf ears hearing, cancer disappearing, and more), demons casted out, angel sightings, etc.
I'm sure that when you first read that paragraph there are many reactions going on
1) I'm a liar
2) i'm about to go on a charismatic tangent
3) maybe you're saying praise God
Though I've seen many of what we call the "big" miracles, I want to talk about something different. We too often overlook the miracles that occur around us everyday. Every person reading this has had a miracle today... you breathe, you woke up. The truth is you don't even rise from your sleep unless the Lord allows you too, so congratulations today the Lord wanted you alive and awake! LOL.
How about something as simple as peace from God. When there is chaos and hopelessness around you and all you have is peace. God gave you that peace, He came in an supernaturally encountered your world.
Of course the field of answered prayers is a whole other arena when God comes in and supernaturally or even sometimes naturally by using natural things, changes a situation or person.
I could really talk about this forever, but we need to remember that our God is a God of encounter. He created you for relationship with Him, so it would be foolish to think that He'd never want to touch your life, that He'd never want to intervene, or communicate with you.
I think we get too caught up in our day to day life and we lose the fascination of the Creator of the universe being available to you. Available to communicate with, available to cry with, available to make requests to, available to lean on, available to give you that miracle you need, available to love you and give you the strength and peace you need.
We serve a God who desires to encounter us are you listening, are you watching, do you even want it?
Be blessed,
J. Tate
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
THE TRUTH DAY 9 of 40
Meeting Jesus Christ and acknowledging Him as Savior, making Him Lord, doesn't just mean you're "saved" from hell, it means your life just got flipped upside down.
I hate to think that we've allowed people to believe you can be a Christian without knowing Christ.
I hate to think we've allowed them to believe they are "saved" without any change.
I hate to think that we have a whole group of people that believe Jesus is okay with sin in our lives.
I regret to inform you that many people believe God's grace will just cover up habitual sinning.
There is a reason that the Bible says that the road and gate to life are narrow. There is lack of truth, hypocrisy, anti-christs, an enemy, sin, and many more factors that have people deceived.
The bible says that no one will get to the Father except through Jesus Christ and no one has given the reigns to their life over to Jesus without a change in actions, thoughts, decisions, etc. When Jesus enters into your life and you receive the Holy Spirit you will begin the process of sanctification that will cause you to become more like Jesus. Without this, you're not a Christian.
We have to stand firm on the truth of the Word of God and stop watering down the gospel. People need the real truth, not the half truth that will get them to church, but never to heaven.
Be blessed,
J. Tate
I hate to think that we've allowed people to believe you can be a Christian without knowing Christ.
I hate to think we've allowed them to believe they are "saved" without any change.
I hate to think that we have a whole group of people that believe Jesus is okay with sin in our lives.
I regret to inform you that many people believe God's grace will just cover up habitual sinning.
There is a reason that the Bible says that the road and gate to life are narrow. There is lack of truth, hypocrisy, anti-christs, an enemy, sin, and many more factors that have people deceived.
The bible says that no one will get to the Father except through Jesus Christ and no one has given the reigns to their life over to Jesus without a change in actions, thoughts, decisions, etc. When Jesus enters into your life and you receive the Holy Spirit you will begin the process of sanctification that will cause you to become more like Jesus. Without this, you're not a Christian.
We have to stand firm on the truth of the Word of God and stop watering down the gospel. People need the real truth, not the half truth that will get them to church, but never to heaven.
Be blessed,
J. Tate
Monday, September 13, 2010
I missed it DAY 8 of 40
How many times do we "miss it"?
We're an imprefect people who serve a perfect God whose desire for us is to share in His holiness (hebrews 12).
We see the perfect example of how we should live that out from the apostle Paul as he exclaims in Philippians 3:
12Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. 13Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.
We're not perfect, we won't be perfect anytime soon, but we should be pressing towards Holiness, towards godliness.
See there is a mountain that gets in the way of this sanctification process, that mountain is called pride. We are people group of Americans who have been taught that everything is about being right, being perfect, getting our way etc. ideals and beliefs that are in direct opposition to the Word of God.
This past week the Lord spoke to me, the Holy Spirit instructed me, and I ignored Him. Yes I ignored Him.
I didn't find this situation to be one of great importance, I wasn't really sure if it was the Lord tugging me or not, so instead of addressing it and praying about it, I ignored it.
It took 2 days for me to realize what had REALLY happened and on top of already ignoring the Holy Spirit, do you know what my first reaction was? To come up with an excuse and a denial of my faults in the situation.
Perhaps while reading this you may be wondering why in the heck i'd admit all of this on a public blog, well there's a simple answer for that in the Word:
James 5:16 Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed.
This isn't my first rodeo with missing the mark, it's not my first time to have pride and find excuses, it's not my first time to not do something the Lord has told me, and ya know, honestly it won't be the last, but I've learned something.
When you mess up, fess up. Repent... ask for forgiveness from the Lord (and He is faithful and just to forgive 1 John 1:9) ask for forgiveness from those who your sin impacted, and then live in forgiveness. Live into the freedom that repentance, forgiveness, and redemption brings.
Forgiveness is a glorious blessing that is readily available to us for every sin, every mistake, but are we willing to lay down our pride, humble ourselves, before God and man to admit we messed up?
Be quick to repent,
Be blessed,
J. Tate
We're an imprefect people who serve a perfect God whose desire for us is to share in His holiness (hebrews 12).
We see the perfect example of how we should live that out from the apostle Paul as he exclaims in Philippians 3:
12Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. 13Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.
We're not perfect, we won't be perfect anytime soon, but we should be pressing towards Holiness, towards godliness.
See there is a mountain that gets in the way of this sanctification process, that mountain is called pride. We are people group of Americans who have been taught that everything is about being right, being perfect, getting our way etc. ideals and beliefs that are in direct opposition to the Word of God.
This past week the Lord spoke to me, the Holy Spirit instructed me, and I ignored Him. Yes I ignored Him.
I didn't find this situation to be one of great importance, I wasn't really sure if it was the Lord tugging me or not, so instead of addressing it and praying about it, I ignored it.
It took 2 days for me to realize what had REALLY happened and on top of already ignoring the Holy Spirit, do you know what my first reaction was? To come up with an excuse and a denial of my faults in the situation.
Perhaps while reading this you may be wondering why in the heck i'd admit all of this on a public blog, well there's a simple answer for that in the Word:
James 5:16 Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed.
This isn't my first rodeo with missing the mark, it's not my first time to have pride and find excuses, it's not my first time to not do something the Lord has told me, and ya know, honestly it won't be the last, but I've learned something.
When you mess up, fess up. Repent... ask for forgiveness from the Lord (and He is faithful and just to forgive 1 John 1:9) ask for forgiveness from those who your sin impacted, and then live in forgiveness. Live into the freedom that repentance, forgiveness, and redemption brings.
Forgiveness is a glorious blessing that is readily available to us for every sin, every mistake, but are we willing to lay down our pride, humble ourselves, before God and man to admit we messed up?
Be quick to repent,
Be blessed,
J. Tate
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
I trust you DAY 7 of 40
I am so thankful that God continues to be faithful even when I am faithless. (2 Tim 2:13)
I consider my trust worthiness. Am I woman of God who carries myself with integrity, morals, truth, love, respect, etc. When I tell someone I'll do something do I do it? When I'm asked to pray for someone do I follow through or lie and say I'll pray without ever giving it a second thought? Do the people who matter the most in my life know it? Am I the same person in my home that I am at my church, am I the same person in front of my friends as I am in front of my pastors? Am I the same person at work that I am on the mission field?
I want to be faithful. I want to be trust worthy. I want to have integrity and earn respect. I want to be an example of love.
I want to be real.
Many times I've failed, I've fallen, I've not met the standard, many times I come up short. I am not always the person I want to be, could be, or should be.
Maybe that's why I'm so thankful for God's character of faithfulness. He's never failed, fallen, or come up short. He's never broken my trust, disappointed me or let me down. His love and faithfulness to His word are not conditional. He's the same God in my closet as He is in corporate worship. He speaks to me the same amount on the job as He does in a church service. He protects and provides as much in my day to day as He does when I'm in Africa. He's the same God, unchanging, consistently perfect since before the beginning of time and for all eternity.
So, when I say God I trust you, I pray my actions follow the words. I know that you are trust worthy, I know who You are, I know that You have proven yourself time and again and will continue to even through my doubts, but I pray that my words will lead to actions.
I pray that where you lead I follow, I pray that when things feel rough I'll know who stands by my side, I pray that when the future seems unclear and hazy I remember who orders my steps and has plans to prosper me and not harm me, I pray that when I begin to sink I remember how you lifted peter out of the water, when I'm persecuted I remember how you rescued Paul, when I'm confused I remember who knows everything, God I pray I simply remember that I trust You and through it all teach me to be like You.
Be Blessed,
J. Tate
I consider my trust worthiness. Am I woman of God who carries myself with integrity, morals, truth, love, respect, etc. When I tell someone I'll do something do I do it? When I'm asked to pray for someone do I follow through or lie and say I'll pray without ever giving it a second thought? Do the people who matter the most in my life know it? Am I the same person in my home that I am at my church, am I the same person in front of my friends as I am in front of my pastors? Am I the same person at work that I am on the mission field?
I want to be faithful. I want to be trust worthy. I want to have integrity and earn respect. I want to be an example of love.
I want to be real.
Many times I've failed, I've fallen, I've not met the standard, many times I come up short. I am not always the person I want to be, could be, or should be.
Maybe that's why I'm so thankful for God's character of faithfulness. He's never failed, fallen, or come up short. He's never broken my trust, disappointed me or let me down. His love and faithfulness to His word are not conditional. He's the same God in my closet as He is in corporate worship. He speaks to me the same amount on the job as He does in a church service. He protects and provides as much in my day to day as He does when I'm in Africa. He's the same God, unchanging, consistently perfect since before the beginning of time and for all eternity.
So, when I say God I trust you, I pray my actions follow the words. I know that you are trust worthy, I know who You are, I know that You have proven yourself time and again and will continue to even through my doubts, but I pray that my words will lead to actions.
I pray that where you lead I follow, I pray that when things feel rough I'll know who stands by my side, I pray that when the future seems unclear and hazy I remember who orders my steps and has plans to prosper me and not harm me, I pray that when I begin to sink I remember how you lifted peter out of the water, when I'm persecuted I remember how you rescued Paul, when I'm confused I remember who knows everything, God I pray I simply remember that I trust You and through it all teach me to be like You.
Be Blessed,
J. Tate
Monday, September 6, 2010
We have been set free! DAY 6 OF 40
We have been set free
We are no longer Your enemies
saved by your wrath by the death of your Son
Sin's power has been broken
In Psalms 51 David cries out for God to restore him to the joy of salvation.
Are we thankful for the power of the blood? Do we consistently remember the cross?
The most powerful place we can go as a Christian is to go to the joy of our salvation. A place of complete thankfulness for God sending Jesus Christ, who endured unspeakable pain, so that we may live and not just live as in not die, but live without guilt, shame or bondage, live on this earth in communion with our Father. That's true freedom. And then even more once this life is over we flow right into eternal bliss.
There is a reason we're instructed not to fret or not to worry. Jesus dealt with everything we could possibly worry about on the cross. He conquered it, He beat it, so even if we fail or should I say when we fail, I can still laugh, I can still point to the cross and say "Devil you still don't win" my life isn't dependent on me, it was already paid for!
I don't make light of sin or our failures, because I firmly believe in sanctification, Holiness, obedience, but instead I boast so greatly in the power of the cross of Jesus Christ. I boast in the victory of my Savior which means victory for me!
No matter the trials, tribulation, failure, successes, blessings of this life, I boast that I have a mediator named Jesus who paid my debt. No worry can I possibly have when I know the outcome. The outcome of Jesus and I forever together.
Be blessed,
J. Tate
We are no longer Your enemies
saved by your wrath by the death of your Son
Sin's power has been broken
In Psalms 51 David cries out for God to restore him to the joy of salvation.
Are we thankful for the power of the blood? Do we consistently remember the cross?
The most powerful place we can go as a Christian is to go to the joy of our salvation. A place of complete thankfulness for God sending Jesus Christ, who endured unspeakable pain, so that we may live and not just live as in not die, but live without guilt, shame or bondage, live on this earth in communion with our Father. That's true freedom. And then even more once this life is over we flow right into eternal bliss.
There is a reason we're instructed not to fret or not to worry. Jesus dealt with everything we could possibly worry about on the cross. He conquered it, He beat it, so even if we fail or should I say when we fail, I can still laugh, I can still point to the cross and say "Devil you still don't win" my life isn't dependent on me, it was already paid for!
I don't make light of sin or our failures, because I firmly believe in sanctification, Holiness, obedience, but instead I boast so greatly in the power of the cross of Jesus Christ. I boast in the victory of my Savior which means victory for me!
No matter the trials, tribulation, failure, successes, blessings of this life, I boast that I have a mediator named Jesus who paid my debt. No worry can I possibly have when I know the outcome. The outcome of Jesus and I forever together.
Be blessed,
J. Tate
Saturday, September 4, 2010
College Football DAY 5 of 40
It is Saturday morning. This is college football.
I walked out to my car this morning with a light cool breeze rustling my hair and took a deep breath in to smell... college football.
I drove up to college station last night to spend the 3 day weekend relaxing with my best friend, doing laundry, shopping, studying, watching movies, going out to eat, and of course watching college football.
I'm not the typical girl that doesn't understand what's going on or the one that doen't care what team wins, i jump into the game cheering and hollering and loving every minute of it.
Don't worry this whole blog won't be about college football. :)
Yesterday on my drive up here I called one of my favorite people in the entire world, my friend kayce. Kayce throughout many times in my life speaks words of truth that open my eyes to things I've never noticed or thought about.
We started talking about my new job and all that I have struggled with and all the things God is teaching me through this new stage of my life. After a few minutes of talking she just starts laughing and says... "ya know most people in life say something to the effect of God send me anywhere just never send me to the depths of Africa among poverty and disease. Then there is you who says, God send me anywhere in the world, to africa, to where things are bad and the risk is high, but please don't send me to a little rural town in the public school system"
I of course had to laugh as well and later as I was reflecting, I was convicted. Kayce was right. I'll go to the jungles, to the bush, i'll sleep on the ground, I'll hug babies with aids, I'll minister to murderers of thousands, cast out demons out of tormented people, but Lord please not Liberty, Tx in the public school system.
I need to note here that I do thoroughly enjoy my job, I am more than thankful for it, and my goodness I couldn't be more happy w/ having all of the spiritual mentors, frieds, and family I'm surrounded by in Liberty.
I've told God I'll go anywhere, but then when anywhere didn't mean (my version of) "full time ministry"; I lost my total surrender, I lost my complete willingness.
I've had to reconstruct what "full time ministry" really is. I've had to really search my heart and say "will I really go ANYWHERE". I've had to repent.
In a public school in Liberty, TX God is really opening my eyes to what He really wants from me, to what really matters to Him, to what absolute surrender actually is, and the truth that being in "full time ministry" isn't wht job you have, but rather how you live your life. A full time minister is a missionary, a pastor, a school teacher, a doctor, an accountant. Anyone who will fully surrender their life to minister Jesus Christ.
Be Blessed,
J. Tate
I walked out to my car this morning with a light cool breeze rustling my hair and took a deep breath in to smell... college football.
I drove up to college station last night to spend the 3 day weekend relaxing with my best friend, doing laundry, shopping, studying, watching movies, going out to eat, and of course watching college football.
I'm not the typical girl that doesn't understand what's going on or the one that doen't care what team wins, i jump into the game cheering and hollering and loving every minute of it.
Don't worry this whole blog won't be about college football. :)
Yesterday on my drive up here I called one of my favorite people in the entire world, my friend kayce. Kayce throughout many times in my life speaks words of truth that open my eyes to things I've never noticed or thought about.
We started talking about my new job and all that I have struggled with and all the things God is teaching me through this new stage of my life. After a few minutes of talking she just starts laughing and says... "ya know most people in life say something to the effect of God send me anywhere just never send me to the depths of Africa among poverty and disease. Then there is you who says, God send me anywhere in the world, to africa, to where things are bad and the risk is high, but please don't send me to a little rural town in the public school system"
I of course had to laugh as well and later as I was reflecting, I was convicted. Kayce was right. I'll go to the jungles, to the bush, i'll sleep on the ground, I'll hug babies with aids, I'll minister to murderers of thousands, cast out demons out of tormented people, but Lord please not Liberty, Tx in the public school system.
I need to note here that I do thoroughly enjoy my job, I am more than thankful for it, and my goodness I couldn't be more happy w/ having all of the spiritual mentors, frieds, and family I'm surrounded by in Liberty.
I've told God I'll go anywhere, but then when anywhere didn't mean (my version of) "full time ministry"; I lost my total surrender, I lost my complete willingness.
I've had to reconstruct what "full time ministry" really is. I've had to really search my heart and say "will I really go ANYWHERE". I've had to repent.
In a public school in Liberty, TX God is really opening my eyes to what He really wants from me, to what really matters to Him, to what absolute surrender actually is, and the truth that being in "full time ministry" isn't wht job you have, but rather how you live your life. A full time minister is a missionary, a pastor, a school teacher, a doctor, an accountant. Anyone who will fully surrender their life to minister Jesus Christ.
Be Blessed,
J. Tate
Thursday, September 2, 2010
I give myself away DAY 4 of 40
I give myself away so You can use me.
We have been singing a song the past couple of weeks in church (lyrics at the bottom) and it has really been working on my heart.
I think I've believed I had given myself away because of different things I have done that I considered sacrifices (Africa, trailer park ministry, youth minister, teacher).
These were big leaps of faith that yes, I was faithful to trust God and do even though I didn't feel prepared, equipped, or even a desire to do them at first. Each of those decisions dramatically changed my life course, but perhaps by giving myself away in these things I'd consider "big", I'd lost focus of the details.
As we've sung this song over the past few weeks the Holy Spirit opened my eyes and convicted me of how I've kept parts of myself from the Lord. The daily parts. The small parts.
Every moment of everyday needs to be put in the Lord's hands so that we are one with Him and His desire and will for our day. You never know what person needs the light that is inside of you. The people we pass on the street, the students in my classroom, the teachers in the lounge, the people at the grocery store. If all of me was given away, how many more opportunities would I have to minister to those around me?
I have to humbly admit to you that my life has not been completely crucified with Christ. Jessika's flesh has come and made itself present in the daily routine of life and in that opportunities to be an impact have been missed. I praise God that He is a redeemer and forgiver.
When we tell God that we are all His we should expect to be out of our comfort zone, to be inconvenienced, and of course to see God move. When I die and Christ lives through me lives should be changed, miracles should take place, the presence of God should go with me wherever I go.
What happens? routine, life, society, socialization. We get into a routine of life and find what makes us comfortable to do what we think will make us happy. I challenge you to give yourself away. Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal to you areas that you have continued to grasp and not freely hand over to the Lord to use as He pleases. Allow yourself to be clay in the Potter's hands. Then watch as God uses you to advance His kingdom by changing lives.
"Lord I'm longing to see, Your desire revealed in me"
We need to get to the place where we say "God not my desire, not what I want for my life, but simply what You desire for me and from me"
Be Blessed,
J.Tate
Chorus:
I give myself away
I give myself away
So You can use me
I give myself away
I give myself away
So You can use me
Verse 1:
Here I am
Here I stand
Lord, my life is in your hands
Lord, I’m longing to see
Your desires revealed in me
I give myself away
Verse 2:
Take my heart
Take my life
As a living sacrifice
All my dreams all my plans
Lord I place them in your hands
Bridge:
My life is not my own
To you I belong
I give myself, I give myself to you
We have been singing a song the past couple of weeks in church (lyrics at the bottom) and it has really been working on my heart.
I think I've believed I had given myself away because of different things I have done that I considered sacrifices (Africa, trailer park ministry, youth minister, teacher).
These were big leaps of faith that yes, I was faithful to trust God and do even though I didn't feel prepared, equipped, or even a desire to do them at first. Each of those decisions dramatically changed my life course, but perhaps by giving myself away in these things I'd consider "big", I'd lost focus of the details.
As we've sung this song over the past few weeks the Holy Spirit opened my eyes and convicted me of how I've kept parts of myself from the Lord. The daily parts. The small parts.
Every moment of everyday needs to be put in the Lord's hands so that we are one with Him and His desire and will for our day. You never know what person needs the light that is inside of you. The people we pass on the street, the students in my classroom, the teachers in the lounge, the people at the grocery store. If all of me was given away, how many more opportunities would I have to minister to those around me?
I have to humbly admit to you that my life has not been completely crucified with Christ. Jessika's flesh has come and made itself present in the daily routine of life and in that opportunities to be an impact have been missed. I praise God that He is a redeemer and forgiver.
When we tell God that we are all His we should expect to be out of our comfort zone, to be inconvenienced, and of course to see God move. When I die and Christ lives through me lives should be changed, miracles should take place, the presence of God should go with me wherever I go.
What happens? routine, life, society, socialization. We get into a routine of life and find what makes us comfortable to do what we think will make us happy. I challenge you to give yourself away. Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal to you areas that you have continued to grasp and not freely hand over to the Lord to use as He pleases. Allow yourself to be clay in the Potter's hands. Then watch as God uses you to advance His kingdom by changing lives.
"Lord I'm longing to see, Your desire revealed in me"
We need to get to the place where we say "God not my desire, not what I want for my life, but simply what You desire for me and from me"
Be Blessed,
J.Tate
Chorus:
I give myself away
I give myself away
So You can use me
I give myself away
I give myself away
So You can use me
Verse 1:
Here I am
Here I stand
Lord, my life is in your hands
Lord, I’m longing to see
Your desires revealed in me
I give myself away
Verse 2:
Take my heart
Take my life
As a living sacrifice
All my dreams all my plans
Lord I place them in your hands
Bridge:
My life is not my own
To you I belong
I give myself, I give myself to you
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
Choose Joy DAY 3
"Choose Joy" is a slogan my church has had for years. I can honestly say that my pastors "choose joy".
I thought that I chose joy everyday until I was faced with real challenge! For some reason Rwanda, Botswana, missions, being a youth minister, college, outreaches, etc. choosing joy in these settings was never difficult for me. I am a relatively laid back happy person, most things roll off my shoulders and I stay fairly calm; so i thought.
As I've become a teacher and coach everyday there is something that has caused me to be frustrated or irritated.
Today I sent my first student to the office and while she was doing what it took for me to send her to the office I heard the Holy Spirit whisper "choose joy".
I'm glad I took the Holy Spirit's advice, because one thing after another the enemy attacked to try and get me upset, frustrated, or discouraged and I kept saying to myself "im choosing joy, I'm choosing joy".
8th grade volleyball practice rolled around I was just being my normal self and an athlete said "Coach Tate are you going to be this happy all year long?" I replied, "well yes of course I am, I'm just a joyful person"... The athlete replied good, because you always make my day better!
The Holy Spirit knows what each person needs... not only do I need joy, but there are tons of children who need to see the joy that I have.
Choose Joy and be blessed,
J. Tate
I thought that I chose joy everyday until I was faced with real challenge! For some reason Rwanda, Botswana, missions, being a youth minister, college, outreaches, etc. choosing joy in these settings was never difficult for me. I am a relatively laid back happy person, most things roll off my shoulders and I stay fairly calm; so i thought.
As I've become a teacher and coach everyday there is something that has caused me to be frustrated or irritated.
Today I sent my first student to the office and while she was doing what it took for me to send her to the office I heard the Holy Spirit whisper "choose joy".
I'm glad I took the Holy Spirit's advice, because one thing after another the enemy attacked to try and get me upset, frustrated, or discouraged and I kept saying to myself "im choosing joy, I'm choosing joy".
8th grade volleyball practice rolled around I was just being my normal self and an athlete said "Coach Tate are you going to be this happy all year long?" I replied, "well yes of course I am, I'm just a joyful person"... The athlete replied good, because you always make my day better!
The Holy Spirit knows what each person needs... not only do I need joy, but there are tons of children who need to see the joy that I have.
Choose Joy and be blessed,
J. Tate
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)