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
Monday, September 6, 2010
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
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