Strivings

Bitterness is a historian. Forgiveness is an ambassador. Mercy is a nurse. Grace is a philanthropist.

Physical Beauty

 "I believe Satan is aware of the great power we have through faith in Christ's glory. I believe that ancient enemy works to coerce us to prefer the visually stunning to faith. By design he has clouded eyes of faith with eye candy. Satan wants you to prefer your HDTV and retina display to things that nurture your faith. Satan hates when we behold the glory of Christ by faith. Unfortunately, his strategy seems to be working. Many today are more prone to enjoy the beauty of this world by sight than enjoy the glory of Christ by faith.

If you are hungry to see more of Christ's glory, here are a few suggestions. First, spend regular time in God's Word. Open the Scriptures on a mission to see the glory of Christ in His authoritative teaching, compassionate healing, powerful miracles, and humble sacrifice. Let the Old Testament show you the glory of Christ in the promises, prophecies, and predictions about who He would be and what He would accomplish. Let the rest of the New Testament show you the glory of Christ in His compassionate love for the world and glorious mission for His people.

Second, spend time alone with God in prayer, pleading with Him to increase your faith and show you more of His glory. Create regular space and time to think about and meditate on the glory of Christ. Prayerfully set your heart on God's Word, enjoy more of Christ's glory and be swept up in joy unspeakable.

Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. "

 - By Andrew Hess

Something to put into practice

Bible Study

I love studying the Bible. It is one of my favorite things to do. For the last ten years, I have more or less faithfully studies Scriptures, and I think that it has paid off mightily. I love this verse: "Physical training has some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for the present life and also for the life to come." 1 Timothy 4:8

I am almost done with another Beth Moore Bible study, which will be probably my 8th or 9th, with a few repeats here and there. Next, I want to start studying on my own. My friend Barbara is a great example for me. When she was in high school, she started writing Bible Studies for her sister. Now she is a bona fide scripture scholar, speaks Greek and Hebrew (!) and is getting her Master's degree from a renowned Bible college in Southern California.

This summer a friend and I are leading a Bible study for female interns on Capitol Hill. We decided to study the women in the Bible, and have so far studied Eve, Sarah, Deborah, Esther, and Ruth. The coolest part is that we decided not to follow a book but to come up with the study questions on our own, letting the Word of God speak for itself. I had never done this before, but it has worked really well.

I am also in a Bible study at my church where we are going through the book of Hebrews, chapter by chapter. It is really challenging, and we are studying the scripture and its text alone. It is really helpful.

I decided that as soon as I finish my current Bible study material, I am going to start studying Scripture topically, and my first subject will be "sin." I think it will be interesting to enter into that study for a few weeks and see what the whole of Scripture has to say about it. I pray that God moves my heart and washes me white as snow through the course of the reading.