Bible – Total Surrender

Gratitude

As we start off the New Year, many of us are writing down our resolutions, or creating goals we’re preparing to reach. The past few years I’ve heard more and more people talking about choosing their “one word for the year” With the plan to be more intentional about living that word out through the year.

I’ve never chosen one before. And I didn’t plan on choosing one this year either. Mainly because trying to pick just one seemed difficult, since there are so many different aspects of life I want to continue to grow in.

*I encourage you to read the following verses in your Bible, or looking them up as you read the next few paragraphs*

But lately as I’ve been doing my Bible study, in journaling, and in prayer, one word has continually been pressing on my heart, and that is gratitude.

The past two months I’ve been reading through the Old Testament, and learning at a new depth of the Lord’s goodness. Reading about His creation (Genesis 1) and amazed that I can experience it daily. The writings of His power and provision (Genesis 37-46, Exodus 3-4 & 13-14, 1 Samuel 17, and many more) stirring my heart to awe. And seeing His faithfulness as He makes His covenants and keeps them (Genesis 8-9 & 12-17, Exodus 19, 2 Samuel 7, Jeremiah 31:31-34)

At the same time in reading throughout the Old Testament, I’ve continued to see a new depth of the wickedness of us in our flesh. The fall of creation (Genesis 3), the continued corruption of man’s heart (Genesis 6), and rebellion against the Lord and His commands (Genesis 16 &19, Exodus 32, Numbers 14, 1 Samuel 15, 2 Samuel 6, 11, & 24, as well as many more). And it doesn’t stop there.

“Now the rabble that was among them had a strong craving. And the people of Israel also wept again and said ‘Oh that we had meat to eat! We remember the fish we ate in Egypt that cost nothing, the cucumbers, the melons, the leeks, the onions, and the garlic. But now our strength is dried up, and there is nothing at all but this manna to look at.’ Now the manna was like coriander seed, and its appearance like that of bdellium. The people went about and gathered it and ground it in handmills or beat it in mortars and boiled it in pots and made cakes of it. And the taste of it was like the taste of cakes baked with oil. When the dew fell upon the camp in the night, the manna fell with it. Moses heard the people weeping throughout their clans, everyone at the door of his tent. And the anger of the Lord blazed hotly and Moses was displeased.” Numbers 11:4-10

Now when I first read this passage above, I was frustrated and angry. I was thinking “are you seriously complaining, when God just brought you out of slavery (see Exodus 7-14), with the promise of a new land filled with all you would need, and He’s even giving food along the journey?” And as I was growing in my frustration, I stopped and realized I’m no better than they are.

How many times have I passed up an opportunity to praise the Lord for what He’s done, because I was complaining about another desire? Or wallowed in pity, as He removed one thing to lead me to something better? What about ignoring a blessing He has bestowed, because it wasn’t how I thought it would be?

Ask yourself these same questions. The wickedness we see in the Old Testament, the people rebelling against the Lord and ignoring His commands, continues in us. You may not have a golden statue that you praise, but is there something you’re putting ahead of the Lord? Is your time, relationship, entertainment, or money an idol in your life? You may not have touched the Ark of the Covenant as Uzzah did (2 Samuel 6:6-7), but are you doing something He has commanded you not to? Have you lied, cheated, stolen, disobeyed your mother or father? Maybe you’re not complaining about eating manna day after day, but is there something else you’re complaining about instead of trusting in the Lord’s steadfastness?

We are sinful. But the Lord is merciful.

“Behold, the days are coming, declares the LORD, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah, not like the covenant that I made with their fathers on the day when I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt, my covenant that they broke, though I was their husband declares the Lord. For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares the LORD: I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts. And I will be their God, and they shall be my people. And no longer shall each one teach his neighbor and each his brother, saying ‘Know the LORD,’ for they shall all know me, from the least of them to the greatest, declares the LORD. For I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.” Jeremiah 31:31-34

This covenant that the Lord made, was fulfilled through Christ (Matthew 5:17) , as He died on the cross for our sins. And through faith in Him alone, we receive the gift of salvation, knowing that we will be with the Lord for eternity.

So as 2024 starts, I have decided to intentionally walk in gratitude. I want my heart to sing His praises, not reside in ungratefulness or complaints. And in my flesh, I may fall in this, but I can start right now by thanking the Lord that He has paid the debts of my sins and failures through His Son! And for His redemption, making me new that I may desire to live for Him!

If you’re sitting here wondering “have I been forgiven?” “am I saved?”, or “what does any of this mean?” I encourage you to reach out to a believing friend, local church, or you can even go to my contact page for questions.

Now I want to know from you, what are you grateful for today?

-Ellie Marie

Satisfied in You

We have just about everything at our fingertips. A message can be sent across the globe, in a matter of seconds. You can download whole seasons of a tv show, and watch it all in one night. Potential relationships can be swiped through, with just a glimpse of their lives. You can even heat up food in less than a minute, all with the click of a button. The list goes on and on.

Yet, there is still a consistent longing among us. A discontentment that resides in our hearts, as we search for something more. Deep down, we know the instant gratifications of this world can not fulfill us.

We desire something more, because we need something more. And our thirst will not be quenched with having the newest technology, buying a self help book, or the completion of a D.I.Y. project you’ve been working so hard on. Eventually the excitement wanes, something newer comes along, and we realize it was just a temporary bandage constantly needing to be replaced.

What is it for you? In your flesh, what/who do you run to for comfort, peace, or to complete you?

“Jesus said to them, I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst.” John 6:35

There is only one who can truly satisfy us.

-One who fully knows you (Psalm 139)

-One who is always with you (Joshua 1:9)

-One who is consistent through eternity (Hebrews 13:8)

-One who deeply loves you (John 3:16 & Romans 5:8)

In Christ, we are made whole. We can rest in His grace and mercy. Knowing that because of His sacrifice on the cross, we are able to have the gift of salvation.

Our life will have it’s trials and tribulations. But when our hope, joy, peace, and satisfaction is rooted in the Lord, we are able to still say it is well.

“As a deer pants for flowing streams, so pants my soul for You, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God.” Psalm 42:1-2

Contentment found in the Lord has been a prayer of mine for years, and one I want to continually grow in. And if you find yourself looking to be completed by different things in this world, I urge you to pray that God will transform your heart, to find your satisfaction in Him alone.

Dear Heavenly Father, I thank you for your goodness and graciousness. Thank you that through You, we are made whole and complete. I pray for our hearts and minds to be fully focused and content in You, Lord. Let any idols or distractions that seek to come first, be rooted out of us. I pray for a growing desire in the pursuit of knowing You. In Jesus name, amen.

I encourage you to intentionally set time out of your day to spend with the Lord. Spend time in prayer, praise, and reading His word. Go to Him with your hopes, confessions, doubts, excitement, or questions. And if you haven’t yet, and want to put your faith in Christ, pray and acknowledge Him as Lord and savior!

Don’t let the busyness of life, take priority over your relationship with God. The dreams you’re planning, project you’re building, person you’re dating, etc. These things may be important, but they can never fully satisfy you.

Only in Christ alone.

-Ellie Marie

Knowing Him

How do you get to know someone?

A little over a year ago, I was introduced to a woman at a large gathering. We did the basic exchanging of names, smiled, said “nice to meet you” and that was about the end of it.

Weeks after I repeatedly heard her name, and saw pictures of what she was doing in her life on Instagram. If we ran into each other, we’d smile in passing, or give a quick little wave. At that point I probably would’ve said “yeah of course I know her!” and spouted off some very general things about her life. But I didn’t really know her. I knew of her.

Eventually we went to a local coffee shop one day, and chatted. Believe it or not, we had some really great conversations, and continued to hang out from then on. Now I can tell you that this friend of mine is a prayer warrior, someone who loves others deeply, I know her laugh and the sound of her voice, and she’s become like a sister to me. I know her.

How I got to know this friend was not through the occasional wave when I saw her, or liking her pictures on Instagram. It was through intentional time with her, asking questions, listening to what she has to say.

Question: Are you doing the occasional wave to God, or getting to know Him? Do you know God, or know of Him?

Why does it matter? Why is it important to know who God is?

For starters, how can we tell about someone (something we are commanded to do) if we don’t know who they are?

“And he said to them ‘Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.” Mark 16:15

As we get to know God, and more about who He is, the more intimate our relationship with Him becomes. We know His voice, and where He’s calling us to. We know how deeply He loves us.

“See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know Him.” 1 John 3:1

While there is the ongoing battle against fleshly desires, and we fall short, we strive to become more like God. To become more loving, graceful, sacrificial, just, humble, and more. How can we do this though, if we don’t know Him?

“That I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and may share His sufferings, becoming like Him in His death” Philippians 3:10

So, how do you get to know Him?

Like I said earlier, as with my friend, getting to know someone takes intentional time, ask questions, listening.

The Bible is God’s word. You can do all three of those things listed above with the Bible. It is full of His truth, and who He is.

Praying is direct communication between you and God. He hears you, ask questions, praise Him, give Him your troubles.

Be still in His presence. I know it’s easy to get caught up in life. But our relationship with the Lord is more important than any thing of this earth. Tune out the distractions, listen to His voice.

“Seek the LORD and His strength; seek His presence continually!” 1 Chronicles 16:11

Seek to truly know Him, not just of Him.

-Ellie Marie