King David wasn't perfect, but King Jesus is!

The past couple weeks have been a whirlwind of activities and things to do. But in the midst of it all God is still faithful and teaching me so much. The past couple of weeks we have been studying bible overview. In a two-week span we were taught and walked through the entire bible, genesis to revelation, twice by two different teachers. It was incredible to see the story of Jesus unfold right in front of my eyes as we put the pieces together. So stinking COOL.

Specifically this week we had James Skinner come and teach on the Kingdom Era, which covers from 1^st Samuel to 2^nd Chronicles. We mostly concentrated on the three Kings of the United Kingdom: Saul, David, & Solomon. I loved getting to hear details about how they ran the kingdom, looked (or didn’t look) to God for guidance, and see God’s sovereignty in it all.

However, the coolest thing that stood out to me most was how God uses broken people for his Glory. We see this over and over again throughout scripture and it is something I always go back to. During the Kingdom Era we talked a lot about David. David is described as a man after God’s heart, but David is by no means perfect. He sins, tries to cover up his sin, he messed up, he lets his flesh get in the way, and doesn’t always consult the Lord when trying to make decisions. I am always brought back to 2 Samuel 11 where David lusts after Bathsheba, gets her preggers, and then kills her husband. Hold up. Homeboy did what? In my eyes I am like NO WAY God’s uses this guy to show His glory and continue on His plan, but that’s why God is God and Paige is Paige. God has mercy and forgives. HOW STINKING COOL, GUYS!

I so often disqualify myself. I think my sin is too big, my flesh is too weak, and I can’t be used for God’s glory. But God instead my God says, “I’ve choose you and it’ll be for my Glory.

How sweet it is that we have a Savior that picks us! I rest in the truth that God continually uses broken people, knowing that I am to seek Jesus and let Him be Glorified in all I do.

Colossians 3:23-24 “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you serve.”

Romans 8:29-30 “For those whom he foreknew he also predestines to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order the he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those whom he predestines he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.”

I am so thankful for examples like David that show me even when I have messed up my life is still to be able seeking Jesus and Glorifying Him!

Recap:

David was not perfect

God still used Him

Jesus is Perfect.

Live in Grace!

Discipline yourself for the purpose of Godliness

“God doesn’t allow you to be too busy that you don’t have enough time for Him.” 

However, whenever I get busy the first thing to go is always my quiet time with the Lord. Why is that? I could give yall a list of excuses as to why, but the reality of it is the excuses don’t matter.

1 Timothy 4:7-12

But have nothing to do with worldly fables fit only for old women. On the other hand, discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness; for bodily discipline is only of little profit, but godliness is profitable for all things, since it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come. It is a trustworthy statement deserving full acceptance. For it is for this we labor and strive, because we have fixed our hope on the living God, who is the Savior of all men, especially of believers.

Prescribe and teach these things. Let no one look down on your youthfulness, but rather in speech, conduct, love, faith and purity, show yourself an example of those who believe.

Timothy tells us very clearly to ignore worldly distractions and instead imitate Christ. No excuses. He doesn’t sugar coat it or tell you it’ll be an easy time. He tells you to “discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness.”

DISCIPLINE

yourself

for

the

purpose

of

GODLINESS

Oh how clearly God calls us to be an example, a light, and a voice in this world. (1 Corinthians 11:1) But tell me how are we to be a light if we aren’t prepared for the darkness??

He calls us to a life of Godly discipline because of it is “profitable for all things” and holds promises in “the present life and also for the life to come.” He knows that discipline allows us to be prepared, allows us to filled, and ultimately gives us a voice worth listening to.

For a moment, I want you to think about an athlete. Athletes get up early to practice, they take time in their day to work out, they prepare mentally, they eat what they need to eat to succeed, and make sure to get enough sleep to be ready for the next day as they prepare for the next game.

They make choices to reflect who they are.

Discipline

Like athletes, as believer, we need to be spiritually disciplined. When we become disciplined excuses no longer become applicable. We aren’t “too busy” to spend time with the Lord because instead we make time to spend with the Lord because that is who we want our life to reflect. So, I will make the choice to daily sit at the feet of my Savior. I will make the choice to prepare for battle. I will make the choice be connected to the vine, which allows me to bear much fruit. (John 15)

God doesn’t give us half His time so why do I keep giving Him only half of my time?

RECAP:

Spiritual Discipline –make choice that will reflect your heart (Luke 6:45)

What does spiritual discipline mean to you?

Tswift’s new album comes out in 8 day, just FYI

NEWS FLASH: I am NOT a people person!

All my life I have told myself that I am a people person, but I have learned that I am not. Some people might argue that I am a people person, but let me explain. I have learned that I love people. I have learned that I love hearing and knowing peoples’ stories. I have learned that I love doing things, going on adventures, and eating meals with people. BUT when it comes time for me to recharge and relax, I need to be alone. It doesn’t matter what I decide to do, but I need to be alone. It changes your world when you learn how you recharge, but it changes your life even more when you learn to actually utilize this realization.

So, don’t get me wrong... I LOVE PEOPLE! I am certainly a fan. There is nothing I love more than talking to a stranger next to me at the coffee shop about their life. I want to know everything about them. I learned early in life that people feel valued when they are known.

BACK UP THREE YEARS AGO: 

It was my first summer working for my church’s missions program. I spent the most of my summer in the 3^rd Ward of Downtown Houston. There was a kid there named, Dadrian. He was a total punk.  He didn’t want to participate, didn’t want to talk, didn’t want to smile, and definitely did not want to be at a VBS being run by a bunch of white, suburban 7^th graders. I don’t know why, but I spent EVERY DAY sitting next to that boy, asking question after question after question. It took 5 weeks, but boy did his attitude change when he learned I cared about WHO HE WAS not just whether or not he was participating in the activities we where providing.  

FAST FORWARD TO THIS PAST SUMMER: 

Dadrian and I are still friends and because of the time I took to get to know his story and his heart I have the ability to  speak truth into his life now!

That summer three years ago, I realized that people matter. I realized that people’s stories matter. I realized that people’s hearts matter. ULTIMATELY I realized not only do people matter, but God calls us to know and love them.

So the truth is I would spend all my time with people if I could, but I am learning to take the time I need to recharge by myself.  Its hard, but it’s important. I can’t completely invest in people the way I want to when I haven’t taken the time to be alone and recharge. Yet I also can’t revert to ONLY spending time alone-, which could totally happen- but that’s for another time and another post. ;)

I know I am called to love and know people! It is a part of who I am! It is who I naturally am! But I am also not a “people person” and I have to learn how to take time for myself so I can recharge. So maybe tomorrow, I’ll read a book! ;)

So, tell me how do you recharge?

RECAP:

I LOVE PEOPLE

I NEED ALONE TIME

FIND HOW YOU RECHARGE, it helps...i promise

KINDNESS FOR KELSEY

Today would’ve been Kelsey’s 22^nd Birthday. So, I thought why not write a blog post about what I learned from Kelsey for this weeks post. To say I am thankful for the time I got to spend with Kels on this Earth is a HUGE understatement. This girl loved people better than I will ever be able to love people. I learned so much from her in just a short time. I could write a list a mile long filled with everything she taught me. Not to mention all the characteristics she had that were of Christ and pointed straight to Him.  But to spare you that long list and way too much time reading I have picked three things Kelsey has taught me by the way she lived her life.

JOY – COMPASSION – KINDNESS

1. Kelsey’s smile could light up the whole world. Anyone who knew her or even knew of her would back this statement up 100%. There was a light behind her eyes that could captive anyone, but it was more than just her smile that made her captivating to be around. It was her constant joy. She could make you laugh by doing some of the silliest things, she knew when to hug you and when to throw something at you, and she was always up to something. She wasn’t always happy, there were hard days, and hard things, but her hope was secure in Jesus, which brought her freedom and joy. A joy I so desperately want. That light behind her eyes was Jesus and what made her so captivating was the joy that Jesus brought to her life. Being around her was a joy, knowing her was a joy, being her friend was a joy, and getting to see her again one day will be the GREATEST joy of our friendship yet.

2. Kelsey loved to care for people. It didn’t matter if it was a child, a friend, an elder, or a stranger. She understood that people mattered. Everyday when I think about wanting to love those around me and get to know people’s hearts I think of Kelsey because she showed me how to do this. How to not just know a person’s name, but to know their story and their heart. People matter and Kelsey’s compassion reached past taking care of a surface need and went to where a need was truly met, their heart. I pray daily that I can have half the compassion she had; that I can strive to KNOW those around me more than just their faces, but to know their hearts and their stories.

3. Kindness. I think the reason everyone loved Kelsey was because she knew what is meant to be kind. She knew what it meant to offer a helping hand when someone needed it. She was always willing to do the behind the scenes work in order for a task to get done. She had a heart of service that manifested itself through her kindness. In high school, my favorite part of the day was seeing Kelsey after first period, because I knew I would get a hug and feel valued.

These three things are just a small glimpse of all Kelsey has taught me and things that made her who she was. I pray that we can all learn from her and seek Jesus…seek to know him, to be like him, and to make him known. One way to do that is by participating in Kindness for Kelsey today. Mama J wanted to do something for Kelsey’s 22^nd birthday and there is no better way than to do something kind for someone else today! Let’s remember sweet KJack by loving others today.

There isn’t a day that goes by that I don’t miss you, sweet friend, and not a day goes by that I don’t long to see you again, but until then I will look to Jesus. <3

RECAP:

Joy – Compassion – Kindness

Do something kind in honor to KJ today!

( Kindness for Kelsey )