Thursday, April 28, 2011

More than conquerors

"IT IS TIME!" "IT IS TIME"

It is time to start a revolution my friends! We are called to change this world and bring glory to the very one who created it. Romans 8:30 says this "And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified"  We are a predestined generation, called, justified, and glorified! Why are we sitting around waiting for God to return to be active in our pursuit of the kingdom? Why must we be so stagnant in our faith, wasting time and energy? The time is now!

Romans 8 says this  31 What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? 33 Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. 34 Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? 36 As it is written:
   “For your sake we face death all day long;
   we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.”
 37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

We ARE more than conquerors for the very one we serve, already conquered death! Is that not why we celebrate Easter?

I normally don't write with such conviction but I know that God is calling us to do something bigger than ourselves, bigger than our wildest dreams. I pray that as you read this, God starts to do a work in you that sparks a movement. Please, do not wait for others to start it.. God has already predestined and chosen you to do that work! 

What to do in a storm?

Have you ever been in the middle of a storm? Maybe a dust storm (coming from the desert that was my first thought) or maybe a thunderstorm or perhaps a spiritual/mental storm?  Whatever kind of storm it was, I bet when you were in the midst of it you were overwhelmed.
A few weekends ago I had some friends over and out of nowhere this huge thunder and rain storm hit. It was pouring rain and thundering like nothing I've ever seen or heard before. I was in awe and a bit nervous. I mean, really... the trees were swaying and the wind was howling, it was intense. But never once during that storm was I scared for my life or overwhelmed so much that I found it impossible to go about my business. Why? Because I was inside a house that is well built and meant to protect me. I knew that I was safe.

So why then in our daily lives do we say "the peace before the storm" or "the peace after the storm"? What about "the peace in the midst of the storm"? Or does that not exist? I mean it has to, right?  Does peace only exist when there is no trouble or struggle? Does peace only exist when things are going great?  Are we not told that God's peace is a forever peace, a peace that surpasses all understanding, a peace "in the midst of the storm"?

Isaiah 25:4 says this about God, "You have been a refuge for the poor,  a refuge for the needy in their distress, a shelter from the storm and a shade from the heat"  If this is true then God, our God, will constantly shelter us from the storm.  Now you may say or think "Well that's great and all Isha, but how come He never seems to be there when I'm going through crap?"  My response to that is this: Let's say a huge thunderstorm hits while I'm driving around. I find a shelter and park in the parking lot, but decide to not get out of my car and go inside because my car is comfortable and I know my car. I know everything about my car and I get to have it all to myself, where as the shelter is unknown and it means giving up my comfort and my space.  Would you not think I was crazy?  Who would stay inside their car rather than go into the shelter?  God is a shelter and is always there for you in the midst of the storm, but you have to chose to make him that shelter in your life. Sometimes in life, we decide to not run to God in hard times because it means giving up our comfort and our space.

Isaiah 26: 3-4 says this: "3 You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you. 4 Trust in the LORD forever,  for the LORD, the LORD himself, is the Rock eternal"

LOVE IT!! I love that scripture because it so clearly states that God will keep us in PERFECT peace when our minds are steadfast and when we trust in Him!   In church and when speaking with other believers we always here the word "steadfast" and if you're like me you may think "what the heck does steadfast even mean? It sounds like a diet shake of some kind. Well here's the definition: : firm in belief, determination, or adherence : loyal.  So what Isaiah is saying is this, If you keep your mind determined and firm in your belief of Christ Jesus as well as remaining LOYAL, God will give you perfect peace.  

I'm going to end with this small imagery. Today while driving back from dropping Shannon off at daycare it started pouring rain but right as I drove over the last hill before arriving home the sun came through the clouds as if to say "I'm still here".  I pray that as you go through storms in life you are aware of the moments when the Son comes out to say "I'm still here with you" and gives you peace in the midst of the storm.

Blessings 

Sunday, April 24, 2011

A shining sign in a dark place

First off, HAPPY EASTER!  I love this holiday so much because it is such a wonderful time where people join together, the weather is fantastic, and the opportunity to minister to other people is great! Christmas is a time of celebration, but had it not been for the rising of our Savior, the world would be the same as before Christ.

This week has been so amazing and I sat back in awe as God went before me and worked through me.  I have been so blessed to encounter and become friends with some awesome people. So what is this week's lesson?  Being a light in a dark place.

I don't think I ever realized how bright things are in Vegas.  I've never missed a street because I couldn't read the sign. Perhaps, I was driving too fast and had to do a u-turn, but never has it been because I couldn't see the sign. Here, in lovely Jersey, I miss signs ALL the time, especially at night. The signs are lit up so good luck trying to find the street you need to turn on. Plus, the street lights are so dim and scattered that its hard to even see where you're going.

This week I realized that we should all strive to be like a Las Vegas sign: well lit and able to direct people in the right direction. I think that we so often get caught up in the "right way to say something" or "being so religiously correct" or maybe we get so caught up in our lives that we forget our one goal: to point and direct the way to the One who knows whats right and knows the path that is correct for each individual. However, you can think that you're pointing the right way. "Well God, I'm doing everything correct" or "Well I tell people about God all the time" but really? Are you? Do you think that using your words is enough?  A street can be properly labeled but people can still miss it (as I've learned while living here), but if it is not properly lit that label is meaningless. 1 John 3:18 says this, "Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth."
So, how do you go about being well lit. Well, the truth of the matter is that it all starts with your heart. If your heart attitude is off, everything else will be off. I've learned over the past year that truly loving people has to come from your heart, not your mouth. I can tell you I love you all I want, but if my heart is not right there with my words its meaningless. But where does true love from the heart originate from? Well.. lets think about this. Who is the one who knows your heart? Who is the one who knows the way you show love? Who is the one who knows love above everything else?  Got the answer yet? Well if you don't here it is: God!  Truly knowing God and knowing how He loves is where you'll learn how to love which then results in you being "well lit" 

I challenge you today to ask God how to love and to have Him show you His love.. Now be prepared for some storms, because sometimes we don't know how great His love is until we go through storms (both small and large) 

I pray that God blesses you and that you become well lit signs that truly point the way to the One who knows all.

BLESSINGS!!

Tuesday, April 19, 2011

counting it all as loss : a conversation with a dear friend

Let me start you off with scripture.

Philippians 3:8 says "What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ"

I was having a conversation with my friend Tayler about sacrificing and what that all entails. We talked about how we feel we need to step it up in that department. I told her that for us, its not a matter of heaven or hell because we know we're going to heaven but that its about a higher calling.  I believe that many people, especially young people, have a higher calling on their life yet some choose to not answer that calling.  Tayler said that a lot of people can just live their life the way that they want and be okay. But here's the kicker: they can! God loves us so much that He allows us to live in what we consider freedom.

I know for myself God is calling me to give up a lot of things and situations that make me comfortable. Some of those are unhealthy for me, but some of them simply consume my time and keep me from investing myself wholeheartedly to God and to the pursuit of furthering His kingdom!  Am I scared? ABSOLUTELY! I don't know what God is going to call  me to sacrifice, but I do know this: that whatever it is, it is worth it!

So often, we sing songs about "counting it all as loss" or "being willing to give it all up" or "your grace is enough" but really, if it came down to it, would you be okay counting EVERYTHING as loss?  Your home, your car, your job, your finances, your friendships, your relationship/marriage, your family, your comfort, your health, your beauty, your clothes, your bed, your shoes, your time... EVERYTHING? Think about it.. don't just read over this. Read each one slowly and think to yourself all that goes with each section.  Are you willing to give it up for the sake of Christ?

If you want a deeper relationship with the very Creator of your soul, spend some time seeking out His Higher Calling on your life.  Be ready to sacrifice.  God will never demand it of you, but one day you may hear Him whisper "Are you ready?"

Blessings

Sunday, April 17, 2011

Confident in your lack of confidence

I've come to learn a lot about myself while living here in Jersey.  One of those things is that I have NO CLUE what I'm doing. Yes, I know how to take care of the kids. Yes, I know what I'm doing from day to day ( I thank my friend Jo'd for instilling in my the passion to have a plan). Yes, I know that I'm called to a life of ministry and missions (however that looks). Outside of those things, I have no clue.  For the longest time I always had a plan. I knew where I was going every month, I knew who I would see everyday, I knew what my life would look like (haha!.. so much for that now). I guess God thought that was a funny joke and decided to change things up on me.

Here in Jersey, I have no clue if I'm going to go to school. I don't know if I'm ever going to complete my degree, I don't know where I'm to serve in ministry, I don't know what I'm doing every month other than working mon-fri and hoping for fun on the weekends. I just don't know.... I sort of lost my sense of confidence. I had defined myself by what I was doing which can be easy to do. When meeting someone its common to get questions such as "Where do you work?" "What do you do on your free time?" "Where did/are you go/going to school?" and "What organizations/events are you involved in?"   So in losing my confidence, I had to find it somewhere.. right?

I've found confidence that God knows exactly what He has planned. He is the Author of my life. He knows where I've been, where I'm at, and where I'm to go. He has the most amazing and perfect plan for me... the one catch to that perfect plan? Letting go of all that I have planned. I can sit here and say "by June I want to accomplish this? or "After completing my job here I want to do this or that" but in James 4:13-15 it says   
 13 Now listen, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.” 14 Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. 15 Instead, you ought to say, “If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.”"

I have no clue what I'm doing, but I'm confident in my lack of confidence that everything is going to work out because God is in charge.


I am asking for prayers. I want direction in where to serve and for God to reveal His purpose in my life. I know that I moved to Jersey for a reason. God did not pull me out of my comfortable life in Vegas for no reason. I know God has a plan and a purpose for Him and for His kingdom and I beg of you to please pray for God's perfect will in my life.

Blessings,

Thursday, April 7, 2011

oh how God answers prayers.

So I decided to log into my myspace account and I came across a blog entry from December of 2008! It reads:

I've come to the conclusion that although I know what I want to do with my life that i'm completely open to WHATEVER God has for me. I know that is opening all the doors for craziness but i'm so ready for change or not change, whatever is God's will.  Yes, i would love to leave Vegas and experience something so different and maybe even scary. I realize that I have a great life here in Vegas. I have a great job, great friends, great family and i could never complain about it.  I just have this urge that i want to leave and travel.  I live in this great country and sometimes i feel that if i never really leave this city i might be missing out on some great moments. 

my prayer for right now is definitely for God to reveal His plan for me and for me to not be afraid to just move in whatever direction is best for my life. I can no longer be stagnant!  As pastor Jeremy always said "stagnant water begins to stink" and i definitely do not want to stink in life.

I thank God for a hope that extends past this failing economy, past the wars of the world, past the darkness.



CRAZY how less than 2 1/2 years ago I prayed for the very thing that I'm living in now.

So for this post I'm simply going to update everyone on what has been happening the past 8 weeks. There's so much so I may leave out small details.

Church - I'm not 100% grounded in a church yet but I'm okay with that. I've become more grounded in my faith and knowing who God is to me and my faith in Him that not being founded in a church is okay. Don't get me wrong-I definitely want to find one, but I'm okay not having a home church yet.

Friends- I have made some amazing friends. One in particular is a God send.. Literally! Our lives are almost mirror images of each other and our sense of humor is spot on. I love every minute that I get to spend with her and she challenges my faith in a positive way.  I've made two friends that are both Au Pairs from South Africa and they're a blast to hang out with. They're the type of girlfriends you know you're going to have an adventure whenever you're with them. They make me laugh and I feel so free when I'm with them. Also, I have a ton of friends that now live in the area of New York or on the East Coast. Its so refreshing to know people in the area who know you for who you are and I don't feel like I have to explain my past. They just know my present and we get to experience our future. Its great!

Work-  Work has gotten so much better over the last 6 weeks. I'm finally comfortable with the family and I feel at home. Its a joy to wake up every morning knowing that I get to work with two of the greatest kids ever. I'm usually gone on weekends so its by Sunday night I miss the kids.  The kids are in a routine now and its a much easier flow. Some days are hard, but that's expected with any job.

Free time/ Traveling - I've gone into NYC almost every weekend which is phenomenal and I love it so much! I'm hoping to get to Boston /D.C soon as well as Philly. I'm so excited to travel the East Coast during Spring and Summer. I'm praying that in December I'll be able to visit South Africa for a week or two.

Overall life is great here and I'm so blessed to have such a great life set up for me here. Whenever I think that it can't get better God just shows up and blesses me even more.

Blessings,

Isha E.M. Craig

Saturday, April 2, 2011

A graveyard revelation

Last week as I was taking the train into upstate New York to meet up with a friend from high school, I passed an old cemetery. As we were traveling by it I thought "I would love to walk through this graveyard" (morbid.... I know). I've always loved to walk through cemeteries because I think its so interesting to read what others have put on their tombstone. If you never knew this person their tombstone is the only remaining evidence of who they are.  So then I thought "Who were these people? Where did they come from? What were their life stories? Who was at their funeral? How many people were there?"  Then I thought to myself  "I wonder what I would want put on my tombstone?  Who all would come to my funeral?"  It was then that I realized that the amount of people at your funeral can sometimes (not always) determine the impact that you've had in your lifetime.  I look at my dear friend Kyler who had over 1,000 people at his memorial service and he was only 15! 

I came up with this quote and I hope you enjoy it.  "You are worth more than the sum of your choices, more than the value that the world places on you. You are a priceless gift to this world and the impact that you make in this world will be evident in the lives of those who met you and truly knew you. Use your time, words, and actions wisely"

I pray that as you go through this life that you are moved to make a difference in this world. Sometimes I think we all believe that we have to do something HUGE to make a difference, but really all we're called to do is love and to love without expectations or boundaries.. Love unconditionally.

I love you all and when I get back from NYC this weekend I will write a blog of what has been going on in my life here on the east coast!

BLESSINGS AND LOVE!