~ Being Filled with Joy: Part 2 ~

I was reading in 1 Peter today and I remembered a post I put up on this blog over a year ago about being Holy. I remember - my school book asked the question: "Do you think much about being Holy? Why or why not?" I said not much, because my salvation is assured.

It's been a year since then, and I may have changed my mind.
Now I know of course that my salvation is assured in Jesus, but I never thought I was called to be Holy.

1 Peter 1:13 - 16
Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, "You shall be holy, for I am holy.""

1 Peter 1:22 - 25
"Having purified your soul by your obedience to the truth for a sincere brotherly love, love one another earnestly from a pure heart, since you have been born again, not of perishable seed but imperishable, through the living and abiding word of God; for
"All flesh is like grass
and all its glory like the flower of grass.
The grass withers,
and the flower falls,
but the word of the Lord remains forever.""

You know what else fills me with joy? Forever.
Forever is such a funny word. It promises so much, but it never seems to deliver. After all, nothing lasts forever. Except, apparently, the word of the Lord. :)

We will be in heaven forever. That's a long time. I remember feeling the best I've ever felt on this planet, and that was when I was out flying across the ocean on a tiny boat. I felt God there. But, it didn't last forever. Sometimes I catch a glimpse of it again when I really get into the worship at church or get super-encouraged from my Bible reading, but it never lasts.

In heaven it will. It will last forever there. I won't have to be on a boat in the ocean to feel it again, I'll feel it all the time!

And you know the best part?

It will be a million times better.

Right now I can't think of anything that could possibly be better, but it will be.

(More from 1 Peter 1 for ya) (Man, I cannot quote enough from this book) ;)

1 Peter 1:3 - 8
"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God's power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith - more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire - may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ."

If I could just ask for some prayer:
My grandma's cancer scan came back, and the news is not good. Most of you guys are in my caregroup, so you heard the lowdown on that. I'll briefly sum up:
If this next treatment (next week) fails, we're looking at 2 weeks - 3 months left with her, so please pray that the treatment works and that our time will be indefinite again.
Also, my Mom has gotten pretty sick these past couple days, and she's going to the doctor today. I've really fallen behind in school trying to take care of her and give her time with grandma, so please pray that we'll get well and I'll catch up.
(This blog post was part of my devotion today) :)

Thanks guys, it really means a lot to me.

~ Psalms & Pictures ~

Psalm 63: 1-3 -

"O God, you are my God; earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you; my flesh faints for you, as in a dry and weary land where there is no water. So I have looked upon you in the sanctuary, beholding your power and glory. Because your steadfast love is better than life, my lips will praise you."

Steadfast love, better than life?

Oh yes. By far. The best thing of this world that we can know is life. It's hard to wrap the mind around something better, because it's all we know. We go to school to study life. We have things to help us enjoy life. The different people I hang out with contribute in different ways to my life.

There is a power, a glory, a steadfast love, better than life.

Psalm 125: 1-2

"Those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion, which cannot be moved, but abides forever. As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the Lord surrounds his people, from this time forth and forevermore."

Psalm 120: 1 -

"In my distress I called to the Lord, and he answered me."

Isn't that enough? He answers me in my distress. Every day.

Just some Psalms and bird pictures. You know how it is. :)