Romans

If you sin without knowing what you're doing, God takes that into account. But if you sin knowing full well what you're doing, that's a different story entirely. Merely hearing God's law is a waste of your time if you don't do what he commands. Doing, not hearing, is what makes the difference with God.
                             Romans 12:13 (The Message)


Well there we have it. We are accountable, not just to others, but God Himself. I have been so convicted by Romans and am so thankful I have a wonderful professor who is going through this book with us in NT2. It's convicting. Just last week I was so convicted in class, surrounded by fellow believers, that my eyes were stinging with tears. I so often lose sight of God's love for me, His amazing sacrifice and enduring promise to see me through any struggle or temptation. So, why do I so easily fall into sin? I "know" the Word of God, but am I taking it into my heart, allowing it to change me and grow in the Lord? Sometimes, no. I am beginning to feel the pull of sin in my life and being lonely and not having good friends around makes it even harder. 




All that passing laws against sin did was produce more lawbreakers. But sin didn't, and doesn't, have a chance in competition with the aggressive forgiveness we call grace. When it's sin versus grace, grace wins hands down. All sin can do is threaten us with death, and that's the end of it. Grace, because God is putting everything together again through the Messiah, invites us into life—a life that goes on and on and on, world without end.
                                         Romans 5:21-22


That's the good news! It's a huge encouragement to me that God is aggressive with His grace. He gives me rules and His word to show me my need for Him. My need for His grace, love and forgiveness give me a desire to love and worship Him. Sin threatens me. It kills me, but Jesus gives me life and love. This is a short blog, but I hope it gives you hope. These scriptures sure have helped me the last few days.

Loneliness: My Struggle

Hebrews 10:24-25

New American Standard Bible (NASB)

²⁴ and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, ²⁵ not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near.

I was convicted tonight at church. We were talking about being genuinely concerned for one another and loving each other as believers. On the drive home I realized how lonely I am and how I was feeling very sorry for myself. I don't mean to pity myself and feel overwhelmed by loneliness, but I have been struggling with it...a lot. I talk to my mom and best friend from home every day. I don't have any established friendships here and it makes me so sad. I have made a connection with a few people from church and I love it there, but I feel like no one really knows me; I don't really know anyone either. It's frustrating to go from a place where I had a lot of meaningful relationships to having none. I want to get to know people. Hang out. Share my passions and who I am. I want to get to know others. I want someone to pour into my life and allow me to pour into theirs as well.

I am praying for God to show me those friendships and for me to be able to dive into them. I am also specifically praying that God would help me to get a job in Wake Forest (hopefully on campus) to be more involved at seminary. I really want to form relationships with people on campus and have some friends my age that I can share my life with. If you're reading that, will you please pray for me? I really want meaningful, lasting relationships with people who care about me. I don't want to struggle with this feeling of loneliness anymore.