Joyfully Awake

So, at about 2:38am, i shut my computer, brushed my teeth, put in my retainers, and laid down to go to sleep.

Was I able to? No.

I started out lying there, praising God for so many things, so many blessings He's given me, the amazing people and fellowship that have stretched my faith, and helped me grow.
For the joy that comes with giving, wishing i had more money, just so I could give and support the people in my life who are following you.
Reflecting on tonight's bible study. Amazing. The women in it are such amazing, open, growing women of God. I am so incredibly blessed to be leading these wonderful women.
Praying to God about the upcoming unknowns and opportunities.
Thinking about the amazing time I had with Him today, drinking coffee and studying His Word, in the presence of my best friend Tiffanie, who I am so thankful for :)
Praying for my beautiful roommate from gms, and planning when I'm able to next talk to her.
Wondering why I haven't been writing as much...

And then, all of a sudden, the joy I was feeling overwhelmed me. I had a sudden urge to write and share my thoughts from study today, and a craving for cheese. (random, i know!)

Which is how I ended up here, at the kitchen table, bundled up, writing.

As I was going through Romans 1:18-32 today, a theme became glaringly obvious to me, which had never been before. So I'm just going to post a few thoughts that I gleaned from it.

Why Isn’t “Knowledge of God” Enough?

Knowledge: knowing there is a God, though His Word and creation itself.

Let’s examine this passage of Romans 1:18-32:

1. Though they knew about God, they still suppressed the truth with wickedness (v. 18).
2. They didn’t glorify or give thanks to Him (v. 21).
3. They exchanged the truth for a lie, worshiping and serving created things, rather than the Creator (v. 25).
4. They rejected God’s perfect plan and exchanged it for “unnatural relationships” (v. 26-27).
5. Didn’t find value in God’s knowledge, and continued to live sinfully, despite KNOWING God’s law and decrees, which were created for their good (v. 28-32).

How can you, in your life, strive to not just know there is a God, but to live your lives fully surrendered to Him?

1. * Turn from wicked behavior that will prevent the development, action, and expression of God’s truth in your life.
-Anything that is against what God’s Word commands you to do.
* Must continually seek God’s truth, as it applies to each and every situation.

2. * We can glorify God by living out of who He says we are, as new creations that turn from sin.
-2 Corinthians 5:17

3. * Examine the lies you believe about yourself, and about God
* Psalm 139:23-24: Examine and search your heart, making sure to that you are putting God FIRST in your heart
-This may require you to readjust your priorities and how you spend your time.
-Are the activities you’re participating in and thoughts you have drawing you closer to God, or are they pulling you away, allowing you to live a life of sin?

4. * In what ways are you living that aren’t part of God’s plan for your life?
-This could include drinking, drugs, sexual immorality, lying, pride, disobedience, or gossip.
-His plan isn’t meant to be just a list of rules that limit the “fun” you can have; they are God’s way of protecting us from sin and from living lives that are destructive to our souls.
-1 Peter 2:11

5. * Study God’s Word!
-Seek out truth, and pray that He’ll open your eyes to the value His Word holds.
* James 4:17~ “Anyone, then, who knows the good he ought to do and doesn't do it, sins.”
-Hold fast to His words and commands, especially in times of temptation.
-The actions you do now for short-term, meaningless pleasure, can affect your future in ways you won’t realize until later.