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If indeed you have heard Him and have been taught in Him, just as truth is in Jesus, that, in reference to your former manner of life, you lay aside the old self, which is being corrupted in accordance with the lusts of deceit, and that you be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and put on the new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth.

- Ephesians 4: 21-24

Sound waves.

Salvation to Service.

After reading and meditating on 1 Peter 1:1-5, I started thinking of how blessed I am to have receive salvation from the death of Christ. I wanted to share an excerpt from today's journal entry:

My salvation from the Lord is one of a kind, it will never fade away, be destroyed, and is purely holy; it's definitely something my horrible, finite self doesn't deserve. But yet Christ still died on the cross. The LEAST I could do is give God my life, and the things I hold on to, that causes me to sin. I praise God for allowing to really enjoy serving others, because I get to do something I love, and more importantly glorifies God. I pray that I might be able to do it at home as well... Everything that I do should serve God. Why? Because I'm His slave and He is my master.

The only right response to Christ's lordship is wholehearted submission, loving obedience and passionate worship.¹

1. MacArthur, John. Slave: the hidden truth about your identity in Christ. 1st. Nashville, Tennessee: Thomas Nelson, 2010. 91

Short Encouragement.

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ; and though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, obtaining as the outcome of your faith the salvation of your souls.

- 1 Peter: 1:3-9

 

As a sinner, trials are the worst. Trials show us that we are not in total control and do not always get what we desire. As a follower of Christ, trials are a blessing. The purpose of a trial is to make us more holy (James 1: 2-4). Godliness is the ultimate goal and should be the sole desire of a Christian, which is why Peter tells his readers to rejoice in their suffering- as it leads to glorifying God. Bringing glory to the God should be the one thing we find joy in doing. 

I am very thankful for my brothers and sisters that encourage me through conversations, text message, phone calls and prayer, they point me to Christ even when I act so unwilling to do so myself. I am grateful for my best friend who is patient with me and will correct me when I am too caught up in myself. Most of all I am grateful for my heavenly Father,who graciously granted me salvation that is more valuable than anything this world could give me. 

As we go through difficulties and sufferings, let us continue to endure, and persevere; focus on the end goal rather than the situation. Suffering brothers and sisters, Peter also states that these trials are only for a little while, so what's a few months to eternity? The Lord will come back soon, and we as children of God will continue to praise God, except without sin for eternity! 

"Miss Rhode Island, please describe your idea of a perfect date."

"That's a tough one. I'd have to say April 25th. Because it's not too hot, not too cold, all you need is a light jacket"

- Cheryl Frasier -"Miss Rhode Island", Miss Congeniality.

A year ago on April 25, 2013, I took this picture.

The weather was nice, not too hot, and not too cold, and so I decided to wear a light jacket to dinner with a friend.

Thanks for the "perfect first date" Fred! (:

Your View of God

Don't make the the mistake of thinking that you are not guilty of idolatry simply because you don't bow down to idols. We are guilty of idolatry every time we think about God in any way other than the way Scripture portrays Him.¹

Having an incorrect view of God affects a person's everyday worship; understanding how Scripture describes God, allows a person to know the God that they are worshiping. With a proper view of God, one is able to see how holy He really is, and we how unholy we all are. We as sinners would never have been able to approach God, but because of the work of Christ, recipients of God's grace of salvation, are able to worship Him.

Therefore, brethren, since we have confidence to enter the holy place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way which He inaugurated for us through the veil, that is, His flesh, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful; and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, 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.   - Hebrews 10:19-25

1. Hughes, Barbara. Disciplines of a Godly Woman. 1st. Wheaton, Illinois: Crossway Books, 2001. 59

Unknowns, No More.

Sec-butyl acetate

Cinnamic acid

Most of my Saturday was spent with these lovelies. It would have been pretty cool if my solid was C₁₀H₁₅N; it's funny how I thought that it could have been. Praise the Lord for allowing me to find joy in school, and try my hardest in my classes. Pray that I may continue to do so, these next couple of months!