My Message to Satan

One verse I have been clinging to lately is John 16:33. "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."

This summer, God has called me to oversees missions work. I am beyond excited for this opportunity, and cannot wait to see where He leads and what I will be able to do for Him. However, up to this point, it has been a nightmare trying to organize details. From paperwork to immigration issues, I have felt like something has been against me. It only hit me today that I am truly in the middle of a spiritual war. According to Satan, I am spending my whole summer serving his enemy, and winning converts for the opposite side. He hates that. And he hates anyone who is partnering with God to minister to His people. That would be me. No wonder I have hit so many roadblocks!

Norway!!!! Day 1, Oslo

I have so many posts to catch up on about Ireland, but first I want to talk about our spring break trip to Norway! I knew that I wanted to travel somewhere different for spring break, and when I learned about a friend living in Norway, that was where I had to go. It was an amazing experience and blast! The country is beautiful, and even though it was the trip of multiple mistakes and mess ups, it was still amazing. :) We mainly stayed in Oslo, except for the one day we went to Sweden. Here are the pictures from our first day!

Coming into Norway! 

The Nobel Peace Center

Oslo's Harbour 

Trolls! These little guys are all over Norway... 

The City Hall

The City Hall

This is where they give out the Nobel Peace Prize. 

This room is so huge! 

Oslo Harbour from City Hall

 Me in front of the City Hall building

The Parliament Building 

At the Akershus Fortress

The Akershus Fortress

Me in front of the Royal Palace

On the palace grounds, with Oslo behind me

The Royal Palace 

These were all the sights we saw in the first day. We also went to the National Museum to see the painting "The Scream." That was really neat as well! :) All in all, it was a gorgeous first day in Norway. 

He is Risen!!!!!

HE IS RISEN!

Those were the words on my lips as I awoke this morning. Sunday has come, the chains of sin and death have been broken. HE IS RISEN!

I love the beauty and majesty of Easter. Even though the sun isn't shining, even though I have watched my friends encounter incredible tragedy, the week has still ended in celebration. Our Lord is Alive. And He Lives In Me! That alone makes me want to dance for joy!

In church this morning, Rev. Monty was talking about how God allows evil to do its worst because that proves how weak evil really is. Take Jesus for instance. He allowed evil to do its worst. He took on every sin, every murder, every theft, every abuse, every bit of pain and suffering on the cross. He was beaten, tortured, destroyed. On Friday, it seemed as if Sunday would never come. Jesus was dead. What more was there?

Here is where the weakness of evil is evident. Satan and all the forces of Hell did their very worst. Every thing they could think to do, they did to Jesus. But Satan's power could only hold for a few hours. By Sunday morning, he could do no more. The power of God was no match for the forces of evil. Instead, God simply proved how weak Satan and his minions really were. Everything Satan had was destroyed in the time it took for Jesus to stand and walk out of the tomb. Satan lost. He bet everything and he lost. The power of God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit proves how weak and pathetic evil really is.

So today I want to leave you with a note of encouragement. No matter what you are going through, remember that compared to God evil is weak. It did its worst and could only hold Jesus for a few hours. If you are in the depths of pain and hurt, remember that Jesus is with you. His power will break the force of evil and show Satan how pathetic he truly is. Nothing can overcome the Almighty God. And if He lives in you, then who can be against you? Take heart, persevere, and remember the miracle of this Easter morning. For my God lives, He reigns, and He has broken the forces of evil!

"What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?" Romans 8:31

"But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." Romans 5:8

"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." John 16:33

"The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples: ‘He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.’ Now I have told you.” Matthew 28:5-7

It Is Finished

“This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters.” 1 John 3:16

Good Friday. 

I really don't have the words to say. I sit at my computer with a heart heavy from grief, pain, and heartache. So many of my friends are hurting by loss, and I hurt with them. These past few days have been emotionally draining and tough. We lost a friend, fellow student, and incredible follower of Christ. 

I also don't have words to express how I feel about the death of my Savior. I read through Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John with a heavy heart. He took so much for me. It was my sins that were nailed to that cross. When He told the Father "Let your will be done" it was me He was thinking of. And every day that I sin, every harsh word, every mean thought, I am putting myself into the story. I am a part of the crowd of mockers, of the ones who tortured my Savior. It is me who nailed Him to the cross, every day.