So I just got back from Marannook and learned so so much through fellowship, worship, church, and bible study. I learned a TON, but I guess I can sum it up into three points:
Point numero uno: That fellowship is absolutely necessary. God created us for fellowship with our brothers and sisters in Christ and He uses that fellowship to strengthen, encourage, and grow us into the people He created us to become. I had an incredible time getting to see old friends as well as making so many new ones, and am so excited about my new friendships and getting to look forward to what God is going to do with each of them.
Point Two: Christ's love for me is unfathomable. For Bible Study, we had to memorize a verse a week and for the first week I memorized Romans 8:38-39 which says: "For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, neither anything else in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord." That is one of my favorite verses because it reminds me that even when I get busy, or stressed, or forget about the gospel that CHRIST LOVES ME regardless of anything I ever do, no matter how much I sin, or forget Him, or stray from Him that He loves me and will ALWAYS open His arms when I come running back.
Point Three: Jesus satisfies all my longings. There's a song we sang in Bible Study one night called "Satisfied" and the chorus goes like this: "Hallelujah! He has found me, the One my soul so long has craved. Jesus satisfies all my longings, by His blood I now am saved." My verse that I had memorized for this past week was Philippians 4:11-13: "I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well-fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want." I would love to be able to say truthfully that I am content in ANY and EVERY situation. However, I am not one to be completely content, there's always that one other thing that I want, that one other person in my life to make me feel complete, that one other thing that I can do perfectly, that one other something, but I was reminded over the past four weeks that God + something NEVER works. It can only be God and God alone. There is nothing else to add, nothing that could make Christ in my life more complete. God + something is like downgrading the Lord of the universe.
I'm still working on a lot of things, but I just really wanted to share with you all what I have learned and am still continuing to learn. I also have a new favorite song: How deep the Father's love for us. It's an incredible reminder of the gospel and of Christ's incredible and deep love.
How deep the Father's love for us,
How vast beyond all measure
That He should give His only Son
To make a wretch His treasure
How great the pain of searing loss,
The Father turns His face away
As wounds which mar the chosen One,
Bring many sons to glory
Behold the Man upon a cross,
My sin upon His shoulders
Ashamed I hear my mocking voice,
Call out among the scoffers
It was my sin that held Him there
Until it was accomplished
His dying breath has brought me life
I know that it is finished
I will not boast in anything
No gifts, no power, no wisdom
But I will boast in Jesus Christ
His death and resurrection
Why should I gain from His reward?
I cannot give an answer
But this I know with all my heart
His wounds have paid my ransom
