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Lately I have been reading the book of Genesis. It is not just because I have to for school, but rather because I want to know more and more about the characteristics of God and those that served him.
One thing that I have begun to realize alot lately is that my life has been a life full of waiting for those promises that God has declared. Sound familiar? (Abraham...Issac...Joseph....etc). What amazes me is how they pressed on and held unto the promises of God, even though they may not have seen it fulfilled in thier life-time. As I reflect back upon my 26 years on this earth, I have noticed a few things worthy of sharing with you today:
1) Our generation has forgotten how to wait upon God and for His promises. They give up if they do not see thier dreams fulfilled immediately. That is why our graveyards are filled with men and women who gave up. Unknown names for untold dreams.
2) Even when doors of our dreams seems to be opening, we are still waiting. I noticed while reading that right when things seemed to be going right regarding the promises of God, something happened and set them back for a short amount of time. No matter what sets us back, we must continue on to run this race.
3) Let us not lose focus of that dream, but let us not forget where we are today. As my girlfriend recently said to me: "How awesome it is when you know that you know that you know you are right where God wants you to be." God has us all in this place for a reason and for a season. Enjoy everyday and give praise unto God for it.
In closing....While we wait....we should praise. Do not give up. Do not give in. And never let someone tell you that your dream is too big and unachievable. For in the end....whether through you or your offspring. God's plan will come to past.
~ Jeremy D. Crouch ~
To listen to the song that inspired this blog, please go to www.myspace.com/jemspage1126
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Ok....so now it is finally official:
I am now a full-time college student at Regent University! (((Screams))))
Right now, I am not sure whether I am screaming at the mere fact that I am soooo soooo soooo (yes I put that in there three times on purpose) excited or whether because I am overwhelmed already and classes have not even began yet!
Well...truth is I am screaming for both. I am screaming out praises to God for opening up all of the doors in the past few weeks. I can not even begin to explain what He has done. He gets the first scream.
The second scream is because this is my dream coming true. Screaming and Dreaming. It rhymes. I have always wanted to be a full time college student and now here I am. Yes....yes I know that you do not have to have a college degree to be successful in this life, but this is a dream that I have had since I was a child. It was just postponed 8 years. I don't feel that bad though, because last night at orientation, I met several people just like me who are picking up the books after many many years off.
My final scream goes out because I am overwhelmed, but I know that God will help me out with organization, motivation, and the ability to finish this race.
Well, I must go get things together! By the way, there may be a lack of blogs, but I will try to keep you all updated.
Excited and Screaming..
Jeremy
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THE CALLING OF GOD - August 16th, 2008
1:5 Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, [and] I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations. 1:6 Then said I, Ah, Lord GOD! behold, I cannot speak: for I [am] a child. 1:7 But the LORD said unto me, Say not, I [am] a child: for thou shalt go to all that I shall send thee, and whatsoever I command thee thou shalt speak. 1:8 Be not afraid of their faces: for I [am] with thee to deliver thee, saith the LORD. 1:9 Then the LORD put forth his hand, and touched my mouth. And the LORD said unto me, Behold, I have put my words in thy mouth. 1:10 See, I have this day set thee over the nations and over the kingdoms, to root out, and to pull down, and to destroy, and to throw down, to build, and to plant.
We are living in the days where we need men and women to walk in thier calling. While the children of Africa die of famine and disease, the children of America die of unbelief. The families of America are fading. A nation that was bound together in unity for love of God has been spit apart by the selfishness of individualism. We need men to rise up and to declare that "As for me and my household, we will serve the Lord." We need women to rise up and say that "I was born for such a time as this."
We have made this country comfortable with our laws and our resources, but we have forgot about the true calling that God has given to us. We would rather be be comfortable. We would rather ignore the fact that our children are dying all around us. We would rather walk by the child laying homeless on the streets so that we are not late for a desk job filing paperwork than to stop and help him out. We would rather stay in America because we are too comfortable, than go to the heat and desert of Africa to bring food, water, and the Truth of God to the people dying there too. We would rather watch it all on the tv instead of experiencing it. We are too comfortable to share the calling of God.
The calling to call people out of the darkness and into the light. The calling to call people out of thier sins, diseases, and famines. To speak with the power and the authority of the Spirit of God. to root out, to pull down, and to destroy, and to throw down, and to build, and to plant. To go to the ends of the earth with the gospel of truth and life. To share the Word of God.
We have a calling upon our lives. A proclamation. A declaration. A destiny to go forth and to be the light and the salt of the earth. Today, God is challenging you to rise up from where you are now, allow Him to touch you and to place His words in your lips and written on the tablets of your heart. Today God is challenging you to live a life that is not about you, but rather about those dying around you. Do you see them? You need to see them. We all need to see them. God sees them. God hears thier cries everynight. And guess what? God has placed you on this earth for such a time as this, so that He can use you to show His love to them and to meet their needs. It starts here. It starts now. It starts with me. It starts with you.
The calling of God rings out.
Will you answer?
~ Jeremy D. Crouch ~
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Desperate Cry - August 15th, 2008
In the darkness, the young man cries out of frustration and of pain. He is desperate. He longs for God, but feels as if he is not worthy. He longs to hear God's voice and to feel His touch, but feels nothing but pain. The crushing of his heart. The pain taking over. Rain flooding his soul. Drowning him. He is losing control. Tired of speaking the room grows still. Silence takes over. He has nothing else to say. His tears dry up. The pain continues. Losing strength, hope, faith, and love....he finds one more thing to say:
"I rather die here in Your presence, than live another second in this world without You.
I rather live here in Your presence, than die in this world without You."
He screams it out. From the darkness and the depths of his soul. A desperation. A cry. A hunger. A longing. The true desires coming out. The true need for God in this life. He holds on by a mustard seed of faith. By this one statement. By this one proclamation. He declares it out. Knowing that God heard him.
Suddenly, out of the silence, God speaks to him:
"Lo, I am with you always and even unto the end. I rather My presence lives in you while you live in this world so that you can share it until I call you home. I will never leave you and I will never forsake you. Behold, I love you."
Then the young man saw a vision of the cross. Christ was no longer on it, but the seriousness and the depths of the love of Christ could be felt. As he stood there remembering what God did for him, he was reminded of all of the promises that he has made God. As he stood there, he was strengthened by the Spirit of God. The covenant that God had made with man was declared once again. The promises of God cried out again. That He loves us.
Strengthened and renewed...the young man falls asleep with a smile on his face and peace in his heart. He falls asleep in the arms of God.
Dear reader,
God loves you. He has not left you. He is still there. If you need God to move in your life, then you need to cry out to Him now. He will save you from the darkness. He will speak His light and show His love. He will come to you. He will embrace you as His child. He will save you from your sin. He will strengthen you. He will set you free. To worship. To live. To love.
Passionately Written,
Jeremy D. Crouch
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