Today, a reminder.

  Today was a very real reminder of how  desperately I need my savior to not only strengthen me, but even to have life. When I say "life" I don't just mean living as a warm body, but rather being in a state of fullness. I stepped outside in the cold (having snowed today it was an even more vivid visual reminder as well) and as the bitter touch of the wind touched my skin, and the smell of winter rushed me like a cold splash of water on my face, I was whisked back to memories of being homeless, struggling to eat, and seeking in desperation for anything, trying as best as I could to stay warm and sleep, and relying on God for whatever may come my way. The feeling of desperation was very real, helplessness, sadness, worry,  feeling completely worthless and alone.

    Given this very real reminder of my past struggles and the complete helplessness that I had been brought back to, I was forced to looked up to God and give thanks for everything that I now have. The blessings that He has poured out on me have been very great and undeserved. We have all gone through struggles and we have all thought "What in the world can I do? Why do I have to be so stressed and worried?" Sometimes to tears, sometimes in anger, but always in need of something... When we experience this sort of neediness I have to consider it one of the greatest blessings our God has given us. The realization that something is just not there, that there is something we NEED. To be able to come to Him and say in complete humility "This is too much Lord I cannot handle it any more and I need everything you can possibly give". At that moment allowing Him to fulfill His promise of joy and fullness... even in the darkest moment of our lives and the most tedious struggles! Some video encouragement; Through the darkest valley

    Through Christ we can lay our burdens down, something that is very difficult for this generation to do because of the pride they have in self.. there is such a search for happiness and fullness in everything but the true meaning of the words! In Christ there is so much peace that it brings forth joy without effort! We do not have a single thing to worry about! There would be the argument at this point by some people that you must still worry about things in order to get them done and be motivated. Not really... this is where the bible speaks of wisdom. I was told my a man once that wisdom is knowing what to do in a situation before that situation even arises. This is why we are encouraged to seek after wisdom so fervently! If we can gain wisdom and reliance on God what will we have to worry about? We will already know the answers...

    If at any time you don't know what to do or are stressed to the point of breaking, just STOP. Stop what you are doing and bring yourself in humility to God. Instead of work, school, social media, place His word in front of you. Allow Him to grant you wisdom, to place His hands around you and keep you warm, let Him feed you, let Him give you rest... take a deep breath and release all of it. Do not try to further what you are doing or dig yourself back to the top of your emotional hole. There is a rope just to the side of you, take a break from digging and remove yourself from that easy to slip into "tunnel vision". That rope will be seen and all you have to do is grab it. you don't even need to climb. He will pull you up. He will grant you the most perfect form of happiness you will ever experience, that has been and continues to be His promise.

   

Growth

To start things off here is an excerpt from a book called the Devine Mentor by Wayne Cordero; 

    "Shortly after I became a Christian, I found myself complaining to God about the quality of my church's academic-style preacher who often flew things at a high altitude where I was unable to cruise. I began my complaint in the bathroom after a service.
    "God!" I called out, hoping I was alone in the men's room. "I'm not getting fed. I'm dying here, suffering from malnutrition!"
    I'm not sure if it was a chuckle from the stall next to me or a reply from heaven, but I recall becoming acutely conscious of something as the Spirit spoke to me from the depths of my own anguished being.
    What about ME? He seemed to whisper. Am I not enough? Why are you blaming others for your lack of growth? You are depending on a once-a-week feeding, but as you grow up you must learn to feed yourself! I will be your Mentor."


    That last paragraph should speak to us all... "What about ME? Am I not enough?"  All too often we find ourselves relying on a pastor/preacher to tell us what it is we need to learn or what we need to read, after all God is supposed to speak through them to us right? Well... yes, and no. We are to create disciples that create more disciples. We are all preachers, we are all given the role of mentorship once we have been mentored ourselves. This doesn't even always apply to a "new Christian"  there are plenty of people who have been a Christian for quite a long time and yet lack a mature relationship or even a realization of what that relationship should look like. This comes almost every time from the fact that they do not feed themselves, they do not allow God to be ever present in their life PERSONALLY. To give Him access to what happens everyday and to take that to Him and say "Lord, teach me". To take time out of their busy day and devote it to Him, or even continual conversation with Him throughout the day.

 Matthew 7:7  "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you."

    All of what Is told in this verse is nowhere close to passive, it is action.. which requires doing. Not just saying "ok Lord teach me I'm here." If we require knowledge what do we do? We go to someone who knows what they are talking about, the sole job of a preacher is to encourage a more personal relationship with God. Not to become the relationship we have with God. Going to His word in our own free will and opening our hearts and minds to HIM then allowing Him to manifest Himself in us. Seek out the source of knowledge and you will be granted truth and wisdom. This is not to say that you should not go to church and listen to your pastor, these men have been called to do what they are doing. But you need to always refer back to the word and the Holy Spirit to solidify what it is that they have taught. Then allowing God to teach you something that is even more relevant to your life than you had thought. He wants to teach us, in fact He is DESPERATE to teach us!  He will be there for us and teach us, but we must seek Him out. To show Him we are willing to learn all that we can from Him.

Beauty

Beauty is no rarity, but an attractive spirit is a diamond among coal. Found only ever through faith and protected over the ages. Created by beauty in order that beauty could remain pure through the eyes of the heart. Creating a display within the prism of ones spirit by which one can stand in awe. Observing the glory of what shines through it and what surrounds those that are blessed with its sight. Heed not it's shell, lifeless and without purpose, but only to display such greatness and majesty that is projected with passion from beyond itself. A light portraying such vivid colors and sounds that it can only be seen by the heart. Blessed are those that have seen it, those that have been graced with the presence of true beauty. And great are those that treasure it, that hold it dearest among all possessions.

How gracious our Lord is when we live by faith..

Deuteronomy 28:1-2  “And if you faithfully obey the voice of the LORD your God, being careful to do all his commandments that I command you today, the LORD your God will set you on high above all the nations of the earth.  And all these blessings shall come upon you and overtake you, if you obey the voice of the LORD your God.”

 Everyone wants to be part of something, a piece of a bigger puzzle. Have you ever noticed how we as humans are drawn toward giving ourselves a purpose? Or putting great effort into trying to find one? And if we don't we feel worthless, like there is no point to our lives.. depressed and stressed out. And to think, it is just as simple as this verse states above. Blessings will OVERTAKE you... so much that you are overwhelmed with good things. All if we trust in His voice and LISTEN to it. set high above all the nations? Whaat? You mean to be seen through His glory as great... TRULY great? Among nations.. WOW.. what a thought! There is a song called "promises", one of my favorites by a band called Sanctus real, in it they say "hold on to the promises" meaning to believe in what God has promised. No matter what anyone else says, each and every one of us is called for greatness. But we have to be sure and pay attention and seek out the desires of our heart.. not our desires to satisfy what we want. Which can often and easily be confused. But the desires of our heart, through love are always good and always fully satisfying, He promises to fulfill those desires, each and every one of them. He only asks that we commit those things to him, that's all, to seek out through those things ways to glorify him. Don't be shy about it, sure you may get made fun of, but for every jab you take more blessings will pour out onto you! This means that we must live by faith, no one likes to risk things for what they do not know, it is one of our many flaws as humans. But we absolutely MUST live FAITHFULLY, this means taking risks. If you are truly making a jump for God, (even if it is in the wrong direction) He will provide for you. But NEVER just attempt a free-fall without a parachute, what do I mean? PRAYER, pray intensely. with reverence and with humility, submitting each and every move you make to Him. Yes He knows what's going on and can see it happening, but we must show faith in praying to Him, there is nothing wrong with asking Him to provide when you are on the edge of the cliff, about to make that life or death jump. In fact He wants you to ask! And ask often!

1 Thessalonians 5:17 pray without ceasing

James 1:6 But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind.

 So then my great brothers and sisters, Pray, Be humble before God, Find peace in His will for you, And JUMP, jump like there is nothing to catch you. But knowing that there always will be :)

A personal relationship, it's not about us.

  Today it seems that everything in this world promotes the idea that all things are about us. It is all about our selfish desire to get what we want and making sure everyone knows we feel good about doing it. Too many churches nowadays preach solely on love alone, but not a reciprocated love, only the saving part of His love. They also need to remember, Christ died for us in order that we could be wiped clean of our sins. Not so that we could sin again, then to ask forgiveness with the intent on further sinful actions.
  So many times I find myself in my mind going back to the analogy of fatherhood.  His love for us and our relationship with Him is the perfect example of a relationship between a father and a child. When children misbehave there are consequences to their actions. The father must allow the consequences to happen out of love for his child. not because he wants them to endure the repercussions, but because he desires for them to reach into wisdom that is on the other side of the punishment. And standing with that child making sure that they know the only reason for it is love and love alone. Not anger, not frustration, but a true love and will for them to receive a gift of wisdom.
  We can then take a look at Jesus and who He is. He is the firstborn of God's family. And much like the firstborn of any family, He was the example for all the children to follow. Someone to uphold the laws of the house and to show righteousness in his Fathers eyes. Many Christian ( and I have been guilty of this myself) are always complaining about their struggle and expecting God to come, swoop in and take them away from everything bad. it is not that He won't or can't do this, but it is a simple matter of this, "If you love me, you will obey what I command" John 14:15 Then continuing on in verse 21; "Whoever has my commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves me. He who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love him and show myself to him."  God gave His firstborn authority, having full trust in His one and only son. So again, it is not that we MUST do these things in order to be loved. We are already loved. But when we receive His love, we should want to give it back! Being unselfish with it, wanting to show Him through the actions we perform selflessly unto others. And yet at the same time doing it only because the spirit within us drives us to do it, and through this glorifying God further. So for Christians during struggle, what is it that we are learning, are we sitting there just whining to Him? Or are we speaking life into others with our words and our actions? In faith that what we are going through is simply the wrapping paper for a greater gift of wisdom and understanding?  We are to follow in His image, and His leadership. Which now brings me to this point as far as following him and seeking to walk in his image. Not His SHADOW not behind, not below, but IN His image as though we are one with Him in every motion of our body. We could look at Christ like this, He is  cookie-cutter and we are all this dough that life has just rolled flat, pounded on, rolled over again, and repeated. A big nasty blob of gross. He then cuts out all the crap around us that is not our true form. Everything that is not us, that is not WHO we are. He forgives and cleanses us of everything. We then become not a giant blob of ugliness, but through grace have the ability to become re-created in His image.  However, we cannot become so focused on the fact that he has accepted us for who we are, that we forget His love truly does deserve a love in return. There is a great image of Christ's Love for His father in Philippians 2:6-8;

 Who, being in very nature God,
    did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage;
rather, he made himself nothing
    by taking the very nature of a servant,
    being made in human likeness.
 And being found in appearance as a man,
    he humbled himself
    by becoming obedient to death—
        even death on a cross!

  One of the most touching forms of Love is humility, Christ sacrificed absolutely everything for his father, and the knowledge of His love for us. Christ humbled himself all the way to the cross. Our Love should reflect the same, becoming humble to ourselves in order to be servants. Not that we are slaves, but because the love we have within us requires us to act in such a way that it would please Him, Because of the love we have for our older brother, the Son of God Himself.

Be a man.

   Dear men, I know that the subject of Love has been twisted and warped, pushed aside, and has come very close to being wiped out from the characteristics of a "MAN". However I encourage you to love, Not meaning that you have to be all mushy gushy all the time... But a REAL love. One that inspires you to do great things. To  stop and assist someone on the highway, carry groceries for an elderly lady, open doors, all of these things are simple and yet great at the same time. Not because of the action itself  but because of the character it creates within you. A strong man is of noble character. Nobility as defined by the dictionary would be this; an exalted moral or mental character or excellence admirable in dignity of conception, manner of expression, execution, or composition. In order to be a man, we must NOT put ourselves first. But if we do it is only that what we achieve will give us the ability to provide for someone else.  It is our duty to look out for others and to protect others. We are not to "go with the flow" or be followers of mediocrity. Stand out and stand tall. We are leaders, but in order to lead, especially in todays time, we need to become men of such a noble character that it encourages others to become leaders and to stand out themselves.   What is the one thing that will drive a man through a battle, torture, and despair, giving him the ability to face all odds in order to get back to those he.... loves. It goes deeper than just a love of family, of a wife or children. But to every single person that you come in contact with. I understand that as men we are naturally prideful. We tend to focus on ourselves, the mission at hand, and the goals that we have set in front of ourselves. But in order to truly be strong, we absolutely have to love. Anyone can go through life and  do nothing, but we are not those people. We are to seek out wisdom and to put it into action, to seek out love and place the love that we have within the grasp of those that need it most. Fortifying them and strengthening them. So I urge you to be  strong, courageous and of a sound mind. look for opportunities to Love and to exercise noble character. Never wait for them to come to you, the opportunities are around you at every moment, seize them. Let love create your character.

What power we have through Christ!

 One thing I find that Christians struggle with today is a full realization of how much authority and power we have over this world. We are the stewards of God's creation.. He has set us in charge of everything, ALL of it! Not only the physical but also the spiritual, the power of God is given to us to perform the impossible! And through the Spirit He guides all things around us to work for us if we simply trust Him and act in His will. There have been many times where I have made a commitment in something in order to be taught by Him from the opportunity he had given me, then Him fulfilling his promise to make things happen for us. One of these instances I began to become worried that I would not be able to make it to the commitment I had made because of my job. We were headed to a job that started at 3pm and would have taken until at least 8 or 9 pm. However, when I consulted with God on what His desire was for me, letting Him know my concern and telling him that I would very much like to make it on time and be able to participate in my previous commitment. Well, when we arrived at the job the plumber had somehow gotten almost all of his equipment stuck and was unable to get it out the entire time we were there... so we could only get a certain amount done.  Making it possible for me to leave, get home, change, and arrive EXACTLY on time.

    And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28

 We are all as Christians called for his purpose. We may live a godly life as best as we can, giving an example of Christ through our actions, which is good! Yet many of us do not fully step out into the spiritual when the chance has been given. Christ said to perform greater things than he did. The two need to be one, the spiritual and the physical. Walking in his presence which is the Spirit always.  The power Has been given to us to heal, cast out demons, prophesy, and many others.. all we need to do is seek these gifts out. Some are not as gifted as others, but if we ask we will receive! It is a promise.. and I am inclined to believe that God is not one to break a promise. I know the thought of this can freak people out.. the idea seems cool, but to ACTUALLY do it? Well that's just weird... But how many people do you think freaked out when Jesus was healing people? And when He cast demons out? Or even bringing people back to life?  Do we believe part of what God has said? Or all of it..

     If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer. Matthew 21:22

     If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. John 15:7

  The power we possess through the grace of God is immeasurable, applicable to all things in life.  As long as what we are doing we have committed to Him fully. OK.... NOW LET'S GO BE POWERFUL!


 
   
   


 

Psalm 8

Lord, our Lord,
    how majestic is your name in all the earth!

You have set your glory
    in the heavens.
Through the praise of children and infants
    you have established a stronghold against your enemies,
    to silence the foe and the avenger.
 When I consider your heavens,
    the work of your fingers,
the moon and the stars,
    which you have set in place,
 what is mankind that you are mindful of them,
    human beings that you care for them?

 You have made them a little lower than the angels
    and crowned them with glory and honor.
 You made them rulers over the works of your hands;
    you put everything under their feet:
 all flocks and herds,
    and the animals of the wild,
 the birds in the sky,
    and the fish in the sea,
    all that swim the paths of the seas.

 Lord, our Lord,
    how majestic is your name in all the earth!

Faith through struggle

   Everybody falls sometimes, it is in our nature as sinners. However, there is always hope when we recognize what it is we have done to slip away, asking God for strength to overcome this battle we are in. All we must do is lean on him throughout every single second of whatever is pulling at us, praying constantly! Not just for strength or for healing... but praying for others in a form of love that is wholly unselfish. And praising Him for all that he has blessed us with, (Satan tends to hate when we praise in the midst of trouble!) Always remember that it is not God that has brought strife, but Satan... even with Job... He had such great faith in him that He told Satan, yea... go ahead, try your best. Our glorious Father has such great faith in us that He allows these things to happen for our own good, to grow and to rely on Him! A father will tell you that when a child asks for his help with something it is pleasurable! The act of working with them in love makes them happy! So it is with God! He finds great pleasure in helping us when we come to Him! We must have faith in His power to heal and renew us through his spirit though. A confidence in His awesome power, not just saying "oh yea, he will pull me through", then trying to convince ourselves that we are moving forward. When He removes something from our shoulders it is absolutely noticeable! Just letting go of  these things can be a problem for us though.

    Because of this we need to remove our pride and say " Lord take my heart and renew me, it is yours. I submit my mind to you, to be cleansed of all thoughts but those that glorify you." In giving ourselves to Him He removes all that pulls us away from Him allowing us to take yet another step towards Him. Struggle can only be defined by how much we give to our Lord, If we give it all. then It no longer becomes a struggle. The lie that satan tells us is that we have to keep struggling through it in order to learn something. Our purpose is to glorify God! And He has PROMISED to remove our burdens if only we ask... it is that simple! Giving ourselves to Him then allows us to gain a wisdom that is supernatural. God will teach us then, when we come to Him through the power of His Holy Spirit which grants us personal access to Him through His son! So all this being said, I would like to encourage all who read this. That you have no need of fear, or worry. There is nothing you cannot overcome and nothing that can hold you back from what God has planned for you. His plans are great and those that He has personally chosen to do His work are not merely of a regular type, they are mighty sons and daughters of a King. :)

  

To the issue of horror movies and Christianity

   This is such a huge problem and I don't think that most people even realize it! As Christians our entire belief is to shun evil. To do everything in our power to turn away from it and seek godliness. But it seems to me that so many Christians are watching all these movies and not thinking anything of it!  The images portrayed are in fact evil, No matter what the "moral" of the story is, if you are lucky enough to even have one. Why do they go to see them? ultimately it is a form of pleasure. Going to seek out enjoyment in the "thrill" of the scare. So let me put it this way, as Christians we believe in God, the holy spirit and we believe in demons along with Satan. Now since we believe in these things, we believe that possession can happen and that is evil and that there is nothing good about it. If it were happening in real life in front of you, would you sit there and watch? saying " oh my this is so scary, what fun" NO you would be scared out of your mind in recognition of something purely evil. WHY THEN DO WE SUPPORT AND ENJOY FILMS THAT GLORIFY EVIL??? What on earth is so fun about watching some demon tear someone apart? Or murdering multiple people? And causing the victim of possession to go through intense pain and suffering!? My heart is greatly saddened by the realization of how this has infiltrated our body as believers. We are to seek love, kindness, compassion, all things good and what kills me is that it is such an obvious form of evil and yet no one seems to realize it, or even care! We are to guard our hearts from what is evil, not embrace it.

         

Psalm 101:3-4 ESV        

I will not set before my eyes anything that is worthless. I hate the work of those who fall away; it shall not cling to me. A perverse heart shall be far from me; I will know nothing of evil.
          

Ephesians 6:12 ESV         

For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.

Remain pliable

   As Christians or followers of Christ, we are constantly subject to testing and trials that tend to push us to our limits. Often times leaving us feeling very uncomfortable and vulnerable. Our response to these trials is that we must remain pliable, not limiting ourselves to what we understand or see going on around us. God does not limit His work to one single section of our lives. He is constant in all of it, where we cannot see and where we can see. Though we ourselves have the ability only to see what is before us, we are not to worry about what is going on behind. We just need to maintain our faith in that what we have been learning is for a reason. No matter how hard, or how stressful those days are, there is always a brighter future ahead. God always has our back no matter what battle we are facing. It is our job to take the next step He has put in front of us. However small a step, or however big a step, and more often than not, it is the ones that must take the smallest steps that travel the greatest distance, the ones that face the most hardship that become the strongest. Developing endurance instead of speed, patience over haste, and boldness over timidity.

Psalm 34:19

The righteous person may have many troubles, but the Lord delivers him from them all;

    It has always been that satan likes to tear us down when we are learning at our greatest points, or when we feel most comfortable in the Lords presence. Doing everything he possibly can to tear down what God has built up within us. There is no doubt that he will use whatever our weakest point is. This is why we must constantly be in connection with our Father. Always talking, praying and conversing with him our day to day struggle. He will never fail to deliver us through what difficulties we experience. But we must remain pliable to Him for learning, moving past what we may want to learn and focus on what is being taught. I myself can get very impatient when learning something because I tend to just want the answer instead of seeking out the process of the answer. We must realize in humility that we are being taught, and through that lending our lives to His will in trust and fearlessness. letting go of our life and giving it to Him without worry.

What glory is to come

   Today a particular song  spoke to me, I can only imagine by mercy me. The song is about how glorious and awe inspiring heaven will be... not just a place of perfect bliss and happiness, but a place where our spirit cannot hold in the intense feeling of love and joy that we have for our creator. being able to stand directly in his presence in pure amazement of all that he is. When we worship Him here we get just a taste of that presence.. and sometimes even that can be overwhelming!  But to speak to Him and see Him.. what a glorious sight! And what a thought, that we will be so overjoyed at what we see that we will not want to stop praising and glorifying Him!

   This brought me to another thought throughout the day, how well do we know Jesus? What does it mean to know God? To have a relationship with Him? It was said last night at Salt  ( college ministry in Ames)  that the main purpose of the bible is to know Christ, and it is! But after we realize who He is, then we must learn who He REALLY is. The Bible gives us many stories and instruction on how to live life and what we should do in order to pursue Christ's image. How to reach out to others through our example. However, our true relationship with God comes through the Holy Spirit. That is the personal side of our relationship, because of this we then desire to do all of these other things we are asked to do through the Bible. (Just as in a relationship with someone, when we are loved and cared for, appreciated and encouraged, we want to do great things for that person in order to please them in knowing the sacrifices and great lengths they have gone to show us the same love and adoration!) When we pray and converse with God to grow closer, we must pray in the spirit. Laying down and admitting first, all of what we have done wrong in humble respect and gratitude. Thanking Him with praise, and talking to Him about anything, our worries and cares, our ups and downs. He is not only our Lord but also our friend, one who will sit and listen to us whine about some small thing that is on our mind, listening with patience and compassion. The peace that He gives us and the love that we feel  are then His response. But we need to come to Him in complete humility from our heart. If we combine what we are supposed to be doing according to the bible with a request in complete humility, it is guaranteed to be answered. Even in the smallest of things! He knows all the ins and outs of our lives, so if we honestly need a break from something, if we ask Him with respect and realization of His complete authority, then He is sure to grant our request! Likewise, If we are living in the truth from what we are taught in the Bible we should be pouring out love into others unselfishly. Not only through action, but in prayer as well. He will grant those too! Maybe not quite the way that we had thought.. but always being faithful. We should always place the requests for others before our own needs. What we sow, we will reap. living through unselfishness and love. Love will begin to surround you in everyway, and through this all other things fall in place!  God loves to encourage us and give us gifts, however small, we should always be thankful because they are crucial to growing, and realizing how present and personal He truly is in our lives! And to think, how much greater that relationship will be once we are in His presence! All of these things will be magnified infinitely!

Encouragement in knowing what is right

Ephesians 4:17-32 and 5

  So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking.  They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts.  Having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, and they are full of greed.
 That, however, is not the way of life you learned  when you heard about Christ and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus.  You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires;  to be made new in the attitude of your minds;  and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.
 Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor, for we are all members of one body.  “In your anger do not sin” Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry,  and do not give the devil a foothold.  Anyone who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with their own hands, that they may have something to share with those in need.
 Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.  And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.  Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice.
 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

 5    Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children  and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
 But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people.  Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving.  For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person—such a person is an idolater—has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.  Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God’s wrath comes on those who are disobedient.  Therefore do not be partners with them.
 For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light  (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) and find out what pleases the Lord.  Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them.  It is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret.  But everything exposed by the light becomes visible and everything that is illuminated becomes a light.  This is why it is said:

“Wake up, sleeper,
    rise from the dead,
    and Christ will shine on you.”

   Be very careful, then, how you live not as unwise but as wise,  making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.  Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.  Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit,  speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord,  always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

An observation of humility

    Tonight I had the great pleasure of participating in Royal Rangers. This is very similar to Boy Scouts but with a little of Awanas thrown in, focusing on giving young boys a solid foundation in Christ. We were teaching the boys what we should be learning from the passages that explain the order of creation. one of the boys when reading through his assigned paragraph, was struggling quite a bit. And another of the boys started to correct every mistake he made during this process. When the boy reading would be corrected, he did not get upset, or even annoyed by this. He would simply look up and smile, then go back to reading. This had really spoken to me because I can tend to be pretty bull-headed at times when it comes to being corrected. I will humble myself realizing my ignorance, but not always with a willing and joyful heart. This young boy however, would brush it off as nothing had happened! Joyfully accepting this correction looking to the us for affirmation and moving on. We need to do the same! I admire his ability to do this, something that is so simple yet difficult for many people. There is a proverb that has been randomly popping up for a few situations I have experienced this past week that goes right along with the above example;

 Proverbs 12:1       
     Anyone who loves learning accepts correction, but a person who hates being corrected is stupid.

   Pretty straight forward right? instead of being prideful even when we know we are wrong, we need to always assume at first that we know less than who we are talking to. Willing to learn and in a constant state of absorption. Using the Holy Spirit and a strict set of guidelines from the Word as a filter for what we are to let pass through. And using what we learn in unison with what knowledge we have already gained to check, cross reference, and re-check. To make sure that what is taught is truth.



  

Pride will only tear us down.

Proverbs 16:18-19 Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall. Better to be lowly in spirit and among the oppressed than to share plunder with the proud.


    We need always to be wary of where our pride is and what we are prideful in. This is definitely something that I have struggled with throughout my life. Though I am young, I have been through a lot of hardship. One way I had started to deal with this was almost a false sense of pride. Creating within myself a thought that "If I think highly of myself nothing can hurt me or touch me". What tends to happen here is that we become bitter and hard hearted toward many different types of love, which not only hurts our relationship with Christ but the possibility of someone seeing Him through us. Skipping right past the part where I should have turned to Him and relying fully on myself. But realizing after being beaten by my own ego and pride that every time I have relied on myself for anything, I had destroyed any ladder within myself leading to Him. It still to this day, have to take a reality check every once in a while, to look back at my life and realize that without His guidance and His love, I would be nowhere. Absolutely desperate for anything. And yet through His unbounded love, even though I have tripped, stumbled, and fumbled through these times of testing and perseverance,  He has blessed me with more than I deserve. Bringing me back to a realization that He is my only pride, the only source of strength and wisdom that I need seek after. So be prideful not only in what He is, or how great He is. but also in what He has taught you. (Proverbs 15:31;33 He who listens to a life-giving rebuke will be at home among the wise. The fear of the LORD teaches a man wisdom, and humility comes before honor.) Though God is not the creator of hardship, because we are our own masters of that through our sinful nature. He does however allow us to suffer the consequences of our actions. So If you experience strife in any way, do not ask "why have you done this God" instead ask yourself  "what choices have I made to lead me down this path"

     We cannot let what we see blind us to what He sees. His thoughts are not our thoughts, and his ways are not our ways. We must meditate on Him and allow ourselves to be consumed by His spirit  in wisdom, learning, and compassion. Through His spirit is the only way that we may become strong enough to conquer not only ourselves, but Satan as well. because that is who will use our worldly minds and bodies against us. I have said this many times before, but our relationship with God is the most romantic and passionate one that there has ever been. His Love reaches over every mistake we make, forgiving us time and again, already telling us what we will have to endure. Letting us know in Love that He does not want us to suffer this, but that he will allow us to choose our own fate, and if we would listen to Him, He will be our leaning post.  The image that He creates for how a father is to love His children, or a husband his wife constantly amazes me... I am baffled by how perfect his Love truly is. Prideful only in Love, and in teaching. So take pride in love and every aspect you are able to incorporate it into your lives. I can promise, it will not go unnoticed.
 

Communication within the body

   This is probably one of the biggest things that the church has issues with today. I have been to churches where everyone talks to each other on Sunday but talk to no one within the body during the week. I have been to churches where it is quite literally a family and they talk to each other, help each other, support each other with difficulties and through strife. financially, emotionally, spiritually and physically. One thing that I have noticed is that the body as a whole in the last church mentioned is much happier! they are not segregated into groups when they break out to talk to people. They don't judge one another when someone is depressed and struggling. They stand up as they should.. and lift that person up with them! As a body we NEED communication. if we are the body, then we are also the tendons, the molecules and down to the very atoms that are the structure of the church. If we lack this crucial need, then Satan has successfully severed the limbs of Christ's body. Why is it that the church is so divided? why are we so separated amongst each other? It simply comes down to the fact that we do not check up on each other. It may be because we just feel lazy.. or the people we are trying to be a support to,  are too prideful to listen, or even accept that you are acting in unison with what God intended his church to look like. What did the Apostles do? They went so far as to send letters to different churches! Informing them not only on what they themselves were going through.. but what they had learned through it. Asking for prayer and guidance during their struggle! do not be afraid to ask for prayer, or to speak out with what you are going through. Through the grace of God in pulling you through your struggles when we ask for additional help, He will be glorified even more because his works will be seen through you. A vessel for the display of greatness.

  Below are some verses speaking on what the body should look like.


1 Corinthians 12:12-26
12 The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body. So it is with Christ. 13 For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body-whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free-and we were all given the one Spirit to drink.14 Now the body is not made up of one part but of many. 15 If the foot should say, "Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body," it would not for that reason cease to be part of the body. 16And if the ear should say, "Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body," it would not for that reason cease to be part of the body. 17 If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be? 18 But in fact God has arranged the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be. 19 If they were all one part, where would the body be? 20 As it is, there are many parts, but one body.21 The eye cannot say to the hand, "I don't need you!" And the head cannot say to the feet, "I don't need you!" 22 On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, 23 and the parts that we think are less honorable we treat with special honor. And the parts that are unpresentable are treated with special modesty, 24 while our presentable parts need no special treatment. But God has combined the members of the body and has given greater honor to the parts that lacked it, 25 so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. 26 If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.




 Acts 20:28 (#1 of 10 Bible Verses about the Church, the Body of Christ)
28 Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood.


Colossians 3:14-16
14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. 15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.


1 Corinthians 10:31-33
31 So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. 32 Do not cause anyone to stumble, whether Jews, Greeks or the church of God- 33 even as I try to please everybody in every way. For I am not seeking my own good but the good of many, so that they may be saved.

Courage in the midst of judgement

  We are called to be a courageous follower, as any soldier knows, they must move up in the ranks of his comrades. Leadership is not given to those with a faint heart! It seems that these days even Christians are scared to step out and teach from what they learn on their own, constantly stuck in what they are being taught, but never applying their own lives into a teaching aspect. I have seen countless "leaders" that lead small groups, or bible studies that simply teach what was taught the previous sunday. This is good, but we need to learn to speak from the spirit in what our heavenly father has been teaching US! Christ said.. let your life be an example! Unless we speak out in confidence there is a lack of the expansion of wisdom that we have access to. It is good that we can learn from a preacher, from a sermon, but then how else are we teaching?  Taking what we learn then saying "This is how I have applied it to my life and this is what I have learned in addition, as an affect of my actions". Our God does not only teach us through a church or through a bible study, we are meant to meditate on Him and praise Him with every breath. the more we give this attention to Him the more HE will teach us. If we can grasp that connection between what we learn and how He is teaching us personally, then we are given through a recognition of His spirit, the ability to teach others. Given all of this, we need to step out and use what tools we have been given ( the list of which in this day and age is quite extensive ) . We don't need to fear the judgments of others if what we are saying is in line with the word. And we will never grow unless we step out in a faith based confidence, if it is uncomfortable then good. See it as a challenge! Can you do it? Are you a Man or a boy...? We all see how guys are saying  " I did this because I am a MAN!"  when the actions they have taken are that of a boy.  Stand strong in the midst of a confused and lost people. Your strength will show and you will become a pillar to everyone around you. They will see you and want to know you, what you stand for and why.

After a very long absence.

Hello! I am going to get the ball rolling again with this blog and would like to start it off with something that God has been putting on my heart quite heavily as of late.

Unselfishness and Love first, before a relationship,

    If we are to be in a committed and honorable relationship according to God, we are first to rid ourselves of selfishness, Love is the opposite of this. But first we must KNOW love. To be loved and to live in love. How is it that we are to live in love? We need to firstly acknowledge on a daily basis that we are not only incomplete, but what pieces we do have are prone to do what is less than good, easily succumbing to sin and temptation. Only through Christ and His sacrifice which He has done through the ultimate form of love, c Embodying everything that love is. His sacrifice was willing, unselfish, compassionate, merciful, understanding and forgiving. To be Like Christ, which is what we as Christians have been told many times throughout thee Bible to do. we must learn to live in love. To Completely and utterly set ourselves to the side for what Christ would have done.  To love those around us more than our own life, by seizing every opportunity that we possibly can, in the most genuine and caring way that we can. Many people think that Christians are just "do gooders" or what have you. But when you act from your heart and not from your mind, with a love from a spirit fed by God Himself, you do not get this reaction. It is seen as genuine and looked upon in a positive way. Now back to the "relationship" part. We have not been placed here to find a soulmate, rather to be a blessing first. If we cannot first show His ultimate love in actions or words to anyone around us, then how can we expect to be able to have a Godly relationship with our spouse, girlfriend, or whatever. To seek a relationship before TRUE love can be shown would be selfish. Because to seek for ourselves before His Love is shown through our lives would be like dipping a bucket surrounded in holes into a well... you will fill the bucket, but as you pull it up the water pours out of the holes and you are only left with as much water as the lowest hole. We can try to pull up as much water, or (love) as we can, but our ability to supply love for what love really is would be incomplete, therefore leaving us with only a piece of what is intended. God has promised us anything and everything we could ask for according to His will. His will is for us to be taken care of. not to be in pain or to be stressed. But we must act out in this unselfish love which is the basis of everything that Jesus died for. If we desire this Godly man/woman then we must act accordingly.