It's so difficult to express our sinful nature to others without sometimes feeling ashamed or embarassed. No one likes to be humilitated. In the midst of this crisis, we need not to be afraid. Romans 8:1 says, "Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are Christ Jesus." If you feel like no one in the world will understand your struggles, go to God, He's always listening. In fact, He's the one tugging at your heart. He is waiting for you to confess all your worries to Him. So what are you waiting for?
Let's face it - we all sin. Now that we are exposed to that truth, take a sigh of relief. (Ahhhhhh.) "If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." 1 John 1:8-9
If you want to read a true testimony of God's gift of forgiveness, read Psalm 32!
My favorite is verse seven: "You (God) are my hiding place; You preserve me from trouble; You surround me with songs of deliverance."
Whatever wrongs you have done, things you have said or thoughts you have had, know that you are forgiven. Jesus Christ took all of our sins to the cross with Him. Remind yourself this everyday. Just because you're forgiven doesn't mean you have a liscense to continue sinning. But this means that God is there for you. You can confess your sins to Him, and He will comfort you and welcome you with open arms.
My challenge to you is this: find a Christian friend that you trust. Share your thoughts and your feelings with them. You don't have to share your entire life story or get super personal, but open up! We all need someone we can depend on. Remember to go to God first for everything, but don't be afraid to be vulnerable. (Remember that I am here for you too!)
P.S. - I hope you all had a great Thanksgiving break! Sorry I haven't posted anything in a couple days, but I have been without phone or Internet in the area I was visiting.
Saturday, November 29, 2008
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
When We Need Discipline in Our Lives
If I could only be obedient in everything I say and do. But I can't because I'm flawed. I'm not perfect, and I'm allowed to be not perfect.
The hard part is that we strive to be perfect all the time. When we fall, we are disappointed and our world comes crashing down on us. Sometimes its a downward spiral towards defeat and we feel that we will never shake it off. However, there is a solution. Pick yourself up out of the dirt, wipe off your hands and start over again. So what? You failed. Big deal. But this time you know what to do and how to fix it. And if you fall again, repeat step number one.
Do me a favor. Make a mental note of something you have dealt with in your past and have failed. Have you overcome that obstacle? If you did, than how? If you haven't yet, what can you do different next time something like that comes your way? It is so important to make note of the mistakes you have made and to fix them. If you don't do this now, you will eventually come head-to-head with the dilemma in the future. (Whether the same temptation or conflict comes your way, or whether you are reminded of the way you dealt with the situtation.)
We must discipline ourselves to do what is right and fair, and fix those mistakes we have made.
Hebrews 12:11-13 says, "All discipline for the moment seems not to be joyful, but sorrowful; yet to those who have been trained by it, afterwards it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness. Therefore, strengthen the hands that are weak and the knees that are feeble, and make straight paths for your feet, so that the limb which is lame may not be put out of joint, but rather be healed."
My study bible calls the "lame" those who waver in their Christian faith. It killed me to read that because I knew it was true. If I am ever struggling with being obedient, I am being lame. That stinks to tell yourself that, but its a reality we have to face.
My prayer today is that I can overcome those weak knees that are preventing us from being obedient. But just like a cripple, I need to lean on a crutch. The Crutch. I think that is my new favorite name to call Christ. The cross is the perfect crutch to lean on today - so let's do it! Now, and every day from now on!! Discipline yourself to go to the cross every time you are wavering.
Ironically, after I wrote this, I looked up the "12:28" challenge in The Domino Effect study for community groups. It says "Dive in. Find a physical deception or an artistic representation of the cross to reflect on.. As you do, take some time to mediate on the work that Christ did on the cross. Remember that on the cross, He died for all the sin and evil you have chosen. Dive into the abyss with Him and face your barracuda, trusting that His arms are spread wide for you."
Lead me to the Cross...
The hard part is that we strive to be perfect all the time. When we fall, we are disappointed and our world comes crashing down on us. Sometimes its a downward spiral towards defeat and we feel that we will never shake it off. However, there is a solution. Pick yourself up out of the dirt, wipe off your hands and start over again. So what? You failed. Big deal. But this time you know what to do and how to fix it. And if you fall again, repeat step number one.
Do me a favor. Make a mental note of something you have dealt with in your past and have failed. Have you overcome that obstacle? If you did, than how? If you haven't yet, what can you do different next time something like that comes your way? It is so important to make note of the mistakes you have made and to fix them. If you don't do this now, you will eventually come head-to-head with the dilemma in the future. (Whether the same temptation or conflict comes your way, or whether you are reminded of the way you dealt with the situtation.)
We must discipline ourselves to do what is right and fair, and fix those mistakes we have made.
Hebrews 12:11-13 says, "All discipline for the moment seems not to be joyful, but sorrowful; yet to those who have been trained by it, afterwards it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness. Therefore, strengthen the hands that are weak and the knees that are feeble, and make straight paths for your feet, so that the limb which is lame may not be put out of joint, but rather be healed."
My study bible calls the "lame" those who waver in their Christian faith. It killed me to read that because I knew it was true. If I am ever struggling with being obedient, I am being lame. That stinks to tell yourself that, but its a reality we have to face.
My prayer today is that I can overcome those weak knees that are preventing us from being obedient. But just like a cripple, I need to lean on a crutch. The Crutch. I think that is my new favorite name to call Christ. The cross is the perfect crutch to lean on today - so let's do it! Now, and every day from now on!! Discipline yourself to go to the cross every time you are wavering.
Ironically, after I wrote this, I looked up the "12:28" challenge in The Domino Effect study for community groups. It says "Dive in. Find a physical deception or an artistic representation of the cross to reflect on.. As you do, take some time to mediate on the work that Christ did on the cross. Remember that on the cross, He died for all the sin and evil you have chosen. Dive into the abyss with Him and face your barracuda, trusting that His arms are spread wide for you."
Lead me to the Cross...
Monday, November 24, 2008
Dearly Loved...
If you haven't heard this song, listen Jimmy Needham's "Dearly Loved" while you read these lyrics:
Please lay down your arrows
For they're sure to pierce the skin
And water from a broken well
Will make you thirst again
When all things you've acquired
Are tested by the flames
And you can see them melting
Then will you call his name
It's worth it brothers
It's worth it friends
To know your maker
To lose your sin
Did you know that you are dearly loved
To the slaughters you are being led
Being told that it's a party
That this God is in your head
And every single lie
Sounds just like the greatest truth
But the one truth you're not hearing
Is that He died for you
No greater joy
No greater peace
No greater love than this
It's worth it brothers
It's worth it friends
To know your maker
To lose your sin
Did you know that you are dearly loved
Concert is January 24, 2009 @ Splitsville. Who's coming with me?
Please lay down your arrows
For they're sure to pierce the skin
And water from a broken well
Will make you thirst again
When all things you've acquired
Are tested by the flames
And you can see them melting
Then will you call his name
It's worth it brothers
It's worth it friends
To know your maker
To lose your sin
Did you know that you are dearly loved
To the slaughters you are being led
Being told that it's a party
That this God is in your head
And every single lie
Sounds just like the greatest truth
But the one truth you're not hearing
Is that He died for you
No greater joy
No greater peace
No greater love than this
It's worth it brothers
It's worth it friends
To know your maker
To lose your sin
Did you know that you are dearly loved
Concert is January 24, 2009 @ Splitsville. Who's coming with me?
Sunday, November 23, 2008
How Can We Produce Fruit?
Both church services this morning were wonderful. I had to take a step back and analyze my life. I asked myself: Can others look at me and know for sure that I am a Christian? I mean, I don't cuss. I'm nice to others. I read my Bible. But there is so much more than that. I can't say that I always treat my parents like I should, and although I'm nice to my friends, I don't share the gospel with them every chance I get. There are times when my actions don't match up with my beliefs either. Ultimately, this is something I need to fix. So where do I start? Well, first let's look at what we are called to do.
Before Jesus ascended into heaven after His resurrection, He called the apostles to be witnesses. Let's take a look at Acts 1:8 (NIV),
I don't think Jesus intended this command to stop with the apostles. We are all disciples of Jesus Christ once we accept Him into our hearts. We need to be telling others of His name to the "ends of the earth." A.K.A - The ends of our schools. The ends of our lunch rooms. At the movies with our friends. In our halls when others are gossiping about others. I'm pretty sure that if other kids knew how cool Jesus really is, they would want to know Him too. But they just don't know! So tell them!
In our community groups we have been discussing the differences between good and evil in "The Domino Effect" series. Ever since I can remember, I knew the difference between the two. Mostly because my parents would say "Don't say this. Don't touch that. Don't go here. Stay away from there." And there was always a punishment if I disobeyed. But I have a question: Why do we think that with God, we can get away with so many things? If He is our Father God, He loves us unconditionally, but He still expects us to do the right thing if we are living for Him. And while our parents see many things that we do, He sees everything. This should not be a scary thought, but instead it should be a comforting one because He watches over us through every obstacle we face. He is our Father who protects.
Today, we looked at Mark 11:12-14. (Take a peak if you didn't get the chance.) After arriving in Jerusalem on a colt, the next day Jesus left Bethany and became hungry. He saw a fig tree in the distance, but when He went to eat from it, He found the tree had nothing but leaves. In verse 14 He says, "May no one ever eat fruit from you again!" Why is this important to us? Because we are the tree. At this very moment, ask yourself: "Am I bearing fruit?"
Ms. Jean had us open up to James 3:11-12. "Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? My brothers, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water."
What kind of fruit our we producing? Let our lives be an example to our friends, family and perfect strangers. My goal is that others can look at my life and know for sure that I carry the cross every day. Students, go to ends of the earth.
The challenge today is to share the message of John 8:31-32. To be truly disciples of Christ, you must know the truth and that it will make you free!
Before Jesus ascended into heaven after His resurrection, He called the apostles to be witnesses. Let's take a look at Acts 1:8 (NIV),
| "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." |
In our community groups we have been discussing the differences between good and evil in "The Domino Effect" series. Ever since I can remember, I knew the difference between the two. Mostly because my parents would say "Don't say this. Don't touch that. Don't go here. Stay away from there." And there was always a punishment if I disobeyed. But I have a question: Why do we think that with God, we can get away with so many things? If He is our Father God, He loves us unconditionally, but He still expects us to do the right thing if we are living for Him. And while our parents see many things that we do, He sees everything. This should not be a scary thought, but instead it should be a comforting one because He watches over us through every obstacle we face. He is our Father who protects.
Today, we looked at Mark 11:12-14. (Take a peak if you didn't get the chance.) After arriving in Jerusalem on a colt, the next day Jesus left Bethany and became hungry. He saw a fig tree in the distance, but when He went to eat from it, He found the tree had nothing but leaves. In verse 14 He says, "May no one ever eat fruit from you again!" Why is this important to us? Because we are the tree. At this very moment, ask yourself: "Am I bearing fruit?"
Ms. Jean had us open up to James 3:11-12. "Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? My brothers, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water."
What kind of fruit our we producing? Let our lives be an example to our friends, family and perfect strangers. My goal is that others can look at my life and know for sure that I carry the cross every day. Students, go to ends of the earth.
The challenge today is to share the message of John 8:31-32. To be truly disciples of Christ, you must know the truth and that it will make you free!
Saturday, November 22, 2008
Freedom in Our Lives
Ever feel like you can't surrender, or that you just can't be free?
On Nov. 18, I read an exerpt from My Utmost for His Highest. This day was titled "Winning into Freedom." If anything, God always has me open this little book to find the very thing I am struggling with every time. It baffles me how God times things. Really. It taught be to never say "I can't." (Which is hard because I am so quick to give up on many things in my life.)
So read it today! You need it! www.myutmost.org/11/1118.html
Something I pulled from this passage was, "God will not discipline us, we must discipline ourselves." We have the power to order discipline into our lives. And God is there to help us out because we cannot do it on our own.
It also says not to pray "Lord, I suffer from wandering thoughts," because we simply shouldn't suffer from wandering thoughts. Stop listening to your doubts and win freedom by running after God!
I wanted to share some scripture I found on freedom. Wouldn't it be awesome to rejoice in being free from sin and showing an example to others?
"It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery." - Galatians 5:1
"For you were called to freedom, brethern; only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another." - Galatians 5:13. We are free to serve in the name of the Lord.
John 8: 31-32 -"So Jesus was saying to those Jews who had believed Him, 'If you continue in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine; and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.'"
Ladies, let's get in His Word and know the truth today!
Everyday I will try and give myself a challenge, and I hope that you can join in this with me. Today's is simply this: Memorize a Bible verse. Maybe you want to learn a new one, or you can memorize John 8:31-32 with me. Either way, recite one today!
On Nov. 18, I read an exerpt from My Utmost for His Highest. This day was titled "Winning into Freedom." If anything, God always has me open this little book to find the very thing I am struggling with every time. It baffles me how God times things. Really. It taught be to never say "I can't." (Which is hard because I am so quick to give up on many things in my life.)
So read it today! You need it! www.myutmost.org/11/1118.html
Something I pulled from this passage was, "God will not discipline us, we must discipline ourselves." We have the power to order discipline into our lives. And God is there to help us out because we cannot do it on our own.
It also says not to pray "Lord, I suffer from wandering thoughts," because we simply shouldn't suffer from wandering thoughts. Stop listening to your doubts and win freedom by running after God!
I wanted to share some scripture I found on freedom. Wouldn't it be awesome to rejoice in being free from sin and showing an example to others?
"It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery." - Galatians 5:1
"For you were called to freedom, brethern; only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another." - Galatians 5:13. We are free to serve in the name of the Lord.
John 8: 31-32 -"So Jesus was saying to those Jews who had believed Him, 'If you continue in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine; and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.'"
Ladies, let's get in His Word and know the truth today!
Everyday I will try and give myself a challenge, and I hope that you can join in this with me. Today's is simply this: Memorize a Bible verse. Maybe you want to learn a new one, or you can memorize John 8:31-32 with me. Either way, recite one today!
Opening Credits
This is a blog for you and I.
I have spent much of my time wondering how I can blog about my thoughts without being shallow, and on the other hand, super personal. But I want others to share in my spiritual growth. So here it is - an account of my quiet times, prayers and life in general. It is so awesome that I can experience this with you!
I would love comments if you have any. If not, that's okay too. But just know that I am here for you: prayer, talks, whatever!
So, sit back and enjoy this ride to uncover God's Word with me!
I have spent much of my time wondering how I can blog about my thoughts without being shallow, and on the other hand, super personal. But I want others to share in my spiritual growth. So here it is - an account of my quiet times, prayers and life in general. It is so awesome that I can experience this with you!
I would love comments if you have any. If not, that's okay too. But just know that I am here for you: prayer, talks, whatever!
So, sit back and enjoy this ride to uncover God's Word with me!
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