Peppered with praise

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2009-05-30T20:26:00.002-07:00

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By: Zack

"The fundamental fact of existence is that this trust in God, this faith, is the firm foundation under everything that makes life worth living. It's our handle on what we can't see." - Hebrew 11:1 (MSG)

I remember returning home to Nashville after a mission trip and I certainly didn't feel like I was coming home. It wasn't because I fell in love with Guatemala or because I was born and raised in Minnesota either. The reason I didn't feel like I was coming home is because I realized that outside of God's unmistakable presence and the hope I have in His unshakeable kingdom (heaven), I have no home. Initially, this realization made me very uneasy because the feeling of being home is something we long for and find comfort in.

However, the Lord is showing me that we must have the faith and perspective that set the ancients apart. Take Abraham and his wife Sarah for example. Abraham was told to leave his home and travel to an unknown place, so they left. Hebrews 11:10 says, "Abraham did it by keeping his eye on an unseen city with real, eternal foundations--the City designed and built by God.” Therefore, we must fix our eyes on what the naked eye cannot see. We must see with the eyes of our heart, because there’s more going on than meets the eye –much more (see 2 Corinthians 4:18). “Lord Jesus, please help us perceive what’s really going on -in and around us. Please open the eyes of our heart.”

Though I haven't seen him

2009-05-30T20:26:00.001-07:00

Though I Haven’t Seen Him

By: Zack

“Without having seen Him, you love Him; though you don't even see Him now, you believe in Him and exult and thrill with an inexpressibly glorious joy.” 1 Peter 1:8

Poor Thomas wasn't around when Jesus appeared to the disciples after He rose from the dead. The other disciples tried to tell Thomas, even Jesus Himself had predicted his doubt. Yet, Thomas could not believe because he hadn't seen Jesus with his own eyes. Now, I won't lie, I've been a "doubting Thomas" before. It's very tough for me to believe I cannot see with my own eyes. However, the more time I spend with our God and learn to trust His Word, it really helps build my faith. My time in the Bible, in serious prayer, and in close relationship with other Christians, has given me the understanding and assurance I need to declare, "Even though I've never seen You Jesus, I love You! And even though I don't see You now, I trust You with my life." When this becomes our sincere belief, God promises that we become "filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy." How good does that sound? Sign me up!

Zoe Life

2009-05-30T20:25:00.002-07:00

Zoë Life

By: Zack

The thief comes to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance (to the full, till it overflows). John 10:10

How are you doing? Are you experiencing life to the fullest or do you usually feel like you are just getting by? The New Testament was originally written in the Greek language, and in Greek, there are two different words for the word "life". One of those words describes physical life (dead or alive), the other indicates a way of living, "zoë". Zoë life is real and lasting and is offered through obedient faith in Jesus Christ. This is an eventful, thriving life, full of joyful expectancy. Jesus came, died, and rose again that we may have Zoë life . Selfishly clutching to our lives as they are, living complacently stops us from experiencing the life Jesus offers.

Jesus explains, "If you try to keep your life for yourself, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for me, you will find true life" Luke 9:24. My friends, we don’t have to wonder why life hasn’t been working any more. Real life comes from laying ours down and letting Jesus sit in the driver’s seat of our life. Life only works one way, and that’s letting Jesus be in complete control, not just control of the parts we want or feel comfortable with. With Jesus it’s all or nothing, yet when you think about what we gain compared to what we give up, it’s no sacrifice.

Rebel

2009-05-30T20:25:00.001-07:00

REBEL

By: Janessa

Do not harden your hearts as you did in rebellion, during the time of testing in the dessert. Hebrews 3:8 (NIV)

Have you ever been in a situation when faced with hard times you hardened your heart to the world? Is it easier to harden your heart or deal with it and heal from the situation? We are so quick to shut off from the world during hard times; when in truth, we should take time and spend it in prayer asking God to soften our heart to Him healing us from the inside out. Everyone goes through hard times and it’s through those hard times that we are able to grow stronger in our relationship with Christ. If we are constantly hardening our hearts and shutting out God and others then we will never move forward? It’s up to us to let God in and let Him heal us and soften our hardened hearts. To let Him take control of the situation and bring us out of our pain. God will take the bad and give us good. We should trust in the fact that our Father has a bigger plan and will bring us through.

Stand Strong

2009-05-30T20:24:00.000-07:00

Stand Strong

By: Brent

No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it. 1 Corinthians 10:13 (NIV)

Temptation, it seems to be all around us no matter what we do. It's like we see in the movies, with the angel and devil on our shoulders. In my past bible study we learned about honoring our parents. However, I think we can learn even more from "A Goofy Movie". We read last time, Goofy had planned to take Max fishing. When Max found out that he can't get out of it, he lied to his friends telling them that his dad was taking him to see a concert in Las Vegas. He even changes the route they are taking. He was tempted and falls into temptation and changes the map. This action puts stress on their journey and tempers flare.

As it always is in Hollywood, everything turns out alright, the relationship gets resolved and it turns out to be the best summer vacation of Max's young life. Too bad life doesn't work the same eh? More times than not, when we into fall temptation it leads to sin and the result of sin is big time pain in our lives. Sneaking out of the house when parents tell us not to, getting caught cheating on a test or stealing something puts tension on our relationship and can get us in trouble. Regardless , resisting temptation is often a tough thing to do, and Satan makes sure of that. When Paul writes this to the church in Corinth, he's encouraging them that regardless of when we are tempted, God always gives us a way out. God stands beside us in all that we do and in times of temptation He gives us an exit to not fall into sin. In those times we need to resist the devil and stand up in the freedom we have in Christ.

Take Time for God

2009-03-18T14:49:00.000-07:00

Take Time For God

By: Allysa

Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. James 4:8

When is the last time that you stopped and just listened? Turned your music off, your TV off, and got away from people and just listened. We say we never feel God but when is the last time that we made room for God? Have we taken time recently to be alone with God and nothing else; to get rid of our distractions and spend time listening to God, reading God’s word, and talking to God.

Often we say we want a close relationship with God, but we forget that a relationship takes two people doing half the work to make 100%. I know God is going His 50% for the relationship but are we doing ours? Are we taking the time to be with Him, to get to know Him, and to listen to Him? We get so caught up in are go, go lives that we often forget to stop and spend time with the One who created us.

Having a quiet time or devotion with God is crucial. I know I have trouble making the time, but when I have a set time each day and I know what I am going to do with God then my time with Him is profitable. It is important that we take time to spend with God and figure out what wants from our lives. Making an effort to choose what verses you want to read, what you want to spend time praying about and how you are going to listen to God without distractions won’t be easy at first, but as you draw close to God, He will draw close to you.

Give me Peace

2009-03-18T14:48:00.002-07:00

Give Me Peace

By: Tammy

“Don’t worry about anything, but pray about everything. With thankful hearts offer up your prayers and requests to God. Then, because you belong to Christ Jesus, God will bless you with peace that no one can completely understand. And this peace will control the way you think and feel.” Philippians 4:6-7 (CEV).

Life is about what we focus on. In today’s world, with the financial crisis that is affecting our economy, we can either focus on our circumstance or we can focus on God’s blessings. We need to be careful what we think about and we choose what we look at. Are we looking at the problem or the solution? Jesus has asked us to rejoice in the good things, allowing us to focus on God’s truth rather than the lies the enemy shoots at us. In Philippians 4:6, we are told not to “worry about anything but pray about everything.” We are not to focus on the problems in our lives; we are called by God to have faith and to focus on His Word that gives us eternal life.

Focusing on His Word, puts our focus on the answer and not the problem . We are to thank God all things. God wants us to be thankful for the things we have not yet received. When we can be thankful and accepting of God before we have received what we are asking for, we demonstrate our faith in Christ. In return we receive peace, knowing that we do indeed have faith in God. This faith in Christ allows us to have peace in knowing that the situation will be cared for by Him. God will never fail us.

Smile Because You've Got It All

2009-03-18T14:48:00.001-07:00

Smile Because You've Got It All
By: NeF

Since you are God's children, God sent the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, and the Spirit cries out, "Father. So now you are not a slave; you are God's child, and God will give you the blessing he promised, because you are his child. Galatians 4:6-7

This Christmas season are you taking time to thank God for what he has provided for you? Every day we wake up is a blessing and every thing we have is from God. We are all God’s children and He has given us a gift that can not be taken from us. God is with all of us and He will never let go of us; even in the hardest of times. We do not need to let what we are going through hold us back from the fact that God loves us and wants to hear from us.

Inseparable

2009-03-18T14:47:00.001-07:00

Inseparable

By: Janessa

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. Romans 8:35-37 (KJV)

Have you ever thought that a past trial or circumstance you’ve been going through has been separating you from God? When we go through a tough time we are quick to feel alone. In this verse it states that “No tribulation, distress, or persecution will separate us from the love of Christ.” We will struggle for His names sake on a daily basis, but we can be confident that through Christ we will persevere.

Take a minute and think of a hard time or trial you have gone through recently. Keep that in your mind and read the verse again. It’s amazing to realize that the very thing you believed you would never survive, God would never condemn you for. Instead, God sees you as a conqueror through Him. The drug addict, cutter, rape victim, porn addict, suicidal, alcoholic, and even the murderers and rapists that absolutely NOTHING you have done can separate you from the love of Christ. That He sees you as a conqueror and a child of God. He loved you enough to die for you. You are made in His image and no matter the evil you may have done or had done to you, He still loves you. He loves you just as much as the day He made you and the day He decided to give His life for you on the cross. Within this love there is hope. You are not defined by what you do but who you are in Him and His love. In the end you are inseparable from Christ's love.

The love of a Father

2009-03-18T14:46:00.000-07:00

The Love Of A Father

By: Brent

For God so loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16 (NIV)

This is verse is probably the most well known verse in the world. You see it everywhere, on TV, in movies, and even at sporting events. Often this verse seems to be another cliché, but this verse means everything in the world, and beyond. Fathers that are absent from our lives, often leave a bitter taste towards father figures. They have a hard time seeing God as their Father because of the past hurt that they been through. However, God is a father that loves us so much that He sent His son to pay for the sins of mankind. I look at my brother who loves his son, and I don't know if my brother would be willing to give his son up for anything, let alone the sin of all mankind. How much more does God loves us as his children? He is the best father this world has ever been offered. You are child of God and He is the father of Love. When we accept this love it changes everything, our actions, our thoughts, and our eternal salvation. The next time you hear this verse, see it as more than a cliché but rather remember the love God has for you.

The outline

2009-03-17T08:45:00.000-07:00

The Outline

By: NeF

“Look at what God has done: No one can straighten what he has bent.” Ecclesiastes 7:13

Have you ever seen an artist paint something from scratch? If you have then you will understand that the first thing that the artist does is create the outline of the painting that he will paint. When you see the finished outline, all you see is a bunch of lines all over the place that show a picture. Often our lives resemble that outline. Fortunately, God is our painter. Even when we don't like what we see in the picture, we have to remember that God is always adding color to our painting both light and dark highlights. We can not undo what God has done in our lives. Perhaps it is time that we look at our lives and realize that we are not in control, only God is. None of us will know where we will end up tomorrow but we know that one day we will see the final picture of our lives and see how wonderful His painting really is!

When it rains it pours

2009-03-17T08:44:00.002-07:00

When It Rains, It Pours!

By: Jordan

“If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.” 2 Chronicles 7:14 (KJV)

How many people feel like they are dry and empty? I feel like that a lot. I wonder if it’s because of my prayer life. Sometimes I find it hard to pray; I’m not going to lie about it. But let’s take a look at the world in which we live. We surround ourselves with the latest technologies, such as cell phones, iPods and computers. This technology allows us to be absorbed into our own world, secluding us from the real world actually having human contact. We can communicate in a river of 0’s and 1’s, who needs speech anymore? And look at how it controls us. As a punishment for something, our parents take our iPods, cell phones or our laptops away, causing us to fly off the handle! We’ve allowed media to control us? And how do we feel? “I can buy and buy and buy and I don’t feel any different then when I had the first iPod.” Or, “When I had a Dell, I was much worse off than with the Mac I have now”. We want what MTV wants for us sometimes, don’t we? But, God has a future for us so much better than what we can imagine! If we take the time to pray and seek out His face, He will heal our wounds. He will give us not only a feeling of absolute wholeness, but an actual knowledge that we’re healed by His stripes; we will be saturated in Gods goodness. God is just that good!

From the Highest of Heights...

2009-03-17T08:44:00.001-07:00

From the Highest of Heights...

By Eric

“The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork.” Psalm 19:1 (KJV)

...”to the Depths of the sea.” With awe struck wonder a child will experience the beauty that is called snow this winter. What is it in our nature that allows us to mirthfully enjoy the world God created around us while we are young? What's more, why is it as we get older, we lose the mysticism that surrounds the environment God has created for His children? The Psalmist rightly said, “the Heavens declare”. I have lost count of the nights I have sat in awe-struck wonder at the splendor of a beautiful sunset, or gazed wistfully out a window at raindrops as they fall to the ground. What a beautiful creation our Father has made.

I can't help but remember one of my favorite songs growing up:

“This is my Father's world,

And to my listening ears

All nature sings, and round me rings

The music of the spheres.

This is my Father's world:

I rest me in the thought

Of rocks and trees, of skies and seas;

His hand the wonders wrought.”

~ This is My Father's World

As you go about your day, take time to notice the small things in nature; a single leaf, a blade of grass. Each was created by the master of the universe and the lover of your soul. He says in His word that you are fearfully and wonderfully made in His image, a marvelous work worth more to Him than everything else He has created. He says in Matthew 6, that though the birds don't build barns and store up food, still he feeds them; that He took the time to array the grass with flowers...how much more are we worth to Him? Nature declares that there is a God; let's take time this week to get to know Him.

What Jesus did

2009-03-17T08:43:00.001-07:00

What Jesus Did

By: Jacob

“Jesus did many other things as well. If every one of them were written down, I suppose that even the whole world would not have room for the books that would be written.” John 21:25 (NIV)

I love how the book of John ends. After John finished telling many amazing things that Jesus did, a lot of which aren’t even recorded in any other gospel, he goes on to say that what he mentioned is just a small scratch on the surface of what Jesus actually did. That just blows my mind! I love how Jesus’ walk with the Father was on going. He lived his life for God even when others were not watching, often just slipped away to spend time with God. He didn’t just do enough amazing things to make a lasting message that can be passed on for generations but he did many things that the world will never know of to touch and change just one life. I am sure he did many things in secret that no one even knows of. What Jesus did while on this earth is still on going, it left a legacy that is lived out in everyone of our lives as his hands and feet. Now, the challenge moves onto you! Are you doing amazing things for God even when others might not remember it years from now? Are you living your life in such a way that the whole world wouldn’t have room for the books of what Christ has done through you?

Alone but not apart

2009-03-17T08:41:00.000-07:00

Alone But Not Apart

By: Eric

“From there He arose and went to the region of Tyre and Sidon. And He entered a house and wanted no one to know it, but He could not be hidden.” Mark 7:24 (NKJV)

Why are hermits and monks abnormalities in society? Why, in even the remotest portions of the earth, are people gathered into tribes and clans? Is there an innate human desire to experience life in community? The simple answer is yes. We best experience the life God has given us by being together. In truth, God's divine purpose is for us to love Him in unity, not as separate individuals but one united body. Why then do we see Jesus on multiple occasions seeking to be alone; the Garden of Gethsemane, the forty days in the wilderness, and this instance in Tyre and Sidon?

The answer seems to be two-fold; we learn how to interact with others, how to love them by being with God. It is not a matter of running from others as much as it is running to God. When asked what the greatest commandment was, Jesus replied, “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind[...]And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.” ( Matthew 22:37,39) As counterintuitive as it may seem, the way we learn to be with others, is by being alone with God. Jesus wasn't seeking to be apart from others, he was seeking to be alone with God.

Color Coordination

2009-03-16T12:21:00.000-07:00

Color Coordination
By: Jordan

“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.” Philippians 4:8 (NIV)

So, I'm caught in this all the time. I don't know about you, but this idea is a hard one to grasp. It calls for extreme conditioning of the mind and heart. It is also determined by what we allow into our life. If we allow negativity into our lives, we will also allow negativity out of our mouths and our actions which will have an impact on others. I find it funny how we seem to rationalize putting the bad stuff into our lives. We say, "This television show is funny" or "This has an awesome beat", but really, what is the spiritual implication when you fill your lives with this? ""For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness?" 2 Corinthians 6:14.

Do we try to compromise our beliefs to fit into places where we shouldn't want to fit into? I know I do. I also know that it’s something that needs to be worked on in most everyone’s lives. I encourage you to pray over your thoughts, that they would remain pure. Ask yourself if you tend to associate impurity as entertainment? Take your thoughts and pray that God would help you keep your thoughts pure for Him.

Gods Property

2009-03-16T12:20:00.002-07:00

God’s Property

By Tammy

“All of you surely know that you are God’s temple and that his Spirit lives in you. Together you are God’s holy temple, and God will destroy anyone who destroys his temple.” 1 Corinthians 3:16 (CEV)

As humans, our bodies are extremely important to us and the represent who we are as a person. The way we perceive and present ourselves to the world is shown through our body. The human body is a fascinating structure, it can rebuild itself, and it grows each day. The majority of humans have bodies that are very similar. Most of us have two arms, two feet, one mouth and so on, but some are born differently. Facial features are different, and such things as hair and body color are unique to each person. The one thing we do have in common is that each of our bodies is the temple of the Holy Spirit. Jesus Christ lives in each of us. God created us and knew us before we were born. Our bodies are incredibly important in Jesus’ eyes. We are God’s property. He owns us; He bought us at a price. The Holy Spirit lives in you. God lives in our hearts; He is in our minds. Sometimes, we can forget that our bodies are the temples of the Holy Spirit. We abuse our bodies by eating too much, or not eating enough. Some injure their bodies by self-harming themselves while others harm their bodies by using drugs. Such thing as self-hatred and self-injury in turn is harming God and His Spirit that lives within us. The author states that God will destroy anyone who destroys His temple. Those who destroy themselves by harming their bodies, by doing negative behavior (whether that is physical, emotional, spiritual, or even psychological) need to repent to God and ask for forgiveness so they can become a renewed child in God.

Semper Vigilance

2009-03-16T12:20:00.001-07:00

SEMPER VIGILANCE

By: NeF

Look at what God has done: No one can straighten what he has bent. When life is good, enjoy it. But when life is hard, remember: God gives good times and hard times, and no one knows what tomorrow will bring. Ecclesiastes 7:13-14 (NCV)

Recently in my life a lot of things have been changing and a couple of days ago I got some bad news about someone that I really cared about. The hard thing about that was that there was nothing that I could do physically for that person; they were over 1800 miles away. The fact of the matter is that even if I wanted to do something about it, there was no way that I could have gotten there in time. It really was a blessing that they did get help that they needed. It's very frustrating and depressing at times when we know that we can't do anything for someone that we care about. I believe that things happen because of God’s will and sometimes I think that we forget that. It's so easy to feel that way. Everything happens because God allows it to happen and He is always going to be in control of that. When tough times come, I think that we should take a step back and reflect on what happened and see where God’s will was at. Do not give up the good fight and let feeling cloud your judgment in a hard situations.

Give it all

2009-03-16T12:19:00.001-07:00

GIVE IT ALL

Then Jesus said to his disciples, "I tell you the truth, it is very hard for a rich person to get into the kingdom of heaven. I say it again--It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God!" Matthew 19:23-24 (NLT)

In these two verses Jesus explains to His disciples why it’s hard for a rich person to get into heaven; because they become so attached to their money. In this world everything seems to revolve around money, making its importance far greater in our minds than in reality. Matthew 19:16-22 tells of a young man asking Jesus how to gain eternal life. Jesus explained to the man he must obey the commandments. The young man said he’d keep all the commandments. Then Jesus said, “If you want to be perfect, go and sell all you have and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me." However, the man could not part with his possessions and he was very sad as he left Jesus. How many of us have earthly possessions which we are not willing to give up to totally follow Jesus? There is nothing on this earth better than what we gain in Christ, so we should not let anything hold us back. Remember what Paul said, “Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the priceless gain of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord” Philippians 3:8. My question to you is, is there anything holding you back?

Unsatisfied

2009-03-16T12:18:00.001-07:00

UNSATISFIED

By: Jacob

All man's efforts are for his mouth, yet his appetite is never satisfied. Ecclesiastes 6:7 (NIV)

When you chase after anything that doesn’t line up with that God has for you, it will leave you unhappy and unsatisfied. Our culture and the ungodly desires within us have programmed us to always be unsatisfied. Everywhere people build their lives on this belief that without certain people or things; they can’t be satisfied. “Once I get that job” “Once I meet my future wife” and the list goes on and on. Some of the biggest causes of being unsatisfied are these false beliefs commonly being dwelled on in our head. We never even think to stop and question if they are true or not. Chasing these things may give you a false sense of pleasure that isn’t joy… but then, in the long run, you will still feel unsatisfied.

True satisfaction comes when you are willing to lay down your hunger and thirst at Jesus’ feet and say, “God, everything I have, everything I am is yours.” This isn’t about me anymore! I am laying my life, my dreams, my wants, my desires at your feet and saying, “Lord, have your way! You know what I need and only you will satisfy. I am going to put you first and my selfish desires on the back burner!” When you take the focus off of yourself, and look to Him, you will find that you will put the needs and wants of others before your own selfish desires. As you are serving him, you will find out that he is the only one who can satisfy and give you true joy that is above anything that you can imagine or dream of. True satisfaction doesn’t come from seeking what you want but it comes from seeking God. May the Lamb that was slain receive the reward of His suffering! If Jesus being God died for me then no sacrifice can be too great for me to make for him.

NOT ANXIOUS, NOT WORRIED

2009-03-13T08:48:00.001-07:00

NOT ANXIOUS, NOT WORRRIED

By: Jacob

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7 (NIV)

I notice that I am often anxious about everything when the Bible so clearly asks me to be anxious about nothing. Instead of getting frustrated I should shape my worries into prayers, give it over to God, count it all joy, give thanks, and just be real with God. I have what at times feels to me like unanswered prayers and a lot of trouble that I wish wasn’t there. It seems like I ask and ask and ask for God to take my pain away, but it still seems to be there. I ask for him to make my paths straight, but still I usually can’t see where he is taking me until I get there…

The truth is our lives are in God’s hands. Even what doesn’t make sense to us in time he will make clear. We don’t see the bigger picture. All that I can see is a little bit of the past and the here and now. It would make sense that if God sees everything from the beginning to the end of time that a whole lot of stuff wouldn’t make sense to us!

So, what should we do? Keep trusting and leaning on God? For sure! As well as shaping our worries into prayers. Ask God to help us, show us the way, and for him to do what we can’t do. Then, let’s move forward and do everything we can do. And as today’s passage tells us when we do that, “Before you know it, a sense of God's wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It's wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life.” Philippians 4:7 (MSG)

Sound off

2009-03-13T08:47:00.003-07:00

Sound Off
By NeF

"'During the night, the Lord told Paul in a vision: 'Don't be afraid. Continue talking to people and don't be quiet.'" Acts 18:9 (NCV)

Have you ever felt led to talk to a complete stranger? Have you been too embarrassed to go up to them because you're not sure how they would respond? I know I've been in that position countless times. I felt very guilty afterwards because I knew in my conscience that I was meant to talk to them when I had the opportunity. My mind went over that situation so often that it got to the point where I was not able to sleep at night. After I finally told a friend about the way that I was convicted about ignoring the opportunity to go up and befriend a stranger, I realized that it was alright to feel frustrated. He told me that being bothered about this situation showed that I did care about the person, even though I didn't talk to them. After I realized that, I also understood that if that person was not ready to talk to someone that my words were just going to go in one ear and out the other. If you too are feeling aggravated about missing the chance to talk to someone, know that God is with you always and will bring you another chance. Don't give up!

Gods beauty

2009-03-13T08:47:00.001-07:00

Gods Beauty

By:Brent

“Then God said, "Let the land produce vegetation: seed-bearing plants and trees on the land that bear fruit with seed in it, according to their various kinds." And it was so. The land produced vegetation: plants bearing seed according to their kinds and trees bearing fruit with seed in it according to their kinds. And God saw that it was good.” Genesis 1:11-12 (NIV)

The Creation story… many of us have heard it a million times growing up. We even know the order of the creation and can quote Genesis 1:1. After spending some time outside this past weekend and playing around with my camera, these verses suddenly meant so much more to me. Just being in creation and enjoying it as the season's change, I am reminded of the endless beauty God has created. Walking around and looking at the changing colors in the leaves, I think back to creation in the beginning and wonder how beautiful Eden must have been. Looking at how nature fits together, how the bears naturally know when to get ready for hibernation, how animals can sense thunder storms and hurricanes before the strike. It often blows my mind how nature works out and how everything is in sync. The sun rises and sets daily, the seasons change naturally, we don't have to ask the question, "when is fall coming?", because God has it all under control. Yes it might come earlier or later year by year, but it comes regardless. Next time you go for a walk, just look at nature around you, look at the trees, listen to the birds, and look in awe at the sunset. Thank God for all these things, and then think about how much more beautiful Heaven is going to be.

Constance

2009-03-13T08:46:00.001-07:00

Constance

By: Janessa

“Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today, and forever.” Hebrews 13:8 (KJV)

Have you ever had a time so difficult that it seemed as if life itself slapped you in the face? Many times our first response is to question where was God. We are so quick to ask why, blindsided by our trials, we neglect to find God in the situation. We wear blinders on our minds and soon he seems to disappear from our thoughts altogether. We see a trial and forget all of God's promises. Their were days when you placed all faith in God and saw His handiwork in everything; those days where you felt God was carrying you through or that He was the rock solid foundation in your life. Why then, when things are tough, do we seem to forget that?

This verse reminds me that, when we get in rough times, we need to remember that God doesn't change and His promises are the same. The fact that God is unchanging is encouraging because, if you felt Him carrying you through life a couple days ago then guess what, He still is. His love and promises are indestructible and will never fade or change. God is that constance in our life that keeps it running smoothly. The next time you doubt that He is there or if He even care, remember, He is the same “yesterday and today and forever.”

Rely on him

2009-03-13T08:45:00.000-07:00

Rely on Him

By: Allysa

“It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man.” Psalms 118:8 (KJV)

Often I look to everyone else for help, before I look to God. It is easier to look to someone who has a face than someone who we can not see… but people will let us down. People are human, and humans aren’t perfect. They aren’t always going to be there for us, and they are going to most likely hurt us at some point. Yet God will always be there and He will never let you down. We need to stop relying on other people to hold us up, but look to God for our strength. I’m not saying that we shouldn’t have people that we rely on, but we need to realize that only God can be there for us in the way that you and I so badly want. People can love us, keep us accountable, and help us through tough times, but they can also hurt us, let us down, and not be there when we need them. Only God can give us that unconditional love that never fails, be a friend that is always there, and give us everything that we need. God should always come first and others should come after that.

CALLED, CHOSEN, COMPLETED

2009-03-11T19:36:00.000-07:00

CALLED, CHOSEN, COMPLETED

By: Julie

“God knew what he was doing from the very beginning. He decided from the outset to shape the lives of those who love him along the same lines as the life of his Son. The Son stands first in the line of humanity he restored. We see the original and intended shape of our lives there in him. After God made that decision of what his children should be like, he followed it up by calling people by name. After he called them by name, he set them on a solid basis with himself. And then, after getting them established, he stayed with them to the end, gloriously completing what he had begun” Romans 8:29-30 (MSG).

These verses are an incredible reminder of the faithfulness and generosity of our God. First, He did the amazing act of sacrifice so we can have the same placement of His only Son. That in itself is more then we could ever dream of getting as humans. He gave us life. But did He stop there? No! He calls us by name. He knows each and every one of us in a more intimate way that the closest of our friends. He put a calling in our lives. He gives us a purpose. All that for us and He didn’t stop. No, He gave us the purpose and He “stayed with them to the end, gloriously completing what He had begun”. He’s given us a place of Son ship, called us by name, given us a solid basis in Him, and promised to stay with us to the glorious completion. How great is our God!

All about the heart

2009-03-11T19:35:00.001-07:00

ALL ABOUT THE HEART

By: Tommy

“Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” Psalm 139:23-24 (NIV).

If you have ever made those words [David’s prayer] your prayer, you know God goes right into action; I can testify! When I gave God permission to check my heart out, I was expecting Him to point out a specific area in my life that needed redefining. The answer I got was “My boy, your heart itself is the issue.” Look back, I said I gave God permission. It’s not that He can’t see my heart without me allowing it, for He already knows what’s going on in there. God is totally up for revealing things to us that need changing, but the real issue is, how bad do we desire to be changed by God. It takes humility and it can be harsh to have our “offensive way(s)” revealed to us; it’s even harder to deal with whatever ‘it’ may be. At first you may deny the issue, but you know deep down it needs to change and God’s not going to deny your request/desire to change. I felt God stressing to me the importance of giving Him an undivided heart and the potential of what He can do through me if He had all of me.

Ultimately, when you get your heart into a position where it is ready to obey God’s direction (meaning, your heart meets His), that’s what it’s all about. Everything else will fall into its proper place! Jesus said if we make the King and His Kingdom our primary concern everything else we need would be given to us (See Matthew 6:33). So let’s pray: “Teach me your way, O LORD, and I will walk in your truth; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name.” Psalm 86:11 (NIV)

Let our story be told

2009-03-11T19:34:00.002-07:00

LET OUR STORY BE TOLD!!!

By: Trav

“I'm feeling terrible—I couldn't feel worse! Get me on my feet again. You promised, remember? When I told my story, you responded; train me well in your deep wisdom. Help me understand these things inside and out so I can ponder your miracle-wonders” Psalm 199:25-27 (MSG).

If you could look at your life right now and think of one thing that is really holding you back in your daily walk with God, what would you say that it is?

In my life it has always been the ‘secret sins’ that I don’t tell anyone about because I fear what they’ll think. Trying to keep those sins secret will eventually eat away at us from the inside as we separate ourselves from the very people who can help. It’s when we isolate ourselves that we are right in the place that Satan wants us to be…on our own, and down on the ground. Then, he will plant condemning thoughts in our mind to make us feel like horrible failures before God.

Moreover, when we get stuck in that rut it is hard to climb out. There is so much to work on that we get overwhelmed and don’t know where to start. We feel defeated when really we have already been forgiven, and it is our own guilt that has driven us to seclusion from God! God doesn’t take away His love and grace, but when we sin we seem to stop receiving it.

In Psalms we’re told we need to tell our story and God will respond. I believe that we are to be honest with God, and with a close group of brothers and sisters in Christ. When we are open and transparent with our lives, it frees us from Satan’s attempt to ‘blackmail’ us with our hidden sin and the subsequent guilt.

Matthew 5:8 says, “Blessed are the pure in heart for they will see God.” When it says pure, it means pure as pure gold. In it’s purest form gold is transparent. That is also the way our lives need to be!

From the inside out

2009-03-11T19:34:00.001-07:00

FROM THE INSIDE OUT

By: Heathermarie

And now, dear lady, I am writing you a new command but one we have had from the beginning and I ask that we love each other. And this is love: that we walk in obedience to his commands. As you have heard from the beginning, his command is that you walk in love.

2 John 1:5-7 (NIV)

Love is an amazing word and such an amazing experience to know. Do you want to know what love really is? Look at God.

Loving others comes from knowing God’s love, knowing who we are in Christ and walking in that. From the inside out the healing comes and simply being yourself. God gives us a very simple command and it’s become so complicated and scrambled. “Oh my friends pressure me to do drugs but they love me… My boyfriend mistreats me but he loves me… I had sex with this guy at a party because he treated me very nice, and said he was in love with me.”

All of us have been hurt and have coped with it all in different ways. When we walk in what God commands us and we spend more time with Him as a friend, we will be able to truly walk in love. The only thing we are to owe people is the ongoing debt to love. As corny or simplistic as this may sound, it is so true. We should not hold grudges or hold mistakes against each other. “Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for he who loves his fellowman has fulfilled the law” Romans 13:8 (NIV).

As you have heard from the beginning, His command is that you walk in love…

Going Down Down Down

2009-03-11T19:33:00.000-07:00

Going Down, Down… Down…

By Eric

“When words are many, sin is not absent, but he who holds his tongue is wise.” Proverbs 10:19 (KJV)

Consider for an instant, words being like daggers, thrown at a spinning board much like those thrown at a circus. A clever shot will set the bound man affixed to the board free; whilst a hasty shot could end the poor man’s life. Consider further, that the man affixed to the board’s sole goal, sole aim, is to survive the barrage of blades coming his way. Would he then rather that 15 or 5 blades were thrown at him?

Only four shots placed correctly are needed to free the man. As Proverbs 25:11 states, “A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver.” Each blade we throw at the man on the board, another chance is taken that we could end his life. Each word we toss about carelessly, another chance is taken that we could harm those around us.

This bares special meaning in my life, not with regard to berating others or even haughty speech, as much as idle flattery. Though Proverbs often spoke of a flattering woman leading men astray, I find myself speaking in a way that is hardly conducive to proper relationships. These are not words of ill intent, not words of seduction, but rather merely idle words, casually tossed about with little thought as to their effect, little notice of their repercussions.

Before I create a dynamic paradox, writing a lot about saying a little, I’ll “pause to clarify…[oh yes another Relient K quote] ‘Cause I’m sure you’re asking, ‘why’ I stand before you and proudly claim to belong to what this song complains I’m part of the problem, I confess but I gotta get this off my chest. Let’s extinguish the anguish for which we’re to blame and save the world from going down in flames.” A tiny spark is the tongue…lets save the world “from going down in flames”.

Days like Diamonds

2009-03-08T12:13:00.001-07:00

Days Like Diamonds…

By Eric

“Teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.” Psalm 90:12 (KJV)

As I relayed to several friends of mine, my walk hasn’t been what it should be. I have not been a good steward of the time afforded me. As I wallow in the past wishing for what I could have done, I waste the present and things I could do.

A story comes to mind of a traveling preacher on the road one evening. It was late and dark and the preacher was traveling to a nearby town to preach the next morning. While on foot he found a bag of rocks on the side of the road. To pass the time he threw the rocks into the stream that followed the road. He did this for next to an hour until he reached the town, where under a streetlight he saw to his dismay, that the bag he had been haplessly casting into the dark had been full of diamonds.

In this passage Moses, a man that spent forty years in the desert, encourages us to be mindful of our time. Furthermore David returns with this sentiment, “Make me to know mine end, and the measure of my days, what it is: that I may know how frail I am.” (Psalm 39:4) Further still, James put it this way, “What is your life? It is but a vapor that appeareth for a little time and vanishes away.” (James 4:14)

All too often, I get caught up with every day but today. Furthermore, within that day I get caught up in seconds, in moments that come and go, wrapped in downfalls and torn by the idea that eventually I will inevitably fail. Each moment we receive is a gift, each instance a chance to do something for God, to move forward.

Remembering those before us

2009-03-08T12:12:00.001-07:00

Remembering Those Before Us

By: Jacob

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.” Hebrews 12:1 (NIV)

In Hebrews 11 we see a long list of people who have gone before us. Their courage compels me to keep on fighting and running the race that God has set before me. When I feel weary or overwhelmed with the battles in front of me, I think of how faithful God has been to me throughout the years; how he has shown himself faithful in the lives of so many others. I think of the long, quiet walks of Harriet Tubman along the Underground Railroad, as slaves, for the first time, see the value of their souls. Elisabeth Eliot going back to reach a lost people who killed her husband, seeing an entire tribe come to faith in Christ. I think of Mother Theresa, holding a man in Calcutta as he says his last words. Through all of these circumstances, God has proven himself faithful. How much more faithful is He going to prove himself in your life? I would like to challenge you today to read through Hebrews 11. When God makes a promise, does He come through? When you can’t see the bigger picture, does He?

My flesh is weak

2009-03-08T12:08:00.000-07:00

My Flesh is Weak

Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak. Matthew 26:41

Often I give myself excuses for why it is alright to do something, when I know deep down inside, that it is wrong. I go off the path that I know God has for me, because I am selfish and want to do it my way; I want to experience the parties, the crazy relationships, the worldly pleasures that I know are wrong. I know that what God has for me is what is best but I still have this longing to do wrong. I beat myself up over it, ask myself why I am doing this again. I know the consequences that it will produce but I still knowingly wander down the path, searching. I enjoy it until I get stuck in the muck that I have willingly jumped into. We all have this longing, the longing to fit, to experience the worldly pleasures just like everyone else. Often I ask myself, why, why do I have this longing and why God do you let me want this? When the truth is, I should be asking, “how”.

How am I letting this addiction to the world and what it has to offer control me? How am I finding myself on this same path of brokenness I turned from? It is a constant battle. It is not that I don’t want what the Lord wants for me it is that my “flesh is weak”. I so badly yearn for what the Lord wants but I so easily stray. Daily I have to bring my faults before God and I must “watch and pray, lest I enter into temptation”. And when I do wander off on the wrong path, I must repent and forgive myself because God has forgiven me. The type of repentance that is not a “free get out of my mess card”, but the kind that is deep within my soul, a repentance that is not words but actions.

The difference between haunting and healing

2009-03-08T12:07:00.000-07:00

The Difference Between Haunting and Healing

By: Eric

“He is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: for he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was.” James 1:23-24

Recently I had the pleasure of talking with students on “Teenhopeline”, whose present day lives are very reminiscent of my past. As a matter of fact, their stories are so eerily similar, I can't help but wonder if there is a cause that I am the one receiving these calls. As I began to ponder the days of yesteryear, the people I knew and the relationships I had with them, I started to consider what manner of man I was and who I have become. In an instant I felt the repressed memories of the past rise, and an equal level of condemnation surge in my soul, speaking over and over, that those “who forget the past are doomed to repeat it.”

As I sat dwelling in all my inadequacies, God swiftly dispelled the darkness and spoke with His word directly to my heart. As you may well know, I am a big fan of conjunctions, “But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed”, James 1:25. The past guides us into who we are, and prepares us for who we are to become. Haunting is continually ripping off the scabs of the past, healing however, is letting wounds run their course and not repeating the mistake. As the Apostle Paul says in Romans 8, “there is therefore no condemnation to them who are in Christ Jesus”. The past dictates who you were, not who you are.

409

2009-03-08T09:54:00.000-07:00

490?

Then Peter came up and said to him, "Lord, how often will my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?" Jesus said to him, "I do not say to you seven times, but seventy times seven. Matthew 18: 21-22 (NIV)

Holding a grudge is one of the most deadly poisons in the world. It isn't a poison that will harm your physical body, but instead it affects you emotionally and spiritually. When we don't forgive others it makes us miserable, and we fill up with bitterness towards the person. Bitterness eats away at us, and it leads to broken relationships, regret, and a miserable life. When Jesus was talking about forgiveness, He said that we should forgive 70 x 7 times. This equals 490 times, but Jesus wasn't saying that we should stop there. He wasn't talking figuratively, He was making a statement that we should forgive our brothers and sisters repeatedly.

As Christ forgives us, we too should forgive others. This is often a tough pill to swallow because humility is tough for us all. Yet, I've seen many lives hurt because of bitterness. As we strive to be like Christ, forgiveness is an attribute of His we are to possess. It's important we remember that Jesus did take the sin of the whole world and forgive us all for sins, past, present and future. When Christ says to forgive He wants not only to save us from bitterness but He also wants us to bring Heaven to earth

Love that will last forever

2009-03-06T10:31:00.001-08:00

Love That Will Last Forever

By: NeF

"And from far away the Lord appeared to his people and said I love you people with a love that will last forever. That is why I have continued showing you kindness"

Jeremiah 31:3

Did you know that there is nothing you could ever do to interfere with the love that God has for you? Maybe you have done things in your life that you think are so bad that he couldn't possibly love you, but I want to let you know today that God loves you no matter what. Even when you did not believe in Him, He loved you and His love has never changed for you. Nothing can separate you from His love. Remember that freedom comes when you accept the gift of unconditional, everlasting love that Jesus offers to you freely. Let Him love you and then take that love and love Him back

God Looks at the Heart, Man Looks on the Outside

2009-03-06T10:29:00.004-08:00

God Looks at the Heart, Man Looks on the Outside

By: Brent

“But God told Samuel, "Looks aren't everything. Don't be impressed with his looks and stature. I've already eliminated him. God judges' persons differently than humans do. Men and women look at the face; God looks into the heart." 1 Samuel 16:7 (MSG)

Thinking back to my high school days, I remember going to school and getting picked on continuously. I was the chubby kid, I've worn glasses since I was two years old, and I wasn't really popular. High school was a tough time for me. While I was growing up, I attended youth group at church and really loved it. It was a place where I could go and not be picked on, made fun of, or teased. It was a place of security.

After reading my Bible a couple days ago, I came across this verse. For me this is a reminder of how different humans are compared to God. Kids in high school judge others by the way they look, the clothes they wear, the music they listen to, the friends they hang out with, and the list goes on and on. But when God looks at us, He judges our hearts not the trend we're following. He sees us, for who we truly are, the person He created. He loves us just the way we are. When other kids at school judge you, realize they don't see who you truly are, they just see the outside. The hurt is still there, I know, but when we have our hearts right with God that's all that matters. We should seek to please God and not please people!

Dead to sin

2009-03-06T10:29:00.003-08:00

Dead to Sin

By: Allysa

“What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? Certainly not! How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it? Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.” Romans 6:1-4

As Christians, we often feel as if we have a free pass to do whatever we want. Jesus has paid the price for our sins and often as a result, our mindset is such that it doesn’t matter what we do, we are free from punishment for the things we do. We take the “free get out of hell” card and then do what we want. Yet true Christianity is not a “get out of hell free” card, it is not just a prayer that you prayed, it is truly dying to yourself and giving everything over to God. When we come into a relationship with Christ, the Bible says, “that the old is gone and the new has come”. That includes not only our pain and broken life, but it also includes our sinful desires. We abandon our sinful life and instead pursue after Christ taking on a pure lifestyle. I’m not saying that you are going to be perfect, but I am saying you can pursue a life that is free of the bondage of sin. To not live in sin but to live in righteousness, and in full pursuit of a life that is glorifying to God. Take some time to find the things in your life that are not pleasing to God and ask Him to take them. Take the steps to follow Christ everyday of your life.

You can't do it on your own

2009-03-06T10:29:00.001-08:00

YOU CAN’T DO IT ON YOUR OWN

By: Janessa

“Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.” Galatians 6:2 (KJV)

People who read this verse are often taken aback. There are two different people that this verse applies to: people that don't want to carry the burdens of others and the people that don't want to let others carry their burdens. Have you ever had a friend confront you about what is going on in your life because they cannot handle what is going on in their own lives? Oftentimes, that can feel like a low blow. Here we see the Bible clearly states to carry each other's burdens. That’s a tall order to fill. How can we as humans carry our own burdens and carry every one else's as well? That’s where the power of prayer comes in. When you lift someone's burdens and help them carry it, you have the blessing of carrying them through like God would. We are blessed for fulfilling God's law. God will give you the strength to carry the burdens of others.

On the other side, there are those that don't want to burden others with their issues. They will sit and struggle with all they have, but won’t talk to anyone about it because they don't want to burden the people around them. The whole point in all of this is so much simpler than what either side may see it as. We, as Christians, need to stop over thinking God’s plans and just trust in the fact that God will not push us past our limit; to the point of no return. If he commands us to do something, we need to trust in the fact that we have the ability to accomplish it. We need to stop worrying and just open up to one another; we need to come alongside one another and help carry each other through. When we live openly with one another, we feel the blessing fellowship can bring. At the same time we need to allow our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ to help us through. We need to take down the walls and let them in. We can't do this alone, and we weren't made to.

Where are your treasures?

2009-03-06T10:27:00.001-08:00

Where are your Treasures?

By: Brent

"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." Matthew 6:19-21(NIV)

When I think of storing your treasures on earth, I think of ‘Pirates of the Caribbean’ (POTC): treasure chests, pirate ships, walking the plank, and Jack Sparrow, to name a few. When I look at Jack Sparrow and Captain Barbosa in the movies, they are fighting each other continually, for what? Gold, a boat, "rights" to the sea. I know the movie isn't real life but don't you think we do the same thing in the real world? How often do we look at other peoples stuff: their brand new iPod, there huge 42" flat screen TV with every function known to man in it, their computer, and we want it ourselves? We are trying to store up so much "treasure" here on earth. Society tells us we need to have this and that to look successful, but it's contrary to what Christ is saying. Everything here on earth is temporary, but the treasure in Heaven will last forever. We won't be able to bring our iPods into Heaven, so why not be content with the one we have instead of wanting the latest and greatest? The treasures in Heaven are worth so much more. Are you living your life fully for God; in your deeds, actions, thoughts, and everything? This is a hard thing to learn, I'm learning it myself. How are you treating other people in your life? Are you representing Christ in every aspect in your life and storing up Godly relationships, or is your faith in what you can get here on earth?

Conjunction Junction Whats your Function

2009-03-05T07:59:00.000-08:00

Conjunction Junction What's Your Function

By: Eric

“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 (NIV)

Of course, with a title like this I'm certain my age is showing. Nevertheless, years ago when I was in elementary school, I recall watching a short film made by “Schoolhouse Rock” entitled, “Conjunction Junction”. The purpose of course, to learn the proper uses of the words “and, but,” and “or”. As the song says, their purpose is “Hooking up words and phrases and clauses.” Interestingly, God wasn't oblivious to forms of speech. However, oftentimes...we are. In Romans 8, we see a verse that is often quoted to people who are struggling through difficulties and trials. They are slapped with the encouragement, “all things work together for good.” However, I want to quickly look at two things about this phrase:

Notice how Paul starts off with, “And we know...” Though the Bible is organized into chapters and verses, most of the time if you read a verse by itself, you can completely miss the reason behind it. Therefore, in the verse prior Paul states, “And he that searches, our hearts goes to the Father on our behalf.” Great, another “and”...The verse before that begins, “in the same way”. Again we have to keep looking back because Paul is using each statement to build our framework for God’s will. Paul continues to speak about how we have hope, how we have peace. He uses words such as, “therefore, but, for, so...” all of these leading you to look ahead, but why?

Paul knows something incredibly important, “that there is no condemnation,” in other words we are free who are in Jesus Christ. This is the phrase stated early in chapter 7 that Paul built the rest of chapter 8 upon. Because of this freedom we can have hope. As Paul said, “We hope for things we cannot see”. As a result of patiently waiting on hope, we can “know that all things work together for good.” “Good” being the good of God, as we patiently wait on him to deliver us. It is good for us to go through hard times; it is good for us to walk through the valley of the shadow of death because God goes with us. This is how we know all things work together for “good”.

Walking in Freedom

2009-03-05T07:58:00.000-08:00

Walking in Freedom

By: Jacob

“So Christ has truly set us free. Now make sure that you stay free, and don’t get tied up again in slavery to the law… So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves.” Galatians 5:1&16 (NLT)

Often, we are set free from a struggle, or so we think. However, when the same struggle returns over and over again, we question who we are and what we are doing. We know the truth, we can be free and that’s how God sees us. However, our breakthrough moments must translate into movement, or it becomes another memory.

Our mindsets must change to walk in freedom. When we seek God with all our hearts, He gives us the desires of our heart, but He does so by changing the desires of our heart into the desires of His. 2 Corinthians 10:5 asks for us to “take every thought captive to make it obedient to Christ.” We need to quit letting our minds dwell on the sin, instead seeing ourselves as free. Christ has already given you victory from this. Now, we need to walk in that victory.

Our lives must change in order to walk in freedom. Often we want Jesus to free us, but we don’t want Him to mess up our lives. We close parts of our lives off from God, crying, “Lord, have your way in my life!” Yet we hold back 10% or 90% for ourselves and don’t let Him touch there. Only when we bring every part of our lives to God can we truly walk in freedom.

Our friendships must change to walk in freedom. We need to surround ourselves with other people who can build us up, walk with us, and hold us accountable. We need to surround ourselves with people who will do what it takes to sharpen us and not just let us dwell in our comfort zone.

Our environment must change as we step outside of our comfort zone of false “feel goods”, and lean on Christ as the “true remedy”. We can’t continue to put ourselves in the same situations and expect different results. Now that you know the truth that God proclaims, trust Him to fill you up until only He remains. Don’t rest until your every word brings glory His name. Let all you are, and all you do, live and breathe a new freedom in Christ.

The Meaning of life

2009-03-05T07:57:00.000-08:00

The Meaning of Life
By: Brent

“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. Anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him?” 1 John 3:16-17 (NIV)

When was the last time that you had a friend in need? Maybe one of your friends is actually going through some hard times right now, and you want to do everything in your power to help them through the situation. This verse is telling us to do exactly that; to be selfless. The world tells us to be selfish and take everything for ourselves, but Christ is calling us to lay our lives down for one another in selfless love. This is not necessarily saying we should jump in front of a moving car to save our friend or family member, (although it could), rather we should be putting our friends' needs before our own. Seeing a friend who forgot his lunch, or doesn't have enough money to buy a lunch, you might be able to share some of yours. This is a radical thing to think about, putting people before us, seeing that we as humans always want to be first, but that's contrary to the words of Christ. When we honestly put other people's needs before our own without expecting anything in return, (though in our human nature it is hard to do), it is very rewarding. Knowing that you are being the hands and feet of Christ makes life that much more fulfilling!

Made to do good

2009-03-05T07:56:00.000-08:00

MADE TO DO TO GOOD

By: Janessa

“God has made us what we are. In Christ Jesus, God made us to do good works, which God planned in advance for us to live our lives doing.” Ephesians 2:10 (NCV)

Have you ever thought in your life why am I here? Why did God make me? These are great questions and this verse is just one of the many verses where God reveals to us just that. It says that God made us to do good works. Well that’s good and all, but what are good works? Good works are any works that are pleasing unto God. An example of a good work is love. We were made to love, to love God and love others. As long as what we do is pleasing to God and glorifying to him then it is a good work. In short, we are supposed to be living a life that is pleasing unto God. Are you doing that? Take a minute and look in your life are you living the life that Christ created you to live? If not try waking up and praying that God will show you to do this in your own life. To live a life for Christ means to live a life in honor of him. Live a life where you are constantly doing things that are making it easier for people to see God shine through you. You are significant in Christ and made with a purpose. Now its up to you to live out that purpose every day in your life. You were made to do good. Is it showing?

Fruit Cocktail

2009-03-05T07:55:00.000-08:00

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Fruit Cocktail

By: Brent

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Galatians 5: 22-23 (NIV)

A couple days ago I was out grocery shopping. On my list was fruit cocktail, I love that stuff! I sometimes even buy the cans with extra cherries because they're my favorite. This verse made me think, this verse is saying all the fruits of the spirit. Thanks to a song from Sunday school I can remember it very well. Just like I love the canned fruit I should be even more in love with all the fruits of the Spirit. These fruits of the Spirit are what Christians strive to possess. Often we as Christians are like a can of fruit cocktail, unevenly proportioned. You notice that a can of cocktail doesn't have equal pieces of each item? I often see myself my life as this, I may have all the joy in the world but don't have the patience with other people or the kindness to others in my life. Then I think of the cherries in fruit cocktail, often there aren't many of them in the can. (Reason for making special cans) and then I see that resembling the fruit of "love" both in my life as well as other Christians. I often don't show love to non-Christians as well as my fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. If my life was a can of fruit cocktail, I want it to be one with an EQUAL ABUNDANCE of each and every fruit.

Like A Green Beret, We Will Lead The Way

2009-03-04T10:07:00.001-08:00

Like A Green Beret, We Will Lead The Way

By Tammy

“Dear children, do not let anyone lead you astray. He who does what is right is righteous, just as he is righteous. 8He who does what is sinful is of the devil, because the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil's work.” 1 John 3: 7-8 (NIV).

Like a green beret, we will lead the way. As Christians we are in God’s Army, fighting for the ultimate King. God has called us not to walk astray from Him but to stay focused on Him, fighting in His Army. When we follow Christ we are righteous and one with Him, just as He is righteous. Those who live a sinful life walk with the devil and walk into the devil’s trap. If we commit sin, we need to repent and tell God we are sorry for what happened. From here, we need to make a choice to live right with God, as He has asked us to do. Jesus came to the earth to destroy the devil and all his tactics. When we are with God no one can be against us. We are on His winning team. We need to make decisions in life, to do good and to stay away from evil. When we are one with God and live in His presence, we are working in His mighty army. We will go into battle but we cannot have fear of the situation. When we are in God’s army we are on the front-lines battling it out against evil. Life is about decisions; we must make the right decisions in order to live a righteous life. We are fighting for Him and sharing the Gospel of Christ.

Happy Heart

2009-03-04T10:06:00.001-08:00

Happy Heart

By: Allysa

"So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver." 2 Corinthians 9:7 (NKJV)

How many times have you given because it is something that you are supposed to do? Not because you wanted to, but because you knew it was right. How many times have you been frustrated with giving because you were supposed to, but didn’t want to? God clearly states here that we are to give out of a cheerful heart. But how are we to do that if we really don’t want to. You could tell me a thousand times that I am supposed to do something and I will probably do it, but then I probably wasn’t doing it joyfully. I think the difference is when you are convicted about your giving. If you are convicted about giving you are going to want to give and you will most likely give with a happy heart. You will give because you want to not because you know you are supposed to. God wants things from us because we want to give them. If I was to give flowers to my mom on mothers day and that made her so excited that I thought of her. But then I said to her well I gave them to you because that is what I was supposed to do or well its mother’s day isn’t that the right thing to do. She probably wouldn’t want the flowers anymore because I gave them to her because I was supposed to not because I thought of her and wanted to give her something. God wants us to give because we want to give and he wants us to do it with a happy heart!

The sacrifices of God

2009-03-04T10:05:00.002-08:00

The Sacrifices of God

By: Eric

“And Samuel said, “Has the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams.” I Samuel 15:22 (NKJV)

In a world heavily inundated with facades of reality, “reality tv,” soap operas, and action films, we often struggle to find the line between fact and fiction. There is one who feeds this notion, a culture of deception and lies, he was called the “father of lies” by Christ in John 8:44. It is his sole purpose to counterfeit truth, and cause men, even followers of Christ to settle for a lie. Over the centuries his tactics have not changed or even improved. It was a lie that led to the fall in the garden, it was a lie that led Judas to betray Jesus in the garden once more, and it is a wall of lies that separates our hears from worshiping God in spirit and truth.

In the passage above, Saul had a very specific task set before him. He was told to destroy everything in the city and to take nothing as a spoil of war. Yet Saul, motivated by his own personal vendetta chose to set aside the spoils and to offer them in sacrifice to God. Though he was attempting to worship God, by his actions he had disobeyed God. Much like Saul, we are often deceived by masks of spirituality, like the Pharisees having a “form of godliness but denying its power.” In Psalms 51:17 David states, “The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.” If we are walking in humility, then we will cease to be pretenders but defenders of the faith.

Be still be silent

2009-03-04T10:05:00.001-08:00

Be Still…Be Silent

By: Eric

“Be still, and know that I am God.” Psalm 46:10A (KJV)

Tenderly a breeze passes across the green grass, moving gingerly over each blade causing green and yellow hues alike to “dance” across the hilltops. Trees join the melody with a low ruffle; leaves wrestling across the ground unite in the song of autumn…everyday our world is filled with noise; the passing of a car, the ring of a cell phone, and the hum of a computer. Yet I am reminded, as I think of the story of Elijah, that God was not in the whirlwind, the earthquake or the fire, but in the still small voice (I Kings 19:11-13). How can we ever assume to truly “hear” the voice of God in a world so consumed by the hectic pace of life?

Recently I felt God leading me to fast, not of bread and meats, but of speech. Too often I have spent the majority of my time talking, and the least amount of my time listening. The Bible says in Proverbs 18:21, “death and life are in the power of the tongue.” When I took the time to be silent, to focus intently on the sounds and conversations around me, to not be distracted by the thoughts of when to interject, thoughts of what to say next, I found that the meaning of those conversations grew, and that my understanding of others flourished. When we cease to think of ourselves we can more fully think of others.

Not only was I fully able to better communicate with others, but my fellowship with God was fuller and richer. We are called to do only two things in life, and it was this question that stumped the Pharisees of Jesus’ day…they said, “Master, what is the greatest commandment?” and he replied, “To love God and to love others.” If we are willing to empty ourselves of our pride, and allow God to fill us with His never-ending love, then we can pour into others that same love and become a vessel of honor for God. We must be still, and know that He is God.

Children of God

2009-03-04T09:56:00.000-08:00

Children of God
By: Tammy

“The Father has loved us so much that we are called children of God. And we really are His children. The reason the people in the world do not know us is that they have not known Him.” 1 John 3:1 (NCV)

When its dinnertime, do you come into your parents’ dining room and ask if you may eat? Or do you grab your plate and fill it full of that evening’s special dish? We don’t ask for food in our parents’ house; we just eat. As God's beloved children, our relationship with Him should be the same. Once we have come to God and get to know Him as our Father, only then will we receive His mighty love. We have to know the love of the Father because it is such an amazing love. It’s a love that never fails, and a love that is more amazing than any human love. God’s love for us is so special; no man, woman, or friend can ever love us like our Heavenly Father. He created us, and He calls us His children. Many fathers are not present in their children’s lives; they leave, run away and try to forget their responsibilities. For those who never had a father, they can put all their trust in their Heavenly Father. We need to use God and rely on Him as if He were our earthly dad. That can be really tough, but God has called us to be His sons and daughters. We are His children; He loves us and we need to receive this love from God. God is not a child abuser; He loves us and wants us to share in His amazing love. He has given us everything we need because we are his children; we are the Sons and Daughters of Christ. Everything we do in life should be with love, as Christ is the true example of that. We need to pray to God because He is in us! We don’t need to beg, but we must come boldly before Christ, because we are His children.