We are doing things a little differently this week. Tomorrow is my last final, and I will be heading home so the weekly blog is being moved to tonight. However, I want to change it up a bit. Each week God puts something on my heart for me to share with You all, but this week, I feel as though He is calling me to hear from you; to hear what is happening in Your lives, and to get to know my friends, my brothers and sisters in Christ a little better.
I urge you all to Facebook me, call me, text me, or e-mail me (jacob_wager@hotmail.com) and let me know how God is working in your life, how I can pray for you, or just anything at all. This life is about sharing with each other, growing in love, and helping to develop our faith and relationships with Christ.
Verses:
So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in Him, rooted and built up in Him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.
~Colossians 2:6-7
Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from His love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind.
~Philippians 2:1-2
We are called into fellowship, to be one in Spirit and in mind, to join together to serve our Master and King. I am continually praying for each and every one of you and only hope to hear from you over the next week. Much love and God's blessings on you all!
Tuesday, December 20, 2011
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
Living in Love
God is love, and if we are to truly be followers of Christ, then we have got to live a life that reflects that love. God, Himself, said that faith, hope, and love will last forever, but the greatest of these three things is LOVE. He loved us enough to send His Son to die on a cross for our sins, knowing we would betray and defile His gift, but He did it anyway. That is what true love looks like.
Tonight, I just ask that you examine your hearts, your motives, your lives, and despite it being a stressful time of year, really take a look at what you are reflecting. Are you demonstrating this love that Christ has shown, or are you living a life more focused on serving yourself? I don't write this to condemn anyone, as I am just as guilty as the next, but I do think it is important to gain perspective on how we walk and live as Christians. It should be our ultimate goal to live out the love Christ has so perfectly demonstrated for us, and what better time to start than now? We are called to love, to serve, and reflect the example that Christ left for us. Take a look at the following verses, and spend some time with Him. Talk to God, and see which areas of your life could use a little more love.
Verses:
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 1:6
“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
~John 13:34-35
Let love be your highest goal...
~1 Corinthians 14:1
The greatest example of love that will ever be shown for us is exemplified in the following verse
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
~John 3:16
He set the example, and we are called to continue living in that love, spreading it to any and all who need to hear it. He is love, and He is ours, so let us go forth and live in the love He has called us to.
Tonight, I just ask that you examine your hearts, your motives, your lives, and despite it being a stressful time of year, really take a look at what you are reflecting. Are you demonstrating this love that Christ has shown, or are you living a life more focused on serving yourself? I don't write this to condemn anyone, as I am just as guilty as the next, but I do think it is important to gain perspective on how we walk and live as Christians. It should be our ultimate goal to live out the love Christ has so perfectly demonstrated for us, and what better time to start than now? We are called to love, to serve, and reflect the example that Christ left for us. Take a look at the following verses, and spend some time with Him. Talk to God, and see which areas of your life could use a little more love.
Verses:
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 1:6
“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
~John 13:34-35
Let love be your highest goal...
~1 Corinthians 14:1
The greatest example of love that will ever be shown for us is exemplified in the following verse
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
~John 3:16
He set the example, and we are called to continue living in that love, spreading it to any and all who need to hear it. He is love, and He is ours, so let us go forth and live in the love He has called us to.
Wednesday, December 7, 2011
Reach
Look around you. This is what you've been given, what God has blessed you with. Now it is time to take these blessings, this life, and live it striving to reach out, not only to others, but to God Himself. Consider the time we take on Facebook, watching tv, or procrastinating in a given day. Would it really hurt us to give up at least some of this time to reach out to someone in need, to reach over that proverbial line, or to reach up to Him?
It is not supposed to be easy, any good and meaningful relationships we have in life are ones that have taken a little work. God is no different. He has laid the groundwork, clearly displaying His affections for us on the cross, and demonstrating His undying love for us. Now we must simply respond by spending time with Him, getting into His word, and spreading His love to those who so desperately need to hear it.
Verses:
Do not let any part of your body become an instrument of evil to serve sin. Instead, give yourselves completely to God, for you were dead, but now you have new life. So use your whole body as an instrument to do what is right for the glory of God.
~Romans 6:13
Those who love their life in this world will lose it. Those who care nothing for their life in this world will keep it for eternity.
~John 12:25
It is truly amazing what we can gain in this life by giving it up; again, easier said than done, but the results are worth it. By giving up our plans and our control for the ones that He has created specifically for us, we are declaring our acceptance of His gift of life. We are reaching back up to God, allowing Him into our hearts, and loving Him in return for all He has done. Reach out to Him, reach out to others, and give God some of the time He so rightfully deserves. You will not end up disappointed.
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
In Awe
Tonight, as I sat down to write this weekly blog, I initially felt like I was lacking a topic, direction, and motivation, but as I examined my heart I found the most amazing truth. God did not speak a specific topic into me tonight because He simply wanted me to write on the topic that He placed in my heart at the beginning of time. This truth is that there is no one else like our God. There has never been and never will be a God who loves like our God, who forgives like our God, or who has the infinite power that our God has. We have done nothing to deserve this love, this forgiveness, this mercy, or this redemption, and yet we receive it freely. This blows me away! I sit here, speechless, in awe, at the greatness and kindness of my loving Father.
I cannot fathom all the blessings He has bestowed upon me in this life. Yes, there has been plenty a trial, but it all pales in comparison to the loving redemption and blessings that He fills me with. As I look back over the past blog entries, I am further reminded of how God has blessed me; He has allowed an unworthy me to write about Him, to express my deepest beliefs and faith-filled ideas, and present them to whom ever finds them worth reading. To date, this blog has been read over 5,000 times in over 20 different countries. I did not ask for any of this, but God has taken a willing heart and a blank blog page and done some pretty amazing things with it. I cannot look at those numbers without knowing that God's hand has been all over this project, and I cannot help but think of what else He has planned for my life. He is not finished with me yet, and because I believe this, I am able to press on in His name toward the life He has called me to live.
This may not have been the typical blog post, but if you get nothing else out of this, I urge you to simply sit in awe of Him for a few moments. Reflect and pray on Who He is and what He has done and will continue to do in your life. Read the following scripture, and really internalize it.
Verse:
No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.
~Philippians 3:13-14
Is this message a reflection of our lives, or did we need this reminder to recognize these truths and get back on track?
It is in knowing these truths, in simply sitting in awe of God, that I find purpose to continue striving towards the ultimate prize for which God has called me. I thank Him for this platform, for continually blessing me with words to share, and for always presenting me with opportunities to further His kingdom. We serve a mighty God, and even when there are no words for what we feel or believe, we can simply sit in His presence, in awe of the One who gave it all! Much love through Christ!
I cannot fathom all the blessings He has bestowed upon me in this life. Yes, there has been plenty a trial, but it all pales in comparison to the loving redemption and blessings that He fills me with. As I look back over the past blog entries, I am further reminded of how God has blessed me; He has allowed an unworthy me to write about Him, to express my deepest beliefs and faith-filled ideas, and present them to whom ever finds them worth reading. To date, this blog has been read over 5,000 times in over 20 different countries. I did not ask for any of this, but God has taken a willing heart and a blank blog page and done some pretty amazing things with it. I cannot look at those numbers without knowing that God's hand has been all over this project, and I cannot help but think of what else He has planned for my life. He is not finished with me yet, and because I believe this, I am able to press on in His name toward the life He has called me to live.
This may not have been the typical blog post, but if you get nothing else out of this, I urge you to simply sit in awe of Him for a few moments. Reflect and pray on Who He is and what He has done and will continue to do in your life. Read the following scripture, and really internalize it.
Verse:
No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.
~Philippians 3:13-14
Is this message a reflection of our lives, or did we need this reminder to recognize these truths and get back on track?
It is in knowing these truths, in simply sitting in awe of God, that I find purpose to continue striving towards the ultimate prize for which God has called me. I thank Him for this platform, for continually blessing me with words to share, and for always presenting me with opportunities to further His kingdom. We serve a mighty God, and even when there are no words for what we feel or believe, we can simply sit in His presence, in awe of the One who gave it all! Much love through Christ!
Wednesday, November 23, 2011
Give Thanks
On this week of Thanksgiving, I just wanted to take the time to truly thank God for all He has done in my life. He is an amazing God, worthy of all of our praise, and for His undying love and sacrifice, I am eternally grateful. I thank You for sending Your Son to die on the cross for hopeless sinners like myself, for loving us enough to give it all just so that we have the opportunity to accept that gift, and for covering our sins with the blood of Christ and casting them as far as the East is from the West. Without You first and foremost in my life, God, I would not have anything else to be thankful for. You have placed me exactly where I need to be in my life, You have brought me up in the community of people that I was meant to be brought up in, and You have bountifully blessed me with the most amazing parents, family, and friends to help me along in my relationship with You.
Verse:
Yours, LORD, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the majesty and the splendor, for everything in heaven and earth is yours. Yours, LORD, is the kingdom; you are exalted as head over all. Wealth and honor come from you; you are the ruler of all things. In your hands are strength and power to exalt and give strength to all. Now, our God, we give you thanks, and praise your glorious name.
~ 1 Chronicles 29:11-13
I urge you all to take a minute and thank God for all He has done in your lives; not just the joys and accomplishments, but also the sorrows and the toughest times, for it is in those times that He has been able to teach us some of life's greatest lessons. Our lives are made possible and lived to the fullest when we recognize that living can only be done with Him, through Him, and for Him. In Christ, I love you all and wish you the very best Thanksgiving; remember Who deserves the thanks!
Verse:
Yours, LORD, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the majesty and the splendor, for everything in heaven and earth is yours. Yours, LORD, is the kingdom; you are exalted as head over all. Wealth and honor come from you; you are the ruler of all things. In your hands are strength and power to exalt and give strength to all. Now, our God, we give you thanks, and praise your glorious name.
~ 1 Chronicles 29:11-13
I urge you all to take a minute and thank God for all He has done in your lives; not just the joys and accomplishments, but also the sorrows and the toughest times, for it is in those times that He has been able to teach us some of life's greatest lessons. Our lives are made possible and lived to the fullest when we recognize that living can only be done with Him, through Him, and for Him. In Christ, I love you all and wish you the very best Thanksgiving; remember Who deserves the thanks!
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
I am Second
Over these past few weeks and months, God has continually used the I am Second movement to encourage myself and so many others as to what it is to live a life that is second only to Christ, and His will for our lives. I wanted to take a moment to share with you what living a life second in command to Christ looks like for me.
Many of you know the struggles I have faced with my weight over the years, and it continues to be a daily battle with food, but what you probably haven't heard is the underlying issues that I believe got me to that point of needing to change. I was living life with my goals and my wants at the forefront of my mind; I did not have a servant's heart, but rather a heart that put me first. I looked at successes as my own doing, my own claim to fame, which only set me up for failure.
In high school, I felt lost; I may have looked and acted the part of the confident, and always comedic, overweight Christian, but had no idea what I was doing with my life. I started to look at myself as a failure, living in the shadows of other's dreams, claiming to know a God that I had only learned about and not engaged in. I tried to figure out me, how I could be successful, and how I could make myself happy. What I did not know at the time was that it would never be me that could turn things around in my life, it would have to be Christ.
Then, one summer, on Agape Tour to New York City, God laid the truth on my heart in an unbelievable way. It was while reading Ephesians 2:8-9 that He revealed to me that I needed to enter into a relationship with Him if I wanted things to change in my life. I accepted the gift of Life on that tour, knowing full well that God and I had a lot of work to do in order to get me on the path that He had planned for my life. I had spent my life up to that point learning about God, reading the Bible, going for church, and singing for Him, without ever taking the time to get to know Him. It all began to make sense that night, and I knew I had to allow Christ to change me from the inside out.
Verse:
For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.
Ephesians 2:8-9
It has been a long process, but from that point on Christ has been at work in my life. He has humbled me, broken me, and built me back as a messenger of light for His purpose. I now understand that every success, and every privilege I have been given in this life has been the work of my Creator, and He deserves the glory for those things. It is in this understanding that I can show Christ for who He is, the lover of our souls, and the giver of all that is good. The weight loss is the physical change that everyone has been able to notice. Finally recognizing my body as a temple of the Holy Spirit allotted me the determination to change that for Him, and it has been a huge factor in my spiritual journey, but it is far from the most important change I have made in the past few years. The key change has been dropping the facade that I lived under for so long, emerging from the false pretenses I had set up for myself, and allowing Christ into my heart to break, change, and heal me from the inside out.
I realize now that in order to be made into the man of God I am today, Christ had to break down the walls of the old me. He has changed my heart, redeemed my soul, and ignited me with a passion for Him that I cannot help but share. Allowing Him into my life, truly getting to know Him and give Him control, has been the greatest decision I have ever made. I am Jacob Wager, and I am Second.
http://www.iamsecond.com/
Here is the link to the I am Second movement. I highly recommend checking these videos out and reflecting on what they could mean in your life.
Many of you know the struggles I have faced with my weight over the years, and it continues to be a daily battle with food, but what you probably haven't heard is the underlying issues that I believe got me to that point of needing to change. I was living life with my goals and my wants at the forefront of my mind; I did not have a servant's heart, but rather a heart that put me first. I looked at successes as my own doing, my own claim to fame, which only set me up for failure.
In high school, I felt lost; I may have looked and acted the part of the confident, and always comedic, overweight Christian, but had no idea what I was doing with my life. I started to look at myself as a failure, living in the shadows of other's dreams, claiming to know a God that I had only learned about and not engaged in. I tried to figure out me, how I could be successful, and how I could make myself happy. What I did not know at the time was that it would never be me that could turn things around in my life, it would have to be Christ.
Then, one summer, on Agape Tour to New York City, God laid the truth on my heart in an unbelievable way. It was while reading Ephesians 2:8-9 that He revealed to me that I needed to enter into a relationship with Him if I wanted things to change in my life. I accepted the gift of Life on that tour, knowing full well that God and I had a lot of work to do in order to get me on the path that He had planned for my life. I had spent my life up to that point learning about God, reading the Bible, going for church, and singing for Him, without ever taking the time to get to know Him. It all began to make sense that night, and I knew I had to allow Christ to change me from the inside out.
Verse:
For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.
Ephesians 2:8-9
It has been a long process, but from that point on Christ has been at work in my life. He has humbled me, broken me, and built me back as a messenger of light for His purpose. I now understand that every success, and every privilege I have been given in this life has been the work of my Creator, and He deserves the glory for those things. It is in this understanding that I can show Christ for who He is, the lover of our souls, and the giver of all that is good. The weight loss is the physical change that everyone has been able to notice. Finally recognizing my body as a temple of the Holy Spirit allotted me the determination to change that for Him, and it has been a huge factor in my spiritual journey, but it is far from the most important change I have made in the past few years. The key change has been dropping the facade that I lived under for so long, emerging from the false pretenses I had set up for myself, and allowing Christ into my heart to break, change, and heal me from the inside out.
I realize now that in order to be made into the man of God I am today, Christ had to break down the walls of the old me. He has changed my heart, redeemed my soul, and ignited me with a passion for Him that I cannot help but share. Allowing Him into my life, truly getting to know Him and give Him control, has been the greatest decision I have ever made. I am Jacob Wager, and I am Second.
http://www.iamsecond.com/
Here is the link to the I am Second movement. I highly recommend checking these videos out and reflecting on what they could mean in your life.
Tuesday, November 8, 2011
Prayer
As a Christian, I cannot stress the importance of prayer enough. It is our connection with God, a time to have conversation with Him, express our worries, ask for needs, praise Him for all that He is, and also just a way to spend time with Him. He longs to spend time with us, to grow closer with us as we draw nearer into Him, and what better way than to pray?
Prayer and worship are a part of our intimate relationship with our God, and each person does it in their own way. There is no right or wrong way to communicate with God, no right or wrong things to say; He already knows what we have in mind before we do, but expressing it to Him allows for a strengthening in our relationship. If you are angry, confused, happy, sad, misunderstanding something, or simply want to give Him praise, let Him know! He so desperately loves to hear from His children, and growing deeper with Him brings unexplainable joy to us as well.
In Matthew 6, it is made clear that prayer is not for show and that many words are unnecessary, but prayer is still important to our individual relationships with Him. We are even given an example as how to pray in Matthew 6 with the Lord's prayer. It may be hard to pray this way, for God's will, rather than our own, but we must trust Him with every aspect of our lives. He is at work for the good of those who love Him, and regardless of what happens, He has our ultimate good in mind. He knows the plans He has for our lives, and He will not take us anywhere that will not result in the ultimate best plan for our lives.
Verses:
This, then, is how you should pray:
“Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come,
your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one."
~Matthew 6: 9-13
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
~Philippians 4:6
And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.
~Ephesians 6:18
The power and importance of prayer is so evident, and God loves to hear from each of us. Yes, He already knows what we will say and how things will work out, but that doesn't change the fact that He loves the time we spend in prayer with Him. We can share with God everything that is on our hearts, but most importantly, we must learn to pray that His will be done in all things. After all, His will for our lives is better than anything we could ever ask for or imagine.
Prayer and worship are a part of our intimate relationship with our God, and each person does it in their own way. There is no right or wrong way to communicate with God, no right or wrong things to say; He already knows what we have in mind before we do, but expressing it to Him allows for a strengthening in our relationship. If you are angry, confused, happy, sad, misunderstanding something, or simply want to give Him praise, let Him know! He so desperately loves to hear from His children, and growing deeper with Him brings unexplainable joy to us as well.
In Matthew 6, it is made clear that prayer is not for show and that many words are unnecessary, but prayer is still important to our individual relationships with Him. We are even given an example as how to pray in Matthew 6 with the Lord's prayer. It may be hard to pray this way, for God's will, rather than our own, but we must trust Him with every aspect of our lives. He is at work for the good of those who love Him, and regardless of what happens, He has our ultimate good in mind. He knows the plans He has for our lives, and He will not take us anywhere that will not result in the ultimate best plan for our lives.
Verses:
This, then, is how you should pray:
“Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come,
your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one."
~Matthew 6: 9-13
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
~Philippians 4:6
And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.
~Ephesians 6:18
The power and importance of prayer is so evident, and God loves to hear from each of us. Yes, He already knows what we will say and how things will work out, but that doesn't change the fact that He loves the time we spend in prayer with Him. We can share with God everything that is on our hearts, but most importantly, we must learn to pray that His will be done in all things. After all, His will for our lives is better than anything we could ever ask for or imagine.
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
Under Attack
In the past 48 hours Satan has made it pretty clear that he is working so very hard to steal, kill, and destroy those who love God. Every past hurt, every issue I've already dealt with, every thing that I consider to be of the old me, he has tried to bring back into my life. He has tried to fill my mind, he has exhausted me both mentally and physically, and yet through it all, Christ has pulled me through. I was beginning to believe his lies, when I read this verse in 1 Corinthians, and the love and redemption of my Savior came flooding back in to cast that doubt away.
Verse:
No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. 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 endure it.
~1 Corinthians 10:13
I am not perfect, nor do I claim to be. However, with Christ, we are made whole and perfect in Him. He is the author and perfecter of our faith, and He can and will get us through anything. It was made so evident to me that all the effort I put forth into furthering God's kingdom is not only recognized by God, but Satan as well. He sees the work of those who love Christ, and is working to put a stop to it. He is trying to break me, and all Christians for that matter, so that the spreading of this wonderful news of Jesus' love can be stopped. It is our duty to carry on, to continue to spread Christ's love, and persevere through these attacks Satan so lavishly lays on us. Jesus Christ will look upon you with favor and bless you for praising Him when it feels as though you have no reason to. When it seems like all hope is gone, and the world is attacking you from every seemingly possible angle, know that Jesus is delighting in you and all your efforts. If they devil finds it necessary to attack, then you must be doing something right.
If this is you tonight, know that you are in my prayers. Keep your eyes focused on Christ, and He will lead you through.
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
The Truth
Our lives as Christians are all about the relationship we share with our Savior, Jesus Christ, but this relationship is based on His Word. At the very base of this relationship, of Christianity as a whole, stands the Holy Bible; the inspired and inerrant Word of our one True God. This book is not just full of stories and rules, but it is a guide book. It is our manual for how to live this life. It is the Truth.
The text within the pages of this Holy Book cover any and every topic we could ever imagine; if you've struggled with it, its in there. Now to simply say that the Bible is a guide book does not do it justice. This book is literally the Word of God, one of the ways we can communicate with our Heavenly Father. It is the truth, the rock, and foundation of Christianity, and I cannot stress enough the importance of becoming familiar with it.
Verse:
All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.
~ 2 Timothy 3:16-17
God uses His Word to teach, to heal, to lead, to comfort, and to exemplify what the Christian life is all about. We are not the first to live this life, and we will not be the last, but the amazing part is that we have a resource to look to in our times of trouble, in times of praise, and when we simply want to hear what He is trying to tell us. We need to delve into this Book, into these truths, and commit to a life of learning, leading, and serving our Savior. In order to do this, we have to be well-versed, we have to be prepared, and we can only do that with the Holy Bible. I understand that there are other ways to worship, to communicate, but so often this most essential bit of the Christian life gets swept to the side.
We claim we don't have time, or that we can get the same truths out of Christian music, or our pastors' sermons. Don't get me wrong, those are all ways of getting closer to God, bringing Him praise, and honoring Him with your life, but it is so crucial to be in His Word in order to understand His will. So often we write off what God is trying to tell us by saying we just don't understand, when in actuality, we just haven't done the work. We need to soak it in, memorize it, and lead the life it calls us to lead. It is when we commit to reading, learning, and loving The Truth, that we can truly be set free.
The text within the pages of this Holy Book cover any and every topic we could ever imagine; if you've struggled with it, its in there. Now to simply say that the Bible is a guide book does not do it justice. This book is literally the Word of God, one of the ways we can communicate with our Heavenly Father. It is the truth, the rock, and foundation of Christianity, and I cannot stress enough the importance of becoming familiar with it.
Verse:
All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.
~ 2 Timothy 3:16-17
God uses His Word to teach, to heal, to lead, to comfort, and to exemplify what the Christian life is all about. We are not the first to live this life, and we will not be the last, but the amazing part is that we have a resource to look to in our times of trouble, in times of praise, and when we simply want to hear what He is trying to tell us. We need to delve into this Book, into these truths, and commit to a life of learning, leading, and serving our Savior. In order to do this, we have to be well-versed, we have to be prepared, and we can only do that with the Holy Bible. I understand that there are other ways to worship, to communicate, but so often this most essential bit of the Christian life gets swept to the side.
We claim we don't have time, or that we can get the same truths out of Christian music, or our pastors' sermons. Don't get me wrong, those are all ways of getting closer to God, bringing Him praise, and honoring Him with your life, but it is so crucial to be in His Word in order to understand His will. So often we write off what God is trying to tell us by saying we just don't understand, when in actuality, we just haven't done the work. We need to soak it in, memorize it, and lead the life it calls us to lead. It is when we commit to reading, learning, and loving The Truth, that we can truly be set free.
Tuesday, October 18, 2011
Clinging to the Cross
Today it was again made so evident of my absolute need for Christ. Without Him, I would be lost, alone in a world to try and fend for myself; I cannot even begin to fathom what that would look like, a life without the love of my Savior. It is with a grateful heart that I recognize these truths, these blessings that have been bestowed in my life, and with them that I so readily take my place at the feet of Jesus Christ. I have realized that to live this life, we must daily cling to the cross of our Savior; for in good times and in bad, He is the only One worthy of all our praise. He was the only One that loved us enough to die for us, to give up His perfect life, and die on a cross for the crimes that we committed. He was innocent, and yet He paid the price.
Verse:
For God 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
I know you've heard this verse. Chances are, many of the non-believers we know could even quote this one, but have you ever thought about it? Have you ever considered the depth of the love conveyed in this message? God gave up His Son so that we could live; we do not deserve it, and yet we are given it freely. I screw up daily, but He still loves me. Before I was born, He knew me, He knew my flaws, He knew my faults, but most of all He knew my heart, and the love He had for me, and He decided I was worth it. He decided we were all worth it, flaws and all; worth the cost of His own Son's blood to be shed to pay our ransom. With this in mind, how can we not cling to the cross of Christ? He gave it all for us to have the chance at salvation. He recognized that some would choose their own way, and yet He died for all of us, with a hope that we might accept His gift.
I cannot speak for you, but I know in the depth of my soul that Christ lives, reigns, loves, and has redeemed me by dying on that cross. It is my duty to live that life He died to save, to cling to His cross, and to spread that love so that others may experience it. I may be capable of living an alright life following my own dreams and aspirations, but just alright was never what God intended for my life. He has incredible things planned for each and every one of us, but in order to find His way for our lives we must cling to His cross, to His love, and to the perfect plan He has devised for our lives.
Verse:
For God 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
I know you've heard this verse. Chances are, many of the non-believers we know could even quote this one, but have you ever thought about it? Have you ever considered the depth of the love conveyed in this message? God gave up His Son so that we could live; we do not deserve it, and yet we are given it freely. I screw up daily, but He still loves me. Before I was born, He knew me, He knew my flaws, He knew my faults, but most of all He knew my heart, and the love He had for me, and He decided I was worth it. He decided we were all worth it, flaws and all; worth the cost of His own Son's blood to be shed to pay our ransom. With this in mind, how can we not cling to the cross of Christ? He gave it all for us to have the chance at salvation. He recognized that some would choose their own way, and yet He died for all of us, with a hope that we might accept His gift.
I cannot speak for you, but I know in the depth of my soul that Christ lives, reigns, loves, and has redeemed me by dying on that cross. It is my duty to live that life He died to save, to cling to His cross, and to spread that love so that others may experience it. I may be capable of living an alright life following my own dreams and aspirations, but just alright was never what God intended for my life. He has incredible things planned for each and every one of us, but in order to find His way for our lives we must cling to His cross, to His love, and to the perfect plan He has devised for our lives.
Wednesday, October 12, 2011
Change
God is so evidently at work in my life right now, and I just had to share with you all. In good times and in bad, trust in Him; give Him the praise, the glory, and the honor, and He will bless you in ways you cannot imagine.
This journey has taken so much work, but without Him, it would not have been possible at all. He is a good God, and when we ask Him for things that will better our lives, and the lives of those around us, He will go to work to help us make that happen. My need for Him is brought to my attention on a daily basis, and He deserves all the credit for what has been accomplished so far, and what He will continue to do in my life.
The following links are a C Tolle Run episode I did with Carrie Tollefson, and a Marshall Independent article that will explain a little bit more about this journey.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SZXoJYDoLsw
http://marshallindependent.com/page/content.detail/id/530359/Conquering-goals-at-Twin-Cities-Marathon.html
Verse:
Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.
~Proverbs 3: 5-6
I cannot stress enough how important it is to acknowledge Him in all we do. He is the author and perfecter of our faith, the only One we can truly count on. He has brought me through some of the hardest battles and darkest places of my life. I am so very grateful to the One who gave it all, and also to all of you for all the support you have given me. I am truly blessed. Much love, and God bless!
Jacob
This journey has taken so much work, but without Him, it would not have been possible at all. He is a good God, and when we ask Him for things that will better our lives, and the lives of those around us, He will go to work to help us make that happen. My need for Him is brought to my attention on a daily basis, and He deserves all the credit for what has been accomplished so far, and what He will continue to do in my life.
The following links are a C Tolle Run episode I did with Carrie Tollefson, and a Marshall Independent article that will explain a little bit more about this journey.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SZXoJYDoLsw
http://marshallindependent.com/page/content.detail/id/530359/Conquering-goals-at-Twin-Cities-Marathon.html
Verse:
Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.
~Proverbs 3: 5-6
I cannot stress enough how important it is to acknowledge Him in all we do. He is the author and perfecter of our faith, the only One we can truly count on. He has brought me through some of the hardest battles and darkest places of my life. I am so very grateful to the One who gave it all, and also to all of you for all the support you have given me. I am truly blessed. Much love, and God bless!
Jacob
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
Marathon
On Sunday, October 2nd, 2011 God gave me the strength to run my first marathon. Not only was this 26.2 mile run a symbol of the physical change He has brought me through in the past year and a half, but of the spiritual journey as well. He has broken the chains of weight and sin in my life over and over again, and all the glory for these things goes directly to Him, the Creator, Giver, and Sustainer of life.
I cannot begin to describe to you the emotions that played out within me on Sunday, but the experience was a perfect metaphor for the Christian life we are called to live. The first 13 miles were going particularly well; I felt good and was ahead of my goal pace, but as in life, things come up that bring you down. I tweaked my ankle that I had rolled a few weeks prior during my training, and this brought me to a decision that I needed to make. Do I drop out here, forfeit all the training and hours I had put in to this, and take the easy road or do I rely completely on God for the strength I know only He can provide? I decided to "run with endurance the race God has set before us." It was brutal at points, but it allowed for full reliance on God. At about mile 25.5, with the finish line in sight, God used some pretty severe cramping to remind me that it is alright to rely on other people for help. My calves cramped, my knees locked, and I went down. I looked up to find my brother, Jarrett, standing over me and trying to stretch the cramps out of my legs. He helped me up, and I continued on knowing I would not have been able to continue with out him. In this life we are continually faced with trials, with hardships, with pain, and we are forced to make some pretty tough decisions, and often have to allow ourselves to rely on the people God has placed into our lives. We have to know that He has planned this out, that we are in His hands, and that with God all things are possible.
Giving up control and relying on God did not make the remainder of the race a pain free process, but it did give me comfort to know that my God had me right where He had called me to be, and that He would get me through. This is also true in life; we must give Him control, but with that does not come an easy life. Satan will continue to torment us, and probably even up his ante, but with God we have to know that we will make it through, and be better because of it. He will use the trials to teach us lessons and the pain to show us love.
Verse:
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us.
~Hebrews 12:1
With emotions high, and tears in my eyes, I finished the marathon, all 26.2 miles of it, but only through His power. It was not in my goal time, but it was definitely in His. I thought God had brought me to this race as a pinnacle in my weight loss journey, but it was so much more than that. He used it to teach me a lesson in how to continue to walk in this Christian life. He showed me that He has helped to change me physically, but that is only the beginning of this transformation, just as this marathon was only a taste of the race of life God has called me to in this world. I must continue to fully rely on God, to be wholly surrendered to His love and His call for my life, and to run with endurance the race He has set before me.
About to cross the finish line.
Dad and Mom after the race.
Mel, who also ran the marathon.
I cannot begin to describe to you the emotions that played out within me on Sunday, but the experience was a perfect metaphor for the Christian life we are called to live. The first 13 miles were going particularly well; I felt good and was ahead of my goal pace, but as in life, things come up that bring you down. I tweaked my ankle that I had rolled a few weeks prior during my training, and this brought me to a decision that I needed to make. Do I drop out here, forfeit all the training and hours I had put in to this, and take the easy road or do I rely completely on God for the strength I know only He can provide? I decided to "run with endurance the race God has set before us." It was brutal at points, but it allowed for full reliance on God. At about mile 25.5, with the finish line in sight, God used some pretty severe cramping to remind me that it is alright to rely on other people for help. My calves cramped, my knees locked, and I went down. I looked up to find my brother, Jarrett, standing over me and trying to stretch the cramps out of my legs. He helped me up, and I continued on knowing I would not have been able to continue with out him. In this life we are continually faced with trials, with hardships, with pain, and we are forced to make some pretty tough decisions, and often have to allow ourselves to rely on the people God has placed into our lives. We have to know that He has planned this out, that we are in His hands, and that with God all things are possible.
Giving up control and relying on God did not make the remainder of the race a pain free process, but it did give me comfort to know that my God had me right where He had called me to be, and that He would get me through. This is also true in life; we must give Him control, but with that does not come an easy life. Satan will continue to torment us, and probably even up his ante, but with God we have to know that we will make it through, and be better because of it. He will use the trials to teach us lessons and the pain to show us love.
Verse:
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us.
~Hebrews 12:1
With emotions high, and tears in my eyes, I finished the marathon, all 26.2 miles of it, but only through His power. It was not in my goal time, but it was definitely in His. I thought God had brought me to this race as a pinnacle in my weight loss journey, but it was so much more than that. He used it to teach me a lesson in how to continue to walk in this Christian life. He showed me that He has helped to change me physically, but that is only the beginning of this transformation, just as this marathon was only a taste of the race of life God has called me to in this world. I must continue to fully rely on God, to be wholly surrendered to His love and His call for my life, and to run with endurance the race He has set before me.
Dad and Mom after the race.
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
Continue
You may have accepted Him, but have you continued to follow Him?
Many times I find this question on my heart; do we simply accept Him and consider that enough, or do we continue to strive to strengthen our relationship with Him? He is truly all we need, but knowing that and accepting that is not the life He has called us to. He wants us to realize that only He can save us, but that is just the starting point for this wonderful relationship with Him. From there, He longs for us to get to know Him, to feel His love, to rely on His grace, and to wholly surrender ourselves to Him so that He may complete the work He has started in us.
He has so many wonderful things planned for our lives, for our futures, and they are more than we could ask for or imagine. However, we cannot grasp these plans for our lives if we are not leaning on Him, and trusting in what He is doing in our lives. If we say we trust in Him, and yet continue to lean on our own understanding, and our own plans, then what is that saying about our trust in Him? We need to surrender control, to root our lives in Christ, and build our lives on Him. If we allow this total surrender, then we will finally be able to glimpse what a true life of following Christ, and centering our lives around Him might look like. Take a leap of faith, and give Him the reigns; allow yourself to be surrounded in His love and His plans for your life.
Verse:
And now, just as you accepted Christ Jesus as your Lord, you must continue to follow Him. Let your roots grow down into Him, and let your lives be built on Him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness.
~Colossians 2:6-7
Be still and know that He is in control, and He will never let you go. Continue to grow in Him, to develop this relationship with our Creator, our Father, our Restorer, and live the life He has called you to live. We cannot settle, we cannot get complacent, we must continue to strive, to live, to love, and to worship Him in all we do. He is the only one worthy of it all; the praise, the love, the glory, and our lives.
Many times I find this question on my heart; do we simply accept Him and consider that enough, or do we continue to strive to strengthen our relationship with Him? He is truly all we need, but knowing that and accepting that is not the life He has called us to. He wants us to realize that only He can save us, but that is just the starting point for this wonderful relationship with Him. From there, He longs for us to get to know Him, to feel His love, to rely on His grace, and to wholly surrender ourselves to Him so that He may complete the work He has started in us.
He has so many wonderful things planned for our lives, for our futures, and they are more than we could ask for or imagine. However, we cannot grasp these plans for our lives if we are not leaning on Him, and trusting in what He is doing in our lives. If we say we trust in Him, and yet continue to lean on our own understanding, and our own plans, then what is that saying about our trust in Him? We need to surrender control, to root our lives in Christ, and build our lives on Him. If we allow this total surrender, then we will finally be able to glimpse what a true life of following Christ, and centering our lives around Him might look like. Take a leap of faith, and give Him the reigns; allow yourself to be surrounded in His love and His plans for your life.
Verse:
And now, just as you accepted Christ Jesus as your Lord, you must continue to follow Him. Let your roots grow down into Him, and let your lives be built on Him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness.
~Colossians 2:6-7
Be still and know that He is in control, and He will never let you go. Continue to grow in Him, to develop this relationship with our Creator, our Father, our Restorer, and live the life He has called you to live. We cannot settle, we cannot get complacent, we must continue to strive, to live, to love, and to worship Him in all we do. He is the only one worthy of it all; the praise, the love, the glory, and our lives.
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
True Freedom
Galatians 5:1 says, "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." Today God reminded me of how He has truly set us free; He has not only freed us from sin, but from death itself. He sent Jesus to die on a cross, to redeem our souls, and save us in the process. He loves us that much!
With that in mind, I found myself wondering why then, do we so often sink back into habitual sin? What in our brains makes us revert back to these things we know bring no glory to God, and yet we do them anyway? The answer is our human nature, and how we are so easily tempted by our own selfish desires, and the temptations of Satan who longs to steal, kill, and destroy us. Christ has set us free from these things, but until we can die to ourselves, and allow Christ to be the center of our lives Satan has room to convince us otherwise. In order to truly experience and accept that freedom, we have to be so lost in Christ and His love, that Satan cannot find us. If we were to remove our desires, our selfishness, and allow Christ's love and plan to guide us, the true freedom that awaits us is like nothing I can describe.
Verse:
For you have been called to live in freedom, my brothers and sisters. But don’t use your freedom to satisfy your sinful nature. Instead, use your freedom to serve one another in love.
~Galatians 5:13
I'm not saying we can be perfect, but what I am saying is that the more we delve into Christ, into His love, and into His word, the farther we can separate ourselves from our sin; this will allow for more of His true freedom to be experienced. God knows we are not perfect, He has known that from the beginning of time, but He loves us anyway. We must strive to know Him more, to love Him more, and begin to remove the sin from our lives that comes from Him not being allowed to be at the center. We are called to live in His freedom and serve one another in love, as it says in Galatians, and to do that, we must allow Christ to take His rightful place on the throne of our lives.
With that in mind, I found myself wondering why then, do we so often sink back into habitual sin? What in our brains makes us revert back to these things we know bring no glory to God, and yet we do them anyway? The answer is our human nature, and how we are so easily tempted by our own selfish desires, and the temptations of Satan who longs to steal, kill, and destroy us. Christ has set us free from these things, but until we can die to ourselves, and allow Christ to be the center of our lives Satan has room to convince us otherwise. In order to truly experience and accept that freedom, we have to be so lost in Christ and His love, that Satan cannot find us. If we were to remove our desires, our selfishness, and allow Christ's love and plan to guide us, the true freedom that awaits us is like nothing I can describe.
Verse:
For you have been called to live in freedom, my brothers and sisters. But don’t use your freedom to satisfy your sinful nature. Instead, use your freedom to serve one another in love.
~Galatians 5:13
I'm not saying we can be perfect, but what I am saying is that the more we delve into Christ, into His love, and into His word, the farther we can separate ourselves from our sin; this will allow for more of His true freedom to be experienced. God knows we are not perfect, He has known that from the beginning of time, but He loves us anyway. We must strive to know Him more, to love Him more, and begin to remove the sin from our lives that comes from Him not being allowed to be at the center. We are called to live in His freedom and serve one another in love, as it says in Galatians, and to do that, we must allow Christ to take His rightful place on the throne of our lives.
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
Encouragement
Today I was reminded, by God, of what a true blessing encouragement from fellow believers can be. We walk this life God has called us to, but as we all know, it can be difficult. We face trials daily, we are continually tempted to stray from the path, and it can be hard to stay on track with what the Lord is calling us to do.
Knowing this, I find it so very important to encourage our fellow believers. We all go through similar struggles, and it is important to share in them, as well as our successes. Encouraging someone can be as simple as sending a text, sharing a verse, giving a hug, lending a hand, or just letting someone know you care and are praying for them. These things sound so minor, but when experienced, can be just the thing we need to stay on track and deter us from doing something we will later regret.
In John 13, God calls us to love one another as He has loved us. I believe that this love we share with one another, goes hand in hand with encouraging each other. If we love as we are called, then we are also called to encourage our fellow believers in their walk with the Lord, to keep them on track, to hold them accountable, to recognize their successes and help them work out the faults, and expect the same from them in return. We are human, we are imperfect, and we are hopeless without Christ, but with Him we have the power of His perfect and redeeming love and mercy on our side. If we are living, breathing, lights for Christ, then we must be there to encourage, and ignite the lights of others on a daily basis.
Verse:
"So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.”
~John 13:34-35
Go out and encourage others. We are not meant to live this life alone, but rather in fellowship with Christ and other believers. We are called to love, to encourage, and to ignite the flame inside each other in order to grow closer and delve deeper into the perfect love of Christ. You are not alone, and no one should feel that way. We have Christ, and as Christians we need to be a physical representation of Christ so that no one will feel that way. Be like Jesus, spread the love, spread His word, and spread encouragement.
Knowing this, I find it so very important to encourage our fellow believers. We all go through similar struggles, and it is important to share in them, as well as our successes. Encouraging someone can be as simple as sending a text, sharing a verse, giving a hug, lending a hand, or just letting someone know you care and are praying for them. These things sound so minor, but when experienced, can be just the thing we need to stay on track and deter us from doing something we will later regret.
In John 13, God calls us to love one another as He has loved us. I believe that this love we share with one another, goes hand in hand with encouraging each other. If we love as we are called, then we are also called to encourage our fellow believers in their walk with the Lord, to keep them on track, to hold them accountable, to recognize their successes and help them work out the faults, and expect the same from them in return. We are human, we are imperfect, and we are hopeless without Christ, but with Him we have the power of His perfect and redeeming love and mercy on our side. If we are living, breathing, lights for Christ, then we must be there to encourage, and ignite the lights of others on a daily basis.
Verse:
"So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.”
~John 13:34-35
Go out and encourage others. We are not meant to live this life alone, but rather in fellowship with Christ and other believers. We are called to love, to encourage, and to ignite the flame inside each other in order to grow closer and delve deeper into the perfect love of Christ. You are not alone, and no one should feel that way. We have Christ, and as Christians we need to be a physical representation of Christ so that no one will feel that way. Be like Jesus, spread the love, spread His word, and spread encouragement.
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
Enduring it All
Last night was an interesting night for me. God laid this passage on my heart, and it filled me with so much joy that I could not help but share it. I was texting and calling people with these wonderful words of truth and felt inclined to share it with all of you.
We have a race that God has laid before us, a distinct path that He has perfectly created for us to run; however He has given us the free will to decide how we will make it to that finish line. There are obstacles, detours, and other members in this race whose only goal is to bring us down. He never said it would be an easy race, but He did guarantee He would be by our side and we would have victory through Him. It is because of this promise that we must make every effort to rid our lives of the things holding us back from competing in this race, from finishing the works that God has called us to and set apart for us. We all struggle with sin, with Earthly desires, with "things" and "stuff" that distract us and entangle us, keeping us from doing what God so strongly desires in our lives.
We must keep in mind that Jesus perfected this life, this faith, this humanity; He was tempted and He beat sin, He defeated death in and of itself. How amazing is that?! Because of Jesus Christ, His perfect life and perfect death, we can also have that victory. The victory over sin, the victory over death, and the victory in this race of life that God has called us to.
I ask that you read the following passage, pray on it, soak it in, and allow God to speak through it. Let it hit you at the core of your being, and just see how God can use it to change your life. Allow Him to point out the perfect way to run the race. After all, He made the course.
Verse:
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting Him, He endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now He is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne. Think of all the hostility He endured from sinful people; then you won’t become weary and give up. After all, you have not yet given your lives in your struggle against sin.
~Hebrews 12:1-4
Such truth, such love, such a mighty God. I love you all!
I also recently recorded the song East to West by Casting Crowns and have put a link to that on here as well. Much love y'all!
East to West link
http://snd.sc/nKhFv5
We have a race that God has laid before us, a distinct path that He has perfectly created for us to run; however He has given us the free will to decide how we will make it to that finish line. There are obstacles, detours, and other members in this race whose only goal is to bring us down. He never said it would be an easy race, but He did guarantee He would be by our side and we would have victory through Him. It is because of this promise that we must make every effort to rid our lives of the things holding us back from competing in this race, from finishing the works that God has called us to and set apart for us. We all struggle with sin, with Earthly desires, with "things" and "stuff" that distract us and entangle us, keeping us from doing what God so strongly desires in our lives.
We must keep in mind that Jesus perfected this life, this faith, this humanity; He was tempted and He beat sin, He defeated death in and of itself. How amazing is that?! Because of Jesus Christ, His perfect life and perfect death, we can also have that victory. The victory over sin, the victory over death, and the victory in this race of life that God has called us to.
I ask that you read the following passage, pray on it, soak it in, and allow God to speak through it. Let it hit you at the core of your being, and just see how God can use it to change your life. Allow Him to point out the perfect way to run the race. After all, He made the course.
Verse:
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting Him, He endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now He is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne. Think of all the hostility He endured from sinful people; then you won’t become weary and give up. After all, you have not yet given your lives in your struggle against sin.
~Hebrews 12:1-4
Such truth, such love, such a mighty God. I love you all!
I also recently recorded the song East to West by Casting Crowns and have put a link to that on here as well. Much love y'all!
East to West link
http://snd.sc/nKhFv5
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
He is Everything
Today I was convicted by all the opportunities we get to share Christ and yet somehow still neglect it, by all the times we know what we are about to do is wrong and yet do it anyway, and by all the chances we get to lavish someone with love and instead tear them down. As my heart ached for a few minutes, God allowed me to see that those times have been forgiven, that He sees our efforts and our attempts, our successes and our shortcomings, and He rejoices over us through it all. He sees our hearts, He knows our needs, He feels our pain, He loves our efforts, and He has the power to erase the past and let us start again. He is truly all we need.
With Him, all things are possible; our pasts have been forgotten, and we have been made new. It is time we start living that! We cannot hang onto our past, onto the mistakes we've made or the missed opportunities. God wants our "now" and we can't be wasting that by worrying about the past. Trust me, He has already taken care of that. Let us move forward, and give God all that He deserves.
Come, let us worship and bow down. Let us kneel before the Lord our maker, for he is our God. We are the people he watches over, the flock under his care.If only you would listen to his voice today!
~Psalm 95: 6-7
He deserves our everything! He desires our lives, our hearts, our love, our service, and our worship. We are called to be His children, and we were made to worship Him. Do not let your hearts be troubled, but rather take hope in knowing He can change our future and is continually working out good for those who love Him!
With Him, all things are possible; our pasts have been forgotten, and we have been made new. It is time we start living that! We cannot hang onto our past, onto the mistakes we've made or the missed opportunities. God wants our "now" and we can't be wasting that by worrying about the past. Trust me, He has already taken care of that. Let us move forward, and give God all that He deserves.
Come, let us worship and bow down. Let us kneel before the Lord our maker, for he is our God. We are the people he watches over, the flock under his care.If only you would listen to his voice today!
~Psalm 95: 6-7
He deserves our everything! He desires our lives, our hearts, our love, our service, and our worship. We are called to be His children, and we were made to worship Him. Do not let your hearts be troubled, but rather take hope in knowing He can change our future and is continually working out good for those who love Him!
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
Moving On
As yet another summer comes to a close, I find it brings the excitement and apprehension of what a new school year will bring. Being a senior, heading off to college has become old hat, but I remember preparing myself for freshman year and the anxiety that brought with it. I aim this blog at graduating seniors, but it really applies to anyone embarking on something new with our lives (which is all of us at some point or another).
To those of you who with whom I have spent countless hours with this summer, know that with this new step comes many exciting things, but you must prepare yourselves spiritually for what you may encounter. The closeness and intimacy of groups such as the Agape Singers, or the camaraderie built up on mission trips is an amazing thing that, as you move on, must be left behind in a certain respect. Of course those people will still be there for you whenever you need them, but it is also time to take what you have learned from these groups, these people, and pour it out onto all the new people you will come into contact with. You have been blessed in order to be blessing unto others. It is in these times, where fear of the unknown could stop you from stepping out in faith, that you must discard your fears, your timidity, your doubt, and live out all that God has called you to. Use what you have learned this summer as a building block, knowing full well that your journey with God, your relationship with Christ has only just begun.
For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.
~ 2 Timothy 1:7
I urge you to take chances, try new groups, and to find a core of believers to build up and be built up by. The temptations, the distractions, the opportunities to fall off the path will become more numerous, but in beating these things comes great strengthening of your faith. If you are being tested by the Satan, then you are on the right path. If you were following the ways of the world, then he would have no need to try and sway you in other directions; by following Christ, Satan sees you as a threat and is working against us. Stand firm, pray continually, trust in Him, and all will be worked out for the good of those who love Him.
Run from anything that stimulates youthful lusts. Instead, pursue righteous living, faithfulness, love, and peace. Enjoy the companionship of those who call on the Lord with pure hearts.
~ 2 Timothy 2:22
Moving on can be tough, scary, and challenging, but with Him, we have hope for our futures. Allow Him to use you, to change you, to make you and mold you into the person you are called to be. Do not worry and do not get caught up in your own plans, but rather trust in Him to work it out for your good. He loves you in ways we will never understand. Who better to have by our side than the Savior of our souls in this time of moving on?
To those of you who with whom I have spent countless hours with this summer, know that with this new step comes many exciting things, but you must prepare yourselves spiritually for what you may encounter. The closeness and intimacy of groups such as the Agape Singers, or the camaraderie built up on mission trips is an amazing thing that, as you move on, must be left behind in a certain respect. Of course those people will still be there for you whenever you need them, but it is also time to take what you have learned from these groups, these people, and pour it out onto all the new people you will come into contact with. You have been blessed in order to be blessing unto others. It is in these times, where fear of the unknown could stop you from stepping out in faith, that you must discard your fears, your timidity, your doubt, and live out all that God has called you to. Use what you have learned this summer as a building block, knowing full well that your journey with God, your relationship with Christ has only just begun.
For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.
~ 2 Timothy 1:7
I urge you to take chances, try new groups, and to find a core of believers to build up and be built up by. The temptations, the distractions, the opportunities to fall off the path will become more numerous, but in beating these things comes great strengthening of your faith. If you are being tested by the Satan, then you are on the right path. If you were following the ways of the world, then he would have no need to try and sway you in other directions; by following Christ, Satan sees you as a threat and is working against us. Stand firm, pray continually, trust in Him, and all will be worked out for the good of those who love Him.
Run from anything that stimulates youthful lusts. Instead, pursue righteous living, faithfulness, love, and peace. Enjoy the companionship of those who call on the Lord with pure hearts.
~ 2 Timothy 2:22
Moving on can be tough, scary, and challenging, but with Him, we have hope for our futures. Allow Him to use you, to change you, to make you and mold you into the person you are called to be. Do not worry and do not get caught up in your own plans, but rather trust in Him to work it out for your good. He loves you in ways we will never understand. Who better to have by our side than the Savior of our souls in this time of moving on?
Thursday, August 18, 2011
Tuesday, August 16, 2011
Come to the Well
So often as Christians, we strive to do what is right, but find ourselves empty when all is said and done; finding only temporary satisfaction in the greatest of things that we accomplish on our own. That is simply the way this world works. It promises grandeur and fortune around every corner, only to leave you wanting and needing more to get that next fix. On our own, nothing will ever be enough. Our weak flesh will always want more; more money, more fame, more popularity, more stuff. Without Christ at the center, this habitual cycle is never ending.
I think it is time we come to the well, so to speak. It is time we take Christ up on His offer of the living water that will never leave us wanting more. We have entered into this amazing relationship, but what are we holding onto? What could we possibly need in our lives that would be better than the restoring and loving waters of Christ, the waters of eternal life?
There is nothing that could ever compare to this gift Christ has given us, but that does not make it any easier to give up the things we so desperately cling to on this Earth. I urge you to enter into prayer, fully committing the things in your life over to Christ so that He can begin to point out what we need to remove. Our hearts need to be convicted, through prayer, in order to grow and move on from these things that hold us back. It sounds so simple, but much effort needs to be placed on this task in order to reap its full benefits. Giving up our desires will only allow Christ to fill us with His restoring waters, fulfilling us beyond our wildest imaginations. If we simply come to the well of Christ, we will never thirst again.
Verse:
But those who drink the water I give will never be thirsty again. It becomes a fresh, bubbling spring within them, giving them eternal life.
~John 4:14
We have to leave it all behind, we must cut away the excess in our lives; all the junk that is holding us back must be traded in for a trip to the well of eternal life. The pursuit of perfection, the fear of rejection, your temporary pleasures, your earthly treasures, all your pain, all your sorrow, all your worry, all your fear: leave it all behind and come to the well. Be restored by the waters of Christ, and never thirst again.
I think it is time we come to the well, so to speak. It is time we take Christ up on His offer of the living water that will never leave us wanting more. We have entered into this amazing relationship, but what are we holding onto? What could we possibly need in our lives that would be better than the restoring and loving waters of Christ, the waters of eternal life?
There is nothing that could ever compare to this gift Christ has given us, but that does not make it any easier to give up the things we so desperately cling to on this Earth. I urge you to enter into prayer, fully committing the things in your life over to Christ so that He can begin to point out what we need to remove. Our hearts need to be convicted, through prayer, in order to grow and move on from these things that hold us back. It sounds so simple, but much effort needs to be placed on this task in order to reap its full benefits. Giving up our desires will only allow Christ to fill us with His restoring waters, fulfilling us beyond our wildest imaginations. If we simply come to the well of Christ, we will never thirst again.
Verse:
But those who drink the water I give will never be thirsty again. It becomes a fresh, bubbling spring within them, giving them eternal life.
~John 4:14
We have to leave it all behind, we must cut away the excess in our lives; all the junk that is holding us back must be traded in for a trip to the well of eternal life. The pursuit of perfection, the fear of rejection, your temporary pleasures, your earthly treasures, all your pain, all your sorrow, all your worry, all your fear: leave it all behind and come to the well. Be restored by the waters of Christ, and never thirst again.
Tuesday, August 9, 2011
A Real Relationship
As Christians, we have accepted Christ, believe in His perfect example and loving redemption, and have allowed Him to change us in some way at some point, but does it stop there? Is accepting it simply enough? Do we just continue to live the life we were living prior to this faith, but throw up few prayers here and there? Are we living out a relationship with Christ or are we attempting to have the best of both worlds?
I have found that so often we will offer a prayer in a time of need, check off our bible reading for the day or week, try to live by our moral guidelines, and get nothing out of any of it other than the pseudo-satisfaction that we have done our "Christian deeds" for the time being. We pray, but may not actually expect anything to happen. We read His word, but do not take the time to comprehend, learn, and grow. We know our moral compass, but we make excuses to toe the line or even cross it more often than not.
I believe this all stems from the lack of a real relationship with God. We must be in constant communication, fully committed to hearing His still small voice, and growing closer to the One who gave it all in order to develop this relationship. When we distance ourselves from Him, we are prone to falling back into our old lives, into the temptations that so easily entangle us, and losing sight of that relationship altogether. This falling back into worldly ways in written about in Galatians.
Before you Gentiles knew God, you were slaves to so-called gods that do not even exist. So now that you know God (or should I say, now that God knows you), why do you want to go back again and become slaves once more to the weak and useless spiritual principles of this world?
~Galatians 4:8-9
Why do we allow ourselves to fall back? I believe whole-heartedly that this occurs when we lose sight of our intimate relationship with Christ, when we stop serving Him with our whole hearts and instead just go through the motions. When we take notice of how we are living our lives, I believe that many of us have allowed ourselves at one time or another to sink back and lose sight of this real relationship with our Heavenly Father. He is waiting for you, He longs for an open line of communication, to share with You His plans for your life, to lavish you with love and forgiveness, and for you to truly get to know Him. When we fully surrender to this life, to this real relationship with Christ, I believe our lives will look less like Galatians 4:8-9 and a lot more like Psalm 63:1-4.
O God, you are my God;
I earnestly search for you.
My soul thirsts for you;
my whole body longs for you
in this parched and weary land
where there is no water.
I have seen you in your sanctuary
and gazed upon your power and glory.
Your unfailing love is better than life itself;
how I praise you!
I will praise you as long as I live,
lifting up my hands to you in prayer.
~Psalm 63:1-4
When we truly enter into that real relationship with Christ, the relationship He has intended for us all along, it will no longer feel like an obligation. Rather, going to Christ with everything in our lives will become a necessity. We will thirst for Him, ache for Him, and crave to have more of Him. When we can accept that our relationship with Christ is the aspect of Christianity of the utmost importance, then we can truly be freed from that old life and begin to delve deeper into an unforgettable journey with our Savior, Jesus Christ. Seek Him out, talk with Him at every moment of your life, live out your faith, and before you know it, that real relationship that you have been seeking for so long with be laid out right in front of you, growing deeper, wider, and fuller with every passing moment. It is something I guarantee you will not regret.
I have found that so often we will offer a prayer in a time of need, check off our bible reading for the day or week, try to live by our moral guidelines, and get nothing out of any of it other than the pseudo-satisfaction that we have done our "Christian deeds" for the time being. We pray, but may not actually expect anything to happen. We read His word, but do not take the time to comprehend, learn, and grow. We know our moral compass, but we make excuses to toe the line or even cross it more often than not.
I believe this all stems from the lack of a real relationship with God. We must be in constant communication, fully committed to hearing His still small voice, and growing closer to the One who gave it all in order to develop this relationship. When we distance ourselves from Him, we are prone to falling back into our old lives, into the temptations that so easily entangle us, and losing sight of that relationship altogether. This falling back into worldly ways in written about in Galatians.
Before you Gentiles knew God, you were slaves to so-called gods that do not even exist. So now that you know God (or should I say, now that God knows you), why do you want to go back again and become slaves once more to the weak and useless spiritual principles of this world?
~Galatians 4:8-9
Why do we allow ourselves to fall back? I believe whole-heartedly that this occurs when we lose sight of our intimate relationship with Christ, when we stop serving Him with our whole hearts and instead just go through the motions. When we take notice of how we are living our lives, I believe that many of us have allowed ourselves at one time or another to sink back and lose sight of this real relationship with our Heavenly Father. He is waiting for you, He longs for an open line of communication, to share with You His plans for your life, to lavish you with love and forgiveness, and for you to truly get to know Him. When we fully surrender to this life, to this real relationship with Christ, I believe our lives will look less like Galatians 4:8-9 and a lot more like Psalm 63:1-4.
O God, you are my God;
I earnestly search for you.
My soul thirsts for you;
my whole body longs for you
in this parched and weary land
where there is no water.
I have seen you in your sanctuary
and gazed upon your power and glory.
Your unfailing love is better than life itself;
how I praise you!
I will praise you as long as I live,
lifting up my hands to you in prayer.
~Psalm 63:1-4
When we truly enter into that real relationship with Christ, the relationship He has intended for us all along, it will no longer feel like an obligation. Rather, going to Christ with everything in our lives will become a necessity. We will thirst for Him, ache for Him, and crave to have more of Him. When we can accept that our relationship with Christ is the aspect of Christianity of the utmost importance, then we can truly be freed from that old life and begin to delve deeper into an unforgettable journey with our Savior, Jesus Christ. Seek Him out, talk with Him at every moment of your life, live out your faith, and before you know it, that real relationship that you have been seeking for so long with be laid out right in front of you, growing deeper, wider, and fuller with every passing moment. It is something I guarantee you will not regret.
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
Live it Out!
Last night ,at the Agape bon fire, the topic of discussion quickly landed on that of living out the Christian faith. The open and honest conversation lead to discovering how we strive so hard to be good in athletics, or music, or arts, or our careers, and yet we rarely put forth such an effort in our Christian life. I have blogged before about getting too comfortable in our Christian life, and again it is such an important reminder to strive each day to advance our faith, grow closer to our Maker, and work at becoming a reflection of Jesus Christ. We must align our attitude with that of Christ, longing to follow His example, and realizing that everyday is another opportunity to get to know Him more, live out His will for our lives, and advance not only our faith, but the faith and walk of those around us.
Verse:
So you see, faith by itself isn’t enough. Unless it produces good deeds, it is dead and useless. Now someone may argue, “Some people have faith; others have good deeds.” But I say, “How can you show me your faith if you don’t have good deeds? I will show you my faith by my good deeds.”
~James 2:17-18
We must take every opportunity to demonstrate our faith in order to grow closer to Him. These good works written about in James should be the product of our faith, not an obligation. By simply knowing and believing in Jesus Christ, there comes a longing to serve Him, but we so easily repress that urge with excuses of our own accord. It is time to throw off those excuses that hinder us from doing what we are called to do, it is time to take that next step in your faith walk with Christ; He has been waiting with His arms wide open. It is simply time to live it out! We have this faith and are saved by His grace, but why let that faith sit idle is fizzle out? We need to act on it!
The leading cause of atheism in this world is "Christians". Those who do not believe in Christ watch what those who consider themselves Christians and are turned off by the hypocrisy they see. It is time to take a look at ourselves, and decide if we are living out the faith we claim to have. Let us not be a cause of atheism any longer, but rather a generation that breaks those chains, lives out their faith in Jesus Christ, and leads so many more to the Cross of Salvation! No more excuses, but instead prayer, works, and walking the walk; it is time to live it out!
Verse:
So you see, faith by itself isn’t enough. Unless it produces good deeds, it is dead and useless. Now someone may argue, “Some people have faith; others have good deeds.” But I say, “How can you show me your faith if you don’t have good deeds? I will show you my faith by my good deeds.”
~James 2:17-18
We must take every opportunity to demonstrate our faith in order to grow closer to Him. These good works written about in James should be the product of our faith, not an obligation. By simply knowing and believing in Jesus Christ, there comes a longing to serve Him, but we so easily repress that urge with excuses of our own accord. It is time to throw off those excuses that hinder us from doing what we are called to do, it is time to take that next step in your faith walk with Christ; He has been waiting with His arms wide open. It is simply time to live it out! We have this faith and are saved by His grace, but why let that faith sit idle is fizzle out? We need to act on it!
The leading cause of atheism in this world is "Christians". Those who do not believe in Christ watch what those who consider themselves Christians and are turned off by the hypocrisy they see. It is time to take a look at ourselves, and decide if we are living out the faith we claim to have. Let us not be a cause of atheism any longer, but rather a generation that breaks those chains, lives out their faith in Jesus Christ, and leads so many more to the Cross of Salvation! No more excuses, but instead prayer, works, and walking the walk; it is time to live it out!
Monday, July 25, 2011
Be Courageous
"We were made to be courageous, we were made to lead the way, we could be the generation that finally breaks the chains." The opening lines of this Casting Crowns song spoke to the depths of who I am. God made us in His image and set us free because of His unconditional love for us; who are we to abandon His call for us to be courageous?
We were made to be courageous for His name's sake. We are called to be His children, to spread His word, and show others His love, and yet, everyday I find this to be a battle within myself. Christ in me longs to be courageous, to take a stand, to abandon my discouragement, and move forward in His name, but the humanity in side of me pulls so hard in the opposite direction. Matthew 26:41 states, "the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak." Our human desires tell us that doing what the Lord has called us to do might just be too hard or that His plans for us can wait.
We make excuses saying that other people aren't ready to hear what we have to say, when in actuality, we just are not ready to see how they might respond. If spreading His love and word were easy, there would be no need for this call to be courageous; but there is a call, and there is a need, because the task at hand may not always be the easiest.
Some will berate us for our beliefs, many will resist what we have to say, but everyone needs to hear it; it could literally save their life. It is our duty as Christians to abandon fear, to stand strong, and be courageous knowing that the Lord will use what we have to say according to His plan. We have to go out on that limb, and take a chance by telling people about Him, about the very thing that means the most to us. It will be scary at first, but look Who we have on our side, supporting and loving us through it all. Through Him we can find the courage to share the gospel, and though it might not always go the way we had planned, we must remember that the results are in God's hands. Do your part, be courageous, and He will surely take it from there.
Verse:
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.
~Joshua 1:9
He is with us wherever we go, whether it be out sharing the Gospel or to your next shift at work. Everything can be used for His glory if we simply stand tall and courageous, living a life clearly made whole by the blood of the Lamb. Live it out people, its time to put your faith at the forefront of your life; let others in on this God you live for, on this Good News that has saved your life. The world will be better because of it; be courageous!
Casting Crowns song Courageous
We were made to be courageous for His name's sake. We are called to be His children, to spread His word, and show others His love, and yet, everyday I find this to be a battle within myself. Christ in me longs to be courageous, to take a stand, to abandon my discouragement, and move forward in His name, but the humanity in side of me pulls so hard in the opposite direction. Matthew 26:41 states, "the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak." Our human desires tell us that doing what the Lord has called us to do might just be too hard or that His plans for us can wait.
We make excuses saying that other people aren't ready to hear what we have to say, when in actuality, we just are not ready to see how they might respond. If spreading His love and word were easy, there would be no need for this call to be courageous; but there is a call, and there is a need, because the task at hand may not always be the easiest.
Some will berate us for our beliefs, many will resist what we have to say, but everyone needs to hear it; it could literally save their life. It is our duty as Christians to abandon fear, to stand strong, and be courageous knowing that the Lord will use what we have to say according to His plan. We have to go out on that limb, and take a chance by telling people about Him, about the very thing that means the most to us. It will be scary at first, but look Who we have on our side, supporting and loving us through it all. Through Him we can find the courage to share the gospel, and though it might not always go the way we had planned, we must remember that the results are in God's hands. Do your part, be courageous, and He will surely take it from there.
Verse:
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.
~Joshua 1:9
He is with us wherever we go, whether it be out sharing the Gospel or to your next shift at work. Everything can be used for His glory if we simply stand tall and courageous, living a life clearly made whole by the blood of the Lamb. Live it out people, its time to put your faith at the forefront of your life; let others in on this God you live for, on this Good News that has saved your life. The world will be better because of it; be courageous!
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)