I am going to lose weight! I will start exercising and eating healthy! I am going to read my Bible everyday! It is that time of year again. Soon, it’s going to be posted all over Facebook and Twitter. It will be talked about amongst family and friends. Yes, 2010, will soon come to an end. So, here come those New Year’s resolutions. I am going to get more involved in church! I am going to be a better person! It’s going to be a great year!
Oh, we are always setting such high goals for the new year. This is our chance to remember and reflect on the past several months, but go into the new year with a positive attitude that we can make it better. There is often no harm in any of that. Or at least there doesn’t seem to be. It’s always good to have a positive attitude. But, we seem to go into to this thinking, “Now what can I do, to be a better person?”. So, here it is, we are going to start off the year by focusing on ourselves. Granted, some of these things would be nice, if you could start doing them. But, there is many problems with these resolutions still. Committing to begin reading the Bible and praying everyday, at the start of the year is great. But, God demands that you do it NOW! We need not put off what needs to be done today, for then tomorrow will soon also be put off.
Also, with New Year resolutions we have this whole attitude where, “Well, I gave it my best, it didn’t work out. I’ll try again next year.” With little things like lose weight and all maybe that’s fine. But, often we are taking things that God commands us to do, and making light of them. Following God is not a game! Following God, should be our desire, our passion, our entire life, every breath step of it. In the Mark 8:34, it says, “Then He called the crowd to Him along with His disciples and said: ‘If anyone would come after Me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me.’” No where in Scripture does it tell us to just follow Christ until things get tough, or until it becomes an inconvenience. We are called to follow Him, today, and tomorrow. So, to say next year I will do this or that for God, while we say it with good intentions, we are wrong.
I have spent a lot of time reading, thinking, and praying about what area of my life I can change to grow closer to God over the next year and beyond. Reading the Bible, praying, being more involved in church, and so on are all great things. But, they are also things that we ought to already be doing. I wanted to do something though, that I would have to fully rely on God to prevail. Something that would bring glory to Him, rather than have the focus on myself. I desire to find a way that God can change me on the inside.
I believe that there is a way to do that, because I have found it, and have already began to apply it to my life. Most people if they were given the opportunity by God, to decide how their 2011 went would fill it with material things. “God, I want a new car, a nice house, a new career, I want to win the lottery. I want to meet the perfect mate, have a child, have a happy marriage, and I want to be closer to You.” It sounds good! So, the commitment that I made, I am about to present to you, may be hard to swallow.
I believe that we need to change our prayer lives, entirely! So, often our prayers, consist of a quick thanks to God, and then we focus on all the things we want. It is time we stop this, and focus our prayers on praising God, and….here comes the hard part, praying for trials and hardships. Look back at your life. At what points in your life did you grow closer to God? Was it when you got a raise at work? No. But, it was during that time, where you lost your dad, or you lost your job. See, when life is going good, we may remember to thank God, but that is also the time we grow apart from God. Yet, when we are being faced with pain and troubles, we quickly run to God, because we are not strong enough to make it on our own. Right there, in those times of hurt, that is where we grow the most.
So, are you ready to grow closer to God? That means that it is time to get uncomfortable, and give up complete control. It’s scary when you think about. If I ask God to bring hardships into my life, what will happen? Will my marriage fall apart? Will I lose a child? What will happen? Maybe it’s not worth it, when thinking twice about it. But, that is it. In this world, it is not easy to follow God, we are not of this world. We are not strong enough to face any trial thrown our way, that is if we go at it alone. God promises to protect you and guide you if you allow Him to be the driver. He wants to draw you closer to Him. However, it’s during our lowest times in life that we grow the most in all areas.
Looking at the two options of different types of prayer. I would much rather live my life here on earth in turmoil, where I am comforted and guided by Christ. Than to live a life in luxury, and worldliness happiness, and never know the true love, and compassion of such a gracious God. So, starting today, starting right now wherever you may be, will you let God change you? It is not going to be easy, but as long as you continue to lean on God, He will carry you through.
In the famous poem, “Footprints”, it says, “The Lord replied, "My precious child. I love you and I would never leave you. During your times of trial and suffering when you saw only one set of footprints...That was when I carried you." One day, when you reflect on those “Footprints” of yours with God, and you notice that a point in your life there is only one set of footprints and it remains only one set throughout your life. When you ask God, “Why is it that nearly my entire life you carried me?” He will reply, “Precious child, that was when you changed your prayers and trusted me.” See, I honestly believe that, there shouldn’t be two sets of prints. When I picture myself in that setting, I believe we should be like a young child closely following behind our Daddy, placing our feet where He stepped first, and in the times where we are scared and tired we should be in His hands.
2011 is just around the corner, many of you already know what your resolution is. But, why not start not. Pray the prayer, that will change your life forever. Starting today, rely on God, and begin to feel a peace and hope beyond understanding.
Sunday, December 26, 2010
Saturday, November 27, 2010
What happened to Christmas?
Oh, yes! It is finally here! The moment we finish the turkey, the realization begins to become clear, it’s time to prepare for Christmas! This year people around the country fled to the stores in record numbers. The sales were great, everything from TV’s, computers, DVD’s, furniture, and so much more. The excitement and drive was overwhelming. Finally, the sight of seeing Christmas stuff in stores, and hearing Christmas music, brings joy, instead of complaints. Christmas time is finally here! Or is it?!
What exactly is Christmas suppose to be about? On that very first Christmas, the world received the greatest single gift ever given, a Savior. John 3:16-17 says, “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. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him.” Therefore, the true meaning of Christmas is the celebration of this incredible act of love. You see, out of gratitude for what God did for us, we should remember His birth each year by worshipping Him, and showing the love He showed us to those who have not heard, the Good News.
But is that what we do? It seems so often we lose focus on what we claim we stand for. Black Friday is not necessarily a bad thing, but so often we rush to get ourselves new stuff. Yet, that is not what Christmas is about. It’s not about feeding your own desires. I could not help but think on Friday, imagine for a moment the lasting impact, that Christians, could have on a lost world, if we were to get as excited about worshipping God, as we do Black Friday. But, sadly we don’t.
We have this whole attitude that Christmas time shouldn’t start till a couple weeks or so before the actual day. But, God Himself, sent His Son to save the world! This is not something to take lightly. Granted the worldly view of Christmas time and Christians views are different. But, it doesn’t seem right to think that a lost world would want to start celebrating and preparing for Christmas, sometimes as early as October. But, the very ones who have accepted and received the greatest Gift want to limit the celebration.
It’s time to stop giving into the world and letting Satan win. It’s time to take Christmas back and make it what it is suppose to be all about. Most churches, will have a candlelight service on Christmas Eve this year. Tons of people, will attend, many of them for the first time. They will sing, hear a message, and be on their way all in about an hours time. Seriously? Christ came to this world, to give us eternal life, and we give an hour of praise to Him for it?!
There are two things that have always puzzled me. One being the fact that there is no offering time at this particular service. To think that we have no problem spending hundreds of dollars on ourselves, friends and family, but then fail to give to the One who gave us EVERYTHING we have, it just blows my mind. Also, Christmas is usually a time spent with family, as it should be. But, if Christmas is suppose to be solely about Christ, then why is there no church? Imagine the measures that would speak if on a Saturday afternoon, hundreds of Christians came together to lift up the name of their King!
The idea of gift giving on Christmas is taken from Scripture, in Matthew 2:10-11, “When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold and incense and of myrrh.” We too, will buy gifts this year for those that we care about. But, think for a moment, if Christ was on Earth right now, who would He buy gifts for. Christ came to save us, sure maybe He would get His followers something, but really He already gave them something, His Love. Over and over it speaks about Christ helping the poor, orphans, widows, the lost.
Several months ago, I made a commitment, to God, to you, and to myself. I committed to live a life where I constantly strived to live a life where I finished third. Jesus. Others. Me. Over this past year I have been saving my money, so that when Black Friday rolled around, I could go buy a flat screen TV. However, as I waited in line at Wal-Mart, I realized in that moment that I had shifted the focus to myself. Though, it is hard to give up what I want, I am giving that money to the FBCH. You see, for me personally, I really wanted a TV. But, as I have prayed for God to shape and form my heart and life to reflect Him, I am beginning to realize I already have everything I could possibly ever need.
There are 146 million orphans in the world, an estimated 30,000 children die due to starvation or preventable diseases each and everyday. Yet, our children not only are healthy, and have a family, but they are getting the best gifts money can buy this year. We have as a church shifted into the whole thinking, that Christmas is about receiving. It’s no longer, I will give a gift out of love, but I will find the best gift possible to make someone happy.
Satan, does not like the fact that you are reading this now, and I know as a Christmas gift to him, he would like nothing more than for you to just forget you even read this. Just do nothing, and keep celebrating Christmas the way you do every year. But, today, I ask you to join me. Step out in faith, and live a life where you strive for third. Let this Christmas be the one where you make it all about God. Focus on the heart of God, and follow His lead. Today, make that commitment, to finish third. Once we get our priorities straight and get the focus back where it belongs, we will be able to live out the true meaning of Christmas everyday.
What exactly is Christmas suppose to be about? On that very first Christmas, the world received the greatest single gift ever given, a Savior. John 3:16-17 says, “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. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him.” Therefore, the true meaning of Christmas is the celebration of this incredible act of love. You see, out of gratitude for what God did for us, we should remember His birth each year by worshipping Him, and showing the love He showed us to those who have not heard, the Good News.
But is that what we do? It seems so often we lose focus on what we claim we stand for. Black Friday is not necessarily a bad thing, but so often we rush to get ourselves new stuff. Yet, that is not what Christmas is about. It’s not about feeding your own desires. I could not help but think on Friday, imagine for a moment the lasting impact, that Christians, could have on a lost world, if we were to get as excited about worshipping God, as we do Black Friday. But, sadly we don’t.
We have this whole attitude that Christmas time shouldn’t start till a couple weeks or so before the actual day. But, God Himself, sent His Son to save the world! This is not something to take lightly. Granted the worldly view of Christmas time and Christians views are different. But, it doesn’t seem right to think that a lost world would want to start celebrating and preparing for Christmas, sometimes as early as October. But, the very ones who have accepted and received the greatest Gift want to limit the celebration.
It’s time to stop giving into the world and letting Satan win. It’s time to take Christmas back and make it what it is suppose to be all about. Most churches, will have a candlelight service on Christmas Eve this year. Tons of people, will attend, many of them for the first time. They will sing, hear a message, and be on their way all in about an hours time. Seriously? Christ came to this world, to give us eternal life, and we give an hour of praise to Him for it?!
There are two things that have always puzzled me. One being the fact that there is no offering time at this particular service. To think that we have no problem spending hundreds of dollars on ourselves, friends and family, but then fail to give to the One who gave us EVERYTHING we have, it just blows my mind. Also, Christmas is usually a time spent with family, as it should be. But, if Christmas is suppose to be solely about Christ, then why is there no church? Imagine the measures that would speak if on a Saturday afternoon, hundreds of Christians came together to lift up the name of their King!
The idea of gift giving on Christmas is taken from Scripture, in Matthew 2:10-11, “When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold and incense and of myrrh.” We too, will buy gifts this year for those that we care about. But, think for a moment, if Christ was on Earth right now, who would He buy gifts for. Christ came to save us, sure maybe He would get His followers something, but really He already gave them something, His Love. Over and over it speaks about Christ helping the poor, orphans, widows, the lost.
Several months ago, I made a commitment, to God, to you, and to myself. I committed to live a life where I constantly strived to live a life where I finished third. Jesus. Others. Me. Over this past year I have been saving my money, so that when Black Friday rolled around, I could go buy a flat screen TV. However, as I waited in line at Wal-Mart, I realized in that moment that I had shifted the focus to myself. Though, it is hard to give up what I want, I am giving that money to the FBCH. You see, for me personally, I really wanted a TV. But, as I have prayed for God to shape and form my heart and life to reflect Him, I am beginning to realize I already have everything I could possibly ever need.
There are 146 million orphans in the world, an estimated 30,000 children die due to starvation or preventable diseases each and everyday. Yet, our children not only are healthy, and have a family, but they are getting the best gifts money can buy this year. We have as a church shifted into the whole thinking, that Christmas is about receiving. It’s no longer, I will give a gift out of love, but I will find the best gift possible to make someone happy.
Satan, does not like the fact that you are reading this now, and I know as a Christmas gift to him, he would like nothing more than for you to just forget you even read this. Just do nothing, and keep celebrating Christmas the way you do every year. But, today, I ask you to join me. Step out in faith, and live a life where you strive for third. Let this Christmas be the one where you make it all about God. Focus on the heart of God, and follow His lead. Today, make that commitment, to finish third. Once we get our priorities straight and get the focus back where it belongs, we will be able to live out the true meaning of Christmas everyday.
Sunday, October 31, 2010
Are You A Man?
“Mmm…dang! Check her out, man!!” Just one of the many common responses, a guy has to show their interest in a fine girl walking by. There really can’t be anything wrong with that, so girls get off our backs about it. It’s just the way us guys are, there is no harm in it. If anything, just look at it this way, we are giving women an approval rating so that they can feel better about themselves.
Maybe all that is true to a degree. I mean, besides girls allow us to do it, so obviously there can’t be anything wrong with it. But, is it okay still for a so-called Christian man to act this way? In Ephesians 4:22 it says, “Throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception.” That day, that you accepted and asked Christ to come and run your life, you set behind your old ways, and accepted the new. Often we tend to think that the Word of God, is just some book of suggestions from God. But, it’s not, it’s a Holy Book filled will laws and guidelines for how we should live our lives.
In Genesis 2:18, God declares, “It is not good for man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him.” Too often we have this attitude that, well God created women for me, so I will do as I please. We see them as the ones to just simply meet our immediate needs; whether it’s cleaning, cooking or SEX! But, think of it as Matthew Henry puts it, “If man is the head, she is the crown, a crown to her husband, the crown of the visible creation. The man was dust refined, but the woman was dust double-refined, one removed further from the earth.” Now, if you stop a minute and reread that once more, you will realize God gave you something pure and beautiful. He didn’t give us some scraps, or leftovers. He gave us His best!
Regardless, of what the media is trying to push, and get you to believe. God, Himself has given man to duty to love and protect the purity and being of this precious, beautiful gift, He has given us. You see, it is one thing for just any guy to sexually exploit women, and make them out to be just a sex symbol. But as a Christian man, we have the Word of God which instructs us to protect women from this very thing. Yet, so many of us (including myself at times) continue to ignore this instruction.
Through the praying, studying, and writing of this post, I sought out the thoughts from different women on this topic. As a male, I know this is the one topic that most of us struggle with the most, however I believe it is good for us to see how our actions are affecting women. I must say, it is deeply disheartening and upsetting to hear how something that we do, can have such a lasting, negative impact on a women’s life. One thing, that really struck me is every single lady I talked to, said that the majority of men don’t respect them, and just use them. One girl (who isn’t a Christian), told me she has always been mistreated and used for sex. Then she said she started dating a nice Christian guy, hoping things would be different, only to find herself in that same lost, used up place.
We so quickly will raise up our hands, and declare it loud, “I am a Christian! I am different!” But, are we? Some guys may try to argue the fact that we look lustfully, because they show it. But, you must remember women are attracted to men as well. Think of it this way: If you are somewhere, and a girl walks into the room, with her hair down, a lot of makeup, a mini skirt, and a low cut shirt. But, she also walks in with her friend, who has her hair up, no makeup, jeans, and a sweater. Which one is going to get your attention? You see, often times a women will dress or act improperly so that YOU and I will notice them!
Is it possible for you to look at a woman, and not think a sexual thought? As a Christian, Christ dwells in us, and we are to be Christ-like. So, the next time you walk in a room and see a gorgeous girl, will you begin to fantasize about her in your mind? Or will you see her through the eyes God does? There is nothing wrong with being attracted to a women, it’s a natural thing. But, the sin comes on how we react.
Girls are led to believe that “boys will be boys” from a young age. That statement is 100% true, but should not be true in the life of a godly man. It is time for Christian men to, be just that, a MAN! It’s time to put our old ways behind us, and protect one of the greatest gifts that Christ gave us. Instead of assisting Satan in destroying it. We are not of this world, therefore we need to stop giving into this whole attitude that girls are something that belong in a deli, or a garage. Yet, sadly in many cases we treat the car in the garage with more love and respect, than we do women.
Not tomorrow, not next week, but NOW! Now, this is the time to change, to stand up and protect, provide, comfort, and love women. Not only because it is what they so deeply desire and deserve, but because God demands it from us. It’s time to show the world, exactly what a man is suppose to look like.
Maybe all that is true to a degree. I mean, besides girls allow us to do it, so obviously there can’t be anything wrong with it. But, is it okay still for a so-called Christian man to act this way? In Ephesians 4:22 it says, “Throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception.” That day, that you accepted and asked Christ to come and run your life, you set behind your old ways, and accepted the new. Often we tend to think that the Word of God, is just some book of suggestions from God. But, it’s not, it’s a Holy Book filled will laws and guidelines for how we should live our lives.
In Genesis 2:18, God declares, “It is not good for man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him.” Too often we have this attitude that, well God created women for me, so I will do as I please. We see them as the ones to just simply meet our immediate needs; whether it’s cleaning, cooking or SEX! But, think of it as Matthew Henry puts it, “If man is the head, she is the crown, a crown to her husband, the crown of the visible creation. The man was dust refined, but the woman was dust double-refined, one removed further from the earth.” Now, if you stop a minute and reread that once more, you will realize God gave you something pure and beautiful. He didn’t give us some scraps, or leftovers. He gave us His best!
Regardless, of what the media is trying to push, and get you to believe. God, Himself has given man to duty to love and protect the purity and being of this precious, beautiful gift, He has given us. You see, it is one thing for just any guy to sexually exploit women, and make them out to be just a sex symbol. But as a Christian man, we have the Word of God which instructs us to protect women from this very thing. Yet, so many of us (including myself at times) continue to ignore this instruction.
Through the praying, studying, and writing of this post, I sought out the thoughts from different women on this topic. As a male, I know this is the one topic that most of us struggle with the most, however I believe it is good for us to see how our actions are affecting women. I must say, it is deeply disheartening and upsetting to hear how something that we do, can have such a lasting, negative impact on a women’s life. One thing, that really struck me is every single lady I talked to, said that the majority of men don’t respect them, and just use them. One girl (who isn’t a Christian), told me she has always been mistreated and used for sex. Then she said she started dating a nice Christian guy, hoping things would be different, only to find herself in that same lost, used up place.
We so quickly will raise up our hands, and declare it loud, “I am a Christian! I am different!” But, are we? Some guys may try to argue the fact that we look lustfully, because they show it. But, you must remember women are attracted to men as well. Think of it this way: If you are somewhere, and a girl walks into the room, with her hair down, a lot of makeup, a mini skirt, and a low cut shirt. But, she also walks in with her friend, who has her hair up, no makeup, jeans, and a sweater. Which one is going to get your attention? You see, often times a women will dress or act improperly so that YOU and I will notice them!
Is it possible for you to look at a woman, and not think a sexual thought? As a Christian, Christ dwells in us, and we are to be Christ-like. So, the next time you walk in a room and see a gorgeous girl, will you begin to fantasize about her in your mind? Or will you see her through the eyes God does? There is nothing wrong with being attracted to a women, it’s a natural thing. But, the sin comes on how we react.
Girls are led to believe that “boys will be boys” from a young age. That statement is 100% true, but should not be true in the life of a godly man. It is time for Christian men to, be just that, a MAN! It’s time to put our old ways behind us, and protect one of the greatest gifts that Christ gave us. Instead of assisting Satan in destroying it. We are not of this world, therefore we need to stop giving into this whole attitude that girls are something that belong in a deli, or a garage. Yet, sadly in many cases we treat the car in the garage with more love and respect, than we do women.
Not tomorrow, not next week, but NOW! Now, this is the time to change, to stand up and protect, provide, comfort, and love women. Not only because it is what they so deeply desire and deserve, but because God demands it from us. It’s time to show the world, exactly what a man is suppose to look like.
Sunday, October 10, 2010
What have you done for God today?
So, what exactly does your typical day hold? Maybe it goes something like this…
You of course wake up, slowly dragging yourself out of bed. You go ahead and say a quick prayer, or maybe you hit the snooze button too many times, so now you don’t have time for that. You eat, get ready, and quickly rush into another day. You drive to work, and spend the majority of the day wishing the day would be over. Because, you hate your job, or your tired, or whatever it may be. Regardless, our lives are often filled with a lot of complaining. Then you go home, make dinner, or maybe tonight you will treat yourself to a nice restaurant. Afterwards, you will watch the television, mess around on the computer, and then it’s off to bed. Just to get up in the morning and restart this endless cycle.
I honestly must say that sounds like any normal day for me. We just drag ourselves through the week, so that we can get to that much anticipated weekend. That time where we can catch up on yard work, go shopping, spend a day relaxing, watch the game, or in just some way pampering ourselves. Well, we do deserve it with everything that we do. Am I right? I mean if no one is going to notice all the hard work that I do, I might as well be the one to reward myself. But, in the end of it all, what is missing from all that? There has to be more to life than just constantly going full speed in total confusion.
Over the past few months, I have been searching for answers to this question. Maybe, part of the answer lies behind the fact that we must have a heart and a lifestyle that is that of a servant. Now that is a little different way of looking at it. See, many people will claim they have a heart of a servant, but does your lifestyle agree with that?
For me personally, I don’t have much that I can boast about. I’m 23, and I am currently still living at home, have very little college completed, and work as a custodian at a high school. Because, of mistakes that I have made, I am paying the consequences. A custodial position is not highly looked upon, and at times I am embarrassed to say what I do. But, our attitudes have a lot to do with our serving. So, rather than go, well I have made a mess of my life and now I’m stuck cleaning toilets, until I finish school. I now see my job as a opportunity to serve, a chance to give back to those teachers that gave so much to me.
The only person that knows the attitude behind your actions is YOU! Now, I want to take a moment and say, my intent is never to point fingers, or put myself on some type of pedestal. I have been there, and we all live in a world where we must constantly fight a daily battle to make sure we don’t end up back in that place. I don’t want to judge you or anyone else, because I know once I do, then I have lost focus. My only intent is to allow God to speak through me to share His Message, and through that, I trust God will then deal with your heart accordingly and lead you to a decision. But, I am not here to judge, I will leave that up to God.
Serving others, is often very rewarding. But, is that the big thing that is missing from our daily lives? The true answer to the question is so simple, yet is so often overlooked. Sometimes we get so focused on ourselves, on helping others, on family, and even on church. That we too often forget to leave time for God. Wait! Did I just say, we go to church, but still fail to give time to God?
There are a total of 168 hours in a week. We will say that we get 8 hours of sleep a night, and we work 8 hours a day and to make it easier we will say we will say we do this all 7 days of the week. Which leaves us at 56 hours left in the week. So, let’s say the average person spends 3 hours a week worshipping God. Now, we are just talking about worshipping and praising God, whether it’s spent in prayer, at church, in Bible study, or in another way. Not by attending a church business meeting, or sitting in on some committee meeting, or going to a church dinner, going to choir practice, or going to some other activity that the church hosts, but actually spending time worshipping God. So, by giving God 3 hours of our week we are giving less than 2%. What are we doing with the other 53 hours, or the other 32%?!
Often our excuse is that life is hectic and it’s difficult to always find time. But, honestly if something came up that we wanted to do, would we not find a way to make sure we got to? The simple fact is God wants and desires to be the center of your life. There is also the possibility that if you are only giving God a few hours a week, maybe your doing it for all the wrong reasons. For me, I have always gone to church, that was the way I was raised, so I know I’m suppose to be there. But, you can be somewhere physically, and still fail to be there mentally, emotionally, and/or spiritually.
Now, don’t get me wrong, I am not trying to undermine the importance of serving others, or taking care of some personal things. That too, is important. However, our daily life should not revolve around those activities. Yet, if you find the time for God, and give Him control of the day, it won’t take long before you realize that you will also have time for everything else that needs to be done. Each day is a struggle for many of us. But, it doesn’t have to be! Francis Chan, once said it perfectly, “We are busy because in so many ways we are trying to do God's job and we are tired because we are not God." So, why don’t we stop trying to do what we are not suppose to, and put more focus on what we are.
So, we can take a moment and remember what we did today. Will we continue to ignore God, and continue through life doing things our own way in utter confusion. Stop what your doing for a minute! Look around you. Look at all that God has blessed you with; family, friends, children, a job, a home, etc. But, most importantly you have been given a chance to have a intimate and personal relationship with the Maker of all things. Christ while He was here on earth died on the cross so that you may have eternal life with Him. So, ask yourself again, what have I done for God today?
You of course wake up, slowly dragging yourself out of bed. You go ahead and say a quick prayer, or maybe you hit the snooze button too many times, so now you don’t have time for that. You eat, get ready, and quickly rush into another day. You drive to work, and spend the majority of the day wishing the day would be over. Because, you hate your job, or your tired, or whatever it may be. Regardless, our lives are often filled with a lot of complaining. Then you go home, make dinner, or maybe tonight you will treat yourself to a nice restaurant. Afterwards, you will watch the television, mess around on the computer, and then it’s off to bed. Just to get up in the morning and restart this endless cycle.
I honestly must say that sounds like any normal day for me. We just drag ourselves through the week, so that we can get to that much anticipated weekend. That time where we can catch up on yard work, go shopping, spend a day relaxing, watch the game, or in just some way pampering ourselves. Well, we do deserve it with everything that we do. Am I right? I mean if no one is going to notice all the hard work that I do, I might as well be the one to reward myself. But, in the end of it all, what is missing from all that? There has to be more to life than just constantly going full speed in total confusion.
Over the past few months, I have been searching for answers to this question. Maybe, part of the answer lies behind the fact that we must have a heart and a lifestyle that is that of a servant. Now that is a little different way of looking at it. See, many people will claim they have a heart of a servant, but does your lifestyle agree with that?
For me personally, I don’t have much that I can boast about. I’m 23, and I am currently still living at home, have very little college completed, and work as a custodian at a high school. Because, of mistakes that I have made, I am paying the consequences. A custodial position is not highly looked upon, and at times I am embarrassed to say what I do. But, our attitudes have a lot to do with our serving. So, rather than go, well I have made a mess of my life and now I’m stuck cleaning toilets, until I finish school. I now see my job as a opportunity to serve, a chance to give back to those teachers that gave so much to me.
The only person that knows the attitude behind your actions is YOU! Now, I want to take a moment and say, my intent is never to point fingers, or put myself on some type of pedestal. I have been there, and we all live in a world where we must constantly fight a daily battle to make sure we don’t end up back in that place. I don’t want to judge you or anyone else, because I know once I do, then I have lost focus. My only intent is to allow God to speak through me to share His Message, and through that, I trust God will then deal with your heart accordingly and lead you to a decision. But, I am not here to judge, I will leave that up to God.
Serving others, is often very rewarding. But, is that the big thing that is missing from our daily lives? The true answer to the question is so simple, yet is so often overlooked. Sometimes we get so focused on ourselves, on helping others, on family, and even on church. That we too often forget to leave time for God. Wait! Did I just say, we go to church, but still fail to give time to God?
There are a total of 168 hours in a week. We will say that we get 8 hours of sleep a night, and we work 8 hours a day and to make it easier we will say we will say we do this all 7 days of the week. Which leaves us at 56 hours left in the week. So, let’s say the average person spends 3 hours a week worshipping God. Now, we are just talking about worshipping and praising God, whether it’s spent in prayer, at church, in Bible study, or in another way. Not by attending a church business meeting, or sitting in on some committee meeting, or going to a church dinner, going to choir practice, or going to some other activity that the church hosts, but actually spending time worshipping God. So, by giving God 3 hours of our week we are giving less than 2%. What are we doing with the other 53 hours, or the other 32%?!
Often our excuse is that life is hectic and it’s difficult to always find time. But, honestly if something came up that we wanted to do, would we not find a way to make sure we got to? The simple fact is God wants and desires to be the center of your life. There is also the possibility that if you are only giving God a few hours a week, maybe your doing it for all the wrong reasons. For me, I have always gone to church, that was the way I was raised, so I know I’m suppose to be there. But, you can be somewhere physically, and still fail to be there mentally, emotionally, and/or spiritually.
Now, don’t get me wrong, I am not trying to undermine the importance of serving others, or taking care of some personal things. That too, is important. However, our daily life should not revolve around those activities. Yet, if you find the time for God, and give Him control of the day, it won’t take long before you realize that you will also have time for everything else that needs to be done. Each day is a struggle for many of us. But, it doesn’t have to be! Francis Chan, once said it perfectly, “We are busy because in so many ways we are trying to do God's job and we are tired because we are not God." So, why don’t we stop trying to do what we are not suppose to, and put more focus on what we are.
So, we can take a moment and remember what we did today. Will we continue to ignore God, and continue through life doing things our own way in utter confusion. Stop what your doing for a minute! Look around you. Look at all that God has blessed you with; family, friends, children, a job, a home, etc. But, most importantly you have been given a chance to have a intimate and personal relationship with the Maker of all things. Christ while He was here on earth died on the cross so that you may have eternal life with Him. So, ask yourself again, what have I done for God today?
Monday, August 16, 2010
My Prayer
(Journal Entry for 5/25/2010)
Search me through O Lord
For You know all my fears
Look deep within me
And relieve me of all the lost tears
I know who You are
I know You will always be
But, why O Lord is there still doubt in me
I believe with everything that I am
Yet, every time I get my life back on track
It seems that I just find myself in another jam
Lord I know I make mistakes
It seems like they just follow me
But, I want to escape this life of insecurity
I have failed so many in this life
But, I don't want to fail You again
What can I do to not mess up?
What can I do to gain trust?
I look all around and temptation seems to surround me
But, O Lord I want to be freed
I don't want to open my eyes and not see peace
But, it seems like failure hovers over me
I want to please You O Lord in everything that I do
I want You to search my heart all the way through
Tell me what you see there when You look at me
Is there any hope for anything?
I am afraid of letting You down like I have so many times before
So Lord give me the faith to just be bold
I know I don't have all the skills
But, if you accept me then I will have everything that I need
I can't face tomorrow with an ounce of doubt in my heart
So, I come to You to see where to start
I admit I am scared of what the next step may be
But I must face my fears because they have stopped me from doing many things
I don't want to disappoint You
And I know if I give up I would do just that
So, I am giving You everything I have
Just search me through O Lord
For I no longer can run from Your Words
I find myself lost and not knowing what to do
But, cleanse me O Lord, for I want to be just like You
Search me through O Lord
For You know all my fears
Look deep within me
And relieve me of all the lost tears
I know who You are
I know You will always be
But, why O Lord is there still doubt in me
I believe with everything that I am
Yet, every time I get my life back on track
It seems that I just find myself in another jam
Lord I know I make mistakes
It seems like they just follow me
But, I want to escape this life of insecurity
I have failed so many in this life
But, I don't want to fail You again
What can I do to not mess up?
What can I do to gain trust?
I look all around and temptation seems to surround me
But, O Lord I want to be freed
I don't want to open my eyes and not see peace
But, it seems like failure hovers over me
I want to please You O Lord in everything that I do
I want You to search my heart all the way through
Tell me what you see there when You look at me
Is there any hope for anything?
I am afraid of letting You down like I have so many times before
So Lord give me the faith to just be bold
I know I don't have all the skills
But, if you accept me then I will have everything that I need
I can't face tomorrow with an ounce of doubt in my heart
So, I come to You to see where to start
I admit I am scared of what the next step may be
But I must face my fears because they have stopped me from doing many things
I don't want to disappoint You
And I know if I give up I would do just that
So, I am giving You everything I have
Just search me through O Lord
For I no longer can run from Your Words
I find myself lost and not knowing what to do
But, cleanse me O Lord, for I want to be just like You
Saturday, August 14, 2010
I Will Finish Third!
I don’t write these things to seek out attention, or try to act like I am better than anyone else. I write this because I am just the opposite; I am nobody, I am nothing, I am worthless, I am lost, I am empty, I am a sinner. I write this to share the commitment that I am making with God, and others; and to simply share what is on my heart.
In this life I have struggled so much. I seem to make one bad choice after another. Rather than do what I know is right, I constantly do what I want, when I want, and how I want. Yet, time after time, I just fall flat on my face, but never seem to learn my lesson. But, as I look back at my life, I can see where when I relied on God, I did succeed. But, when I did things my way and was disobedient to God, I suffered. I see that God has never left me, I left him. I walked away, because I didn’t want to give up everything. But, I am ready to change that and follow Him wholeheartedly in everything I do.
Often times christians will go to church and decide to rededicate their lives to God. But, I don’t want that; I don’t want to go out on a spiritual high for a few months. Then have it drift away, and go right back to my old ways, I want something more. I want to change from the inside out, I want to make a permantent change. Not just a change the church sees, but a change even I can see. Too often I am told how much of a godly person I am. But, I’m not! I’m far from it.
I am tired of just wearing christianity on my sleeve. Yes, my desire has always been to serve others, but my heart has not been in it. No more just being a christian on Sunday mornings. I am going to be a christian at work, with my friends, my family, when I’m driving, at the store, everywhere I go. But, most importantly I am going to be a christian when no one is watching. In those moments where I am up late and it’s just me and the tv or me and my laptop. It’s time to give Christ all of me, and stop allowing Satan to get his way. I am giving up everything this time, and doing things the way I should have the first time.
If I am not using my computer for something constructive, I won’t use it. I am getting rid of all my alcohol and cigars (I am not saying that is right or wrong for others to do any of that), because if I am stressed or having a bad day; Christ gave me the best anti-depressants known to man- the Bible and prayer. I am going to give God complete control over my thoughts, and pay close attention to what I am allowing myself to hear and see.
Now don’t get me wrong, I say I am, but honestly I can do nothing. Over and over in this life, I have tried to make a difference and be a better person. But, after 23 years of trying I am realizing that I can’t do anything. I will never make a difference, and I will never be anything great. But, I can obey God and allow Him to make a difference through me. So, I do say I am, but the one truly in control is the great I AM.
I want to be filled with the Holy Spirit to the point where people will know with out a doubt that Christ dwells within me. I am proud to say that I am a Christ follower, but I want to be what I say I am. Christ created me on purpose, and He created me to worship Him. So, rather than trying to figure out where I am going in life or what God has planned for me. I will begin to serve Him now. I don’t have to be in another country to share God’s Word. I can share it right where I am. I don’t have to wait till Sunday’s to worship Christ, I can worship Him at work, while I’m driving, in my thoughts, and everywhere I go, no matter what it is that I am doing.
I am making a commitment today that at the end of everyday, that I finish third. If I ever finish higher then that I have failed you and failed God. I will make it my full focus to always remain in third. Second, will belong to others. God calls us to go out among the nations and share His Word, and to serve others. So, whether I have to give time, money, both, or whatever, I will make sure I keep others before myself. First, of course belongs to Christ. He will be every part of me. I don’t want just others to see Him through me, but I want to see Him as well. I will worship Him with every step of my life. I will finish third!
I will never forget the mistakes I made in my past, or the hurts I have felt. But, I will also, never forget that God brought me through it, and if He brought me through all those times, I know He will be there to bring me through the next valley. So, if it means I rely on God, the most while I’m in the valley. Then as bad as it may sound, maybe it’s best to remain in the valley. But, I will rely on and trust God wherever He has me. I will remember that it was not to long ago, that I lived in sin constantly; and by doing so , I will be able to have compassion towards the lost that God sends me to teach, rather than judgement.
My goal for life comes from, Acts 20:24; “However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me – the task of testifying to the gospel of God’s grace.” I am proud to say that I my daddy is the King of Kings, the Lord of Lords, He is the Promised Messiah, my Jesus! But, I hope that I will live my life in a way for Him, that He is proud to say I am His son; even though I am so unworthy of this honor.
Everyone at somepoint thinks about what their funeral will be like, and who all will be there. But, what I wonder is what will be said about the life I lived. As a christian I honestly believe the greatest thing that can be said about you is that you followed everyday of your life the as it says in 1st Corinthians 11:1, “Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.”
So, today I once and for all, put all my old ways behind me, and strive to live a life living for God in all circumstances wholeheartedly; I will serve wherever I am, and wherever God leads. I WILL FINISH THIRD!
In this life I have struggled so much. I seem to make one bad choice after another. Rather than do what I know is right, I constantly do what I want, when I want, and how I want. Yet, time after time, I just fall flat on my face, but never seem to learn my lesson. But, as I look back at my life, I can see where when I relied on God, I did succeed. But, when I did things my way and was disobedient to God, I suffered. I see that God has never left me, I left him. I walked away, because I didn’t want to give up everything. But, I am ready to change that and follow Him wholeheartedly in everything I do.
Often times christians will go to church and decide to rededicate their lives to God. But, I don’t want that; I don’t want to go out on a spiritual high for a few months. Then have it drift away, and go right back to my old ways, I want something more. I want to change from the inside out, I want to make a permantent change. Not just a change the church sees, but a change even I can see. Too often I am told how much of a godly person I am. But, I’m not! I’m far from it.
I am tired of just wearing christianity on my sleeve. Yes, my desire has always been to serve others, but my heart has not been in it. No more just being a christian on Sunday mornings. I am going to be a christian at work, with my friends, my family, when I’m driving, at the store, everywhere I go. But, most importantly I am going to be a christian when no one is watching. In those moments where I am up late and it’s just me and the tv or me and my laptop. It’s time to give Christ all of me, and stop allowing Satan to get his way. I am giving up everything this time, and doing things the way I should have the first time.
If I am not using my computer for something constructive, I won’t use it. I am getting rid of all my alcohol and cigars (I am not saying that is right or wrong for others to do any of that), because if I am stressed or having a bad day; Christ gave me the best anti-depressants known to man- the Bible and prayer. I am going to give God complete control over my thoughts, and pay close attention to what I am allowing myself to hear and see.
Now don’t get me wrong, I say I am, but honestly I can do nothing. Over and over in this life, I have tried to make a difference and be a better person. But, after 23 years of trying I am realizing that I can’t do anything. I will never make a difference, and I will never be anything great. But, I can obey God and allow Him to make a difference through me. So, I do say I am, but the one truly in control is the great I AM.
I want to be filled with the Holy Spirit to the point where people will know with out a doubt that Christ dwells within me. I am proud to say that I am a Christ follower, but I want to be what I say I am. Christ created me on purpose, and He created me to worship Him. So, rather than trying to figure out where I am going in life or what God has planned for me. I will begin to serve Him now. I don’t have to be in another country to share God’s Word. I can share it right where I am. I don’t have to wait till Sunday’s to worship Christ, I can worship Him at work, while I’m driving, in my thoughts, and everywhere I go, no matter what it is that I am doing.
I am making a commitment today that at the end of everyday, that I finish third. If I ever finish higher then that I have failed you and failed God. I will make it my full focus to always remain in third. Second, will belong to others. God calls us to go out among the nations and share His Word, and to serve others. So, whether I have to give time, money, both, or whatever, I will make sure I keep others before myself. First, of course belongs to Christ. He will be every part of me. I don’t want just others to see Him through me, but I want to see Him as well. I will worship Him with every step of my life. I will finish third!
I will never forget the mistakes I made in my past, or the hurts I have felt. But, I will also, never forget that God brought me through it, and if He brought me through all those times, I know He will be there to bring me through the next valley. So, if it means I rely on God, the most while I’m in the valley. Then as bad as it may sound, maybe it’s best to remain in the valley. But, I will rely on and trust God wherever He has me. I will remember that it was not to long ago, that I lived in sin constantly; and by doing so , I will be able to have compassion towards the lost that God sends me to teach, rather than judgement.
My goal for life comes from, Acts 20:24; “However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me – the task of testifying to the gospel of God’s grace.” I am proud to say that I my daddy is the King of Kings, the Lord of Lords, He is the Promised Messiah, my Jesus! But, I hope that I will live my life in a way for Him, that He is proud to say I am His son; even though I am so unworthy of this honor.
Everyone at somepoint thinks about what their funeral will be like, and who all will be there. But, what I wonder is what will be said about the life I lived. As a christian I honestly believe the greatest thing that can be said about you is that you followed everyday of your life the as it says in 1st Corinthians 11:1, “Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.”
So, today I once and for all, put all my old ways behind me, and strive to live a life living for God in all circumstances wholeheartedly; I will serve wherever I am, and wherever God leads. I WILL FINISH THIRD!
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