Make a Change!

The following is inspired by Francis Chan’s sermon entitled, “When God Doesn’t Listen.” His exact wording is placed in quotation marks.

“Either give up Christ or give up your sin… you can’t have both.” (Chan was talking in the context of repetitive sin-problems, as we know it is impossible to completely totally forever eliminate sin this side of heaven)

When you sin, as sin is a part of everyday life, repent and turn away from it. Be determined to not be had by it again. If you look that sin in the face, and find you’re having a hard time leaving it behind, realize that not moving past it comes at a cost - and that cost doesn't just affect you. Do you realize what you’re doing to God’s reputation, and how you might be leading fellow brothers and sisters into sin? Others might see you committing a specific sin, and be led into thinking that such a repetitive action is OK in God’s sight.

You MUST close the door on this repetitive sin habit, and start with His strength and help to strive to purge the sin from your life… minute by minute, action by action, thought by thought. Be careful of your reputation and who you claim to be representing. If you walk around claiming to follow Jesus, yet you struggle with the same sins over and over again, a heart check is in tune…. We MUST become aware of how we are representing Christ’s name, to our brothers and sisters in Him, but ALSO to the world around us!

Our sin doesn’t just hurt God and burn us… it mis-leads our community (those observing your sin, and their reaction when they see your non-repentant heart), the world around us (when they hear you calling yourself a Christian, but see you acting just like they do, in a lifestyle CHARACTERIZED with sinful habits and actions), and the church (as you are not actively contributing to the body of Christ with actions that please God or words that build others up; rather your actions REALLY ARE leading people astray!).

Take a moment to EXAMINE yoiur life, and look at your lifestyle from the eyes of those around you, and realize who your life impacts. Do your choices, (whether people see them, hear them, or not), act as harmful and painful stumbling blocks for the believer, and an inconsistent testimony of the God of Heaven to the unbeliever? Check it out yo! Make changes in your life!!!!

This really is SO important for you to do! I hope you understand how much your sinful thoughts and actions, minute to minute, not just affect and kill you, but affect and kill everyone around you. Stop rationalizing your everyday sins… give them up, repent, give them over to God, and turn in a new direction.

Its time to wake up and take a stand towards a new minute, a new hour, a new day, and a refreshed lifestyle that SCREAMS Jesus Christ to the world around you!

Take a step back... welcome to simple faith

Man…

Shouldn’t it just be SIMPLE?!

Can’t we just get away from all the science, all the debates, all the arguments and facts… and just live a simple life, loving God, working hard, and loving each other?

If we all just got out of our “uppity” societies, filthy wealth, and corrupting social class, we could sit back and just feast on the simple sights of nature and Truths of God. We would be SUCH a content people! What have we become?

If we just took a step out of it all to lay under the stars, watch birds and butterflies, watch a powerful storm roll in, and understand the majesty of God through the power of nature… I can’t imagine how it would change our perspectives on life – on the meaning of it all!

We miss out on so much, through our distracting society. Computers, videogames, TV, music, toys… its sick. We are a selfish society, consumed by our possessions, reputation, and social status. Our clothes and cars are so important to us… those things didn’t always even exist… how many countless gods we follow after without even realizing it!

Our passions and cares are SO misplaced. We ought to be sick because of how far we’ve fallen from the simple yet valiant truth of God. How blinded we have all become.

What do you delight about God

God means so much to me. Growing up, I had really struggled with believe in God's existance. Does He really love me? Will He really satisfy all my needs? Can I really trust Him to teach me EVERYTHING I need to know?

I continued with my doubt in God through my freshman year of college (2007-2008), as I watched my mom struggle through a really hard battle with double kidney failure, I noticed her faith. Her life was hanging on the line, she either would get a kidney transplant, or most likely pass away... sure, she was scared, but she was made strong by Gods strength. By the hope He gave her. By the assurance she had in Him, that He would protect her and care for her in the best way that He knew how. She had faith that went beyond the shadow of a doubt.

Over the last year, I have faced many painful trials. I have lost a number of dear loved ones, and been through some other very traumatic experiences. At the beginning of it all, and as it continued to unfold in my life, I didn't understand why I should have to undergo such trials. It was then that I remembered that this life is not going to be perfect. Following Christ doesn't mean that everything will be roses and butterflies. Following Christ means that God is going to allow things to happen in your life, that will break you down and soften your heart towards Himself.

Through it all, I have learned, and continue to learn, that God is always there. We can know His presence so intimately in the face of trials...He is here, holding our hands, carrying us through them... and in the end, the trials are always for a reason. They are a part of a bigger picture that we can't see, but God sees it. In the end, we are stronger because of our trials. In the end, we are able to help other people through like trials and situations, because we've been there firsthand, know how it hurts, and can help give them hope.

God has taught me that life is going to throw you some pretty nasty curve-balls in your lifetime - if they haven't come yet, they're coming... but hang tight, because God is in control, and He will never let go of your hand.

God is delightful to me because of His strength. His wisdom. The way He holds me when painful memories consume me. The way He calms me and comforts me through His word, and through talking to me. He knows its hurts. He knows the way is dark and unknown. He knows how it feels to be at every point of life we will face - that is why He can be trusted. He is delightful because of the way that He has revealed His creation to me during this last year. I can't look at ANY aspect of creation the same way. I am continually speechless and amazed at the way the sky looks, at the way the sun sets SO beautifully, the way that the wind wraps around me, the way that a storm rolls in. It gives me shivers and completely overwhelms me to the point of tears most-times. Our God delights me by the way that He has revealed peace to me, through the enjoyment of His creation. How awesome that, when we are enjoying His creation, He is sitting in our midst,enjoying our responses. The thing that has been hitting me most lately is this:

If Gods creations, those beautiful pieces of nature that leave our jaws on the floor, can amaze us and move us to tears... what kind of Immaculate Beauty does God possess. I can't imagine a more beautiful picture than some of the absolutely astounding sunsets I've seen... I can't wait to behold the beauty of God... the thought leaves me shivering with holy fear at His greatness. Quite literally. How GREAT is our God? We haven't the slightest clue. We really don't have the slightest clue...

He is delightful because He is God. Our shield and protector. Our mender and redeemer. He holds my broken pieces in His hands, and He is putting them back together again. Slowly but surely, I can see Him piecing me back together as He heals me with His love and precious grace.

Run to Him with all that you are, because nothing else is worth what He brings to the table. He fills me up, overflowing, as I have never been filled before. He heals the pain that pours from my broken heart. Life your life in reckless abandonment to Jesus. Its the only thing you can do. The only thing truly worth everything.

My God, He dries the tears from my face, reminding me that He's always there, always listening, always loving, always understanding, always having an answer, always dependable... my God, He is always and more.