Soaking in Worthlessness

Image via Wikipedia

Today has been a good day. I got some studying done, ate a rally burger, and threw french fries to Eli (1 yr. old) in his car seat.

Something else happened today. It wasn't good. It was actually very foolish. I saw a fight. No, not karate or MMA, but a screaming across the parking lot, out of control, infuriated fight.

In a convenient store parking lot, two guys exchanged words, and began to go after each other angrily. The dispute came to a close when a store employee began to call the police.

This was chaos and anger. It was stupid. Through all the fist swinging and dropping of "F-Bombs", nothing was accomplished. It didn't stop there though.

Both men left, one with a little blood on his forehead, but both angry. There tires would squeal and they made their trucks sound like race cars. Wherever they were going, they had something in common. They would be bitter.

They would sit and think about the mess they had been apart of , and still be apart of it at heart. They grit their teeth while mumbling hateful words. They would soak in this worthlessness.

See, they were angry. They acted in this anger. They accomplished nothing in this act and probably can't remember what even started the fight. The entire event can be summed up as worthless. But, thats not enough. They take their sin home. They soak in it. Being overwhelmed by anger, they become pickled in their sin. They carry it around as a reminder, taking hatred in with every breathe. Hating each other, and loving a dispute that amounts to nothing. Sitting, and soaking in worthlessness.

My point? Think. Next time you want to act in anger, don't. Next time you want to carry this chaos with you, lay it down. Its worthless. Let things go. Accomplish something.

Why? If your a believer, it should be obvious. The entire purpose of your existence is to glorify Christ. The story that I just told you does nothing but glorify and expose stupidity. Exercise self-control. Its a fruit of the spirit for good reason. Be gentle, kind, and loving.

When you act on your emotion, does it glorify Jesus or make you look like a joke?

Don't soak in this worthlessness. Soak in love and forgiveness. Are you a christian? Look like Jesus. Love Him and love His. He forgave, you forgive.


Believe Jesus. Love Jesus. Live Jesus.

"Jimmy"

I started to re-read a book today. This book is a challenging one. No, its not by Dave Ramsey. This book is a life changing one. No, its not by Max Lacado.

It is the biblical book of James. This book is the 20th new testament book. This book was written by James who happens to be the half brother of Jesus.

The reason this book is so challenging is not because James wrote it. The reason this book is so challenging has everything to do with who James knew. You get it? The book is not the way it is because of who James was, but because of who James knew. James knew Christ.

In the book, James discusses the relationship between faith and works. (Let me repeat) James knew Jesus. James did not have a "sunshine and flowers" faith, because he knew there was know such thing. Faith is not about being happy. Those who have a genuine faith, realize reality. They know that through faith in Jesus Christ, they are promised two things.

1.Eternal Life- Most everyone knows this one. Many know John 3:16 like the ABC's. As Christ comes to us, He offers Himself, and He offers salvation. In this we are called to leave our sin, believe in Him as Lord, and be saved.

In this we often tune our ears to nothing, but "believe and be saved". This brings me to Numero Dos.

2. A Cross- Many people hear this, but don't listen to it. This is the part in the Gospel that people don't take seriously. Many people want salvation, but do not want this. "Salvation? No hell? Yes heaven? Wow, give me that.", is the probable thought passing through a lost man's mind while listening to the popular watered down gospel. But with salvation is a cross. As Christ was crucified, we are to follow him in this act of self denial. We are unworthy to be crucified like the King, but we often see ourselves as to high up. We often think that the cross was necessary for Jesus, but optional for us. WRONG!

If you have real faith in a real Jesus, then you would be carrying a real cross.

"So get rid of all the filth and evil in your lives, and humbly accept the word God has planted in your hearts, for it has the power to save your souls" - James 1:21

There are two parts to this message as you see. "Rid" and "accept". Take note of these words. Apply these words.

The Challenge? Its not about who you are, but who you know. Know Jesus. If you know him, you will be changed by him.

P.S. Read James. He knew Jesus

Believe Jesus. Love Jesus. Live Jesus.

Wow Factor

Wow. To some, this word is considered to be slang. To some, it is thought to me simple.

Wow is a word used to express an emotion. This emotion is usually amusement, or delight.

To be such a simple word, it has many synonyms...

- Acclaim
- Admiration
- Applause
- Approbation
- Esteem
- Praise
- Respect

...Just to name a few.

Many say wow to elegant speeches, outstanding physical beauty, or breathtaking and freakish athletic ability.

But what do you say about Jesus. The odd thing about Jesus is that, no matter what religious denomination, no matter what your sexual preference, and no matter what factors in on your belief system, everyone has an opinion on Jesus. Songs are sung to Him, people riot because of Him, and tears run in awe of Him. Whether you love him or hate him, you have an opinion of Him.

Why? For some reason, people flock to Jesus. Religious folks came to criticize, sick people came to be healed, and theives came steal knowledge that was free.

The reason is that Jesus had a "wow" factor. Jesus was the "wow" factor. He claimed to be The Son of God and through his ressurection, like every other claim, proved it to be true. See crazy people have always existed. People have always made ridiculous proclomations. But Jesus is the only one who has ever proved it.

Jesus, through his word and walk, proved to be faithful. Jesus, through his prophecy and his path, proved to be dependable. Jesus never lied, and what he spoke, he lived.

In the book of Revelation, Jesus spoke. In the 22nd Chapter, the last Chapter in the Bible, Jesus made a promise and tells us to be ready when it is fulfilled.

In Revelation 22:12-13 Jesus says, “Look, I am coming soon, bringing my reward with me to repay all people according to their deeds. 13 I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.”

Wow.

As Jesus said He would heal, He healed. As Jesus told the waves to shut up and sit down, they did. As Jesus said he would rise above the grave, He did. And as Jesus said He is coming back, He will.

Stand in awe of Christ. Be impressed. There has been no athletic play, no note in a song, and no peice of art that deserves a "WOW", like Jesus.

Believe Jesus. Love Jesus. Live Jesus.

Thats why...

One question, with one word. A response, a statement, or a simple phrase of redundancy.

Why?

Many people ask why. Why this? Why that? Why me? Why not me? The question can hold so many connotations, point to many situations, and is part of several declarations.

The question why is often ased about Christian principles, and even Christianity itself.

Why Jesus? Why do I have to serve? Why must I go? It was their fault, why must I forgive?

The answer? Jesus said so, thats why.

Jesus said he was The Way, The Truth, and The Life. Thats why it is Jesus.

Jesus washed feet, healed the sick, made wine, and humbled himself to show The Father's love. Why do have to serve? Jesus did. Jesus told us to do the same.

Why must you go? He said go unto all the nations...and he said it with all authority in heaven and on earth. He had the right to say it, and did.

Forgiveness? Your a believer, a follower? Your forgiven. Jesus said it. Don't have a problem with that, right? Forgive others. Jesus said to.

(apologies for the tupe o's)

God still working

Tonight is the farewell. Praying that I follow the example of Paul in his last address, in regards to his boldness and clarity.

PRAY WITH ME.

Brazil Update #2

Today was good.

God continues to show us his faithfulness. He is keeping us safe and well-fed!

We will be having service in the morning, and official service and reach out starts tomorrow afternoon.

Shared the Gospel in town today. Spoke through an interpreter and it went much better than I expected.

Thank you for all prayers!

Please pray that the people we come in contact with will see Jesus and accept him for who He is, what He has done, and what He calls us to do.

Love you all and in Christ,
Seth

Brazil Update #1

We are here!

Everything went wonderfully! Only security issue was my shaving cream. Guess I´ll go with the John the Baptist look the rest of the trip.

We just ate our firt meal here... It was delicioso!

I speak NO portugese. Please pray for me, as well as all of our speakers, and all interpreters.

Thanks for all of your prayers!

I do not have access to phone service at the moment but, email is available.

Please pray for safety, all areas of ministry including medical clinic, street evangelism, and construction teams as they build 3 churches, and etc.

I hope to stay in touch, I love you all, continue to pray for a spiritual revolution to take place here.

Stinkin' excited!

Please be in prayer me as I prepare to leave on Thursday, the 8th, for Belo Horizonte, Brazil. I will be ministering there until July 21st. I will preaching every night. I will also be street evangelism during the day. Please pray for me.

Please be in prayer for my team members. I am part of team that consists of approx. 200 members. This team ranges from doctors to a drama team. God willing, Christ will presented in many ways. Please pray for the team.

Please be in prayer for the Brazilian people. Brazil, like everywhere, needs Jesus. Pray for this need to be met.

Who are you?

Many struggle with the question of, "Who am I?" for a lifetime.

Who are you?

Are you are an encourager? Are you a heart-breaker? Are you a complication? Are you a reflection of righteousness and purity?

Fact: The moments in a day, within your life, define you. The situations that you are in and the way you deal with them answer the question of your identity.

Are you a stumbling stone? Are you the dog with flees to lay with? Are you the son who brings tears to his mother's eyes? Are you the husband or wife that refuses to stay faithful? Are you the parent that is to busy? Are you the friend who brings a million distractions to the table? Are you a reflection of this world?

-OR-

Are you the adult who stays after bible study to pray with a hurting youth? Are you the friend who gives a friend Godly advice, and then lives by it? Are you the parent who loves your child and shows them that with discipline? Are you the brother who escapes all selfishness and bails your sibling out of that terrible situation? Are you a reflection of Jesus?

WHO ARE YOU?

Issue #5: Acknowledgement

The final issue that this blog series will cover is that of Acknowledgement. The fact is that this blog was written for believers. The sad part is that there a many people out there who have gotten faith, belief, and acknowledgment mixed up. We are saved by faith in Christ Jesus. Acknowledgement (belief alone) gets you no where but a false hope.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT: A CALL TO COMFORT
"American Christianity" has twisted the definitions of salvation and redemption so much that it doesn't resemble the same salvation and redemption in scripture. "American Christianity" has added Hollywood effects to the Gospel in attempt to beautify it but has created a falsehood. (The story of God saving mankind needed no beautifying) We, as a nation, have birthed evangelists and preachers that call the lost to acknowledgement instead of repentance. Acknowledgement is simply having the knowledge of a greater power.

Someone who has fallen to the myth of acknowledgement seems to think that everything is okay. These are the ones who have no idea what it means to repent. An individual who only acknowledges that there is a God is one who will sin, say a quick apology, and then move on like nothing occurred. These are the ones who sin and say, "Well, I believe", shrug their shoulders, and move on as if nothing happened. This is comfortable. You don't have to deal with conviction of the Holy Spirit and you get to live your life, thinking that everything is okay. Its not.

"You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that-and shutter." -James 2:19

The demons know that there is a God, they know who God is, and they shutter in fear because they have no commitment or faithfulness to Him. Do you have a reason to fear?


FAITH: A CALL TO COMMITMENT
Acknowledgement and Faith have two different calls and two different outcomes. Acknowledgement requires nothing. Faith requires everything. If you have a true saving faith in Jesus Christ, then you have made a commitment. A commitment to righteousness, and a commitment to a life that is fully consecrated to Christ! Throw out the lies of carnality and take it as it is. As you have faith, you don't only believe, but you act on that belief and follow. What good is it if I say a chair is strong, but don't sit down? What good is it to say a bridge is strong, but not walk? Are you committed to the Call of Christ? Are you a true believer and follower.

The last issue is that all believers aren't believers.

"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 2:18

Issue #4: Tolerance of Sin

Tolerance. Tolerance is a word with many definitions. Obviously it means to tolerate, in general. An example is social tolerance, in which you choose to "tolerate" a specific social idea, movement, or group. Over the years, tolerance has become a roaring trend. Clubs have been set up in schools, political groups have included it in their campaigns, and the media has aired commercials that are in support of tolerance. I am not here to rant about political topics, or to ruffle feathers. I am here to talk about the believer's heart and the tolerance of sin that may be fighting its way in.


TOLERANCE OF NEW IDEAS
Yes, I do realize that many who read this are going to to call me close minded. I just choose to believe the bible.

Tolerance of sin is dangerous, but is not usually obvious at first. Over looking or down playing sin usually starts with the tolerance of a new idea. A thought, image, or idea will become a new trend. Maybe you see it in a movie or hear it in the lyrics of a song. It may not seem like it, but everything that you don't reject, you accept. When you hear song lyrics and say, "Well, thats not that bad", you have accepted the idea portrayed by the words and they become engraved in your mind. You have just tolerated a new idea. This tolerance is the beginning to a long road marked with the tolerance of what sets us apart from God.


IT IS EASY
Sound overwhelming? I agree, but its real. It is easy to become tolerant of the ideas that match the sins that we like. Those who struggle with alcohol see no problem with a sip every now and again or even a "funny" beer commercial. Those who struggle with lust like the new idea of girls wearing long t-shirts as dresses and axe commercials that seem harmless. Just as homosexuals have no problem with idea of two guys kissing. Get my point there? Things may seem harmless because they don't go "all the way" and we happen to a like it "a little". There is probably a guy or girl reading this that is tolerant of "straight" sexual connotations but the minute it becomes gay, it becomes wrong. NEWS FLASH: JUST BECAUSE YOU LIKE OR PREFER SOMETHING DOESN'T MAKE IT OKAY. Homosexuality is wrong and leads to death as every other sin does, and a straight guy's lust happens to be one. Be aware, it is easy.

TOLERANCE OF SIN
Sin. We are all sinful creatures. We were all once lost in our sin, but the moment that we accept Christ we make a commitment to throw away all of the garbage in our hearts and in our lives. If you love God, you hate sin. It is not a choice of preference, but a choice of teams. James, the half brother of Jesus, had this to say...

"You adulterous people, don't you know that friendship with the world is hatred toward God? Anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God."- James 4:4

It is no myth that sin is an issue, and so is the tolerance of it. We are to cast down all Idols, not just the ones that we dislike or struggle with. Oil and water do not flow from the same fountain, so we must rid ourselves of all sin and thoughts that glorify it.
We all have sin and through the grace of Jesus we should declare war on our it. Unless we do something about it, sin is going to keep on cluttering our conscience and finding ways to discourage us. Are you a friend to the world or a friend and child of God.


Ask yourself this question: How long can you pet a rattlesnake?

Issue #3: Holding On

From the time we were born we have been taught to hold on. You always hold Mommy's hand when crossing the street. You always hold on to the bottle because it is oh so good, and you hold on to the handle bars while you learn to ride a bike. Then come the manners. We are taught to "hold on" to our "yes ma'ams" and our "no sirs". We are taught to hold on to our burps at the kitchen table. We are taught to hold on, but are we ever taught to let go?


UNFORGIVENESS
For me forgiveness has always been an issue. I have always needed forgiveness and I have been slow to give it. Growing up, like most, I had a lot of hurt. I had a lot of struggles. Over time I allowed my hurt, my pain, and my disappointment to mold me. As a scared and hurt little boy I learned how to build up emotional walls. As a boy I learned to hold on. I began to grasp on to my pain, holding it tightly, while having no desire to release it.

This hurt quickly turned to anger. As I grew so did my hate for the ones who hurt me. I began to blame myself and the ones who were reaching out to help me. As a young boy, I was wrapped up in the world of unforgiveness.

Things happen, people have pain, and feelings are hurt. People tend to hold on to these hurts and refuse to release the burden. Unforgiveness has always been an issue in relationships, whether it is a friendship, the church, or the family. As we have been taught, we hold on to our past and quickly find out how it has an effect on our future.


SIGNS OF UNFORGIVENESS
Some signals you ask? Anger is the number one, I would say. Hurt has a wicked way of transforming itself into anger. As a result of the pain in my childhood, the older I got the angrier I grew. If you have been hurt in your past(you have) and you find yourself being generally angry or even quick tempered, you probably have an issue with unforgiveness.

For the believer, no sign should be greater or more obvious than the conviction and discernment of the Holy Spirit. If God is telling you that you have an issue with unforgiveness and holding on, YOU DO.


ISSUES WITH THE ISSUE
If what I've said so far hasn't sent up a red flag or two about unforgiveness, this should. Unforgiveness is trap used by Satan so that he can entangle believers and hinder them from submitting to the will of God. He uses it as a rope to tie up our hands and our hearts. There are many issues with this issue. It will rob you of your hopes, your dreams, your joy, and any desire you may have to please God. Satan will use unforgiveness to kill your joy, steal your hope, and ultimately destroy your relationships! This issue has helped put a damper on the work of the Church for centuries.


FORGIVENESS
Forgiveness is a beautiful thing. There is an argument to be made for it's beauty. Forgiveness is a reflection and a product of God's love. We, as followers, have gained the forgiveness of our sins only through the love of God, which was displayed on the Cross of His Son and through the Resurrection of our King. Forgiveness is a beautiful thing! And God has given us the privilege of forgiving others. Forgiveness sets debtors free, erasing all debt. Forgiveness sets slaves free, fulfilling the job. Prisoners are made saints because forgiveness is a beautiful thing.


WHY FORGIVE?
Why? To pass on the gift of God. Why? To get rid of the pain and bitterness that your unforgiveness is causing you. Why? HAVE YOU READ THE PAST SEVERAL PARAGRAPHS?

Maybe a little extra motivation. A liitle more gas in the engine of forgiveness...

Matthew 6:14 "For if you forgive others for their transgressions, your heavenly Father will also forgive you."

We all are sinful. Just as someone has sinned against you, you have sinned against God. We are all guilty. We spit in the face of The King, while screaming for Him to be crucified. How can hold anything against anyone? We are no better than the other. We can make excuses and try to justify it, but the fact is that WE ARE GUILTY and won't be shown forgiveness unless we show forgiveness.


CURE
LET GO. How? Forgive like Jesus did as he died a criminal's death. The desire of every beleiver should be to look like Jesus. Why any different in this area? Defy the nature of man and let go.

Issue #2: Mediocrity

Mediocrity by definition is averageness. Basically this means being okay in a certain area of life and being okay with that. Mediocrity, in my eyes, ranks in the top 3 of issues on the hearts of today's believer. Mediocrity can destroy hopes of obtaining a goal, demolish a family, and even break up the ministry of an individual and a church.

HOW IT STARTS
There are many reasons for mediocrity but if I could pin-point one it would be laziness. As we discussed in Issue #1, we are sinful creatures. As sinful creatures the only way to redemption is Jesus. So when we accept this redemption and salvation He demands and commands us to live like the redeemed. This takes effort. As we were lost in our sin we could do what we wanted and do it when we wanted, but at the moment of salvation we were set apart for the purpose of Christ. My point? Mediocrity begins when we get tired of running the race and slip towards the back of the pack.


BEING OKAY WITH BEING OKAY
Mediocrity is dangerous. Within mediocrity is a serious lie. If you have fallen to mediocrity at one point or another(you have) you have believed this lie. Mediocrity says that God saved you to be comfortable. That it is okay to "just get by".
Inside of mediocrity is complacency. Believers who struggle with mediocrity have no or little desire to grow. They are okay with rotting in the pews every week while feeling no passion for the Lord that they profess to be saved by. Mediocre teams do not win championships. Mediocre actors do not bring tears of enjoyment to audience's eyes. And believers with mediocrity on the heart do not answer the call of Christ effectively nor productively.


KILLER OF PASSION
Mediocrity has murdered the passion of many. It has taken hearts captive and put them to work for the glory of everything but Christ. Through this death of passion, habits are born. Those who once broke sinful habits begin to try and dip their toes in the waters of this world. Mediocrity tells believers that is okay to watch less than appropriate TV shows. It tells wives that flirting with men at work is harmless and tells husbands that lusting over women passing by is decent. It twists young lust and calls it young love. Mediocrity destroys every bit of purity that was in an activity. Mediocrity is not of God. Mediocrity is from hell.


NO OKAY
The word okay should not be part of a believer's vocab. We proclaim to serve a great, and holy God so why not serve Him in that way. There is no okay when it comes to serving Christ. You either are, or you are not. The Lord says that you are either with him or against him. It is that simple. When we fall to mediocrity we are not doing anything to glorify to God. What team is a believer who is okay with being okay on? There is no gray area when it comes to following Christ.


THE CURE
"Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men" says Colossians 3:23. Who do you serve? Is it Jesus? Then why not serve as if so. There is no quick fix to mediocrity but the remedy is simple. Just serve Christ the way he deserves to be served. Do not accept giving anything less than all you have to the Lord. Do not accept okay. A TV show, even a commercial, comes on that does not bring glory to God in the highest? Turn it. Need in the church or of another? Answer it. Have Jesus as Lord and Savior? Serve Him!


THE CHALLENGE
I challenge you to refuse being mediocre. Today make the committment to run the race with endurance and rise up. Live as a true believer, in spirit and in truth. Accept no lust, no pleasure, and no gossip. Be committed to becoming what Christ saved you to be so that you may bring glory and honor to His Name.

Issue #1: The "ME" Disorder

As I searched myself through and through I found many issues and they all had one thing in common: Me.

I asked this series of questions: "Do I want to be great? Do I want to be recognized? Do I want to be needed? Do I want to be a hero?"... If I answered yes, my heart was not where it needed to be. When we answer yes to these questions we create the habit of recognizing "ME".

The "ME" disorder is when all of your wants and all of your desires have to do with ME(YOU). We often look out for numero uno, me, myself, and I. It is my job, my house, my time, and ultimately my life in the eyes of someone who has this disorder. The number one priority of someone who has this disorder is in someway circulating around themselves.

What are your priorities? Are they revolving around you? So often believers make up this list of priorities in their minds and number one is labeled "God". But is it true? I can write a fictional story about being a super hero, but does that make it true? Of course not. Throw out all religious, biased, or fictional answers when asking yourself where your priorities fall. If you fail to do this you simply become wrapped up in another myth of "ME".

John 3:30 says this-


"He must increase, but I must decrease."

When Jesus said get up, leave everything, and follow me he meant it. As we have made a commitment to Christ, all pre-existing appointments have been cancelled and we have been booked for an eternity. It is no longer our agenda, or our schedule but we are to be what and where God commands us to be, when he commands it.

If you want to be great, Christianity is not for you. As Christ called his disciples, he let them know up front that it would not be a walk in the park. He broadcasted the message and allowed everyone there to know that those who followed him would be hated by the world and persecuted abroad. This is not the rockstar lifestyle.

The lie titled, "the Health, Wealth, and Prosperity Gospel", was created for someone with the "ME" disorder. It tells us to come just as we are and that if we simply believe, Christ will paint your porch, wash your car, fill your bank account, and send you on vacation. We have missed a major point. Christianity is not about serving self but about falling to our knees a praising Christ and being thankful that he would even allow us to kiss his feet. Christianity was not meant to focus on Christians but to focus on Jesus as an all sufficient savior.

Obviously Christians gain an eternity with Christ in heaven but we have twisted the Gospel and made it about us. Christ did not only come so that we would accept him, but so that God could accept us. See I am sinful and you are sinful. We are not good, but in the heart of "ME" we create a persona, an untruth, and a myth that says we are great. By doing this we create a long life of disappointment, heart-break, and confusion because we cannot live up to the hype.

THE CURE

Find your cross and carry it daily. Come to a grip with reality and realize that it is not about you. Lay down your life and pick up your cross. I encourage you as a brother in Christ to stop trying to fulfill your childhood dreams, and make Christ your dream.




Believe Jesus. Love Jesus. Live Jesus.

5 Issues on the Believer's Heart

I recently began to dissect my heart. I wanted to go deeper and I knew there were things in my heart that hindered me from doing so. We all have issues. Yes, even you ha. Believers have struggles as individuals and as a whole.

I believe, the Church is at a crossroads. We can choose to grow or simply become non-existent. We can become defeated by the issues on our hearts or reign victoriously with a clear and redeemed conscience.

Over the next work week I hope to unveil 5 issues that can bring down the believer. These are not issues that are outer-existent but that are present in our own hearts.
I hope that over the next 5 days you can hang on and try to eliminate each issue from the surface of your very own soul.

It Is Time

John 4:23 states this...


23 But the time is coming—indeed it’s here now—when true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth. The Father is looking for those who will worship him that way.

Here is a little of what you could call a rant.

It is time for believers to grow up! We need to mature in a way that pleases God, and we need to do so in a hurry. We need to move from the bottle and begin drinking from the cup.
It is time that we refuse to accept mediocrity. This generation needs to fully sell out to the cause of Christ because we were bought at a pice. It is time for us to be a holy and blameless product because the price was paid by the blood of Christ. Through that he gave us His righteousness.
It is time for us to speak with honesty, respectability, and with purity.
It is time that we love God and that we love His.
It is time for us to live like we believe and put to death the lifestyles of pagans and athiests.
It is time to worship in spirit and in truth.

It is time to rise up!




Believe Jesus. Love Jesus. Live Jesus.

Its Miraculous!

Do this. Do that. I want to see this. I know its difficult, but I really need it.

This is how a lot of our prayers sound like. First, we list a few things that we "need". As soon as we finish with our demands, we begin to negotiate a deal. We creat a hypothetical comittment, hoping for a miraculous sign of God.

The jewish leaders asked Jesus for a sign. They were asking The Lord of Lords and the King of Kings to prove himself. Jesus responded by calling them an evil, and faithful generation.(Matthew 16)

We are that generation.

Are you asking for a miracle, for a little insurance. Here is a miracle...Jesus saving sinners through grace.

I am a terrible person. I am a drug addict and an adulterer. I am guilty of fraud, alcohlism, and theivery. I am an orphan. I am despicable. I am a disgrace to the human race that God created. But Jesus chose me. By his blood, by his nail pierced hands, by the crown of thorns that was placed upon his brow, and through his ressurection I am forgiven. He chose us, a sinful nation, over his crown in heaven and gained both. That is Miraculous!

April 25th, Sardis Baptist

Pile of Junk!

I recently began to explore a bag of clothes that I hadn't worn in a very long time, and was reminded why. As I searched through the bag for something decent looking, I began to think(scary huh?). Why would I have been interested to keep any of that junk, at any time? I wasn't wearing any of it, and if I was I would've looked absolutely ridiculous. All that the bag was doing was taking up space. From time to time I would have to move it all and maneuver it so that I could find something worth finding.

Psalm 55:22- "Give your burdens to the LORD, and he will take care of you. He will not permit the godly to slip and fall."

So often we carry around needless junk, not only on our shoulders, but in our hearts. Over time we accumulate pain, heart-break, and bitterness. Our memory allows us to deposit our anger in our minds like you would a large check into the bank. We look at this junk and know that it's weighing us down but for some reason we decide to lug it around with us wherever we go.

This baggage tends to make us miserable. As we look for happiness and joy we find it trapped behind the bars of our burdens. As we try to build new relationships we are soon to find that the painful memories that we hold on to causes us to build up mental and emotional walls. We try to get past it but somehow, this pile of junk always manages to find its way back into our lives and back into the way.

Good news! Psalm 55:22 words it perfectly. So often WE try to remove our junk ourselves. As we continuously find a new place to re-locate it, we become tired and bogged down. It is impossible for US to remove our junk, and this is why we are called to give it to God.

Man has had junk since the Garden of Eden. We sin. Thats why Christ chose to die upon the cross. He chose to rescue us from our junk. And just like we hold on to hurt, we hold on to sin.

This is going to be a short entry because my point is...GIVE IT UP. Whatever it is that you have clinched in your fist and grasped in you heart, let it go. Don't just let it go as a child releases a balloon into the air but release it from you hands into God's. All of our issues cannot fit in our palms and they are to heavy to carry upon our backs. Why not give to someone who has, can, and will handle it? What is stopping you?

You may think that God doesn't want your junk or that he won't accept it. The thing is... God cares for you. He wants to remove the weight of the past from your shoulders. He gave us victory and he desires for us to feel victorious. He seeks to feed the hungry, so be fed. Stop lugging around the junk and GIVE IT UP!

Believe Jesus. Love Jesus. Live Jesus.

Switch-a-roo!

Do you know the definition of a "Switch-a-roo"? As you can already tell, it's not "correct" terminology. To be honest I don't even know if you would classify it as slang. To be totally honest, the only reason I used the term Switch-a-roo was to hopefully catch your attention. Anywho, a switch-a-roo is simply a change.

I know that we have all heard about change. This is a little different than you may have heard. I'm not talking about political change. I'm not speaking of changing your stomach flab to rock hard abs. And by the way, I'm not writing about changing from terrible to mediocre.

Christians are Christians through faith. Contrary to common belief, faith is not only belief but it is belief in action. Faith in Christ doesn't only make a claim, but it makes a change. When or how? Do you really care? Many people profess to love Christ and know the call that comes with him but don't follow through.(But Jesus told him, "Anyone who puts a hand to the plow and then looks back is not fit for the Kingdom of God."-Luke 9:62) Will you?

When Jesus saves your heart, he changes your heart. When he changes your heart, he changes your life. Have you been transformed?

Saves Your Heart.
It all starts with being saved through Christ Jesus. He is the only way to be saved. Christ died on a cross for you, and the rest of humanity. After he died, he came back to life. Some choose to believe this and live like it happened. Both are key components of saving faith. Do you have both? See, we must have faith in Jesus(God's Son). The first step in being changed by Christ, is being saved by Christ.

Changes Your Heart.
If you have been saved by Christ, he changes your heart.

"This is the new covenant I will make with my people on that day,* says the LORD:I will put my laws in their hearts, and I will write them on their minds."- Hebrews 10:16

We usually complain that living for Christ is difficult. It is often so difficult because we are trying to do so on our own. The probable reason for this is that you have not been saved. People without Christ have no power over sin, therefore are defeated by this world. But as a believer, God changes our heart. As he does this he re-writes our morals, our thoughts, and our desires. You begin to hate what you used to lust. Christ gives you love for the people that you used to hate. God is unchanging but changes those who follow him so that may bring glory and honor to him. Are you desiring the same things? Do you love sin as you once did, or are you now desiring things of the LORD? Inspect youself, see where your heart is and see who is controlling it.

Changes Your Life.
When Jesus changes your heart, he changes your life. This one takes alot of common sense. As you begin to have a desire for things of God, you have to begin choosing those things over sin. Sorry for the weak comparison, but it is like a diet. You look in the mirror and don't like what you see. The sight gives you a desire to look differently. You have the desire to lose weight. This desire brings on a choice. What you usually do is sit on the couch, comfortably, and watch TV or read. You know that you need to exercise. Do you sit or get up and take a jog around the block? You love brownies! All of a sudden you get the craving for something belly-filling. Do you take the chocolate or grab an apple?
Desires bring on choices. Paul spoke of these battles within one's heart. Your life should be reflecting and imitating the one who saved you. Is it? A disciple desires to be like his master. You have to decide if you desire this world or God. If you are a true believer, the choice has been made.





Transformed?
Have you been transformed? Has Christ changed you? Has a "switch-a-roo" taken place in your heart and life?

• No? The probability is that you have not expirienced the saving grace of Jesus. With faith comes evidence. Maybe your a young believer. The change is coming. Don't fear, the times may be tough but with a change of heart, your life will be changed easier than anticipated. Maybe you've found yourself in a whole. God didn't put you there, but he will sure help you out. Go back to the Gospel. Change starts and finishes there.

• Yes? Keep it up. Don't get comfortable. Believe Jesus. Love Jesus. Live Jesus.