That Is Enough For Me

  Jesus replied, "Anyone who drinks this water will soon become thirsty again. But those who drink the water I give will never be thirsty again. It becomes a fresh, bubbling spring within them, giving them eternal life."

John 4:13-14(NLT)

Jesus was talking to a thirsty woman. She needed water. But, she was also thirsty for much more. She was thirsty for joy. She was thirsty for a life worth living. She was thirsty was a satisfying relationship. She was thirsty for more than an ordinary drinking well could offer.

Jesus then offered something that would fulfill her need. It would quench her thirst. He called it living water. It would give her true life. What was this living water?

HIMSELF.

We see throughout all of scripture that true life's definition is Jesus. He is referred to as The Bread of Life, and The Resurrection and The Life. We see that this woman sought life in other places than this well. She went from relationship to relationship seeking fulfillment. She knew some about religion, but that also did her no good. The one thing she was lacking was Jesus. That is why we see her broken and thirsty. Jesus is the only one who can fill the gaping hole in our hearts.

I've had a lot, done a lot, and seen a lot. But, none of it even comes close to my Jesus. From popularity and pride to sex and alcohol nothing satisfied me. But, then I met Christ. He washed away my past, and now holds my future. I went from thinking I had friends to having a true friend. I went from empty fellowship to fellowship with the King Himself.

So drink The Living Water, and live for Christ. Sure, people with laugh. Sure, you will be insulted. Yes, your trophies will need to be laid down. All of this has happened and, by God's grace, it will continue to happen. So called "friends" will be lost, jokes will be made, and the road will look lonely. But, it's all worth it. Christ will satisfy.

It may seem like I have lost the world, and indeed I have, but a life spent in The King's courts is good enough for me. My past has been washed away, and my future rests in the hands of The Almighty. That is good enough for me. My thirst has been quenched, and my life has been bought in blood. That is good enough for me. Thankful that Christ is my friend. Fellowship with The King is enough for me.

Are you thirsty? Are you continually searching for satisfaction?

Drink of Christ, and be satisfied. Everything else is worthless.

"ALL ABOUT JESUS!"

I have posted this song before. It is one of my favorites. The fact that Jesus is enough reminded me of it. Let it bless you.



Reality Check!

REALITY CHECK!

 

There are different realities that we must face in life. How we face these realities are in direct correlation with who we are. I am about to give you 3 reality checks. Who are you, and how will you face them?

1.You Will Die.

Unless you are taken up in the rapture (believers only) with Jesus before hand, you will die. This is reality. Your days are numbered.

I remember when I was about 14. I had no thoughts about dying. I was invincible in my mind. I was bullet proof. I lived with no regrets. But, also with no purpose. It was all about me, and I had no sense of urgency for things that mattered. I had no idea that one day I was going to die, so I lived as if I had forever to accomplish things. Knowing little, and doing nothing. I was wrong. I will die. So will you.

 It is time that we come to this realization. This isn't a call to fear, but a call to faith. This is a reality, and we will face it whether we want too or not. Ask the man in the casket.

2. You Must Choose to Live.

Just because you will die doesn't mean you have lived. That slash between your date of birth and date of death can be just a slash. Life isn't a default. Life is a choice. You have to make that slash between the dates on your gravestone mean something.

So what does choosing to live mean? It means not going through the motions. It means having a purpose bigger than yourself. It means leaning on the tree on Mount Calvary. It means not being satisfied with the words "only", "just", "decent", or "okay." It means living with a passion.

Make the choice. The choice to live has a lot to do with the last reality.

John Piper wrote a book titled "Don't Waste Your Life." Read it.

3. Jesus Is Life.

You choose to live by following Jesus. You choose to live by chasing after life.

Reality is anything outside of Jesus is death. Anyone outside of Christ is dead. Signs of true life are not heart beats, or jumping from planes. A true sign of life is passionately celebrating the life of Christ. A true sign of life is fleshing out your faith. James, the brother of Jesus, said for us to be doers of the word. (James 1:22) That is living life. Live Jesus!

 

Are you being realistic? Do you know Jesus?

It is time.

"All About Jesus"

 

Hot Wings and Jesus

I love chicken wings! Really, I do.

Me feasting on some "Jammin' Jalapeno" wings from Buffalo Wild Wings.

Tuesday Nights have been dubbed "wing night" at several local places. I love it. Great wings, and decent prices.

 There is something that most of these venues have in common: TV's! (I enjoy them too, just ask Taylor) On most of these TV's are games. The biggest games of the night are being shown to this packed out restaurant. Most of the people come with jerseys on which signifies the fact that they are most likely sports fans. They call the boys up, throw their Derrick Rose threads on, and get to eating. As a huge sports fan I kinda see it as a celebration. You celebrate your friends, the food, and your sports teams. At any given moment one section of the place is prone to erupt because a made basket or missed field goal. I love it!


We see Levi (Matthew) call some of his boys up to celebrate like this in Luke 5. They all probably strapped on their "Jerusalem cruisers" and headed right over to their buddies house for a feast. When they got their they realized that it wasn't about "Bethlehem barbecue" or the latest gladiator battle. They were there to celebrate Jesus. The bible says that Levi invited Jesus as the "Guest of Honor." Levi was being all about Jesus.


Now, this isn't to bash get-togethers or sports. You can see me enjoying myself in the picture above! But, what if we celebrated Jesus like we do the other things that we love? What if we invited friends over, started relationships, or just lived life in general with the specific purpose of celebrating Jesus?


1. Joy would abound.
 I leave the wing place "full".... My stomach and my heart. If we were full of Christ, wouldn't it be that much better?


2. Relationships would be strengthened.
These times will bring you closer to fellow believers. I know when I jump up and down with the boys we're screaming together. Won't it be the same for those who are "rooting for" Christ?


3. New relationships will be made.
People will see your excitement. They will want to be on winning team too. It's probable that the guys Levi invited were lost. Also, just like sports fans, you will have your doubters. Don't be discouraged. Jesus and Levi had plenty of those.


And, by the way, doesn't Jesus deserve more attention and celebration than sports teams or food? The bible says so. He is THE KING, not Lebron James.

To be ALL ABOUT JESUS, we must celebrate Jesus.

To Those Struggling with Homosexuality, and Their Family Members

Love is not tolerating someones sin. But, Love includes passionately desiring a change of heart in someone who desperately needs it.

This blog isn't just for believers. I'm writing this with love for the lost. I'm writing this with a burden for those who are struggling with homosexuality and their families.

Tonight in class we had a discussion about homosexuality, our culture, and the fact that we as Christians need to make a stand for our beliefs. The conversation hit me pretty hard. We as the Church need to take action. We need to take a stand. That stand needs be on the word of God. We also need to take action by confronting our culture with love and truth. We need to take a personal interest in people. We need to build loving relationships, while at the same time confronting those around us with the truth of the Gospel.

To those who are struggling with homosexuality.....Know that you are loved by God. Know that He wants to adopt you into His family. He wants to set you free from the bondage of this sin, and every other. Know that I am actively praying for you tonight. It is 12:43am and I will not go to bed before lifting you up to God in prayer. I pray that you will have a collision with the grace of God, and that we will all grow closer to Christ.

Those who are close to or even family members to someone struggling with homosexuality, I'm also praying for/with you. The first question is, do you know Christ? And, if you do, are you being a missionary into your family member's life? I hope to partner with you in this.

Tonight my professor referenced a few websites that may help those struggling with this issue. They are listed below. I hope and pray that you visit them. I hope and pray that you seek Christ.

www.exodusinternational.org

www.lovewonout.com

www.newhope123.org

Also, here is a site I hope all you believers will visit, and take action. Vote by May 8th to save marriage. Tell your Pastor, and fellow believers so that we may keep the religious freedoms that we have.

http://www.voteformarriagenc.com/

A Wealth of Poverty

"Such is the fate of all who are greedy for money; it robs them of life." Proverbs 1:19

Forget everything else, chase that dollar, and lose your life.

A big issue in this world is that we have a jacked up definition of "Life". So many today see life as something that you earn or buy. They see it as a piece of merchandise or something with a price tag. If you do, you are most likely saying "I don't do that" right now.

Its hard not too view life this way. Everywhere we look there is an advertisement. The majority of us have always heard that we should do more and work harder so that we can make much and have more. Don't mistake me. Money isn't bad. It's not wrong to work. But, it is wrong to allow your job to work you. It is wrong for your money to make you.

What is life?

Jesus!

"Jesus told her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Anyone who believes in me will live, even after dying."

John 11:25 (NLT)

Money isn't the problem. Greed is. Money being your life is the issue. Making money your God, and unconsciously or consciously prioritizing money over Jesus is the issue.

The fact that the Word says if you make money your life, you're gonna lose it should be warning enough. The thing that gets me is that money isn't worthy of all of our attention. Why worship something that we have to make? Why serve something that can run out? Money is man-made. God is the I AM. He wasn't created. He is CREATOR. Money can run out, and you can go broke. Jesus is eternal. He is now and forever. And, unlike money, Jesus is satisfying. You don't come up needing more. With Jesus you have all need.

Those Jet-ski's? Their good and fun. But, you can't ride them into eternity.

Don't be "all about da money." Be "ALL ABOUT JESUS!"

In The Tomb (Waiting)

"45 The officer confirmed that Jesus was dead, so Pilate told Joseph he could have the body.46 Joseph bought a long sheet of linen cloth. Then he took Jesus' body down from the cross, wrapped it in the cloth, and laid it in a tomb that had been carved out of the rock. Then he rolled a stone in front of the entrance."

Mark 15:45-46(NLT)

You've got to believe that some of the Christians thought is was all over when He was pronounced dead.

You've got to know that there was doubt in the minds of some disciples when HE breathed His last.

There had to be disappointment in John the beloved's heart when he saw them take Him off of the cross.

Mary had reason to question when she saw them roll the stone in front of His tomb.

So many times in life I have thought that it was over. So many times I have faithlessly looked at life's circumstances and saw no sign of hope. I can only imagine how Jesus' followers felt when seeing Him die. The man who they had believed in seemed to be done. They had never thought that this day would actually come. They had seen Him feed 5,000+. They saw Him raise Lazarus. Jesus, dead? Could it be true? Was it all over?

No.

 

The time between His death and resurrection must have been the loneliest time of most of the disciples lives. But, it wasn't over. He did die. But, He wouldn't stay dead. We must remember that, In Christ, it is never over. We must have it written in our hearts that we, as believers, have a living Savior living in us! Though it seemed to be over for Jesus, it wasn't! Three days later He would ARISE!

Believer, remember that it is never over for those who find their hope in Christ. No matter how lonely, dark, or disappointing your path may seem, you have a Light walking the tunnel WITH you. No matter how far away you think you are, Christ is close. Christ is alive. Christ is forever.

JESUS IS KING! JESUS IS ALIVE!

FOR US (Good Friday)

 "But He was pierced for our rebellion,
crushed for our sins.
He was beaten so we could be whole.
He was whipped so we could be healed."

Isaiah 53:5 (NLT)

Last night I sat and watched  The Passion of The Christ. With me was Taylor, my girlfriend, and Matthew, my 9 yr old little brother. This movie is what it is called, passionate.

Jesus passionately prayed in the garden as He sweat bullets of blood.

Jesus compassionately placed the soldiers ear back where it belonged.

Jesus passionately sought after His Father's will.

Jesus passionately took being beaten with rods.

Jesus passionately took being whipped with whips of glass and rock.

Jesus walked passionate steps as He carried our cross to Calvary.

Jesus died a passionate death as He poured out His life and was nailed to that tree.

But, what struck me this most?

IT WAS FOR US!

This wasn't just a movie. These were real events. Jesus was a real man, who was also God. He was really beaten. Real nails went through His real hands. And, yes, His real body arose from a real grave.....

and it was all for us!

That's the glory of the Gospel. The God of the universe sending His Son for our rescue. His Son paying our ransom. Its universal in the fact that He died for all, but its personal in the fact that He died just for you. Each whip, nail, and drop of blood was for you. What should have been us, was Him. He took our place.

For Him?

Realizing this must make us think. We must go further than teary eyes and a tossed stomach. Remembering Christ's cross and suffering confronts us with the question: Do we know Jesus personally? Have we given up our old life and are we living THE NEW LIFE with Jesus? Is our old life dead, on the cross, and have we been resurrected with Jesus?

Breakfast With A Brother

I love breakfast. If you could see me, you would be able to tell. I love eating breakfast at a place in downtown Monroe, NC called The Palace. I get the same thing over and over again. They have liver mush, and they will deep fry it if you ask. I always ask:)

But, the best part of my weekly visit to the Palace is not the deep-fried liver mush. It is the brother with whom I share the meal. He has been a brother, second dad, and mentor. He is my accountability partner. I go to the table each week with all my junk, and unload. It makes for a full plate. But, we don't just unload our baggage. We talk about our Savior. We discuss what Jesus is doing, and how He is always faithful to finish any work that He begins.

"As iron sharpens iron,
so a friend sharpens a friend."

Proverbs 27:17 (NLT)

Who are you having breakfast with? Maybe its not a meal. Maybe its a coffee at starbucks once a week. Maybe its meeting early or staying late. Maybe its being a good host to a friend inside of your home. But, make sure that its happening. Make sure to seek a brother or sister who is IN Christ that will pour themselves into your life and that you can do the same to them. My brother, and mentor, Larry Underwood has taught me that this is part of discipleship. Discipleship is one man/lady pouring their life into another in a way that is totally Gospel centered.

Seek someone. It will take some effort and rearranging of your schedule. But, it's worth it.

 Christianity is relationship based, not religion based. It is all based off of the relationship that we have have with Jesus. I'm convinced that when we have this relationship and understand the Gospel that it will flow into every other relationship that we have.

 

Get a brother/sister, and get sharp.

Using and Abusing (God Given Talent)

 God has granted you with gifts from above. God has blessed you with talents to fine-tune. He has given you abilities and a heart than no one else has...

BUT...

Sometimes I struggle to see this. Often times, I will neglect my God-given gifts and harp on my failures. When I do this, I tend to use my weakness as a excuse to sit on the sideline. When I do this, what I'm really doing is refusing to use the gifts that God gave me to carry out His will.

Don't be afraid. Don't cower away from God-given opportunities to fine-tune God-given talent. I am of the opinion that God is doing something huge, and I am of the belief that He is wanting to use us. He doesnt need us, but He wants us. We are not necesarry, but we are desired. Don't miss out.

Using

What gifts has God given you? USE THEM!

My bestfriend Taylor got me an IPod for Christmas. I love it. I play it when I'm at home, in the car, and at the gym. I enjoy it. She cared enough to pick it out, buy it, and give it to me. I don't have any trouble using it. I wish I was this way with God's gifts.

I wish I would use them everywhere I went. I wish I would use them even if someone makes me mad and pulls out in front of me on the highway. I wish I would value others enough to share what God has blessed me with.

God has given these gifts to bring glory to His name. He took time to perfect you in your mothers' womb to bring attention to His face. We need to use our gifts to show others HIS GRACE. These gifts are in you, for HIS USE.


ABUSE

We abuse God-given gifts by refusing to use them, or by using them the wrong way.

Some of us are just lazy and selfish. Some of us hear God's call, but we resist. We hate the idea of moving. We would rather let our talents go to waste than stand up and use what Christ has already done for us. My mom used to say this all the time and I hated it, but Mama knew what she was talking about...

"If you dont use it, then you'll lose it"- My mothers' response to my lasiness in school

Don't be a sloth. There is no sitting on the fence, or the branch.

God gave you gifts for His glory. Not yours. He didn't give you gifts for you to boast or become prideful. He didn't give me gifts so that I could puff up my chest. He gave me gifts so that I could, by His grace and help, effectively love others and show them how awesome the one true God is. Sure, your cool, but not as cool as Jesus. Just saying.

Use the gifts that God has placed in you, but dont abuse them.


Curve-ball:
Here is a little bit of encouragement for your walk. I recently started praying for some folks in and around my life. I have found out that it has opened doors to be educated in their lives, and it may have helped me grow just as much as anything else. Pick someone in your life. Pray for them specifically everyday. Let them know after the first day of making this commitment. Stick to it and grow together. You never know the impact that lifting up someone to the Lord could make.....Ready, set, go!



Hakuna Matata (It means no worries)

Call me crazy. Call me childish. Call me whatever you want, but there is no doubt... The Lion King is one of the best movies of all time. It is my favorite ("A Time to Kill" being a close second).

Taylor recently bought me a coffee cup. It is the only one that I will drink out of now. It's quality.


This would be the cup. You can see why it is relevant...

 I doubt Disney did it on purpose, but this thought of no worries has scriptural relevance.

"Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done" -Philippians 4:6

I was talking with my Dad recently about time. Time is flying by. The last year has flown by. Thanksgiving is this coming week, and Christmas is just a month away. I got to thinking about this. I think that time flies by because we are so stinkin' busy. The time is full of our "business" and it disappears into moments.

With so much going on, it's easy to worry. It is easy to become stressed over everything that is jam-packed into our everyday lives.

" How am I going to pay for this? I need to get this, this, and that done. And, I'm having relationship problems."

Sometimes we just need to shut up, and quit thinking so much. We need to let all of those worries go. Not one of those thoughts will add another moment to our lives, but in actuality could shorten them. Christ has our best interests in mind. And, if we belong to Him, He is going to take care of us.

Christmas is known to many as a time of joy. But, to many it is a season of depression and grief. Many are reminded of lost loved ones. Loneliness will inhabit lots of hearts. People will struggle with unforgiveness and hate. If you are one of those struggling, know that Christ loves you. Know that He has a plan for your life. The biggest part of that plan was a gift name Jesus. Go to Him so that He can meet you with compassion and love. Open your heart with prayer and live a life of no worries.

Enjoyable, and The "I'm gonna throw up" Feeling

Somethings in life should make us happy. Somethings in life should make us smile. Lots of things in life should cause us to laugh, and enjoy life. But, other things have an opposite effect.

This post is to encourage you to enjoy the things that God has made for you to enjoy. Enjoy good friends, enjoy good food, enjoy His word, and enjoy His creation. When we do this, let's enjoy Him. Let's enjoy all He has given us and turn back to Him the praise for it. God loves you, and has given you gifts to enjoy. Eat those things up. Bathe in God's grace to you.

But, because we love God, and praise Him for what He has done, we are to be disgusted with everything else outside of that. Our view of God defines our view of the world, sin, and everything that makes up who we are. If we have a big view of God, we see sin as serious and destructive. If we love God, we hate our sin. If we are running towards God, we are running away from everything else that is not headed in that direction.

Enjoy God, and cringe at everything outside of Him. We are in a battle. Life and death. We are supposed to be the outsiders of this world. The bible actually calls those who belong to Jesus foreigners of this land. Everything you post, say, do, and wear will be analyzed. Make sure you reflect Christ by enjoying Him, and pushing away everything else.

Remember that the King loves you, and live by His grace today.

Good, Pleasing, and Perfect.

We spend our whole lives searching. We search for something solid. We look for something steady. We look for something that stands up when others sit down. We live our journey focused on something that will make us happy. We pour energy into finding something that works. We have sleepless nights and stressful days while striving to find that perfect path...or one that at least works half of the time.

Search no longer.

If someone has ever told you that the Word of God isn't true that person is a liar. If someone has told you that the Word of God is not applicable don't listen to another word they have to say on the subject.

Romans 12:1-2 has been on my heart big time the last 2 weeks.

Romans 12:1-2
1 And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him.2 Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God's will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.

In a world full of uncertainty, this passage tells us that we can be certain. As the world rushes around searching without a clue, the Word says that we can have much more than a clue. God has HUGE plans for your life. He has a plan for your life that leads to good things. A plan that is pleasing to you, and Himself. This plan is perfect, unlike any other plan. But, none of that matters unless we respond correctly to God's grace.

The way to respond to God's grace is to offer ourselves back to Him. The bible says that by God's grace we were bought at a high price. Therefore, we no longer belong to ourselves. As believers, we have been made a new creature by belonging to Jesus. He deserves us. He is worthy of our lives. He is calling us to give up our life so that we may live a life that glorifies Him, but one that also satisfies us.

How awesome is that? God has our best interests in mind. Though He wants our life, He wants to give us one that is worth living. God loves you so much that He wants to give you something that will be good, and that will last forever. This is the calling that you have been searching for!

Turn it over. Don't debate if it's worth it or not. Jesus is better. I can tell you from being in the will of God and not being in the will of God, that following Jesus is much better than not. That doing what God has called me to do has been much more pleasing than living a life full of lust and sin. Knowing God's plan for my life by giving it to Him has been far more peaceful than living on the edge and not knowing what will come next.

You may be looking at what you will lose, but you will get so much more in return. Something that is good, pleasing, and perfect.

Jesus is better.

Shoes to Fill...

This week has been a good week. Jesus keeps on blessing. I've needed some new shoes for a while. This week Christ blessed with not only one new pair, but two. As I was looking in the store, I was having a little trouble finding my size. My feet are not huge. So I tried on several pairs that didnt fit just right. My heel would slide when I stepped, my toe would bend at the end, or the shoe was just plain uncomfortable. But, when I found the right shoe with the right fit, I knew it. There was no need for me to look at any other shoe similar to it. No need to consult an employee there at the store. When it fits, it fits.

Sometimes life is like this. I know sometimes I feel like I just haven't found my place. From time to time I will get the feeling that my life and I just don't fit.

What do you do when the shoe doesn't fit? You don't quit. You pick up another shoe, knowing that you will eventually find your size. In life we have to keep trying. We have to keep searching. We have to know that Christ has a plan for us, and that He will help us find it, to live it.

This can get dangerous. Sometimes we get fustrated and look elsewhere. We forget the best source, and settle for something that seems to work temporarily. But, when we do that with shoes we end up with blisters and ugly toes. That's gross. Don't settle for a plan that doesn't fit. God's is the only plan that will. Don't settle for something that seems alright now, but will leave you sore after walking in it a few days. Don't get frustrated with your faith, and settle for living in doubt of the fact that God loves you. Don't change stores by buying crap like alcohol, sex, and pride from the world. That things are not in your best interest. And, your best interest is in God's plan.

Know that God chose you. He chose you for a purpose. He chose you for a life. He chose to have His Son crucified so that you could live that life. Don't settle. Find the shoe that fits and wear the bottoms out.

What I'm Gonna Do When I Grow Up

When I was a kid, believe it or not, I wanted to be an artist. That's right, an artist. I loved to draw. One my favorite movies ever, even now, is the Lion King. When I was a kid I would spend all day drawing lions. Looking back my lion looked like a moose, but I had my mind set on being an artist. But, as you can see, my dreams changed.

Cover via Amazon

Plans change with time. We grow, and we take steps back. One day we want to be an astronaut and one day we want be the next Brett Favre. One day we want to get the job, and the next we're looking for a new one. Oh, one day we are sold out to serving Christ, and the next we allow our plans get in the way.

We must remember, as believers, we live according to the Lordship of Christ. We must keep in mind that Christ has a plan for us, and it is better than any dream that we could ever dream up.

This gets tough. But, from the very beginning of our Christian walk we are made into a new creation. This new creation is one with a new mind, a new heart, and a new life with new plans. All of those new things are made new not only to clean our slate, but to focus us fully on Christ. We are made new so that we can be who Christ wants us to be, and so that we may live the life that He has called us to live.

Sometimes we look at this and we get discouraged, but it should give us great joy. Living for the plans of Christ, we cannot fail. He will not let us fail. Living for Christ, we do not have to meet the expectations of others. But, God's expectations are being met by what Christ is doing through you.

Here are some verses to help remind you that Jesus and His plans for your life are superior to any fantasy.


Jeremiah 29:11

"11 For I know the plans I have for you," says the LORD. "They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope."

Romans 12:1-2
"1 And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him.2 Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God's will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect."

Psalm 32:8
 “I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you and watch over you.”

Psalm 118:8
 “It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man.”

Proverbs 3:5-6
 “Trust in the LORD with all your heart; and lean not upon your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct your path.”

Psalm 121:3
 “He will not let you stumble; the one who watches over you will not slumber.”
1 Corinthians6: 19-20


1 Corinthians 6:19-20
“19 Don't you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself,20 for God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body.”

Proverbs 16:9
“A man’s heart plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps.”

Matthew 6:33
 “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.”

The Green Mile

What does the color Green remind you of? March maybe, because of St. Patty's day. Maybe Spring because of the new life. Maybe you're a fan of the Packers. What about allergy season? Or, infection.

Green is also associated with ENVY. We talked about envy last night in our youth Bible study. One youth reminded us of the synonym, JEALOUSY. To, in other words, want what you don't have. You envy others who have it, and you become jealous because you don't. We talked about people that we are envious of. On the list were the rich. Athletes were mentioned.Others among the many were pretty girls, people with good parents, and those with power. It was obvious to us that we all have envious hearts, but we seemed to all agree on another point as well:

What Christ Has For Us Is Better.

We looked at our lives. We saw instances where we were given what we had asked for and it usually didn't turn out like we had planned. The stuff that we so desired usually came up short. It wouldn't be enough once we had it. Or, it would make us miserable. The bad relationship or big house would leave us with more cleaning up to do than we had in the first place. This conversation echoed the statement: What Christ has for us is so much better than anything this world can offer us.

But, life gets hard. Our desires run wild. And, sometimes we forget what God has promised us while we look at what our neighbor has. Here are some verses to help you not turn green:

Romans 12:2

Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God's will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.

Hebrews 13:5"Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”
 

John 10:28-30

"I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father's hand. I and the Father are one.”

Luke 22:25-3025 Jesus told them, "In this world the kings and great men lord it over their people, yet they are called 'friends of the people.'26 But among you it will be different. Those who are the greatest among you should take the lowest rank, and the leader should be like a servant.27 Who is more important, the one who sits at the table or the one who serves? The one who sits at the table, of course. But not here! For I am among you as one who serves. 28 "You have stayed with me in my time of trial.29 And just as my Father has granted me a Kingdom, I now grant you the right30 to eat and drink at my table in my Kingdom. And you will sit on thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

"Shhhh, You Shouldn't Say That In Church."

Work was somewhat fun tonight. I'm a waiter. I am the only male waiter, so you can only imagine what the atmosphere is like. Well, it's always interesting when Jesus and other sensitive subjects as such come up.

Tonight a conversation was occurring and someone looked at me and said, "You don't mention that in your sermons do ya?"

The conversation didn't go much further. No one got angry. And, no heated discussion broke out. No real story to tell. But, it did leave me thinking. I was left asking myself questions. What needs to be discussed in church, and what is appropriate to be discussed in church?

My thought:

Everything that effects the believer and the world that believer lives in should be addressed, by the church, for the benefit of the church and the furthering of the Gospel.


Some believe that cultural, political, and somewhat personal topics should be left undiscussed inside of the church. I would disagree. I am strong believer in the idea that many of the churches issues today stem from undiscussed, therefore unresolved, topics and sins of yesterday.

Many topics seem to be "hush-hush" in the church. Like, why do some people see the need to whisper the word "sex" in church. We treat this and other terms like homosexuality, alcohol, and politics like curse words. In many situations, some churches refuse to address sin by not discussing topics like divorce, homosexuality, and modern day idolatry. When we do this we run from ruffling others' feathers by discomfort and awkwardness, but we also run from discipleship and growth.

I strongly believe that the church is called to be much more than just a place of weekly worship. It is a great responsibility of good biblical churches to teach and educate. Not only on Genesis and the Ten Commandments, but on tough topics that it's members will face day to day. We must know where Jesus stands, so we will know where to stand.

We, as the church, must also know the culture of the people in which we are trying to reach with the truth of Gods love. We must know who we are talking to so that we may effectively approach them with the gospel. As disciples, we are called to be doctors. We must know sickness when we see it. We must know how to treat the sickness. When we refuse to discuss and be educated on our culture, we are like a man who calls himself a doctor but refuses to treat patients and refuses to treat them correctly.

It is important for these issues to be first discussed in the church so we do not create for ourselves a view that is incorrect. We need to learn about these things as a congregation and by studying the Word. The way we view God determines the way we view everything else. They are not separate views, but one runs in correlation with the other. Listen to what C.S. Lewis said:

“I believe in Christianity as I believe that the sun has risen: not only because I see it, but because by it I see everything else.”

Fall (HOOK'EM)

So, the weather man says, it's going to start feeling a little like fall this weekend. With highs in the 60's, and a nice breeze, summer seems to be saying bye-bye.

 

I am pumped! Fall is my favorite season! Winter is my second. I'm not a fan of walking outside and sweating instantly. I love the coolness in the air, the ability to wear jeans, and the comfort of my TEXAS hoodie. (HOOK'EM!) Fall also means that football is in full swing. Though the first few weeks have passed, this is when things get serious. My Longhorns are playing well, so fall is looking to be even better than usual.

Image via Wikipedia

HOOK'EM HORNS

I'm excited for mornings. After the gym, I'll be able to come home and go out for a run. I'll be able to see my breath on the extra-cool days. Then I'll be able come back, grab some coffee, and do some from porch sittin'.

BTW, the Pumpkin Spice Latte is back at Starbucks.

Oh, did I mention the leaves? I love'em. Burnt orange (HOOK'EM!) is my favorite color. I love looking outside and seeing the awesome combination of orange, yellow, brown, and such. Nothing like it. I'm hoping to make some mountain trips. Hike some, and just enjoy the outdoors without sweating my way through my t-shirt.

Oh yea. The boots.

My boots. I have had the same pair of work boots since the sixth grade. Yes, I have graduated high school, and yes they do still fit. I wear'em huntin'. I wear'em out. I may even wear'em to church. But, you better believe that I'm gonna wear'em.

So, get out. Enjoy it. Don't let this season pass without making some memories, watching some football, and wearing jeans.

Better.

Adam and Eve chose the Apple.
Kane chose jealousy and murder.
David chose pleasure.
Samson chose Delilah.
The Israelites chose the wilderness.

But ask them...

and they will tell you that Jesus is better.







Throughout  the bible and history, the human race has had to make a choice. As we have lived, temptations and options have been offered from the world. From an item of our worldly desire to a refusal to follow the road in  which we have been called, we have been called to choose.

We have been called to Christ. We have been called to salvation and to walk with Christ in submission. Loving Him, and serving Him. But, sometimes we choose wrong. We get cloudy minded. We fall into a slumber. We fall into sin.

We do this thinking that it will pay out. We do so thinking that the temporary and instant pleasure will be worth it, but also knowing that in the end it won't be. We look at all of our options, and weigh them out like we are looking at the dollar menu at McDonald's. But, when choosing anything other than Christ, we settle. It's like settling for McDonald's when you could be eating at Ruth's Chris. Jesus is Better.

Ask Peter. This man chose denial over Jesus. He refused to know Jesus to save himself from bodily harm. But, it made him miserable. But, by grace, Jesus came back to him. Jesus reiterated His call on Peter's life, and told him to feed His sheep. Peter did so. By grace, Peter built the early church. Though Peter faced persecution, and what Peter was called to do was tough, he did so with His joy in The Lord. Peter would tell you that Jesus is better.

What choices are you having to make? Have you already made the wrong choice? Are you leading a life of addiction? You may be refusing to follow God's calling. You may be looking for a way out. Just like Christ offered a way out to Peter, He is offering His grace to you. He is giving you an opportunity to choose Him. Don't wait. You may not have much more time. And even if you do, you don't want to waste it on anything other than Jesus. Why?

Jesus Is Better.

What I'm Reading

Being in The Word of God daily is an essential part in growing in Christ. When approached correctly, not out of duty or obligation, it is an awesome time of fellowship and companionship. It is a time where we read from the very lips of God, and learn so much, as we all need to.

I can tell when I read, and when I don't. The days that I don't read are drastically different from the days that I do.

Do you drink coffee? I do. I love it. I love it, because when I drink it I feel like I fly off a trampoline into my day. When I don't? I'm sluggish. I get tired rolling the sleeves of my shirt up. Reading the Bible daily is like this. But, multiplied by 8765348756238765. Reading the Bible starts your day off with Christ. How could that not effect your day so much more than caffeine?

Dudes, the probability is that you make time for Sportscenter. Girls, you make time for makeup and hair. Which is more important to you, growing in Christ or growing in your knowledge of Cam Newton's passer rating? Do you love yourself (hair and image) or Jesus more? Prioritize. Be faithful to read the Word. It'll change your life.

I'm currently reading Nehemiah. It is changing the way I think. Christ, through His word, is changing my faith. Nehemiah's fear of God is being used to impress on my heart the reality of Christ. Nehemiah's commitment to God's will is challenging me to become a man of promises kept, and not a social prostitute. Faith is not a part of the Christian life. It is the WHOLE thing. Reading the Word is an essential part of our faith. The Word keeps us grounded in our faith, and turns us into people who are faithful.

Read, and grow. 

A Fresh Start

Awesome stuff I heard on my way home last night. I often listen to a local christian radio station, K-Love 94.1. This station isn't the norm. It is focused on doing ministry, and I'm encouraged by it almost every day.
www.klove.com Take a look.

Well, back to my point. Last night they were talking about an event coming up this Sunday morning. It's national "Back to Church Day". I thought it was cheesy at first, but I kept listening. The focus is to get those who have gotten out of the habit back in the habit. There are many who have left church for various reasons, but this could serve as a fresh start, even if local churches don't even recognize this day.

Maybe you've gotten out of the habit. You may be saying, "Well, we're looking for something new", or maybe you were hurt by something and have no intentions on making your return to Christian fellowship. Listen, Christ loves you. Christ wants you to grow in Him. Christ knows that being in fellowship, and coming together with other believers is essential. Let me encourage you to get in a good, bible believing and teaching church. There is no better time than now. Say, "No more excuses, No more procrastination", and get back into the swing of things.



To those who are in church. I also heard a statistic that blew me away! According to a source, 82% of unchurched people would consider coming to church if they were invited. 82%! That's a huge number. All you have to do is invite. Be who Christ has called us to be. Tell others about Christ, and try to get them into church. Though an invitation to church is not the Gospel, it is a big part of individual growth and discipleship. Get out of your comfort zone, and penny loafers. Put on your gloves and work boots. Get to it, Church!