Neither Do We Offend

                Now a days, so many devoted Christians are worried about offending others just so they do not fit the stereotype. Just the other night, a relatively new Christian that I know was asking an older wiser Christian about death and judgment and many other theological things. A statement came up that caught my attention.

                "So, how do you mention Hell without offending someone?"

                One of the Christian club leaders, Beth, stepped in and spoke wisdom. "You cannot bring up Hell without offending someone. Hell is an offensive topic, but we cannot be afraid of bringing it up and be honest. When someone who is not a believer asks if we believe that they are going to Hell, the answer is always going to be offensive. But we cannot forget that the Word is offensive. It is a double-edged sword piercing the hearts of unbelievers. It is offensive. So do not be afraid if someone feels offended. You must continue to come in love, but the Holy Spirit will move in other people and convict them."

                As important as it is for us to come in love, we also must remember that the message that we are coming with is a double edged sword, which piercing unbelievers with conviction. (Hebrews 4:12) It is a message that tells them everything that they knew in the ugliest light, but offers a redemption that a conscious sinner could only dream of, but for free. Who would not get offended from hearing, "you mess up and you are going to the worst place that could ever exist." Anyone would get offended!

                Here is the key difference, though. When that sentence comes from a complete stranger with no love, no personality, and all scripture, it will chase away any non-believer. But imagine your best friend, someone you trust with your heart and soul, tells you that they love you and are worried about you and want to help you. They see your life style, they know your pain, and they want you to be set free from the burdens, the depressions, and the anger. Which sounds like a message you would rather hear?

                No, this is not a "how to evangelize" session; but it is important to remember that we are speaking a powerful tool and we need to know how to handle it with delicacy. It can offend others easily, and we do not want to offend others; but we must remember that the Holy Spirit will convict others and we cannot step in the way of that just because we do not want to rock the boat.

                It is a tricky line to walk, but handling a double-edged sword is not easy. We must know the tool that we are using, present it in love, and let conviction be handled by the Holy Spirit, not us. We are to present this message in love, not judgment or wrath. Leave those things to the one who sits upon the throne.


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Broken Chains

                The cool thing about Christianity is that once you let Christ set you free, you are free for life! When Christ helps you to overcome a sin or a struggle, you never have to go back again. When God lets you overcome the flesh, you never have to submit to it again. When Christ sets you free, two things happen: you are set free from sin and you are set free from your past.

                "There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of Life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death. For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. By sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, He condemned sin in the flesh, in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit." (Romans 8:1-4)

                It is because of Christ that we are set free from the sins that held us down and the consequences of these sins. It is because of Christ that we no longer have to submit to our addictions and sins and other desires of the flesh. Christ has freed us from it all!

                On top of that, Christ has also freed us from the spiritual consequences. He has set us free, making us no longer a slave to sin. He has wiped the sin out of our heart. He has set us free from the wages of sin, which is death (Romans 6:23) It is because Christ set us free that we can rejoice in Heaven for all of eternity. It is because of freedom in Christ that we no longer have to be spiritually dead. it is because of freedom in Christ that we are able to have a relationship with Christ.

                He has broken the chains off of us and we can rejoice knowing that we are new in Him! We are freed from all of our former addictions, former worries, former sins, and anything else of this world that held us down. Christ has set us free from it all!

                "It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery." (Galatians 5:1)


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God Wants to Talk to You

                Imagine if the most powerful person in the world wanted to make you his best friend. Imagine if the most royal name in history said that you were the heir to his kingdom. Imagine if the richest man who has ever lived told you that he wants you to inherit everything. Now, how would you react? Would you try to contact this genuine outreach back, or would you send someone else to send your message?

                God, the omnipotent, sovereign, and most rich being that has ever existed wants to talk to you, and not in a bad way either! He wants to build a personal connection with you. No, He does not want anything from you. He has everything, He made everything, and He can make anything. What does He need you for?

                The truth is, He does not need you. He has everything under control. When Jesus was being arrested and His disciples were trying to save Him, He stopped them and said, "do you think I cannot call on my Father, and He will at once put at my disposal more than twelve legions of angels?" (Matthew 26:53) He does not need our help. So, if He needs nothing from us, why does He care so much about involving us in His plan?

                Imagine a baker and his son. The baker makes a delicious triple layer cake and has the perfect idea for the frosting. As he picks up the tools the begin frosting, his soon looking in aw, waiting to see what His father will create, the baker pulls out a step stool. He brings his son upon it and puts the icing in his hand. "I want you to help me make my cake." The son looks at his father in shock. He has seen his father's creations before. "Me?" He says in surprise. "I will just mess it up." His father puts his hands over his sons and smiles. "I will help you."

                This describes God's plan for our lives. He does not need our help. Look at trees, look at the fine tuning of life, look at the human body. God did not need our help, and never will He need it, but He wants us to be involved in His glorious plan out of love. He can do anything, and He chooses to show it all through us.

                This loving God who needs nothing and wants you to take part in His glory is real! He wants to talk to you. He wants to include you in on His plan. "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose." (Romans 8:28) "'For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the Lord, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.'" (Jeremiah 29:11)

                God wants to involve you in a plan where you receive life, love, power, and peace unlike anything that you could ever experience on Earth. He wants you to be filled with joy and covered in peace. This is God's plan. Will you answer God? He wants a personal connection with you. The real God.

                Some may say, "well I have tried talking to God and He did not talk back." I can say two things that I am sure of. If you tried talking to God and He did not talk back, three things happened: 1) you were not talking to the real God, but instead to the God that you would want running the universe (AKA an imaginary version of you as God) 2) you did not hear God because your relationship isn't strong enough for you to hear Him! If you are not chasing after Him with all of your heart instead of just testing God, you will not hear Him speak. 3) You did not even give Him enough time to respond. Because He did not speak in the way that you wanted in the time that you wanted, you assumed that He was not real.

                God wants to talk to you, but are you willing to talk with Him instead of at Him? Are you willing to listen as much as you talk? Are you ready to hear God? If you want to build a relationship with God, the first thing that you have to do is invite Him into your life. When He is inside of your life, then you will be able to hear what He has to say to you. Once He is inside of your life, ask God to build you relationship so that you can know what the real God of the universe has to say. Then, you will see and hear Him talking to you, building your relationship a little more each day.

                God wants to talk to you. Will you listen?


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Why is Peace Impossible?

                Peace seems to be the world's objective. Peace in the world means "the normal, non-warring condition of a nation, a group of nations, or the world," or "a state of mutual harmony between people or groups, especially in personal relationships." If the world wants peace so badly, and all of humanity is striving for peace, why do we not have it yet? The answer is simple: we will never, no matter how hard we try, have peace on Earth.

                Now, that sounds like a hateful statement. As a Christian, aren't I supposed to be loving? Well, yes, I am loving. I love you enough to tell you the truth. Unlike cancer, which we have just recently been discovering and researching cures for; war and strife have been around for as long as the world as been around, whether that be six thousand years or far beyond it. The point is, war has been here long enough for us to have found the cure to it by now.

                What if humanity bands together in a united front against war for peace? Well, looking at the United State's track record, we have been a nation for 230-something years, and we have been in war for about 203 of those years. We have had two World Wars, the Holocaust, slavery for thousands of years, most of the rich who have more money than they could literally spend do not give to the poor, famous rap stars who are role models for children are fighting with each others and calling women out of their names, the world is telling women to find their identity in sexuality and telling men to find their identity in how many women they can have and how much more masculine they can be than the other guy. The world is not united and never will be. There is too much selfishness going on. There is too much of a need for self to be selfless enough to create world peace.

                The world's definition of peace, according to any large contributor of any peace statue or memorial, is to say "put aside your individualities, find the one thing that you all have in common, and find peace." This train of thought makes no sense. Not everyone has the same heart for the homeless, or the orphans, or the hungry, or other nations. Not everyone has the same passions. The only one thing that every human being has in common is that we are all humans, and that is even broken down into those who believe humans are a form of animals and those who do not. There is no common ground to form peace!

                Aside from that, what is the point of peace where we all have to give up our believes? We have an entire culture against giving up their individuality and conforming. We have had the theme of fighting society and the mainstream idea ever since books were written. No one in the world wants to become one with each other, but everyone wants world peace. What would practical world peace look like?

                I believe the only home for world peace will come after the world is gone. When Jesus reigns supreme at the right hand of the Father, we will all want joy and happiness for each other, we will all have pure intentions. That is all that it takes. When we want joy for one another coming from pure intentions, there will not be a need for the word peace because we will live in it. Who would start a fight with someone if you want to feed them and give them the clothes off of your back? Who would escalate to an argument when your intentions are about hearing the other person out so that you could seek knowledge and understanding. Who would go hungry when money has gone away and everyone just wants to feed everyone? What problems would be left if everyone became selfless, had good intentions, and wanted the best for others? No war or violence would break out. It would be a selfless, understanding, loving community. That is how peace will be made.

                That peace is promised to us by Jesus Christ. Humanity has been trying to get world peace for thousands of years, or hundreds of thousands depending on your world view. We have not achieved it. In fact, we are only getting worse. Humanity does not have what it takes to run itself into world peace. We can only run ourselves deeper into the ground. God is the only one wise enough and loving enough to bring world peace. John 14:27 says, "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid."

                The only way to peace is through the most selfless, loving, and purest soul that has ever walked this Earth: Jesus Christ, the one who died a brutal death so that our sins may be forgiven. He is the only person selfless enough to give up all power, all royalty, all glory, and all riches to become a slave for the humanity that He created in order to be beaten, whipped, scarred, and hung on a cross for us, at no need for Him. He is the only person that died for all of humanity without it being a necessity or a benefit to Him. He owns all; but He loves us so much that He wants us to have a chance at peace through true freedom.

                "I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world." (John 16:33)


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Step Down

                We serve a mighty God who is able to do all things. There is no limit to what He can do. He is sovereign over all, so He controls all. There is no force than can escape Him or disobey Him if He commands something to be so.

                When my friend was talking about a group of Christians that were all praying over each other and doing radical things, I wanted to get in on it in a heart beat. I began to think on it and fear set in. "What if I try praying over someone and I say something stupid," or "what if God is trying to say something and I say it wrong?"

                I had to take a second and realize that I was worrying over nothing. My biggest mistake would not be saying something stupid; but it would be not trusting God. I was too worried about what I would do and what I would say that I forgot to step down and let God be God and let Him have control. He knows what He is doing and He does not need my help defending Him or working for Him. Me being a part of His master plan is a blessing for me, not a help to Him.

                As I began to fear making mistakes, I realized that all I had to do was step down, stop trusting in my flesh, and start trusting God. My first step was to admit that God would always be fine and that I needed to let God be God. My next step was to pray to God for more faith and for the strength to step down and trust in Him over the flesh. The last step was to let God be God!

                Maybe you want God to do something huge in your life and you are afraid, or maybe you want to experience God but you do not know how to. My advice is this: if you want to experience God, put your trust in Him to do what He wants to do, and let God be God. He will move how He wants to move and if we want to see it we must not worry about us or anything else. We must simply pray to God for help, and let God be God!


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Faith in Trials and Tribulations

                During our lifetime, there will always be trials and tribulations to overcome. There will always be struggles to face, obstacles to pass, and problems to solve. Sometimes, we may come up against something that feels as if it were life or death and we have two options: fight or flight.

                It is so easy for us, as humans, to want to take the flight option and run away. Why face the problems when we could just avoid them? Sometimes, this is the wise decision, but let us say that your faith is on the line. Let us say that someone holds a gun to your face and says that your fate is in their hands. Will you abandon your faith to be made a fool of, or will you pray to God for a way out.

                A gun may seem like a harsh example, but as Christians we are to expect trials and tribulations of all kinds, even here at home. We are to expect trials and tribulations of all kinds at any time as the way to build our relationship with Christ (Acts 14:22) and to build our patience (Romans 5:3). Trials and tribulations, as scary as they may seem, are actually for our benefit because it grows us and brings glory to God when we overcome it (Ephesians 3:13).

                Now, some may ask, "why do we have to go through this stuff? Why can't we just accept Christ and go to Heaven?" Well, to be honest, it doesn't matter what path you choose, because we live in a sinful world there will always be tough times. The benefit of being a Christian is that we have God and other Christians who will make these trials and tribulations seem like nothing. Trials come, "so that the proven genuineness of your faith - of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire - may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed." (1 Peter 1:7) It is through these trials that God may be glorified and that we may grow closer to Him. It is also through these trials that others may see how God carried you through these storms, making it seem as if the trials and tribulations were never even there in the first place. When you overcome trials and tribulations through Christ, you glorify Him and make others wonder who this Christ Jesus is. Imagine the souls that could be brought to God if we just let God take control when storms hit our lives!

                So, trials and tribulations will come: how do we overcome them? Sometimes, the idea of trials and tribulations is a scary thought. In other countries, Christians are being put to death just for believing. Christ calls us to have that kind of faith because He had that kind of love for us. He died for us, so why would we not die for Him? Can we not be that grateful? As Christians, death and trials are not things to worry about. God gets us through our trials and death is just our doorway into Heaven. There is nothing to fear when you put your trust in God.

                If trials and tribulations of any kind scare you, turn to God now! Storms hit our lives without warning. If you do not have the faith to trust in God to get you through everything, and you want that faith, build it now!

                "But if from there you seek the Lord your God, you will find Him if you seek Him with all your heart and with all your soul. When you are in distress and all these things have happened to you, then in later days you will return to the Lord your God and obey Him. For the Lord your God is a merciful God; He will not abandon or destroy you or forget the covenant with your ancestors, which He confirmed to them by oath." (Deuteronomy 4:29-31)

                If this gun were pointed to your head, you can rest knowing that God has His hand over you. He has given you peace unlike this world's; a peace that is not easily shaken by things of this world. (John 16:33) It is God who gets us through our trials and tribulations. (2 Corinthians 1:3-4) He carries us through our storms so that we do not have to endure the full force of the winds and the rain.

                Trials and tribulations will come at you. This cannot be avoided by anyone of any place or religion. How you react to these storms will reflect how you overcome them; but more importantly, how you react to these storms will reflect your relationship with Christ.

                "Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer." (Romans 12:12)

The Heart of God

                I have heard many times before, "tell God what is on your heart." The phrase, "tell them what is on your heart," is saying to tell someone the deepest desires that you have and what you are feeling and longing for. We can tell God everything that we want and feel, but have we taken the time to ask God what the desires of His heart is?

                Often times, the answer is no. We want God to answer our prayers and let His will be done, but do we ever ask Him what is on His heart? I know that I did not for the longest time, until yesterday. I had to stop and ask Him what He truly wants.

                He wants relationship.

                He wants us to have a good future and a hope (Jeremiah 29:11). He wants us to find rest in Him from this world and its demands (Matthew 11:28-29). He wants us to have all of our needs met (Philippians 4:19). He wants us to have victory in every area of our lives and be loved more than we could ever comprehend (Romans 8:37-39). He wants us to be saved (Romans 10:9) and He wants us to have eternal life with Him (Romans 6:23).

                His heart is selfless when it comes to us. He wants us to have a right relationship with Him that will lead to prosperity, happiness, and a joy filled loving life. When we ask God to know the desires of His heart, He will make them known to me.

                When it comes to a relationship, we do not always just talk. Sometimes we sit back and listen to what our other half wants and desires and dreams about. It is no tall about us talking and our wants and needs. A relationship is a two way street. In order to have a healthy relationship with God, let us ask Him the desires of His heart for us. What does He want for us?

                He gave up His only son on the cross for us so that we could have a right saving relationship with Him. He gave up everything so that we would not have to. He showed us love when we were lost. He was always there for us and always will be here for us. If we want to have a relationship with this loving God, let us find out more about Him. Let us seek Him with all of our hearts. Let us yearn for what He years for, and desire to make Him as happy as He can make us. Is He not worth the effort?


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Use of Time

                "So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom."(Psalms 90:12) It is through understanding time that we understand the gravity of the things God has placed us here to do. God has given us enough time to do what we need to do. Will we use this time wisely, or will we squander it away to play catch up later?

                Your life could end at any time. This is not a thought to be scared of or depressed over. In fact, it is something that should motivate you. If your life were to end an hour after reading this, what would you do with that hour? People say, "you only live once!" Well, yes, you're only here on Earth once; so what will you be remembered for: saying YOLO as you go out to do something, or living your only life and making the most out of every moment. Our lives are short and they could end at any second. Instead of saying, "oh well, YOLO," about it, why not live every minute as if it were your last?

                Some people refuse to do this because they refuse to believe that they could die young or at any time that is inconvenient to them. Death does not care about your age, gender, race, occupation, if you're trying to get a degree, pay off a car, buy a house, get married, raise a child, or anything else. Death can come at any time, and no one but God can stop it. Praying to God won't always help. Sometimes, your time is up and you have to live with your choices.

                If you had five more years to live, would you drop everything and go on a mission's trip? Would you go try to get a degree? Would you go find a new job that you would like? Would you be more honest? Would you give to the poor more often? Would you help out at food shelters to be remembered? Would you work harder in everything you do?

                Let's be honest, why not do that not? Maybe you only have five months left. It doesn't matter if you are healthy. A drunk driver could hit you, or you could be a victim of a stalker who took things too far, or you could have something fall onto you and knock you unconscious.

                I am not doing this to scare anyone. I am simply saying this: we have little time and much work to be done. Let us devote our time to God as if every day was our last, so that if today was your last day, you could go to God and He would say, "well done my good and faithful servant."

                How much time do we spend on video games? On violent or inappropriate movies? On gossiping? On surfing? On sports? On hiking? On sitting and doing nothing?

                All of those things are not bad, but they could be cut down for the glory of God, or used for His glory, such as: refusing to play violent video games or watch slasher films to make a point to edify your soul with good things, or wanting to talk about God over why that kid dropped out of school, or praising God while you are outdoors, or just talking to God while you are sitting and doing nothing. There is not always going to be time, so how will you use yours?


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Relying on God

                "Further, my brothers and sisters, rejoice in the Lord! It is no trouble for me to write the same things to you again, and it is a safeguard for you." (Philippians 3:1) Paul is writing to the church of Philippi, telling them to rejoice in the Lord. He also says that it is no problem to repeat this. When a teacher repeats something, it is important. Rejoicing in the Lord must be important. Paul also says that it is a safeguard for you. Rejoicing in the Lord is not only something important to remember, but it is something that brings safety.

                When you learn an instrument, you do not always go straight into a song. You learn the cords first. You learn the notes first. You learn the basics until you know them by heart. Rejoicing in the Lord is one of those notes that must be memorized and inscribed onto our hearts. When we learn to rejoice in the Lord, we learn to trust in God over our flesh. Why is that important to trust in God over our flesh?

                "Watch out for those dogs, those evildoers, those mutilators of the flesh. For it is we who are the circumcision, we who serve God by the spirit, Who boast in Christ Jesus, and who put no confidence in the flesh." (Philippians 3:2-3) This is specifically calling out to Christians, saying that we are the ones who serve God by the spirit and who boast in Christ Jesus as opposed to our flesh. When we rejoice in Christ, we trust in Christ. When we trust in Christ, we do not trust in our flesh, our bodies, or our capabilities. Why is this important?

                It is by trusting in Christ that all things are made possible. I always tell myself and my friends, "we cannot save a soul. Only Christ can do that." Our works as a Christian is impossible on our own. We cannot humble ourselves without God. We cannot lead a soul to Christ without Christ. We can do nothing for God without God. That is why we must rely on Christ instead of our flesh.

                "Though I myself have reason for such confidence. If someone else thinks they have reasons to put confidence in the flesh, I have more: circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; in regard to the law, a Pharisee; as for zeal, persecuting the church; as for righteousness based on the law, faultless." (Philippians 3:4-6) We see Paul telling the church his past. In modern day terms, it would look something like this: "I went to church all of my life, I have been leading ever since I was eighteen. I went to a private Christian school from pre-school to graduate school. I've been on three missions trips a year, I feed the homeless every Sunday after Church. I've read through the Bible three times and have started my own Bible study." None of those things are bad, but Paul tells these points to make a statement.

                "But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I now consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ and be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ - the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith." (Philippians 3:7-9) All of these cools things that he has were counted as a loss. He says that none of them matter. The actions and the trips and the life style, none of it matters because that is not where our identity is found. We are not found in the things that we do, but in the heart that God has been changing in us. None of the things above are bad, but Paul is saying that he trusts in Jesus and not his deeds. He relies on God and not an annual mission's trip. His faith is in Christ and not in works. He is relying on God, not on himself.

                But why do that? If none of those works are bad, why not put your trust in them? Why put your trust in God? Well, there is something that putting your trust in God can do that nothing else can.

                "I want to know Christ - yes, to know the power of His resurrection and participate in His sufferings, becoming like Him in His death, and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead." (Philippians 3:10-11) We trust in God as opposed to our flesh to get to know God. We trust in God as opposed to the flesh because that is the only way to Heaven. Not by works or good deeds, but by faith alone. We trust in God because that is the only way to build a right relationship with Him. We cannot build a relationship with Him according to our works and how many good deeds we have done. Our relationship with God is based completely on faith.

                "Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining towards what is ahead, I press on towards the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 3:12-14) We may not be perfect, and we may never be perfect. We will stumble and fall sometimes; but when we trust in Jesus Christ instead of ourselves, we have everything covered. We do not need to worry about being good enough. God covers all things.

                If you want a right relationship in Christ where there are no worries and no fears, trust in Him over yourself. It is not about the good deeds or the places that you have been. It is about God and your personal relationship with Him.


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Superfriend

                Mary Mary, a Gospel singing duet, released a song called "Superfriend," which describes how Jesus Christ is a friend unlike any other. One of their lyrics says: "no sir, there's nothing half way about Him. This world could never be made without Him. No heart, no breath, no mind, no sun, no moon, no time. He's something like the best of them. He's nothing like the rest of them."

                Jesus Christ is truly unlike anyone else on Earth. He is with us when no one else is. He is holding our hand and leading us through any situation, no matter how bad it may seem. He is embracing us, no matter what we have done. He is saying that He loves us, no matter how sinful we are. He is there for us when no one else is. He is a friend unlike anyone else.

                He is listening to us when no one else is. He is giving to us when we have nothing to give back. He is loving us when no one else will. He is accepting us when we cannot even accept ourselves. He is a friend unlike any other. He is truly beyond any friend that we could ever know on Earth.

                He heals us when we are sick and broken. He provides for us when we have nothing. He gives us victory when we are strong enough to win the battle on our own. He speaks life into us when we are spiritually dead. He blesses us when we have nothing to give. He teaches us when we are foolish and instructs us when we are lost. He holds us when we are afraid and calms us when we are angry. He gives us patience when we would be irritated. He does so much more for us than we could ever comprehend.

                When we have sinned, He has already forgiven us; and the best part is that He has no weakness to kryptonite.  He overcame death so we would not have to. He battled sin so that we could have the victory. He is truly better than any friend on Earth.

                Every day is an opportunity to learn just a bit more about how great this superfriend of ours is. He is truly greater than any friend we could ever have. Because of that, I am not ashamed to say His name or tell others of how great of a friend He has been to me. He is too good to be ashamed of, and He is too good to understand. All we can do, when we begin to know a little bit of His greatness, is praise Him and long for a closer friendship with Him.

                "One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother." (Proverbs 18:24)


                                                                                                                                         -D

Confession

                1 John 1:9 says, "if we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." Confession is a time worth having. Not just alone, but with fellow brothers and sisters of Christ. It helps keep you accountable to others and for others, it helps give you a different perspective on what is going on, it gives you support and help from others, and if builds the sense of community that the Christian body should have. Confessing your sins is not about gossiping or finding dirt on each other. It is about coming to your Christian family, being raw, and helping each other through rough times.

                James 5:16 says, "therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working." We confess our sins also for help. Sometimes, we are struggling with a sin or a problem that is too big for us to handle alone. God gave us a Christian community to give us each help from one another. Sometimes we go through problems and we feel alone, but confession helps us to see that we are not alone, and that others are going through the same things supporting your growth. It also allows those who have overcome the sin or the issue to give you advice and help you through the rough time. If you do not seek help, how can anyone help you? 1 Corinthians 10:13 says, "no temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and He will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with temptation He also provides the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it."

                "Whoever conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy." (Proverbs 28:13) By confessing our sins, we help one another and pray for each other. Confession is scary for many, because of the fear of judgment or of trial. Who knows what the person may think! Well, if you do not feel that the person will be loving and accepting, then do not confess to them. Confess to a true Christian brother or sister who will keep your sin secret, pray with you, love you, and not judge you for what you have done. Someone who would judge you for your sin is not a follower of the forgiving and loving Christ.

                Do not be afraid of confession. It can be a powerful tool against sin. Instead, find someone you trust and be willing to open up step by step with them. You do not have to spill everything at once, unless God says otherwise; but build that relationship of trust so that you can begin confessing bit by bit. No one will force you to confess, but life will be so much easier when you allow your brothers and sisters in Christ to help you remove your burdens.


                                                                                                                                         -D

Freedom in Christ

                "So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed." (John 8:36) When Christ gives freedom, He gives it in a way that most people do not see. He gives freedom in a way that is not like human freedom. When someone sees a Christian saying that they are free, it is not uncommon for said person to disagree and bring up the rules and regulations and commandments. Is a Christian truly free?

                I say yes. Jesus did not come to give us more laws and more commands. He came to change hearts. That is the point of Christianity! To allow Jesus to step into your life and change your heart, not to get a new rule book. Christianity is not about rules, but about love and gaining a new heart. "That the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God." (Romans 8:21)

                So, can there be freedom in Christ Jesus? Yes, there can be. It is not freedom from rules and order. Freedom is not chaos. When it comes to Christianity, freedom is about Jesus Christ wiping away our past, our sins, our dirt, and everything bad in order to start over new. We can walk blameless and sinless in the eyes of God because of the freedom that is found in Christ Jesus. "For by grace you have been saved through faith. And it is not your own doing; it is the gift of God." (Ephesians 2:8)

                "There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the Law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death." (Romans 8:1-2) The freedom is not a way to say, "go and do whatever you want," but Jesus Christ cleaning you from your sins and giving you eternal life so that you can start over and make your own choices according to who and what you want to follow. It is not freedom to do as you wish. You have free will, you have always had that freedom, even when it didn't feel like it. This freedom is the freedom from the old self and all of your past mistakes that you have already learned from. This freedom is the freedom from the worst of ourselves.


                                                                                                                                         -D

What is the Definition?

                Yesterday, while talking to a few friends of mine, one of them asked, "what does it really mean to be a Christian?"

                He began to elaborate upon his question, saying that he could ask ten different people and would probably get ten different answers. I agreed, partially. I would agree that asking ten random people will give you ten random answers, because not everyone knows scripture and what Christianity is. I agreed with that much of his argument; but, I believe that the definition of Christianity should not be made by man, but instead made by Christ Himself. If anyone should tell us what it means to be a Christian, it should be Christ.

                Well, Christ isn't walking the Earth in the flesh right now, so what is next? Well, Christ gave us a helper (John 14:16) so that we could better understand. He is the word, so we must look in the word. We must pull from the vast resources that we have. The definition of a Christian would be in the Bible, so we would first look there.

                John 14:6-7 says, "Jesus answered, 'I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one goes to the Father except through me. If you really know Me, you will know my Father as well...'" First part of Christianity is to believe that a right relationship with Jesus Christ is the only way to salvation and the only way to get to know God.

                Romans 10:9 says, "if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved." We need salvation because, "the waged of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord," (Romans 6:23) and "we have all sinned and fallen short of the glory of God," (Romans 3:23) so we have all sinned and need salvation. Sin is death, but Jesus says that He is the life. If we confess the Lord, meaning you confess Him as your Lord and Savior, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, meaning that there is saving power in Christ, then you will be saved.

                Now, the idea that the Bible has shown so far is that we have all sinned and sin leads to death, but because Jesus came and died for us and rose again in three days, we can be saved and our sins can be washed clean if we confess Him as our Lord (the supreme force of our life) and Savior (the one who saved us from our sins and the death it would cause through the Resurrection). There is one piece left. All of this is showing how to become a Christian with a process of steps, but how can a process be useful if you don't apply it to your heart and mean it? It is just facts.

                Jesus asked Peter three times, "do you love me?" and every time Peter replied, "yes I do." In response, Jesus answered to all three, "If you love me, you will take care of my sheep," "If you love me, feed my sheep," "feed my sheep." (John21:15-17) Why was Jesus saying this and why is it important? He is not speaking of literal sheep. He was referring to the idea of following the commands that He was leaving for them. He was telling them that "if you love me you will obey my commands." (John 14:15)

                This is the last piece. So what is the command? Why is it important to follow? Well, in order to be a Christian, you must be saved. In order to be saved, you must be reaching out for a right relationship with God by confessing Him as Lord and Savior of your life. How do you confess it? You confess something from the heart and verbalize it. he must first be the Lord and Savior of your life. He can be your Savior by confessing that you repent of your sins and that He has made you clean from them. You make Him your Lord by obeying His commands. What is His commands? Someone asked Him this very question, and this was His response.

                "He answered: 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind,' and 'love your neighbor as yourself.'" (Luke 10:27)

                I believe, looking at scripture alone and no other sources or people aside from Jesus Christ, the definition of a Christian is this: You are a Christian if you have CONFESSED that Jesus Christ is your Lord and Savior.

                That means that nothing comes before God. If something is conflicting with His commands, you put aside whatever it is to follow Christ. You make Christ first out of love. That is what it means to have a right relationship with Christ. Your relationship with Him is in the right place: He is Lord and Savior and you both love each other. God comes first above all. That is what I pull directly from the words that Jesus Himself spoke.


                                                                                                                                         -D

True Segregation

                Sometimes, we feel alone or separated. We feel as if no one is with us, as if no one is there to comfort us or hear us or carry us through a situation. Sometimes, we feel as if no one is around, and as if we have been cut off.

                The definition of segregate is: "to separate or set apart from others or from the main body or group; isolate." Jesus Christ experienced the ultimate form of segregation. We may loose our friends, family, loved ones, and everyone that we know, but God is still with us. When Jesus was crucified, His closest friends had denied knowing Him, His other followers had chosen a slave to be freed over Him, the government sentenced Him to death, His mother could not even recognize Him up on the cross due to His disfigurements, and the guards at the cross gambled for His clothes. Worse than that, the whole world, literally, was against Him. He had no one on His side. Not even an old time friend.

                Why should we care, though? Jesus came back and since His resurrection, millions, if not billions, of people have loved, adored, and followed Him. Who cares that He was all alone for a little while?

                You should care. It is because of the loneliness that He experienced that He is able to relate to you and understand you. It is because He experienced the worst separation known to man that He can understand any pain that you go through. The separation that Christ went through was physical, mental, spiritual, and emotional. Any pain of feeling alone that you have, He has experienced worse, and loves you so much that He wants you to know that He is always with you. He will never leave you nor forsake you. (Deuteronomy 3:16; Hebrews 13:5)

                Well, all of this sounds sad. Why are you mentioning it? Because it is important to know that the almighty God of the universe understands your pain and suffering better than you know. His love is not superficial. He knows your pain and wants to heal your heart. He does not love you out of need, but out of the kindness of His heart and out of pure love. He knows your pain better than you think. He has experienced every form of pain to the worst extent. His segregation at the cross allows us to know that He understands our pain first hand. He is here for us because He has been through more than us. His love is genuine because the pain that He went through for you was serious.


                                                                                                                                         -D

One Christian Body

                "For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ." (1 Corinthians 12:12). As Christians, we are all one in Christ. We may be individuals, different in one way or in every way; but because we all serve Christ, we are all one part in the body of Christ.

                "For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body - Jews or Greeks, slaves or free - and all were made to drink one spirit." (1 Corinthians 12:13) God does not look at race, money, class, worldly power, or anything like it. He knows us and has always known us since before we were even birthed into this Earth. If we are with Christ, we are one with Him and it does not matter what the world says. We all operate in the one true Spirit of God. No matter what the world sees, we are one with Christ, equally important in our different roles. "For the body does not consist of one member but of many. If the foot should say, 'because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,' that would not make it any less part of the body. And if the ear should say, 'because I am not am eye, I do not belong to the body,' that would not make it any less part of the body." (1 Corinthians 12:14-16) Just because you are not doing what your Christian friend is doing does not mean that you are not a Christian. Just because you are not healing people or guiding people to Christ personally, does not make you any less a member of the body of Christ. It just means that God has a different role for you at the moment. Will you be obedient to Him or to your own desires to be holy and "important?"

                "If the whole body were an eye, where would be the sense of hearing? If the whole body were an ear, where would be the sense of smell? But as it is, God arranged the members in the body, each one of them, as He chose. If all were a single member, where would the body be? As it is, there are many parts, yet one body." (1 Corinthians 12:17-20) We must not all strive to be like Pastor so-and-so or Bishop what's-his-name or elder what's-her-face. God has a specific role for you in His life! Maybe He wants you up stage and maybe He doesn't. Whatever He is going to have you do is something that only you can do, just as He has people doing things that only they can do. We must not all try to be the same, but unified in our differences.

                "The eye cannot say to the hand, 'I have no need of you,' nor again the head to the feet, 'I have no need for you.' On the contrary, the parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, and on those parts of the body that we think less honorable we bestow the greatest honor, and our unpresentable parts are treated with great modesty, which our more presentable parts do not require. But God has so composed the body, giving greater honor to the parts that lack it, that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another . If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together." (1 Corinthians 12:21-26) There is no division within the body. No one role is more important that the other. The one who leads a person to Christ is no more important than the one who planted the seed in the first place. The one on stage preaching or singing is no more important that the one at the door or cleaning the toilets. Every role is essential, and no one person can run a whole body. Everyone has specific roles that they must do to the fullest; but never be discouraged, because God honors your heart, not your title.

                "Now you are the body of Christ and individually member of it. And God has appointed in the church first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracle workers, then gifts of healing, helping, administrating, and various kinds of tongues. Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? Do all possess gifts of healing? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret? But earnestly desire the higher gifts. And I will show you a still more excellent way." (1 Corinthians 12:27-31) We are all individual members of Christ. We all bring a specific role to the body. I have never spoken in tongues or healed before, but I know that God has put me in another place. Because I was seeking my gifts, God has shown me where He wants me to be and what He wants me to do.

                No one person can run a whole church, and no church body can all be run by musicians or pastors. There must be an array of different people to bring different qualities to the body of Christ. We must not get jealous of someone who does something for God that we wanted to do. Instead, praise God for that person and ask God, "what is my role in your body?" Even if you do not know yet, God will show you once you are ready to learn it.


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Working for Good

                Yesterday, at lunch, my friends and I were talking about life. Somehow, my blog was brought up and I mentioned how there was a time when I was thinking that no one was reading it. My friend said, "yeah, my sister felt the same thing but now she has her own blog and people are donating so that she can give money to good causes."

                Instantly, my eyes blew open wide. I had never thought of a blog being able to go that far from someone like me. The closest thing that I would have been able to think of for that would be the Nickelodeon show, "iCarly," but of course, I do not fashion my life after television shows. It was amazing to hear about someone putting something as simple as a blog to such a powerful use. She was raising money for charities and still giving glory to God.

                The amazing blog that I am speaking of is called liferearranged.com. It is a wonderful blog that is written by a powerfully motivating woman. Although I am not here to advertise, I cannot help the inspiration that raises up within me when I see God doing something glorious in someone's life. When God is glorified in a work or an area that not many look at or that I never think of, I get excited about the things that God can do.

                This website motivates me to make everything that I do glorious for God and open to Him as well. I want Him to cut off what needs to be cut off, prune what needs to be pruned, and bring growth to what needs to grow for Him. I want everything that I do to be able to glorify Him, so I give everything that I can do work hard and let it be for God.

                My thought is, why not make everything for the glory of God? If there is an area in your life in which you need some inspiration or you want God to step in, work your hardest and pray to God to move in in His direction, not yours. I need God to direct everything in my life because that is the only way that everything will be operating at its best for Him. I cannot do well on my own. I need the Father's help. So, in all that I do, I will work hard and let God get the glory, as He rightfully should!


                                                                                                                                         -D

Electrons and God

                I was in my chemistry class yesterday and my teacher brought up how scientists thought that atoms were the smallest forms of matter, and then we found electrons, and then smaller then that are quarks, and then we found dark matter, and so on. I was interested in electrons because I had heard a statement before and wanted to know the validity of it, considering he had gone to college for many years.

                I raised my hand and he called on me. "I had read that no one can see electrons with their naked eye or with a microscope of any kind. Is that true?"

                After three or four seconds of thinking, he gave me a response. "Well, yes, no one can visually see an electron, but we can interact with it. We can use light to play with an electron, or shoot an electron against something then have it bounce back. We have been able to do that for years. We can see it, by playing with it; but we cannot visually see an electron, no. So, yes and no."

                I nodded, smiling from cheek to cheek. He was so passionate about making sure that I knew that electrons were real. He wanted me to know that even though no one could physically see an electron, there is no way that it is not real.

                It takes the same amount of faith to believe in God as it does to believe in an electron being real. We cannot see either, but both have an unchangeable way about them. We cannot see God, nor can we see an electron, but there are mountains of evidences for both.

                While I was researching about this topic, I discovered the reason why most people do not make this connection. Electrons, although they cannot be seen, have a specific nature. If you use light in a specific way, it will always react in a specific way. Most people do not believe in God in the same way because they feel that God is constantly changing and if you pray a prayer one day and then another, one may be answered and the other may not be. This argument is invalid.

                Just as electrons can be shot against a wall and bounce back using specific devices in specific ways and using specific materials; God shows us the guide lines of the prayers in which He will answer and how He will step in. If we shine a flashlight at thin air, we are not going to make electrons form a lightning bolt, or even react noticeably, because you are not using light correctly with the electrons. That is misunderstanding electrons. Just because you never saw a flash of lightning when you shined a flashlight does not mean that electrons do not exist. The same applies with God. God is not an imaginary figure. He has His own ways and He is alive. He does not change with our opinion; and when you do something that God does not say to do, and God does something you do not expect, or He does not do what you expect, you question if God is real.

                Both electrons and God have specific attributes that do not change for any reason. We cannot see electrons, but we took the time to learn about them so that we know how they operate. We can do the same for God. He will not change or be who you want Him to be. He is God, independent of man's thinking. You can learn how to interact with Him and learn about His attributes and how He works the same way you can for electrons.

                We study, we test, and we ask. Study the word, put to test the things you've read from the word, and ask God to show you who He truly is. Just because an electron does not do what you want does not mean it is not real. The same applies to God. It takes the same amount of faith to believe in an electron than in God.To say that one is real and to brush the other off as false is to cut off logic at its core and to ignore the pursuit of knowledge.

                A scientist will not say, "because my experiment did not go as planned, everything that I believed in is false and science is for fools." It takes the same amount of faith to believe in an electron as it does to believe in God, so to give up on one and believe in the other is the destruction of logic at its core.


                                                                                                                                         -D

Bold Faith

                "The wicked run away when no one is chasing them, but the godly are as bold as a lion." (Proverbs 28:1) We have God on our side, the almighty creator of everything, El Shaddai. We have nothing to fear. We, as Christians, no longer need to fear life, "for God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline." (2 Timothy 1:7)

                This means that we no longer need to fear the opinion of others. If there is an opportunity to share the Gospel, pray and take it! I know that there are days when God is showing you something and you are unsure if you should do it. "What will they think of me?" "My friends may not like it." "They don't want to hear it." "God, now isn't the right time."

                These are all useless excuses. There is no need to fear when you have God on your side, "so be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid and do not panic before them. For the Lord your God will personally go ahead of you. He will never fail you nor abandon you." (Deuteronomy 3:16) What do you have to fear if the almighty God of all creation is on your side?

                We must not just be bold in front of others, but we must be bold for others. We must not fear failure. If we know that we serve a mighty God, what is there to fear? Why would we defend Him? That's like defending a lion. Just let Him work, He knows what He is doing. He does know better than us after all.

                Yesterday, when I was praying with a friends, I told him, "do not make vague prayers. Make specific prayers. We serve a God who is able, so let Him work. Tell Him the desires of your heart and let Him work." Not being specific in your prayers out of fear of failure is like saying that God might not be able to do what you are asking. If you are truly in the spirit, you will be praying prayers that God not only can and will answer, but prayers that God wants to answer.

                This boldness that God has given us gives us access directly to His throne in prayer. "And so, dear brothers and sisters, we can boldly enter Heaven's Most Holy Place because of the blood of Jesus." (Hebrews 10:19) "Because of Christ and our faith in Him, we can now come boldly and confidently into God's presence." (Ephesians 3:12)

                Prayer is a vital part of every Christian's life. It is our direct communication to the Father who gives us all things. Prayer is our life line, so let us pray boldly, just as Jesus did. Let us not only pray specific prayers, but let us pray with boldness, knowing that God will answer them. If we are not praying with the intention to be heard, why are we praying? Whether it be praise, supplication, thanksgiving, or repentance, we pray to be heard, so let us be bold. "So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive His mercy and we will find grace to help us when we need it most." (Hebrews 4:16)

                Let us be bold in everything that we do for Christ, and let our boldness never be put aside for anyone. Our God has saved us, so let us not respect the opinion of anyone else more than His. Let us, instead, present the gospel with boldness and pray bold prayers so that God may be glorified to the highest. Let us not worry about the opinions of man, and worry about what God thinks of us. He is looking for someone bold enough to say, "use me however you will, Lord." Is that you?


                                                                                                                                         -D

Boldly Proclaiming

                "And He said to them, 'go into all the world and proclaim the Gospel to the whole creation.'" (Mark 16:15) Jesus has told us to go out into the whole world and proclaim the Gospel; and "God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but a spirit of power, love, and discipline." (2 Timothy 1:7) We are called to boldly proclaim the faith and the good news to everyone.

                Many people find this to be an annoying factor about Christians, as if we are pushing our religion on others and trying to make them follow our God. This is partially true, I will admit. We are called to push the Gospel, but never to push the Gospel onto someone. We are to promote the Gospel, not force it down people's throats. To try to force someone to follow God is highly disrespectful to God. In this, you are saying that God cannot save a person on His own and you must step in and help.

                If you are forcing the faith down someone's throat, you are hurting them far more than helping them. Yes, I know the feeling of fear when you know someone that you love deeply and want them to be saved. The feeling of love and fear makes you want to save them at any cost; but you must remember who the author of salvation is. It is God, not us. We must preach the Gospel and step back, allowing God to work. Pray over them and let God be God. We do not know what God will do in their life and we do not know what will happen of them. I know people of people who have wild testimonies that pulled them out of situations that seemed hopeless. If we claim to be Christians, let us trust in Christ to do as He desires.

                1 John 2:4 says, "whoever says 'I know Him' but does not keep His commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him." If we say that we know Christ, we must keep his commandments. Acts 4:12 says, "and there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under Heaven given among men by which we must be saved." To force Christianity down someone's throat is to say that you have salvation that Christ does not; and to say that is to not know Christ; and to not know Christ is to not have the truth; and who can be saved without the truth?

                So, how do we boldly proclaim without shoving the Gospel down someone's throat? We pray. We pray people into the faith and into God's arms. We share the message with those who are willing to hear it and we respect the wishes of those who are running away. We cannot force someone into God's arms. We must pray to God for the words to say and when to say them; and in the mean time, pray your loved ones and even strangers into salvation. We must trust in God so that He may save people. We cannot rely on our own strength.

                It will get rough sometimes. Sometimes you may think that person will never get to know God's love. Sometimes you may think that person is hopeless and will never want God's love. Sometimes you will think that person will never turn to Christ. When things get hard, remember Galatians 6:9. "And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up." Never give up on anyone, just like Christ never gave up on you.


                                                                                                                                         -D

Correction

                My friend, Juan, and I both love to argue. We could go for days on end getting into any sort of debate and neither of us will back down. It is our way of communicating. We find happiness from debating with one another and proving our intelligence to each other. There is nothing wrong with this relationship in itself, but when we take our argumentative spirit and apply it to the Gospel, this can be detrimental. If we get into a conversation about the Bible; we cannot come in a spirit of debating to prove who is right, but a spirit of love and correction to keep each other on the right path.

                I must say, I love to debate. I also must say that I love Christ, and I would happily put aside my debater's spirit for the Holy Spirit to step in. I have learned that "all scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work." (2 Timothy 3:16-17) Every scripture that I read should either challenge me, teach me, or cause me to grow. I must be willing to accept correction. When it comes to the scripture, Jesus corrected many people, even elders of the church and people who were of high ranking positions and spiritual roles. It does not matter about our age, our titles, or anything about us. If we are wrong, we are wrong and must be corrected; and if we are right, we must not waver but instead be humble with the truth.

                I love my disciples, and I love teaching them. It is a passion of mine. As much as I love seeing them grow in Christ, it takes correction to do so. I must put aside my pride to be corrected when the need comes as well. No matter who I look over, I must be willing to be humble and confess my wrongs. Proverbs 29:15 says, "the rod and reproof give wisdom, but a child left to himself brings shame to his mother." If we want to be wise, we must be willing to be corrected; and in order to be corrected, we must recognize and admit when we are wrong.

                When it comes to correction, do not believe anything that comes against you. 1 John 4:1 says, "beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world." We are to be corrected by the word, and not people. Yes, the Holy Spirit can use people to deliver the message, but check it for yourself. Do not be so willing to give up your ways, but do not be so hard headed as to never change. Read the word and ask God for correction. Allow Him to change your heart and improve you.

                We must always be ready to correct our brothers and sisters in Christ, and be equally as ready to be corrected. I know that we I would get corrected, many times I would get angry in the moment. I would soon get over it, but I had to accept the truth about the Gospel and who God truly is. By allowing the Holy Spirit to correct me, I now have a better relationship with God that is only growing. We must not fear being corrected, but embrace it when it happens.


                                                                                                                                         -D

Prayer for Strengthening

                Last night I taught on Ephesians 3:14-21, which was Paul's prayer for spiritual strengthening and growth. The interesting thing about the prayer was that it was not about him being tired or worn out, but of him wanting a deeper understanding of God and of love. It was strength in a way that the world does not usually first view it.

                "For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom every family in Heaven and on Earth derives its name. I pray that out of His glorious riches He may strengthen you with power through His Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord's holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge - that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen." - Ephesians 3:14-21

                The difference between human strength and God's strength is as deep and as many as the differences between land creatures and sea creatures. Our strength is measured physically and is constantly changing and growing. It is never enough. God's strength is perfect and is always more than enough for anything and everything. When we seek out strength and receive it ourselves, we are seeking our own strength about our own needs. When God gives us strength, He gives it to us in accordance with His glorious riches, which means He gives us what we need according to the glory that He is about to reveal in the world.

                When people think of strength, what most people usually think of is muscle or body building. The image of physical strength usually comes to mind. There is nothing wrong with that! We think of images to fit our words. That is natural and human. We must remember that God's strength is versatile and comes in many forms. In this verse, we see His strength coming in glory, in love, in understanding, and in fullness. His strength deals with the inner man, also known as our spirit man. His strength in inside and comes out. Our strength is strictly carnal.

                We must not be afraid to pray for strength; not just for ourselves but for others as well. We are to be strengthened in Christ. It is a part of the glory and love that God wants to share with us. When we feel weak or as if we are just too imperfect to serve God, we must remember that God is here for us. If we feel afraid, He gives us strength to overcome our fears. When we feel tired, He gives us the strength to get up. When we get mad, He gives us the strength to control ourselves. When we feel confused and crazy, He gives us the strength to say "let go and let God." He gives us strength in times of trouble!

                So, I agree with Paul when he says, "for this reason I kneel before the Father," because this is something worth worship and reverence that should be shared "throughout all generations, for ever and ever." This gift that God gives us can bring us through any storm, can put a smile on our faces, and can overcome anything that we have ever done in the past or even the present. I know that we all come against struggles of many kinds, but let us not be discouraged. Instead, let us pray to a God who is loving and just to be there with us through it all. He is our rock and our strength through all things.


                                                                                                                                         -D