August 7, 2012

8/7/12

I wanted to share with you the devotion that I read this morning from Jesus Calling by Sarah Young. It is something that I have struggled with in my life and I hope that it might help any of you as well.

Understanding will never bring you Peace. That’s why I have instructed you to trust in Me, not in your understanding. Human beings have a voracious appetite for trying to figure things out in order to gain a sense of mastery over their lives. But the world presents you with an endless series of problems. As soon as you master one set, another pops up to challenge you. The relief you had anticipated is short-lived. Soon your mind is gearing up again: searching for understanding (mastery), instead of seeking me (your master). The wisest of all men, Solomon could never think his way through peace. His vast understanding resulted in feelings of futility, rather than in fulfillment. Finally, he lost his way and succumbed to the will of his wives by worshiping idols. My peace is not an elusive goal, hidden at the center of some complicated maze. Actually, you are always enveloped in peace, which is inherent in My Presence. As you look to me, you gain awareness of this precious peace…

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July 31, 2012

7/31/12

People may build on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, or straw. The day will make what each one does clearly visible because fire will reveal it. That fire will determine what kind of work each person has done.  If what a person has built survives, he will receive a reward. If his work is burned up, he will suffer the loss…” 1 Corinthians 3:13-15

I’ve started to slowly go through 1 Corinthians chapter by chapter, and today, these verses in chapter 3 really made me think.  Paul wasn’t directing this toward nonbelievers, but to believers, those who claimed to follow Christ, having Him as their foundation. He was warning the church of Corinth to be aware while still on earth of exactly what they were “building with” on their already-laid foundation of Christ. Metaphorically speaking, we can either be building with pure, precious and expensive materials such as “gold, silver and precious stones”, or the latter three materials Paul states which are cheap, “wood, hay, and straw”. It made me question myself, am I truly building on God’s foundation with pure gold, or am I becoming lazy, complacent, or cheap, adding in some hay and straw here and there? There will come a day where we will all be judged according to what our lives were comprised of here on earth–our actions, our words, and our intentions/motives. And after reading a commentary on these verses, I’ve realized as a proclaimed Christian, it can be very easy to slip in some of those “cheap materials” when building God’s kingdom here on earth. Are we doing everything in our power to further grow it? Are we living fearlessly and courageously for Christ? Even when doing “the right things”, are our intentions and motives behind it pure? A heart of service, going to church with a heart of worship, prayer, generosity, love–these are examples of building with “fireproof” materials. But laziness, complacency, fear, self-centeredness, attitude of “just getting by”, going to church to impress others or with other motives, doing works “for Christ” but in your own strength–these are examples of materials that will be easily burned up when judgement comes, leaving you with nothing to show Christ on that day. I encourage you to evaluate your life and I do the same, in order to ensure you are building with fireproof materials, or to allow time to change your “building materials” if not. What do you want to be able to show Christ on the day you stand before Him? The day to prepare for tomorrow is today.

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July 26, 2012

7/26/12

“The man without the spirit does not accept things that come from the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned.”

1 Corinthians 2:14

I felt like this verse was such a call-to-action when I came across it. While reading chapter 2, I could see how unbelievers are spiritually blind to God and can’t understand his ways. In my spiritual journey I have come across some people who are spiritually blind and just can’t seem to understand the true meaning of Christian faith. There is a famous Hockey player named Keith Brown and he has come across this many times. People will look at the way he lives his life and turn away from him or shrug him off as being different. But, Brown made a great point in saying that we shouldn’t give up on unbelievers because there might be a day when one of those people say, “I want his life, he’s changed and I want that same change in my life.” I know it can be hard to stand up for Jesus at certain times. Our godly lifestyles will sometimes be misread by others who are spiritually blind and just don’t understand the truth. Living righteously will allow us to shine light towards them and see that the life and change that they see in me isn’t actually my life… they’ll see and know that it is the life  Jesus has given me for what he did on the cross. I’m encouraging you today to help the blind see so that they can enjoy the rays and vastness of God’s love…

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July 12, 2012

7/12/12

“For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.” Philippians 1:21

This verse hit me hard this morning. I had to sit back and really soak in the meaning, asking myself..is this really my mentality? Ty and I have been going through an in depth study on Philippians the past few days, and today focused on chapter 1 verses 18-26. Sorry the posts have been more infrequent, but we really wanted to take some time in our own quiet time with this study, renewing our vigor and passion. If any of you just aren’t sure what to focus their quiet time on, I recommend doing the study on Philippians because it’s been incredible so far. It’s on bible.org and is called “Philippians: to live is Christ”. Back to the verse above though, the study pointed out Paul’s amazing perspective on death. He truly believed and lived according to this verse, knowing in his heart that to die, was actually “better by far” (v23). All of us who call ourselves Christians should have this mindset, why? Because through Christ’s death and resurrection, we can have the confidence and eager expectation of one day living eternally with Him, a perfect place without fear and suffering. Yes, in this world we are actually promised suffering, just as Christ himself experienced. To live (as one of My disciples) is Christ (to experience what I did). But we can have joy and hope in our future.   I encourage you to challenge yourself with this verse, striving to have the same mindset that Paul did here in Philippians. By fearing God, trusting in His saving grace and resurrection power, we are free to live dangerously for His name.

“For the Christian, joy is not the absence of suffering and adversity, but the nearness of God in our adversity.“

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July 9, 2012

7/9/12

“No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead” ~~Philippians 3:13~~

Sometimes, you must turn your back on the past, and move forward. We must not look back in regret, anger, sorrow or fear..but look ahead with excitement as to what God has in store for us. In my own life, I feel as God has called me to do this exact thing. To stop thinking back on what was, could have, or should have been, and begin to be filled with His joy and strength for what He has laid out in front of me…and I can’t wait to see what is in store. Forget what is behind. Press on, move ahead to what My good and perfect plan is. This is what my quiet time today was concentrated on, what God placed on my heart. Whether it is something you have done, something someone has done to you, or just something you’ve been involved in, don’t let it define you. Be thankful to God for how it has molded and strengthened you, but then leave it where it belongs without regret, in the past.  Don’t let the past determine your future. I came across something I found amazing, perhaps only because of the place where I am currently at, but may also find a place in your heart.

Respect yourself enough to walk away from anything that no longer serves you, grows you, or makes you happy.

For years I have done things only to please others or in fear of disappointing someone. Whenever I have thoughts of not doing it, false guilt creeps in to keep me in it. I encourage you to not get stuck down the same route, but find the joy, happiness and fulfillment God intended for you to experience through walking hand in hand with Him. Whatever is screaming out from your past in attempt to gain your focus and take away your joy, forget it. Don’t let false guilt to weigh you down. You owe nothing to anybody here, only  Christ. It is He whom we are serving, not anyone or thing of this world. Instead, I encourage you to press on to reach the heavenly prize of a growing, everlasting relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ. Cheers to new beginnings!

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July 8, 2012

7/8/12

“So you know quite well that the day of the Lord’s return will come unexpectedly like a thief in the night… let us be alert and self-controlled.” 1 Thessalonians 5:2,6

You’re in a sound sleep as your alarm begins to go off, you jump up confused, completely out of it, not knowing where you are or what’s going on…sound familiar? It’s probably happened to all of us at least a couple times, but it’s the last state that God wants to find us in when He returns. God is calling up to wake up. We do not know the day nor the hour. We must always be ready. In reading these verses, I realized “being ready” isn’t necessarily just talking about being saved(even though definitely part of it!), but truly living for Christ upon His arrival. As being part of an athletic team, it is easy to relate. Imagine two scenarios. One in which you score the final goal for your team, as you all go on to win the championship game. And one in which you decided to skip the game because something “better” came up, and your team still wins the game. Now when the time comes to accept your championship rings or medals, in either situation you will still get one..but which scenario would you feel worthy of it? deserving? proud? Which one do you think your coach would be more thankful and happier to you?  Just being “part of the team” isn’t going to make Jesus say “Well done my good and faithful servant”, but instead, living the part out day in and day out, furthering His kingdom in any way. Christ doesn’t want us to be complacent, to settle for just what’s good enough..He desires us to be awake, living on fire for Him. If you feel that you have become complacent in any area of your life, or just feel as if you may have “fallen asleep” lately when it comes to living for and spending time with Him, allow the truth of this verse to empower you  to move, to seek God on what more you could be doing. He is calling each and every one of us to wake up..and He desires us to listen before it is too late.

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July 7, 2012

7/7/12

“Your eye is a lamp that provides light for your body. When your eye is good, your whole body is filled with light. But when your eye is bad, your whole body is filled with darkness.”

-Matthew 6:22-23

In today’s reading I really felt that God was speaking to me. In my readings this morning I came across something that I struggle with from time to time. Tony Dungy was talking about ungodly thoughts and not letting them sink their way into our heads. He mainly focused his devotion on the topic of lust and pornography and how that can be devastating to us if we let it sink into our mind and become addicted to it. But what I felt convicted about was letting thoughts such as anger, bitterness, or negativity get into my head and swirl around in there. See, some of the thoughts that we have are unconscious or semi-conscious and God understands that. But our conscious thoughts are ones that we have the ability to control much easier than the unconscious ones. As soon as that negative thought enters, ask God to take it from you and cleanse you. I don’t know if any of you have ever had this feeling, but there have been times in the past when I have tried to reason with myself and say that some thoughts aren’t sinful and aren’t a big deal. If you ever get this feeling, immediately confess it to God. Whenever a negative thought pops into your head confess it to God and go on your way lightheartedly. What I want to challenge you with this weekend is to practice thinking in different ways. Trust God, Thank God and watch as you thoughts become more natural.  Controlling your thoughts like this will allow you to follow on his path of peace…

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July 5, 2012

7/5/12

Hopelessness has been defeated…

“Since you have been raised to life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God’s right hand. Think about all the things of heaven, not the things of earth.”

Colossians 3:1-2

Have you ever had the feeling of being lonely? I can think back to my freshman year and remember some days when I felt that I was facing something completely alone that I wasn’t planning on happening. I wish that all the worry would just fall off my shoulders and instantly vanish, but that’s not how it is. There are tons of books and people out there that give some great advice about thinking positively and moving forward. I believe that having a positive attitude can completely change the situation you are in, but i’ve also realized that sometimes it’s harder said than done. Sometimes it’s hard to change my mindset when I feel as if I have a cloud of darkness swirling around my head. The apostle Paul, in his words to the Colossians has a much better means of encouragement. Paul told the Colossians to embrace heavenly thoughts and that will guide our actions… Sound familiar? See, this is possible because we have a fresh start in Christ, He has risen! Even in our darkest moments we are still in His presence because we have life in Christ. How can that not provide motivation to move forward? I know that there are days when you feel physically and mentally drained, but know that he will always provide a lighted path for you. You are never alone, Hopelessness has been defeated! If any of your are experiencing a rough time right now, I encourage you to take just one step of faith with God. Know that he is right by your side ready to catch you if you stumble…

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July 3, 2012

7/3/12

“Praise the Lord, my soul, and forget not all his benefits—who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases,who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s…from everlasting to everlasting the Lord’s love is with those who fear Him”  ~Psalm 103:2-5,17

I loved these verses today as I came across them in Psalms today. How could we not fall in love with someone so great who has such unconditional love for us? Sometimes temptations and sin may seem like the “easier, more fun” way, but they most definitely don’t come with all the benefits of a love relationship with our Creator. It can be hard to fully grasp the greatness of God and truly fall in love when we can’t physically see Him, but these verses reassured me that when we choose to follow Christ, we will never look back in regret. Forgiveness, healing, redemption, love, and the complete fulfillment of all of our desires? That’s hard to pass up.This world will always leave us empty feeling, and people will always end up letting us down, we’re only human. But God never will. Even though knowing everything about us, our weaknesses, pitfalls, and all,His love will never fade. It is forever. If you’re feeling tired, drained, as if you’ve lost your passion, or just finish your days feeling empty, I encourage you to seek and praise the Lord. He will be our total satisfaction, our complete fulfillment.

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June 30, 2012

6/30/12

“I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle..” Ephesians 4:1-2

Have you ever come across those people in your life, that even though they may not know it, have made a huge impact in your life? Besides the people closest to you, like family and friends, sometimes you just come across someone that, in the littlest ways, impacts your life more than they will ever know. My high school running coach was that person for me. Even though she was simply there as a teacher and coach, she was so much more to me than that. The way she would just run quietly beside me as I spoke about my problems, or just life in general. The example of hard work and determination that she set for me through her actions. The genuine care and encouragement she gave me. The way she offered advice when I needed it and just open ears at any other time. Whether she knew it or not, she had influenced my life in ways no one else had; she was surely more than just a coach to me. See, my coach didn’t ever care about impressing people or being at a high status position. She just used the position she was at in life to the fullest in every way she could. And whether she knew it or not, God had certainly used her to influence my life, to help me in so many ways, and for that I will never forget her. That’s the best way to live. It’s what God desires. He has put us all in a place where no one else is, a place that we can use for Him in impacting others and living the difference. No, not all of us will be the “top” player, or at a “high status” job, just like a coach can’t have 11 quarterbacks. But we all do play a special role–a role no one else has, a role that God has specially prepared for us in furthering His kingdom. I encourage you to seek out what gifts God has given you and where He has placed you right now, and then decide to give everything to God and live to your fullest potential. There will always be people that will look up to and listen to you just because of showing genuine care. Choose to become aware of the impact you may be having, and strive to engage with others as often as you can. You will make a difference for the good :)

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