Pride is described as the deadliest of sins and everyone has struggled with it. Yet, we have absolutely no reason to be proud if you sit and think about it.
God created everything in the world, including us. So everything in us (personality, physical attributes, etc.) is from God. God also gave us the ability to work, to accomplish, to succeed, so all of these things are also from God. The word also tells us that every good thing is from the Lord. So if you're proud of your own achievement and giving credit to yourself either its not really from you or it isn't a good thing.
Secondly, everything we can achieve for ourselves does not last. Death is something that none of us can avoid. I hate to be cynical, but it's a pretty obvious fact. So if you have a lot of money, it will one day disappear and amount to nothing. If you pride yourself in your athletic ability, you will grow old and be unable to perform. If you pride yourself in relationships, unless it is an eternal love given by God it amounts to nothing in the end.
I am not saying to never feel accomplished about anything. But as 1 Corinthians 1:31 states, "Let him who boasts boast in the Lord." You may work extremely hard and do so many things so just praise God for giving you strength. God gives you love to pour into relationships. God grants you success athletically and academically. Yet He is sovereign and deserves the praise. And He freely gave us His Son to pay the penalty of our sins so that we could be set free! Boast in that. Remember we are to bring glory to God in everything that we do. And God wants our all. So live humbly, recognizing that you're God sent His Son to give it all for you. He has equipped you and prepared you and will give you everything you need. So as you go on boasting, do so in Him.
Love all of you and hope you have a great weekend!
Saturday, December 3, 2011
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
When Satan Attacks
We oftentimes fail to recognize when Satan is attacking us. I am going to share something that has been going on in my life, and how the Holy Spirit led to overcome it.
Something had been off with me for a couple of weeks while I was at school. I doubt many people realized it because I tend to internalize things. I just wasn't as focused on bringing joy and serving others and didn't have the same passion and desire to worship God like I usually do. I just felt like I was in a funk and I couldn't figure out the reason for it. So I remember talking to Elyse on the phone and talking to her about it a little bit. She was laughing at me because I think she knew how frustrated I was. I tried to think maybe it was me struggling with relationships, or not having ministry responsibilities that I am accustomed to, or maybe I just had too much free time on my hand. I still enjoyed being around my friends and everything was fine, but something just wasn't right.
So I go home for two weeks for break. I had so much fun and it was great to be around family and friends. Something still wasn't right with me though. I was getting in the word but just had a hard time staying focused and getting stuff out of it. I analyze myself a lot and it was messing me up trying to figure out why I felt the way I did. I had been praying about it for a few weeks.
Then last night it hit me. I had tried to justify the way I was feeling with everything imaginable and it was Satan that was telling me these lies. Before I went to bed the Holy Spirit convicted me of the sin I was struggling with. Now I am going to be vague because I don't want to post it on a public forum, but when the Holy Spirit revealed this to me I immediately knew this was the source of my struggle. Satan led my mind to believe that something I wasn't doing was okay and it kept me from living in the holiness of God. Once I prayed God has forgiven me and just rejuvenated my spirit. I just want to say that if something isn't right with your soul, ask God deeply for truth. Pray that He will reveal it so you can conquer it. All day today my spirit has just felt so fresh and good again.
I know this isn't the most helpful thing due to lack of specificity, but it is something I needed to get off my chest. And Satan can fool you into thinking everything is okay when you know deep down it isn't. Because I felt completely normal, especially around friends, but something was just out of place. So constantly seek to be holy and combat whatever you are warring against. Because I promise once you give it to God it is such a liberating feeling.
I love you guys so much. Thanks so much to my family, friends, and church for making me feel so loved when I came home. Ya'll are a huge part of my life. Always rely on God and seek Him for answers. It may seem overwhelming, but just try to learn a little more each day. And if you just chip away I promise you will fall more in love with your Savior then you ever thought imaginable. Let me know if you ever need anything or have prayer requests!
Something had been off with me for a couple of weeks while I was at school. I doubt many people realized it because I tend to internalize things. I just wasn't as focused on bringing joy and serving others and didn't have the same passion and desire to worship God like I usually do. I just felt like I was in a funk and I couldn't figure out the reason for it. So I remember talking to Elyse on the phone and talking to her about it a little bit. She was laughing at me because I think she knew how frustrated I was. I tried to think maybe it was me struggling with relationships, or not having ministry responsibilities that I am accustomed to, or maybe I just had too much free time on my hand. I still enjoyed being around my friends and everything was fine, but something just wasn't right.
So I go home for two weeks for break. I had so much fun and it was great to be around family and friends. Something still wasn't right with me though. I was getting in the word but just had a hard time staying focused and getting stuff out of it. I analyze myself a lot and it was messing me up trying to figure out why I felt the way I did. I had been praying about it for a few weeks.
Then last night it hit me. I had tried to justify the way I was feeling with everything imaginable and it was Satan that was telling me these lies. Before I went to bed the Holy Spirit convicted me of the sin I was struggling with. Now I am going to be vague because I don't want to post it on a public forum, but when the Holy Spirit revealed this to me I immediately knew this was the source of my struggle. Satan led my mind to believe that something I wasn't doing was okay and it kept me from living in the holiness of God. Once I prayed God has forgiven me and just rejuvenated my spirit. I just want to say that if something isn't right with your soul, ask God deeply for truth. Pray that He will reveal it so you can conquer it. All day today my spirit has just felt so fresh and good again.
I know this isn't the most helpful thing due to lack of specificity, but it is something I needed to get off my chest. And Satan can fool you into thinking everything is okay when you know deep down it isn't. Because I felt completely normal, especially around friends, but something was just out of place. So constantly seek to be holy and combat whatever you are warring against. Because I promise once you give it to God it is such a liberating feeling.
I love you guys so much. Thanks so much to my family, friends, and church for making me feel so loved when I came home. Ya'll are a huge part of my life. Always rely on God and seek Him for answers. It may seem overwhelming, but just try to learn a little more each day. And if you just chip away I promise you will fall more in love with your Savior then you ever thought imaginable. Let me know if you ever need anything or have prayer requests!
Tuesday, November 1, 2011
Still With Me
"I give thanks to my God for every remembrance of you, always praying with joy for all of you in my every prayer, because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. I am sure of this, that He who started a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. It is right for me to think this way about all of you because I have you in my heart and you are all partners with me in grace, both in my imprisonment and in the defense and establishment of the gospel. For God is my witness, how deeply I miss all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus. And I pray this: that your love will keep on growing in knowledge and every kind of discernment, so that you can approve the things that are superior and can be pure and blameless in the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ to the glory and praise of God." Philippians 1:3-11
So I know I may have shared this with some of you, but I want you to know how my move to Dallas has kind of affected me. I feel that Paul's prayer in Philippians captures how my heart feels so well. When God puts something on my heart it overwhelms me. I typically pursue it without even looking back. So my move to Dallas was sudden and unpredicted. Yet, I knew God would be faithful through it because He has proven to me time and time again that He is faithful to what He lays on my heart. I knew it was what I had to do. Another thing about me is I care about relationships a lot. My family and friends have impacted my life so much and they mean a lot to me because of that. I knew I had to leave them and I was kind of scared of what would happen when I would go. It's funny to see how God works.
First of all I want to say that the way I was sent off to Dallas was incredible. I got to hang out with loved ones, got a book of prayers from some best friends, got some gifts, got to watch a slideshow of all the good times we had together, and got prayed over. Earlier after I had preached at the church, I was surrounded by family and friends and church members who showed me enormous amounts of love. Just knowing I had that kind of support (especially in prayer) was so comforting.
Then, I get to Dallas and all the new changes begin. Yet, I was able to contact so many of my friends and ya'll were all so interested in how I was doing. Just the fact that you were excited to hear from me meant so much to me. So even though I missed you guys so much, your encouragement helped me have comfort in where I was.
Lastly, when I went home for Hud's wedding I was overwhelmed by love once again. It was as though even in the short days we were together we hadn't skipped a beat. We laughed like we always have and the love was still overflowing. That's why Paul's prayer captures my heart. When relationships are formed on the love of Christ they are strong and not easily broken. So even away from you guys I can rejoice in your successes and grieve in your sorrows. We are aiming towards the same goal, fighting the same battle, spurring each other on along the way. That's what our ministry did. I am growing more then I ever thought possible and from talking to ya'll it is awesome to see how God is working in your lives as well. As it says right before our favorite verse in Hebrews, 10:23 says "Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for He who promised is faithful." Let's keep fighting the good fight till the end and God will guide us through all along the way. And always seek for ways to build one another up. We are all together in pursuit to bring glory to God's name. God gave us the love we have for each other and I pray that it bonds us together for the rest of our lives.
I am getting the chance to pour my life into many people in Dallas. They are pouring their lives into me and it is just awesome to see how God can use such little things for such huge purposes. Just know that probably everyone that is reading this has invested something in me that is forming me in my spiritual journey. I love you guys and I can't tell you how much I appreciate you're friendship. Always remember one another in prayer and push each other to be like Christ and to bear much fruit.
Ecclesiastes 4:12- Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.
So I know I may have shared this with some of you, but I want you to know how my move to Dallas has kind of affected me. I feel that Paul's prayer in Philippians captures how my heart feels so well. When God puts something on my heart it overwhelms me. I typically pursue it without even looking back. So my move to Dallas was sudden and unpredicted. Yet, I knew God would be faithful through it because He has proven to me time and time again that He is faithful to what He lays on my heart. I knew it was what I had to do. Another thing about me is I care about relationships a lot. My family and friends have impacted my life so much and they mean a lot to me because of that. I knew I had to leave them and I was kind of scared of what would happen when I would go. It's funny to see how God works.
First of all I want to say that the way I was sent off to Dallas was incredible. I got to hang out with loved ones, got a book of prayers from some best friends, got some gifts, got to watch a slideshow of all the good times we had together, and got prayed over. Earlier after I had preached at the church, I was surrounded by family and friends and church members who showed me enormous amounts of love. Just knowing I had that kind of support (especially in prayer) was so comforting.
Then, I get to Dallas and all the new changes begin. Yet, I was able to contact so many of my friends and ya'll were all so interested in how I was doing. Just the fact that you were excited to hear from me meant so much to me. So even though I missed you guys so much, your encouragement helped me have comfort in where I was.
Lastly, when I went home for Hud's wedding I was overwhelmed by love once again. It was as though even in the short days we were together we hadn't skipped a beat. We laughed like we always have and the love was still overflowing. That's why Paul's prayer captures my heart. When relationships are formed on the love of Christ they are strong and not easily broken. So even away from you guys I can rejoice in your successes and grieve in your sorrows. We are aiming towards the same goal, fighting the same battle, spurring each other on along the way. That's what our ministry did. I am growing more then I ever thought possible and from talking to ya'll it is awesome to see how God is working in your lives as well. As it says right before our favorite verse in Hebrews, 10:23 says "Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for He who promised is faithful." Let's keep fighting the good fight till the end and God will guide us through all along the way. And always seek for ways to build one another up. We are all together in pursuit to bring glory to God's name. God gave us the love we have for each other and I pray that it bonds us together for the rest of our lives.
I am getting the chance to pour my life into many people in Dallas. They are pouring their lives into me and it is just awesome to see how God can use such little things for such huge purposes. Just know that probably everyone that is reading this has invested something in me that is forming me in my spiritual journey. I love you guys and I can't tell you how much I appreciate you're friendship. Always remember one another in prayer and push each other to be like Christ and to bear much fruit.
Ecclesiastes 4:12- Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.
Thursday, October 27, 2011
It Wasn't Me
The number one question I get from being in Seminary is "What do you want to do when you get out?" It's a very good question and I tend to ask people the same thing. Now I know have certain gifts and know certain things I'm good at. Yet, sometimes it's hard to practically place these things to form a career. I don't feel like I'm a very dynamic speaker, so I question whether or not preaching is what I'm called to do. I am currently planning a ministry that is so far over my head I have no business talking about. Yet, deep down I expect greatness. I expect to make a difference in this world. So how do I feel so inadequate to serve, yet have so much confidence in the future. It is because my God and Holy Spirit is so much greater than anything I could provide. I do have strengths, but they are given by God. Let me give you some examples of how this message sparked and I gained a lot more trust in the Holy Spirit the last few weeks.
Many of you know I like writing letters of encouragement to people. About two weeks ago I had it on my heart to communicate some things to a few people, but they weren't necessarily like my normal messages. One was to a person I've never written too before. It was encouraging, but I wasn't sure how they would accept this message. A second letter basically was written to bring comfort to a struggle that I wasn't even sure was occurring. I told this person to follow God and seek His guidance in something I merely assumed they were dealing with. I later thought to myself, Alex you're an idiot. You don't know what's going on in their life. The other I just had a overwhelming desire to show my appreciation to one of my friends. We don't share our feelings much, so I wasn't exactly sure how he would respond. I say this to illustrate that after I sent these messages I had doubt and even regret to some extent to sending them. I just wasn't sure how they would respond. Then their responses came.
The first person told me that they hadn't had their usual joy at work and had even been snappy with a couple of people. They said they went to the break room and read my e-mail and were reminded of who they were in Christ. They told me that their students noticed a difference in their demeanor immediately when they got back to the classroom. They even asked where all the joy came from.
The second person confessed to me that they had been struggling with exactly what I had assumed. They said they needed encouragement and it just really motivated them to know someone was identifying with them and praying for them.
The third person said that they were getting so caught up in their studies they began to lose sight of their purpose. They said my e-mail helped him realize his purpose in their hard work. He said it was exactly what he needed to joyfully press on.
All three made a statement that they knew my message was from God. I have preached a couple of sermons and some more messages in small groups and always received great feedback. I watch my videos and am almost embarrassed about my nervousness and how I stumble through messages. It isn't good. But God works through them. The Holy Spirit is in my conversations, guiding my heart, and letting the Words of God transform lives.
So I say all this for a couple of reasons. First, if you think you are weak and only capable of simple things and that you can't impact the kingdom, then I praise God for your humility. But never doubt that God created you for a purpose and will use you to glorify His name. If you have identified you're strengths and are using them, I pray that you always remember they are from God. Keep giving thanks and using what you've been given to win souls for Christ. Thirdly, recognize that the Holy Spirit is using mundane tasks to reveal God to people. Recognize what the Holy Spirit is doing in your life. If you are obedient to the word of God you will know how to wisely approach the world and to live. If you are desperately praying for God you will form an adoration for Him and a humility about yourself. By seeking after God, He will delight in sending His Spirit to work through you. Take confidence in this because He can do mightier things through you than you could ever do for yourself. I don't know what I'm going to do yet, but I know it's going to be great and God will use it somehow. I am just going to closely listen for His direction.
1 Corinthians 1:26-31 "Brothers and sisters, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not may were influential; not many were of noble birth. But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose weak things of the world to shame the strong. God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things-and the things that are not-to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him. It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God-that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. Therefore, as it is written: 'Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord.'"
If all you know is Jesus Christ and Him crucified then that is more than enough. For our wisdom comes from Him. So boast about His name because though we are weak we will shame the strong. I pray that each accomplishment we have we will recognize how God simply used us to bring glory to Himself.
I have a few things on my mind right now so expect some more posts in the next couple of days. Love you guys!
Many of you know I like writing letters of encouragement to people. About two weeks ago I had it on my heart to communicate some things to a few people, but they weren't necessarily like my normal messages. One was to a person I've never written too before. It was encouraging, but I wasn't sure how they would accept this message. A second letter basically was written to bring comfort to a struggle that I wasn't even sure was occurring. I told this person to follow God and seek His guidance in something I merely assumed they were dealing with. I later thought to myself, Alex you're an idiot. You don't know what's going on in their life. The other I just had a overwhelming desire to show my appreciation to one of my friends. We don't share our feelings much, so I wasn't exactly sure how he would respond. I say this to illustrate that after I sent these messages I had doubt and even regret to some extent to sending them. I just wasn't sure how they would respond. Then their responses came.
The first person told me that they hadn't had their usual joy at work and had even been snappy with a couple of people. They said they went to the break room and read my e-mail and were reminded of who they were in Christ. They told me that their students noticed a difference in their demeanor immediately when they got back to the classroom. They even asked where all the joy came from.
The second person confessed to me that they had been struggling with exactly what I had assumed. They said they needed encouragement and it just really motivated them to know someone was identifying with them and praying for them.
The third person said that they were getting so caught up in their studies they began to lose sight of their purpose. They said my e-mail helped him realize his purpose in their hard work. He said it was exactly what he needed to joyfully press on.
All three made a statement that they knew my message was from God. I have preached a couple of sermons and some more messages in small groups and always received great feedback. I watch my videos and am almost embarrassed about my nervousness and how I stumble through messages. It isn't good. But God works through them. The Holy Spirit is in my conversations, guiding my heart, and letting the Words of God transform lives.
So I say all this for a couple of reasons. First, if you think you are weak and only capable of simple things and that you can't impact the kingdom, then I praise God for your humility. But never doubt that God created you for a purpose and will use you to glorify His name. If you have identified you're strengths and are using them, I pray that you always remember they are from God. Keep giving thanks and using what you've been given to win souls for Christ. Thirdly, recognize that the Holy Spirit is using mundane tasks to reveal God to people. Recognize what the Holy Spirit is doing in your life. If you are obedient to the word of God you will know how to wisely approach the world and to live. If you are desperately praying for God you will form an adoration for Him and a humility about yourself. By seeking after God, He will delight in sending His Spirit to work through you. Take confidence in this because He can do mightier things through you than you could ever do for yourself. I don't know what I'm going to do yet, but I know it's going to be great and God will use it somehow. I am just going to closely listen for His direction.
1 Corinthians 1:26-31 "Brothers and sisters, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not may were influential; not many were of noble birth. But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose weak things of the world to shame the strong. God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things-and the things that are not-to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him. It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God-that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. Therefore, as it is written: 'Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord.'"
If all you know is Jesus Christ and Him crucified then that is more than enough. For our wisdom comes from Him. So boast about His name because though we are weak we will shame the strong. I pray that each accomplishment we have we will recognize how God simply used us to bring glory to Himself.
I have a few things on my mind right now so expect some more posts in the next couple of days. Love you guys!
Tuesday, October 18, 2011
I Can Relate
Sorry I have been a slacker, but I'm going to get my blog rolling again. In Mark 2:17 Jesus tells the Pharisees that, "Healthy people don't need a doctor, sick people do. I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners." This was His response after the Pharisees were questioning why He was eating with Levi and the other tax collectors.
First a couple of observations. Only sick people need a doctor. People are not stated as righteous, they only think that they are righteous. And Jesus came to call sinners.
You know what unbelievers can't stand the most within the church? Hypocrites. You know what Jesus couldn't stand the most? Hypocrites. Jesus wants to transform us from the inside out, not look pretty on the outside and be empty on the inside.
I personally want to live above reproach, as the Bible tells me too, and I strive to do so. I want to be a strong leader that is building up the body of Christ. Yet, if I put off the impression that I have it all figured out I apologize. I struggle daily with trying to discern what God wants for my life, if I'm living for myself or glorifying God, or just what is the right thing to do in daily situations. Praise God for that. This forces me to go to the Bible for answers. This forces me to cry out to God because I have no idea of where to go. All I know is that I want to glorify God and I have to trust that He will lead me there. I didn't come to Seminary and get all the answers. I live my life trying to love God and love people and trusting that He will be faithful in that. That's all I really know to do.
So don't let Satan defeat you in your struggle. STAND firm until the end knowing that you serve a Lord who loves sinners and will gladly come to you when your broken. We are only strangers in a foreign land. So like the Israelites wondering in the wilderness, we are merely living here temporarily until we are called to our permanent home in heaven.
We all have a purpose in our life. We don't always know the clear cut way to do everything, but God is beckoning for us to come into relationship with Him. Questions are okay, but always remain faithful knowing God hears your cries. Sit down and find your rest in Him. God holds everything together and you can find all the comfort you need in that. Struggling is normal and will continue to happen, simply realize we are sick and need a doctor.
And those of you who think you are righteous and have it all together, I would check yourself. I'm just saying that there are a lot of uncertainties in life and we need God. Realizing that we are sinners in need of God is humbling, and by doing so we can truly consider others better than ourselves and genuinely love God's people. God is good and will help us in our time of need.
Love you guys. Keep praying that God would use us to do incredible things for His glory. Keep in mind the price Jesus paid for the penalty of our sins, and if that doesn't humble you than nothing will. Have a great week! And pray that Hud and Constance have a beautiful wedding and marriage.
First a couple of observations. Only sick people need a doctor. People are not stated as righteous, they only think that they are righteous. And Jesus came to call sinners.
You know what unbelievers can't stand the most within the church? Hypocrites. You know what Jesus couldn't stand the most? Hypocrites. Jesus wants to transform us from the inside out, not look pretty on the outside and be empty on the inside.
I personally want to live above reproach, as the Bible tells me too, and I strive to do so. I want to be a strong leader that is building up the body of Christ. Yet, if I put off the impression that I have it all figured out I apologize. I struggle daily with trying to discern what God wants for my life, if I'm living for myself or glorifying God, or just what is the right thing to do in daily situations. Praise God for that. This forces me to go to the Bible for answers. This forces me to cry out to God because I have no idea of where to go. All I know is that I want to glorify God and I have to trust that He will lead me there. I didn't come to Seminary and get all the answers. I live my life trying to love God and love people and trusting that He will be faithful in that. That's all I really know to do.
So don't let Satan defeat you in your struggle. STAND firm until the end knowing that you serve a Lord who loves sinners and will gladly come to you when your broken. We are only strangers in a foreign land. So like the Israelites wondering in the wilderness, we are merely living here temporarily until we are called to our permanent home in heaven.
We all have a purpose in our life. We don't always know the clear cut way to do everything, but God is beckoning for us to come into relationship with Him. Questions are okay, but always remain faithful knowing God hears your cries. Sit down and find your rest in Him. God holds everything together and you can find all the comfort you need in that. Struggling is normal and will continue to happen, simply realize we are sick and need a doctor.
And those of you who think you are righteous and have it all together, I would check yourself. I'm just saying that there are a lot of uncertainties in life and we need God. Realizing that we are sinners in need of God is humbling, and by doing so we can truly consider others better than ourselves and genuinely love God's people. God is good and will help us in our time of need.
Love you guys. Keep praying that God would use us to do incredible things for His glory. Keep in mind the price Jesus paid for the penalty of our sins, and if that doesn't humble you than nothing will. Have a great week! And pray that Hud and Constance have a beautiful wedding and marriage.
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
Love Conquers All
I went to church tonight and the guy told a story on the power of love. He said during the Roman Empire when Marcus Aurelius was in power, Rome experienced many plagues. Upon many people being deathly ill, many of the pagan people fled and tossed their sick ones out on the street to die. However, many Christians stayed and took care of the sick and ministered to them about Christ. Almost all of them took on the disease themselves because they were around the sick people, but they died serenely happy because they were serving and offering love to others. Because of this sacrificial love people were blown away. The culture completely changed in Rome and a reformation started.
Everyone in the world is seeking love and everyone in this world has hurt and pain that we don't know about. Pray daily for a love for people. Pour out everything you have in loving others and see how God provides for you in the process. In order to share the Gospel or disciple others or anything else, your heart has to be overflowing with love. I just want to share how thankful I am for the love shown to me in my life. I don't know who all reads this thing, but from my family to my friends to my church to the people in Dallas I feel more loved than anyone else in the world. There is no greater encouragement and it is so powerful. So take this as an encouragement to you. I could individually name everyone, but it would take me forever. But at the same time I don't want you to take this as a generalization and take it lightly. The love I have received from my family, friends, and church has spurred me on so much in my faith and molded me into the person I am. I know what it is to love others, because I have received so much love. So I genuinely thank God for all of you that He put in my life.
Keep on demonstrating that love to others and see how present the Holy Spirit is in your life. See what God does through your community if you are giving your life to loving Him and His people. Love is more powerful than you could ever imagine and people need it so much. They want it so much. So take a good look at your relationships and see if you are pouring love into them. If not, ask God for help. I guarantee He will change your heart and change lives. Love you guys and I'll try to start posting more frequently.
Everyone in the world is seeking love and everyone in this world has hurt and pain that we don't know about. Pray daily for a love for people. Pour out everything you have in loving others and see how God provides for you in the process. In order to share the Gospel or disciple others or anything else, your heart has to be overflowing with love. I just want to share how thankful I am for the love shown to me in my life. I don't know who all reads this thing, but from my family to my friends to my church to the people in Dallas I feel more loved than anyone else in the world. There is no greater encouragement and it is so powerful. So take this as an encouragement to you. I could individually name everyone, but it would take me forever. But at the same time I don't want you to take this as a generalization and take it lightly. The love I have received from my family, friends, and church has spurred me on so much in my faith and molded me into the person I am. I know what it is to love others, because I have received so much love. So I genuinely thank God for all of you that He put in my life.
Keep on demonstrating that love to others and see how present the Holy Spirit is in your life. See what God does through your community if you are giving your life to loving Him and His people. Love is more powerful than you could ever imagine and people need it so much. They want it so much. So take a good look at your relationships and see if you are pouring love into them. If not, ask God for help. I guarantee He will change your heart and change lives. Love you guys and I'll try to start posting more frequently.
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
Today is a New Day
1 Timothy 1:12-17
12 I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that he considered me trustworthy, appointing me to his service. 13 Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man, I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief. 14 The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.
15 Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst. 16 But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his immense patience as an example for those who would believe in him and receive eternal life. 17 Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen.
I love the humility Paul has in this passage. He says that the Lord gave him strength, considered him trustworthy, and appointed him to his service. God showed him mercy. God poured out grace and gave him the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.
Jesus did what He did to save sinners. He take the worst of the worst and makes them clean so He can use them for His glory. This is so incredible. My purpose of posting this scripture and this message is not to live in shame for past scars. Look what Paul said. He was the worst, yet God used that to show His great patience and power. Do not resist the Lord because you are unclean, run to Him to make you clean so that His name may be glorified. God knows what has and is happening in your life and wants nothing more than for you to come to Him. If you feel weak, then God will give you strength. If you feel like your not good enough, the Lord considers you trustworthy with his work. If you don't know what to do, the Lord will appoint you to His service. If you feel like you don't deserve it, God will shower you with grace and mercy. Don't live in a shameful past, but constantly give thanks for God's mercy and praise Him that He is able to use sinners like us in the world.
Guys I have had prayers I've been praying for 2 years be answered. I've seen my God change lives. God has shown me what love really looks like. You don't have to be super-intelligent or specific gifts to do the work of the Lord. God made you exactly how He wanted you to be. I know for me seminary is going to open incredible doors for God to work, but it isn't necessary to do the work of the Lord. God alone changes lives. God's simple truths of how to love and the demonstration of love He gave us are more than enough. Just obey His truths to the best of your understanding and pray constantly and He will use you for His glory. You know why? Because He loves His creation and wants to save sinners. Everyone loves the phrase if God is for us who can be against us, but I think we need to constantly remind ourselves that God is for us. When we give our lives to Him, He always wants what's best for us. And what's best for us is to glorify Him on this earth, and to completely rely on Him so that we may worship Him forever.
I'm not the most dynamic speaker or writer. I don't know the Bible as well as I should. I oftentimes shy away from evangelistic opportunities. I still rely on myself many times, instead of asking God for guidance. Yet, I have such a passion for God. He is teaching me how to love people and offer grace to others. He is teaching me how to serve and give my life to what He has called me to do. So in all my weakness and brokenness, God is using me in incredible ways. I'll never stop boasting about this. God has never let me down or given up on me. I will joyfully serve Him with my entire life. Once you realize that everything you have is a gift from God, only what He gives you will last, and that He can take the smallest thing and use it for His eternal glory, then there is no room for any selfish ambitions. No matter who you are, or what you do, God can use you in incredible ways. He wants to use you in incredible ways. So why don't you just let Him? He is so faithful and so patient with us. Don't give back because you feel obligated, give your life to Him because there is no one else that loves you like He does and will always be faithful to you.
I love ya'll so much and I don't just say that every post. I know many of you who read this and you have made a difference in my life. I'm praying for all of you and just know that God is doing a mighty work in this very day. Have a great week!
12 I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that he considered me trustworthy, appointing me to his service. 13 Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man, I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief. 14 The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.
15 Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst. 16 But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his immense patience as an example for those who would believe in him and receive eternal life. 17 Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen.
I love the humility Paul has in this passage. He says that the Lord gave him strength, considered him trustworthy, and appointed him to his service. God showed him mercy. God poured out grace and gave him the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.
Jesus did what He did to save sinners. He take the worst of the worst and makes them clean so He can use them for His glory. This is so incredible. My purpose of posting this scripture and this message is not to live in shame for past scars. Look what Paul said. He was the worst, yet God used that to show His great patience and power. Do not resist the Lord because you are unclean, run to Him to make you clean so that His name may be glorified. God knows what has and is happening in your life and wants nothing more than for you to come to Him. If you feel weak, then God will give you strength. If you feel like your not good enough, the Lord considers you trustworthy with his work. If you don't know what to do, the Lord will appoint you to His service. If you feel like you don't deserve it, God will shower you with grace and mercy. Don't live in a shameful past, but constantly give thanks for God's mercy and praise Him that He is able to use sinners like us in the world.
Guys I have had prayers I've been praying for 2 years be answered. I've seen my God change lives. God has shown me what love really looks like. You don't have to be super-intelligent or specific gifts to do the work of the Lord. God made you exactly how He wanted you to be. I know for me seminary is going to open incredible doors for God to work, but it isn't necessary to do the work of the Lord. God alone changes lives. God's simple truths of how to love and the demonstration of love He gave us are more than enough. Just obey His truths to the best of your understanding and pray constantly and He will use you for His glory. You know why? Because He loves His creation and wants to save sinners. Everyone loves the phrase if God is for us who can be against us, but I think we need to constantly remind ourselves that God is for us. When we give our lives to Him, He always wants what's best for us. And what's best for us is to glorify Him on this earth, and to completely rely on Him so that we may worship Him forever.
I'm not the most dynamic speaker or writer. I don't know the Bible as well as I should. I oftentimes shy away from evangelistic opportunities. I still rely on myself many times, instead of asking God for guidance. Yet, I have such a passion for God. He is teaching me how to love people and offer grace to others. He is teaching me how to serve and give my life to what He has called me to do. So in all my weakness and brokenness, God is using me in incredible ways. I'll never stop boasting about this. God has never let me down or given up on me. I will joyfully serve Him with my entire life. Once you realize that everything you have is a gift from God, only what He gives you will last, and that He can take the smallest thing and use it for His eternal glory, then there is no room for any selfish ambitions. No matter who you are, or what you do, God can use you in incredible ways. He wants to use you in incredible ways. So why don't you just let Him? He is so faithful and so patient with us. Don't give back because you feel obligated, give your life to Him because there is no one else that loves you like He does and will always be faithful to you.
I love ya'll so much and I don't just say that every post. I know many of you who read this and you have made a difference in my life. I'm praying for all of you and just know that God is doing a mighty work in this very day. Have a great week!
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