First of all, I'd like to apologize for not posting for so long. I am going to strive to post more in the upcoming year.
Now that that is out of the way, let's get to it!
Over the past couple of months, I've been easily distracted by worldly things. And I'm going to work on getting back to where I should be. Last night, as I was going to bed, I looked over on my bedside table. My Bible was lying there, and it's like someone said to my heart/mind to read it. So I picked it up, looked for a topic in my "life choices index" and began reading. Eventually, I got to 2 Timothy 2. Looking at what I've been doing in my life, and knowing it was wrong made me feel terrible when I looked at the titles "A Good Soldier of Christ Jesus" and even worse, "An Approved Worker." But I found that reading this chapter really helped me. There were so many good things in the chapter! I guess I'm learning that sometimes when I don't feel like reading the Bible, or when I'm "too busy" I need to make time. As you read in different spots, you get energized and encouraged. God will point you to what you need to hear. Like last night, when I was going "why am I in this passage?" this came up: "Run from anything that stimulates youthful lusts. Instead, pursue righteous living, faithfulness, love, and peace. Enjoy the companionship of those who call on the Lord with pure hearts." (2 Timothy 2:22) And it goes on to speak about quarrels and stubborn people. It amazes me that God shows me exactly what I need! And that He puts people in my life to encourage and help me along. I encourage you all to read this whole chapter, and even all of 1-2 Timothy! Neither book is very long, and there is good stuff in there! I'm going to challenge myself to do it!
I say all of this to say this; never underestimate the power of God. And never think that you don't need the Bible. (And don't worry, I'm talking to myself too!) Get into the Bible. Read it. Study it. Apply it. There will be results. Some things we may not like, but they are important to our walk with God.
Happy New Year!
(Used Teen Life Application Study Bible NLT, Tyndale)
Sunday, December 28, 2014
Monday, September 8, 2014
Worldly Expectations vs God's Love
What does the world tell you everyday? I don't know about you, but in my experience, love, sex, power, money, fitness, and material things are important. The world sees these things as things we need-- or we aren't good enough and don't fit in. Everyone seems to be so obsessed with fitting in and conforming to the worlds' standards that we lose our own. Even Christians have this happen to them-- they become so obsessed with the world that they lose sight of God and what He wants for them. I know that I have done it. Many times over.
The world tells us we don't need God. You know what? God loves us so much that He created this world-- however, Adam and Eve's sin is what made it what it is today. The world was a perfect place-- but they fell into Satan's trap telling them there was something better than what God had given them. Check out Genesis. The whole story is in there.
But even in that, God made a way for us to get back to Him. He sent His Only Son, Jesus, to live here, teach us about Him, and die a brutal death for our sins. His story is in any of the gospels-- Matthew, Mark, Luke, or John. (Check it out! It's awesome!:)
The world is always telling us we need to change, eat this, have a hot boyfriend/girlfriend, own anything/everything we want. But you know what God tells us?
HE LOVES US (see John 13:34)
HE WANTS US TO COME TO HIM WITH EVERYTHING (Matthew 11:28-30)
HE FORGIVES US OF OUR SINS (Luke 7:48)
HE IS ENOUGH FOR US (Matthew 11:30)
God loves us in a way the world never can. We, as Christians, need to learn to listen to God, not the world. Remember, God is the Only One who can love you unconditionally. He loves you in a way no person ever can. Don't hang on to the things of this world. They won't last. Hang on to God-- HE WILL LAST--FOREVER! And so will His love.
The world tells us we don't need God. You know what? God loves us so much that He created this world-- however, Adam and Eve's sin is what made it what it is today. The world was a perfect place-- but they fell into Satan's trap telling them there was something better than what God had given them. Check out Genesis. The whole story is in there.
But even in that, God made a way for us to get back to Him. He sent His Only Son, Jesus, to live here, teach us about Him, and die a brutal death for our sins. His story is in any of the gospels-- Matthew, Mark, Luke, or John. (Check it out! It's awesome!:)
The world is always telling us we need to change, eat this, have a hot boyfriend/girlfriend, own anything/everything we want. But you know what God tells us?
HE LOVES US (see John 13:34)
HE WANTS US TO COME TO HIM WITH EVERYTHING (Matthew 11:28-30)
HE FORGIVES US OF OUR SINS (Luke 7:48)
HE IS ENOUGH FOR US (Matthew 11:30)
God loves us in a way the world never can. We, as Christians, need to learn to listen to God, not the world. Remember, God is the Only One who can love you unconditionally. He loves you in a way no person ever can. Don't hang on to the things of this world. They won't last. Hang on to God-- HE WILL LAST--FOREVER! And so will His love.
Sunday, April 20, 2014
Easter-- What's its meaning?
Today is Easter day. Today is a special day for all Christians. It is the day that Jesus Christ arose from the dead! He defeated sin and Satan by dying on the cross, and rising from the dead on Sunday, completing the job. Have you ever heard the poem "Sunday's a Comin'?" (Search on YouTube) If you haven't, listen to it. It will explain everything!
Jesus' death and resurrection made a way for all people to come to Him and be saved. He is willing to forgive you if you ask. Read the story of His life and death in any of the gospels. Matthew, Mark, Luke, or John have all the stories. They really are fascinating. Mark 14 on to 16 has the story of Jesus's death. Check it out. And while you are reading, really pay close attention. There is a lot of information in there. And I guarantee, if you have never read it, it will make a huge difference!
Check out Keith and Kristyn Getty's song, "Christ Is Risen, He Is Risen Indeed" It is another awesome Easter message!
Jesus' death and resurrection made a way for all people to come to Him and be saved. He is willing to forgive you if you ask. Read the story of His life and death in any of the gospels. Matthew, Mark, Luke, or John have all the stories. They really are fascinating. Mark 14 on to 16 has the story of Jesus's death. Check it out. And while you are reading, really pay close attention. There is a lot of information in there. And I guarantee, if you have never read it, it will make a huge difference!
Check out Keith and Kristyn Getty's song, "Christ Is Risen, He Is Risen Indeed" It is another awesome Easter message!
Thursday, January 30, 2014
Convictions vs Friends
Conviction. Such a small, simple word with such an important meaning. Dictionary.com says it is a "fixed or firm belief." Everyone has convictions of some sort or another. It can be as simple as believing that cats are better than dogs, or can be as big as believing whether dating is right or wrong. A conviction is a conviction.
Are some convictions (such as dating is not right for me to do) easy to stick to? No, of course not! There will always be someone who will try to belittle your convictions, and maybe even make a big deal of it to embarrass you. Are they your real friends? Are they the people that you really trust to respect and help you through life?
Some people say it is too hard to have convictions because of some of the reasons above. But God promises us, as Christians, that we "can do all things through Christ..." (Philippians 4:13 NKJV)
In 1 Samuel 18, David (who would one day be King David) and Jonathan (King Saul's son) became really good friends. The story tells us in verse 1 that "the soul of Jonathan was knit to the soul of David." In other words, they became very close friends very quickly.
Friends like David and Jonathan support each other. If you read through the story, you will see what these friends faced together. They both had convictions, and each respected the other. This is real friendship. They stuck together through the good and bad, and respected each other.
These are the kinds of friends we should seek out. They may not agree with you on everything, but they should respect you and what you believe. Aren't those the kinds of friends you want?
Suggested reading-- 1 Samuel 18-20
God bless!:D
Are some convictions (such as dating is not right for me to do) easy to stick to? No, of course not! There will always be someone who will try to belittle your convictions, and maybe even make a big deal of it to embarrass you. Are they your real friends? Are they the people that you really trust to respect and help you through life?
Some people say it is too hard to have convictions because of some of the reasons above. But God promises us, as Christians, that we "can do all things through Christ..." (Philippians 4:13 NKJV)
In 1 Samuel 18, David (who would one day be King David) and Jonathan (King Saul's son) became really good friends. The story tells us in verse 1 that "the soul of Jonathan was knit to the soul of David." In other words, they became very close friends very quickly.
Friends like David and Jonathan support each other. If you read through the story, you will see what these friends faced together. They both had convictions, and each respected the other. This is real friendship. They stuck together through the good and bad, and respected each other.
These are the kinds of friends we should seek out. They may not agree with you on everything, but they should respect you and what you believe. Aren't those the kinds of friends you want?
Suggested reading-- 1 Samuel 18-20
God bless!:D
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