Sometimes God needs to bring us to our knees in order for us to get the point.
He had to do that to me yesterday.
In a ball on the floor, crying, asking God for help.
That’s what happened to me.
See, I thought I would do things my way. (It’s totally worked in the past right???? NOT.)
I made stupid decisions that hurt people around me. Hurt myself. Hurt my relationship with
God.
And at first, I justified it. I didn’t feel bad. But then, I realised it was wrong, at least in my head. My heart took longer.
But then yesterday, it hit.
I thought I would kneel and pray, but it wound up being a ball leaning on my bed, crying, completely broken.
I realised what I had done. I realised the chaos around me. I realised the danger I was in.
I decided I didn’t want that for me anymore. I didn’t want to be doing things on my own.
I once again realised I can’t do things on my own. (Shocker, I know. Not like I’ve written about it 1,000 times... *insert eye roll*)
And you know what?
God helped me.
He didn’t have to.
He didn’t have any reason to.
I had turned against Him.
He owed me nothing.
He never owes me anything.
But still He helps.
I’m thankful that God is faithful, even when my heart is unfaithful to Him.
And that’s what I’m working on in this New Year. Being more faithful to the One Who is Most Faithful. Being more faithful in all areas of my life.
Not letting sin, not letting my desires, come between me and God, or between me and others.
Trusting that God has the plan, and that He’s got control, even when it feels everything is spiralling out of control.
What are you going to do?
Why not join me?
We’re all in this together. It’s kinda like High School Musical. :P
Showing posts with label life. Show all posts
Showing posts with label life. Show all posts
Tuesday, January 1, 2019
Sunday, December 2, 2018
Trusting... Well... Trying
Trust.
Such a simple word, but a hard action.
People say, "oh, you can trust me." You soon find out whether you can or not.
You trust yourself to make decisions everyday. Everything, great or small, you trust you can make the right decision. Everything from deciding what shirt and shoes you want to wear to how you want to spend your time and money. But there are some things we don't know if we will make the right decision, so we ask opinions and trust others to give us some good advice. I'm talking decisions like... college.... relationships... moving...
Sometimes we trust the wrong people. We take their advice and trust them when we really shouldn't.
There is one Person Who we can actually trust, who will make the right decision every time.
That's Jesus.
Proverbs 3:5-6 tells us:
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take."
I don't know about you, but when I read that, I feel a tremendous amount of pressure that was on my shoulders go away.
It isn't up to me.
I'm not alone to make these decisions.
I can go to Jesus and ask Him, "Hey, what should I do here?"
I can look to the Bible, read it, and see what I can do in certain situations.
Trust.
Trust God with your plans.
I'm a control freak. I love making plans and figuring things out. When I was a teenager, I had a plan for my whole life. I was going to be engaged by this time, have my degree by this time, married by this time, have children by this time, own a house by this time, etc. etc. etc.
Oddly enough, every plan I made got flipped upside down.
At the time, it was so disappointing. Looking back now... I am so glad my plans didn't work out. Cuz God had much better ones, and I am just beginning to understand what those plans look like.
Proverbs 16 has some stuff to say about plans....
"We can make our own plans, but the Lord gives the right answer." (verse 1)
"Commit your actions to the Lord, and your plans will succeed." (verse 3)
God has the best plans in mind for us. He wants us to be happy. He wants us to do well. He has our best in mind.
God is the one person we can trust. Though it may seem like life is out of control, that God is nowhere to be found, He is right there beside you, trying to help you, if you'd just let Him.
Trust Him.
Trust Him with it all. Your dreams... your desires... your life.
Trust Him to help you make the right decisions.
Find out what He wants for you and for your life by:
1. Reading the Bible - lots of good info in there to show you how to live, and what God wants of you.
2. Praying - prayer is a two-way conversation. I often forget that. God is there to listen to you, and there will be times He will want to talk to you too. You just have to listen.
God knows all our dreams and our desires. Psalm 38:9 says "You know what I long for, Lord; you hear my every sigh."
God knows more about us and our lives than we or anyone else could ever know. Let's learn to trust Him with our lives and everything in our lives. It'll make things easier.
"You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in You." - Isaiah 26:3 -
Such a simple word, but a hard action.
People say, "oh, you can trust me." You soon find out whether you can or not.
You trust yourself to make decisions everyday. Everything, great or small, you trust you can make the right decision. Everything from deciding what shirt and shoes you want to wear to how you want to spend your time and money. But there are some things we don't know if we will make the right decision, so we ask opinions and trust others to give us some good advice. I'm talking decisions like... college.... relationships... moving...
Sometimes we trust the wrong people. We take their advice and trust them when we really shouldn't.
There is one Person Who we can actually trust, who will make the right decision every time.
That's Jesus.
Proverbs 3:5-6 tells us:
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take."
I don't know about you, but when I read that, I feel a tremendous amount of pressure that was on my shoulders go away.
It isn't up to me.
I'm not alone to make these decisions.
I can go to Jesus and ask Him, "Hey, what should I do here?"
I can look to the Bible, read it, and see what I can do in certain situations.
Trust.
Trust God with your plans.
I'm a control freak. I love making plans and figuring things out. When I was a teenager, I had a plan for my whole life. I was going to be engaged by this time, have my degree by this time, married by this time, have children by this time, own a house by this time, etc. etc. etc.
Oddly enough, every plan I made got flipped upside down.
At the time, it was so disappointing. Looking back now... I am so glad my plans didn't work out. Cuz God had much better ones, and I am just beginning to understand what those plans look like.
Proverbs 16 has some stuff to say about plans....
"We can make our own plans, but the Lord gives the right answer." (verse 1)
"Commit your actions to the Lord, and your plans will succeed." (verse 3)
God has the best plans in mind for us. He wants us to be happy. He wants us to do well. He has our best in mind.
God is the one person we can trust. Though it may seem like life is out of control, that God is nowhere to be found, He is right there beside you, trying to help you, if you'd just let Him.
Trust Him.
Trust Him with it all. Your dreams... your desires... your life.
Trust Him to help you make the right decisions.
Find out what He wants for you and for your life by:
1. Reading the Bible - lots of good info in there to show you how to live, and what God wants of you.
2. Praying - prayer is a two-way conversation. I often forget that. God is there to listen to you, and there will be times He will want to talk to you too. You just have to listen.
God knows all our dreams and our desires. Psalm 38:9 says "You know what I long for, Lord; you hear my every sigh."
God knows more about us and our lives than we or anyone else could ever know. Let's learn to trust Him with our lives and everything in our lives. It'll make things easier.
"You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in You." - Isaiah 26:3 -
Thursday, October 11, 2018
Where your Treasure Is...
Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be. (Matthew 6:21, NLT)
It is easy to store up treasures here on earth. Sometimes we don't call them treasures... we simply have an excessive amount of stuff. I know I am no one to talk to be honest. I have way too much stuff.
How many of us have multiple Bibles? How often do you pick it up to read it, study it, reflect on it?
If you are like me, not often enough.
But I will pick up different items in the store that I don't really need and buy them, keep them in my house, never to be used and just collecting dust.
Our Bibles should never do that, but oftentimes they do.
Our Bibles are full of treasures and full of things to be learned, but we take them for granted and we forget how important they are.
Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will be...
Why don't we start storing up more heavenly treasures instead of focusing on earthly treasures? Why don't we get out our Bibles more and start learning more about our heavenly treasures and become better people?
In the end, we can’t take these material things with us. But we can build now for our eternity.
Let’s foster a life of love and kindness, and a deep desire to serve God by serving others around us.
Let’s learn all we can about God now.
Let’s build up the right kind of treasure.
It is easy to store up treasures here on earth. Sometimes we don't call them treasures... we simply have an excessive amount of stuff. I know I am no one to talk to be honest. I have way too much stuff.
How many of us have multiple Bibles? How often do you pick it up to read it, study it, reflect on it?
If you are like me, not often enough.
But I will pick up different items in the store that I don't really need and buy them, keep them in my house, never to be used and just collecting dust.
Our Bibles should never do that, but oftentimes they do.
Our Bibles are full of treasures and full of things to be learned, but we take them for granted and we forget how important they are.
Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will be...
Why don't we start storing up more heavenly treasures instead of focusing on earthly treasures? Why don't we get out our Bibles more and start learning more about our heavenly treasures and become better people?
In the end, we can’t take these material things with us. But we can build now for our eternity.
Let’s foster a life of love and kindness, and a deep desire to serve God by serving others around us.
Let’s learn all we can about God now.
Let’s build up the right kind of treasure.
Sunday, January 17, 2016
Crazy Life
Life gets crazy sometimes. This past week has been a testimony to that fact. There are times when we question God on where He is and what He is doing in our lives. We shed many tears, and almost lose our faith. During these times, we learn who our true friends are.
When I was feeling that way this week, my best friends in the whole world gathered around me to help me back up. It didn't matter that I was an emotional disaster... they just were there to help me, give me words of advice and wisdom, and get a laugh out of me once in a while. They were also there to point me back to the One Who controls everything... God. They told me stories of how God had been faithful to them in the past, and encouraged me that God had everything under control.
God reminded me this week of how much He loves me. He showed me that His plans are always for my good, and for the good of those around me, even if I don't understand. When I was struggling to understand why God allows young people to be really sick and in some cases die, God reminded me that our breath belongs to Him... He has the right to give it, and the right to take it away. We cannot question Him on His ability to provide for us. He always comes through. This morning while I was in church, God pointed me to this verse,
When I was feeling that way this week, my best friends in the whole world gathered around me to help me back up. It didn't matter that I was an emotional disaster... they just were there to help me, give me words of advice and wisdom, and get a laugh out of me once in a while. They were also there to point me back to the One Who controls everything... God. They told me stories of how God had been faithful to them in the past, and encouraged me that God had everything under control.
God reminded me this week of how much He loves me. He showed me that His plans are always for my good, and for the good of those around me, even if I don't understand. When I was struggling to understand why God allows young people to be really sick and in some cases die, God reminded me that our breath belongs to Him... He has the right to give it, and the right to take it away. We cannot question Him on His ability to provide for us. He always comes through. This morning while I was in church, God pointed me to this verse,
Psalm 32:7
You are my hiding place;
You shall preserve me from trouble;
You shall surround me with songs of deliverance.
This verse reminded me that God has been there all week, in the good and bad times. And I am so thankful that even when I was angry with Him, He stayed with me and never gave up on me, and showed me this promise that I can hold on to. He reveals things to us as we need to learn them, and He is always faithful to provide for us.
I just encourage you to lean in to God no matter what is going on in your life. He's the only One who can fix the mess you are in. And you can tell Him anything. Even if you are mad, tell Him. You'll be surprised how He can work in your heart and life.
Monday, November 2, 2015
"Gracious and Attractive"
Colossians 4:2-6 {NLT}
"Devote yourselves to prayer, with an alert mind and a thankful heart. Pray for us, too, that God will give us many opportunities to speak about his mysterious plan concerning Christ. That is why I am here in chains. Pray that I will proclaim this message as clearly as I should. Live wisely among those who are not believers, and make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be gracious and attractive so that you will have the right response for everyone."
Why did I highlight the last part of this passage? This is something people (especially close friends) have been reminding me of this last little bit. I struggle with my conversations being "gracious" and "attractive," especially when I am stressed or overwhelmed or don't think I can do it anymore. God has been teaching me this last week about it. He uses people to speak to us, and when He highlights the same thing in Scripture, it is time to really listen and pay attention to what He is saying. This is what God taught me from this last part of Colossians:
We need to be careful in our conversations. We need to make sure that they are indeed "gracious" and "attractive" so that we can be leading people to God instead of driving them away from God. If we focus our conversations on things that are, as Philippians 4:8 says, true, right, pure, lovely, honorable, and admirable, we will be more likely, and more able to lead people toward God, instead of driving them away with "unattractive" and "ungracious" conversations.
This is hard to do sometimes. I know, especially when people upset me, that I am not likely to be very "gracious" and "attractive" in my speech. Did you know that our thoughts are important as well? Philippians 4:8 (as referred to above) is talking about our thoughts. As Jesus says in Matthew 15:18, "But the words you speak come from the heart - that's what defiles you." What we are thinking can be just as bad as what we are saying (or, in some cases, worse than what we are saying). Our heart is the center of us. Everything springs forth from the heart.
How can we practically "put into practice" what we have learned? Well, I have a few suggestions. Like I said before, this is something I struggle with, so I am definitely no expert on this! The best place to go is to the Bible or to ask the Lord in prayer.
Here are a few ways we can learn to be "gracious and attractive" in our conversations:
1) Listen! We do not have to agree with them. We do not have to even support what they are saying. But we need to be gracious enough to let them speak their mind, and then we can share our opinion on the topic.
2) Be gentle! Do not force something on someone. It is disrespectful, unattractive, and not at all gracious.
3) Stop! If you cannot be calm and rational with someone, do not talk to them. Walk away. Come back and talk to them. I have had to do this when I have gotten into heated debates, or even arguments with people, or if I am upset with them about something. Remember what Mom always taught... "If you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all!"
In the end, most of it is common sense. Be kind to people, gracious and forgiving in speech and in manner. If you are unable to do this, walk away and calm down instead of saying something that could be very damaging to someone. Remember Philippians 4:8 and apply that to your life, in every aspect, and you will be well on your way!
"Devote yourselves to prayer, with an alert mind and a thankful heart. Pray for us, too, that God will give us many opportunities to speak about his mysterious plan concerning Christ. That is why I am here in chains. Pray that I will proclaim this message as clearly as I should. Live wisely among those who are not believers, and make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be gracious and attractive so that you will have the right response for everyone."
Why did I highlight the last part of this passage? This is something people (especially close friends) have been reminding me of this last little bit. I struggle with my conversations being "gracious" and "attractive," especially when I am stressed or overwhelmed or don't think I can do it anymore. God has been teaching me this last week about it. He uses people to speak to us, and when He highlights the same thing in Scripture, it is time to really listen and pay attention to what He is saying. This is what God taught me from this last part of Colossians:
We need to be careful in our conversations. We need to make sure that they are indeed "gracious" and "attractive" so that we can be leading people to God instead of driving them away from God. If we focus our conversations on things that are, as Philippians 4:8 says, true, right, pure, lovely, honorable, and admirable, we will be more likely, and more able to lead people toward God, instead of driving them away with "unattractive" and "ungracious" conversations.
This is hard to do sometimes. I know, especially when people upset me, that I am not likely to be very "gracious" and "attractive" in my speech. Did you know that our thoughts are important as well? Philippians 4:8 (as referred to above) is talking about our thoughts. As Jesus says in Matthew 15:18, "But the words you speak come from the heart - that's what defiles you." What we are thinking can be just as bad as what we are saying (or, in some cases, worse than what we are saying). Our heart is the center of us. Everything springs forth from the heart.
How can we practically "put into practice" what we have learned? Well, I have a few suggestions. Like I said before, this is something I struggle with, so I am definitely no expert on this! The best place to go is to the Bible or to ask the Lord in prayer.
Here are a few ways we can learn to be "gracious and attractive" in our conversations:
1) Listen! We do not have to agree with them. We do not have to even support what they are saying. But we need to be gracious enough to let them speak their mind, and then we can share our opinion on the topic.
2) Be gentle! Do not force something on someone. It is disrespectful, unattractive, and not at all gracious.
3) Stop! If you cannot be calm and rational with someone, do not talk to them. Walk away. Come back and talk to them. I have had to do this when I have gotten into heated debates, or even arguments with people, or if I am upset with them about something. Remember what Mom always taught... "If you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all!"
In the end, most of it is common sense. Be kind to people, gracious and forgiving in speech and in manner. If you are unable to do this, walk away and calm down instead of saying something that could be very damaging to someone. Remember Philippians 4:8 and apply that to your life, in every aspect, and you will be well on your way!
Thursday, October 3, 2013
A Time for Everything
Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 tells us there is a specific time for everything to occur. For example, there is a time for people to be born and a time for them to die. There is a time to plant and a time to reap (verse 2). There are times to kill, and times to heal. There are times to break down walls (spiritual, physical, or emotional), and times we need to build them up (verse 3).
Verse 4 tells us there are times to weep and times to laugh; times to mourn and times to dance. The next verse tells us there are times to cast away stones and times to gather stones. {In today's terms, that would mean to prepare things for use and then to use them and let them go.} There are also times to embrace and times to refrain from embracing. The next verse, 6, says that there are times that we will gain and times we will lose. There are times to keep things and times to throw them away.
We have times to tear and times to mend, and times to be silent and times to speak out (verse 7). There are times for love and times for hate. There are times of war and then come times of peace.
This last one makes me think of the time we have on earth and the thing we look forward to; our heavenly home. We have to face the war - life; to gain peace - eternal life.
We don't always like the things we have to face in life; especially mourning and times of breaking down walls. But God is with us even in the darkest moments. He will provide opportunities for us to grow and learn more about Him and the world He has placed us in, even in the darkest times of our lives. Ultimately, He has a plan for each one of us. No matter where you are, no matter what you are facing, He has a plan for you. He will reveal it to you; just listen to His voice! It may not be revealed right away, and it may not be beyond today, but it will be just enough at the time. Keep up the faith, and listen to Him; He loves you and longs for you to love Him too. He wants to be part of your life, and to direct it for you, so you will never have to worry!
Verse 4 tells us there are times to weep and times to laugh; times to mourn and times to dance. The next verse tells us there are times to cast away stones and times to gather stones. {In today's terms, that would mean to prepare things for use and then to use them and let them go.} There are also times to embrace and times to refrain from embracing. The next verse, 6, says that there are times that we will gain and times we will lose. There are times to keep things and times to throw them away.
We have times to tear and times to mend, and times to be silent and times to speak out (verse 7). There are times for love and times for hate. There are times of war and then come times of peace.
This last one makes me think of the time we have on earth and the thing we look forward to; our heavenly home. We have to face the war - life; to gain peace - eternal life.
We don't always like the things we have to face in life; especially mourning and times of breaking down walls. But God is with us even in the darkest moments. He will provide opportunities for us to grow and learn more about Him and the world He has placed us in, even in the darkest times of our lives. Ultimately, He has a plan for each one of us. No matter where you are, no matter what you are facing, He has a plan for you. He will reveal it to you; just listen to His voice! It may not be revealed right away, and it may not be beyond today, but it will be just enough at the time. Keep up the faith, and listen to Him; He loves you and longs for you to love Him too. He wants to be part of your life, and to direct it for you, so you will never have to worry!
Saturday, July 27, 2013
Living for Christ
My mother, Natalie Gidney, preached a sermon last Sunday that really impacted me. Her title was "Pursue the Promised Prize." Philippians 3:12-16 was her main Scripture passage for the sermon. One thing in the passage stuck out to me. It was in verse 16--"let us walk by the same rule, let us be of the same mind."
Paul is speaking about us, Christians. Yes, I know everyone has opinions. But really, do our opinions matter? Shouldn't we pray and allow God to be the One to decide what is to be done and how it is to be done?
I'll be honest. We won't always like what God says; at the time. But eventually, everything will be revealed, and we will see (if we follow what He says) that it was the right thing to do. But, if we are too busy being focused upon our opinions, how can we see any of God's plan? I know that I've asked about specific things and God has said no at that time. Do I like it? No, not at the time! But later I see that it was the best thing to be done at that time. I know that God always has a plan that is bigger and better than my own.
Mum's sermon had three main points; Pass Up (the old self: see Philippians 3:13, 2 Corinthians 5:17) Press On ( 1 Timothy 1:12-15, Philippians 3:12), and finally, Possess the Prize (see 2 Timothy 4:7-8, Revelation 21:1-7).
Look up these passages and read them. They all have great things in them. Basically, once you read them, you'll see how they relate to the topic they follow.
In the end, no one is perfect! Like my Mum said in her sermon, "Stop waiting to be perfected, press on for Him!" And, "It's not about comfort; it's about what God is calling us to."
A song that I really like is "Dangerous" by Group 1 Crew. This song basically explains the whole sermon! Please look it up, listen to it, and apply it. Our world needs us! When would be a better time than now?
NKJV USED
Paul is speaking about us, Christians. Yes, I know everyone has opinions. But really, do our opinions matter? Shouldn't we pray and allow God to be the One to decide what is to be done and how it is to be done?
I'll be honest. We won't always like what God says; at the time. But eventually, everything will be revealed, and we will see (if we follow what He says) that it was the right thing to do. But, if we are too busy being focused upon our opinions, how can we see any of God's plan? I know that I've asked about specific things and God has said no at that time. Do I like it? No, not at the time! But later I see that it was the best thing to be done at that time. I know that God always has a plan that is bigger and better than my own.
Mum's sermon had three main points; Pass Up (the old self: see Philippians 3:13, 2 Corinthians 5:17) Press On ( 1 Timothy 1:12-15, Philippians 3:12), and finally, Possess the Prize (see 2 Timothy 4:7-8, Revelation 21:1-7).
Look up these passages and read them. They all have great things in them. Basically, once you read them, you'll see how they relate to the topic they follow.
In the end, no one is perfect! Like my Mum said in her sermon, "Stop waiting to be perfected, press on for Him!" And, "It's not about comfort; it's about what God is calling us to."
A song that I really like is "Dangerous" by Group 1 Crew. This song basically explains the whole sermon! Please look it up, listen to it, and apply it. Our world needs us! When would be a better time than now?
NKJV USED
Wednesday, March 6, 2013
Big giants
Have you ever felt stared down by something that you don't really know how to handle? I am facing that lately, so I do know exactly how it feels!
I watched "Touched by an Angel" last night. I really enjoy watching it because it deals with things that really do happen in people's lives.
Last night, there was a young man on the show who was in the drug dealing business. He had run away from home years ago because people accused him of killing someone. He was found to be not guilty, but he left town just the same. About seven years later, he shows up with his son. His son asked him to read a story to him, and he read him their favorite story; David and Goliath. Both of them felt their were giants in the world, and they didn't really know how to face them. At one point, he calls up his buddies in the business, because he wanted to make money. He took drugs himself which made it easier for him to be in the middle of the business. He didn't realize that he was setting himself up to be caught by the police. He went to the park with his seven year old son, and did the business while his son wasn't looking. It turned out that the so called "drug dealers" were the police. He ran away, and his mother got shot because of him. An angel appeared to him as he was deciding whether to commit suicide or not. After the angel talked to him, he got off the train tracks, and went to the hospital to turn himself in. He told his son that there were Goliaths out there, and he had to face them.
In the end, we all have to face the giants. David did. The Bible tells us in 1 Samuel 17 that David, a young boy, faced a giant named Goliath during battle. How was a young boy able to defeat a giant? He put his faith in God, that's how.
David told Saul, the king, not to worry because he would defeat the Philistine. (Then David said to Saul, "Let no man's heart fail because of him; your servant will go and fight with this Philistine." <verse 32>)
Now picture this; a young boy talking to the king and basically saying, "Don't worry; I've got your back!" That would be like a four year old saying they'll protect the eleven year old from the bullies at school! It is a funny picture!
Saul tried to arm David with his armour in order to protect him. After all, his brothers were all fighting in the war, and they wouldn't even go and fight the Philistine! But it didn't fit David. Instead of putting his faith in armour, David put in in God; after all, he knew God was in control of everything anyway! So he decided to use his slingshot; the tool he worked best with. He then went to a river, got five smooth stones for his slingshot, and went to fight the Philistine. David told the giant he would defeat him, and the giant,of course, didn't believe him; he wanted things done the hard way. One shot from David's sling, and BAM! The giant was killed when it hit his forehead. The giant was down!
What I am trying to say in all of this is that it doesn't matter how big or how small you are; all that matters is whether you have faith that God will help you overcome the giants in your life. Because if you have faith, He will help you overcome them; just wait and see!
A little side note; David became a king later on. He didn't always make good choices, no. But God loved him likes He loves you and me. David is even in the genealogy of Jesus! That is pretty cool, I think!
For further study on what we need to have courage, refer to the following:
Psalm 27:14
Psalm 30:5
Isaiah 43:2
I Peter 4:12-13
Romans 8:38-39
Isaiah 41:10
Philippians 4:13
There are plenty more verses on the subject--if you want references, just leave a comment, and I'll put them on for you. God bless!;D
I watched "Touched by an Angel" last night. I really enjoy watching it because it deals with things that really do happen in people's lives.
Last night, there was a young man on the show who was in the drug dealing business. He had run away from home years ago because people accused him of killing someone. He was found to be not guilty, but he left town just the same. About seven years later, he shows up with his son. His son asked him to read a story to him, and he read him their favorite story; David and Goliath. Both of them felt their were giants in the world, and they didn't really know how to face them. At one point, he calls up his buddies in the business, because he wanted to make money. He took drugs himself which made it easier for him to be in the middle of the business. He didn't realize that he was setting himself up to be caught by the police. He went to the park with his seven year old son, and did the business while his son wasn't looking. It turned out that the so called "drug dealers" were the police. He ran away, and his mother got shot because of him. An angel appeared to him as he was deciding whether to commit suicide or not. After the angel talked to him, he got off the train tracks, and went to the hospital to turn himself in. He told his son that there were Goliaths out there, and he had to face them.
In the end, we all have to face the giants. David did. The Bible tells us in 1 Samuel 17 that David, a young boy, faced a giant named Goliath during battle. How was a young boy able to defeat a giant? He put his faith in God, that's how.
David told Saul, the king, not to worry because he would defeat the Philistine. (Then David said to Saul, "Let no man's heart fail because of him; your servant will go and fight with this Philistine." <verse 32>)
Now picture this; a young boy talking to the king and basically saying, "Don't worry; I've got your back!" That would be like a four year old saying they'll protect the eleven year old from the bullies at school! It is a funny picture!
Saul tried to arm David with his armour in order to protect him. After all, his brothers were all fighting in the war, and they wouldn't even go and fight the Philistine! But it didn't fit David. Instead of putting his faith in armour, David put in in God; after all, he knew God was in control of everything anyway! So he decided to use his slingshot; the tool he worked best with. He then went to a river, got five smooth stones for his slingshot, and went to fight the Philistine. David told the giant he would defeat him, and the giant,of course, didn't believe him; he wanted things done the hard way. One shot from David's sling, and BAM! The giant was killed when it hit his forehead. The giant was down!
What I am trying to say in all of this is that it doesn't matter how big or how small you are; all that matters is whether you have faith that God will help you overcome the giants in your life. Because if you have faith, He will help you overcome them; just wait and see!
A little side note; David became a king later on. He didn't always make good choices, no. But God loved him likes He loves you and me. David is even in the genealogy of Jesus! That is pretty cool, I think!
For further study on what we need to have courage, refer to the following:
Psalm 27:14
Psalm 30:5
Isaiah 43:2
I Peter 4:12-13
Romans 8:38-39
Isaiah 41:10
Philippians 4:13
There are plenty more verses on the subject--if you want references, just leave a comment, and I'll put them on for you. God bless!;D
Thursday, February 21, 2013
What to do when Loneliness strikes
Loneliness. Everybody faces it at some time in their life. We are abandoned by a trusted friend, wronged by someone close to us; forgotten. But you know what? We are never alone or forgotten--there is always Someone watching us!
Psalm 9:10 gives a promise to God's children; "Those who know the Lord trust Him. He will not leave those who come to Him." Hebrews 13:5, stated in the Message version, says this; "God assured us, 'I'll never let you down, never walk off and leave you." Great promises, aren't they?
I think that Hebrews 13:5 is a verse that we, as Christian youth, should remember. There is power in that verse! People will fail us, leave us, and let us down. But Jesus never will! He will always be with us-- no matter what! Claiming these promises will help us feel safe and secure and happy-- and content.
Jesus shouldn't be just another friend. He should be everything to us! Now, I'll admit, I don't always live by that rule. But, it is my own fault. I let life get the best of me, and I become lonely, angry, and stubborn. Even through that Jesus loves me. Amazing, isn't it?
I want to encourage you to memorize Hebrews 13:5. I know that this is a big feat to some, but I think you should try. You can do it. Don't worry about how long it takes--just try and do your best! With some training and practice it will come naturally!
The main thing I want you to remember is that God is "with you always, even to the end of the age." (Matthew 28:20)
"The eternal God is our hiding place; He carries us in His arms." ~Deuteronomy 33:27 (CEV)
"Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord."
~Romans 8:37-39 (NKJV)
Psalm 9:10 gives a promise to God's children; "Those who know the Lord trust Him. He will not leave those who come to Him." Hebrews 13:5, stated in the Message version, says this; "God assured us, 'I'll never let you down, never walk off and leave you." Great promises, aren't they?
I think that Hebrews 13:5 is a verse that we, as Christian youth, should remember. There is power in that verse! People will fail us, leave us, and let us down. But Jesus never will! He will always be with us-- no matter what! Claiming these promises will help us feel safe and secure and happy-- and content.
Jesus shouldn't be just another friend. He should be everything to us! Now, I'll admit, I don't always live by that rule. But, it is my own fault. I let life get the best of me, and I become lonely, angry, and stubborn. Even through that Jesus loves me. Amazing, isn't it?
I want to encourage you to memorize Hebrews 13:5. I know that this is a big feat to some, but I think you should try. You can do it. Don't worry about how long it takes--just try and do your best! With some training and practice it will come naturally!
The main thing I want you to remember is that God is "with you always, even to the end of the age." (Matthew 28:20)
"The eternal God is our hiding place; He carries us in His arms." ~Deuteronomy 33:27 (CEV)
"Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord."
~Romans 8:37-39 (NKJV)
Thursday, February 14, 2013
God's love and Salvation
"In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth." God loves us. He cares about us. He wants us to reach out for Him. Why else would He have created the earth and all that is in it; including you?
Psalm 91:14-16 declares this: "Because he has set his love upon Me, therefore I will deliver him;
I will set him on high, because he has known My name.
He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him and honor him. With long life I will satisfy him, And show him my salvation."
Just think about that for a moment; reflect upon it. "I will deliver him; I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him and honor him; I will satisfy him." Aren't these amazing promises for us to hold on to? GOD LOVES US!! He always does, no matter what we do-- so long as we turn back to Him. That is what He desires; for us to come to Him-- each and every one of the people on the face of the earth. 2 Corinthians 5:17: "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new."
Jesus came, lived and died to save us. He loves us, just like His Father does. His story of life, death, and resurrection are found in the Gospels-- Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. I want to quote a verse from John 3:16. It says this: "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life." Amazing, isn't it? The Holy One who created the universe-- Who existed before the world began-- Who sent His Son to die because He loves us so much-- how is it possible to reject Jesus and His Father and the Holy Spirit? Yes, it may be scary and intimidating at first, but He is the best thing that can and will ever happen to you. Giving your life for something bigger is scary, but He is with you through it all!
If you want to accept Jesus as your personal Savior, all that you have to do is follow the few easy steps: A- admit that you are a sinner
B- believe that Jesus loves you and that He came, lived, and died and ressurected from the dead
C- confess your sins, and allow Jesus to work in your heart and mind.
This is all He wants. Will you accept Him? Will you love him and trust Him with your life? I encourage you to do so. It will be the most important decision you will ever make, but it will be the best one!
If you do not make this choice, remember this-- Jesus loves you and He will never give up on you. He will continue to love and care about you anyway, and will keep fighting for you. He does not force or push, but He will be ever-present in your life. He loves you, and that is the reason why He will do this. But remember, you have a limited amount of time. Everyone does! The longer you push Him away, the longer you harden your heart. He can wait forever-- you can't!! He doesn't want to be pushed away forever. But, he knows you, and cares about you. He wants what's best for you-- please remember that.
If you did take this step tonight, I commend you. You have just made the most important decision of your life. Remember, the road will not be easy. The world doesn't really like Christians. But, there will always be God. He will love you and be your ever-present help in times of trouble. May God bless you tonight and always.
Psalm 91:14-16 declares this: "Because he has set his love upon Me, therefore I will deliver him;
I will set him on high, because he has known My name.
He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him and honor him. With long life I will satisfy him, And show him my salvation."
Just think about that for a moment; reflect upon it. "I will deliver him; I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him and honor him; I will satisfy him." Aren't these amazing promises for us to hold on to? GOD LOVES US!! He always does, no matter what we do-- so long as we turn back to Him. That is what He desires; for us to come to Him-- each and every one of the people on the face of the earth. 2 Corinthians 5:17: "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new."
Jesus came, lived and died to save us. He loves us, just like His Father does. His story of life, death, and resurrection are found in the Gospels-- Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. I want to quote a verse from John 3:16. It says this: "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life." Amazing, isn't it? The Holy One who created the universe-- Who existed before the world began-- Who sent His Son to die because He loves us so much-- how is it possible to reject Jesus and His Father and the Holy Spirit? Yes, it may be scary and intimidating at first, but He is the best thing that can and will ever happen to you. Giving your life for something bigger is scary, but He is with you through it all!
If you want to accept Jesus as your personal Savior, all that you have to do is follow the few easy steps: A- admit that you are a sinner
B- believe that Jesus loves you and that He came, lived, and died and ressurected from the dead
C- confess your sins, and allow Jesus to work in your heart and mind.
This is all He wants. Will you accept Him? Will you love him and trust Him with your life? I encourage you to do so. It will be the most important decision you will ever make, but it will be the best one!
If you do not make this choice, remember this-- Jesus loves you and He will never give up on you. He will continue to love and care about you anyway, and will keep fighting for you. He does not force or push, but He will be ever-present in your life. He loves you, and that is the reason why He will do this. But remember, you have a limited amount of time. Everyone does! The longer you push Him away, the longer you harden your heart. He can wait forever-- you can't!! He doesn't want to be pushed away forever. But, he knows you, and cares about you. He wants what's best for you-- please remember that.
If you did take this step tonight, I commend you. You have just made the most important decision of your life. Remember, the road will not be easy. The world doesn't really like Christians. But, there will always be God. He will love you and be your ever-present help in times of trouble. May God bless you tonight and always.
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