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,

 

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. 



"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!

Look Around

So often I get caught up in my own little world. I get caught up in my own problems, and forget that everyone else around me has problems of their own too. I try to handle things on my own instead of trusting my Heavenly Father to take care of it for me. I focus only on myself sometimes, when I really should be looking out for and helping other people.
You see, as a Christian, I am supposed to be like Jesus. I am supposed to be His hands and His feet. I am supposed to help and serve others. I am supposed to be living my life in a way that includes those around me, and is not centered on me.
When I stop and take a look at the world around me and see all of the hurt that is around me, it is hard to think that I could make any difference. I am sure some of you feel the same way. It seems like a daunting task that only a crazy person would take on. But the truth is, if everyone helped just one person, the world would be such a better place.
Ever see the movie Pay it Forward? The kid on the movie came up with the revolutionary idea to change the world. This kid knew he could not do it by himself though. He broke it down so as to reach as many people as possible. He would help three people. In return, they were to help three people each. The cycle would continue. Imagine if we could do this. The world would be so much better! We would be helping and serving others, just like Jesus wants us to do.
Something I have come to realize is that you do not have to have a lot of money, talent, skill, or even education to help people. Sometimes all people need is someone to listen. They need someone to help them get something off the top shelf at the grocery store (this has happened to me because I am tall enough to reach :P). They might need someone to mow their lawn. They might need someone to drive them somewhere. Whatever it is, big or small, it can make a huge impact on that person. And it may spark the desire inside of them to help others.
I am calling all of us to work to impact one person. It may not seem like much, but it is still one person. Imagine the spark that could quickly turn into a flame. One person impacts another who impacts another... and this continues... forever! Wouldn't it be so amazing if we could all stop being so caught up in "me" and work on being caught up in helping others? It's your choice. Impact the world for better. Leave behind a legacy that says, "I lived for others. I showed Jesus to everyone I could." Go ahead. I know you can.

Here's a little inspiration for you... :)

"What you are tomorrow depends on what you do today."

"Your life is God's gift to you; what you do with it is your gift to God."

"God's best gifts are opportunities."

*Quotes above are taken from "101 Secrets Every Teen Should Know"

How the Body of Christ should Really Work

     Oftentimes, I see people around the community, and even around the world who feel like they are not needed. They constantly think that no one would notice if they disappeared. They don't realize that there are people out there who care about them, when there are many who do.
     I have to say, I've seen this happen in churches to. People feel they need to have a certain "gift" in order to be useful. They see people who get up and speak, sing, play an instrument, do sound, run power point, or help with the children, and think, "I'm of no use. I'm not gifted like these people are! Why am I even here?" They do not see their gift of encouragement, prayer, praise, writing, etc. as important. They think that they need one of the "special gifts" to be important. They undermine the gifts God has given them.
     Paul addresses this issue in his letter to the Corinthians in chapter 12. He tells us, "There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone is the same God at work." (1 Cor. 12:4-6, NIV) Verse 7 tells us that "to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good." This means that ALL GIFTS not just SOME GIFTS are important. Paul goes on to tell about the different gifts; wisdom, knowledge, faith, healing, miraculous powers, prophecy, discerning between spirits, and so many more. Some of these terms are not used very much in this day and age. But all these gifts still exist.
     In verses 12-31, Paul tells us about the body, and how important each part is, and gives a ridiculous illustration of different parts of the body saying they don't need each other. The foot is self-loathing because he isn't a hand, so he doesn't feel important. The same happens with other parts of the body, and Paul says that "God has placed the parts in the body, every one of them, just as He wanted them to be." (Verse 18.) Paul goes on to talk about how each part fits together, and why and how each is important. He says the parts that seem to be weaker are indispensable, and the parts we think are less honorable are treated with special honor. (Verses 22-23.) He talks about how if one part of the body suffers, we should suffer with it, and if one part rejoices, all should rejoice. (Verse 26.)
     The body cannot be divided against itself; neither can the church. We need to learn to work together and respect each other, and value everyone's gifts. All can be used. Not everyone has the same gifts. Encouragers can help those who get up in front of people every week, or even the single mother who sits in the back row. Prayer warriors can pray for anyone and anything. People who have wisdom or knowledge can share it. The list goes on and on. Find a way to use YOUR gift. Learn to work together. Imagine what will happen when God's church unites.

"Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ. For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body-- whether Jew or Gentiles, slave or free-- and we were all given the same Spirit to drink. Even so the body is not made up of one part but of many." (1 Cor. 12:12-14.)

ALWAYS remember you have a gift. NEVER think otherwise.

Suggested reading- 1 Corinthians 12

Nuggets of Truth

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)

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.
    

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!