Well, where shall I start? I think maybe the beginning is good. I was raised in a Christian home my whole life. Both of my parents were Christians, and both of their parents were Christians involved in full time ministry. I am truly blessed to have such a wonderful and godly heritage.
When I was four years of age I prayed a prayer and accepted Jesus as my savior. After that I continued to live my life about the same, not really doing much for God, not having much of a prayer life, and not regularly reading my Bible. I still went to church my whole life. I knew the "do's and don't's", if you would, of being a Christian. But I didn't have a personal relationship with God (this is important by the way).
It wasn't until I went off to college when God started getting a hold of my heart. When I started out at Rock Valley I was introduced to a Christian Fellowship on campus called Intervarsity, but I was also playing baseball for the college so I wasn't able to attend much of their formal meetings. I would hang out with them on weekends at social events, and things of that nature. Intervarsity had about three retreats that year (last year). I was not able to go to the first, but I was able to go to the second one, Winterfest.
At Winterfest I was really challenged on how I was living my life. I knew that I was missing something in my life. It was there were God really began to change me.
When I returned home from the retreat I was different, but not entirely. I still neglected to pray often, read my Bible, and love God with my heart, soul, mind, and strength.
The third retreat that year was chapter focus week. There I was challenged again. I read this book entitled "Crazy Love" by Francis Chan. It spoke of how we are to love God first with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength (this is also in the Bible by the way.) and also that we are to love other people.
Now after these two retreats I really was left with this passion for God. But I did not really act on it should you say.
The summer after my Freshman year (once again, last summer) my dad started a small group in our home on the book of Romans. I didn't start going until they were in chapter 5 or 6. But boy am I glad I started going. The spirit of God was working in me like never before. It was truly amazing. It was at that time I gave my life to Christ, surrendered to him, made him Lord of my life. I was different. Things that made me happy before didn't anymore. Jesus is my happiness now. Jesus is my joy now. Christ is my treasure!!! And I love him!!!
I'll conclude with a few verses. First, Psalm 73:25-26 "whom have I in heaven but you? And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and portion forever."
Secondly, Psalm 63:1 "O God, you are my God; earnestly; I seek you; y soul thirsts for you; my flesh faints for you, as in a dry and weary land where there is no water."
It is now my prayer that these verses may be true in my life.
Monday, September 21, 2009
Thursday, August 13, 2009
SPIRIT LED Galatians 5:25
Spirit Led...we are as followers of Christ to be led by the Spirit all the time. Literally all the time. There should not be one decision in our lives that is not led by the Holy Spirit. The Bible says in Galatians 5:16,"So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won't be doing what your sinful nature craves."
God gives us His Holy Spirit when we are saved. Romans 8:14-16,"For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God. So you have not received a spirit that makes you fearful slaves. Instead, you received God's Spirit when He adopted you as his own children. Now we call him, 'Abba, Father.' For his Spirit joins with our spirit to affirm that we are God's children."
If we tried to keep God's law on our own ability, we fall way short, even as Christians. We need the Holy Spirit. If we submit to the Spirits leading in every thing we do then we do not have to worry about keeping the law. That just happens as a result of being SPIRIT LED. The Holy Spirit will NEVER lead people to sin. Galatians 5:24-25, "Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there. Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit's leading in every part of our lives." We do not live by the law but follow the Spirit's leading in our lives. Galatians 5:18,"But if you are led by the Spirit you are not under the Law."
All this talk about being led by the Spirit, but how do you do this? Surrender to the Spirit's control each and every day. Study Scripture. Pray to God. Pray constantly throughout your day. Recognize the Spirit's prompting in our lives. Get the junk out of our lives that prohibits us from hearing the Spirit's prompting(Romans 8 :5 "Those who are dominated by the sinful nature think about sinful things, but those who are controlled by the Holy Spirit think about things that please the Holy Spirit."). Die to ourselves: put yourself last-God-others-then you last. Dying to self is listening to the promptings of the Holy Spirit. Rely on the promptings of the Holy Spirit constantly to make decisions!!!
Galatians 5:13-14, "For you have been called to live in freedom, my brothers and sisters. But don't use your freedom to satisfy your sinful nature. Instead, use your freedom to serve one another in love. For the whole law can be summed up in this one command: 'Love your neighbor as yourself '." As Christians we are given freedom. Do not misuse it. Use your freedom to serve God and Others. Not yourselves!
God gives us His Holy Spirit when we are saved. Romans 8:14-16,"For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God. So you have not received a spirit that makes you fearful slaves. Instead, you received God's Spirit when He adopted you as his own children. Now we call him, 'Abba, Father.' For his Spirit joins with our spirit to affirm that we are God's children."
If we tried to keep God's law on our own ability, we fall way short, even as Christians. We need the Holy Spirit. If we submit to the Spirits leading in every thing we do then we do not have to worry about keeping the law. That just happens as a result of being SPIRIT LED. The Holy Spirit will NEVER lead people to sin. Galatians 5:24-25, "Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there. Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit's leading in every part of our lives." We do not live by the law but follow the Spirit's leading in our lives. Galatians 5:18,"But if you are led by the Spirit you are not under the Law."
All this talk about being led by the Spirit, but how do you do this? Surrender to the Spirit's control each and every day. Study Scripture. Pray to God. Pray constantly throughout your day. Recognize the Spirit's prompting in our lives. Get the junk out of our lives that prohibits us from hearing the Spirit's prompting(Romans 8 :5 "Those who are dominated by the sinful nature think about sinful things, but those who are controlled by the Holy Spirit think about things that please the Holy Spirit."). Die to ourselves: put yourself last-God-others-then you last. Dying to self is listening to the promptings of the Holy Spirit. Rely on the promptings of the Holy Spirit constantly to make decisions!!!
Galatians 5:13-14, "For you have been called to live in freedom, my brothers and sisters. But don't use your freedom to satisfy your sinful nature. Instead, use your freedom to serve one another in love. For the whole law can be summed up in this one command: 'Love your neighbor as yourself '." As Christians we are given freedom. Do not misuse it. Use your freedom to serve God and Others. Not yourselves!
Monday, August 3, 2009
LIFE
Life...what is it? Mr. Webster defines life as, "the quality that distinguishes a vital and functional being from a dead body." I guess that is correct. It is in the dictionary. But...SHUT UP AND LISTEN>>>Life is more than just movement in a corpse, is it not? Life is great, life is fun, life is sad, life is disapointing, life is too short. Life is a lot of things.
Life is meant to be enjoyed. Not to be enjoyed by foolish living, and a dishonest lifestyle, but to be enjoyed honestly and fairly to others as well. How can you enjoy life if all you do is try and get things for yourself and live for yourself. If you want to live life all for yourself...fine! But just know that you are missing the ship. I know the last blog was all about not worrying about what others think of you, but you still should put others before yourself. WOW! Did he just say that?
Life is a gift from God. Every breath we take is a gift. Soon as you realize this the better off you will be. It is much easier to be thankful in life in all situations if you take a step back and realize that you do not know how much longer you have to live. You are not guaranteed anything more than what is happing in the present, there is no guaranteed future for anyone on this earth. Take every opportunity you have to live life to the fullest. And I do not mean go skydiving and all that jazz. Although that is cool and all. I am talking about getting off your computer for a change and go do something for others. When is the last time you went out and mowed someones lawn that could not do it anymore or the last time you served at your local mission.
So SHUT UP AND LISTEN>>>Life is awesome and fun, but using at least a portion of your life to help others helps you exprience life even better. To see the looks on peoples faces when you help them out will last a LIFEtime.
Life is meant to be enjoyed. Not to be enjoyed by foolish living, and a dishonest lifestyle, but to be enjoyed honestly and fairly to others as well. How can you enjoy life if all you do is try and get things for yourself and live for yourself. If you want to live life all for yourself...fine! But just know that you are missing the ship. I know the last blog was all about not worrying about what others think of you, but you still should put others before yourself. WOW! Did he just say that?
Life is a gift from God. Every breath we take is a gift. Soon as you realize this the better off you will be. It is much easier to be thankful in life in all situations if you take a step back and realize that you do not know how much longer you have to live. You are not guaranteed anything more than what is happing in the present, there is no guaranteed future for anyone on this earth. Take every opportunity you have to live life to the fullest. And I do not mean go skydiving and all that jazz. Although that is cool and all. I am talking about getting off your computer for a change and go do something for others. When is the last time you went out and mowed someones lawn that could not do it anymore or the last time you served at your local mission.
So SHUT UP AND LISTEN>>>Life is awesome and fun, but using at least a portion of your life to help others helps you exprience life even better. To see the looks on peoples faces when you help them out will last a LIFEtime.
Sunday, July 12, 2009
Awkward
Hello and welcome to my first ever blog. i dont know really what someone would say in a blog persay, but bear with me as i try this out.
What is it with ants? I happen to admire the small creature. the tiny insect we love to hate. the pesky critter that crawls in your kitchen sink. The reason I admire this creature isn't the obvious. It may be what you would say, out of the norm for most folks.
The reason I admire the ant is simple. It is hated, and doesn't care at all. Lets be honest, people suck. This is true. Why on earth should people care what other humans think, when ants, being the small thing that they are, dont care what we as important humans think. Some people spend too much of their lives worrying about what other people think of them. This isn't always a bad thing, but it can be. When you care so much about what people think that you act like a total deffernet person when you are around certain folks. You may be what people call a hypocrite, and no one like those. That's my problem with it.
Also being wishy washy in what you believe is absolute crap. What I'm trying to say is, know what you believe, know why you believe it, and live it out all the time, and be the same person all the time you fool. You only need one personality, people can't handle more than one of you.
What is it with ants? I happen to admire the small creature. the tiny insect we love to hate. the pesky critter that crawls in your kitchen sink. The reason I admire this creature isn't the obvious. It may be what you would say, out of the norm for most folks.
The reason I admire the ant is simple. It is hated, and doesn't care at all. Lets be honest, people suck. This is true. Why on earth should people care what other humans think, when ants, being the small thing that they are, dont care what we as important humans think. Some people spend too much of their lives worrying about what other people think of them. This isn't always a bad thing, but it can be. When you care so much about what people think that you act like a total deffernet person when you are around certain folks. You may be what people call a hypocrite, and no one like those. That's my problem with it.
Also being wishy washy in what you believe is absolute crap. What I'm trying to say is, know what you believe, know why you believe it, and live it out all the time, and be the same person all the time you fool. You only need one personality, people can't handle more than one of you.
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