Merry CHRISTmas and Happy New Year

Christmas  has been my favorite time of year for as long as I can remember, but as I have grown older I have come to appreciate the season even more. Christmas time is when we celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. The thing I really love about the story of Jesus' birth is that it wasn't big and flashy. He didn't have the wise men leak the story to the paparazzi. He didn't have his grand entrance into the world in a private suite of a hospital . He didn't have a golden bottle. He was born a very simple birth in a manger with his mother and father. From the very beginning He just was.

"Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit," Matthew 28: 19


This is a time of year we often hear the phrases "Merry Christmas" or "Happy Holidays", what an easy way for a Christian to strike up the conversation of Jesus Christ or to invite someone to church for Christmas Eve services! But in these times of opportunities we must remember to reflect Christ-like love. I love that my church makes post card sized invitations every year for attendees to take and invite someone they know to Christmas Eve services, the invitation is even wondering around social media! It blows me away to see everyone of all ages inviting someone they know to come hear the word of God, and to think that it could be someones Christmas gift AMAZING!


"This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him." 1 John 4: 9 

Many Christmases ago God gave us the ultimate gift, his Son! His Son was sent to pay the price for our sins, but what if this year you gave someone the gift of getting to know Christ. What if even if they turned down your invitation to attend church you still lived a Christ centered life in hopes that someday they would ask more about the God you praise even in the hard times? What if as a New Years resolution we chose to invite someone new to church every weekend? Or take a moment every week/ day to tell someone about Christ? What if this year we lived like we knew each day was fought and won for us by the Messiah? 


I pray each and every one of you has a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. I would not be able to finish this post if I did not invite you to one of our New Hope Christmas Eve services times listed are available at all three locations. 

You are NOT alone.

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good. His love endures forever. Give thanks to the God of heaven. His love endures forever.Psalm 136:1, 26


I won't lie I have been avoiding writing this particular post, but God has put it on my heart quite a bit recently so here goes.

My junior year of high school on Graduation day I lost my grandfather. I can not tell you that my faith remained unwaivered, because that would not be true. For many months after my grandfather passed away I was very angry with God. Why had he let this happen? Why couldn't I have gotten to him sooner? Why now? So many questions, that I may never have the answer to. The only thing that helped was visiting him at the cemetery. I would go and have a coffee with him and just cry or talk whichever my heart really needed that day. Somehow those visits gave me peace. I finally found myself okay with the loss my heart had endured trusting that God's plan was intentional and good. In January of 2014 my world was shaken once more I lost my Gram. Once more I was angry at God furious that again I was consumed by unanswered questions. This time God needed me to snap out of it and remember that He was in control and that the pain my heart felt would soon feel peace. About as month after losing her God gave me an opportunity to talk with a woman who just lost her son to a heart attack (the very thing I lost Gram to) it was one of the most beautiful moments I've ever had, giving this woman words of hope as I knew all to well what she was going through. After our exchange a smile came over my face only God could turn my deepest hurt into a gift for someone else in need.

"There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens: a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build, a time to weep and a time to laugh a time to mourn and a time to dance, a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing, a time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away, a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak, a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace."
Ecclesiastes 3: 1-8

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16: 33

 

These were a few of my go to bible verses during the times I struggled with trusting that God was working in the middle of my storm.

 

 

Christmas is my absolute favorite holiday, but it is also when my heart aches just a little more than normal. It is when my house has one less stocking to hang. It is the time I miss the things I never thought I wouldn't have. It is a quiet tear filled trip to visit my grandfather for his birthday. It is a struggle even now that I know my God is for me and He will renew me each day. It is a struggle even though most days I embrace His unexplainable peace. I know I am not alone in having lost someone that I loved and I don't live in a fantasy land where I think it will never happen again. I chose this time of year to write this, because I know this is when I struggle. I write this so you know you are not alone. I write this so you know it is okay to struggle with loss. I write this so you have hope in God. I write this so you know you have someone to talk to.

 

 

 

Here's what I can tell you, each day you wake up knowing God has a plan and sometimes we never fully understand that plan it will be easier to do life. Each day you struggle and take that time to say "God it's hard today and I don't understand this, but I need your peace" His peace will overwhelm you. Each day you surrender to Him will be a weight off your shoulders.  Don't feel bad for struggling we are only humans and some days are just plain hard. But please don't ever forget that God did not promise an easy life with no trouble in fact he was honest and told us that we would have trouble, but to take heart for He has overcome the world.

They're going to change the world

Let me preface this post by saying I am not a mother\do not have kids, but I work with kids and those children are my babies and my inner mama bear comes out when they are hurt or upset.

That being said this week I heard statistics on Christian porn use and teen sexual activity. While discussing these statistics  we polled the room to see who had a relationship with their parents whom they could discuss these topics with, the results were disappointing, although this really wasn't a shock for me. I've had opportunities to work with teens quite a bit and the most important thing I learned was that they want to have open conversations, but you have to give them the freedom to talk openly with you.

1 John 3:1 "See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him."

Children are out future. They well change the world. As the adults in young peoples lives we must ignore our discomfort and have difficult conversations. Ask them what they know about sex, drugs, alcohol, and other uncomfortable topics. I assure you that you want to educate them properly on such topics and not have the world teach them. What a beautiful opportunity to talk about how a Godly relationship looks like vs. a worldly relationship. Whether we want to acknowledge it or not the world always has an idea of how these main stream topics should look; don't believe just walk through a grocery store and take a peek at the magazine cover topics. I can bet you they aren't "What the bible says about drugs, alcohol, and premarital sex." If you aren't educating the youth in your lives about living like Christ in these areas who is? I say these things not to alarm you, but to let you know that I have had incredibly open conversations with young people about living a Christ centered life in this Earthly world we live in.

John 18:36 

"Jesus said, “My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by the Jewish leaders. But now my kingdom is from another place.”

The youth in our lives will someday change the world, lets help them change it for the better. Lets encourage them to pray and disciple with on another. Lets encourage them to build a community that will focus their lives on Christ and giving him the honor and glory. 

Do life together

 

 

 

We were put on this Earth to do life together and quite honestly I'm not sure we are very good at it most of the time. All too often I feel we miss the mark on helping out our fellow man.

Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up.

Matthew 18:19-20 “Again, truly I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything they ask for, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.”

It is written plainly in the Bible we were NOT meant to do life alone. If we isolate ourselves from the rest of the world we leave ourselves vulnerable for the enemy to attack. The enemy is like any natural predator, seeking out the prey that has isolated itself from the pack. Someone who has disconnected from community that's when the enemy does his worst in our lives.


What we do not realize when we isolate ourselves is that everyone else on Earth has made mistakes, messed up, or fallen short of God's glory. “We all are. That’s the irony of it. Why do we think others live carefree, self-assured lives while we slink around in the messy middle? Doubt is universal; read the Bible. Life is plagued with regret, confusion, uncertainty, and colossal failures. Scratch just beneath the surface and you’ll find humanity in all of us. If we could believe we are deeply connected in the fragile places, we could drop the games. When you tell me the truth about yourself, I no longer hide from you. You become safe for me. So guess what? You are now a recipient of my truth too. I am drawn to you. Your vulnerability makes a path for my own. Your truth-telling says to me, “I will not despise, judge, or abandon you.” Ironically, it gives me the courage to be afraid, the strength to be weak. What keeps you from telling the truth? I’m guessing shame and fear, those two devils. People might get mad. They might be ugly. They might talk bad about me. They might not understand. We invent a worst-case scenario and it mutes us. The truth is, most people respect vulnerability and hold it with tender hands, especially those who love us and faithfully bear our stories. We are so afraid, but truth-telling leads to life. Like Brené Brown said in Daring Greatly (put this book down immediately and buy hers): Daring greatly is not about winning or losing. It’s about courage. In a world where scarcity and shame dominate and feeling afraid has become second nature, vulnerability is subversive. Uncomfortable. It’s even a little dangerous at times . . . [But] nothing is as uncomfortable, dangerous, and hurtful as believing that I’m standing on the outside of my life looking in and wondering what it would be like if I had the courage to show up and let myself be seen." (For the Love by Jen Hatmaker)


If we just bear our souls and bring the junky parts of ourselves out to the light we would build community with others. I promise you whatever situation or circumstance you are hiding away from the rest of the world is for not, because someone somewhere or maybe even someone you know has gone through the same thing! I have learned this lesson the hard way for a while I tucked away all my personal junk and the things I was going through and guess what when I finally brought it out into the light and shared with those I loved and trusted they had been through the same junk! AMAZING isn't it?

John 1:4-5 In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

2 Corinthians 4:1-2 Therefore, since through God’s mercy we have this ministry, we do not lose heart. Rather, we have renounced secret and shameful ways; we do not use deception, nor do we distort the word of God. On the contrary, by setting forth the truth plainly we commend ourselves to everyone’s conscience in the sight of God.

Be a listening ear for your fellow man. Lend a helping hand when you see a need. Open up bear the hard truths of life with those you trust. Build community with those in your life don't snuff out the light that was given to you. We are all human we aren't perfect, but by doing life together and helping point each other to Christ we are moving in the right direction.

It is well

This is a fairly common quote, but more often I hear/read the quote "God doesn't give us what we can't handle". I'm sorry to burst some bubbles, but that's just not true. If you are training for a marathon you don't just wake up one day and go run a marathon without  any training. You start off with a mile or two and you slowly progress. If you never pushed hard through that "one more mile" you'd never grow you'd never complete a marathon. The same is true with our God, He walks with us through the "one more mile" times in our life so we can grow and handle the next mile with ease.

Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied to him, “King Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from it, and he will deliver us from Your Majesty’s hand.  But even if he does not, we want you to know, Your Majesty, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.” Daniel 3: 16-18


I really love this story from the bible. I believe that Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego went through times of trial before this point in their lives, but God walked with them and He prepared them for this particular moment. The same is true for you and me, God walks with us preparing us for moments in our lives when we have to face situation or circumstances and say I am choosing to trust God to come through for me or my family and if He doesn't He is still God! This mindset does not come easily for myself I had to suffer lose in my childhood so that when I was an adult and lost my grandfather and Gram I could say "I trust God to heal my heart and my family and if I never understand the reasons behind losing them He is still God and He is still good!" I promise if you sit and think about it you have had times in your life when God walked with you through the storm so you could reach a moment in your life where you completely trust Him with your life and the outcomes of situations you will face.

It is a beautiful time in life when you no longer fear the outcomes, because you trust God and you know He has your back no matter how long the storm rages. At that point in your life the light you hold pointing others to Christ beams bright. Your unwavering faith that God will come through and even if He doesn't He is still sovereign, mighty, perfect, creator, healer, compassionate, full of Grace.
If you are trying to fight the wind and rain on your own I encourage you to let God walk with you. Talk to Him, Pray, let your request be known and know that even if it doesn't turn out the way you wanted God has a plan and it is far greater than anything we can imagine.  

Be the light

 

Matthew 5:14

“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden."

 

When I watched this video for the first time I was inspired! I love that this gentleman despite his occupational label was a light. The school counselors were sending him "clients"! How awesome that he could connect with a students on a level that the counselors could not. The same is true for you despite your occupation or title or label you are capable of being a light. Each of us has talents and abilities outside of your occupation, title or label.

 

 

Occupation\labels\titles:

I am a Pastoral Care Assistant.

I am a daughter.

I am a sister.

I am a Krush Prayer Partner Ministry leader.

I am a Life Group leader.

I am a friend.

 

Talents:

I am a blogger

I am an organizer.

I am a good listener.

I am a crafter.

I am a hard worker.
I am an encourager.


How do you use your talents to be a light? Don't let your occupation\title\label put your abilities in a box. God gave you your specific talents and I pray you use them to honor God and be the light in this world. You are able, God will equip you if he hasn't already! Someone somewhere needs you to use your talents don't rob the world of your blessings.

You can do it! You are worthy! Your talents are worth sharing! You have talent! You can be a blessing! Shine your light on this world!!

 

 

Grace

I have always been aware of the fact that everyone grew up differently, but recently it feels even more obvious in my life. Here's what I mean:

• Not everyone grew up with parents who went to every game/recital
• Not everyone grew up with parents who were abusive
• Not everyone grew up with two parents
• Not everyone was raised by their parents
• Not everyone lived in foster care
• Not everyone lived with drugs in the home
• Not everyone grew up with alcohol in their home
• Not everyone grew up going to church
• Not everyone grew up with food in their house
• Not everyone grew up eating out for dinner every night
• Not everyone grew up with running water in their home
• Not everyone grew up with electricity in their home

Not everyone grew up the way you or I did. I hope that if you went without it made you stronger and I hope that if you grew up with plenty you learned to humble yourself and be a cheerful giver. The truth is no matter your background God can turn your story into something beautiful if you allow your story to be about God and not you.


Philippians 4:12
"I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want."


John 3:30
^"He must become greater; I must become less.”

We must learn to flip the script and make a conscious effort to make the story about God! Whatever your parents did or didn't do for you God sent his only son to die on he cross for your sins, so I think you are loved in an unfathomable type of way. We have to stop making the story about what happened to us and make it about the one who gives you breath each day.

 

 

Ephesians 2:8-9

"For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast."

 

We ALL deserve grace, because of God's unfailing love for each of us. Extend grace where necessary and point your life towards Christ.

 

  

What students taught me about ministry

Matthew 18:20
^"For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.”

This weekend was the first of many weekends I spent working with teenagers and those teens taught me so much in such little time and I don't even think they realized they were teaching me. They taught me that the important thing is God the rest isn't always pretty, that we all have the ability to serve God, and that we all have a story and no matter how that story started God makes the ending good.



Isaiah 55: 9

“As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts." I would be lying if I told you that I held on to these words all weekend and fully trusted God to do what only he could do in this ministry. The truth is my human nature kicked in and I wanted everything to go according to my plan. I was being selfish I wanted to check the pretty boxes and say that everything went exactly the way I intended, but it didn't happen that way. Saturday after I started to let defeat sit in someone came over and showed me a photo they took of myself and a group of students praying in the middle of the Krush lobby. In that exact moment I felt that I had totally missed the boat, because this ministry wasn't about me it wasn't even about checking boxes and being perfect. This ministry was about exactly what that photo captured, creating a mindset of prayer for these students and giving them an outlet to be lifted up in prayer on a regular basis. So I left my selfish pride at home today and I took a back seat so God could do what only He can do with these students. It didn't have to be pretty or perfect and the words didn't have to be well rehearsed the simple action of prayer made these students and I small in the grand scheme of things but the mindsets we created and the presence we made known was far greater than anything we could have done alone.  

 

 

Deuteronomy 13:4

 

It is the Lord your God you must follow, and him you must revere. Keep his commands and obey him; serve him and hold fast to him." If you're reading this your alive which means you have the ability and duty to serve God! You can scroll past this part, but God calls us to serve Him. He doesn't tell us exactly when and where He leaves that part up to us, but we are ALL called to use our gifts\talents to serve and honor God. I watch these students in awe of them, because I know I wasn't serving on every team possible in youth ministry when I was their age. The world these students live in is tough. John 10:10 "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full." The "thief" for these students looks like, no parental support in their faith, no friend support in their faith, no school support in their faith, and the list goes on and on,  but they don't stop fighting against all odds these kids fight to use their talents for God. So someone please tell me why the "grown ups" aren't taking a page out of the student playbook? They are making time for community, serving God, school, studying, family, friends, Gods word and still search for more ways to be involved. I'm guilty as well of the "too busy" "not enough time" excuse, but enough is enough what if God woke up this morning and said you know I really don't have time to solve your problems today or I'm a little to busy for you today how would we feel?

 

 

 

 

Titus 3:8

"This is a trustworthy saying. And I want you to stress these things, so that those who have trusted in God may be careful to devote themselves to doing what is good. These things are excellent and profitable for everyone." Each of us has a story what we do with that story is up to us. We can choose to be defined by the things that have happened in our lives and dwell in them and never move on, this isn't what God wants he wants us to allow him to do a good work in us. The other option is to allow God to write your story from this point forward understanding that your past will always be a part of you, but it does not dictate your future. I stood 5 times and listen to 5 different sets of kids share a quick summary of their testimony and how God moved in their life. The stories I heard were not all happy some were painful and hurtful, but the key in all of the stories was they decided to follow Christ and allow Him to move in their life no longer choosing to live in the past. I time a student shared their story their peers sat and listened and each time I watched as lives were changed. God can change your story you just need to ask Him to be the Author and Perfector of your life.



This weekend was a one I will never forget a weekend in Krush Prayer Partner history and a weekend in the history of me. I pray you too can learn something from these students that have so much to offer if only we'd give them the chance and encourage them in the process.
 

 

 

Give us FAITH

Recently my job has evolved and I have been gifted a Krush Prayer Partner Ministry when I received the news I was overjoyed. I knew this was something the students were hungry for and I was hungry for as well, instantly my mind began to race with all the possibilities! I couldn't wait to get this Ministry started! I began praying for this seedling of a Ministry for it to grow strong and might for the students who would be Prayer Partners to put on God's full armor and take a step of faith and for myself to do God's work.

This process happened very fast and for that I am honored, but my over organized self saw the huge hiccup in the road. The weekend all students were to be trained as volunteers I had prior engagements preventing me from being there to meet and train the students who took the step of faith and made the decision to become Prayer Partners. My heart was torn and a worked diligently all week to find a solution so these students would be prepared for the first weekend of Krush Prayer Partners happening the very next weekend. I know I must have given God quite the laugh with my stressing, but then Thursday night rolled around and by God's grace my previous engagement had been cancelled although it saddened me a smile came over my face and a peace grew within me. I knew that God had taken care of this. He had done it again he provided when I thought it was impossible, and I knew he provide eager students for me to teach.

The day of orientation was a breathe taking day that is branded on my heart forever. God provided a hand full of students who were ready to take a step of faith and become Prayer Partners. They don't know it but those student reaffirmed that I was exactly where God needed me to be and that there was a true need for this ministry. Listening to the eagerness in their voices and seeing the joy on their faces that in only a week this ministry would become a reality gave me the fuel I needed.

In a week these students will begin a ministry in uncharted territory I ask that you pray for the student ministry as a whole. That you pray for the students stepping out in faith and becoming Prayer Partners. Also that you pray for this new Krug Prayer Partner Ministry. All of heaven will be rejoicing at the sound of students praying for fellow students next weekend! Thank you God for this opportunity to bring people to you and to glorify your name!

Prayer run

Today was the 11th annual Beneeezy fun run 1K, 5K, 10K. This is the only run that my brother and I have done together. This race is very near and dear to my heart. This race is in honor of Ben Garcia a young man who left this Earth too soon after a night with friends. This year I let life get in the way of preparing for this run. My excuse to myself was that I was just too busy to go run after I got home from work. So Thursday night I had a wonderful epiphany- I would run this years race listen to a playlist filled with my favorite worship music and pray during my run.

^"Rejoice always,  pray continually,  give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus." 1 Thessalonians 5: 16-18 

"You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world." 1 John 4:4


"Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!  Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you." Philippians 4:4-9

"Then you will call, and the Lord will answer; you will cry for help, and he will say: Here am I." Isaiah 58:9

So the race began and the beautiful uplifting son Greater by Mercy Me came on and I began to pray and thank God for the breath in my lungs and the ability to run today as well as all the people running along side men prayed for their health and spiritual health. At the next half mile I prayed for the athletes running with me I prayed for their seasons and their safety. For the student athletes that they understand their ability and who gave them their talents. At the next half mile I prayed for Ben's family and the family of his friends he spent his final moments with and for the people running this race to understand the meaning and impact it makes every year for those families. For everyone running this race to understand that this Earthly life is only temporary and one day we will be called home by our Creator. The next half mile I prayed for the community of Alvin to grow spiritually. For the youth to come alive with love and longing for a relationship with the King. The next half mile I prayed for the law enforcement officers that were stationed around the race course I prayed for their safety and peace of mind and that God protect them on every call they go out on. I prayed for all law enforcement and public safety officers for them to return home safely to their families always. For the next half mile I prayed for our schools, for educators, and for students. I prayed for their safety for them to have a great school year for them to be rooted in their faith and to honor God in all their actions. And for the last stretch of my run I prayed for God to do a good work in everyone around me for my family, friends, coworkers and so many more.

When my race was done I did not care how long I had run I did not care how exhausted I was or that I was tired or that my allergies were killing me. It had been the most incredible fulfilling run I had ever had. I was happy. I had peace in my heart. I realized the value of time. I appreciated the opportunity to run and offer my time running to God. I highly recommend running with your favorite worship music and some personal time with God! It feels incredible.


My prayer for you is that you're never too busy for God. I pray when you feel overwhelmed you cry out to your Creator for help and guidance. I pray you lean on Him when life seems hard. I pray you lay all your worries, burdens, busy, overwhelmed at the feet of Jesus because only He can make them into something beautiful.


 

Your Story isn't about you 2.0.

After I wrote yesterday's post I realized i had so much more to say on the subject so here goes round two.

Me: God, can I ask You a question?

God: Sure

Me: Promise You won't get mad

God: I promise

Me: Why did You let so much stuff happen to me today?

God: What do you mean?

Me: Well, I woke up late

God: Yes

Me: My car took forever to start

God: Okay

Me: at lunch they made my sandwich wrong & I had to wait

God: Huummm

Me: On the way home, my phone went DEAD, just as I picked up a call

God: All right

Me: And on top of it all off, when I got home ~I just want to soak my feet in my new foot massager & relax. BUT it wouldn't work!!! Nothing went right today! Why did You do that?

God: Let me see, the death angel was at your bed this morning & I had to send one
of My Angels to battle him for your life. I let you sleep through that

Me (humbled): OH

GOD: I didn't let your car start because there was a drunk driver on your route that would have hit you if you were on the road.

Me: (ashamed)

God: The first person who made your sandwich today was sick & I didn't want you to catch what they have, I knew you couldn't afford to miss work.

Me (embarrassed):Okay

God: Your phone went dead because the person that was calling was going to give false witness about what you said on that call, I didn't even let you talk to them so you would be covered.

Me (softly): I see God

God: Oh and that foot massager, it had a short that was going to throw out all of the power in your house tonight. I didn't think you wanted to be in the dark.

Me: I'm Sorry God

God: Don't be sorry, just learn to Trust Me.... in All things , the Good & the bad.

Me: I will trust You.

God: And don't doubt that My plan for your day is Always Better than your plan.

Me: I won't God. And let me just tell you God, 8Thank You for Everything today.

God: You're welcome child. It was just another day being your God and I Love looking after My Children...




Doesn't this story just explain it all? Naturally we gravitate towards selfishness, but God wants what's best for us. Even when we want to throw ourselves a pity party and say thanks a lot God you weren't any help today. How often do you think he really has your back?

When your day doesn't go as planned. When someone doesn't act the way you want them to. When your plans don't work out. You have two options you can sit and pout and be selfish and be angry with God or you can humble yourself and say God what am I supposed to learn from this show me what you need me to do. Make your will known to me. The story isn't about us!

When my grandmother passed away and I met my mother in the hospital and she told me the news I was angry. I screamed and yelled and I was furious with God I told my mom that my grandmother would never leave me without saying goodbye to me. She never let me go anywhere without saying goodbye and telling me she loved me. In all my fury my mother looked at me and said I was the last person my grandmother talked to that day and her last words on this Earth were when she told me  goodbye and I love you that morning. In that exact moment my selfishness fell to the floor and my heart broke wishing that her last words had been shared with my mom. I knew in that moment that her death wasn't about me or the beautiful woman I had lost but God all the wonderful things God had done through her. God blessed me with her last words before she went to her heavenly home. See the story wasn't about me. God had done a beautiful work in my grandmother during her years on this Earth she was an Earthly extension of Christ-like love for so many people it is astounding, but even she knew who her maker was and she knew she was nothing without him.

So often today we forget that God knows every hair on your head every thought in your mind and He is there for you during every mountain top and every valley during your life. Without Him we are nothing. He gave us this life to be extensions of Christ-like love. This life is but a blip of our eternity why waste it being selfish? Who will you live for? When your time is up here on this Earth will you be able to say "I used every talent you gave me Lord to spread your love"? Will you be able to stand before the King and not say you wasted a single moment on this Earth? Don't waste it our days are few in the grand scheme of things. Tell the ones you love them and let them know who you are living for. Will the ones you love have any doubts about where you will be after you've left this Earth?

Your story isn't about you

I heard someone who is early in his career and I have no doubt will be a well known actor in a short time say in regards to his career "It stopped being about me a long time ago". His words pierced my heart, because I know I struggle with remembering that my story isn't about me. The truth is I am a creation of God and I shouldn't be worried about me I should be worried about how I'm using my numbered days to honor God.

The truth is more often than not we intend of being Christ-like but our follow through is just not there. So we take bits and pieces of scripture and what we think being Christ-like is and twist to work for us. We take the parts of being a Christian that we like or that are easy once more making the story about ourselves, but its not about us.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,  gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.  Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other. Galatians 5: 22-26

Do you possess all of the fruits of the Spirit? Or just the convenient ones? Do you put on a mask and pretend that everything is okay that you are perfectly aligned with Christ when  you really are just lost and confused? Do you where the mask of these fruits of the Spirit so no one will know you are a sinner? Well guess what we ALL sin and fall short of God's glory. We all struggle and get lost or confused. We have to take the mask off, because the mask is for us it does not glorify God.

Choose one of the fruits that you are struggling with and take steps towards possessing that fruit in order to glorify God. You can't compare your story to anyone else's because God didn't write the same story twice. We have to find a way to live each day each hour each minute to glorify God. Only then has our story stopped being about us and become about our Creator.

Your Body is a Temple

1 Corinthians 6:15-20
"Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ himself? Shall I then take the members of Christ and unite them with a prostitute? Never! Do you not know that he who unites himself with a prostitute is one with her in body? For it is said, “The two will become one flesh.”But whoever is united with the Lord is one with him in spirit.Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a person commits are outside the body, but whoever sins sexually, sins against their own body.Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies."

Our bodies are a temple, so why don't we treat them like they are? I believe that our bodies are spiritual and physical temples. We should be taking care of our bodies on a spiritual level and a physical one. Here's the thing God tells us "Honor God with your bodies" it doesn't say that you must honor God by having zero body fat, or by working out everyday. I think that scripture was intentionally vague in this area, because God loves us despite how much we weight or how often we go to the gym. That does not mean we should neglect our bodies and do whatever we want.

It is my belief that God intended for us to take care ourselves spiritually and physically in different ways from one another. For example, I listen to worship music in the car on my way to work I pray throughout the day and I read a devotional at night, I like to run on occasion and I frequently do yoga. Now who of you has the exact same spiritual and physical routine as me? Probably none of you reading this. God gave us free will and choice He allows us to choose how we take care of ourselves

Take care of yourself in whatever that looks for you. Forget about what the world says. Set your own goals and take steps to achieve them. See a doctor regularly. Family history of disease doesn't just decided to go away on its own you have to decide. You decide that you look beautiful or handsome. You decide that your love for yourself and Gods love is enough and that you won't be changed by the world. You have to love you and you have to stand up for you spiritual and physical health.


"being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus." Philippians 1:6


"For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." Ephesians 2: 8-10

Keep fighting the good fight

John 16:33 “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

Where there is light there too is darkness. The brighter your light shines the more the enemy wants to destroy it. I absolutely love this verse with every ounce of my being. So let's break it down, "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace" in Christ alone we will have peace! Not money, not fame, fortune, not status, not a good job, not on the opinion of others, not in ANYTHING else only Christ can give us that peace. Those who know the Lord know the peace that I'm talking about the peace that looks chaos right in the face and says nope God's got this. That kind of overwhelming peace. "In this world you will have trouble." Scripture doesn't say for those who follow the Lord you get a free pass to the trouble free life. It doesn't say you'll have trouble when you live outside of my will. It doesn't say you'll have trouble sometimes. It doesn't say you might have trouble or maybe not. It says you WILL have trouble! But then comes a beautiful promise from God. "But, take heart! I have overcome the world." Isn't that amazing? God says whatever trouble you are facing let my peace overwhelm your heart, because I've already overcome the world so I can take care of your troubles no problem! To me that is one of the most beautiful promises God makes us. If we just get out of our own head and let him overwhelm our heads and hearts he is more than capable of overcoming our troubles.

Mark 15:33-39 At noon, darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon. And at three in the afternoon Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?” which means “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”. When some of those standing near heard this, they said, “Listen, he’s calling Elijah.” Someone ran, filled a sponge with wine vinegar, put it on a staff, and offered it to Jesus to drink. “Now leave him alone. Let’s see if Elijah comes to take him down,” he said. With a loud cry, Jesus breathed his last. The curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. And when the centurion, who stood there in front of Jesus, saw how he died, he said, “Surely this man was the Son of God!”

As horrific as it must have been to witness the slow death of Jesus if you take His last few moments can't we sometimes identify with his loneliness. Don't we all find ourselves crying out to God, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" We've all felt at some point or another like we've fallen away from God like he's abandoned us, but little do we know he's about to tear the veil and reveal to us his plan if we can just hold on. There is NOTHING I repeat NOTHING you can do to make God stop pursuing you. He never gives up on us it is us who give up on God.

 2 Timothy 1:7 For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.   God didn't create us to be timid he creates us to love with a mighty power and funny enough he gives us self-discipline. I know it feels like that stuff flies out of the window the second times get tough, but that is exactly what we should lean on. God made you capable he gave you all the tools to keep fighting. So often in society I hear people say God doesn't ever give you anything you can't handle and I'm sure I was guilty of saying those very words, but I've come to realize that I don't really think that's true. If we always do what we've always done then we'll always be what we've always been. If we never push a little harder and bare a little more weight then we thought we could we never grow stronger. Think of it in terms of working out if you always bench 100 pounds and never add weight then you will always bench 100 pounds. If you add weight then you get a little stronger!

God made you strong and courageous. He made you fearless and He walks with you through every storm. Do not give in to the world. Do not listen when the world says your not good enough. Do not listen when the world says you aren't strong enough. Do not listen when the world says you can't handle it. Do not listen to any words that can't be used to build you up. If God is for us who can be against us? The enemy wants to break down all that God has built up in you- DON'T let him.

I pray for you.

Philippians 4:6
^"Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God."

Isaiah 43:2
"When you pass through the waters,  I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze."

Psalm 61:2-3
"From the ends of the earth I call to you, I call as my heart grows faint; lead me to the rock that is higher than I. For you have been my refuge, a strong tower against the foe."

Psalm 126:1-2
"I love the Lord, for he heard my voice; he heard my cry for mercy. Because he turned his ear to me, I will call on him as long as I live."

Matthew 28:11
"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest."

Prayer. The verses above all have prayer as the common theme. If we can do nothing we can pray. Enemies pray for them. Best friend pray for them. Family pray for them. Friends pray for them. Spouse pray for them. Children pray for them. Parents pray for them. Sick pray for them. Brokenhearted pray for them. Educators pray for them. Armed forces pray for them. Pastors pray for them. Small group leaders pray for them. Strangers pray for them.

I can not begin to explain how important prayer is. God called us to this Earth to reach others in His name. The best ways I have found to do that is lead a Christ centered life. Others will take notice and be intrigued and you will have an opportunity to share your faith. Second is to pray for people we can not force anyone in to believing the way we do, so we must pray for God to soften their hearts and allow themselves to be open to God's word.

I was recently told two important things about sharing God's word. First being that the easiest way of sharing God's love is by sharing your testimony. If your like me that probably freaks you out or maybe you think your story isn't worth sharing. Newsflash God is the Author and Perfector of your story so YES it is worthy of being shared, and second you can turn ANY and EVERY conversation about God! Yes it is possible trust me.

So start simple pray for the people in your life the good, bad, and the messy, because here's the thing God hates the sin and loves the sinner. Then pray for God to give you an opportunity each day to share His love and His word with someone new. Watch what happens I promise God can do far greater things with our prayers and petitions than we ever could dream of. Every night give every person you know over to God yourself included, because God is writing the story and SPOILER it ends GOOD!

If your reading this I'm praying for you constantly. I pray God wraps you up in his arms and finds was to let His light shine through on even the darkest days. I pray you never give up fighting the good fight. I pray you strength, wisdom, and peace no matter what life hands you. I pray you lean on God when you have no where else to turn. I pray you know your never alone in this world. I pray you know that you are loved. I pray you never forget that you are a child of the one true King. I pray you don't let anyone steal your joy. I pray you find a way to shine your light on this seemingly dark world. I pray you know that this is just your temporary home. I pray you know that actions here can have eternal endings. I pray you walk with God each day of your life. I pray for you.

Missionaries

"He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned." Mark 16: 15-16
 
"I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you." John 14: 18

In these verses God encourages us to go spread his name among all creation and that he will not abandon us. I love this quote I read recently "It's not where you are it's the mission that makes you a missionary!" Have you every thought about it like that? Or did you think that you had to be on a mission trip to be a missionary maybe you thought you needed to leave the country or leave your state to do mission work. The bible says that isn't true anywhere we go we have the ability to share God's name and that makes us missionaries. 

• At your favorite coffee shop.
• At the grocery store.
• At school.
• At work.
• At the gym.
• At your favorite restaurant.
• In your neighborhood.
• In line at the movie theater.
• In the mall.
• In the state you live.
• In other states.
• In other countries.

Wherever you are there is always an opportunity to share the word of God. Don't let your own idea of where mission work must take place get in the way of sharing your faith.

We must seek opportunities daily to worship the God who created you! By doing this we need to become Kingdom focused and stop being self focused. By spreading the word of God we will have to make sacrifices in our lives. "He must become greater; I must become less." John 3:30. We will need to sacrifice time, money, material things, status, our sin, our self, our stuff and so much more to be effective in allowing God to be greater and to spread His love and name.

I pray God gives you an opportunity to spread His name each day. I know He will equip you with the right words and the confidence to step out boldly in your faith.