One of the devil's most successful schemes is busyness: friends, work, sports, even ministry sometimes. Even though working hard and being successful is great, often very good things can become idols if they take away from our relationship with God. This is what I'm finding as I work at summer camp: it is so hard for me to find time to spend with God. This fact really bothers me because I need to be preparing to be a missionary in Peru. My relationship with God is really important to me- actually it's everything. Without God, I'm nothing and have nothing going for me. With God, well God makes all things beautiful at least in His time ;)
The amazing thing about camp is the great spiritual atmosphere, positive friends, and beautiful nature-- the hardest part is definitively personal devotions. Yesterday I was able to go on a run with God and just look up at the stars. They were so beautiful. As I was talking to God, I saw a shooting star. Shooting stars are really special to me because to me, it's like God's promises and at the same time a sign that He is with me and that He will take care of me. God gave me three shooting stars to show me that I should go to Peru, so by Him sending me another shooting star- it just gave me such perfect peace.
I really trust God right now and I'm so excited for how he will lead this summer. My prayer is that God would help me to have the wisdom and perseverance to invest an hour in personal devotions and Bible study every day this summer. This is my hope and prayer- that by doing this I can grow closer to Christ. It won't be easy but it will be worth it.
Friday, May 31, 2013
Sunday, May 26, 2013
The Last Days
2 Peter 3:3 First you must understand that in the last days, scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires. They will say, "Where is this coming they promised? Ever since our fathers died, everything goes on since it has since the first day of creation. But they deliberately forgot that long ago by God's word the heavens existed and the earth was formed out of heavens and out of water and by water. By these waters also the world of that time was deluged and destroyed. By the same word the present heavens and earth are reserved for fire, being kept for the day of judgment and destruction of the ungodly men.
But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years like a day. The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise as some understand his slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.
But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare.
Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming. That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire and the elements will melt in the heat. But in keeping with his promise, we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness.
So then dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with him. Bear in mind that the Lord's patience means salvation, just as our dear brother Paul also wrote to you with the wisdom that God gave him. He writes the same way in all his letters, speaking in them of these matters. His letters contain some things that are hard to understand, which ignorant and unstable people distort, as they do the other Scriptures, to their own destruction.
Therefore dear friends, since you already know this, be on your guard so that you may not be carried away with the error of lawless men and fall from your secure position. But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be all glory both now and forever. Amen!
But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years like a day. The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise as some understand his slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.
But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare.
Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming. That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire and the elements will melt in the heat. But in keeping with his promise, we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness.
So then dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with him. Bear in mind that the Lord's patience means salvation, just as our dear brother Paul also wrote to you with the wisdom that God gave him. He writes the same way in all his letters, speaking in them of these matters. His letters contain some things that are hard to understand, which ignorant and unstable people distort, as they do the other Scriptures, to their own destruction.
Therefore dear friends, since you already know this, be on your guard so that you may not be carried away with the error of lawless men and fall from your secure position. But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be all glory both now and forever. Amen!
Saturday, May 25, 2013
Fast and Furious
Fast and Furious: (based on the 5th movie)
..a story where the good guys are really murderers and thieves, and the bad guys are both cops and drug dealers... car racing is unrealistic.. and romance with two sexy people is on fire, having a baby is just a plus--it's unrealistic and it's messed up. I mean movies like that are fun to watch but I think there is a danger to watching too many movies like this because of the illusions and lies that the media's sharing. For one the action in these movies in unbelievable and the violence is crazy. You watch a ton of people die and see a lot of blood-- all of this violence numbs your mind and your emotions. Then the plot is twisted because morals are thrown around and totally out. Like for one thing, did Jesus say that murder was ever ok? Two, stealing is always wrong and we are told to turn the other cheek. Third, the romance story is totally against what God teaches about purity and waiting to have sex with one man. I could go on and on.. So I know I just went totally Christian here and am judging this silly movie whose goal was never to prove good morals..
I just feel convicted that as Christians we are called to challenge everything that is being put into our minds. The media is teaching so many lies these days that are totally being ignored and many of them are corrupting our families and societies. I believe small things even movies can make a big difference in our character and more importantly our walk with Christ.
I struggle with "Christians" who claim to be following Christ and then sin and don't seem to be working to change that. I know that everybody has faults. But I know that being nice is not enough, being good is not enough, we are called to act like Christ. He was perfect. He was blameless.
"The greatest enemy of the life of faith in God is not sin, but good choices which are not quite good enough. The good is always the enemy of the best."-Chambers
"The danger with us is that we want to water down the things Jesus says and make them mean something in accordance with common sense."- Chambers
Romans 12:2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
1 Peter 2:9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.
..a story where the good guys are really murderers and thieves, and the bad guys are both cops and drug dealers... car racing is unrealistic.. and romance with two sexy people is on fire, having a baby is just a plus--it's unrealistic and it's messed up. I mean movies like that are fun to watch but I think there is a danger to watching too many movies like this because of the illusions and lies that the media's sharing. For one the action in these movies in unbelievable and the violence is crazy. You watch a ton of people die and see a lot of blood-- all of this violence numbs your mind and your emotions. Then the plot is twisted because morals are thrown around and totally out. Like for one thing, did Jesus say that murder was ever ok? Two, stealing is always wrong and we are told to turn the other cheek. Third, the romance story is totally against what God teaches about purity and waiting to have sex with one man. I could go on and on.. So I know I just went totally Christian here and am judging this silly movie whose goal was never to prove good morals..
I just feel convicted that as Christians we are called to challenge everything that is being put into our minds. The media is teaching so many lies these days that are totally being ignored and many of them are corrupting our families and societies. I believe small things even movies can make a big difference in our character and more importantly our walk with Christ.
I struggle with "Christians" who claim to be following Christ and then sin and don't seem to be working to change that. I know that everybody has faults. But I know that being nice is not enough, being good is not enough, we are called to act like Christ. He was perfect. He was blameless.
"The greatest enemy of the life of faith in God is not sin, but good choices which are not quite good enough. The good is always the enemy of the best."-Chambers
"The danger with us is that we want to water down the things Jesus says and make them mean something in accordance with common sense."- Chambers
Romans 12:2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
1 Peter 2:9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.
Friday, May 24, 2013
Staying Christian
It's funny because every once in a while someone makes this comment to me about how good of a Christian I am. And I HATE it when people say that because they are generally narrowing my life to a list of things I do or don't do, or generalizing my personality into being a cookie cutter Jesus loving freak who has no selfish desires or even struggles with sin. And they make my life look and sound so easy... like following Jesus for me isn't difficult at all. And I'm like, honestly? Do you even know me?
Because yes I love Jesus and praise God you see Him in me (that would be a miracle) but the struggle is as real for me as it is for you. (Ask my brother ;)
Sometimes I don't feel like a good Christian. I don't feel like being nice. I don't feel like reading my Bible, listening to Christian worship music, or being kind to people. Sometimes instead I want to watch Netflix movies instead of having worships or gossip or lie instead of having painful conversations. And maybe you say that's nothing compared to my sins? Well to God it's all a level playing field and often Satan loves to start ruining our lives by creeping into the smallest "harmless" activities.
My moods contradict often contradict Christ's character when I struggle with feeling selfish, anxiety, depression, lusting after things or humans instead of Christ... If I fulfill my feelings and momentary desires I will be reaching for things of the flesh like guys to talk too, friends who satisfy my immediate needs by telling me the right things, activities that seem like fun but hurt my purity and brain overtime, or even making idols out of school or work.
The world, and often my friends, may justify me for giving in to some of these desires. After all, all Christians "need a break" right; should "lighten up" and "everything is good in modesty" right. If it's not an addiction and it's just a one in a while thing is it ok?
Trust me, I'm just like you, I struggle with selfishness, self-worth, and waiting and following God. I struggle with the desire to read my Bible. Spending personal time with God daily is not always easy.
But here's the thing guys it's SO Important.
Becoming Christian isn't some one time thing, it's not a great story that happens and then you get there. There will be highs and lows and there will be those great miracles that God does in your life. I know I feel like parts of my testimony are really powerful but then there's other times when I'm just like "I need help" times when I am hurting and feel alone in life or in my faith.
For me the hardest part of following God for me is staying Christian in the day to day grind of life. Like how do you stay close to Jesus without falling away, without giving in to the mood swings, without getting distracted from the things this world throws at us to distract us? And I believe that also the most powerful part of our testimonies is the waiting part, it's the dark before dawn, it's the preparation period where we chose to be faithful- where we chose to stay Christian. And not just "Christian" in that we went to church and claimed the label but where our day to day walk shows us daily surrendering everything to God, praising Him daily, experiencing His true joy.
Friends, we are often so impatient. We are taught that we should be able to get what we want by taking the quickest route, maybe even the drive through. Pit stops to Starbucks for a latte are encouraged as long as we don't get too off track. But the journey to God is so unlike anything else on this planet. It is a long life changing process where God literally strips us away from self and everything from our old life. It is not fast and short cuts will quickly lure us to Satan's counterfeits. Pit stops are dangerous where the devil waits to tell us lies.
The point of me writing this is that I want to share that I am just like you- a struggling Christian. I believe we have to get beyond the comparing others relationships and take ownership for how our personal walks are going. If I am not actively reading my Bible and prayer that is no one's fault but my own and if I cannot share how Christ has been working in my life in the past week, maybe He has not been working.
My life has not been easy or perfect. I've had my own personal struggles and journey with God just like you have. And even though I've followed God for a while, and spent times as a missionary and even as a camp "spiritual director"- every day for me is a totally new day to get to know who God is and see what He's doing new in my life. I just encourage you for one, stop labeling people and making assumptions, or trying to pressure them to meet your expectations .But for two, most importantly, take accountability for your own Christian life with God. Stay Christian and don't just stay on the fence but learn to be a mini disciple of Christ. Start focusing on Him instead of you and He will totally turn your life around and give you this crazy joy!
Because yes I love Jesus and praise God you see Him in me (that would be a miracle) but the struggle is as real for me as it is for you. (Ask my brother ;)
Sometimes I don't feel like a good Christian. I don't feel like being nice. I don't feel like reading my Bible, listening to Christian worship music, or being kind to people. Sometimes instead I want to watch Netflix movies instead of having worships or gossip or lie instead of having painful conversations. And maybe you say that's nothing compared to my sins? Well to God it's all a level playing field and often Satan loves to start ruining our lives by creeping into the smallest "harmless" activities.
My moods contradict often contradict Christ's character when I struggle with feeling selfish, anxiety, depression, lusting after things or humans instead of Christ... If I fulfill my feelings and momentary desires I will be reaching for things of the flesh like guys to talk too, friends who satisfy my immediate needs by telling me the right things, activities that seem like fun but hurt my purity and brain overtime, or even making idols out of school or work.
The world, and often my friends, may justify me for giving in to some of these desires. After all, all Christians "need a break" right; should "lighten up" and "everything is good in modesty" right. If it's not an addiction and it's just a one in a while thing is it ok?
Trust me, I'm just like you, I struggle with selfishness, self-worth, and waiting and following God. I struggle with the desire to read my Bible. Spending personal time with God daily is not always easy.
But here's the thing guys it's SO Important.
Becoming Christian isn't some one time thing, it's not a great story that happens and then you get there. There will be highs and lows and there will be those great miracles that God does in your life. I know I feel like parts of my testimony are really powerful but then there's other times when I'm just like "I need help" times when I am hurting and feel alone in life or in my faith.
For me the hardest part of following God for me is staying Christian in the day to day grind of life. Like how do you stay close to Jesus without falling away, without giving in to the mood swings, without getting distracted from the things this world throws at us to distract us? And I believe that also the most powerful part of our testimonies is the waiting part, it's the dark before dawn, it's the preparation period where we chose to be faithful- where we chose to stay Christian. And not just "Christian" in that we went to church and claimed the label but where our day to day walk shows us daily surrendering everything to God, praising Him daily, experiencing His true joy.
Friends, we are often so impatient. We are taught that we should be able to get what we want by taking the quickest route, maybe even the drive through. Pit stops to Starbucks for a latte are encouraged as long as we don't get too off track. But the journey to God is so unlike anything else on this planet. It is a long life changing process where God literally strips us away from self and everything from our old life. It is not fast and short cuts will quickly lure us to Satan's counterfeits. Pit stops are dangerous where the devil waits to tell us lies.
The point of me writing this is that I want to share that I am just like you- a struggling Christian. I believe we have to get beyond the comparing others relationships and take ownership for how our personal walks are going. If I am not actively reading my Bible and prayer that is no one's fault but my own and if I cannot share how Christ has been working in my life in the past week, maybe He has not been working.
My life has not been easy or perfect. I've had my own personal struggles and journey with God just like you have. And even though I've followed God for a while, and spent times as a missionary and even as a camp "spiritual director"- every day for me is a totally new day to get to know who God is and see what He's doing new in my life. I just encourage you for one, stop labeling people and making assumptions, or trying to pressure them to meet your expectations .But for two, most importantly, take accountability for your own Christian life with God. Stay Christian and don't just stay on the fence but learn to be a mini disciple of Christ. Start focusing on Him instead of you and He will totally turn your life around and give you this crazy joy!
Thursday, May 23, 2013
Don't Waste Your Life
"Only one life will soon be past
Only what's done for Christ will last"
In a world where each day is uncertain with people dying every second, how can I live without wasting my life? Just three days ago, I was in a car driving through Oklahoma the same day the Oklahoma tragedy tornados hit Moore. The tornado was right behind our vehicle and it was a pretty scary situation. We often fail to think about death and just how short our life is until it looks us in the face. There are no guarantees or no promises when it comes to life. There's no second chances either.
"Your life is in God's hands. Your life hangs by a slender strand of sovereign grace. You exist for Him. God has a right to take and give life as He pleases."
Job after all his suffering understood this and said "The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away, Blessed be the name of the Lord." How often do we witness this genuine faith nowadays? Instead we often have anger towards God and blame him if anything bad happens.
Look at the Oklahoma tornado tragedies, look at the tragedies happening all around the world right now. Just today children are starving not because of anything they have done, girls are raped and sold and have nobody to defend them, parents are left childless because of their children dying from terminal illnesses- it should not make us cry and moan and groan- but it should make us realize life is short, the End times are soon.. take your life seriously. Don't waste it.
Life is not a faerie tale. We are being misled. The American Dream is a hoax. The American dream is to to get money, fall in love, and live happy, worry-free lives in a big house. Once you realize that you are being deceived by the media into wanting what you want you will realize that material possessions will never make you happy. The American Dream will never give you true joy neither will it give you eternal life.
It is dangerous to pursue selfish ambitions and vain conceit. It is dangerous to want the American dream and live for money or success. You are wasting your life.
Go back to God. Pursue Him with everything you Have and you will find more than you could ever imagine.
The only way to not waste a life is to surrender the life totally to Christ and to glorify Him with every breath.
Phillipians 1:20,21says "I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. 21 For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain."
Life and death are given to you that you might display the supreme glory of Jesus Christ.
Only what's done for Christ will last"
In a world where each day is uncertain with people dying every second, how can I live without wasting my life? Just three days ago, I was in a car driving through Oklahoma the same day the Oklahoma tragedy tornados hit Moore. The tornado was right behind our vehicle and it was a pretty scary situation. We often fail to think about death and just how short our life is until it looks us in the face. There are no guarantees or no promises when it comes to life. There's no second chances either.
"Your life is in God's hands. Your life hangs by a slender strand of sovereign grace. You exist for Him. God has a right to take and give life as He pleases."
Job after all his suffering understood this and said "The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away, Blessed be the name of the Lord." How often do we witness this genuine faith nowadays? Instead we often have anger towards God and blame him if anything bad happens.
Look at the Oklahoma tornado tragedies, look at the tragedies happening all around the world right now. Just today children are starving not because of anything they have done, girls are raped and sold and have nobody to defend them, parents are left childless because of their children dying from terminal illnesses- it should not make us cry and moan and groan- but it should make us realize life is short, the End times are soon.. take your life seriously. Don't waste it.
Life is not a faerie tale. We are being misled. The American Dream is a hoax. The American dream is to to get money, fall in love, and live happy, worry-free lives in a big house. Once you realize that you are being deceived by the media into wanting what you want you will realize that material possessions will never make you happy. The American Dream will never give you true joy neither will it give you eternal life.
It is dangerous to pursue selfish ambitions and vain conceit. It is dangerous to want the American dream and live for money or success. You are wasting your life.
Go back to God. Pursue Him with everything you Have and you will find more than you could ever imagine.
The only way to not waste a life is to surrender the life totally to Christ and to glorify Him with every breath.
Phillipians 1:20,21says "I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. 21 For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain."
Life and death are given to you that you might display the supreme glory of Jesus Christ.
Thursday, May 16, 2013
What is love?
Please read this article about romance/ love.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-21410275
So what is love? Why are people so confused these days? Marriages are costing fortunes. Getting a date is the biggest theme of highschool. It seems almost any popular movie has a romance plot tied in. People are crazy about love. We have valentines day, couples cruises, dating services.. yet still a ridiculous amount of divorces- even in the church. If not divorces, look at family lives these days many couples are unhappy.
I think we have it wrong! I think America is illusioning us into what love looks like. There is a problem in wanting a faerie tale relationship- it's a lie!
You will never be happy if you are expecting that CRAZY crazy passionate love all the time. A person, sinful human being, cannot satisfy your heart and your feelings. Only God can. We are looking in the wrong places. We are expecting far too much.
In addition, to unreal expectations, we have a totally wrong attitude when it comes to long-term relationships. We think about us: what we want. We make lists. We think can he make me happy? Will he make enough money? Does he care about me?
Well what about him? Can you make him happy? Can you serve him?
What if we changed our attitudes about marriages from loving to serving? What if our definition of love was messed up?
After all we use the same word love to describe ice cream.. maybe we are confused about what love is.
Love is not holding hands with a sexy guy and walking on the beach- that's easy. Love is not having sex in bed- any couple can do that. Love is not happiness, joy, and always looking cute. It's not always smiley and ushy-gushy wonderful. Love is not an emotion. Love is a choice.
Love is the opposite of indifference. Love means caring enough about someone to do the best thing for them. Love is service and putting the needs of someone else's above your own.
If we truly served another in marriage and made the decision that for the rest of our lives we would live each day with the goal of doing the best thing for that person think how beautiful marriage could be?
If love is of God then love is pure. I want to love and I want to know what true love is.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-21410275
So what is love? Why are people so confused these days? Marriages are costing fortunes. Getting a date is the biggest theme of highschool. It seems almost any popular movie has a romance plot tied in. People are crazy about love. We have valentines day, couples cruises, dating services.. yet still a ridiculous amount of divorces- even in the church. If not divorces, look at family lives these days many couples are unhappy.
I think we have it wrong! I think America is illusioning us into what love looks like. There is a problem in wanting a faerie tale relationship- it's a lie!
You will never be happy if you are expecting that CRAZY crazy passionate love all the time. A person, sinful human being, cannot satisfy your heart and your feelings. Only God can. We are looking in the wrong places. We are expecting far too much.
In addition, to unreal expectations, we have a totally wrong attitude when it comes to long-term relationships. We think about us: what we want. We make lists. We think can he make me happy? Will he make enough money? Does he care about me?
Well what about him? Can you make him happy? Can you serve him?
What if we changed our attitudes about marriages from loving to serving? What if our definition of love was messed up?
After all we use the same word love to describe ice cream.. maybe we are confused about what love is.
Love is not holding hands with a sexy guy and walking on the beach- that's easy. Love is not having sex in bed- any couple can do that. Love is not happiness, joy, and always looking cute. It's not always smiley and ushy-gushy wonderful. Love is not an emotion. Love is a choice.
Love is the opposite of indifference. Love means caring enough about someone to do the best thing for them. Love is service and putting the needs of someone else's above your own.
If we truly served another in marriage and made the decision that for the rest of our lives we would live each day with the goal of doing the best thing for that person think how beautiful marriage could be?
If love is of God then love is pure. I want to love and I want to know what true love is.
Wednesday, May 15, 2013
What do you want more?
To want a good relationship with God is not simply enough just like wanting a nice body is not simply enough. I can want positive relationships, toned abs, & good grades in college-- but wanting is different than working towards. Investing, committing, and sacrificing are way different descriptions than wanting, and things Christ is calling us to do. Yes actions are motivated by a desire and Christ wants us to want Him- but simply desiring Christ and continuing to live our natural, sinful ways will not work.
Jeremiah 29:13 says You will seek me and find me when you search for me with all your heart.
ALL YOUR HEART- that's a lot. Let me just ask you Are you sure you want God? Do you want Him more than anything else? More than a boyfriend or girlfriend, more than best friends, more than family, more than beauty, and more than popularity, riches, or fame? And it's easy to say that we want something more or love something more than anyone.. but are our actions showing that?
Psalm 119:10 With my whole heart I seek you; let me not wander from your commandments
1 Chronicles 16:11 Seek the Lord and his strength; seek his presence continually!
I can say that I want God more than anything, but sometimes my actions speak louder than words and prove me a liar. My thoughts are often on things of this world more than things of God. This is something concerning, something I must work to change. It's a battlefield for your heart and mind when you choose to serve Christ Jesus. I pray that we together work towards loving God and gaining a better relationship with Him every single day. I pray that we invest, commit, and sacrifice for Christ because we want Him more than anything else this world has to offer.
Jeremiah 29:13 says You will seek me and find me when you search for me with all your heart.
ALL YOUR HEART- that's a lot. Let me just ask you Are you sure you want God? Do you want Him more than anything else? More than a boyfriend or girlfriend, more than best friends, more than family, more than beauty, and more than popularity, riches, or fame? And it's easy to say that we want something more or love something more than anyone.. but are our actions showing that?
Psalm 119:10 With my whole heart I seek you; let me not wander from your commandments
1 Chronicles 16:11 Seek the Lord and his strength; seek his presence continually!
I can say that I want God more than anything, but sometimes my actions speak louder than words and prove me a liar. My thoughts are often on things of this world more than things of God. This is something concerning, something I must work to change. It's a battlefield for your heart and mind when you choose to serve Christ Jesus. I pray that we together work towards loving God and gaining a better relationship with Him every single day. I pray that we invest, commit, and sacrifice for Christ because we want Him more than anything else this world has to offer.
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