Rooted in God's Love -Max Lucado

The following work is not my own--it is part of Max Lucado's devotional Everyday Blessings.

Rooted in God’s Love

Posted: 16 Dec 2010 10:01 PM PST


We know and rely on the love God has for us. I John 4:16 NIV
The secret to loving is living loved…
Does bumping into certain people leave you brittle, breakable, and fruitless?... If so, your love may be grounded in the wrong soil. It may be rooted in their love (which is fickle) or in your resolve to love (which is frail). John urges us to “rely on the love God has for us” (I John 4:16, NIV). He alone is the power source.


(Reposted from Here)

Called to Christ

Colossians 3:15 (New International Version)

[15] Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.


Peace. What is peace? Let's take a look at the definition straight out of the original.

1) a state of national tranquillity
    a) exemption from the rage and havoc of war
2) peace between individuals, i.e. harmony, concord
3) security, safety, prosperity, felicity, (because peace and harmony make and keep things safe and prosperous)
4) of the Messiah's peace
    a) the way that leads to peace (salvation)5) of Christianity, the tranquil state of a soul assured of its salvation through Christ, and so fearing nothing from God and content with its earthly lot, of whatsoever sort that is6) the blessed state of devout and upright men after death

Check out some of these definitions! Particularly take attention to 3, 4 and 5--these are the aspects of peace I'm going to highlight.

3) Security, safety, prosperity, felicity

I think we all can agree that we know about this part of peace. It's family at Thanksgiving, it's the lion playing with the lamb, it's a little touch of heaven-meets-earth.

4) of the Messiah's peace
       a) the way that leads to peace (salvation)


From this definition we get a new idea of peace; that it is a product of salvation. We see that Jesus gave us peace on the cross, a product of his most distressful time on earth. This peace comes after and as a product of tribulation. It is a victor's peace. To expound a little further on this, lets move on to 5.

5) of Christianity, the tranquil state of a soul assured of its salvation through Christ, and so fearing nothing from God and content with its earthly lot, of whatsoever sort that is

So peace is security and assurity--that Christ has brought us salvation and that God has pardoned our transgressions. Peace is a knowledge and perception of God.

So let's take another look into Colossians 3:15

[15] Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.

What does it mean to be called to peace? What peace is Paul talking about here?

And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. -Philippians 4:7

It struck me this morning as I myself was looking up the definition of peace. We are called to peace--we are called to salvation--to the assurity of knowing God as our redemption--to that which 'transcends all understanding.' Definition 3) Security, safety, prosperity, felicity of what? Definition 4) of a Messiah--of salvation. Salvation from whom? Definition 5) salvation through Christ. Result? (5 cont) and so fearing nothing from God and content with its earthly lot, of whatsoever sort that is. We are called to peace--we are called to Christ.

[20] May the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep,
[21] equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen. -Hebrews 13:20-21

Today's World of Entertainment

Philippians 4:8 (New International Version)

 [8] 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.


There is a subject which will always stir me up; today's world of entertainment. Musics, movies, games, books, what is this generation turning to pass the time with?


Starting this spring I cut movies nearly completely out of my life; I became convicted, realizing that the movies I watched had a direct relationship with my mood, attitude, and actions. They had a handle on my life and time that I should have spent communing with God turned to endorse violence, sexual immorality, crudeness, and vulgarity.
 
"But wait," you say, "Not all movies are like that!"

My answer to that is, Enough of them are. It isn't worth it to me any more to wade through the garbage to find a few good movies--and even 'good' 'safe' movies can take up a good part of your time.

 Horrors and thrillers (generally speaking) open your mind to Satanic influence; it's real and I've seen it happen. Yes there are the few that have good solid themes, but ask yourself this; is it truly worth wading through the pile of pig manure to find one pearl? See No Evil, The Hitcher, Paranormal Activity, Hide and Seek, the list goes on and on and those examples aren't even recent releases. Everything you see and hear has a huge effect on you. Line your movies up with Philippians 4:8, line your movies up with what your conscience tells you, but more importantly, line your movies up with God.



I am truly disturbed at what kids these days are listening to, stuff they call music. Music? It's chalk-full of swearing, themes of sexual immorality, violence, hate, racism, slander, hopelessness... Is that what you want to fill your mind with?


The power of music is incredible, and though I maintain that music in and of itself is amoral--a God-given tool of expression--used wrongly and mixed with today's lyrics it takes a devastating toll. Music has HUGE influences on the mind, it affects all kinds of things simply through the way it is composed at the core. Now let me tell you there are alot of sounds coming out of the record industry that I would be ashamed to call music, and there are words coming out of the headphones of 10-year-olds that I would be ashamed to say to my parents or even my peers.


Christians! Whatever is true! What ever is noble! Whatever is right, pure and lovely! Whatever is admirable or praiseworthy, think about these things!

Christian youth! This is an appeal! Come back to your God, come back to your families, come back to your lives! Stop living in and of the world, stop prostituting yourself to the world and Satan. Come back to your First Love!  Stop living the way you've been living, stop watching and listening to the things you've been watching and listning to; dwell on Godly things! Do not give yourselves up as Israel gave herself up in adultery,to the nations.


This is an appeal; Christians, return to your God. Renew your faith in the great I Am. He is so much more than the world's promise of happiness, entertainment. You cannot serve God and entertainment, so stop and check yourself because He is so much more.

Night Watchman

The night is silent; indeed, silent as the grave. And the mist beyond the window-panes can only add to the illusion and alude the more. The silence is unbroken.
It is a good night to be a night watchman... to be young Samuel, listening to the voice of the Lord. It is a good night to listen. And so here I sit, watching, listening... readying myself for what end I do not know, only that I must be ready.

It is a good day to be ready. It is a good day to be watchful, to listen... It is a good day to hear the word of the Lord. It is a good day for you. NightWatchmen, Samuels, Brothers and Sisters, awake. Awake and see your king coming! Awake and hear the voice of Him. Look and see; tonight is a good night to see. Look, Listen, Trust... Do not slumber!

In the stillness of night... in the Peace of turmoil.. in the place of suffering, there is your God. There is your God, worthy of all worship, honour and glory. Worthy the Lamb who was slain. Even in this dark night, look! Listen! He who is worthy comes. Watchmen to the high places for he comes, and with him a mighty host of heaven to free the captives. A mighty host of heaven. Do not slumber. Do not sleep.

Watch, Wait, Listen... Obey... Trust and Obey.

[6] This is what the Lord says to me:

“Go, post a lookout and have him report
what he sees. [7] When he sees chariots
with teams of horses, riders on donkeys or
riders on camels, let him be alert, fully alert.”

Isaiah 21:6-7

Romans 13:1-7

Romans 13



Submission to Governing Authorities


[1] Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. [2] Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. [3] For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and you will be commended. [4] For the one in authority is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for rulers do not bear the sword for no reason. They are God’s servants, agents of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. [5] Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also as a matter of conscience.


[6] This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God’s servants, who give their full time to governing. [7] Give to everyone what you owe them: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.

Being With Jesus

1 John 1:7 (New International Version)

[7]But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.

The Bible calls people who do good righteous. There were many that God specifically named righteous, for instance Job. How do we know that Job was righteous? Because he did right. Yes he was human, and humans aren't perfect, but God was pretty proud of Job, he even considered him blameless.

So how do we live righteous lives? 1 John 1:7 states that purification from all sin comes through the blood of Jesus, and if we would walk in the light as he [God] is in the light, our sins will be purified. So what is light?

Several months back I made a decision to change my habits of entertainment--namely movies--to walk more in this light that John talks about. And what a practical solution it was! The less negative content in my entertainment, the easier it is to fix my eyes on someone much greater, Jesus. And it wasn't difficult to part with many of my previous modes of entertainment - anything that I felt dragging me down in any way I removed from my life. What a freedom I felt!

A very good friend of mine once told me, "Dark things grow in dark places," there was more to it but that was the jist of it. This is why it is so important to walk in the light. Do you want freedom from bondage? Walk in the light! Do you want healing from sickness, depression, sin? Walk in the light!



Walking in the light means simply to walk with Jesus. Not just a few minutes down on your knees by your bed each night, no. Any and every day, twenty-four hours a day, we must seek an active growing relationship with Christ. This is how we must walk in the light. And when we walk in this light, "...the things of this earth will grow strangely dim, in the light of His glory and grace."

Will you turn your eyes upon Jesus?

Turn your eyes upon Jesus
Look full in his wonderful face
And the things of this earth
will grow strangely dim
In the light of His Glory and Grace

Lifesong

Revelation 12:11 (NIV)

They overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death.

 
There is an incredible power in testimony and today we need to begin to unlock that power. The church sits in slumber because none see the miracles within. In light of that, this is my testimony.
 
Take a moment and read 2 Corinthians 12:7-10. What an awesome passage. Here Paul is telling of a weakness he has--a weakness allowed by God.
 
As I grew up and became more aware of the world around me God allowed me a weakness; or perhaps it was simply a consequence. It all began a number of years ago when I was about ten years old.
 

I grew up believing I could be everything I could be--that is to say, I believed that I had to earn grace and buy my passage to heaven. Until later years I always just figured since I went to church I was, (obviously) going to heaven. And perhaps if I brought my Bible to church every week and learned my memory verse perfectly and did all these things just right, God would love me more. I looked down on most people taller than me, and everyone shorter than me--I thought I had it all. Yep, I was pretty snobby.
 
As I got older I began to realize that I was alone. Sure I had my family--you can never be alone with seven siblings. I had plenty of cousins kicking around too, but that's about all they really seamed to do. And then there was my church. I grew up into it, I knew everyone in it, but the only real friend I had really had then moved away. I was socially challenged, besides, I already knew everyone and didn't know how to go from there. At any rate everyone my age either moved away or was a girl and at that age, this was quite a predicament.
 
It was about this time that, due to a suggestive movie, I fell innocently into lusting after fleshly desires and soon became addicted. For the first six months or so I argued with myself that what I was doing wasn't wrong--and won out. But as I became hooked on porn in the wake of this, my arguments sounded more and more hollow.
 

Overcome by my new secret and loneliness, I fell into depression and turned even more toward my lustful habits for comfort. At the same time I was getting scared. I was convicted of the sin in my life and I knew that if I did not stop my habits, I was going to hell. But I still believed I could earn my way to heaven. So on June 24, 2004 I was baptised--my safeguard on those pearly gates. I thought that baptism was more than a symbol--that baptism was the action itself which it should only have represented.
 
Even though I was baptised I did not feel any different, but now I did have an excuse. When I messed up I could say, "It's okay! I'm baptised! I'm going to heaven anyway!" But even in that I found little comfort. I continued to sink further into depression due to my loneliness, dark secrets, and the feeling that God had abandoned me.
 
2006 was a note-worthy year for me. I was very depressed. I had vowed that year to end my lustful habits, but that vow would not be kept. Because of this I felt that God was failing me--for the simple reason that I was failing him. I was still very tied in to the beliefs that I had to earn God's approval--especially now that I had dark secrets.
 
I thought often of dieing. I didn't have the guts and still believed that even if I was a lost sinner forever I could do something with my life, but these couldn't hold out forever. I remember often praying and crying to God that he would even just send me a friend I could talk to, but no answer seamed to come.
 
 

It was mid-fall of '06 that I met her. Over the last year I had turned to a virtual world on the internet in which hundreds of thousands of people interracted. It was a desperate attempt to gain something of a friendship. I was pushing further and further away from reality and had nothing to do with anyone if I could help it. Brenna was a Christian girl slightly younger than me from the states, and amazingly enough she was in the same time zone as me. Though I never met her in flesh-and-blood, we soon became friends.
 
Brenna was like no one I had ever met before. I told her all about my past and my depression; she didn't judge but loved--did not turn her back but proverbially took my hand and walked me through. She introduced me to a Christian website--little more than a basic blog, but here I met many other young Christians with a faith much like Brenna's; strong, steadfast, based on an undeniable love of God. By the new year I had caught hold of this faith and God began to lift me out of depression.
 

He Conquered the Grave

1 Corinthians 15:54-56 (New International Version)

[54]When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: "Death has been swallowed up in victory." [55]
"Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?" [56]The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law.


Are you afraid of dieing? Does death seam like the ultimate unknown to you? Let me tell you a short story.

God had a plan from the very begining (do you ever wonder when the begining was? It was a long time ago that's for sure!) When the time was right, he came to us in the body of a man whom his earthly mother named Jesus. Jesus walked our earth and felt our human pains. He even felt the pains of sin when he lifted your sins onto his back in Gethsemane. You know this story, I'm sure. But there's more - the best part.

Jesus took our sin--the sin of all humanity--on his shoulders and he bore it to a hill where separation from God broke his heart and killed him. But that was not the end. When Jesus said, "It is finished," he didn't mean it's over. He didn't say, that's all there is left of me. He said, it is finished! I did it! It's done! He said, Victory is mine! I've paid the price. And then he died.

Jesus was laid away in a tomb just before the Sabbath, and after the Sabbath he rose up from the dead. He conquered the grave, and the ultimate plan of salvation was complete. Jesus conquered the grave.

So what does this mean to us? It means that a) we are sinners saved by grace, b) Jesus knows about death. The second of these I will emphasize. Jesus lived on this earth in complete obedience to Father God. When he took up his cross and died on it, his obedience to the Father was complete - he lay down his life and became obedient even to death. Paul sums this up quite thoroughly in Phillipians 2:

[6]Who [Christ], being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, [7]but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant,
being made in human likeness. [8]And being found in appearance as a man,
he humbled himself and became obedient to death—even death on a cross!
-Phillippians 2:6-8 

What then is the result of Christ's obedience to death? Let's read on through the next few verses:
 
[9] Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name,
[10] that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, [11] and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Wow. Because Christ was fully obedient, even to death, God the Father gave him the victory and exalted him. (It wasn't a small exaltation either). Jesus was victorious over death!

[9]For we know that since Christ was raised from the dead, he cannot die again; death no longer has mastery over him. -Romans 6:9

Where, O Death is your sting? Where is your victory?! Why do you fear death? Why are you afraid to suffer? Jesus done it already. Why do we fear for those about to die? Jesus holds the keys of death itself!
If you don't find this exciting then please, wake up!

God holds the keys to hell and one day he will open that place for Satan. Jesus holds the keys to death and one day, many of us who are now alive will die. Many have already died. It will be disputed possibly till Jesus returns what will happen to us when we die, but be at peace in your heart, because Jesus is victorious over even death itself.

When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: "Death has been swallowed up in victory." -1 Corinthians 15:54

The Good Shepherd - Being a Follower

We've all seen a Nativity or Bible story picture with shepherds in it. They're the guys with sheep and bent sticks. When I was younger I wondered where they got those neat bent sticks from and how they got bent in the first place. I want you to keep that image in your mind as you read this post.




John 10 (New Internation Version)

[2]The man who enters by the gate is the shepherd of his sheep. [3]The watchman opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. [4]When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice.

How do we as Christians relate to following Jesus? How can we know that what we are following really is Jesus and not someone else? And how do we become better followers?

Hearing God's Voice. Do you believe that God still speaks to people as he did to people in the Bible? Believe it or not, He does. I fully believe that I hear God's voice. But is hearing His voice enough? Sheep can hear anyone's voice, even the theif and the robber who climbs over the wall of the fold. So what do we do when we hear God?

As I was talking to God a week or so ago I asked him, ironically enough, how to hear his voice. He gave me three words: Listen, Believe, and Obey.
Listen. Listen for the voice of God. "...and the sheep listen to his voice." Anyone can hear God if he wants to be heard, but you must listen to his voice. He will call you out, even by name, to lead you. If you listen attentively, the voice of God will become unlike all the rest - you will know his voice.

Believe. Believe it is the voice of God calling you out. Knowing and believing are two separate actions. I may know that people use and study all kinds of advanced chemistry science all the time, but I will never believe that anything down to a molecular level is of any use! You must believe in your own heart which voice to follow--for there will be many other voices--and then, follow it!

Obey. You can listen and believe all you want, but there's no use in either if you will not follow the call of God. You cannot remain in the fold within the four walls of the Law and Religion and the fear of striking out, you must follow the call of God.

These are the three steps you should take to hearing God and initially, following him. But what about false shepherds? This would be what some refer to as the anti-christ.

[4]"When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice."

A true shepherd does not go behind the flock and prod with the stick. He does not nudge them on their way from behind. No. The staff serves a purpose but this is a case in which following truly means following.
A leader leads by example - so Christ led by example - and he continues on ahead of us. We must listen to his voice and follow. If we will follow him, he will lead us.

Psalm 23 (NIV)

A psalm of David.

[1] The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. [2] He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters, [3] he restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness
for his name's sake. [4] Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
[5] You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows. [6] Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.

What Do You Want?

Proverbs 6:6-15 (New International Version)

[6] Go to the ant, you sluggard;
consider its ways and be wise!

School is almost out for the summer and isn't everyone excited? I know I sure am! But what do your summer plans entail? I hear it already, "I'm gonna party all night and sleep till noon (and thoroughly enjoy the ruination of my sleeping pattern!)"

What will you do with your summer? Where will you be in your relationship with God this fall? Where do you want to be? Does it involve playing your xBox all night, sleeping till noon and spending the rest of the day equally or less productive as your night? Let me refer back to the words of Solomon here - Go to the ant you sluggard! Consider her ways and be wise! What do you want to do with your summer?

[7] It has no commander,

no overseer or ruler,
[8] yet it stores its provisions in summer
and gathers its food at harvest.

So what is he saying here, and how can we relate it to our spiritual lives? Like an ant we should take the opportunity to increase in what we can. We should take up every opportunity to grow our relationship in Christ. So what do you want to do with your summer?

Let's just take a look at the next three verse

[9] How long will you lie there, you sluggard?

When will you get up from your sleep?
[10] A little sleep, a little slumber,
a little folding of the hands to rest-
[11] and poverty will come on you like a bandit
and scarcity like an armed man.

Ouch! Harsh, isn't it. A common thing you may hear referred to in the Native way of life is their diligence in going to church all winter long but, when the summer comes, the churches close up.. no one comes to church. Why? Because they're out fishing and hunting. Good practice? Perhaps. But here's what God says,

Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? -Matthew 6:25

So what should we be concerned about? What should you do with your summer?
 
Hone in on God. He's got you covered, you don't have to worry about your life if you've given it over to him, but don't live asleep, don't just lie there doing nothing. Get up! Talk to God. Ask him question, get to know him a little better than the latest gaming console. Grow in and build on your relationship with him so that you may guide, teach and mentor others to do the same. What do you want to do with your summer? 
 
Get intimate with God

Personal Testimony - Relationship

 They overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death. -Revelation 12:11

There's no doubt about it, your testimony is powerful. In light of that this post is going to be a bit different, this post will be my testimony of God's provision in my life.

Better a meal of vegetables where there is love than a fattened calf with hatred. -Proverbs 15:17

2006 was the second year of fighting depression and was certainly the peak of my battle. '06 may very well have been one of the hardest years that I have faced. I felt alone, I had no reliance in Christ, and I couldn't tell anyone about it. I couldn't, that is, till someone very special stepped into my life.

Brenna was not typical. At all! I don't mean that in a bad way. She is the best friend I have ever had (besides God, of course). I met her in the thick of my depressive state. Several months before I had asked God to re-establish himself in my life, but since I was still living righteousness by works, I fell into the net again. I met Brenna, as I said, during the thick of this depression. She was the first I was able to talk to about my depression - she didn't think badly of me, she just listened. She showed genuine care, concern, and love for me, something that I had never felt in a friend before. She stuck by me even through times when I thought of dieing, and she never gave up. She was truly a blessing. Although I would have preferred someone a little closer than 20,000 miles away, Brenna was the answer to my prayer for a friend.

I had the opportunity that winter to connect with many other christian teens across North America and further through a site Brenna referred me to. The love and encouragement I recieved during these times I will never forget.

I got aquainted with Aimee that winter and boy did I ever not know what I was getting myself into! By now I was begining to see victory from depression and my walk with God grew stronger every day. When I first met her, she told me she was a highschool senior. Now I'm thinking, 'okayy, she must be like 18 by now,' thats cool. Then she told me she was 14! Aimee never ceased to surprise me from then on, be it in her unwitting ability to beat me every time we played checkers, or glimpses of her firmly rooted faith in God. She was like an older sister to me; Aimee mentored me in my spiritual walk, and there was the odd time when I could give her some advice too. No matter where it was I was stuck, Aimee always had some insight that would keep me going for God. She was the main cause of all the spiritual growth I made that winter and in the next several years.

What must be one of the most random of meetings took place sometime in the late of 2007 or early 2008, though I cannot remember clearly when. So I had this account on this totally random site called Tagged, and one day I get this message from this girl, and she's like 'I looked at your profile. Dude it's so cool to actually meet someone religious on here!' and I was like 'dude, I'm totally not religious' and she was like 'oh... I'm sorry' so I was like 'no no no, I'm not religious, I'm relational!'
I didn't know it at the time but Jorden would be the first of any I would meet in person. She actually lived a little closer, only a province away! (what a novelty!)
As the poem which I wrote to her stated, our relationship had a slow beginning. We didn't really start talking till several months later, and after a month of that there was another gap in which we didn't talk for another several months.
But after all that time, we quickly became friends and concluded that we must be long lost siblings.
Jorden was an encouragement. By this time my spiritual walk had grown enough that I felt on a bit of a level to her and many of our conversations were spent simply proclaiming to one another how awesome our God was! Jorden became a very close friend, and one of the first who could personally understand some of fleshly temptations I faced. In May of 2009 I had the opportunity to meet her for the first time.

There is only one word which could describe my first impression of Emma; sporadic. She was one of a few which actually lived in my own town not 5 minutes away. (Imagine that!) Although this was now about a year later, I was hesitant to become involved with Emma. I was afraid that she would detract me from my Walk. She left what she must have imagined were subtle little hints that she wanted to be my friend and in spite of my hesitancy we shared nearly a year and a half together as close friends. I had never known anything like it before as here was someone who was not only close enough, but enthusiastic to be around me alot. Emma impacted my life, even more I suppose, than I have even begun to realize even now.

During a very difficult time of my life, actually just a few months ago, I met Morgan--my other little sister. Morgan was a God-send. I met her while dealing with a major relational dilema, and she walked me through it with her love for me and her unfaltering faith in Jesus Christ. Morgan was one of the most honest people I have ever known, even to the point of losing what meant so much to her. I was touched--rather, clonked on the head--by her devotion and trustability. We have become very close.

There are many others who have been in my life. If I were to write about them all, this post would be incredibly long. I have treasured all of my friendships very closely. These few I have mentioned are a few of those which were more active in my life, but no friend has ever left me unaffected.

One of the most hurtful things which I have received was criticism about my friends. In all truth, I have never met most of my best friends, and yesterday's world condemns today's world for communicating with people halfway across the globe. I personally am proud to say I have friends across the continent. I have Christian brothers and sisters in America, in Europe, and even India. Jealous? ;)

I am forever thankful to God for providing these my friends. I am thankful that through the friends he put in my path, he drew me to himself. I am thankful for all they and he have done for me. This is my testimony.

Simply Christ

Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication -Leonardo Da Vinci

Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ is a child of God. And everyone who loves the Father loves his children, too. -1 John 5:1

"Really? Is it really that simple?" As sad as it is, I hear that a lot regarding salvation, forgiveness, or relationship with God. And yes, it really is that simple. So why is it that people have this idea that God made salvation complicated? The Bible says it simply:  Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved.

This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, -Romans 3:22

They replied, "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household." -Acts 16:31

That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. -Romans 10:9

"What? All you have to do is believe in Jesus? No club cards? No good deeds?" Thats right. Stop making it so hard for yourself! One reason so many people cannot live forgiven is because they cannot believe it is that simple. Human nature. Charles Mingus once said that, "Making the simple complicated is common-place; making the complicated simple, awesomely simple, thats creativity."

That's not to say that a simple salvation is just the product of an artist's mind--that is to say, not the product of a human artist's mind. God is the artist here and he made salvation simple when he stripped us of our sin and died with it. Simply grace. Mingus pointed out humanity's righteousness-by-works based thinking.

Stop that! Stop making it so hard for yourself! Romans 8:28-38, read it, just ten verses. Here's a little from it.

For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,[m] neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. -Romans 8:38-39

 Nothing can separate you from God's love--Nothing that is, except you. Your personal freedom. But if you twist God's plan of salvation, and you think that it isn't that simple, that there's got to be more, and when you cannot live forgiven simply as God intended, you have separated yourself from the grace He so longs to give you.

It is as Leonardo Da Vinci said it, that simplicity is the ultimate sophistication. We will never understand what God has done for us or why he has done it, but we don't need to even bother getting into that; it is enough that Christ died. It is enough to believe and to confess that He is God. It is enough to accept His salvation through faith.

Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ is a child of God. And everyone who loves the Father loves his children, too. -1 John 5:1

Try God's salvation - it really is that simple.

Worship: Posture of the Heart

“O magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt His name together.” -Psalm 34:3

I grew up in a Seventh Day Adventist church. I don't know how many of you are familiar with Adventism, but in my church, Worship is a foreign idea usually comprising of singing hymns corporately. That being said, you might understand my cluelessness when I listened to a worship album done by worship leaders who were a little more extreme. The final track was just open worship and intercession, I'm hearing things like "We need catchers out there, if you see falling bodies, you're a catcher!" What are catchers and why are people falling over?? Is this even Christian?!

I was equally surprised when, while at one church particularly I saw people, even members of my own family, laying out of the floor, kneeling scrunched over, crying? And then I decided to try it. And I felt what they were feeling, and I lay out on the floor and cried too, and the crazy thing was, I didn't even know why.

Later I saw during worship service, spasmatic people. There was this one fellow that would stand and hold on to the pew in front of him and he would get shaking and the whole pew would rock. About this time I started hearing people speaking in tongues, something which may as well be taboo in my church. The coolest thing was seeing my oldest sister get so aligned with the presence of God, she'd speak in tongues and pray for us. I can't speak for anyone else but I believe she was an influence to all us siblings.

Now if that stuff wasn't scary enough, further down the road I began to see people literally collapsing during worship. So that's what 'catchers' are for. More spasmatic people; shaking, falling over, tongues, lots of tongues. Dancing.

I always felt somewhat distanced in worship, I never could get past all this stuff to really understand what was going on, why were all these people going so crazy? It scared me a bit. None of this was anything like the place I grew up in.

This was just the begining of my journey to discover true worship, and today I am thankful that due to my family I was able to begin as young as I did. But what is true worship? Is it all this flesh stuff.. tongues, dancing, shaking.. do I have to fall on the ground to worship God? No. These are merely things which come of catching a glimpse of God and aligning yourself with the Presence of God. So what really is worship then?

A well-known (not well enough that I remember her name) worship leader said once something to the effect that worship is the created catching a glimpse of the Creator. I believe this is true; if we could not see the awesomeness of the god we worship, how then could we worship his awesomeness? Worship is a result of that little glimpse of God.

All the hype that I saw in worship services outside of my church--the tongues, dancing, shaking, etc.--really held me back, I didn't want to look like that. What I was missing was that these things were all results of worship, not part of the worship itself. You see, worship is not about the music or the band or the dancing and singing, those all add to it, but worship in its simplest form is a posture of the heart, and that's what I was missing.

I recall two of the most beautiful, most intimate times of worship I have experienced. The first is the first time I can remember worshipping, in that little church downtown when I lay down on the floor before God and cried. I didn't know half what I was doing, but it didn't matter, I was posturing my heart. Another moment was fall of '08. I was at a conference and Jason Upton was leading worship. I was just sitting in the back row praying, posturing my heart, and I caught a glimpse of God. Let me tell ya, I didn't get up and jump around, speak in tongues, or anything like that. I cried. I couldn't do anything else.

Worship is the way I posture my heart before God. That means that every day of my life is potentially worship. Worship is being in that secret place with God just to tell him how great he is, how worthy he is, how incredible he is. It's not about the music, it's not about the song, those things just set the mood. It's not about the jumping around or the speaking in tongues or the shaking, the falling on the floor.. those things are just a result of seeing God. Worship is about asking God to open the eyes of your heart to truly see him. Worship is about living day to day in awe of God's majesty. Worship is why the Cherubim and Sephirum are sitting at the foot of the throne singing 'Holy, Holy, Holy' they can't even stop. When I think of worship I think of the song by Matt Redman, 'Heart of Worship'

Verse 1
When the music fades, all is stripped away, and I simply come
Longing just to bring, something that's of worth, that will bless your name

Pre Chorus
I'll bring you more than a song, for a song in itself, is not what you have required
You search much deeper within, through the way things appear, you're looking into my heart..

Chorus
I'm coming back the the heart of worship, and it's all about You, all about You, Jesus
I'm sorry Lord for the thing I've made it, cause it's all about You, it's all about You, Jesus

Verse 2
King of endless worth, no one could express, how much you desserve
Though I'm weak and poor, all I have is yours, every single breath

Will you live a life of worship? It's all about Him.

Make a Habit of Having No Habits [Excerpt]

Here's an excerpt from the devotional

book My Utmost for His Highest by Oswald Chambers

MAKE A HABIT OF HAVING NO HABITS

For if these things are yours and abound, they make you
to be not idle nor unfruitful. -2 Peter 1:8

When we begin to form a habit we are conscious of it. There are times
when we are conscious of becoming virtuous and patient and godly, but

it is only a stage; if we stop there we shall get the strut of the
spiritual prig. The right thing to do with habits is to lose them in
the life of the Lord, until every habit is so practised that there is
no conscious habit at all. Our spiritual life continually resolves
into introspection because there are some qualities we have not added
as yet. Ultimately the relationship is to be a completely simple one.

Your god may be your little Christian habit, the habit of prayer at
stated times, or the habit of Bible reading. Watch how your Father
will upset those times if you begin to worship your habit instead of
what the habit symbolizes - I can't do that just now, I am praying;
it is my hour with God. No, it is your hour with your habit. There is
a quality that is lacking in you. Recognize the defect and then look
for the opportunity of exercising yourself along the line of the
quality to be added.


Love means that there is no habit visible, you have come to the place
where the habit is lost, and by practice you do the thing
unconsciously. If you are consciously holy, there are certain things
you imagine you cannot do, certain relationships in which you are far
from simple; that means there is something to be added. The only
supernatural life is the life the Lord Jesus lived, and He was at
home with God anywhere. Is there anywhere where you are not at home
with God? Let God press through in that particular circumstance until
you gain Him, and life becomes the simple life of a child.

God of Mercy

“Today you will be with me in Paradise.” Luke 23:43

Are you overwhelmed by your guilt? Do you believe you are 'too far gone' for God to help you? Look at the criminal on the cross beside Jesus.

But the other criminal rebuked him. "Don't you fear God," he said, "since you are under the same sentence? We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong." -Luke 23:40-41

The criminal saw his guilt, he knew that he had been justly punished, he also knew that Jesus was completely innocent. Continueing on to verse 42:

Then he said, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom."

He asked Jesus for mercy. Had he asked anyone else they would have turned him down, reminding him of the sins he had committed - Sounds like the Old Covenant, doesn't it. But Jesus was even at that very moment, creating a new covenant, giving us mercy. And here in verse 43 are those wonderful comforting words:

Jesus answered him, "I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise."

All that Jesus could offer him was death, but it was death with Jesus, true paradise. The most merciful thing Jesus could do. So what will you do, hanging on your cross today? Will you continue to be condemned by the Old Covenant, or will you ask Jesus for his Mercy, death and resurrection in Jesus Christ? He offers you mercy, free today.

Humility Before God

If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land. -2 Chronicles 7:14

Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death—even death on a cross! -Philippians 2:5-8

He gives grace to the humble. -James 4:6

This poor man called, and the LORD heard him; he saved him out of all his troubles.        -Psalm 34:6

What's Your Devotion?

They all met together and were constantly united in prayer. -Acts 1:14A

All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord's Supper), and to prayer. -Acts 2:42

You want to know what came of the devotion of the apostles? Hundreds of people were affected by generosity. They worshipped together daily in the temple, they gave away their possesions, they shared their meals, they gave to the poor, and they shared the good will of all the people. These guys were popular, and the Word says that their numbers were added to daily. Every day people were being saved! You want to know what that looks like? Try this, in Acts 2:14-41 Peter speaks to a multitude after being filled with the holy spirit (that's right, after being with 120 people who were devoted to praying) 3,000 people were saved in one day alone. 3,000 people! And every day people were being saved.

This is a picture of the church. A little different from what we have today, isn't it! But do you see what can happen through devotion?

God is devoted to us, and he wants to use people who are devoted to him, in even so much as being devoted to your fellow man; sharing meals, selling your posessions and giving to the poor, worshipping together, and ultimately, devotion to a personal relationship with God.

So where do you start with devotion to God? From an Adventist Youth's point of view, this is a good question since Adventism seams to teach everything but having a personal relationship with God. In any relationship the best place to begin is with communication; getting to know the other--relating. Talk to God like you would anyone you were face to face with, talk to him as often as you think of it, and set aside time (in the morning before you start your day is good) to talk with him. Read the Word; get a study Bible in an easy translation (I prefer New Living Translation). Hang out with your Christian peers, ask questions and discuss; as you relate with them they will help you grow stronger.

These are just a few ideas, your personal relationship with God will be unique to you.
Remember that devotion isn't work or something you 'have to do', devotion should be a pleasure. Acts 2:46 tells us the believers didn't just do all these things, they did them with great joy and generosity, verse 47 even says they praised God the whole time, and even enjoyed the good will of all the people.

And finally remember that because God has devoted himself to us in so much as to die an excruciating death for us, he is most worthy of our devotion, our praise and our worship.

Be Like Jesus - Servitude

Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death—even death on a cross!            -Philippians 2:5-8

Jesus is the son of God, but his goal was not equality with God. Jesus' goal was to be a servant, the lowest of low.

The Adventist church is big on being like Jesus, but what's your idea of being like Jesus? Does it include being a servant? Does it include dieing? Jesus humbled himself so far as to become obedient to death (we know through the Word that God controls death so Jesus was ultimately obedient to his Father)

So we can see that being like Jesus includes a little more than door-to-door handouts and weekly Bible studies. Being like Jesus means dieing to yourself, allowing God to fully occupy you, being humble and completely obedient, even unto physical death. Being like Jesus means becoming a servant.

Make me a servant, Humble and meek

Lord let me lift up, Those who are week

And may the prayer of my heart always be

Make me a servant, Make me a servant

Make me a servant today..

Believe

Then the man said, "Lord, I believe," and he worshiped him -John 9:38

No! We believe it is through the grace of our Lord Jesus that we are saved, just as they are. -Acts 15:11

Yet today and as sad as it is, I still see many struggling with the simplicity of salvation. Paul, in Romans 10:9-10 tells us how salvation is gained:

That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.

So is that all? Is it really just as simple as believing we have it? No strings? No good deeds? No 'rest on the seventh day' or 'being quiet in the sanctuary'? Really? Just this morning I heard the fear of a young boy frantic to escape God's hell fire, wondering what he must do to earn God's grace. How does that sound to you?

Nearly six years ago I was the same, struggling to gain my righteousness by works. Fear of hell-fire went so far as to drive me to be baptised as a safegaurd. Many people still seek salvation through the Law, the old covenant, but the Law was made to condemn us, not save us, and so righteousness by works is futile. Besides, Christ did away with the old covenant on the cross.

But then, is humanity hopelessly lost? What can we do to be saved from 'eternal hell fires'? Absolutely nothing. It is only through the grace of Jesus Christ we are saved. When asked by a Roman jailer how salvation could be earned, Paul and Silas replied:

"Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household." -Acts 16:31

It all comes down to believing. Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, confess with your mouth and believe in your heart. For the heart is what God is concerned with, it is what he loves.

Yes, it really is that simple. Does that mean that good works are no good? Absolutely not! Continue every day to do good deeds, that others may see the love of our Father through you. But these do not gain your salvation, nor does a sinful nature take away your salvation, if you will continue to believe:

For God so loved [me] (the world) that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. [17]For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. [18] Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God's one and only Son.

-John 3:16-18

People Like Me

We've all heard it before, but I want to tell you the story of grace. You probably say, 'Oh I know all about that one,' I want to give you a new perspective on it. So if you will, get out your Bible or point your browser to your preferred online Bible [technology these days, huh ;) ] I'm going to give you a picture from Ezekial 16, begining with the fourth verse:

[4] On the day you were born, no one cared about you. Your umbilical cord was not cut, and you were never washed, rubbed with salt, and wrapped in cloth. [5] No one had the slightest interest in you; no one pitied you or cared for you. On the day you were born, you were unwanted, dumped in a field and left to die. [6] “But I came by and saw you there, helplessly kicking about in your own blood. As you lay there, I said, ‘Live!’ [7] And I helped you to thrive like a plant in the field. You grew up and became a beautiful jewel. Your breasts became full, and your body hair grew, but you were still naked. [8] And when I passed by again, I saw that you were old enough for love. So I wrapped my cloak around you to cover your nakedness and declared my marriage vows. I made a covenant with you, says the Sovereign Lord, and you became mine.

What a beautiful picture. We were abandoned, left in a field to die, left in our own blood. And Then God.

[9] “Then I bathed you and washed off your blood, and I rubbed fragrant oils into your skin. [10] I gave you expensive clothing of fine linen and silk, beautifully embroidered, and sandals made of fine goatskin leather. [11] I gave you lovely jewelry, bracelets, beautiful necklaces, [12] a ring for your nose, earrings for your ears, and a lovely crown for your head. [13] And so you were adorned with gold and silver. Your clothes were made of fine linen and were beautifully embroidered. You ate the finest foods—choice flour, honey, and olive oil—and became more beautiful than ever. You looked like a queen, and so you were! [14] Your fame soon spread throughout the world because of your beauty. I dressed you in my splendor and perfected your beauty, says the Sovereign Lord.

What grace. God saw us, abandoned, dieing, kicking in our own blood, and he loved us. However, the rest of the chapter tells us of Israel's unfaithfulness, how we who had recieved so much from God took it and abused it, became adulterous, prostitutes, idoliters, sacrificing even the children we birthed to God to our idols, and altogether forsook God. But wait, because the story isn't over yet. Skim through to the end, verse 53:

[53] “But someday I will restore the fortunes of Sodom and Samaria, and I will restore you, too. [54] Then you will be truly ashamed of everything you have done, for your sins make them feel good in comparison. [55] Yes, your sisters, Sodom and Samaria, and all their people will be restored, and at that time you also will be restored. [56] In your proud days you held Sodom in contempt. [57] But now your greater wickedness has been exposed to all the world, and you are the one who is scorned—by Edom and all her neighbors and by Philistia. [58] This is your punishment for all your lewdness and detestable sins, says the Lord.



[59] “Now this is what the Sovereign Lord says: I will give you what you deserve, for you have taken your solemn vows lightly by breaking your covenant. [60] Yet I will remember the covenant I made with you when you were young, and I will establish an everlasting covenant with you. [61] Then you will remember with shame all the evil you have done. I will make your sisters, Samaria and Sodom, to be your daughters, even though they are not part of our covenant. [62] And I will reaffirm my covenant with you, and you will know that I am the Lord. [63] You will remember your sins and cover your mouth in silent shame when I forgive you of all that you have done. I, the Sovereign Lord, have spoken!”

Really? Did he just say that? Even after all our unfaithfulness, he restored Israel? God renewed an eternal covenant with us--with me?
 
Whether he sees me kicking in my own blood, abandoned and despised by all, or when I come crawling back to him in shame, God is forever forgiving. Verse 63 again says, you will remember your sins and cover your mouth in silent shame when I forgive you of all that you have done. I, the Sovereign Lord, have spoken.
 
God loves people like me. He loves people like you. No matter what you have done, where you go, or who you are, God loves people just like you.

Loaned Love

There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.
We love because he first loved us. If anyone says, "I love God," yet hates his brother, he is a liar. For anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen. -1 John 4:18-20

We love because he first loved us. What does that mean? It means that because God loves us, we can now channel His love through our lives. That means that we cannot love without God. How blessed we are that He should bestow His love on us! But what does all this have to do with anything?
 
We have no love to give. We love because he first loved us. Cause and effect. Because God loves us, we can now love others. But God didn't give us love to keep, that's not what love is for. God gave us love so that we might give it away. All this to say, the love you show to others isn't your own, it's God's love channeling through you. When you open your heart to be a conduit for his love, he is free to show love to anyone and everyone around you.
 
But wait, isn't there something wrong here? Do not we as humans throw love around far too much--God's love? Here's an example: Person A and Person B are friends. A gets mad at B for whatever reason and B leaves A to their emotional damages. But now Person C who loves A tells person B that if they ever come near A again, C will give them a pounding. Protection, sure. But is that love for a friend like many think it is? First there was only one angry tie between A and B, but when C reacted angrily in the name of love now there is a larger circle of anger than there is love. Once A sees the measures C has taken they may feel less free to go back to B and make amends.
 
So what are we really doing with the love the father has lavished on us? [1 John 3:1] This love that is so powerful that God was able to call us His Children. Is there any room for de- or of- fensiveness in His love?
No. 1 John 3:1 tells it all:

How great is the 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.

God didn't just stopped at love, he called us his children. His love is powerful and it isn't something to be taken lightly either. But God has given us the opportunity to channel his love. So which is more loving, beating up Person B for supposedly hurting Person A, or loving Person B in spite of your judgements?
 
God is a God of peace and if it is by His love which we show love to others, the way we love must reflect the character of God. So go on, show some love, live as a conduit of his love.

Glorious Grace

You find yourself in a deep pit in the wet clay, it is too slippery and deep to climb from and the only item you have is a measly little spade. Sound familiar? This is a picture from before we were saved.
We were stuck in this pit, deep in the mire of our sin. All we had was the law--the spade--giving us a glimmer of hope to dig out; righteousness by works and keeping the law. But the law is only to comdemn, to show you just how hopelessly lost you are on your own.

Before this faith came, we were held prisoners by the law, locked up until faith should be revealed. So the law was put in charge to lead us to Christ that we might be justified by faith. Now that faith has come, we are no longer under the supervision of the law. -Galatians 3:23-25

Then Christ came. He looked upon us in our misery, and he loved us. He walked beside us in the mire and then he did the unthinkable. Taking our sin on his own shoulders, Christ died, and we were called sons of God.

How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! -1 John 3:1

When Christ died, he dug a stairway down into our pit, and he took our hand. He fullfilled the law, and we continued on purely on faith. Then Christ asked us to follow him, that he would lead us from our prison.

Yes, we will slip on the stairs. We may become caught up once again with the Law, we may even take steps backward, but one thing is certain, we have been offered Grace and given Salvation, and we have been called Children of the Living God. Today he is standing with you in your pit. Will you take his hand and walk with him?

Following Jesus -Matthew 16:24

"Come, follow me," Jesus said, "and I will make you fishers of men." -Mark 1:17

Jesus has called us to follow him, just as over 2,000 years ago he called to the disciples and they left everything. Perhaps we cannot follow the same way his disciples did, but Jesus talks of another kind of following:

Then Jesus said to his disciples, "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. -Matthew 16:24

Following Jesus then, begins at our own personal experience of the cross; not only Christ's cross, but our own as well. How does that picture look? The Pilgrim's Progress by John Bunyan, gives us a beautiful picture of a Christian's experience at the cross:

Now I saw in my dream that the highway up which Christian was which to go was fenced on either side by a wall, and that wall was called salvation. [Isaiah 26:11] Up this way therefore did burdened Christian run, but not without great difficulty because of the laod on his back. He ran thus till he came to a place somewhat ascending. And upon that place stood a cross, and a little below in the bottom a sepulchre. So I saw in my dream that just as Christian came up with the cross, his burden loosed from off his shoulders and fell from off his back, and began to tumble, and so continued to do till it came to the mouth of the sepulchre where it fell in, and I saw it no more. Then was Christian glad and lithesome, and said with a merry heart, "He has given me rest by his sorrow, and life by His death."

At the cross Christ has taken our sin and our shame, he has taken our burden and laid it away in the grave, thrown it into the sepulchre. And we have replaced this burden with a new burden, Christ's yoke. But it is not heavy as our burden of sin was. Christ bids us:

Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light. -Matthew 11:29-30

We take up the cross, dieing daily upon it to ourselves, and follow Jesus Christ. And just as Jesus returned to heaven after he came up from the grave, we are also not like this world when we have taken up his burden from the cross.



1In that day shall this song be sung in the land of Judah; We have a strong city; salvation will God appoint for walls and bulwarks. -Isaiah 26:1 -King James Version

All You Need is Love

And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.

- 1 Corinthians 13:13

Someone on this rock finally started to get it when John Lennon wrote All You Need is Love. Initially, only three virtues are left; faith, hope, and love. Imagine a world filled with faith in something bigger than us, hope in a better plan, and true, pure love for one another. Isn't that amazing? All you need is love.

" 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments." -Matthew 22:37-40

Doubting?

God has said, "Never will I leave you;
never will I forsake you." So we say with confidence,
"The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid.
What can man do to me?

Hebrews 13:5-6

Do you believe in God? Do you believe He is always with you? Do you believe He hears you when you pray? Many Christian teens, and Christians in general, have a difficult time answering these questions, why is that?
A statement I have been hearing alot lately is, "I believe God exists, but I'm unsure of everything." You feel unsure and afraid. You believe in God but you do not feel he is there or hears you, and you don't know if he even wants you.

Growing up I was a pretty good kid. Not to brag or anything. I attended a Seventh Day Adventist church growing up and learned it all. Or so I thought. I toted my Bible to church, later carried it most everywhere I went, had my shirts tucked in and my hair parted. Yep, I was the perfect kid and I was not going to hell under any circumstance. What didn't I have? I had knowledge - I could list the books of the Bible off by heart in order. I had works - I didn't lie, steal, cheat, fight, make a ruckus in church, and I heard every word the preacher spoke.

But I was like the seeds which fell among the shallow ground, for they shot up quickly, but they withered because they had no root. Temptation befell me and I followed right along, ignoring the sound of my conscience.

Now, a fearful baptism and a few years of depression later, I've found that what I lacked then was a true relationship with God. I was put through years of hardship as God tested me and melded me into something new, something that would be devoted to Him.

So to all of you young teens struggling with your faith in Christ Jesus, what would I say? Take courage! God is there, and he did pay for your salvation on the cross, all you must do is believe, and reach out and take it. But that isn't all God wants, God wants a relationship with you. YOU! The God of the universe! So hold fast through the trials and the tribulations, God wants devotion and he will test your heart for it.

If you struggle with believing in God or being sure of your faith, begin at the begining. Read the Word--begin with the Gospels, Matthew, Mark, Luke and John--and pray every day even if you feel as though he doesn't hear you. Seek him in the secret places, ask him to be with you. Seek out fellowship among Christian friends who have their hearts set on God and whose faith is strong, for steel sharpens steel.

If you have questions, ask your youth pastor or an adult. Don't let anything come between you and knowing your saviour.

Blessings to you in your journey

Where, O death is your sting?

"Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting? The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ."

-1 Corinthians 15:55-57

O vict'ry in Jesus, My savior forever ... Christ came that we may have life and life more abundantly. He brought us the victory over sin and death, at which we come to the cross. Jesus has not only taken our sin, but killed it with himself on the cross; he is victorious and so passes us the cup of victory.