Valueing the God-Given Times

When my family's vacation was just beginning to near it's end I was feeling pretty bad about how that we only had a little bit more time left to be with my family. That feeling showed me that I needed to cherish each and every moment that I had with my family beause this God-given time would be over soon.

So many times we take for granted the great times that we have with family or friends. We don't cherish them enough and when those times are gone, we wish we would have valued them more. I've done this many times so I know what it's like. The special times that we have here on earth with friends and family are a gift from God. We need to hold dear those times and make the most of them because before we know it, they'll be gone.

A Futer and a Hope

On one of the nights of our trip, I was lying in bed thinking about the great time I was having and how it would soon be over. It made me kind of depressed because we only had a few days left. Just then the Lord brought it to my mind that when we get to heaven it will be so much greater of a time than I was having on the trip. Heaven will be filled with much more joy and laughter than any time here on earth could provide. Not only that, but in heaven, those times will never end.

Whenever we get depressed when the times with family and friends comes to an end we can just remember that we will have even more joy in heaven. We will be with our familys and serve the Lord alongside them. It is a unimagineable thought for our human minds that we will be in heaven with great joy forever but this truth is not dependant on what seems impossible to us because God has given us this promise that all who trust in Jesus as their personnal Savior from their sins will be in heaven forever (John 6:40)*. " For we walk by faith not by sight..." - 2 Corinthians 5:7. I thank the Lord that we will have such a great time that will never end in heaven and it's all because of Jesus and His sacrifice for us.

* If you have never accepted Jesus as your personnal Savior from your sins but would like to, just see the page "The Most Important Decision of Your Life" http://mike-pillarsofgrace.blogspot.com/p/most-important-decision-of-your-life.html. No one knows when they will die and be snatched into eternity. Where will you go, Heaven or Hell (the eternal place of suffering and separation from God)? It's imperitive that you make your decisin now.

Wake Up Call

At my church( http://www.cfbiblechurch.org/) we have been showing a great series on the importance of sharing our faith and how to do it the way Jesus did. I love the series because it has given many in our church, including myself, a new found passion and compassion for the lost. We need to try to reach them with the gospel whenever we recieve opportunity. A world is dying in their sin and going to hell. What are we going to do about it. Well, we need to respond to and obey Jesus' command to Go and preach the Gospel ( Mark 16:15 ).

One great way I've to give the Gospel out is whenever I check out at a store, I give the cashier a Gospel tract. Or if My family goes to a restaraunt, we leave a tract in that little black thing that you put your credit card in to pay. Some may not read it, but some may. It is important to give the gospel out at every opportunity. Another way we can tell someone about the Lord is if we are sitting on a bench next to a person, let's say in a store, we can try to start up a conversation with that person and then deliberately swing to the things of God ( tactfully of coarse ). It's important when we talk to someone about the Lord, to just let the Holy Spirit lead us in what to say. We need to know how to share the faith biblically ( using the Law to lead one to Christ [ Gal. 3:24]) but we must remember to let the Holy Spirit lead us in the right words.

This is a wake up call to Christians. We need to let our fear of God and compassion for sinners overcome our fear of witnessing. Let's ask God to give us the strength to be bold for Him. Only He can provide it.

Food for Thought

I have been reading a book called Lord, I Need Grace to Make It. It's a really great book and I recently came across a great part of it that really spoke to me. It's just one sentence but I thought I'd post it anyway.

"Grace"(God's unmerited love and favor)"does not exempt us from trials; it takes us through them."

Chick-Fil-A Cow Appreciation Day

On July 9 Chick-Fil-A had their annual Cow Appreciation Day where if you come there dressed like a cow you get a free meal. My family thought that was a pretty good deal so we did it! I thought I'd share a picture of my brothers and me dressed up like cows. Here it is.

Jimmy decided to be a bull. What we did was we had black shirt's under cut up white t-shirts. Jesse and I put black duck tape on our white shorts. That fact that there were other people dressed like us at the Chick-fil-a made it a little easier to look this stupid. =)

Think

Here's a note by brother Jesse showed me. It's author is unknown, but it has a fantastic message to it.


THINK
There was
a blind girl who hated herself because she was blind. She
hated everyone, except her loving boyfriend. He was always
there for her. She told her boyfriend, 'If I could only see
the world, I will marry you.'

One day,
someone donated a pair of eyes to her. When the bandages
came off, she was able to see everything, including her
boyfriend.

He asked
her,'Now that you can see the world, will you marry me?' The
girl looked at her boyfriend and saw that he was blind. The
sight of his closed eyelids shocked her. She hadn't expected
that. The thought of looking at them the rest of her life
led her to refuse to marry him.


Her
boyfriend left in tears and days later wrote a note to her
saying: 'Take good care of your eyes, my dear, for before
they were yours, they were mine.'


This is
how the human brain often works when our status changes.
Only a very few remember what life was like before, and who
was always by their side in the most painful situations.


Life Is a
Gift


Today
before you say an unkind word - Think of someone who can't
speak.

Before
you complain about the taste of your food - Think of someone
who has nothing to eat..

Before
you complain about your significant other- Think of someone
who's crying out to their Higher Power for a companion.

Today
before you complain about life - Think of someone who went
too early to heaven..

Before
whining about the distance you drive Think of someone who
walks the same distance with their feet.

And when
you are tired and complain about your job - Think of the
unemployed, the disabled, and those who wish they had your
job.

And when
depressing thoughts seem to get you down - Put a smile on
your face and think: you're alive and still
around..

And when
you think life isn't fair, think about Jesus who
endured the greatest injustice the world has ever known.

Sunday Scriptures: Walking in the Spirit

This weeks passage of Scripture is Galatians 5:16-17. Here it is:

" I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these sre contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish."

God promises us victory over temptation when we are moment by moment living under the control of the Holy Spirit. By God's grace, when we let the Spirit have His way, we will see victory in our life.

Our Future Hope

Not to long ago, my brother Jesse and I went to one of our friends birthday party. The first part of the celebration was held at a great place called Rock Springs in Apopka, Florida. It's basically a park that has a natural spring running through it ( and the water is freezing cold might I add ). Well, my friends and I got into the springs and traveled down stream on foot while all the other people around us were on tubes. It was so hard walking through the springs. Some parts had little rocks at the bottom that were very sharp and painful. At other parts there were large, jutting, alge covered rocks all along the river bed. It was extremely hard to get across that part. We all bumped and banged against the rocks, trying to manuever our way across. Once we finally went ashore I appreciated so much more the softer ground of the land that I was now walking on. Those sharp and big rocks that we painfully manueverd across caused me to look forward to the softer ground that lay ahead.

I was thinking about that time at the party, and it made me realize that the trials and hard times of our lives are like those large, jutting, slippery rocks that lay at the bottom of the springs. When we go through many trials and hardships our yearning for our future home in heaven becomes greater. We begin to look forward more and more to the place of rest and peace that lays ahead of us. A place with no pain- just comfort; no sorrow- just joy; no conflict- just peace; no sin- just righteousness. Listen to what Paul says in Romans 8:18-25:

For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it in hope; because the creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now. Not only that, but we also who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves , eagerly waiting for the adoption, the redemption of our body. For we were saved in this hope, but hope that is seen is not hope; for why does one still hope for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with perserverence.

We have such a wonderful future that lays ahead of us. We will be with our Savior in peace. We can go through the trials and pains of this life because we know that this is not all there is. We have our future hope ahead of us Let's as Paul, through the Holy Spirit, said," Eagerly wait for it with perserverance."

Wings Like Eagles

Isaiah 40:31: But those who wait on the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.

I have been writing alot lately about casting our burdens on God and trusting Him with them. It is a concept that the Lord has really been teaching me lately. I want to shear with everyone an incident that happened to me recently that fulfills Isaiah 40:31.

Not to long ago, I had a need in my life that really needed to be met, and I was feeling pretty bad about it too. I was pretty discouraged because there seemed to be no way that my need could be provided for. However, I went to my room and poured out my need before God. I claimed His promises that He would provide for all our needs ( Matt. 6:25-34 ) and then I gave my burden to Him ( Psalm 55:22 ). The Lord helped me to trust Him that He would come through with His promises and provide for the genuine need that I had. I went out and I felt a great peace and joy fill my heart because I knew that God would somehow provide for my need in His way and in His timing.

The Lord showed me that that situation was a direct fulfillment of His promise in Isaiah 40:31. After I committed my burden to Him and decided to wait for the fulfillment of His promise to provide for my genuine needs, I saw that the wings talked about in Isaiah forty are our faith. Isaiah chapter forty verse thirty one says,'' But those who wait on the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.'' I felt that renewing of my strength so that I could keep on going in faith. It's when we trust and wait on God in faith that we will have our strength made new and we will soar high on wings like eagles.

Sunday Scriptures

This Sunday's passage of Scripture is Isaiah chapter forty-one, verses ten and thirteen. Many times it has been a strength and encouragement to me, and I hope it will do the same for you.

" Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, yes I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand. For I, the LORD your God, will hold your right hand, saying to you,' Fear not, I will help you'." - Isaiah 41:10, 13

This is a great promise from God that we can cling to throughout the journeys of life.

When Storms Arise

"My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience" ( or endurance )." But let patience have it's perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing." - James 1:2-4

Trials. They are promised to everyone who is a true believer in Christ. They are times that can either draw one closer to God or pull him away depending on how the individual responds to them.

The purpose of trials is to make one more like Christ. In James chapter one and verse two when it says the word,"patience" it basically means endurance. When trials come, we learn to endure their presence by holding on to God and His promises. We draw close to God trust in the His control of the storm in our life and that He will remove the trial in His perfect timing. When we have this mentality and respond properly to trials, the results will be greater spiritual maturity and a richer, more joyful, and sweeter walk with God.

The choice is ours whether or not to respond properly to trials. We can either shake our fist at God in anger or we can submit to His sovereign and perfect will and draw nearer to Him. It's a critical decision that no one can make for us. If we chose to turn away from God and be angry at Him, we will be sorry for the rest of our life because we have missed out on God's best and His blessings as a result of our choice to go our own way. Also, eventually we will have to learn the lesson the Lord tried to teach us in the first place. It is so much better to respond in the right way to the storms of life. I encourage everyone including myself,"...let patience have it's perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing." - James 1:4

True Dedication

"And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart." - Galations 6:9


Lately, the concept of true dedication to Christ has really been on my mind and I wanted to share those thoughts with you.

As Christians, we may pray or sing songs to the Lord, telling Him how much we are dedicated to Him. But what is the true test of our dedication to Him? Continuing to serve Him in the midst of opposition or failed expectations.

So many times when we are serving God in any sort of ministry, we get discouraged because we are facing opposition or disappointment. Things may not always turn out the way we thought they would, but the evidence of true dedication to God is to keep going, to keep serving Him because we know that's what He wants us to do. It's a matter of having faith in God that He knows what He's doing and that He has a perfect plan for everything. Our faithfulness to God, will not go unnoticed or unrewarded by the Lord. He will bless us for it either here on earth or in heaven.

Even though it may seem like our service to God is going on without result, we need to hold on to the fact that God will use our efforts for Him in one way or the other. Sometimes He uses what we do for Him in ways that we don't even know about or may know about till we get to heaven. God's ways are higher and better than our ways ( Isaiah 55:8-9 ). When we give His Word out, it will accomplish what He wants to do with it ( Isaiah 55:11 ). Let's be faithful to God no matter what.

Week in Review

I just went through an entire week of babysitting my niece and nephew, Lily and Lucas. We took quite a few pictures and I thought I'd share a few with you all.

Lucas loves to play around and do funny things.

Our trip to Wed. night prayer meeting

As I said, Lucas loves to play around

These were our makeshift "Batgirl and Robin" costumes. My Batman costume was way too rediculous to put on the internet! Btw don't mind the messy room! :) It happens every time we babysit because all the old toys are in my room!

We also celebrated Lily's 6th birthday while they were down here.

After Sunday night church, we were able to celebrate the fourth of July with everyone including Johnny and Lori. Being able to celebrate it was an answer to prayer because it was suppose to rain that night. Here's a funny video of our fireworks celebration. This firework got a little out of control!

Even though I love Lily and Lucas so much, last week was a pretty rough and tiring week. Giving a three and six year old your almost full twenty-four seven attention is always exhausting, but the Lord gave all the strength we needed just like He promised ( 2 Cor. 12:9 ).

Sunday Scriptures

This Sunday's scripture is Philippians 4:6-7. The Lord has really been engraining this passage into my life lately, and I want to share it with you.

Philippians 4:6-7: Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God , which surpasses all understanding, will guard your heart and minds through Christ Jesus.

Many times we get all up tight about our circumstances or things that are in our life that we don't like. Pretty soon we become bogged down with worrying that we are of little use to God. The answer to this problem is stated in this verse. We need to go to God with our burdens, give them to Him,all while giving thanks to God for the things He has done and the things He will do. It is imperative to leave the burdens in the all-powerful hands of God. He can definitely handle them.

"For with God nothing shall be impossible." - Luke 1:37

"In God I have put my trust; I will not be afraid." - Psalm56:11a