Words to deeds

"My little children, let us love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth. And hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before him."
           ~1 John 3:18-19

    God calls us to love and show our passions in so many different ways. But did you know that he calls us to out those words into actions before anything else? You might already know this. But the importantance of this matter is often misunderstood. Our love is shown through both words and actions. The difference here is when our love is shown through deeds the the truth is shown. Now you mean to tell me that our truth isn't shown through our words alone? They are! But they don't become "true" until we out them into action in order to influence others. We all tend to only keep our love and passion in our words. But when we only do this our intentions do not stick.

    This is so important that we center our love to our deeds because they change a perspective. This moves other to do better than the "normal". Ultimately, if we show our love through our deeds then our ways will shine. This is because love is such a strong emotion therefore we need to give it everything we have. We need to show the truth of Christ through the love that he provides us with. Always remember that us plus God's love is one. Keep that as a key reminder in your mind this week. Focus on not dwelling in our words and instead dwelling in our actions. Center your love to what moves you. Whenever your actions seem impossible, tell yourself that love is contagious so once you start sharing a revaltion will set place.

    Actually doing our deeds shows that we don't just "talk" but we spend most of our time in our deeds. So let your words start it.....create it allowing actions to set everything into motion.
 

Word of the day: This week search your heart and the bible by picking out a verse that moves you to do God's will without limitation. Let this verse serve as a constant reminder that our actions are our words set in motion.

Humble Heart

    When we think of humbling ourselves I think we pair it with humbling ourselves to other people. We know that in order to have a successful relationship with Christ we need to humble ourselves to Him but that importance tends to take the back burner in our lives. It may sounds weird that we need to be humble to God because he loves us just the way we are...but that's the point.

   

"But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come."

   ~John 16:13

 

 
    Trust and a humble heart go hand in hand. They sound like they don't mix but let's look closer to see why trust is the truth to a humble heart. We all know that we need to trust that God will lead us to the truth and the truth will set us free. The truth will set us free? I mean where prisoners now? Well...yeah we are, by sin and the truth is the only thing that sets the chains free which causes us to be free. God himself helps us step by step and takes the blows along the way for us. We can't worry because when he guides us it will only be in truth. Even if we think we are the smartest person in the world, there is multiple things we don't know how to do. And God knows that. We are to ask questions looking for fulfillment in order to gain eternal life. And do you remember how this all came about? It was just by the simple act of one humbling themselves just enough to let the true plans set into play.
      I may have already touched on being humble a few times but its such a huge problem in our world today that we could never bring it up enough. We are always told that if we want it done right that we should do it ourselves. So why should it be any different when it comes to life? Why should we humble our decisions to one man that made it all possible? Because humbling our lives to God is not just like following a rule book. It's like signing into the best deal package ever invented. What we find through God just by sitting back and saying "Hey, you know what God clearly has this so I am going to respect that." We need to let God give us a spirit of power, love, and self-discipline so we don't create our own fear that will push him away.

"This is a trustworthy saying: If we die with him, we will also live with him. If we endure hardships, we will reign with him. If we deny him, he will deny us. If we are faithful, he remains faithful, for he cannot deny who he is."

~The Purpose Driven Life

   
    Work hard to humble yourself because that is you working towards God. No matter what happens, at the end of the day always pray that God will have the mercy to blot your sins white with unfailing love. Admit to what sin you took action in and what sinful nature you desire still after that. Always ask for strength even if you are "strong enough". Because whenever you fall astray you are going to be looking for restoration through Christ who will give you joy. Then turn the tables by asking for the ability to praise Him with a heart of a humble servant. All these things may seem like confession of sins but lets break down. You know what we actually call this? It is called being humble. In order to do everything listed here and so much more we need to have one ounce of humble capability in our life. Do not let the nature of a humble heart scare us into thinking we can't do it. If we think this way then we won't become humble. We humble ourselves a little bit each day! We don't always get everything we want so is that not letting go of what we cannot control? That my friends is humbling in the flesh...

"There is not fear in love: but perfect love casteth out fear..."

  ~1 John 4:18

Word of the day: "Do not let this book of the law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful."
                    ~Joshua 1:8

Motivational Christian

    We have all heard of the thousands of motivational speakers out there. I never really listen to motivational speakers because I always feel like they just try to gloss over the real problems of life. The main points most of these speakers talk about is fear, attitude, patience, anger, and life itself. And while most speakers like this can be quiet humorous it seems like they say to keep a positive attitude even though life tends to bring you down. I am not saying in any way that you shouldn't listen to motivational speakers because they have some great points. But what you should do is be your own motivational speaker. I know not everyone is he best public speaker or is even good at thinking of good debate topics. But everyone has the ability to enlighten and brighten. As children of God, we are called to not only hold firm through the storms but we are to get something positive out of it. Probably the first time I really sat down and watched a motivational speaker was just recently.

    The man's name is Sam Glenn and he is not only an outstanding motivational speaker but he is also hilarious! I'm telling you, go look him up on YouTube and it will definitely lighten any bad mood that you ever have. He tells so many misfortune stories that have happened to him or to others and he uses that to spread motivation around the world. Now you might be thinking that you have been through a couple rough patches but that doesn't mean that you can just go out there and use that as motivation to others. Your right...we can't all do it at first but we CAN all do it. Why do you think God gives us those trials? You think that he tests us just so we get worn down? Or do you think he is making you stronger to be the ultimate motivational speaker of Christ? Being a motivational speaker of Christ is something we should all strive to be. Being so excited for Christ doesn't mean that we are invincible to hurt and heartache it just shows that we can use it to better the nature of having a relationship with Christ.
        To some people motivational speakers might be super annoying. You know why? Because everything they talk about convicts everyone at least in one aspect. And that's our biggest flaw. We hate admitting that we fail to do something in life that we are just to scared to do. Don't let this scare you from being God's motivational speaker, because you will be questioned and belittled for your faith. But that's why you need this motivation! See how it just all connects? We need to stop being the people in the crowd that sit back and listen to the speaker on stage yelling what your life should really be like. We need to be the ones leaving only to travel the world to spread the motivation. Now this is much different from being a missionary. Taking on the job title as a speaker of Christ you will be put in the position of picking up other believers when they lose sight of the big picture. As a motivational speaker you aren't to change they way people are, you are to simply influence the way they think and how they live. They do the rest but it will never start unless you start talking. You have to be willing to share those stories that made us cry at the time but smile in the future. We have to come out of the tough times with a smile pointed to the big man upstairs or else our attitude will become everything we are. If you make the change to be the speaker, it wont be long till you see others behind you running to make their speeches.




Here is just a glimpse at how we should approach this (and you get to see some of Sam Glenn's humor!)

Word of the Day: " And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace."
                                                ~James 3:18

Common Christian

        Being called a Christian is an honest privilege. Now, sadly when most people get the chance to be called something they want to hear gorgeous or handsome rather than a outstanding child of God. It just might not sound appealing because not everyone buys into religion, and therefore everyone wants to be loved across the board. But the point is just that....since we are Christians that's how others see us, at least that's how they SHOULD see us. Some times that image fades because we get too comfortable. Think about how you feel when you are truly comfortable....you feel good right? Being comfortable is something everybody loves because there is no worries whatsoever. And that is the mind set we get when we get comfortable with God. Now I'm not saying that we have to be uncomfortable with God because we are to act like he is our father, he should be the one person that you are most comfortable with. The problem comes in when we get too comfortable and take advantage of God. I often find myself day in and day out telling myself that I will sit down tonight and do my quiet time. But I get too comfortable with it from the beginning because I know I could find a verse for the day and carry it in my mind all day but I tell myself ill just pray on my way to school. Well guess what, that gets put off as well. I then get the thoughts that its okay if I just miss one day of praying or devotions and just talking to God altogether. You know what that's called? This is called living without God. When we tell ourselves that its just "no big deal" or ill "do it later" we are putting God aside without guilt at first because we know God loves us. Has there ever been a time where someone you showed so much love, passion, guidance, and just every ounce of energy to that just pushes you under the rug? The sad thing is...the average person experiences this at least once in there lifetime. When it happens to us it just flat out stinks because our emotions and trust that we willing out there isn't accepted. And being sinners, we are unlike God, because get upset and hate the person for it. We lose our love for those that hurt us and don't return the interest. But God never loses that. So why should we be the bad friend that treats God they we are treated? It seems so easy to just become a common Christian. Read our bibles just when we are told to in church. Go to church when we feel like it. Put off our devotions. Tell others advice of the Lord but do the opposite ourselves. Its SO easy to fall into that trap and its even harder to get out. God calls us to be his children but there is no place in the bible that says, "Ah just give it a little effort and don't stress over reading your bible everyday cause you don't really need it because I will just except you." Even IF that was written in the bible, do you think you would do it? Some people would look at that and see a free ticket out of the tough times of being a Christian. We should look at that mind set and say no. No because I am not just a child of God, I am a messenger of God himself that calls me to be like him and if I am going to do just that I will be anything but common. You might think...well what if I can only be common because that sounds hard and I think I can love and praise God just the way I am. You all know that everyone was created with a set purpose in the eyes of God but he never said that you could never expand that purpose farther in the same direction. Think of coming down to earth. Every human being is just set onto the earth and has their own specific tablet that is clean. We are set at the "default" setting. But each tablet is different because everyone is made different. One might say doctor, youth pastor, farmer, motivational speaker, lawyer, it could say anything. But each and every person has a set destination. We are ALL called to take that life long "tablet" and carry it through our hearts so God can write our story onto it. We are called to grow and become outstanding! We are NOT called to just be common Christians!! We need to reflect that glory of Christ himself! So be outrageous and overwhelming with your love for Christ because that's how God's love feels flowing through your veins! Crush the common and make your God even more proud.


Word of the Day:  "No one after lighting a lamp covers it with a jar or puts it under a bed, but puts it on a stand, so that those who enter may see the light."
                                            ~Luke 8:16