I've been in Arkansas for a week now. I realized this Sunday that I really miss my home church. I am beyond ready to get plugged into another church, it's not even funny. I want to find the peace and joy that I found at Destiny Church. I always felt loved and welcome there. I miss feeling that in a church. So, I suppose I will be church shopping around Arkansas for the next few weeks. I will keep things updated on the blog to keep anyone interested up to date on my adventures down here in the south.
The Bible talks about church. A church isn't just a building though.
"Built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a Holy Temple in the Lord. And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit." -Ephesians 2:20-22 NIV
"But Christ is faithful as the Son over God’s house. And we are His house, if indeed we hold firmly to our confidence and the hope in which we glory." - Hebrews 3:6 NIV
We are the body of Christ. I know, I know. It's a common statement that everyone knows. Yeah, yeah. But it is a very prevalent statement. If we don't realize this and do something to show that we in fact are the body of Christ then why bother. It all starts with ourselves. Before we can reach out to others and share the love of Christ, we must bury a seed deep inside our own hearts of that same love that we expect to share.
Treat yourself as His temple. Love yourself as we are taught to love others. Take care of yourself. We are His church. We need to take care of the church, don't neglect to take care of yourself just so you can help others. Make sure you can stand firm before trying to help others get to that same place.
Monday, September 16, 2013
Wednesday, August 21, 2013
A House Divided
"Then a demon-possessed man, who was blind and couldn't speak, was brought to Jesus. He healed the man so that he could both speak and see. The crowd was amazed and asked, “Could it be that Jesus is the Son of David, the Messiah?”. But
when the Pharisees heard about the miracle, they said, “No wonder he
can cast out demons. He gets his power from Satan, the prince of
demons.” Jesus knew their thoughts and replied, “Any kingdom divided by civil war is doomed. A town or family splintered by feuding will fall apart. And if Satan is casting out Satan, he is divided and fighting against himself. His own kingdom will not survive. And
if I am empowered by Satan, what about your own exorcists? They cast
out demons, too, so they will condemn you for what you have said. But if I am casting out demons by the Spirit of God, then the Kingdom of God has arrived among you. For
who is powerful enough to enter the house of a strong man like Satan
and plunder his goods? Only someone even stronger—someone who could tie
him up and then plunder his house. “Anyone who isn't with me opposes me, and anyone who isn't working with me is actually working against me. “So I tell you, every sin and blasphemy can be forgiven—except blasphemy against the Holy Spirit, which will never be forgiven. Anyone
who speaks against the Son of Man can be forgiven, but anyone who
speaks against the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven, either in this
world or in the world to come." -MATTHEW 12:22-32
This passage, speaking of conflicting forces, and divided houses, is something that has struck home to me recently. The passage speaks such truth to so many things in my life here in the past few weeks. It's odd to think that something written and spoken so long ago can be related to life today.
Jesus says that if Satan is casting out Satan, he is fighting himself. He is divided amongst himself. If we are to cast away our demons in the power of the Holy Spirit however, that sin, those demons, will be casted out permanently and the Kingdom of God will have arrived among us.
That feeling is the greatest feeling in the world. To have the Kingdom of God arrive to save the day and cast the demons from our being. There is a feeling of peace that comes along with that, of course. A feeling that has to be overwhelmingly comforting and relieving.
I completely recommend finding your power in the Holy Spirit and in His word. It is easily the safest decision you can make. Not to sound tacky or typical, but Jesus is clearly the way and the life. There is no other way, no other path to righteousness.
God Bless.
This passage, speaking of conflicting forces, and divided houses, is something that has struck home to me recently. The passage speaks such truth to so many things in my life here in the past few weeks. It's odd to think that something written and spoken so long ago can be related to life today.
Jesus says that if Satan is casting out Satan, he is fighting himself. He is divided amongst himself. If we are to cast away our demons in the power of the Holy Spirit however, that sin, those demons, will be casted out permanently and the Kingdom of God will have arrived among us.
That feeling is the greatest feeling in the world. To have the Kingdom of God arrive to save the day and cast the demons from our being. There is a feeling of peace that comes along with that, of course. A feeling that has to be overwhelmingly comforting and relieving.
I completely recommend finding your power in the Holy Spirit and in His word. It is easily the safest decision you can make. Not to sound tacky or typical, but Jesus is clearly the way and the life. There is no other way, no other path to righteousness.
God Bless.
Tuesday, June 25, 2013
Jumbled thoughts.
Well. First things first..
I miss Brittany. She has been at church camp for a whole two days now, but it feels like months. I don't know what I'm going to do with myself for the rest of the week.
Seriously though, I love seeing messages from her saying she is growing closer to God and other Godly people. It's awesome to hear things like that from people you care so much about. I still can't wait for her to get back though..
I wonder what comes next for me. I don't find myself asking what comes next very often. I do find myself waiting though. It's okay though, I'm a pretty patient guy. I wonder where I will be in the next few months. Physically, mentally, spiritually. Where will I be? That's a scary thought right there... I am not really limited on where I can be and yet I have the slightest idea on where that will be. This is exciting.
I want a cat. There is a cat that kinda wanders around my apartment, her name is Tobi, and I feed her every now and then. I named her myself and I found myself attached to her. I don't even really like cats, but this one is different. IT likes ME. So, I have to like it back. That's logical, right?
I am super stressed out right now, so stressed all my thoughts are jumbled together and I can hardly think straight. Blogging actually helps me clear all that up and gives me a sense of direction as to where my thoughts are. I need to pick this back up and go at it hardcore.
It isn't even late and I am tired. Like exhausted.. It's weird.
I am going to backpack around Republic, and maybe Spring town, tomorrow. I love walking, it's another way to gather thoughts for me. So, that's my plan until I go into work.
I have a feeling big changes are coming in the future and I can't be certain all these changes will be in my favor, but I know I love and serve a God who will see me through to the end. Take it one day at a time.. Tomorrow has it's own problems.
Goodnight, old sport.
I miss Brittany. She has been at church camp for a whole two days now, but it feels like months. I don't know what I'm going to do with myself for the rest of the week.
Seriously though, I love seeing messages from her saying she is growing closer to God and other Godly people. It's awesome to hear things like that from people you care so much about. I still can't wait for her to get back though..
I wonder what comes next for me. I don't find myself asking what comes next very often. I do find myself waiting though. It's okay though, I'm a pretty patient guy. I wonder where I will be in the next few months. Physically, mentally, spiritually. Where will I be? That's a scary thought right there... I am not really limited on where I can be and yet I have the slightest idea on where that will be. This is exciting.
I want a cat. There is a cat that kinda wanders around my apartment, her name is Tobi, and I feed her every now and then. I named her myself and I found myself attached to her. I don't even really like cats, but this one is different. IT likes ME. So, I have to like it back. That's logical, right?
I am super stressed out right now, so stressed all my thoughts are jumbled together and I can hardly think straight. Blogging actually helps me clear all that up and gives me a sense of direction as to where my thoughts are. I need to pick this back up and go at it hardcore.
It isn't even late and I am tired. Like exhausted.. It's weird.
I am going to backpack around Republic, and maybe Spring town, tomorrow. I love walking, it's another way to gather thoughts for me. So, that's my plan until I go into work.
I have a feeling big changes are coming in the future and I can't be certain all these changes will be in my favor, but I know I love and serve a God who will see me through to the end. Take it one day at a time.. Tomorrow has it's own problems.
Goodnight, old sport.
Lion Chasing - What?
"Your greatest regret at the end of your life will be the lions you didn't chase. You will look back longingly on risks not taken, opportunities not seized, and dreams not pursued. Stop running away from what scares you most and start chasing the God-ordained opportunities that cross your path." -Mark Batterson, In a Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day
This book changed the way I looked at all the opportunities I have faced and will face in my life. The book is based on the story of Benaiah. The story is found in 2 Samuel 23:20-21. This guy was crazy, in the best way possible. He was a warrior, no doubt. He once chased a lion down into a pit, on a snowy day, hence the title, and killed it. One of those lions with a big poofy mane and crazy sharp teeth. He just kills it like it's no big deal.
It is easy to see why the lion is called the king of beasts, because it is indeed a very powerful animal. I have read that a lion is able, with one blow of his paw, to smash the human skull just as you would break an egg. He would slap you and your skull would cave. Yet the bones of the skull are among the strongest structures of the body. A lion is able, with his teeth, to bite through any bone of the human body, including even the femur. With one crunch of those jaws he could smash that bone. And to face that kind of ferocious beast at close quarters is a tremendously daring thing to do. That is what Benaiah did.
In 1 Peter 5:8 it says, "Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour."
It's safe to assume that is what the lion symbolized in the story of Benaiah in 2 Samuel. The lion was his biggest foe, his worst enemy, and Benaiah had to slay it. So he did.
To everyone else, I am almost positive a lion won't be the challenge you are to face. Then again, who knows, maybe it will be. The point is to take these challenges head on, never back down, and go the extra mile just to be sure that you have conquered whatever it is. It won't be easy. It won't be something that comes naturally. It probably won't be simple. But, you're strong. You're powerful. You're a warrior.
Good luck.
This book changed the way I looked at all the opportunities I have faced and will face in my life. The book is based on the story of Benaiah. The story is found in 2 Samuel 23:20-21. This guy was crazy, in the best way possible. He was a warrior, no doubt. He once chased a lion down into a pit, on a snowy day, hence the title, and killed it. One of those lions with a big poofy mane and crazy sharp teeth. He just kills it like it's no big deal.
It is easy to see why the lion is called the king of beasts, because it is indeed a very powerful animal. I have read that a lion is able, with one blow of his paw, to smash the human skull just as you would break an egg. He would slap you and your skull would cave. Yet the bones of the skull are among the strongest structures of the body. A lion is able, with his teeth, to bite through any bone of the human body, including even the femur. With one crunch of those jaws he could smash that bone. And to face that kind of ferocious beast at close quarters is a tremendously daring thing to do. That is what Benaiah did.
In 1 Peter 5:8 it says, "Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour."
It's safe to assume that is what the lion symbolized in the story of Benaiah in 2 Samuel. The lion was his biggest foe, his worst enemy, and Benaiah had to slay it. So he did.
To everyone else, I am almost positive a lion won't be the challenge you are to face. Then again, who knows, maybe it will be. The point is to take these challenges head on, never back down, and go the extra mile just to be sure that you have conquered whatever it is. It won't be easy. It won't be something that comes naturally. It probably won't be simple. But, you're strong. You're powerful. You're a warrior.
Good luck.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)