Joshua 1:9 says, in short: "Be strong, don't be afraid, because God is with you everywhere you go." As a child, when I had nightmares, my mother got me a pillow with this scripture written on it. Now, it has become my weapon of choice for combatting the enemy. Satan himself knows scripture far better than we do, they are the very words of our creator. Therefore, he cannot stand it when we use them. Hebrews 13:6 says that "The Lord is my helper, I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?". Now you may say, "but satan is immortal"... Welllll no, I believe the only true immortal is he who created everything, and who can end it. Though satan has a body that is technically "immortal" as he won't die of old age, he is not omniscient, and is still bound by time, which God created. So next time satan brings upon you life circumstances that bring pain, just remember... You are the child of the one true creator who loves you. Sometimes trials are just tests he allows you to go through to prepare you for that one person you will meet, who is going through something similar, and you can bless their life with encouragement. That has happened to me countless times! Besides, when the devil tries us and fails, God smiles. Just like Job, God takes pride in his faithful children, and Satan hates it when he simply can not break us. I know not that everything I've gone through, it was all just a test, a grand "scheme" by he enemy, which The Lord has turned for good! Because me, sitting here, saying this to you is something the devil never foresaw, and I can just see him now, screaming at my window, cursing and speaking profanity at the sight of man he couldn't break, turning what he meant for evil into word of life for others! So take heart and stand strong in adversity, know that every time you help another, you show them a glimpse of the face and the love of God.
Thursday, December 26, 2013
The Stronghold of Fear
Fear... Fear is a stronghold which the devil uses to control so many lives. I have seen it, both in others and myself. Throughout my life the devil has used circumstances uncontrollable by me to try and take out my faith in God through fear. Situations like the heart attack my mother had, and the death of my grandfather by cancer. However, at a young age, My parents instilled in my heart the idea that God will not allow me to be put me through anything that I cannot handle, and this knowledge, along with numerous scriptures, have made me who I am today.
Thursday, September 26, 2013
You Were Made For Greatness
There seems to be a deep desire in all of us, an intense desire. A desire to be loved and satisfied, to be truly happy, to be made complete. We look everywhere for ways to fulfill this desire. Every time we do, at some point, we are left lacking something, incomplete. Thus, the cycle continues and for some, maybe even their whole lives, still searching.
I find myself often forgetting the fact that we were not made for this world. We were made for Heaven. If we were created for a place so incredibly beautiful and perfect, then it makes sense that we would be longing for so much more in this earthly world. For this earth will never satisfy that deep desire that God rooted in us. We were made in His image and likeness. God literally put His thumbprint on us pointing us towards Him as our direction, our meaning for existence.
A quote from an amazing Christian man by the name of Joseph Aloisius Ratzinger says it well, "The world promises you comfort, but you were not made for comfort. You were made for greatness." We are all called to be saints, no matter who we are and what we've done. No matter your race, skin color, religion, or denomination. God made us all to be like Him. We are made for His kingdom. Let's not strive for anything less. A Heavenly feast awaits, shall you dine or settle for the crumbs of the earth?
I find myself often forgetting the fact that we were not made for this world. We were made for Heaven. If we were created for a place so incredibly beautiful and perfect, then it makes sense that we would be longing for so much more in this earthly world. For this earth will never satisfy that deep desire that God rooted in us. We were made in His image and likeness. God literally put His thumbprint on us pointing us towards Him as our direction, our meaning for existence.
A quote from an amazing Christian man by the name of Joseph Aloisius Ratzinger says it well, "The world promises you comfort, but you were not made for comfort. You were made for greatness." We are all called to be saints, no matter who we are and what we've done. No matter your race, skin color, religion, or denomination. God made us all to be like Him. We are made for His kingdom. Let's not strive for anything less. A Heavenly feast awaits, shall you dine or settle for the crumbs of the earth?
Wednesday, September 11, 2013
The Doubling Principle
Some food for thought:
What would happen if suddenly two or three people in your youth group, church, campus missionary group, etc. decided that they would go to any length to follow God's will for their lives? Not just to follow in secret, but to make it obvious to others what they are doing. To live a life exhibiting character as similar as possible to that of Jesus. Unashamed and totally on fire for God, they just followed His will without any agenda of their own.
Do you have any idea how many people would be impacted? Even those who might not come to know Christ immediately would see that light shining through and notice that there was something different about those two or three students. It is unimaginable how God can use something like us just obeying him and not even having to directly share the gospel with anyone. God works in mysterious ways, not just through open evangelism. In order for a seed of faith to grow, it must first by planted and watered (by people like you and me!).
Now, take those two students. Let's say they only end up inspiring two other students themselves to follow God with all their heart. Although that doesn't seem like much at all, every single soul counts when heaven is at stake. If those two students also only inspired two other people, and so on and so forth, before long the word of God and His unconditional love would spread throughout the nations!
Do you see how by merely following God's agenda for our lives and making small differences in the lives of those around us, everything counts? What would happen if those original two influenced more than two people themselves? What if your ENTIRE youth group, or church, or community took this challenge?
Some words of encouragement (I promise it's worth your time to read through them all!):
10 For
it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is
with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved. 11 As Scripture says, “Anyone who believes in him will never be put to shame.”[a] 12 For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, 13 for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”[b]
14 How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? 15 And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!”[c]
16 But not all the Israelites accepted the good news. For Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed our message?”[d] 17 Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ.
16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.
9-10 “Don’t think you have to put on a fund-raising campaign before you start. You don’t need a lot of equipment. You are the equipment, and all you need to keep that going is three meals a day. Travel light.
11 “When you enter a town or village, don’t insist on staying in a luxury inn. Get a modest place with some modest people, and be content there until you leave.
12-15 “When you knock on a door, be courteous in your greeting. If they welcome you, be gentle in your conversation. If they don’t welcome you, quietly withdraw. Don’t make a scene. Shrug your shoulders and be on your way. You can be sure that on Judgment Day they’ll be mighty sorry—but it’s no concern of yours now.
8 Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?”
And I said, “Here am I. Send me!”
There's just some food for thought. Every little bit does, in fact, make a difference. You can be that difference in someone's life. What an awesome privilege!
Dios los bendiga, mis hermanos.
--Lindsay
**Craving more scripture on the topic of spreading the message of Christ? Check out http://www.openbible.info/topics/evangelism.**
What would happen if suddenly two or three people in your youth group, church, campus missionary group, etc. decided that they would go to any length to follow God's will for their lives? Not just to follow in secret, but to make it obvious to others what they are doing. To live a life exhibiting character as similar as possible to that of Jesus. Unashamed and totally on fire for God, they just followed His will without any agenda of their own.
Do you have any idea how many people would be impacted? Even those who might not come to know Christ immediately would see that light shining through and notice that there was something different about those two or three students. It is unimaginable how God can use something like us just obeying him and not even having to directly share the gospel with anyone. God works in mysterious ways, not just through open evangelism. In order for a seed of faith to grow, it must first by planted and watered (by people like you and me!).
Now, take those two students. Let's say they only end up inspiring two other students themselves to follow God with all their heart. Although that doesn't seem like much at all, every single soul counts when heaven is at stake. If those two students also only inspired two other people, and so on and so forth, before long the word of God and His unconditional love would spread throughout the nations!
Do you see how by merely following God's agenda for our lives and making small differences in the lives of those around us, everything counts? What would happen if those original two influenced more than two people themselves? What if your ENTIRE youth group, or church, or community took this challenge?
Some words of encouragement (I promise it's worth your time to read through them all!):
Romans 10:10-17
New International Version (NIV)
14 How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? 15 And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!”[c]
16 But not all the Israelites accepted the good news. For Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed our message?”[d] 17 Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ.
Matthew 5:16
New International Version (NIV)
Matthew 10:7-15
The Message (MSG)
5-8 Jesus sent his twelve harvest hands out with this charge:
“Don’t
begin by traveling to some far-off place to convert unbelievers. And
don’t try to be dramatic by tackling some public enemy. Go to the lost,
confused people right here in the neighborhood. Tell them that the
kingdom is here. Bring health to the sick. Raise the dead. Touch the
untouchables. Kick out the demons. You have been treated generously, so
live generously.9-10 “Don’t think you have to put on a fund-raising campaign before you start. You don’t need a lot of equipment. You are the equipment, and all you need to keep that going is three meals a day. Travel light.
11 “When you enter a town or village, don’t insist on staying in a luxury inn. Get a modest place with some modest people, and be content there until you leave.
12-15 “When you knock on a door, be courteous in your greeting. If they welcome you, be gentle in your conversation. If they don’t welcome you, quietly withdraw. Don’t make a scene. Shrug your shoulders and be on your way. You can be sure that on Judgment Day they’ll be mighty sorry—but it’s no concern of yours now.
Colossians 4:2-6
New International Version (NIV)
Further Instructions
2 Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. 3 And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains. 4 Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should. 5 Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. 6 Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.1 Peter 3:15
New International Version (NIV)
15 But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect...
Isaiah 6:8
New International Version (NIV)
And I said, “Here am I. Send me!”
There's just some food for thought. Every little bit does, in fact, make a difference. You can be that difference in someone's life. What an awesome privilege!
Dios los bendiga, mis hermanos.
--Lindsay
**Craving more scripture on the topic of spreading the message of Christ? Check out http://www.openbible.info/topics/evangelism.**
Saturday, July 27, 2013
The Bible: An Underdog Story
Let
me start off by saying that I am a doubter. When God starts working in my life,
at first I’m thinking AWESOME! But give it a little bit of time and then I
start to wonder if he’s really doing anything at all. Maybe I’m just making it
up? Maybe I’m being overdramatic? Maybe
he wouldn’t really use me like that? Doubt is a great and powerful tool to
effectively undo all the things God
is trying to do in your life.
Especially when it comes to your calling.
Think
about it. God created each of us for a specific reason. Some of us are called
to be doctors, engineers, entrepreneurs while others are missionaries or youth
pastors. Imagine how great it would be for the devil if he kept us from
fulfilling that great calling God has put on our lives. Unfortunately it’s so
easy to believe that we’re not the ones with the great callings. We’re not
outgoing enough, spiritual enough, or “great” enough for them.
Funny
thing is God has a habit of placing the “significant” callings on some not so
significant people. Usually though, the biggest thing keeping us from
fulfilling them is ourselves. Take a look into the life of Moses and I’ll show
you what I mean.
Moses’
calling was to lead the people of Israel out of Egypt and consequently to
freedom (Exodus 3:10). But you know it wasn’t as easy as saying “Ok guys, let’s
get out of here.” From Moses’ perspective there were some serious issues with
God’s plan.
First
off, in order to lead the Israelites out of Egypt, Moses had to be a leader.
But there was one tiny problem with that aspect of the plan. Moses had
difficulty even talking. Most scholars believe he had a stutter. How in the
world was he going to get these people to follow him if he couldn’t even talk
to them? You got to be kidding me, right? And Moses even mentioned this to God
in Exodus 4:10.
On
top of that, the people Moses was supposed to be leading didn’t even really
like him. A lot of times we don’t think about it, but Moses didn’t really fit
in anywhere. He was technically an Israelite by birth but had grown up living
an Egyptian lifestyle. Because of this he didn’t really belong to either group.
He was an outcast of sorts. In fact he was living in exile when God gave him
his calling. So how was he, the outcast,
supposed to get these people to follow him in the first place? (Exodus 3:11)
And
probably most dauntingly of all was the fact that Pharaoh, one of the most
powerful leaders at the time, would never just let his slaves walk out of his
country, no questions asked. No way. If it came down to it, there would be a
war to get out, which the Israelites would most likely never agree to. I mean
let’s face it. Who would win in a fight, a bunch of slaves or their powerful
oppressor?
So
here’s where the story stands right now. Moses, the stuttering outcast, is supposed
to get the Israelites to follow him out of Egypt in direct defiance of the
powerful Pharaoh. At this point it makes sense why Moses argued with God from
the moment his calling was given. I mean, how in the world was he supposed to
pull that off? But this is where God stepped in.
Problem
#1. You can’t speak? Look Moses, I will give you the words. But if you’re still
uncomfortable with that, I’ll even give you someone to say them for you. You
just act as the channel between me and my people. I’ll do the rest. (Exodus
4:10-16)
Problem
#2. You don’t belong? I will show the Israelites miraculous signs so that they
know I am the one backing this. It’s not about you and how great you are. It’s
about me and how great I am. (Exodus 4:30-31)
Problem
#3. You’re afraid of Pharaoh? I will break down Pharaoh’s will so that by the
time I am done with him you will be able to walk out of this country, a free
people, without ever having to lay a hand on a weapon. (Exodus 7-11, Exodus
12:31-42)
And
God did exactly all of that.
The main thing I
want you to get from this is that from our perspective, God’s calling on our
life is probably going to seem impossible or in Moses’
case, verging on crazy. But we have a crazy God who can do incredible things if
we just let him. Maybe you’re called to be in ministry, to go to a foreign
country and preach to people who you can’t even communicate with because of the
language barrier. Maybe you’re supposed to tell a group of friends exactly what
purity means to you. Maybe you’re supposed to change your college plans. And
you’re thinking God, you have got to be
kidding me. Remember though, that from our perspective God’s plans rarely
make sense. But if he called you to do something, don’t believe for a second
that he doesn’t also have a way for you to do it. It doesn’t matter how great you are or not. There was nothing
remarkable about Moses. Except for the calling God put on his life and the fact
that he answered it. Are you ready to answer your calling?
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