So what are you waiting for?

A lot of people are planning on getting there life together and really making a decision for Christ and a new lifestyle, but not just yet. Why is that? Somewhere along the line the world has gotten the idea that a Christian life is boring and stuffy. Not mine. In a world of reaping and sowing, a Christian life is way more fun and fulfilling. Cuz sowing goodness reaps goodness. A cheap thrill in the world is just too short to last, and not nearly as thrilling as you thought it might be. The worlds joy lasts for a moment, and must always be topped. Like when you finally get that car you’ve always wanted, and you thought that would make you happy. It did, but only for a little while. Then you’ve gotta have something else. Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth where moth and rust destroy. Don’t get me wrong, God wants to bless you, he wants you to have nice things. But Don’t try and draw your happiness from things. Draw your happiness from serving God. God’s joy is complete. Don’t wait to give yourself to God. There’s no better time than right now to say to God, “Okay Lord, here is the rest of my life, use me how ever you see fit.” Then get ready.

Who's the Boss?

Before we try and lead others, we must first learn to lead ourselves. Leading yourself is the preparation part of learning to become a great leader. And preparation takes time. Jesus started his ministry by going on a 40 day fast. That means he didn’t eat for 40 days. Now why would he go and do something like that? When we don’t eat, we are sending a message to our body and its desire, that it is not in charge of us. Your body has lots of different desires, but you need to show it whose boss. Your mind as well likes to wander, and may end up thinking about things it just shouldn’t be thinking about. Once again, you must remember that you are in charge, and you can tell your mind what it should be thinking about. Sometimes your emotions might tell you your in a bad mood, and that just makes everyone around miserable. But you can control your emotions. Remember, you’re the boss. And as you learn to lead yourself, you will no longer be tossed around in life by temptation. After Jesus fasted he was tempted. But Jesus was prepared, and he didn’t listen to the devil. Instead, he quoted the word. As you prepare to be more successful follow these two examples. First, send your body, emotions, and mind the message that they aren’t in charge. And, second get more of God’s word inside of you to help you overcome temptations when they show up.

Praise, a Mighty Weapon!

The Israelites have a big battle to fight, and they are greatly outnumbered. The king, Jehosaphat, sends out his worshippers first. He tells them to praise and worship God. Well that seems a bit confusing, sending the musicians ahead of the army. Who sends the band out ahead of the soldiers. People must have thought he was crazy, I’ll bet the band was a bit freaked out by it. But it works, as they begin to worship the Lord, thanking him for his goodness, and singing about his love, the enemy is defeated without the Israelite army having to raise a finger. You have and will have many battles to fight in life. A key to being a winner, and employing God’s help, is to Praise and Worship God in the midst of trouble. Its easy to be thankful to God when everything is great, anyone can do that. Being thankful when it looks like all is lost, and your really freaked out about something, that’s what I’m talking about. Praise and Worship doesn’t exist just to start off a church service, or for your musical entertainment (I didn’t like the music in church today, it wasn’t my style). Praise and worship is there to help you, and to have God help you. And who wouldn’t want help from God. So the next time you are in a battle, try worship, and watch everything clear up, God style.

Matt 28:19 Go and make disciples of all nations

Hmm, what to do today. What to wear? What time do I have to get up? And I have to make disciples of all nations to? Our lives are way to busy for us to stop and think about making disciples of all nations. Attempting to change the world, that is a bit overwhelming, might even seem impossible. Lucky, nothing is impossible to God. You can change your world, by starting in YOUR world, that is, the people and places you are around. Start there. So how do you reach the people in your world? Start by inviting those people to church. Which means, ofcourse, you have to have a church. Next, begin to pray. Its very important to Pray for your family members and friends. God will make himself just as real to those you know as he has made himself real to you. Last, don’t be afraid to tell your story, how did Jesus change you? We are all concerned about our unsaved family and friends, but it’s not enough to want to share the gospel with others, you’ve gotta do something about. I’m inspiring you to come up with a plan of action, and take action. It shouldn’t just be something you think about in passing, it should be part of your daily focus.

The devil just needs you to believe one lie

Gen. 3: Now the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals –That’s right. The devil is sneaky. And he starts talking Eve into eating the fruit that God told Adam that they were not to eat. Well Eve seems to know the rules, but the devil convinces her, saying “You will not surely die. For God knows that when you eat of it, your eyes will be opened, and you be like God, knowing good and evil” Hmm. First of all, Adam and Eve were made in God’s likeness and image, which means they were already like God.
But its also important to see that the devils temptation to Eve was more like bent truth, then a straight up lie. And that’s what makes the devil so sneaky. He just needs to get you to believe one lie. He just wants you to think its okay to get just a little drunk. Or he might tell you … that hey, the bible doesn’t say not to do drugs. Or he might try and convince you to get in the car and drive home just this one time, even though you’ve been drinking. Premarital sex is the cause for the continued rise in teenage pregnancy, which is also the number 1 driving force behind abortions. He just needs you to believe one lie. He wants you to think that these things could never happen to you. Eve eats the fruit, and gives some to Adam, and it cost mankind 4000 years of bondage. Remember, if temptation comes, ask yourself, is the devil trying to trap me? Cause the answer is yes. Say no to immorality of any kind. Decide that you will be different!

You are not an accident.

You ever wonder if you were an accident. If your parents hadn’t ever met, where would you be? Eph 1:4 For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. First of all you need to know something. You are not an accident. Even if your parents had never met - you were destined to be here at this time, and God has a specific purpose in mind for you. Before God created the world he planned your existence. You have been made holy and blameless as a result of the sacrfice Jesus made for us, taking all sin, past and future, to the cross. When God sees you, he sees righteousness. You can boldly stand before the Lord without shame. Psalms 139:15 My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place, when I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to pass. You are not the result of chance, like some sort of pull on a slot machine. Your existence here was planned by God at the same time he was planning creation of the world. What you do with the days that have been ordained for you, well that’s up to you. God has stuff for you to do, but you’ve gotta step up to it.