I'm so sorry that it's been a month and a half since my last post. Inexcusable! But, I'm back, and like always, I'll try to do better. :-) This post is about something that God has been teaching me over the past months, and I want to share it with you. I hope you're blessed as much as I am to be living in this realization. Lately, God has been showing me what the Gospel really means to Christians. I know that Jesus' death on the cross saved me from hell, but hell is in the future. What about now? What does the Gospel mean for me now? God has been showing me through sermons, books, and other things that applying the Gospel to the Christian life can be such a joyful and freeing thing. Here's why: When you look back to the story of the fall of Adam, you notice something. The first thing that God does is kick them out of the Garden. What did the Garden mean to them? It was the place where they walked with God. Where they had that close, special relationship with God. When Adam sinned, that relationship was broken. Sin always separates. And, since Adam was the representative for the whole human race, we all suffered that broken relationship with God. We were under His anger and wrath because of sin. Now, ask yourself this question? What is one of the names that Scripture calls Jesus? I'll give you a hint; it has the name Adam in it. Right! He's called the Last Adam. What does that mean? It means He represents His people just like Adam represented the whole human race. Where am I going with this? If Adam's sin caused that broken relationship with God, it's so important to see that Christ's death restores that relationship. If Adam's sin caused God to direct His anger and wrath towards us, Jesus' death took that away and placed it on Himself. So, how do we apply this to the Christian life? So many times I feel weighed down and burdened with my sin. I feel like God is angry with me. Disgusted with me. Displeased with me. I know He loves me, but I feel His displeasure because of my sin. All of these feelings are totally false! When God looks at us, He sees the perfection of Jesus, for Jesus was our representative, just like Adam was. 1 John 1:9 says that if we confess our sin, God is faithful and just to forgive it and cleanse us from it. Psalm 103 says He separates out sin as far as the east is from the west. Romans 8:1 says that there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ. When we sin and confess our sin, God forgives it and it's gone. He doesn't see it any more. GOD ISN"T ANGRY. HE'S NOT DISPLEASED. IT'S GONE. Whenever you feel this weight or burden for a sin that you've confessed, realize that it's not from God. He doesn't brood over our sin. Psalm 103 says that He doesn't constantly bring it up. He's not frowning at you or displeased with you. Why? Because all that stuff was put on Jesus. We are pure in God's eyes. Plain and simple. We please Him because He's pleased with Jesus. Don't go around with this burden of sin. Jesus says that His yoke is easy and His burden is light. Feel the joy of grace and get rid of any feeling of displeasure from God for sins already repented of. Many times I think that when I sin, God steps away from me and that relationship is broken. It's really the other way around. When I sin, I'm the one stepping away from God--like the prodigal son. And when I repent and run back to God, God runs out to meet me--just like the prodigal son's father. So don't feel this anger or this displeasure or this burden. It's not from God. Take sin seriously, but take God's promises of forgiveness and cleansing just as seriously. And bask in the amazing grace of God. Amen?
I was at Sonic tonight and had a good hour-long discussion about God's sovereignty and predestination. I laid out a logical argument and refuted many of the person's theological conclusions. I showed him logically why I was right and he was wrong. However, he's still not convinced. :-) I've had many such discussion, and every time the person I am talking to doesn't change their views. Every time. Why is that? If they don't have an answer to my questions and if I can show them why their conclusions are wrong, then they have every logical reason to change their views to what I am advocating, but they don't. This can really frustrate the heck out of me sometimes. But you know what helps me move past it and accept people even if they don't change their views? The fact that I know that God is the only one who changes hearts. It doesn't matter how logical my argument is, unless God changes a person's heart to believe what the Bible says, they won't change. God is the one who changes hearts, not me. I leave it in His hands. I have done my best to show people what I believe the Bible says, and now I can just leave the results up to God. There is a reason that so many different, loving Christians have vastly different theologies. God has a reason. It is up to me to tell people what I think the Bible says, and it is up to God whether or not they believe it. So if you're ever frustrated that someone doesn't believe what you believe, even though what you believe seems to make perfect sense, just relax. God's in control, and if He wants that person to change, He's the one who's going to make him change.
As most of you know, I have now graduated from high-school. The next step is Bryan College where I plan on majoring in English and playing keeper on the JV soccer team. Other than that, most everything else is up in the air. I thought that I would spend some time just telling you what I've been thinking about recently in terms of my future. First, why English? Honestly, I have no idea what God's will is for me. I don't know what vocation He is calling me to after college. I've prayed for wisdom in this matter, and I've decided to major in English. Why? I didn't get any writing on the wall or audible voice. However, I think God's wisdom came to me in the form how He made me. He has given me a love of writing and a love of communication. I also believe He has gifted me in these two areas. Why not follow my interests/gifts? Rarely will God give us a definitive answer to our prayers for wisdom. Instead, we must discern how He has made us, what His Word tells us, and what doors He has opened. Right now He has opened up the door for me to study one of Bryan College's elite majors. This fact, combined with the others mentioned above has revealed to me God's immediate will for my life. I have no idea how God will use this major, but I believe this is where God is calling me right now. Secondly, why soccer at Bryan? I also believe God has given me athletic gifts. He has blessed me with an athletic body and skills as a goal-keeper. Along with it, He has given me the passion that I need to succeed at the next level. I really don't know how it will turn out. I know that I will have to compete for my spot on the team and that there are several keepers that are better than me. I know that I will have to work hard and that I will be sacrificing a lot of free time to play soccer, but I think it's worth it. Who knows? Maybe God will show me that He really doesn't want me to play soccer. I'm going to go for it and see how He works. What else do I have planned? I've been thinking about student government at Bryan for several reasons. Firstly, I think God has given me leadership gifts and I think I can put these to good use in student government. Secondly, I am very familiar with the college and how SGA works--I've had two brothers on student government. I've been thinking about freshman president. The president's main tasks are team vision and team leadership. He's supposed to provide the vision for the other freshmen in student government and he's supposed to help the team bond and get along. I think I can do this well. However, I'm not sure if God is calling me to student government. I know that I can use my leadership gifts without having to be in a formal leadership position. I can lead on the soccer field and I can lead among my friends. Also, I want to make sure that my reasons for running for SGA are good. I don't want to do it because I feel an obligation--since both my brothers have been doing it for 6 years. I also don't want to do it in order to gain the spotlight or make myself feel important. We'll see what happens. I'm not really sure yet. Besides these things, I plan on growing spiritually, academically, and relationally. I have many friends who are going to Bryan with me but I have no idea where those friendship will go once we get there. We could stay close or we could grow apart. I really don't know what will happen. However, I'm looking forward to meeting many new people and enjoying their fellowship. I also am trying to figure out how to maintain my Dayton friendships while making sure that I keep my main attention on the society that I'm in--namely, Bryan College. While I'm at Bryan, I need to make sure that my main focus is on the people there. However, there are some relationships in Dayton that I need to keep up as well. It will be tough, but I know God will help me do what is right. Thanks for reading my long post. I hope you now know a little better what my future looks like and I ask that you pray for me as I transition from the life that I know so well into a different setting altogether. Thanks a bunch!
Jesus said in John 15:18-25 "If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you. Remember the words I spoke to you: 'No servant is greater than his master.' If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also. They will treat you this way because of my name, for they do not know the One who sent me." This truth is becoming more evident to me every day. Thankfully, I haven't been experiencing this hatred that Jesus talks about first-hand. I have, however, been noticing it in the media as of late. I read an article recently from a sports writer who is desperately wanting Tim Tebow to fail at football and leave the sport forever because his religious views are "dangerous". It's eye-opening to see the hatred the man has for Tebow's conviction to bring his Christianity into football. I watched the documentary Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed (it's about the squelching of Intelligent Design being taught in schools or held to by its professors) and saw the attitudes that these Atheist Evolutionists had towards Intelligent Design and specifically religion. There was hatred towards religion on the part of some and there was patronizing of religion on the part of others. This is only two of the many evidences of the world's hatred toward religion and Christianity that I've seen. However, the tough part is to know how to respond to their hatred. When I saw the interview of Richard Dawkins on the film--having already watched several other films featuring the man--I started to feel a lot of anger towards him. I hope it wasn't hatred, but I couldn't help but think of where this guy is going after he dies, and, that once he's there, he'll realize what a huge mistake he's made. At first I felt happy about this--that men like these, these enemies of God, will be punished for all eternity--but should I really feel that way? Though we're told that we will be hated by the world, but that doesn't mean we should hate them back--or even joyfully expect their torment forever in hell. I realize that I have been given a great gift by God--the gift of eternal life with Him, free from suffering and full of joy. This gift enables me to freely love enemies such as these men. What do I mean when I say love them, though? I don't mean what a lot of people do. I don't mean we should feel nice, warm feelings towards them. No. They are evil people who are enemies of God. They blaspheme His name. They hate Him and they hate His people. God does not call us to think nicely of them or over-look their faults. But just because they are enemies doesn't give me the right to look forward their destruction in hell either. What it does give me the right to do is pray for them. Desperately pray for the salvation of their souls and the defeat of their arguments. They are humans, made in the image of God, who have been blinded by sin and need, by the grace of God, to be given sight. They are spiritually dead beings who need, by the grace of God, to be given new life that is only found through faith in Christ's death on the cross for their sins. So I encourage you to pray for those who persecute you and the name of Christ. Love your enemies. And thank God that He has pulled you out of the darkness that so many people are lost in right now. I'd love to hear any thoughts that you guys have about this. Feedback would be great!
My Dad said something a couple of weeks ago that has really stuck with me. He said, "If you trust God with your eternity, then why don't you trust Him with your today?" Just ponder that for a second. It puts things in perspective, doesn't it? I mean, there are so many times when I'm stressed or anxious or frustrated. And you know what's at the root of all that? It's distrust of God and His perfect plan. I wouldn't hesitate to say that I've put my trust in Jesus and that I know I'm God's child with eternity in my sights. But then I turn around and get all bent out of shape about little things. It seems to me that one of Satan's tactics is to make our situation seem really big and God seem really small. So don't let him! Instead, whenever you feel anxiety or stress coming on, remind yourself that if you can trust God with your salvation, then you can trust Him with whatever problem you're facing, whether big or small.
Today it hit me the great love Jesus showed us by His death on the cross for our sins. I was reading in Numbers, and the chapter was talking all about the cleansings that the Israelites had to do. It showed me how much God hates sin and can't stand to be around it. Because of our sin, we all deserve to go to hell where God isn't present and where He doesn't have to be anywhere near it. Yet, instead of giving us what we deserve, Jesus came to earth to experience the hell that we deserve to abide in for all eternity. He became sin for us--what a concept! Because he took on our sin, the Father separated Himself from His Son. Jesus experienced hell for us--a complete separation from a Father He had never been separated from before. Through His blood our sin was forever cleansed. Jesus--what a friend for sinners.
"This, then, is how you should pray: " 'Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name." (Matthew 6:9). The above statement is the beginning of The Lord's Prayer. When Jesus says "Hallowed be your name," he means "Let your name be kept holy." Question. Why would Jesus petition God to keep God's name holy? There seems no reason to ask God to act in such a way that His name be kept holy--He's already perfect! Answer. The holiness of God's name isn't solely contingent on God's own actions--humans have a part to play. Let's take a look at the rest of the prayer real quick.
"This, then, is how you should pray: " 'Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. I believe there is a pattern in this prayer. Everything God is asked to do has some relation to humanity. Even when He says "Your kingdom come, your will be done," He adds, "On earth, as it is in heaven." I believe this principle can be applied to verse nine. Jesus is asking that God's name be kept holy, not through God's own actions, but through the actions of God's people. Are you following me? We have been called to live holy lives, not just because God desires righteous behavior. We have been given the great task of bearing God's name on earth. We are his representatives. How we represent God to people is how people will perceive Him. Whether you are interacting with Christians or non-Christians, our actions may have a direct influence on how they perceive God's holy name. I have seen a Christian lose her faith in God partly because of the things she's seen done in God's name. The way Christians have acted around her has been a driving influence in her struggle with her faith. Thankfully, God can overcome our failures and I believe He will draw her back to Him (For no one can be taken out of God's hand, and Jesus will go after His lost sheep and bring them back to the fold). However, I hope you can see the importance our actions have on the name of God. The next time you're praying, ask God that He will keep His name holy through you. And remember that no matter what happens, God is there to help us, forgive us, comfort us, guide us, and strengthen us to live our lives in a manner that is glorifying to Him.
Tonight was an interesting night. I came home early from class in Chattanooga because of the snow, and was planning on a fun game-night with my soccer team at my coach's house. Then, as I was talking to one of my friends, he invited me and some other friends to come over to his house for a while--before the game-night. I talked to my mom about it and she said that I couldn't go to either, because she didn't want me out on the roads in the snow. Bummer. What was going to be a fun-filled evening became a bleak future. It was really too bad, because I was looking forward to both. So I was trying to have a good attitude about all this, and then mom said that if my friend was okay with it, he could come over to my house, spend the night, eat pancakes in the morning, and we could hang out. So, what looked like a bleak evening then became a bright future. He said he was going to come at about 8:30, and would call before he came. Mom and I decided to watch a movie together while we waited. It was a good time. But, 8:30 turned into 10:00 and my friend still didn't show up. I called him and he said that he couldn't get a hold of me to tell me that the roads were too icy, so he wouldn't be able to make it. Bummer. So that's where I'm at right now. Looking at it from a Christian perspective, it's a little puzzling. I mean, first God provides me with a fun activity for the evening (the game-night), then He takes it away. Then He substitutes it with another fun activity (my friend coming over) only to take it away again. Thankfully, I still had a good time with Mom, and He's helped me to not really get bummed out about my friend not coming over. But it still is confusing why He did what He did. I know it sounds like a trivial thing, but it has real connotations for the Christian life. Many times God will take something away from us, and we won't understand why. We know that He loves us and works everything out for our good, but His actions don't seem to make sense. Especially when it seems like He's toying with us. Have you ever experienced that? But, since we can do nothing about it, we sit back and wait for God to show us why. However, it doesn't always work that way. God doesn't always show us why He does what He does. He doesn't always give you a reason. He may never fully reveal His reasons for His actions. We may never get the answer to our 'why'. And this is the key. It is in this moment where we are called not to question, not to doubt, not to turn away, but to humbly say as Job did, "The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away. Blessed be the Name of the Lord." God won't always give you the answers. He won't always let you know why He does why He does. But remember this, He DOES love you and He WILL work everything out for your good. Blessed be the Name of the Lord.
Question: Why were we created? Answer: To glorify God. Pretty simple ain't it? God made us for His own glory. I forget that a lot. We all do. So here's a reminder for you guys, cause I assume that you forget it too sometimes. :-) Unfortunately, knowing that we were made to glorify God doesn't necessarily mean that we will live a God-glorifying life. Many times, we desire to glorify ourselves. And accordingly, when others don't treat us the way we want them to we get bummed out. We think--"How dare they treat me like that. Don't they know who I am?" When we are criticized we get defensive--"How dare you say that I was in the wrong." We get our feelings hurt because our IMAGE is hurt. We're not being glorified like we think we should and so we get angry or defensive. Image is important. God created man in His image, which is about the biggest gift that can be given. Many times you see in Scripture God angry because His people are not presenting a good image of Him to the other nations. Image is very important to God, because He desires to be glorified. Notice whose image I am referring to. It's not your image that I'm talking about--it's God's image. It's God's glory that's important--not our own. Sure, it's important that you have a good image--but only to the extent that God's glory is a greater focus than others' opinion of us. Too many times we get upset when people criticize us or make fun of us or don't give us the respect that we think we deserve. Basically, our happiness is tied to our glorification. "I'm happy when others like me or respect me." "I'm not happy when people disrespect me or criticize me." Our happiness is directly tied to our image--our glory. What brought these thoughts on? I was with my cousins a while back, and they started to tease me and represent me wrong. I left with a feeling that they didn't think much of me, and didn't really give me the respect I deserved. I was upset. But then I asked myself--"Is God glorified, even though I'm not. Is God happy with me, even though my cousins aren't?" Yes, He is. SO WHY AM I UPSET? Why am I upset that people aren't glorifying me when the God of the Universe is glorified? Why am I upset that people aren't happy with me when the God of the Bible is happy with me? The next time you start to get frustrated or upset because other people aren't treating you or respecting you like you think they should, instead of getting upset, ask if God is glorified through you. If He is, then there is nothing to be upset about. If He isn't, then ask His forgiveness and don't worry about how other people view you. If God is happy with you, then it doesn't really matter if people are happy with you. This can be very hard to apply. Let's face it, the Christian life can just be hard sometimes, but if you get discouraged remember this: "I am sure of this, that He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ." (Phil 1:6). God sees your desire to live for His glory, and He will be with you every step of the way--guiding you, strengthening you, and keeping you safe. God bless.
I'm an eighteen year-old guy who's trying to juggle school, friends, family, and responsibilities while trying to serve God the best I can. If you want to talk, just email me at [email protected]
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