Check this video out! It’s truly amazing the miracles God performs.
The Frank Martin Miracle
Thursday, March 8, 2018
Tuesday, March 6, 2018
Battle Tested
As I have grown more mature in my relationship with Christ over the past months a lot of questions have arose. I believe that is totally okay. I think I remember hearing one time that it is spiritually mature to have questions. If you don't have questions how do you learn?
This afternoon I read about instructions for Christian living in the book of Ephesians and a question hit me and it's been something that I have been struggling with for a while now. When it comes to Christian living..."you were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness." I interpret Christian living as living entirely in your new self. We were made new in the attitude of our minds. We were created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. I think that sometimes we forget that we were created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. That's an important thing not to forget.
Here is one of the areas where I struggle. Ephesians 4:25 says: Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor, for we are all members of one body. That is where I struggle. I expect people to love one another and I don't fully experience that.
The verse that follows is a verse that I always try to remember. It says: "In your anger to do not sin": Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry. That has been like a life verse for me. As I shared in my story, I struggle with fitting in, the feeling of isolation and being made fun of. I don't want a pity party, I just know that there are people out there who struggle as well. I won't share the things that are said or the things that happen that people do to irritate me, but when I get pushed to my breaking point, I have to remember not to sin when I am angry. Which is tough, because I get really mad sometimes. I've learned this year that when I am put in those situations that I need to be thankful for them, because they are trials from God that he uses to make me rely on HIM. I understand it might sound ridiculous that God puts me through those tough times, but he does, and through God doing that, my relationship has grown because I have had to rely and trust in him more than ever. God likes to battle test me, and I am thankful for that. Another important thing to remember is to not let the sun go down while you are still angry. I believe that is huge. Regardless of how my day has gone or how upset I get at night, I will never go to sleep angry. I can't do that. I try to be as optimistic as possible and I have tried to live that way my entire life. There are too many blessings in my life and too many things to be thankful for to be upset for a long period of time. I made up my mind, that I am going to pray for everyone. Regardless of how good or how bad my day was.
Another thing I struggle with is this. Ephesians 4:29 says: Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their news, that it may benefit those who listen. I experience a ton of this. Words of affirmation and encouragement are something that is very important to me, and I don't hear it from many people. I only hear it from a very select few. When I am around negativity and around people who aren't the nicest and I feel isolated sometimes it's easy to just shake it off and other times it can get pretty bad and I vent and can go on rants. Later on in Ephesians 4:31 it says: Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as Christ forgave you.
If you tie that last paragraph together, this is my biggest question. I wonder why I suffer and struggle more than others when I feel like I am doing the right thing? When I experience the struggles, I vent about how what I am going through is so tough, I feel terrible because I know that I need to do what verse 31 says. That is, get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every from of malice. I know that I need to be kind and compassionate to one another, and forgive, just as Christ forgave. It's tough. It's so tough. I want to encourage you today, that if you are someone who feels that way or struggles with maybe some mental issues that you are not alone. I encourage you to love everyone and pray for those who persecute you. You may feel all alone sometimes, but when you pray for all of those around you, it makes everything so much better. If you feel alone, remember that you are not. God is right there waiting for you and is right there with you.
You are never alone. God is always on your side and there are always people who are going through situations just like you and me.
Remember it's okay to have questions. I have some everyday.
If you get the chance, I encourage you to check out this article written by Kevin Love in the Player's Tribune. It was posted on there today and it was very encouraging for me and I hope it is for you as well.
https://www.theplayerstribune.com/kevin-love-everyone-is-going-through-something/
This afternoon I read about instructions for Christian living in the book of Ephesians and a question hit me and it's been something that I have been struggling with for a while now. When it comes to Christian living..."you were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness." I interpret Christian living as living entirely in your new self. We were made new in the attitude of our minds. We were created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. I think that sometimes we forget that we were created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. That's an important thing not to forget.
Here is one of the areas where I struggle. Ephesians 4:25 says: Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor, for we are all members of one body. That is where I struggle. I expect people to love one another and I don't fully experience that.
The verse that follows is a verse that I always try to remember. It says: "In your anger to do not sin": Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry. That has been like a life verse for me. As I shared in my story, I struggle with fitting in, the feeling of isolation and being made fun of. I don't want a pity party, I just know that there are people out there who struggle as well. I won't share the things that are said or the things that happen that people do to irritate me, but when I get pushed to my breaking point, I have to remember not to sin when I am angry. Which is tough, because I get really mad sometimes. I've learned this year that when I am put in those situations that I need to be thankful for them, because they are trials from God that he uses to make me rely on HIM. I understand it might sound ridiculous that God puts me through those tough times, but he does, and through God doing that, my relationship has grown because I have had to rely and trust in him more than ever. God likes to battle test me, and I am thankful for that. Another important thing to remember is to not let the sun go down while you are still angry. I believe that is huge. Regardless of how my day has gone or how upset I get at night, I will never go to sleep angry. I can't do that. I try to be as optimistic as possible and I have tried to live that way my entire life. There are too many blessings in my life and too many things to be thankful for to be upset for a long period of time. I made up my mind, that I am going to pray for everyone. Regardless of how good or how bad my day was.
Another thing I struggle with is this. Ephesians 4:29 says: Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their news, that it may benefit those who listen. I experience a ton of this. Words of affirmation and encouragement are something that is very important to me, and I don't hear it from many people. I only hear it from a very select few. When I am around negativity and around people who aren't the nicest and I feel isolated sometimes it's easy to just shake it off and other times it can get pretty bad and I vent and can go on rants. Later on in Ephesians 4:31 it says: Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as Christ forgave you.
If you tie that last paragraph together, this is my biggest question. I wonder why I suffer and struggle more than others when I feel like I am doing the right thing? When I experience the struggles, I vent about how what I am going through is so tough, I feel terrible because I know that I need to do what verse 31 says. That is, get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every from of malice. I know that I need to be kind and compassionate to one another, and forgive, just as Christ forgave. It's tough. It's so tough. I want to encourage you today, that if you are someone who feels that way or struggles with maybe some mental issues that you are not alone. I encourage you to love everyone and pray for those who persecute you. You may feel all alone sometimes, but when you pray for all of those around you, it makes everything so much better. If you feel alone, remember that you are not. God is right there waiting for you and is right there with you.
You are never alone. God is always on your side and there are always people who are going through situations just like you and me.
Remember it's okay to have questions. I have some everyday.
If you get the chance, I encourage you to check out this article written by Kevin Love in the Player's Tribune. It was posted on there today and it was very encouraging for me and I hope it is for you as well.
https://www.theplayerstribune.com/kevin-love-everyone-is-going-through-something/
Monday, March 5, 2018
Good and Fitting Gifts To Claim & a Calling
I am back again for the second time today. I posted a prayer from Ephesians earlier if you got a chance to see it. I felt convicted that I could have done more. It's a weird feeling. That's how amazing God is, I felt like I had done something that would please God but He still wanted me to do a little more. If that isn't God wanting what is best for me and wanting me to be successful, I don't know what is.
I came across this passage in "Living Life on The Ragged Edge," yesterday on our bus ride to Sioux Falls, South Dakota and it was a passage that I knew I wanted to share with you and encourage you with.
Good and Fitting Gifts to Claim
Charles R. Swindoll writes:
All is no darkness and gloom, I'm glad to say. Before he brings his thoughts to a close, the wealthy king smiles as he lists three priceless gifts, which he says are "good and fitting." We need some good news like that! And these gifts are so valuable, money cannot buy them.
Here is what I have seen to be good and fitting: to eat, to drink and enjoy oneself in all one's labor in which he toils under the sun during the fews years of life which God has given him; for this is his reward. Furthermore, as for every man to whom God has given riches and wealth, He has also empowered him to eat from them and to receive his reward and rejoice in his labor; this is the gift of God. For he will not often consider the years of his life, excuse God keeps him occupied with the gladness of his heart. (vv. 18-20)
1. Claim the fit of enjoyment in your life. Joy is straight from God. Solomon encourages us as we're eating and drinking-that is, living out our lives-to enjoy ourselves. In other words, refuse to allow yourself to get caught in the greed trap. Refuse to attach yourself to the dollar sign. Refuse to place top priority on making more, more , more and just to make more. He says, "This is good and fitting and God has given us this as a reward. Enjoy life! Laugh more. Find pleasure in the simple things. GO back to the things that brought you happiness as a child and capitalize on them once again." How desperately we need such reminders.
2. Claim the gift of fulfillment in your work-another of God's gifts in your life and in your work, find fulfillment. It's not always true that there's a better job around the corner. The greener grass is indeed a myth. So find fulfillment in your work. Invest more in the vertical dimension of life, less in the horizontal. Invest your riches for God's work. Invest your time for His glory. Give generously. That way you'll find rejoicing in your labor that gives a new dimension.
3. Claim the gift of contentment in your heart. Enjoyment in your life, fulfillment in your work, contentment in your heart-what an ideal mix!
When life gets hectic...which is will be...you can always, claim to enjoyment, the gift of fulfillment and the gift of contentment. Claim to those gifts and your outlook and perspective on life will change. You will feel so much better. I promise!
*** The Holy Spirit really reminded me of something while doing this post. After I did the first blog post earlier, I still felt empty. Which is weird, because I always feel fulfilled. I felt like there was more to do. So I decided to act upon that feeling and it changed my entire day. It changed my last couple of days! I was reminded about what I learned back in the summer. One of the very first things I remember learning and applying to my life was when you feel God's presence, take action, and you will not regret it. This afternoon I took action to what I felt and the feeling I have is so rejuvenating and a little tough to put into words. I could go on, but don't want to over complicated thing. Simply, if you feel God's presence in whatever way, act upon it! It could be in so many different ways. It's gonna be a different calling for you than it is for me, that's because we all have different gifts.
I hope and pray that you were just as encouraged by this post as I was.
I came across this passage in "Living Life on The Ragged Edge," yesterday on our bus ride to Sioux Falls, South Dakota and it was a passage that I knew I wanted to share with you and encourage you with.
Good and Fitting Gifts to Claim
Charles R. Swindoll writes:
All is no darkness and gloom, I'm glad to say. Before he brings his thoughts to a close, the wealthy king smiles as he lists three priceless gifts, which he says are "good and fitting." We need some good news like that! And these gifts are so valuable, money cannot buy them.
Here is what I have seen to be good and fitting: to eat, to drink and enjoy oneself in all one's labor in which he toils under the sun during the fews years of life which God has given him; for this is his reward. Furthermore, as for every man to whom God has given riches and wealth, He has also empowered him to eat from them and to receive his reward and rejoice in his labor; this is the gift of God. For he will not often consider the years of his life, excuse God keeps him occupied with the gladness of his heart. (vv. 18-20)
1. Claim the fit of enjoyment in your life. Joy is straight from God. Solomon encourages us as we're eating and drinking-that is, living out our lives-to enjoy ourselves. In other words, refuse to allow yourself to get caught in the greed trap. Refuse to attach yourself to the dollar sign. Refuse to place top priority on making more, more , more and just to make more. He says, "This is good and fitting and God has given us this as a reward. Enjoy life! Laugh more. Find pleasure in the simple things. GO back to the things that brought you happiness as a child and capitalize on them once again." How desperately we need such reminders.
2. Claim the gift of fulfillment in your work-another of God's gifts in your life and in your work, find fulfillment. It's not always true that there's a better job around the corner. The greener grass is indeed a myth. So find fulfillment in your work. Invest more in the vertical dimension of life, less in the horizontal. Invest your riches for God's work. Invest your time for His glory. Give generously. That way you'll find rejoicing in your labor that gives a new dimension.
3. Claim the gift of contentment in your heart. Enjoyment in your life, fulfillment in your work, contentment in your heart-what an ideal mix!
When life gets hectic...which is will be...you can always, claim to enjoyment, the gift of fulfillment and the gift of contentment. Claim to those gifts and your outlook and perspective on life will change. You will feel so much better. I promise!
*** The Holy Spirit really reminded me of something while doing this post. After I did the first blog post earlier, I still felt empty. Which is weird, because I always feel fulfilled. I felt like there was more to do. So I decided to act upon that feeling and it changed my entire day. It changed my last couple of days! I was reminded about what I learned back in the summer. One of the very first things I remember learning and applying to my life was when you feel God's presence, take action, and you will not regret it. This afternoon I took action to what I felt and the feeling I have is so rejuvenating and a little tough to put into words. I could go on, but don't want to over complicated thing. Simply, if you feel God's presence in whatever way, act upon it! It could be in so many different ways. It's gonna be a different calling for you than it is for me, that's because we all have different gifts.
I hope and pray that you were just as encouraged by this post as I was.
A Prayer for You
A Prayer for You
For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of glorious riches me may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord's holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge-that you may be filled measure of all the fullness of God. Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.
(Ephesians 3:14-20)
For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of glorious riches me may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord's holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge-that you may be filled measure of all the fullness of God. Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.
(Ephesians 3:14-20)
Sunday, March 4, 2018
Made Alive In Christ
Made Alive
in Christ
Have you
ever wondered what it means to be made alive in Christ? It’s one of the best
feelings there is. It’s rejuvenating when you truly understand what that means.
We are made alive. The statement itself is rejuvenating at it is.
It’s hard
to explain something without scripture, so here it is.
As for
you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live
when you followed the ways of this world and the ruler of the kingdom of the
air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. All of us also
lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh and
following the desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving
of wrath. But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made
us alive in Christ even when we were dead in transgressions-it is by grace you
have been saved. And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the
heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages he might show
incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ
Jesus. For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith-and this is not
from yourselves, it is a gift from God-not by works, so that no one can boast.
For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God
prepared in advance for us to do. (Ecclesiastes
2:1-10)
That
scripture is filled with so many awesome bits and pieces of truth. One of the
first things that it is important to understand is that we all used to be dead
in our transgressions and sins. That is how is used to be, we followed the ways
of the world and were a victim to it. If you didn’t go through that stage in
your life, then I really want to meet you! Everything that we did was deserving
of wrath…everything that was done was for the flesh and to satisfy your own cravings.
It’s still like that today! We are dirty sinners who sin over and over again,
it’s human nature. It’s the battle we fight everyday… (righteous vs. wicked,
vertical lifestyle vs. horizontal, right vs. wrong, God vs. world.
You know
what? Because of God’s great love for us, we have been saved by grace. Reading
that is convicting, I think God’s grace is something that I take for granted. I
am far from perfect, yet God has blessed me in so many amazing ways. Think about
what you deserve vs. your life. I guarantee you where you are right now wouldn’t
be with God. To get where you are at, so many things have to fall into place
and that is only because of Christ and his love for us.
*For it
is by grace we have been saved, through faith*
The end of
the passage is my favorite. “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ
Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” We are God’s handiwork created to do good
works, that have been prepared in advance for us to do. Let that settle in.
Next time you feel like there is nothing good you can do, remember that there
are good works out there for you to perform and God has that already planned
out for you.
I hope that
you were encouraged and have a greater understanding what it means to be made
alive in Christ.
Saturday, March 3, 2018
Psalm 84:10
I am really bummed I haven’t had a sufficient amount of time to spend on the blog and reading my Bible the last two days. I think it’s a perfect example of how life can be sometimes. A lot of people go through this roller coaster faith walk throughout their lives. That’s how it was for me until this past year. I want to encourage you with one verse tonight.
Psalm 84:10: “Better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere; I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God then dwell in the tents of the wicked.”
If you get verse of the day notifications from the Bible app on your phone, then you saw that this was the verse of the day. When I saw that this was the verse of the day it was just what I needed. I encourage you to check out the verse of the day if you struggle with getting into the word. Checking out the verse of the day is better than nothing. Don’t substitute it though, reading the Bible on a consistent basic will change your life.
I love that verse because it’s a good reminder that one day with the Lord is better than a thosaund elsewhere. I take that as spending time with the Lord one day is better than so many other things that you could be doing. Heck it’s the best thing you can do.
This was short, but I hope that you’re encoraged by this in some type of way.
Psalm 84:10: “Better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere; I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God then dwell in the tents of the wicked.”
If you get verse of the day notifications from the Bible app on your phone, then you saw that this was the verse of the day. When I saw that this was the verse of the day it was just what I needed. I encourage you to check out the verse of the day if you struggle with getting into the word. Checking out the verse of the day is better than nothing. Don’t substitute it though, reading the Bible on a consistent basic will change your life.
I love that verse because it’s a good reminder that one day with the Lord is better than a thosaund elsewhere. I take that as spending time with the Lord one day is better than so many other things that you could be doing. Heck it’s the best thing you can do.
This was short, but I hope that you’re encoraged by this in some type of way.
Thursday, March 1, 2018
Thanksgiving and Prayer
For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and you love for all God's people, I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, and his comparable great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, which in his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way. ( Ephesians 1:15-23 )
This post only includes scripture because sometimes you need to read and it let the Holy Spirit work. That being said, I encourage you to read through that passage and ask God how He wants to use that scripture to best fulfill you.
This post only includes scripture because sometimes you need to read and it let the Holy Spirit work. That being said, I encourage you to read through that passage and ask God how He wants to use that scripture to best fulfill you.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)