Paul wasn't polished

When you think of Paul in the bible what do you usually think of? For me, I think of a stud who was bold in sharing the gospel wherever he went. I think of a man who had absolute trust in God no matter what his circumstance was.

The commonalty of this post is your circumstances. Think about the circumstances you are in today. You might be going through a breakup, you might have had a terrible week at school, and maybe you struggled to do the things you love well. Maybe you lost a loved one, maybe you are beyond mad that the snow is back. No matter what, we are all going through something and face some sort of circumstance. Circumstances aren't necessarily bad either. You could be on cloud nine. You could be coming off of a week where you got A's on all your tests. You could be coming off a week where everything seemed to go your way.

One thing that I can guarantee you is that no matter how bad your circumstances are right now, they probably aren't as bad as Paul's. Paul circumstances were not at all what he had planned. He had been in prison for two years and then the people decided to send him to Rome. While he was on the ship heading to Rome, the ship he was on got into a wreck. Once he finally made it to Rome he was put back into prison. Sucky circumstances right?

One thing that we need to do is be an agent of advancement of the gospel. We need to live for gospel advancement. The first way we do that is through our circumstances.

In Philippians 1:12 Paul writes: "I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel." 

Paul knows that his circumstances suck right now and he understands that what has happened to him has happened so that the gospel can be advanced. Paul's testimony throughout every circumstance was that Jesus is Lord and the Christians in Rome noticed that. They had been hearing Paul's testimony.

Later on in verse 14 Paul writes: "And most of the brothers, having become confident in the Lord by my imprisonment, are much more bold to speak the word without fear." 

Paul's testimony was affecting the Christians in Rome. They were becoming more confident in the Lord because of Paul's imprisonment. The awesome part is that they were becoming much more bold to share the goodness of God.

No matter what circumstances we are in, we need to let the joy God provides trump worldly pain. The negative circumstances we are faced with can serve as either a catalyst or an excuse. How are you going to let your negative circumstances affect you? You might never know how God will choose to multiply the good through your negative circumstances.

The second way we can be an advancement of the gospel is through proclamation. There was a rise in Rome because of Paul. He had no problem advancing the gospel and then no problem encouraging others who did as well.

Philippians 1:15-18 says: "Some indeed preach Christ from envy and rivalry, but others from good will. The latter do it out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. The former preach Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely but thinking to afflict me in my imprisonment. What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed, and in that I rejoice. "

I've read through this passage many times before but it never really made sense until today. I always thought Paul was a little salty about these other preachers preaching out of selfish ambition but that was never the case. Paul wasn't polished. He didn't speak well, he was a little different then everybody else but the one thing that made Paul who he was was that he followed and lived a bold proclamation for Jesus.

I love the: "What then?" It's like Paul is laughing at this idea. Paul is overjoyed that the gospel is being preached and lived out regardless of who is preaching it. Paul found joy in any sort of gospel proclamation. This is very encouraging. Unfortunately it's kinda easy to from opinions about other churches or ministries. Paul being filled with joy because the gospel was being proclaimed is so encouraging. We need to love other churches and other ministries. Sure we have our differences and disagreements but the one commonality is that Jesus came to save sinners like us. It's like when you see someone diving the exact same car as you on the highway. You most likely have no idea who is driving it, but you still wave because you have the same car. Commonalities strengthen bonds.

There are things that are easier to do as a Christian then others. It can be easy to live a Christian lifestyle. But it's very difficult to actually proclaim the gospel. Think about it though, it can be so hard. That is the most difficult thing to do without a doubt. It's easy to do a lot of other things Christians do when you compare it to proclaiming the gospel. Which stinks to say, it's kind of clunky but it's something we all have to work on. I know that I have to work on it every single day.

The third way to live for gospel advancement is with our lives. Paul's biggest prayer in his life was that he would be faithful to Jesus Christ day in and day out. He was most concerned with honoring Christ everyday. That's what we need to do as well. Who cares what circumstances we are in? The most important thing is that Jesus saves.

Christ needs to be exalted over all.

Paul was never polished during his time on earth and neither are we. We will never be because we cannot be perfect. Some day we will be polished and that is when we take our last breath and we immediately are in the presence of God. How encouraging is that. No wonder Paul had no fear. He knew that when he died he was going to immediately be in the presence of the Lord, he had no reason to fear and neither should we.

Parables. What's the point?

What is the point of parables? Have you ever read parables in the bible and the stories all of a sudden made more sense? That is because that's the point of them. Jesus taught in parables so that we would be able to understand the things that He teaches us. It's a really cool way to do things. If Jesus taught speaking on only His terms and how He understood and how He could teach things, we would not understand. Parables are a great example of how Jesus was the perfect teacher.

I don't want this post to be very long, it's Friday and who wants to read something that is long and wordy on a Friday? 

The best way to write about this post is to show you what the word says. 

"To you it has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given. For to the one who has, more will be given, and he will have an abundance, but from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away. This is why I speak to them in parables, because seeing they do not see, and hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand." (Matthew 13:11-14) 

That is the first part. Jesus taught in parables so that we can know the secrets of the kingdom of heaven. Jesus taught us in parables because we cannot see, and cannot hear the things he want to teach us. We can't understand. We aren't capable of understanding that. 

Here is what the prophecy of Isaiah that was fulfilled says: 

""You will indeed hear but never understand,

and you will indeed see but never perceive."

For the people's heart has grown dull,

and with their ears they can barely hear,

and their eyes they have closed,

lest they should see with their eyes

and hear with their ears

and understand with their heart

and turn, and I would heal them.' (Matthew 13:14-15)

Again, this prophecy was saying that we will never be able to understand, and that we will see but never perceive. Our hearts have grown dull on this earth, and our ears can barely hear, and our eyes have been closed. This world causes us to not be able to see or hear, and that is why Jesus had to preach/teach in parables. 

Here is how it finishes:

"But blessed are your eyes, for they see, and your ears, for they hear. For truly, I say to you, many prophets and righteous people longed to see what you see, and did not see it, and to hear what you hear, and did not hear it." (Matthew 13:16-17)

Blessed are our eyes, for they see and our ears, for they hear. We see and we do hear. Just not the way that we should most of the time. Think about all of the people who long to see what we seem and hear what we hear, but can't. Be so thankful. When Jesus Christ is your Lord and savior, not everyone understands that. People see that there is something different about you, yet they can't. People want to, but a lot of the time they cannot until they make that decision themselves. 

I hope this post was able to explain why the parables were used to teach us. Parables are super good and an awesome way to teach. Parables help explain things in an easy way to other people. I give silly examples in a lot of my posts so that these biblical stories make more sense. So what's the point? To teach in a simple and understandable manner. 

Deliberate Enrichment: Fruit Trees

Deliberate Enrichment: Fruit Trees: A tree is known by its fruit. I am sure that you have heard that before. Fruit trees are awesome. If you haven't had the chance to eat s...

Fruit Trees

A tree is known by its fruit. I am sure that you have heard that before. Fruit trees are awesome. If you haven't had the chance to eat some fresh fruit off of a fruit tree than you are missing out. Picking fresh fruit from a fruit tree and eating it on spot is one of the most satisfying things to experience. There is just something about it. You know it's fresh and clean and you see right where it came from. It does't really matter to me what type it is...it could be apples, oranges, pears, etc. Bottom line, fruit trees are the best because of what they produce.

In the bible, fruit trees are often compared to people. What we say, and what we do is often compared to producing fruit. Think of the people in your life who are spiritual mentors. They produce fruit. It's evident to you too, that is why they're spiritual mentors in your life, because we want to produce fruit like they do.

A Tree Is Known by Its Fruit

"Either make the tree good and its fruit good, or make the tree bad and its fruit bad, for the tree is known by its fruit. You brood of vipers! How can you speak good, when you are evil? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. The good person out of his good treasure brings forth good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure brings forth evil. I tell you, on the day of judgment people will account for every careless word they speak, for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned." (Matthew 12:33-37)

What comes out of our mouth is like the fruit that trees produce. For out of abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. The current state of our heart directly reflects what comes out of our mouths. Just like a fruit tree, if the roots aren't in a good place the tree won't produce good fruit.

"I tell you, on the day of judgment people will account for every careless word they speak, for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned." Every word that we say will be remembered. That is crazy to think about to me because we say a lot of words. I hope that makes you watch what you want to say. Everything will be remembered. Let that really soak into your heart. Sometimes words just seem like words but they go deeper than just that. Our words will be remembered.

By our words we will be justified and condemned. Justified is being declared or made righteous in the sight of God. Whereas condemnation is very strong disapproval. Our words have the power to make us righteous in front of God and can also cause condemnation.

Just like fruit trees that produce fruit, our words can produce fruit as well. I encourage you to watch the things you say and to produce fruit with what you say. Words our powerful and so is the fruit that we produce. Remember what I talked about above, fruit trees are awesome and so is everyone that was created by God.

We are the fruit we produce.

Peace & Rest for the Soul

My Soul Thirst for You

O God, you are my God; earnestly I seek you;
my soul thirsts for you;
my flesh faints for you,
as in a dry and weary land where there is no water.
So I have looked upon you in the sanctuary,
beholding your power and glory.
Because your stedfast love is better than life,
my lips will praise you.
So I will bless you as long as I live;
in your name I will lift up my hands.
My would will be satisfied as with fat and rich food,
and my mouth will praise you with joyful lips,
when I remember you upon my bed,
and mediate on you in the watches of the night;
for you have been my help,
and in the shadow of your wings I will sing for joy.
My soul clings to you;
your right hand upholds me.
But those who seek to destroy my life
shall go down into the depths of the earth;
they shall be given over to the power of the sword;
they shall be a portion for jackals.
But they king shall rejoice in God;
all who swear by him shall exult,
for the mouths of the liars will be stopped.  (Psalms 63)

Come to Me

"Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lovely in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light." (Matthew 11:28-30)

I started with the scripture that I read today because it was perfect for what the past few days have been like. The past few days have been crazy busy. We are in a stretch of our season right now where we have 6 games in 14 days. Which is a lot. 6 games in 14 days means a lot of traveling and a lot of time in the gym. Which I have no problem with at all, I love it. These past few days have also been extra busy because of school. There have been tests and lots of assignments that have been due this past week.  With the combination of a lot of games and a lot of school work I have been extra exhausted.

Waking up this morning, I was really feeling it. I was both mentally and physically exhausted. I needed something and I wasn't completely sure what that was. When I opened up my bible this morning the passages I read are at the top of this post. The scripture was perfect and exactly what I needed to hear.

I love the verses in Matthew. I imagine those who are tired and weary sitting somewhere and just feeling down because they're exhausted and then Jesus coming to them laying his hands on them and telling them to come to Him. That was me this morning. Sitting in the coffee shop preparing to read, feeling exhausted and then I opened up the word and just like that I knew what was going on.

There is something about these two passages that goes deeper than just coming to God so that he gives us rest. It goes deeper than just what you see on the inside. It's about what takes place on the inside.

"Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls." (Matthew 11:29)

Jesus is telling us that if we take his yoke upon ourselves, we will find rest for our souls. I love that. "Rest in your soul." There is so much power in those four words. I mean think about it, we talk about resting our minds and bodies a lot but not so much about our souls. It's deep and finding rest in our soul is true rest. When we find our soul at rest, that is when we can be at rest about all other things.

O God, you are my God; earnestly I see you;
my soul thirsts for you;
my flesh faints for you,
as in a dry and weary land where there is no water. (Psalm 63:1) 

"My soul thirsts for you." Don't you love that? Our soul thirsts for God and when we find our soul at rest that is when we will be able to thirst for God. We can have a thirst for God at all times but when our soul is at rest is when everything will make much more sense.

Honestly, that is my encouragement for you today. The source of our peace and where we find rest is God and a very perfect place to find God is time in the word. When life gets busy, crazy, and hectic, we need to turn to God for our rest not other things.

Whether its trying to find out an answer to why you're so tired or anything else, the best place to find that is the word of God. The best way to get answers from the word is to read it with an open mind hoping to find answers.

Shake the dust off your feet

Is it hard for you to share something with somebody and then have them reject it? It could even be the littlest ideas. Like hey! "We should go eat at CoreLife tonight." All day you have this thought in your mind and you can't wait to tell your friends and then you tell them and they don't want it. Or you're at a bible study. You're sitting there and haven't participated in the discussion at all. You finally get the courage to do so and the perfect opportunity arises. In your mind you know that you have a bomb answer. When you finally decide to share it, what came out didn't resonate with others like it did for yourself. Same thing happens in class. You have an awesome idea and then you share it and nobody is on board. 

My question to you is how do you respond to all of these things? Do you let it get you down? Do you let it discourage you from saying anything else. Or do you take it like a champ and shake it off? 

There are really only two ways you can go about it. Accept the fact that whoever it was wasn't a fan of your idea or you get discouraged. 

In Matthew chapter 10, there is a passage about Jesus sending out the twelve disciples. Jesus tells them to go to the lost sheep of the house and as they go, to proclaim. 'The kingdom of heaven is at hand.' Jesus instructs them to heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, and cast out demons. At the end of verse 8 Jesus says: "You received without paying; give without pay." I love that because Jesus is talking about how we received Him without any sort of pay, so when the disciples serve others, and do the work of God, they shouldn't be doing those things expecting to be paid. They should do the will of God out of the kindness of their hearts. Same with us. We should never do something good just because it looks good to other people. We should do good because that is a sign of love and in my opinion, one thing that Christians need to do more is love and show love like Jesus did. Jesus goes on to talk bout how the disciples should acquire no gold or sliver or copper for their belts, no bag for their journey, or two tunics or sandals or a staff, for the laborer deserves his good. Jesus says that wherever the disciples go, they should find out who is worthy. As Christians I believe we need to do a better job with that as well. When we go places we get too caught up in searching for the people who look cool and who have nice things. We forget to search for the people with hearts of gold. There are lots of people out there with hearts of gold. You just have to search for them and find them. When we begin to look for the people who are worthy, we get much more fulfillment. I promise you that. 

What sticks out to me more than anything from this passage is this. It's Matthew 10:14: "And if anyone will not receive you or listen to your words, shake off the dust from your feet when you leave the house or town." Jesus is telling the disciples to just shake it off. He is telling us that there will be people out there who will not receive or listen to our words. Just like I mentioned up above. How are you reacting when this happens? Are you shaking the dust off of your feet or are you fed up and frustrated. 

I encourage you to remember exactly what Jesus said next time this happens... "Shake off the dust from your feet when you leave the house or town." I know that I find this very encouraging and I hope that you can as well. I just picture Jesus patting us right on the back saying that it's going to be okay. We aren't on this earth for the approval of men. We just have to shake off the dust. No matter what type of a person you are, no matter how many people like or dislike you, there will always be people who don't agree with the things you say. When that happens it's all about how we react. I like to think that Satan enjoys when we overreact to things, and that God is pleased when we shake it off. Probably because that is what he tells us to do. 

I hope that this post was simple and encouraging to you. Please remember just to shake it off. Not everyone is going to agree with the things that you say. Quite frankly it doesn't matter what others think, the only thing that matters is God. 

A pattern for reformation

Do you ever wonder what to model your heart after? The scripture that I am going to share with you is a great passage that we can model our hearts after. Before today, I was completely unaware of this passage and in the message at church today it was brought up and I could not help but share about it. 

Every single day we need personal reformation. A reformation is defined as the action of reforming your mind and heart. In order to do that, we need to offer ourselves as a living sacrifice to Jesus Christ. Every part of us, not just little pieces. 

Now on the twenty-fourth day of this month the people of Israel were assembled with fasting and in sackcloth, and with earth on their heads. And the Israelites separated themselves from all foreigners and staff and confessed their sins and the iniquities of their fathers. And they stood up in their place and read from the Book of the Law of the Lord their God for a quarter of the day; for another quarter of it they made confession and worshipped the Lord their God. (Nehemiah 9:1-3) 

Here are the steps that they took.

1. humility

2. repentance

3. confession

Now the people of Israel humbled themselves through fasting. Then they separated themselves, repented and then confessed their sins. After they confessed their sins they read from the Book of the Law of the Lord their God for a quarter of a day. And we thought church was long, imagine reading the bible for a quarter of the day and then for another quarter confessing and worshipping the Lord their God. 

I know I will get more in depth about the reformation in another post. I just wanted to quickly show you the three steps that we need to the in order to form a great pattern for reformation. These three steps are crucial and I hope you take them to heart.