With Christ we have the freedom to do many things. Unfortunately, I think that most of the time, the freedom we have is just pushed to the side. We have the power to be world changers and we don't take advantage of it. I know that I often forget about all of the freedom we have, it's easy to forget. I encourage you to use the freedom in powerful ways.
In 1 Corinthians 9 the apostle Paul is talking about his rights as an apostle, his freedoms and the need for self-discipline. 1 Corinthians 9:19 says: "Though I am free and belong to no one, I have made myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible?" So what does that mean? As believers we belong to Christ, apart from that we belong to no one, so we mine as well make ourselves slaves to everyone in order to win as many as possible. When Paul finishes that verse with..."to win as many as possible," he is talking about the freedom to witness to people and lead them to Christ. That is a win. That verse is such a great reminder as well. I know for me when I get the opportunity to share with people I forget that I have to become like those people. A couple of verse later in 1 Corinthians 9:22-23 says: "To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some. I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings." Paul is such a great example in these verses. He became all things to all people so that by all possible means he might save some.
Lastly, Paul ends chapter 9 with an analogy about become like others. It's the perfect reminder to remember that we need to live this life with the mindset to get the prize. Have fun with it too! Life is good...and the prize that awaits us is even better! I encourage you to run for the crown that will last forever.
1 Corinthians 9:24-27:
"Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like the boxer beating the air. No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize."
I will close with a verse that has really had in impact on my life this past week. It has had an impact on my life because it has reminded me how important it is to have godly characteristics. I love basketball and being a college athlete, I spend a ton of time around the game, so that is where a lot of my focus is. This verse is the perfect reminder for me every single day that the time I spend growing spiritually and impacting others goes far beyond the time I spend on the court or in the weight room. Don't get me wrong though, I still deeply care about those things.
1 Timothy 4:8 says: "For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come."
Sunday, October 1, 2017
Saturday, September 30, 2017
Spiritual refreshment
Spiritual refreshment is a term that sounds so soothing and so positive. That's because that is exactly what it is. The Word of God is so powerful and is filled with so many things that sometimes it's hard to really feel like the Spirit is working through you when you are in the word. Honestly that is how I have felt the last two or three days...I have been praying every day for some scripture to really speak to me. I feel it every time but sometimes it might be hard to comprehend.
I read Psalm 130 and that is where I felt the Spirit put the term into my head..."spiritual refreshment."
Psalm 130 says: Out of the depths I cry to you, Lord; Lord, hear my voice. Let you ears be attentive to my cry for mercy. If you, kept a record of sins, Lord, who could stand? But with you there is forgiveness, so that we can, with reverence, serve you. I wait for the Lord, my whole being waits, and in his word I put my hope. I wait for the Lord. more than watchman wait for the morning, more than watchman wait for the morning.
I find this refreshing because this is a passage that really emphasizes waiting on the Lord. Sometimes I get a little impatient...and when that happens I am just not feeling it. Waiting on the Lord is totally okay. It's what we usually have to do. I love the ending of that passage, "more than watchman wait for the morning, more than watchman wait for the morning." That isn't a typo up above, that is word for word. Watchman want the morning to come more than anybody, there job is literally to sit and watch until morning comes, they wait and they wait. Waiting is fine, our God is faithful.
Let that be your encouragement for the day. It is okay to wait to see what God will do. Just have faith and have some patience. Our God is awesome, trust in him.
Spiritual refreshment doesn't even have to be a passage that is super positive. Spiritual refreshment is scripture that the Spirit uses to lift you up.
Have a great and blessed Saturday.
I read Psalm 130 and that is where I felt the Spirit put the term into my head..."spiritual refreshment."
Psalm 130 says: Out of the depths I cry to you, Lord; Lord, hear my voice. Let you ears be attentive to my cry for mercy. If you, kept a record of sins, Lord, who could stand? But with you there is forgiveness, so that we can, with reverence, serve you. I wait for the Lord, my whole being waits, and in his word I put my hope. I wait for the Lord. more than watchman wait for the morning, more than watchman wait for the morning.
I find this refreshing because this is a passage that really emphasizes waiting on the Lord. Sometimes I get a little impatient...and when that happens I am just not feeling it. Waiting on the Lord is totally okay. It's what we usually have to do. I love the ending of that passage, "more than watchman wait for the morning, more than watchman wait for the morning." That isn't a typo up above, that is word for word. Watchman want the morning to come more than anybody, there job is literally to sit and watch until morning comes, they wait and they wait. Waiting is fine, our God is faithful.
Let that be your encouragement for the day. It is okay to wait to see what God will do. Just have faith and have some patience. Our God is awesome, trust in him.
Spiritual refreshment doesn't even have to be a passage that is super positive. Spiritual refreshment is scripture that the Spirit uses to lift you up.
Have a great and blessed Saturday.
Friday, September 29, 2017
Are you spending time with Jesus
Happy Friday evening. I hope that you all had an awesome fall weather day. This post will be brief and it's coming from my heart. Usually posts come from what I read in my bible on a daily basis, but sometimes what I post comes straight from the heart.
The past couple months my faith and my relationship with Jesus has grown so much. It all started with spending some time with him on a daily basis. It can be 20 minutes. Yeah sometimes you just don't feel like it or even want to do it for that matter. I've heard before that an action becomes a habit after 21 days of performing that action. I've gotten in a habit with spending time with our Father every day. Sometimes habits are just something you to everyday, but this habit has turned into a bit of an addiction. I am addicted to the gospel. I am addicted to reading God's word. I am addicted to spending time with him and whatever way possible. It all starts with you. Simply, try reading two chapters of a book of the bible everyday and two chapters from the book of Psalms. I promise you, you'll find some pretty cool things and the Spirit will really speak to you through whatever you read. You don't even have to do two chapters, randomly flip to a page and start reading, or just spend some time in prayer. As long as you are giving your heart and your time to God...which...are already his.
Honestly, that is all I have to say today! I kept it short and sweet for you. If you have any questions or need some help getting started with something like this, feel free to contact me.
The past couple months my faith and my relationship with Jesus has grown so much. It all started with spending some time with him on a daily basis. It can be 20 minutes. Yeah sometimes you just don't feel like it or even want to do it for that matter. I've heard before that an action becomes a habit after 21 days of performing that action. I've gotten in a habit with spending time with our Father every day. Sometimes habits are just something you to everyday, but this habit has turned into a bit of an addiction. I am addicted to the gospel. I am addicted to reading God's word. I am addicted to spending time with him and whatever way possible. It all starts with you. Simply, try reading two chapters of a book of the bible everyday and two chapters from the book of Psalms. I promise you, you'll find some pretty cool things and the Spirit will really speak to you through whatever you read. You don't even have to do two chapters, randomly flip to a page and start reading, or just spend some time in prayer. As long as you are giving your heart and your time to God...which...are already his.
Honestly, that is all I have to say today! I kept it short and sweet for you. If you have any questions or need some help getting started with something like this, feel free to contact me.
Thursday, September 28, 2017
Washed clean
I think that one of the toughest things about having a personal relationship with Christ is when you sin or are disobedient and you have a sense of guilt. Especially when you string together weeks and weeks of righteousness...or even a couple of days. Guilt is one of the worst feelings there is. Even if you feel a little guilty, it is something that will just keep eating away at your heart. Everybody struggles with it, maybe it's just not quite as bad for some people because they don't understand that they are doing something that is wrong. We are all in different stages of our faith so what might be an act of disobedience to me might be a little different than what it is for someone else. I am not saying that some there is a difference between things that are bad. Sin is sin.
The scripture I want to encourage you with this morning comes from 1 Corinthians 7-11: The fact that you have lawsuits among you means you have been completely defeated already. Why not rather be wronged? Why not rather be cheated? Instead, you yourselves cheat and do wrong, and you do this to your brothers and sisters. Or do you not know that wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral not idolaters nor men who have sex with men nor thieves nor the greedy nor the drunkards nor the slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of God.
See, we all do wrong, we all sin, but our God is so good. We were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Sprit of God. I believe that is something that a lot of people needed to hear today.
There is no need to feel guilty! Unfortunately, we still do feel that way. One way to get rid of the feeling of guilt is to simply confess your sins. Give it all to God. I mean he already knows what you did wrong so why not just tell him? A lesson I learned this summer about getting rid of that feeling was making things right with the people I did wrong to or didn't treat right. Talk about getting rid of a lot of pride. I want to be gut level honest with you, it was hard. There were some friendships I needed to make right and there were a lot of people that I needed to apologize to...specifically girls. Can you believe I just said that on here? Well I did because I want to be honest with you and I don't want to keep secrets. I was in Los Angeles when I reached out to all of the people I had to make things right with, so I just sent out probably 10-15 texts. That was super hard for me to do, but when you get rid of guilt you completely open your heart to God for significant growth. You also break down the walls you had made with those people and you have the ability to start some cool relationships with people.
Today, I encourage you to make things right with people if you feel guilty about anything. I promise you will feel so much better. Also, remember that through the name of the Lord Jesus Christ you are washed, you were sanctified, and you were justified.
The scripture I want to encourage you with this morning comes from 1 Corinthians 7-11: The fact that you have lawsuits among you means you have been completely defeated already. Why not rather be wronged? Why not rather be cheated? Instead, you yourselves cheat and do wrong, and you do this to your brothers and sisters. Or do you not know that wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral not idolaters nor men who have sex with men nor thieves nor the greedy nor the drunkards nor the slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of God.
See, we all do wrong, we all sin, but our God is so good. We were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Sprit of God. I believe that is something that a lot of people needed to hear today.
There is no need to feel guilty! Unfortunately, we still do feel that way. One way to get rid of the feeling of guilt is to simply confess your sins. Give it all to God. I mean he already knows what you did wrong so why not just tell him? A lesson I learned this summer about getting rid of that feeling was making things right with the people I did wrong to or didn't treat right. Talk about getting rid of a lot of pride. I want to be gut level honest with you, it was hard. There were some friendships I needed to make right and there were a lot of people that I needed to apologize to...specifically girls. Can you believe I just said that on here? Well I did because I want to be honest with you and I don't want to keep secrets. I was in Los Angeles when I reached out to all of the people I had to make things right with, so I just sent out probably 10-15 texts. That was super hard for me to do, but when you get rid of guilt you completely open your heart to God for significant growth. You also break down the walls you had made with those people and you have the ability to start some cool relationships with people.
Today, I encourage you to make things right with people if you feel guilty about anything. I promise you will feel so much better. Also, remember that through the name of the Lord Jesus Christ you are washed, you were sanctified, and you were justified.
Wednesday, September 27, 2017
Foundation is everything
What do you build your foundation on? I am sure you have heard the famous saying, "the wider the base the higher the pyramid." What does that look like to you? Honestly it can look like a lot of things. What does your foundation look like? How are you building your base? What does your base consist of? There is one common thing that should be the base of your foundation...can you guess what that is?
1 Corinthians 3:10-11 says: By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as a wise builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should build with care. For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ.
I really like that verse and especially the end. "For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. That is so powerful to know that Jesus Christ is our foundation. I encourage you to remember that. It is easy to think of other things that we need to keep our foundation strong. We can try to build our foundation with other things but will it last? Will your base be strong and firm? With Christ as our foundation, nobody or anything can ever tear you down. If you remember one thing from this post, I hope that is it.
When I think of a foundation I think of what can be built on top. Check this scripture out. It comes form 1 Corinthians 3:16-17 and it says: Don't you know that you yourselves are God's temple and that God's Spirit dwells in your midst? If anyone destroys God's temple, God will destroy that person; for God's temple is sacred, and you together are that temple.
Our foundation is Jesus Christ and alone with that our body's are God's temple. Everything belongs to him. Just sit and think about it...literally everything of you belongs to God.
1 Corinthians 3:10-11 says: By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as a wise builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should build with care. For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ.
I really like that verse and especially the end. "For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. That is so powerful to know that Jesus Christ is our foundation. I encourage you to remember that. It is easy to think of other things that we need to keep our foundation strong. We can try to build our foundation with other things but will it last? Will your base be strong and firm? With Christ as our foundation, nobody or anything can ever tear you down. If you remember one thing from this post, I hope that is it.
When I think of a foundation I think of what can be built on top. Check this scripture out. It comes form 1 Corinthians 3:16-17 and it says: Don't you know that you yourselves are God's temple and that God's Spirit dwells in your midst? If anyone destroys God's temple, God will destroy that person; for God's temple is sacred, and you together are that temple.
Our foundation is Jesus Christ and alone with that our body's are God's temple. Everything belongs to him. Just sit and think about it...literally everything of you belongs to God.
Tuesday, September 26, 2017
power of the Spirit
I think that we get caught up in who has the right things to say and get caught up in worldly wisdom. Trust me, wisdom from people of the world is not a bad thing at all. It is such a good thing because there are so many people that need to hear wise things. I know that I sometimes perceive wisdom from certain pastors or people of authority as great. It's easy to place their wisdom on a platform above all other wisdom. All wisdom comes from God so that's not really the best thing to do. All wisdom is great, I am sure though that you can relate to what I am saying about this.
The point I want to make today is how foolish our wisdom is compared to God's. He knows it too, which is the funny part.
1 Corinthians 1:21 says: For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe.
Read this again: God was please though the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe. We think we know so much about our Father sometimes...even the knowledge to save someone is foolish compared to God's knowledge. That just amazes me. It puts me in awe of God.
1 Corinthians 1:25 says: For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength.
God's foolishness is still so much wiser than we think we are. So...just think about how wise God is...
Paul gives says exactly this in 1 Corinthians 2:4-5: My message and my preaching were not with the wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit's power, so that your faith might not rest on human wisdom, but on God's power.
All of God's wisdom is revealed through the spirit.
1 Corinthians 2:7 says: No, we declare God's wisdom, a mystery that has been hidden and that God destined for our glory before time began.
God's wisdom is so powerful that it is literally a mystery. This makes me want to love him more and more. Just think of the things to come. I want to know and experience God's wisdom and I cannot wait for that day. It is written: "What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived"-the things God has prepared for those who love him." These things are the things God has revealed through to us by the Spirit.
I encourage you today that if you feel timid about possibly not knowing what to say, don't worry about it at all. The Spirit will give you the words to say. Also, I want you to remember that God is pleased with our foolishness when we preach our encourage other people.
I am just as foolish as you when it come to comprehending all of God's wisdom, power, and glory.
Win the day!
The point I want to make today is how foolish our wisdom is compared to God's. He knows it too, which is the funny part.
1 Corinthians 1:21 says: For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe.
Read this again: God was please though the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe. We think we know so much about our Father sometimes...even the knowledge to save someone is foolish compared to God's knowledge. That just amazes me. It puts me in awe of God.
1 Corinthians 1:25 says: For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength.
God's foolishness is still so much wiser than we think we are. So...just think about how wise God is...
Paul gives says exactly this in 1 Corinthians 2:4-5: My message and my preaching were not with the wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit's power, so that your faith might not rest on human wisdom, but on God's power.
All of God's wisdom is revealed through the spirit.
1 Corinthians 2:7 says: No, we declare God's wisdom, a mystery that has been hidden and that God destined for our glory before time began.
God's wisdom is so powerful that it is literally a mystery. This makes me want to love him more and more. Just think of the things to come. I want to know and experience God's wisdom and I cannot wait for that day. It is written: "What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived"-the things God has prepared for those who love him." These things are the things God has revealed through to us by the Spirit.
I encourage you today that if you feel timid about possibly not knowing what to say, don't worry about it at all. The Spirit will give you the words to say. Also, I want you to remember that God is pleased with our foolishness when we preach our encourage other people.
I am just as foolish as you when it come to comprehending all of God's wisdom, power, and glory.
Win the day!
Monday, September 25, 2017
Be on the look out
Everyday there are people in our lives who try to to deceive us and try to make us believe things that are not true. I think it's important to remember that there are people out there who try to obstacles in our paths.
Romans 16:17-20 says: I urge you, brothers and sisters, to watch out for those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Keep away from them. For such people are not serving our Lord Christ, but their own appetites. By smooth talk and flattery they deceive the minds of naive people. Everyone has heard about your obedience, so I rejoice because of you; but I want you to be wise about what is good, and innocent about what is evil. The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus be with you.
What sticks out to me in those verses the most is the part that says, "everyone has heard about your obedience, so I rejoice because of you..." that is such a good reminder. When you are being obedient, it is literally making God rejoice because of what you have done.
With a passage like that, it is easy to associate the people who put obstacles in our path as evil and hopeless. They are not that. We need to build them up and share with them what is good.
Romans 15:1-4 says: We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves. Each of us should please our neighbors for their good, to build them up. For even Christ did not please himself but, as it is written: "The insults of those who insult you have fallen on me." For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, is that through the endurance tough in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide might have hope.
"Bear with the failings of the weak." That really sticks out to me. Be different. Love everyone. Remember...it is literally written "the insults of those who insult you have fallen on me." We are supposed to have a heart like God. There you go. I hope that the Sprit can gave you something to be encouraged with in this message.
Romans 16:17-20 says: I urge you, brothers and sisters, to watch out for those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Keep away from them. For such people are not serving our Lord Christ, but their own appetites. By smooth talk and flattery they deceive the minds of naive people. Everyone has heard about your obedience, so I rejoice because of you; but I want you to be wise about what is good, and innocent about what is evil. The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus be with you.
What sticks out to me in those verses the most is the part that says, "everyone has heard about your obedience, so I rejoice because of you..." that is such a good reminder. When you are being obedient, it is literally making God rejoice because of what you have done.
With a passage like that, it is easy to associate the people who put obstacles in our path as evil and hopeless. They are not that. We need to build them up and share with them what is good.
Romans 15:1-4 says: We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves. Each of us should please our neighbors for their good, to build them up. For even Christ did not please himself but, as it is written: "The insults of those who insult you have fallen on me." For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, is that through the endurance tough in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide might have hope.
"Bear with the failings of the weak." That really sticks out to me. Be different. Love everyone. Remember...it is literally written "the insults of those who insult you have fallen on me." We are supposed to have a heart like God. There you go. I hope that the Sprit can gave you something to be encouraged with in this message.
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