4:30 (am)

welp, for some odd reason I cannot fall asleep tonight

-During my little episode of insomnia, my mind has been racing with the most random, yet specific thoughts about my life. from what clothes I will wear to my 7:45 am class tomorrow (it’s 4:30am right now), to what major I should choose, to how the Lord will use me on my trip this summer

-It’s weird times like these where the Lord tells me to just relax. even though I may not be sleeping, my soul finds rest in Him. He rejuvenated me with His unmistakable presence. His majesty fills my quiet (and sleepless) room. My body is fatigued, but my spirit is lively and eager.

-He has shown me that all of my raging thoughts are to be held captive and brought before Him. He is my caretaker, my Shepard. I am created to be dependent on Him, not myself. I cannot do much on my own. my depravity is evident and wicked without Him taking over. He has given me time I do not normally have to lift my thoughts, cares, and worries to Him.

God is caring enough to listen to me. God is strong enough to provide for me. God is wise enough to give to me when I need it.  -Ben Stuart-

-God wants all of me. He deserves every part of me and my life. He wants me to go to Him in every situation and about everything I am going through. and for that I pray to Him for so much knowing that He will take care of me in a way that is best for me (Ro. 8:28). it brings great comfort to know that the Creator of the Universe who has unlimited power cares for me and wants to use me. that is mind-blowing. let that truth resonate in your heart for a minute. let it bring you to a trust in Him that leaves no room for doubt. let that move you.

Ephesians 3:20

‘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’

 

Doubt . Fear . Worries .

SLEEP .

FREEDOM

If you don’t want to watch the whole thing, watch from 3:50 on. I strongly encourage you to watch it all.

-satan is the deceiver. his lies are so conveniently believable. time and time again I fall for his tricks and his schemes.

-the most re occurring lie that I am fed is that I am still enslaved to my sin. that I must bear the burden that sin brings. that I must be in shackles and imprisoned by my shortcomings. believing this lie results in unfruitful destruction.

-when my focus is shifted from the cross to my performance, I forget the Gospel. I forget that sin was defeated on the cross. that Christ has the power to save. that I am already saved. the shackles are broken, the guilt is thrown away, the wages have been paid.

-I no longer am a slave. I no longer am bogged down by my follies. for the One who is in me is stronger than the one of this world.

-Galatians 5:1-

‘It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery’

-I no longer have to bear the burden of my sins. Christ took care of that on the cross and wants to continue to take it for me. ‘do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery’ you are free.

-Titus 3:3-8-

‘ At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another.  But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life.  This is a trustworthy saying. And I want you to stress these things, so that those who have trusted in God may be careful to devote themselves to doing what is good. These things are excellent and profitable for everyone’

-it is because of Christ we have been saved. use this knowledge to be eager to do works for the Kingdom of the Most High God. seek out the sheep without a Shepard. let His light shine through you. impact those around you because of what Christ has done for you.

-Galatians 5:16-

‘So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh’

—-Live in your freedom. you no longer have to sin. you belong to Christ. He is stronger. Let his death change you—-

YO

“You only get one shot, do not miss your chance to blow
This opportunity comes once in a lifetime yo“

Marshall Mathers III (aka Eminem). World’s angriest (and my least favorite) rapper who bridged racial ties across the rappin’ globe probably never knew his rhymes would impact me the way they have.

-God has provided me with an insane opportunity that only comes once in a lifetime…’yo’.

-Summer 2012 I will be living the life of a nomad, visiting 5 different countries over the span of 2 months bringing the beautifully powerful Gospel to many.

-Unitl then, the Lord has graciously revealed to me how much I truly need Him. I have realized recently just how worthless my life is without Christ. He has shown me that He is worth it all and He alone satisfies. The deeper my relationship grows with the Lord, the more my weaknesses are brought to light.

-My top spiritual gift is most definitely humility (catch the irony?). Pride is my thorn. Pride is the evil that poisons my witness for the Gospel.

-God has shown me my weaknesses so that when I do anything that furthers the Kingdom, I know that it is truly Him who is doing it because I am inadequate. Because of my weaknesses He is the only one that can be glorified. No room for self-worship. No room for idolatry. Glory belongs to Him alone.

-Back to SlimShady. I realize this opportunity may never come again. The worst feeling in the world to me is leaving a mission trip knowing that you could have done more. Knowing that if you would have just yielded to the Spirit, so many more people could have been reached. Not heading to the advice in Col. 4 to ‘take advantage of every opportunity’ is something I never want to experience again.

-I want to do everything I can from now until this summer to be the best I can be for Christ. I want to be all He has for me. I do not want to go on this trip not ready for what He wants me to do. God has HUGE plans for every person. I firmly believe that. I am so pumped to see how I fit in to His plan this semester and this summer.

—-Do not miss your chance to blow—-

Risk It All To Gain It All

This clip is from a movie called “To Save a Life”. Now despite the mediocre (at best) acting, this film has a message that convicts me and shoves me into a passionate pursuit of a life totally dedicated to the Lord.

-Recently, I had a conversation with a good friend of mine who doesn’t believe in God. We got to talking about the existence of the Lord and the validity of His followers. He thinks christianity is annoying. Blame him? I couldn’t.

-This friend of mine is sick of people claiming Christ and living for themselves. He saw the people from Titus 1 that “Claim to know God, but by their actions they deny him”. Who would want to join that?

-As Jake said in the movie, what’s the point of all this (religion, christianity) if you aren’t going to let it change you.

-A life lived with reserves and hesitation is a wasted life. If  Christians are not sold out for Christ, then what He did on the cross doesn’t mean anything to them. How can we expect others to come to Christ if we don’t truly follow Him?

-The first disciples abandoned everything they knew. They experienced the satisfaction and freedom a life with Christ brings. They understood that one must die to truly live. –One must die to truly live–

-Heb. 12:2-”Fix your eyes on Christ”. Don’t lose sight on why you are here. Don’t let your fire be put out. Continue to allow the Lord to have all your life. Yield everything to Him.

-He has the best life planned for you. Don’t be fooled. He knows best. Such a simple truth, but do we truly believe that? Live your life in such a way that people know you believe that. Let the Lord shine through you so others will be attracted to the truth.

-Let go of all this world. Be totally committed to furthering the Gospel. No reserves. Don’t be a half-hearted follower of God. Either you go all out for Him or you do not go at all. (‘Go Big or Go Home’ kind of thing)

—-Let Him completely change you—-