God Loves Me.

This weekend I had been throwing myself a pity party because of some money troubles with school. It is amazing at how quick we can become consumed with such a small problem that it begins to control every bit of our emotions and life.

My church that I serve at is 35 minutes away from my house - sometimes I hate this (when gas was 3.99/gallon), but most of the times I love this because it gives me time to pray and contemplate each day during the drive.

This past Sunday morning I was thinking about some advice I had given to someone recently who was struggling with not being satisfied because they viewed themselves through others eyes and what others though about them. I told her, "you can only find your satisfaction in Christ, He is the only one who will never leave you or forsake you; measure yourself by His love for you". While I was thinking upon this advice it hit me, God loves me. We hear this all the time. We hear it on tv preaching, in church, as a kid, and even from non-christians; we can become "used to it". For some reason Sunday morning God spoke to me through this simple phrase - I love you.

I can't really explain it, but there was a joy and an excitement that came with that understanding. I am God's child, I sin, I fail Him, but He loves me unconditionally - a love that we can not understand apart from Christ.

Now my school money troubles still exist - but they seem to dim beyond the thought that God loves me.

God is in control and knows what He is doing, the situations that I exist in right now in my life are only by His divine plan. Thank you for the hard places God - these are the places that I cry out and desire you most. I will give you glory in every situation of life.

I encourage you today to tell people that they will only be satisfied today through Christ.

Love God. Love people. Easy to say, Hard to do.

Podwhat?

We all know that the ipod, iphone, and apple are trendy. They are the item to have for the 15-35 year old generations. So you have an ipod, what can you do with it?

Podcasts. Podwhat? Listen to sermons all day long. Each week sermons are updated by churches all over the world. So I want to lists some of my favorite podcast links in this post. I would encourage you to listen to them.

The most practical way to listen to podcasts is to subscribe to them in itunes and it will automatically update each week and update your ipod/iphone each time you connect it to your computer. However if you are ipodless...or just want to listen to it online. You can visit the links I will post.

Matt Chandler

Francis Chan
(Click on Media)

Mark Driscoll

John Piper

David Platt

I have a huge respect for each of these guys separate ministry. They are each Godly Men who have had a huge impact on my spiritual walk through their ministries.

Currently Listening to: The Village Church - Matt Chandler - The Church Part 2

Today I've been listening to the a sermon series by Mark Driscoll on being Generous with what God has blessed us with. I would encourage everyone to watch it.

Be cautious with the Money that God allows you to have; don't spend more then you have. 9/10 people our age are in debt which takes them their whole life to get out of. Listen to this sermon series.

Does What You Believe Reflect How You Live?

Does What You Believe Reflect How You Live? Or said another way does How You Live Reflect What You Believe. If we're being honest with one another, and I am, No. No my life does not always reflect my convictions and call to ministry.

I was reading through James earlier this afternoon and I was highly convicted multiple times. particularly by the following passage:

14 What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? 15 If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, 16 and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled,” without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? 17 So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.

James 1:14-17

How can we call ourselves Christ followers when we pass the homeless person who wants food, the lady stranded on the side of the road, or we don't feed the hungry? We say we are Christians but I think many times we forget that does not just mean that we are going to heaven for a final destination, but it affects every aspect of what we are doing NOW. It means literally that we follow Christ, Christ did not pass up the hungry or hurting - He met them where they were.

I heard a story yesterday about a girl who was selling herself into prostitution because she had no where else to turn to for monetary help, when asked why she didn't turn to the church she responded, "So they can make me feel worse then I already Do?".

There are people hurting all around us, people who are scared to come to the church or Christians for help because we will make them feel worse then they already feel. What do we do with the girl who is pregnant? What do we do with the guy who is homeless? Do we say accept Christ, clean up your mess, and we will help you? NO! We give till it hurts then we give some more.

I personally have become convicted of the homeless or people who ask me for money. I have made it a point in my life over the past few months - If someone asks something of me, even if I can't pay my bills because of it, I give it to them. In return I have began to ask their name and say I will give you all that I have if you will let me pray over you and tell you why I am giving you this money. What an opportunity for the gospel to preach itself; even if at the point we are not able to share the gospel in fullness - we are slowing letting people know one by one - that following Christ is not about making people feel worse but it is about loving people more then we love ourselves.

Does What You Believe Reflect How You Live? The answer is most likely no - but that should be our daily goal. When the gospel comes to life in our actions and not just words on a page that we recite - this is when I believe God is glorified.