Message of Salvation

Jesus said to him, "One thing you still lack; sell all that you possess and distribute it to the poor, and you shall have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me." But when he had heard these things, he became very sad, for he was extremely rich. And Jesus looked at him and said, "How hard it is for those who are wealthy to enter the kingdom of God! "For it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God." They who heard it said, "Then who can be saved?" But He said, "The things that are impossible with people are possible with God."
-Luke 18:18-27

Many people devote their entire lives to the spending, saving, and making of money. While such success can give a feeling of accomplishment, it is usually short-lived. This is because we were created for something more. While money may satisfy for a short while, there is something better that will satisfy our soul for eternity.

God has made a way for us to have eternal life. Sin has been present in this world from the very first man and woman. We all mess up and do things contrary to God's word. This separates us from God, because he is holy and cannot be in the presence of sin. Thus, sinners must die and be eternally separated from God. Fortunately, being the sinners that we are, God did not end the story here.

God sent his son, Jesus, to die in our place. Jesus was fully God, yet fully man, as he walked on this earth in complete obedience to God. Jesus took the sins of the world on himself; all sins previously committed and those yet to happen; and died on a cross, delivering us from the wrath of God as it was poured out on him at his death, as only man could. As he died, he suffered our punishment as he experienced an eternity of hell in a finite amount of time, as only God could. However, death did not conquer Jesus. On the cross, Jesus triumphed over death, making a way for eternal life for the world, and rose from the grave to sit at the right hand of God the Father throughout eternity.

There is action required on our part. Understanding our sinfulness, we must acknowledge that we are nothing apart from Christ, and believing that Jesus died on the cross and rose again, bearing our punishment and delivering us from sin, we must allow him to rule supreme in our lives. This is where the problem lies for many people in this world. Things like money reign in our lives, gaining the top spot in our priorities and influencing our every decision. Money cannot deliver you from your sin, only Jesus can. Surrender your life to Christ, and the rest will fall into place. While life will still be full of struggles, you will know that you have an eternal protector and provider in Christ.

If you have never invited Jesus to rule your life, there would be no greater time than now. I would invite you to pray a simple prayer like the one listed below. However, special words or prayers are not the answer. The most important thing for you to do is to tell Jesus what is on your heart, just like you were talking to a friend. Words do not save you, but what is in your heart will.

Jesus, I know I have failed you. I am nothing without you. Thank you so much for your sacrifice on the cross to save me from my sins. I believe you have risen from the dead and live in heaven now, where I will see you one day. I could never repay you for the gift you have given me, but I can give my life to you. I ask that you rule over my life from today forward. I love you, and it is in your name that I pray. Amen.

In Money We Trust

"He who loves money will not be satisfied with money, nor he who loves abundance with its income. This too is vanity...As he had come naked from his mother's womb, so will he return as he came. He will take nothing from the fruit of his labor that he can carry in his hand."

-Ecclesiastes 5:10, 15

Ironically, on the face of our currency in the United States, "In God We Trust" is printed prominently. While there have been many legal battles over these small four words, they remain to this day. However, I am not sure I believe them. I think "In Money We Trust" would ring truer.

Obsessed with the newest technology and the fastest cars and shiniest things, this country has placed themselves at the altar of the dollar bill. Either from an abundance, or a lack thereof, money has become the object of worship and adoration. Those who have much are always grasping for more, while those who have little are convinced that a little more would be life changing. I'm afraid it is, but not in the way they hope. Money, in small or large amounts, awakes a hunger for more that is never satisfies, and often devours all that was important to us in an attempt to quiet its ravenous core.

What do we do then? Money is necessary to survive in this world that spins on the dollar and orbits around credit cards. Our perspective is what must change. Instead of seeing money as a prize or indication of greatness, we must first understand that it all belongs to God. It was never ours to begin with. He simply has allowed us to use it temporarily to further his kingdom, not ours. With this understanding, we can begin to see money as a tool rather than a reward on a pedestal.

You can't take it with you. When you leave this world, your money will stay. If I can save thousands of dollars, but all it does is sit in a bank, then it is useless. Will your legacy be that you gained a lot of money in this world? Or will you make an impact on this world with the way you radically use your money for the kingdom of Christ?

Father, I pray that you will grant me the privilege of sponsoring your kingdom in heaven through the ways I spend my money here on earth. May each penny be spent to bring you glory. Amen.

Surveying Stewardship

"So then each one of us will give an account of himself to God." -Romans 14:12

The concept of stewardship conjures up images of frugality, thriftiness, and wise monetary planning. While these things certainly are a part of stewardship, they do not comprise the totality of what it means to be a good steward.

A 'steward', according to definr.com, is "someone who manages property or other affairs for someone else." As one who follows Christ, then, the "someone else" that we are managing the affairs for would be God. All that we have been given on this earth has been entrusted to us by God. Ultimately, the things we hold dear in this world was never ours to begin with, but simply bestowed upon us to take care of as God sees fit.

With this knowledge, our perspective of stewardship must shift away from monetary shrewdness and towards a lifestyle of pleasing God with everything we have and all that we do. We are accountable to God for what we do with his blessings while they are under our care. I welcome you to journey with me as we study what it means to be God's steward in this world. I pray that as we search the scriptures, we will see the heart of God as our lives are transformed to be more like his.

replacement therapy

^"Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."

-Philippians 4:4-7

stress is everywhere. we are surrounded, and all too often overtaken, by its evil snares. it seems that our dues of living in this this world are to eat, sleep, and breathe worry simply from the pace and demands of our every day routine. and as stress wraps itself around our spirit like a hungry boa constrictor, it tries to squeeze the life out of us and devour our witness. stress leaves us empty, depressed, and useless.

stress, in the life of a Christ-follower, is a warning light of a bigger internal struggle. worry and anxiety stem from a lack of trust in our God to provide for our needs. it demonstrates our self-sufficient worldview and attitude. sometimes i get tired of fighting this lie. sometimes i lose the battle. i still look to myself for provision even after i have proven again and again that the only thing i am able to supply for myself is trouble.

and it is here that God speaks to my heart through the words penned by Paul to the people of Phillipi - the answer is prayer. while stress accomplishes nothing except to destroy your walk with God, prayer accomplishes everything. prayer allows us to shift the focus from ourselves and onto God, who has much better plans for our lives anyways. prayer provides the peace our anxious souls seek, as it works to align our wills with the will of God.

as we find the peace that can only come from Christ in the midst of this stress-filled world, our proper response is rejoicing. while circumstances may seem confusing or overwhelming, we have no cause for fear. we have a savior who loves us enough to die in our place, taking our sin and punishment on himself so that we may be free. but he didn't stop there- he is intimately involved in every step of our life now. we have power and life on our side, guiding us as we submit our desires in deference to his. what better way to live life!?

God, help me to not make sense in this crazy world. I desire your peace to reign in my life even when it seems impossible. Help me live a life that this world questions, so that I may share that YOU are the answer.

courageous humility

"Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, and to make you stand in the presence of His glory blameless with great joy,

to the only God our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion and authority, before all time and now and forever.

Amen."

-Jude 1:24-25

by my very nature, i am clumsy. i am decorated with hues of blues and purples from bumps and falls i don't even remember. i have stripe marks from losing many battles with blazing appliances. some say i don't pay enough attention; i like to say i am too busy living life. despite my classification, i am perpetually proclaiming to the world my innate ability to stumble through life.

and oh, how guilty i am of doing the same thing spiritually.

this lost and dying world looks to me to see what following this Christ is all about. and instead of seeing Him, they see a frazzled, exhausted, shell of a person. what a way to share the message of hope that lives inside me.

praise God He doesn't leave me to my own devices! my significance is directly tied to Jesus who lives in me-i am beyond worthless on my own. but Jesus- HE is able to keep me from stumbling! my spiritual bruises and scrapes vanish as i trust in Him to sustain my every breath, step, and thought.

however, while He is ABLE, Jude doesn't say He does. we have an active role of surrender- ironically, as we fall on our face before Him, we are walking uprightly. He makes our position of humility one of highest honor. we become blemish free as we trust in Him. this is the way i desire to present my life to the world- not on my own abilities and strengths, which are meager at best, but hidden behind the cross. may others see Jesus and Jesus only in me. He deserves all the credit for any good that may be in me- as I am nothing on my own.

Father, grant me the courage to trade my life for yours. Where you lead, I will go- steadied by your ever-faithful hand.

beyond the splendor of lilies

"See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." - Matthew 6:25-34

i love flowers. each one has an intricate, delicate beauty all to its own. i find them especially beautiful when i have helped them to grow.

wildflowers especially have this exquisite, untamed charm that i am drawn to. God's mercy and love seems to be painted on the face of each petal, and something about them captivates me. they are not prized treasures to most, not sold in bundles from the florists shop for special occasions, but rather, they strain on their own through the broken soil, revealing a beautiful display of glory.

and it startles me to think that the creator of these bursts of splendor prizes me even more. all the beauty i see in these fragrant splashes of color- He sees even more in me. while i may not be sought after by the world, He pursues after me hotly with a holy blaze of passion.

and while my days certainly do have enough troubles as i push upward through this broken world, i find myself in a constant battle of the "what ifs" and "what nows". while i am here to display the glory of my creator, i wonder how much of that beauty fades under the weight of my worries.

God holds all my tomorrows. what have i to fear? my focus should be on daily, in each moment, seeking first His desires for my every step, trusting in obedience, not running ahead, finding myself lost, scared, and confused.

who better than the creator to know what i need? and He withholds nothing from me that i need. as i learn this truth, i pray my splendor and beauty is found in Christ alone.

God, help me bloom in the Son. Amen.

monsters under the bed

"Be strong and courageous, do not be afraid or tremble at them, for the Lord your God is the one who goes with you. He will not fail you or forsake you." -Deuteronomy 31:6

the fear of the unknown can be paralyzing. sometimes the easiest choice is to stay put, rather than facing uncharted territory. praise God that the choice isn't always ours to make.

the israelites have been wandering for years, waiting to enter the land that was promised to them. they have shown themselves to be a selfish, complaining people and easily persuaded away by other gods, even having seen the power of God intimately on their journey. and yet our faithful God blesses this unfaithful people with these words.

this new promised land was a land of uncertainty for the people of israel. there were enemies to conquer to take the land. and yet this land was PROMISED- it was to be theirs. despite this promise, they were concerned that their own strength was not enough. and they were correct in this assumption. only through God's strength could they enter the promised land that was theirs.

in our life, in our battles and uncertainties, the strength and courage to be possessed is not our own. the reason we can be strong and courageous is because the Lord goes with us. our boldness and strength does not lie within ourselves, but with God who lives inside us.

God is true to his Word He has given. He will never fail or forsake us. we will not be led into a battle that we will lose. even when circumstances would seem to indicate otherwise, God has a greater and higher purpose in mind. each victory in battle is part of His design. when the victory comes in the form of hard times or struggles, God is not surprised, dismayed, or defeated. He is still victorious.

it is the Lord our God who goes with us.

isn't it time we started living victoriously rather than scared and defeated? just as the monsters under the bed vanish in the light, fear and doubt flee in the face of the light of the world. this world was never meant to be easy. but with Christ in us, we were meant to be victorious.

Father, shine your light on this dark world that they may see your victory. Amen.