in the love of Christ

I am not a huge fan of any type of biting insect. I am especially not a fan of sneaky biting insects like “No-See-Ums”. However, they are sometimes unavoidable. I have to put on bug spray to guard myself from them. When I know that I will be somewhere near them, I guard myself even more with coats of the toughest bug sprays. I was in Santiago, Dominican Republic last week for 7 days. I covered myself in bug spray but, no matter what, I got attacked by the darn things. Then the itching began. I had to sit still and try not to scratch them. I would de well for a day and then scratch for twenty minutes causing enough damage for a lifetime. It took so much self control not to give in to the temptation of scratching the bites, even as I looked at the scars from last years bites. I find myself in this same kind of “Bug Bite Temptation” in my life all the time. When I foresee spiritually dangerous situations, I pray and put my spiritual bug spray on. Sometimes I even ask friends to pray as we...

As I was studying the book of Joshua tonight, I found an exciting story. As I read it, I couldn’t help but think that this is how the church today should behave. In the time of Joshua, Israel conquered many nations by the hand of God. They faced thousands and killed them all. They lived their lives constantly reminded of how faithfully God had fulfilled every promise He made. Alter all of the battles for land were done and each tribe of Israel had been given their inheritance (in the form of promised land), the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh (known as the Eastern Tribes) headed across the Jordan river from the other tribes to the land they had been given on the other side. Though this river would separate them from the other tribes that made up the nation of Israel, it did not change the fact that they were a part of Israel. Joshua blessed the Eastern Tribes as they left for their inherited lands. He said to them, “Now that the Lord our God has given your brother...

“And we know in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28 My question to myself: does this apply to people too— Does/would God use people living in sin to do His will? I believe that God is truly powerful and perfect enough to use anyone and anything to work for the good of those who love Him and have been called according to His purpose. Why do I believe this? Two reasons: I have seen Him do it and His Word tells me so. It is really that simple. My next thought is somewhat connected to this belief so please hang in there for a second and I promise to get to the point by the end of this. I have often wondered how it is that Christian’s I know have been able to do many things that are pleasing to the Lord, despite some hidden area of sin in their lives. Example #1: a man sitting in the pew accepting Christ as he hears the Word of God from the mouth a well known preacher who has secretly been having an affair for ...

Just a thought… Mark 14:38 “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing but the body is weak.” Woah! That is the truth and I have just sat here and thought about how true it is! I asked myself a few questions after reading that and here is what I have realized: -What am I watching for? I am watching for sin and all things that could either destroy me/my walk or lead me astray from my Father’s will. -What am I praying for and why should I pray? I am praying for God’s guidance and strength. There are going to be situations in my life where I am tempted to do something, say something, think something, etc. In those moments, I will need help and God offers it so I pray about it, involving Him in my scaring moments and tough times. Also, in 1 Corinthians 10:13, it says, “No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a ...

Yesterday, my church started a series entitled “People of the Second Chance” and I am very excited for what God will do and has done through it! It focuses on the story of the Prodigal Son. Pastor Pete talked yesterday specifically on the role of the younger son, the prodigal, and all of the things that occurred in his life. He talked about reasons that the son ran from home for so long and also why/how he decided to turn back and go home to his father. You can find the whole sermon at www.crosspoint.tv but I do not have enough time or writing skills to rehash the entire sermon. As for my own life, I can and have identified a point in time where I was running from God. I ran really far and for a long time. But when I realized, by the grace of God and through His communities, that I was running from God, I turned around and He was there. He was right there with His arms open telling me that none of the things I had done took His love away. Amazing! Today, I can say that I am not running...

The Lord never ceases to leave me speechless, reeling in His magnificent, sovereign nature. Today, I have been kind of packing up my room but also just kind of staring at my stuff. I am finishing my first year of college. Major accomplishment. I am also proud to say that I am finishing my first year of college with a stronger faith than before, having grown with the Lord much over this year. Another major accomplishment. I would like to say that it has been really easy to follow everything He shows me and see Him in everything all the time. That is what I would like to say. But that is not what I can say. The truth is I see Him in everything all the time in other people’s lives. Weird, right? I can see Him in other’s lives all the time. I am quick to take note when someone tells me about a new thing or a development and it is so obvious to me that it is the Lord working. Just today, a girl who has gotten very close to some of my friends and I here recently headed to the hospital for so...

I’m listening to my roommate practice her guitar. She got it as a present and now she is learning how to play. Before I went to dinner tonight, she was sitting there with her guitar and a chord cheat-sheet practicing a worship song. The pauses between chord changes reminded me of when I first learned to play and how exciting it was to learn more and more everyday. Well, when I got back to the room after dinner, I could see her guitar stuff lying on the floor like she had been practicing forever. When she walked back into the room (after I jumped out and scared her to death since she didn’t know I was back in the room… quite hysterical… I thought she had pooped in her pants), she was excited to play the song she had been practicing for me so I could hear her progress at changing chords. She sat down and said she was still nervous when she started to play. I listened and watched as she played the song quicker than before and with determination. The look on her face as she was nodding her...