Let go and let love.
Cast your cares on the Lord for He cares for you.
So often, Christians try to solve problems on their own; fix messes by themselves. So often we feel as though we have to be strong on our own. But I say to you, no. Be strong in the LORD, in the power of HIS might. Stop struggling on your own. Rather, respond to the Holy Spirit.
We all have struggles, whether in our family, social life, school, faith, or thought life. Maybe your parents are fighting, maybe you're lonely, maybe it's hard to make friends, maybe you're struggling to keep your thoughts pure, maybe you're having a hard time feeling the Lord's love for you. And too often we try to fix this on our own, when we should be turning to the Lord and letting Him heal your broken places. Instead of trying to take things into our own hands, we need to stop, pray, and let the Holy Spirit lead us.
Monday, February 13, 2012
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
Righteousness through faith
"Yet we know that a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, so we also have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law, no one will be justified." - Galatians 2:16
"... in order that I might be found in Him, not having a righteousnesss of my OWN that comes for the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith." -Phil 3:9
"For what does Scripture say? "Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness." Now to the one who works, his wages are not counted as a gift but as his due. And to the one who does not work but believes in Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness." - Romans 4:3-5
"Yet we know that a person is not justified by works of the law, but through faith in Jesus Christ, so we also have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law no one will be justified.... I do not set set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness were through the law, then Christ died in vain." - Galatians 4:16, 21
We are not righteous because we obey the law, We are righteous because we live by faith. We believe that Jesus paid our debt and abolished sin and death. Through His sacrifice, we are free from sin and thus are clean and righteous. We continue to walk in faith: we continue to believe that, through Christ, we are free and blameless. And that's what righteousness through faith means: our faith in Jesus Christ makes us righteous.
"... in order that I might be found in Him, not having a righteousnesss of my OWN that comes for the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith." -Phil 3:9
"For what does Scripture say? "Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness." Now to the one who works, his wages are not counted as a gift but as his due. And to the one who does not work but believes in Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness." - Romans 4:3-5
"Yet we know that a person is not justified by works of the law, but through faith in Jesus Christ, so we also have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law no one will be justified.... I do not set set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness were through the law, then Christ died in vain." - Galatians 4:16, 21
We are not righteous because we obey the law, We are righteous because we live by faith. We believe that Jesus paid our debt and abolished sin and death. Through His sacrifice, we are free from sin and thus are clean and righteous. We continue to walk in faith: we continue to believe that, through Christ, we are free and blameless. And that's what righteousness through faith means: our faith in Jesus Christ makes us righteous.
A Christian...
What does it mean to be a Christian? Being a Christian doesn't mean going to church every Sunday. A Christian isn't defined by how often they pray or how many verses the memorize. You aren't a Christina just because you lead worship or pray in tongues or prophecy.
All these things are important when it comes to Christianity. It doesn't make you a Christian.
To be a Christian means to be saved by grace. To be a Christian means to live by faith. To be a Christian means to have a hope. To be a Christian means to love. Extravagantly. Passiontely. Unconditionally. But most of all, to be a Christian means to follow Christ.
Too many people call themseves Christians, but don't actually live it out. Too many people have let the world influence them. They are no longer a light to the world, but have conformed to the world. Instead of being transformed by the renewing of their mind, they are just part of the crowd. And it breaks my heart. The world "Christian" has been slowly twisted. And I don't want to be known as that kind of person.
When I say "I am a Christian," I don't want peple to think of those people who are always preaching at them. When I say "I am a Christian," I don't want people be reminded of those who say one thing, but do another. When I say "I am a Christian," I want people to think of those who love unconditionally, serve selflessly, give and don't hold back. The ones who are trustworthy and faithful. Those who smile and laugh often, no matter their circumstances.
Be like Jesus. He loves unconditionally, even when we don't love him back. Even when we sin, He still forgives us. Even when we turn from Him, He is still faithful.
Love. Love is our greatest weapon; love is the key to salvation; love is all you need; love is the highest way. If the church were to love passionately, deeply, wholeheartedly, unconditionally, the world would change. Too often the church shows love only to other churches, and homeless fatherless people. But we must also show love to the world. To the stranger who cusses you out. To the driver who cuts you off. To the soccer player who intentionally hurts you. To the snob who judges your outfit. To the player who whistles at you as you walk past. To the person taking forever in line. To the salesperson who rips you off. To the friend who deserts you. To the cashier who messes up. To the abortionists. To the murderers. To the sex trafficers. To the theives. To the witches. These are the people who need love the most. Love did not only come for the lovely, but for the broken too. Healing did not come for the healthy, but to the sick. Use love as a weapon. "If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat, an if he is thirsty, give him water to drink, for you will heap burning coals on his head, and the Lord will reward you." -Proverbs 25:21-22 Love the world. Love the haters. Love the broken, Love the lonely. Love the sinners. Pray for those who persecute you. You can try to hate sinners, but its not going to help. Jesus loves the sinners, but He does not love the sin. He desires for every soul to come to the knowledge of truth and be saved. Read 1 Corinthians 13. And believe me, I'm saying this as much to every Christian as I am to myself. I need to work on this as much as anyone else. But let us Christians be known by our love and our willingness to follow Jesus. Let us reflect Him in everything we do. Let us bring honor and glory to His name by our actions and words. This is what it means to be a Christian. To be like Jesus.
All these things are important when it comes to Christianity. It doesn't make you a Christian.
To be a Christian means to be saved by grace. To be a Christian means to live by faith. To be a Christian means to have a hope. To be a Christian means to love. Extravagantly. Passiontely. Unconditionally. But most of all, to be a Christian means to follow Christ.
Too many people call themseves Christians, but don't actually live it out. Too many people have let the world influence them. They are no longer a light to the world, but have conformed to the world. Instead of being transformed by the renewing of their mind, they are just part of the crowd. And it breaks my heart. The world "Christian" has been slowly twisted. And I don't want to be known as that kind of person.
When I say "I am a Christian," I don't want peple to think of those people who are always preaching at them. When I say "I am a Christian," I don't want people be reminded of those who say one thing, but do another. When I say "I am a Christian," I want people to think of those who love unconditionally, serve selflessly, give and don't hold back. The ones who are trustworthy and faithful. Those who smile and laugh often, no matter their circumstances.
Be like Jesus. He loves unconditionally, even when we don't love him back. Even when we sin, He still forgives us. Even when we turn from Him, He is still faithful.
Love. Love is our greatest weapon; love is the key to salvation; love is all you need; love is the highest way. If the church were to love passionately, deeply, wholeheartedly, unconditionally, the world would change. Too often the church shows love only to other churches, and homeless fatherless people. But we must also show love to the world. To the stranger who cusses you out. To the driver who cuts you off. To the soccer player who intentionally hurts you. To the snob who judges your outfit. To the player who whistles at you as you walk past. To the person taking forever in line. To the salesperson who rips you off. To the friend who deserts you. To the cashier who messes up. To the abortionists. To the murderers. To the sex trafficers. To the theives. To the witches. These are the people who need love the most. Love did not only come for the lovely, but for the broken too. Healing did not come for the healthy, but to the sick. Use love as a weapon. "If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat, an if he is thirsty, give him water to drink, for you will heap burning coals on his head, and the Lord will reward you." -Proverbs 25:21-22 Love the world. Love the haters. Love the broken, Love the lonely. Love the sinners. Pray for those who persecute you. You can try to hate sinners, but its not going to help. Jesus loves the sinners, but He does not love the sin. He desires for every soul to come to the knowledge of truth and be saved. Read 1 Corinthians 13. And believe me, I'm saying this as much to every Christian as I am to myself. I need to work on this as much as anyone else. But let us Christians be known by our love and our willingness to follow Jesus. Let us reflect Him in everything we do. Let us bring honor and glory to His name by our actions and words. This is what it means to be a Christian. To be like Jesus.
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
Perfect love casts out fear
"Perfect love casts out fear." I used to be scared. My biggest fear was I would worry about whether or not people liked me. What they thought about me. Whether they really wanted to be my friend. I was always so careful of what I said or did. I couldn't love extravagantly because I was always afraid that they wouldn't love me back. It took time to overcome that fear. I was always afraid of giving everything because I was afraid of being hurt. Over time, I realized that I couldn't live like that. I prayed daily for the Lord to give me His heart. I prayed that He would remove my fear. I prayed tat He would give me an overflow of His love. And I still do. And He does. I no longer have fear of rejection, because I know I will always be rejected sometime or another. As a Christian, I will always be hated, despised, rejected. But I know I always have a home in Jesus. I know He is always there waiting for me with open arms. So I don't have to be afraid. "Perfect love casts out fear."
TRUE Love...
Love isn't about finding the right person. It's about BEING the right person. Love isn't about finding the person who agrees with everything you say and do. It's about setting your differences aside and accepting them as they are. Love isn't about physical beauty, but it's about the beauty of the heart. Love is laying down your pride and saying you were wrong, whether you think you were or not. Love is about asking for AND extending forgiveness. Love isn't about looking at the other person and asking what they need to fix, but it's about looking at YOURSELF and asking what you need to fix. Love is honesty, openness, and trust. Love is talking through differences or disagreements with grace and truth. Love is about cherishing every moment together, whether good or bad, because whether good or bad, you are together. Love is about making the best of what you have. Love isn't just about living "for better, for richer in health," but it's also enduring through the "for worse, for poorer, in sickness." Love is when nothing is perfect, but you still want and need to have that person by your side, Love isn't a burst of flame that dies within a few years. Love is a warm fire than must be continually nurtured and cared for. Love is gold that has endured the test of time, been purified through times of tribulation, refined through times of joy, and has come out real, perfect, and strong. Love is about putting the other before yourself, and putting God before both of you. Love is about living a life for the Lord and doing your best to reflect His love for us. Love is a sacrifice. Love is a gift. Love is unconditional.
Friday, September 16, 2011
The Law vs. Grace
The Law of the Old Testament is a list of rules and commandments. A child of God had to pay restitution or penance for their sin. They had to follow the commandments and be righteous and obedient. Life then for children of the Lord was all about rules and religion, rather than in intimate relationship with Christ.
Christ died for us, and therefore, we are now free from the law of sin and death. Life for a Christian now is all about believing in the Lord's grace and love. We have a relationship with Him. He has forgiven us from our sins. We can always run to Him when we are hurting, confused or worried.
So, now that Jesus abolished death and established a new law, do we stop living by the Law of the Old Testament? We are no longer under the law, but we abide in Christ. Christ followed God, thus we follow God. Even Jesus broke the Sabbath and the Law. However, He said, "I have not come to abolish the Law; I have come to FULFILL it." Christ IS the fulfillment of the Law. So what Law do we follow then? "So whatever you wish that others would do for you, do also to them, for this is the Law and prophets." Basically, we no longer need to follow the Law, but abide in love. "Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore love IS the fulfilling of the law." We no longer have to worry about rules and restitution, but grow deeper in our relationship with the Lord, following Him because we love Him. "If you love Me, you will obey My commandments." "For the whole Law is fulfilled in one word: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' "
Christ died for us, and therefore, we are now free from the law of sin and death. Life for a Christian now is all about believing in the Lord's grace and love. We have a relationship with Him. He has forgiven us from our sins. We can always run to Him when we are hurting, confused or worried.
So, now that Jesus abolished death and established a new law, do we stop living by the Law of the Old Testament? We are no longer under the law, but we abide in Christ. Christ followed God, thus we follow God. Even Jesus broke the Sabbath and the Law. However, He said, "I have not come to abolish the Law; I have come to FULFILL it." Christ IS the fulfillment of the Law. So what Law do we follow then? "So whatever you wish that others would do for you, do also to them, for this is the Law and prophets." Basically, we no longer need to follow the Law, but abide in love. "Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore love IS the fulfilling of the law." We no longer have to worry about rules and restitution, but grow deeper in our relationship with the Lord, following Him because we love Him. "If you love Me, you will obey My commandments." "For the whole Law is fulfilled in one word: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' "
Grace
"What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it?" - Romans 6:1-2 "For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love, serve one another." - Galatians 5:13
These verses say it all. Some Christians may think, "I am free from the wages of sin; Christ paid my debt on the cross. I can sin all I want now, because I am a Cristian and God is gracious, therefore He will forgive me." May it not be so! If you are a follower of Jesus Christ, then do just that: follow Jesus Christ. Don't use grace as an opportunity to sin. Jesus called us to a life of freedom, hope, love, and faith. Not just a life of sin. We must set an example to the rest of the world, not fall back into their ways.
Romans 6:15 "What then? Are we to sin because we are not under law but under grace? By no means! Do you not know that if you present yourselves to anyone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one whom you obey: either of sin, which leads to death, or of obedience, which leads to righteousness?
These verses say it all. Some Christians may think, "I am free from the wages of sin; Christ paid my debt on the cross. I can sin all I want now, because I am a Cristian and God is gracious, therefore He will forgive me." May it not be so! If you are a follower of Jesus Christ, then do just that: follow Jesus Christ. Don't use grace as an opportunity to sin. Jesus called us to a life of freedom, hope, love, and faith. Not just a life of sin. We must set an example to the rest of the world, not fall back into their ways.
Romans 6:15 "What then? Are we to sin because we are not under law but under grace? By no means! Do you not know that if you present yourselves to anyone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one whom you obey: either of sin, which leads to death, or of obedience, which leads to righteousness?
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