April 30 - Endings

2 Timothy 4: 6-7

6 For I am already being poured out like a drink offering and the time has come for my departure. 7 I have fought the good fight, I have kept the faith.

These were Paul's words as he neared his death. There is no way to know when we are going to die. We may be told by a doctor that we have only a few weeks to live or even days, but we never really know in advance when we will take our last breath. Since this aspect of life is so unpredictable, we should live our lives as if each day could be out last...because it really could be.

Paul lived an amazing life. Until his conversion, he persecuted believers and lived according to the world. He began to live completely for God, preaching and sharing his love to everyone he came in contact with. He truly loved the Lord.

At the end of his life, he looked back and reflected. What he found was a life lived for Christ. He was at war with sin and the world. His life purpose was to preach the gospel, so that others could reap the blessings and love that Christ continually shows his people.

When I near my end, whether it be in an instant or a long and agonizing experience, I hope that I can reflect and be pleased with how I lived my life. Paul goes on to explain how he will receive rewards in heaven...

We are rewarded on earth with life. We are also rewarded in heaven with eternal life with God. The world gives us nothing but temporary satisfaction. We are left with heartbreak and nothing. In God's love however, we are always surrounded by his love and attention. His mercy and grace run deep. That is something truly worth living for.

Is what you are living for worth dying for?

April 29 - Everything

Philippians 4:13

13 I can do everything through him who gives me strength.

All things are possible through Christ. This verse is very popular and one of the most memorized verses in the Bible. God gives us the tools to be successful in him. When we bring glory to his name, we are being strengthened through Christ because he is being exalted through our lives. Athletes are given the ability to be good at what they do because of God. Engineers are well educated and obtain knowledge because of the Lord. Pilots are able to to fly because of God.

He gives us the ability to be successful. Remember, God created human beings. Our brains, our limbs, our heart, our lungs...are all part of his creation. If we boast in ourselves, then we take all the credit for such a masterful and beautiful job known as life.

Stepping aside from the occupational viewpoint of this verse, I find that it applies to our spiritual lives. Consider these points:

- I can "pour out this can of alcohol" through him who gives me strength.
- I can "control my anger" through him who gives me strength.
- I can "look away from what's on the screen" through him who gives me strength.
- I can "stop eating after one plate" through him who gives me strength.
- I can "fight lust and desire for someone of the same sex" through him who gives me strength.
- I can "turn down drugs when my friends are getting high" through him who gives me strength.
- I can "tithe on Sunday" through him who gives me strength.
- I can "live according to the gospel" through him who gives me strength.
- I can "accept anyone with love" through him who gives me strength.
- I can "stop ______________" through him who gives me strength.

Christ loves to answer our prayer and yearns to hear our voice. He also loves to work through our lives in a way that others can see how much he loves us. We must live sacrificially, as Jesus did, to bring glory and honor to him. Anything is possible through faith in the Lord.

April 28 - Names

1 Peter 4:15-16

15 If you suffer, it should not be as a murderer or thief or any other kind of criminal, or even as a meddler. 16 However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name.

It's no surprise that living by the word of God is not favored by the world. It is so easy and convenient to do what the world tempts us to do. We have something beautiful however. That something beautiful is a relationship with Christ Jesus. No one or nothing in this world is as pure, beautiful, and powerful as Jesus.

We bear a beautiful name. If we deviate from the instruction given to us in the Bible, we deface that name.

April 27 - Fear

Isaiah 41:10

10 So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God.

The Creator of this storm is in complete control. God is so powerful. If you doubt that, go stand outside.

April 26 - Walls

Romans 8:37-39

37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

There is so much truth in this passage. We may distance ourselves from God when we choose to follow the worldly temptations from time to time, but regardless, the walls that are built between God and us are constantly being destroyed and broken down. Nothing is bigger than God and we are not too small for God's love.

The questions that is reoccurring in my brain is this:

Why are we as humans, so content with death's embrace that cripples and suffocates us, when there is a pure and righteous love found in Christ Jesus that leads to a true, purposeful life?

Death loses it's appeal as our graves get deeper.

April 25 - Word

Week 17 (17 Min: 17 PU: 17 SU)

Isaiah 55:10-11

10 As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, 11 so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.

God's word is beautiful...much like the flowers we find blooming and the trees that are starting to turn green. His creation is constantly being revealed to us, but we rarely take time to recognize it for what it is. The same God that created this world, has created a perfect handbook for us as Christians to follow. It has been breathed by God...every word, every letter, every verse, every chapter, every book. He is the author and he has written it with a purpose for each and every one of his children.

We are to carry out his commandments and his instructions throughout our everyday lives. When we live by the word, we prove to the world every second of every day that there is something bigger and greater worth living for besides ourselves.

Wanna see a change? It starts with each and every one of us. The gospel is necessary for Christian living...

April 24 - Risen

[No Video]

He Is Risen.

Are you?

Romans 6:22-23

22 But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves to God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal life. 23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Jesus showed his power over the physical death and most importantly the spiritual death. Being the perfect man, he was the perfect sacrifice to set us up for victory. Before accepting Christ and the life that comes with that, I was dead in my sins. My life, spiritually, had no pulse and I was flat-lined. Thankfully though, Christ came to save me and give me a second and better life. The question is...

Am I proving to those around me that I am, indeed, alive in Christ?

If Christ is the example we are to follow as Christians, why are so many of us looking so dead in our living? Death is not a hard thing to accomplish, which is probably why so many people are okay with serving a master that is temporary. Truly living, both in the physical and spiritual, hand in hand, is quite the opposite. It takes perseverance, dedication, responsibility, trust, commitment, and faith. Many people lack these characteristics or if they have them, they are very weak in those areas. We are called to strengthen our relationship with Christ daily by taking up our cross.

Living like Christ will certainly glorify God.

April 24 - Deserted

Matthew 26:47-56

47 While he was still speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, arrived. With him was a large crowd armed with swords and clubs, sent from the chief priests and the elders of the people. 48 Now the betrayer had arranged a signal with them: "The one I kiss is the man; arrest him." 49 Going at once to Jesus, Judas said, "Greetings, Rabbi!" and kissed him. 50 Jesus replied, " Friend, do what you came for." Then the men stepped forward, seized Jesus and arrested him. 51 With that, one of Jesus' companions reached for his sword, drew it out and struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his ear. 52 "Put your sword back in its place," Jesus said to him, "for all who draw the sword will die by the sword. 53 Do you think I cannot call my Father, and he will at once put at my disposal more than twelve legions of angels? 54 But how then would the Scriptures be fulfilled that say it must happen in this way?" 55 At that time Jesus said to the crowd, "Am I leading a rebellion, that you have come out with swords and clubs to capture me? Every day I sat in the temple courts teaching, and you did not arrest me. 56 But this has all taken place that the writings of the prophets might be fulfilled." Then all the disciples deserted him and fled.

In the days and moments leading up to the crucifixion, much went on in Jesus' life. This event is one that continues to repeat over and over again, even though Christ has already been arrested, crucified and resurrected.

Every day I find myself in one way or another, betraying Jesus. I screw up at some point, even if it is a small mess up. In the same sense, I am betraying Jesus and deserting him. By sinning against him and being negligent of his word, I find myself setting Christ up for a brutal death again. The sins that I commit and are responsible for are the sins that Christ has died for.

In this passage, I cannot help but put myself in the scene as a bystander. Imagine the hostility and the anxiety of: the disciples, Judas, the crowd, and the men arresting Christ. Notice the one name I left out...Jesus. Christ did not become angry and violent. He did not become distressed. He knew that this was part of his Father plan. He also realized it was his responsibility to carry out this plan in a perfect and holy manner. Christ placed his trust in God and left it in his hands.

Pick the character in the story that best fits how you've been living as of late:

- Judas: betraying Christ and living for yourself in a worldly manner.
- A disciple: willing to fight for Jesus, but will desert him if necessary.
- One of the crowd: Unbeliever or a believer who puts Jesus on the cross for murder through sinful desires.
- Christ: humble and patient...listening only for God's voice and living completely for your Father.

I think in most cases, the majority of Christians would answer with one of the first three...or maybe all of the first three.

Tomorrow is a celebration of the victory over death that Christ demonstrated when he resurrected and escaped the tomb...

April 22 - Conversation

A couple of days ago I had a study about listening to God. Today, on my run, I prayed the entire time. I spoke to God for the first 8 minutes and the last 8 minutes I let myself find a place where I wouldn't think about anything else except for what God wanted to tell me. I stopped listening for the audible voice that we expect to hear and opened my heart to what he had to tell me...I won't go into detail in what was said, as that is between the Lord and myself, but there's one thing for certain:

When God speaks, you will know it. It just takes being quiet and listening...

April 21 - Testify

Luke 18:37

37 "You are a king, then!" said Pilate. Jesus answered, "You are right in saying I am a king. In fact, for this reason I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me."

Leading up to his crucifixion, these were the words of Christ...

April 20 - Strength

16 Min : 16 PU : 16 SU

1 Thessalonians 3:13

13 May he strengthen your hearts so that you will be blameless and holy in the presence of our God and Father when our Lord Jesus comes with all his holy ones...

Paul's prayer in this passage is for strength to be bestowed on God's children so that we might live holy and pure lives. The misconception here is that we expect a miraculous change of behavior and living in our lives through God. While it is true that a relationship with God will change a person's life, we cannot expect to grow and mature in his strength if we do not seek his face and dig deep, as with our fingers in the soil, to find the truth in his word.

The relationship we have with God is a give and take relationship...

Christ gave it all and is willing to continue giving endlessly because he loves us deeply. We must give as well. In everything we do, we must give glory and honor to God. We have earned nothing on this earth without his hand being involved. The only way to become Christlike is to shape our lives with his word and to live in efforts of reaching his perfect standard.

When Christ returns will you be weak or strong? There is a battle constantly ongoing...which side will you fight for?

April 19 - Silver

16 Min : 16 PU :  16 SU

Ecclesiastes 5:10

10 He who loves silver will not be satisfied with silver; Nor he who loves abundance, with increase. This also is vanity.

Money is not life. I find myself so caught up in pinching pennies and spending dollars that it almost because controlling of my life. Is it bad to plan for retirement? No. Is it bad to want to save money? No. Is it bad to buy a new car? No. Money is a gift from God...however money is NOT God. If we worship money, we are replacing God with it and this is not what God desires of his people.  

Being financially stable and managing it well is not a love for money. If my mind is on money all the time, then it becomes and issue. The problem with money is just as the Bible describes it...you can never get enough. A person makes $2,000 a month and next thing you know they are hunting a job that pays more. A person wins $50 in the lottery, the next day you better believe they are cashing it and buying more tickets. Money can be an infection, that if left untreated, it will grow rapidly until it overtakes your thoughts and life. 

God is the only thing we need. He will provide for his people, if we trust him and live by his word.

Silver is also associated with second place. The world will always be second place to God and his promise. Better to trust in the streets of gold than to trust the silver of this lifetime to get you through...

April 18 - Ears

16 min x 16 PU x 16 SU

Isaiah 28:23

23 Give ear and hear my voice, Listen and hear my speech.

God doesn't say talk to me constantly. He doesn't want to hear the same thing over and over and over again. He does however want communication. By communication, I mean, talking and listening. Sometimes, the Lord would like for his children to be still, quite, humble, and to listen.

We are so consumed by our busy lives...changing the diapers, fixing dinner, cleaning the house, watching TV, playing video games, on and on and on. It's almost impossible to become still and silent. God has something to say and what he wants to tell me is much more important than the little thing I have to complain about. In the word, we are told to pray continuously, without ceasing. This doesn't mean that we should constantly speak to God. If that were so, he would never get his point across to us. His message would be lost in the rambling.

God wants to hear from his people.
The Lord wants his people to listen.
We are to obey him and his word.
Praying continuously also means that how we live our lives is considered prayer.

God's voice directs my path...

April 17 - Life

James 1:12

12 Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.

You would think living for Christ would be perfect and always positive because the Creator is on my side. That's not necessarily the case though. While it is true that we find joy, hope, love, peace, and so much more in a relationship with God (a close relationship, that is), we are also tested and put on trial in various aspects of our lives. Paul faced hardships. Peter failed even when Christ told him he would and how he would. David fell into sin and of course Adam, messed up in the Garden.

Through hard times, whether it be in our everyday lives at work or play, or within our families at home, we find ourselves in trials and tight spots. The world pulls us one way and Christ is gently calling us to go another. It's a constant tug and pull. When my commitment is revealed through my decisions and dedication, I can make it through the hard times. It's not as simple as snapping my fingers and everything is okay. It takes prayer and seeking guidance through God's will and within his word.

Lately, I have been doing a horrible job at being strong and dedicated to God's will in my life. I talk when I should listen. I get frustrated and feel like giving up, when I should be praying for patience and humility.

Blessings come from perseverance. God will reward his children who do what is right, just, and good. Living for Christ and against the world is not an easy task to complete. His promise holds true and life is truly revealed when all trust is placed in him.

I am living for one reason...to live for and to glorify Christ. All other things are worth much less...

April 16 - Choices

My wife and I ran in a 5K this morning. It was wet, cold, and windy, but nonetheless, we still ran it. I placed 6th overall and 3rd in my age group. 

Romans 2:6-9

6 God "will give to each person according to what he has done." 7 To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor and immorality, he will give eternal life. 8 But for those who are self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow evil, there will be wrath and anger. 9 There will be trouble and distress for every human being who does evil; first for the Jew, then for the Gentile; 10 but glory, honor and peace for everyone who does good: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile. 11 For God does not show favoritism.

When we do good...we should seek glory and honor, not for ourselves, but for the Lord. Our ability to do good is a reflection of God's blessings in our lives and the love the God has, being revealed in the physical through us, his people. 

Tonight, we had to chaperone our school's prom. I know, not all of the students that attended left the event and got drunk, high, pregnant, or anything in between. I do know, however that there were some that did partake in those activities. It's very evident, both in tonight as an example and every day I go to work, that student's have choices and the ability to exercise their decisions with those choices. 

Of course, one cannot receive eternal life, just by doing good things. The decision must be made to accept Christ. To live for him is to die to this world. Doing good, making right choices, living according to his word, seeking out his will, sharing his love with the world is what he desires of us. 

Those that do bad and evil things do not please God. I am not judging those who went and downed beer after beer after prom tonight. I am not judging the man who got off of work and headed to the strip club or smoked a few packs, draining his wallet, leaving his family without any money for groceries. God is the Judge of our decisions and choices. We can choose to do right or we can choose to do wrong. The bible makes it very clear in reference to the outcome of each decision we make. Especially, in regards to salvation:

Choose to accept and live for Christ and receive eternal life in heaven.

Choose to reject Christ and live for the world and receive eternal life in hell. 

April 15 - Entirety

I took today off. Tomorrow I am running a 5K...so no video today.

1 John 2:2

2 He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but for the sins of the whole world.

My relationship with Christ is individualized, but the sacrifice was made in entirety. Everyone has the freedom to choose to believe and accept Christ or refuse the gift of salvation. God does not pick and choose who will inherit eternal life and who will be cast aside. Salvation is offered completely and freely to every single person who has a heartbeat...no matter their race, intelligence, handicap, or any other difference. Atonement is defined as making amends for wrongdoing or crime. Christ gave his life for our crimes and sins. 

The challenge set within the word is that we are to preach the gospel to a dying world and to stop living within our individual, selfish bubbles. The gospel must be preached to the entire world...

April 14 - Trust

Psalm 62: 8

8 Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge.

Who do you trust? Most likely if you were in a room full of complete strangers, it would be very difficult to trust many of them. Human beings are flawed and imperfect. We can place trust in people in our lives, but the truth is, at some point we will be let down and possibly hurt. On the flipside, can those in my life trust me? The way I live my life should reflect my love and commitment to the Lord. If I am flawed in my actions or words, how can anyone trust the importance and joy found within a relationship with God? 

We are to trust in God at ALL times. Not just every now and then, or when we think we really need it. When I wake up early in the morning and dread the day at work, I should place my trust in God in that he will get me through. Trust is a major issue within a relationship. Do you trust God at all times? Can God trust you to live according to his calling? 

April 13 - Impurity

1 Thessalonians 5:21-22

21 Test everything. Hold on to the good. 22 Avoid every kind of evil.

It is no surprise that this world is full of evil. Evil is something or somebody that is against God. This world is ruled by Satan, therefore, evil is revealed in many areas. Paul tells us to test everything. He isn't saying, "Test alcohol for yourself and see if you like it or that you can control yourself with it". By 'test everything', he is telling us that we should be drenched in the word, so that when evil appears, we will first of all notice it and secondly turn away from it.

I am able to decide what is right and what is wrong, what is good and what is bad, through the word of God. I am instructed to test and see the bad around me and to avoid it. The devil would love a foothold as well as to see me fall flat on my face. When we notice the bad or evil, we have two options, and only two options: resist evil by turning away, following the example of righteousness in Christ  - or - to embrace the world and dabble in my sinful cravings. One leads to life and one leads to death.

What is so appealing about evilness, sin, and death that keeps us from resisting it at all times? The logical choice would obviously be to choose life and avoid death. We are stimulated by the temporary objects of this world. We want OUR money. Impurity through lust, profanity, idolatry, and hedonism grips us tightly and we are so afraid to shake 'it' off of us. God's grace is the only thing that can cleanse us from this impurity. Jesus Christ set the standard and we are instructed to follow and live according to that standard.

Obviously, we can't reach it...but love and forgiveness pave the path to righteousness. Without being drenched in the word of God, evil will destroy.

April 12 - Active

Philemon 1:6

6 I pray that you may be active in sharing your faith, so that you will have a full understanding of every good thing we have in Christ.

In this passage in Philemon, Paul is commending Philemon for his love and the results and effects it has in Paul's life. Paul states that Philemon's love has revealed joy and has become a source of encouragement in his spiritual growth. We also find that Paul keeps Philemon in his prayers and is very appreciative of the work that he has done.

In his prayers, he prays that Philemon will be actively sharing his faith. This doesn't necessarily mean that Philemon is continually trying to bring people to a relationship with God in salvation (although, that is the ultimate goal), but he is praying that Philemon will glorify God with his life by living out the faith that he knows. By sharing God's love and message with those he was around, he was sharing his faith. I find myself in an idle state at times. There is no forward motion, but there is some backwards movement. We, as Christians, are to push forward with the word of God and actively take it to the streets, office, stores, schools, and everywhere else. Actively sharing our faith means to apply the word to our lives and present ourselves in the most God-like manner as we possibly can reveal.

When we do this, we will be reminded over and over again that every good gift and perfect gift is from above (James 1:17). If we are sitting idle and reluctant to live out the gospel message in our lives through our actions and words, we fail to notice the good things that God has for us in our lives. God's call is for us to be actively living for Him.

Am I idle or am I active?

April 11 - Acceptance

Romans 15:7

7 Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God.

Christ doesn't have a select group that he associates himself with. He doesn't offer salvation to 'Group A' and shun 'Group B'. Christ is willing and desires to embrace every single person on the planet. A lot of people assume that God has already handpicked those who are 'chosen' to live eternally in heaven and some are heading straight to hell. This mentality and belief is so far from the truth. The Bible states clearly, that if we just believe with our hearts (meaning anyone and everyone) that Christ died and arose from the dead, and confess with our mouths that Christ is Lord, we will have that eternal life.

Verse 13 goes on to back up my previous statement. If someone thinks that God hand picks those to have eternal life, think again. Verse 13 says, " for, Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved". It is very simple. God loves us. In fact, he loves us so much, he had his Son strung up on a cross and crucified for our ugly lives we lead. We are dirty, smelly, sinful, hateful, lustful, greedy, jealous, apathetic, and so much more, but yet Christ longs for a close relationship with us...because he loves us and accepts us. How can anyone, turn down such love? It is harder to believe that people deny Christ everyday, than it is to believe in the life, death, and resurrection on Jesus Christ.

In the same sense, we as Christians (followers and imitators of Christ), should accept and love everyone. If I turn someone away because they don't have the best clothes, or they have holes in their shoes, or they are uneducated, or they are loud, or whatever...I am delivering a negative message of love to that person. How can I expect them to understand and grasp the love that God has if I don't lead by example? It is so easy to ignore a student when they say my name from a distance. I have no idea what that students wants to say. They may need help. They may just want to say hello and ask about my weekend. If I were to call on Christ, I would want him to listen and give me attention. The same is true with our brothers and sisters.

James 1:22

Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.

One thing I will never have to worry about is that God will always listen when I call on his name.

April 10 - Moses

Today is day 100. Only 265 days until the end of 2011.

Deuteronomy 34: 5,7-12

5 And Moses the servant of the Lord died there in Moab, as the Lord had said.
7 Moses was a hundred and twenty years old when he died, yet his eyes were not weak nor his strength gone. 8 The Israelites grieved for Moses in the plains of Moab thirty days, until the time of weeping and mourning was over. 9 Now Joshua son of Nun was filled with the spirit of wisdom because Moses had laid his hands on him. So the Israelites listened to him and did what the Lord commanded Moses. 10 Since then, no prophet has risen in Israel like Moses, who the Lord knew face to face, 11 who did all those miraculous signs and wonders the Lord sent him to do in Egypt - to Pharaoh and to all his officials and to his whole land. 12 For no one has ever shown the mighty power or performed the awesome deeds that Moses did in the sight of all Israel.

Two perspective that are revealed within this passage: the touch of Moses' life on Joshua and the touch of God on Moses' life.

First of all, Joshua had been touched, not only by the laying of hands, but through experience with Moses. When Joshua was with Moses, the spirit moved and was evident. This was a blessing, because the Lord had great things in store for Joshua and had many plans that would need to be carried out. Moses was God's servant and it was clear that the Lord had his hands on him. I have to ask myself: Am I brushing God's hands away when he tries to place them on me? When God is ready to have his plan carried out through my life (whether it be through missions, work, attitude, tithing, service, etc), am I prone to avoiding it and more likely to follow my own path that I've made?

As Christians, we have to be more like Moses. Ready to act on God's will and word.

Secondly, Moses touched the life of Joshua, both physically by the laying of hands, and spiritually, by guiding him towards God. Moses had presented God's plan to him. He encouraged him in previous chapters to be courageous and strong. He also reminded Joshua that God would never leave him or forsake him. This was such a powerful message from Moses to the heart of Joshua. Everyday, I have the opportunity to touch the lives of those I meet in the hallways, on the street, in the neighborhood, in the store, and so forth. I can be a negative influence or a positive influence. They can see evil in me or they can see good in me. God's love can be revealed through my words and actions, or Satan can make his presence known through my disobedient decisions and actions.

When I am 120 years old and I pass away, I hope that I will have changed lives for the better and influenced others to follow God more closely. It's hard to believe I have 94 years of life until the 120 mark. Who knows though? Tomorrow may be my last day. I better get some things in line...

Let others experience the touch that God has placed in your life...

April 9 - Intercession

Ephesians 3:12

12 In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence.

John 14:6

6 Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me..."

It is obvious, in the scriptures, that we cannot go to God unless it is through Jesus Christ. Christ lived his life out on this earth in the flesh, died on the cross, and resurrected in order for us to approach the Lord in prayer and request. I think it is especially important to note that we can approach God with freedom and confidence.

It's not just access to talk to God. It is the freedom to believe that He is the sovereign ruler and His Son paid the ultimate price for that freedom. No one can stop you or I from believing in God or the love that is unconditionally flowing. Even if someone were to kill me, my belief and faith would carry on with my spirit to see God face to face...then that reveals a whole other source of freedom. Life in heaven with God Almighty is offered for free, as long as you believe.

The confidence I have through Christ is within the gospel. My faith is founded upon the word of God. Can I communicate with God? Yes, through Christ that is made possible. The Bible is an intricate part of what I believe and how I am supposed to live out my life. I have confidence that in Genesis chapter 1, God is the Creator and all things are made through Him. I also have confidence that in Revelation chapter 22, the prophecy of Christ returning will be carried out perfectly and magnificently. Everything between? Absolute and complete confidence that it is God's word.

If you do not know Christ as savior, there is no way to communicate with God. I am thankful that Christ has made a way for me to approach God...

April 8 - Prophecy

Isaiah 53: 5-6

5 But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed. 6 We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.

1 Peter 2:24-25

24 He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed. 25 For you were like sheep going astray, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.

Jesus Christ was pierced and crushed for our mistakes. Everyday, we scream "crucify him" with our selfish and poorly made decisions. We lust, steal, lie, gossip, and more, without even thinking about Christ hanging on the cross and dying for each of us. Christ is the Shepherd and he is constantly calling for us to come back to him.

It is beautiful however, to see the prophecy of God's promise being fulfilled in such a perfect way. God's plan was carried out in Jesus' life without flaw and completed in perfection. The Lord's will in my life is always at risk of being imperfect and messed up. Thankfully, although I may mess up and fail at times, Jesus Christ has made a way to right my wrongs.

April 7 - Victory

2 Timothy 2:5

5 Similarly, if anyone competes as an athlete, he does not receive the victor's crown unless he competes according to the rules.

Tonight, during our boy's 3200M race our first place runner was passed on the 8th and final lap of the race. The runner who passed our runner stepped out and ran outside of the lane for almost 100 meters at least twice in the course of this race. This results in a disqualification and the next runner in line receives that position. However, this runner got away with it for whatever reason.

It is hard for me to instruct my runners to stay inside their lanes and compete according to the rules, when instances like this happen. It was also hard for me to look at my runner and tell him that he should have had first place, but he was cheated out of that position by someone who doesn't abide by the rules, nor is he punished for cutting part of the course.

As Christians, we are instructed to follow and live by the rules and commandments that God has set before us in his word. We cannot experience victory if we cheat and break rules. We all step out of our lines and even flirt with stepping over the line everyday. To an unbeliever who is watching what we do, if we cheat and break God's trust, we are telling those observers that Christians are not serious about their relationship with the Lord.

Compete, according to the rules to glorify God and reveal the evidence of His truth and love in your life.

April 6 - Unashamed

Mark 8:38

If anyone is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when he comes in his Father's glory with the holy angels...

The generation in this verse has not changed. As a matter of fact it has gotten worse. Nonetheless, it is very simple. If you are ashamed of God and his word, Christ will be ashamed of you. If I seek self-satisfaction instead of seeking out God's will, I am ashamed of the Word because I am not living it out in my life. If I avoid conversation or conflict with someone in public or private regarding spiritual matters, I am ashamed of the Word of God because I am not speaking the truth of God's love and direction. If I claim to be a Christian but live a worldly lifestyle, I am ashamed of God because I am not following his commandments or living by His standards. If I am ashamed, how can I expect Christ to not be ashamed of me...especially after being warned in this verse.

Romans 1:16

I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first the Jew, then for the Gentile.

Salvation is offered to EVERYONE. Just because you are left-handed, hispanic, or poor doesn't deny you the opportunity to receive Christ and salvation. If we have been given this gift of salvation and love through Christ Jesus, why would we hide it? What is there to be ashamed of? Popular answer would be: because it isn't popular. We are too concerned with what people think of us and what we believe. We don't want to stir the pot.

Live unashamed...everyday, all day.

April 5 - 180

Acts 3:19

19 Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord.

Today, this is going to be short and to the point. I was flipping through the pages and I came across this verse in Acts. It's not a happy, feel-good verse for most people. It should be, but unfortunately it isn't.

It should be a feel-good verse because we find a promise within it that can not be fulfilled through anyone or anything besides the blood of Jesus Christ. We have the opportunity to have our sins washed clean and to have a second, third, fourth, and fifth chance. Christ forgives those who strive to live for him. He understands that we as humans make mistakes and fall short...He came to die for that very reason.

Repentance is not a once a year thing. It isn't a once a month thing. It is a process and commitment that is completed within the relationship between the believer and Christ. In all honesty, we should all be in constant repentance. We are buried up to our necks in sin and dirt. Jesus has made an escape for us however. He offers an opportunity for us to be refreshed and washed clean. Take the time to assess your relationship with God. Are you where you should be? That's not where YOU think you should be, but is it where God would have you to be? I'm not...I am barely ever even close to being where God would have me to be. Repentance is a 180 degree turn from anything that is against God, which is sin or of the world. To repent, it must be a 180 degree turn, not a 90 degree turn where you can still see your sin out of the corner of your eye. Not a 179 degree turn where you still could run into that sin again if you walked long enough. It is a complete 180 degree turn.

Take time to repent and seek God's face in silence, isolation, and humbleness.

Turn off the TV.
Hibernate the computer.
Ignore the video games.
Connect with God...

April 4 - Job (Pt. 4)

Job 2

Summary: Satan approaches God  again after roaming over the earth. God again suggests that Satan consider Job as his target. For God, using Job and suggesting him for these horrible situations was not about seeing him hurt. It was actually to prove to Satan that God's children, when living according to the Word will ultimately rule over temptation and sin. The Lord mentioned that Job was blameless and upright, but also that he maintains his integrity through the trials he was faced with.

The first round, God told Satan he could do what he wanted with Job, except he couldn't lay a finger on him. This time, Satan wants to take it one step farther. The Lord granted this to Satan, but made sure that he spared Job's life.

Satan afflicted Job with painful sores on the bottom of his feet and the top of his head. When this happened, Job took a piece of broken pottery and scraped himself. To make matters worse, Job's wife insisted that Job cursed God for the pain that was inflicted on him. Job, being a blameless and Godly man, quickly corrected her. He said, "shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?". To sum it up, Job did not sin.

After this infliction, Job had three friends who came and sat with him for seven days and nights, but they didn't even speak to him as they saw the suffering he had been through.

A quote from my pastor from a Wednesday night Bible study is as follows:

"Your weakest physical moment in your life, is when the devil will attack you".

Think about your own life. Maybe you haven't battled aids, cancer, or paralysis, but you probably have suffered from a severe sinus infection or a broken bone. Your life just seems to be a little bit different in those cases. In this passage, the devil is attacking Job in the physical sense. He had already stripped his livestock, servants, and even his family away from him, but he is taking it to another level.

Everyday, Satan is looking for that weak point to break you and me. Maybe around lunch time you start getting tired because you were up late with the baby or couldn't sleep. That's when Satan takes his punches. That's when he starts to kick me in the groin because I am weak. I don't know about you, but I HATE being kicked in the groin.

Why would Satan attack you during your morning prayer time or Bible study? Could be for a couple of reasons:

1) Prayer or Bible study only last 4-5 minutes. Out of a day of 1,440 minutes, we often only sacrifice 4  
    to 5 minutes. Why would he attack us then instead of the 1,435 minutes remaining in the day?

2) Satan will not attack us when we stay close to God and make his presence known in our lives.

How will you defend your relationship with God?
In what ways are you weakest spiritually?
How are you weak physically?

Satan loves to see us fall...find solid ground to stand on. Discover a firm foundation in the word.

April 3 - Job (Pt. 3)

No video today...

Job 1:13-22

13 One day when Job's sons and daughters were feasting and drinking wine at the oldest brother's house, 14 a messenger came to Job and said, "The oxen were plowing and the donkeys were grazing nearby, 15 and the Sabeans attacked and carried them off. They put the servants to the sword, and I am the only one who escaped to tell you!"16 While he was still speaking, another messenger came and said, "The fire of God fell from the sky and burned up the sheep and the servants, and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you!" 17 While he was still speaking, another messenger came and said, "The Chaldeans formed three raiding parties and swept down on your camels and carried them off. They put the servants to the sword, and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you!" 18 While he was still speaking, yet another messenger came and said, "Your sons and daughters were feasting and drinking wine at the oldest brother's house, 19 when suddenly a mighty wind swept in from the desert and struck the four corners of the house. It collapsed on them and they are dead, and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you!" 20 At this, Job got up and tore his robe and shaved his head. Then he fell to the ground in worship 21 and said: "Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked I will depart. The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; may the name of the Lord be praised." 22 In all this, Job did not sin by charging God with wrongdoing.

Self-control. That is what this part of Job's story and life screams at me. We are faced with disasters and crimes, all the way down to someone dinging out car door in the parking lot and what do we do? We go absolutely crazy and almost on the verge of insane. We curse, we yell, we stomp around like a 3 year old, and we blame God. Does "How could God let this happen" ring a bell?

Job had everything he needed and then some. To reveal even more how much of a man of God Job was, he knew and proclaimed that all he had was from God. To some up his hardships here's a list in case you don't want to read the passage:

1) The Sabeans attacked his oxen and donkeys and carried them off.
2) The Sabeans put his servants to the sword (which means they were killed).
3) Fire rained down on his sheep and his servants (killing them all).
4) Three raiding parties of Chaldeans stormed his camels and servants, killing the servants and stealing his camels.
5) A strong wind caused Job's son's house to collapse on all of his children, killing them all.

To make each and every event even worse, the news of each happening came in continuation from the prior event. Imagine someone walking up to you and telling you every bad thing you never want to hear and it being absolutely true. That's basically what happened for Job. His world got flipped upside down in a matter of minutes.

Most of us would shut down and find comfort in other things, such as drugs, booze, movies, driving recklessly, or seeking revenge on the Sabeans or Chaldeans. Some of us would even go as far to seek revenge on God. Job knew better though.

He was remorseful in these events. He lost livestock and servants, but more than that, he lost his children. Just because Job didn't storm out of Uz and sneak attack the people who did this, it doesn't mean he didn't care. He recognized that everything is from God. He's the provider and he is also in full-control. Job had no idea that God and Satan had worked this out in order to test his faithfulness.

Job knew his place in life. He came into the world with nothing...not even clothes. He also knew that when he left the world, he would not be able to take anything with him except for his spirit. His relationship with God was strong and that is what got him through this difficult situation. He then goes on to note that the Lord is gracious and merciful in his giving. He also reserves the right to take away anything that he wants...because it all belongs to him. In the end though, this is what stands out the most:

MAY THE NAME OF THE LORD BE PRAISED.

Job did not sin. Job did not curse the Lord. He did not avenge the people who did it, nor did he place anger on God. He simply humbled himself and put himself in the perspective of God's enormousness and powerfulness. At the end of a horrible day when he lost almost everything, he praised God.

In circumstances like Japan has been facing, floods that the United States has seen just this year, children in warfare in Africa, poverty in cities across the country, and so much more, we have a tendency to place the blame on God. We treat it as though God has no right to take away anything from us. The question isn't, "how could God do this to me?", but it should be, "what can I do in this situation for God?" We have the opportunity to make his name known across the world and carry out his plan, but we simply do enough to get by in our own lives. In good times or bad, we should praise God...

God is all we need.

April 2 - Job (Pt. 2)

Week 14: 14 Min Run/14 Push-ups/14 Sit-ups

Job 1:6-12

6 One day the angels came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan also came with them. 7 The Lord said to Satan, "Where have you come from?" Satan answered the Lord, "From roaming through the earth and going back and forth in it." 8 Then the Lord said to Satan, "Have you considered my servant Job? There is no on earth like him; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil." 9 "Does Job fear God for nothing?" Satan replied. 10 "Have you not put a hedge around him and his household and everything he has? You have blessed the work of his hands, so that his flocks and herds are spread throughout the land. 11 But stretch out your hand and strike everything he has, and he will surely curse you to your face." 12 The Lord said to Satan, "Very well, then, everything he has is in your hands, but on the man himself do not lay a finger." Then Satan went out from the presence of the Lord.

Yesterday, I checked out Job and his character. Today, I am finding that Job wasn't only seen as a positive person by his family and community, but God himself claimed that Job was blameless and upright. It's pretty cool to have your community think of you as a righteous and blameless person, but God himself saying that there is no one like you on earth? That's pretty awesome. If God had a basketball team, I am pretty sure Job and Jesus would be the captains.

I find it interesting that God asked Satan where he had been. God knows everything about Satan and each and every person on this earth. Of course though, Satan answered God's question by saying that he was roaming through the earth. This is the work of Satan...he is constantly on the prowl (1 Peter 5:8). He lurks and waits to tempt God's children and even unbelievers into giving into the appeal of sin.

God had placed a hedge of protection around Job and blessed him in unbelievable ways. Job's faithfulness pleased the Lord and in return Job was taken care of. However, Satan desired to tempt Job and doubted that he would withstand the tests placed before him. God had full confidence in Job and gave Satan the opportunity to try Job. The Lord gave permission for Satan to use anything in Job's life, but he could not touch Job himself. Job's world is about to get flipped upside down...

Job is not Satan's only target. As Christians, we are targeted by the devil everyday. We especially have cross-hairs on our heads and on our backs if we stay in God's will and study and practice his word. It's no surprise that we are faced with hard times and trials, as it is clearly stated throughout the Bible. The gospel also informs us that if we should be cautious and pray to avoid temptation (Matt 26:41). If we stay close to the Lord, we will be spiritually strong in order to turn away from the traps set by Satan. At the end of each day, can we expect God to say that you or I, am a blameless and upright person? I think in most cases, I do well enough for God to say, "Chris tried today and failed many times, but I still love him unconditionally".

For that love, I am extremely thankful...

April 1 - Job (Pt. 1)

End of week 13.

Job 1:1-5

1 In the land of Uz there lived a man whose name was Job. This man was blameless and upright; he feared God and shunned evil. 2 He had seven sons and three daughter, 3 and he owned several thousand sheep, three thousand camels, five hundred yoke of oxen and five hundred donkeys, and had a large number of servants. He was the greatest man among all the people of the East. 4 His sons used to take turns holding feasts in their homes, and they would invite their three sisters to eat and drink with them. 5 When a period of feasting had run its course, Job would send and have them purified. Early in the morning he would sacrifice a burnt offering for each of them, thinking, "Perhaps my children have sinned and cursed God in their hearts." This was Job's regular custom.

Over the next few days, I am going to study the life and experiences of Job. According to the scripture, Job was an amazing, Godly man. Just the words "blameless" and "upright" say a lot of Job. Can anyone honestly say that about you or I?

Blameless? Me? Definitely not.
Upright? More like downright unreliable.

How can Job earn the titles of upright and blameless? Reading further into the same verse we get the answer to that question. He feared the Lord and shunned evil. Oh! It's that easy.

Job was no different from you or me. Job had his normal everyday temptations. He could have given in to sin, but he was fully (yes, FULLY) committed to God and the plan for his life. To add to this, Job was blessed. Livestock, family, servants, feasts, sons and daughters who were socially and financially stable, good health, and he was seen in good light in the community. The Lord blessed Job in so many ways because he was committed to him.

Job even took responsibility for his children's actions. He offered sacrifices to God for each of his kids. Yes, each of his kids. Ten separate sacrifices to plea to have their sins acquitted through God's mercy and love. Verse 5 states that, "this was Job's regular custom".

What we can take from life is that it is difficult and full of trials. It's full of temptation and the world is packed full of evil. What we can take from these five verses is that living for God, fully and completely, is possible and is what God desires for us in our lives. We are his children and he will bless us if we abide by his word and stay close to him.

In what ways can I become more blameless and upright? By fearing the Lord and shunning evil.