Sunday, November 8, 2009

The Essential. James

The bible reflects who we should be. Starring at the words will not change your life, nor reading it again and again. The information doesn't transform us alone, but applying the information to our lives will reform us. His word is POWERFUL. Do it.  


"Don't fool yourself into thinking that you are a listener when you are anything but, letting the Word go in one ear and out the other. Act on what you hear! Those who hear and don't act are like those who glance in the mirror, walk away, and two minutes later have no idea who they are, what they look like. But whoever catches a glimpse of the revealed counsel of God—the free life! Even out of the corner of his eye, and sticks with it, is no distracted scatterbrain but a man or woman of action. That person will find delight and affirmation in the action." -James 1:22-25

My heart burns for passion as I left church this morning. Challenged. Encouraged. Motivated. So many days we read our bibles, do our studies and have our quiet times. But what percentage of that time do we spend acting out who God truly intended us be. Doing what He said. Being the people He has called us to be. Only by our actions do we show other people who our God really is.

So today I was challenged to change the course of how I do what I hear. Encouraged to love harder. Run faster. Be obedient. To live out what I know is true... for the sake of others. If we can't apply what we learn inside of the four walls of what we call "church" then the sidewalks that lead us there will never be used. Share God's love. People hunger their entire lives for that unconditional, forgiving, unchanging, everlasting, and self-sacrificing love...yet never find it. And today I am more motivated than ever to make the name of Jesus FAMOUS.

Nothing else matters in the long run. He is worthy. My everything. What my heart adores.

"Now God has us where he wants us, with all the time in this world and the next to shower grace and kindness upon us in Christ Jesus. Saving is all his idea, and all his work. All we do is trust him enough to let him do it. It's God's gift from start to finish! We don't play the major role. If we did, we'd probably go around bragging that we'd done the whole thing! No, we neither make nor save ourselves. God does both the making and saving. He creates each of us by Christ Jesus to join him in the work he does, the good work he has gotten ready for us to do, work we had better be doing." -Eph 2 

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Wednesday, November 4, 2009

We're All In This Together




"Follow God's example in everything you do. Live a life filled with love for others, following the example of Christ, who loved you and gave himself as a sacrifice to take away your sins..."  -Eph 5

I went to see the "The I Heart Revolution" film that Hillsong United produced. Amazing. Filmed over a period of several years as they travel across 6 continents 42 nations and 93 cities in a cross-cultural journey of music, interviews and live action documentary as they realise every story of hope, love, loss and sacrifice ultimately points to the one story... the life of Jesus.

So many things we take for granted being raised in America, but in essence poverty is still at our own doorstep. The time has come to stand for what we believe in. Things aren't right... in one moment you have a generation watching tv and playing video games and on the other hand you have children starving, being sold to trafficing or prostitution. They are victums of a conflict that is simply not theirs. 30,000 children will die today because of the lack of food, but Amercia is standing obese. Its not fair. My heart and soul ache at the agony of it all. I want so bad to see life through the eyes of these children, walk in the steps of the people in poverty, I want to laugh with the kids being kids-who yet to know better and that are still full of life and energy. But I also walk with them through the difficulty when they know nothing more than their surroundings. To protect them from slipping into the cycle of the curse. I have seen these things first hand and held them in my hands... and faith without deeds is dead. I want to be a part of the difference.

Justice needs to be established. We live in a nation that is crying out for hope. Its about loving God. Its about being a light in the dark places. Its about being the church. Its about being the hands and feet of Jesus. We are called to a mission to change the world. God is God of the universe. He is what we aren't. He is our freedom. Jesus didn't die to give us religion. Jesus died to give us LOVE.

So don't deny it. We are in this together.

And if the chance arises go see this film..... http://www.i-heart.org/

Exodus 15:13 "With your unfailing love you will lead this people whom you have ransomed. You will guide them in your strength to the place where your holiness dwells."