Have you ever heard "I gotta find peace of mind" by Lauryn Hill?
Listen!
I love that song. If not simply for how she captures the reality of getting close to God in Christ so well with such real emotion, then for it's lyrical content.
"He says it's impossible, but I know it's possible"
That whole section where she speaks of how the devil attacks your mind to steal salvation... SO real! When you attempt to grow closer to Him, the enemy will attack you in every way possible.
"You love me despite myself, sometimes I fight myself
I just can't believe that you, would have anything to do
With someone so insecure, someone so immature
Oh you inspire me, to be the higher me
You made my desire pure, you made my desire pure"
Isn't it amazing that He loves us? So amazing.
"Just tell me what to say, I can't find the words to say
Please don't be mad with me, I have no identity
All that I've known is gone, all I was building on.."
Man that is so real! You're in transition and you don't know what to do or how to follow Christ. Personal dreams and desires hold you in chains but you want to walk with Him so bad! It's like you beg God not to be upset with you, you're trying so hard already. You don't yet realize who He is and so you're scared that He'll drop you like a normal person would if you were stuck. But He is Love. And Love is patient, kind, does not envy, does not boast, does not keep a record of wrongs, is not easily angered, rejoices with the truth (does not delight in evil). Always protects, perseveres, and trust. Love NEVER fails![I Corinthians 4:7]
Saturday, October 2, 2010
Sunday, September 12, 2010
LOVE (1 Corinth. 13:4)
Love is patient, kind, does not envy, does not boast, is not self-seeking, and does NOT keep a record of wrongs. It doesn't delight in evil, but rejoices with the truth! Love ALWAYS trusts, ALWAYS protects, ALWAYS perseveres. God IS Love. DON'T YOU FORGET IT!
Check out the Lost Get Found video by Britt Nicole.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GO2prEoATH8
AAAH, so encouraging!!
Love/ God Bless.
Check out the Lost Get Found video by Britt Nicole.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GO2prEoATH8
AAAH, so encouraging!!
Love/ God Bless.
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
RealTalk: I ain't perfect.
Okay so RealTalk: I have a testimony. It's not pretty, and I'm not very proud of it, but I've tried hiding from it and living out of God's glory is unbearable. It's not alright for me to play perfect when I'm not, it's stealing from my ministry and robbing God of His glory. I'm not.
Why am I doing this?
Because "He first loved us"(1 John 4:19)
"Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends."(John 15:13)
"Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves."(Romans 12:9-10)
"The goal of this command is love, which comes from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith"(1 Timothy 1:5)
"'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it:
'Love your neighbor as yourself.'"(Jesus, Matthew 22:37-39)
I'm being obedient to the Lord and so fulfilling the first commandment, and then the second by loving my neighbor as myself. Man, I've been there so I would be selfish (and have been) for not offering my help to those who are in the same spot of loving the Lord but having an unwholesome habit.
I had a bad habit of watching pornography. It started out seldom, became fairly often. It also started out hetero, became homosexual or whatever I could find.
I have not looked at pornography in about 8 months.
Through this, I'm really not trying to condemn or offend anyone, I'm just working through personal experience.. Mine was that I was ashamed and hurt. I didn't find fulfillment or satisfaction from porn or appeasing urges. I felt empty. If you've never felt this way from either of the two, then this is not for you. Keep on keeping on. But for the rest...
"Wait, so watching porn is a sin?"
Yes,
"But I say unto you, every one who looks on a woman to lust after her has committed adultery with her already in his heart." (Jesus, Matthew 5:28) Jesus calls us for purity even in our hearts. To lust after another is adultery in the mind and heart because "when lust is conceived, it brings forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, brings forth death."(James 1:15) The only difference is that the person is not physically present. However, bowing in this way shows that if the person was present you would bow down to physical sin. God, being a Spirit, judges the hearts of men as well as actions.
Allowing myself to lust after this opened me up to deeper problems. I found myself watching videos I found gross before. I moved from "light" stuff to heavier stuff and soon it wasn't a big deal for me to watch the gay stuff either. That added to the list of stresses that life brings that I might be gay, even though I knew I wasn't.
"But if you chose homosexuality, that would be alright."
Not Biblically.
"'If a man lies with a man as one lies with a woman, both of them have done what is detestable. They must be put to death; their blood will be on their own heads.'"(Leviticus 18:22)
"Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexual immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God."(1 Corinthians 6:9-10)
[It continues on to say "as some of you were. But you were washed...sanctified... you were justified" in the name of Jesus and by the Spirit of God.]
In Romans 1:21 Paul writes about how mankind knew God, but didn't praise or obey him and "their foolish hearts were darkened." They exchanged the glory of God for created images made to look like man and various animals. It is because of this, says Paul, that "God gave them over in the sinful desires of their hearts to sexual impurity for the degrading of their bodies with one another..." Also because of this,
"God gave them over to shameful lusts. Even their women exchanged natural relations for unnatural ones. In the same way the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed indecent acts with other men and received in themselves the due penalty for their perversion..."
So again, this is completely out of love to let people know that they don't have to be stuck anywhere that they don't want to be.
----
God has worked with me, and through experience I've really grown close to Him and learned many aspects of who He is:
He is Love(1 John 4:8) and truly truly Truly loves each and every one of us no matter who we are or what we've done.
"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres."(1 Corinthians 13:4-7)
"As a mother comforts her child, so will I comfort you."(Isaiah 66:13)
"As the Father has loved Me [Jesus], so have I loved you."(John 15:9)
"Many waters cannot quench love; rivers cannot wash it away."(Song of Songs 8:7)
"Because of His great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions - it is by grace you have been saved."(Ephesians 2:4-5)
There you go!
It was a process that definitely took some time, just know while he's purifying you that he loves you and rejoices over you for the choice you've made to draw closer to Him. Here's what has helped me:
Prayer, to deepen my relationship with the Lord,
The choice to stop watching my things I knew would take me to the wrong place (ex:sexed-up movies and tv, advertisements, unwholesome conversation, explicit music),
Spending more time with people I knew had a relationship with God,
Reading my bible,
-But MOST IMPORTANTLY!!!!!- lol
PRAYED FOR AND WORKED TO LOVE OTHERS! Man, NOTHING beats love. Love is the biggest defense in your arsenal. "Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers a multitude of sins."(1 Peter 4:8)
Read the bible to get to know more about Him, but remember that freedom stems from a personal relationship and time spent with God doing His work (LOVE!!!!!!).
Ha anyways, enough ranting.. Hope it helps!
Ryan
Why am I doing this?
Because "He first loved us"(1 John 4:19)
"Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends."(John 15:13)
"Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves."(Romans 12:9-10)
"The goal of this command is love, which comes from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith"(1 Timothy 1:5)
"'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it:
'Love your neighbor as yourself.'"(Jesus, Matthew 22:37-39)
I'm being obedient to the Lord and so fulfilling the first commandment, and then the second by loving my neighbor as myself. Man, I've been there so I would be selfish (and have been) for not offering my help to those who are in the same spot of loving the Lord but having an unwholesome habit.
I had a bad habit of watching pornography. It started out seldom, became fairly often. It also started out hetero, became homosexual or whatever I could find.
I have not looked at pornography in about 8 months.
Through this, I'm really not trying to condemn or offend anyone, I'm just working through personal experience.. Mine was that I was ashamed and hurt. I didn't find fulfillment or satisfaction from porn or appeasing urges. I felt empty. If you've never felt this way from either of the two, then this is not for you. Keep on keeping on. But for the rest...
"Wait, so watching porn is a sin?"
Yes,
"But I say unto you, every one who looks on a woman to lust after her has committed adultery with her already in his heart." (Jesus, Matthew 5:28) Jesus calls us for purity even in our hearts. To lust after another is adultery in the mind and heart because "when lust is conceived, it brings forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, brings forth death."(James 1:15) The only difference is that the person is not physically present. However, bowing in this way shows that if the person was present you would bow down to physical sin. God, being a Spirit, judges the hearts of men as well as actions.
Allowing myself to lust after this opened me up to deeper problems. I found myself watching videos I found gross before. I moved from "light" stuff to heavier stuff and soon it wasn't a big deal for me to watch the gay stuff either. That added to the list of stresses that life brings that I might be gay, even though I knew I wasn't.
"But if you chose homosexuality, that would be alright."
Not Biblically.
"'If a man lies with a man as one lies with a woman, both of them have done what is detestable. They must be put to death; their blood will be on their own heads.'"(Leviticus 18:22)
"Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexual immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God."(1 Corinthians 6:9-10)
[It continues on to say "as some of you were. But you were washed...sanctified... you were justified" in the name of Jesus and by the Spirit of God.]
In Romans 1:21 Paul writes about how mankind knew God, but didn't praise or obey him and "their foolish hearts were darkened." They exchanged the glory of God for created images made to look like man and various animals. It is because of this, says Paul, that "God gave them over in the sinful desires of their hearts to sexual impurity for the degrading of their bodies with one another..." Also because of this,
"God gave them over to shameful lusts. Even their women exchanged natural relations for unnatural ones. In the same way the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed indecent acts with other men and received in themselves the due penalty for their perversion..."
So again, this is completely out of love to let people know that they don't have to be stuck anywhere that they don't want to be.
----
God has worked with me, and through experience I've really grown close to Him and learned many aspects of who He is:
He is Love(1 John 4:8) and truly truly Truly loves each and every one of us no matter who we are or what we've done.
"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres."(1 Corinthians 13:4-7)
"As a mother comforts her child, so will I comfort you."(Isaiah 66:13)
"As the Father has loved Me [Jesus], so have I loved you."(John 15:9)
"Many waters cannot quench love; rivers cannot wash it away."(Song of Songs 8:7)
"Because of His great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions - it is by grace you have been saved."(Ephesians 2:4-5)
There you go!
It was a process that definitely took some time, just know while he's purifying you that he loves you and rejoices over you for the choice you've made to draw closer to Him. Here's what has helped me:
Prayer, to deepen my relationship with the Lord,
The choice to stop watching my things I knew would take me to the wrong place (ex:sexed-up movies and tv, advertisements, unwholesome conversation, explicit music),
Spending more time with people I knew had a relationship with God,
Reading my bible,
-But MOST IMPORTANTLY!!!!!- lol
PRAYED FOR AND WORKED TO LOVE OTHERS! Man, NOTHING beats love. Love is the biggest defense in your arsenal. "Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers a multitude of sins."(1 Peter 4:8)
Read the bible to get to know more about Him, but remember that freedom stems from a personal relationship and time spent with God doing His work (LOVE!!!!!!).
Ha anyways, enough ranting.. Hope it helps!
Ryan
Sunday, June 6, 2010
JOY IS IN THE NAME OF THE LORD, AHHHH!!!!!
In case you didn't know,
GOD IS GOOOOOOOD!!!
=)
I'm just on a high right now, learning about seasons and such...
I've just crossed over from an extremely difficult season to one of joy, and really didn't know what to do with myself. I began thinking, maybe I was falling off as a follower of Christ because I felt so different, that maybe it was because I wasn't doing all that I should be doing. THAT IS, until I spoke with my grandma about seasons.
You've GOTTA love old folks.
She said, "If the Lord has given you a season of joy, then enjoy every second of it. Don't let the enemy steal your joy! It is your time to be glad."
I was uneasy about it and unsure of things.. (it's funny how a season of anguish can make you forget how to be joyous and glad, the Lord will help me hold on to this next time around)
SO I READ....
ECCLESIASTES!
Ohhhh I love this book mayne. I can't even describe.
OR maybe I can =))
Ecc.5:19 "..when God gives any man wealth and possessions, and enables him to enjoy them, to accept his lot and be happy in his work--this is a gift from God."
8:15 "so I commend the enjoyment of life, because nothing is better for a man under the sun than to eat and drink and be glad. Then joy will accompany him in his work all the days of the life God has given him under the sun."
9:7 "Go, eat your food with gladness, and drink your wine with a joyful heart, for it is now that God favors what you do. Always be clothed in white, and always anoint your head with oil. Enjoy life with your wife, whom you love, all the days of this meaningless life that God has given you under the sun..."
11:7 "Light is sweet, and it pleases the eyes to see the sun. However many years a man may live, let him enjoy them all. But let him remember the days of darkness, for they will be many. Everything to come is meaningless."
11:9 "Be happy, young man, while you are young, and let your heart give you joy in the days of your youth. Follow the ways of your heart and whatever your eyes see, but know that for all these things God will bring you to judgement.
So then, banish anxiety from your heart and cast off the troubles of your body, for youth and vigor are meaningless."
So I'm on a trip. I'm happy. So happy =)
haha yeah.. good times.
GOD IS GOOOOOOOD!!!
=)
I'm just on a high right now, learning about seasons and such...
I've just crossed over from an extremely difficult season to one of joy, and really didn't know what to do with myself. I began thinking, maybe I was falling off as a follower of Christ because I felt so different, that maybe it was because I wasn't doing all that I should be doing. THAT IS, until I spoke with my grandma about seasons.
You've GOTTA love old folks.
She said, "If the Lord has given you a season of joy, then enjoy every second of it. Don't let the enemy steal your joy! It is your time to be glad."
I was uneasy about it and unsure of things.. (it's funny how a season of anguish can make you forget how to be joyous and glad, the Lord will help me hold on to this next time around)
SO I READ....
ECCLESIASTES!
Ohhhh I love this book mayne. I can't even describe.
OR maybe I can =))
Ecc.5:19 "..when God gives any man wealth and possessions, and enables him to enjoy them, to accept his lot and be happy in his work--this is a gift from God."
8:15 "so I commend the enjoyment of life, because nothing is better for a man under the sun than to eat and drink and be glad. Then joy will accompany him in his work all the days of the life God has given him under the sun."
9:7 "Go, eat your food with gladness, and drink your wine with a joyful heart, for it is now that God favors what you do. Always be clothed in white, and always anoint your head with oil. Enjoy life with your wife, whom you love, all the days of this meaningless life that God has given you under the sun..."
11:7 "Light is sweet, and it pleases the eyes to see the sun. However many years a man may live, let him enjoy them all. But let him remember the days of darkness, for they will be many. Everything to come is meaningless."
11:9 "Be happy, young man, while you are young, and let your heart give you joy in the days of your youth. Follow the ways of your heart and whatever your eyes see, but know that for all these things God will bring you to judgement.
So then, banish anxiety from your heart and cast off the troubles of your body, for youth and vigor are meaningless."
So I'm on a trip. I'm happy. So happy =)
haha yeah.. good times.
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
Thursday, April 22, 2010
Why I believe in God (another Testimony)
I believe in God...
Because of the things he's carried me through.
Various deaths, depression, low self-esteem, pornography addiction and homosexual thoughts.
And where He's brought me.
Boldness, a growing self-esteem and confidence, understanding of my gifts; understanding of how because I went through the many things that I did, I am able to guide and help others through the same things if I will just be bold and not let a selfish lack of courage leave those still going through it in the dark.
Through it He's strengthened my ties to Him..
Every time I cried out to Him for strength I submitted a bit more of me to His will. A little bit more of me was given to Him (sometimes it was like pulling teeth, and sometimes it was in awe of something He had already done) and in return a bit more of Him was given to me.
As God gave more of His spirit to me, He taught me more about the person I was created to become. He taught me that no matter how hard I try to "find myself", without Him it will only end in frustration and a larger gap between us..
Through it He's built me up...
Psalm 119:67 David writes, "Before I was afflicted, I went astray, but now Your word do I keep [hearing, receiving, loving, and obeying it]."
That's what He's doing in me. He allows me to go through things so that I can grow through them. Before He allowed me to make the wrong decisions, I was naive and only did the right things because I was afraid of what would happen if my parents found out, or how people would judge, or just because I had been told it was wrong. While other things were just gray area, I simply did not know, I couldn't find how they were definitely wrong but also couldn't find how they could be right.
After these things occurred, I had to learn for myself what God says. I had to develop an ear to hear him when he says "Don't do that". I had to develop methods to use that would help me avoid bad habits and abort the seed that would birth sin at first sight.
God exposes His people to battle so that they can understand the enemy's tactics.
As I'm noting this and writing this down I'm still being shaped and molded and will continue to be so in the future until the day I die, but there is that hope that each day will be brighter than the last. And through what I've already experienced, I know that His likeness will be found more present within me every day. So I'm going to keep hoping and staying faithful, He's working.
Because of the things he's carried me through.
Various deaths, depression, low self-esteem, pornography addiction and homosexual thoughts.
And where He's brought me.
Boldness, a growing self-esteem and confidence, understanding of my gifts; understanding of how because I went through the many things that I did, I am able to guide and help others through the same things if I will just be bold and not let a selfish lack of courage leave those still going through it in the dark.
Through it He's strengthened my ties to Him..
Every time I cried out to Him for strength I submitted a bit more of me to His will. A little bit more of me was given to Him (sometimes it was like pulling teeth, and sometimes it was in awe of something He had already done) and in return a bit more of Him was given to me.
As God gave more of His spirit to me, He taught me more about the person I was created to become. He taught me that no matter how hard I try to "find myself", without Him it will only end in frustration and a larger gap between us..
Through it He's built me up...
Psalm 119:67 David writes, "Before I was afflicted, I went astray, but now Your word do I keep [hearing, receiving, loving, and obeying it]."
That's what He's doing in me. He allows me to go through things so that I can grow through them. Before He allowed me to make the wrong decisions, I was naive and only did the right things because I was afraid of what would happen if my parents found out, or how people would judge, or just because I had been told it was wrong. While other things were just gray area, I simply did not know, I couldn't find how they were definitely wrong but also couldn't find how they could be right.
After these things occurred, I had to learn for myself what God says. I had to develop an ear to hear him when he says "Don't do that". I had to develop methods to use that would help me avoid bad habits and abort the seed that would birth sin at first sight.
God exposes His people to battle so that they can understand the enemy's tactics.
As I'm noting this and writing this down I'm still being shaped and molded and will continue to be so in the future until the day I die, but there is that hope that each day will be brighter than the last. And through what I've already experienced, I know that His likeness will be found more present within me every day. So I'm going to keep hoping and staying faithful, He's working.
Thursday, April 15, 2010
Sorry for the wait.
Dude, my computer was messed up so I sent it to apple and its fixed. Cool? Haha I hope so.
On another note, i can't afford it right now due to a college budget and I don't know if I'd want to spend my money on clothes when there are so many better things it can go to ( I'm thinking about funding a legacy scholarship for invisible children, www.invisiblechildren.com).. BUT if you're looking for Christian clothing: c28.com, p4cm.com, and you can find more if you search on google. But yea, DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT ENDORSE ALL OF THEIR CLOTHING, so don't talk to me about being outraged..just don't buy it.
Anyways, it's random I know, but enjoy and I'll be back with more.
Enjoy this clip of the lifehouse skit "Everything".
On another note, i can't afford it right now due to a college budget and I don't know if I'd want to spend my money on clothes when there are so many better things it can go to ( I'm thinking about funding a legacy scholarship for invisible children, www.invisiblechildren.com).. BUT if you're looking for Christian clothing: c28.com, p4cm.com, and you can find more if you search on google. But yea, DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT ENDORSE ALL OF THEIR CLOTHING, so don't talk to me about being outraged..just don't buy it.
Anyways, it's random I know, but enjoy and I'll be back with more.
Enjoy this clip of the lifehouse skit "Everything".
Thursday, April 8, 2010
A Note on that last note.
Also, Let's stop attempting to trick God. Who is He that He can be tricked by His creation?? That is the dumbest belief that many hold, and says a lot about our egos as human beings. You might be thinking "That's dumb, I'd never do that!" O yea? How about all the times you've tried to teeter totter on doing anything that's not specifically listed as a sin?? He knows what He's convicted you about, so when you reach the pearly gates and He asks you "Why did you (insert issue here)?" And you say "But God, you didn't write that down as a sin!" And He says "You're right, but I gave you My Spirit and specifically told you that was wrong EVERY TIME YOU DID IT! But you disobeyed Me.."
How dumb are you gonna look then. How will you feel? Will you wish you didn't try to just get in to Heaven? I'm not saying you'll be dropped into the inferno, but I am saying that's for you decide if you want to disobey Him or not. When you live on the edge, it's easy to get pushed over. Instead of trying to trick Almighty God who knows all things and hearts, why not strive to be as close to Him as we can possibly be in this life? Instead of seeking "not to sin", why don't we seek to be pure and holy and blameless before Him? I can guarantee you that when you do that, those sins that held you down before never will have the same power over you! Now, you will never be perfect. But you can strive for perfection, strengthening your relationship with your Heavenly Teacher and Guide on the way!
Just stop thinking you're smarter than God. You're not. Game Over.
In Christ,
Ryan
P.S.
(Just for an example, who will be a better athlete? He who strives to be the best on the team, or he who strives to be the best ever? Reach higher.)
How dumb are you gonna look then. How will you feel? Will you wish you didn't try to just get in to Heaven? I'm not saying you'll be dropped into the inferno, but I am saying that's for you decide if you want to disobey Him or not. When you live on the edge, it's easy to get pushed over. Instead of trying to trick Almighty God who knows all things and hearts, why not strive to be as close to Him as we can possibly be in this life? Instead of seeking "not to sin", why don't we seek to be pure and holy and blameless before Him? I can guarantee you that when you do that, those sins that held you down before never will have the same power over you! Now, you will never be perfect. But you can strive for perfection, strengthening your relationship with your Heavenly Teacher and Guide on the way!
Just stop thinking you're smarter than God. You're not. Game Over.
In Christ,
Ryan
P.S.
(Just for an example, who will be a better athlete? He who strives to be the best on the team, or he who strives to be the best ever? Reach higher.)
Be a Doer of the Word.. No more 'lukewarm' Christians!
James 1:22 (Amplified Bible),
"..But be doers of the Word [obey the message], and not merely listeners to it, betraying yourselves [into deception by reasoning contrary to the Truth]. 23 For if anyone only listens to the Word without obeying it and being a doer of it, he is like a man who looks carefully at his [own] natural face in a mirror; 24 For he thoughtfully observes himself, and then goes off and promptly forgets what he was like.
25 But he who looks carefully into the faultless law, the [law] of liberty, and is faithful to it and perseveres in looking into it, being not a heedless listener who forgets but an active doer [who obeys], he shall be blessed in his doing (his life of obedience)."
Be a doer of the Word! This is relevant because SO MANY have been tricked, through the american culture's turning away from Christian values, into simply claiming Christianity though not actually living a Christian life. Sometimes they claim Jesus as their savior just for fire-protection and do not actually live, or truly make an effort to live, the life that Jesus commanded us to live. This transforms their claims of Jesus as their Lord and Savior into vanity, as God knows our hearts and plans to bring those who LOVE Him up to Heaven. Matt. 7:21-23 states
"Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. 22 Many will say to Me in that day, 'Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?' 23 And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!'"
You cannot use Jesus simply for FIRE-PROTECTION!!! YOU CAN'T USE GOD JUST FOR PROTECTION FROM HELL!! YOU CANNOT USE JESUS SIMPLY FOR FIRE PROTECTION!!
That must be emphasized. If you don't want him, then GO! Why even worry about Jesus if its simply for appearances or to give you a warm and fuzzy feeling inside? If you're gonna be lukewarm, then you better go out and drink yourself into debt, be loose with whoever you want and completely disobey Him. Maybe then you'll finally realize how much you TRULY TRULY TRULY NEED HIM in life as well as death. And hopefully you'll have enough time left to flee from your lusts and jump into His arms by then!
Now! That was just for emphasis and to get you to understand the point. No, I don't want you to be "heathens" or anything like that, not my intent. Just understand that because you say "Lord, Lord" does not save you from the second death, so move beyond that! Get past it! God calls us to be servants of His divine will, to trust Him that He is not out to destroy those who love Him, and that He loves you MORE than you could ever love Him or comprehend. So give Him your all, because He gives you His. This is an eternal marriage, that WILL not work the way we do marriage nowadays in the world (41% of first marriages end in divorce). Remember that He abides in those who love Him, and even defines it in John 14:23, "Jesus answered and said to him, 'If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him.'"
SO.. OBEDIENCE IS THE KEY! Do not be like the man who "looks carefully at his [own] natural face in a mirror; 24 For he thoughtfully observes himself, and then goes off and promptly forgets what he was like." The constant observance of the Word is to expose your flaws, that you may understand and with God's aid (He won't allow you to successfully do anything without Him, bc your pride would swell up) fix it to continue the perfection process. Remember that the Word is the light used to expose the hidden dark places! It is your mirror to see that spinach stuck in your teeth after lunch, and that pimple in the middle of your forehead. If we could see in the spirit and not the physical, you best believe we would be in the bible and worshipping Him at every hour of the day like we're in the mirror and at the gym,etc. Remember also, just like if you don't check your teeth after you eat, if you don't check yourself in the Word the hidden things will be exposed one way or another. Either you can expose them between you and God, and fix them... Or you can be publicly exposed and embarrassed the next time you smile.
Take this Word and do something with it!
This is meant in completely Love and In Christ,
Ryan
"..But be doers of the Word [obey the message], and not merely listeners to it, betraying yourselves [into deception by reasoning contrary to the Truth]. 23 For if anyone only listens to the Word without obeying it and being a doer of it, he is like a man who looks carefully at his [own] natural face in a mirror; 24 For he thoughtfully observes himself, and then goes off and promptly forgets what he was like.
25 But he who looks carefully into the faultless law, the [law] of liberty, and is faithful to it and perseveres in looking into it, being not a heedless listener who forgets but an active doer [who obeys], he shall be blessed in his doing (his life of obedience)."
Be a doer of the Word! This is relevant because SO MANY have been tricked, through the american culture's turning away from Christian values, into simply claiming Christianity though not actually living a Christian life. Sometimes they claim Jesus as their savior just for fire-protection and do not actually live, or truly make an effort to live, the life that Jesus commanded us to live. This transforms their claims of Jesus as their Lord and Savior into vanity, as God knows our hearts and plans to bring those who LOVE Him up to Heaven. Matt. 7:21-23 states
"Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. 22 Many will say to Me in that day, 'Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?' 23 And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!'"
You cannot use Jesus simply for FIRE-PROTECTION!!! YOU CAN'T USE GOD JUST FOR PROTECTION FROM HELL!! YOU CANNOT USE JESUS SIMPLY FOR FIRE PROTECTION!!
That must be emphasized. If you don't want him, then GO! Why even worry about Jesus if its simply for appearances or to give you a warm and fuzzy feeling inside? If you're gonna be lukewarm, then you better go out and drink yourself into debt, be loose with whoever you want and completely disobey Him. Maybe then you'll finally realize how much you TRULY TRULY TRULY NEED HIM in life as well as death. And hopefully you'll have enough time left to flee from your lusts and jump into His arms by then!
Now! That was just for emphasis and to get you to understand the point. No, I don't want you to be "heathens" or anything like that, not my intent. Just understand that because you say "Lord, Lord" does not save you from the second death, so move beyond that! Get past it! God calls us to be servants of His divine will, to trust Him that He is not out to destroy those who love Him, and that He loves you MORE than you could ever love Him or comprehend. So give Him your all, because He gives you His. This is an eternal marriage, that WILL not work the way we do marriage nowadays in the world (41% of first marriages end in divorce). Remember that He abides in those who love Him, and even defines it in John 14:23, "Jesus answered and said to him, 'If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him.'"
SO.. OBEDIENCE IS THE KEY! Do not be like the man who "looks carefully at his [own] natural face in a mirror; 24 For he thoughtfully observes himself, and then goes off and promptly forgets what he was like." The constant observance of the Word is to expose your flaws, that you may understand and with God's aid (He won't allow you to successfully do anything without Him, bc your pride would swell up) fix it to continue the perfection process. Remember that the Word is the light used to expose the hidden dark places! It is your mirror to see that spinach stuck in your teeth after lunch, and that pimple in the middle of your forehead. If we could see in the spirit and not the physical, you best believe we would be in the bible and worshipping Him at every hour of the day like we're in the mirror and at the gym,etc. Remember also, just like if you don't check your teeth after you eat, if you don't check yourself in the Word the hidden things will be exposed one way or another. Either you can expose them between you and God, and fix them... Or you can be publicly exposed and embarrassed the next time you smile.
Take this Word and do something with it!
This is meant in completely Love and In Christ,
Ryan
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
Oh Well
This is only a piece of the song, but get this album Lions & Liars and share it with your friends! It really goes hard, get it.
SPRING HAS SPRUNG.
You know what that means... (drumroll please)
Booty shorts.
Yes, you do have eyes. And yes, you will see them everywhere.
SO...
Don't look twice. NO SECOND GLANCES! Stare at the sky and think WWJD.
Seriously.
Ryan
Booty shorts.
Yes, you do have eyes. And yes, you will see them everywhere.
SO...
Don't look twice. NO SECOND GLANCES! Stare at the sky and think WWJD.
Seriously.
Ryan
(cont') So this all led up to this Mountains and valleys understanding. (It's all summed up in the comment on this post in case this is confusing)
After all this (concluding with the testimony), I was spiritually (and physically) exhausted. I was so completely tired, that I did not want to get out of bed in the morning. I was somewhat in a depressed state and was yelling in my head "Agh God take me now!" I was in sweats daily and I'm not gonna lie, was not feeling like going to classes at all.
But the Lord kept on telling me that this isn't gonna last forever, and I knew that if I'm going through it, then there is something I need to learn from it. (Mom always says, "Don't go through it, grow through it.")
So, after bible study that thursday, my two friends and study leaders (get to be friends with yours!) went to IHOP. To my surprise, I wasn't the only one feeling drained (you're usually not, it's just that everyone likes to keep their business to themselves), but after a pep talk from one of the leaders, I was temporarily recharged.
I was up and down for a couple of days when I decided to call my grandma to tell her what was going down, and she said something extremely profound, "Well Ryan, you know, you just had a mountaintop experience. There's always a valley after those.." Thank God for old folks!
That reminded me of 1 Kings 19 where after the prophet Elijah created a 3 year drought, called down God's fire from Heaven, called the rain to come back to the land and had all the prophets of Baal destroyed in the name of God, he ended up exhausted and praying under a tree that he might die! "I've had enough, Lord... take my life, I am no better than my ancestors."
If that happened to Elijah, the only prophet to be lifted up to heaven in a whirlwind, then WHY OH WHY would that NOT happen to me?!?
That's the thing, prepare yourself, bc on the journey you WILL get tired and lose strength. However, in that same story, we gain hope that God will REVIVE us.
1 Kings 19:5 "Then he lay down under the tree and fell asleep.
All at once an angel touched him and said, 'Get up and eat.' He looked around, and there by his head was a cake of bread baked over hot coals, and a jar of water. He ate and drank and then lay down again.
The angel of the LORD came back a second time and touched him and said, 'Get up and eat, for the journey is too much for you.' So he got up and ate and drank. Strengthened by that food, he traveled forty days and forty nights until he reached Horeb, the mountain of God. There he went into a cave and spent the night."
He will restore you and preserve your strength so don't worry.
--This part doesn't really mesh as well with what I was just talking about, but it is a great message, so I encourage you to read it.--
And the word of the LORD came to him: “What are you doing here, Elijah?”
10He replied, “I have been very zealous for the LORD God Almighty. The Israelites have rejected your covenant, broken down your altars, and put your prophets to death with the sword. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me too.”
11The LORD said, “Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the LORD, for the LORD is about to pass by.”
Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the LORD, but the LORD was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake. 12After the earthquake came a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper. 13When Elijah heard it, he pulled his cloak over his face and went out and stood at the mouth of the cave.
Then a voice said to him, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”
14He replied, “I have been very zealous for the LORD God Almighty. The Israelites have rejected your covenant, broken down your altars, and put your prophets to death with the sword. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me too.”
15The LORD said to him, “Go back the way you came, and go to the Desert of Damascus. When you get there, anoint Hazael king over Aram. 16Also, anoint Jehu son of Nimshi king over Israel, and anoint Elisha son of Shaphat from Abel Meholah to succeed you as prophet. 17Jehu will put to death any who escape the sword of Hazael, and Elisha will put to death any who escape the sword of Jehu. 18Yet I reserve seven thousand in Israel—all whose knees have not bowed down to Baal and all whose mouths have not kissed him.”
Note: when you're exhausted, you will feel alone, but you really aren't. However, the Lord will make provisions. Next in the story, Elisha becomes Elijah's mentee until the Lord takes Elijah up into the sky.
God Bless,
Hit me up or comment with questions
Ryan
But the Lord kept on telling me that this isn't gonna last forever, and I knew that if I'm going through it, then there is something I need to learn from it. (Mom always says, "Don't go through it, grow through it.")
So, after bible study that thursday, my two friends and study leaders (get to be friends with yours!) went to IHOP. To my surprise, I wasn't the only one feeling drained (you're usually not, it's just that everyone likes to keep their business to themselves), but after a pep talk from one of the leaders, I was temporarily recharged.
I was up and down for a couple of days when I decided to call my grandma to tell her what was going down, and she said something extremely profound, "Well Ryan, you know, you just had a mountaintop experience. There's always a valley after those.." Thank God for old folks!
That reminded me of 1 Kings 19 where after the prophet Elijah created a 3 year drought, called down God's fire from Heaven, called the rain to come back to the land and had all the prophets of Baal destroyed in the name of God, he ended up exhausted and praying under a tree that he might die! "I've had enough, Lord... take my life, I am no better than my ancestors."
If that happened to Elijah, the only prophet to be lifted up to heaven in a whirlwind, then WHY OH WHY would that NOT happen to me?!?
That's the thing, prepare yourself, bc on the journey you WILL get tired and lose strength. However, in that same story, we gain hope that God will REVIVE us.
1 Kings 19:5 "Then he lay down under the tree and fell asleep.
All at once an angel touched him and said, 'Get up and eat.' He looked around, and there by his head was a cake of bread baked over hot coals, and a jar of water. He ate and drank and then lay down again.
The angel of the LORD came back a second time and touched him and said, 'Get up and eat, for the journey is too much for you.' So he got up and ate and drank. Strengthened by that food, he traveled forty days and forty nights until he reached Horeb, the mountain of God. There he went into a cave and spent the night."
He will restore you and preserve your strength so don't worry.
--This part doesn't really mesh as well with what I was just talking about, but it is a great message, so I encourage you to read it.--
And the word of the LORD came to him: “What are you doing here, Elijah?”
10He replied, “I have been very zealous for the LORD God Almighty. The Israelites have rejected your covenant, broken down your altars, and put your prophets to death with the sword. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me too.”
11The LORD said, “Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the LORD, for the LORD is about to pass by.”
Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the LORD, but the LORD was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake. 12After the earthquake came a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper. 13When Elijah heard it, he pulled his cloak over his face and went out and stood at the mouth of the cave.
Then a voice said to him, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”
14He replied, “I have been very zealous for the LORD God Almighty. The Israelites have rejected your covenant, broken down your altars, and put your prophets to death with the sword. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me too.”
15The LORD said to him, “Go back the way you came, and go to the Desert of Damascus. When you get there, anoint Hazael king over Aram. 16Also, anoint Jehu son of Nimshi king over Israel, and anoint Elisha son of Shaphat from Abel Meholah to succeed you as prophet. 17Jehu will put to death any who escape the sword of Hazael, and Elisha will put to death any who escape the sword of Jehu. 18Yet I reserve seven thousand in Israel—all whose knees have not bowed down to Baal and all whose mouths have not kissed him.”
Note: when you're exhausted, you will feel alone, but you really aren't. However, the Lord will make provisions. Next in the story, Elisha becomes Elijah's mentee until the Lord takes Elijah up into the sky.
God Bless,
Hit me up or comment with questions
Ryan
On that last post:
Alright, so real lyfe (yes, "lyfe." its a theme.) application.
As I stated earlier in that Witnessing post, spring break was a real turning point in my walk with Christ. Actually this whole semester has been, this whole school year has been actually, so this would be recent turning point #3. But anyways, Spring break was ridiculous!
I don't know if I also stated it earlier, but the reason I had to get a ride from 'Somalia' to the airport is because Momma (grandma on dad's side, Rest In Peace) had passed over into God's care a week earlier, and her funeral was the first saturday of spring break. I was on a roll with the Lord up to this point and after this. I was truly learning the importance of prayer and had just started a campus wide prayer ministry with a couple friends (btw it is a great idea to become good friends with your bible study leaders if you want to stay strong in your walk with Christ), I was in my bible ALL DAY (during lunch time, any free time I had, I spent an entire weekend just studying the Word and going to church), I joined the Praise & Worship team at church, and was just praying and working to show love all day.
Now, hearing of Momma's death jumped started me to be even more on fire for the Lord. I was actually in bible study at school (W.O.W. Thursdays at 8pm haha SHOUTOUT!) when my parents tried to call me the first time, but I missed the call. But when I heard the news, I didn't know how to react. I certainly was not sad or upset, I couldn't really understand why right then but a few hours later I learned that it was a mixture of things. 1) I felt like all I should be doing was rejoicing for her, because there is no doubt in my mind that she is kickin it with Jesus right now. And that's the comfort that loved ones get when they lose a godly man or woman in their life. 2) I feel like the Lord was keeping me, because He planned on using me through this experience, so I couldn't rest yet.
Whatever it was, this experience (and the inspiration I gained through seeing this woman die in love with God and working for His glory, I'll tell you how she did so later) put me in hyperdrive for the Lord. I was praying what I knew were powerful, spirit filled prayers for everyone; instead of simply encouraging others as I did before I now encouraged them in the name of Jesus, I was posting scripture on my door, buying books for friends, playing christian music in my dorm whenever I could, etc. I was working for the Lord and doing whatever he told me to do, like there was no tomorrow, because I also realized that there is a large possibility that at any time I could breathe my last breath. The Lord had added more tools and strengths to my arsenal.
Furthermore, throughout the break I had my grandma on my mother's side with us the whole break, and she is a straight up spiritual G. Haha that woman is the most spirit-filled person I have ever met in my life. So she played mentor and I learned about warfare and so many things such as how to anoint and to proclaim my faith etc. In addition, I did a three day fast, eating and drinking nothing but the Word of God the whole time, Matthew 4:4 "...man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God." So, it is extremely weird to say that all of this occurred in a week's time, but it did. God was building me up.
He continuously put me in situations to share my faith and be a light, leading up to the day (a week later) that Manhattan Christian fellowship was having a revival and a prophet was speaking (Prophet Forte). He gave me a word, and that night the Lord prompted me to post up that Testimonial note.
This note is getting extra long, so I'll continue on another post.
As I stated earlier in that Witnessing post, spring break was a real turning point in my walk with Christ. Actually this whole semester has been, this whole school year has been actually, so this would be recent turning point #3. But anyways, Spring break was ridiculous!
I don't know if I also stated it earlier, but the reason I had to get a ride from 'Somalia' to the airport is because Momma (grandma on dad's side, Rest In Peace) had passed over into God's care a week earlier, and her funeral was the first saturday of spring break. I was on a roll with the Lord up to this point and after this. I was truly learning the importance of prayer and had just started a campus wide prayer ministry with a couple friends (btw it is a great idea to become good friends with your bible study leaders if you want to stay strong in your walk with Christ), I was in my bible ALL DAY (during lunch time, any free time I had, I spent an entire weekend just studying the Word and going to church), I joined the Praise & Worship team at church, and was just praying and working to show love all day.
Now, hearing of Momma's death jumped started me to be even more on fire for the Lord. I was actually in bible study at school (W.O.W. Thursdays at 8pm haha SHOUTOUT!) when my parents tried to call me the first time, but I missed the call. But when I heard the news, I didn't know how to react. I certainly was not sad or upset, I couldn't really understand why right then but a few hours later I learned that it was a mixture of things. 1) I felt like all I should be doing was rejoicing for her, because there is no doubt in my mind that she is kickin it with Jesus right now. And that's the comfort that loved ones get when they lose a godly man or woman in their life. 2) I feel like the Lord was keeping me, because He planned on using me through this experience, so I couldn't rest yet.
Whatever it was, this experience (and the inspiration I gained through seeing this woman die in love with God and working for His glory, I'll tell you how she did so later) put me in hyperdrive for the Lord. I was praying what I knew were powerful, spirit filled prayers for everyone; instead of simply encouraging others as I did before I now encouraged them in the name of Jesus, I was posting scripture on my door, buying books for friends, playing christian music in my dorm whenever I could, etc. I was working for the Lord and doing whatever he told me to do, like there was no tomorrow, because I also realized that there is a large possibility that at any time I could breathe my last breath. The Lord had added more tools and strengths to my arsenal.
Furthermore, throughout the break I had my grandma on my mother's side with us the whole break, and she is a straight up spiritual G. Haha that woman is the most spirit-filled person I have ever met in my life. So she played mentor and I learned about warfare and so many things such as how to anoint and to proclaim my faith etc. In addition, I did a three day fast, eating and drinking nothing but the Word of God the whole time, Matthew 4:4 "...man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God." So, it is extremely weird to say that all of this occurred in a week's time, but it did. God was building me up.
He continuously put me in situations to share my faith and be a light, leading up to the day (a week later) that Manhattan Christian fellowship was having a revival and a prophet was speaking (Prophet Forte). He gave me a word, and that night the Lord prompted me to post up that Testimonial note.
This note is getting extra long, so I'll continue on another post.
A MESSAGE TO ALL BELIEVERS.
This is necessary, so bear with me.
STAY IN THE WORD IF YOU WANT TO STAY TRANSFORMED!
After a few too many times of tip toeing away from the Word (whether it's because I'm too busy, schoolwork, tired, or just not making time for Him) and realizing that soon enough tip toeing equates to real steps, which will lead you to leaps if you're not careful, I've learned how necessary it is to make time for the Word as a First Priority. Trust me, you do not want to make leaps and bounds towards perfection in Christ only to rest a bit and find that the baby steps away pulled you back from reaching your full potential, if not back to where you were, or worse...
So, Stay in the Word! It's through His Words that you are transformed. Through the light shining on your hidden imperfections and insufficiencies do you understand where you need the Lord's help to change and become sufficient for His use.
In Christ,
M.O.G. 2010 to Lyfe!
STAY IN THE WORD IF YOU WANT TO STAY TRANSFORMED!
After a few too many times of tip toeing away from the Word (whether it's because I'm too busy, schoolwork, tired, or just not making time for Him) and realizing that soon enough tip toeing equates to real steps, which will lead you to leaps if you're not careful, I've learned how necessary it is to make time for the Word as a First Priority. Trust me, you do not want to make leaps and bounds towards perfection in Christ only to rest a bit and find that the baby steps away pulled you back from reaching your full potential, if not back to where you were, or worse...
So, Stay in the Word! It's through His Words that you are transformed. Through the light shining on your hidden imperfections and insufficiencies do you understand where you need the Lord's help to change and become sufficient for His use.
In Christ,
M.O.G. 2010 to Lyfe!
Friday, April 2, 2010
Hold on! (school has me messed up!)
I'm coming up with the next post soon, busy with schoolwork.
Haha but until then...
WATCH THIS!
Pastor Justin keep on doing what you're doing. This stuff blessed me forreal.
#4 Got me messed up right now... WATCH OUT YALL!!
Haha but until then...
WATCH THIS!
Pastor Justin keep on doing what you're doing. This stuff blessed me forreal.
#4 Got me messed up right now... WATCH OUT YALL!!
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Fuel for your Spirit
"But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people. For among them are those who creep into households and capture weak women, burdened with sins and led astray by various passions, always learning and never able to arrive at a knowledge of the truth."
II Timothy 3:1-7
II Timothy 3:1-7
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Focus of the week: Witnessing (Exciting stuff.. Really.)
Today was finally a GREAT day! I had been recovering from an intense spring break for a week and a half (some serious spiritual things were going on in the fam), and each day the light grew brighter and brighter to the point where today the light HAS chased away all the darkness.
Over the past couple of weeks, the Lord has been putting it to my attention that I have been acting as if I am ashamed of portions of the Gospel. If I was un-saved or still in High School, my thought process would have gone like this:
Okay.. So I gave up my voice, I only sing for You..
I gave up my HEART for You... NO ONE ELSE is allowed in the VIP section of the party known as my life except You, Your Son, and YOUR Spirit..
I gave up FRIENDS for You (if they disrespect my DAD they better not chill around me!)
I first gave up my Sundays, then Thursdays, then Fridays, then Wednesdays, Then MONDAYS, TUESDAYS, AND SATURDAYS FOR YOU!
I gave up Heroes (bc it was stealing my time from You...)
WHAT MORE DO YOU WANT!?!?!?!?!?!?
BUT, I am saved (Hallelujah) and He's changed me, so now I say,
"I understand, FORGIVE ME I'M WRONG"
Because I understand why He says this...(I know that EVERYTHING means EVERYTHING and when He says "Take up your cross and follow Me" He MEANS IT!), and I REFUSE to give the devil any means to work mischief in MY life (HE BETTER RECOGNIZE, I am NOT the one!). So then I said,
"Show me what I'm doing wrong and I'll fix it."
TIME TO WORK!
Haha.. He showed me that although I pray to Him, it's too shallow, and I'm still hiding my Prayers from others knowledge.
He also said, "Good job, you've made a point to show Love to others daily, BUT now it's time to show REAL Love!". So I say "COOL! What's real love?"
And Guess what comes next...
(Drumroll Please)
WITNESSING!!!
My heart stopped a couple times I think..
You see, I knew in my heart that I should be witnessing, BUT I was not about to have people lookin at me crazy and calling me a "bible thumper", NO WAY!
And all this was simply a front to mask the fact (which I was showing through my actions although not verbally confessing) that..
I cared much more about what others thought of me, than what He thought of me..
I was MUCH more interested in people pleasing than I was God-pleasing..
So I hid under the front of:
"I don't have to tell them they already know..."
and
"I'm just gonna show them Jesus in the way I live my life".
Now don't get me wrong, that's great! BUT, one question... "If they do see 'Jesus' in your life and your actions, how will they know that it is Jesus they see if they have never encountered Him before??"
We presume FAR too much in this belief that everyone knows who Jesus is and what He stands for.
Yes, America has been EXTREMELY churched, however, alot of it has been in vain due to the majority of the population proclaiming the name of Jesus (in the past) with their tongues, but not with their lives... So much that MANY believe they understand Christianity and the church, even JESUS CHRIST from this surface level faith of people who know what is right and wrong and yet choose to teeter-totter on what is a sin, instead of what is pure and holy in the sight of God.
OR as I've heard Joyce Meyer say..
"We want just enough of God to stay out of Hell, but not enough of Him to live in victory."
Exactly.. how sad is that...
So You and I've got to be REAL Christians, to be an example to both Christians and non-christians alike.
BUT ANYWAYS, the point is WITNESSING. I told Him I'd obey if He instructed.. That's what He instructed, and I obeyed.
Two weeks ago, the Friday before spring break, I had a two hour drive to the airport with a driver from Super Shuttle. That's when the Lord pricked me and said, "I'm instructing, now do it!". I was SO embarrassed, so I kindof eased into it.
"Hey I'M NOT CRAZY."
(Good start right?? I know.. sheer genius.)
"I have questions so I decided I'm going to start asking random people their viewpoints.. Is that cool with you?"
[Driver] "Yes no problem.."
He's from Somalia by the way, just thought I'd throw it out there.
[Me] "What do you think about... g-g-God? Yea, What do you think about God?"
[Somalia] "What do I think of God?? What do you mean?? I mean He's...uhh.."
[Me] "What do you think of when you think of God?"
[S] "He's everywhere? Sorry, I don't really know how to answer that.."
[Me] "I think of Love.. etc I'm Christian..etc (I explained my viewpoint) So what about you?"
[S] He's read several teachings, is from a Muslim family where his father was a teacher of the law, however he never really identified with that. He starts explaining his life to me and invites me to sit in the front (haha Movin' on up!). He then asks a bunch of questions and I got a chance to clear up some false doctrine (An anglican-christian teacher he drove told him that Adam and Eve were not the first humans on this earth, so I whipped out the Truth and read the verses to him).. the rest is History..
That was the quickest two and a half hour drive I've ever experienced.. in case you were interested. It really wasn't awkward for either of us, and we a great conversation.
You see, God will provide a way. No worries, He knows what you know and don't know. What you strongly believe and what you doubt. Just Give Your Everything to Him and He will work it to be suitable for use and use you! And EVERY experience coming from Him is for both Your and others' benefit, because He is GOOD.
Mark 13:11
"...Just say whatever is given you at the time, for it is not you speaking, but the Holy Spirit."
Remember, there is nothing you can't handle with Him! I'll touch on witnessing and various other things a bit down the line, I'm running out of time now..I have homework and stuff to do, but you know..
Peace and God Bless!
Obey Him and Trust Him,
Find EVERYDAY ways to bless others, advance the kingdom, and be a light to others
Again, God Bless and catch up with yall later.
Ryan
Over the past couple of weeks, the Lord has been putting it to my attention that I have been acting as if I am ashamed of portions of the Gospel. If I was un-saved or still in High School, my thought process would have gone like this:
Okay.. So I gave up my voice, I only sing for You..
I gave up my HEART for You... NO ONE ELSE is allowed in the VIP section of the party known as my life except You, Your Son, and YOUR Spirit..
I gave up FRIENDS for You (if they disrespect my DAD they better not chill around me!)
I first gave up my Sundays, then Thursdays, then Fridays, then Wednesdays, Then MONDAYS, TUESDAYS, AND SATURDAYS FOR YOU!
I gave up Heroes (bc it was stealing my time from You...)
WHAT MORE DO YOU WANT!?!?!?!?!?!?
BUT, I am saved (Hallelujah) and He's changed me, so now I say,
"I understand, FORGIVE ME I'M WRONG"
Because I understand why He says this...(I know that EVERYTHING means EVERYTHING and when He says "Take up your cross and follow Me" He MEANS IT!), and I REFUSE to give the devil any means to work mischief in MY life (HE BETTER RECOGNIZE, I am NOT the one!). So then I said,
"Show me what I'm doing wrong and I'll fix it."
TIME TO WORK!
Haha.. He showed me that although I pray to Him, it's too shallow, and I'm still hiding my Prayers from others knowledge.
He also said, "Good job, you've made a point to show Love to others daily, BUT now it's time to show REAL Love!". So I say "COOL! What's real love?"
And Guess what comes next...
(Drumroll Please)
WITNESSING!!!
My heart stopped a couple times I think..
You see, I knew in my heart that I should be witnessing, BUT I was not about to have people lookin at me crazy and calling me a "bible thumper", NO WAY!
And all this was simply a front to mask the fact (which I was showing through my actions although not verbally confessing) that..
I cared much more about what others thought of me, than what He thought of me..
I was MUCH more interested in people pleasing than I was God-pleasing..
So I hid under the front of:
"I don't have to tell them they already know..."
and
"I'm just gonna show them Jesus in the way I live my life".
Now don't get me wrong, that's great! BUT, one question... "If they do see 'Jesus' in your life and your actions, how will they know that it is Jesus they see if they have never encountered Him before??"
We presume FAR too much in this belief that everyone knows who Jesus is and what He stands for.
Yes, America has been EXTREMELY churched, however, alot of it has been in vain due to the majority of the population proclaiming the name of Jesus (in the past) with their tongues, but not with their lives... So much that MANY believe they understand Christianity and the church, even JESUS CHRIST from this surface level faith of people who know what is right and wrong and yet choose to teeter-totter on what is a sin, instead of what is pure and holy in the sight of God.
OR as I've heard Joyce Meyer say..
"We want just enough of God to stay out of Hell, but not enough of Him to live in victory."
Exactly.. how sad is that...
So You and I've got to be REAL Christians, to be an example to both Christians and non-christians alike.
BUT ANYWAYS, the point is WITNESSING. I told Him I'd obey if He instructed.. That's what He instructed, and I obeyed.
Two weeks ago, the Friday before spring break, I had a two hour drive to the airport with a driver from Super Shuttle. That's when the Lord pricked me and said, "I'm instructing, now do it!". I was SO embarrassed, so I kindof eased into it.
"Hey I'M NOT CRAZY."
(Good start right?? I know.. sheer genius.)
"I have questions so I decided I'm going to start asking random people their viewpoints.. Is that cool with you?"
[Driver] "Yes no problem.."
He's from Somalia by the way, just thought I'd throw it out there.
[Me] "What do you think about... g-g-God? Yea, What do you think about God?"
[Somalia] "What do I think of God?? What do you mean?? I mean He's...uhh.."
[Me] "What do you think of when you think of God?"
[S] "He's everywhere? Sorry, I don't really know how to answer that.."
[Me] "I think of Love.. etc I'm Christian..etc (I explained my viewpoint) So what about you?"
[S] He's read several teachings, is from a Muslim family where his father was a teacher of the law, however he never really identified with that. He starts explaining his life to me and invites me to sit in the front (haha Movin' on up!). He then asks a bunch of questions and I got a chance to clear up some false doctrine (An anglican-christian teacher he drove told him that Adam and Eve were not the first humans on this earth, so I whipped out the Truth and read the verses to him).. the rest is History..
That was the quickest two and a half hour drive I've ever experienced.. in case you were interested. It really wasn't awkward for either of us, and we a great conversation.
You see, God will provide a way. No worries, He knows what you know and don't know. What you strongly believe and what you doubt. Just Give Your Everything to Him and He will work it to be suitable for use and use you! And EVERY experience coming from Him is for both Your and others' benefit, because He is GOOD.
Mark 13:11
"...Just say whatever is given you at the time, for it is not you speaking, but the Holy Spirit."
Remember, there is nothing you can't handle with Him! I'll touch on witnessing and various other things a bit down the line, I'm running out of time now..I have homework and stuff to do, but you know..
Peace and God Bless!
Obey Him and Trust Him,
Find EVERYDAY ways to bless others, advance the kingdom, and be a light to others
Again, God Bless and catch up with yall later.
Ryan
Testimony (just so yall can begin to know me a bit)
The Lord recently said through a prophet at church, that if you're ashamed of your hometown, or where you're from, then He can't use you to bless and heal all those in that specific locale that He purposely placed you in. You must accept your place (past and present.)
So, I'm not gonna let fear hold me back from letting the Lord use me to bless His people.. My testimony is that I went from loving God to being hooked by porn, to thinking I might be homosexual, bisexual, to being straight, and back to God again.
I was always interested in church and God as a kid, it always amazed me. I loved the feeling I got and how safe/comfortable I felt in Spirit-filled places. I lived under my Grandparents prayers for a while. I knew there were things I wasn't supposed to do (so I didn't do them), thanks to a spiritual family even though I didn't actually read much myself, and we only went to church a couple times out of a year. So I had a form of righteousness, and I was a great kid by the world's standards (didn't cuss, didn't do anything sexually, etc.), but I had no foundation so I still swayed with the currents of what everyone else did and whoever seemed cool to me said was right and when there were attacks on my faith or questions of sin, I didn't know how to answer.
The first time I ever saw pornography was on an orchestra trip at the end of the year in 9th grade. We went to San Antonio and stayed in a hotel and for the first time I started hearing the types of conversation that hormonal teenagers have. (Prior to, I was always called innocent--which I HATED at the time-- btw so I really didn't know much about all this) The more they talked, the more I thought there was something wrong with me because I hadn't done or even thought of half of what they had (come to find out now that there was something wrong with them, but I had no basis or foundation to my faith, so it didn't protect me from sin). They talked about there being something on HBO that night and something told me not to watch but I did anyways. BAD idea.
This led to a very bad and tough journey through that world of lust and into a pornography addiction (which led to thinking that I might be gay) and bad mindsets. Nobody knew about all the issues swirling in my mind, although they were obvious. It seemed as though I could never just relax, my mom would always say "Ryan, you're always thinking.. What is on your mind". All these things were going on in complete silence and secrecy because 1) I did not want ANYONE to know bc they'd look at me funny, and 2) I knew the bible said it was wrong, and I trusted that God who created all the world and had blessed me thus far knew what He was talking about. 3) I liked girls, but I was confused about alot of things. Therefore NO ONE was told ANY of this. But, It rode on me almost to death (I hated it so much, but I couldn't rid myself of it.) I started feeling depressed and started wishing I was gone, and that was what drove me to God. The devil was using everything he had.
However, God used what Satan meant to kill me to call me. This spiral which led me further into the belief of the whole "if it feels right, then do it" foolishness, called me to be serious in my relationship with God if I ever wanted to get free from this trap I had been caught in.
In tenth grade (after the most stressful and exhausting school year of my life) I was baptized and began reading my bible (for answers on how to get free) but it still did not work. I prayed more than I ever had before and slowly I began to change, I could go longer periods of time without jumping back to the comp. But then I'd binge. This continued through my junior year, although I began to do it less due to different things.
I continued to pray and He healed me more and more. Senior year, I still had these thoughts, although they were way less often than before and I could push them off mostly. Me and ex-gf got back together and everything seemed all good. Things were going right (outwardly) I was juggling everything correctly, grades were going back up, but there was still something wrong and I knew it, bc I was acting too much. And although we did not have sex, things bothered me about the purity of the relationship. 4 more months, we broke up again, God grew larger in my life, etc. And this year I finally had a christian friend to show me how to really be a Christian, so things began to go well.
ALRIGHT finally this school year (09-10). At the beginning of the first semester (09) I still had trouble with lusts until one day I was sick of it and said "GOD WHY ME!? HELP ME!", and He said back "I need you to feed my sheep, those who need a way out and help getting free." And He set my heart completely and totally on Him (and not to mention freed me), to the point that my goal in life is to be His favored instrument and to bless others (whether its through my experiences or whatever) however I can as much as I can. So, I know for a fact, whatever you're going through, it's not over, and if you cling to Him, you will be freed. The quicker you decide to put Him first, the sooner you will be healed and fulfilled. I've been on the fast track ever since, He's perfecting me daily and I now trust Him with my all and everything within me! Although I am free from this one I'm not saying there will be no more struggles, but there is nothing He can't handle.
God Bless and live free through His Mercy and Peace
Ryan
So, I'm not gonna let fear hold me back from letting the Lord use me to bless His people.. My testimony is that I went from loving God to being hooked by porn, to thinking I might be homosexual, bisexual, to being straight, and back to God again.
I was always interested in church and God as a kid, it always amazed me. I loved the feeling I got and how safe/comfortable I felt in Spirit-filled places. I lived under my Grandparents prayers for a while. I knew there were things I wasn't supposed to do (so I didn't do them), thanks to a spiritual family even though I didn't actually read much myself, and we only went to church a couple times out of a year. So I had a form of righteousness, and I was a great kid by the world's standards (didn't cuss, didn't do anything sexually, etc.), but I had no foundation so I still swayed with the currents of what everyone else did and whoever seemed cool to me said was right and when there were attacks on my faith or questions of sin, I didn't know how to answer.
The first time I ever saw pornography was on an orchestra trip at the end of the year in 9th grade. We went to San Antonio and stayed in a hotel and for the first time I started hearing the types of conversation that hormonal teenagers have. (Prior to, I was always called innocent--which I HATED at the time-- btw so I really didn't know much about all this) The more they talked, the more I thought there was something wrong with me because I hadn't done or even thought of half of what they had (come to find out now that there was something wrong with them, but I had no basis or foundation to my faith, so it didn't protect me from sin). They talked about there being something on HBO that night and something told me not to watch but I did anyways. BAD idea.
This led to a very bad and tough journey through that world of lust and into a pornography addiction (which led to thinking that I might be gay) and bad mindsets. Nobody knew about all the issues swirling in my mind, although they were obvious. It seemed as though I could never just relax, my mom would always say "Ryan, you're always thinking.. What is on your mind". All these things were going on in complete silence and secrecy because 1) I did not want ANYONE to know bc they'd look at me funny, and 2) I knew the bible said it was wrong, and I trusted that God who created all the world and had blessed me thus far knew what He was talking about. 3) I liked girls, but I was confused about alot of things. Therefore NO ONE was told ANY of this. But, It rode on me almost to death (I hated it so much, but I couldn't rid myself of it.) I started feeling depressed and started wishing I was gone, and that was what drove me to God. The devil was using everything he had.
However, God used what Satan meant to kill me to call me. This spiral which led me further into the belief of the whole "if it feels right, then do it" foolishness, called me to be serious in my relationship with God if I ever wanted to get free from this trap I had been caught in.
In tenth grade (after the most stressful and exhausting school year of my life) I was baptized and began reading my bible (for answers on how to get free) but it still did not work. I prayed more than I ever had before and slowly I began to change, I could go longer periods of time without jumping back to the comp. But then I'd binge. This continued through my junior year, although I began to do it less due to different things.
I continued to pray and He healed me more and more. Senior year, I still had these thoughts, although they were way less often than before and I could push them off mostly. Me and ex-gf got back together and everything seemed all good. Things were going right (outwardly) I was juggling everything correctly, grades were going back up, but there was still something wrong and I knew it, bc I was acting too much. And although we did not have sex, things bothered me about the purity of the relationship. 4 more months, we broke up again, God grew larger in my life, etc. And this year I finally had a christian friend to show me how to really be a Christian, so things began to go well.
ALRIGHT finally this school year (09-10). At the beginning of the first semester (09) I still had trouble with lusts until one day I was sick of it and said "GOD WHY ME!? HELP ME!", and He said back "I need you to feed my sheep, those who need a way out and help getting free." And He set my heart completely and totally on Him (and not to mention freed me), to the point that my goal in life is to be His favored instrument and to bless others (whether its through my experiences or whatever) however I can as much as I can. So, I know for a fact, whatever you're going through, it's not over, and if you cling to Him, you will be freed. The quicker you decide to put Him first, the sooner you will be healed and fulfilled. I've been on the fast track ever since, He's perfecting me daily and I now trust Him with my all and everything within me! Although I am free from this one I'm not saying there will be no more struggles, but there is nothing He can't handle.
God Bless and live free through His Mercy and Peace
Ryan
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