Christ is a free gift. But following Him will cost you everything. Cost and obedience go hand in hand. Jesus cares for us so much and lets face it, everyone wants to be cared for. The object of your faith doesn't fail you. Jesus is what we have been waiting for. He is the caring that we desire to have in our lives. An objective truth is a truth that happens every time. Every single time. Base your faith on objective truths.
We must be persistent in following Him. "Muscle faith," much like muscle memory, will kick in when we need it. When we are faced with something challenging we'll be like "oh yeah! I know what to do. Put my faith in the Lord…" Being persistent will help us remember how awesome He is. He will give us more than we can handle because that will only make us need Him more.
He wants you. And He will wreck your life (in the most amazing way possible). TCU YoungLife leader Jace Thompson said, "authentic Christian community should be so attractive." This rings so true to me. I long to be in community with other Believers and strive to put myself in situations where that is possible. But when we aren't surrounded by people like this or even when we are, how do we reach people? We are called to be radically concerned about the needs of others and we should look to the church for a picture of Jesus and His followers. Josh Worthington spoke at Ignite's 100th service a couple weeks ago and said, "those who are most effective in reaching the many are passionate about reaching the one."
His name has incredible power. The name of Jesus Christ was powerful two thousand years ago and still has power today. How amazing is that?! Jesus has so much power, enough power to beat death. I don't know about you but I can hardly imagine that kind of power. Believe in this power. Do you have the confidence that when you speak truth into someone, they can be saved? Do you have faith that God will give you the power to do this? Having seen Christ's grace and goodness, how do you not share His name with the people who surround you? Believe that the Gospel will work in people through you sharing it with them.
Faith calls for us to be courageous, because it requires a lot from us. Our hearts are broken and we need Him. We need a heart transplant. Tell Him this and watch what He will do in your life. He took that whip for you. You are the apple of His eye. He only can do us good and take us to places where we can know Him better. We need healing, we need to ask for forgiveness, and we need to forgive others.
There are things holding us back that we need to let go of. Do something big, take a step of faith,
Courtney
Monday, March 31, 2014
Satisfaction+Glorifying.
What is it that you're not letting go of? The things that you're holding on to are causing you to give up an opportunity. We are called to stop holding on to them. How much of your life will you waste falling for those temptations? Turn from those things and throw yourself at the feet of Jesus. There is a great cost but there is also a great reward and it's worth it.
The unwasted life of pursuing Christ comes with a global mission. We are sent to be His ambassadors. John 20:21 says, "Again Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” Whatever you do is a reflection of Him. No matter where we go or what we do, we are missionaries. But we are so busy that we are missing the now. If not you, then who? If not now, then when? We aren't called to do this alone. He prompts and empowers our ministry. He is calling us to bear witness.
Ignoring the call will lead you to a wasted life. We have a grounded hope. Our suffering for Christ will be worth it. Embrace Him and engage. Romans 12:1-2 says, "Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—His good, pleasing and perfect will."
We are a thirsty people. Thirsty for the things that are familiar to us. We say, "there's no place like home" or "grandmas cooking is the best" because we know it. Let's ask ourselves this question: does anyone ever get full by going to bars? Sin patterns in our lives don't stop because we never get full, they stop because we walk away and realize they won't fulfill us. With Jesus we won't be left wanting. He Himself is satisfaction. If we knew that gift, what would happen? It would fill us up. It's not Jesus or satisfaction. Too many people think it's an either or situation, or that it's a choice you have to make. But it's not. Satisfaction and glorifying God mix one hundred percent. If you want to show God's worth, drink deeply in the water He gives us. The only thing that will stop us is our own searching for satisfaction elsewhere. The duty is the delight. Real satisfaction overflows every single time. Fleeting pleasure is drowning and leaves us wanting. If you go to Him for satisfaction, it will well up and overflow.
John Bloom once said, "Increase our love for You as the greatest treasure of our hearts and decrease any idolatrous love of lesser things."
Courtney
The unwasted life of pursuing Christ comes with a global mission. We are sent to be His ambassadors. John 20:21 says, "Again Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” Whatever you do is a reflection of Him. No matter where we go or what we do, we are missionaries. But we are so busy that we are missing the now. If not you, then who? If not now, then when? We aren't called to do this alone. He prompts and empowers our ministry. He is calling us to bear witness.
Ignoring the call will lead you to a wasted life. We have a grounded hope. Our suffering for Christ will be worth it. Embrace Him and engage. Romans 12:1-2 says, "Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—His good, pleasing and perfect will."
We are a thirsty people. Thirsty for the things that are familiar to us. We say, "there's no place like home" or "grandmas cooking is the best" because we know it. Let's ask ourselves this question: does anyone ever get full by going to bars? Sin patterns in our lives don't stop because we never get full, they stop because we walk away and realize they won't fulfill us. With Jesus we won't be left wanting. He Himself is satisfaction. If we knew that gift, what would happen? It would fill us up. It's not Jesus or satisfaction. Too many people think it's an either or situation, or that it's a choice you have to make. But it's not. Satisfaction and glorifying God mix one hundred percent. If you want to show God's worth, drink deeply in the water He gives us. The only thing that will stop us is our own searching for satisfaction elsewhere. The duty is the delight. Real satisfaction overflows every single time. Fleeting pleasure is drowning and leaves us wanting. If you go to Him for satisfaction, it will well up and overflow.
John Bloom once said, "Increase our love for You as the greatest treasure of our hearts and decrease any idolatrous love of lesser things."
Courtney
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