I want you... to follow Jesus!

In 1917 James Montgomery Flagg’s poster of “Uncle Sam” sternly pointing his finger with the words, “I want you… for the U.S. Army” challenged young men to leave their homes and loved ones in order to join the fight during World War I. The poster also reemerged and sent out the call again during World War II. Uncle Sam called young men, some only 18-19 years old (some were even younger), to put their lives on the line for a greater purpose. There was no promise of coming home in one piece or even at all. This was a call to total commitment. Yet many willingly and wholeheartedly answered that call, even to the point of death.

Uncle Sam did not flinch in his call for total commitment. He was not apologetic. At the same time he did not shame his audience. If one didn’t answer the call you could see him go right on to the next person he would meet. No excuses, just a simple, “Yes” or “No” was all he needed and then he moved on to the next recruit.

What would happen today if there was that same call given to follow Jesus?

Of course, in today’s world we have many people, organizations, and things that call out for our total commitment. From family, to friends, to school, sports, as well as boyfriends/girlfriends… everyone is clamoring for the #1 spot in our hearts, minds, and souls.

People are willing to give up a lot of freedom to achieve their goals. However, at the end of the day, what do they have to show for their blood, sweat, and tears?

In the Bible, Jesus called his disciples in a similar way. He simply, unapologetically called people to, “Come follow Me.” This evening we are going to take a look at one of those disciples named Levi. He was also known as Matthew. This is the same Matthew who wrote the Gospel of Matthew.

After this, Jesus went out and saw a tax collector by the name of Levi sitting at his tax booth. "Follow me," Jesus said to him, and Levi got up, left everything and followed him.  (Luke 5:27-28 NIV).

The call was simple. “Follow me.” But what did Jesus mean? In that day, to follow meant total, not casual commitment. It meant, as Jesus said,

"Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it.” (Luke 9:23-24 NIV)

Following Jesus means that you set your agenda aside and yield to His agenda. This is what He did for us when He laid down His life for ours. As the man in the video explained, Jesus is only asking of us what He Himself already did for us.

And here’s the amazing thing, what He is asking us to give up in nothing in comparison to what He is giving us. The Apostle Paul said,

But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ--the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith. (Philippians 3:7-9 NIV)

It’s crazy! We give Him our sins and He gives us His grace and mercy. We give Him our brokenness and He give us healing. We give Him our unforgiveness and bitterness and He gives us forgiveness and joy. I don’t know about you, but I think He got the raw end of the deal.

So how did Levi respond to Jesus’ call to follow Him?

First Levi got up. He positioned himself to move toward Jesus. This was his “line in the sand” moment. He literally was taking a stand and declaring his desire to follow Jesus.

Second, he left everything. Everything else came second. In order to take hold of Jesus with his whole mind, soul, and strength, he had to let go of everything else. The neat thing is that as he left go of everything else then he could truly love others with Jesus’ perfect love.

Third, Levi followed Jesus. This was not a one-time thing. To follow meant that he would follow and continue following Jesus, daily. Remember Judas Iscariot was also one of the disciples, but somewhere along the line, Judas choose not to follow Jesus. He ended up following his own desire for money and ended up betraying Jesus.

Today, Jesus is calling you to follow Him. How will you respond? Will you make a stand today, leave everything, and follow Him? Let’s take some time and if you are willing to take that next step toward Jesus, I encourage you to come up front and take some time to pray and do business with Him. He’s given His all for you are you willing to give your all for Him?

From TV to Reality

God still works miracles… TODAY! He heals, He changes lives, and He sets people free… TODAY. We are called to do three things in response to the Father. We are called to hear His Word, believe His Word, and obey His Word. It is HBO: hear, believe, and obey. When we step out of an entertainment mentality and step into an eternal mentality everything changes. All of a sudden, the impossible becomes possible because with God all things are possible. It’s the difference between seeing Jesus walk on the water and hearing His call to come out on the water with Him. When we hear His voice, trust Him, and step out into that which is impossible for us to do in our own strength, then we get to experience the promises of God. Like the second generation of Israelites in the desert, we get to go into the Promise Land. However, if we choose to not believe Him and fail to step out in faith, we miss out on experiencing all that God has for us… life, love, peace, joy, hope, forgiveness, salvation and the list goes on. We end up going around in circles, never experiencing the Father’s blessings. The writer of Hebrews states:

So, as the Holy Spirit says: "Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as you did in the rebellion, during the time of testing in the wilderness, where your ancestors tested and tried me, though for forty years they saw what I did. That is why I was angry with that generation; I said, 'Their hearts are always going astray, and they have not known my ways.' So I declared on oath in my anger, 'They shall never enter my rest.'" See to it, brothers and sisters, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called "Today," so that none of you may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness.

(Hebrews 3:7-13 NIV)

My challenge to you is as you hear His Word, believe it and step out in obedience. When you do, you will find The Holy Spirit will meet you with power to do the impossible. Remember, it is “Not by might nor by power, but my My Spirit, says the Lord God Almighty” (Zechariah 4:6 NIV).

What's your heart full of?

Even though I’m a coffee freak I like the occasional cup of tea. My favorites are Lemon Zinger and Green Tea. If you were to look at a tea bag, it might be hard to tell what type of tea it is, but when you put it in hot, boiling water you can quickly tell what’s inside. So it is in when we’re put in stressful situations which are the “hot water” of our lives.

You see, it not the “hot water’s” fault or the cup you’re steeped in that causes you to speak or act in certain ways. It starts in your heart. Jesus said, For it is from within, out of a person's heart, that evil thoughts come--sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, malice, deceit, lewdness, envy, slander, arrogance and folly. All these evils come from inside and defile a person." (Mark 7:21-23 NIV). Truth is, we need a new “tea bag.” We need a new heart… the heart of Jesus.

Here’s the Good News. When we turn from our sin and turn to God and believe on Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of our sins, God gives us a brand new heart. The Bible says, I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws. (Ezekiel 36:26-27 NIV).

Our desires change because we received a new heart… a soft heart that desires God’s ways and not our ways. When that happens, Jesus’ life begins to be lived through us. That’s the Good News.

If you are a follower of Jesus Christ and you’re still having trouble living for him, maybe there’s something you’re holding on to that’s keeping you from living out of the heart He gave you. This is a daily choice. Daily we are to surrender our will and way to Him and live from the heart He has given us through Jesus Christ.

So what’s keeping you from living the life God has given to you through His Son? Are you willing to give up your old heart for a new heart that only God can give? When you do, get ready to see what comes out of your life. You will find that you will begin to speak and act like Jesus. His life will come seeping through, especially in the hot water situations in your life. It’s tea time.

7 Ways to Grow Your Faith

Last week at BodyBuilders we looked at seven ways to grow your faith. Just as a fruit tree needs sunlight, water, nutrients, and the right weather conditions to grow and eventually bear fruit, we, as Christians, need certain things to help us as we grow in our faith and bear the fruits of the Spirit. Here are seven things that can help you grow in your faith in Jesus Christ: 

Read the Word of God                                         (Romans 10:17)

Exercise you faith                                                   (James 1:22)

Keep your tongue from evil                                (Psalm 34:13; 50:19)

Listen to and read testimonies of faith (Revelation 12:11, Hebrews 11:1-2)

Praise and thank God                                           (Psalm 105:1)

Keep a prayer journal                                           (Psalm 105:5)

Encourage one another in the faith                  (1 Thessalonians 5:11)

Have good week... and GROW!

Jesus, thank You.

Lately I've been thinking about Jesus... I mean, really thinking about Jesus... a lot. In fact, the last couple days I've been making it a point to take communion every day as a way to remember and thank Him for dying on the cross to take away my sins and rising from the dead. I know, He didn't do it just for me... He died and rose again for you too. In this place of reflection however, it seems like He died and rose for just me. In this place, I feel His presence as I whisper, "Jesus, thank You." It doesn't seem like quite enough, but at the same time, I feel the warmth of His touch and somewhere in my heart I can see Him look me in eye, nod His head, and smile. I'm undone.

When I take the bread and remember Jesus' body, broken for me, I'm humbled. When I take the cup and remember Jesus' blood, shed me, I tremble. This is God's love for me, up close and personal. It reminds me that I am not my own. I'm bought with a price... the precious blood of Jesus Christ, God's own Son.

Oh, how often I overlook the life and purpose I have in Jesus Christ. How few times I spend seeking His face in prayer. When I'm sick, why don't I seek healing from Him, first? When I'm confused, why don't I seek His wisdom? When I'm lost, why don't call out to Him to show me the way? It reminds me of the words to an old hymn, What a friend we have in Jesus, "Oh, what peace we often forfeit, Oh, what needless pain we bear, all because we do not carry everything to God in prayer!" 

Lately, I feel like I'm finding my first love again. I'm coming back to my senses and am remembering the reality of living life with and through Jesus Christ. I'm so grateful to God the Father for sending His Son. It's through Jesus that I can see the face of God. In His eyes, I find life. I find meaning, I find love, I find hope. Thank you Father for Jesus.

What would happen, if Jesus was truly our one sole focus? I don't know about you, but I want to find out. In the words of St. Patrick, "

“Christ with me,

Christ before me,

Christ behind me,

Christ in me,

Christ beneath me,

Christ above me,

Christ on my right,

Christ on my left,

Christ when I lie down,

Christ when I sit down,

Christ when I arise,

Christ in the heart of every man who thinks of me,

Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks of me,

Christ in every eye that sees me,

Christ in every ear that hears me.”

Feeling scattered...

Well, I'm back... again. It seems like forever since I posted anything. I guess that's because it has been a while since I've posted anything. Anyway... Lately I've been feeling a little scattered. I'm finding it hard to concentrate on anything. I've also found myself with not a lot to say. I guess that can be a good thing.

In the midst of this "zombie state of mind," I find myself feeling like I need to "make something happen." This has led to moments of anxiety and panic because, in all reality, I can't make anything happen. I just don't have the concentration and energy to do it.

So what can I do? Well, according to the Bible I can "wait upon the LORD" I know... it sounds like a cop out to me too, but it is the Word of God. So I'll wait on the LORD. The Bible promises... "But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint." (Isaiah 40:31 KJV).

I'm not real sure what it means to "wait upon the LORD." I think it has something to do with trusting Him. From that stand point, I will trust Him to strengthen, lead, and guide me. I don't have to make it happen. I just need to trust Him... with everything. He truly is faithful. Maybe you feel like I do today. I encourage you to wait on the LORD. Trust Him. Let Him take away your fear and anxiety as you put your plans in His hands. He is faithful.

P.R.A.Y.

Here's a simple way to pray if you're having trouble with what to say to the Father. This is taken loosely from the Lord's prayer in Matthew 6:9-13. I hope it helps. Here it is:

Praise

Father I thank you for...

Repent

Father, I'm sorry for...

Ask

Father, I ask You for...

Yield

Father, I give You control of...

 Let me know what you think. What are some ways that help you pray? 

"U got to pray."

In 1990 MC Hammer released the song, "Pray" I still remember the lyrics, "You've got to pray just to make it today." Wow, that was a blast from the past. The message, however, still applies as much today as it did when I first heard it.

The Apostle Paul definitely knew what he was talking about when he told Christian brothers and sisters in Philippi, "Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:6-7 NIV).

Let's break it down. Paul told the believers not to be anxious or worried about anything. Instead of being anxious and worried, he told them to present their requests to God. Now, not only did he tell them what to do... "present your request to God"... but he told them how to do it. He said they were to present their requests by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving. In their prayers (think the Lord's prayer) they would petition (ask God while they were praying) God and give thanks to Him for who He is and what He has done.

When they would bring their requests to God, as they were praying, asking, and thanking God, His peace would guard their hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. The same God who raised Jesus from the dead can deliver us in any and every situation we encounter. When we pray, ask, and thank God in EVERY situation, we have a peace that goes beyond all understanding and God guards our hearts from worry and anxiety.

Today, are you praying and trusting God about any and every situation you encounter or are you trusting in yourself, other people, and worldly wisdom for your source of strength, life, and hope?

In my next post I'll share an easy way to pray to God. Many of you will be familiar with it, but it may serve as a reminder and help jump start your prayer life in this new year. See you soon.

The Father's heart

Hi everyone it's me again. Anyway... You'll have to excuse me today. I'm feeling a little sappy. I'm just sitting here at the computer thinking about the Father's love. God is so good, so patient, so loving. I'm so thankful for His presence in my life. I don't understand why He continued to chase after me all those years I strayed from Him. And when I finally came to my senses, He didn't tell me, "I told you so," or "Oh, so now you want to come back." He welcomed me, with arms wide open. He embraced me and I've never been the same. His love, His unfailing, unchanging love...

My heart's desire is to reflect Father's heart to those around me. When I think about people who have never felt the Father's embrace... those who never sensed the Father's love, I can't image it. My heart breaks when I picture Jesus looking over Jerusalem, weeping and crying out, "Jerusalem, Jerusalem! You kill the prophets and stone the messengers God has sent you! How many times I wanted to put my arms around all your people, just as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you would not let me!" (Matthew 23:37 GNB). My prayer today, "Oh Father, give me your heart and love for those around me. Help me to show them how much you love them... how much You long to take them in Your embrace. Help them to come to their senses and accept the love you've shown through Your Son. In Jesus' name. Amen."

Where's MY heart?

Preparing for this blog has been an interesting process. It's forced me to ask the question, "Where is MY heart?" That's a scary question. Most of my life I've struggled with depression, insecurity and doubt. Sometimes the depression was so bad I could hardly get out of bed. Thank God, I haven't experienced that level of depression in a number of years, but I still have days it leaves me quite battered and worn. In those times I have a decision to make. In reality, it's a decision I MUST make every single day. It comes from the Bible, "Why am I so sad? Why am I so troubled? I will put my hope in God, and once again I will praise him, my savior and my God.  (Psalms 42:5 GNB).

It's a choice. I WILL put my hope in God, and praise Him, my Savior and my God. Instead of sinking down into depression and the mental torment that comes with it, I choose, by the power of the Holy Spirit to put my hope in God. The same God that raised Jesus from the dead is the same God and Father who will carry me through the dark times, when hope is hard to see and the will to carry on is lost. It's like the old hymn, "Because He (Jesus Christ) lives, I can face tomorrow. Because He lives, all fear is gone..." He is my Savior and my God. He is my hope when hope looks dead and darkness closes in like a raging storm.

I can trust Him no matter what happens in my life. Like Peter my my heart cries out, "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. Also we have come to believe and know that You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." (John 6:68-69 NKJV). Where's my heart? It's found in God the Father, through Jesus Christ. It's a hope and a peace that not even depression, insecurity, and doubt can take away from me. I'm firmly held in His unwavering hand. "Bless the Lord oh my soul. Oh my soul... worship His holy name."

Romans chapters 1-8

For those of you in Sr. and Jr. High BodyBuilder, you know that for the last couple weeks I have been challenging you to read through Romans, chapters 1-8. If you didn't do it yet, what are you waiting for?

There are so many great verses from these chapters, some which I have shared in my last post. Read through it, pick out a couple verses you would like to memorize and put them to memory. One of my favorite verses is Romans 5:8. I shared this verse in my last post. I'll share it again. "But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us."  (Romans 5:8 NASB). So, what's your favorite verse? Feel free to post it in the comments below.

U Turn to God!

If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.  (1 John 1:9 NKJV)

Maybe today, you feel like a failure. Take heart... you are. Yep, you read correctly, I just called you a failure. I know, it's not PC (politically correct), but it is B-I-B-L-E. The Bible is clear, "...for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,"  (Romans 3:23 NKJV). We have ALL missed the mark; we have all failed. 

Now if the story would stop there, it would be a sad ending for all of us. Remember, "For the wages of sin is death..." However, Paul goes on to say, "but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord."  (Romans 6:23 NASB). The Bible also says, "But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us."  (Romans 5:8 NIV).

You see, the reason Jesus came and died on the cross was to redeem us from our failure to keep God's law (a.k.a. sin). But it doesn't stop there. He cleanses us from all unrighteousness. That means He not only forgives us of our sin but He changes our heart's motives and gives us His Holy Spirit who helps us live a life that looks like His... holy and pure. Now that's good news! So, where's your heart?

Welcome!

Hi everyone! Welcome to Where's your heart?. For those of you that know me, I can see you smile already. That is one of my favorite questions... "Where's your heart?" Of course, some of you will be take the "cute route" and reply, "In my chest." Just for the record, I'm not talking about your literal heart... sigh. OK, now that we got that out of the way, what do I mean when I ask, "Where's your heart?"

Generally speaking, when I ask the average person that question it means, "How are doing? What are you thinking about? Where are you in life's journey?" When talking to my Christian brothers and sisters, it means, "Where are you in your relationship with God?" So... there you go. Now you know what I mean when I ask, "Where's your heart?" In fact, Jesus said, For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.  (Luke 12:34 NKJV).

In this blog I will mainly be posting for youth and specifically for students involved with Rock Solid Youth Ministry, which is Newport Assembly of God's youth ministry. My prayer is that as you read these posts, you would not only find salvation through Jesus Christ, but you would grow in His likeness and find real life in Him... a meaningful life filled with His love, joy, and peace which only He gives and no one or no thing can take away.

So with that in mind... Where's YOUR heart?