I can’t speak for many others because I don’t know their story, but I was fortunate enough to have been raised in a Christian household. It was easy then for me to accept Christ into my life because I knew Him. Then as I grew older, old enough to understand things for myself, the challenge of choosing to continue to live for Him confronted me.
It was a short time before I had my own car and my parents separated, leaving the church. I couldn’t make it a lot of times because I had no ride. I promised God and myself that I would start going back to church as soon as I got a car and I did just that. But, why?
Back then, at that age I was deeply rooted in my youth ministry, where Jesus was made more and more real to me. The feeling that came with living right and having Jesus in my heart gave me peace, and became something I never wanted to leave from me. It’s the reason I continue the struggle to live right and later led to me being born again after a long while of backsliding. I use to blame my church because our youth group stopped meeting, and I lost interest. But I had no one to blame but myself. The Word wasn’t spoon-fed to me, so I didn’t want it. It felt so weird trying to do my own thing afterwards. I really couldn’t see how people lived without God. God will never leave you, or abandon you (Heb 13:5). And that part of the scripture holds true today. Throughout my whole rebellion stage, he was right there when I was making bad decisions, allowing me to see my sin. After feeling there was no running from him, I gave in realizing, “If God refuses to leave me, why leave him?” And I’ve continued to remain faithful with that in mind.
God is something special. He’s everything special actually! If you feel like you’re going through life with no purpose, seek God. Seriously! He’s not going to make himself real to you unless you’re serious about finding him. Close your eyes and open your heart and ask him to make himself real to you. Then really believe and expect him to.
It’s nice to get to a point with God where you have somewhere to turn, someone to lean on, and someone to put your trust in. The best part of living for God is the feeling you have when you know you’re doing the right thing, and the will to do what is right when you’re not. God gives my life purpose, and He is the reason I live. To those who haven’t found Him yet, ask yourself what your reason for living is. And if you can’t seem to find an answer… ask God!
And to those who think that God can’t see through all your sin, try Him! Christians are far from perfect. I can tell you that first hand! But it’s our yearning for perfection that sets us apart.
Bless and Stay Blessed!
- C.J.
Saturday, January 24, 2009
Monday, January 5, 2009
baby born to die
Matthew 1
18This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit. 19Because Joseph her husband was a righteous man and did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly.
20But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, "Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus,because he will save his people from their sins."
22All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: 23"The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him "Immanuel" which means, "God with us"
Luke 2
10But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. 12This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."
These are some of the most common words and ideas about Christmas: Presents, Tree, Decorations, Wreath, Family, toys, Snow, Christmas lights…. We could go on and on. I think Christmas is the most beautiful holiday that we have. I love all the lights, the trees, the snow (well, not here but it’s snowing somewhere!). But the biggest thing is that Jesus came to us! He came to live among us in order to die for our sins. It was the most beautiful sacrifice in history! Better than any other love story that has ever existed.
We were lost and God came to be with us and show us the way.
During the next couple of days look around and thank God for all the wonderful things he has blessed you with: people that love you, gifts that you’ve wanted, a little relaxing time off from school, whatever he’s blessed you with, thank God.
But pause, read some of the scriptures concerning Jesus’ birth and thank God that He love you enough to come down and meet you where you are at.
Have a wonderful New Year in 2009!
Arlene
18This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit. 19Because Joseph her husband was a righteous man and did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly.
20But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, "Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus,because he will save his people from their sins."
22All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: 23"The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him "Immanuel" which means, "God with us"
Luke 2
10But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. 12This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."
These are some of the most common words and ideas about Christmas: Presents, Tree, Decorations, Wreath, Family, toys, Snow, Christmas lights…. We could go on and on. I think Christmas is the most beautiful holiday that we have. I love all the lights, the trees, the snow (well, not here but it’s snowing somewhere!). But the biggest thing is that Jesus came to us! He came to live among us in order to die for our sins. It was the most beautiful sacrifice in history! Better than any other love story that has ever existed.
We were lost and God came to be with us and show us the way.
During the next couple of days look around and thank God for all the wonderful things he has blessed you with: people that love you, gifts that you’ve wanted, a little relaxing time off from school, whatever he’s blessed you with, thank God.
But pause, read some of the scriptures concerning Jesus’ birth and thank God that He love you enough to come down and meet you where you are at.
Have a wonderful New Year in 2009!
Arlene
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