Masks

                 Do you remember Halloween as a kid, or even to this day? It was all about dressing up, putting on masks and getting to be someone/something you aren’t. Even when you were little you would make up games and would turn into somebody you weren’t. It was always fun to get out of this reality and have no care in the world. Although those times in our lives are fun and something to be remembered, but there are many of us who wear masks throughout our lives. We act like something we are not. In school we act a certain way to be popular, because it’s what everyone else is doing. Even many of us put on the mask of Christianity because it’s what our friends are doing. But acting like this is not what God had planned.                 God has a plan for each of us and has planned us to be someone special. But when we keep putting on our masks, we lose the sight of who we really are. The masks we put on to “fit in” get in the way of who we were meant to be. And if we aren’t acting like who God made us to be, then how can we say we have a strong relationship with God? Living for him and following his plans for us is what a relationship with Christ is about, but putting on masks pulls us farther and farther away from that. It’s time to take off the mask and start living for God, not ourselves.
               You must take off your mask to start actually living your life. By taking off our masks we become what God made us to be. By wearing all the masks you are like a ship lost at sea. You are searching for a destination, but you don’t know where that destination is or how to even find it. You keep sailing around and around and don’t know where to turn next. By taking off that mask you find where you need to go and quickly see the destination ahead of you. That destination is an eternity with God. Taking off that mask and living truly for him gives you the security of spending an eternity in his Kingdom with the Father. Because what is a lifetime on this earth compared to an eternity with God? So it’s time to take off your mask. Are you ready?
              Can you think of the masks you wear? Think about them and let’s pray, “Jesus, I take off all my masks and lay them at your feet. You put me on this earth for a certain reason and have made me into someone special. I plan to start living my life the way you want me to.  I pray you pour out into me, for I have my heart and soul open to you. Guide me through life for I know you have great plans for me. In your name I pray, Amen.”

The verse for the week is from Luke 12:7, "Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows."

Footprints In the Sand

              This week I am going to share with you one of the most heartfelt and meaningful poems there are. It was written by Mary Stevenson. Here it goes: “One night I had a dream. I was walking along the beach with the Lord and across the sky flashed scenes from my life. In each scene I noticed two sets of footprints in the sand and, to my surprise, I noticed that many times along the path of life there was only one set of footprints. And I noticed that it was during the lowest and saddest times in my life. I asked the Lord about it, “Lord, You said that once I decided to follow you, you would walk with me all the way. But I noticed that during the most troublesome times in my life there is only one set of footprints. I don’t understand why you left my side when I needed you most.” The Lord said, “Me precious child, I never left you during your time of trial. Where you see only one set of footprints, it was then that I carried you.”

               This poem has so much meaning to it. There are times in our life when we are falling and feel as though nothing will ever be right again and we ask God, “Why are you doing this to me? Where are you when I need you most?” Each and every time God will answer, “I am always with you.” It is in those tough times when we need God the most and we feel as though he has abandoned us. But in truth, he never leaves our side. Everything that happens in our lives happens for a reason. We go through the trials and pain in order to achieve something bigger and better. We must never give up on God. He is constantly by our side and lets us fall and fail every once in a while. But he will always be there to catch us when we do fall. Having complete trust and faith in God is one of the most important things in our walk with God. Having strong faith means that no matter what we go through we know God is ALWAYS and I mean ALWAYS there. His love is selfless and unconditional. He will never give up on us, just as we are to never give up on him. Love him with all your heart and you will go far in life. Have trust in him and he will answer all your calls. He is perfect in every way. He is always walking by your side holding your hand. Give him everything you have got.
               Let’s pray, “Jesus, I love you so much. I know that I may go through tough times in life, but I pray that you will always be by my side. You will be there to pick me up when I fall. You are my rock and my stronghold; always there to keep me standing tall. I am ready for anything you bring me in my life for I know you will always be there. I love you more than words can say. In your name I pray, Amen.”

For the week, Joshua 1:9, "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.” 

The Spotlight

                When you were little have you ever wanted to be in the spotlight? You’re on the main stage, center of attention rocking it out for a crowd of thousands. We have all wanted to be famous at one point in our lives. Some of us still hope for that. Not only do we want to be in the spotlight on the stage, but the way we run our lives is the same. We constantly shine the spotlight on ourselves and only care about us. We live our lives the way we want and no one can tell us different. Then how do we let God into our lives? He can’t be the back-up singer, or even the lead guitarist in our lives, and we can’t be the rock star. God is the only true rock star that we have in our lives.

               God is the one who many know, is always on that main stage and has fans who completely adore him and those who can’t stand him. We must be those crazed fans who can’t leave him alone. We follow him everywhere he goes always asking for an autograph. This is how to have a strong relationship with God.
               It’s all about giving him everything. Make him the center of attention in your life. The only way to truly know God is to stop living for yourself and start living for him. Take the spotlight off yourself and let him take over center stage. In a strong relationship with God you are only the back-up singer and God is the rock star! This message isn’t really deep or something to really ponder about. It’s just about giving it all to God. If you love him with everything you have and want to grow stronger in your relationship with him just hand over the spotlight. God is a rock star and the only one that can take us through life with no fear. Just give it all to him and ANYTHING will be possible.
             Let’s pray, “Jesus, this time I truly give it all to you. I am done being the one in the spotlight. I step out of the light and let you take over center stage. You are the true rock star in my life and I pray that you continue to guide me through life. For I know that you have great plans for me. I love you with everything I have. In your name I pray, Amen.”

For the week, Mark 9:23, "'If you can'?" said Jesus. "Everything is possible for him who believes."

The Prodigal Son

              There are many stories in the bible that we have all heard. We know the story of Jonah and the whale, Noah and the ark and of course the nativity story and Jesus’ resurrection. But there are also many stories that we can relate directly to our lives and our relationship with God. One of those stories is the story of the prodigal son. The prodigal son parable is found in Luke 15. And it goes something like this, Jesus continued: "There was a man who had two sons. The younger one said to his father, 'Father, give me my share of the estate.' So he divided his property between them. "Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living. After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country, and he began to be in need. So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed pigs. He longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything. "When he came to his senses, he said, 'How many of my father's hired men have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired men.' So he got up and went to his father. "But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him. “The son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.' "But the father said to his servants, 'Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let's have a feast and celebrate. For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.' So they began to celebrate.
               After reading that you may ask, “How does that relate to us and God?” Well, we are more comparable to the prodigal son than we may think. See we are like plants in God’s garden. He places us in certain areas of this earth where he knows we can grow best. God knows what we need. But sometimes we feel that we know better than God and can go out and live our lives on our own. We think we can do it all by ourselves. But the longer we are gone the more we will start to wither and die. Eventually we will be so worn out and tired that we will come crawling back to God. God has a reason for all of this. Sometimes he lets us go on to those wasteful places and live in sin, so that we become too tired and drained and then all we want is God. God loves us enough that he will let us fail. He knows that if we fail, from then on out we will listen to what he says. Although he lets us fail, he isn’t impressed with our sins. He allows us to be crushed because he knows where we are headed, which is something greater than we can imagine. We then realize God is the only resort we have.
               God lets us fail because he desires that everybody comes to repentance. Even if you don’t go the whole way to God, you make just the slightest movement towards repentance God will come the rest of the way. If you move 1% towards forgiveness, God will go 99% towards you. He is not a halfway God. And he will not look down on you for leaving, but rather embrace you in his arms and love for coming home to him—just as the father did to his son. God gives 100% to us all the time, just as we should. We need to go all the way for God. He is with you and for you always. There is only redemption when we are in our father’s arms. He doesn’t hold us accountable for our sins. Once we are forgiven, those sins are forgotten. Set everything towards God. The first thing we must do is approach God. Second, we must then make the dedication of our lives to God.
            Let’s pray, “Jesus, I am ready. I know that you have the best plans for me. Even if I fall, you will always be there with open arms ready to welcome me home. I am ready to enter your arms and feel the warmth of your love. Change me so that I may bring others towards you. Let your light shine through me. I dedicate my life to you. In your name I pray, Amen.”

For the week, 1 John 4:16, "And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him"

Precipice

           Have you ever been cliff jumping/diving? You are standing at the edge of the cliff (precipice). Your heart is racing. You begin to have second thoughts. Your mind is telling you how scary it is, but without trying you will never know how awesome it is. Then you take the jump. You are free-falling and nothing matters anymore. The rush of falling gives you a huge adrenaline boost. After you hit the water, you realize what an exhilaration that was. Sound like fun?
              This is what stepping into God is like. Many of us are at the precipice of our relationship with God. We constantly try to build up courage to step over the edge, but we continue to fail. Our mind keeps telling us that we are safer where we are. We have faith in God, but the life we live is so fun and God will forgive us. We are too afraid of what will happen when we step over the edge, so we continue to back away. Pretty soon we back so far away from the edge that we can’t even see God anymore. Our lives are filled with sin, but we don’t care. The devil is in complete control now. What would have happened if you would have just jumped?
               If we jump of that edge, NOTHING will be the same—for the better. It will make you a better person and in a deeper relationship with God. You give up a lot in your life to jump over the edge. But after you jump and let God take complete control your past won’t even matter. Everything in your life will turn around. Jump over that edge and let God take control. Let him lead you through the life he has planned for you. By jumping over the edge we allow God to directly impact our lives. Can you see the edge of the cliff again?
              Not only do you need to jump once, but you must jump off the precipice every day after that. By jumping off the precipice every day the devil will have no way into your life. When you wake up in the morning and step on the ground all of hell shakes and the devil says, “oh great, you’re up!” Every place you step your foot darkness will disappear and fill with God’s light. The enemy will try to attack, but if you continue to jump the devil will flee. You will meet his threat and win. The devil may have power, but he has nothing and I mean nothing on the glory and power of God. Life on this earth is nothing compared to an eternity in heaven or hell. So give up the sin in this lifetime to spend an eternity in the presence of our Father. Are you ready to jump?
             Let’s pray, “Jesus, I am ready to jump. I know that you will be at the bottom to catch me. Let me fall into your arms. Take my life and change it. I am ready to give up the sins in my life in order to give your name glory. I know you have great plans for me. Impact my life in ways that you never have before. I am ready to jump!”

For the week, Matthew 6:33, " But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well."

Last Words

                P.T. Barnum, “How were the receipts today at Madison Square Garden?” Humphrey Bogart, “I should have never switched from scotch to martinis.” Thomas Jefferson, “Is it the fourth?” These are all famous last words of people we have known throughout history. It is funny how people remember words from people such as these, yet many do not know the greatest last words ever spoken. These words came from Jesus Christ as he was being crucified. Luke 23:34, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” These words of forgiveness sum up the life of Jesus and why God sent him to this earth.

                Jesus spoke about forgiveness because forgiveness is something we all need. He said these last words while thinking of each and every one of us, not just to the people who were crucifying him. Jesus knew that we were going to be put on this earth and he thought of us as he asked God to forgive us. See we are all born into a life of sin and without asking for forgiveness from God we fall away from him and choose not to be saved. Jesus forgives us for any sin we have committed. Just as Jesus forgives us, he expects us to live like him and forgive others. At times it is difficult, but forgiveness is a key aspect to a strong relationship with God. Why should we forgive each other though? There are three easy answers to that question:

               1.  Forgiveness is a pattern we all need to live.
Forgiveness comes from out own personal will. Each of us has the will to forgive, but it is you as a person that chooses if you will forgive. We must live a life of forgiveness to be free and fully receive Christ. Colossians 3:13, "Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of your have grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you."

               2.  Jesus has forgiven us.
Give all of the hurt to Jesus. He will help you to forgive that person and everything will be so much easier. When God helps you to forgive, just as he has forgiven us, it is so much more powerful. Matthew 5:43-44, "You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you."

               3.  Forgiveness has reward. 
Forgiveness is such a freeing experience. When you don't forgive there is a heavy weight that is placed on your heart. Forgiveness will lift that off. When you forgive others, your own sins are forgiven. Matthew 6:14-16, "For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins."

                 Forgiveness allows us to focus on future chapters in our life. Holding a grudge makes us rely on our past. Our future is more important than what happened in our past. Jesus died on the cross to forgive you so you could have the power to forgive. Without forgiveness our life is full of emptiness. Only Jesus’s blood can drive away the emptiness in our lives. We all need forgiveness.

                Let’s pray, “Jesus, forgive me for I have sinned against you. Forgive me so that I may forgive others. Fill me with your love and holy-spirit. Make me more like you. Let your light shine through me. Forgive me Lord. In your name I pray, Amen.”

For the week, Ephesians 4:32, "And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving each other, just as God also in Christ forgave you."

Desperation

                What has happened in your past? Is there too much to remember? Let’s narrow it down, what have you done in your past you wish you could go back and change? The things that have happened in our past define our lives, just like a scar defines your body. Although your past defines you, it is your victories that determine who you really are. And the way to gain complete victory is with God leading you. This seems like a strange thought, but just think about it. For instance, have you read any story in The Bible where the people were validated by their struggles? Rather they are determined by their victories. King David didn't become king because he took on a lion, bear and Goliath, but rather because he took on God’s anointing. He didn’t keep coming back saying yeah I am still fighting with this bear, rather he gained victory over it. That is what determined who he was going to be, one of the greatest kings of that time. The sad fact is that we, as believers, don’t become desperate for God—just as David did. We must get desperate for God to get past what defines us so he can determine our future. Although it seems easy, we do not want to be there. Many of us feel more validated by our struggles, rather than the things God brings us out of.  The only way to get past that is to become desperate for God!

                We must become filled and filled with God, yet never be content. Many of us don’t become desperate, but rather are just “hungry” for God. When you are hungry, you go get food and aren’t hungry anymore. That is exactly what we do with God. We feel down about something or are going through a spiritual desert and we ask God for help. Although he always answers our calls, we go back into those struggles that define us after God has given us the victory seeming as though he never answered. We only want to satisfy this hunger, which causes us to become empty again. Hunger is just a desire, but desperation is a demand.  Desperation is like going through the desert for 7 days without food or water, and then someone comes with food and water. You are so desperate for that water that you do not even notice the people who bring you the water. That is how desperate we need to be about God. If you continue to hold on to the things that have brought you down you are not desperate. A man can make himself hungry, but only God can make us desperate. How is it that we become desperate then?

                Tell God you need more of him. When we are hungry ask God for more than anything else you have received before. He may make you into a vessel of his power, but ask for more. So how does he give us more?  He gives us more by crushing us to build us up into something great, and it is in those crushing times that we become desperate for God.  Everything we know will come crashing down. Any stability we have built up in our lives will be destroyed. It is at these times that we cry out to God and ask him why? Why are you tearing everything away from me? That is when he answers, “I thought you wanted to be desperate? I am just crushing the junk out of your life.” We may think he is destroying our whole life, but nothing in our life matters but God.

                We must step into him now. If you quit while you’re hungry, you will never become desperate. You must be willing to wrestle with God for one single blessing, just as Jacob did in the Bible. Jacob didn’t give up on God and he became the father of the nations. He became desperate. We must be willing to go through anything to become desperate because hunger will stop you, desperation will break you through. It will be a tough journey, but the end result is something greater than you can imagine.  And God will continue to crush you to bring out the desperation in you. We are like clay in God’s hands and he is the potter. He molds us into something strong and sturdy. You have got to be desperate. You must become the clay in God’s hands. The most important thing to remember about being clay is this: when God crushes you he will always center you in him when he builds you back up. That’s what desperation is all about. You must let God take control of everything.

                Let’s pray, “Jesus, make me desperate for you. I am ready to claim every victory in my life through your name. Crush all the junk out of my life and center me in you. You mean more to me than anything in this world. I give everything up for you. Make me desperate. In your name I pray, Amen.”

For the week, Psalms 84:2, “My soul yearns, even faints, for the courts of the LORD; my heart and my flesh cry out for the living God.”