Anybody Out There?

I've been wondering... are there any Christians out there??! For one, I don't hear about Christianity being spoken about... I don't hear it that often - not even at youth groups! It's usually about the latest song, or the movie they just saw etc.. I really believe that when someone "obsessed" or "crazy" about someone or something they talk about it almost non-stop! Okay.. I have this friend... and they like to talk about the opposite sex alot. They are crazy about this "special someone"! I have no doubt that their mind is consumed with the next time they see "so-and-so" or the way they looked at them the other day ago blah blah blah. They are always talking about this person. Well, this is how we are supposed to be with our relationship with God. Totally consumed with God's love, and with His Book that was written for us! Also, that means being "on fire" for Him. Willing to speak out about the Gospel. I am learning this as of now. I need to be willing to stand up for what's Right. Titus 2:11-15 says, "For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works. Speak these things, exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no one despise you."   
Zealous means "enthusiastic" and "burning". This also: afire, antsy, coming on strong, dedicated, devoted, eager, earnest, fanatic, fanatical, fervent, and fireball.

Are you willing to be God's ambassador and speak out for the One Who saved you?? I pray everyday that I am. 

Recently..

Recently, I've been drawn to James and Titus:

James 2:14-26 
Faith and Deeds

 "14What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him? 15Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. 16If one of you says to him, "Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed," but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it? 17In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.  18But someone will say, "You have faith; I have deeds."
      Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do.
 19You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder.
 20You foolish man, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless? 21Was not our ancestor Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? 22You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did. 23And the scripture was fulfilled that says, "Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,"and he was called God's friend. 24You see that a person is justified by what he does and not by faith alone.
 25In the same way, was not even Rahab the prostitute considered righteous for what she did when she gave lodging to the spies and sent them off in a different direction? 26As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead."

Titus 1:15-16 

"15To the pure, all things are pure, but to those who are corrupted and do not believe, nothing is pure. In fact, both their minds and consciences are corrupted. 16They claim to know God, but by their actions they deny Him. They are detestable, disobedient and unfit for doing anything good."

Titus 2:1-8

"1You must teach what is in accord with sound doctrine. 2Teach the older men to be temperate, worthy of respect, self-controlled, and sound in faith, in love and in endurance.
 3Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good. 4Then they can train the younger women to love their husbands and children, 5to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God.
 6Similarly, encourage the young men to be self-controlled. 7In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness 8and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned, so that those who oppose you may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about us."

Hurry Up!

So, Brooke and I walked about 2 miles today. I was really tired and was thinking I couldn't make it back home. I wanted to stop and rest, but it was getting pretty hot outside and I knew I would just cook like a turkey if I stopped. Then... like a beacon in the night... I could finally see our house. I was overwhelmed with joy!!! ;) But anyways, I continued to walk knowing that our destination was right before us. I started thinking... that's a lot like our patience and trust with the Lord. We are on this walk with God. We're in a race. We get tired and just want to give up, not realizing that the prize is right before us! We can't see it though, because God wants us to trust Him. "God, why can't you just show me and then I'll gladly run for You."  "No, my child. You must trust Me. You will get there if you trust Me. Have patience."
There are a lot of situations where I just want God to show me what's going to happen or what I'm supposed to do. But we're supposed to wait upon the Lord since we know His timing is perfect. Psalm 5:3 says, "In the morning, O LORD, You hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before You and wait in expectation." Also in Psalm 37:7a, "Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for Him;" We just need to pray for God's wisdom, patience, and endurance (see James 1!). 
Just think! We are running in a race towards Heaven and being with Christ! We may not see the end of the race yet, but we'll see it in God's timing. Even with all other situations we can pray to God and ask for His will to be done. And that we would have patience to wait for His perfect plan to unfold.

Numbers 9:8 ~ Moses answered them, "Wait until I find out what the LORD commands concerning you."


Colossians 1:10-12 ~ And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and joyfully giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light.


James 1:2-4 ~  My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.

Number One?

I constantly see people around me who are obsessed with their own lives and how they can make themselves happy etc.. But... is this how we're supposed to live? Day by day for... ourselves??? No way. I've tried that. It just doesn't work. I ended up stressed, miserable, and out-of-control. I worked very hard last year on my school work so I could get good grades (for myself). Who was I doing that for? Myself. Me me me. The more I read the Bible, the more I see how life is not AT ALL about us. It's about the perfect God who made us and died for us! When we live only for God, we are living our life to the FULLEST. When we live for God, we aren't living to please ourselves, but God.
What do you think of first when you wake up in the morning? Do you think "how am I going to have fun today?" or "How can I glorify God with my speech and actions today? How can I honor Him and please Him?" I used to wake up in the morning feeling stressed, overloaded and wouldn't want to get up (I'd want to go back to dreamyland where life was less complicated :P).
Human-beings are selfish. Way too selfish. We take the biggest piece of cake. We take the largest cookie. All so WE can please ourselves. Philippians 2:3-7 says, "Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each other you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others. Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did  not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking to form of a bondservant."
Well, I had one of those "light bulbs" go off above my head and thought there HAS to be more to life than going to concerts, seeing movies, hanging out with friends, and eating everything in front of me! I made a commitment the other week to live for CHRIST and not myself. Whatever I wear, say or do - I want it to reflect my decision to live for Christ only. I want the Lord to be number one in my life. That's when true joy fills your heart. So...who is number one in your life?  You? or Christ? "Whether then you eat or drink, OR WHATEVER YOU DO, do all to the glory of God" 1 Corinthians 10:31(emphasis added).
"Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart." 2 Timothy 2:22.


"Then Jesus said to His disciples, "If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me." Matthew 16:24

Awesome song! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-N3KPA9ltQE

A Best Friend

This is Ellie and Me. :) I love her so much! She has just recently left to college at IWU and I miss her a LOT!! You know what I love most about her? She always has a smile for you. :) Oh, and she always tilts her head a bit when she smiles! So cute. I love her because always has a nice thing to say and is most nearly always in a good mood. ;)
Ellie is a loyal and faithful friend. Let me elaborate: Last year, I was stressed by certain situations and she stuck with me through it all and helped me by listening. Only a true friend helps and encourages their friends during hard times - and is there for them through the whole situation. In Proverbs 17:17 it says, "A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity." Adversity means a difficulty or affliction. When I was going through some hard changes last year, she talked with me, stimulated me spiritually, and cheered me on. She was, and still is, a great role model and example to me. Ellie loves the Lord and you can see it when she reaches out to others and the unpopular ones. She is definitely one of my friends who has encouraged me towards consistant Christ-like behavior. Ellie is a great friend who has never let me down. Even though she is having medical things happening in her life right now she is continually trusting God and being a good example on how to lean on God at all times. She faithfully leads me to this verse: "The LORD is my light and my salvation - whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life - of whom shall I be afraid?" ~Psalms 27:1. A true Christian friend loves you for who you are and listens. They give godly advice based on what the Lord says - not what they feel. Ellie is always being the greatest example to me and showing me how a godly young woman should pursue the Lord! <3 I love you Ellie!!