Pride and Humility

      Before I start writing this, let me just go ahead and tell you- Pride is a huge issue that I struggle with and I'm sure I'm not the only one. Pride is one of those sins that keep you away from God. It's thinking of you as better than someone else, or on dictionary.com, it's "a high or inordinate opinion of one's own dignity, importance, merit, or superiority, whether as cherished in the mind or as displayed in bearing, conduct, etc." God says this in James 4:10- "Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will lift you up." Wow, so if you humble yourself, God will lift you up; but if you try to lift yourself up, God will have to bring you back down. So just do what Jesus did! He knew he was God's perfect son, but he humbled himself to die on the cross for us (and we are SO not perfect). And even if you don't brag about yourself or anything like that, pride might still be an issue for you. My biggest issue with pride is when someone compliments me on something, I need to learn how to respond in a humble way and not get a "big head". We need to be constantly thinking of others. One thing I have figured out to help with that, is whenever someone compliments you, compliment them back. That way you will always be lifting others up instead of yourself. And humility needs to be something that happens on the inside and outside - not just what everybody sees about you. Humility has to happen ALWAYS (your personal time with God, worship time, and whenever you are around anybody). Ephesians 4:2 says, "Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love." Also, if you are in an argument with someone, instead of trying to defend yourself constantly, say something like, "You know what? You're so right. I really do need to work on that." (This is also something I need some serious work on.) God tells us ALL throughout his word, that he loves humble spirits, and he hates pride. Pride definitely comes with our human nature, but it is definitely something we all need to get rid of! If you don't remember anything else from this post, remember this - Humble yourself and God will lift you up!!

Your Words are Powerful!

      Do you know how powerful your words actually are? Let me tell you this much right now - even though your tongue is a very small part of your body, it can cause SO much damage. And come to find out, God tells us about taming our tongues in James, chapter 3. He says, " Likewise, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body, sets the whole course of one's life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell. All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and sea creatures are being tamed and have been tamed by mankind, but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God's likeness." Wow. Your words can be used for two different things - to build people up or tear people down. Sometimes we think that our words don't mean a whole lot, and after criticizing someone (or tearing them down), we follow up with "Just kidding!!" or "I'm just playing around with you!". Really, if your heart is in the place to even think those mean thoughts about someone, obviously you are not just kidding. (And I'm not saying not to joke around with your friends, but I am saying to be carefull about the things you joke about. For example, joking about someones weight, or the way they look is NOT a way to build friendships). In fact, words have been known many times to cause depression, disease, and so many more things that people shouldn't have to go through. Also, not only getting rid of bad things that come out of your mouth, but meaningless things and gossip (2 Timothy 2:16). So pretty much don't just talk to hear yourself talk, and don't talk about ANYBODY behind their backs. I want to challenge everyone reading this, to think about EVERY word before it comes out of your mouth (I am trying to do this too). It will minimize the sin in your life (not that you sin, because i know you don't, right? =), and make a way to grow closer to God! And I would love to hear about how you are doing with this, so text or email me anytime! Lets pray for each other on this issue!

Happy Valentines Day!! - All about LOVE

1 Corinthians 13:4-8a "LOVE is patient, LOVE is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. LOVE does not delight in evil but rejoices with truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. LOVE never fails."

1 John 4:7-12 "Dear friends, let us LOVE one another, for LOVE comes from God. Everyone who LOVES has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not LOVE does not know God, becuase God is LOVE. This is how God showed LOVE among us: He sent his one and only Son into the worls that we might live through him. This is LOVE: not that we LOVED God, but that he LOVED us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. Dear friends, since God so loved us, we ought to LOVE one another. No one has ever seen God; but if we LOVE one another, God lives in us and his LOVE is made complete in us."

1 John 4:18-19 "There is no fear is LOVE. But perfect LOVE drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in LOVE. We LOVE because he first LOVED us."

Ephesians 5:25 "Husbands, LOVE your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her."

1 Corinthians 16:14 "Do everything in LOVE."

Hebrews 13:1 "Keep on LOVING one another as brothers and sisters."

1 Peter 4:8 "Above all, LOVE each other deeply, because LOVE covers up all sin."

John 13:34 "A new command I give you: LOVE one another. As I have LOVED you, so you must LOVE one another."

John 14:15 "If you LOVE me, keep my commands."

John 15:12-13 "My command is this: LOVE each other as I have LOVED you. Greater LOVE has no one than this: to lay down one's life for one's friend."

Proverbs 10:12 "Hatred stirs up conflict, but LOVE covers all wrongs."

Did you know, the word LOVE appears over 300 times in the bible? Wow, God must be very passionate about LOVE. In fact, he is. He says in 1 Corinthians 13:13 "And now these three remain: Faith, Hope, and LOVE, but the greatest of these is LOVE." Actually, the phrase "LOVE one another" is used approximately 11 times in the New Testament alone!! God tells us in the bible, that you can't be like Jesus unless you LOVE, and when you LOVE, the people around you will know you follow Jesus! LOVE is also what forgives sins! Its amazing what LOVE can do! Just LOVE each other- Husbands- love your wives, Wives- love you husband and children, and everybody- love the people around you like they are brothers and sisters! Its all about LOVE!!

Crazy Love By Francis Chan

        This week, I just finished reading Francis Chan's book, Crazy Love. It was a very bold and convicting book that I would recommend to anyone who is interested in growing in their love relationship with God. In this book, Francis talks about how miniature we are in comparison to the whole universe that God created, but how He still wants to have an intimate love relationship with each of us. Isn't that amazing? He also talks about how we need to be constantly foccused on Heaven- you never know when you will take your last breath. God can stop your life at any moment. In fact, there is a chance (a small one), that you might not even finish reading this post. But with knowing this, we need to make sure the days that we are alive, that we are living them completely for God. Francis also talks about lukewarm "Christians". He says, "Lukewarm people do whatever is necessary to keep themselves from feeling too guilty. They want to do the bare minimum, to be 'good enough' without it requiring too much of them (p 76)." He also states that lukewarm people are in fact not Christians at all; there is no possible way for someone who is truly saved to be living for themselves and doing things that are "of the world". He says when you are really a Christian, you have to love God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength - which requires ACTION. There is no way to love God with everything you have, and still not give and love others as much as you love yourself. Well I'm not going to tell you every detail of the whole book, because I would like for you to read it yourself, if you haven't already. Visit www.CrazyLoveBook.com to read about the book, or buy a copy for yourself from your local Christian book store!!

Don't Cause Others to Stumble!!

I was reading Romans 14:13 today, and it said "Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in your brother's way." Some things in your life may not be a sin for you, but it might be a stumbling block for another Christian. For instance- That certain secular music might be fine for YOU to listen to, but maybe it will put a stunt in your friend's walk with God. Also, Girls- that shirt that is just a little bit too low may be okay for you, but WILL cause the guys around you to stumble. See what I'm saying? We always need to make sure that not only we watch out for what might cause us to stumble, but also make sure not to create any stumbling blocks for the people you hang out with!!

Choices, choices, choices!!!

Today in my devotional, the verse was Proverbs 14:12. It said "There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death." In life we face so many choices- it's inevitable. But what you choose can change your whole life! Just one small decision that seems to be right at the moment, can turn your whole life offroad. It is a scary thought, but that's why God provides wisdom in the bible! He tells us what is right, wrong, stupid, wise, and so much more. We all need to make sure that everytime we are given a choice, we don't choose the obvious one, but the one that lines up with God's word! And if you're still confused, then talk to God for yourself!!