Jesus in Your Social Networking

Social networking (facebook, twitter, etc.) is a huge outlet to share Jesus with people. In just a few seconds, you can have a few sentences put out where hundreds of people can read. That's why it is important to post and tweet things that are pleasing to God. Your facebook and twitter can have a big influence on someone's life. There are so many opportunities to talk about Jesus, encourage people, share what you are reading in the bible, etc. Here are some practical ways to share Jesus through social networking:
First off, clean up your profile:
-Acknowledge Jesus in your bio
-Pick a clean and modest profile picture (Before you decide on one, think "If Jesus added me as a friend on here, would I want him to see this?")
-Make sure your info (especially on fb) is pleasing to God. (favorite music, TV shows, books, movies, etc.)
Then what you post:
-Post what you are reading in your quiet time
-Post prayer requests, updates, etc.
-Write on people's walls! Encourage, encourage, encourage!!
-Talk about what Jesus has done, is doing, and is going to do in your life

And last, be real! Post what you are doing, who you are hanging out with, etc. People want to be able to relate to you!! Well, I hope this will help you...Just NEVER forget that Jesus needs to be the center of it all. Make it obvious that you are one of his followers!!!

Dream BIG

Dream BIG. Right now, I'm reading Darlene Zschech's book, "The Kiss of Heaven", and she said, "God puts a seed of a dream in our hearts before we are even old enough to feel it growing." When you have a dream in your heart to do something, DON'T IGNORE IT!! - It could be the start of God's great big plan for your life!! If you have a dream, WRITE IT DOWN! Also, don't let people's smallness cause you to dream small. The bigger your dream is, the more room there is for God! Don't ever think of your dreams (if they are real, that is,) as "silly" or "unrealistic", because with God all things are possible. When I think of a dream, I think of it as a desire in your heart, that you have no idea how to get to. For instance - right now, my dream is to be a worship pastor/leader of some kind. I have no idea how to get there though. The hardest part is figuring out if that dream is actually what God has called me to do. My suggestion to myself and any others, is to pray, pray, pray, and read God's word. For me right now, what I'm going to do, is run towards that dream (reading books, reading other worship leader's blogs and stuff, researching, etc.), unless God tells me to STOP. That is my suggestion to you also - If your dream doesn't leave you alone after praying and reading the bible, run towards it unless God tells you otherwise. And BE CAREFUL...Satan is the ultimate dream stealer. Don't let him (or anyone else), tell you that something is impossible. EVERYONE has a dream. What is yours??

1 Timothy 4:12 - My Life Verse

        1 Timothy 4:12 is my life verse - it means so much to me... It says, "Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity." Sometimes for me, it seems like I can't make a difference because I'm so young - but God proves me wrong in this verse. Just because I'm only 14, God gives me opportunities to influence people. No matter how old you are, there is always someone younger (or even older) looking up to you. Whether you are 10 or 110, you have an influence on somebody!! Living with 8 people now, I have a big job - someone is always watching. I always have to remember that I am a HUGE influence on everyone in my house. They watch everything I do and hear everything I say. You are an influence to someone too. Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young! (Even if you aren't, you're younger than someone, right? haha) And DON'T let anyone tell you something different! Let your life be an example for someone else to follow - in what you say, your conduct (how you act), your love, your faith, and your purity. Think about this verse constantly (Trust me, I do.). Set a good example for EVERYONE! You are an influence to someone even when you're young. :)

Take Heart!! Jesus Has Overcome the World!!

         Life isn't easy. Everyday there's conflict, disappointment,  death, sickness, etc. It's inevitable. During the 21 day John challenge, I read John 16:33, where Jesus says,  “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world!” All of our issues are already taken care of - before they even happen! I love when Jesus said, "Take heart!!"...Its like he's telling us, "Don't worry guys! I already took care of that! You can live at peace now!" Whenever you face something hard, and it seems like there's no hope, take heart! I have heard people say before that it's like life is a story, and we've already read the ending, when Jesus conquers the world! Even though we still battle the enemy daily, don't worry! - Jesus already won the battle when he gave himself!! And even though everyone will still die an  earthly death, we all have the opportunity to live an even better life in heaven when we die! - Because Jesus already conquered death! The minute he rose from the dead, death was conquered! It's so relieving to know that all my problems are already taken care of, and I don't have to worry about a thing. Jesus said that he told us all of this so we can live at peace in him! It's such an amazing feeling to have. Every single time something happens in life, just remember that it is already taken care of - Jesus has already overcome the world. :)

Can God Trust You With a Little?

...you have to be trusted with this much.

Before you can have this much....

        God will not give you much, until he can trust you with a little. This is what he tells us in Luke 16:10, "Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much." Like for me, I have to show God that I can do my own chores and little jobs (Cleaning my room, doing the dishes, laundry, etc.), before he will let me lead anything big. Also, like when I was serving at BNC, I had to be trusted with small jobs, so God knows he can use me for bigger things in the future. Its reminds me of this - its like we are all basketball players (I'm so not, and I don't like sports, but anyway), and we have to win a lot of games before we move on to the big championships and stuff. Get it?? Its the same with money - If you can't be trusted with $5, then how can you ever be trusted with $5000? Its also like when you were 3, your parents didn't make you cut the grass, do the laundry, and cook dinner! They had to see that you could get yourself dressed and stuff before they gave you more chores! I'm sure if your reading this, then you've moved on from doing just the little stuff like getting yourself dressed and making your bed (at least I hope so). Don't EVER forget Luke 16:10 - think about it constantly. It will completely change the way you live!! Can God trust you with a little bit?