All Things Well

"He who was seated on the throne said, "I am making everything new!" Then he said, "Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true." (Revelation 21:5 NIV) "You do all things, you do all things, you do all things well." - Tenth Avenue North. When you ask God to do something, even if he doesn't do what you want, His alternative is always good. When you ask for something, it's not about how much faith you have, but who your faith is in. Everything God does is good! Even when He brings you through the dry desert, in the end you are stronger and it always turns out good!! Trust Him that He knows what He's doing!!

Not Where We Belong

"For he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God." (Hebrews 11:10 NIV) This is not your home. No matter how hard you try to find satisfaction in this world, you won't! Our hope is heaven! You were made for God - to love Him and worship Him!! Have you ever had such a large hole in your heart that nothing can fill it? That's because you were made for a different world! Ask God to satisfy you today... And look forward to heaven - it's where you belong!!!

Through The Pain and Suffering

"I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us." (Romans 8:18 NIV) God works through pain and suffering... We grow the most on days that our hearts are hurting and hope feels far away. "When we trust Christ, and the mysterious work on Calvary, we trust that He's always up to something good even in the darkest days. In fact, that's probably when He's up to the most good, because that's when the most good grows in me." - Mike from Tenth Avenue North. If you are hurting or going through any pain right now, trust God through it... He's working in you BIG TIME!!

Suitcases

"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." (Matthew 11:28 NIV) You can't run when you're holding suitcases! Jesus wants you to let go of past mistakes, hurt, insecurities, fear, etc... He wants to carry your bags for you. Jesus wants to give you rest from your burdens! It is hard to let go of the past, but if you don't it will affect your future! Let Jesus take the burden for you!!!

Abundant Life

"The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full." (John 10:10 NIV) Let God steal your trust and attention! He is knocking at your door because he wants to give you life... A full abundant life!! He loves you enough to be integrated into every moment of your life. Be willing to surrender to his better way!! God wants to give you LIFE!!

Identity in Him

"I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me." (Galatians 2:20 NIV) When you give your life to Jesus, you are FREE! Sometimes we get stuck in making our own way and determining who we want to be, instead of looking at who we are in Christ. Your identity no longer has to be found in the good things you do, the clothes you wear, how much money you have, or anything else like that - your identity is found in Christ!! You are dead to your earthly self... You have been made free by what Jesus did for you on the cross! Live in that freedom today and know that your identity is not found in YOU, but in HIM!!

Only Fulfilling Thing

"Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the duty of all mankind." (Ecclesiastes 12:13 NIV) This is great wisdom from King Solomon: the wisest man (besides Jesus), who was living the American dream before America even existed. He had the capability to enjoy every earthly pleasure under the sun, but he said that its all worthless and came to the conclusion that we are on this earth for Jesus Christ! Fear God and keep his commandments! This is the only fulfilling thing in all the earth!!

Above All

"And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit." (2 Corinthians 3:18 NIV)

"If Christ is not valued above all, Christ is not valued at all." - Augustine

Once you have seen the Glory of God, you won't want to be in just half way! God's command to put Him first is not arrogant or proud, but gracious! He doesn't hold any good things from us - and He is good! And He knows that the world without Him is wicked! If you have never seen God's glory and power, ask Him to show it to you!!

Forgiven

"Blessed are those
whose transgressions are forgiven,
whose sins are covered." (Romans 4:7 NIV) Being a Christian is not about a decision you once made, a belief you once had, or a day that you were forgiven. It's about living everyday of our lives in the power of God's message and in His amazing forgiveness! Jesus lived the life that we failed to live and died the death that we deserved to die! Don't be afraid to go to God in your sin so you can be forgiven!! You are covered by Jesus' blood!

Search No Farther

"What has been will be again,
what has been done will be done again; there is nothing new under the sun." (Ecclesiastes 1:9 NIV) There is NOTHING on this earth that you will find satisfaction in - people have been searching since time began. People all around have been asking "What's the meaning of life?" No one has found this satisfaction in anything besides Jesus Christ!! "Life seems very worthless under the sun, unless your worth is found in the Son" - Lecrae... Search no farther! Everything on earth has already been tested! Find satisfaction and contentment in The Son!!

Leaders Need A Leader

"Brothers and sisters, choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will turn this responsibility over to them" (Acts 6:3 NIV) In order to be a leader, you have to have a leader. God has to be the center of every step you take, every decision you make and every word you say!! When the church in Acts was choosing new leaders, their qualifications were Spirit filled and wise - things you will only have if God is your leader!! Let God lead you!! That way you can be a leader like Him!!

Capable

"But Moses said to God, "Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?" (Exodus 3:11 NIV) God believes in you. Even though you might not feel capable of the big things He has planned for your life, He is confident that through himself you are fully capable. Moses was not confident in himself either! But he did what God said to do, and in the end, it payed off!! When God planned your life, he knew exactly what He was doing!! Believe in yourself and trust God with the plans! He has it all figured out!

His Plan For You

"But the Lord said to Ananias, "Go! This man is my chosen instrument to proclaim my name to the Gentiles and their kings and to the people of Israel." (Acts 9:15 NIV. This verse is talking about Saul/Paul. When God has a plan, he will do whatever it takes to fulfill that plan. In a period of about 4 days, this man went from being Saul, the biggest Jesus hater, to Paul, who was spreading the news of Christ to the world! God has a huge plan for your life!! He created you to be a world changer!! Pay attention to the things you are passionate about, your talents, things that excite you... God is revealing your next step! You were made to do amazing things! Don't forget that!

Possible with God

Have you set high standards for yourself in life? Don't they sometimes feel impossible? Well, good news - they aren't. Through the power of the Holy Spirit guiding you only, the standards you have set ARE POSSIBLE!

"So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh." (Galatians 5:16 NIV)

How do you walk by the Spirit? You have to get rid of your flesh daily. It's something called "Spiritual Breathing" in my devotional -
Exhale: Confess your sin, thank God for His forgiveness.
Inhale: Surrender the control of your life back to Jesus!
YOU CAN ACHIEVE HIGH STANDARDS!!! :)

"Honor Your Father and Mother."

"Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. "Honor your father and mother"—which is the first commandment with a promise— "so that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth." (Ephesians 6:1-3 NIV)

Your parents were put there as your parents for a reason! Honor them and obey them!! God promises that if you do this, you will live a great and long life!! Even if your parents are not Christians, it is still right to obey them, love them, and honor them!! Your mom and dad have lived a lot longer than you and they want the best for you!! Honor them today!!