Romans 6

Hope all of your Mondays weren’t too rough.  As I promised Romans six is starting the week of everyday posts.  Monday is my first day of the week, because I run on a school schedule. I apologize if you consider Sunday the first day, but it’s just not.

We left off with Paul telling the Christian in Rome about sin and we meet back with him talking about the same thing, sin.  However, this time Paul discusses freedom from sin.  The first few verses are summarized very nicely in verse 10: “For the death that He died, He died to sin once and for all; but the life that He lives, He lives to God.”  Or in lyrical words, “He became sin that knew no sin.”  When Jesus died sin died with Him.  Not in the sense that sin is no longer in this world, because that is definitely not true, but in the sense that sin can no longer find a home in us.  Having been freed from sin, we no longer have to be slaves to it. We are now slaves of righteousness (verse 18). 

We become slaves to whom or whatever we serve ahead of God. In verse 16 Paul says, “we are either slaves of sin resulting in death, or slaves of obedience resulting in righteousness.”  And in verse 12 Paul warns us to “not let sin reign in our mortal body so that we obey its lusts.”  All of these verses bring about one idea, freedom in eternal life.  I mean, seriously, what’s more freeing than living forever?  But of course with freedom comes responsibility.  Choosing to follow God could be one of the most difficult decisions we ever make.  I don’t mean accepting him in the way most of us do, with saying “yes Lord, I believe you died for my sins…etc.”  I mean giving yourself to Him wholeheartedly; giving up your old life and becoming new in Him.  “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus” (verse 23). 

One of the verses that I really think helps us realize what died from sin means is verse 13: “…present yourselves to God as those alive from the dead…” Although it is a bit weird I really love the way it puts it.  We are to give ourselves to God like brand new gifts, as a person dead in sin and new in God.  Once we give our lives over to God we become free in Him, in righteousness.  I feel like a lot of people think becoming a Christian mean that you have to give up all your fun, and I suppose for some that may be true, all depending on what their idea of “fun” is.  However for most it is not too big of a sacrifice, because when you think about it God isn’t asking you to kill your only child.  Yet He did that with out us even asking Him to.  The point I am trying to make here is that when we become more and more like Christ we gain more freedom because that life becomes what we want to live and God presents us with endless opportunities, but when we live in flesh all we have are the things of the world and things that will only last as long as we do.  Gods will and His gifts are better than Anything we could ever plan for ourselves or think up of on our own, and if you only take one thing from this post tonight I want it to be that. 

Gods will and His gifts are better than ANYTHING we could ever plan for ourselves or think up of on our own

Also, if you guys have any pray requests or whatever feel free to head over to this Facebook page and post 'em. 

Youth is Wasted on the Young

So I know my post have been quite me focused lately, and I promise my next post will be Romans 6, because honestly…we should have already been done with Romans. I am slacking. But I have challenged myself this week to post Everyday! For this week…

Anyways, this post is about something that has kind of been on my heart lately…it’s about being young. About being so busy with trying to figure out what we are supposed to do that we don’t take time to figure out what God wants us to do. I feel like the idea of Gods plan for us has been following me around. It has been a topic within the youth group I am a leader at, Temper, it was in Sara Bartons post (if you don’t know what I am talking about go check out my last post), even in the new song "Wake Me Up" by Avicci. It has just been lingering around me all week. 

The verse that stands out to me when I think of young (life span wise) Christians is...

Timothy 4:12 – 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.

I love this verse! “Don’t let anyone look down on you” as a Christian and a kid I really never appreciated people looking down on me, and now as an older kid I still don’t and try not to do it to others.  I feel as though we can all learn so much from each other. I know for a fact that the junior high students at Temper have taught me a ton, and have heard the same from other leaders in the group. Next, “set an example.” I know this is cheesy, but…be the change you want to see in the world. When you want more people to come to Christ be their light. If you want your parents or family to stop fighting, use Gods peace. Let others see what you are and make them want to be like you. We need to use the gifts God gives us the way He intended them to be used: in speech, conduct, Love, Faith, and purity.  I feel like love is the most important thing here, because sometimes all someone needs is someone else…an example.

Wait On The Lord

Alright friends. I have been slacking hard-core lately. I’m calling myself out on this because I really wanted to stay on top of my reading and blogging. However just like usual, when I set out to stay focused my life becomes clustered, as I am sure many of you have also experienced.

I am definitely going to keep trying to stay up on this blog because I need to, but since I havean’t posted in a while I thought I would through a couple of interesting and thought provoking verses your way, mainly just to distract you till I get my crap together. ;)

So for me lately school and I guess ‘family drama’ has been consuming my life and just as usual I am putting my will before Gods. This is literally the most difficult thing for me. I am so prideful and just cannot give everything to Him. Which is why I have such a difficult time staying steady in my faith. So, I have been meditating on Psalms 42 lately. It’s a pretty intense piece of scripture. According to This Video the Psalm is David “in a fight with himself.” And I think we all kind of feel like David sometimes.  We feel like we are fighting against ourselves in hopes that we will be able to find what we should be doing, or want to be doing.  But again, we need to but our “hope in God.”

This video has basically been getting me through this hard time. The guy is Matt Chandler.  In the video he tells us that we need to “wait on the Lord.” Why? He takes it straight from scripture, Isaiah 40:31 – Because those who wait on the Lord He will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. And that’s a promise!

Psalms 27:14

So, if you’re like me and find yourself more on the prideful end of the spectrum take a second to watch the video, read the psalms, and try and find a reason not to put all of your hope in God. And if you find it, let me know, because from what I read and saw His promises looked a whole lot better than what I could even dream up.

Have an awesome week friends.

Here is Psalms 42:

1 As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, O God. 2 My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God? 3 My tears have been my food day and night, while men say to me all day long, "Where is your God?" 4 These things I remember as I pour out my soul: how I used to go with the multitude, leading the procession to the house of God, with shouts of joy and thanksgiving among the festive throng. 5 Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and 6 my God. My soul is downcast within me; therefore I will remember you from the land of the Jordan, the heights of Hermon--from Mount Mizar. 7 Deep calls to deep in the roar of your waterfalls; all your waves and breakers have swept over me. 8 By day the LORD directs his love, at night his song is with me-- a prayer to the God of my life. 9 I say to God my Rock, "Why have you forgotten me? Why must I go about mourning, oppressed by the enemy?" 10 My bones suffer mortal agony as my foes taunt me, saying to me all day long, "Where is your God?" 11 Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.

Here’s the link again to the video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bVnt7kJ6NE4

Go watch it,

AND

Here are some of those inspirational / thought provoking verses I said I’d include:

Philippians 4:6-7

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

1 Peter 5: 6-7

“Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.  Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.”

Proverbs 3:5-6

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.”

(This is my favorite verse, just thought I’d let you know).

Joshua 1:9

“Have I not commanded you?  Be strong and courageous.  Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”

Hosea 6:1

Come, let us return to the LORD. For he has torn us, but He will heal us; He has wounded us, but He will bandage us.

LASTELY, READ THIS:

http://dailybibleverse.tumblr.com/post/169230615/when-god-breaks-your-heart-its-not-because-of

It talks about why God breaks us before He fixes us. It’s lovely.

Romans 5

Sorry it’s been so long, I have definitely not been keeping up with my reading. School has really started now and the homework is piling on, and things within this household have been a bit hectic to say the least.

Anyways! Glad to be getting back in the groove.

Romans 5! It is almost like a praise report. It is Paul’s response to the “good news” and he is urging his readers to rejoice with him in both hope and suffering. In verse two and three Paul gives us a wonderful recap of what Jesus Christ gave us.               

2-through whom also we have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand; and we exult in hope of the glory of God. 3-And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance…

We have been shown what it means to live by faith and what kind of life that prevails and as Christians accepting God is accepting that faith, that relationship, and by accepting both faith and a relationship we are showered with grace. In 1 Corinthians 13:13 Paul says “faith, hope and love are at the heart of the Christian life.” And when God’s love fills our lives it gives us the ability to reach out to those around us.

The other part of this I want to focus on is the comparison between Adam and Jesus. I really love the way verse 12 is worded: “Therefore, just as through one man sin entered into the world, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men, because all sinned—.“  Just as sin entered this world through Adam it left it (kind of) through Jesus. Adam is the counterpart of Jesus here, and just as Adam represents human creation, Jesus represents a new spiritual humanity. Ugh! I love, love, love this! Then in verse 20 Paul tells us “…where sin increased, grace abounded all the more.”

We are showered with abundant grace and love from God, and we deserve none of it! He has given us so many chances, I have asked for forgiveness SO many times for the same times it’s ridiculous that He forgives me knowing that I will ask again the next day. Humans are so impatient! It would hardly take us 3 times of one action to no longer forgive a person for whatever they did, and God has put up with it for centuries! This totally convicts me! God is so patient! Who are we to test that? But we do. Like when your sibling “isn’t touching you” we “aren’t sinning.” We push the boundaries of sin and I for one need to truly work on that.

SO. My challenge for you:

1.     Be more patient, in every aspect of you life for AT LEAST 5 days. A work week, that’s it. Just try it.

2.     At the end of your day try to list your sins. Not to put yourself down, simply to see, and maybe since you’re more focused on it you’ll do it less.

Let me know.

Song of the day:

Ode To A Patient God

By: The Arrows

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GwU-8yPAgPY&feature=share&list=PLwzbTu8seepvuSvg-OpLFt3zuBr-WVR-v

Romans 4

Romans 4

This chapter focuses a lot on Abraham. No…not Lincoln (but he’s a cool guy). Father Abraham.  So, if you don’t know his story I highly encourage you to skim through Genesis 22, I belive the whole story is 12-25 though. Or if you’re lazy and don’t want to read all that you can go to this link http://www.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/246612/jewish/Abraham.htm that summarizes Abrahams story, and it’s .org so you know it’s legit.

So, lets get into this. Romans 4. I didn’t find a lot that spoke to me in this chapter, but if you do, please share in the comments J

In verse 5: But to the one who does not work, but believes in Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is credited as righteousness; we are shown/told that our actions do not determine our faith. Whether we believe or not is up to us, but whether we are saved or not is up to God. In John 14:6 Jesus says “I am the way the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

Flowing into verses 6, 7, and 8 it goes into further detail. 6 – just as David also speaks of the blessing on the man to whom God credits righteousness apart from works: 7 – “Blessed are those whose lawless deeds have been forgiven, and whose sins have been covered. 8 – Blessed is the man whose sin the Lord will not take into account.” Verse 6 is referring to King David, who committed a ton of sins, he committed murder, adultery, and lied but he was still able to experience Gods forgiveness, and so can we. In order to do so though we need to recognize our sin, ask God for forgiveness, and let go of that sin and believe that God has forgiven us. By doing this we recognize the tremendous price He paid for us on the cross.  It is arrogant of us to think that any of our sins are too great for Him to cover. In 1 John 1:9 is says that any sin s confessed are sins forgiven.

Jumping into my 2 favorite parts of this chapter: verse 16 and verses 19 through 21! Verse 16: For this reason it is by faith, in order that it may be in accordance with grace, so that the promise will be guaranteed to all the descendants, not only to those who are of the Law, but also to those who are of the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all (see Genesis 17:5). In the previous verses we were told that Abraham received his promise while uncircumcised or while being a Gentile and circumcised himself as the Jews and sealed his righteousness in that way, in a weird way it was like a baptism. This is just really nice to hear, we are ALL saved! Jews and Gentiles, those that live by the Law and those who don’t. If we accept God he pours His grace over us. We are saved only through faith in Christ, trusting Him to forgive all our sins. I like how Hebrews 11:1 describes faith: “Faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we cannot see.”

Verses 19 through 21!

19 – Without becoming weak in faith he contemplated his own body, now as good as dead since he was about a hundred years old, and the deadness of Sarah’s womb;    20 – yet, with respect to the promise of God, he did not waver in unbelief but he grew strong in faith, giving glory to God, 21 – and being fully assured that what God had promised He was able to also preform.

In my Biblical Literature class last semester my professor, Dr. Love, told us a lot about covenants, basically a promise, and there are 4 (I think…) major ones and this is one of them. Basically God chose Abraham and made a promise that He would give him land, more of less, if he would trust Him. God doesn’t demand an answer right away, He first shows Abraham that His word is good, and then asks for an answer (or sacrifice) *wink*wink* but to know more go read Genesis.  Anyway…the thing I Love is that Abraham trusted God when most of us, especially today, would have just given up and been like ‘naa God, this isn’t worth it’. Abraham Trusted that God would follow through on His promise. 

I really love the way my footnotes evaluate verse 21: “Abraham never doubted that God would fulfill his promise. Abraham’s life was marked by mistakes, sins, and failures as well as by wisdom and goodness, but he consistently trusted God. His faith was strengthened by the obstacles he faced, and his life was an example of faith in action. If he had looked only at his own resources for subduing Cannan and founding a nation, he would have given up in despair. But Abraham looked to God, obeyed him, and waited for God to fulfill his word.” Abraham is inspiration at its finest. I doubt God all the time and I have a huge problem with trust. How am I supposed to sit around and wait for God to do something? If I look to Him it will become possible. We need to trust God, and I know I keep saying it, but I also know that it’s hard. Faith isn’t easy, being a Christian isn’t easy, and living in this world of sin with constant temptation doesn’t make any of it easier. But when we “Look To Go” He will make it easier! Trust Him! Trust His word, promise, and plan for you and put your faith into action. Look at the obstacles you face as a gift from God and use them to learn from and grow stronger in your faith! Alright…I’m done.

Take some time to thank God for the obstacles in your life today. Try to see if you can notice how they have helped you grow, or if you’re currently in them evaluate how God might be using this situation to help you.

Have an awesome day friends, and stay cool. ;)

Song of the day:

Upside Down, Jack Johnson 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dqUdI4AIDF0