Don't Worry About Anything

Here is what the Bible says about worry...

25 “That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn’t life more than food, and your body more than clothing? 26 Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to him than they are?

27 Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?

28 And why worry about your clothing? Look at the lilies of the field and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing, 29 yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. 30 And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith?

31 So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ 32 These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs.

33 Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.

34 So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today." -Matthew 6:24-34(NLT)

So cast your cares on Him and don't worry, because it'll be alright. :)

Purpose Driven

Hey guys! Hope all is well in your lives. I'm sorry I haven't been blogging as much recently, but an amazing oppurtunity has entered my life and I so I've been a bit distracted.

I came across a new resource that I love and want to pass along to you all. It is the new website of Rev. Rick Warren, called The Purpose Driven Connection. (He is the author of the book The Purpose Driven Life which I highly recommend everyone read!) On the website they have everything -- music, health, relating to and serving others-- it is just full of awesome God inspired articles and ideas. I hope that all of you will check it out. (Seriously, go enjoy it!!)

I wish I could embed this video (like I do with most videos I post) but unfortunately I can't but I want you to click the link and watch the awesome response that Rick Warren received after his prayer during the Presidential Inauguration. God is everywhere and can reach anyone. http://link.brightcove.com/services/link/bcpid1873832645/bclid9142307001/bctid10125705001
On that note, the reason I've been so distracted is because of an opportunity offered to me by the young adults service I attend at Faith Fellowship Church.

I will be doing a two week series at The Living Room with my father. It is is called "Facing the Father" and I invite any adults or high school students who are interested in attending.

It is tomorrow, Feb. 24th and next Tuesday, March 3rd at 7:30 pm. If you can't come, I would ask that you keep me in prayer this week and that God would speak through me. Thanks! Email me if you want more info.

The Offer of Perfect Love

We see that we have been given an example of true love. Now I want to tell you about perfect love. First John 4:9-10 says, “This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world 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.”

What an example of love. Our maker, the God of heaven and earth sacrificed his only son so that we can live in heaven. What a way to show us what perfect love is.

“If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in him and he in God. And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God and God in Him.” -1 John 4:15-16

It so clear what our Lord stands for and what he sacrificed for us. God is love. I mean how simple is that. If our Savior, our God who we pray and worship, is love, shouldn’t we strive to be love too? This perfect love that has been demonstrated is beyond our understanding, the Bible says that its rare for one man to give up his life for another, yet Jesus gave up his life for the saving of the world. He is so willing to give mercy to those who sin and love to any who believes in His Son.
Lastly we learn what the gift of perfect love means for our lives. “There is no fear in 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.” -1 John 4:18-19

God offered the ultimate example of perfect love by sacrifice. We need to live in love to receive the gift of this perfect love and in doing so become more like Christ, who is love.

How can you tell others about the gift of this perfect love? Are you an example of God?

True Love isn't just for Weddings

If you have ever been to a wedding then you’ve probably heard the reading of 1 Corinthians 13:4-7, some of you may even have it memorized. I can’t help but think about this passage of the Bible as Valentine’s Day approaches, but as i read it I felt it may be a bit misunderstood.

Let’s look at verses 4-7:
“Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.” (NLT)

The reason this verse is so often read at weddings is because it is this symbol of what true love should be. It offers active words that we understand and see as real, genuine love. But I don’t think that it’s just talking about husband and wife kind of love. Those verses bring to life Christ’s love, giving a model for true, unconditional, impossible and amazing love.

Jesus loves those who need it and never has any conditions or judgments’, but instead offers forgiveness and acceptance. This is the type of love we should be living out day to day with our families, friends, strangers, and God. True love is a challenge that takes work and effort!

Have you ever for one full day gone without being rude? Or proud? Or self-seeking? Are you ever impatient? Or mean? Are you holding a grudge? Have you ever quit or lost your faith? Given up hope or just given up?

It isn't as easy as it may sound, that is why this passage is so important in our walk with God. We need to press towards trying to display this love for others and for God every day.

When we can focus on each of these elements of love, we will find weakness in our relationship with Christ and those around us. It is so important to reflect and work on our faults and failures especially when it comes to the type of love we exude daily. We have to push through the circumstances of life and grow closer to God by living out true love.

I challenge you to put this on your mirror or in your binder or wherever you will see it often this week.

Love never gives up.

Love cares more for others than for self.

Love doesn't want what it doesn't have.

Love doesn't strut,
Doesn't have a swelled head,

Doesn't force itself on others,

Isn't always "me first,"

Doesn't fly off the handle,

Doesn't keep score of the sins of others,

Doesn't revel when others grovel,

Takes pleasure in the flowering of truth,

Puts up with anything,

Trusts God always,
Always looks for the best,

Never looks back,

But keeps going to the end.
1 Cor. 13:4-7 (MSG)

As you read this each day, ask these questions: Is this how you love God and others? Are you an example of true love? What areas do you need to work on when it comes love?

I Need to Love You

Come check out the blog over the next few days, I'll be doing a mini series on Love. In the meantime, to get something stirring within, check out this amazing video. The song is called "Times" by Tenth Avenue North. I encourage downloading their songs (or album!)

Also, read up on what God thinks about love in 2 Corinthians 13 & 1 John 4:7-21
Come back for more this week!!