Verse of the Month - March 09

I have recently fallen in love with this Bible verse, simply because although in society today many call Christianity a practice of faith that is "condemning" to so called "sinners," this is all that the Bible has to say:

"Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God." - 1 Corinthians 6:9-11.

Key word being "but," it changes everything. We are all sinners and betrayers like it or not - I personally hate the idea, but sadly enough, without further denial, it is true. So instead of looking at the aspect of the wrath of God - which is uncommon in faith to look at - look for the aspect of why God sent Jesus. He sent him because He truly wants us and desires us, despite our wicked past. This is even said in the Bible:

"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." - John 3:16

Ski Trip

After a long weekend out with some of the church guys and leaders, a group of about 15 guys - including myself - all went to South Vermont for a ski weekend. Simply said, it was one of the most exciting, relational and heart-throbbing experiences I have ever had. Not only did I get to ski, but too were my eyes opened to God's existence through conversations, scripture, discussions, seeing the beauty of the mountains, crashing on moguls and talking with some old folk on the chairlift.

Here were some of the things I learned and did:

In relation to skiing, I was able to hit some of the largest mountains I had ever seen, ride down some of the steepest black diamonds on the East Coast, fall and injure myself due to being cut off by other skiers and moguls, hit one of the largest jumps I'd ever hit and ride along a simple, smooth path that cut between pine and spruce trees which overlooked a beautiful frozen lake and mountains in the distance. But that was not the greatest reason I experienced God.

In relation to our friendships, it was beforehand that I barely knew anyone with the exception of four friends, but this gave me the opportunity to make many knew friends and learn something about the leaders that has allowed me to build new friendships. And still, this is not the greatest reason I experienced God.

In relation to our discussion topics, I was able to walk away with a wider view of what God intends for us as people, learn a powerful new verse from scripture and gain a perspective of Biblical knowledge that has changed the way I view "Christianity." Yet this is still not the greatest reason.

The greatest reason I was able to experience God on this trip was through something most people wouldn't call a "God miracle." It was a car crash. On our trip, we had two vans, one - the church van, the van I was in - and the other - Mr. Reed's van - in which the church van carried a heavy trailer behind it full of our equipment. Mr. Reed drove ahead of us most of the trip, and as we went through Troy, New York - an almost all downhill city - we were caught at a yellow light. Mr. Reed stopped at the intersection and as our van had too much weight in the back, we were not able to slow down enough to stop, hence we hit the back of Mr. Reed's van (pictured above.)

But in all of this, it truly was God miracle if we could look at the circumstances. For one, the crash shattered the trunk and the safety glass in back, but in that nobody was hurt, the cars still ran fine, no airbags popped, the cops and emergency vehicles arrived in less than a minute, and we were given God's grace that our speed wasn't a lot, because if it was so, I would've gotten whiplash because there were no headrests, people in Mr. Reed's van could've been hurt, and it could've cost us an extra day and lots of money. God was evident in this because if it was to be a bad crash, we were about 5 hours from home with no place to stay, meaning that we would have to find a hotel and I had nothing but 75 cents left, and we would've had to find an alternate for a car, which again, could've cost a lot. So next time you think God might not be in a bad situation, try and look at what went right rather than wrong.

So in conclusion, ski more and think of what God has done in your life.

Investigating Scripture

This morning while doing my quiet time with God at church, I was caught by this one verse that had meaning in almost every word it had. Here it is:

"Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality." - Romans 12:12-13

What I saw was that there was something to find in every single phrase, and it has seemed to help me understand the Bible already a lot better. I'll put up two of my favorite verses - including this one - and individualize the meaning of each phrase and how it is applicable to our lives as people.

Romans 12:12-13

Be joyful in hope - Be happy in knowing that God knows your future and provide for you the best life if you commit to having faith, which is hoping.

Patient in affliction - (this is the one that gets me) - Wait for God's work despite hardships in life, because there is a better road ahead. Although there will always be struggle, trusting in the Lord is the one way that can pull you out.

Faithful in prayer - When in prayer, be justified and humbled before the Lord - (Luke 18:9-14). Don't pray for other people to see, pray so that it is your request of heart to God.

Share with God's people who are in need - Believer or nonbeliever, provide accountability and love which can support the believer in his or her walk with Christ, and can shine a light for the nonbeliever.

Practice hospitality - Open you house - and most of all - your time to absolutely anyone in a time of need or struggle.

2 Timothy 2:22

"Flee the evil desires of youth, and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart."

Flee the evil desires of youth - Literally run from temptations and desires that are for now, but will not benefit your future. Leave behind your youthful sins. If you are no longer youth - proof comes through this - was following those desires more worth it than obeying God?

And pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace - Escape from the worldly passions and live in mission with Christ by following His ways to be a missionary in the world - whether it be in another country or simply with the friends you have now.

Along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart - Surround yourself with strong accountability from Christians who will challenge you to be the person you can be.

So in all of these, which verses can you narrow down and see yourself applying to your life?

Prayer Request of the Month - March 09

As I was having a conversation with my mom the other day, she brought up some terrible news that I know will require prayer. My best friend's friend has recently been put into rehab because of a message he sent out that said he wanted to commit suicide. He is safe now at the hospital, yet I feel that an event like this rubs off on everyone around this person - including me, although I do not know him. So please just keep it in mind that there are many people who aren't appreciative of the life they've been given, and pray for this one person as he struggles to regain sense of the divine love God has for him and the fact that he truly is worth living for in this world.