God is good. All the time. The other night, I was working. 'Cause that's what I do. I work. Gotta make a living. (I have to confess that when I work, I generally don't look for God to do much. He's there. I thank Him for my clients and my work. But I don't generally think about ministry while I'm designing a web page.) And yet. He is there anyway.

So, as I was working, I checked facebook. I try not to, because it ends up distracting me. But I did this time. And I got a message from a friend. We'll call him "John". He had questions about God. Now, "John" and I go way back. We go back to high school, more than ten years ago. We used to party together. Now, I'm a Youth Pastor. So "John" from high school has questions about God, and God uses me to answer some of those when I am supposed to be working. I'm posting this to show that there is never a time when God can't/won't use you. We must always be listening.

I won't post what was said. I will only say that a changed life gave rise to a question about why I changed. The cool thing is, this is not the first time someone from my past has asked why I changed.

There are many things that will serve to evangelize, but few are as powerful or as irrefutable as your testimony and the sign of a changed life. If your faith is true, your life will show fruit of that faith. The fruit of my faith is a changed life in Christ Jesus, and a testimony of the things He has put out of my life. And God uses that testimony again and again.

Wherever you are. Whatever you are doing. Know that God can use you. Even more, that He wants to use you. And it's awesome when He does.

Be rad for Jesus. And be ready.

Labels: Christian, evangelism, love, questions, testimony

  ¶ 22:02 0 Comments

  To those who struggle... (by unfallenbrian) Struggling with sin.  We all do it.  And, in a way, the struggle is good.  Don't give in. Fight for your righteousness. Fight to stand in Christ, and let Him put your sin to death. Let your King take your entire broken flesh and put it to death. 


But death is painful. And it feels like a loss. Like an end. In those times, and in the times when it seems like the flesh has risen up and conquered your will, maybe this will help.


This is something that God placed on my heart as I texted with a friend one night. And then I sent it to someone else who struggled. And it turns out that God had something to say here. So if you struggle, read on and find some encouragement and peace. And hopefully victory.

Pray. And be strong, God wants repentance, but not in a despairing kind of way. He wants you to turn back to him and give him glory. Let the Light shine on you and remove the darkness. It's the devil's trick to make us not lift our eyes to God in times of struggle.

I know. It's hard enough to fight the temptation when things are fine. But then it goes south and you slip.

But be strong in Christ. He did not vainly hang on that cross. Christ did not get up there in weakness. Your God is strong and mighty. He conquered in ways deeper than battles and wars. Run into the arms of LOVE in those times. I know the pain of disappointment and betrayal, but those things are soothed and forgotten in the presence of The Almighty King who conquered even death itself to save you from your sin.

And He saw this day when He hung on that cross. And he died for you knowing full well this day. He died to forgive you for this day. And all others!

In victory, stand! And be clean in HIS righteousness.

If you take on the burden of this, and all the world around you, it will crush you. So, as you enter the presence of the King, know that His grace and power is sufficient. And he has a future for you. He Has plans of blessing and glory.

"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart And you will find REST for your SOULS. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." Mat.11.28-30

May you find peace and rest in the presence of Jesus. May you find freedom and righteousness in His love. And may you find victory in death, as you are transformed from glory to glory in the life of Christ.

Be rad for Jesus.

 

  ¶ 12:28 0 Comments