December 28, 2010

Challenge

My challenge to you is one that I myself have taken. It is this: take all the items that you’ve held on to that remind you of the past, weather it be relationships, something bad that you’ve experienced, something symbolic or connected with some kind of pain AND BURN IT!
I know that this challenge seems extreme, but the strongholds it will break off of you are amazing.
My two best friends and I took this challenge tonight. We’d done it before with the youth group back in ’09. But even then I didn’t burn everything that I should have. The things that I held on to seemed to be apart of me, so if this is something that you face trust me I understand what you are feeling. But one of my best friends challenged me to let this stuff go because she knew that things from my past could be hindering my relationship with God. I fought her but ultimately I saw the point she was making, so I pulled out all of my old photos and my box of memories and went through it to see what things I needed to get out of my life. I ended up with a shoe box filled with roses, photos, poems I’d written, stuffed animals, letters…all of these things I’d held on to from my ex’s because they reminded me of the people they were related to. But tonight I burned them all, and the release I felt made me understand that I really needed to get all of those things out of my life. My friend made a valid point when she was trying to convince me to do this, she asked me “what are you going to do with all of these things when you get married, even though it’s in the future think of how your husband will feel when you move into a new house that is filled with all these memories of other men?” This made me open my eyes and see that until then all these things are doing is reminding me of people who are no longer a part of my life and relationships that stole things from me. But when we burned them I could feel the weight that was lifted from my shoulders. I burned things that I have been holding onto for more than five years.
I give you this challenge now because the New Year is upon us, and with a new year you can make a new you! So think about it, you can even do it with some of your friends like I did.
I read this scripture around the fire tonight, “But one thing I do: forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead. I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 3:13-14) I realize now the true importance of letting things go. Even if you don’t realize it, these objects are holding you back. When you pull them out you will instantly start remembering the life you lived when the memories attached to them were created. They are holding you back from your total potential in God.
Consider my challenge wholly before you dismiss it. Burn the bridges you’ve maintained to pain and sin. Let them go and give way to a new life of God.
“…freedom reigns in this place, showers of mercy and grace, falling on every face, there is freedom…” –Jason Upton freedom
This is one of the songs we sang after praying and burning our past. It helps you feel the weight of the bondage you’re letting go.

December 2, 2010

THE Name

Many of us, no matter how long we've been attending a church, have heard the phrase, "there is power in the name of Jesus." All things in the name Jesus...
have you ever stopped to consider what this means? have you ever stopped to think about why we use the name of Jesus as a weapon, a refuge, or even calling a friend? We use the name, and all its glory because when we hear the name of Jesus, we are reminded of all that he has done for us.
matthew 27:50-51 "Then Jesus shouted out again, and he gave up his spirit. At that moment the curtian was torn in the Temple from top to bottom."
This amazing thing Jesus did. this is what saying his name should make us remember. i have made you contemplate why the name is so important because of this...
take a moment to think about what God thinks, what he rememebers when he hears your name.
Will he be proud of all you've done to further his kingdom, or disappointed because you choose to turn from him and love the world? WHAT DOES GOD THINK WHEN HE HEARS YOUR NAME?
i understand that when you weigh your life to others you may come up short, but i'm not asking for that. in no way am i asking you to compare yourself with anyone...i am simply asking you to weigh the good against the bad, then decide which way the scale is tipping.
ecclesiastes 7:1 "A good reputation is more valuable that the most expensive perfume..."

When God consumes your heart you will begin to change in ways you didnt even know needed changing. you will begin to love people and to love life. you will begin to better yourself as well as try to better the world around you. so consider this when you decide what god thinks when he hears your name.
if he were to come to your school, your job, your home; how would the people he meets describe you?? in some circumstanses this may be a harsh reality to face. maybe you are saved but still retain anger and bitterness that affects the way you communicate with the people in your life..that is effecting your reputation and god can see it all. remember that god is always with you, he knows your every move, every word, and every thought. he knows your reputation better than you do.

so if you want to reinvent your name, consider this:
god is the source of joy and the holder of everlasting, neverending grace. ask him into your life and repent daily. consider the downfalls of your life and pray for them often. confess to be a christian and take time to ponder on exactly what god has brought you through.

this message has become so important that i share because i myself had to do the same thing just this morning. i cleared my mind and really focused on what God brought me through, the very gates of hell stood before me and God come to save me. he never gave up on me. and i am determined to make my reputation one that counts to the lord not the world. and i pray that you too realize that Gods not giving up on you either and your reputation may be the very thing that can open someones eyes to God himself.

"You may be the only Bible some people read." -Chris "P.C." Moore