The Molding of a Shepherd

My entire life has been spent involved in some type of ministry. Pretty much after entering this world, I was placed in the church. This was the calling on my father's life: to be a pastor. Though it wasn't mine, I still went along for the ride, mostly willing. With this calling placed on my parent's lives, however, I had a front seat ride through a thrilling and trying life spent in ministry. I learned and grew a great deal and the most prevalent thing I can remember growing up is how I would never pursue this with my life. The line read, "I could never do what dad does." It's funny how we are bold and make claims that seem to be very valid, yet can turn entirely wrong in an instance.

As I went through middle school and high school, I began to struggle some with the toll of ministry on my family. I mean that was our life. It consumed us. We were nearly at the church 5 out of 7 days a week sometimes and I found it daunting. But as I began to mature, nearing the end of my high school days, God began to work on my heart and truly show me the reasons we are placed in certain situations: to rely on Him. Through certain issues that arose at the end of my high school career, through relationships and not receiving a full ride for college, I learned a harder way of what it meant to rely on God for the provision He would provide and saw fit to sustain me. Even in my doubt and feeling of lostness, He provided. It came through for my schooling to still be paid in one way or another. I was extremely thankful for the encouragement of my family at that stage in pointing me to Christ, as I was even broken down in my mother's office at work after receiving the news. She stated, "It will be okay. God will provide still. This was not meant to be but it will still be alright."

Here I am about four years later, looking back on this moment and seeing the incredible provision of the Lord. I still entered the sidewalks of Marshall University in the Fall of 2011, as a biology major in hopes of entering the medical field upon graduation. This was the plan. The only formidable option of my future because what else would I do? I began the #sciencelife, got plugged into a campus ministry and small group, as well as a church. I was on my own for these things and it was a little weird. It was the first point in my life where I saw my faith as my own and I wasn't following my parents’ path in it. It was the first time that I truly learned what it meant to place my identity in Christ above all things. And it was a beautiful thing to behold. Christ in His glory and my life used to glorify Him.

As we continue onto sophomore year, I continued in the #sciencelife in hopes of medicine. I also had the incredible opportunity to serve on my campus ministry's leadership team, which if you had asked me a few years prior I would have laughed and never thought I'd be in that position. It was a truly humbling year for me as God broke me down and truly showed what relying on Him in uncertainty was. This was the year that plans changed. This was the year where I began to let go of my dreams of medicine and hold onto the will of God, trusting in Him in all things and proclaiming and glorifying Him in all things. Come Spring semester, I came to the point a lot of college students come to, trying to answer the question of, "What will I do with my life?" Thankfully I was a sophomore and had plenty of time. Or at least I thought.

I began to research what I could do with a biology degree. Over the course of that semester, I visited a seminary because BCM (the campus ministry I'm a part of) took a trip and I thought why not? I learned a great deal from the trip but still held onto the notion that I would pursue something with my degree rather than ministry because as I stated when I was younger, "I could never do what Dad did." So the weekly Google searches continued.

As I entered junior year, I was given leadership over a group of guys, where as the year before I had just assisted and co-lead. "Me leading a small group?" was the recurring thought throughout my head but God humbled me and worked incredibly to make Him glorified through our lives. We rallied with each other and learned a great deal from His word in Ephesians and shared with one another what was going on in our lives. As we would state repeatedly throughout the year and how I would summarize it, "Our knowledge was surpassed," referencing Ephesians 3. They bore a great deal with me through my weekly career path and I thank them for putting up with my indecisiveness.

It was in the spring again when things began to change. Due to family circumstances, my Dad had to leave and be with my granddad last minute on a Saturday night and he called me to ask if I would fill in for him Sunday morning. Me, you know the one who could never do what Dad did, was now being called on to preach? What? I couldn't fathom it, yet I said yes with his reassurance I would be fine. It was a whirlwind of a night in preparation and then I took off the next morning with the prayers of my brothers and sisters flooding over me as I preached God's word. It was incredible to see the way God used me for His purposes to be fulfilled. I had never thought I'd be in that position, yet here I was, in the pulpit.

God worked mightily in that and I had another opportunity over the summer to fill in for my Dad again. And again, I was stunned in how He works in unforeseen ways and how He works beyond what we could ever think. The verses we had just studied in Ephesians in my small group were coming full circle in my life;

"Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen"(Ephesians 3:20-21 ESV).

God was working in me far beyond what I could ask or think. Thus began the thoughts that had been in the back of my mind, that I had ignored until now because I couldn't anymore, am I called into ministry? I began to walk through earnest prayer throughout the Summer and the beginning of the fall to see how I might be used and it all kept coming back to this, I tried to determine if I needed to utilize my major in any way and struggled to see it as a waste the past four years. But I finally came to terms it would be utilized in some way. The Lord can use any aspect for His glory and that is something I continually need to hold onto.

Which brings me to this point: I am called into the ministry. Never did I think I would say that nor have ever been surer of something in my life. My indecisiveness over the past few years has ended, though I do not know where this will lead still as I graduate, I just know for now that I will pursue some sort of work to glorify God in ministry as He has called. The Lord has blessed me with gifts of understanding, wisdom, and the ability to articulate, speak, and write that I cannot lay to waste but use to build His kingdom while I am here on this Earth. I ask as my readers, brothers and sisters in Christ, that you pray with me and for me as I continue onto what He might have me do in order that He may continue to increase in my life and that I may become His humble servant in building up the body on the Earth for what is in store for us in glory!

(Photo credit: http://barbarashdwallpapers.com/sheep-wallpapers/)

The Last Firsts

Entering your last year or last phase of something calls for many last firsts. In regards to my life at the moment (and numerous others around the country) this calls for the last firsts of your senior year of undergrad and boy are there many. You have your last first day of school, your last first club meetings, last first small groups, last first night of college ministry, and the list could continue. As I have began to realize how many of these "last firsts" I've been experiencing, legacy has been a recurring thought and idea upon pondering these events. And with it the question, "What legacy will I be leaving behind as I enter my next phase of life in May?"

What type of legacy would anyone want to leave? One where they're not well known but served greatly or one where they made a large impact on countless people? One where they were the top of their major or one where you just breezed through undergrad with minimal effort? The answer should lie where our lives lie, Christ. Our legacy should be Christ. We should be seeking to serve Him and glorify Him throughout the rest of ours and especially in the final moments of our time in undergrad. 

First and foremost through our final firsts and those moments and experiences following, we must continue to actively seek Christ through all aspects. He should be our motivation to succeed in everything. School and work are ways of glorifying Him. As we look into a future career or future schooling come the new journey in May, we must actively seek ways of glorifying Him through them. And with that, the stress of life and what we will do can weigh hard on us. It's a huge ordeal picking your life. But what a blessing it is to know our Lord is sovereign and as we seek to glorify Him we will be doing what we are called to do (1 Timothy 4:6, Matthew 6:33).

Next, we must be actively pouring into those around us. We are called to be in community with one another (Galatians 6:1-2). And we are called to reach the lost (Matthew 28:19-20). With each aspect we have duties as believers to uplift the body, and as we are the older generation now (strange concept considering I feel like I was entering a college campus just yesterday for the first time) to pour in the younger bodies, discipling and preparing them for the roles they will one day take as we depart. It is a beautiful thing to see a true biblical community at work encouraging one another, sharpening one another, and bearing with one another what this world brings against us as we seek to glorify God.

And because we are on a college campus, what better way to reach out to the lost? They surround us. We have been directly placed in classes and other venues with those who do not follow Christ and what an opportunity we have to bear witness to His name as we go about our daily lives. Let us hold fast to the truths of the Word and then live them that those around us might see Him through us and their hearst be changed to bring honor to the Father (2 Timothy 2:10).

Lastly, let us enjoy these last first. As I ended my last first bible study group with the brothers I'll be walking through life and the Word with this year, it was bittersweet. It's great to get started again and be able to pour into the body in this aspect but also sad realizing it is all coming to an end. This is why we must take hold of these moments and soak them in for all. Let us take hold of the opportunities afforded to us as God rightly sees fit and use them to glorify the Father, that he may receive the praise honor and glory of everything in our lives because of all He has bestowed upon us. Let our legacy be on our campuses how we lived for Christ and the words of John 3:30 be what we leave behind,

                                "He must increase, but I must decrease.”

21 and Counting: The Findings of True Community

Yesterday, I celebrated a milestone in my life of fully reaching adulthood as most would call it. As I reflect on the past 21 years of my life, I am overwhelmed with how God has moved and molded me into who I am today; and I look forward to see how He continues to do so as I continue on day by day into the next year of my life.

The striking thought of it all is the community He has surrounded me with throughout it all. My family has been incredible encouragement and support in whatever situation, from high school drama to the tough realities of the "college living" outside the comfort of home. They have stood firm in the Word and have been excellent examples of faith and how to live to glorify God in all things. Through them all I have learned a great deal and will continue to do so in whatever situation.

The second aspect of this community is the family in Christ I have found. Growing up in a Christian home and being a pastor's kid, I was always surrounded by believers and had that encouragement. It wasn't until I left home for college that I was semi alone. New city. New life. It was then for the first time I had to pursue this community myself. I had to seek and find my identity in the Lord without parental supervision, and it was all by His grace that I found community in my church and my campus ministry. Through these places, I have come to know incredible brothers and sisters in Christ that sharpen and push me to understand and have a deeper love of God.

Through both these groups, family and friends (but also considered family in a different context), I have seen the true importance of community in the Christian life. Just as we are called to reach out to the lost and we need to be actively sharing the gospel, we are called to gather and be with our brothers and sisters in Christ. We are called to bear one another's burdens (Galatians 6:2) and seek to restore one another in love. As we pursue Christ, let us gather so that we may encourage one another in the faith, love one another, and celebrate with our brothers and sisters when it is a time for celebration, grieve in a time of grieving, and above all else, actively push one another in seeking Christ more with our lives and how our lives might be lived for His glory.

"And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near." (Hebrews 10:24-25 ESV)

Five Strategic Ways to Pray for the Coming Year

As we approach the heavily anticipated and also heavily dreaded school year for the late teens to early twenty somethings embarking on college campuses, we must actively pray for them and what is at hand for the coming year and all they will encounter. 

1. Pray for the Freshman

    Pray for the incoming class that will be experiencing everything new for the very first time. For those that will be entering new cities and new dorms to live in as well as the ones commuting from home, pray that they will settle well into their new lives. Pray that they will realize the need for Christ in their lives even as they leave home that they may actively pursue him through every aspect of their lives, that they may bring him glory. Pray that they will stand firm in their faith and not be swayed by all that is around them even though they aren't under parental control anymore. Pray that they will find a body of believers to actively be a part of in worship weekly, pouring into the church as well as ministries on campus to reach out and share Christ to those in their surroundings. 

2. Pray for the Sophomores and Juniors 

    Pray for those coming back for their second and third years that they may continue to seek and pursue Christ in all aspects. That they may continue to glorify him throughout their studies and be a light to those around them. Pray that they begin to look for ways to pour into the next generation that is coming in and point them to Christ. Pray that they will find patience and rest in God knowing that he is in control of all, even when plans start to drastically change from major choice to what is going to happen with their life.

3. Pray for the Seniors 

    Pray for the seniors (or super seniors as some are) that they will even in the end, see how their lives can continue to honor and glorify the Father. Pray that though they are in the final stretch of their college career for most, that they will still see their role is important in pouring into the younger students, actively discipling them in Christ. That they may take their leadership roles humbly and with a willingness to serve in whatever aspects to glorify the Father. Pray that they may have peace and rest and ease of mind of what is actually coming in May as they prepare for life after college. Pray for their transitions from college life to graduate/real world life that will soon come in the next few months. 

4. Pray for the Faculty 

    Pray that the faculties hearts may be softened that we as students may proclaim the gospel in whatever ways we may have the opportunity for. Pray that we will actively seek ways to minister to them though they are our professors, that they may see Christ's love through our actions and school and ultimately that seeds may be planted that they may come to know Christ. 

5. Pray for the Campus Ministries

    Lastly, pray for the campus ministries that are about to be in full swing again. Pray that they may humble themselves before the Lord that they may make him known and glorify him through their worship and fellowship throughout the year. That they may have an active presence of reaching out to the students on campus that they may come to know Christ. Pray for the campus ministers that they may not become overwhelmed with their responsibilities but that they will find rest in the Lord and look to him for strength in ministry. That the Lord may use them as instruments and speak through them that we may learn and grow in the Word together. Pray that we all may grow and active fruit may be seen from these ministries in the lives of the students.  

"Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain." -1 Corinthians 15:58

The Stability Found in Uncertainty

Throughout most of my college career, I have been in a place of uncertainty. Uncertainty in the way my life would be heading. I came in with big plans for my life, then all of a sudden, one semester, these plans crashed and burned to the ground. It was a trying time yet I came to a great place in my walk with Christ. I truly learned what resting on him meant. As it says in 1 Peter 5:6-7:

"Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you."

His care for us is immeasurable. I mean he sent his only son to die on the cross to save us sinners from the wrath we deserved, so why wouldn't we go to him with our burdens in life? Why not humble ourselves before him? There is no reason. This is a very hard concept to grasp and it was hard for me to learn. It was difficult for me to relinquish what I thought I had control over, when in all actuality it was God directing and molding my path. It was great I had the desires to pursue dreams and had made plans for what was in store, but with that we must have the understanding that they might not go that way or take the same path we envisioned to accomplish them. That is okay. It is okay to not know what is next.

And with not knowing brings a whole slew of emotions and fears. It brings much anxiety and worrisome thoughts to mind about what we will do when we graduate, who we will marry, should we change our major, what school to attend, and many others. When we truly cast our burdens on him, however, and humble ourselves in his presence, we find rest. We find the comfort of the father who cares for us. Because he cares, we know we will be okay. With being okay brings the question, are we doing what we're supposed to? How do we know? We can know by pursuing him and building his kingdom that we are in his will and pursuing the right path for our lives. As Kevin DeYoung states in his book, Just Do Something, "The will of God for our lives is that we seek first His kingdom and His righteousness. The most important decision we face is the daily decision to live for Christ and die to self.1"If that is our most important decision, then we should find rest knowing that we don't know what's next. As long as we are pursuing Christ, we are in his will and doing what we are called to do. I received great advice from a mentor once from Psalm 119:105

"Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path."

As he was explaining the verse with the analogy of the lamp, he stated that God's revealed plan for us is like a lamp. With a lamp it only shines to a certain extent. We see a little bit at a time because he knows if we knew the entire thing we wouldn't be able to handle it. We cannot handle what our entire lives will amount to, but we can handle the fact that our Lord who is sovereign cares for us and is in control. He knows what is in store for our lives and that is a great understanding and feeling upon which we can rest. You may still be walking through a period of uncertainty about what is next or are unsure about what decision to make like myself, but trust me in this: the Lord knows and we can go before him humbly to cast what anxiety and burdens of life we have. We can find stability in the uncertainty with the Lord. As Hannah prays in 1 Samuel 2:1-10 we must also,

"And Hannah prayed and said, "My heart exults in the LORD; my horn is exalted in the LORD. My mouth derides my enemies, because I rejoice in your salvation. “There is none holy like the LORD: for there is none besides you; there is no rock like our God. Talk no more so very proudly, let not arrogance come from your mouth; for the LORD is a God of knowledge, and by him actions are weighed. The bows of the mighty are broken, but the feeble bind on strength. Those who were full have hired themselves out for bread, but those who were hungry have ceased to hunger. The barren has borne seven, but she who has many children is forlorn. The LORD kills and brings to life; he brings down to Sheol and raises up. The LORD makes poor and makes rich; he brings low and he exalts. He raises up the poor from the dust; he lifts the needy from the ash heap to make them sit with princes and inherit a seat of honor. For the pillars of the earth are the LORD's, and on them he has set the world. “He will guard the feet of his faithful ones, but the wicked shall be cut off in darkness, for not by might shall a man prevail. The adversaries of the LORD shall be broken to pieces; against them he will thunder in heaven. The LORD will judge the ends of the earth; he will give strength to his king and exalt the horn of his anointed."

_____________________
1. DeYoung, K. (2009). Just Do Something. Chicago, IL : Moody Publishers.

 Photo found at www.homeschoolstory.com

A Letter to the Editor

Dear My Little Big Bro,

I thought, since it is your birthday, we would reminisce a little and enjoy a few throwbacks from our past ...

Looks like we always had the best poses...

And faces

And then there was the matching...

Oh how I don't miss the matching 

Looks like the calmest fight we ever had

We always went hard for Halloween 

A selfie before it was a thing perhaps?

 It is an incredible blessing to be able to have you not only as a brother by blood but a brother in Christ. Though we had our moments growing up, we truly came to have a deep bond as brothers as we grew older, in understanding and sharpening each other in the Word for the glory of God. It has been amazing to see how you have grown into this leader for your family and I look forward to seeing how God may use you as you continue your education and then go from there to proclaim the gospel in whatever context. You have set an incredible example for myself as I continue to grow in my faith and I am extremely thankful for your advice and understanding of my life and writing as I venture further into the blogging world. I'm extremely grateful for your support and hope you enjoy your first birthday as a father! Hope you've enjoyed the look into the past!

Love, 

Your Big Little Bro

A Recap of Sorts: The Beauty in the Body of Christ

This past week, I had the opportunity and privilege to serve as a counselor alongside my mom at Student Life Camp with students from our church. It was an incredible week to spend teaching, encouraging and growing with them. Each evening, there was a youth pastors meeting held that I attended since I was the fill in for the week. During these we would share prayer requests and praises from our groups for the week and it was really cool to see how God worked in the lives of all present and how we as followers to gather together to aide one anothers needs whether with vehicles and coolers or spiritual needs amongst our students. At our last meeting they left us with this question to share, "How would you describe camp in one word?" Thinking on this and pondering through the week, I came with unity. Unity as the body of Christ is what stood out amongst Student Life 2014 and it was beautiful.

It was beautiful to see the unity in the Student Life staff. They served in whatever ways possible to aide us and to help the students. From the time they pour in week in and week out I am extremely thankful that they continue to pour in all they have in hopes to reach these students for the gospel. It was incredible to see how the Lord worked through them from the rec games and testimonies and devotions shared there to the skits they performed in hopes to have the students begin to find their identity in Christ.

It was a great blessing to have Casey Darnell leading worship and having David Nasser as the camp pastor for the week. They stayed true to God's Word and proclaimed Christ in every aspect.  Casey was clear in making our worship's sole purpose to proclaim God's glory and bring him praise while David presented how our identities our found in how we answer the question and theme for the week, "Who Do You Say I Am?" based off of Mark 8:29 as well as give practical scriptural reference of how to come back from camp still rooted and grounded in what we've learned and continue to pursue Christ.

It was beautiful to see how our group grew in God's Word and together as a community. I'm not with them much throughout the year because I'm away at school but I could see a huge difference from last year to this year in how they've grown with God and how some have grown in leadership pointing the others to Christ. They were encouraging one another daily and eager to learn all they could from our family group times and the main sessions of the week. They began to share and bear one anothers burdens by actively pursuing ways they could be praying for one another. I was amazed and in awe of how God was working in their lives and how he was doing immeasurably more than we can imagine based in Ephesians 3:20-21.

I saw the beauty of the body of Christ come together this week even at young ages and it was an amazing thing to witness. As we aided them, they aided me in showing how firm they were standing in their faith and the realizations they had of pursuing what we're called to do in making disciples wherever we are and live out our faith so Christ may be glorified. My prayer is that we may continue to find our identity in Christ and our answer to who we say he is is that he is our savior and redeemer. The one who bore all so that we may have an eternity with him. The one who took on all sin and gave us unconditional love and grace that we don't deserve but because of this love he gave it to us anyways. So as we close out this week, I challenge you in the same way we were in answering this question, "Who Do You Say I Am?"

Following are a few snapshots from the week from rec time to worship to the #secretselfies taken throughout:

Join With Me...

This week, my church youth group will once again be embarking on our trip to Student Life at Cedarville University. This is our second year going with a great group of students and I'm excited to see what's in store for us while we are there. But I wanted to ask that you be in prayer with and for as we are there this week.

1. Pray for the Students
    I ask that you pray for them and how God may work through them. Pray that they come to a deeper understanding of Christ because of the time they have here. That they don't waste the opportunity given and they truly grow in the Word. That as they learn and grow in this environment and have to return as always at the end of the week to reality, that they may come down from this spiritual high still rooted in the Word and grounded in the foundations laid this past week. That they will hold each other accountable and bring encouragement to each other as they grow closer. That as a group they may examine how they can seek to serve the Lord and bring him glory. Ultimately, that they continue to pursue Jesus with everything in their lives for his glory, honor, and praise.

2. Pray for the Leaders
    This is the third time my mom and I able to break away and serve in this manner. I look forward to these times and am excited for the ways her and my dad poured into me during the time I was under their ministry and now I have the chance to serve alongside of them in their ministry and it is an extreme blessing. But I ask that you pray that God may humble us before him and use us as his instruments this week. That we may have patience and grace with the students. That we would be willing to serve them in whatever ways that they may come to know him more. That as we teach, we will do boldly, not straying from his Word, and not of ourselves but him speaking through us. Pray that our influence on these students will point them to Christ and he may be glorified by us throughout this week.

3. Pray for the Speaker
    I ask that you be in prayer for the speaker and our time with him throughout the week. That he may be humbled before God to use him and speak through him and that our hearts may be open to what he is saying through God's Word.

4. Pray for the Staff
    The Student Life camps are held all around the country throughout the summer and these groups of staff travel all over week by week. I ask that you pray for them, that God would give them strength in continuing on because I know it must be tiresome. That they may exemplify Christ by their actions and words throughout the week, pouring into these students lives to point them to Christ even though they are only with them for a short time.

Above all else, pray that God may be glorified in every aspect of this week. That we realize though the games and time to hang out are great, but the true reason to gather is to learn and worship the one who deserves all praise and glory for the grace he has poured into our lives.

"Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen." (Ephesians 3:20-21 ESV) 

Guarantee Does Not Mean Complacency

Lately in my walk with Christ, I have become complacent. I have become complacent to diving in and growing deeper in his word and living out his commands. I have began to consistently pray for God to ignite in me a deeper love for his word and to live my life more accustom to it. Since this realization, I was challenged while attending beach week to begin memorizing scripture, to better know the word by physically having it in me. This is something I have attempted before with little success but, by God's grace and the accountability I have surrounding me, I have begun again and grown immensely through the process.

Others and myself have embarked to memorize the book of Ephesians, something that has taught me a great deal throughout the past year and has been very applicable in my life. Though I'm still in the first chapter, I have already seen growth in myself and a deeper love for the word again. While memorizing my daily verses I came across this:

"In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory." (Ephesians 1:13-14 ESV)

While reading, repeating, and reciting this, I began to realize this is what I had been doing. I had rested in the guarantee of our faith and become complacent to it. As the passage clearly states we are sealed with the Holy Spirit. He is the guarantee of our inheritance when we obtain it by reaching eternity with Christ. This is our promise during our sanctification. But this does not mean we sit by idly. We must act.

Lets view it as this. On a game show we gain immunity somehow. Normally we play it safe and don't exert ourselves in an extreme amount. We've gained a guarantee into the next round so why risk anything? This is the exact opposite of what we as followers of Christ should maintain in our lives. Just because we have a guarantee for our eternity does not mean we sit idly by in our lives and become complacent to the gospel. This guarantee should motivate us and shape us into studying the word more, diving in deeper, and going before God to reveal himself more to us daily so we may become closer to him and to use our lives for his glory. That is what we live for. We have heard and received the gospel that he revealed to us, sending his Holy Spirit to seal us so that we may live our lives in accordance to his word and to his glory and honor and praise. Let us not grow complacent to his word but seek him through it so that he may be glorified by our lives.

"He must increase, but I must decrease." (John 3:30 ESV)

(Photo Credit:  http://blog.tifwe.org/how-do-markets-handle-sin-human-nature/)

It's the Final Countdown

            

Twice a year: around this time in May and right before Christmas, a large group of the population of America begin to have great stress and lack of sleep placed on their lives: finals week. It is a wonderful time of year where we have comprehensive tests and large papers or projects due within a few days of each other. It's when the library is packed with all those entering the doors in hopes that these many all-nighters will prove worthy of a higher GPA. But, as we are in the midst of this chaotic week, we should take a step and back think. I know thinking even more than we already have to during this time is asking for a lot, but it's needed. We should step back and realize why we're here and what the purpose for it all is. 

Firstly, why we're here. Well some say it's to gain an education, others to pursue a future career. Even others say because that is what you do after high school; go to college. But I think it's more than that. We are here for a purpose. We have been blessed with the resources and abilities to be in higher education. God has granted us the means to be here. His providence has given us funds for tuition, the resources for food and books, and the ability to pull those all nighters. He alone has granted this to us. Yes it is true we are here to prepare us for our future careers, but it is because he has granted us the ability to be here and in his provision we are being able to pursue this for our future. 

Secondly, what is the purpose for all of this. That can be hard to determine. I have been in this boat for almost two years trying to figure out why I am even pursuing the degree I am and what I can possibly do with it. Well, the purpose can be summed up as this: 

“Worthy are you, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they existed and were created.” (Revelation 4:11 ESV)

It is for God's glory. That is why we are here. We are here to bring him glory and honor and praise through every aspect of our life; even through school. We can honor him by diligently studying and performing well so he may receive praise. It is by his will we were created. It is by his will we are here. It is from him we have everything, even the knowledge and capacity to understand what we're studying:

"The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction."(Proverbs 1:7 ESV) 

If we begin by humbling ourselves before the one who knows all and has created all, and then progress by serving him through our work, we will succeed because we are pleasing him, regardless of how our GPA turns out or what grades we receive. If we devote our lives to honoring him in whatever we do, then we will serve our purpose; to bring him glory.

I know this is hard to realize. Studying is not the most entertaining thing to do with our time or resources. But, it is for a purpose. This is a short momentary thing we have to endure compared to what is in store for when we see Christ. So let’s humble ourselves, study hard and persevere to make his name great in our lives through our school work.

(Photo Credit: www.blueoxcreative.com)

By Faith (Part 2)

"Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. For by it the people of old received their commendation. By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible." (Hebrews 11:1-3, ESV)

 Hebrews 11 begins with this and what an incredible truth to behold. It is completely by our faith that we are able to know God and hope in him, just like those of old. And what's even more incredible about that is they were hoping for the coming of Christ the first time and now we have been blessed with the knowledge of knowing him after his first coming, dying for us, and looking toward his second coming where our redemption and sanctification will be made complete (refer to part 1 here).

The writer of Hebrews then indulges in the examples of the past chosen people of God and how their faith upheld them to accomplish great things for his kingdom, and how their mindset was on the kingdom regardless of what was occurring:

"These all died in faith, not having received the things promised, but having seen them and greeted them from afar, and having acknowledged that they were strangers and exiles on the earth. For people who speak thus make it clear that they are seeking a homeland. If they had been thinking of that land from which they had gone out, they would have had opportunity to return. But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared for them a city." (Hebrews 11:13-16, ESV)

Though they had their minds and hearts set on the kingdom, that didn't negate them from present trials and sufferings. Some suffered greatly for him and others triumphed on earth, but all was done for him and through him:

"And what more shall I say? For time would fail me to tell of Gideon,Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets—who through faith conquered kingdoms, enforced justice, obtained promises,stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, were made strong out of weakness, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight. Women received back their dead by resurrection. Some were tortured, refusing to accept release, so that they might rise again to a better life. Others suffered mocking and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were killed with the sword. They went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, afflicted, mistreated—of whom the world was not worthy—wandering about in deserts and mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth. And all these, though commended through their faith, did not receive what was promised, since God had provided something better for us,that apart from us they should not be made perfect." (Hebrews 11:32-40, ESV)

As we discussed in the previous post, through the sanctification and knowledge that we are already perfected in Christ we can have endurance here and that is clearly seen through the faith we have. For by what else could these people survive these things and why would they want to do so? Why would all but one of the disciples die a martyr's death? And how could they endure it? By faith. Reiterated throughout this entire passage, it was by faith these people suffered but endured and accomplished much for the kingdom of God. I think that is something that we can learn from this. We need to hold fast to our confession as stated in 10:23, unwavering from him as he has to us. We have hope through all things of this world because we are not of it, by the faith we have in Christ and having our minds set on the kingdom of God. Let us not forget that.

The Endurance Found in Sanctification (Part 1)

I have recently been walking through Hebrews and it has been a very instructive and encouraging time, inspiring me to write these next two posts on what I've been learning the past few days. Hebrews 10 gives a powerful representation of the gospel.  I suggest you just read over that entire chapter before continuing with this post because it is surely not one to miss (though none of the Bible is, but you get the point). While reading through this passage, three words stood out me that I wanted to share thoughts on: sanctification, perfection, and endurance. This chapter focuses on the abolishment of the old covenant and the establishment of the new covenant with Christ. A very beautiful thing to see as believers, because of how nothing before him could truly save us and forgive our sins against him, until Christ's perfect sacrifice. When describing the transition we find in v. 10: 

"And by that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all."

It was through Christ's sacrifice that we have sanctification. For those who aren't familiar with this term I'll give you a definition. Sanctification means to be set apart or to be made holy. We are sanctified through Christ's single sacrifice and we are made holy through him. What greater person to do so than the most holy himself? Something not to lose sight of. 

Next, we see how this sanctification is perfect in v.14: 

"For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified."

 We must not miss a key part of this sanctification: perfected for all time. Christ's death has perfected us forever. If we are his, we cannot lose this and though we may fall consistently, we are still perfected through him because he did it forever. Period. 

Then we find in v.36 the word endurance: 

"For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God you may receive what is promised."

Though we have been sanctified and perfected in Christ, we are still in need of endurance until that day comes to completion. It's just an incredible truth to behold because this life may require a lot of sacrifice and hardship due to the service of our Lord but we must have endurance to survive all that comes and please him through it. We must not get burnt out after all that he has given to us through perfecting us and making us holy. Who are we in comparison to the perfect Son who suffered more that we could ever imagine? With his perfect example and his assurance of our sanctification in him forever, we can live with endurance knowing he is the reward for eternity. Let us not forget this truth in our day to day lives. Let us endure for his sake and his glory alone.

Our Constant

Science and math involve many concepts, formulas, numbers, excessive amounts of memorization and constants. Constants are values that are commonly used for certain situations that do not waver or change, such as gravity, pka values in the dreaded organic, etc. We all rely on them heavily for experiments and most importantly cram memorization only to forget immediately leaving the test (if you want a good laugh, youtube pka value parody) because a lot we will never use again. Constants make our lives easier for the most part. It's one less thing we have to worry about when accomplishing a task. But the question for you and me is, are we relying on our ultimate constant like we so heavily rely on these? Do we even view God as the ONLY constant in our life that never changes? These numbers don't readily change but there are always differences between decimal places between people but God doesn't differ. He doesn't waver. And he has proven it time and time again since creation. 

 Know therefore that the Lord your God is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments, to a thousand generations, (Deuteronomy 7:9, ESV)

He has proven time and time again throughout the entire Bible, and our lives as well, his steadfast faithfulness to his people. His promises with Noah where he saved the family and promised to never destroy the earth by flood again (Genesis 9:9-11). His covenant with Abraham promising the great nation that will come from his lineage (Genesis 12:1-3). His covenant with David, following in Abraham's lineage, establishing his throne for eternity (2 Samuel 7). David's throne for eternity leading to Christ, God's only son sent to earth to fulfill the ultimate promise of God redeeming his people in the unmatchable sacrifice of Christ on the cross. 

These and the many others all show that God does not waver from his promises. He has always provided and cared for his people.We have no reason to doubt God,  because he is good and his love is steadfast and he keeps his covenants, like in Deut. 7:9, as he has shown us. He doesn't have to show us. He didn't have to promise us anything and Jesus surely didn't have to step down from his throne and become flesh to die for us. We don't deserve it. But God granted it to us because he loves us and so we can glorify him for eternity. We must remember that because he deserves all of our worship and all of our praise because his promises and love never fail and are eternally fulfilled; he is our ultimate constant. 

We need these constants in our lives, in problems and experiments, but we need the one constant that doesn't waver. We can rely on the constants in science and math to an extent only before they are of no use anymore. We must rely on God as our constant in everything because he does not move or change. Will we remain constant with him as he has with us? 

Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. (Hebrews 10:23, ESV)

Let Us Not Shrink

This semester I began reading in the book of Acts and have been truly challenged by the early church and the disciples for their steadfast faith in proclaiming the gospel. Paul's life has especially been humbling to me and a great testament to how God can use anyone for his purposes. No one is too far from his reach.

Paul's life was spent in the service of our God in any way God lead, especially in chapter 20 where he was preparing for Jerusalem knowing that he most likely faced persecution there. Speaking to the elders of Ephesus he states, "You yourselves know how I lived among you the whole time from the first day that I set foot in Asia, serving the Lord with all humility and with tears and with trials that happened to me through the plots of the Jews; how I did not shrink from declaring to you anything that was profitable, and teaching you in public and from house to house," (v.18-20). The thing that stuck out to me most here and when he stated it again in v.27 was the phrase "I did not shrink from..." Paul, though being persecuted and through all that happened, didn't shrink from declaring the gospel regardless of where he was and what opposition he faced. He remained steadfast because he used his life to glorify God and through that glorification he shared the gospel. Do we as believers share this same mindset of not shrinking? 

I think what really ties this all together and gives reason why he doesn't shrink from proclaiming is what is found in v.24, "But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only that I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God." True humility is found in Paul here realizing his life is nothing but for the work of the gospel given to him by Jesus Christ. Why else would he not shrink from proclaiming it if his life is worthless to himself? There would be no reason. God granted him the knowledge and wisdom in realizing his life was meaningless unless he proclaims the gospel. This is why he suffered at great lengths and eventually was crucified for the sake of the gospel. 

This is an extreme challenge to us as believers and followers of Christ. We must not shrink from proclaiming the gospel wherever we are no matter the persecution or the awkwardness of the conversation. Let us humble ourselves before God that he may use us to proclaim the grace of his gospel to his people. Let us not shrink from the task we've been given in reaching those with the gospel to glorify our mighty God.