Sermon jam

This weeks sermon jam.

Vanity of vanities, all is vanity!

Kim Kardashian inspired me

I’ve written about Kim before, I think it was last year or early this year when she had done something(can’t remember what) and everyone had an opinion about it/her. So again I have something to say, not that I’ve heard or seen anything about her that I feel I need to defend or anything, I just thought of her and felt very inspired. I know a lot of you read that and were really puzzled. Well, keep reading. People have this opinion of her that is nothing close to inspiring. But, as much as I may not exactly follow her shows or her life, I am online a lot and I cannot prevent myself from seeing aspects of her life that are always being publicized(mostly negative sadly).
In spite of all that negative talk about her though, this lady keeps on living her life the way she wants to live it. You can say whatever you want about about Kim Kardashian, but you cannot deny that she’s focused. Every new story, every negative, she picks it and spins it to her advantage. The girl works hard. Her whole life is a job and she knows it, showing us what we want to see. I may not want to live her life -mostly because that publicity is ridiculous- but honestly, I think it takes way too much energy and I wasn’t born to work that hard.. *Smiley face* but I would love if I had that much passion towards my dreams and goals. The ability to take the negative and use it to my advantage. That’s inspiring.If we could all live our live with that tenacity towards our faith, our passions, our lives. It would be incredible.

We all need to be a little bit stubborn when it comes to living the life we dream of. Refuse to bend to public opinion. Choose to be ourselves. No imitation. When it comes to her personal life, I really have no clue. I don’t know how she truly is on the inside, I don’t know what she believes, and it’s not my job to know. It’s not my job to judge her either. Her life choices are her own, guided by her thoughts, her heart and whoever advises her and I will not judge her choices. It’s very easy to sit on my couch watching some entertainment news nonsense and form an opinion based on someone else’s imagined summary of a celebrity’s life. But, I am not here to live the easy life. I’m here to represent Christ and Christ sees the heart, and He shows love, and grace. Plus, I’ve mucked my life up pretty good with some choices I’ve made and it would be extremely ridiculous to judge someone when my own faults are staring at me. So I will only speak about her public life, what I see. What she shows us, and that is bravery and a whole lot of crazy hard work. She is always selling something, it may not be obvious, but she is always marketing, making money, achieving some goal. Be it online or when she’s out and about. And that is something to admire.

So the motivation for today, and the week ahead. Don’t lose focus on the dream. Push forward, have faith and mute all the negative talk. You’ll get there.

I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”
(John 16:33 ESV)

This weeks scripture

So this weeks scripture comes from Timothy, it talks about what is expected of us. Basically what defines a true disciple of Christ. We all love our pastor and teachers and spiritual leaders but do they fall in the category of a true teacher or a false one? Where do you fall? This is just a challenge to us this week to be true to God. To represent Him accordingly in love and sincerity towards His people. Forget about theologies and religiousness. Let’s be about Christ. Let’s Focus our eyes, our lives and everything we are back to Him that we may teach what is right and true.

 

As I urged you when I was going to Macedonia, remain at Ephesus so that you may charge certain persons not to teach any different doctrine, nor to devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies, which promote speculations rather than the stewardship from God that is by faith. The aim of our charge is love that issues from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith. Certain persons, by swerving from these, have wandered away into vain discussion, desiring to be teachers of the law, without understanding either what they are saying or the things about which they make confident assertions.
Now we know that the law is good, if one uses it lawfully, understanding this, that the law is not laid down for the just but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and sinners, for the unholy and profane, for those who strike their fathers and mothers, for murderers, the sexually immoral, men who practice homosexuality, enslavers, liars, perjurers, and whatever else is contrary to sound doctrine, in accordance with the gospel of the glory of the blessed God with which I have been entrusted.

(1 Timothy 1:3-11 ESV)

Live!

He that is in us, is greater than he that is in the world. Consequence, bad choices, weakness or whatever it is that’s pulling you from God. He is greater, and He will win the fight if you let Him fight for You. Remember Him dying on the cross? That was for whatever you’re going through now. Whatever, we’re going through. He saw it then, He sees it now, and He’s already won. Now it’s up to us to act like we believe it, living  like it. Knowing that our lives are not in vain. That our pain is not eternal. It all passes because we have been promised it does. Dust yourself up and move on from whatever is holding you back from living fully. Embrace the freedom we have been blessed with. Live!

   

Christian?

I’ve heard a lot of people say that Christians only do good so they can go to heaven. Apparently, that’s the overall “vybe” that most Christians exude to non-Christians. Made me wonder, considering how many people seem to think that , are there any Christians who share that belief? Are there Christian who live that way? Doing good only for what they could get in the end. Are you among those? Doing good deeds just because of the great reward?

If you are, then you probably know deep down that, that is not what being a Christian is about, at all! Christianity is not some primary school reward system where you get points for good deeds, and lose them for the bad. If it were we would all be running on negatives trying to gain some points wouldn’t we? In that really messed up view of Christianity where would grace fall? Is there even any room for it? For forgiveness or mercy? Wouldn’t our lives be all about working really hard to be perfect and always do good so we could make the cut? The bible says,

But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
(2 Corinthians 12:9 ESV)

God’s power is made strong in our WEAKNESS, meaning yes He knows we are weak. He does not expect us to be perfect and good. Only Jesus was, that’s why He chose to die on the cross that we may live. Acknowledging that, is all we need. Knowing that Jesus is indeed our only way, is the only salvation. No amount of good deeds can get anyone to heaven no matter how good you are, and no amount of bad can keep you out if you believe in God. Our God is a God of second chances, a God who loves us in our weakness and failures. No one should convince you other wise.

So no. Christianity is not about all the good you do. It’s about Jesus! It’s about our relationship with Him. An honest, authentic relationship with Christ. He doesn’t want a fake, “Hey, look at me world, I do good deeds all the time”, He just wants an honest heart with all the brokenness and short comings. Do not be fooled into living an inauthentic life just so you can look good on paper. Yes, as Christians we are a representation of Christ and because of that we have to work to live as He did. That does not mean that when you slip up you should hide away in a hole or live a life in secret sin. Your mistakes do not make you any less Christian. As long as you keep your relationship with God honest and repent. God does not expect any more from you than He knows you can give, so don’t try to live by anyone else’s standards. Do not live to please anyone else. Good deeds are good, but the love of Christ is best.

Forgiven

I let myself slip, I let myself stumble.

With everything that’s been happening in my life, I just let go. I can’t really give any excuses because I know my choices are what matter most in my life and I made the wrong ones. Don’t get me wrong, I am not beating myself up or feeling sorry for myself. I just know a lot more was expected of me. I expected more from myself and I just didn’t deliver. People are always talking about Go’s grace like it’s supposed to okay our sinful nature. Constantly trying to grey the black and white to suit or needs when the truth is clearly written. God expects a lot from us. Yes, He ha this amazing grace that covers us, but we should also remember that He sees our hearts and knows our intentions. We can go around acting like we don’t know when we clearly know what is right and what is wrong.

I hear a lot of people talking about, “only God can judge me” like He’s not going to. Do we really know the meaning of that? Do we really understand the implication of God’s judgement? He is an amazing God that forgives, and understands our weaknesses but our weaknesses cannot be our excuse to act as we please.

What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it? Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.
(Romans 6:1-4 ESV)

He knows us better than we could ever know ourselves, and loves us with an everlasting love. We can not misuse or abuse that love by being dishonest with ourselves. Try, try, try again to do right. No matter how many times you fail don’t quit trying. Do NOT be fooled to think that you can do whatever you wish and it will all be okay. Do not be fooled to live a life less than the one intended for you. I have fallen a couple of times, but I repent, I pick myself up and I try again. Life is short, the temptations will end and when it’s all over I refuse to be found on the wrong side.

What about you? Will you give up? Will you choose to give in to temptations that only give short term gratification? Or will you choose life? We can’t have both. So what is it going to be? You have to choose. Every single day, every moment of your life is a choice you’ve made. So choose. He’s waiting for you to.

It’s not so random.

Everyone of us is governed by circumstances, we all have something weighing us down. No matter how good someone’s life may appear to be.

Today, I just want to remind you that, it’s not about what you think or what you see in others. Show care and concern no matter what. The person you meet today with the brightest smile, may be on their way to a suicide or planning to commit some other horrible self or public act. All because they feel no one cares. Love all, give a smile to that random stranger, say hi. (and anyway, how can you identify a criminal later, if you don’t even glance at the person seated next to you on the bus or wherever?). It doesn’t take much to show kindness but, it makes a really big difference. Seriously, pass that love around, someone out there needs it more than you can imagine.

Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience,
(Colossians 3:12 ESV)

Random acts of kindness, should not be random. It should be intentional and continuous, never stopping. Love never stops being love, it will never cease to exist or run out. So we have no excuse for not spreading it around generously.

“He who withholds kindness from a friend
forsakes the fear of the Almighty.
(Job 6:14 ESV)

So loved..

Christ loves you.

By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers.

(1 John 3:16 ESV)

Why is it so easy to forget?

A love so deep, so sincere, so unconditional.

We live reckless lives, in search of fulfillment. In search of something to fill the void.

Waste our whole life, looking for love. When we’ve had it all along.

Searching for truth, when we have it right in front of us.

We choose to be blinded by things, by people, by the world.

When the way is actually brightly lit by this amazing God, for us to follow.

Yes, the world seems sweet.

The temptations are plenty but knowing all we know, how can we turn away from His light?

Knowing how short life is, how can we waste a second of it on moments of earthly pleasures?

I’m yet to understand it. I am constantly losing focus.

Constantly in need of His reminders.

I will never understand why He chose me, in this moment of time.

Or what His end plan for me is. All I know is, I live for Him.

My flesh may be weak but He chose me and He will not let me slip away if I am clinging on Him.

Being human makes no sense most of the time, but God has it all together. With all our short comings, and our weaknesses. He has it all sorted. Though we may forget His love, He doesn’t forget to love us. How can He love us in spite of all that? I don’t know, I don’t understand but, He does. Let go, of all of that self pity/self loathing for the times you let Him down. He already knows it all. And yes, He still loves you. He loves us. You can’t really love Him when you keep thinking about the past or your the times you fail Him. So let go, and believe He loves you. If you trust Him, He will make you stronger. In our lowest, He is strong.

You are so loved, believe it and live like you know it.

but whoever keeps his word, in him truly the love of God is perfected. By this we may know that we are in him:
(1 John 2:5 ESV)

The burden of love.

It has been a very emotionally intense couple of days for me. Love comes at a great price and we never really realize how big until something happens and you evaluate how far you would actually go for those you claim you love.

It’s been one of those journeys for me. I had never really understood what the burden of love was before now. Knowing that people you love are on the road to destruction, and you can do nothing but love them and show the affection. It’s very difficult and heart breaking. Now more than ever I understand why it is so important to lift each other up in prayer. Life can drag anyone down, even those we assume have it all under control. It’s a wild ride this life. The more I get into the word, the more drama in my life. I am so grateful to God that He feels I can handle so much, although personally if I were to choose I really wouldn’t let half the things going on happen. But, I am not God and I have no idea what His grand plan is, all I can do is pray and love and repeat.

Remembering those I love in prayer and believing that God is in control. I choose to believe that my coming to God, my faith, is for a purpose. That I may stand in the gap for the ones I love that are oblivious of the path they are on. Now more that ever, I commit to God.  For the sake of those lost and wandering.

Life is short, I pray they find the way before it’s too late. For God has been gracious enough to give us freedom, what we do with it is up to us. All we can do for others is love them, be gracious towards them and pray for them, the rest is up to them(and God).

Cracked but not broken.

I just found out something really horrible and heart breaking about someone I love. I don’t really want to talk about it but I really need prayers. My mind has been racing, I can’t stop crying thinking about how easily things can fall apart. My life is in Christ and i’m safe in Him but what happens when the ones you love choose the opposite? There is really not much I can do for this person because they’ve made their choices and done some things that really can’t be undone. I can’t choose for them, I can’t make them live life they way I wish they would. My heart is breaking thinking of how much regret and pain will come from said choices in the future.

We have all been given the freedom to choose our path, our lives, and when it comes to the people we love, all we can really do is pray and show them love in spite of themselves. I believe that God can change any situation for good, and I really need Him to change this one. I can not give up. I can not let myself be negative. I need the grace to give grace. The grace to love unconditionally. I’m a bit lost right now, for this person and I need the wisdom to handle this thing right.

Right now, I really need all the prayers I can get because I am weak.