Love

For the past several months the LORD has placed on my heart "love." what is this word and what should it mean to me? I started digging into the Word looking and longing for love. I came accross 1 John 4:20 and it says, "If someone says, "I love GOD," but hates a Christian brother or sister, that person is a liar; for if we don't love people we can see, how can we love GOD, whom we cannot see?" When reading this I myself was convicted and challenged on to love those who I do not love. But another thought came to mind, what does it look like to love? I sat there and prayed and thought about the the Bible and GOD and HIS love for us. Thinking I realized love started at the creation. Without the love of GOD and HIM wanting to pour HIS love into us there would have been no life. We see the love of GOD in the story of Abraham and the promise HE gave and fullfilled with HIS son JESUS. We see the ultimate love with the sacrafice of HIS only begotton son so that we sinners could once again have life. Love is all through out the Bible from the beggining of time and through all eternity. I had one more question, what does love look like in my own life? I was lead to 1st Corinthians 13:4-7  and it says, "Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres." I changed out the word love and substituted my name into it and WOW was I blown to see I was far from loving. I came to one conclution. . . love is not about me! DUH? But seriously love, real love is truly sacraficing you own personal desires, wants, needs to insure your brother and sister are growing and getting the love they need! All I have to say now is I have a lot of growing I have to do. Blessings!
IN HIM,
STEVEN

We Effect Others

Have you ever thought that others where watching what you are doing and decided whether or not it is worth following. If we saw Jesus saying one thing and turning around doing another (which we never will) would we want to follow? If not why do we think as Christians we can follow Christ and act any way we want. People watch us as Christians and decide whether or not it is worth following. In Hebrews 12:12 it says, "so take a new grip with your tired hands and strengthen your weak knees. Mark out a straight path for your feet so that those who are weak and lame will not fall but become strong." We cant go through life always worrying about our own survivial but how we are influencing others and being a good example! If we are living for Christ, as we claim to be then we have a responsibility in this world and that is to show the love of Christ and follow hard after HIM! I just want to leave you with a few Questions to think about. Does your example make it easier for others to believe in and follow Christ, and to mature in Him? Would those who follow you end up confused and misled? Let go out into this world and fight for VICTORY!!! Lets bring the weak to Christ so they may become strong.

Lost but now Found!!!

For the past several weeks I have been feeling lost. Having God calling me into his vision has been an enjoyable ride but the more I try to figure things out the more I find my self leaning on my own instincts. It came to a point that I was ready to give up and go back to a comfortable life that I had. But after last night with M.E.S.S I truly heard Gods voice of encouragement to continue on with his plan which re-sparked my excitement and joy to follow Him and only Him. Feeling the Spirit guide me to His plan is so exciting and so refreshing. Our God is so dangerous and His plans to man are so crazy but He is so Faithful and this is what makes HIM GOD AND GOD ALONE!!!! I love serving such a a powerful God.