Keep on Doing Good

Have you ever had a day, a week, or month where you feel like you are doing the right thing and getting nowhere, while those around you are doing the wrong thing or taking short cuts and getting the “pat on the back” or the “thumbs up?”

It happens…and the more you dwell on it the angry you could become.  This week I was reminded to continue on with trying to do good and not dwell on those who may seem to be getting away with cutting corners.

2 Thessalonians 3:13 (ESV)

As for you, brothers, do not grow weary in doing good…

Lets say there were two athletes who both scheduled three hour workouts a day to prepare for their team tryouts.  Though both went in to the gym, one would lift lighter weights and run through their work out to finish a little earlier. This made everyone think he worked harder and faster than the other athlete who barely finished his workouts in the three hours allotted. 

Months went by and it was time for the test, the athlete who rushed through his workouts did well, but showed no signs of improvement. The athlete who took his workouts seriously not only showed signs of improvement but was chosen for the team.

We are reminded in Galatians that we need to continue doing good even though it may seem that we aren’t getting anywhere with it.

Galatians 6:9 (ESV)

And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.

Don’t lose sight of the prize ahead and continue to do your best and work hard.

_Adam

Everybody, Everywhere

For Everyone

 “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. –John 3:16

“God can’t love me, I’ve done too many things in my life to be forgiven.”

“I’m pretty sure the church would burn down if I walk in to that building…”

Do you remember a time in your life when you have felt like you were Unworthy to be loved by any one, especially God?

Its one of the worst feelings in the world, thinking that I want to change or be better and feeling like no one will give me the chance or show me love.

This is also one of the biggest deceptions in the world. Are we all unworthy? Looking at our issues and mess of life, we would think so. But guess what? God loves us! You Are Loved!

Paul writes in Ephesians 3:6

And this is God’s plan: Both Gentiles and Jews who believe the Good News share equally in the riches inherited by God’s children. Both are part of the same body, and both enjoy the promise of blessings because they belong to Christ Jesus.

As a Believer in Jesus Christ I take comfort in knowing that no matter what I do or how I feel. I am loved and I am forgiven, I will not perish but have everlasting life.

Ephesians 3:18,19

And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is. May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God.

My prayer today is that you know you are loved.

Love-Adam

Help!

Help! What a powerful word and yet maybe one of the most unused words around…

In a world where it is frowned upon to show weakness and dependency, asking for help may seem like the last thing we should be doing.   However, if we didn’t need help we wouldn’t need Jesus.

Luke 5:31,32

 Jesus was eating with Levi (A tax collector) and other sinners of the day… (Jesus the Savior of the world eating with riff raff) The Pharisees asked, “Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?”

(31.32) Jesus answered them, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.”

IF we didn’t need Help Jesus would not have needed to come.

John 14:14 "if ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it."

Once we recognize that we need help in this life, to overcome sin, depression, and sickness. All we have to do is ask for HELP!

Put aside your pride and ask for help, and then watch for things to happen.

~ Adam 

Listen; do you want to know a secret?

I have a big secret!  Are you ready?

You are allowed to be content. Content with you clothes, your technology devices (phones, tablets, etc.) It’s a crazy thought, especially as we are constantly being told to have the latest and greatest products and models on the market.

You can be content with your spouse who may have lost their hair or gotten old.  You are allowed to be content with your clothes, your job and your life.

(Quick definition)

Contentment: a state of happiness and satisfaction.

So many times we are stressed, over extended and exhausted because we are trying to portray that we are hip and up-to-date.

Paul breaks down his thoughts on being content in the below two books.

Philippians 4 11b-13

"…For I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need.

13) I can do all things through Him who strengthens me."

 The secret to contentment:  know that you can do all things through Christ who strengthens.

 1 Timothy 6:6-7

"But godliness actually is a means of great gain when accompanied by contentment. For we have brought nothing into the world, so we cannot take anything out of it either."

Growing up I’ve always heard “you can’t take it with you when you die…” When you believe in the Lord as your savior you have nothing else to worry about. HE strengthens us and will get us through everything.

I am learning everyday to be more content with the things that I have. I have a phone; it’s not the newest. I have a guitar, its not the most expensive…

Be thankful for what you have and focus on loving people and not the loving things.

~adam

That's Why We Pray

This week I was reading “Fresh Wind, Fresh Fire” by Jim Cymbala. The book emphasizes the power of prayer and how prayer can completely change your life and everyone around you.

This got me thinking about prayer in my own life.  I pray constantly and sometimes it’s without thinking about it.

There are two Bible passages that really explain my practice of Prayer

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

“ Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

James 12-4

“Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.  Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”

I have found that everything is a lesson learned.  Although not every lesson was a lesson from God, (Sometimes I or people around me have gotten ourselves into situations we shouldn’t have been in) God as always brought a lesson out of it. Which allows me to grow and be a witness to others when I see them struggling as well.

I am constantly praying and talking to God through out the day, which I consider to be a strong point in my life. However, something I feel I can work on his giving God the time and prayer when things are going good.  Jim Cymbala spoke one this in his book as well. I seem to know that when there is trouble or when I need help God is there. But He is also there to take part in my joy.

If you find yourself in need of a friend, or have questions and need answers. OR feel extremely sad or happy. Pray, Let God know that you recognize what is going on around you and that He is a part of it.

-Always praying for you, Adam