Trick or Treat?

I'm not a person that is really big on holidays. It's not because I'm a Scrooge, but I'm sure it is because I realize that they are really just marketing tools for stores to sell products. Instead, I try to celebrate by seeing everyday as an opportunity to enjoy life and be with the ones you love. That said, Halloween is certainly a holiday I resist. The concept of going door to door trying to get a treat from people who we have never taken the time to introduce ourselves to seems pretty selfish. Then, if they do not oblige us with a treat, we retaliate with a trick (some are not so amusing).

Well a lot of us as Christians approach God this way. We kneel down before God to give thanks and ask Him to treat us to some desire we have or material blessing. Many times, if we feel He has not accommodated our needs, we trick Him by refusing to serve, neglecting to give, or ceasing to communicate with Him. This is no way to have a relationship with our Creator.

Let's stop playing Trick or Treat with God and let's surrender our lives to him. Find a good church home where you can develop a meaningful relationship with God and with His children. Stop knocking on your neighbor's doors once a year to treat yourselves, and begin to see everyday as an opportunity to have a dialogue with someone you don't know. When we allow ourselves to focus on giving and not always getting, we'll realize just how blessed we are, and begin to enjoy the life that we have been given.

"Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind; and, Love your neighbor as yourself."

~Luke 10:27 (NIV)

It's All Good!

We will always face difficult times in life. The true test is in how we react to them. The book of James instructs us to 'consider it joy' when we are faced with different trials. This is because as trials come, we are met with obstacles that will strengthen our faith. And that's a good thing!

When I was in the Marine Corps, we used to run the obstacle course, which was a series of various barriers and hurdles that we would have to traverse. Through the months of our training we would have to face this course many times, and each time, it would get progressively easier. By the time I finished boot camp, I felt like I could conquer the world. I had learned a very valuable lesson...trials produce strength and confidence! The same holds true for the trials we face in life. The more we STAND in the face of difficult times, the stronger and more confident we become in our faith.

So the next time you encounter hardship, start praising, lift up a shout. You may look and feel crazy at the time, but it will help you get through. Each time we would begin our obstacle course, they trained us to give a 'war cry' as we went through it. I had no idea why they taught us that, but as I went through, I began to feel empowered and my adrenaline helped carry me through. Well, we as Christians have more than just adrenaline to carry us through, we have God on our side and He has promised us that He would work everything out for our good. So consider it joy, cause It's All Good!

"We know that God makes all things work together for the good of those who love Him and are chosen to be a part of His plan."

~Romans 8:28 (NLV)

Never Give Up!

This past week has been quite a ride. I have fought through such a spiritual warfare that I completely forgot to send out last week's email. But that's the nature of the Christian journey. He never promised that it would be a walk in the park. As a matter of fact, He clearly told us that we would endure many trials and persecution (cf. John 15:18-21; 16:33). The funny thing about Jesus' warning is that he commanded that we be joyful through them all! You may be thinking, "why should I be joyful?" Well the reason is simple, because after the trial, we will be stronger, happier, more patient, and blessed.

Paul tells us this in his letter to the Galatian Church. If we can just endure the tests, trials, and tribulation... If we can keep from growing weary... If we can just continue to do the right things...we will reap a harvest! The problem is that many of us quit right before our breakthrough.

Well, I want to encourage you today, from the trenches...NEVER GIVE UP! I don't care how hard it may seem, how far it may look, or how long it may take, NEVER GIVE UP! When you feel like you can't take another step, CRAWL, when it seems as if everyone has turned their backs, CRY OUT, and when you feel like you're going to faint, REACH UP! Sometimes in order to do this, you may have to change the crowd you're with. You may also have to change some of the things you do, or the places you go, but just remember your end result will always be victory...if you NEVER GIVE UP!

"Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up."

~Galatians 6:9 (NIV)

Taste's Great!

Satan wants you to believe that the sin of this world will fill your belly and satisfy you, but he is a liar. The bible calls him the father of lies. We have to stop buying into the lies he feeds into our minds. If we cannot ignore him, we must simply flee from him! That's right, run! Stop allowing yourself to get into positions where Satan can lure you to taste the temptation he puts on your plate. Instead sit at the table that God prepares for you.

If you continue to find yourself struggling with the temptations of this life, run to God! Make your way to a place where you can get some encouragement in His Word. The bible tells us to "taste and see" how good God is. You cannot do that unless you make time to feed on His Word. Once you change your diet this way, you will begin to strenthen yourself to be able to resist the Devil's attacks. Only then will you find true fulfillment and satisfaction.

"Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in him"

~Psalm 34:8 (NIV)