In God We Trust

The words "In God We Trust" surround us as Americans, our very country was built on this foundation.  But sadly has become a sort of quote to most people, instead of a nugget of truth we can live our lives according to.  I know for me, it is easy to throw the words out of my mouth, but then hours (or even minutes) later start worrying about my next meal, or my financial situation. 

Oh me of little faith.  It says in Luke 17:6 So the Lord said,  “If you have faith as a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be pulled up by the roots and be planted in the sea,’ and it would obey you." 

This verse so clearly jumps out at me, because it makes me evaluate my life.  It isn't how big my faith is, it's the object of my faith!  Jesus is showing me here that my faith could be as small as a MUSTARD seed, and it doesn't matter, all that matters is where I am placing my trust!! Am I placing it in Jesus or in my own supposed power?? 

After talking with a friend tonight about how it feels sometimes like God's will is distant from us, I had a lightbulb moment (and ya'll probably laugh cause it's sorta obvious, I know..) 

Ready? here it is:  when God is delaying in telling us His will, He's asking us to trust Him... whoa.  I know.  It's a simple revelation, but a powerful one.  God spoke to me SO CLEARLY and like bonked me over the head with this concept!  When God isn't showing me His will, that doesn't mean it's because I have to "this this one into my own hands".  Gosh no!  It means that I need to learn how to have faith that it's all gonna work out, that I need to trust that Jesus does know better then me! 

It isn't easy, but I'm growing in this even as I write about it, God is continually showing me ways in which my faith is failing hardcore.  But even though God is showing me that, He's also reminding me of the Grace that He gives me when my faith does fail.... what a God we serve!!!

So in light of what I just wrote, I am going to try to change my thinking habits.  "In God We Trust" is no longer going to be a platitude I spout off when I'm feeling spiritual, but rather a truth that my thoughts will be centered around. 

God bless, and blog soon

Dare to be a Disciple

Disciple: a learner (follower) of Christ.

We all know Matthew 28:19-20 which says: "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things I have commanded you; .." This is a very well known verse among believers.

Here's something I didn't really think about or realize: in order to make disciples, you yourself must BE a disciple!! So many in the church in these days are full of "godliness", knowing what to say, when to say it, and where to be. But they aren't really disciples of Christ! Think of it this way....how can I teach you how to swim, if I don't know how to swim? That's illogical! I can't teach you to swim unless I know how to, and it's the same with discipleship. We can't teach others and make disciples if we ourselves aren't first disciples of Christ.

But be warned: it isn't easy to be a disciple of Christ. Rainbows and butterflies aren't present 24/7, we don't live in expensive mansions with a crew of servants, you aren't going to be loved or even liked by everyone. Salvation is free, but Discipleship will cost you everything.
It isn't the most appealing thing to people, but it's the most wonderful thing you could EVER experience. Following Christ will take you places you never thought you could go, will enable you to be bold, will help you do things you never thought possible. But more than all of that, you get to be intimate with JESUS! You get to spend time with Him! Sweet, precious time with the One who created you then died for you then rose again for you.

Okay, and yet we don't want to sacrifice anything for His sake? Sounds selfish to me. If someone jumped in front of a car for me, sacrificed themselves, but the doctors were able to revive them..yeah you're right, I'd probably ignore that person too. I'd probably pretend it didn't happen, and I definitely wouldn't owe them anything.

Right? WRONG! Any person in their right mind wouldn't do those things I mentioned; we'd talk to that person right? Thank them for what they did, see how we can repay them, right? You see, with Jesus, we owe Him everything. But He washes it away, and only asks that we do one thing: follow Him.

Take up your cross, and follow Him daily (Mark 8:34). Become a Christ learner, a Christ follower, THEN obey the Matthew 28 command: go into the world and make more.

Do you Dare to be a Disciple?


God bless, and blog soon