Followers

Thursday, August 28, 2014

Contentment in my lot in life

Lately God has been teaching me to be content in where I am in life.  I think it goes back to my struggles of my driving problems in my past along with many other things. Sometimes I just want to fast forward to the future.  The main verse I will be using in the text is 1 Timothy 6:6-8.  It describes being content with the food, the clothing, and what God has given us.
The first area of contentment I want to discuss is contentment with my future.  God wants us to be content with where we are.  Paul writes in Timothy in verse six that a level of contentment leads to godliness. If we are trusting in God's provisions for our life, then food, clothing, and the money to pay for those things will be provided for us (1 Tim 6:8) This level of contentment is accomplished by resting in God's promises day by day.
The second area of contentment that I struggle with is contentment in finding a wife.  I admit I stress out about who I will marry or struggle with wisdom in pursuing certain girls that God puts on my heart to pursue. As Kevin DeYoung says in this book Just Do Something, I just need to be bold when pursuing girls and ask. Also, it is necessary that I remind myself to be content in my singleness in specific times of my life.   The overall big picture is that God will provide for my individual will if I just trust in his plans.
It is important in obtaining a strong sense of contentment in our growth in Christ that leads us to greater faith.  When we are content in Christ, we can trust that he will provide for us every step of the way.  Lastly, we just have to remember that God has a plan for our life and our our future (Jeremiah 29:11).

Thursday, August 21, 2014

Thoughts on Thailand mission trip

Here is a few thoughts on what God showed me during my recent Thailand mission trip.  God revealed to me three things during this trip that will be with me for a while.   The first is that though we try to do many things to get to heaven because Jesus died so we won't have to try to do good things.  The second thing God showed me during the trip is the nobody comes to a relationship with God without a saving relationship with Jesus Christ (John 14:6).  The last thing God showed me during this trip is that all truths point back to a creator God. 
The first principle I will discuss revolves around the fact that many people around the world and in other religions try to do good to get to heaven. Buddhists try to do good in order to get good karma to get to a certain level of heaven.  They believe if they do enough good Karma then they will get to that level of heaven and their good Karma will outweigh the bad Karma. While Muslims believe that they have to follow the five pillars in order to be accepted into heaven by Allah. Jesus died on the cross so that we do not have to try to do good to get to heaven anymore but by trusting in him he gives us the strength to live for him. 
The second principle that God showed me is that nobody comes to the Father without knowing Jesus Christ.  In Islam, Muslims believe that Allah is separated himself from man and that Jesus Christ is a prophet.  If Jesus was just a prophet, then why are there other references in John of him being equated with God? The many signs and miracles that Jesus did are equated with that of Moses in Islam. 
The last principle that God showed me through the Thailand mission trip was that all truths essentially point back to God.  This principle helps us as followers of Christ reason with Buddhists and lead them to a discussion about God. It is hard for other people of other religions to understand that 1 times 1 three times equals 1, thus showing how the Trinity of God, the Son, and the Holy Spirit works in union with each other.  Absolute truths give us a way to point out who the one true God in heaven and earth truly is.  This principle gives us the concepts and discernment to guide people to the greatness of God.  
These truths I am going to put into practice in my day to day walk with God.  They are helpful for engaging and sharing with those who don't know Christ.  Who are you going to share with about Jesus Christ today? What truths is God teaching us? 

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