This is an excerpt from a book. Not sure what book or the author but I love it and wanted to share it with you...
Today I am stepping across the line. I'm tired of waffling and I'm finished with wavering. I've made my choice, the verdict is in, and my decision is irrevocable. I'm going God's way. There's no turning back now!
I will live the rest of my life serving God's purposes with God's people on God's planet for God's glory. I will use my life to celebrate his presence, cultivate his character, participate in his family, demonstrate his love, and communicate his word.
Since my past has been forgiven, and I have a purpose for living, and a home awaiting in heaven, I refuse to waste any more time or energy on shallow living, petty thinking, trivial talking, thoughtless doing, useless regretting, hurtful resenting, or faithless worrying. Instead I will magnify God, grow to maturity, serve in ministry, and fulfill my mission in the membership of his family.
Because this life is preparation for the next, I will value worship over wealth, "we" or "me", character over comfort, service over status, and people over possessions, position, and pleasures. I know what matters most and I'll give it all I've got. I'll do the best I can with what I have for Jesus Christ today.
I won't be captivated by culture, manipulated by critics, motivated by praise, frustrated by problems, debilitated by temptation, or intimidated by the devil. I'll keep running my race with my eyes on the goal, not the sidelines or those running by me. When times get tough, and I get tired, I won't back up, back off, back down, back out or backslide. I'll just keep moving forward by God's grace. I'm Spirit led, purpose-driven and mission-focused so I cannot be bought, I will not be compromised, and I shall not quit until I finish the race.
I'm a trophy of God's amazing grace so I will be gracious to everyone, grateful for everyday, and generous with everything that God entrusts to me.
To my Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, I say: However, Whenever, Wherever, and Whatever you ask me to do, my answer in advance is yes! Wherever you lead and whatever the cost, I'm ready. Anytime. Anywhere. Anyway. Whatever it takes Lord; Whatever it takes! I want to be used by you in such a way, that on that final day I'll hear you say, "Well done, thou good and faithful one. Come on in, and let the eternal party begin!
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Sunday, May 24, 2009
Foxholes
Have you ever been in a foxhole?
Foxholes were made famous during war times, they are the bunker you sit in as the bullets fly overhead and things all around you are blowing up. Often times in life we can find ourselves in what could be considered foxholes. Many times we feel like things are blowing up all around us. Life is not easy and many times we experience hard times that could include a loss of someone close, financial crisis, broken relationships, and many other things. You could consider these times the foxholes of life. At church this morning our Pastor talked about how foxholes make lasting friendships. Many times in life I tend to complain, get frustrated, and sometimes try to drown my sorrows away during these times. I am learning more and more that I need to embrace these times.
"...My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weakness, so that Christ's power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weakness, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong." - 2 Corinthians 12:9-10
When we choose to embrace these times our relationships with those in the foxhole grows. The first thing I needed to realize is that Jesus is always with me in the foxhole. If I choose to embrace my Lord and Saviour during the foxhole times my relationship with him drastically grows. When I think back on my life the friends and family that went through some really rough points in my life with me have the strongest relationships with me. When the world seems to be beating you down, bunker down in the foxhole with the God of the Universe and grab some brothers and sisters in Christ to fight with you.
Foxholes were made famous during war times, they are the bunker you sit in as the bullets fly overhead and things all around you are blowing up. Often times in life we can find ourselves in what could be considered foxholes. Many times we feel like things are blowing up all around us. Life is not easy and many times we experience hard times that could include a loss of someone close, financial crisis, broken relationships, and many other things. You could consider these times the foxholes of life. At church this morning our Pastor talked about how foxholes make lasting friendships. Many times in life I tend to complain, get frustrated, and sometimes try to drown my sorrows away during these times. I am learning more and more that I need to embrace these times.
"...My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weakness, so that Christ's power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weakness, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong." - 2 Corinthians 12:9-10
When we choose to embrace these times our relationships with those in the foxhole grows. The first thing I needed to realize is that Jesus is always with me in the foxhole. If I choose to embrace my Lord and Saviour during the foxhole times my relationship with him drastically grows. When I think back on my life the friends and family that went through some really rough points in my life with me have the strongest relationships with me. When the world seems to be beating you down, bunker down in the foxhole with the God of the Universe and grab some brothers and sisters in Christ to fight with you.
Monday, May 18, 2009
Reflections From the Retreat
We just finished our first event as a ministry which was called "A Whole Lot of Jesus Retreat." It was held at Camp Patmos on Kelleys Island, OH. We had around 60 people come out that ranged in age from 16-60. It was an amazing weekend full of God's hand working in each and every person's life. Men and Women of all ages were worshiping together, praying together, crying together, and breaking bread together.
Here are some things I learned this weekend...
Here are some things I learned this weekend...
- When you try to do something big for God attacks from the enemy come in all shapes and sizes.
- A cord of 3 strands is not easily broken, a group of 60 people committed to Jesus Christ and each other is virtually indestructible.
- We can't change people, God changes and transforms people. Our job is to create environments for God to work and bring people to Jesus.
- Pray without ceasing! Prayer is so powerful. "If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land." 2 Chronicles 7:14
Remember today that...
"Life's interruptions are God's opportunities."
Saturday, May 9, 2009
Mental Battle
My cousin Lincoln wrote this and he gave me persmission to share it with you.
Mental Battle
By Lincoln Troyer
Doesn't it always hurt when God works on you mentally? Why does it hurt so bad? My only conclusion i can come up with is becasue God is changing how we normally think to the way we are suppose to think. Life is a constant change. You never stop changing. I think if someone stops changing then that person can no longer live life. They get stuck in what they know and refusing to change. They build up bitterness and hatred in their harts and become hard towards one another. That is not a spot to be in. Satan is very good at what he does. He is the father of all lies (John 8:44). As christians we are in a constant spiritual battle and a lot of the battle is a done in the mind. Once you accept Jesus into your heart he saves your soul. Nothing can take that away. Satan hates that! The only thing he can do now is to make you unaffective for God's Kingdom. His biggest attack is on your mind. Your mind has 5 basic purposes; learn, think, know, understand and interpret. Your mind is the most powerful tool of your body. Satan is so good at distorting the truths. He wants you and I to make choices based on our sinful nature and to believe some sort of a distorted truth. Thats my biggest one I tend to believe, the distorted truth. It makes you feel like crap. Even when you know the truth your mind is so used to thinking the latter you run wild with that. Then you get all tore up in thinking lies and one thing leads you to another. Then you start getting angry, sad or depressed and not believing the truths about yourself! or a situation! The wrong emotions kick in and your done...You start to pray and cry out to God who hears your prayers in heaven and answers your call. God wants us to know, understand and correctly interpret the truth in order to renew your mind! Pray to God in that moment of thought to rip the falsehood out of your mind and set the truth in you. Constantly stay in the Word. Memorize some of God's Truths. The Bible is the word of God. It is life to all who read it and by reading it it will radically change your life. Let God take control of your mind.
Mental Battle
By Lincoln Troyer
Doesn't it always hurt when God works on you mentally? Why does it hurt so bad? My only conclusion i can come up with is becasue God is changing how we normally think to the way we are suppose to think. Life is a constant change. You never stop changing. I think if someone stops changing then that person can no longer live life. They get stuck in what they know and refusing to change. They build up bitterness and hatred in their harts and become hard towards one another. That is not a spot to be in. Satan is very good at what he does. He is the father of all lies (John 8:44). As christians we are in a constant spiritual battle and a lot of the battle is a done in the mind. Once you accept Jesus into your heart he saves your soul. Nothing can take that away. Satan hates that! The only thing he can do now is to make you unaffective for God's Kingdom. His biggest attack is on your mind. Your mind has 5 basic purposes; learn, think, know, understand and interpret. Your mind is the most powerful tool of your body. Satan is so good at distorting the truths. He wants you and I to make choices based on our sinful nature and to believe some sort of a distorted truth. Thats my biggest one I tend to believe, the distorted truth. It makes you feel like crap. Even when you know the truth your mind is so used to thinking the latter you run wild with that. Then you get all tore up in thinking lies and one thing leads you to another. Then you start getting angry, sad or depressed and not believing the truths about yourself! or a situation! The wrong emotions kick in and your done...You start to pray and cry out to God who hears your prayers in heaven and answers your call. God wants us to know, understand and correctly interpret the truth in order to renew your mind! Pray to God in that moment of thought to rip the falsehood out of your mind and set the truth in you. Constantly stay in the Word. Memorize some of God's Truths. The Bible is the word of God. It is life to all who read it and by reading it it will radically change your life. Let God take control of your mind.
Thursday, May 7, 2009
Sacrifice
Could you trade your car in for a horse and buggy? How about giving up travel on airplanes? OR what if you had to give up designer clothes for home sewn plain clothes?
One of my best friends is facing one of the most important decisions of his life. He grew up as an Amish boy but at the age of 18 started upgrading to Tommy Hilfiger & American Eagle. He got his license and has been driving ever since. His girlfriend of over three years recently joined the Amish Church. He really loves this girl and is at the point in his life when he wants to settle down and have a family. For him to make the next step toward marriage he will have to sacrifice many daily luxuries to be with the one he loves.
Joining the Amish Church is a life altering commitment. Life will be different for him. As we were talking about this next step in his life we were reminded of the sacrifice Jesus made on the cross. As hard as it is for him to give up driving, flying, and his clothing attire we often times are unable to grasp the sacrifice of Jesus's life. I often wonder how hard it must have been to leave the glory of heaven and come down to earth to be spit at, beaten, and brutally killed. He knew what was going to happen and he still came. Why would he do that? LOVE! He loved us so much that he was willing to leave the luxuries of heaven and take the wrath of God on his shoulders. Sometimes I just can't wrapped my head around that but all I can do is praise God and try to live everyday for him. Be blessed and remember the sacrifice of our Saviour!
One of my best friends is facing one of the most important decisions of his life. He grew up as an Amish boy but at the age of 18 started upgrading to Tommy Hilfiger & American Eagle. He got his license and has been driving ever since. His girlfriend of over three years recently joined the Amish Church. He really loves this girl and is at the point in his life when he wants to settle down and have a family. For him to make the next step toward marriage he will have to sacrifice many daily luxuries to be with the one he loves.
Joining the Amish Church is a life altering commitment. Life will be different for him. As we were talking about this next step in his life we were reminded of the sacrifice Jesus made on the cross. As hard as it is for him to give up driving, flying, and his clothing attire we often times are unable to grasp the sacrifice of Jesus's life. I often wonder how hard it must have been to leave the glory of heaven and come down to earth to be spit at, beaten, and brutally killed. He knew what was going to happen and he still came. Why would he do that? LOVE! He loved us so much that he was willing to leave the luxuries of heaven and take the wrath of God on his shoulders. Sometimes I just can't wrapped my head around that but all I can do is praise God and try to live everyday for him. Be blessed and remember the sacrifice of our Saviour!
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