Spiritual Warfare~

I feel like getting something out there... So I want to blog on a topic I recently experienced in my own life. Spiritual warfare, the fight between good and evil, is more real than ever here on Earth. I know it's hard to believe that angels and demons are battling all around us, but it can be seen in the hardships a Christian is forced to go through.

This past month, I have been inviting a non-believer to church, and have began a bible study with the hope that God will use myself and the study to lead him, the non-believer, to the foot of the cross. However, around this same time, I have been battling anxiety and panic attacks that are trying to shape me into something, or someone, that I'm not. At one point, I completely threw God to the side, and forgot my spiritual routines such as praying and reading the Bible before bed. I believe this particular instance was the work of the Devil.

I am now back on track, but if you look at your life as a believer, haven't you been tried at least once? Did you know that many international missionaries experience trouble getting out of the country because they experience bizarre instances and scenarios that almost keep them from leaving? It's so real, yet invisible to us in a way! However, we know this great spiritual battle has a most glorious champion, that champion being Jesus. 

Others First~

I had a quote that was recently shared with me, and it was more relatable than anything I had read in a long while. It seems that often times, I get so caught up in myself that I put myself and my own well-being before others and their feelings. This is meant to be a simple post, as the quote I am about to share came to me in simple "text" form and that allowed for all of the more reflection on my part. So maybe if I don't comment, it will give you a chance to reflect more personally. 

"If you want to live an amazingly fulfilling life, you must live for something bigger than yourself. Stop trying to make yourself happy or comfortable and start focusing on making a difference in someone else’s life."

Buckle Down~

1 Corinthians 15:58 says, "Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord." Does this verse encourage you? Excite you? When reading this verse, I don't see a Sunday morning church service, or a few Christians walking the halls at school. I see something inexorable, missionaries walking the streets of foreign lands, and others trekking the deserts or wild lands of places I've never been. I also see mission-minded people walking the local streets of Whiteland.  I see a tightly woven group of Christians marching in faith, going from town to town, family to family, person to person, proclaiming their faith without fear of the consequential outcomes.  This picture/imagery portrays just what it means to be steadfast, immovable, and complete the work of the Lord. I believe God has every Christian painted into this great hanging portrait up in heaven, but some of us are like dried up paint, or are taking to a dark shade, unwilling to brighten up the world God is seeking to turn into the masterpiece it once was. I know I want to be in this painting! I believe this faith-driven life that Paul clearly demonstrates in 1 Corinthians is right in our fingertips, and we just have to seek after the Scriptures, buckle down our fears, and start living with a faith that is both steadfast and immovable.  We must always keep our heart focused on completing the work of the Lord.

A Willing Heart, Unwilling to Back Down~

Peter, once a mere fisherman, was crucified upside down for his belief in Christ and his discipleship. It's obvious that Christ was at work in Peter's heart, explaining what exactly was behind this powerful willingness to die a martyr. However, Peter was malleable, and allowed Christ's teachings over the years sink into him. In today's time, I'm pretty sure we are getting the exact same messages that Peter got~the gospel is still alive today! However, if this is so, where is that drive to spread the good news and walk to the ends of the earth for our faith? Yeah, we aren't all called into missions-the work in missions doesn't quite match up with everyone else's strengths and weaknesses. But this does not mean that our faith and discipleship is limited. There are an abundance of ways to proclaim you faith, unafraid, and spread the good news. And in whatever we do, Peter's death must be an example of how far our faith should take us in life. We must be willing to die for our faith, and unwilling to back down.

Glory to God, Forever!~

Upon receiving an award, winning a competitive sports game, or reaching a goal that's been high on your list for a long while, what is the first thing you do? Many, including myself, choose to run to our parents or faithful friends and tell them the good news.  What are we hoping for here? Maybe a compliment...a congratulations? Do you think this is the right approach to take?

People crave attention and recognition, and often, they are willing to put that before God.  It often seems that you get so much more recognition when you tell a group of friends, rather than God, but as Christians, all of our victory actually belongs to God, working through us with the Holy Spirit.  He should be the first one you give the glory to. 1 Peter 10-11

says this:

"10 Just as each one has received a gift, use it to serve one another as good stewards of the varied grace of God.

11 Whoever speaks, let it be with God's words. Whoever serves, do so with the strength that God supplies, so that in everything God will be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong the glory and the power forever and ever. Amen."

So next time you accomplish something and feel the urge to spread the news to others with the desire of getting praised, take a moment, and let God know how thankful you are for his movement in you.

His Handiwork~

These are some recent pictures I took using an old Nikon camera and my iPhone. I kinda fell in love with each image. Of course editing was involved in a few of them, but do these images not capture the wide spectrum of elements hidden in God's creation? Today, let's just gently reflect on this insanely awesome world we live in. Wow...

~Eric

Linking Arms~

I was looking for some inspirational teaching from Paul, or an ineffable action of Christ that showed the importance of this idea I've been wanting to blog on, but I've struggled to find an instance in the bible that worked well...that is, until I used the power of Google. I was able to use some of Paul's teachings and some internet research to determine one thing for certain~as American Christians today, we lack uniformity. This is an ever-growing problem in today's society, that is starting to hinder Christians ability to reach out to those who don't yet know Christ. Allow me to explain.

1 Corinthians 1:10

"I appeal to you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another so that there may be no divisions among you and that you may be perfectly united in mind and thought."

Paul continues teaching on the importnace of Christian and Church uniformity in the book of Romans.

Romans 12:16

"Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited."

 

Romans 12:4

"Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function..."

www.redletterchristians.org says, and I quote, "American Christians have forgotten how to dialogue and respectfully disagree. We've abandoned concepts like grace, humility and love and have developed into critics instead of encouragers, instigators instead of peacemakers, debaters instead of friends, and reactionists instead of innovators."

Are you a peacemaker? Showing mercy? Willing to go the extra mile for your faith?

Many Christians today are critical towards those who aren't Christian, or believe an aspect of the bible differently. If we could set aside minor differences, and find glory in the simple fact that OUR biggest commonality is our belief in God the Father, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit, we would all be much more versatile tools, right at God's fingertips. It's just taking that step to turn a blind eye to our denominational differences. Taking steps toward a more united Church will better allow us to be the Hope of the World we are called to be. It's time to amalgamate the seemingly seperate entities of the Christian Church, and accept that when it comes down to it, we are all Christians.