He Lifts Us Up

 The sun has just risen over the African plain. Animals tread across the ground all headed toward one particular rock. They stand waiting to see something special happen. Suddenly a baboon walks up to the top of the rock. He lifts up… a lion cub! The next king of the pride lands has been born!

If you did not guess, I was describing the beginning of an amazing movie: The Lion King. In the beginning of the movie, Simba, the next king, is born. After he is born, he is presented to his people. The way he is presented is by Rafiki lifting him up before them. It is a surreal moment. These animals are looking at the one who will lead them next. 

What does that have to do with Christianity? Well, we are born common. We are born sinners, unholy. God cannot be with anything unholy. Thus, we have a conundrum. Or we did, that is until Jesus died for our sins. 

Jesus became the perfect sacrifice. He died on the cross to take away our sins. In doing that he gave us a choice. We can choose to follow ourselves and keep sinning, or we can ask for forgiveness. We can trust in Jesus as our personal savior. 

If we do that, he lifts us up just as Rafiki lifted Simba up when he was born. When we are born again, Jesus lifts us up. We are now royalty. Wait, where did that come from? Romans 8:16-17 says, “The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.” When we become born again, we become children of God. Thus, we are royalty. We are heirs with Jesus. Now that brings about good things and some challenges but that’s a blog for another time.

The point is, we are saved. We are royalty. We are in God’s family just by choosing to accept Christ as our savior. It’s mind boggling!

So, are you a part of God’s family? How can you spread the gospel today?

https://youtu.be/wXlxCFzcLV4

Waiting

    Dirt crunches under your feet. The breeze blows across your face as the ocean waves crash in time. Looking to your right, you shield your eyes from the sun as you look into your father's eyes. 

   He smiles at you gently then stops, "wait here, my child, I will be back."

   A slice of fear hits your heart. Where is he going? 

   Before you ask, your father says, "you made a request earlier. I am going to give you what you asked for, but you must wait here."

   You nod reluctantly. He puts his hand on your shoulder, half smiles, and for an instant you think you see pain in his eyes, but it disappears as soon as you blink.

   Father leaves. Where to? You do not know. You just know what you were asked to do. Looking around, you see just how beautiful nature is. Taking a deep breath, you take in the peace you have found here.

   "What are you doing?" A voice asks. Beside you is a man with friends surrounding him. "I am waiting for my father," you reply. He gives you a strange look, "why?" "He told me to wait for him here." The man laughs, "okay, well, do you want to come into the water with us while you are waiting?" That sounds love more fun than just waiting here but your father told you to stay. "I'm okay, I'll just wait for him, thanks." The group leaves and you take a deep breath as peace washes over you again. Waiting.

   "Are you lost?" A woman asks. "No, I am waiting for my father." The woman looks concerned. "Honey, there is no one else here. You are the first person I have seen here all day." You shake your head and begin to point to the direction the group who came earlier went; but when you look, you realize they are not there. "Do you want to come with me? I can help you find your dad and take care of you until we find him." The woman smiles. Did your father leave you? No, he wouldn't do that, would he? "I... I'm okay, I'll stay here." "Suit yourself," she shrugged and walks away. Waiting...

   Before you can let peace wash over you again, an older voice shouts, "a storm is coming! If I were you, I would leave!" No one is there when you look around for a person. Sure enough, when you look in the sky, you see dark clouds. There is a rumble in the distance and a flash of light strikes. Wind begins to blow sand into your eyes. WAITING....

   This is getting dangerous. Where is your father? He would never have left you here if he knew what you were going to go through. You should leave to seek shelter, but your father told you to wait. But if he knew there was a storm, he wouldn't want you to be in it, right? What if he came back and you were not here, would he know where to find you? Should you leave, or wait? WAITING?

   What you don't know, what you can't see, is your father is watching you during the storm. He wants to see if you will trust him and wait. It may not seem like he is there with you, but he never left. No thing that came to you or against you while you were waiting would be able to separate you from your father and his love. He is watching over you and protecting you. So, do you go your own way, or trust him and wait?

   Psalm 40:1, Romas 8:25, Exodus 14:14

https://youtu.be/JHDzIDp7l7A

Looking at the Paper

   I once began a journey I didn't think I'd ever begin: online dating. Through that experience I was in contact with many different guys. Some of them were not Christian who contacted me even though I had put on my profile, "must be Christian." Others were Christian.

   The first date I went on was with a Christian guy. Let's call him Anakin. Anakin looked good on paper. He was a Christian, owned a house, had a good job, knew how to cook, was flowing with ideas, and was creating a new business. He was a man who has the total package. Yet, something felt off. It felt like we didn't connect for some reason.

   After going on a date with that guy, I went for coffee as friends with another guy. Let's call this guy Obi Wan. He was a Christian, a soccer player, a coach, had a job, lives a minimalistic life, didn't own his own house, and didn't know how to cook. He was a good guy but comparing him on paper to Anakin on paper was a no brainer. Most people would choose Anakin because he brings more practicality to the table. Yet, I sat and had a three hour honest conversation with Obi Wan. There was something different about him.

   A week went by and something continued to feel off about my dating Anakin. Then I realized what it was: we were unequally yoked. Now, at this point, you may be saying, "isn't Anakin Christian? How are you unequally yoked?"

   While it was true that we were both Christian, we were at different places in our walks with God. We were on different paths. Meanwhile, Obi Wan and I were both seeking God. We both wanted to have Bible studies together. We talked about our challenges and victories with one another. We prayed with each other. We connected. We were on the same path.

   See, sometimes God doesn't call us to take the easy path, or the path the world would take. Many people would have probably chosen Anakin based off his qualifications and what he could do for them. He looked good on paper. But love and marriage are not about looking good on paper or what the other person can do for you. Love and marriage is to point to Christ. People should see you relationship (in marriage) and see how Jesus is with his bride, the church.

   So, are you equally yoked with your partner? How can you continue to walk, grow, and encourage your partner? 

   2 Corinthians 6:14

https://youtu.be/PHqGmo8OO_g?si=2_kbMzN91RWhzQBz

Chosen

    About a year ago I began a journey I never thought I would take online dating. Throughout the course of that journey, I talked with a lot of guys. I only met a few of them. Some of them may have chosen to go on dates with me or to meet but they were not the ones I chose, and they didn’t choose to continue the relationship with me.

   That is, until I met Nate. We began as friends meeting for coffee. It was clear he had a heart for God and wanted someone who had that as well. We found we had similar interests and enjoyed talking about the same things. After about a month, Nate asked me to be his girlfriend. During the time as his girlfriend, there were definitely ups and downs in our relationship and in our lives. That’s the way it is with any relationship. 

   Up until January 14, 2024, we were still choosing one another in a dating relationship. But on that day, Nate chose me. He asked me to marry him. I said yes. After, I reflected on a lot. One of the things I reflected on was how good it felt to be chosen.

   Here’s the thing though, I was already chosen. I was chosen by God. 1 Peter 2:9 says, “But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.” We are chosen people. God chose us. He chose us before he created the Garden of Eden or anything in the universe. He chose us when he sent Christ to die for us. And that feels great.

   So, do you know you have been chosen? How can you remember that you have been chosen?

https://youtu.be/UpSFm10Q5OQ

I'm Struggling With...

   "I'm struggling with faith." "I'm struggling with anxiety." "I'm in a battle with drugs." "I can't seem to stop gossiping." The list can go on and on. We all have struggles, problems that come along, sins we can't seem to shake, etc. Jesus promised us life wouldn't be easy.

   John 16:33 which says, "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." In the world we will have trouble, but Jesus has overcome the world. Because of that, we can have peace no matter what struggle or battle we face. 

   Now, there is something we can do no matter what struggle we face. We must choose if we will give more power to the struggle or to God. If we focus too much on the problem, sin, or struggle we give it power. Instead, we should focus on God. He gives us strength to defeat the struggle. God is with you in your struggle. Fix your eyes on him. Trust in him. He will not let you fall.

   So, are you focused too much on your struggles? How can you focus more on God during struggles? How can you pray for those who are struggling today?

https://youtu.be/dYTRpPKP-mA

Held During Anxiety

   There is one time in the year that my dog freaks out the most: when we go on vacation. That's because he needs to travel in a car for 30 minutes to my Aunt and Uncles' house. He does not like car rides. He will whine, cry, growl, bark, cut our legs with his nails, etc. The thing I didn't understand is I am holding him. I will literally hug him and he will still be freaking out. It did not make sense.

   Then I thought about how I have anxiety too. I whine, cry, growl, and get upset when problems come in my life. Yet, I am being held by the Lord. He is literally wrapping me in a big hug and I still have anxiety.

   In those times I remember Isaiah 41:10 which says, "Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." I don't need to fear because God is with me. In the highs and lows he's got me. He loves me. He helps get rid if the fear in his great strength.

   So do you believe that you are held by God? When fear and anxiety appear in your life what do you do? Who do you turn to?

https://youtu.be/jN_trWRCIDo?si=okMQIFAvM9Y8Jy9V

Three P's: New Year's

   Each year I choose a spiritual resolution. This year I prayed about it and God led me to I choose patience. That was tested through work, relationships, soccer, and life in general. I would take a step back each time I felt impatience coming on and talk with God.

   As the year went on, I felt something I hadn't felt before. I felt God tugging on me to add another resolution. This one was also a difficult one for me: prayer. When you think about it, patience and prayer go hand in hand. But I had been holding off on those resolutions because I knew they would be hard for me. Yet, through God, I have been able to work on both of them. 

   When trying times would come up, not only would I pause, but I would pray. I would spend time each day with God in prayer. Then, midway through the year, something happened.

   I was tested. I was myself. I was honest. And it came back to bite me. I didn't understand. Why would God allow this to happen if I'm following him? 

   The final "p" I was asked to do this year was some pruning. I had been holding on tightly to my reputation. I prided myself on what others thought about me. I wanted others to praise me. It took that testing and reflection for me to realize what I needed to let go of.

   Now, I'm not going to lie, the pruning hurt. But, in the end, it was a good hurt because I grew in God through it. It also reminded me that I am continually growing in God; and he is going to grow me as I keep my eyes fixed on him.

   So, what is God asking you to grow in? How can you keep your eyes fixed on him? What might God be asking you to prune, or get rid of, today?

https://youtu.be/W6kv1OfUKMo?si=tItY3kvOE6f2-CaN