Thinking Of You

Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind, striving side by side for the faith of the gospel,

Philippians 1:27

A thought on Ash Wednesday:

Ash Wednesday is one of the most unique days, in the sense that other people know (for sure) that you are a Christian (nothing says Christ-follower like black ashes smudged across your forehead!).

On that day, do you think that Christians think more about how they're acting, since other people know for sure that they are Christian? Do you change your actions more, in order to adjust them to be more like Christ's?

What if we were to live every day as if a cross was literally visible across our foreheads? How would you change/adjust your thoughts, sayings, and actions if Christ was the only thing on your mind (and head)?

Something to pray about.

What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? But someone will say, "You have faith and I have works." Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. You see that faith was active along with his works, and faith was completed by his works;

James 2:14, 18, 22

From the Inside Out

Love and faithfulness meet together;

Righteousness and peace kiss each other.

Psalm 85:10

There are so many times we are placed into a community, either by choice or by birth. This society then influences some of our decisions and perceptions of the world, which can be a negative or positive thing. Truth is, Christ designed us to be part of communities so that we can learn about His love through one another. However, sometimes when we enter into the Christian society our faith starts to go in a different direction than where He's leading us. I encourage all of us, whether at a Christian school, or a secular school and part of a Christian group, that we make faith our own.

Let love and faithfulness never leave you;

bind them around your neck,

write them on the tablet of your heart.

Proverbs 3:3

I pray that we all develop our relationship with Christ, so that our lifestyles and beliefs are a faith, not just a phase.

Many a man claims to have unfailing love,

but a faithful man who can find?

Proverbs 20:6

Beautiful

"Follow Me, and I will make you become fishers of men." They immediately left their nets and followed Him.

-Mark 1:17, 18

When Christ gives us direction, we must follow Him. Now when we feel like it, but when He calls us.

My challenge to you is to follow Him with your whole being. If He calls you, drop whatever you're doing, and follow Him. Just as the apostles were working in what they thought were to be their life long professions, Christ literally called them to follow Him and become fishers of another kind. They immediately dropped their nets, and followed Him.

It is about time that we surpass those plans that we have for ourselves. Those plans that our families, friends, co-workers, professors, etc. have for us, and we follow His Plan. Not that we plan to follow His Plan, but that we do so right now.

What He wants us to do might not be something we ever thought He would call us to. Just as fishermen, tax collectors, physicians, and tent collectors never thought that Christ would call them to be apostles and missionaries. We must be still, wait, listen, and obey to His most beautiful voice, His sweet ideals, and luscious plans.

Do not be discouraged. He will lead us in the right direction. All we need is faith.

For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

-Jeremiah 29:11