One thing I’ve really been striving to do recently is seeking God first in all things. I mean, I’m pretty good at it, I give a lot of my time, and I’m always at Oasis (Sunday night church), and InterVarsity stuff. But what about my life? What about my relationships? What about my money? What about my career path?
Well, I’ve been trying. I’m definitely not perfect (thank you to those around me who are patient and put up with me over and over), but it’s like that Matthew 6:33 verse:
But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
In my seeking after God these last few weeks, he has brought this passage to life for me. He takes care of me and blesses me in all my situations, good or bad. Praise God!
So yeah, I guess I want to encourage you to join with me and seek god first, in all things. It’s worth it!
My roommate showed me the video below a few weeks ago. I can’t seem to let it go, I can’t seem to stop thinking about it. I very much like controlling my life, and I don’t like surrendering that control up to God.
Especially these last few days. I found myself at LifeLight last night. To be honest, I wasn’t very excited about it and didn’t really want to go. I met up with some friends and as we are talking, I turn around and hear the speaker at the Main Stage to hear Billy Grahm’s grandson say “You might not know why your here, but God knows why your here. I laughed inside. ”I’m just here to see some friends and then head back home” and “Whatever God, your not the reason I’m here today” I said to myself.
As you can probably guess, I was wrong and God did have something in store for me. Well, I hooked up with another friend and our destination was the Souled Out Stage, but our path took us to the Coffee House tent. I was instantly captivated by the worship found there. God started to speak to me.
You see, A few days ago, I said a prayer much like the one said in the Video. I asked God to do what ever it takes to make me more like His son. I guess he doesn’t take long to get started.
Anyways, back to LifeLight. I find myself drifting and thinking about the things I think about. I wish so much that it God’s will was easier to discern, or maybe more to the point, easier to follow. I think I spent the entire night wrestling with God and a good deal of it in tears. I ask God to change my life, and when He starts, I resist. Even now, as I right this post, I think about the paths that are set out before me, wondering which one I’ll walk down. I hope it’s the right one, and I pray for strength to make the right decisions. I pray that God would continue to chisel, no matter how much I struggle and try to run away.
argh, does it ever stop? I feel like no matter which way I turn, the battles are heating up. Every direction is a different challenge and everything is advancing full force. I can’t handle it.
I am weak, I don’t even want to be strong anymore.
I’m sure I’ve mentioned this, but I just think to my self, I don’t even care if I fall into this sin.
Tonight was tough.
It just was. I long for the day when my faith will be sight, when sin will tempt me no more. I scraped by tonight, but barely, and only by the strength of Christ.
God is good, all the time. I need to live my life by that, and pray that I will.
UNICEF estimates that there are nearly 2 million children in the commercial sex trade worldwide.
It doesn’t have to be this way.
Cambodian law enforcement rescued Veata* (pictured at left with her IJM social worker) from a brothel at the age of 13 with the help of International Justice Mission. She’s healthy and happy today, living in a small aftercare home with caring staff who love her.
The traffickers who exploited her are serving 16-year sentences for their abuse.
You can help stop these crimes — Share your passion with your Member of Congress.
This month, hundreds of IJM supporters will meet with their Members of Congress to urge them to support the Child Protection Compact Act of 2009. This bill supports poor countries’ efforts to stand up to criminals that traffic children by investing in effective law enforcement that puts traffickers and slave owners out of business and behind bars.
I figure I should update since it’s been so long. These last few weeks have been incredibly amazing! One thing God has really shown me is how strong He really is. I mean, I’ve always known in my head that He is strong, but now I’m experiencing it. All those weeks ago I went into the toughest three battles of my life. My only armor was the armor of God. I was going to attempt to do the impossible with no tools or weapons of my own, but the strength of Jesus beside me.
Let me tell you, the guy is strong. What was originally planned as a week long challenge for myself quickly turned into 2 weeks, which turned into 4 weeks, all they way up until now of win after win. Of the three battles I mentioned above, this is the one that was the hardest for me and the one I focused on the most these last few weeks.
The other two I’m fairing better than I have before, in fact. I’ve only sinned a few times total since I made war on them. Thats far fewer than most DAYS previous.
One other thing, Since I have made war against these struggles, the temptations have never been greater. It feels like every few minutes, satan is throwing something at me trying to get me to fail. But Jesus was their beside me every step of the way. I’ve held on on to Him with all of my strength and cried out to Him on so many occasions recently. He is there every time.
I encourage you to make war with the sins you are struggling with, to cry out to Jesus and ask for help and strength. I promise you He will, He’s just waiting for an invitation.
