Imitation

I found this in my Notes on my phone. I thought I'd share it. I don't think I've shared it and I cannot remember where I read this, but I wanted to share it with you. This is something I think about, especially since I work with or am around many kids. My two nephews, my two second cousins, and the kids in the day Christian school I volunteer at. Here it is:

Be Worthy of Imitation

The Thessalonians were converted to Christ not only because of the words of Paul and his men but also because of the example of their lives.

It is important to remember that the world is watching us as followers of Christ. We have been called to be the salt and light of the earth.

Jesus admonished us to let our lights shine brightly before men so that they may praise God for our good works. God's intention is not to give you fame that brings no glory to His name.

A life worthy of imitation is one that is surrendered to be used as a tool in the hands of God, to display His awesome power and glory.

What do people see when they see you?If someone walked in your shoes for 24 hours, what would they learn about Christ?

Living a life worthy of imitation is to be mindful that you are representatives of Christ to those around you. You can only reflect what or who you are facing. You must focus your attention on Christ and imitate Him. Let your words, actions and behavior emulate the One who calls you His ambassador.

Your footprints on the moon should lead the world to your source, your focus and your example; Jesus Christ.

Turning point

I've been miserable. Depressed.

It's because it's been busy at work. And I've been lonely at home. 

Work is mundane. I have a whole three bedroom house to myself.

Mundane makes me irritable. Having no company makes me think no one cares.

Irritability just makes me have a bad attitude about work. And being home alone.

I bring it home and sulk alone in my house, all night, til I'm tired enough to sleep.

I then sleep all day. I've missed a lot of the summer and I'm missing the wonderful weather now. I've also wasted a lot of hours that could have been spent productively (and there's plenty to do!!) or visiting family.

Time to change things up. And get accountability.

Instead of sulking at home, I've decided to USE that time, rather than waste it watching Netflix or eating junk. I've already been going to the gym, but it isn't everyday that I go. So other things have to fill in that time. I've decided to start reading the Bible or related devotional material. I've decided to just talk to God. I've decided to rebuild my relationship with Him.

I read something in an issue of Our Daily Bread.

If being "religious" means following a set of rules so we can look good---instead of enjoying a relationship with the Savior---Jesus isn't interested.

Granted, He isn't. Nope.

He said, taken from Our Daily Bread as well, "outwardly appear righteous to men, but inside [they] are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness" of the Pharisees in Matt. 23:28. They didn't have the love of God in their hearts (John 5:42). Jesus wanted a relationship with them, but they were "not willing to come to [Him]" (v. 40)

True religion is to know

The love that Christ imparts;

True religion is to show

This love to burdened hearts. 

-D. DeHaan

These things being said, and I'm saying all these things to myself, that I forget to take the time to have a relationship with Jesus. I may do many good things and I may refrain from doing bad things, but all that effort does nothing. I remind myself of the grace imparted to me from God and it is only that, that keeps us in our salvation. So I'm getting back on track. Funny that we keep falling off, but granted, we have SO MANY things that distract us. Do you text and drive? I do. I know, I know, it's dangerous. But yeah, I cross the line, I drift into the shoulder and hit the "BbBbBbBbBbBbBbBbBbBbBbBb" of the rumble strip. Yeah, but my "safety net" is that I usually text when traffic is clear. So, that's going off the track because of my distraction with the phone. I think that most of you know what I mean. Modern day is so full of them. The devil loves to use them against me and I give in. A lot. And waste a lot of time.

So, in changing it up or reaching a turning point, I'm starting new and doing what I mentioned above. Also I'm starting to...blog! Yes. I like it. It's ok. Maybe I'll be a grain of salt to someone. A beacon of light. Encouragement. I dunno. We'll see.

Also, I'm learning something new too. Something productive. It doesn't hurt to at least learn about it, if not be a part of it. Forex trading. More on this later. But it's interesting! I like numbers anyway. And jargon.

Right now, I'm at work and this blogging IS the distraction from my job. Oops. Oh, well. We've been SO busy, we lab techs deserve a little bit of slow times before it gets busy again.

I want this t-shirt.

I want this too. The adrenaline rush of speed gets beat by nothing. At least for me.

Good night, ya all. 

Stanley Jr.

You need to lose your life!!

Then, calling the crowd to join his disciples, he said, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross, and follow me. If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake and for the sake of the Good News, you will save it. (Mark 8:34, 35 NLT)

If you want to follow Jesus, you must lose your life. Not physically, no. But the life you've made for yourself. That life does not matter. It will most likely not be fulfilling, or joyful. Only that joy will come from losing your life you've made for yourself and picking up the cross and following Jesus. He will tell you what your life is and what you will do in it. He will form your complete identity which is totally different from the identity we mold for ourselves through the life we make for ourselves. Yes, we have our personalities and an unique makeup that make us who we are but it is not our complete identity. Our identity is complete only in Jesus and the life we make by following His commands. Guess what? The life we make for ourselves ends. Ends at physical death, so we have really lived for nothing and for eternity in hell. If we live in Jesus and have our complete identity in Him, our life begins anew when we die to the world and it's offerings and that life continues for eternity in heaven after physical death. We will have then lived for everything!! Totally different packages. Both expensive. One requires you to pay the price upfront, the other doesn't require payment until later. Pick the right one. You will know if you picked the right one because you will not be sorry and it will never be "It was a mistake." ~SLashleyJr

We must decrease ourselves in order to have Jesus to increase in us.

I posted this from my phone. It is short and sweet. A reminder to myself and to all who read this. Also a message to those who need it and want something more in their lives. Enjoy.

Temptations and Honey

When I first came across this passage, I couldn't quite make a clear, concise understanding of it. Here, read this. It was penned by John Bunyan in 1905 in his Grace Abounding to the Chief of Sinners:

"Temptations, when we meet them at first, are as a lion that roared upon Samson; but if we overcome them, the next time we see them, we shall find a nest of honey within them."

What? The first thing that comes to my mind is, when we meet temptations, it can be unexpected, it can be fierce, it can be powerful, but if we dwell on the power of Jesus' blood and the power of quoting Scripture to resist Satan, we can destroy it.

Samson, while walking to a city to capture a maiden's heart, was attacked by a lion and used his bare hands to tear apart the lion's jaws and killed it. Upon returning, the lion's carcass was home to a swarm of bees in a hive filled with honey. Samson treats himself to this sweet, savory honey, possibly saying, "I have eaten thereof myself, and am much refreshed thereby."

So what does the passage mean that we should find a nest of honey the next time we meet with what would most likely be the same temptation, if not a new one? What is the nest of honey within the temptation that we meet again, after destroying it the first time?

One thing that comes to my mind, after thinking a bit, is the growing wholeness and strength of ourselves after we have met temptation and destroyed it. Should we meet the temptation again, and resist and destroy it again, we can see that we are become more whole, become more like Christ, who Himself was tempted thrice in the wilderness by Satan. We become stronger, too. The sweetness of grace, mercy, and love of God who gave His Son to save us is what we taste. This sweet grace is far more than enough to cover the sins we've committed and is above the power of Satan's temptations.

Does this make sense? I am not sure myself. I do know that there are many references to temptations and how it makes us stronger each time we meet and defeat it.

Enlighten me, please, with any thoughts, opinions, or musings. Perhaps we only need a child's simple answer.

Radical and healing

Radical. Change. Radical change. I'm ready for it. I will go through with it. I will lean on Jesus for power. I had a recent talk with someone and that person pointed me in a direction that was sure to help me to start some healing. I had asked Jesus for healing and I am thankful that He has started me on that path. I cannot and will not let go of Him. I will resist the one and only Satan and he will flee from me. May God be with me as I begin this journey. Pray for me brothers and sisters in Christ.