Hey guys! Because school is back in session I'm going to have a really tough time keeping up with devotions. So I'm moving.... now you can find me at this site. It's not a devotion site... I might add a devotion from time to time, but with this site I wont feel guilty if I dont update everyday. Every now and then, when I come across and excellent read or something that I find inspiring that I'd like to share with you, I'll post it on that site. I hope it encourages you and shows you some stuff about your faith that you never knew!

Thanks for sticking with me, despite the lack of updates.

Ahh! Guys! Sorry I haven't been updating!  August is a really busy month for some reason. Well... on with part two of the devotional!

Part two:

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John and Eric meet together regularly to pray for eachother, their school, and their friends. John and Eric go to two way-different churches. John attends a very large, modern church with a huge youth group, lots of people under fifty, a worship band comprised of professionals, and a young, cool pastor. Eric's church is much smaller, has a youth group of ten, a mix of all ages, and an older pastor. The worship team is all volunteers. 

"How can you go to church there?" John asked Eric. "It seems so dead!" "I dont see how you go to a church that's so packaged. I feel like your church has some kind of corporate sponser!"

Is it possible for Christians to disagree? What do you do when you and another follower of Christ dont see eye-to-eye? During Jesus' time, religious leaders were fanatically making rules for every aspect of life and figuring out what laws were most important. When a man asked Jesus what law was most important, Jesus didnt answer the question the way the man had hoped. Instead, he told him that all the laws can be summed up in two commands (check out Mark 12:29-31).

Certain beliefs we hold are central and can't be changed. Some of these central beliefs include believe that Jesus is God, that He died on the cross for our sins, and the He was resurected from the dead. Christians should be in complete unity and agreement about these core beliefs. In secondary issues -- things like worship style and differences in churches -- diversity is okay and can even make things more interesting. In all things, however, Christians should honor the two commands mentioned in Mark 12:29-31. Show respect and love for God and one another.

Paul wrote to the Christians in Rome, "Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and mutual edification" (Romans 14:19). When you and your friends disagree on an issue, how you handle it can either build them up or cut them down. Writing of your friends' ideas or insisting, "It's my way or the highway" are quick ways to end friendships. Instead, ask your friend how they came to their belief on an issue. Dont be afraid to discuss your differences, but be careful to be respectful of eachother's opinions during the conversation. If you have different views on an issue than your friend, search the Bible together for more insight. This process will challenge each of your ways and may even expand your understanding of what it means to live for Christ. If you both still disagree on the subject, agree to disagree and respect each other's opinion.

Paul wrote about dealing with differences between Christians in Romans 14. Check it out.

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You know the drill... prayer requests go in comments or you can send me an email at jesus_rocks78@yahoo.com!

God bless!

Heyyy guys. I'm sorry I haven't been updating as much!!! August, for some reason, is a really busy month!!! Anyways, I've decided to do another five day devotional!!

If all the world's a stage (according to William Shakespeare), then life is the ultimate drama club. Anytime two people are together, drama just happens. Because as great as relationships are, they also bring a lot of stuff we have to deal with. This week, we'll be finding out how to handle the drama in your life, and in the lives of those around you.

Part One:

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At lunch, Anna noticed that Nicole didn't touch her food or say one word. "What going on, girl? You seem tired or something." Nicole burst into tears and said, "My parents had a huge fight last night and my mom left. She didn't even tell us where she was going or say goodbye!"

When a friend is hurting -- whether it's as serious as divorce or death, or even a breakup, failure, or injury -- that's when they need your friendship the most. But what do you do or say when a friend is going through something you may not be able to relate to? Sticking close during hard times is one responsibility Christians take seriously. Why? In his writings to the early church, Paul described how strong the bond between believers is by reffering to a community of believers as one body, each person being a vital part of that body. "Its parts should have equal concern for one another. If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it" (1 Corinithians 12:25-26)

When you stub your toe or slam your finger in the car door, your whole body cringes in pain. In the same way, when a friend is hurting, those connected with that friend should hurt as well. We belong to eachother as a part of one body. The idea that we should individually "fend for ourselves" ignores the unity in all being part of one body. It's wrong to think that people should be able to deal with their own problems. Because of our strong connection to other believers, Paul told us to "Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn" (Romans 12:15).

When a friend comes to you upset or hurting, you may initially feel awkward or uncomfortable. Most people do, especially if they haven't experienced what their friend is going through. Avoiding your friend because you don't know what to do, or because you're afraid you'll say the wrong thing, is the worst plan of action. Don't try to brush of the issue as though it's not a big deal, and resist the urge to make your friend just laugh off the whole problem. The best thing you can do for your friend is to just listen to him or her. Listen with the goal of genuinely what he or she is feeling, rather than listening so you can make a judgement on how you think your friend ought to handle the situation.

If you're friend doesn't want to talk about anything, tell him or her that you'll be there when he or she needs someone to talk to. Tell your friend that you will pray for him or her -- and do it! Your friend needs you to be active in their life. So make it a point to talk with him or her regularly about how things are going and take the initiative when you see oppertunities to help. Your genuine concern for you friends and willingness to be with them during hard times is what being a part of the body of Christ is truely all about.

Read 2 Corinthians 1:3-4. Paul wrote about how comforting the prayers of the church on his behalf were. Because God comforts us, we can comfort others.

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If you have a prayer request, please feel free to leave it in a comment or email me at jesus_rocks78@yahoo.com

God bless!

Everyone feels like scum at some point. Like a lowly, cowardly worm. But guess what? You aren't. You, my friend, are on a first-name basis with the creator of the universe!! Trust me, according to Jesus, you rank higher than a worm. Hope you find this encouraging.

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You: According to Jesus

Please excuse my battle scars. I've been at war lately. Satan and his slimy cronies have been all-out attacking my identitiy, pretty nearly convincing me that I'm worthless and a point of shame for Jesus. The battles have been intense -- and quite honestly, I've been losing. So in the spirit of standing firm and fighting with my one offensive weapon (Ephesians 6:17), I wrote a letter to myself, for those moments and days where the truth of who I am seems like wishful thinking. (If you can relate, plug in your name for mine. These things are true of you to.)

Dear Amy -- aka holy one (Colossians 1:22), blameless one (Ephesians 1:4), called of Jesus Christ (Jude 1:1), chosen of God (John 15:16), beloved of God (Romans 1:7); kept by Jesus (Jude 1:1) --

If you're reading this, it's probably because you're having a rough day and those God-given titles seem lime nothing more than high and lofty ideas. But no matter how rough things get, every single one of those titles of true of you because they've been founded on something stronger, more dependable, and more faithful than your feelings and even your circumstances. Your name has indelibly been written in the Book of Life (Revelation 3:5) and it's inscribed on the palms of God's own hands (Isaiah 49:16). Satan's barbs may sting, but he doesn't have an eraser powerful enough to wipe you out!!

At this very moment you are hidden in Jesus (Colossians 3:3). That means you have full access to His open arms if you're looking to curl up and cry. Despite the darkness you may feel, the reality is that you have been delivered from darkness's domain and transferred to Jesus' kingdom -- where He makes the cal about who you are (Colossians 1:13). You may feel forgotten, Amy, but that's just an awful illusion because if you'd just pray, you'd have two-thirds of the Trinity beseeching the other third on your behalf (Romans 8:26, 34).

You may feel weak today, but God says that's exactly when His strength shows up (2 Corinthians 12:19). Ask for help -- God has His Spirit and legions of angels ready to help you fight if you're willing to invite Him into the battle (Hebrews 1:14). The good news is that the battle is already over, and your King won (John 16:33)!

Ephesians 1:1 gives you another title in addition to all of the other incredible ones -- saint. Which means "one that has been set apart from the ordinary to the extraordinary". Do you know what else saint means? The original Greek word for saint -- hagios -- also means marked. Marked as in physically branded. You've been designated, labled, and tatooed as a child of the one true living God! Amy, you may have moments where you doubt whose you are, but the angels -- and any other spirits -- surely don't.

Amy, test the spirits (1 John 4:1). Don't believe everything you hear. If the thoughts bouncing around in your head don't sound like God and His Word, chances are, it's not God talking, and therefore, it's not worth listening to. Choose to believe what He says about you -- He died to call you His.

Now, may the grace of the Lord Jesus be with your spirit (Philippians 4:25), beloved child of God (1 John 3:1).

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I ask that you all keep praying for everyone on the prayer corner (left). If you have any prayer requests at all, don't hesitate to leave them in a comment. Or, if you prefer, you can send me an email!!

Sometimes I find myself looking heavenward and wondering what it will be like to dwell in God's presence.  I know it will be wonderful.  But, for now I want to live for God and do as much as I can to bring Him glory and point others to Him. There is nothing else that matters when compared to His greatness, His glory, His wonder, His beauty, and His grace.  What else is there?  Why live if I cannot live for Him?  Why strive if it doesn't glorify Him?  Why seek to work and accomplish in this life if it is not for Him, the sovereign and gracious King? 
     We can accomplish much in this world.  We can gather possessions and money.  We can raise families.  We can show kindness, donate money and time for the benefit of the hurting.  We can give and help; yet, if it is not for God's glory, what good is it?  Yes, I know that it is good to help people.  But, on the Day of Judgment when we are standing in the infinite purity of holy majesty, will those things done to help others really matter?  It depends.
     Something is good if it is done for the purpose of glorifying God and in the name of Christ; that is, if it is done because it is a response to the Cross and for God's glory.  If we feed the poor because it makes us feel better or so that we can be recognized, then our reward has already been given, “And when you pray, you are not to be as the hypocrites; for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and on the street corners, in order to be seen by men. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full," (Matt. 6:5).  If we give money to help others because it is a good thing to do, then we have already received our reward in self satisfaction.  But, if we help others because it is what God wants us to do, because we have been redeemed by Christ, because we are seeking to demonstrate the goodness of God's grace to others, then that is a good work and the reward is yet to come.  “Behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to render to every man according to what he has done," (Rev. 22:12).
     God sees what we do in secret.  He knows the motives of our hearts and knows if the center of our lives and deeds is Him or ourselves.  The rewards given are commensurate with the motives.  Col. 3:23-24 says, "Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men; ²⁴ knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you serve." 
     In reality, there is nothing we can do that is pure.  We are touched by sin in all that we are.  Yet, God says we will receive rewards in heaven.  This can only be because of His goodness and grace and not because of what is in us or what we do.  I see our rewards as God's gift to us...but for a reason:  because He loves us and because we can bring glory to Him.
     Many commentators believe that in Rev. 14, the twenty-four elders represent the Christians and the the crowns are symbolic of the rewards God gives to us.  Notice what it says, "the twenty-four elders will fall down before Him who sits on the throne, and will worship Him who lives forever and ever, and will cast their crowns before the throne, saying, ¹¹ “Worthy art Thou, our Lord and our God, to receive glory and honor and power; for Thou didst create all things, and because of Thy will they existed, and were created.”  How glorious an opportunity we will have to be able to bow before the Lord and lay before Him all the good things we have done in His name.  In reality, anything good we do is because of God's grace and He is the one who should get the credit.  I long for that day of bearing all before the Lord and laying my crown before Him to the praise of His glory.  He is worthy to receive glory and honor and power. 
     What is the reason for your life?  What is in the depths of your heart?  Who do you live for?  Are you storing up rewards here on earth, or up in heaven?

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*Please continue to pray for all in the prayer corner. If you have any requests, feel free to leave it in a comment, or send me an email at jesus_rocks78@yahoo.com*