Just Some News

A few things are or will be happening this week that I wanted to inform you guys about.
1. I plan on writing another blog post about the movie "Hound Dog" until then check out Kingdom Advancing for updates. I've become pretty busy with my school and studying for the ACT, so it might take a few days.
2. I'm also writing a book called "Overcoming the Pain". It's my autobiography about how Jesus Christ changed me in an awesome way. I would appreciate your prayers concerning this. I truly think that it's the Lord's will for me to do this.
3. I've started up something new for this blog. Prayer requests. Prayer is an awesome thing. In the past 3 months or so; I've seen God answer many prayer requests, from knowing if God wants me to write "Overcoming the Pain" to hearing from a friend who had walked away from God, and is starting on the long journey of healing. We serve an awesome God!
Basically, if you have prayer requests or praise reports that you would like fellow Christians who visit this blog (including me) to pray for; please email me. Thanks!

Prayer As A Part Of Our Lives

I’ve recently been studying the Gospel of Luke during my quiet time with the Lord, and I came across this verse that really made me think.

“One of those days, Jesus went out to a mountainside to pray, and spent the night praying to God.” -Luke 6:12

A normal person sleeps about 8 hours a night. Jesus spent at least 8 hours praying to the God of the universe that night. And I don’t believe this was some repetitious prayer that so many people repeat from memory.

How much time do we spend praying to the one who loves us so much that He died on the cross for us? I’d have to say that I don’t do it nearly enough.

Another thing that strikes me is the fact that He went to a lonely mountainside to pray. He went alone; no followers, no friends, no teachers of the Law, nobody. It was just Him and God; no distractions.

How many times do we as true followers of Jesus get distracted with all the noise around us? For most of us (including me) the answer is a lot. We tend to start praying then all of a sudden we hear something that catches our attention, and Jesus is forgotten. And then maybe a few hours later we remember that we never finished praying. “Oops, sorry, God. I won’t do that next time.” But odds are we probably will.

“When He (the Lamb of God) had taken it (the scroll), the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp and they were holding golden bowls full of incenses, which are the prayers of the saints.” –Revelation 5:8

Focus on the last part of that verse for a moment. “...golden bowls full on incenses, which are the prayers of the saints.”

God loves us so much that when we pray to Him; He puts our prayers in a golden bowl. Our prayers must be really precious to Him if He does that with them.
Prayer isn’t just a quick thing you say before a meal, or bed. It’s a communication with God Almighty. He talks to us through His word (the Bible), and we talk to Him through prayer.
So why can’t we spend more than 5 or 10 minutes talking to Him, but we can spend hours talking to our friends?

He loved us enough to die for us. We can show our appreciation and love by spending more time in prayer with Him.

Homosexuality and The Bible

Yesterday, as I was getting ready for church, I was thinking about a question that I just had to answer. The question was, “Did Jesus ever talk about homosexuality, and how it is wrong?” I immediately wanted to say “yes”. But how can I prove that it’s wrong, and that Jesus Himself said it was wrong?

Well, I continued to think about it till at last I figured out the answer. The answer is yes. Homosexuality according to the Bible (God’s holy and perfect word) is absolutely wrong. I also found out that Jesus did say it was wrong; a sin in fact.
I’m going to take you step-by-step, and show you how I came to this conclusion.

1. God said it was wrong in the Old Testament. The Lord spoke to Moses saying... “Do not lie with a man as with a woman; that is detestable.” -Leviticus 18:22
In the Dictionary, detest or detestable means hate. So in other words God said He hates it when someone one did this.

2. Jesus and God are one. In other words, they are the same. “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” -John 1:1
Since the word Word is capitalized in the Bible; it means it’s a name for Jesus. So “In the beginning was Jesus, and Jesus was with God, and Jesus was God.”

3. Jesus said that homosexuality is wrong. If Jesus and God are one, then it was also Jesus who said that lying with a man as with a woman is detestable.
Jesus never changes. “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” –Hebrews 13:8 This verse could also be translated that Jesus is the same in the past, present, and future. So is Jesus said in the past that homosexuality is wrong, then it’s still wrong today and forever.

There is consequences when commits this sin. Many people will tell you there isn’t, but the Bible says there is. “Because of this, God gave them over to shameful lusts. Even their women exchanged natural relations for unnatural ones. In the same way, the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust with one another. Men committed indecent acts with other men, and received the due penalty for their perversions.” –Romans 1:26-27

The due penalty is diseases like AIDS, Herpes, Syphilis, and Chlamydia.

“The body is not meant for sexual immorality, but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body. You were bought at a price. There honor God with your body.” -1 Corinthians 6:13b, 20

Check out the latest updates about Dakota Fanning and the movie "Hound Dog" on Kindom Advancing.

Modesty

Modesty. It’s a word that the world today has practically done away with. It’s been discarded and “wear whatever you feel lie wearing; whether it’s modest or not” has replaced it.
In our society today, men and woman both fall for the trap of immodestly that has been laid before them.
Girls all over the world wear next to nothing. 16-year-old girls walk around in clothing that look like they were originally made for 12-year-olds.
And guys of all ages go around wearing pants that look like they’re about to fall off. They show off their Spongebob Squarepants boxers with their pants down to their knees. Personally, I have absolutely no desire to see that, and I’m sure Christian guys don’t want to see 12-year-olds clothing on a girl who is 16.
Now, I know that not everyone dresses like the world. Unfortunately, though, those of us who want to please God with the way we dress are the minority. The vast majority of the world dress in an immodest fashion.
“So what? Everyone dresses this way.” Well, let me ask you this...if everyone jumped off a bridge would you follow suit? “Give me a break! It’s just fashion!” Just fashion huh? Well, if wearing skin-tight clothing, or next to nothing is fashion, then I don’t want to have anything to do with it!
My brothers and sisters in Christ, we cannot conform to the world’s standards of how we should dress. We must stand up for what is right.
Recently, I’ve been checking out a blogsite called The Rebelution. They’ve put on a modesty survey and I would encourage you all (both girls and guys) to check it out. Basically, Alex and Brett Harris the creators of The Rebelution have started this modesty survey. Girls from all over the world ask questions about modesty and Christian guys from all over have the opportunity to answer those questions. I’d encourage everyone reading this post to go to The Rebelution, and check out the modesty survey.
Also, please continue to pray for Dakota Fanning, her family, and the whole situation that they are in.

Dakota Fanning in "Hound Dog"

I recently read a post by a fellow blogger named Kingdom Advancer. In his most recent post he talked about a controversial movie called “Hound Dog” starring a 12-year-old girl named Dakota Fanning.
I felt compelled to also write a blog post concerning this inappropriate film.
Basically, the movie is about this little girl who throughout the entire movie is sexually abused by her father. Later on in the film she was apparently raped.
This is not even right! No 12-year-old girl should have to simulate having sex with some guy. It’s just sickening. “This movie makes Brittany Spears look like an angel.” –Betty
To make matters worse, Dakota’s parents have approved the role that she plays in the film “Hound Dog”.
Let me ask you a question...What parent in their right mind would allow such an indecent thing happen to their child when they claim that they love them?
The movie “Hound Dog” is set to come out during next weeks “Sundance Film Festival”
I completely agree with Kingdom Advancer concerning the actions that must be taken. 1. Don’t buy, see, or rent the movie. All these producers want is money. Why give then the satisfaction? 2. pray that God’s will would be done, and that if it is His will this movie would be an utter and complete failure. Pray for the entire Fanning family, and pray that if this movie gets out; that no one will fall for the trap that has been laid. 3. Tell your Christian friends about this film. Show people (in a loving way) how sinful and destructive this film is.

A Few Questions

This blog post is going to be extremely shorter than my normal ones this time. What I wanted to do for this post is ask you guys questions that I’d like you to think about.
These question are something that I’ve had on my mind for a few months now. I’d like to for warn you that these questions might offend you. If you are easily offended then please don’t read the following questions. Thank you.





Do you find yourself judging newcomers at church just because they look different from you?

Would you rather read a book, watch something on the TV, or surf the net instead of reading and studying God’s word?

Do you go to church to worship God, or just to hang out with you’re friends?

Do you thank God for the good things in life as well as the bad?

Are you afraid to share Jesus with your non Christian friends because they might make fun of you?

If someone who knows you’re a Christian comes up to you and said that you’re dressing immodestly or inappropriately; would you be willing to change how you dress?

Do you do everything as unto the Lord?

Do you find it easier to hate someone or forgive them when they say or do something to you?

Is personal Bible reading and prayer a part of your daily schedule?

If God asked you right now to give up everything you own and follow Him; would you?

Age Doesn't Matter

How many times have you felt like you couldn’t do something God wanted you to do because of your age? Have you ever felt like you were too young? I know I have. Maybe you thought something like, “I can’t do that, Lord. I’m just a kid. I don’t have enough experience.”

Though out the Bible, God used people who’s hearts were turned towards Him; regardless of age.

When Goliath challenged the Israelites and God; the Lord sent a young boy named David to kill the giant. (1 Samuel 17) Why him? Because his heart was turned towards the things of God.

God called a child named Jeremiah to be the mouth (so to speak) of the Lord. (Jeremiah 1:6-8) Why Jeremiah? Because his heart was turned to God.

Mary, the mother of Jesus, was a young girl who God used in a mighty way. When God wanted to send His only begotten Son to the earth; He used Mary. God Almighty used Mary because her heart was turned towards Him. (Luke 1:26-28)

In the Gospel of John, it is recorded that a young boy gave his lunch of five loaves and two fish to Jesus Christ. Jesus took those loaves and fish, and fed 5,000 people with them. Why was the boy used? Because his heart was on God.

Do you see the pattern?

“Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity.” -1 Timothy 4:12

God doesn’t car if you’re young. If your heart is on Him (like the young people I mentioned in this post) then He will use you.

Thankfulness

What are you thankful for?
The Bible talks a lot about being thankful. Psalm 100 and Psalm 107 are just two different chapters in the Bible about thankfulness. There are several more.
A lot of times when I ask ‘what are you thankful for?’ I get the standard answer of ‘I don’t know’.
In our culture, we are bombarded by commercials, billboards, movies, etc. telling us that we need more stuff to be happy when in reality, we need the Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus is the only one who can fill that void in our hearts. No amount of “stuff” will fill it.
What a radical change there could be if everyone in America would just stop chasing after more stuff, and be thankful for what they have.
The United States of America has truly been blessed by the Lord. We have one thing that virtually no other country has, but greatly desires. That one thing is called Freedom.
Our nation has way more than the average person in most if not all the other countries. Yet we are always looking for more.
Why is that?
The answer is pretty simple really. It’s lack of contentment. Our nation is very ungrateful. Most Americans do not stop and thank God for what He has given them.
I know I haven’t always been thankful, but you know, when we are thankful for what God has given us (whether it be our toothbrush or our car); our whole outlook on life drastically changes. Instead of chasing after more stuff; you find yourself chasing after what really matters, and that’s God Almighty.
“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in Heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” –Matthew 6:19-21
Nothing here on earth is going to last. It will all vanish away, but everything that’s laid up in Heaven (the things that have true value) will never vanish away.
God didn’t have to give us anything. He doesn’t owe us one thing. The truth of the matter is that we owe Him everything.
So why did He give us these things?
Because He loves us! It’s written throughout the entire Bible. It started way back in the beginning when God created man and woman in His own image. (Genesis 1:27)
They sinned against God, but because He loved them; He didn’t kill them where they stood. God clothed them and sent them out of the garden. But He was still with them. He watched over them to the day they died.
The greatest show of love was when He sent His only begotten Son to pay the penalty for our sins. (John 3:16-17) Jesus was born of a virgin, lived a perfect life, willing died on the cross for our sins, and rose from the grave three days later defeating sin and death.
I’d say that’s something to be thankful about!
The last point that I want to bring up is that thankfulness (the act of being thankful) is a choice.
You have the God-given ability to choose whether you are going to be thankful for what you have, or ungrateful and wanting what you don’t have.
It’s a choice we all have to make. Being thankful is not a choice we make once then forget about it; it’s one we must make everyday of our lives.
So what do you choose?

Not Ashamed Of The Gospel

(not ashamed)

“I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes; first for the Jew, then for the Gentile.”
-Romans 1:16

I recently read this verse in my quiet time with the Lord, and I had to ask myself, “am I ashamed of the Gospel? Am I willing to get out there and proclaim Jesus among my non Christian friends?” The Holy Spirit within me said “yes”, but my flesh said “no way!”
It’s a spiritual battle. As a true follower of Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit within us says, “I can do everything though Him (Christ) who give me strength.” (Philippians 4:13) Yet our flesh tells us, “What if they laugh at you? What if they don’t listen? You can’t go tell them; you’re not smart enough.”
The Holy Spirit and our flesh are constantly at war with each other.
Let me ask you a question...
Are you ashamed of the Gospel of Jesus Christ? In other words, are you afraid to go tell you’re friends at school or work about the Lord Jesus Christ?
Let me tell you something...we don’t need to fear when we are on Jesus’ side.
There are Christians all over the world today who die just because they preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ. You know, all these people have one thing in common. They feared God more than the feared man. “Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell.”
-Matthew 10:28
I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Why am I unashamed of the Gospel? Because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes; first for the Jew, then for the Gentile.
I have a Bible study at my church every Wednesday. Well, my leader was sharing with us some things on witnessing. One of the things she said was this, “We don’t need to be afraid when we go out and witness because if it is the Lord’s will that they hear the Gospel, then they will.” *(not exact wording)*
It is only by the power and grace of God that any of us are saved. So with this in mind, we don’t need to ashamed of the Gospel.

Forgive and Move On

Recently a friend of mine walked away from the Lord. This person stopped coming to church, and stopped answering anyone’s emails from church.
A few of my friends and I began to wonder if Anonymous was alright. This happened back in November.
Well, a few days ago I received an email from Anonymous. In that email, Anonymous told me how much they hated me, how I need to leave them alone, and how ugly I was.
I’d be lying if I said that Anonymous’ words didn’t hurt me, but it was the words they didn’t say that hurt more. What I mean by that is that I read the unwritten words between the lines. The words that say, “I’ve walked away from God, I don’t care what He says, and I want to do whatever I feel like doing!”
Well, later on that night I was praying to God and asking Him what I should do concerning Anonymous’ words. These are some verses that came to mind....
“Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. We love because He first loved us. If anyone says, “I love God,” yet hates his brother, he is a liar. For anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen. And He has given us this command: Whoever loves God must also love his brother.” - 1 John 4:7, 11, 19-21
I need to love Anonymous just as God loves us. I also need to continue to pray for them too.
A few days later, I had another friend say that they would probably beat up Anonymous because of the emails that I received.
I told them if I took to heart every mean and cruel word ever said to me; I’d be a very bitter person.
You see, God wants us to forgive and pray for those who do and say cruel things to us.
Ask yourself, what would Jesus do?
Did Jesus get mad and hit back when the guards slapped and beat Him before He was crucified? No!
Did Jesus hold a grudge against the Pharisees when they spread lies about Him? No!
What did He do? He forgave and prayed for them.
Now that love!
Jesus never said the Christian walk was going to be easy. In fact, He said that the world would persecute us because they persecuted Him. John 15:20b- “...If they persecute Me, they will persecute you also...”
We as true believers in Christ need to forgive and move on when people hurt us and say cruel things to us just like Jesus did.
That’s love.

Walk The Talk

If you’re going to talk the talk; you had better walk the walk.

You all have probably heard this saying (or something along those lines) before. But did you know that a lot of Christians don’t walk what they talk? (Or they just don’t care)
I know I haven’t always done what I talk. In fact, one time I had been talking to a dear friend of mine about the importance of Bible study. About half way through my sentence; I stopped. I realized at that moment that I was being very hypocritical. I was telling this person that it is important to have a daily quiet time with God, and here I was not putting aside time with God on a daily basis.
Later on when I had gone home that night; I prayed to God and asked Him to forgive me. I also asked Him to help me do what was right, starting with having a daily quiet time with the Lord.
That was about 8 months ago. There are days when I don’t start the day off right by not reading my Bible, and I feel absolutely horrible about it. But now it has come to a point that when I realize that I haven’t read my Bible; I stop with whatever I’m doing and read my Bible. I don’t do it because I feel like I have too; I do it because I want too.
We are being very hypocritical if we say one thing, yet do the complete opposite.
I like how Paul puts it in his letter to the Romans. “You, then, who teach others, do you not teach yourself? You who preach against stealing, do you steal? You who say that people should not commit adultery, do you commit adultery? You who abhor idols, do you rob temples? You brag about the law, do you dishonor God by breaking the law?” Romans 2: 21-23
I don’t know about you, but I find that very convicting!
The Bible is very clear about what God thinks about hypocrisy.
Isaiah 1: 10-15—“Hear the word of the Lord, you rulers of Sodom; listen to the law of our God, you people of Gomorrah! ‘The multitude of your sacrifices- what are they to me?’ says the Lord. ‘I have more than enough of burnt offerings, or rams and the fat of fattened animals; I have no pleasure in the blood of bulls and lambs and goats. When you come to appear before Me, who has asked this of you, this trampling of My courts? Stop bringing meaningless offerings! Your incense is detestable to Me. New Moons, Sabbaths and convocations- I cannot bear your evil assemblies. Your New Moon festivals and your appointed feasts My soul hates. They have become a burden to Me; I am weary of bearing them. When you spread out your hands in prayer, I will hide My eyes from you; even if you offer many prayers, I will not listen. Your hands are full of blood;’”
Now that’s a sobering thought! The Lord hates it when we act like hypocrites. It tells us so in those verses.
But He offers forgiveness to all those who willingly come to Him and ask.
“Wash and make yourselves clean. Take your evil deeds out of My sight! Stop doing wrong, learn to do right! Seek justice, encourage the oppressed. Defend the cause of the fatherless, plead the case of the widow. Come now, let us reason together, says the Lord. Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool. If you are willing and obedient, you will eat the best from the land; but if you resist and rebel, you will be devoured by the sword. From the mouth of the Lord has spoken” –Isaiah 1:16-20
No sin is too hard for God to cleanse. Whether it’s being hypocritical or lying; He can make you as white as snow.
It’s your choice. Serve God or serve yourself...what are you going to do?

Life After Death

Please read the song lyrics and then scroll down to read my post.

“Life After Death” KJ-52 lyrics

I rolled out the bed as the alarm started going off

rubbed my head with my arm it was the crack of dawn

I’m late fo work and I really just hate my job

I kissed my wife good-bye and then I walk across the lawn

got in the car out the driveway and I’m riding on the road by the mall

past the highway that I’m flying on but

it slows to crawl cause some guy was just driving wrong

and I’m getting mad cuz I wonder why it's going on

get out the way I just scream as I’m driving on

I hate my day and this way that it started off

I change lanes and I thought that I was pulling onto

the main lane but just then I saw this green Honda

it straight came next thing it was the window shattered

felt a great pain my body being bruised and battered

it all changed went black and I knew I had it

I coughed blood breathed my last breath that was it

Chorus

what ya gonna do when there's no time left?

what ya gonna do when ya take ya last step?

what ya gonna do when ya breathe ya last breath

out ya chest and find out that there's life after death? (x2)

next thing I know everything just got real quiet

I opened my eyes to my surprise now it's real silent

I realized I had died now it's my judgment

I’m standing before the Most High now and all of the sudden

He said to me, "Why should I let you into My heaven?"

I told God, "Well really I’m a good person."

He showed my life and all the times now that I was sinning

every line to every curse to every bad decision

from every lie to every word there was nothing hidden

He showed how Christ died and with my life and that I’d killed Him

He showed me time after time how I’d reject Him

I never cared about the sacrifice God had given

I never cared about my life or the way I lived it

and now I’ve died and it's too late to be forgiven

guilty of my crime I’m sentenced to eternal prison

it's dark, I’m alone, I feel my flesh burning

CHORUS

I rolled out the bed as the alarm started going off

I scratch my head and then I yawned it was the crack of dawn

I’m praying and I’m thanking God that I got my job

I kissed my wife good-bye then I walked across the lawn

got in the car out the driveway and I’m riding on the road by the mall

past the highway that I’m driving on but

it slows to crawl cause some guy was just driving wrong

but I’m not mad I just wonder why it's going on

I use the time to pray for my family now and for my mom

I’m thanking God for the way my day had started off

I change lanes and I thought that I was pulling onto

the main lane but doesn't that guy see my green Honda?

it straight came next thing it was the window shattered

felt a great pain my body being bruised and battered

it all changed went black and I knew I had it

I coughed blood breathed my last breath that was it

CHORUS

next thing I know everything just got real quiet

I opened my eyes to my surprise now it's real silent

I realized I had died now it's my judgment

I’m standing before the Most High now and all of the sudden

He said to me, "Why should I let you into My heaven?"

I told God, "I never was a good person."

He showed my life and all the times now that I was sinning

every line to every curse to every bad decision

from every lie to every word there was nothing hidden

He showed how His Son died and with my life and that I’d killed Him

but He showed the time I chose Christ and I didn't reject Him

He showed the time when I took the love that God had given

He tried to serve thru my life whenever I lived it

and now I’ve died but I thank God that I’m forgiven

He wiped the tears from my eyes as I cried and thanked Him

cuz forever I’m gonna be with Him just in Heaven

CHORUS

This song talks about two different types of people. The first person represents the non-believer. He does what the world does.
The second person is the one who truly follows Jesus. You can see the difference in his life when he doesn’t overreact while driving on the road. Instead of getting angry he just prays.
The person who does not surrender his life to Jesus will be almost exactly like the first person in the song. He or she will one day die and stand before God for their judgment.
What a sad day that will be when those who thought they could get into Heaven by doing good things and being a good person find out that just being a good person doesn’t cut it. Since they didn’t accept Jesus they will be cast into Hell which is the second death. (Revelation 21:8)
On the other hand, the one who truly follows Jesus will one day die and go to Heaven where he or she will worship the Lord forever. The true followers will find out that there’s life after death.
My only question for you is this...
Which of the two types of people are you?

Beyond The Surface

Please read the song lyrics and then scroll down to see my post.

“Beyond The Surface” -Kutless

I've been hiding

Hiding for so long

Right behind my digital mask

I've been trying to be someone I'm not

All these perfectly fake people

Push us to insane ideals

They're nothing more than counterfeit images

That push me away

To bleed out the pain

Don't you dare to make another move

Put the knife away

That's not what anybody needs

There's a better way

Than everything now that you see
Stop comparing who you are

To who you want to be

Let's step out beyond the surface

Don't give in to everything

The world around tells you to be

Open up your mind release your self

Stop the lying stop comparing who you are to what you see

Never letting fear hold back the change

And push you away

To bleed out the pain

Don't you dare to make another move

Put the knife away

That's not what anybody needs

There's a better way

Than everything now that you see

Stop comparing who you are to who you want to be

And step out beyond the surface

Put the knife away

That's not what anybody needs
There's a better way

Than everything now that you see

Stop comparing who you are to who you want to be

And step out beyond the surface

I’m going to be talking about something that at least one percent of the population does.1 It’s called cutting.

Cutting is an addictive, self-inflicted habit that literally thousands of people struggle with every single day of their lives.

Cutting temporarily eases the emotional pain that they are going through. Reverting to cutting yourself can be caused by to much emotional stress. For instance, you never fit in with anyone. They tease and pick on you saying things like, “You’re useless, you can’t do anything right, you’re stupid, and ugly.”(There are several other things that can spur on inflicting wounds on yourself. I’ve just chosen this one as an example.)

Leviticus 19:28- Co not cut you’re bodies for the dead or put tattoo marks on yourself. I am the Lord.”

Right there in that verse it tells us that cutting is wrong. It’s a sin.

Let me explain...anything we do that the Lord doesn’t like is a sin. So with that in mind, if the Lord tells us not to cut your body yet we do it anyway, then we are sinning. But by God’s matchless grace, we can be forgiven if we humbly come before the Lord and ask Him to forgive us. Matthew 7:7-8-- Ask and it will be give to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.

It doesn’t just stop there though. You see, after you ask for God’s forgiveness, you have to change. If you ask for forgiveness and then go right back to what you were doing in the first place; then it’s like slapping God in the face and saying “I don’t want what you have to offer me!”

Some of you may be thinking right now, “It’s just too hard! How on earth can I do something like this when it seems so impossible? Well, I have a news flash for you, nothing is impossible with God’s help! Philippians 4:13- “I can do everything through Him who gives me strength.”

I’m not saying at all that change will be easy (for change is never easy), but with a little bit of faith, the Lord’s help, and prayer you can be an overcomer.

1. taken from www.bergen.org/AMST/pc/selfhurt/Statistics.html

Looks Can Be Deceiving

What do you think when you see the above picture? Do you think “what a bunch of secular punks!”
The above picture is a picture of a Christian band called Stellar Kart. Here’s one of there songs...

A Love Song

You are Lord, Lord of my life

Every day I lift You up high

I praise to you Lord My God and my King

You reign in me for eternity

This is a love song to You

A song of praise to You Lord

I kneel before your glorious throne

To show that I am Yours alone

You are Lord, Lord of my life

Every day I lift You up high

I praise to you Lord My God and my King

You reign in me for eternity

This is a love song to You

A song of praise to You Lord

I kneel before your glorious throne

To show that I am Yours alone

Hallelujah, I love You

Hallelujah, I love You

Hallelujah, I love You

Hallelujah, I love You

This is a love song to You

A song of praise to You Lord

I kneel before Your glorious throne

This is a love song to You

A song of praise to You Lord

I kneel before Your glorious throne

To show that I am Yours alone.

Recently, I’ve been having a Bible study with my family, and we’ve been reading in the book of John. We’re trying to find out the will of God. Well, while reading in John I came across a verse. It says, “Stop judging by mere appearances, and make a right judgment.” –John 7:24

I have to say that this really hit me. “Stop judging by mere appearance... Wow, ok Lord, I see what You are trying to teach me.” We as followers in Christ Jesus need to stop judging others by what they look like. Too many times I come across people who refuse to witness to a certain person because they “look weird.” I’ve done this myself, and I see now that judging others by what they look like is wrong. It is a sin.

I thank God daily for what He’s done for me. If my aunt and uncle hadn’t shared God’s love with me because I looked weird, I wouldn’t be a follower of Jesus Christ. In fact, I probably wouldn’t even be alive. It’s a sobering thought.

“What would Jesus do?” This is an old saying but quite relevant today. Ask yourself, “Did Jesus condemn people because they looked weird?” Matthew 9:13b-...For I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance. Jesus hung out with the “weird looking” people. He witnessed to them, and shared God’s love with them. We as true followers of Jesus Christ need to do this too. This should be what we are about.