There is something beautiful about that first spark of Christianity for people. That is, when they come to the point of realizing the majesty of God.
In the old testament when you read of people like Moses, from the burning bush to the plagues to the Exodus from Egypt (see Exodus 1-20) I sometimes think to myself, "I wish God would show up in amazing ways like that". I mean who can deny a voice coming from a bush on fire, or 10 plagues that are obvious physical signs.
So thinking through further, (and you know that I love to do that), I wonder what miraculous signs of God are we missing as a community of people. Well, I go back to my first statement. There is something beautiful and miraculous about the person that has lived a life of Alcohol and Drugs that comes back to you. The recognizes that without God there is no satisfaction. With so many temporary fixes, I desperately desire that people latch on to the real thing.
You want more:
this morning as I woke up I heard birds chirpiong and as i looked outside the sun was sitting up there like a big bowl of yellow and orange fire. who made that happen? Sure scientist's will argue and debate atmospheric pressure, and the natural configuration of planets (I used to be a scientist so I could go on and on about how we try to figure out everything) but the bottom line is that it is God. He orchestrates a symphony of beauty every day and we go on in our own little world, with it's drama and trials and forget to acknowledge him. Just watch the trees will soon begin to flower, and the snow will be gone, the air will get warmer, and still we ignore him. We put God on the back burner for the things that are temporary.
I tell the teens each week, after reading a book that is awesome (so that means get a copy) called "It all goes back in the box",when all is set and done all the "toys" go back in the box. All the school drama, money, gf/bf, all those things that we think are more important will go back in the box so to speak. At that point we will stand before God. The things that God did in the bible are awesome and beautiful but don't think he is not working today!
Don't miss it people.
Don't miss the BEAUTY of each and every day.
Don't miss the BEAUTY that a true authentic relationship with God holds for you!
That is totally and truly something beautiful!
May God Bless You and Heaven Smile on You!
Pastor Jason
Thursday, February 28, 2008
Friday, February 15, 2008
Prayer and the Power of God
Well what an awesome week it has been in the Lord. Now, if you are reading this, and you were at GAPP last night, this will mean alot and become so much clearer. As you know, this week I have been wrestling with something spiritually. As I walk around the various schools, and in some of the people I meet, I was overcome with a sadness for those who are Lost and Don't know Jesus as their savior, and those who have walked away from Christ. I have had a number of sleepless nights this week, where God has prompted me to wake up and pray and read scripture. In the quietness I have waited for him to speak to me. Below I have detailed a God-sighting in my Life I pray that you are blessed and encouraged by this, (this means you GAPP:)
After such an awesome night in prayer at GAPP last night I arrived home, and as I prayed before I went to sleep I opened up my bible to Psalm 119, and began to pray scripture. Pray for my teens, and overall those that don't know Jesus as savior. WHAT A GRACIOUS GOD WE SERVE! I got a good nights sleep! I am convinced that the words of Psalm 119:105~~ "Your word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path" were mean't for me to read before I layed down. God answered my prayer in a way I did not expect. Ladies and Gentleman: He is Awesome!!!!! But you know what, it was not until I prayed on Thursday "Dear God, whatever this is I am going through, teach me, mold me (The Potter''s Hand). It wasn't about me asking "Why me", but total surrender to God. I know you may be thinking that is a dangerous prayer, and yes it was so hard for me to say, but praise God that I did. Giving up our burdens and concerns to Christ, total surrender is what we are called to do.
To many of the teens who surrendered something tyo God, or have been surrendering something this year. I encouraged you to keep on seeking God's will for your life. Let God arise and guide you through. Our God is THE God who saves!!!! He reigns now and Forever! Praise the Lord!
May God bless you and Heaven Smile on You!
Pastor Jason
Ps: I had a full night's sleep last night!
After such an awesome night in prayer at GAPP last night I arrived home, and as I prayed before I went to sleep I opened up my bible to Psalm 119, and began to pray scripture. Pray for my teens, and overall those that don't know Jesus as savior. WHAT A GRACIOUS GOD WE SERVE! I got a good nights sleep! I am convinced that the words of Psalm 119:105~~ "Your word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path" were mean't for me to read before I layed down. God answered my prayer in a way I did not expect. Ladies and Gentleman: He is Awesome!!!!! But you know what, it was not until I prayed on Thursday "Dear God, whatever this is I am going through, teach me, mold me (The Potter''s Hand). It wasn't about me asking "Why me", but total surrender to God. I know you may be thinking that is a dangerous prayer, and yes it was so hard for me to say, but praise God that I did. Giving up our burdens and concerns to Christ, total surrender is what we are called to do.
To many of the teens who surrendered something tyo God, or have been surrendering something this year. I encouraged you to keep on seeking God's will for your life. Let God arise and guide you through. Our God is THE God who saves!!!! He reigns now and Forever! Praise the Lord!
May God bless you and Heaven Smile on You!
Pastor Jason
Ps: I had a full night's sleep last night!
Thursday, February 7, 2008
The Next Level
In my personal devotions this week, i have really felt the urging that God wants to take all of us to another level. i think sometimes that the struggle for some is that we are too afraid to take a step out.
Remember when you learned to ride a bike for the first time. i remember that time for me vividly. They year was 1980, and I had a Pittsburgh steelers dirt bike (w/ Jersey #1 on it, not sure who that was). My dad bought it under the agreement that I would learn to ride w/o training wheels. Well for about a week we set off each summer morning with my dad's hand guiding me. I was so nervous about falling I would even try to guide myself with the nearby fence as it stretched around two backyards including ours.
Well, as I began to TRUST more. I began to let go of the fence, and then suddenly i didn't feel my dad's hand under the seat. I was going to another level. the funny thing is the first several tries my dad would run along behind me, not holding the seat just in case.
We need to realize that this is just how our Gracious God is. Hebrews 11:1 talks about what faith is. Ihad to have trust and faith that my dad was their with me. I cannot tell you the overwelming sense of security that I had just knowing my dad was running right behind me and would catch me if I stumbled or began to fall.
I believe that God has really called us to take that next step. To trust in the fact that he is right there with you running alongside you in all the hurt and pain that you may be facing. As Paul preached to the Corinthians in I Corinthians 11:1 (ironic: same chapter and verse as Hebrews:) He speaks that we need to follow his example, as he follows the example set by Christ. Wow, those are humbling words. Ask yourself these questions:
1. Is God wanting to take me to the next level in my spiritual walk?
~In what ways?
2. How is my prayer life? Am I trusting God to hear my prayers and see me through?
Commit these things to God this week!
Have a great and a blessed week!
PJ
Remember when you learned to ride a bike for the first time. i remember that time for me vividly. They year was 1980, and I had a Pittsburgh steelers dirt bike (w/ Jersey #1 on it, not sure who that was). My dad bought it under the agreement that I would learn to ride w/o training wheels. Well for about a week we set off each summer morning with my dad's hand guiding me. I was so nervous about falling I would even try to guide myself with the nearby fence as it stretched around two backyards including ours.
Well, as I began to TRUST more. I began to let go of the fence, and then suddenly i didn't feel my dad's hand under the seat. I was going to another level. the funny thing is the first several tries my dad would run along behind me, not holding the seat just in case.
We need to realize that this is just how our Gracious God is. Hebrews 11:1 talks about what faith is. Ihad to have trust and faith that my dad was their with me. I cannot tell you the overwelming sense of security that I had just knowing my dad was running right behind me and would catch me if I stumbled or began to fall.
I believe that God has really called us to take that next step. To trust in the fact that he is right there with you running alongside you in all the hurt and pain that you may be facing. As Paul preached to the Corinthians in I Corinthians 11:1 (ironic: same chapter and verse as Hebrews:) He speaks that we need to follow his example, as he follows the example set by Christ. Wow, those are humbling words. Ask yourself these questions:
1. Is God wanting to take me to the next level in my spiritual walk?
~In what ways?
2. How is my prayer life? Am I trusting God to hear my prayers and see me through?
Commit these things to God this week!
Have a great and a blessed week!
PJ
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