Performance follows Passion

Someone told me several years ago that performance follows passion.  I have to say that I absolutely agree.  No matter what area of life, I have seen this saying prove true.  When someone is passionate about something, they usually perform better than they would had the passion not been there.  This applies across the board whether it be in school, at work, in sports, or in matters of faith.

The most important aspect where this applies has to do with our relationship with Christ.  When we are passionate about Jesus, our relationship with Him gets better.  When we are passionate about Him, we do whatever it takes to get to know him in a more intimate way.  When we are passionate about Jesus, we will stop at nothing to get more of Him.  Furthermore, when we are passionate about Jesus, we serve Him with all that we are.   Jesus has put giftings and callings on the inside of each and every one of us.  When we, in turn, use our gifts and passions for Jesus, it is an act of ultimate worship.  When our God-given passions and gifts align with our passion for Jesus, we are able to have a huge impact for His kingdom, and when we unleash these passions on the world, people can’t help but see Jesus through us.  Our passions become worship unto the Father, and we are able to point people towards Jesus.

Just Say The Word

I was reading in Matthew yesterday, and Jesus decided to drop a bomb on me.  It was welcomed, and I was amazed at what he revealed.  Matthew 8:5-13 discusses Jesus’ encounter with the Roman centurion.  The centurion points out the fact that he has a sick and paralyzed servant.  The passage goes on to explain that Jesus agrees to go and heal the servant, however, the centurion refuses and claims that he is unworthy to have Jesus at his house.  He then goes on to say that Jesus is a man of authority like himself.  The centurion literally blows Jesus’ mind with his statement.  The centurion states, “But just say the word, and my servant will be healed.”  This was absolutely phenomenal–of course, nothing takes Jesus by surprise; however, he was amazed at the great faith of the centurion.  As a matter of fact, he stated that he had not seen such great faith even in Israel.

I honestly think that the centurion got it.  For a Roman to impress Jesus so much with his faith was phenomenal.  The centurion understood the power and validity of the words of Jesus.  He knew that when Jesus spoke, things would happen.  He didn’t need Jesus to repeat himself, hold his hand, or give him a religious experience–he only needed the Word.  Too many times in our life, Jesus gives or has given us a Word, but we have refused to act.  We have refused to step out in faith.  His word and direction was not enough–we wanted more, more assurance.  Too many times we reply, “Jesus, is that what you really want me to do?” If He has given the word, then He definitely wants us to do what He said.  One of the great things about Jesus is that he speaks through His Word, the Bible.  It provides direction and guidance that are relevant to all aspects of our lives.  It is ultimate authority for us as Followers of Christ.  The time is now for us to heed His Word for our lives.  What is it that Jesus has told you to do?  What is it that He has challenged you with?  He has definitely challenged me with some things, and He has encouraged me to take Him at His Word–to hold onto it and only it.  It is a firm foundation that will not fail!

Do We Really Know Him?

Something that Jesus has really been dealing with me about lately has to do with actually knowing Him. Too many times, we go through our lives and say that we know Jesus. The problem is that more times than not, our actions do not reflect this knowledge of the Savior of the World. In our society, especially in the South, folks associate knowing Jesus with going to church, going to Sunday school, or being a ‘good person’. The fact of the matter is that our being a good person–our ‘righteousness’ is as filthy rags. The Hebrew of Isaiah 64:6 translates filthy rags as used menstrual cloths. That’s some pretty bold language coming from Isaiah. The fact of the matter is that we in and of ourselves miss the mark. Even on our best day, our works and actions equate to menstrual rags–we pale in comparison to the magnificence and awesomeness of Almighty God. The only way to be in right standing is to have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. This relationship does not consist of saying a prayer, going down front at a rally, having the pastor pray for you, crying during a service, etc. I’m talking about a direct encounter with Almighty God–a time when you make Jesus the Lord and Savior of your life–a time when you lay your life down and say, “Jesus, I am ALL yours!”. When we genuinely encounter Jesus, we cannot walk away unchanged.

I think about Jesus’ interaction with people throughout the Gospels–no matter who he came in contact with, they had to change–either for good or bad, they had to change. We are the same way, when we genuinely meet Jesus, we have to change. In America, too many people fill our church pews and seats, ‘serve on councils, committees, and worship teams, and are always present when the church doors are open, but these folks do not have a true relationship with Jesus. If they did, their actions would exemplify the work that Christ has done in their lives. Furthermore, other lives would be changed and more people would be reached for the Gospel. So I pose the question, “Do we really know Him?” If we have had that direct encounter with Jesus and we do claim to know Him, let’s live it out. We can’t afford to just go throughout our lives in a state of normality–we have to share and live out the great work that Christ has done in us!!

25 Years

Today is a very monumental day.  Today, my folks are celebrating their 25th wedding anniversary.  WOW!!! That is absolutely awesome.  For two to have their marriage last 25 years is absolutely phenomenal.  You don’t see that much anymore.  Sadly, statistics show that marriage is no longer sacred in our society.  For two to enter a covenant before God ’til death do us part’ and actually follow through with that is amazing.

I love and respect my folks so much.  They have constantly exemplified a life that is pleasing to God in all areas.  They have done an amazing job at raising six children in the ways and admonition of the Lord.  They have made so many sacrifices, and they constantly put others before themselves.  It is my prayer that God would blow their minds spiritually and physically–that He would take them to new levels in all areas of their life.  I pray for another 25 years  and even many more years filled with love, happiness, and spiritual growth.  I  pray that God would bless them beyond belief.  Thank you Jesus for the blessing of my parents.

Refining

So many times God amazes me.  He takes some of the most unlikely and insane circumstances and turns them around for His glory.  It is so easy to take our eyes off of Him, and at times it seems that our circumstances may conquer us.  However, He is faithful, and He never allows us to be in a situation that we cannot handle through His Spirit.  It is through these times that He refines us–He is able to mold us and make us into who He wants us to be.

Father God, help me to always be willing to be refined.  I pray that you, Jesus, would break me–remove anything and everything that is not of you–rip it out of my life at all costs.  Take everything that is wrong with me and replace it with what is right with you.  Continually mold me and make me to be more like Jesus no matter what the cost.

Wow!

So I just typed up a post about what was going on in life.  Usually, when I do these posts, a lot is going on.  While typing, at times I am shopping, listening to music or teachings, Facebooking (not much), and twittering.  I was currently listening to a message from last December by my Pastor at NewSpring Church, Perry Noble.  I had heard a few things in the message that really stood out to me.  I shot out a few tweets about what God was hitting me with (my Twitter account automatically updates my Facebook status).  I finished my blog and preceded to close out my web browser when I noticed that I had an email alert from Facebook.  An old friend, well really more aquaintance than friend, had left a post on my Facebook wall.  I knew this guy back from elementary school–he was two years younger than me.  His post was as follows: “Thanks for being a great means of encouragement, even just from facebook.”  WOW!! That absolutely blew me away.  God knows just what we need at just the right time.  I wasn’t expecting anything like that, yet the encouragement was absolutely amazing.  I thank God so much for brothers and sisters in Christ that are led by His Spirit–we need them so much, and God uses them to minister to us.  It is my desire to be led by His Spirit so that I, in turn, can be a blessing to others.

Questioning

So the summer is going along pretty good.  I was so thankful to finish my most recent semester in school.  It was pretty rough.  By the time I got to the end, I just had to put everything in God’s hands.  I was against insurmountable odds in my classes, so I had to turn it over to HIM.  Thankfully, he showed up and showed out on my behalf.  He absolutely blew my mind through his faithfulness; God is so freaking awesome!!!

I am currently working a summer internship at the MOX Project in my hometown of Aiken, SC.  My original desire was not to come back to Aiken; however God had different plans.  I am so thankful for the job for several reasons.  First–in no particular rank, the job has great financial benefits.  Especially with paying for school and getting out of debt, the monetary remuneration is great.  Second, the job is a great opportunity to gain work experience–interacting with people, communicating, diligence, etc.  Third, my decision against engineering has been more solidified.  I can do the work in an engineering field; however it is not something that I am passionate about.   Ministry is my passion, and I know that is the capacity in which I want to serve.  At times over the last few weeks, I have questioned God as to why I am in the position I am in.  Why did He bring me back to Savannah River?  Why did He bring me back to Aiken?  I have asked why I was working the job and why He has me in the place that I am in.  One of the crazy and amazing things about God is the fact that when I start questioning, He quickly answers and puts me in my place.  He hit me hard with the fact that working the job is an aspect of ministry in itself.  He showed me that He put me there for a reason–not just to do procurement engineering but rather to be Jesus to the guys that I work with.  It is so easy to lose focus and lose sight of the big picture when faced with various circumstances; however, He quickly changed my perspective.

Now I don’t go to work just for a paycheck or to accomplish my daily tasks, but I go now to fully serve Christ in whatever capacity–to be wholly and completely led by the Spirit to carry out the Gospel through how I live each day.  Now I look forward to each day as another opportunity, or rather as a platform, to show forth the love of Christ.  He has done so much for me, and I can’t afford not to tell others.