You Can Do It

Straight up truth here, right from the very beginning...It's Hard To Follow Jesus.  There are some things in the Bible that are tough to follow.  At the top of MY list is when Jesus said to love your neighbor as yourself.  (More straight up honesty here) Some people are just idiots.  I come across people all the time that make this command from Jesus hard to accomplish.  Also, I am well aware that I maybe that person for you.  And if that is the case, I apologize, think of me as just trying to help you build your faith in Jesus.

Jesus summed up the 10 Commandments in just 2.  Simply, Jesus said, love God with everything you have and love your neighbor has yourself.  As I stated earlier the second one is not easy for me and a lot of people.  I do see myself as a person of grace.  I lack on patience sometime but I am a graceful person.  However, people make it extremely hard.

There's Always Hope

I also believe that if God has commanded us to do things, He will provide a way for us to fulfill those commands.  How dumb would God look, how ungodly would God look, how weak would God look if He has called His people to do stuff that He has not made a way for us to do.  It's like you asking your son or daughter to go pee in the toilet but not telling them where the bathroom is.  Is it easy to love our neighbor - NO.  Is it easy to forgive the people that do us wrong - NO.  Is it easy to love our enemy - NO.  My question to myself and you today is not is it easy.  My question is this...Is It Possible?  With the resounding hammering of nails into His hands and feet, Jesus said YES IT IS POSSIBLE.  

Please join me in striving to love our neighbors as ourselves through Jesus' help.

Our Biggest Problem

          One of my favorite Bible stories is found in Mark chapter 2.  It's a well known story, that no doubt you have heard before.  It's the story of the paralyzed man that was lowered down, through a hole in the roof, on a mat right in front of Jesus.  You probably know the basics of that story.
                          -A man was paralyzed
                          -No room in the house
                          -Friends dug a hole in the roof
                          -Lowered the guy right in front of Jesus
          Here comes the interesting part to me.  The guy wanted to get to Jesus so that He could heal him and he would be able to walk again.  Pretty simple right.  He had a physical problem.  So he, and his friends, thought that Jesus was the best answer for his situation.  These 4 guys went to a lot of trouble from tearing up the roof, carrying the guy on top of the house, and some how lowering him down into the house right in front of where Jesus was.  These friends would do absolutely anything for this paralyzed man (as obvious by the fact that they tore up someone else's house just to get to Jesus).  The only thing they had on their mind was healing, healing, and more healing for their friend.

HERE'S THE CRAZY PART

          Jesus' first words to this guy was, "Son, your sins are forgiven."  Think about this entire story.  The effort, work, and courage it took to get this guy to Jesus so that he can be healed.  They were expecting Jesus to say, "You are healed".  And what they heard was, "Son, your sins are forgiven".  I wonder if these guys were upset?  I wonder if the paralyzed man himself was upset?  Their expectations were healing.  Their work was for healing.  Their passion was for healing.  But Jesus says, "Son, your sings are forgiven".  

          Maybe our biggest problem in life today is not your physical body.  Maybe our biggest problem in life is not our finances.  Maybe our biggest problem in life is not our social life.  Maybe our biggest problem in life is not our relationships.  

What If Our Biggest Problem In Life Is The Forgiveness Of Our Sins

          Obviously that was the first thing on Jesus' mind.  When these guys come seeking physical healing, Jesus heals the soul.  When was the last time you took your eyes off of your physical life and asked God to heal your heart and soul.  Our biggest problem is not resources, finances, physical, social, or educational.  Our biggest problem is our heart and soul.

          David Platt says it this way, "The Good News of Christ is not primarily that jesus will heal you of all your sickness right now, but ultimately that Jesus will forgive you of all your sins forever.  The Good News of Christ is not that if you muster enough faith in Jesus, you can have physical and material reward on this earth.  The Good News of Christ is that when you have childlike faith in Jesus, you will be reconciled to God for eternity."

As P Diddy said, "Can't Nobody Hold Me Down"

"The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold."   Psalm 18:2
"You, Lord, keep my lamp burning; my God turns my darkness into light.  With your help I can advance against a troop; with my God I can scale a wall.  Psalm 18:28-29
There are so many things in life that are hard to do.  Things like:  keep a relationship, get a job, take care of your family, beat cancer, obey God, etc...  With things being so tough in the world it can be easy for us to get frustrated with the way things are going and give up.  I don't believe that anyone is born a quitter.  Being a quitter is a learned behavior.  It takes practice to be a quitter.  Thankfully for people who believe and trust in God we have help during rough times of life.  We have a rock, fortress, deliverer, refuge, shield, and a stronghold in Jesus Christ.  It's a strange feeling to be going through the valley of the shadow of death with no worries.  People don't understand it.  People don't believe it's possible.  Psalm 18 says with God's help we can advance against a troop with God we can scale a wall.
We have nothing to fear.  We have nothing holding us back (except ourselves).  There is no one or nothing that can stop us.  Why?  Because God is with us.  No one can hurt us.  No one can tear us down.  No one can stop us from completing our mission in Jesus.

IF GOD IS FOR US, THEN WHO CAN BE AGAINST US?

Seeing The Future

That is a question that everybody has answered at one time or another.  "What does your future hold?"  "What are you going to do now?"  "What's next for you?"  People of all ages have had to answer this question sometime during their life.  Most commonly this topic comes up with high school students getting ready to graduate high school.  I couldn't tell you how many times I've asked a student, "What's your plans for next fall?"  This question is also common to ask someone when they lose their job or quit a job.  This is not a bad question at all.  There will be times when we will have to have an answer for that question.

The problem with that question is that sometimes we simply don't have an answer.  Maybe you don't know what you're going to do after high school.  Maybe Community College?  Maybe a 4 year school.  Maybe a job.  Maybe laying on your mom and dad's couch.  I am now 31 years old.  I have a beautiful wife.  Two great dogs.  The best parents and in-laws that anyone could ask for.  I am working at one of the best churches in NC with a great staff and even better students and adults in the church.  Right now it seems like my life is clicking on all cylinders.  Then all of a sudden someone will come up and ask me what am I going to do in the next stage of my life?  They will say, "You can't be a youth pastor forever" or "Have you thought about looking towards pastoring a church?"

Truth is...I don't know what the next phase of my life has in store.  I don't know if I'll end up pastoring a church one day.  I don't know how long I will have a passion to work with teenagers.  I don't know.  What I do know is this.

My future is God's memory.

And so is yours.

"For we are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do."  Ephesians 2:10  No matter what my plans or your plans are for the future, God is already there.  God had your life planned out long before you took your first breath.  Don't worry about the future and what tomorrow holds.  God is already there.  He has already blessed you with everything that you need for tomorrow.  

Your Future Is God's Memory

#follow12

This past weekend I had the amazing privilege to bring several students from FSY to the International Wesleyan Youth Convention in Louisville Kentucky.  I wish there were words that could express how much I love seeing middle and high school students connecting as one body with one goal of glorifying God above all else.

Once we got into Kentucky and checked into our hotel my prayer was that God would start to challenge and change us immediately.  When the first rally was over Friday night, I could already start to see several of our students' hearts being positioned toward God.  By the time the weekend was over we all (students and adults) were challenged to:  change our lives according to God's word, accept God's love for us, let go of the handle bars, and to rise up from a -2 to a 5.

My prayer now is that what God did in Kentucky wont stay in Kentucky.  This is not Las Vegas.  What happened there doesn't have to stay there.

Bring it home with you
Share it with the people at school
Don't forget it
Remember if God can do it in Kentucky He can do it in Asheboro

Other Observations
-High School boys like to play "fun run" against 6 year olds
-1 High School girl had gas
-Everybody needed a bathroom break but no one wanted to say it
-Madison Jordan can climb a tree
-Bus sleep is not good sleep
-The bus driver snores
-Jamie Grace signed Olivia's book

Thanks to everybody (parents and students) that made this trip a HUGE success.  Check out these video's for some highlights of our trip.

Video Highlight pt 1

Video Highlight pt. 2

@mywycon interview

From Newtown to Your Town

There have been several times when my full attention has been captivated by something going on in the world.

               September 11, 2001

               Hurricane Katrina

               2009 NCAA Basketball Championship Game

               Last week in Newtown Connecticut

When all of these events occurred I can be found on my couch glued to the TV, watching and waiting on the next interview, update, or the next breaking news.  My first reaction to the school shootings in Newtown was probably no different than yours.  

            

                Anger

                Unbelievable

                How Could Someone Do That

                How Could We Let Someone Do That

After the feelings of disbelief and anger had settled my next reaction was PURE GRACE.  I wish my first thought and feeling and reaction would have been grace, love, and forgiveness.  I believe that everyone has been touched by God's grace.  You may can look back at a time in your life when you have experienced God's grace.  Or you may not even believe in God's grace, but I believe that you have proof of His grace in your life.  The proof is this...

YOU AND I ARE STILL ALIVE

That is the only proof needed to show the love, grace, and mercy that God has poured out on our lives.

As For The Shooter

There's a story in the Bible when Jesus washes his disciples feet (most people know it well).  The first thing we learn from this story is that we are here to serve people.  If we want to become like Jesus it is upon us to serve the people around us.  But if we look a little closer at the feet that Jesus was washing I think we can learn something else about GRACE.

         

           Philip (one of the disciples) - When Jesus told the disciples to feed the 5,000 he basically said, "That's Impossible" (John 6:7)

          James and John lobbied to be able to sit beside the Father in heaven.

          Peter quit trusting Jesus and denied him before his crucifixion (Jesus new this would happen before it did).

          Judas turned Jesus into the police for some money.

Jesus pours his grace out upon everybody.  Doesn't matter your background, decision, family, job, social status, etc...  You have received God's grace.  Why do I feel I have the right to withhold grace from you or a murderer that killed kindergarten students.  I'm not saying there should be no punishment.  Grace is not blind, grace can see clearer than our own 2 eyes can.  However, graces chooses forgiveness over anger, hatred, and unforgiveness every time.

To Accept Grace Is To Accept The Vow To Give It.

-Max Lucado

It's All About Advertisement

          In case you have not heard the new Iphone 5 has been released.  I am a loyal apple customer and I would love to have the Iphone 5.  However, I just upgraded, back in January, to the Iphone 4s.  Therefore, for that reason and because my wife says NO, there will be no Iphone 5 in my near future.  But I am already counting down until the Iphone 7 is released and I'll be ready.  This version of the Iphone has some competition with the new Samsung Galaxy phones.  I must admit the commercial for the Galaxy is pretty good (feel free to go to youtube.com and look up Samsung Galaxy Commercial, it's well worth the minute and a half that you will spend watching it).
                                             IT'S ALL ABOUT ADVERTISEMENT
          While reading my devotions this morning I was challenged by what am I advertising.  In 1 Timothy 1:4 Paul talks about promoting controversies rather than God's work.  Immediately I began to think about what I am promoting.  I made a list of things that I advertise in my life and in our ministry at the church.  I quickly realized that I promote myself and activities way more than I do God's work.  It's a normal thing for me to send out a flyer to our students with events that we have coming up so that they can make plans to attended these activities.  Even during our regular Sunday night meetings I spend more time planning and programming around games, activities, etc... instead of around God's work.

          Here's my challenge to you and to myself:  We need to get our priorities straighten out.  There is nothing wrong with carving out time in your life for things such as sports, school, activities, shopping, tv, etc... But make sure you are promoting the one thing that will never stop or leave you.  I need to make sure that I am promoting and advertising for Jesus Christ more than I am for Michael Jernigan or for Foster St. Wesleyan Church.  No matter where I go in my life I will never be more important than Jesus.  No matter what our church does, we will never be more important that Jesus.

                                                 What are you promoting?