Temple Tuesday

This is a trustworthy saying, and everyone should accept it: “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners”—and I am the worst of them all. But God had mercy on me so that Christ Jesus could use me as a prime example of his great patience with even the worst sinners. Then others will realize that they, too, can believe in him and receive eternal life. All honor and glory to God forever and ever! He is the eternal King, the unseen one who never dies; he alone is God. Amen.

(1 Timothy 1:15-17)

God loves you. If you don't yet know that, I'm going to tell you again: God loves you. And when he looks at you, he sees no sin, he sees no blame. He sees purity and spotlessness. Because Christ died a brutal, horrible death upon a cross for you, so that you could be washed pure from your sins and so that you could have a relationship with God.

But one wonderful thing about God is that he made and is in and fosters relationships. God is all about community. Listen, God freed you from sin and you are pardoned, but it doesn't end there. God uses our sufferings, our triumphs, our tears and joys, our battles and victories, and our stories to build up others. It's like listening to someone give their testimony or hearing a teacher or professor share a life lesson they learned, we can hear and learn from others.

So lose this ridiculous idea that life is all about you. Even the difficult things in life can strengthen others through us. Don't get all depressed that your life is falling apart. See the good that can come out of staying true to God even in hard places.

Also, one of the best witnessing tools is a life changed by the power of God. If people can see that, as a Christian, you are truly different, it will make all the difference.

Don't deny that you're a sinner. Believe me, when God reveals to you how much you need him, it's overwhelming. But don't dwell on that. Instead, dwell on God's love! How great is God's unfailing love that is poured over us every morning! Ask God for the desire and power to love others with his love.

Struggles and Triumphs

It seems that when I've finally decided I don't need something, Satan throws it in my path again and again. And when I make the decision to give every part of my life to God, I am consistently tempted by my weaknesses. When Satan sees progress in my faith, he is all too eager to put an end to it.
But all of this reminds me that I can't do this alone. See, life is not meant to be lived alone. We need close, Christian friends who will hold us accountable and encourage us. We need to rely and depend on God with everything and every part of us.
And even when it seems impossible, we must press on and press into God. We must place our focus on God and others. My youth pastor always said, "It's not about me. It's about Him and them."

Psalm 35:22-28 says:

O Lord, you know all about this. Do not stay silent. Do not abandon me now, O
Lord.
Wake up! Rise to my defense! Take up my case, my God and my Lord.
Declare me not guilty, O Lord my God, for you give me justice. Don't let my
enemies laugh about me in my troubles.
Don't let them say, "Look, we got what we wanted! Now we will eat [her] alive!"

May all those who rejoice at my troubles be humiliated and disgraced. May those who triumph over me be covered with shame and dishonor.
But give great joy to those who came to my defense. Let them continually say, "Great is the Lord, who delights in blesing his servant with peace!"
Then I will proclaim your justice, and I will praise you all day long.

Finally, when dealing with the enemy, remember to be strong in the faith. We have no need to fear Satan, because the one who is in us (God) is stronger and greater than the one who is in the world (Satan). 2nd Timothy 1:7 says, "For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline."
Brothers and sisters, keep on keeping on!