But happiness is not a word we can understand by looking it up in the dictionary.
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The Hope Movement: Let's face it Tumblr users...
If you’re blogging about God and faith, with the quiet and secret intention, motive and desire to receive followers, likes, messages and reblogs; then all you have written is empty, meaningless and wasted. Doing this does not please God at all, as the glory isn’t for Him…. It’s for you.
I…
Because Religion says do, Jesus says done.
Religion says slave, Jesus says son,
Religion puts you in shackles but Jesus sets you free.
Religion makes you blind, but Jesus lets you see.
Religion says slave, Jesus says son,
Religion puts you in shackles but Jesus sets you free.
Religion makes you blind, but Jesus lets you see.
We have a tendency to forget that. Almost all of us do. In fact, most of us have a default movement of trying to perpetually clean ourselves up so God might approve of us. I’ve said this same thing to you for a decade: he doesn’t love the future version of you. That’s not who he’s wild about. You 10 years from now is not who God loves and has rescued. You right now. That’s what makes grace so amazing.
For you to go, “Yeah, but I have to quit cussing”… Okay, I think you should grow in that. I think it’s a good thing to grow in a way of expressing yourself that’s not vulgar. That’s growth, but that doesn’t rescue you before God. “I have a real problem with lust and pornography.” Well I think it’s a very good thing for you to pursue holiness in that matter and to be serious about the devastation that’s going to reap in your heart and in your marriage and in future relationships if you’re not careful, but you no longer viewing pornography doesn’t save you. “Well I have a real drug and alcohol problem.” Okay, I hear you. That’s something we definitely want to see God work in, but you being clean in addiction does not have you accepted before God.
It is by his blood and righteousness alone that you’re saved.
Matt Chandler, Rebuilding a Day at a Time
This was ultimately said in the context of why taking a Sabbath is important — to just rest instead of constantly striving for something — but it’s true regardless of context. He loves you NOW. As you are. He loves you.
(via continuums)This man.. Man of God, no doubt. He understands the Gospel so much more than most!
(via natefarley14)
This post might single-handedly be the most controversial post I will ever write. Why? Because our culture and much of “The Church” likes to put a greater emphasis on certain topics than others. - This is one of them.
A Few Things Before I Start:
1. I have dear friends who are gay.
2. I have multiple family members who are gay.
With those things being stated beforehand, I need everyone to realize that I don’t “hate” or “despise” anyone who claims to be gay, or of any other sexual orientation different from mine.
Why? Because it would be highly ignorant and hypocritical of me to do so.
But, this doesn’t mean I wont stand for my beliefs and proclaim The Gospel of Jesus Christ.
All throughout scripture we see Jesus proclaiming a Gospel of LOVE and GRACE, but for some reason today’s society likes to ignore that when dealing with this topic. The so-called “Christians” of today have done a horrible job at dealing with this, and it’s sad to see our world’s view of Christianity be known as: The people with the signs that say “God Hates Fags.” (It makes me sick!)
Really America? Really Christians?
It frustrates me to the point of tears knowing that some of my friends or family members think I might hate them - All because of how a small group of so-called “Christians” are choosing to display their so-called faith.
I’m 100% positive that the course of action these people are taking goes against EVERYTHING The Bible calls us to resemble.
- GRACE
- LOVE
- MERCY
- HOPE
And if you think I am wrong, I would encourage you to take one minute of your day to actually spend time in the presence of God.
Regardless of what scripture states about “homosexuality,” or “marriage,” this doesn’t give people the right to ignorantly show hate and destruction to certain people we don’t agree with. Sharing the truth and hope of Jesus should be done in LOVE, not slander and destruction.
The Harsh Reality: I know a handful of people who are gay, go to church, and in fact show the presence of Jesus’ love more than most self-proclaimed “straight” Christians do. (Let that sink in)
This post isn’t for me to use my platform to swoon you into one view or the other. I’m a Bible believing Christian, and I believe that’s all I need to say.
Regardless, my point of writing this is to hopefully WAKE UP our generation, and encourage them to start showing the LOVE and GRACE of Jesus (This doesn’t mean that you stray from biblical truth). Our world is already filled with so much destruction and hate, and the last thing Jesus wanted when dying for us was us to be part of it.
I don’t care if you are gay, straight or purple… God loves you, cares for you, and wants nothing more than to see you in a relationship with his son Jesus Christ. Christianity is NOT a one way ticket to a picket-sign and megaphone.
1 John 4:8 - Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.
Jarrid Wilson
The world doesn’t need a new definition for Christianity; it needs a new DEMONSTRATION of it. Let’s be the CHANGE.
Missions
I challenge you all to pray with me and for me and for the Nepali people as I travel there this summer to spread the word and build relationships with unreached and unengaged people groups in the Himalayan mountains. I will be there for 2 and a half weeks leaving on June 2nd, and will be regular posting updates on here and my webpage as soon as that finishes. Reblog this to let me know you’re praying with me. Thank you and God bless. All for the kingdom
shine on shine on
(Source: jesuschiko)
Don't You Worry Child
As a child we all have hopes that dreams that we look forward to being a reality as we grow up. But not all of them end up seeing the light of reality and this can shatter us up growing up. Where should we turn to when life decides to throw lemons at us?
I’m not sure if you’ve heard of Don’t You Worry Child by the band Swedish House Mafia. Well if you haven’t, it’s this super huge pumping song and my words trying to describe it don’t do it justice which is why you should spare a few minutes to give it a listen here. Personally the music video itself gives me chills seeing just how the turn out ended up being for the last ever leg in their tour but that’s just me.
Anyways getting back to the topic that I want to share with all of you, have you listened to the lyrics of the song real carefully? Just to summarize, the writer of the song recalls all of these memories he used to have as a child from being to the king of the world to sitting on his golden throne and in short this was his happiest of times.
Most childhood experiences can relate to that. You feel safe, secure, happy and carefree.
But as the writer progresses with the song, he goes on to say that time has passed by and things have changed. His heart has been broken by his first love but then says that in his despair, he finds comfort in his fathers words: “Don’t you worry, don’t you worry, child. See heaven’s got a plan for you.”
Hopes and Dreams in an Earthly World is like trying to hold up a flaming match in a gale.
We can all relate to that experience and I am sure it is something that most of us know all too well. As we grow older and the more we try to place ourselves into this massive world of ours, we are more likely to get crushed by the gales that try to push is back and the more likely we are to get hit and smacked in the face with lemons. Our hearts shatter, dreams broken and hopes lost.
What do you do when the world decides to swing lemons down your way? Who do you turn to or what memories do you recall of to give yourself assurance that everything will be okay?
To be honest I am not sure on the context the Swedish House Mafia have in mind when they sing ”Don’t you worry, don’t you worry, child. See heaven’s got a plan for you.” , but what I do know is that as a Christian, these words have this profound and massive meaning. I can safely say that, because you and I have an awesome and loving Father in Heaven who invites us to come to Him with all of the terrible luggage that the world decides to stack up on our weak selves.
“Don’t you worry, don’t you worry, Child”
Our Father in Heaven invites us to talk to Him and to tell Him everything that is on our minds. He wants us to be open with Him and not just powder ourselves with make up to hide our problems and worries. He doesn’t want you and I to be spotless to come to Him, rather He wants us to come to Him just the way we are- messed up, broken and terribly bent from carrying all those lemons the world has given us.
But God is awesome. I say that because He not only wants to take up all of our worries and pain and exchange all of that negativity with His love and peace but He even has a plan in store for you and me. Isn’t God the greatest?
Don’t worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses every thought, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
God has a plan for you
Again, I am not sure as to what the context was behind the lyrics but it’s not just Heaven that has a plan for you but God Himself has an amazing plan for you. God is awesome but He is also weird and by that I mean- He doesn’t think the same way that you and I do and His ways are not our ways. Sometimes His plans may sound downright weird and crazy and even hard to understand but we got to trust in Him because He wants the best of the best for His children- you and I. What He wants to do is that He wants to make each and everyone of us to be more like Jesus and does that sometimes by using hurt, pain and troubles to mould us and to shape us into individuals who will end up not only resisting to the lemons of this world but also being able to make lemon juice out of them and that means- make the good out of a bad situation.
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.
Felling stressed out? Heartbroken? Shattered? Don’t you forget that God tells us - Don’t You worry, don’t you worry, child. I have a plan for you.
Hope this message inspires you this beautiful Monday. I love you, God loves you and remember that your Hopes and Dreams are never broken through the grace of our awesome Lord Jesus Christ.Many Blessings,
+ Jude // quaeriteverum.tumblr.com
(Source: spiritualinspiration)
