I was shown this video during my small group, Athletes in Action, this past Sunday and wanted to share it with you. After watching the video, I want to share some of my feedback and the challenge I have for you.
Wow! That's all I could say after watching this video. This video did such a fine job in sharing what the Gospel is all about and what we as Christ followers are called to do. I never thought of myself as a rebel, but I am indeed a rebel...I am a rebel because of sin. The video begins in a prison and ends in the exact same prison cell. We are a rebel that is in a prison cell waiting to be punished, but Christ steps in and takes the punishment for us. We are freed because of His sacrifice. His death. Because of His death, we are introduced to the Good News and as we are in that prison cell and praising Him we forget that the prison cell door is unlocked and we are free. Christ reminds us that we are free and that we need to step out of the prison cell and into freedom. As we enter into freedom, we are awaited with a chariot. A chariot from Christ himself. We, as a new believer, are given an invitation from the King himself to be invited into His presence. A Rebel. And a recent sinner is invited into the presence of God. Not only are we invited to be in His presence, but God himself adopts us as His child. We are His! As we are clothed in a beautiful robe and brought into His presence, he has commissioned us to do something. The God of Heaven wants us to work for Him, to represent Him. He has commissioned us to go back to the prison cell and share His love to those still there. He commissions us to go and make disciples, but he warns us...He warns us that we will be sent out as sheep into a pack of wolves. A place where we will get hurt or even face death. We have to remember that the commission Christ gave to us was not just a penalty, not just the problem, not just the invitation into His very near presence, not just the adoption as the sons and daughters of the Kings of Kings, but a commission to represent Him. It is actually a privilege above any other privileges to bear the very name, image, and reputation of the God Almighty. The thing though is that what Christ sent us out to do is impossible...We will fail if we do it on our own strength. But Christ did not send us out to fail but to be victorious. He is calling us to give our bodies to Him, so He can overtake it and make it His home. When he has taken over our body, He clothes us with His armour. The belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, the shoes of the gospel of peace, the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit. He clothes with all of these so when we go out to face the pack of wolves, we go out as little lambs with faces of lions because we are sending ourselves out with Him inside.
Christ has given us a commission, but we do not have to do it on our own. "We don't have to do the impossible. We don't have to fail any longer because He is ready to do it in and through us. We can't do it. We can't muster up the discipline. We can't muster up the intellect. We can't muster up the strength. We can't muster up the perseverance and the fortitude on our own, but HE CAN. We can't love the lost. We can't love those that spit upon our face, but HE CAN." In Christ we can do all things.
One of my favorite things from the video is this...as we go out, we can't just pray that God will teach us how to love like He loves. Instead we should pray that he will fill us with Himself and love through Him. We can't just pray that God will teach us how to have joy. Instead we should pray that the Living God, full of joy, will enter inside of us. We can't pray that He will teach us how to be peaceful. Instead ask for the God of peace, the Prince of Peace to fill us. Because ultimately, if we try and imitate God's own strength we will be a miserable replica of Him. But if "we allow the impartation of Jesus Christ to overtake us....suddenly it all works because it's Him imitating Himself and He is very good at being God."
I took a lot of applications from this video as you can see above as I reiterated it. There have been times in my own personal prayers when I say, "God, please give me strength or give me peace." when it should be, "God, the Prince of Peace, come and fill me with Your peace." It's not about me, but it's about HIM. So after Christ has commissioned us to go out and share His love, some head out on their journey while others are still stuck in that prison cell. Some forget that the prison cell is unlocked and waiting for the door to be opened. What are some of the things that might keep you inside the prison cell and hindering you from entering into freedom? What is keeping you from accepting His invitation and His commission. In my life, there have been times where I have been stuck inside of the prison because of fear. Fear of what is outside. Fear of what God is calling me to do, but me thinking I might fail or not give Him my 100%. Fear of what others may say about me, if I pursue his calling, his challenge for my life. I have recognized that and been working out it, so I don't have to be stuck inside the prison cell, but walk out into the freedom that God has given me. God promises that when I obey His will for my life that He is with me and for me. That he will not ask something of me that I can't handle. God knows my capabilities and He is teaching me to not only obey Him but trust Him as well. I challenge you to look within your heart and recognize what is it that is holding you back, that is keeping you confined within the walls of the prison cell. Come to Christ and seek Him, because the freedom He gives us is not only worth it, but meaningful. Step out of the prison cell and into freedom!
"I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes." Romans 1:16
This past Monday was my 1st offseason training session. I had some butterflies in my stomach because this was my first official offseason training session at a collegiate level. I also had a fire of excitement flowing through my body because I was looking forward to being pushed to the max. Coach said to us that the offseason training would be conducted with a level mentality. Day 1 was Level 1 and as each day went by, the intensity of the workout would increase. I am happy to say that I got through my 1st training session. It was tough, but I am thankful for my teammates that cheered me on as well as push me to complete each task to the best of my ability. This evening we had team devotions. I personally was excited for team devos because this would be a special time for just me and my teammates to talk, pray, and encourage one another. So often we spend time with each other in practice, in games, or other team related activities, that we sometimes forget to value the off the field moments with each other. I definitely learned more about my teammates this evening on a personal level and it sure humbled me more to continue to uplift my teammates in my prayers. We all have our own stories that are ready to be shared and listened to. God revealed to me again tonight what was one of my purposes to being on this team and how I can use my relationship with Christ to continue to spread His light. As I continue to train with my teammates on the field and spend time with them off the field, I pray that Christ will continue to strengthen my relationships with each one of my teammates as well as bring this team together in be a strong unit. I know my team has great potential to go far this next season, but all the work begins now in the offseason. God, continue to give me and my teammates perseverance so we may finish the race strong and glorify you!
Today I started my spring semester of my sophomore year. I can't believe that by the beginning of May, I will officially be half way done with my college career. It wasn't too long ago that I graduated from high school...time sure flies by fast. So today was a great first day. I went to the first chapel of the semester and let just say it was a great start of my day. Worship was so wonderful and the songs really touched my heart in how I truly have to give my semester and life into the hands of Christ. We sang songs from The Stand to Worthy is the Lamb to Sing to the Lord. It was a special time to lift up hands, close my eyes, and sing praises to my Heavenly Father. Worship helped set the mood right for the rest of the day. I only had one class today, which is pretty sweet. I was able to chill after my one class before I embarked out into the cold northeast weather to run around campus. I am so thankful for my warm training gear to keep me semi warm, while I faced the rushing winds. The rest of the day was filled with busy activities and what not. I am so blessed for my wonderful friends. The other day when I got picked up at the airport, I was welcomed with two smiling and beautiful friends with posters!! I felt so loved & we had a great car ride back to campus too. That day was filled with tons of laughter, smiles, and stories. I can't wait for the rest of the semester with all the fun activities we plan to do. Yesterday was the icing on the cake in making the spring semester start off with a bang too. We had a girl's night out where we watched Beauty and the Beast in 3D. Lets just say that Beauty and the Beast is my all time favorite classic Disney movie. It has such a beautiful storyline and the songs are wonderful too. Beauty is truly found from within and I am so thankful to have such a loving God that loves me just the way I am. I'm calling it a night, but I ask that you continue to keep me in your prayers. Many blessings to you all :)
Yes it's been awhile since I last posted, but I feel this is a great time to share the blessings and experiences I have gone through the past few weeks. I had such a crazy fall semester (when I mean crazy I mean good, but very busy) that I didn't get to reflect on it until my recent winter break. I really feel that this winter break has been one of my best because God taught me so much. I was able to rest a lot, go at my own pace, and be kind of unpredictable in my agenda for that particular day. I was able to spend a lot of time with my parents and brother eating some delicious foods as well as have some long and deep conversations. I am truly blessed to have a family that enjoys sitting around the dinner table and talk for hours. I was able to see some of my high school friends as well and catch up on life. I got to watch a lot of college football, basketball, soccer, and so on as well as read quite a few books. Besides spending a significant amount of time with my family and friends, I spent a great amount of time with my Abba. I read a book over the break by Francis Chan called Forgotten God, and the Holy Spirit came alive to me. I really felt his presence and recognized all the moments he was either with me or guided me throughout this past semester. I always had a general understanding of the Holy Spirit and the importance he has in my life, but as I read through the book, I gained more knowledge of how vital the Holy Spirit is in all aspects of my life and how He calls me to walk in step with Him day by day, not just for the future. I have felt a peace within my heart that encourages me to continue to be faithful to Christ and know that He has the best outcomes for my life. I do have many questions and concerns on the direction God is leading me for the future, but He continues to remind me that He wants me to be obedient to Him by focusing on the now (this moment), while He takes care of the rest. Each day as I read His word and soak it in, I know that His promises are true. I am so thankful to have a Heavenly Father that is for me and desires me to seek Him more. One commitment I made for this year was to keep my personal time with Christ consistent. I understand that when I head back to school, I will be on a busy schedule with classes, training, and work, but I can't allow that be an excuse to spend less time with Christ. In essence, I need to spend more time with Him. The word that I had for the beginning of the school year was perseverance and it continues to be so. Perseverance not only when I'm physically tired, but also when I am emotionally tired as well. I have taken up my studies in the Word by following the journey of Apostle Paul and his ministry. I just started in Acts, but I am so excited to read further on into the books he wrote. I leave this break well rested and fueled with the Holy Spirit. I ask that you continue to keep me in your prayers as I continue to walk deeper with Christ and to remain consistent in my time with Him. Please also pray as I begin my spring semester, that God will give me a clear mind to study hard and learn more as well as guide me in being a light for my community. Thanks for taking the time to read this and if you ever have any prayer requests I am more then welcome to listen.
