Hillsong - One Way

One Way

Where do you transfix your eyes? Christ tells us that there is only one way for us to spend eternity with Him, and that is THROUGH Him. Christ died for us, and yet we often turn to other means of temporary comfort to avoid facing ourselves. We find video games, the Internet, and reading magazines keep us from fully seeking God. We give ourselves over to these things as though they are the only way to a satisfied life. How much time do you spend looking at things on the Internet? How much time do you "facebook", mess with "myspace" or "xanga"? Do you shop when you're stressed? When bored do you play video games or watch tv shows you don't even care for? It's easy to do, but it is also deadly to our spiritual direction. There is ONE way, and that way is Christ. Where do you spend most of your time and to what do you put most of your effort into?

When we are weak...then we are strong. When you are weak and incapable, Christ intercedes for you -- giving you the strength and endurance you need. However if we choose to fix our eyes on a way other than Christ, then we will not see the light He shines, nor will we see His saving grace. We won't see that He has died for us, giving Himself up so that WE can spend eternity with Him. He loves you, and wants you to know HE is the only Way in life. Transfix your eyes, heart, and mind on Him...may your every breath worship Him!!

Blind Planning

Planning for the future is a mind boggling event. There are so many figures, costs, situations that have to be considered, and when they ARE all considered, you may find yourself sitting back flabbergasted by the new level of responsibility you may have infront of you. Planning out the next month...or tomorrow for that matter...is difficult and often unexpected plans arrive throwing you for a loop.

Wait, though....who said it was our responsibility to plan? Jeremiah 29:11 states that GOD knows the plans for our lives. He has plans already made up! So why should we worry and fuss over trying to find the perfect place to live, the perfect school to attend, or the perfect car to drive? What seems perfect to us might be tainted in the Lord's eyes. Therefore when you find yourself making plans...whatever those plans may be...ask yourself if you have God's heart guiding your steps. Do you have God's eyes scouting out the field? Our own eyes are blind to the wonders God has in store for us. So make sure that when you plan...that you glorify God by letting Him lead.

Source of Beauty

Beauty now a days is defined by the way models look in magazines. They are slender with perfect complexion and skin tone. They have gorgeous hair, perfect posture, and everyone dreams of someday being in a magazine just like them. Who says what styles work and what styles don't? While we should be confident in ourselves, we often let society determine that for us. Go to dove.com and click on the "Campaign for Real Beauty" link. There should be three videos at the bottom. Click on the middle video. You will be blown away by the way we have this warped perception of how every model is naturally gorgeous without any additional help. Let our confidence be found in Christ. Each and every son and daughter of God is incredibly beautiful because we are all created in HIS image. Check out that video, and then ask yourself if you have a warped perception of your own beauty. Remember to glorify God by appreciating who He's made you to be. YOU, my friend, are beautiful. :)

Inner Dwellings

Dwelling – not your humble abode, but the state of mind you often find yourself in when you are deep in thought. You “dwell” on a situation or idea. My favorite time to dwell on issues is when I am driving. Of course, I pay attention to the road and other vehicles surrounding me, but my mind often drifts off toward a pressing issue or concern. When I dwell, I don’t like to stop dwelling until I’ve come to a solid solution. How often do I dwell on the things of the Lord, however? Nine times out of ten I find myself dwelling over trivial issues such as what I might wear to a wedding. It is not often that I dwell on the ways of the Lord. Sure, I try to live each and every moment for the Lord, but just think of how much more effective my faith might be lived out if I dwelled on spiritual issues. What are spiritual issues? Prayer concerns, how to help those in need, ways to reach the lost, or ways to best reach/serve/love those around you. Dwelling on such things just might enhance the way you live…therefore the way you breathe; therefore the way you glorify God. Next time you catch yourself dwelling…check to see if what you’re dwelling on is worthy of glorifying God.

Patient Endurance

Life is going at such a fast pace that we often fail to endure what comes our way. We want answers to our questions, and we want results asap. We want what we want when we want it, and usually we want what we want right now. So when God's timing doesn't match up to our fast pace, we often find ourselves impatient, tapping our toes, and scratching our heads waiting for answers and results. However if we are to endure, then we must have patience...a lot of it, too. To endure is to withstand. Not withstand as in "put up with." Rather withstand as in "tough it out."

No matter the situation, whether it be finding a job, awaiting test results, losing weight, trusting God.....we need to have patience in enduring. When we fail to endure we fail to trust God. When we fail to trust God, then we fail to glorify Him. So take the time to put your complete trust in the Lord...place everything that hinders you from glorifying God in His hands and in His timing. Then wait. Wait on the Lord, and you will find yourself glorifying Him through your patience. Patiently endure, and thereby glorify God!

Selfless Dreams

When I was a little girl it was my dream to be just like Kristy Yamaguchi or Scott Hamilton. "If I can do a triple axle," I used to think, "then I can BE somebody!!" Fifteen years later my dreams have changed quite a bit. My dream of figure skating went down the drain when I discovered I couldn't do a cartwheel. :) While spins, glides, and axles used to astound me, I've shifted my focus away from myself. Instead I dream of making a difference. With age I've come to realize that the dreams that last are those that do not involve myself. Instead I dream of molding minds, of changing hearts, and of encouraging those around me to keep on keeping on.

Christ calls us to dream large. There is a world holding millions upon millions of people. All of those people have a heart and soul. When we dream only for ouselves, then we hold ourselves above other people. My dream as a child only worried about my own success. If I ever make it to fame, then I pray that my focus will not be on my success, but on how my success can change the lives of others to glorify God. We have a daily opportunity to create new goals. What do you dream of? Do your dreams involve others? Dreams reflect the heart, so take a minute to ensure that you are focusing on God's people rather than on yourself. Dream for Him, and thereby glorify His Name by being His vessel.

Dive in Deep

If you were told to jump in pool water would you dive? Would you go head first or would you stick your foot in to test the temperature of the water? Those living a cautious life are more likely to test the water before diving in, and those who trust what's before them tend to immerse themselves without worry of possible chills once wet. God lays out for His children a lifestyle that is beautiful to look at. It's gorgeous actually. We are called to live for Him: loving, caring, serving, helping, clothing others, smiling, encouraging, using gifts for His glory, etc. We are called to be like Christ. In order to do so we must must must read into His Word daily. His Word being the Holy Bible.

Most people have a really hard time figuring out where to start reading. They need a plan, an outline, and maybe even a map to guide them through the terminology and lifestyle God's put before them. These people are your "water testers." They stick their hearts out there just enough to get them wet with God's Word. If they find they like what they read (via a plan, of course) then they proceed to jump in. While the Bible says nothing against testing the waters, God does encourage us to accept Him with ALL of our hearts. To do so suggests getting a running start so that we can jump with our arms waving wild with excitement! I would think God would love for us to dive in head first so that our "test" is submersion.

Have you noticed that when you stick your foot into pool water you cannot help but to leave small pool ripples? Those small ripples represent how effective you will be for Christ if you only test His ways. Rather, when you dive in...or even cannonball...you create waves that sometimes even splash out of the pool!! Doing so represents leaving a HUGE impact for Christ when we dive into His Word. Though sometimes confusing, God's Word holds truth and life applications that only better our lives for His Kingdom when we place our trust and faith in Him. Dive in....dive in deep: breathe for God by reading His Word. Worship Him in this way, and you will be blessed beyond measure.

Rays of Passion

In every aspect of life, one should feel honored to have the opportunity to pour passion into it. Passion. It is the very essense of who you are. It billows down deep inside of you and when you speak, act, move, or think, then you give passion permission to move. When it moves you find youself overtaken by an energy that radiates from an unknown source to most, but to Christians that source is as clear as the sea on a bright sunny day. The source is God, for He is the definition of passion. There is passion in Christ, in His love, in His works. All throughout the Bible we see Jesus doing what He loved best, meeting and saving the lost for God to the glory of His Father. There wasn't a minute that went by in His life that wasn't being filled with Christ's passion.

Likewise, we hold the power to pour passion into our lives. The way we talk, the things we say and do for others and for ourselves... They should always and only be filled with genuine passion that comes from Christ Himself. We may say that we don't have the ability to draw passion, but thanks be to God for His blessing of provision when we are unable to complete the task!! Be passionate and therefore glorify God in Heaven!

Hopes of Redemption

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wHjw_aWWXcA

Day in and day out humans place their hope in something or someone. More often than not, people find themselves let down when their hope falls through. As a Christian it is vitally important to place your hope in the solid foundaiton of Christ Jesus. Romans 7 and 8 are amazing chapters in the Bible that address the issue of sin, salvation, hope, and future glory. We are promised life with Christ upon His return if we live according to the ways of the Lord. As a result of that promise, we find ourselves patiently awaiting Christ's return so that we may leave this place we know on Earth in order to be restored with God in Heaven.

The anticipation that accompanies hope is exciting. Relating hope to an everyday situation, one might say he hopes to make the baseball team!! Imagine working hard every day to improve, trying out for the team, and then waiting for the team roster to be announced. Your palms would be sweaty with anticipation, but you would smile knowing you'd put your best foot forward. You woujld hope with all your might that you make the team! Transfer that energy and excitement over toward Christ's return. Do you hold the same level of hope and anticipation for Christ to return? Afterall, this life we live is our "tryout." We hope and pray we will someday be reunited with Christ in Heaven.

Until that day comes we find ourselves here on Earth. We are here with purpose, with promises, and with the hope of eternity with God. How we live these days reflects our worship toward Christ. If you are more excited about making the baseball team than making God's team, then you might want to go in search of that lost anticipation! For to yearn for Christ's return with a patient smile and a heart filled with hope is to worship God with your very being. When Christ returns I want to see my hope revealed! Worship God with your life...your breath...your hope...and therefore glorify our Father in Heaven.

Thinking to Glorify

Thoughts run in and out as fast as a freight train, and sometimes they weigh as heavy as the two ton cargo in the last cart. They have a way of lifting up or tearing down. When positive, thoughts have the power to bring a smile not only to your face but to your heart as well. On the other hand, negative thoughts have an equal, if not stronger, ability to hold you back from living a carefree life. Some say you can't control what runs through your head, but it's the pre-work that sets the tone for what's about to filter through.

Day in and day out we have an infinite number of opportunities to change or alter the path of our thinking. We choose what we look at, what we listen to, and how we behave. Our thoughts are influenced moment by moment according to what we put in. "What you give is what you get" may be a familiar phrase to some, but there is truth in it. If you surround yourself with negative input, then you choose to allow your mind and lifestyle to receive the negative effects of that input.

Glorify God. Worship Him with your thoughts. Filter each and every one through a mental moral checklist so your mind may shine radiantly for His name. Though challenging to maintain thoughts, it is rewarding to persevere. Afterall, perseverance can build character. So when the freight train runs through your mind, make sure it stops to let off those unplesant thoughts that take you away from living the way you ought. All glory to God!