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Personal Life

So Where Did You Say The End Was At?!?

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Have you ever began something and started to wonder if there was ever an end to what you are going through? I am not sure where you may be, whether that be at the start and finish, but I can certainly understand what it feels like to get lost somewhere in between. Ever had one of those good ol’ “one thing right after another” days? There used to be some times in my life where I would honestly feel like, “Okay, well you know (talking to God in my mind), I guess this is it for me. I cannot keep this up anymore.” So I write this in complete empathy for those of you that are going through some real tough stuff. And unlike some people that tell you in ignorance to just laugh/blow off tough stuff I learned through tribulation that hard trials do not leave simply because you try to dismiss them of your own strength. It takes a divine power to overcome and be strengthened enough to rejoice in the fiery trials. Do not get me wrong about chuckling over stuff to find a smile; for laughter does great things like a medicine but remember that medicine is only part of a possible treatment and may not work depending on a situation or the sickness of their spirit. The will to live and the substance to which drives a person to keep fighting is what gets us from tangled heartstrings to the comfort of the Holy Spirit. The one lesson I have learned after going through things in my personal life: there will be a given end to any beginning. Sometimes the outcome did not turn in my favor but this did not leave the trial looping over and over again. There was a lesson learned at the trials conclusion. There were emotions that had been affected as a result of the consequences. Life as I know it changed with the outcomes of what had happened.

So where did you say the end was at?!?

There came a day when I realized that I had to stop fighting to reach then end and to actually fight to win the battle. An example? Depression has no end if you try to just wait it out. The only way you find the end to being sad is when you begin to fight the feeling. Addictive behavior only knows how to continue. You can only find the end of addiction when you begin to fight the battle to be free! I encourage all of you today with a very serious and sincere word from the bottom of my heart: fight to win the battle and not to just get through something! The best part about what I am telling you is that when we come into complete surrender of our heart and troubles we are reassured that all the while God is fighting our every battle!

Where Do You Find Yourself In Meditation To God?

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With life increasing its pace and decreasing the amount of time we have to accomplish all of our goals, there has never been a more dramatic attempt to work tirelessly to meet every expectation. And as we all know, finding this sort of situation for all of us is pretty easy to find: falling asleep at your laptop close to midnight pushing a deadline, hearing the alarm go off and getting up when you know you only slept a couple hours, continuing to perform hard labor even though you are in dire straits of pain, etc. These sorts of visual descriptions should indicate the extremes that you can find yourself in most of the time.

My question for you to think about today: Where Do You Find Yourself In Meditation To God?

My answer? I heard a person a while back preach about finding a secret place early in the day, so I thought I would try it out and dedicate more time for God. The Results? For my own personal life today, one of the few moments I have now to be in silence and open up my mind for God is when I am driving to work in the morning. It is truly a perfect setting for me; for it’s early and light is just breaking on the day. I have no distractions and have not had the weight of an entire day attempting to hinder me. For me there is definitely something special about seeking God early.

The word of God makes reference to being separate and stealing away to a secret place (aka like a closet) to accomplish 2 goals: producing a calming environment for your mind and creating a place where you will not be pulled by temptation or distraction. These factors create an opportunity for you to not only be comfortable in prayer but to present a chance to hear God without all the noise of life!

So where do you find yourself? Where is a place you have dedicated to steal away?

Jesus Is Where The Need Is

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Matthew 8:2-4

[2] And, behold, there came a leper and worshipped him, saying, Lord, if thou wilt, thou canst make me clean.
[3] And Jesus put forth his hand, and touched him, saying, I will; be thou clean. And immediately his leprosy was cleansed.
[4] And Jesus saith unto him, See thou tell no man; but go thy way, shew thyself to the priest, and offer the gift that Moses commanded, for a testimony unto them.

Christ is found with the leper, those so ill all had forsaken them. The spirit of God wants to perform works to where the needs are, yet when we are not in the place to let it dwell within our temple (personal life) we may miss that very season of time to see it done.

John 5:5-8

[5] And a certain man was there, which had an infirmity thirty and eight years.
[6] When Jesus saw him lie, and knew that he had been now a long time in that case, he saith unto him, Wilt thou be made whole?
[7] The impotent man answered him, Sir, I have no man, when the water is troubled, to put me into the pool: but while I am coming, another steppeth down before me.
[8] Jesus saith unto him, Rise, take up thy bed, and walk.

Jesus is found where friends neglect and religion and tradition loses its ability to have compassion. I am so glad I was not saved by the church service timesheet structure. I am glad that when we break our own rules sometimes that we come to realize that God is neither on a timeframe nor structure. There is a Holy appointed structure; it is called the will of God! There is also a guide to following it as well? It’s the word of God that lives in you and that which you read from the pages of life (bible).

Matthew 9:27-31

[27] And when Jesus departed thence, two blind men followed him, crying, and saying, Thou Son of David, have mercy on us.
[28] And when he was come into the house, the blind men came to him: and Jesus saith unto them, Believe ye that I am able to do this? They said unto him, Yea, Lord.
[29] Then touched he their eyes, saying, According to your faith be it unto you.
[30] And their eyes were opened; and Jesus straitly charged them, saying, See that no man know it.
[31] But they, when they were departed, spread abroad his fame in all that country.

Jesus is found where the blind will not only walk in faith but believe!

Matthew 18:28-35

[28] But the same servant went out, and found one of his fellowservants, which owed him an hundred pence: and he laid hands on him, and took him by the throat, saying, Pay me that thou owest.
[29] And his fellowservant fell down at his feet, and besought him, saying, Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all.
[30] And he would not: but went and cast him into prison, till he should pay the debt.
[31] So when his fellowservants saw what was done, they were very sorry, and came and told unto their lord all that was done.
[32] Then his lord, after that he had called him, said unto him, O thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou desiredst me:
[33] Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee?
[34] And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him.
[35] So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses.

Christ is found where the poor are persecuted and are put under bondage!

A Bid Farewell To The Amen Corner (Not Really) – Support Is A True Calling!

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Over the many years that I have attended church, there has always been the classically stereotyped band of people that were always known as the super-supportive “amen-corner”. These were the kind of people that would stand through the beginning and end and were the greatest example of what support stood for. I could remember seeing people literally begin to grow and over time become a stronger individuals in God from the support of their brothers and sisters in Christ. There were MANY moments I am sure that people would have given up without the words of encouragement to pick them up after moments where they felt like they had failed. There were other moments I am sure where people came through like a breath of fresh air to revive someone that had been walking and carrying the load of a work for quite some time as well. Are we living in the day where we are seeing the end of support for one another? Has the amen corner truly fell?

To me, I do not think the amen corner will ever go. I do think however that the amount of support in the church for one another is at an all time low. And with the additions of newly committed lives to Christ, those lives are in need of continual refreshing and rejuvenation by those around them! I can honestly say that in my own personal life that there are 4-5 people (new or renewed in Christ) that I stay personally committed to on a constant basis by making sure that I encourage them and stay as a spiritual mentor to. This is such a vital piece, as they need to see me on my feet when they step out to obey God. They need to hear my words in person when they have stepped out for God and maybe faced a tough night. Most importantly, support needs to come when it counts the most: in a time of weakness! When God shows you by discernment when a person (or persons) are in weakness and are in a frail state, support them! Do what you are called to do to help them. Waste no expense to which you have in your resources to make a difference. In other words, love your neighbor as yourself.

Here is the tough part (I have had to learn this the hard way): I cannot guarantee that support will ever return back to you. The great part about being selfless for God is that the blessings of God will flow in your life for your service in Him! Always remember this when you give yourself for Him in service for others! It is worth every step, every word, and every mile of the journey! As for me, I’m in (the amen corner that is). There may be a day where you look and you stand alone, but never forget that God is with you!

Personal Perspectives On Pain, Discouragement, Growth, Humility

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When you are in growing stages in your personal life I am finding that there are many different phases to the art of growth. I would be lying if I said that coming to this realization has always been the easiest concept to grasp. I am so thankful today for the times in my life that I have been in a place where God was able to show to me mightily that He reigns and is in control of all things.

We have been heavily involved with our building project at the church we regularly attend. And by heavily, I mean to say that we are consumed in all parts: mentally, physically, and spiritually. There have been days where the load has been light and the faith in your heart seems never ending when you think of the finished product. Then there are the moments when you are in the harder days working yourself until you cannot stand as you wonder “Lord God, when will the help we need come”. I stood on a lift hanging about 45-50 feet in the air and realized I was in a growth stage. It hurts. I was hurt. I went home just to lay down and cry inside and out and (in my own flesh) wonder what more I could do to move it forward. I began to think of how much more could be done if there was more help, but in doing this I began to feel low and sad before the Lord. This did nothing but attempt to perform a work of discouragement to my heart. Sure there are all kinds of people that offer advice and how you can begin to overcome the way you feel, but sometimes you simply cannot hear it for how low you feel. In this moment I realized that discouragement is a real spirit that attempts to weigh upon the hearts of people.

The next thing I began to think was, “who could I confide in?”. All of the people that you could consider or run through your lists of “trustworthy candidates” could never compare to the comfort of God. Sometimes the only way growth can begin is when you cast your cares before God. It allows you to be lighter, to have more clarity, and to be able to actually receive joy. Once I got past attempting to reach out just to be more upset, I began to call out on God in my mind. As I began to, God worked a silent miracle: my heart was touched with humility. The love of God began to rush through my mind and work its way into my heart. Then it finally hit me like a flood.

I know now that all of the scars, cuts and bruises that you would sacrifice for a literal building is a representation of the way we face persecution spiritually. The efforts that are given are efforts given to God in love, even our acts of physical obedience. I have now realized that when I face mental discouragement that it is just a part of growing and being able to be stronger. When things or people attempt to discourage me, it has to flee and can only through the comfort of the spirit of God. And all for what? The ability to lead others, of course! Jesus Christ walked this world with a love without compare, giving Himself through all He could do while He lived and the greatest gift of humility when He was crucified on the cross.

So today? I press on. I may end up aching in my body, being hurt in my heart, or being persecuted greatly in my mind. I continue the cause of the cross. I continue so that I may exercise humility and love for all that need a better life like I did. At the end of the day, we are here to grow and continue and pursue the mark of the high calling! Let your calling shine and your obedience be fluent. Be benevolent and never waiver due to the lack of giving in others. Show yourself to be a true witness of the love of God! Learn to recognize growth and embrace where God is trying to take you!

Find A Good Place Inside And Out

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When it comes to having a fruitful life in God, one of the key pieces is the environment that you are surrounded in. We have wrote about this a lot lately and spoke on this topic it at multiple churches. It’s something we need to do, and do each and every day. I want to expand out on that a little bit to talk about the surroundings of you and your life.

I’ll just be honest with you today. If you are not in a spiritually fruitful church, you will definitely find it harder to grow in your personal life than it should have to be. Having a church with a good spiritual foundation and a willingness to work and reach out will produce a multitude of blessings and impacts upon people’s lives. However, more often than not, we are speaking with people that are in environments that are not providing that fresh spiritual revival that should be happening each and every time the doors open.

I’m not one to recommend that people go “church hopping” to be satisfied, so please let me make this clear. If you find yourself in a church where you are not able to grow due to the environment surrounding you, pray first for another place to go! Don’t just start visiting every church that you know; for sometimes our irrational actions will send the wrong messages to people. Ask yourself first in an honest way if you are doing everything you can to promote growth for yourself and for your church. If we can answer that with certainty and hindrances still prove to be in front of you, seek God for somewhere that you can grow (not somewhere you can go). Find an environment where the love of God is fluent and that you are able to be who God has called you to be.

Don’t let tradition and religion destroy your gifts and callings. Continue to strive to do the best that you can, and seek God in a way that when you feel the call to go and be a help to a new church that you are not going based on your emotions but upon the leadership of the spirit. And when the time is right, God will move for you. It won’t be a forced thing, but something that you know that God has performed. If God opens the door for another place for you to grow, God certainly wouldn’t make it a hard situation from where you are going from.

My whole point is this: Seek God first before we act out of ourselves! Find a place where you can grow and not just exist!

Out Of The Abundance Of The Heart

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THE WORD

Matthew 12:34-35 – O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

When I consider my everyday worship to God it is easy for me to see the great things that begin to come forth from my spirit as I do it. You will find people who dwell in the love of God to be friendly, open and forgiving. In short, the attributes you will display in your personal life come from what is living within your spirit. It is easy to agree and feel that God lives in your heart, right? If you know that God is in there then doubt cannot ever overcome again! However, there will come a point where just having the knowledge of it in your heart may not be enough to keep you in more difficult times. I see people each and every day that know God in their heart but have little or no abundance. Their joy could be far above what they possess but because they think they survive by what they have in knowledge it causes decline in their spirit. I encourage you to start living in your potential abundance. That abundance is when you push past all the times you feel bad, all the times you do not want to worship, and especially all the times that we could say that we feel lazy or idle.

We read in the word of God in Luke 6:45 that we essentially bring out of us whatever lives within us. If God is in your life then the result of what is in your heart will flow out of you. Worship will become natural to you and there will not be a battle or debate about it! Do not let others around you that would try to choke out your spirit life succeed in doing so. Step out for God and do not look back. Fulfill your vision and do not be moved in the will of God for your life! Clap your hands, raise them, jump up and down, shout, teach, preach, exhort, prophesy, intervene, go the extra mile! Move and worship as God lead!

PUT INTO PRACTICE

After a stressful day you experience I encourage you to examine what came forth from your spirit to help or hurt you. If you examine with honesty you will find room for change!

Hold Fast To The Foundation

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2 Samuel 22:2-3,33 – And he said, The Lord is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; The God of my rock; in him will I trust: he is my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my high tower, and my refuge, my saviour; thou savest me from violence. God is my strength and power: and he maketh my way perfect.

Psalm 31:3 – For thou art my rock and my fortress; therefore for thy name’s sake lead me, and guide me.

– – – –

In my personal life there have been so many things that people have passed on to me through wisdom and knowledge. I will always be grateful for each and every one of the things that have helped me along the way. Some of the values and thoughts may bear more significance than others (do not touch a hot eye on a stove vs. refusing drugs). I wish that I could say that there was a token of wisdom for every situation, but there will always be cases where you are searching for guidance through confusion.

What I want to remind everyone is about the spiritual ground that you stand upon. The grounded foundation of God is always solid, is never wavering, and will always be there for you; even when you feel as though all have forsaken you. You can always pray to God when everyone else has stopped listening or think they have given you something that should suffice (personal advice). What we often forget is that we can always read in the bible and seek for deeper understanding for situations in your life or even areas you were not aware of!

Host fast to the only thing that will keep you! Hold fast to God, His spirit, and His word!

– – – –

Put Into Practice:

There are many different substances on this earth that carry many different malleable properties. Some can be bent under pressure easily while others require a great deal of force. When I consider this, it makes me think about how solid my trust is with God. If I am stable with God on Sundays and forget about Him on Monday, I would imagine that my Godly faith and backbone could be snapped in two. I would fall quickly, right? Go ahead and feel the example in your hand of what we could walk around as. Take an empty plastic water bottle, remove the cap, and begin to squeeze the bottle. Do you feel how easy it succumbs to the pressure? To me, this is the easiest illustration of how we are when the first sign of pressure attempts to weigh upon us.

So what can we do to improve? We need to have a stronger material within. We must build within ourselves the power of God so we are stronger for each and every trial that is ahead of us. I assure you the more work you put in to getting stronger the less you will regret the effort.

Personal Perspectives

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Here are some personal notes that I (Jared) have taken over the past few weeks:

The person that I knew before is gone now and forevermore. Man I wish I knew then what I know now. My past was so painful, terrible, and mostly depressing. My present is now filled with a new wind of life. All of the things I make in the present will not only be just my past; these things that will be will also make my future person. Everything that I do now is all for one reason, for the God I love and serve today.

The pills that I took only numbed what I truly felt; essentially sadness wanting joy. The dope I smoked only let me forget for a little while; all of which was my pain wanting happiness. The alcohol I drank only let me laugh for a short time; all of two hours, followed by being sick. All the cocaine I snorted made me happy for a very limited time; all of ten minutes, what was I thinking?!? All the friends I thought I had were all deceived the same exact way from the drugs they bought. All of these things eliminate all forms of true logical thought. So in all reality, I was completely lost. But thanks to Jesus Christ, Never Again!!!

If I had some cool friends, I knew I would be okay. Well, actually if cool to you is people who party, talk about you and others badly, try to run you over, steal from you, talk irrationally, hate other people, taking advantage of everything, then you are WRONG. Sometimes the best friends in life are right in front of you. Don’t separate family and friends. They can sometimes be the same thing. And if you cannot find one in a million in this world, there is one who sees everything you say, do, and go through. God is your best friend! Bless your enemies!

What makes a person better than me? Well, actually nothing does. One might look at me by the clothes that I have on and complete my life’s story. So if I had on clothes too big or cheap, would that mean I’m lazy and have no job? To some it would, but I hope that it wouldn’t. Some of the best treasures in life are hidden within. That very person you judge could be the best friend you ever had. And most of the time I find that the people we choose to call our friend (that passes our judgment test) do not even come close to what we thought they would, should, or could. And when it comes to God, there is no judgment. And if we strive for God, don’t judge!