Rest In Peace - No Jesus, No Peace ... Know Jesus, Know Peace (part 1 - Thoughts)

It's been a while ...

It's been a while since I've posted a blog ....

It's been a while since I've allowed myself to be swept away in the Love of Jesus...

It's been a while since I could say that I've "let go" of this world ... of stress ... of myself...

It's been a while since I've "rested in peace" ...

For quite some time now, I've been pressing forward in my own strength, walking parallel to the flock in which I belong... to the Shepherd who calls me "his own." Everyday I hear him call. This still small voice within, a gentle whisper that calls my name ... letting me know that He is still there, still walking with me ... still hearing ... still helping ... still loving ... still caring ... and still holding me together ... never letting go.

His whisper speaks peace to my heart and love to my soul, it says ... "Let go ... Let go... rest in peace ... rest in my arms ...

Every morning, every afternoon, every evening before I go to bed my heart cries out this song...

"I Love You ... All of my Hope ... is in You,

Jesus Christ ... take my life ... take all of me

I Love You so ... and I give up my heart ...

to say ... I need ... you so ... my everything..."

(Lyrics from Hillsong United - Take All of Me)

(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B4Gyb8_CUyc&feature=related)

(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GXE3G8oC7Zk)

So the question is "why" don't we (me included) let go...?

Why do we hold on to "the weight of this world"...?

Why don't we "rest in peace"...?

The answer: We forget ...

We forget ... who made us and how we are made (By God and in his image).

We forget ... why we are here, that we have a purpose (our journey "back" to God, to know God intimately, personally in a new redeemed essence through Jesus Christ)

We forget ... the light of this world, the love that keeps us moving forward, we forget hope (Jesus Christ ... died on a cross 2 thousand years ago and was resurrected from the dead, living each day in intercession on our behalf between us and God)

We forget ... who we are!

Having recently celebrated Christmas ... this realization of "forgetfulness" was ever before me.

People celebrate Christmas ... yet forget Christ ... not the baby ... but the Saviour and Redeemer of the World. My brother (Evan) said it best, "the World has commercialized Christmas ... that is why they can't see Jesus Christ ... the hope and love and Redeemer we all need! The only gift that truly lasts!"

Christmas is celebrated in vain by millions around the world ... because as great as it is to give gifts to ones we love and receive gifts from people who love us ... without the giving and receiving of "the Greatest Gift" from "the person who loves us most", Christmas is nothing ... just another day.

Jesus is the greatest gift. He is the gift given to us by a loving and gracious God. A gift to save us from the impossible ... ourselves, our sin. Without the reception of the gift of Jesus Christ ... all gifts are in vain because at the end of the day death awaits. Whether death for you is tomorrow, a year from now, or many years down the road ... the fact remains that "we all need victory from death". That's why "all" need the "gift of Christmas" ... "Jesus Christ, the Savior of the World and Redeemer of my soul."

Jesus is the only way to make "peace" with God. No Jesus, No Peace ... Know Jesus, Know Peace! (in the next blog we will look at this through another light)

{John 3:16-21}- "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. ¹⁷For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. ¹⁸Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God's one and only Son. ¹⁹This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. ²⁰Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. ²¹But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what he has done has been done through God."

The Psalmist and the Anti-Psalmist - Psalm 23 (part 1)

Notice the difference between the Psalmist and the Anti-Psalmist.

In the next series of blogs, we will explore these differences ...

Which most speaks of who you are: The Psalmist? The Anti-Psalmist (A-P)?

I was once the Anti-psalmist.

Every line in the anti-psalm described how I felt about life and myself. The anti-psalm described who I was before faith, before hope, and before coming to know Jesus Christ.

Today, I am the psalmist.

Everything I need is found in my relationship with Jesus Christ ... my shepherd. In his love I have all I need ...

Psalm 23 - A psalm of David

¹ The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want.

A-P: I’m on my own. No one looks out for me or protects me. I experience a continual sense of need. Nothing's quite right.

² He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters,

A-P: I’m always restless. I’m easily frustrated and often disappointed.

It’s a jungle –I feel overwhelmed. It’s a desert – I’m thisty.

³ he restores my soul.
He guides me in paths of righteousness
for his name's sake.

A-P: My soul feels broken, twisted, and stuck. I can’t fix myself.

I stumble down some dark paths.

Still, I insist: I want to do what I want, when I want, how I want

But life's confusing. Why don't things ever really work out?

⁴ Even though I walk
through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me.

A-P: I’m haunted by emptiness and futility – shadows of death.

I fear the big hurt and final loss.

Death is waiting for me at the end of every road,

But I’d rather not think about that.

I spend my life protecting myself. Bad things can happen.

I find no lasting comfort.

⁵ You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.

A-P: I’m alone … facing everything that could hurt me.

Are my friends really friends? Other people use me for their own ends.

I can’t really trust anyone. No one has my back. I can’t even trust myself.

No one is really for me – except me.

And I’m so much… all about ME, sometimes it’s sickening.

I belong to no one – except myself.

My cup is never quite full enough. I’m left empty.

⁶ Surely goodness and love will follow me
all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the LORD
forever.

A-P: Disappointment follows me all the days of my life.

Will I just be obliterated into nothingness?

Will I be alone forever, homeless, free-falling into void?

Sartre said “Hell is other people.”

I have to add, “Hell is also myself.”

It’s a living death,

And then I die.

We all are like sheep

We wander ... searching, seeking, longing for the flock we belong to and for the shepherd who can protect, provide, but more importantly love us for who we are.

Jesus Christ is that shepherd. He is the Good Shepherd ... who will carry you through the pain and strife of this life and guide you safely back to His home in heaven...

I was once a lost sheep, yet Jesus came to my rescue ... I was far from His flock, where I belonged, yet He still sought after me and found me in my helpless, hurting, hopeless frailty.

He can meet you wherever you are ... and if you are still reading this and don't know him ... He is gently trying to lead you back to Him ...back to the flock in which you belong.

There is no greater place to be ... than in the loving arms of Your Shepherd. For In Him, you'll not only find everything you need ... but you'll also find yourself...

"Anti-Psalm 23" written by Dr. David Powlison, professor at Westminster Theological Seminary and counselor at Christian Counseling Education Foundation since 1980. Also see commentary from David Powlison on Psalm 23 ... http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/justintaylor/2009/07/25/antipsalm-23-vs-psalm-23/

Hope for the Helpless, Rest for The Weary, and Love for the Broken-Heart ...The Psalmist and the Anti-Psalmist - Psalm 23 (series)

I'm reminded that this blog is not my ministry, but the Lords'.

It is the Lord who guides anyone and everyone who will read this.

If you are reading this, it is not by chance or mere coincidence ... rather ... it is because God is drawing you near to himself, to his love, and to a saving faith in his Son Jesus Christ.

With this in mind ... I desire to remain faithful to my calling and stay committed to you (in Love) and ultimately to this ministry set fourth by Christ (in Love). Sadly, I've been so consumed with myself and becoming overwhelmed by things ... that I have missed out on this opportunity for blessing (others and really...myself).

For quite sometime now, God has been working in my heart through Psalm 23. Being a follower of Jesus doesn't make you perfect. I struggle and stumble just like everyone else. It's beyond humbling when you realize that I'm just like anyone else out there ... that really ... the only difference is that I have been saved by the Grace of God -- Because of His Love -- And in reality ... I belong to Christ and therefore follow Him.

It's crucial to understand who you are and to whom you belong. It has been a theme I have been stressing on this blog in recent "blogging".

In the next several blogs, I would like to explore this concept of belonging, in light of Psalm 23:

(a). The Psalmist - whose shepherd is the LORD God

(b). the Anti-Psalmist - the one who walks alone ... a lost sheep ... pretty much who I was before I discovered my identity and home in the loving presence of Jesus Christ.

I hope that by the end of this series of blogs ... that you will see ... that you belong to Jesus Christ and that you don't have to walk alone anymore.

I hope you will see ...

"There is Hope for the helpless, Rest for the weary, and Love for the broken heart. There is Grace and Forgiveness... Mercy and Healing and Jesus will meet you, wherever you are."

We all belong somewhere! Where do you belong?

We all belong somewhere? Where Do You Belong?

[John 10:24-30]

"The Jews gathered around Jesus, saying, "How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly."

Jesus answered, "I did tell you, but you do not believe. The miracles I do in my Father's name speak for me, but you do not believe because you are not my sheep. My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand. My Father who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father's hand. I and the Father are one."

To whom do you belong?

Jesus states that there are two type's of people in life:

(a). Those who belong to him, given to him by his Father; His Sheep

(b). Those who don't belong to him; Not his sheep.

Likewise ...

There are those who live for God (love)

OR

those who live for themselves, a me-centered universe in which they make themselves God (sin).

Yet these two type's of people have one thing in common: Sin.

Do you have sin in your life?

I do. Everyday. I'm sinful and so are you. And because we are sinful, not one sin can be forgiven without consequences (or in God's eyes' the shedding of blood).

So that's where the Gospel of Jesus Christ comes into your life with utmost importance.

This is the gospel:

All have sinned. God is sinless. All sin had to be removed in order for anyone to live eternally with God, in God. God decided to sacrifice his life, through His Son, so that you could have life WITH HIM ETERNALLY. Therefore, God showed his love in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us (Romans 5:8-9). And it was on the basis of God's gift of saving grace through faith in his Son Jesus (Ephesians 2:8) ... that God would chose for himself ...a people (Romans 9:25-26) ... His Children ... His Sheep ... and a Family. A family and flock over whom He would shepherd, love, and call "his own" for all eternity.

This is the Gospel:

Sins are forgiven and eternal life is given to those who repent of their sins and place their faith, hope, and love in the person Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior over their life both now and forever.

I had no choice in what God has done in my life. He called me his own before the earth was created (Ephesians 1:4). Yet, for most of my life, I lived as an enemy to God. I did not believe in God and I lived for myself (worshipping myself through who I was in life) day in and day out. I did not know Christ, yet even in the days before I came to "know" Jesus as my Lord and Savior ... I still belonged to him ... I just didn't know it. I was always predestined in his love to be his own (Ephesians 1:5). Now, the question remains ... Are You?

So I say again: We all belong somewhere!

For Jesus Said, "My Father's will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day." [John 6:40]

"Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become Children of God ... born not of natural descent or a husband's will, but born of God" [John 1:12]

That is Grace. That is love. And that it the Gospel of Jesus Christ. That God rescues those who are sinners and those who do not deserve his forgiveness ... yet it is because of His love for you ... that He comes to you ... to call you his own. There is no greater love ... than Jesus Christ!

To Whom Do You Belong?

Taste and See the LORD is Good!!

I've done a lot of different things in my life ... but not one of the places that I gone, moments I've experienced or things that I have done/"tasted" can even come close to the greatest thing I have ever "tasted" ... the hope, the love and the relationship I have in Jesus Christ.
I understand that many people don't understand what I mean because Jesus is so often grouped into a "religion" or "belief" system ... but Jesus isn't Santa Claus, Harry Potter, or Gandhi.

Jesus is far more than a religion, a belief system, or fictional characters.
Jesus is love. Jesus is hope. Jesus is life it's self. And from the moment I "tasted", in a metaphorical sense, Jesus ... life itself was beyond any type of illumination, enlightenment or anything else that I could ever attempt to describe or depict to you with words, pictures, or illustrations. The closest thing I can think of (which totally downplays it) is the transformation from a caterpillar to a butterfly ... once crawling ... now flying!

Jesus is the real deal!
I say all this because I know first hand, having "tasted and seen that the LORD is good". The loving relationship I have with God through him is soooo good. To save you from the long list of things I've done in my life that "felt great" and experientially was very "exciting, fun, and thrilling" ... I tell you the truth ... nothing compares to a relationship with God (by faith and a choice of love) in Jesus Christ.

So ... I'll leave you with this: Give Jesus a shot ...
What do you have to lose? I've tried a lot of things and I know you have as well ... so what's the "fear" with "tasting" Jesus. I challenge your heart to try out Jesus ... and say afterwards ... "nah ... I'm cool". Honestly ... it won't happen!
So although this isn't the best blog I've written ... I just wanted to burst out some of my joy, peace , and love that I have from my relationship with Jesus Christ onto this page ... in hopes that you might take a chance and see what I mean. I pray that you do ...

The first step to this: read the book of John with an open heart. (Found in the bible!)
Two: Make your stance ... and then you will see what I mean ... :)

Three: Ask others who "know" Jesus .... and witness their joy and transformational testimonies.
Lastly ... I want you to know that I share this with you ... because I want all to experience this great love and joy that I have in my relationship and hope in Jesus Christ aka God's Son and the only bridge to God.

PSALM 34 -- verses 2-8,10
2 My soul will boast in the LORD; let the afflicted hear and rejoice.
3 Glorify the LORD with me; let us exalt his name together.
4 I sought the LORD, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears.
5 Those who look to him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame.
6 This poor man called, and the LORD heard him; he saved him out of all his troubles.
7 The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him, and he delivers them.
8 Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in him.

10The lions may grow weak and hungry, but those who seek the LORD lack no good thing.

The Food That Fills

Why do people eat food?
Because they are hungry. Because their bodies tell them that it needs more of that "food" stuff. And without "food" we become weak, we become wearied, and we become desperate. A person who is starving and in need of food ... isn't picky or choosey when it comes to what food they eat ... for their body tells them to, "just give me anything ... any food ... that can fill and stop this horrible hunger that I feel". And so a person in desperation will eat practically anything, from anwhere, no matter what the costs, consequences, or later result.

Isn't this the way we live our life?
We feed and feed and feed ... as if we are starving ... and starving we are.
We feed on others' opinions, our appearance, our status, on momentary conditions, and positions in life.
We feed on money, on relationships, on achievements, on productivity, and mostly on things that feel good.
We feed from the minute we wake up ... until the moment we go to sleep.
We seek food and feed on "things" we think will fill us up ... yet day in and day out ... we are still hungry, we need more, and in the lack of satisfaction from the "food" we feed on ... in a sense ... we are still starving ...

We are still starving because we feed our bodies, we feed our minds, and we feed our desires ... but what we forget to feed ... is our soul.
For the food that the soul needs goes deeper and demands greater than the food this world can offer.
Our soul demands a food that removes the depression created from the dissatisfaction, the discontentment, and more importantly the disunity we have deep within.
Our soul hungers for only one type of food, it thirsts for a unique type of water ... and our soul can only quench that thirst and receive fullness from the hunger from the source that gives life, sustains life, produces life, and most importantly saves life ...

Jesus Christ....

"Then Jesus declared, "I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty." (John 6:35)

"All that the Father (God) has given me will come to me and I will never drive them away...For my Fathers will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise him/her up at the last day." (John 6:40)

Our Soul hungers for God ... for Love ... for acceptance ... for reason ... for Hope ... For Truth ... but also ... for Life
The only food that will ever fill the hunger deep within ... is the love that unites us with God, giving our life more than just hope, acceptance, and reason ... but the love that gives us life ... the light of life and hope for all humanity ... Jesus Christ.

In this world you will have many moments of opportunity that present you with many choices and decision that will impact your life tremendously ....
But above all opportunities ... above all important decisions and choices that you will make ...
there will be no greater decision, no greater choice, no greater opportunity ... than this:

Will You receive Jesus Christ as the hope for eternal life with God?

The only decision that will matter in your life ... is this!
For your decision will determine whether you stand "With God ... eternally" OR "Against God ... separated forever".

A Redeemer, not a system of redemption

Hope is not "a set of observations, a collection of insights, or steps in a process".

So often the bible and the Good news about Jesus Christ become grouped into "a system of redemption" based upon a set of insights, principals, or constructs that create what people tag as a "religion".

The Good news is that Jesus Christ is not a "religion". Jesus Christ is not "a system of redemption". Jesus Christ is not "a set of principals, a step process, nor a collection of personal insights".

Jesus Christ is a Redeemer. Jesus Christ is Hope.
The Good news about Jesus Christ is that He is for everyone ... not just for "good people" or "deserving people" but for everyone.
Jesus Christ is hope for the hopeless, the redeemer for the diseased.
Jesus Christ is the way, the truth, and the life ... the only Hope that is able to not only redeem sinners, but to grant sinners "grace" -- heir-ship into the family of God ... eternally ... Heaven.

{Psalm 51:5} - Surely I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me.
Sin is the ultimate disease of everyone's life. Everyone is born with it ... no one can escape it or save themselves from it. Sin rules. We all are sinners ... and not matter how hard we try, commit, or pledge to do what is right ... despite our best intentions ... we will fail and will fall into sin (doing exactly what we don't want to do).* We are unable to do what is right.

"For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. 19For what I do is not the good I want to do; no, the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing. 20Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it."

[Romans 7:19-20 ... Paul the Apostle]

"As sinners, we have a natural bent to turn away from the Creator to serve the creation. We turn away from hope in a Person to hope in systems, ideas, people, possessions, and even ourselves. Hope stares us in the face, but we do not see him. Instead we dig the mound of human ideas to extract a tiny shard of insight." No matter what we find, no matter how cosmetic or temporary the change ... the end result is the same ... disappointment, discontentment, confusion, and back to the place where we started ... still searching for "lasting heart-change".

-Paul David Tripp, Instrument in the Redeemers Hand

"When Jesus commissioned his disciples to minister in his name, this is the message he told them to proclaim. That "redemption" - not just change, but restoration ... is found in Jesus Christ. That as we face our own struggles with sin and minister to people who seem trapped by things they cannot overcome, that this message (the truth) ... would become the Good News:

"Hope is only to be found in Jesus Christ, the King of Kings ... God's Son. In him, lasting, personal heart change is possible"

Any other message encourages false hope.
The world's philosophies are deceptive because it cannot deliver what it promises. It may be well researched and logically presented, but it is not centered on Christ.
Because Sin (the condition ... that results in the behavior) is what is wrong, true hope and help can only be found in a redeemer, in a person, in the hope -- In Jesus Christ Alone.
All other paths, all other methods, all other ideologies or "answers" will prove hollow.
There is no way "we" (alone) can do the "good" that God created us to do ...

The Good News is that there is a redeemer -- who not only restores your life ... but gives you life, (eternally).
You will not go to heaven by being a good person (so please don't take that gamble ... you have far too much to lose).
The way to Heaven -- eternity With God ... is through the Redeemer -- through a choice -- through The Hope -- Through Faith --- In Jesus Christ.

The Redeemer won't rescue me from hardship, suffering or loss. Jesus Christ is the Redeemer who comes to rescue me from myself.

There is Hope. There is "the answer". There is "the way". There is "a redeemer" ... his name is Jesus Christ.

Will you allow Jesus to be "the Redeemer" that brings your life "lasting heart change"??

Will you allow Jesus to grant you the gift of eternal life in Heaven ... with God??

Jesus is Hope! :)

Jesus said to her, "I am the Resurrection and the Life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; 26and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?"
27"Yes, Lord," she told him, "I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who was to come into the world." [ John 11:25-27]

"He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering. Like one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not. 4 Surely he took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows, yet we considered him stricken by God, smitten by him, and afflicted. 5 But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed. 6 We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all. "

12 "For he bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors. "
{Isaiah 53:3-6,12} ... written by the Prophet Isaiah hundreds of years before Jesus was ever born

We will always struggle ... we will collide with failure, short-comings, and disappointments that our sins have created for us. Beyond the love, encouragement, and support that we need ... we need rescue and Jesus is that redeemer. Jesus is hope and the love that will carry us through this life into the next; Jesus is love that will never fail.

Are You Ready To Die?

Having ADHD ... one thing I often struggle with is forgetfulness.
I don't know about you, but I tend to "forget" the big picture of my life frequently in the chaos,the clutter and the responsibilities of my day to day life.

After going through some hard times recently (some bumps in the road of life :) you can say), I was led to one of my favorite chapters in the bible ... Ecclesiastes chapter 3.
It begins off with a little something like this ...
"There is a time for everything and a season for every activity under heaven; A time to be born and a time to die ..."

And reading this verse it made me think ...That I should live joyfully and with my purpose in mind, but also that "today is just one less day that I will spend on earth and one day closer to the moment I will die and move on into eternity with God".

So here's a questions you won't get everyday ... How do you view death?
Is it something you don't like to think about or talk about? Is death something worth rejoicing about or do you dread it with intense grief, sorrow, and uncertainty? Do you ever think about death? Do you think about death only when someone dies or do you embrace it as an inevitable moment in your life?

Are you prepared to die ... is for better words ... what I am leading up to!
Many people would say no. Many people fear death. Many people don't want to think about death, let alone talk about it. Death is something we all just like to "forget".
We often lie to ourselves ... by extending the days we will live (in our minds) and by pushing off death to somewhere far far down the road.
But really there is no truth in that! The only truth you can hold is that the moment you were brought into this world ... the clock started its count down. The count down ... you might ask? Yes ... the countdown to chapter 1 of the great story ... death on earth ... and the beginning of eternal life beyond 3 dimensions.
Everyone who lives will also die, but everyone will also live eternally. Yet, Sadly ... not everyone will be with God ... for some will "choose" to live in eternity "separated" from God.

So the next question is: Do you want in or Do you want out?
In Heaven ---with God
OR
In Hell -- Separated from God.
There is nothing intellectual about this question. It doesn't have to be measured or proven logical. It is what it is. It's like "love". It's like choice. Scientifically, intellectually, yada yada ... it doesn't need to be measured or assessed beyond your own understanding of the question.
If you could "choose" one ... which one would you "choose" and why?
There is no in between ... its one way or the other ... its Day or Night ... its Life or Death.
What did you choose?

So back on this topic of "death". If you could know the amount of time you had left ... would you really want to know? Would you live life any differently than you are living today. I wonder how differently you would see yourself, see your life, and see your time remaining before "the big day".

I've probably shared with you my treasures ... but I wonder what are the treasures of your own heart?
My treasures are -- Jesus, Love, and Family.
My heart and my life are invested in those three treasures. It directs How I live, the decisions I make, my priorities, and everything about me.

I am a man on a mission for Love, for God, and for others -- because of Jesus Christ.
This is my mission ... my calling ... while I am still alive.
It is to share with others the only way to heaven, the only hope of salvation, and the only life that is eternally "with God".
My life is not about achievements. My life is not about climbing the latter of a particular corporate structure. My life is not about "getting money, making money, or spending money". I don't care what I look like in the eyes of others or whether I'm pleasing everyone. My life isn't necessarily about "arriving" to a place in my life that completes the desires and dreams I hold within my heart.

My life is about Love ... My life is God's ... My life is to serve Jesus and share with others the only decision that will matter in their entire life ...

will they accept Jesus or reject Jesus ... as the Son of God ... their forgiveness of sins ... their salvation ... but in lamen terms ... their way to heaven.
I believe in what you will read below ... about what Jesus said the way to heaven is. If I didn't believe what He said ... then he is just another liar, a big fraud, and a fake that has produced a false hope for everyone. But I don't believe that.

I'm ready to die ... for I know that when I die ... I will go to heaven ... Not because of anything I did or because I'm a "good person and I deserve it" ... but because I place my "HOPE" and my "FAITH" in Jesus Christ for my salvation.
I will be going to heaven because of what Jesus did ... not what Drew did in this life. Therefore ... I'm free from the burdens and demands of meeting benchmarks and expectations our world places on us from the moment we are born. Will I work hard? Yes. Doe that mean I can do anything I want and live completely evil? No. But what it does mean is that I'm free to live a life filled with joy, peace, love, faith, trust and most importanly HOPE because Jesus Christ rose from the dead and is a living God ... living with me ... helping me every step of the day..

Do you have your ticket to heaven? Are you ready to die? How much time do you have left?
Where will you stand?

Jesus Said ... Before His Death on the Cross to His Disciples ... John 14:1-6
"Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God[a]; trust also in me. 2In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. 3And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. 4You know the way to the place where I am going."
5Thomas said to him, "Lord, we don't know where you are going, so how can we know the way?"
6Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. 7If you really knew me, you would know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him."

The Good News ... There is Hope ... His Name is Jesus Christ

So ... as you can see ... I have been horribly Missing In Action (M.I.A) this month from this ministry of sharing the Love and Hope of Jesus Christ via this blog to others.

I apologize ... and I want you to know that I plan on really getting the blog back up and running starting tomorrow and here on out. I've been making my life and my focus to much about "ME" and not enough about "Jesus". But after sinking to the point of desperation these past few weeks, I finally cried out to the Lord and He came to my rescue as always.

Are you struggling with anything? I wonder if there are certain aspects of your life that you are focusing on that are hindering the other "important" areas of your life (like Jesus, Love, and Family)?

Keep your eyes on the SONSHINE and you cannot see the shadows -- Fix your eyes on Jesus and Trust in His Love. P.S - We are back in business baby ... the business of Hope, of Love, and of Salvation through Jesus Christ ... Check it out manana (means tomorrow in spanish ;) )

The Snares of the Enemy

Just a little heads up for my readers ... I will elaborate on this title, "the Snares of the Enemy" another day ... but thought it only appropriate to clue everyone in on the fact that I have been distracted and "snared" by many different things that have come into collision with my path of following the Lord.

I apologize ... and in humility ... would like share more about this, in greater detail, at a more appropriate time ... in hopes of showing other's how easy it is to get "entangled" by sin/distractions of life and in allowing the "cares of this world to darken our day".
So ...

Bottom line ... I have been struggling with alot of things (within me and around me) and have recently been brought to a humbling place in my heart ... and in a place of solitude ...allowing God to speak to my heart and to reconcile my passion and focus in living for the Lord, by the Lord, and in the Love of our Heavenly Father -- In Jesus Christ.

But as today is Father's Day ... I find it only appropriate to center the topic for the blog around "honoring our Heavenly Father" on this day.

:) Love and blessings ... (and prayers much appreciated and needed)

Looking Beyond Disappointments - pt.1- scripture

[Romans 8:28] -- More than Conquerors through Jesus Christ --

"Looking Beyond Disappointment"

(blog part 1 - scipture/ part 2- below this scripture blog)

"28And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. 29For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. 30And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.
31What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? 33Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. 34Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus, who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us.

35Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? 36As it is written: "For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered." 37No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord."

If you have placed your faith in Jesus Christ as "your savior" a.k.a "your way to heaven and forgiveness of your sins" ... than you can rest on this truth: God is love. Jesus is love. Love will never fail you. Love will always be there to guide you in the way you should go ... giving you all you need and what is best for you; Love will be with you all the time, wherever you go.

Looking Beyond Disappointment

Reality - We all get disappointed!
The issue is How do we respond?
No matter who you are ... you are going to experience disappointment! Chances are you will experience a disappointment this week ... maybe even today.

There are several principles the bible gives us that allows us to "look beyond our disappointment".

I. God has a purpose for allowing the disappointments of our life.
We forget that He is God! He could prevent any disappointment if He wanted to.
God always has a purpose for allowing us to go through difficulties in our life.
God always has a purpose that is centered around "our good".
God has a "good purpose" for everything in your life.

In the midst of our disappointment ... we don't want to become stalled or derailed in frustration, anxiety, or hopelessness. Remember, God always has a good purpose for the disappointments we go through in life and therefore ... looking beyond our disappointments, we need to make the most of this opportunity in learning how to focus on Him and ask:
"What is it that you have in mind, what is it out there that you want me to learn, what is it about you ... that you want me to know, what is it about you, God, that you want me to learn?"

The second principal ...

II. God is more interested is our spiritual growth (IN HIM) than relieving our temporary disappointments.

God desires us. He desires our heart to be: focused on Him, drawn closer to Him, and centered/ reliant on HIM; To God ... we are the apple of his eye and He desires us to make Him the apple of our eye. It's all about Him -- Bringing us back to Him.

If you love someone ... will you not always want what is best for them? If you love someone ... will you not always try to provide what is best for them?
So the question is: Does God love us? YES
Does God always want what is best for us? ALWAYS ... not sometimes, not most of the time ... ALWAYS! Does He provide His best for us? ALWAYS! Do we experience God's best all the time? NO! Why?

We don't always experience God's best because we are not willing to surrender to what "His best" is for us. God's choice for what is best isn't always our choice for what we feel is best. We think we have needs that God knows we don't have ... and we don't think we have needs, that God knows we do have.
That is why, often in our disappointments, because we lose, because there is loss or separation or something out there that happens that places us in a position of great disappointment .... we cry out "God ... How could you love me and allow this to happen?"

And all the time ... God is loving us. You know how I know that ... because God is love. It's God's nature to love and He does not know how to be or do anything different. God tells us through the bible that He loves us no matter what is going on in our life (his children).

The ultimate expression of love is the cross in which Jesus Christ died on for us. He carried all our disappointments, shortcomings, failures, and sins ... paying everything in full so that you can live with God in heaven ... is there anything more He needs to do for us ... NO nothing ... His love covers every aspect of our life.

So .. how do we claim victory in difficult times and look beyond disappointment ...?
Faith that God is in control will enable you to endure every disappointment that life throws before you!
If God is not in control of our lives ... we are like a child in a row boat ... lost out at sea in the middle of the storm; a victim ... with no help, no hope, and no assurance accept that we are alone.
If God is not in control ... we cannot have assurance about anything in life ... not one thing.
But the truth is ... God is in control of your life ... if you trusted Jesus as your Saviour.

So what about those who have not placed there faith or trust in Jesus Christ as their Saviour?
Is there any way for them to have confidence and hope in the face of the disappointments, difficulties, and troubles we face?
No ... no confidence, no faith, no nothing ... except themselves. Why? Because there is no way to "know" God personally and to have all your sin removed, so that the "sin wall" that separates us from God is removed ... apart from going through Jesus Christ. For those individuals who face disappointments and difficulties who haven't placed there faith in Jesus Christ ... there is no assurance, no rescue, and no peace ... just confusion, frustration, and deterioration of hope.
The only thing those individuals can be assured of is: that God loves you still ... and will do all that He can, in his power, to come to you and draw you to the rescue of Jesus Christ -- His love.

Besides this blog ... have you ever been approached in troubled times by the "thought of, or word ... Jesus Christ?" In that moment ... we can make a choice: (a). to go our way, reject God's offer to save, and to continue down the path of no hope -- those who make themselves their own God; OR (b). In our difficulty we choose to accept the help of God, turning to a love that is greater than ourselves and leaving all that crap behind us ... we turn to Jesus ... and find the rescue we need in His love, in His peace, and in a trust that we are now back in the arms of God, forgiven for all our sins ... because of our choice ... to place our faith in Jesus Christ as the Son of God -our forgiveness of sin and Hope for eternal life/love with God.

In order to look past your disappointment ... we must turn to God and trust in His love and faithfulness. The first step is turning to God in prayer. The second step is to learn about the nature and character known as "God the Father" and "Jesus Christ" in the bible so that you can know "who" your trusting in and claim the "promises" made in the Word because of God's love for you. The last step is Faith and Patience. When you know God is with you, that He loves you so much that He will provide all you need and what is best for you ... when you know that He is in control of all things ... and that nothing can separate you from His eternal love once your IN JESUS CHRIST (literally nothing can separate you) ... its THEN .... you will be able to "look beyond your disappointment" and "find strength, guidance, and peace in the Love of God -- Jesus Christ".
It is then that you will know that Your God is with you ... that He is mighty to save; Walking In Step With God's plan, purpose, and love for you life :)

Modified from Dr. Charles Stanley - "Looking Beyond Disappointment" sermon found on you tube called "Faith and Patience", with link below ... please listen to it ... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tUhK02jrwL0 + also what the Spirit put on my heart to write
** additional scripture -- John Ch. 11:1-43 -- The Death of Lazarus / especially verses 20-40**

The Battlefield of Life

When you think about the "battlefield" of your life, what do you think of?
Many of us would say: what is going on around us.
Our job, our family, our future, our finances, our economy, our community, or our relationships; the storm raging "all around me".

And rightly so ... there will be many battles that we will fight "around us". But in the face of lifes challenges and in the face of these battles, the primary battle that we will fight will not take place in the storm raging around us, but the storm raging within us; The Storm that takes place within our own heart and deep within our own mind.

The "battlefield of our life" isn't ouside of us ... rather it is within us.
The "battle" isn't other people, unfortunate circumstances, or tough scenarios; The battle is "me".

Stop for a moment, and before reading any further ask yourself: How do I see my life? Is my life focused around my desires and my wants for my greatest good OR is my life focused on what God wants for God's desire and God's greatest good in fulfilling His purpose and plan?

You might say, "I could careless about what God wants" or "I don't believe in God ... so I'm trying to milk my life for all its worth", but reflect on your answer ... and see what it reveals of you. I know before "knowing Jesus Christ" I had dreams and aspirations that were centered around "me" and that focused around "maximizing my benefits through life". The problem with our thinking is "its all about me!". "What do I want" is usually completely contradictory for "what does God want for my life?" And within that statement lies not only the problem but the solution: Our life isn't about us; We (our sins) are the problem. Our life is about loving and glorifying God in a relationship; Jesus Christ is the solution.

The problem within the hearts of all people is sin. Sin is "me" centered thinking; Sin is choosing what I want, whats best for me, and my way over God's way, what's best for His purpose, and what He ultimately desires for me.
Sin divides the mind. Sin removes all peace and purity within the heart. Sin leaves us empty ... and chasing after more and more and more. Sin is a fruitless journey that leads to confusion, destruction, and demise.

So ... moving on to application. What should we ask? What should we do?

Ask: Is my life driven by my desires Or is my life driven by God's love and what He wants of me? Is my life driven by my way (sin) or by God's love (surrendering).

Do: I can't tell you to do this or do that ... but this atleast I know: Christ showed us the way to victory over this life ... and it starts within us.
Transformation of our heart, our mind, our body and our Spirit ... "IN HIM"; IN the LOVE OF Jesus Christ.
Jesus not only shows us the way ... but He invites us to ...
(Jesus said), "Come ... follow me ..."; "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls (in Him). " [Matthew 11:28]

Victory over "the sin within" comes only through a choice to surrender your heart and follow Jesus Christ in love. For the victory we all seek can only be found "In Him" ... in the transformational love of God -- Jesus Christ.

When we choose to remove ourselves, our desires, and our ways and CHOOSE to allow Christ to sit atop of the throne to our hearts, focusing on "love" and "eternity", ... we will no longer struggle with "our sin within" ... but we will begin to finally "live" with God, for God, and in the love that He has for us.

Ending on this ... You might ask ... "Why do I need to be tranformed from within ... I'm fine the way I am?"
Am I right? The truth of the matter is that God reveals to us that ... "we are far but fine ...that we are diseased, that we are saturated in Sin ... The awesome thing about this is God is prepared. He reveals to us that this life is only the "preface" to His great story of your life ... a story about hope, redemption, and eternal love and relationship with Him.

The beginning of the 1st chapter to the rest of your life .... begins with Jesus.
The answer lies in "the kingdom of God" ... what we all were destined for!
Jesus says that "the kingdom of God is not here nor there ... rather the Kingdom of God is within you." (Luke 17:21); A choice of Faith in Jesus and Love for God.
The reason why we need to be tranformed within, is to wash away the old and allow God to make us into something new. For instance a caterpillar can't even begin to imagine what it will be like to "fly" the heights as a butterfly ... until the caterpillar is tranformed. When you were in the womb of your mother, you may have been only inches away from the world that awaited you upon your "transformation" (your birth) and there was no possible way for you to conceive all the glorious things that God had for you, that awaited for you once you were born.
That's why Jesus callx this transformation process ... "being born again" ... washing away the old ... and living life transformed in a way unimaginable ... living life through Him and with God :)

Jesus went into Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God. 15"The time has come," he said. "The kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the good news!" [Mark 1:15]

20Once, having been asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, Jesus replied, "The kingdom of God does not come with your careful observation, 21nor will people say, 'Here it is,' or 'There it is,' because the kingdom of God is within you." [Luke 17:20-21]

Jesus transforms lives. Jesus gives eternal life to all who believe ... starting the moment they believe. Jesus is the victory on the battlefield of life ... over the greatest battle we will ever face ... ourselves (our sin). :)

[John 3:16]

16"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son,[a] that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

17Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!

[2 Corinthians 5:17]

The Roots of Stability: Roots or Shoots? Being well-rooted

In the life of trees, one key to survival is having more roots than shoots.

In his book Oak: The Frame of Civilization, author William Bryant Logan says, "If a tree puts on a lot of top growth and few roots, it is liable to be weak-wooded and short lived ...
If a tree puts down a great deal of roots and adds shoots more slowly, however, it is liable to be long-lived and more resistant to stress and strain."

People and organizations can be a lot like trees. The rise to prominence (in a relationship, in an occupation, in life, etc) is exhilarating, but anything that puts "shoots" faster than it puts down "roots" is fragile and in danger of breaking, falling, or dying.

Jesus used a similar analogy in His 'parable of the sower'. Jesus said people who hear the Word and receive it joyfully are like seed sown on stony places; they spring up quickly but endure only a short time because they have no roots (Matthew 13:6, 20-21)
[Matthew 13:6] - "Because they had no root they withered away!"

Roots aren't at all glamorous, but they are the source of our strength (in adversity, in relationships, and in life, with God).
If our roots go deep in the knowledge of God (Jer. 9:24)** and our lives are rooted and built up in Him/His love (Col. 2:7), .... we'll be strong ... resistant to blight, and more likely to survive the storms of adversity.
For blight is "something that impairs growth, withers hopes and ambition, and impedes any type of progress or prosperity in living".
Being resistant from blight cannot come from our own resources or our own strength; For when our strength, our hope, and our resources are found in something beyond us ... God's love ... Jesus Christ ... it is then that we can face the storms of adversity with assurance and faith that the Love of God is with us, helping us; Strong roots in Jesus Christ eliminate all dangers of breaking, falling, or dying.

What are your roots? Are they strong enough for the adversities you will face throughout your life? HOW DEEP ARE YOUR ROOTS?

My prayer today: That I (we) will use the resources of God to put down roots that will make me (us) strong, rather than branches that will make me (us) attractive in the eyes of others.

Trees are supported and held up by the roots we do not see underground ... likewise ... no one will ever see your heart, your situation, and your faith ... the way God does :). Jesus is our root system.
The Roots of Stability come from being grounded in God's Word and in Prayer; In Jesus Christ (God's love).

Do you "know" Jesus Christ? Are you "rooted in Him? Do you want to be?

Jesus said -- [John 15:5-6]
"I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. 6If anyone does not remain in me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. No branch can survive by itself ... it must remain in the vine"
Are you connected to the vine?

(integrated from Daily Bread - September 5, 2008 --Roots or Shoots? -- and also what God spoke to my own heart) **(also Psalm 25:10)
(suggested scripture for "strong roots" verses - John 15:1,4,5-10; Colossians 2:7; Ephesians 3:17-19; Jeremiah 17:7-8; Philippians 4:11-13)

Spiritual warfare -- Getting rooted in Christ

I apologize for disappearing for the 10 days or so ....
I've been going through some adversities in my life and I've realized my inability to address the adversity properly and move forward in Faith, had been strongly connected to certain things going wrong within my own heart. Struggling with the "spiritual warfare" that has been going on within me and around me had a lot to do with aspects of my relationship with Jesus Christ that I have overlooked or thought that I HAD covered but I guess not completely -- specifically being "well rooted in Jesus Christ".

I will go on to explain what this means in the following blog, but I hope you can understand.
Rather on thinking "what about me", I've been working on focusing on "what about the Lord and what He wants to do through me and for me in my life".
Finally getting a grip on the truth: that my life isn't about me but serving Jesus Christ and sharing the "good news" in love ... I've been doing what I can to "strengthen my roots in Jesus Christ" and to use this time of adversity to draw me closer to Him and to focus on what He desires for me to learn and to grow from the storms of adversity.

So ... anyone who would feel up for praying for me, I would be very thankful.

Moving forward: "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your OWN understanding, but IN ALL THINGS acknowledge Him and He shall direct your path and make it straight" [Proverbs 3:5-6]

I have faith that His love will carry me through all adversities in my life ... and all will turn out for good; that every little thing that occurs in my life ... will be all right :)
For His plan, His purpose, and His Glory -- in loving me and all those that are His will never fail. Amen

Letting Go ...

Do you have something in your life that your still holding on to ... that you know you should just let go of?

I know I do. (Later in the blog I will reveal to you what I still lack to let go of...)

Whether it is a person, a lifestyle, pride, a grudge, or some thing ... it isn't easy to let go, but it surely doesn't benefit us by holding on to "it" either. Matter of fact, many people forfeit the blessing they could have received if they just trusted in God and let go. I wonder how many blessings people miss because they are unable to let go of something God is trying to pry out of our fingers for the sake of His love toward us?

Sadly, probably too many blessings. So the question remains ... Why don't we let go?
Fear of Change? Habit? Comfort? Uncertainty? Feels Good? Feeling in control?
This list goes on-and-on. Now the next question I pose is possibly one of the more important questions ... so think about this ...

What would you let go of (exchange) for eternal life in heaven?
What I mean is, what would you let go of here, now ... in order to receive an eternal reward, later?
What I'm leading at is: Would you be willing to let go of "You"?
I mean your lifestyle, the way you talked, the way you walked, the way you thought, the way you spent your time, etc.
Would you be willing to give up everything you are (leading up to this moment) if God wanted to make a "new you" (starting this moment) ... in exchange for the promise of eternal love-n-life in Heaven?

Tough questions ... I know ... but I just lay em out, for you and God to play em out.
The fact is one day we were born ... brought into this world and one day we will die ... be taken out. The bible tells us how all people will live forever ... either With God (In Heaven) or Separated from God (In Hell). And the ticket to heaven or hell is not based on being "a good person" or "deserving it" rather its based on "God's love and a choice". Love cannot be forced ... for love is a choice.
God allows us to make the choice ... either to live with Him in Heaven .... Forever OR to live without Him ... Separated... Forever (in the place people don't like to think about or talk about ... yet is very real).

The only choice that will matter in your life is this: Your way or God's Way.
Our way says ... I'll take my chances elsewhere. I choose to live for me and by me
God's way says ... All you have to do is place your Faith in Jesus, God's Son, and Love Jesus/God and others ... (The choice to live for God and by God).

WHY... Jesus? You might ask?
Because God is perfect. And to live in God ... forever (heaven) ... we need to be perfect to (meaning NO SIN in us ... not one). Which is impossible ... correct?
That's why God came down as a man named Jesus, and died for the sin of the world. (John 3:16)
The only hope of "forgiveness of sins and eternal life with God". No other "religion" out there offers this hope. And either Jesus is a liar or He truly is the Son of God and God himself who died for the worlds sins so you and me could be seen as "perfect" in God's eyes, through Jesus ...
Jesus said, "No one comes to Heaven (God the Father) except through me" [John 14:6]
I abuse this verse because it summarizes the entire bible, faith, and hope.

So the fact of the matter is ... we all have a choice ... love cannot be forced.
As for me ... I told you earlier I had trouble letting go of something and I do.
I have trouble "letting go" of "all of me". Its when I let go of "what I want, what I hope for my future, what my dreams are, what I'm worried about, what's bothering me" ... that I find my purpose, my peace, and my identity in the Love found in Jesus Christ.

Its when I let go of me, and fall into the arms of Jesus ... that I "don't worry ... about a thing ... and I know that ... every little thing ... is gonna be alright".

Jesus said, "If anyone desires to "come" after me (follow), he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it (let go) and whoever loses (let go of) his life for my sake will save it (find it). What good is it for a man to gain the whole world yet lose/forfeit his very soul?" [Luke 9:23-25]

What are you not letting go of ... that may be blocking the blessing God is trying to give you?

Will you let go of you and fall into the arms of Jesus (God's love/Heaven)?

The Importance of Prayer and Faith in God's Love to Answer -- in recognition of National Prayer Day (05/07/09)

Do you believe in God? If you do believe, do you believe God cares about you? If the answer to the 1st two questions is 'Yes' ... what about this ... do you believe that if you pray to God that He is not only able to hear your prayer, but also willing/able to answer your prayer?

Many people have an easier time saying 'Yes' to the first two questions, yet are skeptical upon how to answer the third. Many people are uncertain, unsure, and doubtful that God not only hears their prayers, but "cares" enough about them, to answer.

Whether you believe in God or not ... the fact remains that everyone looks to God for help at some point-in-time throughout their life. No matter who you are or what you believe ... its ironic how most people turn to God and cry out for help in moments of complete desperation.
I wonder if you have ever heard someone do this or perhaps maybe you have even done this yourself?
Having talked with many different types people who held different beliefs and different personalities throughout my life, one thing I find that many people ask of me, time and again, is a simple request: "Can you pray for me?"

Not only do we all "need" prayer, but we all "seek" prayer.
Church go-er or a non church go-er, Religious or non-religious -- means very little .... for all people are wired to "seek" God (for companionship, assistance, guidance, and love) and usually it comes in the form of our "prayer".
All people are created to have a relationship with God and prayer is the unconscious mechanism within us that "seeks" God and that relationship (in good times, bad times, or at all times).

Do you ever pray? Have you ever prayed? I wonder, if you do pray or have prayed, ... at what times or moments in your life do you find yourself praying or asking for prayer?
Do you pray only during tough times ... when bad news arises?
Do you pray during times of confusion ... when seeking guidance or direction for the next step?
Do you pray when things are going well ... when you just received Good news or when filled with a great joy and thankfulness?

When do you pray? Why do you pray? And to whom do you pray to?
What is "prayer" anyways?

Prayer is our way of reaching out to God. Prayer is the essence of having a relationship with God (through Jesus Christ).
When someone prays, they share their heart with God and reach out to Him for His love, for His guidance, and for His assistance. Men and women were designed for a relationship with God ... and prayer is our way of communicating with God in that relationship.

When I used to pray to God ... I usually only prayed during a major dilemma in my life. And in that moment of prayer, I rarely ever believed that God would hear my prayer and help me. I thought things like, "I don't deserve his answer/help" or "He probably has more important things to deal with than my problems", yet all these were deceitful lies from within myself. God always cares! God is always willing and able to help!
A faithless prayer is just words ... an empty shell. The reason why it is an empty prayer is the fact that a relationship with God rest on two pillars of choice: "Faith in Jesus and Love for God". Faith is essential to knowing God and therefore essential to prayer. A prayer that "hopes" God will hear you and "hopefully" will answer ... is a defeating prayer of uncertainty and doubt.

"If any of you lacks wisdom (guidance), he should ask(pray to) God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. **But when he asks (prays), he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord" {James 1:5-7}

Prayer is reliant on Faith ... that God loves you... hears you, cares for you, and will help you (answer). Faith is the basis of our relationship with God.

"Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see." {Hebrews 11:1}

Faith and Prayer go hand in hand. Its not about what words you say or how you pray, but prayer is about your faith in God ... to not only hear your prayer, but to answer yout prayer in His timing, in His way, out of the endless love He has for you. There might be moments when you "feel" God isn't listening or isn't responding, but we can rest on God's Truths that:

"In all things we know that God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to his purpose, his plan, and his love" (Romans 8:28).

God hears all your prayers and He answers ever single prayer in His timing and in His way ... knowing what is best for you, for Him, and most importantly for your relationship with Him.

" The LORD is faithful to all his promises and loving toward all he has made.

The LORD upholds all those who fall and lifts up all who are bowed down.

The eyes of all look to you (LORD), and you give them their food at the proper time.You open your hand and satisfy the desires of every living thing.

The LORD is righteous in all his ways and loving toward all he has made.

The LORD is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth.

He fulfills the desires of those who fear him (loving awe); he hears their cry and saves them.

The LORD watches over all who love him."

{Psalm 145:13-20}

Take the time and talk to God in prayer. Share with Him your heart. Tell Him what your thankful for, tell Him what you need, ask all types of requests ... for God made you, to love you, and so that you could love him back.
Branching from Faith ... prayer is the next step to a growing relationship with God.
Have Faith in all your prayers ... because God not only hears you, but loves you ... desiring to help you in all you do. God will answer you, when you call on Him.

Do you "know" God personally?
Closing on this ... Jesus says... " No one knows the Father except the Son and to whom the Son chooses to reveal Him" [Luke 10:22]. What does this mean? My interpretation of this is that Jesus is saying there is only one bridge to a relationship with God and He is the bridge. God does not withhold His love from anyone ... but He makes it very clear that there is One God, One Love, One Creator of all, and One way to Him. You may here me say, "I have a relationship with God through Jesus Christ" ... because Jesus states that He is "the gate", the "only way" and that "no one comes to God the Father except through Him"(John 14:6). Therefore, it is only through Jesus Christ, by Faith, in Love, that I have a relationship with God.

My relationship with God is based solely on: Faith in Jesus and Love for God.

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