Alex on #Do

For years, I had a Wednesday night / Sunday morning faith. I "picked up" Jesus like a bookbag or a jacket when I walked into church, Bible class, or my grandma's house. Jesus seemed to live in my back pocket, and I could pull him out when I wanted him, or shove him back when I was finished with him.
But that changed one day. Because I found out that Christianity isn't about Jesus in my pocket. Or a little Jesus on the side. Josh told us tonight that Jesus isn't a 30-second blip on iTunes. He's the full song. He isn't a little department in our lives. He should be our lives. He should fill all our lives.
Recently, I began a daily devotional/Bible study time with God. I found a great time, got a new Bible, and started to waste less time each morning. I carved out some moments to spend with the God who made me. I had some extra minutes in the morning, and I decided to spend them with God instead of on Facebook.
So, I urge you, don't spend your life in a Wednesday night faith. Find Jesus for yourself. For me, that means 15 minutes each weekday morning at the kitchen table with some poptarts. For you, it could mean listening to an Audio Bible each morning on the way to school. Or flipping open a devotional book to read at night. Whatever it is, Jesus must be more than an hour and a half on Wednesday nights. He must be your life.

But if you look carefully into the perfect law that sets you free, and if you do what it says and don’t forget what you heard, then God will bless you for doing it.
James 1:25

Alex on #Suffering

Myth: Accepting Jesus Christ as your Savior will make life easy

Fact: "In this world you will have trouble." (John 16:33)

Haven't faced trouble, hardship, or suffering yet? It's coming soon, believe me! There is so much pain in our lives each and every day. All of us can talk about something we've faced in our own lives that hurts deeply. And if anyone ever tells you that a relationship with Christ will take away all of your problems, they couldn't be further from the truth.

However, Jesus doesn't leave us hanging. He doesn't say, "Hey, man, welcome to my friends list! Oh, and by the way, you're going to be facing some really tough issues for the rest of your life. Alright, bye, dude! See you later!" Nope! That's not Jesus at all.

I quoted John 16:33 earlier, which says, "In this world, you will have trouble." But it doesn't end there. The verse goes on to say, "But take heart! I have overcome the world." That's Jesus talking, reminding us of his love for us. 1 John 4:4 says, "...the one who is in you [Jesus] is greater than the one who is in the world [Satan]."

No one can explain away your hurt and difficulties, but it can help to understand why you're in pain. God allows suffering and difficulties in our lives for many reasons. He doesn't cause pain, because God is all and only good. One reason God allows pain in our lives is so that we can grow. Sometimes our parents let us make our own decisions, so that when we are left with the consequences, we'll have to deal with them; it's a maturing process. God also allows pain to bring others to him. If a friend or acquaintance of yours sees God's work in your heart and life, that might inspire them to seek out a relationship with God.

Remember, God can take a horrible situation and use it for something good and beautiful. Romans 8:28 says, "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose."

"But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." (Romans 5:8)