Thursday, March 24, 2011

Making Prayer a Habit

When you think of everything that goes on in just one day I bet you feel like you could write a whole entire list of activities you go through. Brush your teeth, put on clothes, shower, eat breakfast, drive to work/school. That's just the morning! As your day goes on you have so much to think about and work on that you forget the most essential part of your day.. prayer! I'm not talking about a 5 second mumble of a prayer before you eat and a "thank you God" while lying half asleep in bed. I'm talking about staying in constant communication with the Lord throughout your whole day!

You will never believe how much better, more blessed and easier your day is when you have the Lord Jesus Christ by your side at all times. When you're not in constant prayer with the Lord, you're in constant worry with yourself. God did not design the world in a way that you're about to handle it by yourself. He designed it specifically so that the only way you can make it in this world is with Him and Him only. How are you going to do that? Pray for strength, courage, boldness, love, humility and humbleness. These characteristics will coat you when you stay in constant contact with the one who has proved all these qualities to the greatest extent.

I've realized in the last 8 months that the more time you spend with somebody the more you become like them. I have countless hours and days with my girlfriend, Adri, everyday it seems like we are becoming more and more like each other! We begin to talk like each other, eat like each other and even think the same! Just like with God, the more time you spend with Him in prayer and in His word the more you will become like Him!

Take time to dedicate yourself in constant prayer with the Lord. I guarantee your days will be easier and happier =]

Sunday, March 20, 2011

God's Incredible Forgiveness

"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness." -1 John 1:9

Forgiveness of sins is a subject that is impossible to comprehend, just like God's other amazing qualities. Why? Because it's too amazing for our puny little brains to understand how incredibly lucky we are! There will never go by one day where you don't sin. There will never be any person that is absolutely perfect, except Jesus. But there will always be the forgiveness of your sins.

No one wants to walk around this world without God's amazing forgiveness. I can definitely name quite a few times that if it wasn't for His forgiveness I would be in much more troubled situations than I am now. But to truly receive His forgiveness you have to REPENT! This means Jesus isn't exactly giving you a Get Out of Jail Free Card by forgiving all your sins without you even trying to repent or have a change of heart. To receive the amazing forgiveness of Christ, which is amazing if I haven't already said that, you must have a genuine heart of repentance and want of change.

"Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord," -Acts 3:19

We all have struggles, intense struggles that drive us to sin constantly. You may sin the same sin everyday. You may completely hate that you sin so much but can't help it. We are human and it's understandable. We are definitely not perfect, obviously, and the only way you are going to get past that sin is Christ! You may be struggling with drugs, alcohol, pornography, sex, lying, cheating etc. whatever it may be don't you think that you should turn to the only person who was actually tempted with everything and yet fell into no sin? That man is Jesus Christ. I don't care if you're the biggest alcoholic you've ever known. I don't care if you've slept with multiple partners. I don't care if you've lied to everyone in your life. It's time for change. God loves you just as much as He loves everyone else! If you think this is you and you want God's forgiveness, repent! Ask God to change your heart and PRAY! Pray as much as you can and I guarantee Christ will change your life and give you a fresh start, every single day.