Hello everyone! This blog has not been very active since April and now that there is something else to offer I can explain. I created this blog as a part of my position as Union For Christ director at Union College. I wanted to give others insight into my own spiritual journey. I am no longer holding this position, however Ricky Melendez is now the UFC director and he has decided to continue on with a blog. So continue following at www.ufcshares.wordpress.com. He has a lot of great ideas and I know you'll be blessed by his posts. Thanks for following and I hope you were blessed as much as I was!
Ps. I will be contributing from time to time on the new blog as well!
Sunday, August 26, 2012
Sunday, April 22, 2012
John Chapter Twelve
Why does it seem as though rejecting Christ is easier than accepting Christ? Is it because my view is flawed? Is it because that is they way society portrays it? Is that how non Christians make it seem? Or do Christians make it seem that way?
As I was reading chapter twelve my initial reaction to the Pharisees was that it would be so much easier to just accept Jesus. Up to this point they have had so much evidence that he is the Son of God. They have seen miracle after miracle. Twice now God's voice from heaven has recognized Jesus; at his baptism and here in verse 28. But no, they'd rather look for ways to defame Jesus, to kill him, and to kill any evidence of the work he's done. This means to find a way to kill Lazarus as well. Why? Why not just accept Christ? Why not just allow yourself to believe?
Don't I do the same thing though? Don't I look for excuses not to follow Jesus and give myself completely to him? Don't I look for reasons to take my life back into my own hands? Do I not test to see if God is really there? To see if he really cares?
Why create all this extra work on myself? Why? It would be so much easier to just let go and say Jesus I trust you. I accept you and I give my life completely to you.
It seems that way would be easier. But somehow in my mind it isn't. It seems like the hardest thing I'll ever do is surrender. And maybe this is what the Pharisees thought too...I don't know. But I would rather not repeat history so even though in my mind it may seem harder in the end I know complete surrender is easier.
Jesus, I surrender my life to you; the good, the bad, and everything in between.
As I was reading chapter twelve my initial reaction to the Pharisees was that it would be so much easier to just accept Jesus. Up to this point they have had so much evidence that he is the Son of God. They have seen miracle after miracle. Twice now God's voice from heaven has recognized Jesus; at his baptism and here in verse 28. But no, they'd rather look for ways to defame Jesus, to kill him, and to kill any evidence of the work he's done. This means to find a way to kill Lazarus as well. Why? Why not just accept Christ? Why not just allow yourself to believe?
Don't I do the same thing though? Don't I look for excuses not to follow Jesus and give myself completely to him? Don't I look for reasons to take my life back into my own hands? Do I not test to see if God is really there? To see if he really cares?
Why create all this extra work on myself? Why? It would be so much easier to just let go and say Jesus I trust you. I accept you and I give my life completely to you.
It seems that way would be easier. But somehow in my mind it isn't. It seems like the hardest thing I'll ever do is surrender. And maybe this is what the Pharisees thought too...I don't know. But I would rather not repeat history so even though in my mind it may seem harder in the end I know complete surrender is easier.
Jesus, I surrender my life to you; the good, the bad, and everything in between.
Sunday, April 15, 2012
John Chapter Eleven
I've been struggling a little lately. I have been trying to take time to spend with Jesus everyday but it seems like it just isn't happening. This last week or so has been incredibly busy and I just feel like I'm on the go all the time; trying to squeeze in time to eat and sleep along the way. It's as though I have no time for Jesus. How can I possibly have no time for Jesus? How can I not have time for the one who has given his life for me? How can I not possibly figure out how to make that time?
This year has been an amazing growing experience for me in my relationship with Christ. I know that I have come so far and that I am so much different than when I started out at the beginning of this school year. However, there is that tendency for things to plateau. I just get comfortable and love the ways things are and stop to seek and yearn for God. But I know that I must fight against it, it is only a temptation from the devil in which I will slowly fade away from the presence of Christ. And I know that Jesus doesn't want our relationship to stay where it is, I know he want it to grow and to continue to grow.
This is why John 11:16 sticks out to me today. As I read it I was just blown away by the thought and the words of Thomas. Jesus is talking about going to Bethany which is in Judea because of Lazarus. The last time Jesus was here the people tried to stone him. The disciples think he is crazy to go back to a place where he could potentially be killed. Yet, Thomas speaks up and says, "Let us also go, that we may die with him." Commitment.
As I reflect on the verse and on my week, I have to ask myself where is my commitment? I can't even make sacrifices in my time to spend with Jesus; let alone be willing to sacrifice my life. I want to grow, I want to be more in love with Jesus, I want him to be all I live for so that my life is of little consequence. I want to be able to join in with Thomas.
This year has been an amazing growing experience for me in my relationship with Christ. I know that I have come so far and that I am so much different than when I started out at the beginning of this school year. However, there is that tendency for things to plateau. I just get comfortable and love the ways things are and stop to seek and yearn for God. But I know that I must fight against it, it is only a temptation from the devil in which I will slowly fade away from the presence of Christ. And I know that Jesus doesn't want our relationship to stay where it is, I know he want it to grow and to continue to grow.
This is why John 11:16 sticks out to me today. As I read it I was just blown away by the thought and the words of Thomas. Jesus is talking about going to Bethany which is in Judea because of Lazarus. The last time Jesus was here the people tried to stone him. The disciples think he is crazy to go back to a place where he could potentially be killed. Yet, Thomas speaks up and says, "Let us also go, that we may die with him." Commitment.
As I reflect on the verse and on my week, I have to ask myself where is my commitment? I can't even make sacrifices in my time to spend with Jesus; let alone be willing to sacrifice my life. I want to grow, I want to be more in love with Jesus, I want him to be all I live for so that my life is of little consequence. I want to be able to join in with Thomas.
Sunday, April 8, 2012
John Chapter Ten
One of my biggest spiritual fears is that I'm going to get caught up in something that isn't true. I'm scared that when I'm standing before Jesus in the judgement day that he's going to say to me "I never knew you." The thought of it depresses me and I agonize over how can I know, how can I not be fooled by wolves in sheep's clothing.
I've really been struggling with these thoughts this week. I've had so many questions and just seemed as though there weren't any answers coming my way. I felt so close to spiraling out of control and just giving up. But Jesus had something for me this week.
After reading chapter ten in John, I am convinced that this is not to be my worry. I have to have complete faith in Christ and know that he will not allow me to be led astray. The story of The Good Shepherd was such an encouragement to me. Jesus says that his sheep will not follow a stranger. His sheep will only follow his voice. This is when it hit me. I have a father in heaven that loves me and wishes more than anything for me to be there with him. This is why being connected to Christ is so important. This is why I have to know him!
By having a connection with Christ and by knowing who he is, I will know his voice and not be led by a stranger or some strange doctrine. It's hard to let go and put complete and utter faith in Jesus but I have to. I have to let go and stop trying to control my own destiny.
"I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep. But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep."
Jesus is the Good Shepherd, not a hireling and I don't have to worry about the wolves because he will not flee , he will give his life that I may be safe! So why am I worried?
I've really been struggling with these thoughts this week. I've had so many questions and just seemed as though there weren't any answers coming my way. I felt so close to spiraling out of control and just giving up. But Jesus had something for me this week.
After reading chapter ten in John, I am convinced that this is not to be my worry. I have to have complete faith in Christ and know that he will not allow me to be led astray. The story of The Good Shepherd was such an encouragement to me. Jesus says that his sheep will not follow a stranger. His sheep will only follow his voice. This is when it hit me. I have a father in heaven that loves me and wishes more than anything for me to be there with him. This is why being connected to Christ is so important. This is why I have to know him!
By having a connection with Christ and by knowing who he is, I will know his voice and not be led by a stranger or some strange doctrine. It's hard to let go and put complete and utter faith in Jesus but I have to. I have to let go and stop trying to control my own destiny.
"I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep. But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep."
Jesus is the Good Shepherd, not a hireling and I don't have to worry about the wolves because he will not flee , he will give his life that I may be safe! So why am I worried?
Sunday, April 1, 2012
John Chapter Nine
I remember a point in my life as a Christian where I felt I had all the answers. I was so sure of where I stood on everything, I wouldn't even have to think about it. That time is far passed. As I study now, and as I seek to become closer to Jesus the less and less I know. There seems to be this great vastness that I before never knew existed. I feel as though I am groping along in the dark, spiritually blind.
The last few weeks I have really been struggling with a few questions that have started popping up around me. I don't know what I think, believe, or feel. My mind is in utter confusion and in all honesty it scares me. Is the issue really that important? What if it is? Will I choose the right belief? Is there a right belief? What if I end up on the wrong side? Is there a wrong side? These are the questions that plague me.
In John 9, Jesus says something that I believe pertains to what I am struggling with; verse 41, "Jesus said unto them, If ye were blind, ye should have no sin: but now ye say, We see: therefore your sin remaineth."
Before I felt like I had all the answers so why did I need Jesus? Now, I know that I really cannot see and so I turn to Jesus. I don't have the answers but I know he does. So I put my trust in him asking for guidance and for clarity and I know that he will not lead me astray.
"I came into the world to bring everything into the clear light of day, making all the distinctions clear, so that those who have never seen will see, and those who have made a great pretense of seeing will be exposed as blind." -John 9:39 The Message
The last few weeks I have really been struggling with a few questions that have started popping up around me. I don't know what I think, believe, or feel. My mind is in utter confusion and in all honesty it scares me. Is the issue really that important? What if it is? Will I choose the right belief? Is there a right belief? What if I end up on the wrong side? Is there a wrong side? These are the questions that plague me.
In John 9, Jesus says something that I believe pertains to what I am struggling with; verse 41, "Jesus said unto them, If ye were blind, ye should have no sin: but now ye say, We see: therefore your sin remaineth."
Before I felt like I had all the answers so why did I need Jesus? Now, I know that I really cannot see and so I turn to Jesus. I don't have the answers but I know he does. So I put my trust in him asking for guidance and for clarity and I know that he will not lead me astray.
"I came into the world to bring everything into the clear light of day, making all the distinctions clear, so that those who have never seen will see, and those who have made a great pretense of seeing will be exposed as blind." -John 9:39 The Message
Sunday, March 25, 2012
John Chapter Eight
It is so amazing how God gives us exactly what we need when we need it! The last few days were a quite an experience at the Campus Ministries Convention in Georgia. I felt a call and pull on my heart in such a way that I have not felt in quite some time. I thought I had my life planned out and knew what was going to happen next. I'm going to get a job as a teacher, work, live the standard life, and do what I can for God on the side. I know it sounds so... lackadaisical, but that is truly how I felt. Reaching out for Christ was not number one on my heart or in my mind. Yet, during these last few days, like a ton of bricks I felt it.
The impression was clear, reaching out for Christ and sharing him needed to be my number one priority. The other stuff; that would come in time. It is not that the career path that I have chosen is wrong, it's that my order was wrong. As I have drawn closer and connected with Christ this year, it is becoming clearer and clearer to me that I want to truly live for him, holding nothing back. No longer saying, "God you can have this part of my life, but not this little piece over here." I want him to have it all and completely transform me, with a new heart, a new spirit.
Now, I don't know where this leaves me. What I once thought I was so sure of, I am now unsure of. I want to live a life with Jesus as number one but I'm not sure where that is leading and I'm scared. John 8 had the perfect verse for me this evening, verse 12, "Then Jesus spake...I am the light of the world; he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life." I know there is a ton in chapter eight and honestly some of it confuses me, but tonight God wanted me to read that verse cause he knew I needed some assurance. My heavenly Father has a plan for me and by his grace I intend to be apart of that plan.
The impression was clear, reaching out for Christ and sharing him needed to be my number one priority. The other stuff; that would come in time. It is not that the career path that I have chosen is wrong, it's that my order was wrong. As I have drawn closer and connected with Christ this year, it is becoming clearer and clearer to me that I want to truly live for him, holding nothing back. No longer saying, "God you can have this part of my life, but not this little piece over here." I want him to have it all and completely transform me, with a new heart, a new spirit.
Now, I don't know where this leaves me. What I once thought I was so sure of, I am now unsure of. I want to live a life with Jesus as number one but I'm not sure where that is leading and I'm scared. John 8 had the perfect verse for me this evening, verse 12, "Then Jesus spake...I am the light of the world; he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life." I know there is a ton in chapter eight and honestly some of it confuses me, but tonight God wanted me to read that verse cause he knew I needed some assurance. My heavenly Father has a plan for me and by his grace I intend to be apart of that plan.
Sunday, March 18, 2012
John Chapter Seven
What is happening? There seems to be a change of pace in the life of Jesus continuing on from chapter six. John in this chapter shows the contention and controversy surrounding Jesus. The question of the hour; "Do we believe in him or not?" The religious leaders for the most part want to get rid of him. All they see is a rebel, someone who is challenging their rules, their traditions, their customs. The people on the other hand, are split, not sure what to do, who to listen to. It is becoming not so popular to follow Jesus, so decisions are having to be made.
In the midst of all of this Jesus goes to teach in the temple, and what he has to say doesn't win over the crowd, it infuriates some and inspires awe in others. Me... I am confused, enlightened, and inspired. His words in verse 24 are what stop me this week, "Judge not according to the appearance but judge righteous judgement." Judge righteous judgement...What does that mean?
I don't know why, but I immediately think of the story of when David was anointed by Samuel to be king over Israel. 1 Samuel 16:7, "...Man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart." So is righteous judgement just looking at the heart? But we are only human, we cannot see the heart, we do not know what is on someone else's heart. Only God knows, only he has righteous judgement. So how does Jesus expect us not to base things on the outward appearance; on what we see?
But wait, Matthew in chapter 7 talks about knowing whether people are truly of God, "real" Christians. Verse 20, "Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them." By their fruits? What fruits?
One other place in the Bible that I think of fruits in relation to people, and how they show themselves. Galatians 5:22-23, "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law."
These are the things that matter. Because when you think about it, God judged David based on these things, but David wasn't perfect. Yet David was always searching and in the end completely yielded to God. God knows where our hearts are, he knew that David's heart was ultimately his, because he saw in David the fruits of the Spirit. So Jesus tells us if judgement is made do it according to the fruits of the Spirit, not according to the initial appearance that we see. Remember in John 5 Jesus was judged for not keeping the Sabbath, but if you look at what he did, aren't all of the fruits of the Spirit evident?
I know I'm not perfect and I have so much more to learn about Jesus. I have so much growing to do but through it all it is my prayer to strive for and have the fruits of the Spirit, because I just want to be what Jesus has been to me.
In the midst of all of this Jesus goes to teach in the temple, and what he has to say doesn't win over the crowd, it infuriates some and inspires awe in others. Me... I am confused, enlightened, and inspired. His words in verse 24 are what stop me this week, "Judge not according to the appearance but judge righteous judgement." Judge righteous judgement...What does that mean?
I don't know why, but I immediately think of the story of when David was anointed by Samuel to be king over Israel. 1 Samuel 16:7, "...Man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart." So is righteous judgement just looking at the heart? But we are only human, we cannot see the heart, we do not know what is on someone else's heart. Only God knows, only he has righteous judgement. So how does Jesus expect us not to base things on the outward appearance; on what we see?
But wait, Matthew in chapter 7 talks about knowing whether people are truly of God, "real" Christians. Verse 20, "Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them." By their fruits? What fruits?
One other place in the Bible that I think of fruits in relation to people, and how they show themselves. Galatians 5:22-23, "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law."
These are the things that matter. Because when you think about it, God judged David based on these things, but David wasn't perfect. Yet David was always searching and in the end completely yielded to God. God knows where our hearts are, he knew that David's heart was ultimately his, because he saw in David the fruits of the Spirit. So Jesus tells us if judgement is made do it according to the fruits of the Spirit, not according to the initial appearance that we see. Remember in John 5 Jesus was judged for not keeping the Sabbath, but if you look at what he did, aren't all of the fruits of the Spirit evident?
I know I'm not perfect and I have so much more to learn about Jesus. I have so much growing to do but through it all it is my prayer to strive for and have the fruits of the Spirit, because I just want to be what Jesus has been to me.
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