This is my second blog and I’m excited to share my thoughts, questions and life experiences with you. I’m sitting in my new home about 75% unpacked from the move from Orlando. It blows me away that I’m literally staring at God’s provision in my Wife’s life and mine. We are living in a place almost twice as big as our old apartment and virtually rent-free. We have all new appliances, more space then we could ask for and it is fixed up the exact way we want it- awesome.
We have a place to live, and now I need a job. I don’t know why, but I decided to ask God for a job that pays $620 a week and see if I get it. It says in the bible that we can ask for anything, so I’m going out on a limb and asking God for big things, after all, I’m living in a miracle.
I’m at a point in my life where I’m taking a deep look into who I am, what makes me tick, what gets me excited, what makes me sad, happy, and secure. Really, I’m asking myself what is the essence of who I am? Is it the same it was 5 years ago or has God changed my heart? I know that as of the past few months I have learned a few life lessons I will carry on the rest of my life.
Reading my Bible and praying in the morning is essential to my day. Without it, I lack a clear conscience because it is only after I let God’s word permeate my soul can I go through my day knowing Him and me are on good terms. I’m trying to get better at reading and praying, because adding praying to the mix in my morning is awesome. I’m not talking like the “Dear Jesus help me make it today”, but praying for the people in my life and the situations they are going through. The prayer where you really connect with God and ask him to use me and make me more like his Son prayer times. I’m sure by now you are thinking ok “Super Christian” with your cape and fancy emblem cross on your chest, I can’t do that, I have a life, kid’s, a job, a wife, and school. I used to feel that way about people who seemed to have it all together with their spiritual lives, but I can honestly say if you don’t make praying and reading a priority you won’t do them. For me, praying and reading in the morning works because it is me showing God that He is the my first priority and I’m not letting anything else keep me from my #1.
Another life lesson I’m trying to embrace is that confession of sin is a good thing. It gives you a clear conscience and makes your relationship with God a million times better if you are faithful to truly repent after you confess your junk. However, it does no good if you only confess and there is no action to follow it (1 John 1:9). Side Note: don’t wait for years if you have a sin issue to get help. As humans we have a way of not dealing with our junk until it destroys our lives. Please, for the love of all things holy be sensitive to the Holy Spirit and if a issue begins to arise, handle it before it becomes a monster; pull out the root of the sin before it becomes a red wood tree in your soul. Sin will only get worse the longer you wait to deal with it. Having a trusted friend or pastor to able to tell what you are dealing with is good. Confessing your problems is good for you and it is even better when you confess and are ready to move on past the issue. I love 1 John 2:1-2 because he says I hope you don’t mess up, but if you do, we have the one who paid the price for it all!
Finally, the last of the life lessons I will share with you. Tithe! When I read the book “The Blessed Life” my life changed and God gave me a spiritual beat down about tithing. Tithing and giving are such a blessing to do. To be able to give God the first of what He has given me is a shout out to God that I recognize what He has given me. I used to be bitter and cynical about tithing. God doesn’t need my money, why do I have to give 10%? I have learned that God loves a cheerful giver; he blesses those who give freely when he asks. I’m so tired of the argument that 10% was only the Old Testament way of doing things. I think next time I hear that I will try to kill them and say “ that old testament thing about do not kill is so irrelevant these days” You can’t pick and choose! People gave 10% of whatever they had then. We obviously don’t have fruits, vegetables, cows, goats and birds to give to the church. We have money to give so we give 10% of the most important thing we have; money. I apologize for my rant. I figured, it’s my blog; I can rant when I want.
Needless to say, God has taken care of my wife and me because we have been faithful with our tithe and giving. I hope to continue to be a cheerful giver and to be able to watch how God will bless our lives.
All of these life lessons are making up who I am as a person. The older I get the more I wish I had taken care of the roots of sin that latched onto me when I was younger. What if I would have learned to pray and read faithfully years ago? What heartaches could have been avoided if I was a man of my word, confessed, repented and ran away from the things my sinful nature craves. I can only look back and say what if now, but as I daily walk out who I am in God I can only be excited for the future of what God has in store as I live out the adventure he as called me too.
Peace and Grace-
