Passion and Commitment

Let us be glad and rejoice, and let us give honor to him. For the time has come for the wedding feast of the Lamb, and his bride has prepared herself – Revelation 19:7

There are so many scriptures that reference to believers as being the bride of Christ. I think it’s cool how in Revelations it describes this marriage ceremony where God conquers evil and claims us as his forever.

As I wait in eager expectation of this beloved day where I can see God face to face, I can’t help but to wonder how can I truly devote myself to God even in the dry seasons.

I have never been married, and I was not raised in a two parent married household. But I’ve seen my fair share of marriages on the rocks or those that end in divorce. Being a people watcher and analyzer, I feel like marriages lack two important things. Commitment and passion. Too often in the Christian body, our relationships and marriages with Christ lack commitment and passion.

Passion. By the end of church on Sundays, I am so fired up for God. I am excited. The music, the fellowship, the altar call, the sermon, it all works to get me passionate about this Christian walk. And then, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, ThursdayFridaySaturday comes…

Don’t get me wrong I absolutely love God, but sometimes the fire I have for God on Sunday is snuffed out by Monday. Just look around. We see this excitement for (blank) that fizzles out before we know it. People enter marriages expecting passion for the other person to always be there. Some people enter careers so excited for job, but their passions dies out months later.

The thing is that passion is only one element to any relationship. When the cares of this life come, we need something more to withstand.

Commitment. We do what we say. Maybe I’m the only person, but when I’m at altar call I lay out everything bare before God. I call out my sins, I declare my desire for God, and I promise to really serve him. It’s all great when I’m on the altar, but sometimes when I leave it’s another story.  

“And as he sowed, some seeds fell along the path, and the birds came and devoured them. Other seeds fell on rocky ground, where they did not have much soil, and immediately they sprang up, since they had no depth of soil, but when the sun rose they were scorched. And since they had no root, they withered away. Other seeds fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and chocked them. Other seeds fell on good soil and produced grain, some hundred-fold, some sixty, some thirty” Matthew 13: 4-8.

We are all seeds. What we decide to do with our seeds is important. We can find ourselves falling on hard times and forgetting everything we felt and believed on Sunday. The above scriptures describe us in our walk with God--- we fall away, become concerned with other things, we don’t stay grounded in God, we lose our passion.

For me, especially in my dry seasons when I can’t feel God near, I must remain committed to him and his word. In my commitment, I know I am planting myself in good soil and will bring forth a good harvest.

Commitment and passion go hand in hand. Commitment without passion is a jail sentence. I’ve worked several jobs when I had to be committed to work for a certain amount of time even though the passion and desire to be there was gone. I’ve also been passionate about things, like basketball, without commitment. It made me an excited player who lacked skill because I couldn’t dedicate myself to practice. Passion without commitment is a ticking time bomb.

Use your passion, that excitement for God, to propel yourself forward in him. Your commitment is when you decide to pray, read the word, or do something to remained connected even when you don’t feel like it.

Don’t shy away from asking God to help you feel passion for him or commitment to him and his word. He is willing to help you (Psalm 46:1). He was human just like us, so he understands (Hebrews 4:15). In his passion and love for us, he died for our sins. He committed himself to his word even when it was not easy.

He is an ever-present help in time of need. May we have better relationships and marriages with Christ by staying passionate and committed to him.

                                                                        

Blessings,

Courtney

How to Make This New Year Different

As we approach the end of 2017, I can’t help but to think about all the New Year’s Resolutions I’ve made over the past few years.  Many of them centered around making a new and improved me. They’ve ranged from getting all As to losing ten pounds to finding a boyfriend. Overall, my past resolutions were sometimes accomplished, and I would feel great for a period of time. However, I can’t help but to want something more than an organized bedroom and an amazing closet. I thirst for something… someone more.

 

I am not here to water down people’s dreams of a more toned body, there is nothing wrong with bettering yourself. Yet, I’ve found in my life that I can “better” myself to the point where I look like I have it all together on the outside, but I’m still messed up on the inside. So, I am here to offer advice on how to build the foundation of your year on someone who can really make your year be great. Jesus. He is the one who has the power to make your year be fulfilling regardless of what may happen between January to December.

Here are 3 tips to make your year different and something that you will be able to see from the inside, out.

1). Know Your Source

If I can be honest here, life can become scary especially if you don’t know what’s in store for you. It is uncomfortable not knowing if you will be able to pay your bills, it is unsettling to ask people for help, it is not fun to drive an unreliable car.

But I’m finding that God is a God who provides a way out of no way. He was the supplier of the ram in the bushes (Genesis 22:9-13), He was the power in David’s swing (1 Samuel 17), He was the one who carried our sins to the cross (Mark 15).

That peace, acceptance, help, or whatever you need it all comes from God and his provision.

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with who is no variableness, neither shadow of turning – James 1:17.

…I have never seen the righteous forsaken or their children begging for bread – Psalm 37:25

A lot can happen in a year. So, no matter what happens, good or bad, it’s important to remember that God has you. He is your source  and all that you need. (Romans 8:28).

2). Do Everything unto God

Whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God – 1 Corinthians 10:31 

May this scripture be our words to live by. If we keep God at the center of lives, then we are bound to become closer and grow in our relationships with him. It also can help us in other areas of our lives as well.

I am unfortunately a woman who runs late quite frequently. But as I am trying to live more for God, I am becoming more aware of how this is not a good look.

In my effort to become a better employee, I am keeping in mind that I am not just heading to my job, but I am heading to work for God. I am being a witness to nonbelievers with my timeliness, and I intend to work diligently when I am at my job.

This mindset can help our year become different because we are different. By applying more diligence to our tasks at hand, regardless of what it is---cleaning our homes, being good friends, during our studying times--- we become more focused on bringing glory to God.

3).  Trust God

 

Too often in society, we place our hope and identities on material things or people. Understand you are still a valuable prince(ss) if you don’t get that acceptance letter, significant other, or job you’ve been longing for. You are more than a title or status given to you.

It really is a beautiful thing in trusting God in the hills and valleys of life. I’m still a work in progress, but I’m finding that no matter what happens he is still good. Many things have not gone as I would have liked, in fact I would have never pictured my life to go the way it’s gone, but it’s all somehow worked out (Romans 8:28). So, may this 2018 year be a ride of a lifetime and may we learn to trust his will and lean not on our own understanding (Proverbs 3:5-6).

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways may ways,” declares the LORD. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts” – Isaiah 55:8-9.

Cheers to a different, more fulfilling year were we know God as our source, live our lives for him and know that we can trust him.

Best wishes,

Courtney

Stop Playing Church Games

We enter the sanctuary. A smile here. Pleasantries there. Our outfits are put together. We look good, smell good, sound good; we appear good. But let's face it, many of us are very good actors. However, I can't help but to think of what happens when we leave church. Are we still the church? (See Ephesians 1:22-23 and Romans 16:5).  

We, Christians, are the body of Christ, his church. If we are God's church, do we live as we really should in representing Christ? Are we God's hands and feet? Are we displaying good fruit?  

 Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Therefore by their fruits you will know them. Matthew 7:17-20

Do people even know you're a Christian? I remember working at a hair salon that I seriously hated a few years ago. A client came in for a haircut, and after a few minutes he asked me if I was a Christian. I was surprised how he even knew. Our conversation wasn't initially about God; I didn't have any markers to identify me as a Christian like a cross necklace or WWJD? bracelet. So, I told him that I was and asked him what was the giveaway of my beliefs. He responded, "There's a light about you." In the darkness of that salon filled with foul language, gossip, inappropriate music, and the flaunting of a lifestyle contradictory to God's word, I separated myself. I thank God for teaching me in my walk with Him to not just fit in with the crowd if it meant going against God's word. 

Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you.2 Corinthians 6:17.

The thing about being a Christian is that we can't look like the world, or we have to question our Christianity (See Romans 12:2). If we act like the rest of the world, how will people know we belong to Jesus? 

Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. Matthew 5:16.

While the story of the man asking me if I was a Christian because of my light was probably one of the best compliments I've ever received, I can't help but to think that one of the worse things someone could say to me would be that they didn't know I was a believer. I went almost nine months at a job staying silent. I sat in at lunch listening to my co-workers talks of lust, drunkenness, and gossip, and I just sat there. While I didn't participate in the conversations, I certainly didn't separate myself. How could I go almost a full year without letting it be known I was a believer? It was because I was terrified. I was afraid of judgment. 

Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ. Galatians 1:10.  

Whose approval are you seeking? Are you going to church appearing super Christianly, but going to work or school appearing like the world? 

Let's agree to stop playing games and putting a Christian mask on when it's convenient. (See Revelation 3:16). 

Imagine walking up to God and hearing him declare, "I didn't know you were a Christian."  We'd be devastated. We can't keep putting on facade of this great church girl or guy. But when we leave the building, we put on our bad girl or boy routine. 

God wants the real, authentic you. Come as you are. If you are struggling with keeping your Christianity and faith on at all times, then know that you are not alone. God is a very present help. I remember coming to God so screwed up. I would raise my hands and clap in church, but then it was like I was another person the rest of the week. I came to God as girl who used to cuss so much that I cussed in my prayers. But I came---and He helped me to develop a relationship with Him. The "church face" I put on Sundays became my everyday. Jesus has helped me to do things that please Him. I'm not saying I have it all together, it's a struggle at times, but He helps me in my weaknesses and gives me strength. 

So, let's stop with church games, and let's have God make us real before Him. 

Love, 

Courtney

Jealous Much?

I looked at her wedding video with a smile on my face. Great for her! I thought. But I couldn't shake that nagging voice I wanted to ignore. Her life looks perfect...why can't I have that?

Jealous much?

Well...no. Yes? Maybe. In one of my many conversations with myself, (I'm not super weird, I promise!) I couldn't shake the notion that, that ugly seed of jealousy was growing.

Being off work means I honestly don't have much to do and a huge amount of my time involves me sitting at home creeping on Facebook. Ahhh, Facebook...why do Iove/hate you so much? Maybe it's just me but Facebook tends to be great tool to connect with friends and family, but it also seems to sometimes leave me feeling less than great about myself.

jeal·ous

ˈjeləs/

adjective: jealous

      1.

feeling or showing envy of someone or their achievements and advantages

Jealousy. We've all been there. They have what we want. A seemingly great relationship, a stylish closet, a bank account that allows for travel, or a perfect job.

So if we all have feelings and God made feelings then we're in the clear to let our jealousy flourish. Right? Wrong.

Apostle Paul said it clearly, "For you are still controlled by your sinful nature. You are jealous of one another and quarrel with each other...Aren't you living like people of the world?" 1 Corinthians 3:3

LOL

Christians, we cannot live like people of the world. Jesus said of his disciples, "They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world" John 17:16. What does this even mean? There should be a distinction between the people of God and the people of the world. We cannot do everything everyone else does because everyone is not trying to follow Jesus. This includes not letting jealousy take root.

God's guidelines are clear on the kind of love he wants his children to operate in: “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.” 1 Corinthians 13:4-5.  Being loving and envious is an oxymoron. We can't be a jealous, loving Christian. We can't say we love Christ and then not follow his word. It's like oil and water it just won't work.

So, this ugly "jealousy" feeling comes and goes for me sometimes. It usually comes when I'm on Facebook and feel like my life is not as spectacular compared to my social media friends. I usually "solve" this envying issue by cutting off my social media for a few weeks or months. So then, I'm all good, right? Eh...we'll sure until I find someone else's life who seems better than mines.

But, Jesus has been challenging me to look at the root. 

A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones. Proverbs 14:30

Jealousy makes you sick. Sick in your spirit. Sick in your body.  Sick in your mind. Let any sin take over your thought life, and eventually it will consume you. Letting sin in slowly takes Jesus out. You choose. Is it just a little jealousy and no big deal? A little sin is like being a little pregnant. Eventually it will come out.

So, keep your joy and peace by asking God to redirect your thoughts to him and all the things he's doing in your life.

If everyone had the same story, life would be incredibly boring. Enjoy your movie of life and whatever season God has you in.

Remember, be thankful. God is always good even when life is not.

In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. 1 Thessalonians 5:18.

Peace & Love.

Courtney