"Has your relationship with God changed the way you live your life?"

"We need to stop giving people excuses not to believe in God. You've probably heard the expression 'I believe in God, just not organized religion'. I don't think people would say that if the church truly lived like we are called to live." -Francis Chan

Until about a year ago, my relationship with God was about about life-changing as a cold McDonald's hamburger. I was living day-to-day, not seeking the Lord at all, and trying to compartmentalize my life. I did not have to depend on God daily, and all those around me couldn't tell if I was a Christian unless they checked my religious status on my Facebook page. I learned the hard way that Christ wanted to get my attention. Because my faith wasn't visible in my life, the Lord broke me--revealing my true colors. I knew I was lukewarm before God, and this didn't quite settle well for me.

The 'lukewarm Christians'--want to fit in at church and outside of church and use Christianity as a retirement plan. Christ despises this, and He says so in Revelation 3:16--He will spit us out. Out of all the things the Bible says about sinning against God and what we deserve--the Lord spitting me out makes me cringe. I know without a doubt I am guilty of this.

"The first step is acknowledging you have a problem"
Yes, I need an intervention. I understand that by GRACE I was saved, but until now I haven't let this change me. I believe in the reality of the Resurrection of Jesus and this humbles me before the Lord and should change everything I do, say, and think about. It should radically change my life. With every breathe of my being I should be thankful for the life I get to live every single day. I am truly blessed, Praise the Lord!

Romans 6:11-14 says:
In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus. Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires. Do not offer the parts of your body to sin, as instruments of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God, as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer the parts of your body to him as instruments of righteousness. For sin shall not be your master, because you are not under law, but under grace.

Jesus loves me

"Jesus loves me, this I know
For the Bible tells me so..."

In the past, Christ's love for me was taught not experienced.

Christ's love for us should be an overwhelming experience. God loved us so much He sent His son---It brings to mind two verses. The first verse it brings to mind is Romans 5:8

But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Isn't this an overwhelming thought! I can't even begin to fathom Christ's love. He died for us, even though He knows we are sinners. He was crucified because of our sin. Everything single thing He went through was to save me and you--and even as we sin over and over again. What a forgiving Father we have!

Growing up in church, I've known the words to Jesus Loves Me since before I was potty-trained. Yet, I'm still so arrogant to think that my little everyday problems are something that I should dwell on. When someone cuts me off in traffic or a food order gets messed up at a restaurant, I get annoyed. Christ's love should overwhelm us in such a way that it should influence our lives daily.

The Lord's greatest commandment to us(the 2nd verse that popped into my head) is Matthew 22:37:

Love the Lord your God with all your passion and prayer and intelligence.' This is the most important, the first on any list. But there is a second to set alongside it: 'Love others as well as you love yourself.'

I love this version of God's commandment to us in The Message because after intelligence sometimes it adds the word 'energy'. I love this idea that we should be hungry and avidly seeking the Lord with all of our energy.(Can I get an AMEN?!)

By seeking the Lord daily and understanding how to really love each other, Jesus's love will begin to be unveiled.

Rejoice in the Lord

Rejoice in the Lord always, and again I say rejoice(Phil. 4:4).

Have you ever really considered what this really means?

Rejoice, meaning to feel or express great joy, in the Lord. This verse speaks volumes to me especially now as finals are approaching. I'm stressed, fearful, anxious, and ready to be done with this semester. I find myself mediating on things on my "To Do" list rather than rejoicing in the Lord.

Phillippians 4:5-6 continues with:

Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

It is so easy to forget that worrying is actually a sign of not putting our trust in the Lord. All of our concerns should be brought to our Father(1 Peter 5:7). April for me seems to be the busiest time of year(finals, papers, registration for the summer, end of the semester meeting/parties, work...), but don't let stress get the best of you! The Lord tells us to rejoice in Him, have you really rejoiced today? I find it difficult sometimes to fit in God---really? God needs to be fit into our lives? If you're feeling overwhelmed with life, spend time with the Lord, you won't regret it.

"Spring Cleaning"(no pun intended)

We all have been there--cleaning out closets, digging through drawers, and sorting through cabinets. By removing the excess we have accumulated over the past year, we lighten our load, ease our stress of a messy home, and most importantly---getting rid of the mess in our lives. Who knew spring cleaning could be spiritual? The Lord is completely rearranging my priorities, my thinking, and my dating habits. He is removing the filth and filling me with Him, and I have been awakened, and renewed(Romans 12:2).

I used to think that I had complete control over my life. I don't think I've ever been so wrong. I thought I could control my actions, decisions, and even what relationships I wanted to be in, romantic and platonic. After completely submitting to the Lord, my personal life has completely been shaken. I find myself re-evaluating my spending habits, study habits, and have made Christ numbero uno. But this task isn't easy. Yes, I just used the present tense. This submitting myself to the Lord is a constant, daily struggle.

Beginning with my dating life after my most recent heartbreak(still hurts), I painfully have given full control to Him. I'm having to learn to be single, which is something new for me. It is definitely is a working process. I've never not tried to focus on dating and being where I am(last year of college, sorority life, work..) it isn't easy not to. Sometimes I have to sit and tell myself that whoever the Lord has in mind for me will be put into my life when I am ready because if anything, I have the best matchmaker around!(Forget what you have heard on TV *cough *cough e Harmony).

Speaking of television...the Lord has also been changing my desires. The things that I used to fill my time, and more importantly mind with, are no longer giving me the same fulfillment--that's how I know I'm spring cleaning my life. As a result, my family is becoming even more important to me, as well as, the music I listen to, and the people I surround myself with.(Work isn't even that unbearable!)

So I guess you can say 'spring has sprung'! I encourage you to self-reflect upon your life spiritually, and if need get rid of that junk, and organize and re-evaluate what is important in life.


(This blog is a journey of my spiritual "Spring Cleaning")