You are who you hang with

Growing up in a family that lived and breathed youth ministry I heard this saying probably a thousand times.  Whenever one of my dad’s students started hanging with people who were less than questionable, one or both of my parents would utter, “You are who you hang with.”  As sick as I am of this saying, I am learning how applicable it is more every day.  All my life I have tried to surround myself with people who have the same beliefs and morals that I hold.  This has not really been that hard.  My friends have generally been dubbed “the good kids” and this has been the case for as long as I have known them.  But recently I have seen some of them make bad decisions as to the type of people they surround themselves with.  This has consequently led them down a path that is not honoring God. 

            I am reminded of Daniel.  Long before he was thrown in the lions din he surrounded himself with some pretty godly people. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, were three of Daniels best friends.  It was through surrounding himself with people who shared the same morals that gave him the support to stand up for what was right.  These four young men were able to rely on each other and stand up for their faith on numerous occasions. 

            This is not to say that everyone that you consider a friend has to be someone who is of high moral standards.  However, it is important that your closest confidants are people who you can rely on to do the right thing.  Also, if you find yourself doing things around certain people, that compromise your faith, you need to seriously reconsider the time that you do spend with those people.

            By surrounding ourselves with people who love and honor God we will be more likely to do so ourselves.  Because my parents are right “you are who you hang with.” 

 

In Christ,

Nick       

How Great is our God

I recently watched a Louis Giglio sermon on the Internet that truly changed my life. The sermon was titled “how great is our God.”  In the sermon Louie shows the depth and complexity of space.  He gives size comparisons and really shows how small our planet is.  His major focus in the sermon is to show us how mighty and awesome our God is.  This thought left me breathless.  Here I am a 23 year old Seminary student, with 6 years of formal theological education, and I have been a Christian 16 years and I am once again blown away by the God that I serve.  What left me almost in tears was the fact that the God who created the universe with billions of stars, and massive planets, cares for me more than any of that. 

            With this being said it is my hope that you take a few seconds every day to take a step back and think about how great and mighty our God is.  Psalms 19:1-4 says this “The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they display knowledge.  There is no speech or language where their voice is not heard.  Their voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world.  In the heavens he has pitched a tent for the sun,” God is continually showing us through his creation who he is.  No matter what you are facing today, no matter how insurmountable the task seems, take a step back and look at how great our God is and rely on him. 

 Here is the Link to Louie's sermon... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RKMw1ndl-EY&feature=related

In Christ,

Nick

What is next?

Everyone has different fears but there is one thing that we all seem to be afraid of, uncertainty.  So many time we get to a point in our lives when we have no clue what the next step is, our lives could go in a hundred different directions.  While reading Genesis I came across the story of Joseph.  His life was riddled with uncertainty about the future.  He went from being his father’s favorite, to a slave, then prisoner, and then was elevated to basically rule over one of the most powerful countries in the world.  I am at a point in my life where I have no idea what is about to happen.  I may be going into a period of hard time like Joseph’s slavery and imprisonment, or a time of joy such as his ruling of Egypt.  Either way I can take comfort in the fact that God does know the next step in my life.   We may have to go through some hardships but in the end we will be blessed. 

In Christ,

Nick

The Unlikely Disciple

     Now that I am not burying my face in books for school and the summer is here I am once again trying to read all of the books that I just don't have time to read during the semester.  The first book on my list this summer was "The Unlikely Disciple" by Kevin Roose.  It was a great book and very well written.  If anyone is looking to see what it is really like to attend Liberty University, this is your backstage pass.

             For those who are not looking to research Liberty, there is still great information within the covers of this book.  I am currently living in Lynchburg Va, which is undoubtedly the buckle of the Bible belt.  Most if not all of my closest friends are all mature Christians.  In my day-to-day life I don’t really run in to the same dilemmas about Christianity as those who are not Christians.  This book has reminded me of the greatest hurdles facing non-believers.  To me the choice to trust Christ is a no brainer.  However this is not the case for those who are searching for answers.  This book made me realize that I need to start looking through the eyes of non-believers to see the struggles facing them.  If you are like me, and need to be reminded of the massive decision facing non-believers, this book is a must read.  

            Also, it has made me see that we as Christians are always under constant scrutiny.  While Kevin is at Liberty none of his peers know that he is not a Christian.  He looks at every aspect of Christianity.  We must live our lives as if we are always being watched.  Because you never know if someone is watching you trying to make their own decision about Christ.    

Performance Review

While talking to a buddy of mine the other day he mentioned that he had to go to a performance review at his work.  I guess it is a common occurrence in most workplaces that this happens about every 6 months.  It got me thinking, when was the last time I did a performance review focusing on my walk with God.  Many times we become complacent with our lives, our families, and our relationship with God.  Instead of growing in the lord we lay back and continue the same thing we have always done.  As Christians we are called to be constantly in the word of God growing closer to the father.  For me, a performance review is even more important.  As someone who is involved with ministry I should be constantly reshaping and revamping my ministry strategy.  Ministries that are not coming up with strategies to touch the hearts of their people are not reaching their ministry potential.  My challenge to myself and to the few who may read this is to give your self a performance review.  What have you been doing for the Lord? What have you not been doing for the Christ that you should be?  When it comes to your relationship with Christ, if you are not growing you are dying.        

In Christ, 

Nick

Getting the Door Slammed in my Face

I have come to a time in my life and ministry where I am itching to move on to a new era.  Finishing college and realizing that the extremely close bond that I have with my friends is quickly coming to a close.  I am looking for direction from God.  I am not only looking for direction from God, but wrestling with God.  If you are not currently there, you will at some point in your life.  So many times I, like the rest of humanity, feel like I have all of he answers and I know what is best for my life.  This could not be farther from the truth.  I recently read a scripture that hit me.  

Philippians 4:6 "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with  thanksgiving let your request be know to God and the peace of God , which surpasses all understanding, will guard your heart and minds through Christ Jesus."  

When the door gets shut in your face praise God.  It may not be easy but, it is what is best for you.  Let God know what you want and then let him take over.  If you think you know what is best in your life and God does not allow it, be patient.  God may be protecting you from something, or preparing something far beyond what you could ever imagine.

In Christ, 

Nick