May 2, 2002 * April 28, 2002 * August 9, 2002

                              August 9, 2002       back to top

       I just got back from Bass Lake summer camp.  It was an awesome trip.  We met new people, had campfires, played insane games, and had many other wild adventures.  But the most memorable part of the trip was the message presented by Chris Riser from 1 Thessalonians.  Our theme for the trip was "Living in Light of Christ's Return," and our theme verse was 1 Thessalonians 5:8-10 --- "But since we belong to the day, let us be self-controlled, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet.  For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ.  He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him."  Over the course of the week we covered all of 1 Thessalonians, but there was one thing that really impacted me more than anything else.  1 Thessalonians 5:2 - "For you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night."  We have no idea when Christ will return.  He could return today, tomorrow, or in 50 years.  For this reason, we must always be ready.  We must "live in light of Christ's return."  We need to base our actions and plans on this truth.  As Chad Vegas says, "Live your life as if Christ were returning tonight.  Plan your life as if He were returning in 100 years."  Take a look at your priorities.  Would they be the same if Christ were returning tonight?  If not, then you need to change focus.  The Bible is clear about the fact that Christ will return, and He will return unexpectedly.  The question is, what do you want Him to find you doing?

May 2, 2002         back to top

      A few weeks ago I bought the new Slick Shoes CD, and it rocks - you should all buy it.  I was listening to one of my favorite songs on the CD called "No More Words" and God used the lyrics to really impact me.  It says "Sometimes I'll sit and think too much.  But it never gets me anywhere.  Results come from action.  So you've got to get out of your seat.  You've got to go and try."  When I thought about this, I realized how true it is.  There are so many times when I just think about something but never do anything about it.  I think we are all guilty of this.  There are a lot of people (including me) that would like to see a bunch of people come to Christ, but never really do much about it.  Like the song says, you won't get any results just by thinking about it.  You must be willing to get out of your comfort zone and try.  It's not always an easy thing to do, but if you trust God and do it, you will find that you get some surprising results.  We tend to stick to our comfort zone and just say "Somebody else will do it."  This week God has been showing me the areas of my life where I need to stop thinking and take action.  Everyone has situations that are uncomfortable and they tend to avoid these.  It is really easy to just ignore these situations and pretend like it's no big deal.  But listen to what the Bible says about this:  "Remember, it is sin to know what you ought to do and then not do it." (James 4:17)  Ask God to show you the areas of your life that are not producing good fruit, and ask Him to give you the strength to reach out to people even if it's not always easy.  Here are a few questions that may help:

Do you find it difficult to discuss Jesus with other people?

Do you find it difficult to talk with and show love to somebody you don't know well?

Are you willing to be laughed at for sharing the good news of Jesus Christ?

Are you willing to do something that may be uncomfortable but will help someone else grow closer to knowing Jesus Christ?

     In the end it all comes down to the question "How much are you willing to suffer for the sake of Christ?"  In closing, listen to what Jesus says we should do:

"If any of you wants to be my follower, you must put aside your selfish ambition, shoulder your cross daily, and follow me. If you try to keep your life for yourself, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for me, you will find true life." (Luke 9:23-24)

     Do you take this verse seriously?  Notice he tells us to take up our cross daily and follow Him.  He didn't say "Take up your cross when it is convenient and follow me."  He said daily, and that's what he expects.

April 28, 2002        back to top

     This spring break we went on the San Francisco/Oakland mission trip with Riverlakes Community Church.  It was a really great experience, and we had a lot of fun.  This is just one of the many things God taught us on the trip...

     On the last night of the trip, we watched a basketball game between Riverlakes and the Oakland Young Life team.  There were quite a few spectators, and everyone was sitting on the  bleachers watching the game.  Toward the end of the game, two young ladies from our church realized that their camera and money had been stolen from their backpacks.  It was very upsetting time, but I believe God used that situation to teach us an important lesson... a lesson that it more valuable and long lasting than what was stolen.

     The theme of our trip was "Who is this man?"  Earlier in the week we learned about the last week of Jesus' life on earth.  One of the things we learned about that really stood out was Jesus' love.  Jesus already knew that Judas would betray him, but He loved him anyway.  One of the worst feelings is being betrayed by a friend.  But Jesus washed Judas' feet and continued to show him love despite this betrayal.  To tell the truth, this didn't really impact me much until the basketball game when the stuff was stolen.  It was then that God asked me the question, "Would you be willing to love even someone who stole all your money?"  I was really bothered by what happened at the basketball game, and as I was thinking about it the next day, I came across two verses from the Sermon on the Mount that really hit me.  Jesus was talking about loving your enemies, and he said: 

     "But if you are willing to listen, I say, love your enemies. Do good to those who hate you. Pray for the happiness of those who curse you. Pray for those who hurt you." (Luke 6:27-28)    and...

     "If you love only those who love you, what good is that? Even corrupt tax collectors do that much. If you are kind only to your friends, how are you different from anyone else? Even pagans do that." (Matthew 5:46-47)

     It was at this time when I realized the incredible amount of love it must have taken for Jesus to wash Judas' feet.  So I prayed for whoever stole the money and the camera, but I was still upset about what happened.  Then God showed me a verse that made me feel better.

     "Dear brothers and sisters, whenever trouble comes your way, let it be an opportunity for joy. For when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be strong in character and ready for anything." (James 1:2-4)  

     This verse reminded me that God has a plan for everything, and He can use even the toughest situations to help us grow spiritually.  I realized that I had not trusted Him with all my heart, soul, mind, and strength.  I am thankful that God used this situation to teach me a lesson, and hopefully you can get something out of it too.

     Remember to love those who don't love you, because that is what will separate you from everyone else.  And always trust in the Lord to provide, even during difficult times.  Instead of asking God "How could you let this happen to me?", ask Him "What are you trying to teach me?", and ask Him to help you endure tough times.  He will reward you for your faith.