Reach Out. Don't Freak Out.

This past week or two God has really been breaking my heart for what breaks His. It's painful, but I don't want to miss what He has planned for my life. and I don't want to miss the opportunities that He places over each and every day to reach out to someone in need of the truth that can rock their world for eternity. I know that more often then not, that I tend to think of myself first before others. And God convicts my heart on that. I know that we, as Christians are called to love like Jesus, and I know at times that that's difficult. And with that said, I remember a few days ago when my mom and me met up with my grandpa at a gas station and before we got there, I noticed an elderly looking woman was sitting on a walker/seat thing with an umbrella to block the sun and a cardboard sign.. I saw her, and my heart just broke for her. I hate seeing people out there on a hot day asking for help.

While we were at the gas station, I had gotten out of the car and went over to where my grandpa was and asked him if he had any money. and he gave me all he had - $2.00. Of course I didn't tell him what I was up to like usual. But I went in there and grabed the biggest bottle of water that I could afford with what little I had been given. And after that, we left and drove to where the lady was at. She was really grateful to have some water. and I just loved her reaction to my choosing to not just hand her some money and let her get it herself, I chose to do so myself since I was already there and I saw that she must have some physical problems. But I didn't focus on what she looked like, or walked like, or anything.. I just chose to love instead of judge.

See, this lady isn't exactly what'd you call "normal looking".. When I got home, I put in some key words in google so I could find out what condition she had... I found a picture and the name of the condition - Neurofibroma - which type 1 affects 1 in every 3,000 and type 2 affects 1 in every 50,000 people. Basically, from what I'm reading, it's a bunch of tumors on your body.. or something like that. But here's a picture of what it looks like:

From where I was when I first saw her, she had the umbrella up to block the sun so I didn't see this. (Note: the picture isn't mine, and that's not her.) All I could see was that she didn't seem to be walking too good (explains the walker thing.) and that it wasn't a good day to be out in the heat without water. At first, before we even got close to the gas station, I wanted some water.. But my need didn't seem all that important when I saw her. Although I debated with myself that I could still get me some water and give her the change.. I lost. I got convicted. and so I chose to go as God led.. which meant giving her the water and the change.
Note to self: Arguing with God never works. He knows more. (:


There is one thing I'm glad about - and that was that before I saw her up close that I was going to show that she's loved and that I didn't want her to get dehydrated by not having some water. Although I didn't get the opportunity to talk with her, I'm praying that my action showed her that she's loved and that it was an extension of God's love for her too. Although the best way to share God's love is to verbally tell someone about Him. Here's the deal - it takes risking it all to share your faith with your friends. Because it is uncool. You might lose your popularity, you might even lose some friends. Are you willing to risk it all? because I believe there's a payoff of seeing God do some pretty awesome things. Are you willing to step out in faith and watch what God does? I sure am. No matter the cost.

Need I remind that nothing is impossible with God (Luke 1:37) and greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world(1 John 4:4).. and if our God is for us, how can we lose?(Romans 8:31)

Earlier, from Twitter, I posted this: "Ready and willing to change this city for Jesus. And to go all out for God no matter the cost. Who's with me?(: #livethecause #matt2819"

So, here's the question I pose for you, are you ready and willing to change your city for Jesus? If you are, comment and let me know so I can be praying for you. and if you already are doing things to change your city for Jesus, what is it? Share some inspiration for all of us to go all out for God no matter the cost!!

I hope you got something out of that... while I was writing it, I was challenged to go all out for God. Neat how that worked, since it doesn't seem to happen very often.
THEREFORE BE imitators of God [copy Him and follow His example], as well-beloved children [imitate their father].And walk in love, [esteeming and delighting in one another] as Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us, a slain offering and sacrifice to God [for you, so that it became] a sweet fragrance. - Ephesians 5:1,2

I'd like to give you all a challenge, and that is to go and share Jesus with someone, TODAY! and post in a comment how it went so I can be praying about it. GO!! May your heart be broken for the lost.

Making This Summer Worth It

Writing this is worrying me a little. I seem to always be a little nervous when I write something. I don't know how it'll come together or how it'll be taken by those who read it. Agh! Just so frustrating for me. I guess another part of why I'm frustrated is that I wish I was at home in my room with a computer that would charge. Mine stopped charging a few days ago - It's been a frustrating yet growing experience for me. I've really loved these days that I've had so far. I was reading my bible and focusing on "one thing" has really helped me.

Over the past few weeks, I've read things about not letting this summer go to waste and be stuck in spiritual apathy. After I read them, I knew I had to make sure this summer won't get flushed down the toilet. I'm not exactly sure how well it'll work, but I'm praying it will. My summer breaks aren't exactly something I want to waste on things like playing video games, or watching movies/TV all the time and things like that. I just want to make it a summer of evangelism.

I'm going to do whatever I can to share Jesus with those who are willing to listen.. and pray for those who aren't as willing to listen. I have a feeling it won't be easy, it may feel awkward, I may get mocked, I may get laughed at or yelled at. But all those things don't matter, I know that there's a pay off of seeing God work in and through someone who is ready and willing to be used for something awesome. :]

But here's my question for you, and answer it honestly, What is your summer going to contain of? Will you be glad with how your spent your summer when fall comes around? Here's my challenge for you: Don't waste this summer! No one's promised tomorrow. Every second someone in the world dies. What if one of those seconds this summer, it's one of your friends or a family member who doesn't know Jesus? Do you want to risk that for the sake of doing "fun" things that won't mean much of anything in the fall?

I also have another question, is your heart aching for those who don't know Jesus as their Lord and Savior? If it's not, it needs to be. People are lost, dying and desperate for something real and this world fails them at every turn. They need Jesus. No matter how much or how many times they attempt to consume more of this world, they're still going to feel empty.

Of course temporal satisfaction can be found in this world. But they never last. We want more. We always want more. And unfortunately, no human being has found anything under the sun that'll bring them true lasting satisfaction... and so we consume more, all in the hopes that one day it'll fill us up, but it doesn't.. However, there is hope. In Jesus, satisfaction is found. Grace, Love, Peace, Hope, Comfort, Joy, Meaning..etc, it's all in Jesus. And there's always more. Consume more of Jesus. He never fails us. ever. It's Him who saves. He who gives us what we need. It's all in Him. Don't get it twisted.♥

I've got one more question, what are you willing to risk to go and tell your friends that there is hope and true life in Jesus? Are you willing to face the fact that it's possible that friend may never talk to you again? Or that you'll lose your "cool" all because you were willing to be uncool for the sake of what you believe? Or that you could go from the "cool kid" to the one that gets laughed at and ends of sitting alone during lunch? I'll tell you that it's scary and it's not easy. But you're never alone in this. You've got the God of the universe in you and by you. He'll never leave you ever. He's there to give you strength when you feel like you can't go on anymore. It's urgent that you tell others about Jesus.

Don't let this summer or the days/summers to come go to waste. They're important and so are your friends. Will you tell them they matter or will you let them keep wandering searching for meaning and ending up discouraged because they're still empty?

-- I can't finish this, so I'll end it with this..

Get up off the couch. and reach your friends for Jesus. (Yes, that is a challenge to every single Christian out there.. You in? I am.)

Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” -Matt. 28:18-20
For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” - Luke 19:10
But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” -Acts 1:8
After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly. -Acts 4:31

There Could Never Be A More Beautiful You ♥

Today has just been one of "those days" where I just don't feel my self-worth. I don't even feel like this post, or my writings will make much of a difference... I don't know, my feelings are just feelings. They're a lot like shifting sand. They come and they go. They never stay long. Although they would love to I'm sure. My feelings change, and no matter what I'm feeling or how much it changes - God never does. He's the same always. He still loves me even if I don't feel like He does.

I don't know who this post will impact. Maybe it'll help me.. Because I don't want to be fake and act like I've "got it together." It doesn't take a rocket scientist to know that no one's got it together. I know I don't have it all together, and I know I'm not "magazine type." But in this world, no one seems to magazine type. It's all just photoshopped into our own fallen view of perfection. I stopped looking at those magazines when I found out they were just photoshopped.. And it bothers me to see girls compare themselves with someone who simply doesn't exist.. It just seems to be some beauty battle... and no one seems to be winning.

In this world, it's tough being female. We're just expected to jump through hoops, and starve ourselves/or purge what we eat... it's crazy. and it's just stupid. and it frustrates me.

Today just a day that I don't feel beautiful. although I know who I am in Christ, this world brings trouble.. Just like Jesus said it does.. but He also said we are to take heart because He's overcome the world.. No matter what I feel, truth still stands no matter what I may feel. It's not about me, It's about Him.. and in Him, and Him alone, is exactly where I find who I'm called to be.. and in Him, I find what truly matters.. In Him, and to Him, I'm beautiful. and Nothing in this fallen world can change that. ♥

I honestly think I just needed to vent.. (:
I feel so much better now(:



p.s I also I have an unspoken prayer request... Pray for me please. Thanks.