Direction

Matthew 6:22 "The eye is the lamp of the body; so then if your eye is clear, your whole body will be full of light."

This verse has been really pressing me towards giving up more, surrendering more to God. I am beginning to see a bigger connection to my contentment with life and my willingness to do as God says. The more I submit to His principles and His word the more I enjoy my life and the more fulfilled I am. It's strange because it involves giving up the things that I think make me happy but really aren't good for me.

It's like having a soda in one hand and a glass of water in the other. The soda tastes good and makes me feel better, but the feeling doesn't last and I get more thirsty. The water on the other hand quenches my thirst and I feel better (in a different way) and the feeling lasts.

What we put in our bodies matters physically. It can make you feel good or depressed depending on what you eat. People who eat right and exercise seem to be happier and have a better attitude. I think this translates into our relationship with God as well. What we allow in our minds truly affects us. Jesus understood this when he talked about what we look at. Our senses are a gateway to our soul. And what we put in will come out.

This is why I think so many people I know that have been Christians have given up or stopped walking with the Lord. They have behaved their way out of their beliefs. And the fruit of their life reflects the attitudes of their hearts and what they have compromised on. I think deep down all people admire those who live a life of Character. People who put others first and live by faith are admirable no matter what faith they belong to. But getting there is not easy, it takes staying on the narrow path. It takes discipline, and that is what is lacking in today's Christian.

What we put in our minds will guide our life. Our eyes serve as the compass of our life in more ways than just physical direction. Andy Stanley says "Direction, not Intention determines Destination" It's so true if we look at the outcome of many events in our lives. When we planned for one thing to happen and it didn't work out the way we wanted. It's usually because the path we have chosen doesn't line up with our hearts intention. I've never known a person to accidentally love God and love people and live by faith. I have known many people who have turned away from the love of God because they took a path they never intended on taking.

What path are you on? Does your direction line up with your intention?

I'm probably going to have to delete my Myspace now

I just joined twitter. www.twitter.com/benjaminbowman

Turning it around

The other night in class a couple of us were talking about how God loves to take things that once stood for something and turn them around. There are so many examples in the bible, Paul for example was an enemy to all Christians but an encounter with Christ turned him into possibly the most sold out Christian ever. But there are examples in peoples lives today. I guess that's what our testimonies are, God turning us around. I think God loves to do this. God loves taking what we did wrong and using it for his Glory. It's such a great thing to be a part of. It's not through anything we do but it's who God is. An encounter with Jesus leads to life change. Thank you God for turning things around!

"It's just a matter of time before it turns around"

Will

I have been noticing a theme in my personal bible study and time with God. It's been a message that I think God is really trying to establish and root into my heart. It's a simple one, "Just do the will of the Father" Last night during worship we sang about being like our heavenly Father. One of the girls there told us about how her grandfather had just died and even as his organs were failing him he was still praising God. Then in the midst of worship Andrew (www.lionandlamb.org) shared with us a verse in revelation about Christ revealing himself as the Lamb and doing just the will of the Father and having the Fathers heart. While we prayed and worshiped I came across a passage in John 8:28-29 which Jesus says “When you have lifted up the Son of Man on the cross, then you will understand that I Am he. I do nothing on my own but say only what the Father taught me. And the one who sent me is with me—he has not deserted me. For I always do what pleases him.”

I think doing the will of the Father is something that Jesus understood so well. It was all he did and all he came here to do. So may you learn to do nothing on your own but only what your father does. This is something that I am still learning about and just now starting to understand. Thank you God for revealing this truth.

Hearts

There is this great verse in Mark where Jesus quotes the Prophet Isiah. He basically says to the group of religious leaders there that they Honor God with their lips, but their hearts are far from Him. This verse has been heavy on my heart because I think of how many times I sing to God or talk about Him and yet my actions and thought life have separated me from Him. We have a God that loves us just the way we are, I think it is important to remember that. Yet, He loves us so much that He doesn't want us to stay where we are spiritually. This inner desire to be closer to the Father is what keeps us going as Christ Followers.

So where ever you are on your walk with the Lord, remember that He loves you and more than anything He just wants your heart.

What is it about?

What is the bible about to you?

Open Discussion go!

Following the Lamb

I don't know about you but I've heard the Christmas story called "the Greatest story ever told" I disagree. It's not that interesting of a story, if stories are for entertainment value and we were to compare them with movies I would say this ranks just above Made of Honor (yes I was forced by my wife to watch that movie)

Think about it, a guy Joseph is in an arranged marriage when Mary his soon to be bride tells him that she is pregnant and it's not his baby and he can't get jealous because God has impregnated her. Not a great excuse but an original one. Joseph not believing is visited by an angel and has a change of heart as we all would if visited by an angel, just watch it's a wonderful life and you'll see. So it's tax season and Joseph has to head to Bethlehem to avoid being audited. (this is an abridged version) Mary has the baby in a manger which is designed to feed animals. See, not that great of a story which makes me wonder how did these people keep something like this alive? I think it's because God has kept the story alive. And seeing a man raised from the dead would cause you to want to know more about him.

I really believe that we would know nothing of this story if it weren't for the resurrection. Christ would have faded into obscurity along with all the other false messiahs and prophets of his day. But the act of love displayed on the cross is what kept the story alive and it's that, which to me is the greatest story ever.

So instead of talking about the birth of Jesus Impact Student Ministries will be doing a series called Following the Lamb. In this two part series we will see how communion marked the end of the old covenant and ushered in the beginning of the new. I'm very excited about this series and I think it's going to be great. Also we are having our Christmas party Dec 10th at 6:30. So come on over to the Youth House.

See you there