Why Memorizing Scripture Is Important

Enjoy! :)

Religion VS Relationship

Many of you may have heard about the English professor I have who is a unbeliever. We weren't given a specific topic for our research paper, but he did tell us to write about something we are passionate about. I knew in that moment that I wanted to write something about God. I thought about writing on missions, Christianity in general and the ideas I had went on. I ended up writing my paper on Religion VS Relationship. It was tough at first because there weren't many scholarly peer reviewed journals (quotes from these resources were required) that had been written on this topic. However, I refused to change topics to something easier. I knew this is what God wanted me to do. 
In this class once we finish our papers there is a workshop day where the rest of the class critiques your paper. My hands were clammy and my heart was beating uncontrollably on the way to class. Knowing that there are so many people who don't believe in God in my class, I was afraid to hear their responses. The whole time leading up to the critique I read Matthew 5:11 over and over. 
Matthew 5:11 (NLT) “God blesses you when people mock you and persecute you and lie about you and say all sorts of evil things against you because you are my followers." 
The two responses I will always remember were these...
1. "It was powerful. I had goosebumps reading it."
2. "I learned stuff about God that I didn't know. I am not a very Biblical person, but I liked it."

I am not telling you this to brag. I am telling you this for you to see that LITTLE things can make a BIG impact. Of course I wanted it to impact them, but still most would think that you couldn't minister through a college research paper. I am here to tell you that it can be done!! Small things we do in our daily lives that shows that Christ lives in us can make a difference in people's lives. Remember that.

** Below is my paper for those wanting to read it :)

I am a Christian and I despise religion as much as the atheist reading this paper does, however, I love the relationship I have with God.  Throughout history, many wars have been fought over religion. Religion is based on given rules. It instills fears, and one little slip up and you are doomed to hell. Religion says, “I am better than you.” But what if I told you that the church is not a museum for the saints, but instead a hospital for the broken? Jesus can end a war as quickly as it began. He instills confidence and love. We do not fear failure because we know God’s mercy covers us when we sin. After all, Romans 3:23 (NLT) says, “For all have sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard.” Instead of being held back by rules, we push forward knowing that we make God overwhelmingly happy when we choose to do the right thing. Religion destroys, while relationship restores.  Author Joybell C says, “I was asked by a concerned church-goer: "Is your relationship with God okay?" and I answered, "My relationship with God is far better than yours. You have to be in a certain place, with a certain group of people, pray at certain days of the week, read the Bible at certain times of the day; all in order to have a relationship with God. But I am with God from the moment I wake up, to the moment I fall asleep at night, I am with God wherever on this earth that I wander to, and whosoever I may be with! I may be sitting on the subway, and I am with God. I can assure you that I am closer to God than you are.” 

Nine hundred-twenty years ago, a war that was fought over religion began known as the Crusades. During the first Crusades, in the year 1095, an army of Christians from the western part of Europe went to war against the Muslims. Their goal was to capture Jerusalem as land of their own.  It did not take the Christians many years to achieve the goal they had hoped for. After reaching their goal some Crusaders returned home while others stayed behind to preside over their newly gained territory. Control had been in their hands until 1130.  The Muslims had now begun there own war against the Christians thus began the Second Crusade in 1147. The power continued to shift back and forth between the Muslims for centuries, until Fredrick began his reign:

On 11 February 1229 Frederick II and al-Kamil finally reached an agreement (the Treaty of Jaffa) that al-Kamil would give Jerusalem to Frederick II, on several conditions, however. They concluded a truce pact for ten years, five months and forty days, starting on 24 February 1229. By this Treaty of Jaffa, Jerusalem, together with Nazareth and Bethlehem, were put under the rule of Frederick II, while the sacred area to Muslims inside the city including the Dome of the Rock and the Mosque, remained in the hands of Muslims; the agreement also stipulated that the Muslims could freely come and go, while also keeping the right of worship there. Frederick II promised not to attack al-Kamil on any condition, not to support Christians who would attack al-Kamil, and to protect the lands under the control of al-Kamil. (Takayama 175)

Religion has and most likely always will play a tremendous part in history. This leads to the ongoing debate: If religion is so great, then why do so many people fight over it? People were stunned, and confused on how Fredrick II reached an agreement with the Muslims. It was more than just signing a treaty. Both sides recognized each other had different opinions, and instead of letting that drive them apart and send them into another war, they accepted it. Because at the end of the day saying you are a religious Christian, Muslim or Catholic will not get you to heaven. It is about your relationship with God throughout your life, and how you treat and accept others with different opinions. Religion is not something to be fought over.

Lottie Moon was one of the first woman missionaries that served in China. It was not an easy job, and she faced more persecution than we could imagine.

Second, she disciplined herself to survive physically and emotionally while living in primitive circumstances with the lower-class Chinese people. She learned to endure scrutiny and commentary by curious people who did not consider her human and gave her no privacy. She conquered fears of people who continually reviled her as "Devil Woman," she stayed courageous in the face of death threats, and she kept her poise in confrontations with soldiers. She came to accept the "real drudgery" of mission life. She ennobled her view of the harsh realities by remembering that the Chinese peasants were living a simple existence with which the man Jesus would have been personally familiar.  (Allen)

Lottie Moon is a prime example of what it means to have a relationship with God, and not just a religion. When I hear the word religion, I think of a strict lifestyle that one must abide to. Lottie traveled to China knowing that she could be killed, or treated horribly for her beliefs but she went anyways. Lottie Moon went because of her trust in our Creator.

“To have Faith in Christ means, of course, trying to do all that He says. There would be no sense in saying you trusted a person if you would not take his advice. Thus if you have really handed yourself over to Him, it must follow that you are trying to obey Him. But trying in a new way, a less worried way. Not doing these things in order to be saved, but because He has begun to save you already. Not hoping to get to Heaven as a reward for your actions, but inevitably wanting to act in a certain way because a first faint gleam of Heaven is already inside you.”  (C.S. Lewis)

C.S. Lewis does not say that you must be perfect to follow Christ, or to have a relationship with Him. If that were the case, nobody would be follower of Christ because nobody is or ever will be perfect. I believe part of the debate today between the Christians and atheists (besides religion versus science) comes from the fact that atheists believe Christians are telling them the must be perfect to be a Christian.

Muslims believe you must pray five times a day. Buddhists believe in having a prayer wheel.  On the prayer wheel is a mantra that they recite as they spin the wheel. Methodists believe baptism is just sprinkling water instead of immersing. Catholics pray to Mary, and confess to a priest instead of confessing to God directly. Mormons even have more than one bible reference “so did Mormonism’s claim to possess extra-biblical sources of doctrine and authority” (Peterson 178).  They read out of the bible as well as The Book of Mormons. Would you believe me if I told you none of these rituals must be done for you to have a relationship with the Earth’s creator? “It’s not about an organized religious system, it’s about a supernatural, intimate relationship with the creator God of Christianity” (Barna).

As stated before, religion is just a set of rules. Religion will not help you reach the final destination known as heaven. Religion will continue to be something that is fought over. Instead of being held back by these rules, I will continue to live and devote my life to the relationship I have with God.

Thank You For The Trials

This time last year, I thought my world was over. I had reached the point where I felt that I would never overcome such sadness and hurt. I had always believed God would take care of me because after all He wanted the best for me, right? I thought so but it had been about two years of disappointment after disappointment. I wanted to give up. Clearly God was busy working with someone else. I accepted the fact that I would always feel this way from letdowns from school, and friendships. I shut myself out of everything. I’d wake up, go to work, and half way do my schoolwork because I had no desire. I grew accustomed to it. But eventually I decided that I was tired of living and feeling like that. Who wouldn’t? It was exhausting and I didn’t want my relationships with my family to burn out because they were/are all I have.

PSALM 91:14-16 – “The Lord says I will rescue those who love me. I will protect those who trust in My name. When they call on Me, I will answer. I will be with them in trouble. I will rescue and honor them. I will reward them with a long life and give them My salvation.”

I am here to tell you that I even though I assumed God was working with someone else, I was wrong. He was and is still working on me. I had been walking down a never-ending hallway with doors all locked. I tugged and tugged trying to open them, but God would not unlock them. I am so thankful that He kept them locked. I wouldn’t be who I am today if I would have taken the easy way out. God was with me the whole time. He rescued me, and protected me. I called on Him and even though I didn’t hear Him right away, He answered me. He was and will always be with me in trouble.

“The deepest level of worship is praising God inspite of the pain; thanking God during the trials, trusting Him when we’re tempted to lose hope and loving Him when He seems so distant and far away. At my lowest, God is my hope. At my darkest, He is my light. At my weakest, God is my strength. At my saddest, God is my comforter.”

Without the trials of the past two years, I wouldn’t have known that my calling in life involved working in the ministry. I wouldn’t understand what it is truly means to trust God with EVERY little thing in my life. I wouldn’t have seen just how beautiful, absolutely wonderful and magnificent it is to have a relationship with God. There are not enough words to describe the feeling. It is one you must experience. Life isn’t 100% perfect and peachy for me, and I will face more trials but I am ready because God is on my side. He will rescue me like so many times.

And YOU reading this, whatever trial you are facing, God WILL rescue you because He loves you and wants the absolute best for you. Begin to thank God for your trials today even though you don’t understand now… one day you will.

JOHN 13:7 “Jesus replied, “You don’t understand now what I am doing, but one day you will.”

Taking Up Your Cross

Matthew 16:24-27, "Then Jesus said to his disciples, "If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross, and follow me. If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it. And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul? Is anything worth more than your soul?"

What does it mean to pick up my cross? This doesn't involve me. Nobody carries crosses anymore. He was talking to his disciples anyways, not me.

W R O N G. 

Does being in church every Sunday morning and Wednesday night make you a follow of Jesus Christ? No. Why not? Because you are just going through the motions. Being a follower of Jesus is not always an easy thing. Sometimes you are called to give up some of these worldly things such as a certain job, hobbies, even relationships are sometimes given up. 

Matthew 8:19-20, "Then one of the teachers of religious laws said to him, "Teacher, I will follow you wherever you go." But Jesus replied,"Foxes have dens to live in, and birds have their nests, but the Son of Man has no place to even lay his head."

Jesus didn't have a home, and by saying that he would follow Him wherever He went meant he was now without a home too. It isn't a job where he can be home on the weekends. He would now be living a life on the road sharing the gospel with others. Yes, you may have to give up your house and things you treasure, but the reward is far greater than if you would choose to stay. 

Matthew 8:21-22, "Another of his disciples said, "Lord, first let me return home and bury my father." But Jesus told him, "Follow me now. Let the spiritually dead bury their own dead." 

This disciple wasn't completely ready to follow Jesus just yet, and Jesus knew that. By asking to return home first, Jesus saw he was putting it off. He wasn't going to have it either. Nothing should be put above committing your life to God. 

From personal experience, I have had to give up friendships because I decided to pick up my cross. It hurt, but I wouldn't change anything about it. When you live a life with God first, you could not want anything else. God has closed plenty of doors, but has also opened up very important doors as well. 

If you are willing to take up your cross...
1.) Be willing to let go of some of these worldly things.
2.) Be ready for persecution from others but remember that God is and will always be with you
3.) Pray for God to guide you through your life
4.) Read your bible daily as you seek to find His will for your life

Hide Your Love Away

As little girls and on to young women, we have always dreamed about a wedding and our very own happily ever after. From playing Barbie with Ken getting married to pinning obsessively on Pinterest our wedding ideas. Nobody can deny that. 



Earlier this month I was able to see Kari Jobe preform live. For those that don't know, she is a Christian music artist. She's beyond amazing and she has such an awesome testimony. I recorded part of her sharing some tid bits of it, but due to technical difficulties I was not able to upload it to Youtube just yet. However, because it is so powerful I have typed up everything she shares in the video....


"I wanted to get married. I wanted the Lord’s best for me. Through the years I would just date guys and realize we weren't running in the same direction, we were not passionate about the same things and that is something I learned in my marriage...we’re both passionate about the Lord. We’re equally yoked. And especially when dating a nonbeliever.. That’s one of the most dangerous things. You think that maybe you can change that person, but they’ll most likely change you more than you’ll change them. The best thing I ever learned  was my value in Jesus and that I had to wait for His best." 

* In a different video clip* 

"Honestly what I said before about finding my value in the Lord. It’s so key because if you think that you aren’t worth anything you’ll give everything away. But knowing that if you save yourself for your husband, it is the biggest gift you could give him. I learned that 5 weeks ago. Saving yourself for marriage is such a God given gift to be able to give your husband. To be able to say, ‘My heart might have gotten broken, but I didn’t give my virginity away. I didn’t give the deepest part of my life away." And God is such a redeemer too, if that did happen or has happened, then you can begin now by saying ‘God I wanna protect myself' and God redeems that. It’s amazing. But, just knowing that there’s a bigger picture that its not about being fulfilled now, it’s about having a Godly marriage later on down the road." Kari was married late last year and this was on of the photos taken at her wedding. One word: WOW! How powerful is this. This is what marriage is all about. 

I really loved what Kari said about finding our value in Christ, but I also really loved what was said about dating and how at times she would realize they weren't running in the same direction. I once read this quote that said, "Run as fast as you can towards God and whenever someone keeps up, introduce yourself." If we are running towards God, then we can fully trust that when the timing is right God will place the right spouse in our lives. 

Genesis 2:24 (HCSB) "This is why a man leaves his father and mother and bonds with his wife, and they become one flesh."

When you give your purity away to your spouse, you are giving them such a special gift. God intended for that action to be between one man and one woman who are married. It creates such a unbreakable bond between the three: God, man and woman. Waiting can be very difficult at times especially living in a world with so many temptations every direction we turn, but God will bless you in the end. 

Ecclesiastes 9:9 (NLT) "Live happily with the woman you love through all the meaningless days God gives you under the sun. The wife God gives you is your reward for all your earthly toil."



1 Corinthians 6:19-20 (NLT) "Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself, for God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body."

Center Of It All

When did this...

Become this? 

Since when dating someone become all about him/her buying you such extravagant things? How did meeting your soulmate become a reality television show?

It is clear that almost everything we do in todays world is done completely different than it was done in the old days. People use to communicate through letters, now days it's texting. People use to learn out of textbooks at school, and today most schools are bringing in even more and more technology. But what about dating? What happen to chivalry? Or the guy asking parents permission to take a girl out? What happened to it being called "going steady"? Now days, people refer to their significant other as their "bae"

Being a teenager is tough. Especially in todays world. 

School -> Stress -> Acne -> More Stress -> More Acne

It's a never ending cycle! Teenagers today are faced with temptation everywhere we turn. I could go on and on about things our youth is struggling with today, but what I want to talk about now is dating.  Back in my sophomore year of high school, I started dating someone. We dated a little over a year. It was my first "serious" relationship, and also my last serious relationship for a while. My mom, and even my older sister had told me not to get into a serious relationship because I'm only in high school. It was a time for friends, not boyfriends. A time to find myself, not lose myself. A time to grow closer to God, not farther away. 

Fast forward three years..

Mom, you were right. Yes, you read that correctly. You. Were. Right.

• Over 70% of girls age 15-17 avoid day to day activities such as attending school on days when they feel bad about their looks.
• 7 in 10 girls feel they are not pretty enough.

Teen girls that have a negative view of themselves are 4 times more likely to take part in activities with boys that they've ended up regretting later.

Once a girl finds a boy who thinks she is pretty, she finally feels good about herself. We will do anything to keep him happy, and to keep him around because he makes us feel good. But why does it take a boy to make us feel good about ourselves?

Psalm 139:13-14

13 

For it was You who created my inward parts;

You knit me together in my mother’s womb.

14 

I will praise You

because I have been remarkably and wonderfully made.

Your works are wonderful,

and I know this very well.

We are beautiful. Why? Because our creator made us. 

Luke 12:6-7

6 Aren’t five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten in God’s sight. 7 Indeed, the hairs of your head are all counted. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows!

Never let a boy define you. You are beautiful and you are loved and until you see that, any relationship you are in will be an unhealthy one.

I feel that often times we begin dating someone we often get to a point where we can't picture ourselves without them. Everything has been revolved around them. Once your relationship loses God in the middle, it's a downhill spiral from there. 

2 Corinthians 6:14

14 Don’t team up with those who are unbelievers. How can righteousness be a partner with wickedness? How can light live with darkness?

As a Christian, it is important to surround yourself with other believers so that they can build you up and not tear you down. God did not intend for dating to be all about how they give you butterflies, or how big of a teddy bear you will get for Valentines day this year. If you are wanting a relationship with someone, ask yourself if he/she is a believer. If so, then pursue it. If not, move on. Dating is to find your future spouse. Someone you are going to make a life long commitment to. Once you are married, you are a team. Forever. Make sure your teammate is on the same page as you are. What are you two going to do for the Lord? How are you two going to serve? Isn't that what we're here for? To honor God in all that we do? Yes. We are. 

Before you start dating just remember...

Worry about what God thinks about you, not what your boyfriend thinks about you.

Lose yourself in Christ, not your boyfriend.

Keep God in the middle. 

Most importantly, pray. Pray that God will bring the right person into your life. God will bring him to you at His timing. Not ours. He is writing our love story. Not us. 

Handling The Temporary Setbacks We Face

I think that it's so easy for us to get caught up in the worldly things today. Situations that we face often cause us to lose focus on what's really important which is God's love. How come when times are tough or we have a tough decision to make we turn to people or other things instead of turning to the One True God who patiently waits for us to run to Him?
I have the privilege of leading the bible study on Wednesday nights at my church with the middle school girls. The past few weeks we have been studying Hebrews. We've been learning who Jesus is, how to stay focused in a world so full of distractions and etc. Yes, these lessons are geared to a younger age, but whether you are thirteen, twenty-three, or forty-three, we could ALL gain something from it.
Take a minute and think about some struggles you are facing. Don't say you can't think of one either. Your life is not all peachy. We all have hardships. It's just a part of life. What you are facing could be failing friendships, what to do with your life and who you want to be in the years to come. It could be a financial need. Your problems are not the real problem. The problem is how you are going about handling it. Are you Facebooking about it or praying about it? Are you fighting God everyday  because it's not what you want or are you thanking God for waking you up to another beautiful day? 

Matthew 11:28 "Then Jesus said, "Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest."

So, tell me, why don't we come to Him? Is it because we feel that Jesus wouldn't understand? I mean, how could He? Jesus never sinned, we sin everyday. Or is it because the temporary setbacks we face are much different than the things that Jesus faced? 

Hebrews 4:14-16:
14 So then, since we have a great High Priest who has entered heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to what we believe. 15 This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin. 16 So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.

The verses itself tells us that the High Priest (Jesus) sympathizes with our weaknesses, He faced all the same testings we do, yet He did not sin. 
Like I told my middle school girls last week, it is on of those "been there, done that moments. Believe it or not, Jesus understands exactly what we are going through and all our struggles. My challenge for you this week is to memorize Hebrews 4:16 and do as the verse says. He is waiting for you and I with open arms. Have a blessed week!