Faith

Prayer
Dear God, your love is amazing for me a sinner. Lord, let me not take your grace for granted. May I not do anything in my own strength, but do because of your power. All is possible with your power and strength. Thank you for the purposeful placement of possibilities so I am not left guessing what to do with life.

Scripture
Ecclesiastes 3:19-4:15

There is no reason for us to think highly of ourselves in this present state. We are really no better than the beasts of the field in the sense that our bodies return to the dust as the animals do. With God we are more than that though, we are made in his image and for his purposes. How we ought fear our Lord. You oh God will be the judge of those righteous and wicked. You Lord will judge the soul of a man, not his outward appearance or strength.

You do not intend for us to go it alone. We are intended to have like-minded partners while accomplishing your purposes. Having others along with us binds us to you. Ecc 4:12 says that a threefold cord is not quickly broken –what precisely is this to mean, do any of my speculations making sense? May you reveal yourself to me.

Matthew Henry helps affirm my thoughts on this threefold cord. “Where two are closely joined in holy love and fellowship, Christ will by his Spirit come to them; then there is a threefold cord.” How deeply I desire that in a marriage partnership.

Ecc 4:9-10 speaks of two being better than one for there is good reward for their work. May it be so that those I am partnered with; in marriage, in business, in ministry –may it be that we complement one another and maintain love and unity as brothers and sisters in Christ.

Prayer
Dearest, may it be so, that your purposes are accomplished through this a mere man. God may it be your power and for the building of your kingdom that this life is lived, I really do want this, may my desire system change. May it be so that others are placed in life that speak into the direction this life is going. May you be with me as I discern their statements. No longer will I blind myself of the small or large things you are directing my paths in.

Kyle Schumacher came into my life when we choose to room together our Sophomore year of college, this year will be our third year of rooming together –cannot wait!!! Little did I know what influence he would have in my life. One way Kyle has come to influence me is through his choice of music. Sure I had always heard of this Christian rapper Lecrae, but I never paid him much attention.

Recently I have been addicted to his music! The lyrics are rock solid and point back to Christ time and time again. Kyle, I am sorry for all the times I have made fun of you for your ‘man crush’ on Lecrae, I understand now, this guy is representin’ Jesus in his career as an artist.

Lecrae’s music reaches an audience that loves rap, his music is great enough that someone who is not a Christian could stumble upon it, begin listening to it enough, and hear the gospel through his lyrical content! Makes me think of the verse 1 Corinthians 9:19-23 Lecrae is winning the hearts of people to Christ through beats that are relevant to this generation.

Over the next few months I’ll be posting Lecrae songs as they are on my heart and speaking to me. “Just like You” is the first of these songs. It is my aim to grow in Christ-like character, to become increasingly more and more like Christ. This song causes me to cry out to God to be my help in becoming more and more like him…in all that I do. Check out the music video!

What other ways is Lecrae reaching people for Christ?

Prayer:
Heavenly Father thank you for waking me this morning and watching me through the night. Today let this servant serve you with all he is doing today. Let coursework be completed for your glory and may procrastination not get in the way from me completing the tasks at hand with an excellent attitude. Might I see today what it looks like to complete coursework for your glory and with an attitude that is pleasing to you. May relationships with team mates and others in the program here in Jacksonville be built and may some bit of intentionality be encouraged.

Scripture:
Matthew 22:34-40

The greatest commandment is to love the Lord your God –to love Him with all we are
The second commandment is to love your neighbor as yourself.
What is the Law and the Prophets?

What does this mean:
vs 40 “On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.”

Matthew 28:16-20
* Eleven disciples went to Galilee and worshiped Jesus
* Some doubted –doubted he was the Son of God?
* Jesus proclaims he has been given all authority in heaven and on earth
* He sends the disciples out…
* Baptize in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit
* Teach them to observe commandments
* Remember he is with us to the end of this world

Having read the great commission many times I have seemingly never let Jesus’ words here sink in. The three goings are this: make disciples of all nations, baptize in the name of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, and teach how to observe all he has commanded of us. So how do we do these three things effectively? How do we make disciples of all nations? How do we baptize? How do we teach observation of commands?

The first step for me is going to become someone who is observing commands Christ has given us in the written words of the Bible. Let me begin with the two greatest commandments:

1. Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and mind
2. Love your neighbor as yourself

Prayer:
Lord help me in any doubt/disbelief of your sending of your son Jesus Christ. May I root myself in your Word and seek out commandments laid before us. Increasingly worshiping you, giving you the credit, you the glory; will I go out of my way in life to love others enough that I might teach them to observe commandments. Thank you for loving me so I might overflow and love others. Your love is so great that you sent your son to die for us even when we were still sinners (Romans 5:8) Thank you, thank you, thank you!

Prayer:
Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for placing people in our life at specific times. Thank you for creating us in your image (Genesis 1:27). We are built for relationship. God creates a helper suitable for man (Genesis 2:18), thank you for this partner. Oh how often I fail at the golden rule (Galatians 5:13-14), how often I do not love my neighbor as myself. May my eyes be opened to the scripture now, may I humbly receive your teaching.

Scripture:
Ephesians 5:1-21
Breaking down Eph 5:3

• Not even a hint of sexual immorality…how often do we stumble into sexual immorality with our minds, with our partner, we at times even take our gratification into our own hands
• continuing…there ought to not be a hint of greed, we are greedy people, always wanting more because enough is never enough
• Both sexual immorality and greed are improper for God’s holy people.

Further thoughts:

• Those who are careful and think are wise (Eph 5:15)
• Understand what the Lord’s will is (Eph 5:17)
• Encourage one another with scripture and give thanks to God always (Eph 5:19-20)
• Light exposes everything, rise from our old ways, allow Christ to shine on you (Eph 5:13-14)
• We ought to submit to one another, consider the other person better…out of reverence for Christ

Favorite verse from section:
Ephesians 5:8 “For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light.”

Prayer:
Thank you, thank you, thank you dear Christ for your time on earth. Christ you were humbled to death, death on a cross to pay for our sins. Who am I to not be humbled daily by your death for my bad. Christ you died for all of us sinners, thank you for your death. God might I strive to be an imitator of Christ, to live free from sexual immorality and run from greed. Lord may I live a righteous and generous life. When I inevitably sin again may I repent and turn from that sin. Lord may my repentant heart choose to not turn back to sin I repent of. May my thoughts control my heart and it’s motivations. Day by day will deceit flee from the heart. May life with another; brother, sister, partner, be always encouraging, edifying, and full of you as we choose to live as children of light.