Pop the Bubble

How many of you live in a bubble? I bet you are thinking, "What is she talking about?" Well let me explain...

Many of us worry about our close friends, family, and ourselves. We live in our own little "bubble" and stay in that "bubble." What I am trying to say is, we have grown to just want to get by and worry about getting through the day. We are scared of letting people in our "bubble" and we are clueless to what is really going on in the world.

If you go to school or work, this will help you grasp the concept I am trying to get across. You know the people that are by themselves either at the lunch table or desk, they don't really talk to anyone outside work, or have any real close friends that you know of. We all know these people and we all have been around them at some point and time. You may say "hey" or "have a nice day” but have you ever really sat down and talked to them?

You may be thinking it is only one person and I am sure they have tons of friends and are just shy. How about you ask yourself this...."Are they a Christian" "Do they know our Savior" "Have they accepted Christ into their life’s"? Have you ever considered that?

Our society has come to keeping our religion on the down low. No one speaks up and we tend to keep our relationship with Christ to ourselves.  2 Timothy 4:2 says,

"Preach the word of God. Be prepared, whether the time is favorable or not. Patiently correct, rebuke, and encourage your people with good teaching."

Why are we not preaching the Word! How often have you spoken up and talked about religion? Have you sat down with the person you work with or go to school with? Do we encourage our fellow brothers and sisters or do we just keep to ourselves because religion "cannot" be spoken in the work place?

I am writing this post because I have dealt with being in my "bubble" all my life. The past couple of weeks God has been talking to me and telling me to wake up and speak up.  Everyday I run across someone that I could share the Word with. Everyday God gives me the opportunity.  With all these opportunities, how many do I actually take?

As you read this, I pray that we pop our bubble and get out into the world! I pray that we “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation"(Mark 16:15) Together we can change the world. All it takes is that one step and that one step starts with you.

Joy and Peace

Christmas. What does Christmas mean to you? Is it a time for presents and santa? What is the true meaning of this season?

This is a time for joy and peace. A time where we spead time with our families and friends. A time we praise God for sending His only Son. Now isn't that the greatest present we could ever receive. If this is what Christmas is about, then why is there chaos and stress?

Last week at church we were reading Philippians 4:4-7

"Rejoice in the Lord always. I shall say it again: rejoice! Your kindness shold be known to all. The Lord is near. Have no anxiety at all, but in everything by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving make your request known to God. Then the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus."

So what do you get out of this piece of scripture? I would like you to meditate on these verses for a minute.

I have read these verses over and over again. They are constantly running through my mind. When I went to do some last minute Christmas shopping, there was a lady that was in complete panic mode! She was freaking out worrying about how she was going to get all her presents wrapped. I just felt terrible for her. I mean isn't that sad you spend your whole Christmas worrying about if all the presents are going to get wrapped.

Philippians 4:6 says "have no anxiety at all, but in everything by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving make your request known to God." I mean why on earth are we having anxiety about presents getting wrapped or  under the tree being filled or if everyone will think the present you give them is the best. I think we should be giving thanks to the King of all Kings and celebrate His birth. We need to spend the time we are spending worrying about worldly things, praising Him and sharing the good news!

Verse 7 finally tells us that if we allow the peace of God to take control of our lives we will be happy. When you let God "guard your hearts and minds" we will experience a joy that not a single present can give us.

For the next couple of days as we wait to celebrate the birth of Christ, I pray that we leave the stress of the world behind us. I pray we accept the peace of the Lord into our hearts. Pray and re-read these verses and see what God is telling you. Lets spend this Christmas season rejoicing!

Are you a follower of Jesus?

So I have recently started reading Not a Fan by Kyle Idleman(thank you BFF for giving it to me! You are the best!) and it is absolutely AMAZING! I think that everyone should take the time to read it. As I read it I will keep you posted on what I have learned. Sooooo here we go....

Are you a follower of Jesus? You may look at this question and ask yourself "why on earth would she even question this?!?!", but hold your horses because here it comes. With this being the first sentence of chapter 1, Kyle Idleman goes on to ask the question again, "Are you a follower of Jesus?" He says it may feel "redundant and unnecessary" to ask yourself this question, but truly how about you ask yourself again.

Many of us say "Oh yeah I am a Christian" or "I go to church", but how many of us actually live a CHRIST-like life. A life that God is the center and nothing else matters in the world except doing His will.

I have recently gotten my first job and this question sticks with me the whole time I am at work. I am working with people I barely know and some people that I have never met. So asking myself this question throughout my shift makes me wonder what my fellow co-workers, managers, and even customers see in me. Do they see a brown hair green eyed girl trying to earn some extra cash or do they see Jesus?

The only way they will know is if I show them. Before I even take that step, I have to do some digging. Some digging deep in my heart and soul. I need to truly ask myself if I am a follower of our Lord and Savior or am I just another fan who sits around and does nothing and just acts like a "cool Christian".

This week I challenged you to do some digging and soul searching and truly discover what Jesus means to you. I will always be praying that we Christians will stand up and start living for Christ. I pray you will not be a fan but a true follower of Christ. Lets take advantage of the Christmas season and share the joyous news of the King of Kings.

John 8:31-32“So Jesus was saying to those Jews who had believed Him, “If you continue in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine; and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.”