Fearless!

Such a beautiful day today in East Lansing! Of course, everyday is sunny regardless of the clouds; nothing can keep the Son from shining! I've just completed the second of my three exams for this week, and I'm not exhausted yet...however I'd like to share just a little insight, perhaps this post will be short and sweet :)

Don't know about you, but when things get between me and accomplishing a particular task or goal, I get kind of upset. Some things not only cause hindrances, but threats as well. The threat of losing one's driver's license not only takes away their right to enjoy their vehicle, but also keeps them from (legally) driving to work! Is that something to be afraid of? Maybe, not getting to work and making a living to keep the lights on...but still, is that a sufficient cause to fear?

One of my favorite ministers to listen to, Pastor Joel Urshan, articulated very well that "most of us aren't afraid of our 'fears,' we're just afraid of losing control." We just don't know what we would do if placed in certain situations, so we call ourselves "afraid" of them. However, if placed in a distressful situation, such as fighting a dog off of our child (and we're "afraid" of dogs), then that fear ceases. This is because perfect love casteth out fear...there is no fear in love (1 John 4:18). Now we see how God died for us on the cross- He wasn't afraid to save His people! When we allow fear to enter into our spirit, we invite torment, torture, injury, oppression, pain and disappointment right along with it.

We have no reason to fear anything/anyone outside of the ruler of the universe- God Himself! Because He GAVE his only begotten Son, He GAVE us his love...we cannot allow fear to keep us from giving our love! If we say we love God, then we cannot be afraid to die to our flesh, our desires, our pride, our sin- our fears- and to give ourselves to HIM!!!!!! MYYYYY GOD...Once you find out the enemy's tactics, he can't use them to deceive you anymore!

Simply put, I encourage you to yield yourself to the awesome power of God by giving, showing and living your love to Him. Wait on the Lord, through all your trials and temptations, all while yielding to Him, and he will perfect His love in you!!! (James 1:4). Jesus loves us too much for you to fear anything or anyone in this world- and He didn't let anything get between Him and proving it to us.

And Moses said unto the people, Fear not: for God is come to prove you, and that his fear may be before your faces, that ye sin not. Exodus 20:20

Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness. Isaiah 41:10

There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love. 1 John 4:18

Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. Ecclesiastes 12:13

Tell me what YOU see

The entire world around us is filled with plenty of things, places and people to see. It's because of our physical surroundings that we do many of the things we do; the rural man plants his crops in good soil, the hunting man goes out to catch his dinner in the forest, the scholar goes to college and pursues his degrees, etc. Because we see so many opportunities in the world to progress our lives towards higher levels of comfort, we take full advantage of them. I wouldn't be a student if I found a better opportunity to get ahead in my life. However, the realm of visibility only goes as far as we can physically view it, and in the end there's always something to try to get a better look at.

As we pursue ambitions, hopes, dreams and goals, I wonder sometimes, "why?" The answer is, there's all sorts of desires that we have to quench (thirsts). No matter what, we will find some thing to satisfy them, and it doesn't even have to be an enjoyment of ours. Over time, though, we begin to enjoy those things. Once, I would just "pass the time" by playing Fifa Soccer (never so much as watched a soccer match prior). Eventually, the game became more than a pastime, but a regular hobby. Finally, I couldn't wait to play the game once I got home from work. This simple example goes to show that given proper circumstances, we can and will give in to whatever it is we find to satisfy our desires. 

My desire to pass the time slowly but surely evolved into a hope for playing Fifa Soccer once I got home from work. Of course me playing was dependent upon whether or not my roommates were playing, but I looked forward to playing regardless. We are hope creatures, or creatures of hope. Once we come into certain experiences, though, hope evolves into expectation. After getting a call back from a job I applied for, I hoped to get a second interview. Once on the job, though, I expected to get paid. And all of this came from me pursuing the job opportunity, which I saw in the "Now Hiring" sign in the company window.

People, we must turn our hope to God! I'm sure I'm not the only one who has desired, hoped and even expected plenty of things to come my way during life, only to have been disappointed. It's very displeasing to the soul. That's just the way this life is; the world is designed by God for us to run out of worldly pleasures, only for us to run into His salvation to escape the dissatisfaction that the world gives. What can a man give in exchange for his soul? NOTHING! That's why our Lord poses the rhetorical question, "For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?" (Matthew 16:26). The point our Lord makes, is that we can search throughout the entire earth, and find nothing to fill the voids of our desires, outside of salvation in Him. 

I encourage you to take a deeper, introspective observation of yourself, and to note what it really is that you are living this life for. What is it that you are giving time, energy and soul to? Is it just to pay bills, to please some significant other, or to be accepted in society? Or, are you just simply "passing the time"? Please don't let Jesus pass you by!!!! He is here, and He wants to be inside of you, filling any and all holes that may have you waiting for hope deferred! Plainly, once you are born again, the things of this life will  be brought into their proper perspective and pass away before your eyes- and your hope will be in the unchangeable, eternal, awe-striking and great God of all creation! Trust Him, He will not leave you hanging!

For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for (it)? Romans 8:24

Am I a God at hand, saith the LORD, and not a God afar off? Can any hide himself in secret places that I shall not see him? Saith the LORD. Do not I fill heaven and earth? Saith the LORD. Jeremiah 23:23

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. Hebrews 11:1

And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. Romans 12:2

No other way

So, it's been a while. 16 weeks, about 10,000 miles, at least 50 cups of coffee, and about 10 haircuts. Nevertheless God has been good! I apologize for leaving the blog hanging, but honestly I got to the point where writing felt like some sort of responsibility. However, I got a couple of comments and, they were accepting! All I can say is glory to God, who is my inspiration and confidence to do everything possible to move forward!

So, it's in the heat of the summer and I'm knee deep into the task at hand: graduating. East Lansing isn't as populated as usual but I feel like I'm passing up midterm week already! But that's all good, because I know there's a goal worth approaching and unless I put in some work, it won't be accomplished. The only way to walk across that stage and to get that piece of paper is to follow the instruction! Just like putting together a lampstand, desk or a chair, this college thing has its instruction manual: Go to class, and study!! There's no getting around certain things, when you want to gain a valuable experience and retain it all. Isn't that like our God. There is no possibility of getting around His order, statutes, commandments, and laws, while pleasing Him!

Every single individual ought to have the goal of obtaining eternal life. However, without the proper instruction and guidance into this goal it will never be comprehended. Unless the believer places his faith in Christ (the way, the truth and the life), all attempts to obtain any level of success amount to no value, because there's no glory for God! Without faith it is IMPOSSIBLE to please God, who is eternal life. Please don't place your confidence in things. Things, people, places, worldly accomplishments, etc., will all cease and have no lasting value. But if and only if we can believe God for His Word, we will possess ultimate joy!!

After traveling the world, I can honestly identify with the fact that there's NOTHING on this earth worth living for without the fellowship of Jesus. He is all in all! Taste and see that God is good for yourself, and trust me, you will not be dissatisfied. There is no other way, anyway!

Best,

Nick

But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
Hebrews 11:6


Whom have I in heaven but thee? And there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee.
Psalm 73:25

Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.
St. John 3:5

Listen!!