Hey readers of this blog,
I hope all is well and life is being nice to you, because I know God has made life a blessing for me since He started this ministry within our hearts. Even as the problems of everyday life flew by, what with school, family life, work; God made sure I knew He was there showing me the way to walk and talk. I've had my fair share of shortcomings and so I ask for your forgiveness as I try to become a better Christ follower. The reason I'm writing this is to open up myself to you and because I can throw my feelings and experiences onto the keyboard and hopefully they would find their way to those who need uplifting. To start, I felt the reason I call myself a ROC 3:22 leader, is because ever since we started this group, I wanted to see souls won for the Kingdom through ROC 3:22 and so far I have not seen that with my own eyes. And I'm not even saying we have not succeeded either because I see it as a work in progress. I believe we've succeeded in other ways like bringing those who are in Christ even closer to Him through small groups and our weekly Thursday Night Prayers and our events. Thats why I think I'm in this Ministry; to see God's work in progress; to witness the birth of new Christ followers, and to share with them the experiences of my life as a Christ follower. To be perfectly honest and with a little shame, I say that before this Ministry came to be, I did very little to further my relationship with Christ, but with the help of my Brothers in Christ and the drive to see souls saved, I can now say that I want nothing more than to help build a community for Christ and to exercise my own relationship with Christ and I hope this inspires someone out there to start their walk with God and help in the mission to save others too.. thanks for reading and opening your hearts!
-Jonathan-
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Get personal
A new year brings new resolutions. But you hear it all the time how your buddy who started his gym membership in January has quit by the beginning of February. Why does that happen? How come we set goals and never follow through?
I’ve thought about this and have tried to be creative about setting goals, and being prepared. But in the end, the same excuses, and same problems prevent us from moving forward with a change we actually want in our lives. Sometimes the simple answer is to go back to the basics. Why do you want to go to the gym this year? Why do you want to cut out some of the bad influences in your life starting this January? Why do you want to spend more time with God THIS year?
As with any change in your life...It’s got to be a personal reason. I’m not talking about that fake, general answer we all lie to ourselves with.
“I’m gonna starting hanging around good people.” Uh huh....I’ll believe it when I see it.
“I wanna lose weight because its just the right thing to do.” Sure.
“I want to read the Bible every day so I can be a better Christian.” Yeah right.
Don’t get me wrong....the reasons above can be legitimate. But most of the time, they fade away quickly. Try digging a little deeper with your family/friend/yourself and you’ll find a rooted, personal reason for the wish to change.
“I found those negative influences hurting my relationships”
“I lost a family member to health reasons so it inspired me”
“My life is out of control without God so I need to get closer”
If you set a goal, there has to be a burden or passion behind it. It can’t be a goal/change just because its New Years Day. It has to be a change that has a root cause. It has to be personal. With that, I encourage you to get closer with God this year. Not because you read it on a blog, but because having Jesus as your personal Savior must be just that. It’s got to be personal.
God bless,
Jobbin
I’ve thought about this and have tried to be creative about setting goals, and being prepared. But in the end, the same excuses, and same problems prevent us from moving forward with a change we actually want in our lives. Sometimes the simple answer is to go back to the basics. Why do you want to go to the gym this year? Why do you want to cut out some of the bad influences in your life starting this January? Why do you want to spend more time with God THIS year?
As with any change in your life...It’s got to be a personal reason. I’m not talking about that fake, general answer we all lie to ourselves with.
“I’m gonna starting hanging around good people.” Uh huh....I’ll believe it when I see it.
“I wanna lose weight because its just the right thing to do.” Sure.
“I want to read the Bible every day so I can be a better Christian.” Yeah right.
Don’t get me wrong....the reasons above can be legitimate. But most of the time, they fade away quickly. Try digging a little deeper with your family/friend/yourself and you’ll find a rooted, personal reason for the wish to change.
“I found those negative influences hurting my relationships”
“I lost a family member to health reasons so it inspired me”
“My life is out of control without God so I need to get closer”
If you set a goal, there has to be a burden or passion behind it. It can’t be a goal/change just because its New Years Day. It has to be a change that has a root cause. It has to be personal. With that, I encourage you to get closer with God this year. Not because you read it on a blog, but because having Jesus as your personal Savior must be just that. It’s got to be personal.
God bless,
Jobbin
Friday, January 15, 2010
Hey guys,
So as I was driving to work, I heard a song on the radio, called When did you fall – By Chris Rice, (I think this song is to his wife or something like that (it’s definitely to a girl though)). The artist questions “when did you fall in love with me?” and goes on to ask whether it was at certain places or stages in their relationship, but it got me thinking and relating it back to our TRUE Love, God. I was thinking of when DID God fall in love with us? …Fall in love with me? I knew the answer right away of course (thank you Sunday School!!) and it’s that He loved me before I was even born, before time even began, before… well, before anything even came into existence! Amazing, isn’t it? That our God knew us before we even had a chance to know Him? That our God LOVED us before we ever had a chance to even love Him back?
I must say, this year has been tough. You may say, oh 2009? NO. I mean 2010. Yes, all 14 days of it has been the craziest emotional roller coaster yet, possibly because I’ve been facing struggles and risks in all aspects of my life, pretty much back-to-back, since several days before 2010 had even begun. It was honestly very weird how things just kept popping up one after another, and I was even thinking “What is going on here!?!?” Because things just needed to stop!!!! You know how that feeling you get when you feel dizzy and the room around you keeps spinning? Yeah, that’s exactly how things kept feeling. I didn’t know what was going on, with school, work, family, friends… just ALL of life… it was just really weird how it was happening all at once. And then last week, I was about to take a shower (getting ready for work) and it hit me! Something I said at my church struck me and I knew it was God revealing it to me.
You may remember, but before leaving to Dallas (at the end of December) for my sister’s wedding, we had a worship meeting at my church, which I was able to share some things I have been meditating on, and things God wanted to share with His people that night. And the same words I spoke came to my mind. That Saturday night we sang the song Open up the Sky – By Deluge, in which the chorus reads: “We don’t want blessings, we want You”. That same night, the words God spoke through me, even made me shake for a second as I said them. God was saying, “if we ONLY knew the meaning of those words, of which we were singing, we would probably never sing them again!!! Why?? Because they meant that even if we had lost everything (the blessings God has provided us), then we would still be OKAY because we have God. This means that even if we lost our car, our house, our expensive clothing, our favorite relationships… etc… we would be OKAY because those are JUST blessings that God has provided for us in life, and since we still have not lost our relationship with God, (ideally) that should be enough for us.”
And since that day, all HELL broke loose in my life. (LOL) Or at least it felt like it did, and I didn’t have a clue as to why!! But even throughout all of the ‘random’ struggles and risks I was facing, there was one verse that kept going through my head, and I knew it was the Holy Sprit providing that comfort, just like He promised, and the verse is:
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” – Jeremiah 29:11
God loves me. And God has a plan and a purpose for my life. Just like He has for YOU. Never doubt it. His ways are always best and always work out for His people. His promises are always ever-lasting, and remember that when things don’t look like they’re going “according to plan”, just remember that it’s not our plan, it’s His. He knows your struggles, and He obviously knows His promises over your life, so don’t worry because He has a plan and a purpose for them, as well.
After being pleasantly reminded by God of those words I had spoken that night, I laughed because I realized that Satan has just been extremely busy at trying to make me fail in my faith. And that’s when I prayed this: “God, I’d rather have a “risk” in Your hands, than assurance in this world.”
And with that said, Satan has no grip on my life, nor yours. Take God’s promises and trust in Him. He knows the plans He has for you, plans only to prosper you, and not to harm you. Better yet, plans to give you hope, and a future. Our God is amazing, and is victorious in everything, we have not need to grow weary or faint; rather, we are able to stand victorious in Him through all of what life throws at us.
God Bless!
So as I was driving to work, I heard a song on the radio, called When did you fall – By Chris Rice, (I think this song is to his wife or something like that (it’s definitely to a girl though)). The artist questions “when did you fall in love with me?” and goes on to ask whether it was at certain places or stages in their relationship, but it got me thinking and relating it back to our TRUE Love, God. I was thinking of when DID God fall in love with us? …Fall in love with me? I knew the answer right away of course (thank you Sunday School!!) and it’s that He loved me before I was even born, before time even began, before… well, before anything even came into existence! Amazing, isn’t it? That our God knew us before we even had a chance to know Him? That our God LOVED us before we ever had a chance to even love Him back?
I must say, this year has been tough. You may say, oh 2009? NO. I mean 2010. Yes, all 14 days of it has been the craziest emotional roller coaster yet, possibly because I’ve been facing struggles and risks in all aspects of my life, pretty much back-to-back, since several days before 2010 had even begun. It was honestly very weird how things just kept popping up one after another, and I was even thinking “What is going on here!?!?” Because things just needed to stop!!!! You know how that feeling you get when you feel dizzy and the room around you keeps spinning? Yeah, that’s exactly how things kept feeling. I didn’t know what was going on, with school, work, family, friends… just ALL of life… it was just really weird how it was happening all at once. And then last week, I was about to take a shower (getting ready for work) and it hit me! Something I said at my church struck me and I knew it was God revealing it to me.
You may remember, but before leaving to Dallas (at the end of December) for my sister’s wedding, we had a worship meeting at my church, which I was able to share some things I have been meditating on, and things God wanted to share with His people that night. And the same words I spoke came to my mind. That Saturday night we sang the song Open up the Sky – By Deluge, in which the chorus reads: “We don’t want blessings, we want You”. That same night, the words God spoke through me, even made me shake for a second as I said them. God was saying, “if we ONLY knew the meaning of those words, of which we were singing, we would probably never sing them again!!! Why?? Because they meant that even if we had lost everything (the blessings God has provided us), then we would still be OKAY because we have God. This means that even if we lost our car, our house, our expensive clothing, our favorite relationships… etc… we would be OKAY because those are JUST blessings that God has provided for us in life, and since we still have not lost our relationship with God, (ideally) that should be enough for us.”
And since that day, all HELL broke loose in my life. (LOL) Or at least it felt like it did, and I didn’t have a clue as to why!! But even throughout all of the ‘random’ struggles and risks I was facing, there was one verse that kept going through my head, and I knew it was the Holy Sprit providing that comfort, just like He promised, and the verse is:
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” – Jeremiah 29:11
God loves me. And God has a plan and a purpose for my life. Just like He has for YOU. Never doubt it. His ways are always best and always work out for His people. His promises are always ever-lasting, and remember that when things don’t look like they’re going “according to plan”, just remember that it’s not our plan, it’s His. He knows your struggles, and He obviously knows His promises over your life, so don’t worry because He has a plan and a purpose for them, as well.
After being pleasantly reminded by God of those words I had spoken that night, I laughed because I realized that Satan has just been extremely busy at trying to make me fail in my faith. And that’s when I prayed this: “God, I’d rather have a “risk” in Your hands, than assurance in this world.”
And with that said, Satan has no grip on my life, nor yours. Take God’s promises and trust in Him. He knows the plans He has for you, plans only to prosper you, and not to harm you. Better yet, plans to give you hope, and a future. Our God is amazing, and is victorious in everything, we have not need to grow weary or faint; rather, we are able to stand victorious in Him through all of what life throws at us.
God Bless!
Thursday, January 7, 2010
I Called And He Answered
Hey guys,
I was sitting in from of my lap top wondering what to write and nothing came to me. I asked the Holy Spirit to give me inspiration and then I remember the song " He came to my rescue" by Hillsong. I remember this past year as a total life transformation as I was lost and now I'm found. I was living life without Jesus as a friend and I remember how hard life was. I had sleeping problems, addictions, and a void in my heart. I found Jesus and he took care of all my problems, addictions and filled that void with his love. Paranoia became everlasting peace, addictions were gone, and an unconditional love was given. When you come to Jesus genuinely, he gives more than you can understand and comprehend. I came to my knees, bowed down and I called him and he rescued me. Don't ever think there's no way out...there is and its Jesus. I hope this song blesses you as it does to me. Enjoy!
I was sitting in from of my lap top wondering what to write and nothing came to me. I asked the Holy Spirit to give me inspiration and then I remember the song " He came to my rescue" by Hillsong. I remember this past year as a total life transformation as I was lost and now I'm found. I was living life without Jesus as a friend and I remember how hard life was. I had sleeping problems, addictions, and a void in my heart. I found Jesus and he took care of all my problems, addictions and filled that void with his love. Paranoia became everlasting peace, addictions were gone, and an unconditional love was given. When you come to Jesus genuinely, he gives more than you can understand and comprehend. I came to my knees, bowed down and I called him and he rescued me. Don't ever think there's no way out...there is and its Jesus. I hope this song blesses you as it does to me. Enjoy!
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Pushing Pulling and Carrying
Hey guys
I've been studying about grace and it's been great. We all know what grace is and what it does but what if I asked you what does it look like? Click on the link and enjoy!!
I've been studying about grace and it's been great. We all know what grace is and what it does but what if I asked you what does it look like? Click on the link and enjoy!!
Monday, November 16, 2009
Coming through
It's hard to find good help these days...You've heard the expression before, but it really is tough. The reason is because people just aren't dependable. It's hard to find someone who can come through for you every time you need them; no matter how simple or difficult the task may be. We can't be in all places at all times, but there are times where we depend on people so much that we NEED them to come through or else we don't have any options.
There is this clutch factor talked about in basketball. The game is on the line, and who gets the ball? It's always the star player...a Michael Jordan or Kobe Bryant type, who is counted on in those situations to always deliver. Their team mates trust them with the outcome of the game because they can't do it themselves. The Go To Guy. Who is the go to guy in your life?
It's hard to believe, but Michael Jordan has missed quite a few game winners in his day (if you know me I'm a huge MJ fan). But the one person who always comes through is Jesus. Every situation, no matter how much time is on the clock, He comes through. I experienced this personally in the past few weeks when our ministry planned Jesusade, our latest basketball tournament event . We literally had no gym for this event, but God opened a way in the last minute. Through it all, I emailed my friends saying I had this strange calmness about me, even though I should have been freaking out. I knew if we trusted in Him, He would deliver. And He did.
The funny thing is...it wasn't just Jesus who came through. My friends did as well. I have never seen so much responsibility taken by our volunteers at this event. Literally, people gave up hours of their time to referee games, fill out scoresheets, and manage the 100 people who were there. It was amazing to see our mission statement of the ministry come alive before my very eyes. "To develop youth into a community for Christ." Not only did our community step up to do a great service, we were taking on the traits of Christ on "coming through".
God bless,
Jobbin
Thursday, November 5, 2009
An unconditional Love...
Hey guys,
So I was thinking of what to write; the difficulty not being in not having anything to write, but rather having to sort through my thoughts of having soo many different subjects that have been on my mind recently, and that’s when it struck me. Across ALL of the subjects, whether it was about God’s amazing-ness, mercy, grace, sovereignty, or just ANYTHING about Him, there was one similarity… and that is God’s unconditional love that always (no matter what the circumstance is) shines through… I’m sure you can all agree, but I love having a relationship with a God that isn’t defined, nor changes, due to the surrounding circumstances! With that said… all I can say is…
My God, my God,
Of You, I stand in awe,
Not one day goes by
That Your love does not abound.
An unconditional love,
A love so faithful and pure,
A love affluent in nature,
Simply leaving me in awe.
That a God, so powerful and mighty as Yourself,
Would think about me.
Jesus, even upon that cross
You gave up Your ghost for me.
I can’t bear to think of the pain,
It must’ve caused you, to turn away
From Your only begotten Son,
Jesus Christ, the Holy One.
But you care so much for me
To send Him down, upon that Tree
Needless to say, my Lord, my God
It’s You alone I find captivating.
And as I see You
Face to face
I’m humbled by
Your warm embrace
I stand alone
To lift up Your Name
Knowing Your love
Will catch on like a flame
So, to this generation I say
Cast your burdens aside
‘Cause there’s an unconditional love
Awaiting your life…
Jesus alone can shed you some light
So, accept Him today
Cause He IS
The Way, the Truth, and the Life…
God Bless!
Siby
So I was thinking of what to write; the difficulty not being in not having anything to write, but rather having to sort through my thoughts of having soo many different subjects that have been on my mind recently, and that’s when it struck me. Across ALL of the subjects, whether it was about God’s amazing-ness, mercy, grace, sovereignty, or just ANYTHING about Him, there was one similarity… and that is God’s unconditional love that always (no matter what the circumstance is) shines through… I’m sure you can all agree, but I love having a relationship with a God that isn’t defined, nor changes, due to the surrounding circumstances! With that said… all I can say is…
My God, my God,
Of You, I stand in awe,
Not one day goes by
That Your love does not abound.
An unconditional love,
A love so faithful and pure,
A love affluent in nature,
Simply leaving me in awe.
That a God, so powerful and mighty as Yourself,
Would think about me.
Jesus, even upon that cross
You gave up Your ghost for me.
I can’t bear to think of the pain,
It must’ve caused you, to turn away
From Your only begotten Son,
Jesus Christ, the Holy One.
But you care so much for me
To send Him down, upon that Tree
Needless to say, my Lord, my God
It’s You alone I find captivating.
And as I see You
Face to face
I’m humbled by
Your warm embrace
I stand alone
To lift up Your Name
Knowing Your love
Will catch on like a flame
So, to this generation I say
Cast your burdens aside
‘Cause there’s an unconditional love
Awaiting your life…
Jesus alone can shed you some light
So, accept Him today
Cause He IS
The Way, the Truth, and the Life…
God Bless!
Siby
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)