Some thoughts...

Hey all!
So lately I have been studying in Romans and also reading a book entitled: “A Cry in the Wilderness” by Keith Green. and using that for a Bible study that I have started doing with a friend on Wednesday nights. Both studies have been very challenging to me personally and I thought I would share some of the things I have been learning with you.


"Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord or of me His prisoner, but join with me in suffering for the gospel according to the power of God,

who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was granted us in Christ Jesus from all eternity,

but now has been revealed by the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel, for which I was appointed a preacher and an apostle and a teacher.

For this reason I also suffer these things, but I am not ashamed; for I know whom I have believed and I am convinced that He is able to guard what I have entrusted to Him until that day.

Retain the standard of sound words which you have heard from me, in the faith and love which are in Christ Jesus.

Guard, through the Holy Spirit who dwells in us, the treasure which has been entrusted to you." (2 Timothy 1:8-14 New American Standard Bible)

"The gospel Paul preached involved making tough choices and taking hard stands. It is about putting your life on the line.
Losing popularity with your friends. Suffering for your convictions. What God wants is ALL of us-soul, mind and body."
(Keith Green)

Ok so the gospel is explained as: "the TREASURE which has been entrusted TO YOU." If we are followers of the Lord Jesus Christ do we live as though we have a great treasure? What are we doing with that TREASURE?

ARE WE LIVING LIKE WE ARE CHRISTIANS? When people look at us WHAT DO THEY SEE? Have you ever seriously asked yourself that question? I didn't for a long time because I knew that I was not living the way I should be for the Lord BUT I then realized that ,again, it is about a choice. We CHOOSE how we will live for the Lord. We can be talk the talk at church and youth group and conferences BUT when it really matters do we walk the walk? Does Jesus Christ shine out of us NOT ONLY when we are at church but when we are with our family or even just by ourselves?

"One mark of the true gospel is that IT DEMANDS SACRIFICE FROM US. Sacrifice of having control of our lives, moment by moment. It challenges everything we do. But as we learn (it's a process) to embrace the gospel-and to realize that this world is not our final home-and when we live it out in our lives God will use us to call the world to Himself." (Keith Green)

The older I get the more I realize how it is so easy to fall into the trap of convenient Christianity. What is that? Only living for the Lord when it is "convenient" for us to do so.

It should not be so! God has really been challenging me lately to offer up every single second of my day for HIS honor and glory. He has been challenging me to live for Him EVEN WHEN it is not "convenient" for me for whatever reason (embarrassment, scorn, people misunderstanding). Jesus Christ abolished death for US! Why then do we find it such a duty to live for HIM?

As followers of the Lord Jesus Christ we are called with a holy calling (2 Timothy 1:9). He has chosen us as His children! He has appointed us to go and bear fruit! (John 15:16).

So here is the question that really has been challenging me for the past few weeks especially:

What are we going to do about it?

As the body of Christ-as the church-what are we going to do about this awesome treasure that we have been given (Jesus Christ)?

Are we willing to let go of (surrender) all our dreams (huge one for me) and let the Holy Spirit take FULL CONTROL of our lives? To let go of everything that we hold close. To take up our crosses and follow Christ without looking back? (Luke 9:62)

In 2 Timothy 1:8 Paul admonishes his readers to not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord. Thinking about that...how many times do we have opportunities to witness but refuse because "we might offend someone"? How many times does the Lord lay something on our hearts but we refuse to do it because "it might make us look weird/radical"? Please believe me when I tell you that I have been asking myself these same questions over and over and have come to the conclusion that I do not want to be ashamed any longer!

Jesus Christ was not too ashamed to die for us on that cross...why is it we are too ashamed to live for Him?

Just some thoughts I thought I would share with you...

Here is one last question to ponder:

What choice will you make today? Serve the Lord 110% and make Him the center of your world or continue to live a "convenient" life only fitting God in when it is absolutely necessary?

Believe me...it is something I will be pondering as well...