As my squad and I head to South Africa in roughly two weeks, could you be praying for us? Could you pray that hearts would be softened as we go out and proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ? Would you also pray that the Spirit of God would move in and through us and give us boldness like we never have had before? In the next week, I will be putting together a prayer team over me and my squad, if you would like to be a part, feel free to reach out!
On a more practical level, I currently have Covid and am in quarantine. I am thankful for this, as this trial will allow me to rest and gear up for what the Lord has for me in this upcoming season. This trial will also boost my immunity right before my departure! Some have asked if Covid will change our route, and it has slightly, but we are still going! We will now be going to South Africa and Eswatini, but unfortunately we will not be going to Lesotho. This will allow for an extra 2-weeks at each of these countries, which is exciting!
Below, I want to share something that has been on my heart the past few months, and would love for you to check it out!
What is Christianity?
Acts 4:11-12
“This Jesus is the stone that was rejected by you, the builders, which has become the cornerstone. 12 And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”
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Christianity is a daily walk with our Heavenly Father, Jesus Christ and a continual fight against sin and a daily turning from our sin for the glory of God the Father. Jesus Christ came to earth to save and redeem sinners, and to bring us back into relationship with God the Father. He came to earth, dwelt among men, was tempted in every way and was hung on a cross to pay for the sins of the whole world. On the third day, He resurrected from the grave showing us that He defeated sin and death forever!
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The definition of sin is that we think our way is better than God’s way. In the beginning, God created us, and everything around us. Then we decided to rebel against God, we chose to go our way, against the way that God intended us to walk in. This was the beginning of sin in the world and now everyone who is born has a sinful nature. The Bible says that the wages of sin is death, we have turned against a Holy God. This is the reason why Jesus is important; Jesus paid the debt we couldn’t pay! Jesus was sinless, and was a perfect sacrifice in the eyes of God. Jesus offers to pay our debt before a Holy God if we ask Him. The reason why the wages of sin is death is that God is a Holy God. This is made clear in Revelation 4, where creation is bowing before the throne of God saying “Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty, who was and is to come!”. Holiness is being set apart. God is set apart from everything!! There is none like Him! The reason we sometimes don’t understand the way He does things is because He is not like us. His perfection is above ours. Because He is so Holy, set apart, He cannot accept sin. Though he loves us, he hates sin.
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Now through faith and repentance in Him, we can be justified, made righteous and have a relationship with him forever, and we will be promised eternal life with God the Father in heaven for all of eternity.
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To my Christian, wake up. The time is now to live for the glory of God the Father. Shake off your sin. Turn, repent, go make disciples of all nations. You can’t do what you were created to do if you are clinging to the sin that Jesus set you free from. That sin is holding you down from fulfilling your destiny, what you were created to do. Jesus is coming back soon, and there will be a day soon when it will be too late to live for him, and we will have to stand before a Holy God and give an account for what we did with the lives that He gave us. May we wake up and realize that the same power that rose Jesus from the grave is living and breathing inside of us! May we wake up and realize that those who have never put their faith and hope in Jesus will go to hell for an eternity. Let’s go love others, serve well, preach the gospel, teach Jesus Christ and Him crucified and resurrected. The American church is more known for its church attendance than living lives that take risks and are obedient to Jesus. Wake up! Let’s go! Obedience to Jesus looks like laying down your life for the sake of Christ. This means going where Jesus asks you to, saying what He tells you to say, etc. You have the same Spirit living in you that resurrected Jesus from the grave. You have all you need to live a life obedient to Jesus. Every single one of us (not just a select few) are called to make disciples of all nations. Let’s get out of our comfort zones, trust Jesus, and go change the world. I want to plead with you, join me in this fight, please don’t settle for a casual, comfortable cultural Christianity that settles at the thought that there are 3.2 Billion people on this planet who have never heard the good news of Jesus Christ.
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To my person who has never put their hope and trust in Jesus, Jesus died so that you’ll have a life free from sin, free from bondage, and a hope that is never ending. There is more to this life, you do not have to be stuck in the same pattern every day, living with no long-lasting hope. True joy is only found in Jesus Christ. You can receive peace and joy while here on earth when you recognize Jesus as Lord over all of your life. You can receive eternal life in heaven, free from sin, bondage and death! In Heaven, there will be no more pain, no more tears, no more sin! Jesus is calling you to Himself as you read this post! God put this post on my heart for you! He desires that you may be free! For those who deny Jesus, the wrath of God is still upon them for all of eternity. “For God so loved the world, that He sent His only son that whomever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16) Once you receive God’s free gift in Jesus, you will be sealed with the Holy Spirit. This means that the Spirit of God will come to live inside of you and He will convict you of sin, and lead you into a life that looks more like Jesus daily. To be saved, it is not a special prayer or anything like that, but it is believing in your heart that what Jesus did on the cross somehow counted for you, then asking Him to forgive you of your sins, and putting your faith and hope in Him. Once you do this, tell someone!
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Every single one of us on earth were created on purpose and for a purpose! There is a reason why you’re living here on this earth! You were created to give Jesus glory! You are fully loved AND fully known! Build your life on the rock that will never be shaken.
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If you are not currently walking with Jesus, or don’t have a personal relationship with Him, please reach out to me! I would love to talk to you! You’re welcome to reach out however you’d like! There is no condemnation here, I’d rather have hard conversations than see people not walk with the God who created them!
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Jesus is looking for a generation to be captivated by Him and be activated for good works in awe of His glory! Will you go?
Here I am Lord, send me.
