Bought

     So if you follow me on Twitter, you have probably seen the tweets about every hour referring to the End It Movement. Basically, this is a movement to end slavery that is STILL occurring today. The facts are hard pills to swallow. For instance,

• 27 million people are still suffering at the hands of slavery
• Slavery is present in 161 countries (including the United States)
• The average age of a person trafficked in the United States is 14
• 80% of human trafficking is the trafficking of females. It’s estimated that 5,000 women and girls are trafficked and raped in Atlanta, GA alone.
• In 120 seconds, four children will be sold into slavery.

 (all stats were taken from www.enditmovement.com)

     Like I said earlier, these are hard statistics to ignore. These people are the same age as our siblings, our children, our friends. My heart pours out for these people. I don’t understand how our world can be so jaded and twisted that we are able to turn our heads away from these atrocious acts. These people are lost and in need of light. The world needs to know what’s going on and people need to hop on this project to end slavery and human trafficking. 

     In 1863, Abraham Lincoln freed all slaves in America through the Emancipation Proclamation. Unfortunately, slavery and bondage is at an all time high (as in, the people in slavery today outnumber the people in slavery then). 

Wow. Just wow.

     Similarly, there are so many people in this world bound to slavery that don’t even know. Yes, there are 27 million people on this earth bound to slavery, but this slavery that I’m talking about now…it is more alarming. I’m talking about people who have found themselves bound to sin by living in and for the world. I am from the Bible Belt area in modern day USA and honestly, you assume that your neighbor is a Christian here.

                         But it’s just a mask.

     Only 11% of the world claims to be a Christian and actively follow Christ. 11 percent. As Christians, this number should be staggering and alarming, just as the statistics on human trafficking and slavery. While 27 million people are bound to slavery in the world, there are approximately 66,000 people dying every day that are permanently bound to the slavery of sin. John 8:34 says, “Very truly I tell you, everyone who sins is a slave to sin.”
     John said EVERYONE there. That includes me. That includes you. We are all bound to sin. It’s a depressing thought. The fact that life has lied to you this whole time. Your freedom that you fight for is only earthly freedom. It’s an illusion because, spiritually, you are bound to sin and you cannot free yourself. There is not one single thing that can free you.

     Or is there? 

     Jesus came to the earth to give us the chance to rid ourselves of these spiritual shackles that we wear. Though we are still tangled in sin, his death on the cross granted us access to the Savior and access to his abundant grace and full life. Because Christ is for you, your chains have been broken. He can tear them away with just his word. There is only one condition. Accept him and serve him.
     So many people have a false sense of Christianity. You say a prayer, maybe even walk down the “Romans Road” and live on a spiritual high for a week (if you did really well). What is scary about this version of salvation is that it is so misleading. When the decision to believe in Jesus and commit your life to him is made, it isn’t a one time deal. When you decide to live for Jesus, it’s a daily commitment of losing yourself and finding freedom in his name. Jesus has a perfect way of stating this daily commitment. Luke 9:23 states:

 ^{Then he said to them all, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me."}

     In these verses, Jesus shows his seriousness about the lifestyle he wants us to lead. We are called to take up our crosses DAILY. In a video of a sermon that I watched in youth, this man gave a great example of what taking a cross up daily looked like. He carried a podium around the entire time that he was preaching. He talked about how it was uncomfortable. It was noticeable. When committing to this lifestyle, you will change. At times, it will be uncomfortable. If you are living for God, it will especially be noticeable in the world today.
     The reward is eternal life in Christ. It is hard to be a Christian in this world. We will never get it right and we will always sin. Human nature and impulse is bound to sin. But Jesus came so the bondage would be broken and we could enter into a loving relationship with him where we serve him wholeheartedly and DAILY.
     Do you want your chains to be broken? I know that my life has been changed by living for Christ. It used to be about knowing about God and being the best at Bible trivia. Now, my relationship is so much more. It has so much more meaning and my heart naturally wants to serve Christ because he died for. Jesus bought me out of my slavery. Jesus paid the full price and more for me. I am worth his own life. I owe everything I am for his praise and his glory because he bought me and rescued me from my sinful self.
     If you want to be freed from the bondage of sin, talk to a pastor or Christian friend. Leave a comment. Do anything so that you will be heard because people do want to share about the Lord and His goodness. If you want to join the #enditmovement, visit www.enditmovement.com and explore their website. There are more statistics, ways to be involved, and a donation site if you are able and willing. Remember, no one needs to be a slave. Slavery in the world needs to end and slavery to sin needs to stop too. Spread the word. Join the movement. #enditmovement

Wanna Dig?

Hey y’all! So due to recent events going on in my life, I just wanted to give you all a small (and possibly running) list of things that you should really research and think about when contemplating Christianity.

• Biblical Story History: When did it happen? What are the details? How can you prove that the story is true? (Better yet, do this for ALL of Scripture! Find out what makes Scripture true and then preach it!)
• God’s Standard for You: Look at what God expects of you as His child. God wants your cooperation on every issue (even the little ones like music).
• God’s Standard on Hot Topics: What does the Bible say on gay marriage? What about abortion? Is my role as a women to lead a household or to let the man rule (women’s rights)? Pour over Scripture and pray for wisdom as you approach these topics. Don’t be afraid to question your pastors, leaders, and mentors. They are there for that specific purpose!!!

     I tried to make this list as broad as possible because there are so many small nitpick issues that it would be tiring to try and list every single thing that you should study. Pray about what troubles your heart, do not worry and ask for wisdom from God about whatever you wish to know. 

     It is so extremely important that if you want to have serious conversations about your faith that you know what you’re talking about. As Christians, we should be prepared to explain our faith and beliefs. I do NOT condone beating people over the head. If you pray and move in God’s will for you, He will open doors so wide that it would be idiotic to MISS that opportunity! We aren’t supposed to bash others, start hate groups, and judge people. As someone (and I tried to find the source guys…sorry!) so eloquently put it:

“Don’t judge me because I sin differently than you."

     Only God has the right to judge people for their sins (VERSE). People, please stop acting like you are holier-than-thou and love your neighbor. Christians, it is time to come together as a church and act like Jesus. We need to love on people, not bash. If you are led to testify and need to use history and facts to back up your Scripture (and please do note that Scripture is used first. It is the only truth for which you should stand. Everything else is just secondary support), then please use knowledge that you are solid and sure in.
     I also don’t want to sound harsh on my fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. Please take this as encouragement to grow spiritually. I want to sharpen you and only help draw you closer to the cross. We are not perfect and there will be times, even after studying, that you don’t know the answers. It is totally normal and happens to EVERYONE. Find a group of friends and get together to discuss what’s going on in the world. Talk about where you stand and find ways to challenge each other so that you become better in Christ.

#MarriageEquality

     So I have developed a Twitter recently, and honestly, it’s how I get I keep up with what’s going on in the world. I didn’t realize so many news casts tweeted stories! It has been quite eye opening to see how the face of social media is constantly changing.
     Anyways…so whether you’re on Twitter or not, I’m sure you’ve seen the marriage equality debate on Facebook and Twitter, Yahoo! and countless other media sources. It is currently one of the trending topics on Twitter and many (perhaps even most) of my friends have changed their profile pictures for a day in support of this movement in the Supreme Court.
     Because Twitter is max capacity of 140 characters, I figured blog would be a much better venue to discuss my opinion and belief and stance in the matter.
     In case you didn’t read my first post or my “about me”, I will warn you that I am a Christian. Hence, if you feel that you will be offended by this post, stop reading now, or read on and just see what I have to say. This isn’t a post to bash and hate on a people group. However, it is a post to expose truth and stand for my beliefs.

This isn’t a post to bash and hate on a people group.

     I believe homosexuality is a sin. The New Testament addresses this sin mainly in three passages: Romans 1:26-27, 1 Corinthians 6:9-10, and 1 Timothy 1:9-10. In all three, men are lying with men and feeling lust toward each other. I believe that this refers to homosexuality. Romans says,

“Because of this, God gave them over to shameful lusts. Even their women exchanged natural sexual relations for unnatural ones. In the same way, men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed shameful acts with other men, and received in themselves due penalty for their error."

      If you do not consider yourself a Christian, then you are not bound by the law of Christ, and this passage will not have any effect on you or your decisions. If that is the case, then I want to give you a different message. One about the Gospel. However, those who profess to live in God’s accordance, yet live a homosexual lifestyle, I want to lovingly show that homosexuality is a sin, but there is forgiveness.
     Homosexuality isn’t the only sin out there. People struggle with different things everyday, and usually each person differs in what sin is their hardest battle. Honestly, my hardest battle is fighting lust. The world is filled with misinformation and fairytales that leave major scars in my life of how my relationships should be and what they should focus on. Most people would agree that lust is sinful and must be dealt with. It is a constant, daily struggle to battle and I lose. A lot. But the grace of God is so full and overwhelming that it covers me when I fall to my knees in front of the cross. By His grace, I am able to overcome my sin and live a life following Christ as my lover and passionate pursuer.
     In the same way, homosexuality is a sin that is struggled with daily. It is a choice to follow Christ and it’s a hard and sometimes hurtful, the things that you have to give up and turn away from. Lust can be fun to dabble in, but life in Christ is SO much more abundant and fulfilling than any “fun” lust can provide. Sometimes it makes me stand out from my friends. I’ve been ostracized for my beliefs before. Honestly, whoever shuns you is missing out. But, anyways, back to homosexuality, I think that it is a sin that has to dealt with over and over. You can only turn away from it by submitting yourself to the cross. With Christ, you can overcome your sin and live with Him through your days.
     I do not believe that the church should bash or condemn those who identify as a lesbian or gay or bisexual or transexual. As a church, we are supposed to be a refuge to the broken, the lost, and the everyday sinner. The church is supposed to be a place where forgiveness is given freely and judgment is not passed. Unfortunately, so many churches shut out those who aren’t church goers and turn away those in need of Christ most. I know that Christ must be ashamed of what his perfect plan has become.
     Hence, the church needs a revolution. Instead of spoon feeding the “Christians” of today, let us go out and find the people who need Jesus, who need hope, who need grace. Jesus hung out with some of the worst people of his time. That’s how he ministered. He also always kept his disciples close so that his community was around him constantly so he could rejuvenate. The church should go and seek those who are lost along with refreshing the disciples of God.

"I do not believe that the church should bash or condemn those who identify as a lesbian or gay or bisexual or transexual." 

     Instead of bashing, I want to offer forgiveness, love and acceptance to the lost person.

I can’t be the first to judge a person on their sin, as the Lord knows, I have enough of my own to handle. 

My job is to show Christ’s love to that person and to treat them as any other human being. I do not believe that marriage equality should be granted as I view marriage as a holy covenant between God and the couple (which means I don’t agree with many “straight” couples being married either”). If everything is right in your personal relationship with God, homosexuality may be a struggle for you, but you have given up that burden, that sin, at the foot of the cross. Perhaps God has granted you the gift of singleness if you have no desire to be with any one. If so, please use it and cherish it! There are definitely not enough people who see single-dom as a gift. It’s not that we aren’t equal. I think that those who struggle with fidelity and lust shouldn’t marry until that sin has been dealt with between God and that person because that is sin and isn’t pure and holy.
     I pray that God is speaking through me and that these aren’t just my words that I speak out of pride. Again, please feel free to comment. I want to sharpen my friends and I want to be sharpened by others. It’s the best way to build your faith and become even more in love with your Christ and Savior.

Until the next time,
M

Do the Hard Stuff

     College is hard. I’m not going to lie. Yes, the school work is a little more difficult and the teachers are just as hard as the ones in high school, but life… Life is hard. As student heading into her second semester of college, I already know some of the choices I have to make. Which friends to keep and which aren’t sharpening me to be better for His kingdom. Where is that line between safe and too far? What does God want me to do? Maybe those questions were expected, but I also struggle with, “God…what is your standard? Where do my lines, morals, and beliefs need to be?”
I have beautiful and wonderful friends. I cherish the relationships that I make, but recently I have been convicted of what I am surrounding myself with on a daily basis. Proverbs 27:17 says this:

"As iron sharpens iron, so another person sharpens the other.”

     When I reflect on who it is that I want to be and what I want my life to reflect, I innately know that Christ is the ultimate picture of beauty that I want to portray. But surrounded by people, who, although may be nice aren’t Christians, how is that reflection made clear?
     I have to choose daily who’s team I am on. Youth leaders and motivational speakers make it seem so easy to just choose God when asking that question. At the big youth rally, everyone, almost unanimously shouts, “GOD'S TEAM!” Tell me. Is it God’s team that you’ve chosen when you choose to ignore that shy girl alone at the lunch table? Is it God’s team when you choose to employ a spirit of timidity. I pray that this isn’t the team that I signed up for. I want to bold for my God and I want to sport my team colors proudly every single day so that others know, “Hey, that chick is for Jesus.”

“Hey, that chick is for Jesus.” 

If you see me, ask me and challenge me. See if I am showing God’s team colors that day. Hold your friends accountable and make a stand for what you believe in. If you haven’t started seriously thinking about God and why it is exactly that you believe in Him, I strongly encourage you to do so.

If you have no idea who this God is that I’m talking about, and you want to ask any questions, please comment. I can’t guarantee that I will know the answer, but I can promise you that God will help me find someone who can help point us both in the right direction. Nothing is too petty to ask and I beg you to at least find out more.

Blessings of the Risen Christ to you all.

M