So, a few friends and I are doing this thing where we’re trying to get through the Old Testament. What I kind of want to see happen or imagine is just once a week, a video channel or something to listen and join in on a Bible study. It doesn’t matter where you are or what time of day (other than the restrictions placed on schedule, location…. etc. aha.) But yeah. Oovoo only fits six, so if you have suggestions for one that can host more than six people at a time, leave a comment, message me, anything! haha.

So, for this group we’ve been reading through Daniel and Romans. For the meeting though, we went through Daniel 1-6, but it was somewhat quick and rushed. So, to those of you that may want to join us next week, have not read Daniel, or both! (:D) I shall try to explain the first six chapters as much as I can or…. yeah, I’ll try. Don’t let this suffice as just enough. Read the Bible too because it’s words are more truer, more real, and more impactful than my words could ever be.

Daniel 1

Daniel one starts off with the King of Babylon, King Nebuchannezar  taking over Jerusalem. He orders the chief of his royal officials to find men. Not just any men but the best.

Here’s a list of them and their names given by the king:

• Daniel ( God is my Judge) - Belteshazzar(Bel’s prince)
• Hananiah (beloved by the Lord)- Shadrach (Command of Aku)
• Mishael(Who is like God?- Meschach (who is like Aku)
• Azariah(The Lord is my help)- Abednego (Servant of Nego)

Then the king ordered Ashpenaz, chief of court officials, to bring in some of the Israelites from the royal family and the nobility- young men without any physical defect, handsome, showing aptitude for every kind of learning, well informed, quick to understand, and qualified to serve….

So yeah, haha.

Nebuchannezar  gave them food and wine to drink but Daniel did not want to “defile” himself and he proposed that him and the rest of them eat nothing but vegetables and water to drink for 10 days and see the results. (this is the origins of the Daniel fast!) Haha, what’s neat is if you look into it even more, it wasn’t just vegetables. Different translations have used the word “pulse” meaning grown from seeds. The reason? the food that the king ate was a part of food that were offered to pagan gods.

After the ten days, they came out healthier and better than any other! Awesome ain’t it?

Daniel 2

So yeah, Nebuchanezzar has a dream and gets worried. Here’s where it gets good: he talks to the astrologers  and what do they do? they try and stall time and end up giving up. Nebuchanezzar has great consequences good and bad (involving being cut into pieces and having the houses turned into piles of rubble or being held dear to the king). The king, in his anger, orders all of the wisemen to be killed but Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, pray and plead for God to give them mercy. Dreams were important to Babylonians because they took it as a sign from the gods talking to them.

God gives Daniel a vision and interprets it for the king. What’s awesome is Daniel speaks so confidently. He does not gain this confidence from himself but his confidence in the Lord. He only credits God and never gives praise for himself.

For the interpretation part, read through it carefully. Take note of how Daniel defines everything and states it.

Then, the reaction of King Nebuchadnezzar gets me. HE FALLS PROSTRATE! He falls face down on the floor honoring Daniel. He praises “Daniel’s God” and sets Daniel in an even higher position. (This is where they get the joke… Who’s the best tennis player in the Bible? Daniel because he runs the courts. HAHA)

Daniel 3- Fiyahhhh

King Nebuchadnezzar still has a hardened hard  and man. So frustrating, haha. He sets up the idol and orders everyone to praise and worship this piece of gold .The punishment was to be thrown into a burning furnace. Now, this furnace just wasn’t to keep you warm or anything. This was meant to kill and incinerate. Verse 3 states that it was hot enough to burn the soldiers trying to throw Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego into the fire!

Take a look at 21… “They were were robes, trousers, turbans, and other clothes.” I’m pretty sure all of those things are highly flammable.

What humbles me is verse 17-18.

If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from it, and he will rescue us from your hand, O King. BUT! even if He does not, we want you to know, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.

These guys knew full well what God could do. And, they were aware that they did not deserve His grace and mercy. They’re facing a life or death situation and they say that even if God allows them to burn in the fire, they will refuse to the very end to worship no one else but God. Man.

As the fire burns, the king does not see three men burning but three men and an angel in the furnace. Nothing was burned.

Daniel 3:27

…They saw that the fire had not harmed their bodies, nor was a hair of their heads singed; their robes were not burned, and there was no smell of fire on them.

The huge turn! This literally gets me smiling.
29. It goes from everyone practically against them to being protected and followed by the King of Babylon!

Daniel 4

King Nebuchadnezzar, I think relates a lot of us. Although he sees all these miracles and witnesses the power of what God can do first hand, he still turns to other earthly things. He turns to things lesser than God in his moments of worry. We praise God during those “moments” and then quickly go back to our idols.

Once again read through the dream and visions carefully!

The end of four is very great.

Here is the former king praising God. The leader of the Babylonian arm, one of the most powerful armies in the world during that time. Come on now! haha. If anyone else had the right  to be proud, it was him. But look at the last sentence of chapter four. (And those who walk in pride he is able to humble. )

Daniel 5- Like father like son

King Belshazzar (not like Belteshazaar which is Daniel’s name) is the son of Nebuchadnezzar. Just like his father, he turns to the magicians, the astrologers, and those that could not intrepret what God has told them. At this point, even those that did not believe in God acknowledges that Daniel was different; that he was special. What I like about this passage is that it’s because of a woman, the king’s wife, to tell him of Daniel. God uses anybody and everybody for His work. Holla! LOL

Now, the reward for reading the words on the wall were not some measly thing. Purple represents royalty along with gold. That stuff wasn’t cheap. Even now, the only gold I could afford is from the 25 cent ring dispensers.

Now for some Bible history, the King’s death was caused by two empires, the Medes and the Persians, combining forces and leading to the new king, King Darius.

Daniel 6- roaaaaarrrrr!

So the satraps were pretty much the governors over the , now taken over, land. And Daniel was one of their overseers. They hated Daniel and what happens is that they trick the king into issuing a decree that will get Daniel sent to a den of lions. They do this by using the king’s pride. He issues a decree that restricts what and who they can worship to just himself.

What does he do?

He goes home, opens a window towards Jerusalem and prays. Who does that?! Imagine what kind of situation he’s in. His first response to hearing such a terrible thing is prayer. He disregards the law! So many of us use prayer as a last option instead of a first.

There’s that one quote, “When the world brings you to your knees, it’s the perfect position to pray.” I use to always think about that, but freaking, when the world even approaches me, I should already be on my knees.

So, he opens a window towards Jerusalem. Why? He was a foreigner. A Jew amongst Gentiles. Jerusalem was his home town. It’s where he’s from. He’s trying as hard as he can to remember his identity and who he is; a servant of the Lord. He wanted to be seen by opening his window. Daniel was old around this time. This wasn’t anything new to pray.

Now, the satraps knew that he would be praying. That’s stating what kind of man Daniel is. King Darius had taken a liking to Daniel and did not want him killed, but he had to follow his word. What it meant to seal the rock wit his and the nobles rings was so that no one else could save Daniel. For anyone else, it meant sure death. The king worries and and does not eat at all because of Daniel. That’s how much he cared for Daniel.

Just to reference what David mentioned, look at what happens after in verse 24. The lions overpowered the people and crushed all their bones… before they reached the floor of the den.

And, the king goes to praise Daniel and God!

God was able to change the situation when no one else could. He is good, all the time.

IF YOU GUYS WANT TO JOIN THE GROUP, PLEASE DO! LET ME KNOW! :D

Sorry, it’s really wordy but I wanted to explain well. Actually, I’m just a verbose person. ahhh

Sometimes, I can’t find myself singing songs that say things like “I’ll give You my everything” and such just because of my heart condition. I’m in a state of ambivalence.

matt 14:31

Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?”

Is it just for the sake of “being Christian” or out of love and adornment? I don’t know yet, but I know what I want. I just don’t know how to do it. Maybe I do. Blahrhghghgh

Everything was black and all I saw were eyes. Eyes, eyes, eyes, and blackness. All the eyes were closed and it was really weird. As Mike was praying, all I saw were these eyes beginning to open up. It was the eyes of those that thought they were spiritually dead, those that had long since closed their eyes, those that were afraid to look at God, those that didn’t even know their eyes were closed, everyone. It was remarkable. It was as if mud was smeared on them; those eyes that God made and longs to see. However, only God can open them. Only the Holy Counselor has the power to.

Guys, retreat is going to be sick.

I am so sinful. I attempt to avoid suffering instead of confronting it.

Romans 8:28

  And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

Help me follow this courageously and fearlessly to follow it when things don’t seem to be going my way. God, keep the fire burning, raise up all the impurities in me, and use me as an instrument for Your kingdom come. Cleanse me, purify me, humble me, and love me, Father. Show me just just a fraction  more of Your endless love.

It’s a horrible excuse to say I’ve been busy because I’ve had plenty of free time.

I’ve had an awesome first semester at Tech.

God has always been awesome to me and He still teaches me despite my stupidity.

—-

God is good. That’s the first thing that pops up into my head, haha. God is good and He loves me despite all my flaws because to Him, it’s what sets me apart and makes Him love me. He died for me just as much as He died for you. He sees no flaws and he sees no blemishes or imperfections. H sees my heart and is so in love with it. He cries with me, sings over me, watches over me, and tends to each and every single one of my need. I am nothing but Christ has made me a king. No matter what I do, God still sees me as royalty. I am a sinful and wicked king but that does not change who I am. I am royalty by God’s grace and am a son through Christ’s love.

It must pain you to see your children like this. Far worse than  Gomer, more sinful than prostitutes , and yet you still love each and every single one of us. I don’t understand how a Father like you can love us so much. That concept of love is something that I could never even fathom without heaven. I am so slothful in my actions and short in patience yet you still wait for me and walk with me with ever-still calmness. God you are so good to me. I can’t even cover 1% of how kind and good you are. I am one of a wicked generation and yet you chose me. For that God, I thank you.

God, I need you. I don’t need comfort from a girlfriend or groups of people. My prayer is that my only comfort that I seek will be from you amongst the wolves. I am not defined by my grades, what people say, what my parents say, what anyone else says, but I am defined by what you have called me, Lord.

–most random flurry of emotions just now, aha.–

I’ve been blessed by literally the most random people. I love CCF and all but to me, just sticking to it doesn’t seem “enough” for me. I desire to see more faces of God through other people. and I have! I’ve had the opportunity to pray with random people and have had them pray for me. The most recent one was a man that helped me find a building for a recitation. We prayed for each other and went our ways and in the back of my head I thought, “Junk, I hope I see him soon.”

Fast forward, it’s the day of the most recent shootings. I went to eat lunch with my RA for a recommendation and we just talk. He asks me what I want to do and I just begin to share and bring up  God to Him. He then tells me how he’s a Christian too and we just go off from there. That’s when we started receiving texts about shootings. I got owned here. He immediately got up and said “We have to pray. My friends are here too so lets’ pray together.” I agreed and as I walked to the table, it was the guy I mentioned in the previous paragraph. God plans every single moment out of our lives for our good. Holla.

One cool thing is that in my hall, there are a lot of Christian RA’s and they gather together regularly to pray. I’ve been blessed by a lot of them and they play a big reason in why I want to be an RA as well, haha.

I’ve been reading the Bible more often than usual and it’s been very good to me. I use to always think that the benevolent and merciful side of God was shown in the Old Testament but shoot, God cares about His people like no other. Despite the Israelites blaming God for their roaming in the desert, He provided food. Even when they constantly turned to different idols, God still loved on them. One of the hardest thing I would have to imagine was the moment where God witnessed Abraham about to kill Isaac as an offering.

Think about it. Abraham didn’t have to bear through the turmoil of his son’s death. God did. And God knew that would have to. That is love.

Haha, no scripture for now because….. there’s so much I would want to put down.

Actually, I lied.I’ll put in some scripture.

I don’t understand why I constantly seek comfort and safety before I act on what God has to tell me.

Luke 10:3

Go! I am sending you out like lambs among wolves.

There is no comfort in that, or so it seems. Wolves have claws and teeth. Lambs have nothing. They are helpless and have nothing to protect themselves. But you know what? Psalm 23:4

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil. I will fear no evil for YOU are WITH ME. Your rod and your staff comfort me.

I feel like Peter at so many times. Actually, not even 10% of Peter. I think Peter was one of the most men in the Bible. It as during a prayer meeting a few weeks ago where I got owned.

Matthew 14:22-23. check it out, haha.

Peter left the haven and safety of the boat to be with Jesus. At this point, he was vulnerable and yet he kept his sight on the Prize and he was able to walk on water. It was when he noticed everything else going around where he slipped and cried out. I feel just like this at times. I know what’s good, I know what to do, yet I get scared.

When I heard verse 31, I cried.

³¹ Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?”

To me, I interpreted it as Jesus being frustrated, ya know? Like, “Peter! you were so close! why!!??!??!?” And I am just like that.

The son of the creator of the UNIVERSE was right there and Peter got scared!

You’d think Peter would get it by now, but he doesn’t. He rebukes the Son, denies him three times, cuts off a soldiers ear, and is possibly one of the most irrational disciples that Jesus had. But, this was all for the better. If you read through Peter and how he lives, you’ll notice changes. He hits the low point after denying relations with Jesus, but through the hardships Peter comes out strong. Nothing really seems mature about him while Jesus was alive but if you read 1 and 2 Peter, he’s a changed man. He’s calm, obedient, and on fire.    One reason why I think God chose Peter was because we could all relate to him in some ways, at least for me that is.

I have to seek more and more.

yay

i have no clue where i was going with this blog but i’d say i’m about done. more to come now that i’m on winter break.

pray for me that i will know what courage and boldness is.

I was reminded of how much I’m slacking. Of how much I am NOT living out what my intended purpose is. And in the end, I am still humbled and blessed by God.

The Bible cannot be thrown around and only used when it applies sometimes. It’s either all the time or never. Your choice. I shrug a little when people question their calling. Maybe, I’m just being selectively biased when it comes to a person articulating his or herself but the Bible is pretty straight forward about the things it says.

• Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.
• Love your neighbor as yourself.
• making disciples of all nations
• Mary-like heart.

I am left challenged.

Philippians 4:13

I can do all things through Him who gives me strength

Then why are we in such a small Christian bubble? If we truly rely on God’s strength and Him alone, what is there to fear? And yet, I still have fear and I still create back up plan’s just in case God’s doesn’t go so well. Silly nathan.

Ephesians 5:16-23

So I say, live by the Spirit, and you wll not gratify the desires of the sinful nature. For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other, so that oyu do not do what you want. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under law.

The acts of sinful nature are OBVIOUS: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred,discord jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissension, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is now law.

God’s told me what He abhors and loves. Why the junk am I like this then?

Every day is a battle between flesh and the spirit. We’re stewards of our bodies. We’re representatives of Christ, yet I find myself at a point asking myself, what the junk am I doing? Life is fleeting. How am I taking advantage of it?

Romans 7:15 strikes a a chord in my heart

I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do.

The best moments in life I have are when they’re spent reading the Bible, praising, praying, anything that has to do with God. But, I’ve become submissive to this world; a part of it. That I can no longer handle. I need prayers, guys. Prayer for me to do what I want to do. Prayer for me to do what God wants me to do.

I’ve been in a large season of thinking.

The way we interact with each other just seems to lack so much God. Why does there have to be light-hearted insults or whatever to have a conversation going? Why is asking how one is spiritually doing avoided? It’s accountability and knowing how one’s walk with the  Father is going.

John 14:15

If you love me, you will follow my command.

My heart is just building up all these wrong things and it’s growing like a fire in me.

But if I say, “I will not mention Him or speak any more in His name,” His word is in my heart like a fire, a fire shut up in my bones.  I am weary of holding it in; indeed, I cannot.

I’m trying really hard to find words to be edifying instead of being offensive.

I can’t even blame non-Christians for not believing in Jesus. There is not much differentiation between Christians and non-Christians other than a religious association.

The Lord’s prayer- Matthew 6:9-13

Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, Your kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is heaven. Give us today our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we have also forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.

This is so beautiful. We say it regularly but when was the last time we thought about it? I have stuff to say about the Lord’s prayer but I’ll save that for later. For now….

“…. Your kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” Do you know what this means?! It means we’re suppose to follow God’s will as if we were in heaven. I know that it isn’t possible but we’re suppose to try, bringing heaven on Earth. And what does this mean?

No more sickness, no more tears, no more suffering, no more pain. This is our goal. I know it’s not very rational and expected but so is being as perfect as Christ. We’re still suppose to attempt to be like Christ though. This world has a lot of discouragement and hate enough. Why add onto it?

Encouraging a brother or sister should not be something new. Insults should be something rare, but it seems like it’s the opposite at times. Some of the things that make me the most happy is just a conversation of how one is actually doing. I’d prefer to know how someone is spiritually doing than knowing whom they’d like. I want to know where there salvation is.

Those that aren’t Christian should look at Christians at be able to spot differences, not see just another person with a different title. We are called to be different.

We live in the world, but we are not of the world.

Sorry, I’m just blogging stuff that’s on my mind. I guess, it’d be from a point of frustration; a sense of urgency in my heart. Just something I’m writing more towards myself and God? I don’t know, haha. Take from it what’s good for your soul and drop the rest.

On the note of some cool and really awesome things,

Y’all know what “hallelujah” means? It’s so precious and awesome. Many think it’s just what people say as a shout of praise, ya know? Well it is, but it is so much more. (this is all from John Piper’s Desiring God website)

Hallelujah is derived from two Hebrew words, “hallelu” and “yah.”

Hallelu means to praise. Yah is short for Yahweh. Yahweh is the name that God gave himself. Not just a name for any god, but a personal name. Yahweh also means “I am”
Instead of saying “hallelujah” think about what you’re saying and make it “hallelu….yah!”

And guess what Yahweh means? it comes from the foundations of “I am.” You know? “I am who I am.”

I was sharing this with my brother and he gave me even more insight.

When we think of “I am” it’s more of a present tense you know? Like that’s it. But, in Hebrew when God says that, He not only means just “I am” but it means “I am everything that I ever say I am.” Everything that God says in the Bible, He is. He is slow to anger. He is abounding in love. He is patient. errrthing. If that’s not cool, I must be missing something.

Also, the revelation of knowing what hosanna means. In today’s time, it’s usually used as a term of praise or shouting out to God. You know when Jesus was walking into the town with the people around him shouting “hosanna?” Hosanna in Hebrew is a shout out for deliverance. A cry out for help. A call for salvation. The people were literally saying to Jesus, “Save me!”

Yeah. That’s pretty tight.

Just some thoughts that came to mind:

One of the things I enjoy most in life is just life-sharing and fellowship.

I also enjoy it over a meal.

If I have no Christ in my actions, then I have failed you. And for that, I am sorry.

I am so thankful for my family. It’s the best group of people I’ll be forced against my will to be with for the rest of my life, I could ever ask for! :)

I love Jesus even more and more, everyday.

If you have prayer requests, let me know in any way, shape, or form. Please.

Being a teacher sounds appealing. Must pray.

The Bible’s pretty clear about things and I don’t know. My first thought when I think of a death is “where will their eternity be spent?”

Where are the biblical foundations of what people say? I don’t know. I don’t like the idea of people isolating Biblical text and isolating what the rest of the Bible says. Gah, I don’t know.

I pray to God that it’s in Heaven for you.

Perhaps, it’s just the different environment.

I love CCF, Tech, etc. and all but I’m confused on where did the mission aspect of Christianity go? The hardships and the struggles? Whenever I see things related to God and how the Bible is impacting them, it just seems like verses just to make you “feel good.” Something is wrong with that. Don’t get me wrong, I’ve met some awesome people and I know they love Jesus but it’s just that to me, the Bible is meant to convict and help you grow, not stand there in your complacency as you praise God for getting you through a test or something else. I’m not trying to belittle the latter, but there is so much more to God than what people think there is. There are so many more reasons to praise Him. Not just because He’s great and does good things for us, but because He deserves it all. I don’t know, maybe I just have a different calling or view. But when I think about it, what about the great commission? What about the persecution that’s suppose to come? It’s weird being in just a different environment. I hope I’m not misunderstanding but Christians that “blend in’ are not Christians or are not practicing what God has told us to do. We are meant to be different and not make the Bible convenient.

I need some guidance. I’m thirsting for more and yet I fear complacency.

Just how many sermons about living for God, serving him, being a child of God, doing what God tells us to do, etc. does it take to actually apply it. I’m at fault too but I don’t know. I wonder if others feel the same here.

I don’t know. I sometimes feel like I’m getting spiritually fat from Bible studies, sermons, etc. and sometimes I feel like there’s not many here at Tech that have the same mindset as me. That’s perfectly okay, everyone’s a bit different but I just find myself frustrated. My missions field is here and all but when I see John Park’s pictures and read Scripture, my heart cries out.

Another thing that nags me is that my crew team, which some aren’t even Christians, are more encouraging.

2 Corinthians 10:3

For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does.

Something about us is suppose to be different. Correct me if I’m wrong.

Eh, and lately I’ve been noticing the lack of love amongst the brothers and sisters.

Ephesians 4:1-6

I therefore, a prisoner for hte Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit- just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call- one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all, through all and in all.

Guys, if we’re not working for God, we’re doing the devil’s, satan’s work. Just think about that for a moment and chew on it.

Ephesians 4:29

I like the way how the ESV and NIV versions translate it:

Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. (NIV)

Let no corrupting talk come out of your moths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occassion, that it may give grace to those who hear. (ESV)

Along with that, I think in this world, we’ve lost the value of words and the impact they can have. James is all about that. Good man.

James 1:26

If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person’s religion is worthless.

The tongue is a one of the most powerful tools we have. We can praise God but then lash out at his children. We can encourage others but also do the devil’s work.

I’m still having issues with it too. That and this:

James 2:1-4

My brothers, show no partiality as you hold the faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory. For if a man wearing a gold ring and fine clothing comes into your assembly, and a poor man in shabby clothing also comes in, and if you pay attention to the one who wears the fine clothing and say, “You sit here in a good place,” while you say to the poor man, “You stand over there,” or, “Sit down at my feet,” have you not then made distinctions among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts?

Before God, we are all equal. I was struggling a little bit ago with God when I was thinking about Him and His love. God loves me and a murderer the same. He didn’ t just send his Son to die for me, but every. single. person. on this world. To think that God only for specific people not only limits God, but is not of God.

What convicts me even more about James is in verse 14.

James 2:14

What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him?

And he continues to drop more bombs

James 2:17-19

So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. But someone will say, “You have faith and I have works.” Show me your faith apart from your works, nd I will show you my faith by my works. You believe that God is one; you do well. even the demons believe– and shudder!

Saying you believe is one thing, showing your faith through actions is the true thing. There has to be fruit produced from how you live your life. It’ll be either good or bad fruit. Bad trees cannot bear good fruit and good fruit cannot bear bad fruit. (matthew 7).

I’m just saying all these things as a reality check. A reality check for our character, myself included. We have to constantly work on ourselves and our character. Our goal is consecrate ourselves; to make ourselves holy as possible.  Like I said earlier, one of the biggest ways that the devil gets to us is through our words.

James describes the tongue as a deadly poison, a small rudder for a boat, a spark that sets a forest ablaze. (chapter 3). Guys (&girls) watch what you say to, around, about and everything else pertaining to people. They are God’s children too.

You can’t have salt water and fresh water in the same location. It’s either salty or fresh. How can you say that a person who breaks down another is good?

Proverbs 12:18

Reckless words pierce like a sword but the tongue of the wise brings healing.

Hopefully your moods aren’t down… aha. Guys, just like words of condemnation can work in favor for satan, words of encouragement and love works for God. It’s hard, but nothing good truly comes easily. I know I’m at fault for a lot of these things so please pray for me guys. Let’s build each other up, as brothers and sisters of Christ. I want people to look at me and know that I’m living for something different and want to know what I have.