Contentment

It's been awhile....I am just popping in to add a few thoughts here.

I was talking to a fellow college student this morning about contentment in the Lord. This student asked me when I found it is harder to be content. I started giving answers like "when I can't stand it anymore." But I think it boils down to keeping my eyes on Christ. I am reminded of Peter climbing out of the boat and walking to Jesus. I have heard Peter was impetuous; which he was. But he was also the only one to leave his comfort zone and step out of the boat. Anyway, when he struggled was when he started to look at his surroundings and loose sight of his goal; reaching the Savior. It's the same with me. When I worry about the future of a job, starting a family, finding a wife, being a Godly man, and being a good example to others it does not work so well. I get tired, I fail, I loose my contentment. Why? Because I have taken my eyes off the one who is all I ever need and the goal of serving Him. I am reminded of the refrain from this song.

Turn your eye upon Jesus,
Look full in His wonderful face, 
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim, 
In the light of His glory and grace. 

May you be blessed this week with keeping your eyes on Christ!

Living Words

 Well, this month I finish up reading through the Bible again. This is something my dad encouraged us kids to do several years back. It has been both a challenging and rewarding venture! One of my favorite parts of reading the Word through each year is being able to get a big picture of how God works. It is amazing the see how over and over, humanity falls short of God's standards. But than over and over we see mercy showed to us by God. But why does this book never get old??

As I pondered this question the answer leaped into my mind. The Word of God is LIVING. It is not a dead text or a book of history. The Word of God spans the times. It is as applicable for us today as it was for Martin Luther or Jim Elliott.  Hebrews 4:12 puts it this way "For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart."

I really like the last part "discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart." So many times we try to hid from God what really is going on in our hearts. Like He does not already know!! The God of the universe, the creator of all mankind uses His living Word to show us what really is in our hearts. But His forgiveness through Christ should bring us to our knees and have us cry, as Charles Spurgeon,
"As well might a gnat seek to drink in the ocean, as a finite creature to comprehend the Eternal God. A God whom we could understand would be no God. If we could grasp Him, He could not be infinite. If we could understand Him, He could not be divine."

So, let us fully apply ourselves to seek the Living Word of God this coming year. And in doing so, may we experience the power of Christ in us!

-Dillon

God's Faithfulness

Welcome to 2017! As we enter into this year I wanted to stop and reflect over 2016. In many ways, 2016 was a very stressful year for me. Some of the challenges I faced this year included heading up a program for young men in TX, dealing with the aftermath of Hurricane Matthew here in FL, moving to a new house, and on top of all that trying to pack some school into my crazy schedule. But I wanted to use this post to tell you about one thing I learned through all of this...


GOD IS FAITHFUL
It is something many of us know in our heads but have not fully applied to our hearts. I am ashamed to say that so many times I doubt his faithfulness in the midst of the stress and trials of life. But if I look back and ask myself if He has ever failed me, I come to the realization that the answer is no. I fail Him every day but he NEVER fails me. So what is the answer?

TRUST
Proverbs 3:5-6 says: " Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. ⁶ In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths." 
It all come down to this question..."If I can trust God with my salvation, can I trust him with _______"?  I will let you fill in the blank. God wants us to look to him for everything in life. The big things of course but also the small things. 

As I wrap this post up, I want to praise the Lord for his faithfulness in 2016 and I am looking forward to seeing His hand in 2017. Happy New Year to you all!!