Reality Check

Discipling, Fellowshipping, Ministering, Evangelizing – All to Honor God!

Posts Tagged faith

WHAT IS UP WITH SISTERS?

Jan 6

Posted by Justin in Bible Lessons | Comments off

I have 3 sisters and 1 brother.  3 sisters! do you feel my pain?  Sisters are crazy creatures.  It was once said by Mason that sisters are not even girls.  All three of my sisters were very different.  They all liked different things and had different personalities.  It did not seem to matter what we were doing one of them did not like what I was doing.  There were times, a lot of times, when I wished I did not have any sisters at all.  They always seemed to be mad at me or getting me into trouble (it was never my fault).

As I get older (just a little bit), I now realize how important my entire family was in forming me into who I am today.  Can you see how your family is forming you?  Our families are very important.  Even sisters.  I just finished reading the book, “Faith Begins at Home” by Mark Holmen and was reminded again that our faith is very strongly influenced by what happens at home.  Is your faith encouraged or discouraged in your home?  I hope that a love for God is encouraged, but there is a good chance it is rarely talked about and maybe even discouraged.

I write this to encourage you.  I want to encourage you to understand the importance of your family.  It is important for you AND for them.  Even though you might not be a mom or a dad yet – living out your faith at home will make a BIG impact.  When Jesus summed up the entire law by saying Love God with all of who you are and love your neighbor as yourself he was telling us what faith in God looks like.  I encourage you to live out your faith in your home in such a way that others see your love for God and your love for them.

Reality Check Teen Center 2011

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FAITH IN ACTION

Apr 26

Posted by Justin in Bible Lessons | Comments off

At Reality Check we are going through the book “Crazy Love”.  I think it is a super fantabulous book.  This week we are looking at chapters 5 & 6.  On part of chapter five took me to James 3:19-20.

“You say you have faith, for you believe there is one God.  Good for you!  Even the demons believe this, and they tremble in terror.  How foolish!  Can’t you see that faith without good deeds is useless?”

This section is an encouragement for me.  An encouragement?  That is right, an encouragement.  When I read this I am reminded that the truth about God will change my life.  When I truly trust in a God that loves me with a grace that is beyond my imagination that sent His only son for me, that changes my life.  I used to live for fame or money or entertainment or a sweet minivan.  But, now I live a life with His power and know what truly matters most.  Because I know what matters most I don’t live my life like I used to.  I now care more about God and about others than I ever would have without knowing the truth about God.

So, I am encouraged by this section of James to not just “believe” in God, but to Love God and to allow all of the truth about God to change and transform me.  Now I invite you to join me as I live my life to bring honor to God and to love others in all I do.

(Reality Check Teen Center)

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FAITH LIKE A CHILD

Apr 9

Posted by Justin in Bible Lessons | 2 Comments

We are saved by faith alone – that is not a new idea for a lot of you. Especially those of you who have grown up in the church. How much knowledge about God are we required to have for salvation?

On Wednesday evening while I was at Reality Check Charis, my three year old daughter, became a Christian! Three years old – amazing. I never expected anything like this at such a young age. I have heard about it with others, but I never thought I would be that lucky.

In Matthew 18:3 Jesus says we are to have faith like a child. This is difficult for us because we want a little more knowledge or proof. We are waiting on a deeper study or experience. God is so amazing we can study about Him our entire lives – yet He makes salvation so easy a child can do it.

I want to encourage you to have faith like a child. Humble yourself before God and admit He is God and you are not. All we need is faith. So, become like a child today!

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Give life a Reality Check

Mar 6

Posted by Justin in Uncategorized | 1 Comment

To be a follower of Jesus Christ is a life that is full.  Full of Joy.  Full of meaning.  Full in all areas.  The reason this life is full is because to know God is to know who created us, why we were created and what the point of creating is.  This allows us to live a life full of joy as we give all that life has to offer a “Reality Check”.  When we give our life a reality check we stop and ask if we are doing what is best.  This is not a chore, but it is a joy.  A joy to  agree with God and His purpose and plan.  I want all of us to experience this joy in making our life in line with our purpose.

I am reading “Velvet Elvis” by Rob Bell.  In his book he says. . .

“Being a Christian is about engaging the mind and heart more and more, not shutting them off or letting someone else think for you.  The writer Peter urges Christians to be alert.  Paul tells his listeners in Thessalonica to test everything and hold on to the good.”

“The danger of labeling things ‘Christian’ is that it can lead to our blindly consuming things we have been told are safe and acceptable.”

I don’t want us just to accept things that are called Christian and to reject things that are called non-Christian.  I want us to seek God and follow Him.  When we give our life this type of “Reality Check” we will find ourselves being deep thinkers and enjoying all that life has to offer.  Don’t spend your life making an “us” and “them” list.  Instead follow the plan God has for life and you will be filled with joy! 

Is there anything in your life that you have tried to get in line with God and now you are experiencing that joy?  What are you doing to find that joy that comes from following God?

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