i have spent the better part of my life seeking Jesus. Raised in a Church going home, spent a lot of time traveling to Churches to sing with the family. Went to summer camps, retreats, youth events. Although i gave my “heart” to Jesus at a young age; i didn’t truly understand what that meant until i was 19 when i rededicated my life to Him and was baptized. From that moment on i have continued to serve Him, prior like i stated i served with my family singing, after as a pastor in various roles. Jesus is all i know. i have dedicated my life to Him.
It hasn’t always been easy, i haven’t always given my best, i haven’t always felt as though i had the greatest relationship with Him. In fact i have found in my estimated 34 years of service that high’s and lows, ebbs and flows, strength and weakness, are a normal part of life. Faith is at times all i feel i have had, routine saw me through, going through the motions kept me afloat. When i have found myself just bobbing up and down in stormy seas its been the name of Jesus that has saved me.
Here are just a few bits of advice, things i have found that have helped me weather the storms. When i found myself in ruts, apathy, or sin.
< Do justly, love mercy, walk humbly with God ~ Micah 6:8
< Then the Lord God called to the man, “Where are you?” ~ Genesis 3:9
< But when he saw the strong wind and the waves, he was terrified and began to sink. “Save me, Lord!” he shouted.
< Love the Lord…Love your neighbor ~ Mark 12:30-31
< Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their distress and refusing to let the world corrupt you. ~ James 1:27
< Repent of your sin ~ Revelation 2:5, 16, 22; 3:3, 20
< I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting the past…I press on… ~ Philippians 3:12-14
< For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God ~ Ephesians 2:8
> Sometimes Faith is all you have
> Routine isn’t always bad but if you find yourself in a rut its time to change the routine
> Going through the motions isn’t always bad either, it can be a squeaky wheel, it will eventually draw attention to the needs, its when you give up the motions you dull the voice of God.
> Don’t put your faith in any “person” except the “Person of Jesus, God in flesh”
> Always choose Jesus, only always Jesus
> When all else fails, Jesus Jesus Jesus is all you need to remember
You are Loved,
cj
cjwillblogit 