I’ve been a little down the past several weeks for various reasons. This past weekend being Easter reminded me of a passage in 1 Corinthians.

“O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?” The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law; but thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. –1 Corinthians 15:55-57.

Naturally, the verse came to me because death has lost its sting through the victory of the cross of Jesus.

But then, when I read the next verse, I caught more of a glimpse of what God wanted to put on my heart, and what I really needed to hear:

Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in van in the Lord. –1 Corinthians 15:58.

As it relates to the blog, I needed this verse because of the things I’ve been battling, both in the spiritual realm as well as the physical. I’ve been reminded of late that we do have that adversary who likes to make trouble for us Christians and getting the Gospel out. I shouldn’t forget that he’s not going to just allow it without some sort of interference.

It’s my hope that you find some encouragement from the verse as well.

Have you gone through periods of time when you’ve felt lost and like you’re wandering without a map? What got you through?

May He Increase!

At the very same time, it seems like we’ve always been married and yet, I scarcely can believe that ten years have gone by so quickly.

We’ve had our ups and our downs. We’ve had seasons of plenty and seasons of lack. We’ve had times of complete joy and peace, and dark times of struggle and trials.

I guess you could say we are just like any other married couple who have been married for ten years: we’ve seen a lot. Only now do I really understand how people used to say that marriage is “hard work.” That phrase used to bother me. I used to think to myself: “well if you have to work at it, what’s the point?”

I see things much differently now and I know that ten years from now I’ll see it even more differently.

To my beautiful bride:

I do love you now more than I did on that rainy Saturday morning. You’re by best friend. The best part of me. Thank you for loving me through all our good and bad days. Thank you for taking care of me and our sons the way you do. Thank you for all the laughter and joy you bring to our family. I am truly a blessed man. I love you, now and always.

May He Increase in our marriage!

Today she posted “When the Work Becomes Weary.” A short excerpt:

Sometimes, those of us who have immersed ourselves in ministry or volunteer work, we can become tired.

Tired of hearing about individuals hurting themselves or others.

Of them making poor choices.

Of pain and heartache.

Prayers that appear to be unanswered or slow to come to fruition.

Sometimes you become so tired from all of it.  You wonder if you can really go on.

It’s a post I needed today because it’s how I’ve been feeling of late.

Lest I seem to my audience that I’ve always upbeat and positive, this is more of an open-heart post. I’ve had periods of “the dark night of the soul” for at least the past two years. There have been times when I thought I was coming out of it and then things grow dark again. I’ve struggled with trying to figure out if I’m confusing life’s typical trials with something that is more longer term like “the dark night of the soul.”

My family is going through some rough times financially, as I think a lot of Americans are. Some of it is a direct result of poor choices we have made and others are simply adjustments that we need to make. I’ve wondered how long God will allow us to navigate these troubled waters and then I try with all my might to trust Him with it all.

But if I’m being truly honest with myself, I will admit that there are times when I feel like chucking it all. There are times when I feel like I should just live like the rest of the world instead of holding myself to a higher standard.

Times such as these, I cling to Jesus’ question and Peter’s answer as found in the book of John:

So Jesus said to the twelve, “You do not want to go away also, do you?” Simon Peter answered Him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have words of eternal life.” –John 6:67-68.

Jesus’ question follows right after He told His disciples “But there are some of you who do not believe” (John 6:64). As a result of Jesus saying this:

Many of His disciples withdrew and were not walking with Him anymore. –John 6:66.

Is this how I want to live my life? Do I understand that if I make that choice to turn away, I’m saying to Jesus “I do not believe.”

No way. There is  absolutely no way.

After everything that God has shown me and lead me through, “to whom shall I go?”

Back out into the world?

Are you kidding me?

Do I want to be like a dog returning to it’s vomit? (2 Peter 2:22)

The Christian life is far from easy. Anyone who says to you otherwise is a liar. But this fleeting life with all it’s ups and downs is nothing compared to the joy that awaits us in heaven.

And this is the hope I cling to: that God loves me and nothing is hidden from His sight. He knows exactly what I’m going through and no matter how dark it looks, He’s there with me.

May He Increase!

I’m not a fan of hip-hop, but I have to admit, I was really drawn into the song “Blow Your High.” My friend’s son is in a dark world and he sent him the song with the hope that God would speak to him through it.

Recently, I did the same for someone I know, hoping and praying that God would do the same for this person.

I ran across a blog post today over at Truth Matters that featured two videos of Lecrae.

It had to be of God that I saw that post today. I really like Lecrae and I pray that he reaches many of a lost generation with his music. I’d like to share that video with you here:

Lecrae is on Twitter as well at @lecrae.

May He Increase!

Jon is the author of “Stuff Christians Like.” It started out as a blog back in 2008 and is now a book. The guy is really a hoot.

The post he wrote today was called “Finishing What We Didn’t Start” and boy was it timely for me. Although I’m super excited about rejoining my former team mates at my new job, I was thinking last night that I feel like I’ve lost the vision for my life.

Did you get that?

I’ve lost the vision for my life.

Has God?

No. Not a chance. He knows exactly the vision He has for my life and that is what I need to place my trust in.

Have I not yet learned in my 40 years of life that if I put my trust in myself, I’m an expert at screwing things up? Have I not yet learned and been an eye-witness to what happens when I place my trust in my Lord and my God?

Who am I? I’m but dust. How egotistical of me to think that it’s about me!

For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus. –Philippians 1:6.

We can finish the race that is set before us (Hebrews 12:1 and 1 Corinthians 9:24) but ultimately it is God who began the work in us and He will finish it!

What about you? Are you trying to take matters into your own hands instead of waiting on God? What has been your experience?

May He Increase!