The Introverted Evangelist

   It's not rare that we as humans find ourselves in situations where temptations seem to be weighing on our hearts like a ton of bricks. Temptations are tempting, very very tempting. We live in a fallen world, and we are currently bound to mortality and fleshly hindrances. It's normal to feel tempted . In fact, even Jesus was tempted!    "For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin." ( Hebrews 4:15 )    Jesus was not just tempted, but He was tempted in every way . Imagine the spiritual strength! How admirable and encouraging! When we're being tempted and feel too weak to withstand the luring lies and lusts of the flesh, we have this Solid Rock  to Whom we call.  Jesus Christ, the Lord of all, You will reign through it all, and it's to You that we call.    I know that in the heat of the moment, it is hard to say no. It&#

   Do you ever get caught up in worldly concerns? Have you ever dreaded having to work through a difficult job or tedious task? Does your flesh ever get the best of you? We all know the answers to these personal questions. We'd all admit that it's not always an easy life to live out, and sometimes the storm clouds roll in on our paradise. Rough roads, bumpy paths, and heart aches can take you on a trip of pity and distraught.    Don't let the worldliness of the world get your heart bummed out. Take a minute to reflect on all the wonderful good  that God has provided. Remember the promises  of the Word.    "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." ( John 16:33 )    "Take Heart!" Jesus exhorts us, "I have overcome the world." There it is settled for us, fragile sheep. The world brings trouble, but our Lord has conquered this world a

   "I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand. I and the Father are one." ( John 10:28-30 )    Life. What does life look like in your mind? Life to me is the joy of the Lord. It's not partying late nights, having a bunch of wealthy friends, or going on conspicuous holidays to snooty locations. Sure those things can be enjoyable at times, but must it always be that way in order for you to  feel alive ? If this is the case, we may have just found an hidden root of trouble.    You see in Philippians chapter four, the Apostle Paul is sharing his revelation concerning contentment in any  and all circumstances.    "I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the

    "For what the law was powerless to do because it was weakened by the flesh, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh to be a sin offering. And so he condemned sin in the flesh," ( Romans 8:3 )    Jesus came down to this earth as human. In fact, He took on the role of a servant so that our bondages might be removed from us . He set aside His divinity, in order for us to have fellowship with our Creator and Heavenly Father. "The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth." ( John 1:14 )    He gave up the seat at the Right Hand of God, all for the redemption of the people who rejected Him. Jesus died - willingly - for those who hated Him, spat on Him, and accused Him. Jesus died so that we might be saved from death .    "The Son is the radiance of God’s glory  and the exact representation of his being,  

   "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast." ( Ephesians 2:8-9 )    Everything we work for in strife to be "good enough" is an effort that has wasted our energy. Energy we could be using to worship God and offer thanks to Him. We need not tirelessly toil, for Jesus wore the filth of our humanity. Jesus buried the bitter shame and deeds of darkness, and He resurrected with victory and healing in His wings! Let His pure healing heal your feelings of unworthiness. Let His victory triumph over your supposed need to work for acceptance. God's already accepted you as you are, because Jesus - the Spotless Lamb of God - already paid our redemption fee. He snatched us out of the enemy's slave market, and swept us away from danger. Praise the Son of God! He has set us free! "But for you who fear my name, the Sun of Righteousness will rise w

   Father, I come to You today with the utmost of gratitude. I'm overwhelmed by Your perfect patience, provision, and peace. Your grace has not left my side not even once. When I was at my lowest point - all else had failed and I truly believed for the ending to be upon me - You Lord came and You renewed my hope, You restored my life.     What can I give to You in return Father? What offering can I supply to show my thanks? To give to you a thousand times a thousand bars of precious gold could not even begin to express my gratitude.    The moments I spend resting in Your peaceful and powerful Presence are more valued than all the riches in the world. Your glory envelopes me, and the warmth of Your light shines upon my face. "The Lord make His face shine upon you, And be gracious to you;" ( Numbers 6:25 )    Gracious, gracious indeed. God, You have shown me such grace, for there is no one as gracious as You. Without You I'm starved. Without You I am l

   Inside of me I can feel a blazing fire. It burns and rages more and more vigorously each and every day. I'm ready to be fully consumed by this glorious fire of God. "For our God is a consuming fire." ( Hebrews 12:29 )    I may not always know what to say or write or even think sometimes, but I do know that God is my forever refuge. Because I am in Him, I am always secured and in the right place. When God looks at me, He sees His child. I am clothed with righteousness, because of Jesus Christ.    "I delight greatly in the  Lord ;  my soul rejoices  in my God.  For he has clothed me with garments of salvation  and arrayed me in a robe of his righteousness,  as a bridegroom adorns his head  like a priest,  and as a bride  adorns herself with her jewels." ( Isaiah 61:10 ) Oh Lord, You are my joy and song, I will hide under Your wings all the day long. Won't You keep me in Your perfect peace tonight, Oh Lord, You are my heart's delight.  

   It's becoming more and more apparent that God's will is truly spectacular. In between the doubts and fears you'd think I was a lost hope, but that's not what God sees. God sees that which He predetermined.    "Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified." ( Romans 8:30 )    Amazing grace, love, and redemption. It is not our mistakes that define us, but our Savior Jesus. God's grace saved us, His perfect love embraces us, and the redemption of the Cross is our hope for all eternity.    It is nothing we could've done for our own selves. This is made crystal clear in the Bible: it is by grace  we have been saved. Alone we are helpless and prone to destructive and sinful tendencies, but when we accept our adoption into Christ everything changes.     We have been adopted into royalty and cleansed by the blood of the Perfect Lamb of God. In Him