The Armor of God - Don't leave it in your closet.

All who are thirsty
All who are weak
Come to the fountain
Dip your heart in the stream of life
Let the pain and the sorrow
Be washed away
In the waves of his mercy
As deep cries out to deep - we sing;

Come Lord Jesus come.
Come LORD JESUS come!
COME LORD JESUS COME!
- All who are Thirsty by Kutless -

I don't usually quote songs, but this one spoke to me today as I fasted. And I noticed something. My ''fasting'' was more or less only a day, as a trial run. Next time I'll be more prepared for spiritual warfare. Boy, what a battle today..

On the outside was a BEAUTIFUL day, filled with a light smile as I patrolled on the Golf Cart. But on the inside roared with fiery arrows falling down on me, sword against sword clashing as my spiritual battle raged and the victory line pushed back and forth. Call me imaginative, but I truly believe that's what happened. God provided me armor of light, the Armor of GOD, for what? To hug myself to death in a mirror? No - My God gave me His armor, shield and sword because there is a battle to fight. And although the main war has already been won thanks to Jesus, my battle still rages on day by day until my savior returns. Come Lord Jesus, come...

I'm not ready to announce what battle I fought today, what lies were thrown my way or what was found inside my own heart, but it sure hit me to the core. It felt like.. Like I knew all the answers, yet I still managed to feel the effects of a lie even though I didn't believe it. Like knowing a wall isn't there, but still afraid of it being there as you walk into it. In turn you essentially making it real, and falling because of it. If that makes any sense at all... It's the reason why mothers wouldn't dare think of their children being hit by a car. They know it didn't happen, but the thought alone would drive you insane. That's what I felt today. Believing lies I knew weren't true. I rejoice, however. As I fasted today, kind of.. I didn't face challenges or battles I knew I could win, but rather I faced what MADE me lean on Jesus for strength. An issue I needed to work on instead of an issue I'm having great progress in.

God knows my heart, and when the fast ended with a nice slice of pizza (Praise God), the battle ceased. I realized what heart issue I needed to work on, and next time.. I'll be prepared for it. How, you ask?

The Lord God gives us this awesome manual for fighting these battles. How much more prepared can you get?

Ephesians 6:10-20 - ''Finally my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might, put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.


6:14 - Stand therefore, having girded your waste with truth.
(Girding up was a matter of pulling in the loose ends as preparation for battle. The belt that pulls all the spiritual loose ends in is ''truth'' or better, ''truthfulness'. The idea is of sincere commitment to fight and win without hypocrisy - self discipline in devotion to victory. Everything that hinders is tucked away.)

- having put on the breastplate of righteousness.
(As believers faithfully live in obedience to and communion with Jesus Christ, His own righteousness produces in them the practical, daily righteousness that becomes their spiritual breastplate.)

6:15 - and having shod your feet with preparation of the gospel of peace.
(It is that confidence of divine support which allows the believer to stand firm, knowing that since he is at peace with God, God is his strength.)

6:16 - above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one.
(The believer's continual trust in God's word and promise is ''above all'' absolute necessary to protect him from temptations to every sort of sin.)

6:17 - And take the helmet of salvation.
(Although a Christian's feelings about his salvation may be seriously damaged by Satan-inspired doubt, his salvation itself is eternally protected and he need not fear it's loss. )

6:17 - and the sword of the Spirit which is the word of God.
(As the sword was the soldier's only weapon, so God's Word is the only needed weapon, infinitely more powerful than any of Satan's. It is the truth of scripture, in this case, provided as a weapon against Satan.)

'' - being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints and for me, that utterance may be given to me, that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.
______

I will be ready.
Mark my words, God is with me.

I will be courageous.

What does it take to be a man?
I want to know.

When does a boy become a man? When he simply puts away childish things, or perhaps when is it when a man is legal to drive, vote, or have a job?

I believe a man isn't defined by age or what battle scars he has from what kind of challenges he goes through. How far he can spit or how smelly he can fart. I believe a man isn't defined by what licenses he has, how much money he has or what kind of car he drives. I believe a man isn't defined by what kind of house he lives in or how ''hot'' his girlfriend is.

I believe a man is defined by the choices he makes and the life that he leads. Not lives, but leads. A man, bibically, is called to be a spiritual leader. That means he doesn't just live life because it's what every one else does, but through Jesus, through His death, burial and resurrection we have the freedom and are able to LEAD our families and children to be examples of the light and love that is; Jesus.

Our generation desperately needs courageous men to step up. We need men who will not be swayed by the culture or afraid of criticism. We need men who are resolved to lead their families no matter what. Men to teach sexual purity to their sons and daughters so that more children wont enter the world without married parents. Men who stick to their marriage vows and cry out for God's help to love their wives rather than giving up during difficult times. - Resolution for Men

Let's look at it with scripture.

A man is an adult male - Leviticus 27:3
Who accepts his masculinity - 1 Corinthians 16:13
Speaks and acts with maturity - 1 Corinthians 13:11
Embraces responsibility Genesis - 1:26; 2:15
Functions independently Genesis - 2:24; Matthew 12:46-50
Can lead a family faithfully - Genesis - 2:24; 1 Timothy 3:4-5
Recognizes his accountability Ecclesiastes - 12:13-14
As an image bearer of God - Genesis1:26; Corinthians 11:7-9
___
One day God metaphorically pulled me to the side and told me He's chosen me to turn my family around. Not only my currently family, but the fact that I'm going to have a family of my own in the future. I will be a husband, a father, and by God's grace I plan to lead them as their spiritual leader. As a fatherless child, I know the importance of that role to be fulfilled. I will not leave them, nor do I have spite against my own father that left my mother.

God has set a fire within me that burns passionately for Jesus. The same Jesus that hung on that cross to pay the price that was on my shoulders. Thanks to Jesus ALONE, by God's grace through my faith and trust in Him that He alone carried that punishment away and eternally keeps me from breaking that sacrifice.. I'm free.

He also set a fire within me that burns passionately towards being a father. Day by day I seek opportunities, sermons, scripture, examples in other ways to be a loving, understanding, serving, leading husband and father. By the grace of God I spend all my free time learning and meditating on being a strong spiritual leader.

But you see, it's not me. Lord knows that I would never try to or even CARE about any one other than myself. But I am a new creation, crucified with Christ. God has given me a new heart as a new creation to serve, glorify and ultimately please Him.
But I am a long way from pleasing Him. O' Lord, teach me.. show me the lies that I so desperately need Your truth for.

To conclude this post I will say one more thing.

I'm scared.

The same reason I'm scared is the same tool God used to set me free from a deep, DEEP sin that I've had for almost 13 years. January 14th, 2012 I was set free from that sin and here's why. The bondage that I've been under for so long will have to be mentioned to the lady I intend to marry. Most likely she'll be hurt by it. That image alone is hard to bare, hurting my wife. Every thing I do is rooted in being more like Jesus, every hour I work every dream I dream, every step I take and every sermon I listen to is rooted into being more holy because He is holy. If I'm so on fire for being a better husband and yet I start a marriage with a hurting her, what does that say about me as a man?

..I have a lot to learn. I'm glad I'm now free but I just wish I had found freedom much sooner than this. Perhaps I shouldn't complain as much.

Until next time, God be with you.

''As for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.'' - Joshua 24:15

Nothing but joy.

Sometimes.. you have no power over the impulse to smile, sing, or drop to your knees and just thank God for the daily joy He gives you. Is it just me?

Something about me that is quite obvious if you know me at all.
I'm a bit emotional.

Most of you will chuckle and ask, "A bit?"

Either way, I was once told that the ratio on men is about 80/20.
80% Thinkers
20% Emotional.

I definitely fall into that 20%. I consider this a blessing.
I feel happiness stronger than most.
I feel joy stronger than most.
I feel sorrow stronger than most.
I feel other people's emotions stronger than most.
Why God, have you blessed me with this? Why have you created me to FEEL much more deeper joy or sorrow? Teach me how to use this to Your glory, Lord..

Faith Bible Institute was amazing tonight.
Don't get me wrong, I enjoy every second of the knowledge and wisdom he gives.. But I wish he'd talk more about Jesus. Instead of using the term Savior, sometimes I wish he'd say the name; JESUS! Although I'm sure he has his reasons so I'm not one to complain. Perhaps that's my own impulse to want to shout the name Jesus on the rooftops. I might get shot for that though....... FOR CHRIST! =D

(By the way, I'm sorry for the way I phrased my comment to you at church. Instead of telling you to update your blog, I really wanted just to ask when the next update is coming. Instead it came out more as a demand which I never meant for it to be. Sorry!) Comment directed towards one person that hopefully reads this.

Anyway, So it's apparently my birthday tomorrow. But what does this even mean?
Jeremy's Birth Day. Day of my birth. The birth of another sinner in which murdered Jesus. But through His death, burial and resurrection I was washed by the blood of the Lamb, cleansed and justified through Christ so that I may be saved and indeed do some good in this temporary life. To serve HIM well and to love others as HE loved me. So you see my birthday shouldn't actually be anything about me, but merely a reminder that Jesus, God clothed in flesh, sent to die on the cross for my sins so that I may have life. Thank you Jesus. Thank you at the fact that even if I was the only person on this planet, you'd still hang on the cross for me for the joy that was set before you and save a sinner like me.

What an amazing truth to dwell on.

The few people who read this, I ask you..
What's holding you back on that big idea you've been having?
This may be directed towards one person I don't know. I just feel prompted to ask..
Something that you've been thinking about lately. Something big that may have some risk involved or may be a bigger leap of faith than you're comfortable with.
What's holding you back?
Is it your own excuse?

Jeremiah 29:13

Silence.

Dear Internet,

You've served me in many purposes over the majority of my life. 90% of that time it created a deeper and deeper hole for my laziness. But are you to blame? There is no one to blame but myself. In a world growing rapidly in technology, it's hard to escape your entertainment. But what are you, really? Why do you hold so much importance in my life? I ask myself this question from time to time; What would I do without a computer? What would I do without the internet? Would it matter that I wasn't in tune with every one's social updates? Would I survive if I didn't finish my show Burn Notice? Would I overcome the weakness when it comes again?

In a week from now on my days off.. What will happen when I have nothing to do? Perhaps out of boredom comes inspiration.. What if inspiration was born specifically from creativity?

In a month from now, granted I survive the weeks prior.. what will happen if I find that I need the internet to get by? Anywhere from a blog, to looking something up on Google.. Getting directions or checking my email.

I can't count how many times I've wished I was blind so I could get passed my pride, lust, or simply appreciating life all the more.

I can't count how many times I've wished I was on a deserted island to reach a point where I get past all these distractions and get to the core of God's will for me.

Why does it have to be an extreme measure for me to SEE?
How many more nights will I be up at 2am writing a blog about mountains I seem to climb but come up against the same mountain a week later?

I'm taking a break. Entertainment, mostly. Silence and solitude, I hope.
Just for a little while. No revelations or resolutions.
What comes out of this will between me and God, and the evidence of change you see.

Apart from that, I suppose I'll write another entry in a week or two.

So, dear reader, I ask you this. What's most important in your life and the evidence to prove it? Are you TRULY to the point where you ask yourself on a daily basis.."What can I do today to give God the glory He deserves?" or "Who can I pray for today?" or "Okay Lord, today is a special day because YOU created it. Today you've given me life, you've given me breath and for a reason! Just like the lions roar and the eagles soar, Jesus lives for me today. Who can I serve..."

You're in my prayers.

I hope you feel better.

Family; Our hearts stirred.

What happens when you realize something you've prayed for or wanted for most or all your life finally comes to reality? What happens when you find a cornerstone that changes just about every thing in your life including your own perspective?

What happens when you understand the principle of seeing God's handy work or reasoning only in hindsight, and yet.. you come to find the Holy Spirit revealing it to you in the present?

This morning I woke up to find the alarm clock yelling at me. Finally after mentally throwing it out the window, I gave in and got up. I had lunch with my mother today and it turned out better than I ever could have imagined. It's amazing how a few words can show so many things. You see, my mother has always been the bane of my existence before I got saved. Always nagging at me, always bitter and angry, yelling and the like. Little did I know 90% of the problem was my own heart. I find now that she's possibly the best mother I could have ever asked for, and wouldn't trade her for the world. For 15-17 years now she's left the church and gone far off the path from God. With a lifestyle of bitterness and rebellion.. she's currently making less money than any one in the family, living a ''hell-hold''(She'd say) with the demons to go with it. Without further detail, know this. She's at the end of the line, hiding it well, I can see through it. She's deeply depressed.

Today.. God has shown me a spark. A light. A soft light at the end of the tunnel. Hope.

Two things occurred.
1. For over 30 years she's been smoking. Today, she hasn't had a cigarette the entire 24 hours(18 of which she was awake for) and apparently is her ''Quit-Date for smoking" -- THIRTY YEARS. Picture not only doing something, but something ADDICTIVE for 30 years at least 9-12 times a day. Quitting is nothing short of a miracle.

2. While having lunch with me today I invited her to come to church with me. I told her not to poke or prod at her about God, but to just be there surrounded by loving people who wouldn't judge you. I told her that sometimes I don't even think I deserved to be there but by the end of the day my spirit is renewed it seems, and I couldn't imagine going the rest of the week had I not gone to church. It's uplifting.. It's motivating. She said no, of course. But she turned her head and told me that the days that she used to go to church she used to feel like that as well. And what's better? She told me... "Eventually.." DO YOU UNDERSTAND WHAT THIS MEANS? Perhaps, perhaps not. I've known my mother forever of course, but it doesn't take a psychologist to see that her words and emotions at the time were solid. Straight forward. She essentially meant, "I'm not there yet, but I know I'll come back to the Lord eventually.. I know I will." That's a lot from just one word, but I saw her face. I looked in her eyes. I know what I saw. I could feel it.

I was in tears when Ruben, merely my best friend, went up to the altar during invitation. But my MOTHER? This is incredible news. God has shown me hope. The light. So many people have been praying for this.. This is just incredible. I can NOT explain how my cup overflows with joy right now. Just think if my entire family eventually goes to church every Sunday.. After my mother there's only my sister left to focus our prayers on for her to return to the Lord. And while I'm soon to start taking my niece and nephew to church every Sunday they'll go home telling mommy about Jesus and how wonderful is FBLC, the church that their mother(My sister) used to go to.

All these things are happening so fast. Praise be to God for all this. He is stirring our hearts and I've never been happier. I prayed for my family before all this came to pass, and this is what He answered with:

2 Chronicles 30:9 For if ye turn again unto the LORD, your brethren and your children shall find compassion before them that lead them captive, so that they shall come again into this land: for the LORD your God is gracious and merciful, and will not turn away his face from you, if ye return unto him.

God, you are AWESOME. With all my spirit, soul and body I acknowledge your sovereignty in this.. Blessed be the name of the Lord.

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Readers, hear this. The Bible says in ALL things acknowledge Him and he will direct your paths. It's clear that He wants ALL your life, not just most of it. The moment you finally take that step and give it to Jesus.. the moment your life will turn around and quite literally take you by surprise. What's holding you back?

Career; an answered prayer.

Wow. Just an incredible day for me. As I left for work today things started unfolding as the day continued. Small notice after small notice. I'll skip the details and go straight to the point simply because I'm in dire need of sleep at the moment.

I asked for guidance, through scripture He told me that he'll show me my next step. Not only that but He'll guide me through it.
He did the first part today. He showed me my next FEW steps actually.

Here's what I am to do.

My career path, something I've been wrestling with for YEARS, if not for the last six years; the fact that I now know what it is... is probably the biggest step in my life I've taken since I chose to be scripturally baptized after the Lord saved me.

Career; IT (Which of course is a wide selection of titles, God didn't tell me what I'll be, He simply told me where to go. Praise God for that.)

Sometime between now and August I'll be setting up a plan and saving a bit to go to a certain college. I've just found all this out today so there's still some planning and praying I need to do.
All in all, my first step is getting my Associates Degree in Computer Science. Then I'll be going for my A+ Certification, probably something I can also do both at the same time. This will get my foot in the door and initially my plan after that is to be some kind of support desk to get my foot in the door and work my way up. Whether that happens like that or not is up the God, but the college part is definite itself. I'm ahead of some people in knowledge, I'm also behind some people as well. But God revealed this to me so He MUST have a purpose for all this.

This is my career now. My future. His will.

I feel so blessed that He's finally revealed this to me. It was as simple as asking in prayer, and finding His answer in scripture. Where.. the words just feel like they jump out at you like they never have before where your mind/eyes feel like they're a magnet towards them.. Or at least that's how I felt Him answer me. At that moment the Holy Spirit filled me with peace and I knew that this was His answer. He was pleased by my small growth in faith that I went straight to scripture for an answer.

Either way this has been such a wonderful day, so many things I could mention that has made my life not to mention this spec of a day so joyful and peaceful. By the grace of God alone. With much more to say but at the same time a pillow calling my name.. I'll leave it be for now. More to come later.



Because of His blood,
- Jeremy

First Baptist of Las Colinas

11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. 12 Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. 13 And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart. - Jeremiah 29:11-13 NKJV

I guess He knew all along that I would return to First Baptist of Las Colinas. From around seven years old to about twelve years old I came to FBLC and all I left with was John 3:16 hidden in my heart but yet without understanding, and a ton of memories. My best friend in that church was Josh and he's now with the Lord. 90% of the other people I knew around my age up to around 22 years old.. well, they aren't really following the Lord at the moment. So there I was. The church split up after the pastor passed away and my family stopped going. Up until I was 21 years old I sat behind a computer screen playing video games day in and day out. This became an addiction among other things that come with the internet. When I came back to FBLC I was welcomed with open arms full of love. Invited to sit with a few young men and saved by Pastor Dale on my first year. From that point on I've been going. Now that three years has passed, I'm almost 24 years old and I can't think of any other place I'd rather be on Sundays, Wednesdays or any other day needed. My attendance isn't perfect though. Sure, I find refuge in Jesus. But no one is ever going to tell me that Church is useless. Not every church is the same, but my church is beyond what I could have ever asked for or even imagined.

The difference of now and how it was when I was young is abundant. Here are a few things.

We don't have a Youth Group. We don't come to church to split up, we stick together as a family. We stick together, learn, grow and worship together as a family.
I say family because that's exactly what we are. Where when we sing we actually enjoy it, we smile and sing praise to the Lord instead of singing it because that's what the music director chose.

This week I failed horribly spiritually. Without going into detail, going to church wasn't something I was looking forward to. Because I didn't think I deserved to be there. At the same time I was afraid of confronting my convictions. I was hiding, and that's where sin gets its' strength; secrecy. Thankfully, the Lord gave me strength to get up and hop in that shower. Realizing someone else depends on me to get to church, and I consider that a blessing in more ways than one. I still didn't feel like I deserved to go. Unprepared and unorganized, I wasn't ready. So much so that I didn't bother singing, simply moving my lips to the words. I didn't think I deserved to even be heard. By the end of the sermon I had grown tired of wrestling with the Lord, holding tight to my old ways. I was done. I closed my eyes and prayed and begged for forgiveness as I gave all my sin to Him. All my worry, all my struggle, all my heart and soul to Jesus on the cross. Immediately I forgot why I felt like I didn't deserve to be there and I knew that it was Him.

I'm not where I should be.
But I'm definitely on the path to get there. The Lord said it is not good to be alone. He didn't only mean in marriage. In Fellowship with those around you, especially at church. Today among every Sunday.. I was encouraged. I was motivated. I was renewed. No one will ever take that away from me. The joy that I get from seeking wisdom from good, godly fathers and the fellowship I receive from friends around me. All in the house of the Lord where we come to worship, give thanks, praise and learn about Jesus. Sometimes that's all it takes.. to completely turn my world around. Whether it's hearing truths from scripture being taught, or having a 1-on-1 chat with someone. I find nothing but blessings at First Baptist of Las Colinas.

I guess He always knew I'd come back. I guess He always had plans for me to come back home to Him. No matter where God takes me in life, whether internationally or locally. First Baptist of Las Colinas will forever be my home in this temporary world.

I plead to you. I beg of you... whoever reads this. He has plans for you. He has already prepared an answered for your prayer you haven't even prayed yet. Close your eyes right now, and give thanks to God that He is sovereign over your life. That if you are His.. he will never leave you nor forsake you.

The Resolution for 2012

My Resolution for 2012.

Now I typically don't believe in resolutions but for the sake of making it about Jesus I don't see what could be of any harm in doing so. I'm pretty excited about this year, this previous year has been incredible and by the grace of God extremely productive.

Let's look at it in just a few ways, among thousands of blessings He's given me.
I now have a job of six months now that's given me a car of my own, an apartment of my own. I'm standing on my own two feet paying my own bills. I wash my own clothes and do my own dishes. Now to some that doesn't seem like much, but from a life of sloth and bitterness to do anything other than benefits my own personal gain; it's a lot.

Every thing was always given to me. Now, by the grace and provision of my Father God, I'm pursuing a life for Christ and in doing so He's blessed me with teaching me how to be a Man. This includes providing for at least myself even though lately I've provided for two.. This also includes how to be a role model to my niece and nephew. This includes patience and diligence into learning and loving Jesus. This includes reading and studying, learning from scripture and other men on how to be a good godly man. As a father-less child, more than most of my efforts are towards how to be a good father and husband. How to be a spiritual leader for my family with a foundation on nothing or no one other than our Lord Jesus Christ.

Among many other things I can mention, my cup runs over in abundance of His grace. So here's my one and only resolution.

If there's ANYTHING I do right this year, It's to be prudent in following Jesus. No matter where He leads me, every thing I do, say, think and pray about let it be for the sake of Christ living in me so that others will see His light and love shines brilliantly and the Word of God spreads like wildfire.

Matthew 22:36-40
36 “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the law?”
37 Jesus said to him, “ ‘You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and great commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ 40 On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.”

You know Paul said if Christ weren't resurrected we wasted our lives. That IMPLIES that our lives should be built around Jesus being alive. He died so we could live.

Need I say more?