Champion Builders

Searching For Jedi’s and God

“If I find in myself desires which nothing in this world can satisfy, the only logical explanation is that I was made for another world.” -C.S. Lewis

If you find in yourself desires which nothing in this world can satisfy… then maybe there are some definite parallels to our life and the latest Star Wars movie.

If you haven’t seen it…then my question is why not?! I must admit that despite being a part of the epic movie franchise all my life (I was five years old when the first Star Wars came out in 1977), I had no idea why I was drawn to the story so much. That is until only recently when I ran across a recent NPR podcast that explained the whole “hero’s journey” concept. Apparently all the great epic stories of old, and new, have a common theme that echo’s in the characters and structural concepts of the tale.

The question that I have is namely a “chicken or the egg” concept question: So is the hero’s journey template in Star Wars and other stories something we WANT to believe is true about life or is it instead a deep understanding of the fabric of life struggles and how our TRUE HEART finds redemption in it?

To explore this idea, I want to take you to a piece written by one of my favorite writers. He casts light not only on the insights gleamed from “Force Awakens” but he tells of the most epic of all ancient Christian monastic sites and the wild brave Christian Celtic men who occupied it.

Enjoy…

Searching for Skywalker | AndSons Magazine

Devotions, John 14

Two-timing God

Are you “two-timing” God?

Check out this video: Would you ever marry someone like this?

READ:
John‬ ‭14:21‬ ‭NIV‬‬

What are his “commands”? There are many but the greatest is this:

“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’” –‭‭Mark‬ ‭12:30‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Places throughout the bible, it describes God’s faithful people as a “bride” (Rev. 19:7) and Jesus as the “bridegroom”. And so if we say we are followers of Jesus and have given our life to Him, then that means we are “betrothed” to Jesus. When he comes back we will be fully “married” and fully know Him in all His essence.

Unfortunately many so called Chrisitans say they love God above all others but don’t live like it.

Honestly ask yourself…

Do I love Jesus more than the things of the world?
Do I have other “lovers” that I put in place of Him?
Am I obeying Gods ways he wants me to live or am I just doing my own thing most of the time?

PRAY: God please forgive me for loving other people and things over You. Jesus by the power of your Spirit, please give me the desire and ability to put you as the number one person in my life. Thank you that as I learn more of who You are through the bible and prayer, and obeying You, I will grow into all the things you have for me now and experience the joy of your presence more each day!

1 Timothy 6, 2 Chronicles 15, Devotions, Romans 12

Fighting For Character

Character never grows out of an effortless life.

When we were younger we had great dreams and desires to be great. We wanted to be the hero of the game or the adventurer on an epic journey to uncover lost secrets and wealth of ages past. As we get older the vale gets lifted in our understanding and we realize dreams take work and effort. It is easy and exciting to watch, it is quite another thing to do it.

Why do we continue to kid ourselves into thinking our decision to put our relationship with God as foremost in our life would take any less effort?

READ:

“Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.” ‭‭Romans‬ ‭12:12‬ ‭NIV‬‬

“Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses.” 1 Timothy‬ ‭6:12‬ ‭NIV‬‬

THINK:

In what areas of your life are you getting impatient that things are not going as easy as you planned?
What negative attitudes, actions or thinking from yourself or others do you need to push back with Gods truth and promises? Where do you need to ask the Spirit of God to wake up the fighter in you?

If at times you wonder if following Jesus is really worth it, take comfort and be encouraged that God promises there is great reward for those who remain faithful to Him. It may be difficult now to see, but you and I will see it in a BIG WAY in the end!

“But as for you, be strong and do not give up, for your work will be rewarded.”” ‭‭2 Chronicles‬ ‭15:7‬ ‭NIV‬‬

PRAY: God thank you that you promise a reward when I don’t give up in trusting you. I know you want to develop deep character in me. Empower me to be steadfast in that fight.

Colossians 2, Devotions, John 1, Romans 10

What does it mean to receive Jesus in my heart?

What does it mean to receive Jesus in our heart?

The bible correlates these being the same:
Believing = Receiving = Accepting = Being in Christ

READ:

“But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God,”
‭‭John‬ ‭1:12‬ ‭ESV‬‬

“Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him,”
‭‭Colossians‬ ‭2:6‬ ‭ESV‬‬

“because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”
‭‭Romans‬ ‭10:9‬ ‭

It is important how we receive/believe Christ. Do we receive Him, as John Piper has said, as an “unwanted guest” or repair man that you want to just keep out in the garage? Or do we receive Him for who he really is?! LORD.

“There are all kinds of ways to receive Jesus into your life that have zero impact on your eternity except to make it worse.“

The question then becomes: If you say you have received Jesus: You received Him as what?

Listen to the podcast below and search your heart to determine that yourself.

PRAY: Jesus search my heart and help me be totally honest with You. I don’t want to play games saying I believe in You but not submitting to your Lordship and leadership in my life. Let me really see how amazing You are in a fresh way. (And if you really mean it now, tell Him and declare it to God…) Jesus you are Lord of my life!

Podcast: What Does It Mean to Receive Jesus into My Life? (Episode 726) #askpastorjohn

Devotions, John 17, Psalm 63

Triviality is a Disease

Are you living today focused only on the “day to day”…the trivial? Or are you aware of the glorious Story that God invites you into today?

READ:
‭‭Psalm‬ ‭63:1-8, 11‬ ‭NIV‬‬
‭‭John‬ ‭17:20-23‬ ‭NIV‬‬

John Piper says that many people live with a disease of triviality:

“The things most people spend their time with are trivial. What makes this a disease is that we were created to be consumed with magnificent causes….not trifles. Our souls will not be content with trifles. We are enslaved with trivialities.” -John Piper

PRAY: Lord may my soul not shrivel up because of small living and small vision. Lift up my eyes to see You…the glory of Your fellowship and Your callings!

Source for further listening: Even in Setbacks, God Is Lacing Your Life into an Infinite Storyline (Episode 731) #askpastorjohn
http://soundcloud.com/askpastorjohn/even-in-setbacks-god-is-lacing-your-life-into-an-infinite-storyline-episode-731

1 Corinthians 6, Ephesians 5, Psalm 139, Uncategorized

Dating: Test Driving vs. Research

What would be your advice for someone your age that is in a serious relationship?

Mine would be: Stop “test driving” your girlfriend/boyfriend and do your RESEARCH FIRST!

Let me explain. For years I wanted to own a jeep. So, just before I turned 16, my dad and I were seriously considering helping me find a jeep to drive. However, the more we discussed best options for me, we decided a truck was better suited for me. It was way more practical because I needed a vehicle to help me run my lawn service throughout the year. And oh by the way…I loved that truck!

So what does that have to do with dating? Many students can get too emotionally or physically wrapped up with pursuing relationships with the opposite sex without thinking through important questions before it happens.

Do your research first!:

➡️ What is YOUR purpose in life? What kind of goals or dreams do you have? Does a relationship with a guy/girl fit in with those goals right now?

➡️ Do you really know…

Who you are first?
Your value & her/his value?
Your role as a man/woman? (see Ephesians 5:21-33)

Look what this verse says about you and your “crushes” value according to God…

“For You created my inmost being; You knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise You because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Your works are wonderful, I know that full well.”
‭‭Psalm‬ ‭139:13-14‬ ‭NIV‬‬

If you have received Jesus in your heart it goes even further!…

“Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.”
‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭6:19-20‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Do you value and honor that guy or girl you are dating (or want to date) the way God does?

PRAY: God thank You for showing me how You see me and the opposite sex. I don’t want to be a person that takes advantage or becomes too infatuated with someone before I really know how to love them the way You would want. Help me to be patient and to take steps into discovering more of how You want me to grow as a young man/woman.

Devotions, Mark 12

What should be my priority?

Have you ever had these questions?:

-What you should I do with my life?
-What should be my main focus above everything else?
-What does God want from me above all else?

There was a guy who ran into Jesus one day and had enough curiosity and courage to ask him.

READ: Mark 12:28-31

What should be our focus according Jesus?:
➡️ Acknowledge He is God and there is no other.
➡️ Love God above all people or things.
➡️ Love others like you love yourself.

PRAY: Jesus may You be the focus and priority of my life first above all other activities, people or possessions. I want to learn to love myself and others better and I know I can only do that best by learning to love You most.

Devotions, Ephesians 6

Fighting 301: The Weapons

So you say your ready to fight? Well do you know the weapons and armor God has given you? Check it out below.

READ: Ephesians 6:13-18

What are our tools/weapons?
➡️ Belt of truth– This means holding truth of Gods ways and not following moral relativism.
➡️ Breastplate of righteousness– Questions to ask ourself are: Is our life one of moral integrity and confidence in our right standing with God? Do we have these basic things in our life so when are faith (shield) waivers we don’t get taken out? Also, 1 Peter 3:16 says that if we should suffer for righteousness, others will be put to shame.
➡️ Shoes of the Gospel– Have you just got those nice “shoes” in the closet and you are just sitting on the couch not really prepared? Are you excited and ready to use them? In other words, do you really understand the Gospel and how awesome, soul saving and life changing it is?!
➡️ Shield of Faith– This keeps DOUBT and UNBELIEF off of you.
➡️ Helmet of Salvation– Do you really know in your heart and mind you are saved? (By the way…you CAN know for sure! If you don’t know, ask somebody who you know really has a relationship with God.)
➡️ Sword of the Spirit– Do you have the word of God at hand ready to defend AND attack back with what God says! PRAY (call on God) at ALL TIMES by praying in the Spirit (praying the Word)

And most important of all….

Do this all and KEEP ALERT with all PERSERVANCE!

PRAY: Jesus help me to use what you have given me to fight against my own sin and any subtle attacks against my soul. I want to live for You. So help me to stand in confidence that You have already given me everything I need to glorify You and make an impact for eternity!

Devotions, Ephesians 6

Fighting 201: How to Fight!

In “Fighting 101″ we talked about how we are called to “fight the good fight of faith”. So if we are in a fight and we know the enemy, called the devil, does not play fair, then how are we to fight? What’s the strategy?

READ: Ephesians 6:10-13

The first thing to realize is that we are called to be strong IN THE LORD (v.10). It is God’s power and strength we are asking for and relying on. Beware of trying to fight or stand for God in anything without seeking Him first.

The next thing is through His strength, power and wisdom, you and I have “His armor” to battle with and protect ourselves (v.11). You see God has been fighting Satan a long time. But the good news is that the decisive battle has already been won! Picture it as though God has defeated Satan and chained him up on a long leash. Satan’s ultimate demise is soon. In the meantime, Satan is grasping out to anyone he can get his hands on and pull them down with him. So, God does not leave us without a defense strategy and some tools that help us fight back. You can read verses 14-18 to discover these (the next post, “Fighting 301″ will look at these in detail).

The biggest encouragement here in our fight is in verse 13:

“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 firm.” -Ephesians 6:13

In other words don’t give up! Persevere! Keep STANDING! To withstand means to stand up against, to resist successfully, to be proof against or to oppose with firm determination. In other words, it is a confidence to know that after we have done everything we know to do…and even if we get knocked down…we can still get up and stand in faith that God has got our back.

Isn’t that great news to realize that we are not “standing” alone! We are “withstanding”. We are standing WITH God!

PRAY: God thank you that you offer so much to me on a daily basis. I know at times I have tried to fight and do things on my own without even considering You. I know You are actually behind all my gifts and abilities. There are numerous natural gifts you have given me, but may you by the power of Your Spirit give me more confidence, endurance and understanding of how You want to work through me to make those more impactful for You.

Devotions, Ephesians 6

Fighting 101

Did you know it is a good thing to fight?

I told that to a 10 year old boy recently with his mother standing right next to us. Her face immediately winced at me slightly as if I might be molding him for a future in street brawls or at best, a power career in WWF! Of course I quickly continued my point and explained that it was actually a God given attribute (especially prevalent in males) but that many guys use it in selfish and less than God honoring ways.

In 1 Timothy 6:12 we are told to “fight the good fight of faith.” But what we must understand is that our “good” fight is not at its root going to be against someone else. Sure someone may come at you with physical force or slandering words and at times we must defend ourselves. You see at the “root” of that person attacking you is a spirit. And it is not from God. It is from the enemy. Check out the texts below to see who it really is!

READ: Ephesians 6:12

The first strategy of Satan is to try to knock out our power source to God which is our faith in Jesus. He does this by hurling attacks though fear, distractions and doubt. So how do we fight against this? How do we make it a “good” fight and not get taken out early in the first round?

Check it out here! Before you do…why don’t you talk to Him.

PRAY: God forgive me if I have ever fought a fight that was selfishly motivated or not honoring to You. Help me to remember that their are forces and spirits that influence others. Help me to recognize this when people or things come against me and may I respond in great faith that is provided by the power of your Holy Spirit in me.