I really want to come back and start a new congregation in Hampton Roads. (Virginia Beach). Does this sound crazy? I hope not because this could be a really good thing to extend the word of God to many outside of the bible belt! Thoughts?
Currently I am reading a book that is asking this very well question. Are you a fan of Christ? Or are you a follower of Christ?
Jesus in John chapter six had thousands of people following him. They heard about his miraculous healings and his inspirational teaching. That crowd of thousands basically came to see him and cheer him on. After that full day the people got very hungry and Jesus found a way to feed them. By using the fish and loaves that little boy had. We all know this story and realize there was plenty of food left over. Then, the next morning the crowd woke up hungry and were looking for Jesus (their meal ticket). Eventually they notice that Jesus and the apostles headed to the other side of the lake. They were hoping for a repeat performance of Jesus.
In verse 26, Jesus states “Truly, truly, I say to you, you are seeking me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate your fill of the loaves.”
We see in that veererse that Jesus knows they are seeking him because they got full on the loaves he gave them and not by his signs. Now follow me to verse 35-40. Jesus then tells the people, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst. 36But I said to you that you have seen me and yet do not believe. 37All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never cast out. 38For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will but the will of him who sent me. 39And this is the will of him who sent me, that I should lose nothing of all that he has given me, but raise it up on the last day. 40For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who looks on the Son and believes in him should have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day.”
He is now telling those same people that Jesus is the bread of life. With him we will never grow hungry and who ever believes in him will not thirst. He wants them to have eternal life and to believe he is the son of God, so they will be with him forever.
After his conversation with the people verse 66 says, “After this many of his disciples turned back and no longer walked with him.”
Many of his fans turn away because Jesus didn’t speak a message to become popular. He spoke the truth and those who hung around really believed in Christ and were his followers. The ones who left weren’t, they were fans. Webster defines fan as an ardent admirer or enthusiast. I pray and hope that you too, don’t just want to be a fan. But, a dedicated follower. I hope to help you decide through the days and weeks of my personal study of this very matter. I am reading a book that is helping me stay away from the lines of a fan of Christ but to be a FOLLOWER OF CHRIST.
Proverbs 31:10-31 states
“ 10[d] An excellent wife who can find? She is far more precious than jewels.11The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he will have no lack of gain.12She does him good, and not harm, all the days of her life. 13She seeks wool and flax, and works with willing hands.14She is like the ships of the merchant; she brings her food from afar.15She rises while it is yet night and provides food for her household and portions for her maidens. 16She considers a field and buys it; with the fruit of her hands she plants a vineyard. 17She dresses herself[e] with strength and makes her arms strong.18She perceives that her merchandise is profitable. Her lamp does not go out at night.19She puts her hands to the distaff, and her hands hold the spindle.20She opens her hand to the poor and reaches out her hands to the needy.21She is not afraid of snow for her household, for all her household are clothed in scarlet.[f]22She makes bed coverings for herself; her clothing is fine linen and purple.23Her husband is known in the gates when he sits among the elders of the land.24She makes linen garments and sells them; she delivers sashes to the merchant.25 Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she laughs at the time to come.26She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.27She looks well to the ways of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness.28Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her:29“Many women have done excellently, but you surpass them all.”30 Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.31Give her of the fruit of her hands, and let her works praise her in the gates.”“
I get asked all the time by friends and family when am I going to find someone to settle down with. I also, get asked about my past relationships and why they haven’t worked out. Sometimes I don’t even know why they didn’t work, but God is in control of all things and what I have come to terms with is that these girls weren’t a Proverbs 31 woman. Now, before you go ahead and think I am think less thoughts of the ex’s you couldn’t be more wrong. I just think they were at completely different stages of faith than I was at. Do I need a girl at the same faith level? Nope, all I need is someone that will study the word and work hard to get stronger as I will be doing the same.
Settling for someone who doesn’t fear God is not going to happen. After all in a relationship God needs to be number one being that He will make the relationship strong and stable. A girl that wants prayer, scripture, worship is a must in my life. A girl willing to help others and be a strong presence. Yes, I have been in a few relationships that I thought would have worked out but for some reason I don’t know why it happened but I am glad it did. It has made me a stronger Christian and it has brought me so much closer to God.
Finally, my age gets brought up more often than not about finding that one girl. I can’t control how old I am when I find that special God fearing girl that awaits. I can control though my attitude, my feelings, and how I present myself for this future girl. To me if it doesn’t matter if you are 18-25. A good friend brought up a point that age really doesn’t matter on maturity. People are at different points in their life. All I know is I am ready for God to put that special someone in my life and I will continue to give it to God and pray that one day it will happen. After all, I only have 2 years left at Freed but then again that is only just the beginning of my life in the career of winning over souls from Satan with the use of my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. I will definitely be updating this blog more! I hope you guys keep reading it! Also, sorry for the horrendous grammar.
This past weekend I went on the annual spring retreat with my social club Theta Nu. This past weekend will always be remembered and always thought about. I always wondered what type of impact I had on the people around me and never knew fully how that was the case till this weekend.
One aspect of that weekend was our feel good circle. It had about 18 people in it and went for an unusual 3 hours. We all were able to hear what the people in our lives thought about us and what great things they like about us. I was told many times that I am someone who is always there and genuine for his friends and the people I care about. I didn’t really ever expect anyone to notice that but it made me feel really wonderful. Another thing that was noticed is that my attitude has changed about being negative. I take a great deal of pride in that because I have amazing people in my life who helped me get rid of some of the things I held onto that has helped me to be negative/rude to people. I have no chosen to not be negative even though at times it is a struggle. I am sorry if you are reading this and you know that I was rude or negative towards you at all this semester or last. I regret being that way and I am glad I dumped that terrible part of my life.
I just love and cherish the great friends I have that helped me get through some problems.Lisa, Chase, and Larissa were three of the people who helped. Also, My dad and mom helped more than I could have ever imagined. I love them with everything that I am. I will always be there for my friends and anyone that is reading this! I love you all more than you will know.
