This is Who died for you.

"15He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. 16For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. 17And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 18And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. 19For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, 20and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.
21And you, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, 22he has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him, 23 if indeed you continue in the faith, stable and steadfast, not shifting from the hope of the gospel that you heard, which has been proclaimed in all creation under heaven, and of which I, Paul, became a minister." Colossians 1 (English Standard Version)

Isn't it amazing that this is the One who gave His very life for you. The gravity of the truth of the gospel is heavy on my heart right now. There is a need for the gospel to be taken to the ends of the earth (literally). As Christians we are responsible for taking the grace and truth of the gospel to every corner of the earth. Understand that if you are a Christian this is not an option. This is your reason for existing, for being called to right relationship with Christ. The Great Commission (Matthew 28:19ff) is not given as an option, but rather as a command. We must make disciples of all nations. We must start in our current context first however. I am convinced that it is impossible for a church to make disciples of the nations, when they are not making disciples in their church and in their community. We must start where we are and once we understand the workings of this process, then we are to take the gospel to all the earth. Without hesitation. Without fear. Without regard for our own dreams, desires, and even life. We must be more than a Christ follower; we must be a sold out Christ follower. May the truth of the gospel and the weight of this responsibility drive you to the cross and to the nations.

The bad and THE GOOD

I have been reminded, lately, of a lot of things that have gone on in the course of my somewhat short life. As I think back I can remember a great deal of negative things that have happened, but I can also remember the good that has happened as well. I truly believe that our experiences, that God allows us to go through and takes us through, shape us into the person He desires us to be. Apart from the grace of Christ I believe my life would be a train wreck. But the fact that Christ is my reason for living makes even the most dark and hard situations seem minor. God has this thing under control. Many times I have asked the hard questions of God, and often got the response that I didn't want. The truth of a life given to the gospel is that it really is not your own. My life belongs to the One who has given me life. No matter how tough things get or how often I wish to give up I must remember the cross and it's call to my life... To die to self and find life in the glorious sacrifice of Christ. The work of Christ for me is unbelievable. To say that Jesus paid it all, really doesn't do justice to the truth for me. The fact that Jesus became the One to bear full wrath of the Father on the cross leaves me without words. In place of my sin, now I have His righteousness. What an amazing truth! The truth of these things is a constant reminder that the good of our situation (lives) always out does the bad of our situation (lives). Someone once said, "Show me one person that lived their life for the gospel, and died without joy." What truth this speaks! Paul said "to live is Christ, and to die is gain." I pray that I would always be mindful of these truths and live my life in light of them. That when tough and trying time comes I will be ready to give a response to them, that the gospel is my purpose and His joy and grace are my strength. My I stand before Him, and be found faithful with the gospel and the ministry to which He has given me.

Why Am I Here?

For one reason or another, I have been asking this question lately. Why am I here? At some level I know the answer, but there is another that begs me to ask myself this. I know why I am here at Southern, to become a better equipped minister of the Gospel. But why am I here on this earth, during this era, in these set of years, even during this very moment. What does God want me to do? I know that you cannot go wrong when you go out with the glory of God as your top priority, and with the gospel as your driving force. If I had to boil my desire down to one certain thing it would be this... That it would count. My two greatest fears have always been, being alone and wasting my life. I want my every moment to count for the gospel, but I'm not sure what that looks like right now, in my present situation. I don't want to spend the rest of my life alone, and I am confident in the fact that there is someone out there that can put up with me. :) But it seems that as you move on and on with your life, these fears that you know have been conquered in the cross show themselves from time to time. It hurts. I struggle. I feel like I'm drowning in them. I don't see any end in sight. But still there is something deep within me that tells me to hold on. To remember the truth of who God is and what He has done and what He has promised. I ask that you pray for me. I don't wish to know the full plan of God for my life, or who God wants me to marry, or what the very next day holds (or lacks). I desire for my life to count for His glory and His gospel. That through all the fun and friendships, God would be glorified. That through my studies God would be glorified. That through all the relationships, both new and old, God would be glorified. Pray that my fears would be overcome with His truth, with His cross, with His resurrection. I am eternally thankful/grateful for all that God has done for me, and that He has called me out of darkness and into the Light. And into His ministry. "Glory to God! Glory to God! Glory to God forever! Take my life and let it be all for You and for Your glory! Take my life and let it be Yours." -Fee "Glory to God Forever"