"He must become greater, I must become less." John 3:30
Super simple. Yet it might possibly one of the hardest verses in scripture to put into action. Why is that, do you think?
We're selfish.
We're needy.
We long for attention.
We want to be noticed.
We want to be liked.
We want to be accepted.
We want to be popular.
We want to be told "well done, good job."
Those are just 8 things. Maybe you thought of more. There are probably more. The list goes on, really.
But let's pick those 8 thing apart.
1.) We're selfish.
This is one of those things that is like the sad truth that no one really wants to accept. Now some of you may do what I just did, and look up the meaning of the word selfish. And reading it, some of you may say "oh my! I'm not like that at all." But come on now....
Selfish: devoted to or caring only for oneself; concerned primarily with one's own interests, benefits, welfare, etc., regardless of others.
I'll be honest with you. The one that stood out to me the most was "concerned primarily with one's own interests." Some people don't consider reading Gods word one of their "interests". But I often feel like some of our interests get in the way of how much we actually DO read his word, and how much time we devote to it. We're so focused on our own interests. I feel we're all selfish in that aspect. Think about that one.
2.) We're needy.
3.) We long for attention.
These two go together, and are somewhat strange. When you saw them up there you may not have known what they meant or how they applied to the verse. What I meant is that we're needy for the attention of those around us. This one is hard to deny.Especially in this generation. Someone is always doing something that will get the attention of others. Whether it's something good or (sadly) something bad. Because it gives people something to talk about. You become the "hot topic" of conversation.(okay maybe not but you get what I mean..) We want people to be interested in us, and to want to know more about us.
4.) We want to be noticed.
This one ties in to the two above. We do things to get us noticed. So that people look at us. To get peoples attention. To make people curious about us.
5.) We want to be liked.
6.) We want to be accepted.
Again, these two go together. We long to be liked and accepted by those around us. And our society today sadly gives us a bad example of how to go about that. When you think of being liked or accepted by someone what do you think of? Probably a lot of different things. I think of doing things that those people like so that they will be accepted. Showing them that you're "good enough" to hang out with them. Showing them how awesome you can be.
7.) We want to be popular.
Pretty simple. We want people to know us. To like us. To look up to us. We want people to know our name.
8.) "We want to be told "well done, good job."
We want to do things that will make people say "Oh my goodness! You are amazing. You're so good at (fill in the blank)." We like feeling accomplished. And we like to know that something we did made someone else notice us. And the things we're good at. And the things we've done.
So now that we went through all of those and broke them down. Let's look at them in a new light.....
We're so focused on His interests, we forget ours.
We want people to be interested in God.
We want people to know more about Him.
We want to make people curious about God.
We want to show people how awesome God can be.
We want people to know His name.
We want people to notice the things He does through us. And the good things He's done in us.
Now compare those and look at the verse again.
"He must become greater, I must become less." John 3:30
Tuesday, May 22, 2012
Monday, April 9, 2012
Do It.
"Do not merely listen to the word, and so decieve yourselves. Do what it says." James 1:22
I came upon this verse today highlighted and underlined in my bible, but yet I never remember reading it ever before today. And it was one of those, smack in the face, kind of things.
I was at Youth Convention this past weekend, and the speakers last message was titled, "Don't just stand there...... DO SOMETHING." (I'll come back to this in a minute...)
And I had that statement, and entire message in my head in a second when I read this verse. It basically says to not just LISTEN to the word of God, or just READ it. But to DO it. To LIVE it.
"Do what it says." Read that through a few times. It doesn't say, Try to do what it says. Or, When you want to, do what it says. That is a command. "Do what is says." You know, when your parents tell you to do something instead of asking. Like, they don't always say... "Can you please go clean your room?" It usually sounds more like, "Go clean your room, please." We usually go and do it when there is a period there instead of a question mark. Kinda like this verse. What if it said.... "Could you do what it said, please?" I personally don't think it would've have that slap in the face affect like the real verse does.
How many times DO we just read our Bibles, and sometimes get a lot of encouraging things out of it, or maybe even something that we needed to hear. But we don't act on it. We just tuck it away inside of us for when we need it again. Don't let the bible be a go-to book for help. I mean, it's great for that, and definitely something you can go to in times of trouble and hard ships, but what would happen if we made it more of a life guide. If we actually starting living out what we learned that day, or that week. What if we all started doing the things God asks of us in the Bible. Things would be different. We would be different. And those around us would be different. Different in the best way possible.
So I'm going to simply leave you with this question.
Are you going to just stand there, or are you going to do something?
I came upon this verse today highlighted and underlined in my bible, but yet I never remember reading it ever before today. And it was one of those, smack in the face, kind of things.
I was at Youth Convention this past weekend, and the speakers last message was titled, "Don't just stand there...... DO SOMETHING." (I'll come back to this in a minute...)
And I had that statement, and entire message in my head in a second when I read this verse. It basically says to not just LISTEN to the word of God, or just READ it. But to DO it. To LIVE it.
"Do what it says." Read that through a few times. It doesn't say, Try to do what it says. Or, When you want to, do what it says. That is a command. "Do what is says." You know, when your parents tell you to do something instead of asking. Like, they don't always say... "Can you please go clean your room?" It usually sounds more like, "Go clean your room, please." We usually go and do it when there is a period there instead of a question mark. Kinda like this verse. What if it said.... "Could you do what it said, please?" I personally don't think it would've have that slap in the face affect like the real verse does.
How many times DO we just read our Bibles, and sometimes get a lot of encouraging things out of it, or maybe even something that we needed to hear. But we don't act on it. We just tuck it away inside of us for when we need it again. Don't let the bible be a go-to book for help. I mean, it's great for that, and definitely something you can go to in times of trouble and hard ships, but what would happen if we made it more of a life guide. If we actually starting living out what we learned that day, or that week. What if we all started doing the things God asks of us in the Bible. Things would be different. We would be different. And those around us would be different. Different in the best way possible.
So I'm going to simply leave you with this question.
Are you going to just stand there, or are you going to do something?
Sunday, January 22, 2012
Light.
I'm not going to ramble on about how longs it's been since I've posted. But I'm back! Yay!
I'm excited to jump right into this. Would you all turn with me to John 1:1-14.
"1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. 3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. 4 In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome[a] it.
6 There was a man sent from God whose name was John. 7 He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all might believe. 8 He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light.
9 The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world. 10 He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. 11 He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. 12 Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— 13children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.
14 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."
These verses can be a little confusing. But if you are confused just keep reading it a couple times, then come back to this :)
Has anyone ever told you, that in being a Christian, you have the light inside of you? I heard this all the time from different people, and I heard it a lot when I was little. We all probably automatically think "okay... light. Light = God. Light inside of me = God inside of me. Got it." That is true. But have you ever read this verse.... then thought about it? It says.. "In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind." Life. It's not just Gods LIGHT inside of us. It's his LIFE.
-The verse goes on to say.. "The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it." The definition of overcome says... to gain the victory; win; conquer. Darkness HAS NOT overcome it. I heard this somewhere once, not sure who said it but it stuck with me for forever. They said that when light fills a room, darkness is no longer existent. You know, when you turn on a light in a dark room, there isn't a trace of darkness left in that room, because the light overpowers the darkness.
That's exactly how it is with God. Just think, if his light is inside of us, darkness flees when we walk into a room. Now, I know you guys are thinking, darkness as in bad things. Like sin and things like that. And then you think of how maybe when you're at school, all the "darkness" that is around you there, it doesn't necessarily "flee". No. But it shakes. It gets scared. Because the devil KNOWS that when Gods power is inside of us, once we are walking in it everyday and using it, it's SO SO SO powerful. And he (the devil) KNOWS that he doesn't stand a chance against us.
Now the question to ask yourself is this: Do you have that light in you? Yes, maybe you have God in your heart and in your life, but are you living in that light, or are you hiding it? Do people look at you and say that you seem different? Are people seeing this light inside your life, or are you hiding it away from the world. Shine your light. Be proud of it. Don't be afraid. Because when you shine that light, and people notice it, that will bring you so many opportunities to share your faith, and Gods love, with others.
Love you all.
I'm excited to jump right into this. Would you all turn with me to John 1:1-14.
"1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. 3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. 4 In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome[a] it.
6 There was a man sent from God whose name was John. 7 He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all might believe. 8 He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light.
9 The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world. 10 He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. 11 He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. 12 Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— 13children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.
14 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."
These verses can be a little confusing. But if you are confused just keep reading it a couple times, then come back to this :)
Has anyone ever told you, that in being a Christian, you have the light inside of you? I heard this all the time from different people, and I heard it a lot when I was little. We all probably automatically think "okay... light. Light = God. Light inside of me = God inside of me. Got it." That is true. But have you ever read this verse.... then thought about it? It says.. "In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind." Life. It's not just Gods LIGHT inside of us. It's his LIFE.
-The verse goes on to say.. "The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it." The definition of overcome says... to gain the victory; win; conquer. Darkness HAS NOT overcome it. I heard this somewhere once, not sure who said it but it stuck with me for forever. They said that when light fills a room, darkness is no longer existent. You know, when you turn on a light in a dark room, there isn't a trace of darkness left in that room, because the light overpowers the darkness.
That's exactly how it is with God. Just think, if his light is inside of us, darkness flees when we walk into a room. Now, I know you guys are thinking, darkness as in bad things. Like sin and things like that. And then you think of how maybe when you're at school, all the "darkness" that is around you there, it doesn't necessarily "flee". No. But it shakes. It gets scared. Because the devil KNOWS that when Gods power is inside of us, once we are walking in it everyday and using it, it's SO SO SO powerful. And he (the devil) KNOWS that he doesn't stand a chance against us.
Now the question to ask yourself is this: Do you have that light in you? Yes, maybe you have God in your heart and in your life, but are you living in that light, or are you hiding it? Do people look at you and say that you seem different? Are people seeing this light inside your life, or are you hiding it away from the world. Shine your light. Be proud of it. Don't be afraid. Because when you shine that light, and people notice it, that will bring you so many opportunities to share your faith, and Gods love, with others.
"This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. 20 Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed. 21 But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what they have done has been done in the sight of God."
Love you all.
Thursday, July 21, 2011
Relationship Status | 1.
So, Relationship status is the title of all this. You know how on Facebook you can change your "relationship status" ? The options are usually, Single, In A Relationship, It's Complicated, Engaged, and Married. Pretty obvious right? Not too hard to decide which one you would pick. They're self explanatory. But, what if there was a "Your Relationship With God." tab. What do you think the options would be for you to choose from, and how easy do you think it would be for you to pick one. You'd wonder and worry what other people might think about it. You might make it private so no one else can see. We all have relationships with other people in one way or another. Our relationships with our friends, and our family. Boyfriends or girlfriends. And someone we met maybe one or two times, but still talk to. If you really think deep and hard, you realize how many relationships you have in your life. Now, when it comes to relationships with our friends, we really favor them. We value those relationships so so much. Also with boyfriends and girlfriends. I can't really speak from experience, but those are relationships we tend to value a lot. And usually put so much of our time in effort into. We devote specific time to that person. We take time out of our day, and devote it to them. Whether we're talking to them, or hanging out with them. It's pretty easy (usually :P) to explain your relationship with a friend, or boyfriend/gf to someone else if they ask. But what if someone asked you about your relationship with God? What if I walked up to you and said "So how's our relationship with Jesus Christ going?" You'd be somewhat shocked, right? That's not a normal question that we all go around asking people. But really, what would you reply. What would you tell them, HONESTLY? Sometimes we forget about our relationship with God. It gets pushed behind all the other stuff we're faced with everyday. We need to value our relationship with God MORE than we value our other relationships. There is a difference between calling yourself a Christian, and having a real relationship with God.
- In our generation, it's so so so easy for us to get distracted. Everywhere we turn, there is something to distract us. Tv, Facebook, Twitter, other people, our phones, games, activities that we enjoy doing. Everything distracts us, and takes our mind off of God. I think people in this generation spend more time on Facebook then they do reading their Bibles.
- When we're in relationships with guys(or girls, if you're a guy.) We really want them to last. We go to extremes sometimes to keep that relationship together. Are you willing to go to extremes to keep your relationship with God together? Are you willing to go majorly out of your comforts zone, to glorify and please him, and help the relationship grow? Are we willing to give up ourselves, for God. And to have less of us, and more of him in our lives? That's a great big question that I really challenge you guys to chew on, and think about for a while. Sometimes, benefitting our relationship with God, means ending some relationships with other people. Crazy sounding, i know. You think, well God, you put this person in my life... why do you want me to get rid of them all of a sudden. I can say, that in my own life, I've had a relationship or two that, sometimes you just too caught up in them, and then God steps in and says "Hey! You're focusing too much on that other person, so I'm gonna take them away from you, until you learn to rely and lean and depend on me, not them." It's a.. somewhat hurtful thing, but God knows what he is doing. When we trust in him with those types of things, he doesn't let us down.
I'm gonna wrap this up here in a minute. But let me just end with this. Don't make this a private relationship. It's nothing to be ashamed of. God has chosen us to be his dwelling place. God is in us. Let other people see that. Let your relationship with him show in your actions, and your attitude towards other people. Let him be shown through you, don't hide him inside. Let him out :) And show the whole world.
- Roman 8:39 -
Welp, this wraps up part one of my little mini series :) I hope you guys enjoy this. And maybe I'll do a mini series again sometimes soon. Stay tuned for part 2! :)
Sunday, July 10, 2011
Preview!
HELLO! It's been so long :) But guess what!!
I'm going to start a mini series. And when I say mini, I mean mini.
It's a new thing for me so we're going to test it out and see how it goes!
Here's a little preview for ya'll.
I'm going to start a mini series. And when I say mini, I mean mini.
It's a new thing for me so we're going to test it out and see how it goes!
Here's a little preview for ya'll.
Thursday, June 2, 2011
Don't Forget.
Woah! I apologize for not blogging for a while.
Well Happy June everyone! Summer is quickly approaching and I am ecstatic about it.
So last night at Incline(My Youth Group) Pastor Anthony was talking about this summer
is going to be a good one. Not just a really fun one, but a life changing one. He said he
feels like God is going to do a lot in a lot of people this summer, and I feel the same. So I
just kind of wanted to share what I feel on my heart, if that’s alright?
Ohhhhh Summertime. It’s just so fun. All the sleepovers, and pool days, and kennywood,
and hanging out all day and night with your friends, and just basking in the hot hot
sunshine. Super fun, right? Sure it is! But let’s not forget something. God. I know that we
get all caught up in all the hoopla and fun times. But don’t forget about God. I feel like
summertime can be a major tempting time. You know what I mean. Some of your friends
might have these crazy parties, and they want you to go and just hang out all night. And
probably do things that you will later regret. Pastor Anthony said something last night (
somewhere along the lines of ) about how, if we can’t look our friends (or whoever ) in
the eye and tell them that, no we don’t want to do that because it’s not pleasing to God,
that we need to check our hearts. That really got me thinkin’. How many times have we
maybe been in the car with a friend with the radio on, and a song comes on that has some
sketchy lyrics in it. What have you said? “Can you change the song, I don’t like this
song.” Okay, that’s not a lie. It’s an excuse, sometimes. I’m not really accusing anyone
here because I know that I have done this and I’ve made up excuses. But what we should
be saying is, “I don’t think God likes this song. It’s not glorifying to him. We should turn
it off.” It’s not like, you can be close with God during the school year, and then “take
off” for the summertime. Still devote so much time to him. All your time to him actually.
Still get in to his word. Don’t just forget about him over the summer. He doesn’t leave
you either. Something that I’m constantly thinking about is that ooooooold saying that I
know we’ve all probably heard atleast once, if not 20 times. That “Would you do that if
God was sitting right next to you.” IF? He IS. It makes you think. What in your life do
you need to change? I agree with Pastor Anthony that this summer is going to be a very
challenging summer for a lot of us. But I’m excited. I know God is going to do great
things. I encourage you guys to keep your hearts wide open to him, and open to what he
has and wants for you. Be open to some changes. It may be scary and hard but just
remember that he is in control. Go after God.
I hope everyone enjoys this gorgeous day today!
Well Happy June everyone! Summer is quickly approaching and I am ecstatic about it.
So last night at Incline(My Youth Group) Pastor Anthony was talking about this summer
is going to be a good one. Not just a really fun one, but a life changing one. He said he
feels like God is going to do a lot in a lot of people this summer, and I feel the same. So I
just kind of wanted to share what I feel on my heart, if that’s alright?
Ohhhhh Summertime. It’s just so fun. All the sleepovers, and pool days, and kennywood,
and hanging out all day and night with your friends, and just basking in the hot hot
sunshine. Super fun, right? Sure it is! But let’s not forget something. God. I know that we
get all caught up in all the hoopla and fun times. But don’t forget about God. I feel like
summertime can be a major tempting time. You know what I mean. Some of your friends
might have these crazy parties, and they want you to go and just hang out all night. And
probably do things that you will later regret. Pastor Anthony said something last night (
somewhere along the lines of ) about how, if we can’t look our friends (or whoever ) in
the eye and tell them that, no we don’t want to do that because it’s not pleasing to God,
that we need to check our hearts. That really got me thinkin’. How many times have we
maybe been in the car with a friend with the radio on, and a song comes on that has some
sketchy lyrics in it. What have you said? “Can you change the song, I don’t like this
song.” Okay, that’s not a lie. It’s an excuse, sometimes. I’m not really accusing anyone
here because I know that I have done this and I’ve made up excuses. But what we should
be saying is, “I don’t think God likes this song. It’s not glorifying to him. We should turn
it off.” It’s not like, you can be close with God during the school year, and then “take
off” for the summertime. Still devote so much time to him. All your time to him actually.
Still get in to his word. Don’t just forget about him over the summer. He doesn’t leave
you either. Something that I’m constantly thinking about is that ooooooold saying that I
know we’ve all probably heard atleast once, if not 20 times. That “Would you do that if
God was sitting right next to you.” IF? He IS. It makes you think. What in your life do
you need to change? I agree with Pastor Anthony that this summer is going to be a very
challenging summer for a lot of us. But I’m excited. I know God is going to do great
things. I encourage you guys to keep your hearts wide open to him, and open to what he
has and wants for you. Be open to some changes. It may be scary and hard but just
remember that he is in control. Go after God.
I hope everyone enjoys this gorgeous day today!
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
Different | Difference
It’s been a while! Wow! Almost a whole month. I apologize! I got caught up with Fine Arts and stuff and just had a lack of inspiration. BUT, I’m back now and I have a lot to say (: So bear with me here.
So Hi (: Last week at this time I was on my way to District Fine Arts! Woop woop. I was so excited. I knew Convention was only a day away. Now Convention… I really didn’t have any expectations. Not that I didn’t think anything was going to happen, I just didn’t know what to expect. Robert Madu was the speaker, and I knew that he was completely amazing so I was even more pumped. Going into extreme detail would take forever so I’m going to give you the short version. Basically at the first service I could just feel God and I knew he was going to do something totally insane that weekend and not only in me but in a lot of people in the group. Worship was great, which was a super great way to start off the night. Then Robert Madu started speaking and it was like… Insane. Hahaha. Everything he was saying was exactly exactly exactly what I needed to hear, and I’m pretty sure I’m not the only one who feels that way. On the last night a lot of chains were broken in me personally. But here’s what bugged me. It was at that point when everything was broken away that I had just started to cry. I looked up and noticed that I was getting a lot of weird looks. People were looking at me as if they had never heard someone cry before. I looked around some more and noticed that people were talking and laughing and I just got so mad. People were having life changing moments and other people were just laughing at them. The sermon that night was about going out and catching fish (people) and bringing them to God. It hurt me that these people didn’t care. But at the same time I prayed for these people because I know that they just need God. Point of all this is. Since Convention, (and a little before that) I have just been feeling like.. guys. We really really need to be standing up for God. And what we believe in. I’ve been thinking, how am I being a Godly example to other people. How am I showing others Gods love? Am I doing any of these at all? It’s a little scary when you start to think those things because you might be surprised at what your answers are. Coming back from trips everyone is always like “Oh everything is just going to go back to normal, no ones going to stay the same.” After trips everyone comes home and gets back into the swing of things. Because at retreats you are surrounded by your church friends and there are services every night and morning. And then you come home and you go back to school, with all your non Christian friends. You have services on Sundays and Wednesdays, and you go back to whatever your life is like at home. It’s like a smack in the face. You get yourself so bummed out that you practically forget what God did in you over that trip. I don’t want that to happen to myself. Or anyone. Christina over at (insert link to blog) shared this with me, http://www.i-heart.org/action.php?intid=2447 . It’s really long but it’s worth reading. I like how in the one part of it they say “God lights a fire inside of us when we go on missions and when we get back home people always try to figure out ways to keep this high. And when God lights this fire it is up to each individual’s choice to give it fuel.” That’s a spectacular way to put it. Last night I was talking to a friend and we were talking about the devil has just been attacking everyone so much since we got back. It’s scary yet exciting because you know that he’s really ticked off that we are getting so close to God. And that we are abandoning old ways. I know it’s tough to try to hang on. But I want to encourage you guys with this:
If God has set something inside your heart in some way, he has planted it there, you need to pray and continually seek and just pray that he will continue to make that thing, whatever it may be, grow inside of you. That that fire that is inside of you will just grow and grow and grow. It doesn’t have to end at retreats or Convention. You can have an insane time of worship in your bedroom. You don’t need crazy cool lights and smoke and a famous band or loud music to feel God and to be filled with him and to talk to him. Are you showing others the love that God has put inside of you? Are people going to look at you and say that you are different? Like I said I know it’s a struggle but I want to encourage you to keep trusting him. Keep praying. Keep worshipping. Keep seeking after him with all you’ve got.
“17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18 may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.” Ephesians 3:17-19.
And finally I want to say. That you are not alone. Don’t think that you are the only one struggling to stick close to God because your not. There are other people out there who are having trouble too. It’s not a bad thing to be struggling, I mean, it’s hard when the world is throwing so much stuff your way. Your friends are there to help you and encourage you and give you a push. So stand up. Be different. Don’t be afraid of what other people might think because honestly it really doesn’t matter. When all those people were looking at me like I was from another planet I just closed my eyes and continue to go after God and to give him my all. If they want to talk about me then fine. They can.
I’ve kind of set myself up with a challenge to myself. I want to be an example to people. Not just a role model in how I dress or do my hair or my make up. Nah, I don’t really care if you like my hair or my outfit. I want people to see what’s on the inside. I want the inside to be what comes across on the outside. I wanna work the bad things outta my life. Check out this verse.
13-17"Quit your worship charades.
I can't stand your trivial religious games:
Monthly conferences, weekly Sabbaths, special meetings—
meetings, meetings, meetings—I can't stand one more!
Meetings for this, meetings for that. I hate them!
You've worn me out!
I'm sick of your religion, religion, religion,
while you go right on sinning.
When you put on your next prayer-performance,
I'll be looking the other way.
No matter how long or loud or often you pray,
I'll not be listening.
And do you know why? Because you've been tearing
people to pieces, and your hands are bloody.
Go home and wash up.
Clean up your act.
Sweep your lives clean of your evildoings
so I don't have to look at them any longer.Say no to wrong.
Learn to do good.
Work for justice.
Help the down-and-out.
Stand up for the homeless.
Go to bat for the defenseless.” Isaiah 1:16-17
I can't stand your trivial religious games:
Monthly conferences, weekly Sabbaths, special meetings—
meetings, meetings, meetings—I can't stand one more!
Meetings for this, meetings for that. I hate them!
You've worn me out!
I'm sick of your religion, religion, religion,
while you go right on sinning.
When you put on your next prayer-performance,
I'll be looking the other way.
No matter how long or loud or often you pray,
I'll not be listening.
And do you know why? Because you've been tearing
people to pieces, and your hands are bloody.
Go home and wash up.
Clean up your act.
Sweep your lives clean of your evildoings
so I don't have to look at them any longer.Say no to wrong.
Learn to do good.
Work for justice.
Help the down-and-out.
Stand up for the homeless.
Go to bat for the defenseless.” Isaiah 1:16-17
If you’re wondering what version that is from it’s from The Message. I really really like how straight forward it is.
This is kind of open ended. I know that for me, personally I’m going to actually make an effort to change my ways. The choice is yours, though. I can’t make you do something but I hope this encouraged you a little. And if you’re scared or feel alone, I’m here for you. And if you want to talk feel free to Facebook message me. Go get God.
Have a great day in this gorgeous weather! (: Love you guys.
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