RIP Jordan Ryan Costa

“It’s like a Michael Bay movie!”  That’s how Jordan Costa and I would always describe our conversations.  They were full of explosions, giant robot transformations and other crazy adventures.  

Bryan pitched this idea of doing videos for announcements and, of course, Jordan and I chose to make them comedic, low-budget, action movies.  We had a great time filming them and although most of the students didn't find them entertaining, Jordan and I would be in the back of the youth room laughing (sometimes with tears!) because we thought they were the best things ever.   

Apart from filming ridiculous videos, we would often talk about ministry.  Jordan was younger than I, but he had wisdom far beyond his years.  He always wanted to know what people’s ‘perspective’ was on certain topics. He was always reading books and listening to podcasts.  He probably could have preached a message on every verse in the book of Jeremiah!

Jordan and I lived in the parsonage together.  I grew up with two older sisters so he was like the brother I never had.  And like a brother, we often had our disagreements.  We butt heads like brothers, we got mad at each other for trivial things like brothers, but at the end of the day we were just that…brothers.  Brothers in Christ, brothers in ministry, and brothers in our friendship.

Yesterday I left work early to attend his wedding.  I was happy to see Heather and Jordan smile as the wedding they worked so hard to plan came into fruition. And as I left their reception, I hugged Jordan and told him I was happy for him.  

This morning, I heard the news that he an his new wife were in a tragic car accident.  Heather and Jordan were rushed to the hospital.  Heather was in stable condition and Jordan was in critical condition.  Unfortunately, Jordan didn't make it.

Words cannot describe the feeling of losing a friend.  Especially a friend who was the happiest man in the world 24 hours ago.  

Anyone who knew Jordan knew that he loved Jesus; they knew he loved Heather, and they knew he loved youth ministry.  The reality hasn't quite sunk in yet, and I don’t know if it ever will.

But I know one day, I’ll see my friend again in Heaven.  I imagine us both laughing as one of us turns to the other and says “I thought there’d be more explosions.”

I miss you buddy:

RIP Jordan Ryan Costa 4/23/1992-5/19/2013

Freedom In Christ

I spoke last Sunday on freedom in Christ.  I've taken my notes and converted them into a blog.  I've changed and added some things too.

Freedom in Christ is something that I've been studying lately and I think it's important to understand what it really means to be free in Christ.  By understanding freedom in Christ we are more equipped to show others the way to freedom and in order to understand it, we have to ask ourselves 3 very important questions.

1. What have we been set free from?
2. How have we been set free?
3. Why were we set free?

By answering these three questions, we can understand the gospel message of Jesus much more clearly.

Question 1: What have we been set free from?

Galatians 5:1(ESV) says "For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery."

We have been set free from things in this life that weigh us down. However, Paul warns us not to submit to those things again. In other words, even though we have been set free, we shouldn't pick up our old burdens and keep carrying them.

A yoke could either be a beam that joined two oxen together, or it could be a beam of wood that was held behind the neck of a person to help them carry something that was heavy. Either way, a yoke was something synonymous with 'heavy burden' and 'slavery'.

There are really two burdens that we've been set free from.
1. The law.

Galatians 5:16-26
"16 But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. 17 For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. 19 Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, 20 idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, 21 envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. 24 And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another."

Many people look at this as a to-do and a to-don't list. But notice how it is 'works' of the flesh vs. 'fruit' of the spirit, not 'works' of the flesh vs. 'works' of the spirit? That's because these things are produced by the spirit in us. They take time to grow and mature and these things don't happen over night.

We no longer have to earn our way to God. The law has been fulfilled. The law was the symbol of our debt to God for the sin of man. Man spent about 5,000ish years or so trying to pay of the debt but never made a dent in the payment. God then sent His son Jesus to pay off the debt for us. It was not our doing, not because we deserved it (because we didn't) nor was it because God was obligated to do it, but it was all about grace.

We've been set free from earning God's favor through the law and we've been set free from the laws that keep us from obtaining a relationship from God.

Now, it's true that sin does separate us from God. But the chasm that sin creates is NEVER larger than the bridge of salvation that has been built for us.

1 Timothy 2:5
"5 For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, 6 who gave himself as a ransom for all, which is the testimony given at the proper time."

A mediator is one who stands in the middle of a conflict and resolves it. Jesus stood in the middle of God's punishment for us so that we could confidently approach God with our needs and our burdens. Hebrews 4:16 says "Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need." We can approach God with anything!

Ephesians 2:19-20
"For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father. 19 So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, 20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone"

We are no longer strangers but we are now members of God's household! We are considered family, not distant cousins, but immediate family to God! We have inherited eternal life because we are part of the family!

2. We are also free from sin and death.

Romans 8:1-2
"1 There is therefore now no condemnation (yoke of slavery) for those who are in Christ Jesus. 2 For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death."

To be condemned means to be declared guilty or to receive blame. There is NO blame or guilt in us when we are free in Christ! We are no longer defined by our mistakes. Alcoholism, abuse, hatred, lust, those things don't define us anymore.

Romans 5:18-21
"18 Therefore, as one trespass led to condemnation for all men, so one act of righteousness leads to justification and life for all men. 19 For as by the one man's disobedience the many were made sinners, so by the one man's obedience the many will be made righteous. 20 Now the law came in to increase the trespass, but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more, 21 so that, as sin reigned in death, grace also might reign through righteousness leading to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord."

We are made righteous by one man's obedience. That man is Jesus Christ.

How have we been set free?

John 3:16-18
16 "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. 18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God."

There's something really important in this passage. Once we believe that Jesus died for us and rose again, that's it! We are free! We haven't been freed from these yokes of slavery because what we had done, but because of what He has done for us.

(Ephesians 2:1-10.)
"1 And you were dead in the trespasses and sins 2 in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience— 3 among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind."

This is pretty sad, but in verse 4 we see two of the most hope-filled words in the Bible "But God"

4 But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, 5 even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— 6 and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7 so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

Verse 8 answers that question plainly. We, because of God's grace, have been saved by our faith in Jesus. We were captives of the law and captives of our own desires. We were prisoners, not innocent, but guilty prisoners.

God who is just, sent His son to die and pay the penalty. There had to be a payment for our sin, we were guilty, and the sentence of our sin had to be served. The wages of sin is death, and Jesus took the payment of sin for us on the cross.

Jesus paid our debt and asked for nothing in return. The only thing we have to do is believe and trust in Him. That's grace. It's like someone handing you a $1,000,000 check. You'll be a millionaire, as long as you cash the check.

3. Why were we set free?

We received freedom from these things, like verse 9 says "not a result of works, so that no one may boast." But so we can showcase how good God is. Verse 10 also says that we are saved for good works. Our lives should boast of God's grace. Our lives should be a reflection of what God has done in our lives.

Romans 6: 14-23
"14 For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under law but under grace. 15 What then? Are we to sin because we are not under law but under grace? By no means! 16 Do you not know that if you present yourselves to anyone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin, which leads to death, or of obedience, which leads to righteousness? 17 But thanks be to God, that you who were once slaves of sin have become obedient from the heart to the standard of teaching to which you were committed, 18 and, having been set free from sin, have become slaves of righteousness. 19 I am speaking in human terms, because of your natural limitations. For just as you once presented your members as slaves to impurity and to lawlessness leading to more lawlessness, so now present your members as slaves to righteousness leading to sanctification.
20 For when you were slaves of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness. 21 But what fruit were you getting at that time from the things of which you are now ashamed? For the end of those things is death. 22 But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the fruit you get leads to sanctification and its end, eternal life. 23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord."

Paul addresses the issue of 'having a right to sin' because we are given free grace.  Since we are free does that mean we are free to sin because grace is freely given? No, not at all!  Because by continuing to sin we are continuing to live under the yoke of slavery that we had been set free from.

In other words.  Someone who struggles with alcoholism doesn't have the right to keep on getting drunk.  However, God WILL forgive them every time.  There will, though, be consequences for those actions.  Which may include broken relationships, feelings of regret, and various health problems including death by alcohol poisoning.

Or how about this analogy:
Imagine a parent telling their ten-year-old child to make sure their room is clean.  Even if the child doesn't clean their room, the parent still loves the child and the parent still cares for the child.  The child may be grounded for their disobedience, and suffer consequences for those actions, but the parent isn't going to throw a ten-year-old out on the street for being disobedient.  Now, does the child 'have a right' to disobey their parent because they know they will never be thrown out of the house?  No!  Because by disobeying, they are allowing consequences of their disobedience to take place in their lives and they are also missing out on the valuable lesson the parent is trying to teach.

When we disobey God by sinning, we aren't 'losing our salvation' but we are allowing negative consequences to enter our lives and we are missing out on the lessons that God is trying to teach us.  (Although, making a conscious effort to walk away from your relationship with God is a totally different story and I could post an entire blog on my opinions of this.)

So, we are not saved to sin, but we are, as Pastor Rocky says "saved to serve."

The language Paul uses here is strange. He says that we are slaves to Christ. That seems a bit ironic that we are free from the law and free from sin only to be captive again by Christ.

It says that we are slaves to the one we obey, and we are either obeying the flesh or obeying God. Being a slave to God is better because "The wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord."
We were once slaves to sin working towards death. Now we are slaves to Christ, working towards sanctification.

Sanctification means "the state of growing in divine grace as a result of Christian commitment after conversion" In other words, it means the process of becoming more like Christ. Our labor is no longer in vain. Our works now bring glory to God. Producing the 'fruit of the spirit' in our lives serves as a testimony of who God is.

Living to serve God is difficult. Many times I feel like it's either too tough or I'm not doing a good job. But I'm often reminded of Jesus' words in Matthew 11:28-30

"28 Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."

The weight of sin is greater than the weight of serving God. Jesus gives us a much lighter burden to carry and a much more worthwhile purpose than that of anything this world can offer.

Thanks for reading!

-JD Wayt

New year, new blog!

Last Thursday was my first day back in the office since early December.  Everything went back to normal …well…sort of.

Thursday was also my first day not interning under Bryan Ball.  Bryan resigned and his last official day was Wednesday the 2nd.  And while I'm happy and 100% supportive for what God has planned for Bryan and Brittany, I'm feeling really overwhelmed and uncertain about the future.

I know God will always come through, He's never failed before, but Zac and I were talking about how easy it is to forget the faithfulness of God when we're in times of uncertainty.  When the Hebrew slaves were brought out of Egypt and they saw God part the Red Sea through Moses, they were sure that God was going to provide for them; yet, chapters later in Exodus, they ask Moses if he lead them into the desert to die.  It's so easy to forget God's faithfulness in times of uncertainty.

In Psalm 77:11 Asaph says 'I will remember the deeds of the LORD; yes, I will remember Your miracles of long ago."

In this Psalm, Asaph looks back and remembers the times where God has proved His faithfulness. As I sit here in Starbucks, remembering the good times I had interning under Bryan, fighting tears and getting strange looks, I remember the fact that at the end of 2011 I had no idea that God had one of the most incredible years in store for me.

When I first signed on to this internship I was uncertain.  I felt like I wasn't good enough.  I spend the beginning of 2011 playing church while living completely different outside of church.  God convicted me and I changed, but I held on to my mistakes from the past.  I figured God had given up on using me to do the things He wanted to do through me. 

I remember before I interned I told Bryan I needed more time to decide weather or not I should.  I prayed and I felt like I should go for it, so I did.  I remember at the beginning of 2012 I felt like I didn't deserve ministry, and I felt like I wasn't good enough for it.  I felt like giving me this internship was like giving a 2 year old a fragile and expensive gift. 

But when I look back on how 2012 actually went,  I'm completely blown away.  God used me to do incredible things.  I saw incredible changes in some of our students, and to be a part of someone's walk with God when I wasn't even sure mine was as good as it should have been, was easily the most mind-blowing thing of my entire life. 

I was driving down I-94 on my way to the office and I was thinking about everything God had done this past year, my eyes welled up with tears as the Holy Spirit began to speak to me.

"I never doubted for a second that I called you

I never gave up on you

And even when you were far from Me I knew I could redeem you

Because My sheep know My voice."

How good it is to hear, know, and listen to His voice (John 10:27)!

I'm reminded of my favorite lyrics from the hymn 'In Christ Alone':

"No guilt in life, no fear in death,

This is the power of Christ in me;

From life's first cry to final breath.

Jesus commands my destiny.

No power of hell, no scheme of man,

Can ever pluck me from His hand;

Till He returns or calls me home,

Here in the power of Christ I'll stand."

Nothing can pluck me from His hand because I hear His voice calling me out of the darkness into the light where I can stand! I think that's one of the biggest realizations that I've had in a long time.

 

Back in June we took a trip to Colorado for desperation 2k12.  The closer we got to the mountains, the more I realized how big the mountains actually were. Last year, as I got closer to God, the more I realized how big His mercy is, how big His love is, how big His greatness is.

It's a new year, and I'm confused as all get out.  I'm one year closer to my future but it's as unclear as ever…but, as I finish my internship under Zac Weaks, lead a full band on Sunday mornings for U1jh, and continue to preach the good news of Jesus Christ, I'll be hard not to have one of the most exciting and mind-blowing years of my life!

Hooorahhhhh for 2013!

-JDWayt

Patience

Sorry for posting this so late. I guess it serves as a good example of patience haha. I've still been blogging on allabout1.tv though so check that out!

So first things first. I like how the ASV calls patience 'longsuffering'.

We tend to think of patience as waiting for our food in a drive-thru. Or we think having patience is waiting ten minuets for an app to download.The truth is that patience is more than just waiting for stuff. We can't just sit around and wait for things to happen. The times where we have to be patient are times where we should be in preparation.

Patience is not synonymous with laziness. A lot of people (myself included) confuse patience with laziness. We figure that if God is going to do something great in us, we just have to sit around and wait for it to happen. It doesn't work that way, we need to be willing to work hard in times of patience.

Being patient with God isn't always easy, but we have to understand that some things take time. Also, God's desire is for changes to take place in our hearts and minds. For example, God doesn't want us to live in debt. However, having patience in that situation doesn't mean you wait outside your mailbox for a huge check, it means learning to pay off your debts slowly but surely. It'll take time, it won't be easy, but it will change your spending habits so you wont fall into that trap again. God will move, God will provide, and He will most certainly be there every step of the way. However, patience is work. We know that God's ways are higher than our ways. We should be good stewards and work until God moves.

Being patient with others is also tough. We easily get mad when others don't change as fast we think they should. But again, if it bothers us that much, we can't just sit around and wait for them to change. Pray for them, talk to them (In love of course), and be willing to help them. When someone is treating you like garbage, it's tough to be patient with them. But patience is a fruit that is rarely seen before it is fully ripened. Unlimited forgiveness will pay off in this area, maybe not in this life, but it will. One of my favorite Relient K quotes is "The end will justify the pain it took to get us there." Patience or lonsuffering that endures until the end will not be easy, but it will be worth it.

Patience with ourselves is more important that I think people realize. We are new creations in Christ, but we are also changing more and more to be like Him. That takes a long time. Most of us want to be free from sin, but how many of us are willing to do the work to get better? It will take time. All of us have a sin nature that we were born with, life with Christ is unnatural in a sense. It's a life that is different than what our culture and our desires would expect. We are in the world but not of the world. Living like Christ takes time, it's something that we have to learn. I didn't know math from the time I was born. I had to learn it. I had to start with the basics and mature a little bit before I could move on to things that were more complex. There were things I didn't understand at first but I knew that if I worked at it long enough I'd get it.

I remember when I first felt the call to youth ministry. I was so scared that I couldn't do it. I felt like I wasn't good enough, and I didn't know what I was doing. I was right. I can honestly say though, that God has done a tremendous work in me, I still have a ton to learn, but He is changing me. I have more confidence in my calling now than I ever have before, and my future is less intimidating and more exciting now than it has ever been. I've learned to be patient with myself and trust that I'll get it some day.
So, my challenge for you today is to be patient. Whether you struggle with unforgiveness, addiction, hatred, pride, or whatever, I challenge you to persevere, endure and be patient until the end. Be active in your patience, don't be lazy.

Thanks for reading!
-JDWayt

Peace.

Peace.
 Most of the time when I think of peace I think of hippies holding signs that say something like "Make love not war." We typically think peace is something that comes naturally and that war and quarrels and stress are things that are unnatural. That's not the case. The truth is that disagreements naturally lead to quarrels. Peace isn't something that comes naturally it's something that needs to be made and maintained.

 Peace with God was impossible before Jesus. This is the beauty of the gospel, Jesus died and rose again bridging the gap between humanity and God. Peace with God just requires us to accept that Jesus is who he said he was and to have a personal relationship with Him.

 Peace with others requires something as well. In Ephesians, Paul says not to let the sun go down while you are angry with your neighbor. We need to make sure that our disagreements and quarrels with others are taken care of.
 Making peace does NOT mean keeping quiet and holding everything in. Sometimes the best possible thing you can do is voice your opinions and concerns so everything doesn't get bottled up inside. Making peace between you and your neighbor means being mature and discussing your differences and opinions.
 Stephen Covey said in his book 7 Habits of Highly Successful People "Seek first to understand, then to be understood." I think that little proverb can go a long way in making peace with your neighbor.

 Finally, you have to make peace with your self. Here it comes full circle. Once you have a relationship with God you don't have to beat yourself up over your past. Even in circumstances I can't control, I have peace knowing that no matter what, God is with me.

Thanks for reading, I'm going camping next week so you'll just have to be patient ;)


- Jdwayt

Joy

 It's not hard to make me happy. I'm happy when I get paid on thursdays, I'm happy when I'm serving at the church, I'm happy when I'm spending time with my girlfriend but all of these things are temporary.There are a lot of things in this world that can make me happy, but there are very few things that bring me joy.
 Joy is different than happiness. Joy is something that is long term. Just like love isn't always emotional, Joy isn't always happiness. Like all fruit there are times when they are in season out of season. If you had an apple tree in your back yard and I saw it in mid December, it wouldn't be bearing any fruit, but if it's healthy you can confidently tell me that it will bear fruit in it's appropriate season.
 When people go through tough times, it's hard for them to bring joy to others. But if they are spiritually healthy they will bring joy in the appropriate season.
 So. How do we bring joy to God? This is pretty simple, by bringing glory to His name. In Psalm 147:10-11 God is delighted when we put our faith in Him. We should strive daily to bring Joy to God. We should trust Him with our finances, our relationships, our future, literally everything should be %100 in God's hands.
 If we want to bring joy to God, we can't invite Him to follow us. We have to follow Him.
 Bringing Joy to others is a lot like loving others. Bringing joy to others doesn't always mean making them happy. Bringing joy to others means doing things for them without asking for anything in return. I was at Open Door Ministry earlier today, I bagged food to hand out to people. Some of those people will never see me. They will never know that I spent three hours placing frozen meatballs in plastic bags, but it doesn't matter. I know that someone who is struggling to make ends meet will now have food for the next week. Their circumstance might not change, but they will be joyful in the fact that are being cared for by God's people.
 Now for bringing joy to ourselves. We can take joy in serving God. This is the best thing about joy. Bringing joy to others and bringing joy to God will also make us joyful. Remember that this is different than happiness. Serving God and others won't always make us happy, but we will have the long term feeling of joy that we are living out our purpose, to bring honor to the name of Jesus Christ.

 Sorry I haven't been able to blog the past two weeks. Last week was the 4th and the week before that I was in Colorado. However, every Monday I blog on allabout1.tv. Check it everyday for blogs by me and the rest of the Under1 crew!

Thanks for reading!
-JDwayt

Love

 Love is the greatest commandment. God is love. Love is greater than faith and hope. Love never fails. These are all things the Bible says about love. It's important to know that love doesn't always do what is popular or favored but love always does what's best. Love doesn't tickle ears and pluck heartstrings, love fights tough battles and isn't always welcomed. Telling people what they want to hear isn't love because you don't really care about them, you only care about their opinion of you. I think it's important to understand this before we dive into what it means to love God, others and yourself.
 One of the teachers of the law came and heard them debating. Noticing that Jesus had given them a good answer, he asked him, "Of all the commandments, which is the most important?" "The most important one," answered Jesus, "is this: 'Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.' The second is this: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no commandment greater than these." "Well said, teacher," the man replied. "You are right in saying that God is one and there is no other but him. To love him with all your heart, with all your understanding and with all your strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself is more important than all burnt offerings and sacrifices." When Jesus saw that he had answered wisely, he said to him, "You are not far from the kingdom of God." And from then on no one dared ask him any more questions. (Mark 12:28-34 NIV)
 "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength." That's the greatest commandment. The number one reason we should be living life is to bring glory to God. In everything, in our workplace, in our schools, in our homes, we should be showcasing our love for God.
 Loving God is important. How can we love other imperfect people if we can't love a perfect God. I think that's why this is the greatest commandment. We have to have a deep, personal, loving relationship with God before we can really understand what love is.
 The second greatest commandment is "Love your neighbor as yourself". Loving others is important but it's not easy either. In 1 Corinthians 13, Paul give a perfect description of what love is. The hardest part of living out that list is the fact that all those characteristics are unconditional. Love is ALWAYS kind, love is ALWAYS patient, love ALWAYS perseveres etc.
 I'll be the first to admit that I love people conditionally. There are coworkers, customers, and other people that I 'love' because they are nice to me. There are other people who I'm not so quick to love because it doesn't help me out in the end.
 Jesus loved the people everyone else hated. Jesus loved them unconditionally and he loved them without asking anything in return. Jesus loved tax collectors but never asked for money, he loved prostitutes but never asked for sex, he loved servants only to serve them in return. I think that shows us a perfect picture of loving others in action.
 God so loved the world that He gave, and didn't condemn. That's how our love for others should be. We need to love without condemnation. Condemning others as Christians makes God's love seem exclusive, and it isn't. It is freely given.
 Next, we need to learn to love ourselves unconditionally. The world tells us to love ourselves when we are successful. We think that because we didn't get that job or because we didn't get approved for that loan, or that a marriage didn't work out that we are failures and that we are unworthy of being loved. I failed the same English composition class in college three times and one of my hobbies is writing. I understand it's easier to fall into the lie that we have no value because we have no net worth, we have no value because we are unsuccessful, we are worthless because we are failures.
 The truth is that Jesus saw enough value in each and every one of us that he was WILLING to die a brutal death so that we could have eternal fellowship with him. He conquered sin and death, not for his own sake, but for ours. He took all of the responsibility and put it on himself because, apparently, we have value. Jesus bought us with a price, not a bargain-basement-clearance-special-offer price, but a full price that cost him his own life.

You guys are awesome,

- Jdwayt

Series: Fruit of the spirit.

 Apples are delicious but not all apple trees are created equal. One time I was walking with my cousin and we came across a crabapple tree. I thought crabapples were just smaller apples so I bit into it and it was bitter and gross. I know now to stay away from crab apples but the only way I can tell the difference between a crabapple tree and a regular apple tree is by the fruit.
 It's the same way in Christianity. Religious people are just like Christians right? Until you find out that they are bitter and gross just like crabapples. The only way to tell the difference is by their fruit.
 Now I don't mean to be judgmental, nor do I intend to condemn anyone because they are imperfect. (I would just be condemning myself.) My intentions are to study what it really means to have a Godly character. I want to bear the best fruit possible. So what what fruit should I bear.
 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self‑control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other. (Galatians 5:22-26 NIV84)
 Alright, so let's get right into it. Every week we're going to look at a different fruit and see how it applies to our relationship with God, others and ourselves.
  It's easier to spot an apple tree in a desert than it is in a forest. What I mean by that is that it's easier to spot love where love doesn't normally grow. It's important to demonstrate these Godly characteristics when it's not 'normal' to do so. So, when times are difficult I have to ask myself this:
Do I love when it's easier to hate
Do I bring joy when it's easier to bring sorrow
Do I bring peace when it's easier to star a conflict
Am I patient when it's easier to jump the gun.
Am I kind when I "have the right to be angry"
Am I good when being bad has better rewards
Am I faithful when it's easier to give up and give in
Am I gentle when I want to be harsh
Do I show self-control when it's easier lose control?
 What sacrifices am I willing to make for the name of Jesus?
I'm really excited to start this series. I want to dig and dive in to what it means to have a Godly character.

- Jdwayt

My blogging advice.

There is very little I can offer you. I've been blogging since I was about 15 years old. Here I am 7 years later and I don't have much to show for it. But blogging has been a hobby of mine and believe it or not, I've learned a thing or two about blogging.

1. What is your theme?
Mine is my life as a Christ follower. I share with my readers the work that Christ is doing in me so that they can also learn from it.
Stick to your theme. It's what gets people to keep coming back. People want to know what they're expecting when they read your blogs.

2. Post. Edit. Write.
This is what my time consists of on Wednesdays.
First I post a blog. The next thing I do is edit another blog so it's ready for the next week. The last thing I do is write a blog. I might not have the time or the creative energy to write on Wednesday but it's ok because I'm already a week ahead. I work ahead to avoid pressure.

4. Make time.
If you read my blog from a couple weeks ago you already know what this is about. It's important that you set aside a time specifically for the purpose of blogging. Use that time to do the less creative and more laborious parts of blogging. Like editing and posting and promoting for example.

5. Do what you do no matter what.
This is probably the most important point. Keep in mind it's YOUR blog. Even if you are the only one that reads it (and I have a ton of posts that nobody has read) its fine because it's still a part of who you are.


Anyways that's it. I hope it helps. Next week I'm starting a 'series' and it's going to be a lot of fun! (For me anyway).
- Jdwayt

My New Job

  So I started a new job. I like it. The people at my new job are nicer. My new job is easier and my new job is one step closer to my dream job. It wasn't too bad of a transition because my new job is actually with the same company as my old job. In fact it's the exact same position at the exact same location as my last job because...well...it's the same job.

  Truth is, I feel like I have a new job but it's really just a matter of perspective.I read the book Quitter by Jon Acuff and it's really helped me 'fall in like with a job I don't love.' One of the things Jon suggests is to make a list of things that are parallel between your day job and your dream job. My dream job is to be a youth pastor. So here are some things I like about my day job.

1. I get to do something I like and something I need.
  I work customer service at a retail store. 85% of our guests have some sort of issue that needs to be fixed. I get to listen to people and help them with problems. It's customer service and that's what ministry is, service. I get to serve people everyday, some are more difficult than others, but it's a good way to strengthen my patience.

2. I get to do something I don't like, but I need.
  I'm a 'people pleaser'. I don't like telling people what they don't want to hear. But there are times where I have to tell a customer that they can't return something or that we can't order something or their coupons/sale paper are out of date. Some people get angry and others get disappointed. It forces me to think, though, about what I can do. If we don't have something, what other stores do? If they can't return something, can they exchange it? I'm forced to tell people what they don't want to hear and I'm also forced to think of a way I can still help.

3. I have some surprising inspirational moments considering it's retail.
  My favorite customers are the ones that come up to me super angry/flustered but they end up walking away happy. I love turning someone's attitude around. It makes me feel like I was a good part of their day. I also love when my job doesn't feel like work.

  I helped a lady out to her car once. She was an older lady and she couldn't push her cart. I helped her out to her car and she was so happy. She said she couldn't give me any money so she just gave me a hug...and I'm glad she didn't give me money. Number one I'm not allowed to take it, but taking money would also have made it feel like work. Taking a hug makes it feel like I actually helped somebody. And I did.

  Truthfully, I think anyone can find fulfillment in their job. Find a way to be you in your job.

  There's something you can find I'm sure. If you're a photographer and you work in fast food, you're a writer but you unload trucks in a warehouse, you're an athlete but you work at a desk job, no matter what I can guarantee there is some sort of fulfillment you can find in your job.


Anyway, thanks for reading!

- Jdwayt

The difference between finding time and making time.

 I have a problem. I have a lot of hobbies but I can never find time to spend on them. I'm either too tired, too hungry, too busy, too stressed or whatever I can think of. It doesn't matter how much I want to do something, finding time is impossible.

 Which is why it is important to make time for the things that are important. Making time is different than finding time. Making time means you set aside part of your day for a specific purpose. For example, I have and event on my calendar called 'Blog time'. Every Wednesday I devote 1pm-2pm for blogging. I use that time to post, edit, and write blogs. It's much easier than trying to find extra time to blog.

 I think of it like this: expecting to find time is like expecting to find money. Saying "I'll find time to spend with God next week." is like saying "I'll find money for my car insurance next week." Expecting to stumble upon extra money is absurd, and so is expecting to stumble upon extra time.

 The truth is that we are habitual beings. It's way easier to do something if we schedule our time around it and make it a routine. We do this all the time. We set time aside for boring mundane things like work or school, we even schedule things like dentist appointments every six months. If we can set time aside for the things we don't like doing, doesn't it make sense to set time aside for the things we do like doing?

 We make time for our jobs and other important events, we schedule things and we expect to do them during a set time. It should be the same with hobbies or spending time with God.


Anyways that's what I've learned. Thanks for reading!


- Jdwayt

I'm desperate

  I'm desperate for a girlfriend. Yep. I've managed to fool most people, they think my singleness doesn't bother me because I've been single for so long. But the truth is that it does bother me.

  I'm more desperate than most people. Most people go from one relationship to another because they are 'desperate'. Not me. I'm so desperate that I'm not willing to be in a relationship that won't work. I'm desperate for a real relationship that is beneficial to other areas of my life. I'm not just looking for a relationship, I'm looking for someone to change my life forever.

  My desperateness gets me thinking. Am I the same way with my relationship with God? Or am I willing to settle for a relationship that won't work, where I don't really care about the other person I just don't want to feel alone? A relationship that crumbles when it's not convenient?

  I want to be truly desperate for God. I want a real committed relationship. An I'm-in-for-good-no-matter-what kind of relationship. A relationship that is honored even when no one is around. A relationship that absolutely turns my world upside down.

I think that's what it means to follow Christ; an unrelenting pursuit after a real, everyday, life consuming relationship with Jesus Christ.

This blog didn't turn out the way you thought it would huh?

Thanks for reading!
- Jdwayt

Alright time to get back into this.

I've recently been inspired by my favorite blogger/author, Jon Acuff. I was watching some of his youtube videos on blogging and I've decided to start blogging again.

However I'm not going to blog daily because I don't have the time nor the energy to do so. So I've set a time to blog. It's Wednesdays at 2pm. I have plenty of time to blog then. I'm guaranteed to be awake then and I'm free until 4pm on those days. So in other words, it's prime time for blogging then.

The second thing I'm going to do differently is I'm going to write blogs at least one week in advance. This way if I'm ever in a rush. I'll still have a blog out by the time it's 'due'.

Finally the third different thing I'm going to do is stray away from blogging from a chapter in the Bible. Not that it was bad. In fact I really enjoyed doing it, but I feel like my blogs should be more personal and practical.

With that being said, I'm not going to quit blogging about chapters in the Bible. In fact, I may do a series about the life of David or the gospels or something of that nature but for the next few weeks anyway I'm going to blog about the general things I've learned.

Oh and here's the video that got me back into bloging.


Jon Acuff's video.


Thanks for reading,

-JDWayt

Blogpress test.

I'm going to try posting a blog from Blogpress on my iPad...let's see how well it works. This is just a summary of last week as an intern at Under1.



This week has brought a lot of changes. I've learned so many things in such a short period of time. These changes have taught me some great things about ministry and responsibility. I'm not only learning, but I'm also doing what God has called me to do and that is the greatest feeling I can ever experience.
The first learning experience I had was moving in. That's when it kicked in that I was making a huge step. I realized that this ministry is going to require me to step up and take on more responsibilities. I know that these responsibilities will challenge me mentally, physically, and spiritually but the end result is something I am looking forward to.
The first day at the office was great. I was really excited about being apart of what goes on behind the scenes at Under1. The areas of ministry that no ones sees are often times more important than the ones that take place in the spotlight. I don't think I did anything extremely important, but I know that the phone calls, e-mails, copies, or whatever will be a part of something greater.
I learned to 'draw circles in the sand'. In other words, I learned that I need to pray fervently and seriously. I need to pray expecting a response from God, even if it's not the one I prefer or expect. I also learned that the first step is to ask.
Open door ministry was great. Serving people was awesome. I was surprised to see so many teenagers volunteering. Many of them were there to get community service hours, but Steve brought up the point that it's a great opportunity to invite some of these students to Under1. I'm excited to serve at ODM.
Sunday was a big day for me. I had to preach for the first time. It was much more difficult than I expected. I'll have to work on my public speaking skills. I've realized that I'm a better writer than speaker. I'm usually the type to get straight to the point so I need to focus on elaborating the areas that introduce and reinforce my points.
Overall this week has been crazy. Again I feel like I'm at a point where I'm doing more and getting less recognition. This is a good thing because He must become greater and I must become less. This week I've had less free time, less money at the end of the week, less sleep, less things to boast about, but I've given more honor to the name of Jesus Christ and that is greatest accomplishment I can ever hope to achieve.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Acts 7

Acts 7:54-60 (NIV84)

"54 When they heard this, they were furious and gnashed their teeth at him. 55 But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. 56 “Look,” he said, “I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.”  57 At this they covered their ears and, yelling at the top of their voices, they all rushed at him, 58 dragged him out of the city and began to stone him. Meanwhile, the witnesses laid their clothes at the feet of a young man named Saul.  59 While they were stoning him, Stephen prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” 60 Then he fell on his knees and cried out, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” When he had said this, he fell asleep."

There are two things that really stick out to me here.

1. Verse 57.  They refused to hear the message that Stephen was preaching.  Revival isn't easy, and revival certainly won't be accepted by all people. Some people will accept the Truth and others might not, but we shouldn't let rejection stop us from preaching the gospel.  Stephen knew he was going to get stoned by the people, but he didn't even let death stop him from spreading the gospel.


2. Stephen forgave them.  It's important that during times of persecution and rejection that we don't hate our persecutors or those who rejected us.  Our number one desire shouldn't be revenge but it should be the redemption of our enemies.

Anyways, kind of short tonight but thanks for reading!

-JDWayt

Acts 6

Acts 6 is a short chapter, therefore, this will be a short blog.

Acts 6:1-7 (NIV84)

"1 In those days when the number of disciples was increasing, the Grecian Jews among them complained against the Hebraic Jews because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food. 2 So the Twelve gathered all the disciples together and said, “It would not be right for us to neglect the ministry of the word of God in order to wait on tables. 3 Brothers, choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will turn this responsibility over to them 4 and will give our attention to prayer and the ministry of the word.”  5 This proposal pleased the whole group. They chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit; also Philip, Procorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas from Antioch, a convert to Judaism. 6 They presented these men to the apostles, who prayed and laid their hands on them.  7 So the word of God spread. The number of disciples in Jerusalem increased rapidly, and a large number of priests became obedient to the faith."


Basically there was a conflict in how the food was being distributed in the early church.  The apostles decided that it wouldn't make any sense to take time out of preaching the gospel to do grunt work.  So they appointed seven men to make sure the situation was handled properly.

There are a few points that I really got out of all this.

1. Leaders can't do everything.  Although the apostles were doing miraculous things, they still couldn't be two places at once.  They had to appoint people to do a seemingly small job to make sure that the word of God was still being spread.

It's the same way at Under1.  As an intern I'm given easy tasks like setting up chairs, inputting lyrics into Pro Presenter, taking bottles back, pretty much grunt work.  But it wouldn't make sense for Bryan to sacrifice his time and energy into those things if it takes away from him spreading the gospel.  So, whenever I'm given a task, I have to make sure it's done well.  The smoother things go on the grunt work end, the easier it is to preach the gospel.

2. Out of that small ministry came Stephen.  Stephen was recognized as being full of the Spirit and wisdom.  Stephen had a heart for God and he was willing to take a behind-the-scenes role for the kingdom. Who would have thought that a man who was in charge of making sure widows were fed would be the first martyr?  Sometimes it's hard to remember that even the little things matter.  And if we are faithful with the little things, than God can trust us with big things.

well that's it tonight, thanks for reading

-JDWayt

Acts 5 (Part 2)

Ok so this Acts blog is coming along nicely.



Acts 5:38-39 (NIV84)

"38 Therefore, in the present case I advise you: Leave these men alone! Let them go! For if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail. 39 But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God.” "

This is pretty amazing.  The events that took place in the book of Acts happened almost two thousand years ago.  Here we are many many years later and we're still telling people about Jesus.

I think this can also give us hope.  If our intentions for revival are to glorify God, then we can be sure that things are going to work out.  If they are about ourselves, than we are destined to fail.

Acts 5:41-42 (NIV84)

"41 The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name. 42 Day after day, in the temple courts and from house to house, they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Christ. "

The apostles rejoiced in their suffering.   They rejoiced because  they were becoming less and He was becoming more.

Anyways, tonight's post was kind of short.  It was actually supposed to be a part of last night's.

Thanks for reading!
-JDWayt

Acts 5 (part 1)

ok  so I have quite a bit for Acts 5 as well.

Acts 5:1-11 (NIV84)


"1 Now a man named Ananias, together with his wife Sapphira, also sold a piece of property. 2 With his wife's full knowledge he kept back part of the money for himself, but brought the rest and put it at the apostles' feet.  3 Then Peter said, “Ananias, how is it that Satan has so filled your heart that you have lied to the Holy Spirit and have kept for yourself some of the money you received for the land? 4 Didn't it belong to you before it was sold? And after it was sold, wasn't the money at your disposal? What made you think of doing such a thing? You have not lied to men but to God.”  5 When Ananias heard this, he fell down and died. And great fear seized all who heard what had happened. 6 Then the young men came forward, wrapped up his body, and carried him out and buried him.  7 About three hours later his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. 8 Peter asked her, “Tell me, is this the price you and Ananias got for the land?” “Yes,” she said, “that is the price.”   9 Peter said to her, “How could you agree to test the Spirit of the Lord? Look! The feet of the men who buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out also.”  10 At that moment she fell down at his feet and died. Then the young men came in and, finding her dead, carried her out and buried her beside her husband. 11 Great fear seized the whole church and all who heard about these events. "

Ok so I know it's a lot of verses but bare with me.  The reason God struck down Ananias and Sapphira was because they lacked integrity.  Revival requires integrity.  I've said it before but it's worth saying again.  Revival isn't about a growth in numbers or a growth in fame or a growth in finances.  Although those things usually are associated with revival, the only thing that matters is how much of it is focused on Jesus.

Integrity is important.  We need to be people who are willing to prove our integrity.  I think the biggest part of integrity is honesty.  I heard a saying once that stuck with me.  "It's better to confess than it is to admit."  It would have been better for Ananias and Sapphira to confess that they had held on to some of the money.


Acts 5:12-16 (NIV84)

"12 The apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders among the people. And all the believers used to meet together in Solomon's Colonnade. 13 No one else dared join them, even though they were highly regarded by the people. 14 Nevertheless, more and more men and women believed in the Lord and were added to their number. 15 As a result, people brought the sick into the streets and laid them on beds and mats so that at least Peter's shadow might fall on some of them as he passed by. 16 Crowds gathered also from the towns around Jerusalem, bringing their sick and those tormented by evil spirits, and all of them were healed."

Verse 13 really sticks out to me there.  Everyone liked what they said, but no one wanted to join them.  The people wanted to wanted to follow but they didn't want to be persecuted like Peter and John.

This is a good lesson on leadership.  People get excited when a good leader is in charge, people like putting their trust in a good leader.  But the funny thing about being a leader is that you get the most crap and most recognition. People either loved or hated the apostles.

We should remember to encourage our leader for everything that they do.


Well my tablet is doing that thing again lol.  Here are the sections I will write on tomorrow.  I've really enjoyed Acts so far!

Thanks for reading,
-JDWayt

Tomorrow:

Acts 5:38-39 (NIV84)

Acts 5:41-42 (NIV84)

Acts 4 (part2)

Ok so I'm going to finish Acts 4 tonight so here it goes.

Acts 4:13-21 (NIV84)
"13 When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus. 14 But since they could see the man who had been healed standing there with them, there was nothing they could say. 15 So they ordered them to withdraw from the Sanhedrin and then conferred together. 16 “What are we going to do with these men?” they asked. “Everybody living in Jerusalem knows they have done an outstanding miracle, and we cannot deny it. 17 But to stop this thing from spreading any further among the people, we must warn these men to speak no longer to anyone in this name.”  18 Then they called them in again and commanded them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. 19 But Peter and John replied, “Judge for yourselves whether it is right in God's sight to obey you rather than God. 20 For we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.”  21 After further threats they let them go. They could not decide how to punish them, because all the people were praising God for what had happened. 22 For the man who was miraculously healed was over forty years old."

3.  The change that happened in Peter and John was bold and visible. They're change was so bold that the Sanhedrin were surprised that the apostles were uneducated.  Peter's speeches  made it look like he devoted his entire life to studying this new way of thinking. In reality Peter was changed from the inside out by the Holy Spirit living inside of him.  They were surprised that an ordinary man was changed by and extraordinary God.  Peter was an ordinary, uneducated coward.  But he became one of the most extraordinary people in the Bible, noted for his boldness and wisdom.  When God changes ordinary people, the world is astonished.

4. When the Sanhedrin told Peter and John to quit talking about Jesus, they refused.  They were so full of God that they couldn't hold it in.  

Jerimiah 20:9 (NIV84)
"9 But if I say, “I will not mention him or speak any more in his name,”  his word is in my heart like a fire,  a fire shut up in my bones.  I am weary of holding it in;  indeed, I cannot."

I think Peter and John felt like Jerimiah did.  Peter and John had an unrelenting passion to preach the name of Jesus Christ.

I want that same unrelenting passion.

Acts 4:23-31 (NIV84)

"23 On their release, Peter and John went back to their own people and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said to them. 24 When they heard this, they raised their voices together in prayer to God. “Sovereign Lord,” they said, “you made the heaven and the earth and the sea, and everything in them. 25 You spoke by the Holy Spirit through the mouth of your servant, our father David: “ ‘Why do the nations rage  and the peoples plot in vain?   26 The kings of the earth take their stand and the rulers gather together  against the Lord  and against his Anointed One.’ 27 Indeed Herod and Pontius Pilate met together with the Gentiles and the people of Israel in this city to conspire against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed. 28 They did what your power and will had decided beforehand should happen. 29 Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness. 30 Stretch out your hand to heal and perform miraculous signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus.”  31 After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly."

5.  When the people found out that they faced opposition they prayed for boldness.

When I face opposition the first thing I usually pray for is justice.  I want God to eliminate my obstacles so everything becomes easy for me.  Really the thing I should be praying for is strength and boldness to face my opposition.

6. Their provision was spiritual.

This is what I was talking about earlier that provision is different than prosperity. God didn't bless them with a bunch of material things that would make it easier to spread the gospel, He gave them boldness.  Usually when I ask for provision from God I ask for material things.  But when I lack something spiritually, ironically, I don't usually turn to God for that.  I guess I need to trust God for spiritual provision as well as physical provision.


That's it again tonight, Thanks for reading.

-JDWayt

Acts 4 (part1)

Ok so there are a few things that strike me as interesting in Acts 4.  So this post will be a bit random and probably won't flow as well as some of the others.

I'll just go in order.

Acts 4:1-4 (NIV84)
"1 The priests and the captain of the temple guard and the Sadducees came up to Peter and John while they were speaking to the people. 2 They were greatly disturbed because the apostles were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection of the dead. 3 They seized Peter and John, and because it was evening, they put them in jail until the next day. 4 But many who heard the message believed, and the number of men grew to about five thousand."

1. Even though things didn't turn out so great for Peter and John, the Kingdom benefited greatly.

 Sometimes, as we're doing the things we're called to do, we can be in some discouraging situations.  Peter and John were thrown in jail for preaching the gospel, which is pretty discouraging.  In fact, it's possible that they didn't even see the five thousand people give their lives to Christ.  Sometimes in ministry we can feel like what we are doing isn't good for anything, but sometimes we don't get to see the response.  Maybe the thing we did changed one person's life forever, and if it did, than it was worth it.

Acts 4:5-12 (NIV84)
"5 The next day the rulers, elders and teachers of the law met in Jerusalem. 6 Annas the high priest was there, and so were Caiaphas, John, Alexander and the other men of the high priest's family. 7 They had Peter and John brought before them and began to question them: “By what power or what name did you do this?”  8 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them: “Rulers and elders of the people! 9 If we are being called to account today for an act of kindness shown to a cripple and are asked how he was healed, 10 then know this, you and all the people of Israel: It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed. 11 He is “ ‘the stone you builders rejected,  which has become the capstone.’ 12 Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.”"

2. All credit was given to Jesus Christ.

Mattie Montgomery was a guest speaker at an event we had a couple of months ago.  Before he gave his message, there was a meet and greet in one of the rooms at the church. He was talking about what it's like to be in a band.  One of things he said really stuck with me.  He said that he has to let everything that's said about him pass through one ear and out the other, even the good things.  He made the point that it's easy to lest the negative things go but the good things that people say we take to heart, but that can lead to pride if we're not careful.

It would have been easy for Peter and John to claim that it was their own power that healed that man.  But instead they gave all credit to Jesus.

Well my tablet won't let me copy and paste any more from my Bible app so I'll have to finish Acts 4 tomorrow :p

Thanks for reading!
-JDWayt