The Lord is with You

"But Lord," Gideon asked, "how can I save Israel? My clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my family." The LORD answered, "I will be with you..." Judges 6:15- 16

Shortly after this encounter Gideon took 300 men with him to attack a camp of thousands of Midianites, and he was victorious. The Bible is full of more examples of people who did not think they were capable to do what the Lord was calling on them to do. However, when they put their trust in the Lord they were able to accomplish everything the Lord had asked them to do. I find it amazing as well as troubling that so often in my life I use a similar excuse to that of Gideon's. I often think of myself as not capable of carrying out the Lord's work on this earth. What I fail to remember is that no matter where I go or what I do the Lord is right there with me, and he is capable of anything. Any limitations that I have or that I think I have become meaningless when combined with the power and strength of the Lord.

Although the Lord will most likely not ask you to do anything as extreme as to fight in a battle where you are severely outnumbered there are still many things that the Lord does call each of us to do every day. It can be anything from helping someone in need to sharing your faith with someone. I have the hope that none of us would shy away from these opportunities based on our perceived limitations. It is important that we take advantage of these situations to spread God's love and expand his kingdom keeping in mind Philippians 4:13, "I can do everything through him who gives me strength."

Thirsty?

"As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, O God."
- Psalm 42:1

Life, at any given time seems to have its fair share of desires.  At any one time, you might feel like you are 'panting' for something.  For me I felt like I could only be content until my next goal was completed-  I would think, "as soon as I finish my thesis" or "as soon as I get married" I will be happy.  I learned soon that this was not ever the case.  Every moment of joy that I would enjoy from an accomplishment would be shrouded by the burden of the my next goal.  Although I 'panted' for that next step in life, it was not fulfiling.

The reason that I was not fulfilled is that I was panting for the wrong thing.  A deer does not pant for pork rinds, as it is only water that would fulfil the deer's need.  As the psalm says, my soul pants for God.  God fulfills part of me that cannot be filled by any accomplishment or desire of this earth, but God alone.  After that realization for me, it was easy to just put God in His place in my life- because there was a void in me that already desired Him.  My soul pants for God, and regardless of what I try and fulfill it with, God alone can quench my thirst.

A Brief Hello

"As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another." -Proverbs 27:17

A simple, yet profound proverb. Iron, be it weapons, tools, or other implements, is formed, molded, sharpened and perfected through contact and friction with other iron implements. An iron hammer pounds a molten bar, the rasp sharpens a blade's edge, the cast provides the form for a pitcher or cup.

So too, the company and conversation of one man sharpens that of his companions. Our thoughts, feelings, ideas and beliefs are shaped, changed, transformed, and solidified through our interactions with one another. God did not intend for men to live alone, worshiping him in solitude and isolation. Instead, the New Testament is ripe with exhortations for fellowship and the strengthening of faith through continued conversation and revelation. As a file or hammer gives form to iron, so to does our relationship with the believers and brothers around us gives form to our own faith.

Thus engenders the need for fellowship. Our growth and faith are not only dependent upon our continued relationship with God, but also our relationship with our fellow believers. And at the heart of this blog is that very idea; that through discourse, sharing and fellowship, we can exhort, inspire, comfort, and strengthen our own faith and each others. We can reach a deeper understanding of Christ and God through discussion of our faith. Together, we hope to learn to better live as God's men in a world that discourages such action and conviction. And we hope that you, the reader, are inspired and encouraged by our words. Whether you're a non-Christian, a new Christian, or a mature and faithful Christian, we hope that you find inspiration in the following posts, and that you might challenge and exhort us to continue developing our relationship with Christ as well.

Grace and peace to you,

- Kyle