Convicted Felons no more.....

“Find the things that stir your affections for Christ, and saturate your life in them. Find the things that rob you of that affection and walk away from them. That’s the Christian life as easy as I can explain it to you.” ~Matt Chandler

Wow, as always, Matt Chandler’s words give us quite a challenge. Doing what he says means the “Christian life” should be easy if we love Christ, correct? However, it isn’t always a math equation.

 Our love, apart from Christ, is deformed and broken; it has been since humanity fell from abiding perfectly with God. By ourselves, we are creatures only capable of a conditional, dishonest love. In order to truly walk away from what does not spur us on toward worshipping God, and instead spend our time on that which does spur us on to worship Him, our love must be complete. Unfortunately, our love for Christ seems to be attached to our situation or feelings much more than it needs to be.

Now, here’s the good part. It doesn’t matter that we’ve been convicted of a felony, called “the neglect of Christ.” His love is so perfect and holy that it transcends the gap between our selfish, unworthy love, and God’s love for us. We, the leaky vessels, have been filled, and are being filled, with the love of Christ.

There is hope--we have the strength and grace of Christ to continue to turn away from that which does not drive us toward God and instead turn toward the things that are of Him. So continue to say yes and amen to this matchless love by fleeing immorality and striving for God by Christ’s complete love. ~ Sophia Wise

3 Steps to consider before making THAT decision

Recently, I was reminded by a friend that life is full of decisions and in order to do one thing, you must automatically choose not do something else.  Well, often, life will throw big decisions at you that you may not feel well prepared for.  Here’s my advice, despite the fact that I’m only fourteen. 

Step One:  Abide in Him.  You cannot have sufficient wisdom, peace, or joy in the situation if Christ is not in you.  Go back to the word, go back to the main reason for everything you do (glorifying Him), and go back to worshipping God.  As Psalms 37:4 says, “Delight in the LORD, and He will give you the desires of your heart.”  (NIV)  If your eyes are on the situation instead of Christ you will sink. 

Bringing us to our second step:  “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”  (Philippians 4:6 - NIV)  Step Two:  Prayer.  James 1:5 says “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.”  (NIV)  God gives you clear direction through the word, through divine revelation (the Holy Spirit), and even through other people, so be listening.

 Here we are at Step Three: Seek Counsel.  I bet there is someone you can trust to give you counsel on at least one decision in your life.  Maybe they are not someone you would trust with every situation, but you can learn something from them.  Surround yourself with fellow Christians, those who will build you up with godly wisdom, and not tear you down with worldly wisdom.  So to recap, in the midst of tough decisions: Abide, Pray, Seek.~ Sophia Wise

Sophia Wise is a high school freshman.  She is growing in Christ and worshiping Him through her musical talents--singing and playing the guitar and piano.  She attends Veritas Classical Schools of SWGA. When she is not playing music, she can be found painting shoes and listening to the Christian band named Switchfoot, her all-time favorite band.