What difference can a year make? All the difference in the world. I usually take some time to reflect at the end of December and to write my goals for the following year. As I reflect back on this past year, I can't help but think about all the times I had to overcome, humble myself, seek guidance and have faith. My year started off with an order from the big man upstairs to give up drinking for a month. I didn't think it would be that hard since I wasn't physically addicted to alcohol but I learned quickly my social life was addicted to the party scene. I couldn't get away from it.
That month I had to lean on God and if he was going to make himself present, He had to do it in a hurry. I'm glad He made it hard though. If it wouldn't have been a struggle, if everyone would have supported me, if my social life didn't crave attention, I would have been able to do it on my own and my faith would have squandered. Throughout the first few months though I was tempted by my own thoughts and desires to fit in socially, to do what I knew to be normal. The urge never really went away. People around me just waited. They waited for me to fall back to the old party life style, they thought it was a phase and to be honest I feared it was too. I questioned myself a lot throughout this past year. Even though I had never felt better physically, thought more clearly and have never been this close with God, I still wondered if this feeling of peace was ever going to go away.
Throughout that first month of giving up drinking, God began delivering on everything He promised me. He gave me a job at OSU Psych Hospital, I moved into an apartment in Grandview, OH with a friend of mine. After the month was up I promised to keep pursing God and to continue my sobriety. Like I have stated in previous blogs, I do not feel I am alcoholic but I know it was my weakness and God knew it was separating me from Him and the plans He has for me. The first few months I stopped drinking I was paranoid. There's no other way to put it. I thought people were talking about me constantly, maybe they were. I thought things were coming way too easy to me. I never really had any bad days where I got angry and went overboard or where I would let my emotions get the best of me in any situation. For the first time in a long time I felt in control. I'm not saying Christians avoid storms, hear my heart on this, I just learned how to walk through them without being blown over. One of my favorite quotes is "My worst days with Jesus are still better than the good days without him." Faith gives you hope, joy, peace and love. These things cannot be found within yourself. Coming from a person who has read many self help books, that inner peace given through man made resources provides temporary relief and satisfaction. It's only a matter of time before you find yourself back in a rut wondering where you experienced your set back.
There is a reason the Bible has been around for thousands of years, it should be used as a life instruction book. It teaches you how to love others, how to give generously, how to find peace in a horrible situation, how to find hope when the world seems to be crashing down on you. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 states " All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17 so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work." Imagine what you could accomplish in life if you were absolutely certain that God was with you. I have put these theories to the test this past year and God has answered abundantly.
I found peace in the things that society tells me I need more of.. I don't need more money. I don't need a girlfriend. I don't need to dress or look a certain way. God accepts me and loves me the way I am and His grace is sufficient. 2 Corinthians 12:9 states Each time he said, "My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness." So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me." If you are questioning if there is a real God, if Jesus is who people claim He is then put him to the test. Ask him to come into your life and reveal himself. I truly believe that God pursues us individually. I know from experience, it took a prophetic word from a pastor during Sunday morning sermon to get my attention. We think at times we are the ones asking the questions and determining our fate but God pursues YOU, the question you need to ask yourself is "are you willing to listen?"
It's been a year now and I am certain Jesus is real. By that I mean He was a real person who lived on earth, He was/is the son of God and that the words He spoke through the Bible are the way we were meant to experience true life. Throughout this past year I have encouraged many that were lost like myself, helping them on their path to become closer with God. I have helped start ministries, trained Bible Study leaders, started a new teaching position and have become debt free (other than student loans). Every goal I set out for 2012, I have completely crushed. This is because God became the focal point of my life and when that happens you worry less, God directs you like the rudder of a ship. You cannot see it but you know it's a part of you, steering you in the right direction. Throughout this past year I experienced many failures, ones which I cannot explain but it was not until I was able to accept it as God's plan and move on that I was able to have an open heart to accept the things to come. Last year was a BIG year for me, if you ask any of my closest friends or relatives they would agree. I am amazed at the things God was able to accomplish through me.
I started this blog not for myself, but so that others might experience what God has in store for them. I have had many friends this past year tell me how they want to tone down the partying, they want to start something good to help others or how they want a relationship with God. These are all great ideas, the only things left to do is take action. I tell people coming to me with all these questions that it starts with PRAYER. God desires a relationship with you, this is why we pray. It's a sad day when we only tell people we will pray for them when bad things happen to them. When a tragedy occurs, we lose a job, when someone loses a parent or when someone has a bad health report. There is a reason people turn to God in those instances though, because we are left helpless, things are finally out of our control. Sometimes God uses those circumstances to get our attention, he did for me. What I learned this past year is to praise God in all the good he does. My family and friends are healthy, no one is starving today, we all have a roof over our heads. I'm starting with the basic because we tend to overlook the BIG blessings because we are used to them.
I started this blog with the intentions of using my humility for Gods gain and it's not easy admitting the things that I cannot control, the things that haunt me the most but I want people to know from the bottom of my heart that God truly loves them. He will prevail over evil and that His ways, as proven in the Bible are best. So I leave you with this challenge. We are starting a new year and people take that as a time to start living a new way. Let me ask you, what do you need to do to improve your relationship with God? If you question whether Jesus is real than pick up a Bible and ask God to stir something in your heart if his words are truth. Tell him to reveal himself and God will deliver. "You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart" Jeremiah 29:13.
Ask God if He wants you to sacrifice anything this year. Is there anything coming between you and your peace with God. For many it might be drugs, alcohol, addiction, pornography, anger, jealousy, relationships, hate, pride, lust, low self-esteem, the list goes on and on but God knows your heart already. Seek out what his truth says in the four Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John and see what Jesus said about these things. You would be shocked to read how similar people were thousands of years ago to how we are emotionally today. My prayer for you, for the person reading this blog is that they live up to their God given potential. That God becomes as real in their life as he has become in mine. I did not give up drinking on my own accord, I've tried and I have failed but God has a bigger purpose for me, one which I cannot selfishly take away from Him. Sooner or later this short life will pass, your job, your loved ones and the things you cherish most will be left for someone else to care for. This past year God has changed my life, He has turned it into a story of Hope, Joy, Peace and Love. God was able to use my mess of a life and turn it into a message. He was able to take all the tests I went through and turn it into a testimony. You ask what difference can a year make? It has made all the difference in this life and the next! God Bless!
Please leave a comment below if you have enjoyed reading this post. I also want to encourage you to click "Like" or share this post on Facebook if you think someone needs to hear this story. If you need prayer for anything you can email me at MyGenerationMinistry@gmail.com You can also follow me on twitter at @Speak_Z_Truth God Bless you and thanks for reading!!!
That month I had to lean on God and if he was going to make himself present, He had to do it in a hurry. I'm glad He made it hard though. If it wouldn't have been a struggle, if everyone would have supported me, if my social life didn't crave attention, I would have been able to do it on my own and my faith would have squandered. Throughout the first few months though I was tempted by my own thoughts and desires to fit in socially, to do what I knew to be normal. The urge never really went away. People around me just waited. They waited for me to fall back to the old party life style, they thought it was a phase and to be honest I feared it was too. I questioned myself a lot throughout this past year. Even though I had never felt better physically, thought more clearly and have never been this close with God, I still wondered if this feeling of peace was ever going to go away.
Throughout that first month of giving up drinking, God began delivering on everything He promised me. He gave me a job at OSU Psych Hospital, I moved into an apartment in Grandview, OH with a friend of mine. After the month was up I promised to keep pursing God and to continue my sobriety. Like I have stated in previous blogs, I do not feel I am alcoholic but I know it was my weakness and God knew it was separating me from Him and the plans He has for me. The first few months I stopped drinking I was paranoid. There's no other way to put it. I thought people were talking about me constantly, maybe they were. I thought things were coming way too easy to me. I never really had any bad days where I got angry and went overboard or where I would let my emotions get the best of me in any situation. For the first time in a long time I felt in control. I'm not saying Christians avoid storms, hear my heart on this, I just learned how to walk through them without being blown over. One of my favorite quotes is "My worst days with Jesus are still better than the good days without him." Faith gives you hope, joy, peace and love. These things cannot be found within yourself. Coming from a person who has read many self help books, that inner peace given through man made resources provides temporary relief and satisfaction. It's only a matter of time before you find yourself back in a rut wondering where you experienced your set back.
There is a reason the Bible has been around for thousands of years, it should be used as a life instruction book. It teaches you how to love others, how to give generously, how to find peace in a horrible situation, how to find hope when the world seems to be crashing down on you. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 states " All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17 so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work." Imagine what you could accomplish in life if you were absolutely certain that God was with you. I have put these theories to the test this past year and God has answered abundantly.
I found peace in the things that society tells me I need more of.. I don't need more money. I don't need a girlfriend. I don't need to dress or look a certain way. God accepts me and loves me the way I am and His grace is sufficient. 2 Corinthians 12:9 states Each time he said, "My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness." So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me." If you are questioning if there is a real God, if Jesus is who people claim He is then put him to the test. Ask him to come into your life and reveal himself. I truly believe that God pursues us individually. I know from experience, it took a prophetic word from a pastor during Sunday morning sermon to get my attention. We think at times we are the ones asking the questions and determining our fate but God pursues YOU, the question you need to ask yourself is "are you willing to listen?"
It's been a year now and I am certain Jesus is real. By that I mean He was a real person who lived on earth, He was/is the son of God and that the words He spoke through the Bible are the way we were meant to experience true life. Throughout this past year I have encouraged many that were lost like myself, helping them on their path to become closer with God. I have helped start ministries, trained Bible Study leaders, started a new teaching position and have become debt free (other than student loans). Every goal I set out for 2012, I have completely crushed. This is because God became the focal point of my life and when that happens you worry less, God directs you like the rudder of a ship. You cannot see it but you know it's a part of you, steering you in the right direction. Throughout this past year I experienced many failures, ones which I cannot explain but it was not until I was able to accept it as God's plan and move on that I was able to have an open heart to accept the things to come. Last year was a BIG year for me, if you ask any of my closest friends or relatives they would agree. I am amazed at the things God was able to accomplish through me.
I started this blog not for myself, but so that others might experience what God has in store for them. I have had many friends this past year tell me how they want to tone down the partying, they want to start something good to help others or how they want a relationship with God. These are all great ideas, the only things left to do is take action. I tell people coming to me with all these questions that it starts with PRAYER. God desires a relationship with you, this is why we pray. It's a sad day when we only tell people we will pray for them when bad things happen to them. When a tragedy occurs, we lose a job, when someone loses a parent or when someone has a bad health report. There is a reason people turn to God in those instances though, because we are left helpless, things are finally out of our control. Sometimes God uses those circumstances to get our attention, he did for me. What I learned this past year is to praise God in all the good he does. My family and friends are healthy, no one is starving today, we all have a roof over our heads. I'm starting with the basic because we tend to overlook the BIG blessings because we are used to them.
I started this blog with the intentions of using my humility for Gods gain and it's not easy admitting the things that I cannot control, the things that haunt me the most but I want people to know from the bottom of my heart that God truly loves them. He will prevail over evil and that His ways, as proven in the Bible are best. So I leave you with this challenge. We are starting a new year and people take that as a time to start living a new way. Let me ask you, what do you need to do to improve your relationship with God? If you question whether Jesus is real than pick up a Bible and ask God to stir something in your heart if his words are truth. Tell him to reveal himself and God will deliver. "You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart" Jeremiah 29:13.
Ask God if He wants you to sacrifice anything this year. Is there anything coming between you and your peace with God. For many it might be drugs, alcohol, addiction, pornography, anger, jealousy, relationships, hate, pride, lust, low self-esteem, the list goes on and on but God knows your heart already. Seek out what his truth says in the four Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John and see what Jesus said about these things. You would be shocked to read how similar people were thousands of years ago to how we are emotionally today. My prayer for you, for the person reading this blog is that they live up to their God given potential. That God becomes as real in their life as he has become in mine. I did not give up drinking on my own accord, I've tried and I have failed but God has a bigger purpose for me, one which I cannot selfishly take away from Him. Sooner or later this short life will pass, your job, your loved ones and the things you cherish most will be left for someone else to care for. This past year God has changed my life, He has turned it into a story of Hope, Joy, Peace and Love. God was able to use my mess of a life and turn it into a message. He was able to take all the tests I went through and turn it into a testimony. You ask what difference can a year make? It has made all the difference in this life and the next! God Bless!
Please leave a comment below if you have enjoyed reading this post. I also want to encourage you to click "Like" or share this post on Facebook if you think someone needs to hear this story. If you need prayer for anything you can email me at MyGenerationMinistry@gmail.com You can also follow me on twitter at @Speak_Z_Truth God Bless you and thanks for reading!!!
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