Leeland

John 3:27 - "A person cannot receive even one thing unless it is given to him from Heaven."

John the Baptist spoke those words in response to a question. People asked what he thought about everyone crossing the river and going to Jesus for baptism instead of him. I love what he said! John knew that his status, his ministry, his whole life was in the hands of God. So what did popularity matter?

In a culture where everything is taken for granted (cell phones, running water, grace) it would do us good to take a moment today and simply be thankful. Relax. Remember that it's a miracle your even breathing, and a greater miracle that you're loved by God. Every good thing in your life came from Him, and will keep coming from Him. Just stay faithful, like John the Baptist.

Does it matter if you lose a little of this or that? Does it really matter that you don't have the new shiny toy? That boy or girl on your arm? A thousand twitter followers? No, its doesn't.

The only thing that matters is a life given away in response to God's generosity.

2 Corinthians 5:17 "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.

Hey ya'll! So excited to announce that our new single, New Creation, has been officially released to radio! This song actually came as a last minute idea in the studio and now it's one of my favorites on the record. Our last single, Follow You, talked about God's heart for the poor and hurting, and that our response MUST be love & action. 

New Creation, just like Follow You, is based on the same foundation of the gospel. That when we receive Jesus's salvation, we die to sin and are born again, a new creation into Jesus. A clean slate! Before Jesus, our idenity wavered from one passion to the next. We staked who we were into what we did. If you played baseball you were a "Baseball player". If you played guitar you were a "Guitar player". If you were a popular then you were "Star". If you were good at plumbing, then you're a "Plumber".

In the old life, that view of thinking seemed right. But what if the baseball player was injured so badly that he could never play baseball again? What if new famous singer came along and replaced the old one? What if the plumber lost his job? If we place our identity in what we do it's like building our house on shifting sand!

Now if we believe in Jesus and that he is the way, truth and the life, then no one can take that hope and assurance away from us. 

Nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus. Now that we're are a new creation in Jesus, no matter what season of life we're in, who we are remains the same because we are new creations IN Christ Jesus! Jesus is above every name and every thing, He is the same yesterday today and forever!

Now that we are IN Jesus, we don't rely on our own righteousness, because HE is our righteousness. We don't rely on our love, because God is Love! We don't rely on our peace, because Jesus said "My peace I give you." We don't rely on our strength because Jesus said "In your weakness I am made strong!" It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me!

What would you do if you got to start all over again? Well, this is your chance. You're a new creation.

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PS. Is all of this Jesus stuff new to you? Well that's ok. You can know him like a friend. He can be the answer to the hurt in your life. Pray this prayer from your heart, just like you are talking to a friend. Comment, and let us know if you made this decision today and we'll send you some resources to help you in your new life!

"God, I know that I've made a lot of mistakes and I'm not perfect. But, Jesus lived a perfect life and died on the cross for all the things I did wrong. Because of that I can be forgiven right now. I repent of my sins right now, and receive your forgiveness. I believe that Jesus is the son of God, and is living in me and walking with me right now. Help me to serve you and share your love with the world!"

Knowing God is this simple. Love God with everything and love people (Matt:22:37-39). When we seek God in prayer and studying his word, we build up our spirit man and the fleshly desires pass away. Not only can we draw close to God by prayer, but by actions of love to others around you (1 John 3:18-19). Love is the power of the Gospel because God is love and when we love others we fill ourselves up with more of God.(1 John 4:16)

We are called to love others because we're in love with God. You notice Jesus said first love the Lord God with all your heart then love your neighbor. Loving people should be a reaction to the action of Jesus dying for you and your sins. It's not a chore or a duty, but it's realizing God loved and forgave me, so that I might love and forgive others, and when I have hate for others I have hate for God and God does not dwell in me because love does not dwell in my heart. You can't separate people and God. Your actions to people are also actions to God. Jesus said "if you've done it to the lease of these, you've done it to me"(Matthew 25:40)

It's not easy to love others. It's easy to love God because God's love isn't conditional and will never fail us, but Jesus said even sinners love people who love them (Matthew 5:43-48). The true demonstration of God's love is loving everyone, even your enemies. The only way that you and I can effectively walk in love is realizing that your life is no longer to be lived for you and your desires, but it's for God. My life is not my own. Once we truly turn our whole self over to God, we set our hearts at rest in his presence and life.(1 John 3:18-19, Matthew 16:24).

Thanks for reading and know that I love you guys.

-leeland