Coming Out of the Closet!

What are you doing right now that requires faith?

This is a tough question that everyone answers differently because each of our walks with the Lord are unique. But an even tougher question is:

Have you come out of the closet about your faith?

For so long, I hid behind my faith. I was afraid I would be called a hypocrite or liar. But then I realized that at the end of the day I am a hypocrite and liar; I am human, but because of my faith I do not carry the shame and guilt of my actions. I have faith, faith that has changed my heart towards living for more than the approval of man. Faith that offers forgiveness. Faith that is capable of moving mountains, calming seas, and even changing a harden heart such as mine.

So... Why come out of the closet about my faith?
I realized that all my flaws and failures do not define me, my identity in Christ defines me. My security and foundation is in Him, and I am part of His body. (1 Peter 2:5)

1. Why? You get to live to honor God:
It sounds so easy but it is hard. Even I catch myself comparing my actions with the old law. It is a trap that satan uses to negate believers. Because of Christ sacrifice we no longer are under the old covenant of the law. We are set free to live a life honoring God, yet not burdened by out faults and failures. When you change your lifestyle people will notice, the fruit of the spirit flows from your actions and behaviors. 
Ephesians 5:8-9 [for you were formerly darkness, but now you are Light in the Lord; walk as children of Light(for the fruit of the Light consists in all goodness and righteousness and truth), trying to learn what is pleasing to the Lord.]

2. How: Go and preach the gospel to all nations:
What does this even mean? You may say I have no money to travel, let alone the time to learn another language. Well there are multiple options, 1. There are international organizations in place that preach the gospel to foreign nations. For as little as $38 a month, you can sponsor a child in a foreign country, so that they may hear the gospel (http://www.compassion.com/). or 2. You can sponsor a missionary in their work abroad with money or supplies. After Jesus arose from the grave he proclaimed the gospel to the eleven commanding them to:
Mark 16:15 [And then he told them, "Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone.]

3. Conclusion: Love will have the final word:
What is love? that one will lay down their life for another? That is the ultimate act of love. A scandalous act by Jesus to offer us hope. He is the shepard that knew his sheep were helpless without him.
Mark 10:14-18 [“I am the good shepherd; I know my own sheep, and they know me, just as my Father knows me and I know the Father. So I sacrifice my life for the sheep. I have other sheep, too, that are not in this sheepfold. I must bring them also. They will listen to my voice, and there will be one flock with one shepherd.“The Father loves me because I sacrifice my life so I may take it back again. No one can take my life from me. I sacrifice it voluntarily. For I have the authority to lay it down when I want to and also to take it up again. For this is what my Father has commanded.”]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3amV1cgARHI 

Pursue

Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah are the words we cry out in church as we praise our one true God. But is this a cry for help or a declaration of praise? As we walk through life we face many trial small and big. At times we can handle them on our own, but what happens when we can't handle the trial. Do we cry out Hallelujah exalting God for an opportunity to grow closer to Him through faith or do we turn from Him in anger?

How do we pursue a relationship with God? It seems intimidating, overwhelming, and probably awkward at times! I completely understand I have been there; living in shame, guilt, and loneliness for my behavior. But fortunately that is not the God we serve, He adores us despite our flaws and failures. So where do we start? Well, relationships take time! We all remember our high school days! The day to day survival of trying to make friends. It didn't happen over night! 

Relationships take time,sacrifice,

and encounters over a long period of time.

You want to encounter God, you need to spend time with Him. Some ways that I encounter God on a daily basis:

1. Spend Time in the Word:

Time and Time again girls ask me for advice. Where does that advice come from, the Lord. The more time you spend in the Word the more wisdom and discernment the Lord gives you, to guide you through life.

Psalm 119:115 [Your Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light for my path]

2. When you don't understand, ask Him!

There are times that things don't make sense when we read. But God is a living God, that is why He has given us the Holy Spirit as a "helper/teacher" I know it may seem awkward at first, because you may not feel like the Spirit is responding but that is because you aren't used to hearing His voice. The more time you spend with a friend the more quickly you recognize their voice. The Spirit speaks uniquely to you.

John 14:26 [But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.]

James 1:5-6 [ If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and He will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking. But when you ask Him, be sure that your faith is in God alone. Do not waver, for a person with divided loyalty is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is blown and tossed by the wind.]

3. When you have a bad day, tell Him:

I journal all of my thoughts, bad days, good days, or even funny days. When I journal it is easy for me to encounter God because I know that He can handle my problems way better than most of my friends. 

Psalm 1:2-3 [But they delight in the law of the Lord, meditation on it day and night. They are like trees planted along the riverbank, bearing fruit each season. Their leaves never wither, and they prosper in all they do.]