BY

E-MAIL ADDRESS: johncarey@lifeassembly.com

BIBLE TEXT:  Matthew 9:9:  “As Jesus was walking along, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at his tax collectors booth.  ’Follow me and be my disciple,’ Jesus said to him.  So Matthew got up and followed Him.”

PERSONAL REFLECTION:  Recently someone described me using the term “FIRE, READY, AIM.”  At first I didn’t know whether to take it as a compliment or just Fire, Ready, Aim right back, but the more he explained the more the concept really started to make sense to me.  He said some people have to think and plan about every decision they make while others tend to act without planning or thinking.  Neither of these are wrong or right. It is just how people are wired.  My mind instantly flashed back to that morning when I said to my wife (without thinking), “Are you really wearing that?”  (for the record, guys, this is not a good way to start the morning) and also the time as a young adult that I jumped off a bridge without checking to see if there were any rocks in the shallow water (once again no thinking involved).  It didn’t take me long to figure out my friend was right. I am a Fire, Ready, Aim type of person.

I realized that this approach is what God wants from me when it comes to surrendering and following.  God wants us to be willing to follow Him without hesitation or fear.  Our natural instincts might be to weigh our options or to make out a pros and cons list, but God wants our uttermost obedience and trust.  For me, the Fire, Ready, Aim approach to following God is a work in progress.  It has taken me places I never dreamed I would be in. It has also left me scratching my head in confusion on numerous occasions.  But at the end of the day, it has allowed me to become more intimate with our Creator.  When Jesus told Matthew to follow Him, Matthew didn’t have to ready, aim, or make a list.  Matthew just fired, followed, and figured the rest out as he became closer to his Savior!

PERSONAL APPLICATION:  It’s not always the right move to Fire without thinking, but sometimes to be a true follower of Christ it is necessary.  Evaluate your personal walk.  Sometimes we do all the readying and aiming but never pull the trigger to Fire.

PRAYER:  Lord, my prayer is simple. I want us to be a generation of Christ Followers — a generation that will fully trust and surrender to what it is that You are calling us to do and a generation that d doesn’t make excuses, doesn’t allow fear to stop us, doesn’t hesitate when we hear your calling.  I ask that You continue to lead us in that direction.   Amen

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

  I’m just a dude that is trying to be more like Matthew (the one in the Bible).

BY:

EMAIL ADDRESS: mvalenzuela@mail.lipscomb.edu

BIBLE TEXT: “She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. … Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.” (Luke 10:39, 40, 42)

PERSONAL REFLECTION: Martha was so distracted by her to-do list that she missed out on sitting at the feet of Jesus. Mary, however, chose what was better. Her “list” was non-existent when compared to sitting and listening and spending time at the feet of her Maker.

PERSONAL APPLICATION: I’ll admit that some days I don’t want to play hide-and-seek, I don’t want to play tag, I don’t want to put together a puzzle, nor do I want to pretend I’m a zombie killer. But, because my nephew asked me to, I do it anyway. However, I’m usually thinking about the rest of the stuff I have to check off my to-do list, which means I’m not fully focused on my nephew. But there’s just something about whenever he asks me to lay with him for a few minutes before he goes to bed or when he says, “I just want to be with you.” Those few minutes of just me and him… I wouldn’t trade them for anything! We talk about school, what games we want to play tomorrow, and even about Veggie Tales! My only question, though, is: When Jesus says He just wants to be with me, do I give Him the same full attention?

PRAYER: Dear Jesus, I pray that my alone time with you would not be focused on worldly things. Instead, I pray that I would drop everything I’m doing just to sit at your feet and bask in the love that you show me.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Marissa Valenzuela is in constant pursuit of a God who will never fail and who has a bigger plan than anything she could ever imagine.

BY:

E-MAIL ADDRESS:  quinton.e.west@gmail.com

BIBLE TEXT: Philippians 4:8 ESV:  “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.” 

PERSONAL REFLECTION:  There is no mistaking that we are creatures of habit. A habit is defined as “a settled or regular tendency or practice, especially one that is hard to give up.”

I can admit that at times, I have constantly reflected on the things that were and are completely wrong with our society and world.  Thoughts about shootings, robberies, politicians not doing their “jobs,” prejudice and discrimination, and all other means of crime occurred perpetually throughout my own conscience.  At times it was almost as if negativity ruled my everyday life, and these very thoughts would transmute themselves as problems, setbacks, and misfortunes in my own life.

Adversely I noticed that when my mind was occupied with thoughts of gratitude, happiness, positivity, hopefulness, and active faith, despite the many wrongs I’ve set my attention to that they would also transmute themselves into my life

It was at this realization that I began to seek The Most High’s words on this principle.  He lead me to Philippians 4:8:

“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.”

After allowing myself to hear out what The Word’s perspective on this principle was, I began to actively practice it.  It is truly an attestation to the proverb “I think therefore I am.”

In a nutshell, whatever you occupy your mind with most will undoubtedly manifest itself in your life.

PERSONAL APPLICATION: I believe that it is His will that we think positively even in the midst of a negative world.  In fact, if we are made new in Him and are to trust in Him, what then is there to worry or fear?  The Creator of all, the Creator of the “game” of life itself has given us the ultimate advantage or cheat code to  happiness, if you will.  This is not to say that we are to be heartless, lackadaisical or nonchalant, but it is to remind us that we need not harp on those things that inherently cause us to worry or fear!

There are an enumerable amount of times the Bible that can be quoted in urging us not to worry or fear.

I know that it is only until we grasp the fact that whatever we allow ourselves to be subjected to on a conscious (spiritual) level that we will reap the benefits of an abundant, faith-filled relationship with Him, free of worry, free of guilt, free of doubt, free of negativity, and quite simply….FREE.

PRAYER: Father, thank you for your truth.  I ask that you continue to cultivate the spirit of freedom within our own spirit and that you guide not just every footstep or word, but every thought that we have regarding our lives.  I thank you for your reassurance that we were made free in you and I thank you for your will to have us think positively and live lives of faith. It is in your name I pray.

Amen

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Quinton is a 22 year old youth counselor and has been attending Life Assembly for almost three years.  He is happily married to Life Assembly’s youth pastor Kelsey West.  Together they seek guidance through the Most High as they journey into the world of youth ministry here in the States at Life Assembly as well as on the mission field.

BY

E-MAIL ADDRESS:  bpalma1987@gmail.com

BIBLE TEXT:  “You are the light of the world–like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your good deeds shine for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.”  –Matthew 5:14-16 (NLT)

PERSONAL REFLECTION:  Have you ever wondered how we, as Christians, stand out in this world? Looking from a distance can lead to an overwhelming feeling followed by despair. Look closer. Focus on the things that are often overlooked.

On a recent trip to visit family in Mexico City, I noticed something for the first time — flowers mixed in with littered streets and cracked walls consumed with graffiti. They were beautiful flowers full of color and reaching toward the sun without being restrained by their surrounding environment. I began to pay more attention and found flowers of different kinds woven in with the metal and concrete, all thriving and growing toward the sun. How can these gorgeous plants grow in such an area? The sight of these seemingly simple flowers brought a smile to my face and reassurance to a heart that had many questions.

PERSONAL APPLICATION:  Only God can provide the soil, nutrients, the sunlight, and the rain to sustain such a delicate creation in a lacking area. The flower depends on God to provide. It reaches up towards Him for the nourishment it needs. Though the flower stands alone, it’s beauty brings life to its surrounding area. The flower inspires change and could potentially drop seeds in the soil where others cannot reach. What is impossible for God? It is when we  accept doubt as truth that our leaves and blossoms begin to wither away. When we accept God’s will in faith, even though we might not understand, the flower grows in abundance.

We are the flowers depending on the Lord to provide in a world filled with littered streets and cracked walls. The Lord plants us in places where we feel like we shouldn’t be or want to be at times. Fear deprives us from what God has in store for us, and sometimes we have to face the ugly to see the beauty. It is the life of Christ that shines in us and through us that grabs the attention of the passerby. The beauty of one lonely flower in the middle of a crowded city means more than a garden filled with multitudes sometimes.  

PRAYER: Father,  thank you for reminding me that no matter where I am, you are there also. In the times of my life where I feel like the barbed wires and bricks try to stop me from growing, you always provide the nutrient-filled soil, the rain, and the sun. You carve a space out for me so I can stretch my arms up towards you. And even though I don’t understand why you have me in this area, I know that you have a plan and a purpose. Help me to hang on. Help me to keep reaching towards you. Lord, help me to shine your beauty to those who are looking for a light in the the dark. I pray for protection over my mind that all thoughts that are not from you will not stand but that your will and way will prevail for your glory. With a sincere heart I  thank you, for You alone provide.

In the Powerful name of Jesus Christ I pray. Amen

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

I’m Britney and my husband’s name is Andres. We have three kids: Donavan, Chloe, and Serenity. I really like to cook, work in the yard, fish, and watch movies. I enjoy going to the Chinese buffet and eating real Mexican food. I love music and sing as loud as I can when I am driving. My poor kids! Two of my absolute favorite things to do include drinking coffee on the front porch at 5:00 in the morning and hanging out with family and friends and just enjoy the time being spent with them.