Being Courageous

It's been a LONG time since I've posted. I'm going to go on ahead and ask for your prayers... My mom quit her job last week, and is currently looking for a new one. Also, pray for me to keep God as the center of my focus, and at the tip-top of my priorities, as that has NOT been happening lately.

Tonight's lesson at church was an eye-opener for me. God gave me the opportunity to go with the teen class tonight (one of the teachers had a migraine, so I was the stand-in adult), and even though we only had one teen in the class, it was still good. I felt like the kid had the chance to speak up. He's usually very quiet, and I think God put him in there by himself tonight so he could have a night where he shares what he thinks. Also, I firmly believe that God put me in that class tonight for a reason. I have no idea what was preached downstairs, but I know that with the teen class, I was basically being told by God's word what I need to do.

I need to make sure my relationship with Christ is for the right reasons. It shouldn't be because of what my friends, family, or others think about me. My relationship with Christ is just that- it's only between me and Him. That's the way it should be.

I also need to stand out. I don't want to be one of those people who just sits on the sidelines. I need to be one of the people that others know they can go to if they have a problem, the one that people just KNOW is a Christian.

I understand there's a fine line between standing out and having my relationship with Christ being for just Him and me. It is doable, however. We can all stand out in our schools, workplaces, and even churches as faithful people without being motivated by attention.

I also need to think about my heavenly rewards, not the earthly ones. The things on Earth will pass away, just like we will one day.

Lastly, I just need to be courageous. "For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind." (2 Timothy 1:7, KJV) God has given me His power, His love, and self-control in order to be courageous. I am beyond thankful for everything that God has done for me. I am also thankful that God put this lesson in my life tonight. I really needed it.