Eric Ludy - The Gospel

This video is so encouraging and amazing! I ask you to watch it all the way through! It's a blessing. :)

Eric Ludy - The Gospel

 

~Beautifully Created 4 Christ~

Peter - Called Out

(1 Peter 5:8-11)  “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: Whom resist steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world. But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you. To him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.”


Peter - Called Out

The sun was shining bright that morning, not too hot out, the wind was softly blowing. It was a good day for fishing. Casting nets was their trade, that’s what they knew how to do, and they did it well.
 Peter and Andrew, born and raised in Galilee, were not weak men. Casting nets into the sea was not easily done by just anyone. They were fishers.
     It was a nice day. Peter thought it was a beautiful day. They were busy casting nets into the sea and carefully watching to know when to pull them up. The Sea of Galilee was a place they often fished.
Peter glanced at the shore and caught sight of a man walking along the bank of the sea. He squinted a bit, probably leaned forward, put his hand to his for head to shade his eyes, and something sparked inside. It was Jesus (Matthew 4:18). In a voice as clear as bells Jesus spoke, (Matthew 4:19) “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” Both brothers were at the side of the boat now looking at the man who had just called them out. There was an unspoken agreement and an inner peace that both men had. (Matthew 4:20) “They straightway left their nets, and followed Him.” Leaving their trade, and all that they knew behind, to follow a man who clamed to be the Messiah, was maybe to some, most moronic. A lot of people thought Jesus was a lunatic, not the Son of the living God. It was crazy.
     Peter was continually amazed with all he saw while following Jesus. Sitting now in his own house listening to Jesus as He fellowshipped with his family, He had been worrying about his mother-in-law before Jesus entered his house. It was beyond description. (Matthew 8:14-15)  “And when Jesus was come into Peter's house, he saw his wife's mother laid, and sick of a fever. And he touched her hand, and the fever left her: and she arose, and ministered unto them.”
     Following Christ is hard, He’d never said it was easy though. Again and again the disciples marveled at this man. Being in the midst of a storm and it seeming like they would all parish in the storm, while Jesus slept, was terrifying. The disciples woke Jesus saying, (Matthew 8:25) “Lord, save us: we perish.”   (Matthew 8:26)  “And he saith unto them, Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith? Then he arose, and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a great calm.” Jesus caused a great calm.
     Peter was the one who wasn’t afraid to walk. (Matthew 14:23-32)  “And when he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into a mountain apart to pray: and when the evening was come, he was there alone. But the ship was now in the midst of the sea, tossed with waves: for the wind was contrary. And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea. And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear. But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid.   And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water. And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus. But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me. And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt? And when they were come into the ship, the wind ceased. ”
     Peter was the prime example of human nature. We walk, we fall, and we get back up. Jesus never said that if we follow Him we’re going to be perfect at it. He just tells us to walk. Like Peter did. Taking that step of faith.
     God used him to be an impact on people everywhere while he was alive, but now he is an amazing example of God’s sovereignty, His endless grace, and never ending love.
Peter also denied Christ three times. (Matthew 26:35)  “Peter said unto him, Though I should die with thee, yet will I not deny thee. Likewise also said all the disciples.” He didn’t believe that he could deny his Jesus. He’d rather die. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak. That good ole’ human nature kicked in again. (Matthew 26:69-75) “Now Peter sat without in the palace: and a damsel came unto him, saying, Thou also wast with Jesus of Galilee. But he denied before them all, saying, I know not what thou sayest. And when he was gone out into the porch, another maid saw him, and said unto them that were there, This fellow was also with Jesus of Nazareth. And again he denied with an oath, I do not know the man. And after a while came unto him they that stood by, and said to Peter, Surely thou also art one of them; for thy speech bewrayeth thee. Then began he to curse and to swear, saying, I know not the man. And immediately the cock crew. And Peter remembered the word of Jesus, which said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. And he went out, and wept bitterly.”  
     Peter’s faith grew stronger with trial. He denied Christ three times, but he took up arms for Him. (John 18:10)  “Then Simon Peter having a sword drew it, and smote the high priest's servant, and cut off his right ear. The servant's name was Malchus.”
     God has used Peter’s story to show His children, generation after generation, of His grace, love, and mercies that endure forever. His life is the example that shows us that if we fall down, we need to get back up and keep walking towards Christ. Don’t stumble over mistakes of the past, you’re forgiven.

~Beautifully Created 4 Christ~
~Romans 10:15~

Grit Your Teeth And Hold On

  I can’t see a difference between this world and the Children of God anymore. It’s like they went into hiding and we’re taking for granted that Jesus died for us.  As if the Son of God came to earth, was born in a manger, grew up perfect, had all the temptations man had and still remained perfect, was beaten, mocked, hurt, and was pierced with a spear,  like it’s just a normal thing. It’s saddening to see how cold and indifferent the American Christians have become. Is it that we’re too afraid? Or maybe just don’t want to be rejected, looked down upon, or mocked. Why is it so easy to turn our backs on the One who gave it all?
This world is NOT our home, we’re just passing through. We take this world and expect to be in it and partake of everything it tries to offer us. We can’t be a servant of two masters. It doesn’t work. Matthew 6:24  "No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon."  You can’t serve the world and be a servant of God. You’re either for Him or against. He gives everyone a free choice. He doesn’t force us to believe in Him. He didn’t want robots, He wants us to love Him of our own free will.
My Jesus gave His life for me, He gave His life for you, the least we can do is follow Him. Isaiah 53:5  "But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed."
We get sucked into this world. It tries to woo us and we fall for it’s temporary happiness. So soon we forget the immeasurable joy and the peace that passes all understanding that only comes from Jesus Christ.
Jesus didn’t ask for part of your heart, He asks for it {ALL}. He didn’t ask for part of your life, He asks for it all. He asked you to give Him your all. He gave His all. His all was on the cross. Isaiah 53:6  "All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all."
We owe Him everything. We owe Him our minutes, our hours, our days, our words, our actions, our thoughts. We should give Him our {ALL}. It’s not easy. A lot of times I just have to grit my teeth and hold on. Gal 6:7-9  "Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.
  For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not."
The believers of this Nation, that’s including me and everyone else who believes on Jesus Christ, are pathetic. We act like we’re secret agents with our faith. Like it’s our secret identity and no one is suppose to know. Don’t go mission impossible on God because everything is possible with Him.
Standing for Christ may make us martyrs, but if you have received Christ as your Savior, you just get promoted to Heaven!Philippians 3:20-21  "For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself." If we don’t stand for Christ {WHO WILL}?
This world should KNOW we are Christians. God calls every believer to share the gospel. No one is unreachable. There’s no lost cause. Don’t give up on anyone. Plant those seeds, water those seeds, and pray.
Sometimes it may seem like that person you’re trying to be a Christ like example for is just not getting it, not listening, and just not worth the sacrifice. You know what, just grit your teeth and give it your all. God’s word will never go void. Our labor in Christ is never in vain.
Stand and give Jesus your all.

~Beautifully Created 4 Christ~

The "Discouragement Pit"

“Wow! The view from up here is amazing!”  I find myself  in that kind of mood when I’m on that spiritual mountain. Being so close to God. Then a storm shakes that mountain and I fall. Hard.
Nothing like a little shake to test your foundation, trust, and willingness to walk towards the Lord even when you can’t see Him.
A lot of times when I’m falling, from this shake, I become discouraged. Discouragement is completely from Satan. I get to feeling like I don’t have the fire that I started out with, I’m wondering where that mountain went. I start feeling like I’m not able to serve God or God doesn’t have a plan for me. I get discouraged. It’s from Satan. It’s simple. James 1:2-3 “My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.”

I don’t know why it’s so hard to not get discouraged when God gives us so many promises that He’ll be faithful. He tells us so many times to trust Him. He has {NEVER} let me down. His will is always better than my own. Romans 8:14-16 “For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:”
Many of us fall into the “discouragement pit”. It’s deep and easy to fall into. Especially when I look around and see other Christian girls I know that are telling me about everything God is using them to do, everything they’re learning. I want that! Why can’t I have it? Why can’t I have the fire that they seem to ALWAYS have??? After I get done crying about it, I start to look at myself. No, not in a mirror, I start looking inside. Deep inside. Usually what’s holding me back from getting closer to God is from within. It’s not God holding me back or hiding from me. God will never hide Himself from someone who is seeking Him. No, it’s in {my heart}. I have to look into my heart and ask what’s holding me back from God. What is it I’m holding onto that I don’t want to give up for Him? (Something I struggle with a lot is my pride, but I’m not getting into that in this post.)
His timing is a funny thing, you know? It’s usually a whole lot different from my timing. His will is perfect. He has a plan for each of our lives.
John 16:33  “These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.”
I look at those girls around me and have to remember, no two journeys are a like. That girl who is in God’s will and serving Him is right where God Has {HER}. As long as I’m seeking God’s will for my life, I’m right where God wants me.
Just like Jesus’ disciple Peter when he asked Jesus to let him come to Him on the water, he walked a little ways to Him, and as he was walking towards Jesus, he took his eyes off of Him and started to sink. But, he cried out and asked Jesus to save him, and immediately Jesus stretched forth His hand and caught him. Matthew 14:27-31  “But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid. And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water. And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus.
But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me. And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?”
 That sounds like just like me. I try to walk towards my Jesus, I take my eyes off of Him, I start to sink, and I have cry out for my Jesus to rescue me. The thing is, we’re going to fail, but it’s not the failing that we focus on, it’s the walking. We have to try. We have to walk. We’re going to fall and we’re going to sink, but we have to get back up and take that next step. Even though we feel discouraged, we have to keep reading His word and praying.
That’s a big one for me, when I’m discouraged I’m not reading my bible and talking to my Jesus as much.
This “discouragement pit” is deep and easy to fall into, but with Jesus, you can get out of it. I’m not saying it’s going to be easy, because most of the time it’s hard. But with Christ everything is possible.
John 15:11  “These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.”

~Beautifully Created 4 Christ~

Saving Our Gift

A friend of mine shared this article with me the other day,  it really reminded me of what a christian girl should be, what I should be. It's very hard staying pure, especially in this world, but this is what God calls us to do. He calls everyone to be pure.  We are called to live for Christ. I really can't say how much I liked this article, so read it. It's good. :)

~Beautifully Created 4 Christ~
~Psalms 37:4~

(This article was taken from http://www.terofamilyministries.com)

Saving Our Gift

One word that sends a thrill of excitement through any girl is the word “wedding.” Most of us cannot wait for that special day when we shall become the wife of a handsome young man.

The first “wedding” took place in Genesis 2, when God brought Eve to Adam to be his wife. Eve was a gift to her husband just like each of us girls will be a gift to some young man. How special it will be for our dad to walk us up the aisle and present us as a gift to our husband.

Here, we must stop dreaming and ask a sobering question: in what shape will this present be when our husband receives it? I do not mean will we be slender and attractive; we must look deeper – on the inside. Will our heart be pure and reserved only for our husband? Or will we be tattered and worn from living a life of “play” with every handsome young man we meet?

If you picture a gift, you might think of a beautiful package with shiny, unmarred wrapping and ribbons tied at the top. 

Change this picture to a young girl. She is pure in heart with innocence hovering over her like ribbons. This young lady reaches her early teens and her perspective of life changes. She notices that there are handsome, likeable boys that are more than willing to give her attention. So, she dangles a ribbon in their face, tempting them, saying, “You want to get a peek of what I’m like?”  This is called flirting. Many boys react to this flirting by accepting the young girl’s offer. Often, this step is repeated again and again, until the ribbons are all frayed, tattered, or torn from pulls by young men.

As a girl gets older, she begins to “date around” to find her husband. Instead of living a life of peace and contentment, her life is filled with worries about “Will he like me? What if he breaks up with me?” In the meanwhile, her wrapping is getting soiled and perhaps torn in places.

Finally, “Mr. Right” comes and the girl proceeds to her wedding. When her husband receives this gift on their wedding day, it is no longer the beautiful package we first saw – pure and innocent – with clean wrapping and delightful ribbons. Instead, it is marred and in need of repair. What godly young man would like to receive such a gift?

For those of you, who have not dangled your ribbons before boys; let me challenge you to stay pure! Do not worry about “catching” young men’s attention!! Instead, focus on serving the Lord and let Him bring your future husband to you. Purity is a gift that once opened, can never be re-wrapped in the perfect way it was before.

For those of you who have already spent your life flirting and worrying about attracting boys, may I challenge you to consider the path your feet are taking you! If the Lord is asking you to save your heart for the one young man that will become your husband, please hearken to Him! He will forgive and mend the broken heart and is so ready to help your feet find a straighter, safer path on which to travel.

“Keep (Guard) thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.” (Proverbs 4:20) You have a precious gift in your hands . . . will you purpose to keep it pure and clean for your husband?

By Amanda Tero

{Compromise}

Compromise. An easy enough word. Doesn't sound threatening, really. But, how wrong that really is we don’t usually see, or want to see.
Was there that time in your life when you were on fire for God? Not the, I’m going to sing at the nursing home every 6 months, but the truly, earnestly, deep {Fire} for God? I know for me, when ever I get back from (SMITE) Missionary camp, I’m on fire for God. Getting back into the everyday routine of chores, school, and family can, I don’t know what it would be called, I guess deflate some of the balloon. You see being surrounded by other Christians and focusing on working for Christ is easy. No distractions, no discouragements. It’s what you do after coming down off that mountain. All the surrendering I did at  SMITE, everything God showed me that I was letting get in the way of my personal relationship with my Jesus, all of it somehow starts coming back. Trying to get it’s way back in between my Jesus and I. We have to [STAY] on fire for God!


{Compromise}

That very simple act is very dangerous. It’s compromise that comes between you and your personal relationship with Christ. It doesn’t take away your salvation, that’s not what I’m trying to say. It gets in the way of  His voice, His leading, growing with Him, and drawing near to Him.
Compromise, like for me, might be at night before bed I usually read my bible, but the book I’m half way into is calling my name. I compromise and half read through a chapter rush through a prayer and go for the book.

{Compromise}

That 10 letter word can break down your relationship with God.
It’s something God is really trying to teach me. He brings it to me, puts it on my heart, and gives me the choice.
This goes for everything in life. Don’t compromise. God gives us convictions. Those convictions that He gives us are things that He wants us to do or stop doing.
We compromise in different ways. Could be in school, everyone else is doing something, so why can’t you? For one thing, it may be wrong. It may be that your parents don’t approve, they are you God given authorities, and if you’re not under their authority you’re not in God’s will. Don’t compromise to sin. Because in the end, if you look back, and you were saying, “Oh, it’s ok. I can do it this once. God will forgive me.” Yes, God will forgive you, but it’s still sin. Once you do it once, what’ll stop you from doing that sin again? {Compromise is dangerous.}
Eph 3:14-19  “For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height;  And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.”
We are His, made by Him, for Him. Even if He has to break me to remake me, I have to keep holding on. He’ll always be there for me. He is the only one who will ever be able to love me unconditionally. His amazing gift on the cross is proof enough of His unconditional love.  John 15:13  “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” {NO ONE} can compare to my Jesus!! There’s NO need to compromise, we have Jesus! He is the Great I Am, Jehovah, Yahweh, Emanuel “God with us”, He is Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the End.
And {NOTHING} you confess could make Him love you less.

~Beautifully Created 4 Christ~
~Ephesians 4:6~

Christian Homes Torched by Muslim Mob Over Blasphemy in Pakistan

This article is from www.persecution.org.  We need to be praying for our brothers and sisters in Christ.  3/11/2013 Washington D.C. (International Christian Concern) - International Christian Concern (ICC) has learned that more than 100 Christian homes were torched on Saturday by an enraged Muslim mob, following reports that a Christian man had blasphemed Islam in Lahore, eastern Pakistan. Thousands of Christians demonstrated throughout the country the next day demanding justice and criticizing the police for failing to protect them. A mob of some 3,000 Muslims set fire to approximately 178 Christian homes and two churches in the Joseph Colony of Lahore on March 9 following accusations that Sawan Masih, a Christian sanitation worker, had made derogatory remarks about the Muslim prophet Muhammad. Masih had allegedly made the blasphemous comments on Wednesday during a dispute on religious issues with Shahid Imran, a Muslim, while the men "were drunk," said local resident Altaf Masih. The violence began after Friday prayers when about 100 Muslims pelted Masih's house with stones and beat his elderly father, according to ICC sources. After the mob had gathered, Masih was taken into police custody and charged with blasphemy under Section 295-C of Pakistan's Penal Code. Hundreds of Christians fled the area later that night in fear for their safety. On Saturday, thousands of Muslims returned to the area and attacked Christian-owned houses, shops, and two churches. No Christians were reportedly injured, but their possessions were stolen or destroyed during the raid. "[Christians] don't want to return to their burnt houses as they are petrified," Gulzar Bibi, a local Christian resident, toldThe Express Tribune. "I have nothing left to me apart from these clothes. Nothing is left behind in these charred houses for me." Thousands of Christians in Lahore, Karachi, and Islamabad protested the violence on Sunday, accusing the police of failing to protect the Christians of Joseph Colony while also condemning the country's blasphemy laws. Though the Pakistani government claims it instituted blasphemy laws to seek religious harmony through uniformity, in practice blasphemy laws provide cover for personal vendettas against religious minorities. Approximately 1,400 blasphemy cases have been registered since the law was first enacted in 1986, according to Human Rights Watch. There are at least 16 people currently on death row, including several Christians, in Pakistan for blasphemy, and 20 serving life sentences. If convicted, Masih could be given the death sentence. Aidan Clay, ICC Regional Manager for the Middle East, said, "Not a month goes by in Pakistan without Christians being attacked, arrested, or threatened and forced to flee their homes because of accusations of blasphemy. Now, an entire colony in Lahore has been emptied of Christians because local Muslims felt justified by law to avenge one Christian's 'blasphemous' remarks by punishing the entire Christian community. The ordeal once again proves that blasphemy laws are fundamentally flawed. Rather than protecting Pakistani citizens, as the law should, blasphemy laws provide cover and embolden extremists to commit violent acts against innocent minorities. As long as such laws exist, the country will continue to be plagued by abuse in the name of religion and Christians and other religious minorities will continue to suffer. ICC calls on the Pakistani government to arrest those responsible for the attack, rebuild the Christians' homes and shops, and replace all their possessions, including their life's savings, which many families lost in the raid. No one should be attacked by mobs and disdained by their government simply because they are a member of a minority religious community."