Hunger and Thirst...

So yesterday I was watching this clip on YouTube about Worship Leading. I like to watch and listen to what other Follower's of Christ are speaking and the things God is revealing to them. I get inspired and stirred up in my spirit and it opens me to my own revelations from God for my own life. Anyways, it was by Darlene Zschech, the leader of Hillsong. She said that to be comfortable was the exact opposite of being hungry...if you are feeling hungry than you are not very comfortable right? Well in the scriptures it talks of those of us who Hunger and Thirst after God, His righteousness, His presence, Him. Mat 5:6 says, "Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled." This is so interesting to me. It says blessed are those who hunger and thirst...they will be filled. Carefully looking at that, it doesn't say anywhere in the end that you will be filled and no longer hunger and thirst. We are blessed and filled when we hunger and thirst. It seems to not really make sense, but with God it makes more than sense. I feel like I'm jumbling what I am trying to get out. We cannot live in a place of "comfort" because to do so would be opposite of being hungry and thirsty. We must stay Hungry and Thirsty so we can be filled. When you are satisfied, you have no need. If we are satisfied we will not desire for more of God. We will stop seeking Him, not go any further or higher or deeper into Him. We stop until we "feel" hungry and thirsty again. In order to keep this going continually we must not look to be filled with "fill-ers" we need only to be filled with Him. How easily deceived are we that we think we are "full" and so we just stop eating. We are full...full of fake fillers and processed food that has gone through all kinds of chemicals and genetically modified procedures to supposedly make the food taste better or to preserve it from going bad too fast....see where I am going with this??/

We  must fill ourselves with the ALL NATURAL JESUS! Free of contaminants, free of dyes, free of chemicals, free of debris, free of junk, good for you, 100% WHOLE, just the way nature created it to be...the way God gave it to us, before we got a hold of it......always searching for control we are....!

Are you HUNGRY and THIRSTY for something? Get HUNGRY AND THIRSTY FOR GOD SO HE CAN FILL YOU IN SUCH A SATISFYING WAY THAT CONTINUES TO BRING YOU BACK FOR MORE.....mmmm mmmm mouth watering good!!!

Saturday's Study...

1Corinthians 1:6 "Even as the testimony of Christ was confirmed in you:"


I am continuing my study in Corinthians and as I came across this scripture I had to stop. I had to ask myself this question: "Is the Testimony of Christ confirmed in my life?" 


We all should ask this question of ourselves. As I talked about before, are we really accurately representing Christ in our lives, it's along the same vein. I just want to be a vessel for Him. This is a common phrase used by many Christians, but like everything concerning God, we don't fully understand what we ask of Him until He begins to show us. We say we want strength, but with strength comes a way to exercise it. How do you know you are strong if you haven't done anything where you needed to use your strength? It's not like we popped in a can of Jesus Spinach and our Popeye Muscles bulged out for everyone to see. Even if they did, does that mean you are strong? Maybe it's all a fissad, muscles for show on the outside, but no true strength to back them up. 


Did you ever see the episode of SpongeBobSquarePants where him and Sandy are working out and even to lift the smallest pebble was too difficult for him? Well he gets this bright idea to buy these fake, inflatable muscles from TV. Then he goes down to the workout place and shows them off with all the buff creatures. When Sandy sees him she doesn't realize how he could have gained all that muscle overnight, but goes with it and signs him up for a strength contest...SpongeBob, knowing that he didn't actually have the strength tried to get out of it but could not. He ends up looking foolish after failed attempts to lift the heavy weights and then popping his inflatable muscles...


Why do we go to great lengths to prove our strength to others and even to ourselves? Even deeper, why do we think we won't encounter areas where we will have to prove our strength? Hmmm...


We are weak beings in comparison to such a mighty and powerful Maker. Through Him is where our strength abides. Only through Him can we truly be strong. I don't want to be fake strong...haha....I want to be real strong. The only way I can do that, we can do that, is to confirm His testimony in our lives. 


What is His testimony? The Gospel. In 1 Corinthians 1:6 it is called “the testimony of Christ,” because it bore witness to Christ - to his divine nature, his miracles, his Messiahship, his character, his death, etc. The message of the gospel consists in bearing witness to Christ and his work; 

1 Corinthians 15:1-4

"1 Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; 2 By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. 3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; 4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:" 

2 Titus 1:8 "Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God;"

Is the evidence of the Holy Spirit present in our lives? Speaking in tongues or miraculous happenings? Does our life SHOW God? Does it say I believe in God and look how He has done things in my life? It's not even about our experiences. Christ's testimony, the Gospel, what He did for us, is that being exemplified through us, confirmed, established, proved, in our daily lives? 

How would we show such a thing? By being "doers of the word and not hearers only." James 1:22. Mark 16:20 "And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen." When the Lord is working through us, and we are working according to His will and purpose for our lives, than evidence of Him WILL be seen. He shows Himself to those who desire. He shows Himself to a hopeless world who needs Him, but does not realize that is the emptiness they are trying to fill on their own. Who can testify of the Lord but us who are here on the earth for that purpose. Act 20:24  But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God. 

God seeks a people who will live for Him, go for Him, move for Him...do we desire only to move for ourselves or do we see a greater purpose behind why we are even here on earth? Do we desire to "confirm the testimony of Christ in our lives" that all who sees us would not see us but see Him and come to know Him in their lives? 

What is the desire of your heart? 

"In light of all this, here's what I want you to do....I want you to get out there and walk--better yet, run!--on the road God called you to travel. I don't want any of you sitting around on your hands. I don't want anyone strolling off, down some path that goes nowhere. infancies among us, please. We'll not tolerate babes in the woods, small children who are an easy mark for impostors. God wants us to grow up, to know the whole truth and tell it in love--like Christ in everything. We take our lead from Christ, who is the source of everything we do. He keeps us in step with each other. His very breath and blood flow through us, nourishing us so that we will grow up healthy in God, robust in love. And so I insist--and God backs me up on this--that there be no going along with the crowd, the empty-headed, mindless crowd. They've refused for so long to deal with God that they've lost touch not only with God but with reality itself. They can't think straight anymore. Feeling no pain, they let themselves go in sexual obsession, addicted to every sort of perversion. But that's no life for you. You learned Christ! My assumption is that you have paid careful attention to him, been well instructed in the truth precisely as we have it in Jesus. Since, then, we do not have the excuse of ignorance, everything--and I do mean everything--connected with that old way of life has to go. It's rotten through and through. Get rid of it! And then take on an entirely new way of life--a God-fashioned life, a life renewed from the inside and working itself into your conduct as God accurately reproduces his character in you. What this adds up to, then, is this: no more lies, no more pretense. Tell your neighbor the truth. In Christ's body we're all connected to each other, after all. When you lie to others, you end up lying to yourself. Go ahead and be angry. You do well to be angry--but don't use your anger as fuel for revenge. And don't stay angry. Don't go to bed angry. Don't give the Devil that kind of foothold in your life. Did you used to make ends meet by stealing? Well, no more! Get an honest job so that you can help others who can't work. Watch the way you talk. Let nothing foul or dirty come out of your mouth. Say only what helps, each word a gift. Don't grieve God. Don't break his heart. His Holy Spirit, moving and breathing in you, is the most intimate part of your life, making you fit for himself. Don't take such a gift for granted. Make a clean break with all cutting, backbiting, profane talk. Be gentle with one another, sensitive. Forgive one another as quickly and thoroughly as God in Christ forgave you." (Ephesians Chapter 4 - The Message Bible)

Until another time...Loves and Hugs Friends,

Christina Carroll

You may get offended, but I don't really care...

Every day I read things and see people living lives that look just like everyone else in this world. It's the epidemic of the "in moderation justification" crowd. 

"Oh I only drink sometimes."

"I only have the occasional glass of wine."

"I only smoke pot sometimes."

"I only smoke Hooka sometimes."

"When I _______ I feel the Holy Spirit and pray and stuff."

"I'm gay and I love Jesus."

"I LOVE horror movies." followed by... "I have insomnia!"

"Tattoos, Tattoos, Tattoos, and more..."

"Piercing, Piercing, lips, eyes, chest, head..."

"Liquor + friends + smoking = good times....and we all love Jesus."

I look around at a people who do everything the world does. You listen to the same music, drink the same drinks, wear the same things that let you define or express yourself....ugh....what separates you from the world? Now I'm not speaking from a hypocritical stand point as if I am on some higher level and free of the things I do. It's just I find myself always asking....where does the line draw? I mean everyone's definition of that line is so completely different. We base the line off of what we justify as ok in our lives not the Word of God - the Bible. I mean REALLY we do this!!! We can go far into it and dissect every area of life from Food to Movies to Music to Drinks to Lifestyle. "Defiling the temple" could be abusing what you eat and being very unhealthily obese. Or it could be abusing alcohol and drugs. Or it could be cutting, or tattooing, or piercing, or any number of things really. It could be eating too much Chocolate Cake everyday which is not good for your body but we do it. Where does the line draw between the way God intends for us to be and the way everyone and everything else says to be? Did you make the line? Do you have the power to make the line? 

1Corinthians 6:9-11 Amplified Version

6:9  Do you not know that the unrighteous {and} the wrongdoers will not inherit {or} have any share in the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived (misled): neither the impure {and} immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor those who participate in homosexuality,

6:10  Nor cheats (swindlers and thieves), nor greedy graspers, nor drunkards, nor foulmouthed revilers {and} slanderers, nor extortioners {and} robbers will inherit {or} have any share in the kingdom of God.

6:11  And such some of you were [once]. But you were washed clean (purified by a complete atonement for sin and made free from the guilt of sin), and you were consecrated (set apart, hallowed), and you were justified [pronounced righteous, by trusting] in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the [Holy] Spirit of our God. The basis for our obligation to Christ could not be stated any clearer. He gives three reasons: 1. Verses 9-11 show what put us into indebtedness to make redemption necessary. 2. Verse 19 says that our body is now the temple of the Holy Spirit. 3. Verse 20 states that, because of redemption, we now belong to the One who redeemed us, and we must glorify Him in body and spirit. Concerning our bodies being "the temple of the Holy Spirit" it is good to reflect on the Old Testament symbolism that God abode in the Holy of Holies within the Temple. Paul reminds us that God now lives in us (John 14:7, 23), and we are obligated to live with the utmost circumspection so that He in no way is defiled by our conduct. So it is with Christ: We are obligated to consider His demands in every area of life all the time and under every circumstance. What an honor! Do we really uphold it as an honor though? I mean it seems like we would much rather please ourselves, our needs, which is glorifying ourselves and putting ourselves before the One who we need. When our life is looked at from an outside perspective what is it that is really seen? Could someone tell from a distance that that person is a Christian? When you see someone standing across the street how can you tell what kind of person they are? What about when someone has a casual conversation with you? Can they tell that you love God, that you are a follower of all that represents Jesus, in that conversation? What about when you are talking about your life to people around you be it at work or school or wherever you spend your time? What do you look and sound like? Does it represent Jesus?  You may be thinking yes, you may be thinking sometimes, or even no. You may even say that how can you look and sound like that all the time? Again I ask you WHERE IS THE LINE? In the end if it doesn't match up with the Word, than we have crossed it. None of us, not one of us is perfect or even worthy in the smallest sense to "make it to heaven" or "measure up to any standard" in the bible. We all fall short...all of us! (Romans 3:23) WE NEED JESUS!!! HE is the Way, HE is the TRUTH, HE is the LIFE, HE is the ONLY DOOR....JESUS! Our whole purpose in life should be to look like Him. He is the role model we should be working towards "growing up to be."  Look, I said I'm not perfect...guess what....I watch Harry Potter movies. I don't let my kids but I watch it. I have issues with anger. I constantly have to push past myself, and I do fail at times, to not react in a negative way. I DO NOT drink or smoke or tattoo or have any other piercing besides 1 in each ear and my nose. I listen only to Worship Music, I read only Christian books outside of the Bible, I try to eat healthy, I do indulge in yum foods, although not so much right now with my allergy issues. My life is one of NEVER GIVING UP ON BEING WHO GOD HAS CALLED ME TO BE. I will admit when and where I am wrong and if I don't see things about myself I ask God to show me or help me. I know I need Him. I want to live a life that shows that...it's my desire to represent Christ while here on this earth. When you see me I want you to see what a person who LOVES God and LIVES FOR HIM Only, looks like. I have imperfections but I am willing to change. It's not an easy journey and that's what makes the path narrow....many give up and turn back. I refuse to turn back. I want to sometimes but really what am I going back to....like in The Matrix....once you know the truth even if not knowing was simpler, why would you put back on the ignorance cap and re-enter the Matrix? I mean what kind of life is that? Sure in one sense life seems easier when you are not concerned about pleasing anyone or following anyone's rules. Isn't that the real American Dream --- Do Whatever The Heck You Want To Because You Can? Lol! THAT IS OUR FLESH...THAT IS SATAN...THAT IS WHY SATAN IS HERE AND CAST DOWN FROM HEAVEN. I don't want to adopt Satan's views.....didn't you hear? IN THE END HE LOSES...Yeah Satan loses to God.....so if victory is yours on God's side...isn't the push and hard work and effort put in worth it? I guess you have to decide. I'm sure I have pissed some people off....oh well...I just get intolerant of what I see when I know that doing those things DO NOT PLEASE GOD. Yes, God I would give up Harry Potter movies for You...what do You want of me, what do You ask of me? How can I represent You BEST? Show me and guide me that way and whatever the cost, whatever the pain, whatever I must suffer and go through and endure...I will do it for You!!! YOU MAKE IT WORTH IT ALL!!!!! Now I need Your help to accomplish this, but You promised me You would help me and that I wasn't alone and that You are with me wherever I go so I trust in Your promises and walk with You. (I'm being facetious with the Harry Potter thing but so serious if it's something God says has also got to go....just to clarify...I was using it as an example that I have asked myself about. I will not go see Twilight or watch True Blood or Vampire stuff because the whole point is seducing you. Vampires are seducing creatures that trap you and defeat you...but some of you like that draw, that tempting naughty trap thinking you can escape it but more being so consumed by it you can't distinguish truth from lie. But then Harry Potter is witchcraft so you can see my example making sense as a question and a desire to not be hypocritical. That Line...where is it?)