I was playing football a weekend ago with some old friends and it was apparent to all of us that we were out of shape. There's nothing like a physical game that reveals how much more fit you need to be in order to play well. Nevertheless there is hope for us because every summer it seems as if there's a new program available for people who want to get into shape. Even our own church is trying to organize people to run in order to improve their health! In addition to all this, eating things that are organic seems to be the new trend. With so much emphasis on the human body, I wonder if people consider taking care of other areas in their life as well. Think about it. How often do you hear someone say they need to get their "inner man" into shape? When was the last time you saw someone evaluating the “spiritual food" they were eating? I believe that we can easily be spiritually out of shape just as we can be physically unfit. And just as being physically healthy is important, we also need to in top form spiritually. I believe there is no substitute for spending consistent time with God to grow spiritually. The more I'm with him the more fit I become. Consider for a moment how much of our time is spent watching reality TV or surfing the web when that time could be spent growing relationally with the Creator of the universe. Don't get me wrong, sometimes we need a break but what would it look like if someone asked you to go watch a movie with them and you told them you couldn't because you had a prior commitment to spend time in prayer that night. Too many times we settle for less than the best. The best is God Himself. This is something that God is dealing with me in my own heart. I don't know about you but I need to be in communion with God in order to handle the challenges I face every day in my life. This walk with God is like a race and I need to be in shape to run in it all the way to the end.

Acts 20:24 However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the gospel of God's grace.

In the community I grew up in, we were always informed of what NOT to do. We were told not to go to movie theaters, not to dress a certain way, and not to hang out with the wrong crowd. Some of the advice was helpful and some was not. In the book of Acts chapter 21, Paul was informed by credible people about the suffering that awaited him in Jerusalem and was told not to go there. Suffering is a word that few people discuss, let alone write about. Who wants to hear about suffering? Just the very thought of it makes me uncomfortable. I'm not even going to pretend that I fully understand it.

Paul, however, was a man who endured much suffering in his ministry. He was put in prison, kicked out of almost every town and was even stoned to near death among other things. This was nothing unexpected as God told Ananias when Paul was saved, "how much Paul would have to suffer for His name's sake." If I was Ananias, I'd be wondering how much suffering is enough. Why should any believer in the God of the universe have to go through this ordeal?

It doesn't make any sense until you look at the life of Jesus. The bible tells us that he was a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief. I believe that He endured more hardships than anyone else in this world. He was falsely accused, given an unfair trial, beaten, mocked and finally killed on a cross like a criminal when all along HE WAS THE KING. Theologians tell us that suffering exists because of sin. In other words, it was my sin that nailed him to the cross. He suffered and died so that I might live and have new life.

If my Savior suffered and overcame then why would it be any different for me? Jesus said “if anyone desire to come after me then he must take up his cross and follow me.” The cross can be a symbol of love and sacrifice but it was also a symbol of suffering and shame. The cross is something that Jesus said we have to carry if we want to be his follower. If you're weary because of persecution, grief, sorrow or difficulties in your life know that Jesus went through it all and He overcame victoriously. Because He lives, you too can live. Paul was ready to embrace the suffering that awaited him. In Acts 21 Paul told those who were concerned about his future “I am ready not only to be bound, but also die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus."

Growing up as a kid in junior high school, there was always someone famous that you wanted to be like. For me, it was to be like Mike J. on the basketball court. My goal was to model my game after him so that I could become a better basketball player. Many years later when I accepted Jesus into my life, I wanted to be more like Him and pursue this thing called Christ-likeness. The goal for me and for every believer is to be more like Jesus every day so that we can live up to the name of being a Christian. Being more like Jesus though can sometimes be a hard thing because it involves loving like Jesus did. In the book of Ephesians, Paul writes that husbands ought to love their wives like Christ loved the church. This means that husbands should love their wives sacrificially and unconditionally. Last night my wife asked me to do something that I didnt feel like doing because it was late and I didnt think it was important. Suddenly, I was reminded that Christ- likeness relates to how I treat my wife! Instead of thinking about her, I acted out selfishly. Jesus loved his bride (the church) so much that he chose to die for her. Jesus said that He is the Good Shepherd that gives His life for the sheep. For me, desiring to be more like Jesus starts with me loving my wife better. If youre married or engaged, know that God requires you to demonstrate your love by having a selfless attitude. I believe no career advancement, financial gain, educational degree, and yes even ministry opportunity is worth me being an inconsiderate and unloving husband. Help me Lord to love you and to love like you.

I cant believe the month of May is just around the corner. In this year alone I've experienced God's grace so abundantly in my life. Its because of this that yesterday was a bit of a surprise for me. While trying to juggle work, school, church and home, I've always been confident that God will help me manage my responsibilities. Last night, after a long day at work and at home, I sat down to write my paper for school. I was tired but my expectation was that God was going to assist me through this in the same way He's always done for me. Minutes went by but nothing was making its way on to the computer screen. Nothing was working and then for some strange reason, I felt a sense of abandonment from God as if He didn't care that I need His help. Not being able to write magnified all the other struggles I was facing at the time. Fear crept into my heart and I wanted to rebel to show my frustration. Nevertheless, I went to bed but even after waking up in the morning my mind was still restless. Why were things going the wrong way when it didn't seem like I was not doing anything wrong? I was looking to blame something or someone but none of it made any sense. Not having anywhere else to turn I asked God to simply help me. From there I read a devotional and it brought me to a verse in the Bible. Isaiah 50 verse 10 says, "Who among you fears the Lord? Who obeys the voice of His Servant? Who walks in darkness and has no light? Let him trust in the name of the Lord and rely upon His God." Reading this, I felt as if I was walking in darkness in some areas of my life where nothing was making any sense and I realized that I needed more faith. Its faith in God that will carry me through the “dark days” when things don't go the way they're supposed to go. Maybe you're like me and you've allowed fear to creep into your life when faith was needed. Instead of fearing God you feared that God would not be there. Be strengthened today knowing that God's love has the power to remove all fears. Be encouraged that God does not abandon his children like orphans but instead has given us the best help we need in the person of the Holy Spirit. As I read today, sometimes walking through these difficult areas in life is necessary so that our faith in God can grow. I echo the words of the apostles – Lord, increase our faith.



Psalm 112:4 - Even in darkness light dawns for the upright, for the gracious and compassionate and righteous man.

2008 is a year that will be remembered as the year of change that impacted every sector of American society. 2008 is also a year where I saw many changes in my own life. Some changes came unexpectedly while others were highly anticipated. I remember the change in the economic climate when I went through a crisis at work wondering if we would be extended a bailout and have a job the next day. I remember the challenge of taking extra classes for school and changing an entire schedule around. I remember the thrill of starting a new morning service with church and moving forward on a long uphill climb. Throughout the year there were moments of both anxiety and exhilaration. There were new opportunities of ministry and old ones that went by. There were engagements, weddings, birthday parties and numerous family gatherings. There were short trips to Chicago and one long trip to the local pharmacy. In the midst of all the changes taking place around me, there was one constant in my life. His name is Jesus. I thank God that He was there through it all. There was never a time where I did not find comfort being in His presence. Not a day passed where I was not blessed by His Word. What can I say but that God is good and He never changes. I also thank God for my wonderful wife whos always supportive and stands by my side through all the changes we face together. I echo the words of Chris Tomlin “great is your faithfulness, true are your promises, you never change, you never fail, O God.” I say all this now because there was a day at the end of the year where discouragement crept in. Some things didnt work as I expected and doubts flooded my mind. It was then when God reminded me of His steady presence in my life throughout the entire year. Even when there were setbacks, He was still there. God is truly amazing and we will keep pressing on till this race is done!