Critical Thinking

   Wherever you go, whatever you do, there will always be someone criticizing you. However, the problem is not how to stop it, but how can you deal with it? When there are people in your face speaking out about your flaws, you might say you feel "judged." Well, as with any term, you should know what judgment really means before using the term loosely. Then you may be able to understand the phenomena that is criticism.
   According to the Bible, in any matter judgment is the act of deciding a case (stating a situation, conjuring a solution). This is where courts get their foundation. Someone has a case against another, each tells his side of the story, and a judge decides what should be done about it. It seems simple enough, right? Then why are so many people, especially religious ones, creating a big deal about judgment? I have met unbelievers who feel as if "the church" is condemning them in some way by telling them about their sinful natures. Hence, they are turned off by Christians as a whole. From what I have read in 1 Corinthians chapter 5, we (Christians, the church) are supposed to judge each other righteously- in an edifying manner. That looks like us telling our fellow Christ-followers when they are doing wrong, not just to say it, but to correct it! Judgment does not work if there is no solution. I can tell my friend that she lies too much, but if I'm not telling her how she should rectify that, then I am doing her and myself unjustice. Love for others does not allow us to enforce self-condemnation. Contrarily, if someone is not a believer we are not called to condemn them! God knows their heart and will either harden or soften it; our job as Christians is to point to Christ so that unbelievers might draw near.
   Overall, we all know that every single human being is imperfect. This should humble us to accept others and encourage each other to progress, believers and unbeilevers alike. Telling an adulterer that he is evil does not solve his problem of lust and deceit. Either you may turn a cold shoulder, or he may; thus, continuing the cycle of condemnation. Denounce that critical mindset and tell him that he should stop and repent because it is a sin which you do not want him to pay for in Hell. Likewise, personal preferences for lifestyles such as not listening to secular music or not going to parties are just that- personal preferences. There are no specific Bible verses that say not to do those things, no matter how many times you check! What matters most is the Most High. Everything you do should be done unto the Lord, so that it may be good in His sight (Prov 16:3). If you do not approve of any type of secular music, fine; if you do, fine. Conviction depends on what you hear God telling you about a matter. In all things, God just wants the glory, which may or may not be evident in music (or any other matter) that does not mention His name or His principles. With that being said, you are not the enforcer of conviction. Do NOT label others because their Christian lifestyle does not reflect yours- everyone is different! You are not perfect, and your weakness may be in a different area than someone else's at church (10:1 chance it is), so why not hold each other accountable rather than bicker? I think God gets more glory there in a setting that looks to the truth rather than indivual feelings.
   Hopefully, you guys understood this brief summation of judging. There is so much more to think about, but I would rather you do it on your own. I am not an official judge and cannot force conviction upon you. All I ask is that you look to God's truth. Be progressive and loving; correcting in love will strengthen your relationship with Christ as you learn more about His word. Be blessed! As always, I'm open for discussion:)

Verse of the Day 5

Prov 4:13

"Take hold of instruction; do not let go. Guard her, for she is your life."

Keywords:
instruction- discipline, chastening, correction
guard- preserve, keep, guard from dangers
life- being, sustenance

Summary:
Grasp discipline. Take heed to what is correct and do not stray from its path because it is your vitality. You have to keep discipline close to your heart so that you will live.

Afterthought:
I can give an analogy to explain this verse fully. Your heart is vital to your life (if it stops working, you will die), so imagine that your heart is instruction. Surrounding your heart is your rib cage, which protects your organs including the heart. It would be safe to say that you would not purposefully do any damage to your ribs because it could harm your heart and kill you. So, your rib cage is like your grasp on life. It holds together strongly so that you may live. This is exactly how you should be about [biblical] instruction. God wants you to guard the wisdom He's given you with all of your strength like that of bones to keep yourself from turmoil and spiritual death (eternal separation from God). When you let go even a little, it will slowly lead to failure- just as if you broke a rib it would lead to internal health problems. Therefore, always be on your toes. Don't slack off as a Christian; put your ALL into the lifestyle to follow discipline in the footsteps of Jesus Christ, and you will never die spiritually!

I Don't Hate Religion

   Hello! Recently, I've noticed that there is a trend among Christians, especially youth, claiming that they "Hate religion, but love God." I found it peculiar, but did not want to speak on it until God had given me full understanding. As time went by, I left the matter alone. Then suddenly it reappeared in video form. A youtube video titled "Why I Hate Religion, But Love Jesus" featuring a young Christian expressing his thoughts on 'religion vs relationship' through spoken word has been getting much buzz. If you haven't seen it, here's the link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1IAhDGYlpqY . However, my premise is not to speak on the video. I have been praying for personal gaining of spiritual wisdom. Today I literally woke up thinking clearly about the religion debate. Isn't God great? We ask for wisdom, earnestly seek it, and He gives it to us!

   Now, let's get to the root of this post- the title! Why am I bluntly declaring that I don't hate religion? To put it simply- because I know what religion is about. I'll begin my rhetoric by exploring what religion is. I looked up the definition of "religion" using multiple resources. Here are a few that seemed most relevant:

Dictionary.com
religion: 1) a set of beliefs concerning the cause, nature, and purpose of the universe, especially when considered as the creation of a superhuman agency or agencies, usually involving devotional and ritual observances, and often containing a moral code governing the conduct of human affairs.

Merriam-webster.com
religion: 1b) the service and worship of God or the supernatural; commitment or devotion to religious faith or observance
4) a cause, principle, or system of beliefs held to with ardor and faith

Google Search
religion: 1.The belief in and worship of a superhuman controlling power, esp. a personal God or gods.
2.Details of belief as taught or discussed.

   The common ground that I see among these differing definitions is 1) service/worship of a superhuman being(s) and 2) a set of beliefs that affect one's lifestyle. I will sum religion up by saying that it is devotion to a supernatural being through life service (adhering to set principles) and praise. No where does it say in dictionaries or the Bible that religion was created by man. It is completely centered around a God or gods, so it must have come from the God or gods, right?

   Since this is a Christian blog, and I believe in the one true God, I will leave out "gods" and say that religion is focused on God and His teachings. Man-focused religions are nothing new. In the Bible, we see that the Pharisees obeyed God's law in order to receive salvation, but we know that salvation is a gift not acquired by deeds (Ephesians 2). Therefore, their religious acts were solely about rites and adherence to law, not necessarily service to God. How can it really be called "religion" when they are missing the core of religion: God? Matthew 5:20 says, "For I say to you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven." Though they kept the Law, the Pharisees did not receive salvation because their hearts were still wicked. God wants you to obey His law AND have a relationship with Him.

   So my next question is: can modern society's ubiquitous statement "Christianity is a lifestyle, not a religion" be valid? Christians are really beginning to frown upon religion, which scares me greatly. Going back to the definitions of religion- worshiping your God and adhering to His commands that you confessed to be true, which consequently affects your lifestyle sounds pretty much like Christianity. Serving God religiously IS a lifestyle!

   As this blog post comes to an end, I want to say that Satan is constantly at work. He loves to corrupt believers. He has no reason to chase those who are already his, so of course he is looking to discredit your beliefs. Do not believe that you can live for God without living for God. Do you see how that makes no sense? That is what you are saying when you think that Christianity does not consist of religious rites and principles. Get out of the mindset of "How much can I do and still be called a Christian?" and live righteously according to what the Bible says, not mankind's twisted concepts. I pray that you will ponder this throughout life and come to biblical truth. As always, I'm open for discussion. Be blessed!

Let's Talk About R.A.G.E!

   When someone has wronged you, your flesh (carnal nature) may want to take over so that you become enraged. However, being mad at someone NEVER solves your problem. In fact, it weakens your ability to subject feelings to God's command, which is to be slow to anger. God assures us many times that He will take care of your enemies, so there is no need to worry about it yourself. Pray for meekness and temperance to withstand tough situations that really test your patience!
   That brings me to my friend Jason Roberts, aka "Conquest" (Jay Renegade), fellow Christian and ambitious independent-labeled rapper from New Jersey. He recently released an EP titled "R.A.G.E" an acronym meaning "revenge against God's enemies." The heavy metal, hip hop track expresses the tragedies of the Columbine and Virginia Tech shootings due to unlawful revenge, as well as Conquest's decision not to be vengeful of the near sexual assault/molestation he almost faced by a church pastor in 1998. This experience with corruptive church members and modern cases of sexual abuse in the church were catalysts for the creation of R.A.G.E, so it not only tells a story but raises awareness and gives warning: God will handle your situations! Have a look here:

If you like it, follow him on twitter @RadicalONFIRE, retweet, download from the links, and spread the word!

Remember this...Romans 12:19 "Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written, 'VENGEANCE IS MINE, I WILL REPAY,' says the Lord."

Insomnia

Ehh... It's late. I couldn't sleep, so I decided to do what I do best at times like these- let my ideas flow. My overflow of thoughts are usually what keep me awake in the first place. Sometimes I will not go to sleep until my creativity has burned out! I'm just wondering right now- what keeps you up? Stress, imagination, and paranoia are a few broad examples of factors that lead to insomnia. You may work overtime trying to finish a project of some sort, or you may have too many worries about bills and time. Whatever the case may be, your mind is not at rest. In order to be content, you must allow your brain and body to recover.
   When I feel like somewhat of an insomniac, I stop myself from thinking any further and pray to God. I remember the verse Psalms 4:8 that says, "In peace I will both lie down and sleep, For You alone, O LORD, make me to dwell in safety." (NASB) This is true in every situation. Despite your anxiety and endless tasks, always remember that with God you may rest peacefully. If you're lonely, call upon His name. If you're highly strung-out, call upon His name. If you don't know where you're going in life, call upon His name. Christ is the answer to all of your problems, both deep and miniscule. Never get the impression that you are all alone because God is watching, and He wants you to talk to Him. Your heavenly father will never abandon you.
   I know it gets tough being under a lot of pressure, but I also know it is a test that will only help me to mature. Nothing worth preserving is easy to attain. Therefore, greater knowledge sometimes comes with trials. We are reminded in 1 Thessalonians 5:18 to be thankful for all things, and why not- we are blessed beyond measure! Whatever is bothering you, I pray that you call upon God to relieve your mind, to give you peace, and to reassure you that He's there always. Whatever is keeping you up, count it all joy! Send praises and prayers up- God will surely give you rest.:) 

Why do we like haters?

   When the word "haters" comes to mind, what do you think about? It is a common term in modern America, often referring to people who do not agree with you or your lifestyle. There's an odd saying "Make haters your motivaters," meaning "Let people's hatred drive you to keep doing what you're doing." (Hopefully, whatever you are doing to ignite hatred towards yourself is positive.) My favorite is "Haters make me famous," which speaks for itself, but I find it to be a ridiculously inaccurate statement. Ironically, the common theme within these statements is appreciation for haters. Why do we, instead of ignoring haters, choose to acknowledge their negativity to somehow better ourselves? There are two main reasons: people like attention and people like rebellion. One who is a part of the former, will not necessarily be a part of the latter, and vice versa.
   Everyone knows at least one person who loves attention, the person whose life revolves around others paying attention to them. These people I like to call "drama royalty" [drama kings and drama queens]. They conjure up drama just for the sake of onlookers- they might as well become playwrights! For example, when I was a preteen, a peer of mine announced that she would be appearing on a televised talent show. We all congratulated her; however I had my doubts about her validity. I had known this girl to be a consistent liar and attention- craver, so I questioned how she would get out of school for weeks to fly across the country for a TV show. Though my commonly sarcastic tone was traded for sincerity at that moment, she grouchily called me "jealous." Long story short, her dream was reality solely in her mind and never came to fruition. I realized that she only stated the possibility of fame to bring perceived positive attention to herself. My peer had used my perceived "hating" as a way to boost her ego by saying that I was "jealous" of her. Now, I say all this to show that hating isn't always authentic; it is sometimes falsely interpreted by people to get the attention that they desperately crave.
    The valid hatred that people may have towards you, comes from a biblical perspective. My favorite scripture about this is John 15:18-19 where Jesus says:

"If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you."

Mind you, Jesus is referring to His children (chosen ones). He says the world should hate you, the world being those who are children of the worldly things (Satan's seeds). If you humbly contemplate what your life speaks about the gospel to unbelievers, you will find that there may be fewer haters than you thought you had. The only haters that a godly person should have are undoubtedly those who are against God. Hate should not motivate you to be famous, it should motivate you to be like Jesus who was hated by thousands, yet He sought no attention to Himself but to the heavenly father God. People who disagree with your job are not "hating" on you, and neither are you a "hater" for not liking something that someone else does. We must separate opinions from truth. Disagreements about life's decisions are inevitable, but Christ is the central focal point. A Christian who emphatically represents Christ [a cultural rebel] will certainly be hated by many, for the worldly are numerous and the godly are few. Anyone else is only hating their self by focusing unnecessary attention on people who don't actually hate them. Let your actions be a testimony to those worldly "haters," and settle disagreements with those godly people who are actually on your side. When you focus on your purpose in life, "haters" will be the last thing on your mind, for there is no room for foolishness when Christ is the center of your life.

Verse of the Day 4

ROMANS 12:16

"Be of the same mind toward one another; do not be haughty in mind, but associate with the lowly. Do not be wise in your own estimation."

Keywords:
haughty- exalted on high
lowly- humble
wise- intelligent, prudent

Summary:
No matter what your social, economic, or intellectual status is- you are to treat others with equal respect. Do not see yourself as a dignitary in comparison to others, but associate with humble people. You cannot be wise based on your own determination. God tells us to have humble spirits and thoughts.

Afterthought:
Often, people let themselves be defined by titles and do not wish to associate with those of a "lower status." This is against God's word because He wants us to love each other equally. He loves each of us despite our various sins and shortcomings; though, we really deserve death. Knowing that God has given us grace and His son died for us, we should definitely spread that love with disregard to levels of income, ethnicity, character, and possessions. Be humble and let go of previous assumptions or disagreements with a person to love them just as Christ loves you. Real love is unconditional- it asks nothing from the other person. Give freely what has been freely bestowed upon you. Thank God His love is unconditional!