Fear on the Road

22 I was ashamed to ask the king for soldiers and horsemen to protect us from enemies on the road, because we had told the king, "The gracious hand of our God is on everyone who looks to him, but his great anger is against all who forsake him." 23 So we fasted and petitioned our God about this, and he answered our prayer. Ezra 8:23

The fear was that they would be attacked by enemies on the road but they knew that God would not allow anything bad to happen, yet the fear was there and they still took their leap of faith on this journey. They prayed and petitioned to God about it all and God answered their prayer. God is always willing to listen and help because of his great love. What road are you scared to take today? Why are you scared if God is there? God works differently with all of us, sometimes he will take this fear away and other times he will say no you keep the fear and just trust me 100%. What is God asking of you today while you stand on this road?

God bless,
Jesse

Self Help Books????

8 Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. Joshua 1:8

I cannot count how many times I see people buying those self help type books. You know the type of books that help you be a better person or help you succeed in life. There is even a very funny movie called “Yes Man” by Jim Carie that deals with bettering yourself on a program made by some person. There are books that help you be a better business man or salesman. In my business we have a saying “ABC” always be closing this came from a movie but I am sure it came from some type of book that helps you succeed in business. But God wrote a book this is a book that teaches you how to live a better life, it teaches you to be a better person in all parts of life. God asks us to follow everything written in it for our lives. If you truly put it in your heart to follow this book called the Holy Bible and ask Jesus to come into your life and forgive your sins you will truly be a changed person. I know change scares us sometimes but change from God is always good. If you want to be better in life and forgiven of your sins then follow Jesus and read the Bible and apply it to your life. After all this is Gods self help book to US and who is a better author than God?

God bless,
Jesse

A Slice of Pizza

13When tempted, no one should say, "God is tempting me." For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; 14but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed.
James 1:13-14


When someone is on a diet and they see that yummy slice of pizza or any food they really enjoy eating they are tempted to eat it. But who is tempting them to eat it? Their own desire to taste the cheese and crispy crust oh and those yummy pepperonis. Our own flesh tempts us at times a long with the devil putting things in our path to tempt us. God will never tempt us but will allow those opportunities to happen so that we can grow in faith and closer to him. A lot of times people blame God or the devil for temptation in their life but the truth is our own sin is the one that tempts us, our flesh is the one that causes us to stumble this is why we have to spend time in prayer and in the word so that when temptation to sin is in front of us we have the spiritual strength to say no and turn around and run. I am not on a diet, so all that pizza talk made me want to order one 

God bless,

Jesse

James 1:12

12Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him. James 1:12

Sometimes parts of our life get so hard that what we really want to do is turn around and run the other way and as far away as we can. What are you wanting to run away from today? Is it your family, job, friends, relationships or is it someone you show attention too yet feel ignored by? Have you asked God what to do about this situation? What has he told you to do? If he told you to leave and forget it then it’s ok to run away but if he told you to stand and endure then don not run away because that is being disobedient to what has told you. Sometimes people might think you are a push over or make fun of you, but those who wait on God, will always be redeemed at His time. Will you allow God to redeem you? He will redeem you not only here on Earth but in heaven. So break free from the chains of sorrow and embarrassment and worship Him as you wait patiently.

God bless,
Jesse

Waiting Patiently

Psalm 37:7
7 Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him;

Today I was listening to a pastor preach and this was the main point. This is probably one of the most difficult things for us, to do be still and wait patiently. I have been waiting for a while but at times I have not been too patient in my wait. This is something that is very hard for us to do because we like things when we want them and sometimes God says no its not time yet for this, first I want you to learn a few things and I want the people around you to learn a few things as well. But if we are impatient we miss the lesson and make the wait longer. The good thing is that with patience in him we will be exalted when the time comes. God is always good and his promises are the real deal we just have to follow his direction. Will you wait patiently? I am trying to be still and wait patiently and it is not easy but you can do it with Jesus.

34 Wait for the LORD
and keep his way.
He will exalt you to inherit the land;

God bless,


Jesse

Matthew 7:24

24"Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. Matthew 7:24


We live in Florida and we know how much damage a hurricane can do to us. A couple of years ago we had a hurricane I believe it was Wilma, wish I could go back to that year but I digress that hurricane caused a tornado to pass by my area and it tore off 80% of my roof. But my house stood because the foundation was well placed on the ground. Jesus is the rock were our house is built we need to hear EVERY word he said and put it to practice in our life, we need to ask for forgiveness when we sin and ask God to help us be perfect like his son. We need to study Jesus and have a relationship with him so that we like a well built house on a rock can withstand the hurricanes of life and have the promise of a lifetime with God in heaven.

Do you want to accept Christ as your savior and ask for forgiveness of your sins?

God bless,

A better place?

37Jesus replied: " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' 38This is the first and greatest commandment. 39And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.”
Matthew 22:37-39

Everyone wonders what it takes to make this world “a better place” you always hear new ideas on TV and the radio. There are tons of people out there trying to make this world a better place to live but everyone is doing something different and at the end of the day this world is not better than it was in the morning when we woke up. From all the ideas I have ever heard to make this world and “better place” the best is straight out of the bible and that is Matt 22:37-39 if everyone in the world followed these two commands I know this world would truly be a better place to live in. Think about it for a while and you will realize that this is the KEY to living in a better place this is the key that will set this world freer from its shackles and will allow it to be a better place for us, our children, and their children. Like everything else the answer is in the bible. Let’s make this world a better place, lets spread the word of CHRIST, lets love Him and one another.

God bless,
Jesse

Getting Naked

So the one situation has turned into two now. This series at FRC has been about getting naked and I am going to get naked about my feelings right now, I will not go into details about the two things bothering me at the moment one of which came to the surface today. What do I feel being in the midst of these two situations? Well it is a mix of feelings it is hard to pin point as many times it feel’s surreal. But if I had to say words I guess it would be things like, hurt, frustrated, loss of control, and un happy. Is God in control of all this? YES He is. Have I talked to God about these two things? Yes, but like I said one came out in the open today the other has been answered and answered again to me and I just have to be still in Him. The new one well I guess it will be like a box of chocolates we will see what we get. If you look at the blog bellow you will see were God has answered yet one more time my first problem. But now we have a new one and its big to me, I am not sure if it’s as big or bigger than the first but its big nothing life threatening but it’s something I care about with all my heart.

Its funny how some people have told me things about my first problem, those more mature in Christ have understood why I am doing what I am doing concerning that because of answered prayers from God concerning that problem. I will listen to him and His Voice of truth.


Some of you might be wondering what is troubling Jesse so much but the truth is you don’t need to know the core of the problem you just need to know the feelings because being naked is about the feelings not the problems that cause them. I am happy and the way I look at all this is that I must be doing something right in my life because the devil keeps trying to bring me down but I am welded to the Rock. Some of you know both problems others just know one or the other. If you are from FRC Sawgrass pray for your Student Pastor Jesse so that the Lord keep him strong.

Thank you & God bless,
Me

Faith

its 11:20pm 8-2-08 Saturday. About one hour ago I was praying and asking God for a word of encouragement for a little situation I am dealing with some of you know it. I asked God to give me the word he wanted me to have. So after I was done praying I grabbed my bible and blindly opened it up to 2Chronicles 32:7-8 7 “Be strong and courageous! Don’t be afraid or discouraged because of the king of Assyria or his mighty army, for there is a power far greater on our side! 8 He may have a great army, but they are merely men. We have the Lord our God to help us and to fight our battles for us!” Hezekiah’s words greatly encouraged the people.

then shortly after i signed on to my myspace account and someone because of an old word of the day i had done a day or two ago messaged me saying the following

"WHEN we speak of faith we think of one’s belief in God. The apostle Paul, in describing faith to Hebrew Christians, said: “Faith is the assured expectation of things hoped for, the evident demonstration of realities though not beheld.” (Heb. 11:1) An assured expectation has something backing it up. It conveys the idea that this expectation is guaranteed, that there will be a future possession. Some suggest that faith is like a title deed of things hoped for. Faith can also involve fidelity to one’s promises or allegiance to duty. One who has faith in Almighty God and in his Son, Christ Jesus, would want to show loyalty, acting in full harmony with God's ways and advocating them to others. Ps. 145:10, 11.
ENjoy"

My God is an awesome God huh guys??

My response to Him is ok Lord I will sit silently and still until your promise is given to me and only take the steps you tell me to take...

Thank you Lord