A Stone’s Throw Away

Posted on by stevenlucht1

Stephen is one of my favorite men of the Bible. He showed a great amount of trust and obedience towards Christ and deeply desired to share the Gospel with others. He was one of the seven men to be chosen out of the group to help serve others. Acts 6:3, “Therefore, brothers, pick out from among you seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we will appoint to this duty.” (ESV) Can you imagine having that much drive and passion for the Lord? When others see you, they see Christ dwelling so passionately and it absolutely overflows in your actions!?

Not too long ago, I was in a city down south stuck in a truck stop for the weekend. Being a person that enjoys walking so much, I decided to ask the people inside the gas station of any good places to go for a walk. Both ladies quickly expressed not to leave the truck stop. A little disappointed with the dangers of leaving the truck stop, I did what any sensible fool would do. I went for a walk down the road. What’s the worst that could happen, right? A couple miles down the road I realized that this was a really bad side of the city. Being determined (or maybe stubborn would be a better word) I pressed on with my walk. I looked around and I saw so many broken people that I just knew needed the Lord. My walk continued.

The longer I walked, the more it looked to be an area I should NOT be in. I always stayed on the main road all the way down. Trash was everywhere and the path on the side of the road was small and very close to the traffic. My goal was to walk to the ocean which was only about five to six miles from the truck stop. I came to a point where I was getting some pretty dirty looks and strange expressions. Time to turn around! I quickly started walking back to the truck stop. It was a looong walk down the road. Throughout the walk back, thoughts of getting mugged and robbed came to my mind. “what would I have done?” I just kept walking. During the walk I had a couple of people ask if I was lost, asking if I needed help and some other interesting requests. I pressed on keeping to myself fearing what could happen to me.

Then it hit. No, not a rock. Something that hit so hard that was hidden all along during my walk. The name of the road. St. Stephens Road. This whole time I’m walking on a road in dedication to a man that was unashamed and bold to outpour his love for Christ to others no matter the circumstance. This whole time I’m thinking that I might get beat up or hurt and here I’m walking on the road that has the name of a man that was stoned to death for sharing His faith.

That walk will be one of the most memorable walks I have ever taken. When I arrived back at the truck stop there was a police officer there that I struck up a conversation with. After expressing where I took a walk to, the officer very sternly expressed not to do that again. He gave me stories of people being stolen to people getting killed. I smiled and thanked him for his warning. The next day, I felt that passion back inside my heart to go back. This time with a different motive and a Bible in my hand.

What if we all had the passion and drive that Stephen had? A man that had no concern what people could ever do to Him. Passion that drove Him to share the love of God no matter the cost. I always imagined Stephen as the man that walked into the room you could feel the passion and drive for Christ radiating off of him. A humble man that dearly desired to live his life for Christ, even if it meant losing it.

There are so many lost and hurting people in this world. People that don’t have the love of Christ dwelling within them and don’t have that hope that we have in Jesus. Lets follow the example that Stephen showed us and be bold about telling others about Jesus. Showing grace and love along the way. We hold a gift that goes beyond any comprehension. This gift isn’t just any gift, but the gift of showing someone the importance and the joy of following Christ and having a personal relationship with Jesus. Don’t worry what people are going to think of you! Let God work in your heart and keep seeking after what God has designed you to do! Use those gifts to share the Gospel with those around you! There is NO greater joy than sharing the Gospel with others!

In Acts seven verse 58 shows how the Spirit can work. Most of us know the man that held the coats was Saul, and eventually became Paul. God can use you! Saul saw the passion of Stephen. Obviously, we don’t know exactly what Saul was thinking in this time as he continued to persecute Christians afterwards. But God still turned Saul’s heart around and He became one of the biggest influences in sharing the Gospel Gentiles!

The story of Stephen is such a challenge in my own life. To go and share the Gospel and make sure that I am putting Christ first in my life to help others around me. Now I may not have been mugged or beat up when I went out again, but I knew that there were lost people out there that needed Christ and there was no stopping me in telling them. So together, let us go and make disciples of all nations! Let us put the Gospel first and foremost in our lives! There are people all around us that desperately need Jesus!

It’s only a stone’s throw away! 😀

A Heavenly Viewpoint

Posted on by stevenlucht1

Squished against a couple of strangers, as you share the immediate space around you for two hours, doesn’t really appeal to most people. In fact, I really don’t think it really appeals to anyone! Most of the time, I would rather drive than fly in those conditions. However, recently flying has put an amazing perspective on life.

Whenever you fly, you can oversee miles of landscape. Whether that be the majestic mountains, the open plains, the beautiful canyons you can see some amazing sights. You look down upon the twists and turns of the roads, the fields and towns. You are able to see a completely different viewpoint of the earths topography that you wouldn’t be able to see as well on the ground. This really put into perspective how God looks upon our lives for me. He oversees everything. Scripture teaches that God knows even when a sparrow falls to the earth. He knows the hairs upon your head, and ultimately, He knows what is best for you.

So, What do you we with that kind of viewpoint? Well, I’m glade you asked.

Trust. We get so uptight and concerned of what’s around the next corner that we soon forget that God has all things under His sovereign control.  I so often look upon my life and believe that right after the bend in the road is going to be a broken down bridge that will bring me to my falling and I have no way of slowing down or stopping. Failing/falling to whatever problem that came about. Ultimately, it goes straight to overthinking. Overthinking is completely taking your trust away from the Lord and trying to take control of whatever situation you are going through alone. Personally, I hate being alone and I know full well what happens when I try to take control by myself. We all know that doesn’t end well.  God knows what’s around the corner. He deeply desires that we trust in HIM!

“Trust in the LORD with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths straight.”
~Proverbs 3:5-6

God knows what we need and what is good for us. He knows you better than you know yourself! That broken bridge may not be there at all but a beautiful time that God has planned for us. Our minds get so wrapped up into what might happen and lose sight of what God truly has in plan for us.

When you devote your life to Christ you make a huge decision in God, you are not going to know what is around the next corner. Why should you?! If you knew absolutely everything that was going to happen to you in this life, would you really be trusting God? NO, of course not! You would be trusting in your own deity. .A deity that truly doesn’t know what you need. GOD DOES! He knows what is good for you and He desires to give you the things that are good in life. We need to learn to put our trust into our heavenly father.

Is this easy? No. If anyone tells you that trusting God is easy they’re lying. Trusting the Lord takes time and an enormous amount of prayer. You will know the direction that you are to go by the answer to prayers. If God is leading you are answering those deep prayers in a manner that you should keep following that path, you obviously should continue down this road. He has planned something great for you even though in the beginning of this road it may seem difficult. God is working this beautiful story for you!

I had someone not too long ago remind me that just because we want something in life and pray dearly about it doesn’t mean that’s what God desires to give you. How will we know the difference? Through those prayers. Like before, If  the prayers are leading you close down the road, keep going. However, if doors feel like they are continuously being closed, seek after the Lord and guidance in what you should do. Trust. Always know that God desires to give you what is good and maybe what is good is a different road than you are going.

In Romans 8 it explains that we don’t even know how to pray as we should so the Spirit is interceding for us. It goes on to say that Jesus is interceding for us. He want’s what is good for us. Anything that is good comes from above! (James 1:17) When you truly see God working to bring things together, be patient. It’s a hard lesson to learn, but the blessing that overwhelm when you are giving your trust to the Lord will overflow your heart. It’s something that I’m truly learning now and know will continue throughout my life. When you have something that you can’t help see God placing in your life that is good, make sure you give it right back to Him. He is the one that rains down the blessings and He is the one that deserves all the credit and glory.

When we practice this level of trust in God, true joy will come upon you. Divine happiness and contentment. Paul expressed in his letter to the Philippians that he has learned to be content in all circumstances. In the good and the bad we ought to always give everything to Him through prayer and supplication. You will find that to be closest to God comes when we are on our knees giving Him our requests and desires.

Philippians four teaches that we ought to let our request be known to God. An all knowing God wants you to tell Him what He already knows. Seems kind of pointless, doesn’t it? Of course not! He wants that communication. He wants that connection with us. How amazing! God wants you! Trust in Him that He will provide and guide you down this road in life. Cling to what is good! For it comes from above!

“Delight yourself in the Lord
And He will give you the desires of your heart.”
~Psalms 37:4

Keep remembering the viewpoint that God has on your life.

The Industrialized Christmas

Posted on by stevenlucht1

As any good man would do, I was walking around in some different stores doing my last-minute shopping today. Typical guy… I know. I found myself getting overly annoyed with Christmas as I watched countless others running around trying to find that “perfect” gift for their loved ones. (Now hear me out, I am not putting down getting others gifts to display your love for them.)

Our society, secular and nonsecular communities, have this mindset that we MUST give out gifts of some kind. It’s rude or inconsiderate if you don’t. I always felt guilty when I didn’t get anyone a gift.

Recently I asked some people around the stores what they most enjoy about Christmas, most of them expressed getting gifts. Really? THAT is what you most enjoy? Yes, of course, you get the few that express the company of family and friends. However, How would you react if you came to the house on Christmas day and you heard that you were to receive no gifts?

The mindset we should really have is purely on Christ. It’s bothered me for a while that we have put “presents” above the “presence” of Christ. Christ came to this earth. Now, He didn’t just come down in this massive thrown and proclaimed His deity. (As He very well could have done.) He came down in a dirty manger. This was only the beginning of the ultimate display of divine love for us.

“… I have loved you with an everlasting love…”
~Jeremiah 31:3~

God loves us so incredibly much that He sent His only son into this filthy sin infested earth to cleanse us of our sins. Wow! I don’t know about you, but THAT blows my mind.

Romans 8:31-39

I’ve honestly not been the biggest fan of Christmas until this year because of the industrialized season. A dear friend of mine expressed that it’s the greatest time of year, because without Christmas there would be nothing to be thankful for! They couldn’t be more true. After they said that I decided to really get into the meaning of Christmas. Not the  presents but the presence of Christ. The very fact that we have a Savior that willingly came to this earth and died for our sins. Again…. WOW!

Maybe you are the few that TRULY focus on the meaning of Christmas. That’s amazing and I dearly want to encourage you to continue in such awe for our Savior. However, maybe you are one that tends to get caught up in the industrialized Christmas. Then I too want to encourage you towards reading what scripture says about the ultimately divine display of affection that God had unto us. Dive into the Word and read about this love. Read about the TRUE gift this Christmas.

Matthew 1:18-25.

The Blinders of Life

Posted on by stevenlucht1

Have you ever driven down the road and you see a horse and buggy traveling along the road? If you have, I’m sure that you noticed the horse (or horses) have blinders on. They will put those on the horse so that they don’t get spooked by whatever may be coming up behind or on the side of them. They are only able to see what is right in front of them.

Wouldn’t it be interesting to see a human wearing blinders? It was quite comical looking up pictures of such attire. (I see a new fashion coming soon) As humorous as it may be, so many Christians are wearing such contraption. Now, it may not be a physical blinder, but a spiritual blinder.

Too often my head can get the best of me. For whatever reason I will get in a frustrated mood. Once in this mood I will start to overthink whatever area of life that is giving me frustration or disappointment. From there, it only grows. I will get more frustrated because of my frustration. (Makes sense right?) My mind will start to believe whatever lie that has festered in my thoughts until I believe it to be reality. That’s when the spiritual blinders are put on. The reality around me turns into tunnel vision that looks right down on the dirt path I’m walking on. We see the potholes and mud puddles and forget to look up and see the beauty that surrounds us. It really boils down to ones pride and selfishness. One tends to see only what we want to see and not what God is trying to show us. In part, we forget who we are in Christ. In these times, I get thoughts of depression and negative self worth.

In our day to day lives we can get so caught up in the business. We quickly lose sight of our surroundings and all that God is providing. There are flowers flourishing and we see the dirt around our feet, He places paintings of awe and wonder around us in the sky and all we focus on is the cloudiness that dampers our day. He passionately pours out His love to us that we barely notice it because of our spiritual blinders. STOP AND SMELL THE ROSES! Satan loves the spiritual blinders, and he will gladly put them on for us. (Even though most of the time we put them on ourselves)

When these times of depression come, it’s like being in a small boat and it’s slowly sinking. I watch as I feel hopelessly fall deeper into thoughts of failure and doubt. Satan wants to destroy us in any way that he can. (John 10:10a) He would love to see us fall and to sink into these mindsets. Now the beginning of verse ten expresses the destruction that Satan would love to see. However, in the latter part of the verse it expresses to resist. Resist clearly means to block out or stop. He WILL flee from you! You have God on your side!

These blinders are just as easy to put on as they are to take off. Read God’s unfathomable Word, and get on your knees and pray. The greatest ways that you can resist those thoughts is by diving into the Love Letter from God, to get on ones knees in supplication and we should be in constant prayer throughout the day. What greater way than to spend time alone with God. Read about all that He has, is and will be doing in your life! I have a hard time being in a depressed mindset when I read about His love for me. Then spend time talking and pouring our your heart to Him. When we make a common practice of spending time devoted to God, we will experience a spiritual high that words will only dim the true breathtaking high.

Lately, I’ve started a habit that has greatly helped me in my day to day life. It helps keep these blinders off and be able to constantly see the blessings that God places all around me. Anytime a thought or lie creeps up into my mind I will immediately stop what I am doing and take a short time to ask God for help. God is the one that will give us strength to overcome whatever thought, sin, depression may try to creep into our heads. (Phil. 4:13)

So, will you join me in this quest? Life can get really difficult at times. Strive to keep the spiritual blinders off and to see all the blessings and beauty that is around us. God deeply desires a personal relationship with us! Take the blinders off and see what He is doing.

Know who you are in Christ.

The Conversation of a Lifetime

Posted on by stevenlucht1

What if I told you that I recently got off the phone with Aaron Rogers, 21 Pilots, Billy Graham, Donald Trump, or any famous person out that you really want to meet? Let’s say we were catching up on life and try to call each other every other week. You would be fairly impressed, or even have some kind of desire to be able to talk with that person also. I feel like most of us, if not all, are willing to admit that we would get pretty excited if we had the opportunity to sit down with someone we really look up to in the “famous realm”. Whether that is someone in the music industry, sports area, or in the mission field we all have someone that we would really like to meet.

Here is the interesting predicament that I find. We would do so much to be able to have that conversation with that famous person and get all giggly or excited about it, but have little affect over our personal conversation with God Himself. “Wait, hold on a minute….” you may be thinking, “I definitely value my conversation with God more than I would with a famous person.” Now, let me challenge this thought. Are we the type of people that mention our relationship with God or would you boast to your coworkers and friends that you were able to talk/be a close friend with a famous person. Think about this for a minute. When is the last time you mentioned to anyone how God answered your prayer, small or big? When’s the last time you even expressed your relationship with God to any nonbeliever? Now if you had the opportunity to talk with Aaron Rogers, whether you like him or not, I almost guarantee you that you will be telling others about that conversation.

When is the last time you really thought about who you are talking to when you pray? The Almighty God, the I AM, the All Knowing, the Lover of your Soul. He is actually listening to what you are saying! Even thinking about this should get you excited! I AM!!! There is no greater comfort knowing that we have the opportunity to reach out to the Almighty God!

“Is prayer your steering wheel or your spare tire?”
~Corrie Ten Boom~

Open God’s Word to I Thessalonians 5:17: “Pray without Ceasing” (ESV). It’s an incredibly short verse that packs a mountain of meaning. Praying shouldn’t be something you feel you HAVE to do, it should be a passion and desire. Keep in mind the One that you are talking to. Here’s something that might throw you off. If you don’t want to pray… DON’T. However, you are going to miss out on one of the most incredible relationships you could ever be involved with.

So, How DOES God answer prayer? Well, we will touch on what I see the three most common answers: No, Yes, and Wait.

No: This is by far one of the hardest answers. Whether this involves a huge opportunity/”door” closing, or a change in careers. The answer spans to all kinds of areas of life. The majority of the time this is not the answer that we desire from God. However, it’s one of the greatest teaching moments that God can bring you closer to Him. He always knows what is best for us and “no” might turn into the biggest life-changer that you needed. The verse that I always try and keep in mind when I feel God has told me no is I Thessalonians 5:18:

“Give thanks in all circumstances;
for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” (ESV)

Yes: Now I Thessalonians 5:18 is really easy to practice in this answer. “Yes” can give you absolute joy, depending on the situation. The warning I give when this is the answer God gives you is give the praise right back to God. He has allowed whatever circumstance to happen and He is the one to get the praise. Don’t be going off boasting about how you did whatever to get that new job, promotion, or dating relationship. It was God’s hand that guided and helped you along and He is the one to get the praise.

Wait: For some, myself included, this can be the most challenging answer. What am I suppose to do in this wait??? “Wait” never means to stop praying. I find the waiting period to be the most growing and challenging. Whether that’s praying for a beloved friend or family to deeply desire God more than this world, or waiting to be in that relationship you desire to be in, or even that next step in your career path. Wait is the time you spend all the more time in prayer. Luke 18 expresses this well.

“And he told them a parable
to the effect that they ought to always pray and not lose heart.” (ESV)
~Luke 18:1~

One of my favorite activities to get alone with God is going for a walk. Some people call me nuts, but I love going for looong walks. Recently, I went for a 20 mile walk. There was a specific area of my life that needed deepened prayer. It forces me to get away from the distractions that may pull me away from my time of prayer at home and focuses me on why I am walking. Sometimes it’s to focus on a person struggling or asked for prayer, or to pray about different areas of life (either present or future.) Prayer is one of the greatest parts of our relationship with God.

Now, we have looked into how great prayer is. Why is prayer so important? Why is it something that I need to set time aside for and to practice praying more often?

You have an open communication with God, and you abuse that communication. He desires so deeply to have a personal relationship with you!

“Do not be anxious about anything,
but in everything by prayer and
supplication with thanksgiving
let our requests be made known to God” (ESV)
~Philippians 4:6~

Why should we let our request be known to God? Isn’t God all-knowing? I’m glad you asked! I see this as a deepening desire between God toward us. He desires to have a personal relationship with you and wants the best for you. He wants your attention! Are you giving it to Him?

What if someone you desire to be in a relationship or someone you are in a relationship with never talked to you or barely talked to you. The relationship isn’t really going to be healthy. There is no communication. How can you grow towards someone when you don’t communicate. God communicates to us through the Word of God and through our day to day lives. We need to be spending some serious time in prayer and in reading the Bible.

First, I suggest getting a prayer book and write down prayer requests. Leave some space by the prayer request so that when time comes you can see (and write down) how God provided and answered for that prayer request.

Second, Get people in your life that you trust to send prayer requests to. I have a few people in my life that when life is getting hard or something is really tearing me apart, I send them a quick text to pray. It has helped incredibly in my walk with Christ.

In conclusion, You may have a once in a lifetime opportunity to talk to a famous person. Whoever that person would be for you. Just remember, that you have an opportunity to always have a deep and incredible communication through prayer to the God of the universe.

A Sheepish Mistake

Posted on by stevenlucht1

It seems like any social media page or television show has some stretch to whatever truth is out there. (Some more than others.)  Not too long ago, I opened Facebook and saw an article “How to Spot Fake News”. We all know fake news is all around us, but how do we truly know the truth? How can we find fact in a world surrounded with fantasy.

In the beginning of this spring, I was on a walk around a small lake I live near. On this walk I crossed paths with a very unexpected guest. I called him, Mr. sheepish. Yup! That’s right! I saw a sheep standing in the middle of the trail. It looked incredibly thin with mud and its own feces all over it. I couldn’t help but feel some compassion looking at it. As I walked close to the sheep it quickly jumped into the woods and started walking off. I kept walking for a while and decided that I needed to do something and help the guy out. So I quickly ran over to the sheep. While it tried running away, I grabbed the back of its neck. Trying to get Mr. Sheepish to go forward, he wouldn’t move… So, what would any good person do? I rolled up my sleeves and picked the sheep up and carried it to the nearest road. At the road, I thought of a better idea. The sheep kept wanting to get away from me so I took my belt off and made it into a quick leash. Long story short I tried calling for help with my phone, asked people that drove by for help to no avail. I was completely on my own with this sheep for well over an hour. Frustrated and annoyed, I had enough and left the sheep at the side of the road as I walked back to my vehicle and drove home.

I didn’t realize it at the time, but that sheep would teach me more than I thought when it came to truth and love.

So back to truth, what is truth?

If you don’t have a  Bible, I suggest you get it out and open to John 8:32. Based off this verse we know that this “truth” is freeing.  Let us dig even deeper into this amazing truth!

“Teach me your ways,
O Lord,
that I may walk in your truth;
unite my heart to fear your name.”
~Psalms 86:11~

God’s Word is Truth! I always imagine the Bible as the most beautiful written love letter between God and us. When we get a love letter (or a letter of any sorts) from someone we admire, do we toss it aside after just reading it once? Maybe throw it in the trash or in the depths of a drawer that we’ll never see it again? OF COURSE NOT! We cherish the letter because it’s from someone we dearly care for. The same goes with the word of God. We ought to take care of the Word of God and often get into it as a beautifully written love letter to us.

In John 17:17 it reads, “Sanctify them in the truth: your word is truth.” The Word of God is the truth! If we truly desire to know truth and where truth comes from, we need to get into the scriptures.  The word “truth” is Alētheia which in Greek is described as a noun. Why is this important you ask? Well, I’ll be happy to explain. If “truth” was as adjective in this passage that would mean it is describing another ultimate truth, and God’s Word would not be the absolute truth. Since “truth” is a noun, it is the absolute truth.

Here is my challenge to us. Open your Bible back to John 8:31-32. We are to abide in God’s word. Meaning to heed or accept and uphold the Word of God. Is our lives showing that we are in obedience with the Bible? If not, are you truly God’s disciple?

“This book will keep you from sin, or sin will keep you from this book.”
~John Bunyan~

“A Bible that’s falling apart usually belongs to someone that isn’t”
~Charles Spurgeon~

Now I’m not advocating to tear and rip one’s Bible. However, you should be getting into God’s Word on a regular basis. Sunday morning at church is not enough time or effort when you are trying to pursue a personal relationship with God. It is an every day privilege. You cannot convince me you have a strong relationship with God and have dust on your bible. I can not stress enough the importance of getting into God’s Word!

How are you suppose to defend your faith if you don’t find the importance to reading the Bible. We need to stop making up our own faith in what’s right and wrong. The Bible speaks about the ultimate truth from God.

So, all this said, what do we do with this? When we are confronted, how are we suppose to respond?

The first way you could respond is in a sharp manor. The idea that “I’m right and your wrong!” It’s the same thing I did with the sheep. I tried to get the animal to safety and actually help it. That sheep wanted nothing to do with help. After a while, I just got upset with it and left. It wasn’t done in love. Yes, I understand we aren’t going to be going out and telling sheep about Jesus. However, just as the Bible says, we are all like sheep and have gone astray. (Isaiah 53:6)

The other way, and much better way, comes from Ephesians 4:15:

“Rather, speaking the truth in love,
we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ.”

 

Now, social media, television shows are going to stretch whatever truth is out there. In order for us to keep on the path for Christ, we need to get into the Word of God and seek the truth ourselves. Open God’s love letter today and read what He has to teach you.

That Inevitable Question

Posted on by stevenlucht1

The inevitable question that all single guy or gal is bound to hear when you greet someone they haven’t seen in some time. “So, are you seeing someone” or “Is there anyone special in your life?” Now don’t get me wrong, I believe it’s nice when a person comes into your life and they show a special interest toward your life and how you are doing. However, why does this questioning have such a high priority in our conversations?

I have heard plenty of sermons that taught being single is a gift from God. When we approach each other and start questioning if there is someone special in that persons life, you partly take away the importance of this gift of singleness. I visited an old church not too long ago and within five to ten minutes I was questioned whether I was in a relationship with someone or if I was interested in someone by at least six different individuals. No, it’s not offensive by any means, but where are our priorities?

If we are teaching youth and the body of Christ that singleness is a good thing, why do we keep asking whether one is in a relationship? It seems quite contrary what we should be practicing. Paul teaches in I Corinthians 7:8:

“To the unmarried and the widows
I say that it is good for them to remain single
as I am.” (ESV)

It’s a GOOD thing to be single. Our society teaches that one is weak or inferior to others if they are single. How ridiculous! This couldn’t be further from the truth. The other part is that so many singles believe they will be fulfilled once they are in a relationship with someone else.

There is only relationship that will ever fulfill you and so much more. This relationship comes above all else in life. This is your relationship with God. We neglect this relationship so often. Our conversations should move away from where one is in getting into a relationship with another person and into the pursuit of ones relationship with God. If you know me by any means, I love asking the question, “How’s your relationship with God.” I don’t care how many people say that you have a strong relationship with God. My desire is that you keep pursuing Christ in all that you do. He is the ultimate source of fulfillment.

“If Christ is not all to you He is nothing to you. He will never go into partnership as a part Savior of men. If he be something He must be everything, and if He be not everything He is nothing to you.” ~C.H. Spurgeon.

Push for asking others how their relationship with God is doing and what God is teaching them. That is incredibly more important than asking whether they are interested in someone. Never assume that ones relationship with God is going well. Always pursue into someones life in how you can encourage and grow them in their personal growth in Christ.

“Iron sharpens iron,
and one man sharpens another.”
~Proverbs 27:17 (ESV)~

If you really want to get to know someone that is walking with the Lord, ask them about that very walk. We need to be more encouraging toward singles in their relationship with Christ. I, like many others, have a desire to some day be in a relationship. However, this desire will never get in the way of my pursuit toward Christ. The more we rely on Christ and His love the more He reveals the beauty of life and what He has in store for our lives. I can not even begin to express all the areas of life God has blessed and I know will continue to bless in my life.

Patience is a Virtue

Posted on by stevenlucht1

When I was little boy, I would sit at the top of the stairs, in complete anticipation. I waited for my dad to walk through the door when he was done with work. Before he came through the door, I would quickly put his slippers, aligned just right, on the stairs. All my dad had to do was slip right into the slippers and walk right up the stairs to greet me. He would pick me up with his large arms and always have the best greeting.  This was the best time of the day.

Waiting for my dad to get home was the hardest. I would keep looking out the window right around five o’clock to see if he had pulled in yet.

My family loves to go camping, and each year we would go camping at the same lake for years. As soon as we got there, I would ask my parents right away if we could get the boat in the water to do some water skiing or tubing. I would usually get the response to “just wait” or “be patient”. This didn’t really sit well with me.

As a young kid, I was always a “go, go, go” type person. Just ask my parents…. wait…. no, don’t ask them. Even so, I loved to explore and keep moving to the next fun activity or project.

…Our society lives off of this mentality…

We always want to create something to make our job go faster so we can work on the next project, and then have that go faster. It’s almost always about speed. Now don’t get me wrong, this can come with plenty of benefits, however, it can cause quite a strain in life too. We transfer this mentality into our daily lives.

“Be patient!” I don’t know about you, but I heard that plenty of times growing up. Patience, for the most part, does not come to us naturally. If you were to look up the word “patient” in the ESV bible, you would find 21 verses. The Bible expresses plenty of times on the importance of being patient.

  • Romans 8:25
  • II Corinthians 6:6
  • Galatians 5:22
  • Ephesians 4:1-2

Look them up! Don’t just skip reading the word of God. He teaches us that it is a good thing to wait. We may not see it, but it is!

How many times have you shown patience and good things come from it?  Almost always! Then, why don’t we actually practice this? We want what we desire ten minutes ago. We have no patience to wait for things in life. Whether it is with a relationship, a new job, moving or just that next step in life. We have a hard time waiting days, weeks, months, and sometimes even years until we know fully that good things will happen, if we wait.

I am currently seeing impatience ruin families, relationships, and ones relationship with God. We don’t like the idea that we have to wait, so we take our own initiative to rush our lives.

So then, what are we supposed to do when we wait? Isn’t it obvious? PRAY! God wants us to go to Him and express what is on our hearts.

God is trying to teach me right now to be patient. It hasn’t been easy. I have to pray that God gives me patience each day. If I don’t pray for patience, I end up over-thinking different areas of life and I tend to lose trust in God.

At the very beginning of each day, take and make time to spend at least five to ten minutes in prayer. Ask God for patience in specific areas of your life. Have people in your life that can encourage and strengthen you in being patient. Don’t fight your desires on your own.

Above all, focus on the One
who loves you beyond life itself.
He WILL bless you in being patient on His will.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Glasses of Hope

Posted on by stevenlucht1

If I don’t put on my glasses in the morning, I can’t see very far. The picture is unclear and the details are morphed together. As soon as my glasses are put on, the details pop out and everything is clear again.

Where is your focus? Have you put on your glasses today?

Obviously, I don’t mean the physical glasses. The spiritual glasses. The glasses that help you focus completely on Christ. It seems that those glasses are the hardest to keep on for us. We tend to take them off and stay focus on just what we can see right in front of us. We lose side of what’s just beyond.

In my own life, if I don’t focus on Christ, I start worrying about what’s going to happen next and if God is going to provide in the areas that are always on my mind. I tend not to open my bible and seek wisdom but to try and stay oblivious to what God’s plan is by focusing in what is right in front of me.

Dangerous, I know. As Christians, we tend to do this quite often. We tend to only focus on the now.  We get worried about things working out or if God is going to provide for us.

Last night God had given me a clear sign that I have not been focused on Him. That I had lost my spiritual glasses… What a night… A quote that I have really enjoyed is by Billy Graham:

The Christian life is not a constant high. I have my moments of deep discouragement. I have to go to God in prayer with tears in my eyes, and say, ‘O God, forgive me,’ or ‘Help me.’
~Billy Graham

 

Satan loves to use those moments for his advantage. When we get on our knees knowing that we are sinful and need our Savior’s comfort. It’s a beautiful bonding between us and God when we go to Him for help. Don’t let Satan come in and make you feel guilt and despair. These are not from God but from Satan himself.

Focus on the love of God. Focus on how much God cares about you.

“No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

~Romans 8:37-39 (ESV)

Even though we may lose focus on God, worry like crazy, and fall into temptation, God will never cease loving us.

WHAT A RELIEF!

Like seriously, if this doesn’t get you excited, I don’t know what will. God of the universe love you and cares so much about you that if you lose focus on Him and turn from Him, He will always take you back. He will wrap His arms around you and pour His love upon you. OH MAN!

So, what does this mean? How can we keep on the spiritual glasses of life?

It’s easier said than done. However, it’s fairly basic. Each morning I try and spend some time alone with God. Giving Him everything in my life from family, friendships, relationships, and my day to day walk. Open your bible and focus on how much God loves you. I’ve found that when I focus on God’s love and try applying that to showing others God’s love, my relationship with God only increases.

So, when you wake up tomorrow morning, remember to put on the spiritual glasses and focus on God. The hope and assurance that Christ is in control.

 

The End of the Beginning

Posted on by stevenlucht1

Next week is it… It’s the official start of the summer with the kids. My excitement is growing in anticipation for them to be here. At the same time, my heart turns when I think about where these kids are coming from. It pains me knowing that some of the kids that will be here for the first kid’s camp have not heard of the beauty of our Savior, knowing that the some of the kids are coming from very rough backgrounds. I ask that you join me in prayer for those kids, and the kids that do come from good homes.

This past week has been very long. It seems that every time that my heart starts really getting excited and pumped up for the kids to come, Satan decides that he is going to throw a curve ball and distract me from the reasoning that  I am here. It has been quite the lesson to have to endure. Thankfully God is the one in control and taking over. It is absolutely amazing when we truly give things to the Lord that He WILL take over. The catch is that we need to truly give whatever is on our mind to Him (Easier said than done.)

As summer staff, we have gone through quite of bit of training. We have been trained in TAC elements (Team Adventure Challenge), archery, paintball, various nature times, the tower, swing, and the tree climb. Writing it out makes it sound like we just have been playing this whole time. However, these days have become very long with a lot of training. We obviously have been having an incredible time, but it does seem like we’ve been here for at least a month when we only have been here for a little over a week. I can definitely say that I am more than ready for the kids to come.

It’s incredible that God can use us for His work and for His glory. Please pray for us summer staff that we keep in the mindset that we are here to give glory to God and none of it comes to us. It’s too easy for us to get prideful and forget what we truly are here for. God is so good and we are so excited to see what He is going to do and impact this summer.

Matthew 10:13-16 explains how Jesus let the children come to Him. I am so ready for these kids to come so that we can pour out our hearts to them. My desperation to want to share the love of God to them is beyond all measure. Wednesday morning I will be teaching at the chapel time. For approximately six months, God has laid it upon my heart for this message. My biggest prayer is that it is all God speaking through me and not anything of my own accord.

All this said; please pray dearly for my fellow summer staff and our walks with Christ. I have been more encouraged this year than ever in my walk with Christ and being challenged in my own growth. We have a healthy and strong bond with each other and get together each night to spend some time in prayer. We couldn’t do this without God’s help. It truly is amazing what God has been providing already in this summer year.