January 2012

It's hard to believe that the first month of 2012 is almost over. I hope that this is not how the rest of the year is going to go!

I decided that I needed to start the year off right by starting a Bible Reading Plan and actually sticking with it! I searched through all of the available plans offered on YouVersion and decided on "Everywhere I Go: Learning to See Jesus" plan. I started reading and was doing really well. I do my reading at night before bed to help me reflect on the day and how I can take what I read and put it into practice for the next day. I got a few days behind but am now all caught up. My first readings began in Exodus 10 and as the days progressed and I was reading farther into Exodus, God was giving Moses instructions on how to build the Tabernacle. I found this very boring at first then realized how awesome would it be to find a computer program that I could enter in all of the data God provided and see what it builds. I have no idea if there is such a program but nonetheless, I think it would be awesome. There were a few things that I had no clue what they were so I went to trusty Google and looked them up. Pretty cool. There was a verse (Romans 5:6) that resonated with me. It says, "When we were utterly helpless, Christ came at just the right time and died for us sinners." There are many times I feel utterly helpless and I have to remember that Jesus will come at the right time.

At church we will be finishing up this months sermon series called "The 4G Challenge". Pastor Brad has challenged us to become radical, fully devoted followers of Christ! The 4G Challenges are to... GATHER... attend church every Sunday for the next 90 days (so far so good). GROW... join a G2 Life Group (we are attending FPU). We were also given a 90 day reading plan of the New Testament (I haven't started this since I am doing the other plan). GIVE... Give of your time, talent, and treasure. The final Sunday is GO...  Can't wait to hear what God has in store for Pastor Brad.

There was one Sunday during Pastor Brad's sermon that he asked if we were 'fans' or 'followers' of Christ. If we are followers of Christ, the devil doesn't like that. He starts pecking at us even more. I questioned myself as to whether or not I was a fan or follower. I came to the conclusion that I am definitely a follower of Christ. I know that I am not a radical, fully devoted follower of Christ - yet! I feel that reading my Bible and getting to know my maker is what will help me to become a radical, fully devoted follower of Christ. I will stumble many times and Jesus will pick me back up again and again. I am so thankful for the grace that God has provided through His Son!

Are you a fan or a follower?