1 Peter 3:15
Telling people about God and Jesus is not always easy, and sometimes it gets harder when you meet someone who has never heard about the Bible before or its contents. The 345 Rule is not a demand, or something that has to be done to convert someone. It is just a simple way to get started and think about what you're going to tell other people when you start to talk to them.
3 Prepared Statements These statements should not be loaded with a lot of Biblical lingo. It's not always easy to understand. If at all possible start by avoiding the specific terms "Sin" "Resurrection" "Apostle" or anything else that goes along those lines. It is easy to replace these words with new things, you just have to be aware of what you're doing. Also, don't load them down with "Jesus died for you, so that you can be welcomed into Heaven." Say something like that, but try to simplify it so that it doesn't sound so harsh. To you and me, that sounds like a blessing, but to people who don't get it, it sounds like a bunch of made up stuff that no one would want to believe.
4 Prepared Reasons This is where you can start talking about all of the Christian lingo. You should always have reasons for your faith, whether that be personal experiences, scientific evidence, historical evidence, or whatever. You should not just say that it is the only way. You can and should say that, but give a reason. "I made bad choices, and I felt horrible, how could God ever love me? But then I learned about Jesus." This is a perfect example of what you could propose.
5 Prepared Questions and Answers You should always be prepared for what people are going to say. People are going to question you about your faith, and whatever those questions may be, you should have a legitimate answer. So, what you should do before you begin is thinking of 5 questions that someone might ask you, and then come up with answers for all of them. Most of the time people will ask you personal questions, or factual questions. When someone that is a believer tells you, you don't need evidence because you have faith. That is true, but for some people they need little scientific evidence to give them a push to start believing.
If you have any other questions, tweet me! My twitter is on the top of the blog page! Get out their and tell people about your faith! Remember: you're important! Have a great weekend! God bless...
Friday, September 23, 2016
Saturday, August 27, 2016
My Call to Action
People get scared when someone says, "The Lord spoke to me!" It's an understandable thing to get afraid of, but the Lord talks to people in mysterious ways. I always thought that the word "calling" was just a metaphor meaning that you prayed about stuff and then finally understood what they are supposed to do with their lives. Of course I believed in God at this point, but I always thought that God was just there to help you make decisions, in recent days I have come to understand that this assumption of mine was very much wrong. When someone speaks of their conversation with the Lord, some people get sad, and others get frustrated. They want to know why the Lord won't talk to them, but the Lord is wondering at the same time why we won't listen. You have to be able to recognize when the Lord is trying to telling you something, and I am going to give you my own personal experience with this. Don't worry, I'm not saying that at my young age I have already found my calling, and people at thirty haven't, but I really feel like the Lord has already started talking to me, and I am going to listen.
**I would like to start this by saying that while this website, my biblical posts on Twitter and Instagram, and my talking about religion in everything I do is one of the most important things to me. But this story is not about this, but it does fall under always talking about it.**
In recent weeks, the world around me has been falling apart, not my own personal world, but THE world. My mother tells me that some things that happen will be ingrained in your head forever, it's kind of like a traumatic experience, but not exactly. One of these ingrained images in my mind was the little boy rescued after the bombing in Aleppo, Syria. I get sad when I think of this, but then I get angry that anyone would do this. The other ingrained image is actually a story, it's about a wedding the happened near the Turkey-Syria border, on the Turkish side. A young boy, probably of age fourteen was sent to ISIS by his parents and bombs were strapped around his sides. He sneaked into this wedding, and was blown up. This little boy, (not really little, but you know what I mean), blew himself up and killed 50 other people. Just think about what he could have done with his life if he had known Jesus.
Now, these stories are sad, and they pulled on my heart. I know that's just a metaphor when people are sad, "Oh, that story just pulls on my heartstrings!" No, that is not what's going on, to me, these stories are signs. God is reaching into me, and pulling at my heart and telling me to do something. Because of my age, I'm being told that "I'm doing enough." and "You can't save the world on your own." But those are the exact statements that I am going to ignore. I'll never feel like I'm doing enough if there are still children out there who are suffering at the hands of the world, when they could be joyful when resting in the hands of the Lord. And, yes, I know that I can't save the world on my own, but I can at least try to help. My mission is to teach children about God, and make sure that they are going to live their life in him, and live their life happily. I know that sometimes actions speak louder than words, and I am helping children everyday, especially one awesome 1st grader who needs a little guidance right now. But all of this is going on in a public school, even though I'm not a teacher, I am a mentor, and I am sure that if I institute God into a conversation, someone is going to get mad at me, and stop me from doing what I love everyday. I want to teach children about God, and I'm not going to stop pushing until I can start doing this. I hope that when God calls you, you are persistent in following what God wants you to do, and don't give up on Him when he stays silent. Sometimes, silence is all you need, and sometimes silence is there to tell you something that you refuse to hear. Don't shut your ears, listen to God in all the ways he tries talk to you.
Have a great weekend!
God bless you all!!!
If you have any questions, tweet me @jennings_clay and when questions build up, I'll make a post all posed to that purpose!!
**I would like to start this by saying that while this website, my biblical posts on Twitter and Instagram, and my talking about religion in everything I do is one of the most important things to me. But this story is not about this, but it does fall under always talking about it.**
In recent weeks, the world around me has been falling apart, not my own personal world, but THE world. My mother tells me that some things that happen will be ingrained in your head forever, it's kind of like a traumatic experience, but not exactly. One of these ingrained images in my mind was the little boy rescued after the bombing in Aleppo, Syria. I get sad when I think of this, but then I get angry that anyone would do this. The other ingrained image is actually a story, it's about a wedding the happened near the Turkey-Syria border, on the Turkish side. A young boy, probably of age fourteen was sent to ISIS by his parents and bombs were strapped around his sides. He sneaked into this wedding, and was blown up. This little boy, (not really little, but you know what I mean), blew himself up and killed 50 other people. Just think about what he could have done with his life if he had known Jesus.
Now, these stories are sad, and they pulled on my heart. I know that's just a metaphor when people are sad, "Oh, that story just pulls on my heartstrings!" No, that is not what's going on, to me, these stories are signs. God is reaching into me, and pulling at my heart and telling me to do something. Because of my age, I'm being told that "I'm doing enough." and "You can't save the world on your own." But those are the exact statements that I am going to ignore. I'll never feel like I'm doing enough if there are still children out there who are suffering at the hands of the world, when they could be joyful when resting in the hands of the Lord. And, yes, I know that I can't save the world on my own, but I can at least try to help. My mission is to teach children about God, and make sure that they are going to live their life in him, and live their life happily. I know that sometimes actions speak louder than words, and I am helping children everyday, especially one awesome 1st grader who needs a little guidance right now. But all of this is going on in a public school, even though I'm not a teacher, I am a mentor, and I am sure that if I institute God into a conversation, someone is going to get mad at me, and stop me from doing what I love everyday. I want to teach children about God, and I'm not going to stop pushing until I can start doing this. I hope that when God calls you, you are persistent in following what God wants you to do, and don't give up on Him when he stays silent. Sometimes, silence is all you need, and sometimes silence is there to tell you something that you refuse to hear. Don't shut your ears, listen to God in all the ways he tries talk to you.
Have a great weekend!
God bless you all!!!
If you have any questions, tweet me @jennings_clay and when questions build up, I'll make a post all posed to that purpose!!
Saturday, August 20, 2016
God's Not Dead 2
I just watched the movie, God's Not Dead 2, and I have to say that it really speaks to me. The original movie was amazing, and provided lots of reasons that God is surely alive, but the sequel really had more impact on me. It relates more to me, as high school Christian, struggling to keep my faith in a society where Jesus is hated. I'm not going to give a full review, other than fully recommending it for people who feel like they are having the same problems as Grace Wesley in the movie. You have the right to have your beliefs, and in the movie, they touch hardly on the idea of "separation between church and state." Expect a post soon about the separation between church and state, and how you can bring God into anything you do, and not have to worry about what other people think. Don't think about how many people you touch, but that you touch at least one person. Have a great night! God bless you all!
Tuesday, August 2, 2016
What can I watch? What can I read? What can I eat?
These three questions seem to plague Christian controversy the most! I will try to approach each topic with as much consideration, and Biblical direction as I can! Hope you enjoy!
What can I watch? What can I read?
So, these first two questions go right along with one another. Many people struggle with what to read or watch because it most likely is coming in from the secular world. I've been struggling with this concept quite a bit with the release of the new Harry Potter edition. Of course, I went ahead and read it before I dove in trying to figure out if this is okay. I know that in many places the Bible says that we should have nothing to do with witchcraft. However, this applies to existing witchcraft, I really hope that you wouldn't believe that Harry Potter is a non-fiction tale. And, if it makes you feel much better, J.K. Rowling and many other places have delved into the concept of Christian allegory placed in the seventh Harry Potter novel. Then comes the question, what about fiction? Technically, fiction is not truthful, therefore some people call it lying. There are a few places in the Bible that I would like to point you to in these questions. The first is 1 Corinthians 10:23-24, "'I have the right to do anything,' you say, but not everything is beneficial 'I have the right to do anything,' you say, but not everything is constructive. No one should seek their own good, but the good of others." This goes in more depth later on in 1 Corinthians chapter 10 as well. But, with these two verses, we see that as long as what you're watching or reading is not interfering with the good of others, and that you always have the good of others in mind, you are okay to continue forward. This does not mean that you should watch and read everything! Just because it says it's okay, per se, don't go about reading things that will change your well-being, because if you change, that affects the people around you drastically. If you get in to reading secular novels or watching secular television, be aware of what's going on inside of you and around you. If you're attitude picks up, you are not working for the well-being of others, target that problem and get rid of it. If some sort of depression sets in because of what you've devoted your time to, put the book down and pick up the good and joyful Bible. Nothing you do on earth should cause you to shy away from your walk with God. If reading Harry Potter or Lord of the Rings or anything along those lines, puts you in a situation where you question your faith, then STOP READING THEM! As long as you are sure that there is nothing on the earth you hold above God and Jesus Christ. I know that you might be tempted to say that nothing on earth you could possibly hold above God. That is false, I'm so sorry to tell you. When you sin on earth, you are pushing God out of your mind because you're afraid. Of course, we know that through Jesus you are forgiven of your sins, but they are still sins. Even though you know you have the Savior, Satan is still coming after you. If you fall to sin, then you're on the road to falling from God, Satan is always ready to lead you away. Don't let what earthly things you do be the cause of this new and treacherous path that brings you away from God.
What can I eat?
I know that there is a big long list of things in Leviticus that we cannot eat. Unfortunately, this has become the target point from secular, and even some Christians, rationalizations of other sins that have come in to this world. There are two quick places in the New Testament that I'm going to take you to bring an answer to these accusations used to rationalize other sins. The first is Mark 7:17-19, "After he had left the crowd and entered the house, his disciples asked him about his parable" (see earlier in Mark 7 for the parable) "'Are you so dull?' [Jesus] asked. 'Don't you see that nothing that enters a person from the outside can defile them? For it doesn't go into their heart but into their stomach, and then out the body.' (in saying this, Jesus declared all foods clean.)" The second place in the Bible is Acts 10:10-15, "[Peter] became hungry and wanted something to eat, and while the meal was being prepared, he fell into a trance. He saw heaven opened up and something like a large sheet being let down to earth by its four corners. It contained all kinds of four-footed animals, as well as reptiles and birds. Then a voice told him, 'Get up, Peter. Kill and eat.'
"'Surely not, Lord!' Peter replied. 'I have never eaten anything impure or unclean.'
"The voice spoke to him a second time, 'Do not call anything impure that God has made clean.'"
I feel like these two sets of verses don't need anymore explanation than what is presented in and of themselves, but in case you do have questions, tweet me! My twitter will be above with the quote from John Wesley.
I hope that this long post provided a little insight into helping you decide how to live your life on the Christian walk with Jesus. I will add one more thing to the first question, I have come to the conclusion of stopping watching cable television. Note! This is my own personal preference, not a condemnation for other people! I came to this conclusion because of the increased secularism, dramatization, rationalization of sin, and flat out sadness and discomfort each show leaves me with. I went back to my childhood years of watching Disney movies, and reading, lots of reading. Old Disney movies and just old shows from the 20th century, are much better and more appropriate for all ages in my opinion. I will write again soon! Have a great night! And God bless!
What can I watch? What can I read?
So, these first two questions go right along with one another. Many people struggle with what to read or watch because it most likely is coming in from the secular world. I've been struggling with this concept quite a bit with the release of the new Harry Potter edition. Of course, I went ahead and read it before I dove in trying to figure out if this is okay. I know that in many places the Bible says that we should have nothing to do with witchcraft. However, this applies to existing witchcraft, I really hope that you wouldn't believe that Harry Potter is a non-fiction tale. And, if it makes you feel much better, J.K. Rowling and many other places have delved into the concept of Christian allegory placed in the seventh Harry Potter novel. Then comes the question, what about fiction? Technically, fiction is not truthful, therefore some people call it lying. There are a few places in the Bible that I would like to point you to in these questions. The first is 1 Corinthians 10:23-24, "'I have the right to do anything,' you say, but not everything is beneficial 'I have the right to do anything,' you say, but not everything is constructive. No one should seek their own good, but the good of others." This goes in more depth later on in 1 Corinthians chapter 10 as well. But, with these two verses, we see that as long as what you're watching or reading is not interfering with the good of others, and that you always have the good of others in mind, you are okay to continue forward. This does not mean that you should watch and read everything! Just because it says it's okay, per se, don't go about reading things that will change your well-being, because if you change, that affects the people around you drastically. If you get in to reading secular novels or watching secular television, be aware of what's going on inside of you and around you. If you're attitude picks up, you are not working for the well-being of others, target that problem and get rid of it. If some sort of depression sets in because of what you've devoted your time to, put the book down and pick up the good and joyful Bible. Nothing you do on earth should cause you to shy away from your walk with God. If reading Harry Potter or Lord of the Rings or anything along those lines, puts you in a situation where you question your faith, then STOP READING THEM! As long as you are sure that there is nothing on the earth you hold above God and Jesus Christ. I know that you might be tempted to say that nothing on earth you could possibly hold above God. That is false, I'm so sorry to tell you. When you sin on earth, you are pushing God out of your mind because you're afraid. Of course, we know that through Jesus you are forgiven of your sins, but they are still sins. Even though you know you have the Savior, Satan is still coming after you. If you fall to sin, then you're on the road to falling from God, Satan is always ready to lead you away. Don't let what earthly things you do be the cause of this new and treacherous path that brings you away from God.
What can I eat?
I know that there is a big long list of things in Leviticus that we cannot eat. Unfortunately, this has become the target point from secular, and even some Christians, rationalizations of other sins that have come in to this world. There are two quick places in the New Testament that I'm going to take you to bring an answer to these accusations used to rationalize other sins. The first is Mark 7:17-19, "After he had left the crowd and entered the house, his disciples asked him about his parable" (see earlier in Mark 7 for the parable) "'Are you so dull?' [Jesus] asked. 'Don't you see that nothing that enters a person from the outside can defile them? For it doesn't go into their heart but into their stomach, and then out the body.' (in saying this, Jesus declared all foods clean.)" The second place in the Bible is Acts 10:10-15, "[Peter] became hungry and wanted something to eat, and while the meal was being prepared, he fell into a trance. He saw heaven opened up and something like a large sheet being let down to earth by its four corners. It contained all kinds of four-footed animals, as well as reptiles and birds. Then a voice told him, 'Get up, Peter. Kill and eat.'
"'Surely not, Lord!' Peter replied. 'I have never eaten anything impure or unclean.'
"The voice spoke to him a second time, 'Do not call anything impure that God has made clean.'"
I feel like these two sets of verses don't need anymore explanation than what is presented in and of themselves, but in case you do have questions, tweet me! My twitter will be above with the quote from John Wesley.
I hope that this long post provided a little insight into helping you decide how to live your life on the Christian walk with Jesus. I will add one more thing to the first question, I have come to the conclusion of stopping watching cable television. Note! This is my own personal preference, not a condemnation for other people! I came to this conclusion because of the increased secularism, dramatization, rationalization of sin, and flat out sadness and discomfort each show leaves me with. I went back to my childhood years of watching Disney movies, and reading, lots of reading. Old Disney movies and just old shows from the 20th century, are much better and more appropriate for all ages in my opinion. I will write again soon! Have a great night! And God bless!
Blog Update
I know that when this blog began I said I would be posting a devotion everyday. Well, it's been less than a month, and that has been changed. I also missed the news update on Friday, I apologize for that as well. In the past week I haven't felt moved to tell you anything yet, it's still summer vacation for me and I haven't been exposed to lots of thought provoking things. I start school next week, and I'm finally up and running again! This means that there may still be hiccups of days or a week that I miss a few things, but please forgive me, I'm still getting a hang of this concept. New post should be up within the hour! Have a great night! God bless!
Tuesday, July 26, 2016
July 26, 2015 Devotion: Showing Commitment
"Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matthew 28:19-20
Using the reference of the newborn from yesterday, it will also apply to today's lesson. Once you have a newborn, until they're old enough, you have to be committed to their welfare and well-being, and even after that! This also goes back to the Bible verses we looked at on the first day of this miniseries. It says that we should spread the Word, which means we take the Word to people so that they can come to faith. Jesus also says that we have to teach the faith, which means that we have to continue to educate. A teacher doesn't come in on the first day and hand you a textbook and tell you to learn the stuff on your own. In the same way we shouldn't hand people the Bible to learn the Word on their own. We have to continue to teach them about the Word and about God.
This was the shortest devotion of this miniseries, but it could be the most important. It apples to every lesson, not just being committed to your Christian friend. You should also be committed to your evangelism, committed to your compassion towards others, committed to your knowledge and education, and committed to the strength you show in your conviction of your faith. Commitment means that you know what your goal is, and you strive for that goal every single day of your life. In this case, you are committed to bringing as many stray children of God back to Him. The Lord will leave his flock to find on lost sheep, and through you all He will find all of the sheep He has lost since the beginning of time. Don't deny the Lord when He calls you! Stay committed to your faith!
Throughout your whole life, you should try to bring people to God. But if you only bring one, you have accomplished more than anyone could dream. However, don't stop when you've converted one, keep going! Keep working! Help God bring everyone back to the Word! Have a great evening, you all are awesome! God Bless!
Using the reference of the newborn from yesterday, it will also apply to today's lesson. Once you have a newborn, until they're old enough, you have to be committed to their welfare and well-being, and even after that! This also goes back to the Bible verses we looked at on the first day of this miniseries. It says that we should spread the Word, which means we take the Word to people so that they can come to faith. Jesus also says that we have to teach the faith, which means that we have to continue to educate. A teacher doesn't come in on the first day and hand you a textbook and tell you to learn the stuff on your own. In the same way we shouldn't hand people the Bible to learn the Word on their own. We have to continue to teach them about the Word and about God.
This was the shortest devotion of this miniseries, but it could be the most important. It apples to every lesson, not just being committed to your Christian friend. You should also be committed to your evangelism, committed to your compassion towards others, committed to your knowledge and education, and committed to the strength you show in your conviction of your faith. Commitment means that you know what your goal is, and you strive for that goal every single day of your life. In this case, you are committed to bringing as many stray children of God back to Him. The Lord will leave his flock to find on lost sheep, and through you all He will find all of the sheep He has lost since the beginning of time. Don't deny the Lord when He calls you! Stay committed to your faith!
Throughout your whole life, you should try to bring people to God. But if you only bring one, you have accomplished more than anyone could dream. However, don't stop when you've converted one, keep going! Keep working! Help God bring everyone back to the Word! Have a great evening, you all are awesome! God Bless!
Monday, July 25, 2016
July 25, 2016 Devotion: Showing Strength
"If the world hates you, keep in mind that they 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. Remember what I told you, 'A servant is not greater than his master.' If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey you also. They will treat you this way because of my name, for they do not know the one who sent me. If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not be guilty of sin; but now the have no excuse for their sin. Whoever hates me, hates my father as well. If I had not done among them the works no one else did, they would not be guilty of sin. As it is, they have seen and yet they have hated both me and my Father. But this is to fulfill what is written in their Law, 'They hated me without reason.'"
John 15-18-25
"'They will fight against you but will not overcome you, for I am with you and will rescue you,' declares the LORD.'" Jeremiah 1:19
Some people out their are not going to want to accept God into their lives. A few of these some are going to not want anyone to accept God into their lives. They're going to fight against you and challenge you. I personally have had a lot of experience with people fighting my statements because of my belief. I can assure you that it helps to take the advice of yesterday's devotion, know what you're talking about before you go talk about it! But not only do you need to to have knowledge, you also have to have the willpower to stand your ground, and help God stand His ground in your place.
Jesus predicted this moment of hatred towards His disciples in the book of John. If you believe in the "live by example" motto, you need to make sure that you stand your ground. By standing your ground, you can teach your new convert to stand his or her ground alongside of you, or on his or her own. Sometimes these antitheists (people who don't want anyone to believe in Jesus and God) will try to argue your recruit out of their new life-changing decision. You have to help them, and be their shiled. When you come to the Christian faith, it's like becoming a new born. Until this person learns to walk on their own, they have to be protected by the bigger and stronger, let that bigger and stronger be you!
John 15-18-25
"'They will fight against you but will not overcome you, for I am with you and will rescue you,' declares the LORD.'" Jeremiah 1:19
Some people out their are not going to want to accept God into their lives. A few of these some are going to not want anyone to accept God into their lives. They're going to fight against you and challenge you. I personally have had a lot of experience with people fighting my statements because of my belief. I can assure you that it helps to take the advice of yesterday's devotion, know what you're talking about before you go talk about it! But not only do you need to to have knowledge, you also have to have the willpower to stand your ground, and help God stand His ground in your place.
Jesus predicted this moment of hatred towards His disciples in the book of John. If you believe in the "live by example" motto, you need to make sure that you stand your ground. By standing your ground, you can teach your new convert to stand his or her ground alongside of you, or on his or her own. Sometimes these antitheists (people who don't want anyone to believe in Jesus and God) will try to argue your recruit out of their new life-changing decision. You have to help them, and be their shiled. When you come to the Christian faith, it's like becoming a new born. Until this person learns to walk on their own, they have to be protected by the bigger and stronger, let that bigger and stronger be you!
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