Anew- a poem.

Rebirthing; made fresh; made anew

I was old and rugged but now I am made new

you chose not to replace

but to embrace

I am free

He made me a guarentee

"Live free, I've taken it"

This made me submit

to his wonderous love

that came from above

I am fresh

and I am no slave to flesh

I can finally see

Who He wanted me to be.

I try to live my best

I can say that I'm blessed

to know a God who

will persue

and never give up on me

and now a decree

JC ALL DAY IS MY WAY

thank you

Matt

Well I survived the all night hangout at church. Woo. It was alot of fun and it was eye opening to me. I enjoyed sharing with the guys in our small group.  The night continued and we enjoyed each others comany in a game of clue. It was a big fail but it was okay. Then I had to drive some people back to campus at 11:30 pm after clue and then I drove back. I got changed into my pajamas and played a little bit of Band Hero. I rocked the drums and I was proud of it yea :) Sleep was great that night, and I slept like a rock.

Church since I have been attending has been doing a study on the book of James. It has really hit home with me, Loving others just as I love myself. Dont show personal favoritism because if you do that you commit sin. Showing mercy to others. I never thought that 'works' had to be a part of the christian life. In this context James is saying that if you are a christian and are claiming to be, there will be works or evidence that Christ has changed your life. When people look at you they should see the son of the living God.  If someone is in need and you have what they are looking for and you just pass them by you are in sin.

People tell me all the time 'that they believe in God' , the context of 'believe' is aknowledge who He is, put we are not going to put of faith and trust in Him. Works in the context of James is living like Christ. Abraham is a good example of showing works when he was about to sacrifice his son Issac. Abraham had the faith in God that this is what He had commanded of Abraham, God was looking to see if Abraham would be faithful to Him. Rahab the prostitute showed works when she knew that Joshua with the power of God was going to take over the land and she already knew that they would conquer the land. She had the faith and God spared her house when the walls collapsed.

After all this bad talk? what now, talking about sin and struggles..... THERE IS HOPE by the cross of Christ, he died so that we could live and that we can live with Him forever. You may be reading this and you may not know Jesus but you can always accept Him today. Will You??

Matt

Hold the key to my heart

I love this image. I always go on photobucket looking for an image to post in my blog. When I saw this one it made me remember a great truth. God holds the key to my future. Imagine it. He knows what I will be doing in the next moment, the next hour, the next day, my next week and later on down my life. That shows how amazing our God is. He holds us in the palm of His hands and the amazing fact is that He will never let us go. I struggled with pornagraphy in my past and the devil, all he was doing was putting lies in my head telling me that it was okay to look upon someone with lust. He put lies in my head and during that time, I experienced doubt and I just alone. I didnt have anyone to go to at least that I knew. This is again why I'm thankful for UNCG. God knew that was where I wanted to go and that He wanted me to go there. I believe that God is all over this campus because of all the campus ministries and all the bible studies. I know of three in my dorm alone. If there is three alone in my dorm, imagine how many that there is in all of the other dorms over campus. There is a revial on UNCG's campus, I am excited to be a part of this. People are realizing that Christ is the answer to all their problems. God has revealed Himself to me in so many ways and I'm just so thankful to Him. I just wanna dance and sing for my creator tonight. I get that chance tonight. I'm excited, I feel that this message will bring about change to some.

Heart,Love and Joy.

I was sick this past week, but I have a God that heals and I am coming on the back end of this illness. I am grateful to God. :) woooo God. I am thankful that He has healed me and will continue to.

The words "Love", "Heart", and "Joy" have been constantly in my life this past week. Its kind of funny that love was in my life this week because monday was valentines day. It first happened on Wednesday night, we had a praise and worship night in our bible study that night. I thought that it was appropriate for us to do so and some of the others wanted to do as well. One of leaders could not make it so our friend Ru felt led to lead and she challenged us to do the same. Saying that we did'nt need her to lead. Come to find out she returned later and joined us. It was an amazing time of just praise and worship, even though I was still sick it was okay. We finished with our group song entitled: "Heart of Worship", it talks about going back to the heart of where the relationship is. Everyday I need that song, because I mess up everyday and im not perfect. I'm sorry for the things I've made it Lord.

Anyway we prayed and we started to get words in our heads about the people who we were praying for. I went up and they kept saying "Heart" over and over "Joy" was another one too. They told me that I was still holding onto a little. That night we prayed out loud and I FULLY Surrendered it over to God. God I am UNASHAMED!!!!!! Then church last night was awesome, we got to do it again, those words came to me again. I believe that came from God because it just reaffirmed what happened in the previous night.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, ²³ gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. - Galatians 5:22.
Anyways Good night people.
Matt

My Mood. Today

I am at peace where I am at the moment. Today was my first day of fasting and I feel so humble and content.

Happy Valentine's day

First off readers....

HAPPY V Day. I love you all :)

anyway now that I have that out of the way I wanted to talk about the REAL love story.

Jesus Christ is the one that desirves all the love on Feb. 14th, not just today but everyday. Make everyday a valentines day when praising or talking to Him. What I think is so cool is that He loved us even before we loved Him. Before we were even born 2000 years, Jesus came, lived an innocent life, performed miracles, became arrested, was beaten and spat on, and Finally He hung on a cross for us.

Imagine that a man that didnt even know me loved me enough to die in my place so that I would not have to deal with the wrath of God?

THATS REAL LOVE PEOPLE.

That is a question I cannot tie my finger around.

It is beyond what I know.

But He did it and you know what? He's alive!!!

He overcame death for us so that we could be with Him forever and ever.

Im grateful to call Jesus Christ my Savior

He's my Valentine.. :)

What about you? Is He yours.

Matt

Some Scripture I had to remember:

You, Lord, are forgiving and good, abounding in love to all who call to you. Psalm 86:5

For great is your love toward me; you have delivered me from the depths, from the realm of the dead.
Psalm 86:13

But you, Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness.
Psalm 86:15

A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.
John 13:34.

Fasting 2-14-2011 to 2-18-2011

Fasting- an abstinence from food, or a limiting of one's food, especially when voluntary and as a religious observance; fasting.

This week I will be taking a milestone in my walk with the Lord. For the week of Valentines Day I will be fasting. My fast entails: no soda, only drinking gatorade, water etc and no eating from 5am to 5pm.  I am choosing to fast because I want to draw close to God and I am praying for something big to happen. I am going on a mission trip to New York City for spring break but...

the cost is around 450 dollars( money that I dont have lol)

but I know God will provide He always does. Just as He provided the loaf of bread and fish...

Just as He provided the Isrelities Manna...

He will provide for me. :)

So I covet your prayers as I fast this week, I know that If it his will for my life for me to go on this trip that He will allow it and provide me with the cost's of going.

Thanks Matt 



Spiritual Gifts

My spiritual gifts.

Exhortation: I believe that I have this because I always like to comfort people in their need and when they are down I pray for them.
Romans 12:8- He who exhorts in exhortation, he who gives liberaluity;che who leads, with diligance ; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.

Evangelism- I believe that we are all called to do this. Christ even told us to do this.
Ephesian 4:11- And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evanglelists and some pastors and teachers.

Faith- I believe that I exibit this because I firmly am persuaded of God's power and promises to accomplish His will and purpose and to display such a confidence in Him and His Word that circumstances and obstacles do not shake that conviction
1st Corthinthians 12:8-10. for to one is given the word of wisdom through the spirit, to another the word of knowledge throught the same spirit, to another faith by the same spirit, gifts of healing the same spirit, to another the working of miracles etc....

Healing- to be used as a means through which God makes people whole either physically, emotionally, mentally, or spiritually
1st Corinthians 12:9,28,30- Gifts of healing the same spirit; And God has appointed these in the church; first apostales, second prophet,third teachers,after that miracles , then gifts of healings helps administration , varities of toungues.

Hospitality- warmly welcome newcomers.
1st Peter- 4:9-10: Be hospitable to one anotherwithout grumbling. As each one has recieved a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.

and Finally Mercy- to be sensitive to what others are going through.
Romans 12:8.

These are the ones I believe are mine.
What are yours?

Matt

Pain.

Pain... I know I've felt it.
Oh! I've felt it.
I just want to quit having the pain and sorrow built up inside.
So I wont fall by the wayside.

Im searching.
The darkness keeps me lurching.
I cry out, the world tells me that know one cares
but I know you are there.

But the Voice of truth
restored my youth
Stood trial
My soul restored, made reconcilled

He knows my pain.
It was for my own gain.
He experienced Hell on the cross.
I counted it all as loss.

Pain... I know I've felt it.
Oh! I've felt it.
I just want to quit having the pain and sorrow built up inside.
So I wont fall by the wayside.

I wrote this all rights to MTC
Night Matt

Jehovah...

These are the old testament names used for the Lord. Im gonna share each one and relate it to my life.

• Jehovah- the Lord. <---- He is the central authority in my life.
• Adonai Jehovah - The Lord God <----- shows me his power and lordship.
• Jehovah Adon Kal Ha’arets – The Lord, the Lord of All the Earth <- He reigns forever, that means everything I put myself in.
• Jehovah Bara – The Lord Creator <- He is deeply in Love with me and before all most He created me.
• Jehovah Chezeq – The Lord My Strength <- My strength when Im weak.
• Jehovah Chereb – The Lord . . the Sword <- my protector
  Jehovah Eli – The Lord My God <- He is my God
• Jehovah Elyon – The Lord Most High <- He is above everything else in my life
  Jehovah ‘Ez-Lami – The Lord My Strength <- I am weak but He is strong
  Jehovah Gador Milchamah – The Lord Mighty in Battle <- He fights the fight for me. He fought it on the cross of calvary
  Jehovah Ganan – The Lord Our Defense <- my sheild and my rock on which I stand
  Jehovah Go’el – The Lord Thy Redeemer- forgives me when I fall everyday
  Jehovah Hashopet – The Lord the Judge <- Just God that judges the heart
  Jehovah Hoshe’ah – The Lord Save <- Savior of my life
  Jehovah ‘Immeku – The Lord Is with you <- I will never be left alone or unforsaken
  Jehovah ‘Izoz Hakaboth – The Lord Strong and Mighty <- I can do ALL through Him
  Jehovah Jireh – The Lord will Provide <- my provider
  Jehovah Kanna – The Lord Whose Name is Jealous <- He is jealous for me. Desires after me
  Jehovah Machsi – The Lord My Refuge  <- I shall not fear
• 
  Jehovah Ma’oz – The Lord . . . My Fortress <- My rock that I will build myself on
• 
  JehovahHamelech – The Lord the King <- Exhalt for He is the king of kings
• Jehovah Melech ‘Olam – The Lord King Forever <- My God forever and ever
  Jehovah Mephalti – The Lord My Deliverer <- He delivers me from the things of this life
• 
  Jehovah M’gaddishcem – The Lord Our Sanctifier <- makes me reconcilled
  Jehovah Metsodhathi – The Lord. . . . My Fortress <- My rock
  Jehovah Misqabbi – The Lord My High Tower <- Stands over me
  Jehovah Naheh – The Lord that Smiteth <- jealous for me
  Jehovah Nissi – The Lord Our Banner <- i will bear his name to the nations
  Jehovah ‘Ori – The Lord My Light <- He guides me down the path
  Jehovah Rapha – The Lord that Healeth <-He heals me from sickness and other things
• Jehovah Rohi – The Lord My Shepherd <-He looks over the flock and will come look for us when we get lost
• Jehovah Saboath – The Lord of Hosts I will research this one
  Jehovah Sel’i – The Lord My Rock- the fortress that I will build my life on
  Jehovah Shalom – The Lord Our Peace- He is my peace and my salvation
  Jehovah Shammah – The Lord is There <-He is there with me
  Jehovah Tiskenu – The Lord Our Righteousness <- I have become righteous in His sight
  Jehovah Tsori – O Lord My Strength <- He is the strength to get me through my day.
  Jehovah ‘Uzam – The Lord Their Strength <- He strenngthens His people
  Jehovah Yasha – The Lord Thy Saviour <- He is the Savior forever and ever.

I really love this list and just hearing the different names of our God. God you are good.
Bye Love Matt