tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14182091771391033322024-03-13T20:05:54.595-07:00A Bonafide Believer1 Timothy 4:12-"Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity."Jeshua Andrew Hopsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02257479928832222865noreply@blogger.comBlogger23125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1418209177139103332.post-16042957491085502422011-05-21T02:40:00.000-07:002011-05-21T03:06:41.657-07:00Sadly...My Last Post..this is obviously due to the fact that tomorrow, is indeed, the end of the world as we know it. All the good Christians will be taken tomorrow and all the cruddy ones (and everyone else) will be left behind. So I must regret to inform you that I will not be here tomorrow (technically already tomorrow so I guess I'm stuck here too :/) and if you're reading this, then you must be a terrible person.<br /><br />I hope you know that I am totally joking.<br /><br />If you have seen the news recently (or been around any form of media), you have definitely heard of the rapture predicted...well...today. During the local coverage of this event, an interview was shown with a man subtitled "Believer" and he was quite adamant that all of the Christians will be gone tomorrow and everyone else—will be left behind. Now this is what gets me. These "believers" claim to be believers or followers of Christ yet apparently they fail to actually read the Bible. Ain't no fine print to look for; it's all there. In fact, it's spelled out plainly in:<br /><br />Matthew 24:36-<sup class="versenum" id="en-ESV-23990">36</sup><span class="woj" style="color:">"But concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only.</span><br /><br />What kind of "believer" could call himself (or herself) a follower of Christ yet fail to read the most important letter ever written to mankind? That must be insulting to God himself. What these extremists are doing is leading people astray and, essentially, telling everyone else that Christians are whackos and completely insane. After seeing these people, what kind of person would want to pursue a personal relationship with Christ? Well, I don't know.<br /><br />We must get into the Word. We cannot let others lead us astray. Instead, we must take the initiative and strive to draw nearer to Him—the author and perfecter of our faith. But realize that this is IMPOSSIBLE (yeah I said it) if you don't read the Bible—simple as that. I say this because I have been struggling with this very issue and it has easily affected my walk with God. If we don't read the Word, no growth can truly occur. It is an ongoing battle that we must fight with our love for Christ. But those are words for another time...oh wait...isn't this my last post??<br /><br />I think not.<br /><br />Hebrews 12:1-2 <sup class="versenum" id="en-ESV-30197">1</sup>Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, <sup class="versenum" id="en-ESV-30198">2</sup>looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.<br /><br />Colossians 2:6-8 <sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-29501">6</sup> So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, <sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-29502">7</sup> rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.<sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-29503">8</sup> See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces<sup class="footnote" value="[<a href="#fen-NIV-29503a" title="See footnote a">a</a>]">[<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Colossians+2&version=NIV#fen-NIV-29503a" title="See footnote a">a</a>]</sup> of this world rather than on Christ.Jeshua Andrew Hopsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02257479928832222865noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1418209177139103332.post-703984087371936832011-05-10T09:29:00.000-07:002011-05-13T22:38:25.708-07:00Am I Cared for? Yes. Provided for? Definitely.It's been awhile since I have last been able to post. I attribute this partially to laziness but mainly to the busyness that school brings (yeah that sounds better). Anyway, I've had ample amounts of time to think throughout the month about everything that has been said, all of the recent turn of events, and about my Father—both of them.<br /><br />A few nights ago, my grandfather died. I never got to meet the man or get to know him personally but I do know that he walked out on my dad when he was very young. I can't even imagine what that would have felt like for my grandma or for my dad; how could you get through life without your daddy? If you have a dad who lives with you and provides for your family, thank God and be grateful for that gift (I most definitely do). After that, my dad's life started down a road of anarchy and chaos. But somehow, amidst all of that chaos—God's will remained sovereign. I believe it was during my parents' anniversary in New York that my dad was able to see his father at a healthcare center. What would you do in that situation? I definitely don't know what I would do; would I be filled with frustration and anger with the man? Or would I look on him with the compassion and love that Jesus looks at me with? The latter is what my father chose to do; he took this opportunity—which I believe was divinely orchestrated by God—to share the amazing and unconditional love of Jesus Christ. My grandfather met Jesus that day and the two men cried together...what a beautiful mess that only the God above could craft into a masterpiece.<br /><br />God uses the most unlikely people to carry out His plan. It's crazy to think about but if it wasn't for my grandfather's mistakes—I wouldn't be here; my brothers wouldn't be here; my dad wouldn't be here. Was my dad cared for by this man? Not really. Was he provided for by God? Definitely.<br /><br />We never know when our time will come. That is why Christ urges us to build strong relationships with others and to love without faltering. Do not take your life, or anyone's life, for granted. Do not hesitate to share the love of God with others but always be in the intentional pursuit of love; because you may never see that person again. Recently, two girls' lives were taken suddenly in a tragic car accident about 2 miles out from the UC Merced campus. One of these girls was in my discussion section. I never got to know her personally but why is that? I got comfortable; I stayed in my box and expected the opportunities to fall from the sky and right into my lap. I wish I got to know her and invest in her life as Christ so graciously invests in mine. I pray that she rests in peace...hopefully with Jesus holding her.<br /><br />My dad seized the opportunity once it was presented to him; he chose to love intentionally. Even though it seemed that he wasn't cared for by his earthly father, he was definitely provided for by his heavenly father. I'm still learning but I will not sit on the sidelines and do nothing; I'm getting in the game in the pursuit of love. I am blessed to have a caring and loving earthly father and I am inexplicably grateful for my heavenly father. Am I Cared for? Yes. Provided for? Definitely.<br /><br />1 John 3:16 This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters.<br /><br />James 4:13-15 Now listen, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.” 14 Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. 15 Instead, you ought to say, “If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.”<br /><br />Philippians 2:3-4 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, 4 not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.Jeshua Andrew Hopsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02257479928832222865noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1418209177139103332.post-39148158821532827172011-03-03T13:16:00.001-08:002011-03-03T13:57:00.127-08:00His Grace is Enough<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">If you know me, you know I'm not perfect. If you know you, you know you're not either. It is in our very nature to be imperfect, to make mistakes. But this is no excuse for us to succumb to that fleshly nature. Is there a continual thorn in our side that we have been trying to rid ourselves of? If that is the only thing separating us from having a great relationship with God, we need to get to work. We can't be comfortable. We were called to be uncomfortable. And if you're a believer in the midst of this world, you should know that feeling firsthand. If you haven't felt that, maybe you've been hiding. If this is true, it is time to get out in the open and let people know Who you represent, what you believe, and where you stand. God didn't give us a spirit of fear. He gave us a spirit of boldness. Use it!<br /><br />Now if there has been a continual thorn/temptation that has been causing you to stumble, recognize it and act accordingly. If you believe in Christ, there is no reason to continue in the life of sin; He died for that. When you accepted Him as Savior, you crucified your old self in order to follow Him (please realize this is just as much a struggle for me as I know it is for you). This has been more directed to those believers who may have wavered off the path that God has called them to. But what about those of us who know what we want but still struggle with it?<br /><br />Well, it's frustrating. But we must persist and cannot remain comfortable in our faith. Focus on the prize to which Christ has called you Heavenward, realize that you are not good enough but He is always good to you, and love as He loved you. Don't guilt yourself when you've made a mistake but use that frustration you feel as a weapon to combat your sinful desires. When you pray about it, </span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">remember that Jesus asked the Lord, if it be in His will, to take away His cup of suffering three times. But God said nothing. </span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Remember that Paul asked the Lord to take away the thorn in his side three times but God said no. Instead He said, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." We are called to rejoice in our weakness, our suffering, and imperfections. God's power is perfected in us through our weaknesses because it when we are weak that we trust in Him completely. That is when He makes us strong. Don't put yourself down because, in this life, things will inevitably get rough. But it's so important to remember that His grace is enough.<br /><br />2 Timothy 1:7</span><sup class="versenum" id="en-ESV-29800">7</sup>for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.<br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br />Galatians 2:20</span><sup class="versenum" id="en-ESV-29085">20</sup>I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.<br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br />Philippians 3:12-14</span><sup class="versenum" id="en-ESV-29417">12</sup>Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. <sup class="versenum" id="en-ESV-29418">13</sup>Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, <sup class="versenum" id="en-ESV-29419">14</sup>I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.<br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br />2 Corinthians 12:5-10 </span><sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-29028">5</sup> I will boast about a man like that, but I will not boast about myself, except about my weaknesses. <sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-29029">6</sup> Even if I should choose to boast, I would not be a fool, because I would be speaking the truth. But I refrain, so no one will think more of me than is warranted by what I do or say, <sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-29030">7</sup> or because of these surpassingly great revelations. Therefore, in order to keep me from becoming conceited, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. <sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-29031">8</sup> Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. <sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-29032">9</sup> But he said to me, <span class="woj" style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”</span> Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. <sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-29033">10</sup> That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.<br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br /></span>Jeshua Andrew Hopsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02257479928832222865noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1418209177139103332.post-41125533997449241432011-02-16T19:11:00.000-08:002011-02-17T23:00:10.471-08:00Not Quite Good EnoughAh, isn't it the best feeling in the world when you feel like you've had a productive day? Man, I feel so relieved after just sitting down and doing the work that I need to do for school. I kicked off the day by receiving a phone call from a guy called Nish that woke me up, reminding me that he was here to pick me up to go the Salvation Army to help serve breakfast to the homeless in Merced (this is at 5:40am, I had gotten to sleep about 3 hours earlier after watching Se7en with some housemates). Anyway, I tried to make an excuse by saying I was still in bed and I just woke up (that was the truth). But he persisted and said he would wait, in which case I was like "Great." So I sucked it up threw on some pants and a beanie (yes I had a shirt on too) and headed out the door to meet him. Anyway, served breakfast from 630 till 8 o clock since Nish had a class at 9 to go to. I actually thanked him for not giving me a excuse to flake on him, which I really am thankful for. Serving others just plain makes you feel better because you know you helped someone out.<br /><br />But as I thought about these kinds of things (feeding the homeless, volunteering at a soup kitchen or a food pantry, or just holding the door open for someone), why do we do it? Is it because we want to feel better about ourselves? Because it is personally rewarding? Because we love the people? Or is it because we want to be good enough for something? Whatever that something is may be different for you but I really believe the reason we do some of things is a mix of all the questions asked above. But mainly because we are trying to get good enough so that we can be considered an all around good person. But hey, there's nothing wrong with that! These are definitely noble reasons and they are things that good people do but isn't there more to it? I believe so.<br /><br />If you believe in Christ or not, at one point or another it may cross your mind that you would never be good enough for God. You screw up all the time. You do terrible things. Why would this God want anything to do with me? I've said it before and I will say it again and again; the answer is simple...love. Jesus Christ lived a perfect life believe it or not and because God loved you that much, He sent His only son to die for you (you may be familiar with the verse John 3:16). Anyway, some people believe that if they live a "good enough" life that they will make it to whatever kind of afterlife they believe in (or lack thereof) when they pass away. But regardless of who you are, you can never live a good enough life, sorry to break it to you. It is in our very nature to be imperfect. Well so what? That God that you may imagine to be crazy far away and that you can never match up to isn't that far at all. He's right here, waiting for you. You will never be good enough, but He is always good to us. Get it in your head that He loves you passionately, something you can't comprehend and probably never will. So forget about trying to be good enough and just give your life to the One who gave His for you. Living your life for Him will give every kind act you do a little more meaning. It will shape your life and you will have a reason to do the things you don't quite understand why you do. Don't think that He sees a mess when He looks at you. God loves you for who you are and that is something you almost never see from people today. People love you only if you love them back. People give to you when you give to them. There are conditions to that love. That's where God differs. He loves you regardless of the mess you may be in but He looks past all of that and sees your heart. You are beautiful in His eyes. You are worth something.Jeshua Andrew Hopsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02257479928832222865noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1418209177139103332.post-9545988168026915702011-01-20T19:32:00.000-08:002011-01-20T19:52:12.380-08:00Vows?<span style="font-family:courier new;">Much has happened since the last post and I apologize for the long delay in writing another one. Anyway some of the exciting events that have occurred are as follows: saw True Grit twice (starring Jeff Bridges, Jeff Bridges, and the amazing...Jeff Bridges), seeing and hanging out with great friends, working with Vicky, but the most exciting...my brother getting engaged to his girlfriend of six years plus (I think those figures are right). Anyway, this big step signifies a beautiful thing...family. What a privilege that God has bestowed upon us. The aforementioned girlfriend is an awesome young lady who I am more than happy to call my own sister (eventually). My brother's proposal has provoked much thought as to the thought of family and how the proposal to be with one person for the rest of your life is much like that of our relationship with Christ. In fact, the bible compares our faith in Christ to that of a marriage and what an accurate description (props to you God). When my brother proposed to this girl, it is essentially telling (asking is a big part of it too) that special someone that "You are my only love, the one I pledge to be faithful to for the rest of my known life here on this earth...do you want the same?" When we trust in God for our salvation, we have made that self-same solemn pledge to Him. We made a vow to be faithful to Him and Him alone while promising to spend the rest of our lives getting to know Him more and more. </span><span style="font-family:courier new;">That's quite the vow. How have your vows been holding up?<br /></span>Jeshua Andrew Hopsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02257479928832222865noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1418209177139103332.post-3210267358055698362010-11-24T07:34:00.000-08:002010-11-26T12:34:01.804-08:00Something to be Thankful For<span style="font-family:lucida grande;">As Thanksgiving approaches, I have had ample time to reflect on what I am thankful for and there is quite a lot. God has blessed me beyond measure over the years and, to some degree, I haven't given Him the credit He is due which = all credit. So I'm just going to share some things that I am thankful for. So here it goes<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">I Thank God for...</span><br />my mother Lolita, a strict but loving mother that has kept me on the straight and narrow while allowing me to grow and experience things as I grow older, my father Daniel who has faithfully provided for our family, my brother Jed that I believe God has put in my life as a test to my faith, my brother Jesse that has been a joy to be around, talk to, jam with, and observe in the way he lives out his faith, a best friend Ben who has been there for me for as long as I can remember, strengthening me when I whined and rejoicing with me as he always made me laugh (and still does), my youth pastor Joey who has served as a father figure to me and best friend, keeping me accountable to who I am and what is right in God's eyes, my senior pastor Bob, who has honestly been one of the most Godly men I have ever known showing a great deal of integrity while presenting the Word of God truthfully and understandably, my church family back home who has supported me since I was just a wee lad, the opportunity to go to a university right out of high school and providing for the expenses that come along with that, the community and church that I have found here in Merced, a great friend and accountability partner, Mike Burns who has been such an encouragement to me, my many good friends whom I love dearly back home: Ashley, Jesse's Ashley, Alex, Scott, Frank, Alyssa, Orestes, Levi and so many others, all the adult leaders in the church back home that have also set a Godly example and who have also surrounded me with a good community, the musical talents that God has given me for the sole purpose of glorifying Him through melodious songs, the sweet computer I am typing on right now (Bernie MAC Dre, given to me by my amazing parents), the car that I drive, the food that I have, and the clothes on my back.<br /><br />This is just but a small list comprised off the top of my head but there is so much more out there that I am sure I am forgetting.There is always something that you can be thankful for. Realize that the computer you are reading this from is a blessing in and of itself. If you have food, hot water, clothes on your back, a roof over your head and are able to read and write (which I am sure you can, otherwise you would be incapable of reading this), then you are quite fortunate whether you think so or not. Some families wake up every day not knowing if they will even be able to eat. So how dare I ever complain about the circumstances that I am in...despite anything that happens, I am blessed and I am thankful. To Him be the glory and praise forever and ever.<br /><br />Psalm 100:4-5<br /></span><sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-15513">4</sup> Enter his gates with thanksgiving<br /> and his courts with praise;<br /> give thanks to him and praise his name.<br /><sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-15514">5</sup> For the LORD is good and his love endures forever;<br /> his faithfulness continues through all generations.Jeshua Andrew Hopsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02257479928832222865noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1418209177139103332.post-71299667575538329252010-11-18T17:40:00.000-08:002010-11-18T20:24:56.715-08:00Sacrifice<span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';">I </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';">recently watched the movie called "Seven Pounds" and my, was I amazed. The beginning of the film seems to have little direction or plot, just random things happening for no apparent reason. As good movies do, they begin to explain those reasons with the events that follow later on. I don't want to spoil the movie if you haven't seen it yet (I say this because I suggest you watch it when you get the chance) but it is actually the motivator that pushed me to write this (in the process of explaining myself, however, I may spoil it [as to what degree I do, decide for yourself] haha).<br /><br />Basically, it starts with a fatal mistake. A screw up...something that cannot be taken back or fixed. But the remainder of that person's life is spent trying to make up for that one mistake. To redeem if you </span><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';">will</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';">. But can anything be done to really "fix" those things? Unfortunately, the answer is no. However, if one lived a blameless life free of wrongdoing...perhaps their sacrifice could serve as the ultimate redemption for that person's life. But why in the world would anyone do that for imperfect and blemished beings? The answer is simple...love. Love that cannot be comprehended but that CAN be seen. Love that is not based upon a conditional response from the recipient of that </span><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';">love</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"> but rather on the presence of that love alone. There is no condition. Just someone willing to give their life as payment for the wrongdoing of the world, including you and I. Obviously, this "someone" is Jesus Christ. </span><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';">All He gave was everything and all He wants is you. </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';">All of you.<br /><br />Which brings me to the reason </span><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';">as</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"> to why I am sharing this with you. I must confess that I don't feel that I have been giving all of myself to Him. I have held back to some degree. I haven't given my all. After watching "Seven Pounds" God really convicted my heart (kinda weird ain't it?). I felt Him telling me that, "Yes, you have been spending time with Me, and yes, you do give up a lot for Me...but I want more and I know that you try, but you have not given me your life." And this is true. I have been reading my bible...but I have been watching TV and playing videogames much more. I have been praying but I need to be praying ALL OF THE TIME. The problem lies within me. I have not given all of my life to Christ as </span><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';">He</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"> willingly gave up His for mine. The problem is that I have been trying to find my life rather than trying to lose it for His name's sake. So now, I choose to die to self and live for Christ. I will put aside my wants and my desires for the furthering of His kingdom rather than mine.<br /><br />I will love as He </span><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';">loved</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"> me. I will give to others when it is in my power to do so. I only know what love is because He laid down His life for </span><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';">me</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"> (and you) in perfect love. Jesus has revealed that love requires one thing. Sacrifice.<br /><br /></span><span class="woj"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';">Galatians 2:20-</span></span><sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-29102"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"> 20</span></sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"> I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.<br /><br />Proverbs 3:27-</span><sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-16483"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';">27</span></sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"> Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to act.<br /><br />Matthew 10:39-</span><span class="woj"><sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-23457"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';">39</span></sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"> Whoever finds their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life for my sake will find</span><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';">it.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><br /><br />John 15:12-13- </span><span class="woj"><sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-26712"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';">12</span></sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"> My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"> </span><span class="woj"><sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-26713"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';">13</span></sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"> Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.<br /><br />1 John 3:16- </span></span><sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-30596"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';">16</span></sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"> This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters.<br /><br />John 13:34-35-</span><span class="woj"><sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-26665"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"> 34</span></sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"> “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"> </span><span class="woj" style=""><sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-26666"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';">35</span></sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"> By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”<br /><br /><br /></span><br /></span>Jeshua Andrew Hopsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02257479928832222865noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1418209177139103332.post-39378680503916075862010-11-08T10:12:00.000-08:002010-11-08T10:47:49.679-08:00Introduction<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">Well, going to Trilogy (college conference for <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Intervarsity</span> Christian Fellowship) was definitely a great experience for me. We were challenged in so many ways and there was quite a bit to chew on after the weekend. However, the most impacting challenge that I encountered involved a talk on witnessing and the limitations that we, as believers, place on ourselves. I know for me, that witnessing can be a very scary thing (maybe for you too). But anyway there was a point made by the speaker that hit me pretty hard and it was this, "If Jesus is your best friend, like we all claim, then why aren't you introducing Him to the people you know." Now, to some people that does not apply but for a lot of us, I think, we are scared of it. I know I have been and have made several excuses to make up for it. These excuses include but are not limited to: just living the gospel (I'll talk about if and only if they ask about it), I am afraid of the rejection that can easily come with sharing the gospel, I assume someone else will do it if it's really God's will, I am afraid that I wont have the answers to their questions and that I am not ready for it yet. As far as the first listed item is concerned, it was quite eye opening for me to hear. Yes, of course Jesus lived the gospel and He showed that in the ways He talked, acted, and presented Himself. But more importantly, Christ openly talked about it. If we are truly trying to be imitators of Christ we need to be doing the same. Jesus did not wait for the opportunity to present itself, but rather He created the opportunity without hesitation. He had a mission and a <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">gameplan</span> that He did not falter from. Don't wait for the opportunity to introduce Christ, create it.</span>Jeshua Andrew Hopsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02257479928832222865noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1418209177139103332.post-50153083589077551302010-10-27T01:31:00.000-07:002010-10-27T01:49:00.481-07:00The Mountaintop ExperienceSo, I've been thinking about this topic for quite some time now and it has come up continually over the years of attending countless Christian camps, retreats, concerts or even mission trips. The idea that we are going to have an awesome time at yet another life-changing Christian event and will get closer to God as He meets us there. Last Friday, I went to a worship team meeting and practice for Intervarsity Christian Fellowship and we talked about the upcoming retreat which I am attending called Trilogy. Anyways, when it got around to prayer requests many of the people there were asking that God will show up at Trilogy and that His presence will be felt throughout the entire place and that people's lives will be changed. Now, I'm all for that don't get me wrong. But I couldn't help but think, God always shows up ALL the time. We just have to be willing and moldable vessels for Him to shape. And why is it that we look forward to growing closer to God at these retreats anyway? Why aren't we trying to do that daily? I'll tell you why....we're lazy. We expect the "mountaintop experience" to come to us. We are complacent. We want God to cater to our needs, think about it...it's truer than you want to believe. What needs to happen is the realization that no change occurs unless a heart change occurs first. Stop expecting the "mountain" to come and rescue you. Instead, make it a point to draw closer to Him daily rather than waiting for your next "Retreat Re-Charge." Stop praying for God to show up and start praying that you show up for God.Jeshua Andrew Hopsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02257479928832222865noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1418209177139103332.post-14576516869261629812010-10-23T22:36:00.000-07:002010-10-23T23:11:51.171-07:00What's Your Story?Awhile ago, a man named Dan gave a message about what a real story consists of. First of all, you have your characters (we will just focus on the main characters for time's sake, whether protagonist or antagonist) . You grow to either love or hate these characters depending on the description of events that they have undergone and how they have handled those situations. For example, enter John, a father of three children (we'll say 2 boys and a girl) and whose wife just recently passed away in a terrible accident. [Already, you begin to feel sympathy towards this character but need to know more about him before you form your opinion.] John struggles with the tough loss of his wife while also trying to provide for his children whom he loves dearly (this is where you begin to see his character unfold). He fights to put food on the table for his children by boxing in the ring every Friday night. John risks everything every time he steps into the ring, always facing opponents much bigger and stronger than he was. But his motivation fueled him to conquer his giants. Anyways, I think you get the point about the whole description thing. But the main point is that John isn't one dimensional, he has feelings and convictions that govern his life. A good story contains characters that <b>take risks.</b> <div><br /></div><div>Secondly, a good story has a <b>good plot</b>. This plot contains conflicts, turning points, and resolutions which build upon the characters while captivating your interest. But your interest is only sparked if the plot is interesting, no one reads a boring story (unless you must for school). </div><div><br /></div><div>So think about it. What if your life were a book? Would people want to read your story? Do you take risks? Do you face conflicts and overcome them for the better? Or are you a boring read who hides behind the scenes, only wanting to meet the bare minimum? I encourage you to look within yourself and realize that Christ's life was the best book of all (DUH!), He gave His life as the biggest risk just for you and He wants to be the resolution to the conflicts you face. If you want to be the #1 Best Seller, you need to be Best Seller material. So...let's hear it. </div>Jeshua Andrew Hopsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02257479928832222865noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1418209177139103332.post-51344058300537789962010-09-30T16:10:00.000-07:002010-09-30T16:48:31.187-07:00Answering the Call<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">Last night, I attended our IV off-campus small group (Inter-varsity Christian Fellowship) and it's always great to be encouraged to live out the faith. Every week we are challenged to face the things that withhold us from completely giving over to God and to get out of our "comfort box." But anyways, the passage of last night's bible study was Luke 10:1-24 which is where Jesus has sent out 72 disciples ahead of Him into various towns to spread the gospel. But before He sends them out, He kinda gives em' a little pep talk about it. In 10:2-3</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; "><sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-25358" style="font-size: 0.65em; line-height: normal; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: text-top; ">2</sup>He told them, "The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field. <sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-25359" style="font-size: 0.65em; line-height: normal; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: text-top; ">3</sup>Go! I am sending you out like lambs among wolves." Read that over and think about it. </span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Jesus is basically telling His disciples that there is lots of work to be done and so few to do it. He also tells them to pray to the Lord to send out more workers into the field AND that it's going to be tough. Imagine that, a lamb among wolves. Sounds like a pretty scary situation to me. But later on He says this in 10:19-20- </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; "><sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-25375" style="font-size: 0.65em; line-height: normal; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: text-top; ">19 "</sup></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; ">I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you.<sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-25376" style="font-size: 0.65em; line-height: normal; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: text-top; ">20</sup>However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven."</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; ">Here, He is letting them know that He will be right there with them the whole time and that they ALREADY POSSESS the power to overcome any obstacles in their path. What an encouragement that is! But, He does warn them to not focus on the temporary joy of it but rather the eternal joy that comes with salvation. So think about it, if you are a Christian (one who is set apart for God) sitting there, ask yourself what have you been doing lately to answer the call? Jesus said it Himself, "The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few." We don't have a quota to fill of people that we need to convert but this harvest is never-ending, and what are you doing to get more workers involved (I'm definitely asking myself the same questions)? It's sooooo much easier for us to talk about how we are going to answer the call but it is the action that makes a world of difference. Jesus is calling you and He's calling me to harvest the fields, to bring in more workers. He tells us that it will be hard and it will seem impossible (like lambs among wolves) but He has already given us the power and the victory. Yet, Jesus warns us not to focus on the temporary satisfaction that this may bring us but rather the eternal reward which awaits us in Heaven. Don't get caught up in worldly temptations or the short term joy of things. Focus on what lies ahead and don't look back. And when you are discouraged, remember who is right there with you. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; ">Nothing can stop the saved who are in tune with their Savior. So what is holding you back? The only answer to that question should be yourself. So let's put away self. </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; ">And answer the call.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; "><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; ">Romans 8:31- </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; ">What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us?</span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; "><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; ">Galatians 2:20-</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; ">I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>Jeshua Andrew Hopsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02257479928832222865noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1418209177139103332.post-13889304333139344542010-09-22T19:09:00.000-07:002010-09-28T21:44:38.809-07:00Good Friend or Best Friend?<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Inevitably, throughout life, we meet many people and we make many new friends (at least I hope you do). Some of these "friends" may be simple acquaintances and some may be a little closer to your heart. However, as you grow older, the need for dependable, reliable friends becomes much more evident. Sometimes, these friends are the ones you've grown up with since you were a wee lad, others are people that you just seem to click with and have a good connection with, and others are just easy to talk to (regardless of the depth in your relationship with them). But, when it boils down to the wire and life just starts to suck more than a black hole (mind you that's pretty bad), you need somebody to lean on that you can trust and that you can depend on.</span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Now how do you know what makes a "best friend?" First of all, you want a friend who cares about you and one that has your best interests at heart (hopefully its mutual between you, otherwise you're the crappy friend). You also want to make sure that they are completely honest with you. But how do you know that? I learned how to accurately gauge honesty in a person by reading an awesome book called </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Dateable </span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">by Justin Lookadoo (prescribed to me by my brother...go read it!) but anyway, the piece of advice given was this–if they do it for you, they WILL do it to you. For example, if you plan to have a friend spend the night or something and they have to lie to their parents in order for it to happen, they WILL definitely lie to you somewhere down the road when they want something else from you. Another crucial aspect of a best friend is availability. These are the people you can call when you're falling apart at 3am in the morning and can help piece you back together within the hour. Best friends will make themselves available to you no matter the circumstances (you can't depend on a flake, period). To sum this up, a best friend has a strong sense of integrity. A best friend is someone you can trust with anything and everything. This is the type of person that you would die for in a heartbeat without even having to think about it.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Now the things I said above are definitely important and all, but when it comes down to it, these things make you feel good inside as a result of what your "bestie" (yeah I said it) provides you. If they have your best interests at heart or if they are perpetually honest with you, these things benefit you because they are positive, encouraging things. But from what I have experienced and discovered, these are not the things that separate a good friend from a best friend. Sure these are definitely characteristics you want to look for in a friend but this is what a lifelong best friend does most importantly–they tell you when you are wrong. This can be quite difficult for anyone to digest (myself most definitely included) but when someone is close enough to you to tell you when you are wrong and that you need to straighten up, that tells you more about them than anything else they do. When they correct you when you're wondering off the path, they're essentially telling you that they love you so much that they don't want to see you hurt, they are telling you that they are trying to protect you, and they are telling you that they want the best for you. If you see what I'm trying to say it's this–</span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">a good friend is there for you when life screws you over, but a best friend is there for you when you screw up your own. </span></b></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">So thank you Ben Jones. You have truly been a blessing from God.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF0000;">Proverbs 27:9-"</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF0000;">Perfume and incense bring joy to the heart, </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF0000;">and the pleasantness of one's friend springs from his earnest counsel."</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF0000;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF0000;">Proverbs 27:17- "</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF0000;">As iron sharpens iron, </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF0000;">so one man sharpens another."</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF0000;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF0000;"><b>Proverbs 28:23- "</b></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF0000;"><b>He who rebukes a man will in the end gain more favor </b></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF0000;"><b>than he who has a flattering tongue."</b></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span> <div><br /></div><div> </div></div></div>Jeshua Andrew Hopsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02257479928832222865noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1418209177139103332.post-33468578167958568572010-09-11T02:06:00.000-07:002010-09-11T03:11:40.532-07:00Purpose<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">So, much has happened since the last time I posted on here...but here's the long and short of it. I left for college. This included lots of packing, preparation, and sadly, saying bye to friends and family. But looking back on it, I can just remember the great people I grew up with and the awesome friendships I made throughout the years. Of course I am going to miss all of them, but I know I see will them again. As my pastor put it, "Either on this side of glory or the next." I think they all know who they are, but I love you guys...so much. I honestly hope that has been apparent, and I have been praying for each of you while I have been away (and will continue to do so). </span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">But aside from the mushy stuff, I was able to visit my brother (and others ;) at Master's this weekend and go to a good friend (Geoff) of mine's church called the Lighthouse Bible Church. Since, it was Labor Day Weekend, Pastor Roger talked about work and what that means for us as believers in Christ. Basically, no matter who you are...you work. Whether a hard working stay-at-home mom (or dad), or an accountant, or a student, you undoubtedly work towards some sort of goals which have been set for your day, week, month, or year (maybe even more, you must really think ahead). If you are a stay-at-home parent, one of your goals may be to have a kid poddy trained at the end of the week (the only thing that scares me from becoming a father). If you are an accountant, your goal may be to finish some sort of budget for some crazy high end corporation who has the power to buy love (oh wait, only Ben can do that). Or if you're a student, you may just be trying to finish out your first year with straight A's! The point is, we all set goals. They are what motivates us to get up in the morning and what gets us tired at the end of the day. Goals seem to be the things that give structure and meaning to our lives while giving a sense of accomplishment as we complete short term goals along the way. We build confidence as we end the day knowing we did what was expected of us and it grows with every accomplished day. As this process goes on, the continual "piling" of goals on top of one another, we get some longer term goals done and it goes on and on and on and on and on. But what's the point? (oh it must be practical application time!)</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">It's quite simple, purpose. When it boils down to the bare bones of life, the reason we live is purpose. But the goals we make here on earth are of a finite nature, considering we are finite beings. Eventually, the glories of earthly accomplishment fade and you are left with nothing. This is true of those without Christ in their lives (don't mean to sound mean but seriously, you're missin out)</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:arial;">. I really don't think one can truly enjoy life without realizing that <b>they don't own themselves</b>. The reason people are left empty handed in the end is because they are trying to make the purpose reflect their own personal achievements and accomplishments. My question is why work so hard for something that won't last? Why pour all of yourself into something finite? What should be asked is this. Why wouldn't you work for something that will last forever? Why wouldn't you pour all of yourself into someone who cared enough to die for you? We need to start realizing that it is Christ who lives within us, we were bought at a price, and that we are working for rewards far greater than this world can offer. We have a purpose. We have Christ. Do work.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#009900;"><b>1 Corinthians 6:19-20- </b></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#009900;"><b>19Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; 20you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body.</b></span></div><!--StartFragment--> <!--EndFragment--> <div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#009900;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#009900;"><b>Colossians 3:23-24-</b></span></span><sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#009900;"><b>23</b></span></sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#009900;"><b>Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, </b></span><sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#009900;"><b>24</b></span></sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#009900;"><b>since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.</b></span></div><!--StartFragment--> <!--EndFragment--> <div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#009900;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#009900;"><b>Galatians 2:20- </b></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-29086" style=" line-height: normal; vertical-align: text-top; font-size:0.65em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#009900;"><b>20</b></span></sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#009900;"><b>I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.</b></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><div class="result-text-style-normal" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; "><p></p></div></span>Jeshua Andrew Hopsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02257479928832222865noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1418209177139103332.post-20775806966418110052010-08-11T00:42:00.000-07:002010-08-11T01:00:49.540-07:00Pondo From My POVSo, if you have read Jesse's blog he talked about not worrying about things and letting God have complete control over your life. Because believe it or not, we don't have the control...we like to think so a lot of the time but, in the end, WE FAIL! This was definitely one of the things I was able to pull away from Pondo with in my heart. But one thing that really interested me that week was the idea of having a "mountaintop experience." That spiritual high that lights us on fire like never before! However, when we come back down...when we begin to feel that worldly pull again and we begin to slip into our old habits and seemingly sinful ways, we become what Pondo called a "caffeinated Christian" or begin to live "red-bull Christianity." This got me to thinking about what that really means and how I can apply it to my own life. <div><br /></div><div>To explain this in a little bit more detail- when we drink energy drinks...or coffee...or too much soda, whatever, we overload our system with lots of sugar and stimulants. Our body processes this stuff as quickly as possible, giving us...MORE ENERGY!!! However, since the body had to work too hard to give you this energy, once the work is done, you experience a "crash." This translates to our walk with Christ, we go to these Christian camps and drink our energy drink for the week. We get so pumped up to do things for God and to live the example we always talk about living with this newfound energy. We get back down the mountain and it lasts for awhile, we may read our Bibles for a few days in a row or maybe even pray a couple more times than we would have before. But then the "crash" comes, and we run back to the ways of old, waiting for our next caffeine rush. But does this always have to be the case? I think not. </div><div><br /></div><div>If there's one thing I learned from Pondo it was this- you will not experience a change unless you embrace it. Embracing means to become apart of...the change must be apart of you, it requires dedication. It's not easy, what is these days anyway...but it is possible by God. Caffeinated Christians' examples don't stand the test of time, but we don't have to be that way. Be the change.</div>Jeshua Andrew Hopsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02257479928832222865noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1418209177139103332.post-12493869315099004982010-07-15T02:28:00.000-07:002010-07-15T03:39:54.082-07:00What is the Point?<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">So let me start by apologizing for any illogical flows of ideas...I just want to say that I write these things as they come to mind. My posts may be written poorly sometimes but I hope it doesn't take away from what I 'm really trying to say. I do pour myself and my heart into what I write, please keep that in mind as I share my feelings with you.</span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">Anyways, I've been thinking a lot lately about this particular question. And so to begin I will ask that question again...what is the point? What is the point of life if it's just going to end? What is the point of getting up in the morning if I'm just going to go to sleep? What is the point in eating when I'm just going to go hungry ? Do you ever find yourself asking these very same questions? Sometimes, after leading worship at my youth group with my 2 best friends Jesse and Ben...I ask myself what is the point of this if no one really listens to what we sing? After, much thought and prayer I have much to say.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">First of all, when you think about it...there is a reason for every little thing in life. For example, you brushed your teeth this morning to avoid another dentist visit (or maybe you just like clean teeth). You woke up this morning because you have things to do (hopefully). You go to bed because you need rest in order to get the things you need to do, done. But, you live to make a statement. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">The statement you choose to make depends solely on you. God made you to make a statement for Him but you don't have to do that, there are not very pleasant consequences that accompany this decision if you choose it, but there still is, undoubtedly, a choice. There are only 2 choices that you can make..</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FF33;">1) Make His statement</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#3366FF;">2) Make your own statement</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">Let's explore <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#3366FF;">option 2</span>...now if you're a normal Christian, I'm sure you've already done this but for the sake of this post, I'd like to explore what that means. Now, wanting to make your own statement is somewhat natural, seeing as how we seem to be selfish in our very nature. We are out for our own personal interests and goals first...if anything or anyone gets in the way of that, better watch out, cause it won't be pretty. We also want to be recognized for OUR own achievement. This means we want people to know that we are awesome (at least in our own heads). Since, we are out for our own goals and personal interests we will try to achieve those things by: working hard, cheating, stealing, lying, gossiping, crying, complaining, studying, discovering, ascertaining, entertaining, contemplating...you get the point, we will do anything to get it. And if we do get it, we want to be recognized for that achievement (20 gamer points for you), because WE did it and WE DIDN'T NEED ANYONE ELSE. We want to be self-reliant. We want to be self-sufficient. We want the glory and honor for ourselves. But if or when you achieve that goal, ask yourself...are you really happy that "YOU" did it all on your own? Are you really, truly, honestly, satisfied with yourself? If you are like most people, your answer would be NO. No, I am not happy that I did it all on my own. No, I am not truly and honestly satisfied with myself. In fact, I am unhappy. The satisfaction is fleeting. In the end, I am left alone with no happiness and no true direction. This is <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#3366FF;">option 2</span> and after exploring this, which we all have, the question is asked...what is the point? Well, let me try and explain it with the <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FF33;">first option.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">The <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FF33;">first option</span> is the choice to make His statement. Now, let's get some questions out of the way before we get into what that means. First of all, why make His statement? He died for you and even when you were His enemy, when you spat in His face, when you turned your back...He still loved you enough to forgive and die for You, yes you. When do we make this statement? The time is now, there is no time to waste for time is already running out. Now the big question...How do you make His statement? Maintain a strong connection with Him constantly...you do that by always being in prayer and by reading His message to you (the Bible) daily. If you want to get to know the Author, you need to read His material. Submit to His PERFECT will and give up your own. You will only find your life when you lose it for His sake (no, it doesn't mean literally die). Now, you know the whys, the whens, and the hows, so now what? LIVE OUT LOUD. Make His statement, not always necessarily with what you say but what YOU DO. What you say and what you do should always agree, when they conflict...people start callin you a hypocrite and things like that....we don't want that. Avoid this by being the same wherever you go, it's quite easy when you always have Christ in mind, if you truly realize the depth of what it means for Him to die for you, you would want to make Him proud. This is <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FF33;">option 1</span>.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">Bringing it all together, what is the difference? The difference lies in where your allegiance lies. The difference lies in your motives. The difference lies in your heart. The difference is you. Do you want to be heard? Or do you want Jesus Christ to be heard through you? The main difference is where you place the emphasis. If you place it upon yourself...you will end up disappointing yourself cause let's face it, you never do anything absolutely perfect (if you know me, that's hard for even me to swallow). You will never be good enough for yourself. There is no point to <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#3366FF;">this choice</span> because it disappoints, it leaves you well-short of satisfaction. The <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FF33;">only choice</span> left is making His statement. If you place the emphasis on Him, lives WILL inevitably change ,most importantly, your own life. This is where the nail is hammered into place...<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF6600;">making His statement gives you PURPOSE!</span> Your life has meaning...so no matter what you do, do it for Him. When you get up, it is because God has something planned for you that day. When you brush your teeth, it is because God wants you to impress that girl/guy with your amazing smile. When you go to sleep, it is because God wants you to rest. People, nothing you do on Earth is purposeless, it is all apart of His will. Don't get me wrong though, there are things that, if you do chase after, are meaningless (read Ecclesiastes or ask Jesse). But please, for the sake of Jesus Christ, if you are a child of His...when things don't go your way, don't give in. When someone you love dies, when a family member is diagnosed with an incurable disease, when you fail a test, when you break a bone, when nothing goes right...He is there to hold you close. Don't turn Him away. Pull Him close. Let Him mold you into the man/woman of God that He wants you to be. Jesus loves you. He has the plans, not you...His dying breath gave you life. Make His statement.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">John 16:33- </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:arial;"> </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"> </span></div>Jeshua Andrew Hopsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02257479928832222865noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1418209177139103332.post-455037995534030582010-07-07T00:17:00.000-07:002010-07-07T00:35:37.974-07:00True WorshipWell today began with me, waking up late...as usual. I get up and hurry to get ready for work while waiting to get picked up (considering I was supposed to be doing the "picking up"). Long story short I get picked up, I work 6 grueling hours with 2 of my best friends, we eat pizza together, then I go home to find out it's our family friend's birthday, so finally we go out to eat. After we all ate that grubalicious (oh yeah, that's my word) food my brother and I were encouraged to sing, considering that it was Christian karaoke night (woohoo!) So he played guitar while I sang along with Him and I must say, it was one of my favorite worship moments with God. We sang great songs such as How He Loves, Come Thou Fount, Who Am I, True Love, How Great is Our God, and O Praise Him. Wow, I just feel the presence of God flowing through my voice as I put my heart and mind where it should always be, with God alone. <div><br /></div><div>I have found that when one gives themselves over to God completely, it is in that self-same moment that the person experiences what I call true worship. I define true worship as complete surrender of oneself in order to glorify the God above. This surrender can be achieved through just about anything you do.</div><div>1 Corinthians 10:31-"<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; ">So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God."</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';">So as I sang my heart out to God, I surrendered myself to Him and I realized how important that really is. I have observed that people will know whether you are being sincere or not, maybe not in a particular moment...but from your day to day life and attitude. They see how you treat your job, your family, your friends, and even how you treat your church family. If you are not the same person glorifying the same God in all those aspects, you will be criticized, and I believe, that there is something lacking from your walk with God. What you lack...now listen...is true worship. I believe if you are not the same person wherever you go, you are lacking complete surrender for the sole purpose of glorifying the God above. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';">People...if you are saved by the blood of Jesus Christ you are a new creation. No matter you do, do it for God's glory.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';">2 Corinthians 5:13-21-"</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; "><sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-28875" style="font-size: 0.65em; line-height: normal; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: text-top; ">13</sup>If we are out of our mind, it is for the sake of God; if we are in our right mind, it is for you. <sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-28876" style="font-size: 0.65em; line-height: normal; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: text-top; ">14</sup>For Christ's love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. <sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-28877" style="font-size: 0.65em; line-height: normal; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: text-top; ">15</sup>And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again.</span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; "><p> <sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-28878" style="font-size: 0.65em; line-height: normal; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: text-top; ">16</sup>So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer. <sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-28879" style="font-size: 0.65em; line-height: normal; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: text-top; ">17</sup>Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! <sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-28880" style="font-size: 0.65em; line-height: normal; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: text-top; ">18</sup>All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: <sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-28881" style="font-size: 0.65em; line-height: normal; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: text-top; ">19</sup>that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men's sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. <sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-28882" style="font-size: 0.65em; line-height: normal; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: text-top; ">20</sup>We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ's behalf: Be reconciled to God. <sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-28883" style="font-size: 0.65em; line-height: normal; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: text-top; ">21</sup>God made him who had no sin to be sin<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:100%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 6px;"> </span></span>for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God."</p><div><br /></div><p></p></span>Jeshua Andrew Hopsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02257479928832222865noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1418209177139103332.post-77898970061337354032010-07-03T16:51:00.000-07:002010-07-03T17:49:18.406-07:00How He LovesWell, today I got back from High Sierra Scholarship Camp and what a week it was. It was filled with emotion, learning, meeting new friends, reuniting with old ones, and just basking in the love of Christ. This week was literally saturated with the revealing of God to me and his undeniable, unfailing love. Words will never express the awesomeness and power of God. <div><br /></div><div>Anyways, one of the most cool things about it was the people, as always. Having that many Christians in one place united for the same cause is just flat-out breathtaking. Almost everyone had the same mindset and heartset as you did, and that feeling...is indescribably incomparable to anything else I've ever experienced. I've been to mission trips and "mountain-top" trips before but never have I felt the presence of God amongst so many believers to this potency. The last night made this fact the most evident. Basically, on this night, all the high school campers would gather around the bonfire and talk about what God did in their lives during the week. After a few would give their testimonies, the worship team would come up and sing a song or two followed by more testimonials. One of these songs was one of my favorites...How He Loves. This song has so much emotion and heartache poured into it and you really feel it full blast. It gets you thinking about the true love of Christ and how unbelievably amazing it really is. It is unthinkable. It is incomparable. It is unconditional. It is nothing you have ever experienced before. When we sang that song, visions of what Christ went through for us went through my mind and I tried to comprehend what or why He did it all for us.</div><div><br /></div><div>I have come to this conclusion. His love is beyond understanding. It is incomprehensible. How could it be when an infinite nature is so in love with finite beings? So what is love? </div><div>1 John 3:16-"<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; "><sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-30580" style="font-size: 0.65em; line-height: normal; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: text-top; ">16</sup>This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers." From what I have learned and experienced, love is something that seems to be very similar to grace. Grace is a free gift which we do not deserve (eternal life/children of God). In this way, love is something we do not deserve. None of us, no matter how important we may think we are, deserve to have someone die for us. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; ">Romans 3:23-"F</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; ">or all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God."</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; "> </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; ">We always come up short, but through the death and resurrection of Christ that gap is bridged and our connection to Him is made possible.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; ">1 John 4:18-19-"</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; "><sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-30606" style="font-size: 0.65em; line-height: normal; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: text-top; ">18</sup>There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; "><sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-30607" style="font-size: 0.65em; line-height: normal; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: text-top; ">19</sup>We love because he first loved us." </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; ">Who possesses perfect love? Only our God above. It is He who takes our fear away and makes us fearless. It is He who takes the pain away to make our strife bearable. What a God and How He Loves Us!</span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; "><div class="result-text-style-normal" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; "><p></p></div></span>Jeshua Andrew Hopsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02257479928832222865noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1418209177139103332.post-34368931595970947002010-06-23T22:39:00.000-07:002010-06-23T23:15:36.786-07:00What a Day<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';">So it started off with Jesse and I watching the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">FIFA</span> World Cup game that decided whether or not the U.S. would proceed onto the semi-finals. It was a nail-biter and quite entertaining to watch considering we got robbed of yet another would-be score...dumb refs. Anyways, it came down to the very end in which the refs added 4 additional minutes to the play time and the U.S. finally scored off a blocked shot that bounced back towards Landon Donovan! It was an exciting game to watch and Jesse and I yelled in cacophonous bursts of joy! <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Haha</span>, well after the game we got to cleaning up the house...and stumbled upon a history-in-the-making tennis match between 2 great players. John <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Isner</span> from America and some dude named <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Mahut</span> from France...all I can say is that at this point in time, while I'm posting this, they are at 118 games. Over 9 hours of tennis playing spread out over the course of 2 days...3 counting tomorrow if no one seals the deal. Holy cow though, I want <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Isner</span> to win!!! </span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new', serif;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new', serif;">After that we left the house at which we were staying, we came back home to clean up also since we have relatives coming over for the weekend. And so we all had things to do: I had to start washing the '86 Honda Civic which we are trying to sell, after that I had to completely rearrange my room, essentially by myself (with small help from my brother and father, thanks guys), Jesse had to clean up the loft and help mom with rearranging the family room. So it was a pretty busy day. Jesse also had to leave because he had to get stuff at the church ready for youth group...everyone is just so busy, at this point in time, I am still not completely done with getting my room together...I never realized I had so much stuff.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new', serif;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new', serif;">So my main problem with all of this craziness is that I forget to give time to God. How can I even dare to say that? It is just so frustrating when you want to do something so bad and you have it in the back of your mind but it just always seems to slip away, what a dumb excuse...<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">haha</span>. I just need to figure out a way to set aside a specific time of the day for my bible study and time with God alone. Otherwise, it just gets flaky. I just need prayer to get going, I know I pray and talk to God constantly but I MUST get into the WORD more...I hunger for it! There's just a big gap between action and words. Well, whatever happens...God shall be praised.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new', serif;">As the Do Work Crew verse goes...</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new', serif;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new', serif;">James 1:22:-"<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; "><sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-30273" style="font-size: 0.65em; line-height: normal; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: text-top; ">22</sup>Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says."</span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; "><div class="result-text-style-normal" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; "><p></p></div></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new', serif;">Matthew 5:6-"<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; ">Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled."</span></span></div>Jeshua Andrew Hopsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02257479928832222865noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1418209177139103332.post-87002756639256459192010-06-16T22:09:00.000-07:002010-06-16T23:05:39.992-07:00An Always Faithful God...Tonight, my brother led the youth group again as he will be doing until he must go back to Master's College to finish his biblical studies. The lesson was mainly centered around the story of Abram and Lot as he was taken captive and robbed of his possessions. If you are not completely familiar with the story, the long and short of it is this....Abram and Lot, over some time, accumulate too much stuff and do not have a sufficient amount of space to support both families and their cattle. So Abram gives Lot the option to either take the land to the right or the land to the left...Lot, of course, takes the land that is more luscious and green while Abram is left with the "leftovers." God honors this step of faith to Abram by blessing him with abundant descendants that will be prosperous, at least eventually. The way that God decided to show this act of blessing was to have Abram do a customary "sacrifice", if you will, in which he would cut a ram, goat, and cow in half (and killing a dove and a pigeon). This customary sacrifice which was practiced in those days, was an act which solidified a promise between two people. The symbolic part of this procession was for the 2 people -making the promise- to walk between the severed animals. Now, you ask...what's the point of cutting perfectly good animals in half? Well, that was to show that if one of the persons in the binding promise broke that promise, they were now subject to being cut in half as well. <div><br /></div><div>Now, after Abram did what God asked him to do. "A<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; "> smoking <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">firepot</span> with a blazing torch appeared and passed between the pieces (Genesis 15:17)." This was the symbolic display which God showed to Abram to remind Him that He would keep his promise. And because God cannot be killed, He is telling Abram that He will ALWAYS keep His promises. The crazy part is that it was only God Himself walking between the severed animals, not God and Abram. This is revealing God's true love for us because we, as humans, cannot always keep our promises to God...but God ALWAYS remains faithful. This is just crazy and awesome to think about, in my last post I said that we are encouraged to never say never, all, or anything of absolute certainty by the world of "logic." From what I have seen and experienced in this world (albeit not that much considering I'm under 20), God is the only one you can <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">AWLAYS</span> count on...your friends, yeah they can be awesome buds but they are not physically always able to be right there with you. Your parents, they are there with you a lot of the time, but not always. You yourself aren't even always completely there for yourself. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; ">But God, He is always faithful, even when we fail and falter...He is there. When we spit in His face and tell Him He can't control us, He still loves us. Even though we, at one point, were enemies of God because of sin nature...HE DIED FOR US! If that ain't love then I don't know what love is. He wiped our slate clean so that we could start a new life in Him. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Romans 5:9-11-"<sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-28042" style="font-size: 0.65em; line-height: normal; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: text-top; ">9</sup>Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God's wrath through him! <sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-28043" style="font-size: 0.65em; line-height: normal; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: text-top; ">10</sup>For if, when we were God's enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life! <sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-28044" style="font-size: 0.65em; line-height: normal; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: text-top; ">11</sup>Not only is this so, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation."</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We were once alienated from God, but through His Son...we have a way to get to God and have a personal friendship. His Son died for you and me, all we have to do is believe and accept Him as our Savior and we will be saved, truly awesome. We were once enemies of God but we have been reconciled and bought with a bloody price. He loved us so much to do this, is it too much for us to just suck it up and serve Him? But, there are some Christians or nonbelievers who don't want to go to church because of two-faced Christians and thus, don't want anything to do with church or be around "church" people. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you are a Christian out there or simply an onlooker...if you are tired of seeing "fake" or hypocritical Christians and want to leave your church simply for that reason, take a minute and think. Wherever you go in life, whether that be a "Christian" church, a Catholic church, Methodist, or Lutheran, the military, your workplace, your home life....anywhere you go, you will find "fake" or hypocritical people. If you are tired of seeing fake people or being around them...then BE REAL, step up and live what is right...be the one to practice what you preach, it's easier said than done, but the rewards for being the "sore thumb" will be far more than worth it. <b>The most rewarding, inner satisfaction that you can receive in this life is between yourself and God.</b> I guarantee it. The straight A's you get only satisfy for so long, helping the old lady across the street only satisfy for so long,unless, these deeds are done with God in your heart and your motives purely for God alone. Then and only then, will you truly feel happy and more importantly, joyful. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Ephesians 6:6-8-"<sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-29328" style="font-size: 0.65em; line-height: normal; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: text-top; ">6</sup>Obey them not only to win their favor when their eye is on you, but like slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from your heart. <sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-29329" style="font-size: 0.65em; line-height: normal; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: text-top; ">7</sup>Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not men, <sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-29330" style="font-size: 0.65em; line-height: normal; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: text-top; ">8</sup>because you know that the Lord will reward everyone for whatever good he does, whether he is slave or free."</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">God is always faithful to us even when we aren't to Him. He gave His life for us, let us make Him proud. </span></div>Jeshua Andrew Hopsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02257479928832222865noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1418209177139103332.post-54493561450856412252010-06-15T22:44:00.000-07:002010-06-16T00:00:19.768-07:00Observing Creation...Well, today...I felt pretty darn lazy, although it started off a little rough. Now, I went to bed late...it was about 1sh when I actually went to sleep. But I was rudely awakened this morning (6:23 AM to be exact) to a frantic father desperately searching for the truck keys. He asked me for mine so that He could just take off and look for them later, but of course, right as I was about to take them off my keyring, my mother announces that she just found them and so my dad left...and I was awoken for nothing. So I slept for another 5 hours getting up at roughly 11 o'clock hoping that there would be some chores for me to do so that I didn't feel hopelessly lazy. But now that my hardcore working grandmother is back she had already folded all of the laundry and done the dishes (which is actually pretty sweet). Anyways so I felt pretty darn lazy this morning, so I decided to do something with myself and so I ate <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Dyno</span>-Bites Cereal (knock off brand), took a shower, put on contacts, brushed my teeth and I proceeded to play video games.<div><br /></div><div>Anyways, I was pretty much waiting around for my friend Wes <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">McGrath</span> to call me up so we could go on this long, difficult walk up through the mountains to some cell phone towers up near Harris Grade road. It was a lot longer than I thought it would be but it was great for me to actually get out and do something...so we finally get to the top after about 50 minutes I think and we just took some time to soak in the view. </div><div><br /></div><div>Wow, I could not help but be amazed by the creativity of our God. It is simply breathtaking to look out on all of nature and just think about the fact that the same God who created this awesome planet...loves me. The beautiful rolling green hills, the soft breeze of the wind, and the sheer size of the mountain we were on were just indescribable. It just got me thinking about the creativity of God and how intricate this planet really is. Everything up to the top of Mount Everest to the deepest depths of the ocean has its true beauty and profound complexity. And how awesome it is! It just boggles my mind that there are some who think that all of this happened by chance, a huge mishap. Take life, for example, is it really safe to say that ALL life came from one central ancestor? Now, I don't know about you but math, logic, and science itself tells me to never say all, never, always, or something with complete, absolute certainty...because they tell us that nothing is ever 100% certain. So, to me, they kind of disprove themselves with their own "logic." Or have they decided to change their theories on us again? It just seems that their reasoning and logic is flawed. </div><div><br /></div><div>Take the universe now, for example...now scientists have barely even tapped into the great and massive expanse of what we now know as space. Yet, they claim (at least their latest theory claims) that the universe we know today all happened from chance and from, essentially large build-ups of dust clouds that (you'll never guess) by random, chance events came together and formed individual planets, and on a more extreme level...galaxies. Their theory about the Earth today is called the "Big-Bang" theory as you well know...and that theory is basically this...all energy and matter was compressed into a "cosmic egg." The theory goes that the egg exploded with a "Big-Bang" ( creative ain't it) forming hydrogen gas which eventually created the world we know. But the question must be asked...how did this explosion occur? Or how did all energy and matter become compressed into this egg? Where the heck did the egg come from in the first place? All of these are unanswered legitimate questions. The LAWS OF SCIENCE ITSELF DISPROVES EVOLUTION, THE BIG BANG THEORY, AND ALL OTHER THEORIES. </div><div><br /></div><div>I apologize for this exceptionally long post but it has been on my mind. So, first up is the First Law of Thermodynamics. This is the law of conservation of mass and energy in fanciful terms. Anyways, this theory states that energy and mass can never be created or destroyed. So again where did this egg come from? Or referring to the other theory that a massive asteroid hit stuff and created earth...what made that? Seriously, it all leaves unanswered questions. Now, the Second Law of Thermodynamics states that matter will become more disorderly and "confused" over time. Now, reread that last statement...then refer back to the "Big-Bang" theory and tell me how they can even conclude with it. First of all, evolution itself took billions of years, apparently, and eventually life was created from nothing, essentially. This violates the First Law of Thermodynamics. Secondly, the "explosion" or popping of the proverbial balloon of all energy and matter....violates the Second Law of Thermodynamics which states that disorder never creates order, in this case, an explosion or "popping of the energy/matter balloon" (the big-bang theorists get upset when we say explosion). </div><div><br /></div><div>So these are the facts...science does indeed disprove evolution. But wait that could only mean one thing, Intelligent Design or ID for short. This already offends people and we haven't even mentioned the name of God yet....I believe most people do not want to believe in the existence of God simply because they do not like the idea that they do not control their own lives or that they have to answer to an authority. Most people do not like the idea of submissiveness. To them, they are their own masters and do not care about anything or anyone else. Others just take it as a nice bedtime story or a huge fairytale. But when you look at the facts and evidence...Creationism is a perfectly credible theory. The thing that gets me is that both Evolutionism and Creationism are theories yet, one is put down because of religious offenses and the other is taught as if it truth and absolute fact. WHICH IT IS NOT! It should be on the same level as Creationism but people don't want to be told that they are wrong! </div><div><br /></div><div>I believe everything on Earth is created by one God. A God who is not bound by the laws He Himself put in motion, for if He were bound to them...He could not be God. This God never began for He has always been here...its mind-boggling but it is what the Word of God says and from what I've read and experienced as a result...this stuff is true and it has never been proven wrong by anyone or anything. It is such a privilege to say that I serve this very same God...it is unbelievable to say that this same God loves me...and it is life-changing to say that this God died for me. I have witnessed His creation and to me, the evidence and logic is undeniably in the favor of God. I am saved by His grace alone, now some may ask...how are people who have never heard of God held accountable for the same things we are? Good question but I believe most people know that there is something out there that they need but they do not know what it is...they see creation and wonder the same things, how did all of this get here? The answers lie in the Word of God...He makes it obvious that He exists. So let me close with some scripture...I hope these provoke deep thought. I am passionate for the God I serve.</div><div>Romans 1:20-"<span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-27936" style="font-size: 0.65em; line-height: normal; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: text-top; ">20</sup>For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse."</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Colossians</span> 1:16-"<sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-29466" style="font-size: 0.65em; line-height: normal; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: text-top; ">16</sup>For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him."</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Isaiah 40:26-" <sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-18447" style="font-size: 0.65em; line-height: normal; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: text-top; ">26</sup> Lift your eyes and look to the heavens: </span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Who created all these?<br /> He who brings out the starry host one by one,<br /> and calls them each by name.<br /> Because of his great power and mighty strength,<br /> not one of them is missing."</span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This God, who created this amazing universe...loves you....yes you, and nothing can ever change that. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Romans 8:38-39-"<sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-28140" style="font-size: 0.65em; line-height: normal; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: text-top; ">38</sup>For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, <sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-28141" style="font-size: 0.65em; line-height: normal; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: text-top; ">39</sup>neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord."</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We cannot get to Him through anything else: by being good, confessions, rosaries, giving tithe in church, by getting baptized...</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Acts 4:12-"<sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-27024" style="font-size: 0.65em; line-height: normal; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: text-top; ">12</sup>Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved."</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We only get to Him by believing in Him and that He died AND ROSE AGAIN....</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Romans 10:9-11-"<sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-28183" style="font-size: 0.65em; line-height: normal; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: text-top; ">9</sup>That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. <sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-28184" style="font-size: 0.65em; line-height: normal; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: text-top; ">10</sup>For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. <sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-28185" style="font-size: 0.65em; line-height: normal; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: text-top; ">11</sup>As the Scripture says, "Anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame."</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Amen to that...we ARE SAVED by a loving and awesome God!</span></div>Jeshua Andrew Hopsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02257479928832222865noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1418209177139103332.post-46328331509243000532010-06-10T00:54:00.001-07:002010-06-10T01:17:46.365-07:00Ain't Always PeachyTonight was my first time being back to the youth group while having Jesse being thee "dude (leader/youth pastor). He changed a lot of things since he has been given the responsibilities of leading youth group as well as leading the worship on Sunday mornings, but I must say, for the better. I believe that what happens is the same routine over and over again...and the church can get so used to that routine that WE, as a church, get focused on the "tradition" or structure and get knit-picky with pointless criticisms. So I guess what I'm saying is that I appreciate Jesse coming in and changing things up a bit. I can understand that it can be difficult sometimes though when people don't share that same passion that you do.<div>Anyways, the thing I wanted to focus on was the lesson taught tonight. This has probably been one of the more different lessons I've heard in awhile. We get used to hearing that if you just trust God, everything will come out great for you in the end. And no doubt, what happens in the end will ultimately be better for you somehow simply because that is God's will for you (granted you are walking with Him). But if you really think about it, its NOT ALWAYS going to end up how you want it. We, as humans, have this instinctive idea that we need this or that...but do we really? We have it, in our minds that God WILL give us what we want if we trust Him for it and are faithful to Him. And yes, sometimes that fact is true but we need to learn the meaning of NO. The truth is, God will NOT ALWAYS give us what we want. I was reading the other day in Romans 8:26-27 "<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; "><sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-28128" style="font-size: 0.65em; line-height: normal; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: text-top; ">26</sup>In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. <sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-28129" style="font-size: 0.65em; line-height: normal; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: text-top; ">27</sup>And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God's will."</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; ">WE do not know what we ought to pray for! Sometimes we need to realize that we can, in fact, be wrong in our desires for something. But the awesome thing is, the Holy Spirit prays for what WE NEED and most importantly "in accordance with God's will." This boggles my mind. So I guess the thoughts I want to provoke are ones that can always turn to God no matter when everything is flushed down the toilet. This is hard! What is easy these days anyway? I find myself struggling with this perpetually. So lets stop turning to alternatives and turn to God first. Why ask creation for advice when we can ask the Creator? It's always easier in word than deed but that is what separates a flaky "Christian" from a bonafide believer!</span></span></div>Jeshua Andrew Hopsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02257479928832222865noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1418209177139103332.post-69048800610681483022010-06-07T18:28:00.001-07:002010-06-07T18:37:13.097-07:00Day at the BeachSo my good friends and I took a trip to the beach today and what a fun time it was! It was great seeing my old friend Chris again too along with just spending some great quality time with Ben, Jesse, Frank, and ASHLEY (lookin good by the way) ;) We were able to do some mini-ultimate frisbee along with some football tossing followed by some body-surfing! The water actually wasn't too bad at Gaviota (saltier than I remember ocean water being), not as nail-biting cold as Surf or other beaches I have been to. It was also great attempting to improve my tan next to Ash in her bathing suit...chea. Anyways, I thank God for not letting me burn as easily as I could have but mainly for my close friends. These guys truly stick closer than a brother (despite the fact that one of them actually is my brother, but still) and are quite awesome to have! I love them all dearly! This has been such a great start to my last summer, which is both sad and exciting at the same time. Lots of things come up but I'm doing my best to let God have it all, because as I have learned over and over again, if you don't give it to God...you will gain nothing in the end. What a love and what a God we serve!Jeshua Andrew Hopsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02257479928832222865noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1418209177139103332.post-30501976050530741882010-06-05T12:57:00.000-07:002010-06-05T13:17:27.073-07:00Reminiscence of a Savior<p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 13.0px Chalkduster">It does indeed perplex me. The thought of such a strong love and desire fo<span style="text-shadow: 3.0px 3.0px 0.0px #aaaaaa">r my redempti</span>on. Can it be truly grasped? Can it be truly understood? I think not. Such a love, not a soul on earth deserves. Unless, the act of one such perfect sacrifice would be offered up to atone for the nature of our wrongdoing. For we were born into captivity. We were bound by the chains of sin. But the sacrifice has been made and the perfect Lamb was laid in the grave. Yet, death could not be master over Him. For He is the master of all. The very break of the waves, the complexion of our human structure, the universe itself- they all obey His Will. This very same master of all…died. He died so that we could live. This master, is love. </p><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Chalkduster, serif;font-size:100%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:13px;"><br /></span></span></div>Jeshua Andrew Hopsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02257479928832222865noreply@blogger.com0