Leadership

Pausing to Live in the Moment

/ Joshua Thomas / Leave a comment

It’s so easy in life to get caught up in what might come next and prepare for the next big step in our journey. I know for me this can cause huge anxiety and make me fear the next steps or fear starting a new chapter in life. What would happen if we were to stop and live in the moment, taking each step as it comes and not worry about what may come? I have been thinking about this idea a lot over the past few days, especially because many of us will be starting a new chapter and the end of the summer. For me, I am attending a new university after spending time at a community college. To be honest, I am nervous. New situations are always seem to be a giant beast in my life, new faces and places can fill me with anxiety, yet I have nothing to be afraid of. Sure the possibility of something going wrong is present, but I have nothing to be afraid of. I think everyone struggles with this to an extent, we all have fears that can cause us to have a high anxiety about what may come. The funny thing is that what we think may happen often never comes at all! We get trapped in an endless cycle of fear and forget something that might be the most important factor in our life. This one key idea can cause us to move from a state of fear, and into a life of freedom.

As I was reading in my bible this morning I read a verse which instilled in me a sense of peace, not just for moving into a new environment, but standing against the fear that causes us all to hide. Philippians 4:6-7 says, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” This verse makes things start to click together. When we trust God, we don’t have to worry about anything. That’s the key, no matter what situation, trusting God will guide you through anything. You might be thinking, “Well that’s great but it’s easier said than done.” Which is a true statement for most things, and that’s why I want to share today how and why this is the best option from my personal experience and what I am currently dealing with. My goal is to help you and me get through any situation that brings us anxiety and come out trusting completely on God.

Talk to God daily.

This is the biggest and easiest advice I have learned. When we focus on talking to God, we open up a conversation with the creator of everything. This begins a relationship, just like any other you have, you build communication and strengthen that relationship each time you come together. Reading the word will help you narrow in on the answers you need for every situation you find yourself in. Surrounding yourself in the wisdom of God will give you courage to take on anything that may come your way. I find this to be true over and over again, when I am reading the word and talking to God each day, my life feels more guided and direct. It gives me a sense of direction and opportunity to grow and help others, but when I am not in the word, an opposite effect occurs. Yes it’s true, sometimes I don’t read my bible and talk to God each day, and it hurts. Whether I think I have a good excuse or not, when I’m not in the word, life stinks. That’s the best way to describe it, I lose opportunity and lose my direction. All that happens then is I try to redirect my thoughts and steer myself in my own strength, causing me to crash. That’s why it is such a crucial part of my journey and yours as well. Even if it has to be quick in your morning, on your drive to work, talk to God and meditate on his word. You will be amazed at how much that will change everything in your life.

Live in the now.

This is the second part of having peace rather than anxiety. I constantly find myself thinking about what’s next, what do I have to have done by tomorrow, next week, in a year. My thoughts escalate so fast and create fear in me about failure to achieve that which I want so dearly. I forget to focus on the day in front of me. I end up missing the conversations with those around me, forget to look at the opportunities in front of me. I lose what could have been. I never want to miss out on the things that are right in front of me, so why would I choose to miss it when I don’t have to! We need to learn to stop dreading the future and live for the now, because the now in here and tomorrow might not be. Nothing in life is guaranteed, so live for today. This doesn’t mean party like it’s the end of the world, it means that we should use today to get wiser, be more intentional, and not miss out on what God wants to show you today. Is it an easy task? Well of course not, but we weren’t mean to do it alone. God wants us to come to him and trust that what he has to show us today is better than anything we could ever want. So live in the now, because tomorrow is not guaranteed.

Be thankful for what you have.

This is the final step to having joy in moments where you begin to feel anxious. We have all been given so much, I mean if you can even read this you have some device that gets you on the internet! This is something that I have to remind myself of a lot, especially when it feels like the world around you is crumbling. You have a family, if that’s by blood or your friends, we all have a family. We are a part of something bigger than ourselves, we have been called to do great works for the kingdom of God. We have been blessed with talents that we can use to help others, we have been given a community of believers to rally around when life gets tough. You have so much, I have so much. Most of us aren’t millionaires or highly influential in a political scale, but none of that really matters. We have been put in the situation we are in for a reason, to use our situations to influence and help everyone we meet. You have been blessed by the creator of all things, have your heart be thankful for every blessing that is big or small. You are blessed.

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This past week my dad and I went to New York City for a few days and this idea really struck me. My thoughts are always trying to see what is coming next or being anxious of what may happen next. My dad and I both have this similar way of thinking, so when you go to a bustling city like New York that could easily be a bad place for us to be. It had an opposite effect, because we were trusting God, and when we focused on that the trip was great. We relaxed, had an awesome time, and were able to make memories in our time of rest. No matter what might be going on in your life or what kind of stress you’re feeling, give it to God. Trust me when I say this because I do it daily. It’s a necessity for me. Trusting God isn’t a one-time deal, it must be a daily choice to stand in him and not our own strength. One thing that I have learned is that God can do all things, no matter what happens. Everything changes, but the love and presence of God lasts forever. You and I, we don’t have to fear anything. So no matter what situation you face, God will walk beside you and fight for you when you give him control.

Pause from your fear and live into the moment that God has given you.

-Joshua Thomas

What Holds You Back

/ Joshua Thomas / Leave a comment

Life is filled with questions. Questions about the future, questions about what I should do and whom I should spend my time with. The list goes on and on, but when we face those questions, something often holds us back. It looks different for each of us, but one thing keeps us from pressing forward. You may be trying to think about what the one thing that all of us relate to when it comes to being held back, and the answer is simple. You are the one who is holding yourself back. Over the first week of Daystar’s 21 days of prayer and fasting I have been thinking a lot about this idea, what is the thing that holds me back, and my answer was me. I hold myself back from accomplishing what God has for me. It’s so easy for me to find myself in a state of complacency, I don’t push myself because I fear the reaction that may occur. New places and different faces cause me to get anxious, so I decided to ask God why that feeling of anxiety is filling me when I try to move forward. The conclusion that I came to was that I have not been keeping God in the right place. Yes, I know you may think I’m some mysterious perfect person, but that’s not true for me or any of you reading. Yes, you. Romans 3:23 says, “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” We all screw up, we all have the days where we don’t feel like turning to God when life gets tough. What happens then is we start putting things in Gods place, good or bad, we take God out of our thoughts. The thing that holds us back, is the failure to press into an authentic relationship with Christ.

So how do we break out of the trap? Well a few things need to happen. Pray about what you’re placing in front of God, once you figure this out, then you can step into freedom. This can come in any size or shape. It could be a love of money, or it could even be your ministry. That’s mine, I find myself putting the ministry I do above my relationship with God. In my mind, I get worked up into the idea that if I am not directly in ministry, I have accomplished nothing. The enemy steps in and causes me to start believing this lie, so I focus on my ministry more than my God. I forget the reason I love doing ministry in the first place, because God radically changed my life and I want to help others experience that same relationship. It became an idol, so even something that can be used for good, could have been my downfall. Pray and think about what could be preventing you from your relationship with God. No seriously, do it right away, I’ll still be here. Now that you’ve prayed and thought about it, I want to spend the next few paragraphs on how we move from there. There is hope, you and I were made for bigger and better things, so press into your purpose.

Know that you are royalty.

God didn’t create us to be people enslaved to our selfish and worldly desires, he created us to be heirs. This idea comes from Galatians 4:6-7 which says, “Because you are his sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, ‘Abba, Father.’ So you are no longer a slave, but God’s child; and since you are his child, God has made you also an heir.” God says that not only are we not slaves, but that you are a child of the highest king. He designed you to be exactly who you are, we are all unique and all have a great purpose for our lives, yet we choose to be slaves of this world. This is such a backwards idea, an heir to an empire would not live in the pit, but would live like royalty. We should live like we are a part of the royal family, because we are! Realize that what you have been making an idol of in your life, is keeping you from living into royalty. Live like an heir to the kingdom.

In our weakness, we are strong.

It’s important to understand that when we choose to put God first and live in royalty, we can’t do that all on our own. I’ve been reading through many of the books in the bible that Paul wrote and I have been amazed at how strong he was, even when he went through the hardest struggles many of us will never experience. One theme that keeps coming up over and over is this, even though we are weak God makes us strong in our weakness. That is an incredible testament to how much we need God. Paul says it best in 2 Corinthians 12:9-10, “But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. 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.” The moments where we find ourselves walking away from what we should do or let our fears hold us back, remember that in any time of weakness, when we rely on God, he makes us strong. Once we start trusting God, not even our human weaknesses can prevent us from achieving the purpose for our lives.

Run after wisdom.

This is the final part to breaking that mental wall that holds you back from your greater purpose. I actually have started memorizing a verse that we are using in Daystar Kids, and it is incredible how applicable it is for every part of my life. Proverbs 8:10-11 says, “Choose my instruction instead of silver, knowledge rather than choice gold, for wisdom is more precious than rubies, and nothing you desire can compare with her.” Where does this wisdom come from? Well many places, but the number one is through reading the word. I can’t express enough how important this is, just try it and you’ll be amazed at how your life will radically change. The second is looking towards those who have gone before you, the people that you look up to. Talk with them, learn from them, and most importantly, listen. Wisdom can be found easily as long as you look towards life giving people and scripture. Running after wisdom will cause your fears to fall away and help you live in freedom.

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It’s hard coming face to face with what we actually put our trust in, because often we don’t want to lose what’s working. What we forget is while we are just existing, we are holding ourselves back from what could be, and what could be is a bigger purpose for your life that we can’t possibly comprehend. We don’t know the outcomes of life, and often this scares us. It causes us to not step out and take a chance on what God has for you. I don’t know what’s in store for my life, and to be honest, I don’t think I would want to know. All I know is that I am making a commitment to pursue Christ first in every area of my life, recognizing that I am an heir to the kingdom, that in my weakness God makes me strong, and to run after wisdom that gives life. When I step into this way of living, I have become free, I no longer will be held back by my own fears because I know that God holds me in the palms of his hands. We become free in our dependence on Christ. No lie from the enemy can stop me, and no words from those around me will ever make me compromise what the word of God says. We are all unique, we have a greater purpose, and we need to choose to stand with God. When we make this decision, nothing can ever again hold us back.

Choose to trust in Christ alone.

-Joshua Thomas

Starting Over

/ Joshua Thomas / 2 Comments

The idea of starting over and moving into an unknown is a daunting feeling. Often I find myself moving in one direction that I think is where I should go, but my path is changed. Even when I think I am following God’s path for my life, I can never be sure. Moments like this cause me to face the process of starting over. This has happened in my past, through the process of salvation, and it happens continuously. I’m sure we all face this on a regular basis, and to be completely honest, I don’t always want to change. My human self wants to stay safe, safe in the arms of complacency. Risks are unknowns to all of us, the outcome is often built up drastically in our heads, and we use that as an excuse to not change. Over and over in my life, I see myself taking steps in one way, thinking it is the best way, but it feels like the door that was once open, has now been slammed in my face. This is an awful feeling. Doubts are built up in my head, and I begin to doubt my potential. Whether it’s due to mistakes in our past, or the fear of new things, we refuse the gift of starting over.

Notice how that paragraph ended with the word “gift” used to describe starting over, yeah I did that on purpose. It is a good thing to start over, and I know this is true because I have been reading about one of the strongest leaders in the bible that started over. Paul was an amazing servant of the Lord who wrote most of the New Testament, but before he was Paul, he was a terrorist. His birth name was Saul and he was responsible for the capture and murder of Christians, but when God stops him where he stood, he gave Saul the chance to start over. He really started over, completely changing his career, I guess being a terrorist was his career (A bit creepy if you ask me), and giving him a new name. I hope none of you are in the business of being a killer, but God wants to help you start over. In reading through the ministry of Paul, I think there are three key elements that God has in regards to giving you the gift of starting over.

Your past does not define your future.

One of the biggest lies that Satan or the world may throw at you, is that you can never do anything good because of what you have done. This is so wrong, we all screw up and no one is perfect, so don’t be depressed because you won’t be perfect. God doesn’t use perfect people, he uses the broken. I have to remind myself that no matter how much I’ve screwed up, God wants to use me and elevate me from the dirt. If God can take a murderer and change him to becoming one of the most famous leaders in the bible, he can use you and me. The coolest thing about God is that he gives us another chance, something that I have been witnessing first hand from some of the hardships that I have witnessed and experienced through this past year. I have seen friends find their way back to Gods plan, I have seen the church rally around the family of a friend who passed away, and I have seen the redemptive possibilities that are here for my family. While my stories may seem distant, I know that you have been going through hard times as well. Let me tell you that your past and the struggles you have faced will never define your future. Your future is defined by how you follow Christ.

Trials Produce perseverance.

When we are faced with starting over, it is often the result of a struggle or problem that has risen up in our life. Unless you are an optimist, it’s not easy to see the good in situations like this, situations that test us and cause us to question everything. Paul during his time of ministry, faced many trials. He was imprisoned and faced death over and over, but he saw the purpose that it would be used for. Romans 5:3-5 says, “Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.” In the midst of the hard times and looking in the face of starting over, we have hope. A hope that is pure and godly, one that will give us a vision for more, rather than a fear of what might happen. The struggles we face guide us to the path we were meant to walk. So what does this mean to start over? Starting over essentially translates to redirecting my vision to where God wants me to be. Our passions may change, our path may have a shut door for us to find a new path, or God may have a sudden direction he takes you. All through the changes, when we keep God first, the rest will fall into place. This may mean changing a profession, not chasing after that one dream but following another, or letting go of things that will hold you back. Remember that in all things, even the trials, God will guide you.

Change is ongoing.

This is the final piece, and it’s the one you may wish I hadn’t revealed. The process of starting over and fully following Christ is continual, meaning that we are never fully finished. We have to constantly be redirecting our minds towards what will give us life. This is why fasting is such an essential part of our walk, taking something that we have elevated to the highest place in our life, and cutting it out for a season in order to focus on what is truly important in life. Currently, Daystar Church is in the time of their twenty one days of prayer and fasting, I am participating because it is such a life giving time to cut something out and grow in Christ. We are praying for a revival to come not only to our church, but to our city. It gets me excited to know that so many are on the same page of craving more of what God has in store for all of us. So ask yourself, what am I holding on to that prevents me from connecting with God? Knowing that the change will be continual and a process that we must strive for.

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The hope I have for you and myself is that we would both learn to start over. To hit the reset button for our life and follow God rather than our own desires. This thought of starting over can feel massive, like looking at a mountain and realizing how small we really are in comparison. The thing we forget when gazing upon the mountain is that we follow the God who created all things, put the stars in the sky, and crafted that mountain with his hands. That same God is with you. God may have you change your path, your dreams may radically change, but that same God will never leave you. He has never left me, and trust me when I say this, because I have faced many mountains in my life. God will help us overcome our toughest mountains when we redirect our focus on him alone. Don’t be afraid, God is with you. No matter what you have faced in the past, no matter what trials you face, and no matter how hard the change may seem, God will always be with you.

Start over with Christ.

-Joshua Thomas

Be Effective With Your Talents

/ Joshua Thomas / 2 Comments

Everyone has a talent. If you’re like me though, your first reaction is, “I don’t think I really have one.” This reaction to me saying that you do have one, is due to the fact that we often look down at ourselves. Now if you don’t, awesome, but if you’re more like me, it’s quite easy to not see the gifts that you hold already. This thought came into my head recently as I was trying to evaluate where I am and if I am being effective with what I have been given. Trust me, I have had plenty of time, especially being a student on summer break with much more time that can go wasted. Recently, I have been feeling like I have not been using my time and talents wisely, basically, I get lazy. The biggest trap to get caught in, whether this is due to boredom and just plain not wanting to face the responsibilities that life has, I’m not sure. That’s the thing about laziness, we can give any excuse in the book to not do something. What I want to do today is share some things I am learning and doing to slay the dragon of laziness (see I made it sound cool so now you want to keep reading).

I’m writing this for you, my super cool reader, and myself (pretty heavy, right?). I think one of the biggest barriers that holds people back is this idea of laziness and being complacent. We get so comfortable with where we are that we forget we were made for such a bigger purpose. I want to see a generation of people stand up and say that we can use our gifts to help change the world, and I sure want to be a part of that. I want you to be able to see that you have a talent and I want to help you move from having one, to using it in order to be effective in every part of your life.

God gave you a specific skillset.  

The biggest lie that we hear from Satan is that you are not good enough. This is such a lie because over and over in scripture we hear God speak about how he formed us in his image, to be unique and made for a purpose. Of course the enemy doesn’t want us to believe that, because when we believe the lie, we box ourselves in from what we can really do for this world. Know that God has given you a skillset that is your key to being effective. This can be anything. For me, I am very good at communicating to others and helping them find their potential, as well as, a passion for writing that I hope will one day influence a great many people. Now I know it may sound like I’m being prideful, but when God has given you a talent, he wants you to realize it and take hold of it. So your talents may be similar to my own, or completely different. That’s the beauty of it, you are an individual and you have a talent. Take a moment and think about what you have been gifted at. Maybe you sing like an angel, maybe you love helping the homeless, or maybe you feel a passion for showing love to those who don’t have a lot of love in their life. All of these are examples of talents, you have been given a talent!

Use your talent as much as possible.

This is the first step to killing your lazy spirit, now that you have discovered some of your talents. Start taking steps towards using your talent, start serving in your church, practice your skill in any way that you can. It would be really easy for me to know what I think God has gifted me with and then choose not to do anything with it. That would be such a tragedy for your life. Believe me I know it’s easy to make any excuse for why not to do something, but start pushing yourself out of what you feel comfortable with and step into the unknown. The worst thing that may happen is you find out that maybe this isn’t where I’m the best gifted at, and try again. That’s the great part, the world won’t end if you don’t get it right the first few times! You have nothing to be afraid of, God tells us this. Romans 8:15 says, “The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” Not only has God not given us a spirit of fear, but he calls us his son and daughter, he loves you so much. Live in freedom and choose to take the steps to pursuing Gods purpose for your life.

Be generous and brave.

After you find your talent and begin walking into your purpose, we face the foes that will try to stop us. These enemies are known as pride and complacency. We can get prideful as we master our talents and this can cause our ministry and life to rot away. It makes us look down at the people we should be helping and speaking life to and says that you’re better than them. The second enemy is complacency, this guy tells us that what you’re doing is good and there isn’t a reason to strive for more. This doesn’t ruin your ministry, but it prevents you from listening to new ideas and prevents you from growing things into better skills. So what can we do to fight off these nasty guys? Well, 2 Corinthians 9:6-8 says, “The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work.” This verse is not only talking about our money, but I believe it also refers to what we have to offer with our skills. We kill pride by giving our abilities with a cheerful heart, being respectful of those we serve and those we serve under. We kill complacency by choosing to give more as we are given more, and reaping to rewards from what we learn. Be generous in your talents and be brave to take the next steps that will help you grow continuously, this will make you effective no matter where you are.

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You are a child of God, and with that comes great things. You have been given gifts and talents that will help you in all areas of your life. No matter what you may be going through, you have the potential to do something that will change the world. Even when it seems like we are alone or that no one cares, your intentions are speaking to people like no other. You may be told that you aren’t good enough or that you are inexperienced, these are lies from someone who doesn’t want you to step into the purpose that God made you for. It’s okay to try new things, to make mistakes, and to ask questions. We were not made to be complacent and fearful of stepping out. We were meant to be brave and live with complete trust in Christ. We are not made to be prideful and put ourselves on a pedestal, we were created to be generous and care for everyone around us. So at the end of this, you have a choice, I have a choice. We can choose to use our talents and be as effective as possible, or we can live comfortably and accomplish nothing.

What do you choose?

-Joshua Thomas

Finishing the Fight

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It never ceases to amaze me on how fast life changes and moves all around me. People are in your life and then go separate ways, a career can change in an instant, and what was once unknown has now become a reality. In my own life it feels like I’m moving towards one direction with everything I’ve got, yet now has been shifted dramatically. This seems to be the story everyone has faced since the beginning of time, it’s what life is filled with. Many times these changes and shifts in our path are for the better, and sometimes they are things we wish we never would have to face. In both situations, we have fear that influences us about how we react and what decisions we make. It would be much simpler if we had the ability to delete the hard and always accept the good things, but unfortunately it doesn’t work like that. Weather you and I like it, we have been placed in front of a decision. We can either let the fear of the hardship or possible failure control us or we can finish the fight.

It sounds daunting, and to be honest, it is daunting. Unless you are someone who knows what to do when the unexpected hits you or changes your direction, it is intimidating. The thing is, is that we don’t have to be blind, meaning that while the answers and secrets to life may not always be spelled out for us, we do have a guide to how we approach this fight. This fight is simply the opposition that tries to stop us from moving forward and growing into the people that God designed us to be. So this fight, is something that we may face daily, or it may be an event or drastic life change that tries to hold us back from becoming who we are meant to be. These are a few things that I have learned and have clung to during moments in life that try to stop me, from the hardship and the sucker punches that happen all the time.

Running away accomplishes nothing.

The first thing we need to know when life throws trials at us is that running away accomplishes nothing. Our problems will only catch up with us, kind of like a kid hiding from their parent after breaking something, it will always catch up. Once it does, the problem only becomes that much bigger! The book of James describes how we should first react when we first run into the struggle. James 1:2-4 says, “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” Instead of running away, we must address it head on, and know that through this trial, good will come. It will never be easy, but when we look at our problems and struggles from the perspective that perseverance will bring wisdom, we can take on anything.

Peace will come when we endure.

Once we choose to face the issue, we undertake the hard part. Maybe this means having a tough conversation with someone, it may mean having to distance yourself from a group or situation, or it may be something we cannot tangibly address. Dealing with loss, watching someone close to you while they hurt, or the feeling that what you once thought was your purpose, now has shifted. We don’t know how we can continue, but we are given the power to overcome all struggle and all trials that we face, big or small. As we endure the hardship and trust God during the things we cannot control, we become unstoppable. We step into the true design that we were created to do. James 1 continues with verse twelve that says, “Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.” As we place trust in the creator of all things, we are able to make it through the other side of the fight with blessings that will stay with us for the rest of time. We can endure, because God is bigger than our struggles. When we face our struggles and relying on the strength that comes from the Lord, we receive a peace unlike anything else.

No matter what happens, approach it with love.

This may be the most difficult aspect to wrap my own head around, how can I not let fear or anger control my actions when life gets difficult. So often in my times of hurting and fearing the unknown, I want to lash out at some of the smallest things. I feel like the Hulk ready to rage and go destroy anything in my path, but we can’t do that. I can’t do that. We would only cause more hurt towards those around us that may actually care about you deeply. Romans 12:17-19 says, “Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: ‘It is mine to avenge; I will repay,’ says the Lord.” And then ends with verse 21, “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” The biggest weapon in our arsenal is love, an action that diffuses the rage we feel we deserve to access. So in every situation, and every fight you end up in, choose love and you will be victorious.

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I think we all are facing challenges and struggles. We have dreams and visions for our futures, we want life to be simple. Yet we are in the midst of a chaotic world, some want to hide, some once had a desire to be more, and some have become tired of fighting. Many of us have a warrior spirit within us, I know I do, but it becomes hard when we keep having to fight and carry on. Often times what I forget is that I am not alone, Christ is with me, I just have to put trust in him. When I rely on my own strength I will fall, but when I abide in him, I become invincible. It’s like the movie, The Sword in the Stone, a boy who everyone sees as weak and is treated like an outcast, is able to take the sword because he is worthy. He takes his place, one he was destined to be in. You are like Arthur, you are worthy. I am worthy. We just have to have the courage to take hold of the sword and receive the power that it gives. So in you struggle and trials that you may be going through, take hold of the only thing that can give you true strength. Trust in Christ and you will be able to finish the fight.

-Joshua Thomas

Comfort in Everything

/ Joshua Thomas / Leave a comment

Life gets crazy sometimes, we get busy, we have new changes we don’t expect, and we add on new stress to our already stress filled life. Over the past couple of weeks my life has been hectic and a bit confusing. Confusing meaning that as the summer has slowed down, my mind has caught up with the fears of the future and recent experiences that I still am processing. Almost like a rapid swing in my mind, which is an attack against my spirit. Like most attacks from the enemy, it creeps up before I have time to retaliate. It’s so frustrating, I want to move on and grow but a cage keeps trying to hold me back from achieving my goals. I use a lot of visual words because I think it paints a picture of what I’m feeling. So when I face attack like this, I am also able to see that it happens to people all around me, even you. I’m not a psychic or in your head like Professor X (comic reference, check), I’m just perceptive as to how we are attacked by the enemy. Maybe you are feeling like you’re not good enough, maybe you’re questioning where you are in life, or maybe you feel like you can’t go any further. I want to talk to you, whether you feel like your struggles aren’t big or if you think the world is closing in on you, this is for you. I want you to know that you can get through it, and you don’t have to fear the attacks anymore.

This past week I was reading in 2 Corinthians, and I read a verse that captured my heart and broke me. Not because of pain, but because God used the words to bring true and supernatural comfort. 2 Corinthians 1:3-7 says, “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God. For just as we share abundantly in the sufferings of Christ, so also our comfort abounds through Christ. If we are distressed, it is for your comfort and salvation; if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which produces in you patient endurance of the same sufferings we suffer. And our hope for you is firm, because we know that just as you share in our sufferings, so also you share in our comfort.” This was so powerful to me, mainly due to that one word used over and over in this passage, comfort. I want to spend the next few paragraphs and share what this passage means and how we can be comforted in everything we experience.

Christ stands with us through our trials.

One of the biggest lies the enemy tells us is that in the midst of our struggles, we are alone. Notice how I said that was a lie. What the verse above shows is that in all of our troubles, Christ has not only experienced them before, but that he gives us complete comfort. Even when it feels like no one is there on our side and that nothing can change, Christ is there, waiting for you to reach out so he can give you complete comfort. In my life, so many times I try to fix things all on my own and rely on my own strength to make it, this never works out. Once we set aside our pride and ask God for his strength and not our own, we step into the comfort and support that only he can give. So remember that no matter how hard it is or how bleak life begins to seem, Christ will walk alongside you and give you the strength to carry on.

In the comfort of Christ, we grow.                   

Life will be difficult, that is one truth you can always count on, but what we forget is that in our suffering, we grow. We grow in endurance and wisdom, things that will equip you for the future and help those in need. In every story with a hero, the hero goes through immense hardship. They hit a huge low, but never stay there, they rise up. The hero takes what they learned and move forward, they bring others around them that they learn from to grow even stronger, and in the end they become legends. This is what God wants us to do, to not stay down but to rise up and become legends. Don’t lay in your struggles and say you can’t go on, that’s the enemy holding you back because he is afraid of how you will influence those around you with our stories. Rise up in Christ and show everyone around you how they can make a difference no matter what they are going through. Rise up and become a legend for Christ.

Once we rely on Christ, nothing can stop us.

After that main piece of scripture, there is a verse a few lines down that shows how we are powerful in Christ. 2 Corinthians 1:9 says, “Indeed, in our hearts we felt the sentence of death. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead. When I say nothing can stop us in Christ, I mean it. Christ has power over death, we can stand with the God who has defeated death. Nothing can stop you from stepping into you potential when you choose to stand in the comfort of Christ. We struggle, but we have the ability to stand in one who can deliver us from all things. We just have to choose him, which means not living for ourselves. Becoming dependent on Christ, rather than living independent for our own worldly goal. God has a plan for you that is bigger than you can imagine, he will use you to influence others and save lives. Nothing can stop you in Christ.

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Life throws a lot at us, some is from spiritual attack and other times we just have to face the stress that is produced from what we do. It feels like we have to face an army that is much more equipped and ready to shred us. I’m reminded of the Akira Kurosawa movie, Yojimbo, which tells the story of a wandering samurai who stumbles upon a town that is persecuted and in the midst of horrible chaos. The main character has his own struggles, but takes it upon himself to stand up to the opposing force in this town. He ultimately defeats the odds by himself and a supernatural strength he has been given. He frees the town and knows that his purpose has been fulfilled. It’s a great representation of how we look at the chaos in our lives and feel powerless to stop it. In Christ we have the supernatural ability to not only defeat the enemy, but step into what we were made for. When we turn to Christ for our comfort, we have the ability to step into what we were made for. Our problems are real, but God is bigger. Step into your potential and rely on Christ no matter what you are dealing with. Stand with Christ, and become the person you were meant to be.

-Joshua Thomas

Peace in the Chaos

/ Joshua Thomas / Leave a comment

Life is all over the place. One moment we can be swamped with trouble and doubt, and the next, feeling like you need more action in your life. Stress is the infection that everyone feels at some time or another. It consumes our thoughts and distracts us from the joys in our life. Today I want to share a little thought that has been running through my mind of this idea of stress and the times when we feel chaos all around us. It’s something that I deal with on a daily basis, my brain constantly thinking about the next thing I have to do, or reflecting on some issue that is so small in the grand scheme. Since I know my brain works like this, the chances are very high that yours does as well. I want to do a few things today, I want you to know that you don’t have to worry about your problems, I want you to know that you have the ability to be peaceful in stress, and I want you to discover how to find joy each day.

Philippians 4:6-9 is my lifeline when it comes to life berating me with all its’ got. It says, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.” This verse holds the key to overcoming the chaos in your life.

God is bigger than your problems.

If there is one thing I can tell you from experience and know for a fact, it’s that when I try to solve every problem in my life, I fail. God is all powerful and all knowing, so why would I even try to do things by myself? Seems silly for me to try and do that right, but we all do this. Most of us several times during our day. God wants us to come to him with everything, all our problems and struggles, even our happy memories in life. He loves us and is willing to help us in everything we do. We just need to take the first step, we need to start the conversation. Realize that God can do all things, and that he loves you. Put the two together and he will guide you in the chaos.

Dwell on the blessings.

The middle part of the verse tells us to think about things that are life-giving, this is the key to having peace. I rarely think about the possibility of a silver lining when faced with a problem. My mind thinks about every horrible outcome that could possibly come from it, rather than seeing how that situation might be a learning opportunity, or an opportunity to show Christ to another person. When we redirect our focus on the positives in whatever situation we are in, we begin to look at the world the way Christ wants us to. Will we still have disappointment and experience hurt? Sadly, yes, but there is always hope. That whole part about God being bigger than your problems stays true all throughout your life, but again, we have to take hold of it. Remember the things that God has already done in your life and focus on how he will use every situation you are in, even when you are in darkness.

Choose joy.

The final sentiment of the verse shows us that when we think about Christ’s teaching and the blessings he has shown us, we have to choose to put it into practice. So often we want to abide in our misery while surrounding ourselves with others in the same position. Stop that! Stand up for what you know is true, and that truth is that God has given us so much to enjoy! We have to actively choose to be joyful, it is an action that must be done in all situations. When we actively choose joy, we find peace in our chaos.

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When writing this, my thoughts were drawn to the painter Jackson Pollock. He is the man who is known for his modern art that is splatter painted. He encompasses this thought, because in his work it always seems to be chaotic, yet he understands that he has created something beautiful. Now we aren’t here to discuss art, I love this theme that runs through many modern artists. Beauty in the abstract, they find peace in the chaos. So, no matter where you are in life or what circumstance you are going through, remember that the ultimate creator of life is making a masterpiece out of you. Step into your life, and choose joy when life gets tough.

I hope you enjoyed todays post, I am so thankful for the response that I have been getting. Thanks for reading! Feel free to check out other posts and share some that you have enjoyed. You all rock.

-Joshua Thomas

You Are Valued

/ Joshua Thomas / Leave a comment

The past couple of weeks have been tough, I have felt this sense of spiritual drought and I have been questioning what my purpose is. It’s not the first time this has happened, or will it be the last. Whenever I find myself in this situation I am reminded of one simple thing, I am valued. It’s a sentiment that I am able to cling to because it is true. I think this is a sentiment that more people do not know, which is tragic. So often the enemy tries to tell me that I am not capable of accomplishing anything or that I am unworthy to serve my savior. In some way or another the enemy says this to all of us, when we are moving up or in time of darkness. We hear these lies everywhere, whether through entertainment, someone we trust, or from our insecurities. For a long time it was easy for me to believe what people would say about me, causing me to look down upon myself. It’s an awful feeling, but it’s an absolute and total lie. I know this because I began to block out the enemy and focus on the truth.

I want to share some scripture that has helped and continues to help me fight this sense that we are not worth it. I have a passion for others to know they are valued and help them find their true purpose. We have been created for so much more than a simple life, our creator designed us to be people that make a difference. He built us with purpose because he knows we will be able to achieve it.

You are a valued part of the body.

In 1 Corinthians 12: 12-31 has Paul describes how the body is made up of a multitude of parts that makes it what it is. Each part is unique and serves a purpose, our body is not made up of one part because if it was, we would not be able to function. What Paul is showing us is that the anatomy of the human body is an allegory for our individual contributions as the church. Each of us have talents and gifts, some big and some small, but each one of us contributes to the world and to the people we are around. I am unique, there is no one else like me out there. You are unique, there is no one out there exactly like you. We work together, we enjoy being in each other’s company, we have the power to build each other up. We need each other because we make up the body, we can’t do it alone.

You have a higher purpose, you just might not see it yet.

To show you what I mean by this statement, we are going to look back in the Old Testament and talk about a time when Solomon built the temple. To make this even more in line with how you may be feeling, we will be looking at a man named Huram Abi, ever heard of him? Most likely not, and that’s because he is only mention in a few verses. In 1 Kings 7:13-14 we see that Solomon sends for one of the most skilled bronze workers, enter Huram. “Huram was highly skilled and experienced in all kinds of bronze work. He came to King Solomon and did all the work assigned to him.” What happens next is we see a description of all the ornate work that he achieved. Then that’s it, that’s the last we really hear about Huram, but what he created was renown in many places. He was good at what he did and did it to the best of his ability, and we still know from history the majesty that the temple had in its’ time. Huram didn’t know all the glory that would be given to God in this temple or the lasting effects it would have, but he was used to create something incredible.

You must be in pursuit of God, for his vision to be revealed.

When I discovered that little revelation, I was so encouraged reading that small piece of scripture. I had read that part before and had heard Pastors talk about the temple, but never thought about someone that seemed so small in the large picture. My thoughts then went to the fact that if God can use a simple bronze worker, who had not been able to have the relationship with Jesus like I have found, how can God use me to step into my potential? What I believe is that as we make a daily pursuit to hear what God has to say, read his word, and lay down our selfish nature; we are able to walk into the vision God has set for us. I am a unique being who doesn’t know what the future holds, all I know is that in my pursuit of Christ, he will use me. I believe that he will use you, you just have to run after it.

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If you are feeling like you are wandering in the desert without purpose, I understand. I understand because I have been there. I know what it’s like to believe the lies from the enemy, I know that struggle it is to fight against it, but keep fighting. You are unique, you may not see the impact you will have, but as you pursue Christ things will become clear. I say this to encourage you, because I have to tell myself this each day. I am valued by Christ. You are valued by Christ. Believe the truth, seek after your relationship with Christ, and always remember that even deserts experience the beauty of a sunset.

Thanks for reading,

-Joshua Thomas

We Are Never Alone

/ Joshua Thomas / Leave a comment

This past Sunday evening, and student from my small group gave a message on the idea that we are not alone because God is always with us. I loved this topic because it’s such a true statement and an idea that I have faced and I think many have faced as well. This feeling of loneliness that plagues so many. It’s not the idea of being alone, because we can’t be around everyone all the time, the closest to that you can get is having a spouse, but that’s not what this idea is about. It’s an empty feeling, one that makes it seem like there is no one around to talk to, no way to open up about what we are feeling. It’s not only a horrible feeling, but a dangerous trap. Isolation is the word that best describes this lonely feeling because it encompasses the problems that can arise. Isolation leads to a blocking out of outsides voices trying to guide you. What happens is we fall into a downward spiral of chaos and cause us to sin, and be trapped with no way of escaping. This is a pretty heavy idea, but it’s one that needs to be brought to light for those who are feeling alone or have fallen into complete isolation, and it needs to be brought to light for one simple idea and that is that we are never alone.

Joshua 1:9 says, “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” This I a simple statement from the Lord to Joshua, because Joshua felt alone. He was a man tasked with a job of leading the people of Israel after Moses passed away. He was left to guide hundreds of people, to lead them through the dessert as well as guide them in actions that were pleasing to the Lord. He was scared, he felt like he could not make it, yet God spoke to him and said that He was with Joshua wherever he went and through whatever he did. This passage in scripture has been a comforting piece for me especially. There have been many times where I have felt unable to keep going, when life gets hard and I feel alone, I want to quit. Yet over and over I am reminded of the fact that I am never alone. I struggle with this loneliness, I understand feeling like there is no one around you to help, but this myth is a lie from the enemy. When I feel this creep up around me, I turn to the one I put my trust in. It didn’t begin this way, it took me a long time to realize the importance of knowing that God is always there and that we need to seek out community. Today I’d like to share three of those discoveries that I have come to that have helped me overcome isolation.

God is with us in the darkness.

In all situations God is with us, this is the message my student Chris spoke about on Sunday. It is the key to begin this journey out of a life of isolation. When we feel like no one is with us, we don’t see the point in moving towards community with others, the darkness in our life begins to consume all that we are. Once we realize that we have an all-powerful God in our corner, we can rise up out of the darkness and fight back. It gives us the confidence to say that we can make it. When Joshua realized that God was with him, he rose up and knew that he could lead the people. Not by his strength alone, but with the strength of God.

We were not made to be alone.

God is always with us, but at the same time we cannot stay in that place. Back in high school I knew that God was with me, but I didn’t want to make any effort into looking for a community. I had been made fun of and that made it hard for me to want to get close to anyone else, I was still isolated. One of the best things for me, and I’ve talked about this before, my High school small group allowed me to be with others who were like me and who were willing to be open about their lives. I was no longer afraid of what people would say because I had a group that could guide me. They helped me to no longer fear what anyone would say. I knew that God was with me and I had a community of guys that helped me take on whatever was thrown at me.

We are better together.  

As you may know by the name of my blog, I love comic books, and one of the biggest life lessons that I have learned by reading comic books is the fact that we are better together. So many stories have a hero who finds themselves with a great power and learns how to use it to help others. They have a mentor and a close cycle of people they trust and rely on to be accountable and get better. Then they face an evil that is too big to defeat on their own, then they find a team, whether it’s the avengers, x-men, or any other team, they unite and win. I just described every superhero story ever to you, and guess what? It’s not just a story. In life we find a passion that we pursue, we seek a mentor who is wise and helps us. Then we cling to a community of like-minded people to grow together and encourage one another. A problem that happens is that we forget to take that final leap, and when we run into a bigger struggle, we fall away, when all we need to do is run to that team of skilled people. Once I joined Daystar I felt as if I had just joined a mission that was bigger than me, but still wanted me because they saw that not only I but everyone is important to the body of Christ. I began to serve, I helped others that were new to the Church, and we become a stronger force when come together. My struggle with isolation diminished, because I had a community that would love and help me no matter what I faced.

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I hope today you have realized that not only are you never alone, but you have a bigger purpose than to be trapped in isolation. It may seem like there is nowhere to go, believe me when I say that I understand, know that there is a way to be free. Just like God told Joshua that he was with him, God is with you. Find community, build a trust with them, and realize you are made for more in this world. I have seen the effects of isolation, and I have seen friends that were close to me never break free, believe me when I say this. No matter what is happening in your life, you can find freedom, you just need to grab hold of it.

Thanks for reading, where do you find life giving community? I’d love to hear from those who are reading these. Feel free to comment and share your thoughts.

-Joshua Thomas

Removing the Mask

/ Joshua Thomas / Leave a comment

Integrity is one of those words that’s thrown around a lot. We see it as a desirable trait for leaders, and we teach our children its’ value, but what does it really mean to have integrity? I was thinking about his recently in one of my quiet times and through my fourth and fifth grade small group this past Sunday. The definition of integrity is the quality of being honest and having strong moral principles. So when we were talking about honesty in small group, we dove into the definition of honesty which is, being truthful in whatever you say and do. All of this is important, and more importantly it’s important to our creator. Why then is it hard for us, including me, to take off a mask that we wear each day? I have this yearning to be sold out for Christ, but then I hear whispers from the enemy saying things like, you don’t really need to spend time in prayer, or you don’t need to be different when you’re around that person. Slowly I slip on the mask, the mask is the persona that can changes depending what you surround yourself with. It is a battle, like most disciplines, it takes time to refuse to put on the mask. It took me a long time to get this right, to understand that God wants us to be true in all areas of life, no matter who or what situations we seem to be around. Two verses helped me figure this out, and I would like to spend the next few paragraphs explaining how I learned to take off the mask and how it is a daily process.

John 8:31-32 says, “If you hold true to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth and the truth will set you free.” The next verse is Matthew 5:37, which says, “Simply let your ‘yes’ be ‘yes,’ and your ‘no,’ ‘no;’ anything beyond this comes from the evil one.” These two verses are key in living a life of integrity and honest actions.

Seek truth.

There’s nothing worse than someone who lies right to your face. The hurt runs deep, especially when that person is close to you. So why would we ever want to cause this hurt! We should always run towards what is true and pleasing to God, because in that truth we find life. We should seek this truth not only in what we fill ourselves with but how we act, be true to yourself. God molded you with talents and a personality that will bring him joy, so it’s okay to not fit in all the time. Joy is a fruit of the spirit, so don’t try to be the cool guy or gal, laugh and be goofy sometimes. We should also speak truth, words can be a deadly weapon, use them to bring life rather than death. Always seek truth in everything you do.

Live Freely.  

As we step into the truth we are set free, so live that way! You have a purpose that is meant to change the world forever. Don’t be held back by unreal expectations that the world sets, you are a free child of God, he has given you all that you need. Honor the people around you and be generous with your time. In Christ you can do all things, so go out and change the world around you. Don’t live in fear because it has no power over you. You are free and you were designed with a purpose.

Keep the Covenant.

As you live without the mask and fight against ever putting it on again, your actions must match your words. So when Matthew talks about having you say yes and no, you actually mean it. This is where the integrity part comes in, be honest and mean what you say. This also goes a step further, not only should you mean what you say, don’t be passive in speaking out against what you know is truth. This was the hardest part for me when I would wear the mask, rather than speak out and give truth in a situation I did not agree with, I would stand by and do nothing. What I’ve learned through this verse and others is that God hates passivity, he would rather us be all in or all out than be a neutral party. So when you find yourself in a conversation with friends or co-workers that is not life giving, come back with truth and love. This does not mean hit them with a bible and act all crazy town, it means speak up and show love. If that situation continues and you are not received by the others, it might not be a bad idea to leave. We are called to flee from sin and unrighteous things, so live in truth and love. Keep the covenant that Christ made for you.

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I hope this helps you as you grow and live towards a life build off of integrity and honesty. This has helped me live as the real me, and it is always a battle that must be fought daily. Life is too short to live trying to keep track of the masks we have to keep up with, live your life as the person that God made you to be. My prayer is that you find the power in seeking truth, living freely, and keeping the covenant. Start living with integrity now and remove the mask.

-Joshua Thomas