Future Plans

"'For I know the plans I have for
you,' declares the Lord, 'plans to prosper you
and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a
future'." Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV)

A new week means new opportunities to grow and develop your relationship with Christ and others. I know how easy it is to get caught up in worrying about the future, for example how you're going to get all your work done whether in school or on the job. Perhaps you're still searching for that perfect job, church, or extracurricular activity. The thing is that worrying about the future only takes away from your ability to live for the here and now. God knows our future and will lead us down a path that is best for us, if we let him. Now, i'm not saying that we shouldn't be good stewards of the things that God has given us-- ie saving money for the future, or making a schedule to keep yourself on top of your work -- but rather that we shouldn't let these things consume us, especially when circumstances don't go the way that we would like.

Feeling overwhelmed? lost? Give it all to God. He will give you the strength you need to carry on, and the wisdom to make the right decisions.

God Bless
-AMR

Pass the buck, Please

And so begins another week....I know that this is a stressful time for many of you with papers, exams, and other commitments eating up every minute of your life (and brain power). In addition to these academic burdens, you may be facing some curveballs in your life. I pray that God gives you all the strength you need to do your best throughout these trials. Don't let him get lost in the shuffle!

Some thoughts about the devotional...

Take responsibility for your actions. As humans, we are going to make mistakes, but we should learn from them, rather than trying to cover them up or shift the blame to someone else. Ask God to help you understand why you did what you did, and how to change so you can better conform to his will.

Have a blessed week-- for those of you who are as sleep deprived as me, hopefully you'll be able to catch up sooner, rather than later...

-AMR

Check out the Campus Journal devotional

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Human Relations

I feel truly blessed. God has been so good to me, especially in these past few weeks, as things continue to come together for me. In the past weeks God has been teaching me more about how to be a better disciple, and a big part of that is serving others. The idea of a legacy, has come up quite a bit recently, and I think it's important to take a step back and try to see ourselves as others do. What is your reputation? If you were to leave this earth today, what would those around you have to say about you? The bible tells us that "Whatever happens, [to] conduct [ourselves] in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. (philippians 1:27)" Avoid the "sunday christian" syndrome. The world should see God shining through you without you even having to open your mouth. Our actions are a reflection of who we are. Are you the same person when you're with your christian vs. non christian friends? Why or why not? Is there some aspect of your life that you try to hide from others? Why?

Paul wrote this to the church in Ephesus: I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, with all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; (ephesians 4:1-2). We are God's people and should live our lives as such. Don't be afraid to ask God for the help and forgiveness you need to cast off those things that may be weighing you down. (psalms 55:22 )

Have a wonderful week!
-AMR

This is an adapted, translated version of a daily devotional sent by Arturo Quirós Lépiz (www.mensajesvida.cjb.net)

A Short Course in Human Relations

The 5 most important words: I have made a mistake.
The 4 most important words: What do you think?
The 3 most important words: Please help me
The 2 most important words: Thank you
The most important words: We
The least important word: I

Remember Jesus' words (mark 9:35)
If any man desire to be first, the same shall be last of all, and servant of all.

Impossible Christianity

As I was sitting in church this morning, the pastor opened up the mic to the congregation to share a testimony of how God had worked in their lives recently. One woman shared a story about how food had been getting in the way of her relationship with God, so he called her to fast to refocus herself. This got me to thinking about barriers, and the things in my own life that prevent me from being the person that God created me to be. It's easy to become complacent, and to overlook "little things" that trip us up, almost without us realizing it. Money is a classic example of an idol, but it can be something as simple as AIM. Maybe you find yourself spending so much time chatting that you stay up late trying to get your work done, and consequently find yourself falling asleep during your quiet time. Are you a workaholic? So caught up in your schoolwork and other activities that God is getting lost in the shuffle? Perhaps it's a significant other....do you look forward to hearing what God has to tell you as much as you do that phone call? Think about it.

I challenge you to ask yourself, am I really submitting myself as a "living sacrifice" to God (romans 12:1)? Is there something that he could ask me to give up that I don't think I could? If so, then that is an idol in your life. God said that we should have no other gods before him (exodus 20:3), and that we cannot serve two masters (matthew 6:24). Serving God should be our number one priority.

Have a blessed week!

-AMR

Check out the Campus Journal devotional

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The Servant's Primary Goal

Hello again. This week's devotional comes from our old friend Oswald Chambers. I apologize in advance for the wordiness of my own thoughts but I thought i'd subject you to them anyway :P.

Part of being a servant of Christ is to try to live our lives in a way that is pleasing to him. I mean, that's the whole point of all the WWJD (what would jesus do) paraphernalia. That's a very practical way of thinking about what it means to live a Christ centered life, but I think one of the traps that we fall into is not asking ourselves this question often enough. Think about it. You may think of yourself as a "good Christian," reading the Bible regularly, refraining from lying, attending church on Sundays, participating in a Bible study, etc. Don't get me wrong, these are all good things, but I know that I, for one, can get caught up in the actions, especially when things get really hectic, and in the process, I lose the whole meaning behind everything. Are we really being good servants if we don't do "bad" things just because we're not "supposed" to? Is opening your Bible synonymous opening up your heart to what God is telling you through his words? What about those praise songs, is the act of singing enough to keep you "plugged in"?

I know that it's easy to get caught up in a routine-- try to take more time to think about the reason for your actions. Are you doing it because of your love for Christ, or because it's what's "expected"? Be honest with yourself. God will work both in and through you, if you slow down enough to let him.

Be STILL and know that I am GOD. (Psalms 46:10)

-AMR

Check out Oswald Chamber's 3/17 devotional

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