30 for 30 (#16-30)

30 for 30

16. God's hand is in everything. 

Even when things don't make sense in life. You can find peace knowing the you are in the Lord's hands and he is sovereign.

Psalm 71:16

17. There are angels on earth. 

It seems like whenever I am going through something tough God has someone in my life that is there to help see me through. Friends, family, and even sometimes strangers have truly been angels on earth for me. 

2 Corinthians 1:4

18. God is the hound of Heaven.

I heard this once and love it. When you look at scripture you will see that even those who have been the biggest enemies of the cross Christ recklessly pursues them, saves them, and uses them. Even when we don't want to turn to Him, He continues to pursue us.

Romans 5:8

19. Our worries and anxiety come from a lack of trust in the Lord. Always.

Matthew 6 

20. The opposite of loving God is loving self. 

We too often want to be our own god, not worship the One True God. We make ourselves the center of everything and think it's all about us, instead of realizing that our lives are all about Christ.

Luke 22:42

21. It is often the poor that are rich. 

Being on mission around the world I've realized that the people the world would consider poor are often the most rich because they have less to distract them from realizing their hope and joy is found in Jesus Christ. 

Mark 10 (rich young ruler)

22. Take time to celebrate the small things. 

I love doing toast at meals. Just to cheers to the good things in life. Celebrating the small things helps find joy each day.

23. Take time to simply encourage someone. 

Often we call people for a purpose. To share something, get advice, or just to chat. What I've realized though is sometimes a simple phone call or note or email just to encourage someone randomly can truly bless them. Try it, you'll be blessed too.

1 Thessalonians 5:11 

24. Everything is permissible, but not everything is beneficial. 

Just because everyone is doing something like our parents told us as kids, doesn't mean that it is right. Just because our society or culture changes, that doesn't mean that truth has changed. Be careful that just because something is permissible, it doesn't mean it is beneficial or good for you. 

1 Corinthians 6:12

25. Comparison is the thief of all joy. 

(stop. it.)

John 10:10

26. Guard your heart. 

Don't let your heart inform you, inform your heart. We were made to love, but too often we give our heart away too easily. Be careful in thoughts, words, and actions. 

Proverbs 4:23

27. God is love. 

Love is a decision and an action. It isn't simply a feeling. Love is demonstrated to us that while we were still sinners Christ died for us on the cross. Love is sacrificial and selfless.

1 John 4:8 & 1 Corinthians 13 

28. Community is a game changer. 

If you want to truly experience life and grow find a group of other believers and do life with them. Study God's word together, pray together, share what's going on in your life, hold each other accountable, and encourage one another towards love and good deeds. Being in community has truly changed my life.

Proverbs 13:20 & Hebrews 10:19-25 

29. Forgive. 

Forgive as Christ has forgiven you. Forgive not only the people in your life that have hurt you, but also how that has affected you. You will never find more peace and healing then when you let go and let God. Holding onto bitterness, anger, etc usually weighs you down and keeps you from peace and joy. 

Colossians 3

30. There is only one true Gospel. 

Jesus Christ is the way, the truth, the life. No one comes to the Father except through him. Jesus lived a sinless life because we cannot. He died on the cross because it takes a perfect sacrifice to satisfy a perfect God. Through his death our sins are buried, and in his resurrection we too can have eternal life. We can't earn our way to heaven, we will never be good enough when the standard is perfection. There are both good and bad people in heaven and hell. The difference in the two is that those who are in heaven are the forgiven. Those who declare with their mouth that Jesus is Lord, and believe in their heart that God raise him from the dead. 

John 14:6 & Romans 10:9-10

Praying that all will come to know and love their Savior and experience the abundant life of peace, love, joy, and hope that I have found. I pray that the Lord would use me these next 30 years for His glory and my good.