Thursday, February 27, 2014

Why I have a red X on my hand today...

Did you know that there are over 27 million slaves in the world today? If you're like I was a few years ago I would have told you that slavery was abolished by the Civil War and wasn't a problem today. BUT IT IS! There are millions today who are forced into labor, in mines, brothels, factories etc... There are millions of literal slaves in this world. I can no longer be silent about this mainly unspoken of issue. I am a believer and follower of Jesus Christ. He came to set the captives free and bring hope and salvation to a world lost in sin. I joined the End It movement because I want to see an end to slavery. I wrote a red X on my hand not because it had some magical power but because I wanted to spread awareness. I told over 10 people which is pretty good for not even getting the chance to get off my college campus. And all of them weren't fellow students. I took today to do what the movement asked- Shine a Light on Slavery. I saw it as a chance to tell other people about the major problem of human trafficking in this world TODAY. We can make a difference. If you a follower of Christ you have the tools you need to change the world. We have a message of hope to the hopeless. We have the gospel. I encourage you to educate yourself. Slavery is real and all over the world-including the USA. Through God's strength and power we can make a difference. Above is a video from the End It Movement. http://enditmovement.com/
This is a facebook page for friend's book targeting women leaving human trafficking
https://www.facebook.com/RestoreHer
So, spread the word and most of all, PRAY. Pray for those enslaved and those who are making the effort to free them. 

Tuesday, February 25, 2014

Building UP Rather Than tearing down

Something God has been teaching me recently is that I really need to watch what I say. I have that terrible habit of talking without thinking. What comes to mind comes out like a terrible flood. I cannot even tell you how many times I wish there was a rewind button for life in general so I could take back the words I said. But unfortunately, as well all know, there is no such button. I was reading through Ephesians the other day and happened upon Eph. 4:29. Paul writes: "Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen" (NIV). 
I was convicted by the power that my words have on others. I found a quote from Tullian Tchividjian that goes perfectly with this passage: “Words kill and words give life, they’re either poison or fruit – you choose. Words have not only destructive power but also life-giving power. They have massive potential for good and disastrous potential for evil. Our words can serve either to love or to hate, to encourage or to discourage. They have the power either to build up or tear down… That’s why Paul tells us that the church needs to be a community that use the gift of speech the way God intended, as we put off harmful words and put on helpful words… The church must be marked by a different language than the world exhibits, a peculiar speech. We must choose to speak redemptively. The sweetness and strength of the gospel – the sweetness of grace, the strength of truth – should flavour everything we say.” 
So, what will your words be? You can tear down through gossip, mean words, lies, etc or you can build up through encouraging one another. 
Perhaps you've heard it already but Hawk Nelson's song "Words" talks about this very subject and is definitely applicable.