MAKE EVERY EFFORT!!

"...make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love.  For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.  But if anyone does not have them, he is nearsighted and blind, and has forgotten that he has been cleansed from his past sins."

2 Peter 1:5-9 (NIV) 

MAKE EVERY EFFORT!!

Don't become ineffective and unproductive.

Don't become nearsighted and blind.

Don't forget that you have been cleansed.

it is well with my soul

What Satan intended for bad, God used it for good!

My cousin, who was more like my brother, committed suicide on November 1st of 2008.  Drew was 16 years old and although I can't tell you his thoughts, I can assure you that God was in control.  God knew what He was doing.  His timing is perfect, even when we have other ideas.

Our family found out of Drew's death the next day, November 2nd.  I could tell you where I was, where I had been, and what I was going to do next.  I could tell you how I responded when I found out and then what I had to do next.  I could tell you all about that night and the next few days.  But I don't need to.  It's not about me....

In James 1:2-3, James reminds us that we will encounter many different trials and we should rejoice!  Because when we face those trials, we know that our faith is being tested and that produces endurance.  God is well aware of what He's doing.  When tough times come, God will use them.  They serve a purpose by teaching us more about God and ourselves.  God is using us in those trails so that His work can be displayed through us.  It's not about us; it's about God using us!

God used Drew's death.  Not only that, but God used all of Drew's life.  All 16 years.  And although that seems like a short time to us, it was perfect for what God wanted to accomplish through Drew.

What Satan intended for bad, God used it for good!  I'm so thankful!  I'm closer to God because of this and I know of others that are too.  Some people have come to know God through Drew's story!  I rejoice!

What about you?  Are you going to let the enemy win?  Are you going to give into Satan's lies?  Or are you going to have eternal life with the God who loves you?  We have all sinned and fallen short of God's glory.  The wages of our sin is death, however God sent His one and only Son to die for us and then He raised Him on the 3rd day.  And if we accept that we are sinners and confess that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved and have eternal life with Him!

I know for a fact that Drew accepted Christ into his heart and now he is in heaven rejoicing!  I can't wait to see him again!

Romans 8:28 "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose."

I absolutely miss Drew.  Not a day goes by that I don't think of Drew.  But I don't dwell on the fact that Drew's gone; instead I thank God for the time I was able to spend with Drew.  I will see Drew again, but until then, I will allow God to use me for His glory.

"Whatever my lot, thou hast taught me to say, it is well, it is well with my soul."

Andrew Lovelace Kilgore, Jr.

1/11/1992 -11/1/2008

A Maturing Person

A maturing person based off the book of James.

- A maturing person is positive in the midst of problems.

James 1:2 "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds..."

Trials are designed to strengthen us.  They serve a purpose by teaching us more about God and ourselves.

- A maturing person keeps his/her desires under control.

James 1:14 "...but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed."

Temptations are designed to destroy us, but we should and can flee from them.  God does not send temptations or evil our way.  He cannot be tempted and He does not tempt anyone.

- A maturing person is accepting of others.

James 2:8-9 "If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, "Love your neighbor as yourself," you are doing right.  But if you show favoritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as lawbreakers."

We are not only called to love one another: Matthew 22:39 "And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself."

But, we are called to accept one another: Romans 15:7 "Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God."

And to not show favoritism.  

- A maturing person has consistent beliefs and actions.

James 2:17 "In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead."

Actions speak louder than words.  We are called to live loud!  Our beliefs should be revealed in our actions!

- A maturing person is careful with his/her words.

James 3:2 "We all stumble in many ways. If anyone is never at fault in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to keep his whole body in check."

Our speech can have a great influence, yet it can destroy a man.  We need to examine our hearts, for what is in our hearts comes out of our mouths.

- A maturing person strives to be wise.

James 3:17-18 "But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.  Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness."

There are many reasons for us to be wise, but most importantly, it honors God.

- A maturing person has a humble attitude.

James 4:10 "Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will lift you up."

We should not live like the world (greedy, selfish, rebellious) but rather we are called to summit and come near to God.

- A maturing person is connected.

James 5:16 "Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective."

We are the body of Christ.  We are to connect with other believers to encourage one another and to help our personal relationship with God grow.

Are you spiritually maturing?  Are you closer to God than you were last month?