Take off that MASK!

When you talk to your friends, maybe even people you just met... usually you get the impression that they re normal people living out their normal lives, generally happy and generally enjoying their life whether it be school, work or retirement. Don't you find that when you re going through tough times, it seems like everyone around you is having the time of their lives or at least they are doing ok. Then you ask yourself, how come everyone is doing well except me?

Chances are that those very same people are going through their own struggles. Lets face it, who Doesn't go through their own struggles. Its like a daily, weekly, monthly thing, but either way.. we ALL face our own struggles. We are just really good at putting on masks. These masks make others think that you re doing fine in life and everything is going OK.

The funny thing is that even though We cannot see through these masks, God can. God can tell when you re sad, happy, depressed, Overjoyed... everything. He can see right through that mask, so why hide it? In fact the best way to go through a tough time is to talk it out. Have you ever experienced just talking about something with a friend and then you feel better about it after you've taken the weight off your shoulders?

So what if you don't have anyone to talk to, or you re too embarrassed to tell anyone about your struggles? Why not talk to God? A lot of people think prayer is this structured essay or speech you need to prepare before hand. I actually think that's funny.. imagine writing a speech for God haha. But no.. its not like that. In fact, The way I pray is as simple as a little conversation with God; just like how i would talk to any of my friends. Just carry out a normal conversation and share with God about your struggles.

"If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer." Matthew 21: 22

For the skeptical people out there, if you do try praying... do you sincerely, earnestly.... FOR REALS! believe that God is ready and willing to help you through your struggles? And for those believers out there... when you pray...do you doubt? as in.. do you ever have second thoughts whether or not God will be there for you or not?

"But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double minded man, unstable in all he does." James 1: 6-8

DONT be that person who is double minded and is unstable in his/her faith. Strive to be one minded and stable. For example, if you were going to donate money, how would you feel about donating money to an organization who dont really know what they re going to use the money for? What if God was that person donating the money to you for your organization to help the needy and the poor, but you yourself arent committed to that and may use that money for your own purposes? How do you think God feels about double mindedness and unstableness!

Then when you pray, how many times should you ask God for what you desire or for what he desires for you without making it seem like you re doubting?

Of course i don't have the answer, but it is a good topic to reflect about!

If you really want to know how powerful prayer is, i have some really good stories... personal experiences that i can share with you.

Its been said that the people turn to God when they re most desperate. Because we have so many options in this developed country, we usually turn to other things like the internet, books, etc... but Where God is their only option... you actually see miracles at work in the developing countries.

Whether you want to believe that or not isn't up to me, but my challenge to you all is to just take some time...even 1 or 2 minutes every day,and have that little conversation with God with sincerity and without doubt. give it a try!

Here's a quote that inspired me during the sermon today from J.I Packer from the book Knowing God

"I can hide my heart and my past, and my future plans, from men, but i cannot hide anything from God. I can talk in a way that deceives my fellow-creatures as to what I really am, but nothing I say or do can deceive God... He knows me as I really am, better indeed than I know myself... Living becomes an awesome business when you realize that you spend every moment of your life in the sight and company of an omniscient, omnipresent Creator."

And another inspiring Quote.... "Live before an Audience of One" Meaning live like God is watching you. Do the things that God would want you to do.. a lot of people wear those What would Jesus do Bracelets... why just wear it? LIVE IT OUT! Do the little things that other people care about, opening doors for strangers, throwing things in the garabage instead of dumping it on the street, and just live a joyful life. I'm pretty sure it will make the world a better place one person at a time!