Get In The Word!

So here's the deal. Summer, our favorite time of the year, is nearing it's close. To me, that means that I HAVE to be in my word daily. Multiple times daily. Because as summer ends, schedules begin. School begins. Sports begin. Class and homework. Among all these things it seems quite easy to lose track of the word. We get caught in the things around us, the things we can see. Don't! Form the habits now, so that staying in the word is easier when schedules hit. I'm about to hit of the busier times of my life, and if I don't form those now, I'm in trouble. 

1st Peter 1:23-25

"since you have been born again, not of perishable seed but of imperishable, THROUGH THE LIVING ABIDING WORD OF GOD; for "All flesh is like grass and all it's glory like the flowers of the grass. The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the WORD of the Lord remains forever." (ESV)

The time you spend in your word every day is some of the most important times of your day. Don't miss it! You have been made everlasting by the word of God. Know it. Read it. Study it. Get in it! Have a passion to breathe his word that you may encourage others! Know scripture for every and any circumstance! Use your time wisely, and know his book. Amen, and amen.

Much love,

Matt Allen

THE 'ETC REVOLUTION' IS DEDICATED TO THE MEMORIZATION OF SCRIPTURE AND BEING ABLE TO USE IT TO NOT ONLY ENRICH OUR WALKS WITH CHRIST, BUT TO FURTHER THE KINGDOM OF GOD BY SHARING HIS LOVE AND WORD TO EVERYONE WITH LOVE, COMPASSION, ENCOURAGEMENT, PRAYER, AND WISDOM. ETC STANDS FOR 'EVERY THOUGHT CAPTIVE,' WHICH IS TAKEN DIRECTLY FROM 2 CORINTHIANS 10:5

Above.

Slow down. Seriously. I'm a big believer that satan knows how to hide in our day planner. So often we plan things we have to go and DO. Which is great, and long as we understand that the FIRST thing we must do, is spend some time with our Father.

You see, my mom is a maniac. Literally, she has been working 14-15 hours a day for the past week. And says she will next week. It would be so easy for her head to pop off the pillow, and start her day; but she knows her priorities. God first.

So often we are so distracted by the things we can see. The things we can feel, can touch. Yet, 2nd Corinthians 4, which we are going through together, tells us that anything we can see is temporary. 1st Peter tells us "the grass withers, and flowers fall, but the word of the Lord stands forever." So I simply ask this morning:

What on earth are we doing? Truly. Think about your day. If you are not pointed, and cognizant of the things going on, how easy is it to forget about God? Don't do it.

Colossians 3:1-3

If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.

Matthew 6:19-21

"Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

This, my dear friends, is the point of the ETC. Taking thoughts captive, and as you get ready to start school, and your life gets busier, THAT WILL BE MORE CHALLENGING. Don't count your losses and jump ship. Hold fast to your hope. Learn how to take your useless thoughts of the day, and replace them with effective thoughts to your Father, and quoting the scripture you're working on for the day. Whatever you do, think on things ABOVE. They are all that count.

Much love,

Matt Allen

THE 'ETC REVOLUTION' IS DEDICATED TO THE MEMORIZATION OF SCRIPTURE AND BEING ABLE TO USE IT TO NOT ONLY ENRICH OUR WALKS WITH CHRIST, BUT TO FURTHER THE KINGDOM OF GOD BY SHARING HIS LOVE AND WORD TO EVERYONE WITH LOVE, COMPASSION, ENCOURAGEMENT, PRAYER, AND WISDOM. ETC STANDS FOR 'EVERY THOUGHT CAPTIVE,' WHICH IS TAKEN DIRECTLY FROM 2 CORINTHIANS 10:5

Goals.

Philippians 3:12-14

"Not that I have already attained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Jesus Christ has made me his own. Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what is behind and straining for what lies ahead, I press on towards the GOAL for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus."

This verse struck me this morning. Possibly because I have been upset that I haven't been able to post nearly as frequently as I would like. I haven't been in my word as much as I would like, (Though this feat is difficult to accomplish. I'd spend all day in my word if I could!) and I have felt I've been busier than I like. The fact is, it doesn't matter. FORGETTING what is behind, we strain towards what is ahead. Simply said. Your past is just that, and all we can do is strain every moment in the future to seek Christ with as much passion as he deserves.

Set a goal of faith. To read your word every day before school. To be a light. To shine to a depraved generation all around you. To start another ETC Group with some friends from school who you know say they are Christians, but maybe don't live like it. Here's the trick. You can not TRY to obtain your goal. You will either do it, or you won't. You will either succeed, or you will fail. Decide you will do something, and then act upon it. Consistently. Just over guilt of not being as active in posting this past week, God is calling me to make a goal to post at least five times a week. So! Please keep stopping by and reading what God has put on my heart, for I am your servant.

Much love!

-Matt Allen

THE 'ETC REVOLUTION' IS DEDICATED TO THE MEMORIZATION OF SCRIPTURE AND BEING ABLE TO USE IT TO NOT ONLY ENRICH OUR WALKS WITH CHRIST, BUT TO FURTHER THE KINGDOM OF GOD BY SHARING HIS LOVE AND WORD TO EVERYONE WITH LOVE, COMPASSION, ENCOURAGEMENT, PRAYER, AND WISDOM. ETC STANDS FOR 'EVERY THOUGHT CAPTIVE,' WHICH IS TAKEN DIRECTLY FROM 2 CORINTHIANS 10:5

Follow Me. New Verses and updates!

NEW VERSES!

I hope the verses of this past week have been as beneficial to your faith as they have been mine. What a relief to know that we have the opportunity to die to ourselves, and let Christ shine through. This may hurt us a bit, but after we have suffered, he will restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish us. Amen, and amen. The verse for this next week take the focus off of ourselves, and place it on the people around us. Check them out:

Colossians 3:14

"And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony."(ESV)

Mark 12:30-31

"And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. The second is this: You shall love your neighbors as yourself. There is no commandment greater than these."(ESV)

There is no hope for Christianity without love for God, and love for people. Love is one of the few unseen things worthy of placing our eyes on.

I've missed E-Grams from quite a few of you all this week, and miss hearing from you! I would love to hear what God is doing, or even how you are getting discouraged! Don't miss the vision of what we want God to do in our lives, or allow yourself to become 'to busy' to reject it! Stay in your word! Stay committed to the memorization! Let his word mold your heart! BE A LEADER!

FOLLOW ME!

I wanted to also relay some things God has put on my heart this evening! It's been too long since I've posted, but am excited to lay this out:

1 Corinthians 11:1

"Be imatators of me, as I am of Christ."

Bold Paul. Bold indeed. I can't tell you how many times I have heard pastors say: "Follow Christ. Never follow any man too closely, for all men fall." How firm Paul is in his faith! How sure he is of his relationship with his Father. How intimate. How intertwined. Oneness. I started wondering...

"What would my life have to look like for me to make such a statement?"

1st Peter 4:1

"Since therefore Christ suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves with the same way of thinking, for whoever has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin."

2nd Peter 1:5-7,10

"For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and with self-control steadfastness, and with steadfastness godliness, and with godliness brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. Therefore brothers, be all the more diligent to make your calling and election sure, for if you practice these qualities you will never fall."

That my friends is what we must look like. What holds you from complete oneness with him, allowing you to state:

Follow me. I am of Christ so deeply, I will not fall. Follow me.

Much love,

Matt Allen

The 'ETC Revolution' is dedicated to the memorization of scripture and being able to use it to not only enrich our walks with Christ, but to further the Kingdom of God by sharing His love and word to EVERYONE with love, compassion, encouragement, prayer, and wisdom. ETC stands for 'Every Thought Captive,' which is taken directly from 2 Corinthians 10:5

A massive, massive difference.

This will be quick, extremely short, and with more to follow in the morning. BUT. I want to say this, because I know there is at least one who will read these words and need to read them:

THERE IS A MASSIVE, MASSIVE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN ACKNOWLEDGING OUR IMMORAL DEPRAVATION, AND ATTEMPTING TO STOP IT, AND PASSIONATELY PURSUING CHRIST TO CHANGE THAT DEPRAVATION.

You believe there is one God? Good. Even the demons believe that-and shudder. 

What does this mean for you right now?

Much love,

Matt Allen

THE 'ETC REVOLUTION' IS DEDICATED TO THE MEMORIZATION OF SCRIPTURE AND BEING ABLE TO USE IT TO NOT ONLY ENRICH OUR WALKS WITH CHRIST, BUT TO FURTHER THE KINGDOM OF GOD BY SHARING HIS LOVE AND WORD TO EVERYONE WITH LOVE, COMPASSION, ENCOURAGEMENT, PRAYER, AND WISDOM. ETC STANDS FOR 'EVERY THOUGHT CAPTIVE,' WHICH IS TAKEN DIRECTLY FROM 2 CORINTHIANS 10:5

Never Leaving.

Let's not kid ourselves. We don't live the Christian live we need to. None is perfect, no not one. I think often our excuse is that we don't know where God is. Quote, unquote. We have so many excuses not to follow Christ, but at the end of the day, they are just that. An excuse.

I don't know where God is!

Following him is just too hard!

I don't know how to follow him!

Shut up. Really. Sorry to sound abrasive, but let's be honest. We know exactly where God is, and we know it's worth the cost, and we know exactly how to follow him. It's all in his word. Let's check it out.

Romans 8:38-39

"For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord."

NOTHING can separate us. 

2nd Corinthians 4:8

"We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed"

1st Peter 5:9-10

"Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that  the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you."

Romans 8:18

"For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us."

2nd Corinthians 4:16-18

"So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal."

God is right where he's always been, and today, he leaves you no excuse NOT to worship him. Our doubts, our suffering, our problems are not big enough. Worship him, in spirit, and in truth.

Much love,

Matt Allen

THE 'ETC REVOLUTION' IS DEDICATED TO THE MEMORIZATION OF SCRIPTURE AND BEING ABLE TO USE IT TO NOT ONLY ENRICH OUR WALKS WITH CHRIST, BUT TO FURTHER THE KINGDOM OF GOD BY SHARING HIS LOVE AND WORD TO EVERYONE WITH LOVE, COMPASSION, ENCOURAGEMENT, PRAYER, AND WISDOM. ETC STANDS FOR 'EVERY THOUGHT CAPTIVE,' WHICH IS TAKEN DIRECTLY FROM 2 CORINTHIANS 10:5

Trust and Obey, For There's No Other Way

...to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.

 The chorus of one of my favorite childhood hymns resonates pretty deep lately. So many times, especially at the point of my life, it would be so easy to think: "What's next God?" or, "Where do I go from here?" Several verses have spoken quite profoundly to me in such regards. As humans with free will, striving to live for God's, we can have so many questions!

What classes should I take?

Who should be my best friend?

How should I live my life?

What college should I go to?

Why is my life the way it is, and not the way I want it to be?

Where do I go?

Why? Why? Why?

Anxiety.

Fear.

Depression. 

Et cetera, et cetera, et cetera. After dwelling on the implications of Romans 8:6, which we memorized last week, I truly feel that if my mind could be set on the things of God 24 hours a day, seven days a week, stress would be impossible. 

The more I seek Christ vs. seeking the world, I find a simple, profound truth. Seek him first, and he will provide. I may not have all the things the world deems necessary. Yet, because my life is hidden in him, his peace that surpasses all understanding supersedes any anxiety I would otherwise feel. Seeking him above all else in my day to day life, and trusting upon his providance, rather than man's is the most beneficial action I could take. For this world is nothing about what man can provide me. What do I want? Where am I going? Anywhere that he leads as I continue to sek his kingdom first. 

2nd Corinthians 1:9-10

"Indeed, we felt that we had received the sentence of death. But that was to make us rely not on ourselves but on God who raises the dead. He delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us. On him we have set our hope that he will deliver us again."

Isaiah 50:10

"Who among you fears the Lord, and obeys the word of his servant? Let him who walks in the dark, who has no light, trust in the name of the Lord, and rely on his God."

Proverbs 3:5-6

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways, acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths."

Matthew 6:33-34

"But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added unto you. Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble."

Trust him. Everything else is fading. Nothing else matter. Believe it.

Much love,

Matt Allen

THE 'ETC REVOLUTION' IS DEDICATED TO THE MEMORIZATION OF SCRIPTURE AND BEING ABLE TO USE IT TO NOT ONLY ENRICH OUR WALKS WITH CHRIST, BUT TO FURTHER THE KINGDOM OF GOD BY SHARING HIS LOVE AND WORD TO EVERYONE WITH LOVE, COMPASSION, ENCOURAGEMENT, PRAYER, AND WISDOM. ETC STANDS FOR 'EVERY THOUGHT CAPTIVE,' WHICH IS TAKEN DIRECTLY FROM 2 CORINTHIANS 10:5