Hi. My name is...TJ

Faith does not come with a list of guarantees.  God speaks, we obey, and often we think we know how God is going to answer.  Then He doesn’t show up that way and we’re like, “What the heck, God?!”  

Abraham hears God and obeys, leaving his homeland in Genesis 12.  It’s a step of faith, dramatic music is playing in the background.  Then, v.10 happens,  ”A famine struck Canaan”.  The promised land is hit hard and Abraham has to go live in Egypt as a foreigner.  Discouraged and confused? Probably.  Questioning God?  Probably.

What step of faith have you taken recently?  What “guaranteed thing” hasn’t been there, even though you obeyed?  

God is our guarantee.  In Ephesians 1 it says that the Holy Spirit is God’s guarantee to us of our inheritance in Him.  He is the ONLY guaranteed thing in our life.  He will NEVER leave us or forsake us.  He will watch over us and provide for all of our needs.  

Lean back on God.  If He has promised something, He will make it happen in HIS time and in HIS way.  Trust it.  Relax.  And learn to speak Egyptian in the process, Abraham! 

This year - I have been doing my best to love God with all my heart, soul, mind, and strength.  And to love my neighbor as I love myself.  

Recently, I got an Android phone and I use some apps that are helping me in this goal to love God with everything.  

HEART

YouVersion App
Psalm 119 says that I hide His Word in my heart so I won’t sin against God.  This app has helped me so much to take God’s Word EVERYWHERE.   Most spare minutes I find myself reading something in the Bible.  Take notes, enjoy reading plans, and even check out your church’s live event on the app.  If you don’t have it - you NEED to get it.   

SOUL 

Evernote App

I have been using Evernote for over a year now.  It is so incredible.  I can use it to save notes, share notes, and access them nearly everywhere.  Personally, I use Evernote to journal daily, write sermons, keep personal notes, and keeping blogs that I write.  This is a must have. 

MIND 

Kindle App 

If you don’t yet have a Kindle, at least get the Kindle app for your phone or computer.  E-books are the future and have even outsold paper book by a lot this year!  There are TONS of free e-books, and many are cheaper than real books.  Almost my entire library is now digital.  I read quicker, have easily searchable notes and bookmarks, as well as the opportunity to share what I’m reading with my social networks.  So good!  

STRENGTH

MyFitnessPal App 

If you’re getting serious about getting healthy, then this can help you accomplish your goals.  You can put in what type of exercise you do each day - and it calculates calories for you.  You can scan the bar code on any of your food and it will automatically input the calories depending on how much you have eaten!!!  And it keeps track of your calories - telling you what you should eat to make sure you reach your goal weight.  

I think these are all great apps - and if you have any more questions about them - please let me know.  Would love to know any that you use that you think are great.  Comment on this post through Facebook on my profile page.  

Here’s some of my favorite tweets of the week from others and myself:  

TJReid TJ Reid  Give into GOOD DESIRE. “The Spirit gives us desires that are the opposite of what the sinful nature desires.”http://bible.us/Gal5.17.NLT

dougblackjr dougblackjr “Security is mostly a superstition…Life is either a daring adventure or nothing.” (Helen Keller)

TJReid TJ Reid  Life is not a dress rehearsal. Live every day intentionally.

RickWarren Rick Warren Your self-worth is largely based on what u think the most important person in your life thinks of u.Make Jesus that person.

tsatryan Tim Satryan  It will NOT hurt the church if people are called away to go and make disciples elsewhere. It WILL hurt the mission if they stay put.

TJReid TJ Reid  “God doesn’t gravitate toward the people we gravitate towards” - If celebrities got saved article. Hmmm.churchleaders.com/pastors/pastor… via @AddThis

brandonlemois Brandon Lemois   

“@BCooP: The ONLY leaders who believe that you can’t be a friend & lead are leaders with no friends. Jesus proves it can be done.”