This is a post by Chris Vaughan. If you’re interested in guest posting for GodlySheep,

I was recently reminded of the importance of having Jesus as Lord of my life. I am not talking about being saved. Of course, that is the most important decision anyone will ever make. What I am referring to is the believer giving to Christ what He requires. (Rom. 12:1, Heb. 13:20-21)

On May 21, I had the opportunity and privilege of going to a college/career Bible conference and to hear two of the most influential men in my Christian life, preach. The Holy Spirit began to work through these two men and began to point out some things in my life that should not have been. I have to say, it is such a struggle to get some things out of your life because the desire to hold on to them is so strong.

We say we want Christ to be, not only our Saviour, but Lord of our lives. Yet, when He points at some sin and says this does not belong, we are so quick to sit back down on the throne of our own hearts, removing Him from His rightful position. How frustrating and saddening this must be to the One that gave the throne of the universe up to come and also give His life in payment for the sins He knew I would commit.

photo via Flickr

Am I so wise that the Omniscient One must give way to my decisions? Am I so powerful as to think that the Omnipotent One must watch as I take back the helm of my life. What a fool that I am to allow myself to be persuaded that I can rule my life more adequately than the Great Creator and Ruler of the universe.

His very words gave me existence, His very breath gave me life, and it was His love that gave me Himself. Oh, that I would not come between my God and the bountiful blessings He has for me if I will but allow Him to have what is already His. “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your REASONABLE service.”

God does not ask too much. Only that we will allow Him to be what we already claim that He is…Lord of our lives. Will you now make the decision to get off the throne of your own heart and bow to the King as He takes His rightful place. He will not take it by force, it has to be your choice. Please make that choice today! You will not be disappointed. Praise God for His wisdom, His conviction, and most of all for His forgiveness.

God is good!

About Chris

God has blessed me beyond belief with the friends and family that I have. If anyone ever tells you miracles don’t happen anymore let me be the first one to tell you that they are wrong. I was born with a very serious and rare heart condition, (which I will not get in to), and God is letting me do things that the doctors said I would never be able to do. I can’t thank HIM enough for what HE has done for me.

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This is an extremely hard time for both the soldier and his/her family. Being separated from their family, friends, church family, and even just being away from home. Discouragement, sadness, depression, and many other emotions can easily start to affect these men and women.

As Christians, and fellow Americans, it is our responsibility to pray and to support these men and women who are making the ultimate sacrifice.  A few Sundays ago, a way to help was presented to my church.

It is called Operation Bandanas.

Operation Bandanas was started as an effort to give soldiers stationed at Fort Bragg in N.C. a camo bandana with Psalm 91 imprinted on it. The operation has now expanded to helping provide these bandanas to all soldiers in every branch of the military that are deployed to Afghanistan and Iraq.

These bandanas are not only used to help spread God’s Word but also as a cover for the face in all of the sand, and sweat rag, and an emergency wrap for splints. Thousands of these have already been sent and there are many requests from our troops for them. In order to help please visit the Opban site: OperationBandanas.org.

GOD BLESS OUR TROOPS AND GOD BLESS THE USA!!!

[Operation Bandanas]

Love is when you have found someone that is your best friend. Love is being ready and willing to do anything and everything to make the one you love feel happy, loved, and safe and being willing to make sacrifices for them …even if it means giving your life for them.

photo by mozzercork

The ultimate form of love was taught in the Bible when it says “Greater love hath no man than this that a man lay down his life for his friend.” Jesus Christ showed us this love in action when He died on the cross for the sins of every person on the face of the earth. He gave His life in payment for the debt that man caused when he sins. The ultimate sacrifice of love was made on Calvary some 2,000 plus years ago. This love is unconditional and never ending. That is the true definition of love.

Book: Streams in the Desert
Author: L. B. Cowman
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

As believers, we all know we need to have a daily walk with Christ and spend time with Him each day. After all, there is no such thing as a good relationship without constant communication from all parties involved.

A little more than a year ago, I went up to New York for Brett’s wedding. When I was at his parent’s house one morning, I began to look though a book that was on the kitchen counter. I guess Mr. and Mrs. Barner noticed that I had been interested in it because a few days after I returned home there was a package addressed to me containing my very own copy.

This book, Streams In The Desert, was written by L. B. Cowman and is a compilation of small devotionals, poems, stories, and words of encouragement arranged in a format for daily reading. This book has been a great compliment to my own daily devotional life and has given both encouragement and challenge. Although nothing should replace daily reading the Word of God, this is a great little addition to one’s daily Bible reading. I strongly encourage getting a copy of this book for yourself and it also makes a great gift. It is not an expensive book, and it only takes about two minutes a day to read. I believe that it will definitely be worth the time and money.

Streams in the Desert [Amazon Link]

While watching the Glenn Beck show one day there was an interview with Jason F. Wright who is the author of the New York Times Bestseller: Christmas Jars and more recently the sequal, Christmas Jars Reunion. I will not ruin the book for you, but I wanted to tell what a Christmas jar is and what its purpose.

A Christmas jar can be any jar that you could find around your house…whatever size you would like to use.  Each day, at the end of the day put your spare change in the jar.  At the end of the year, on Christmas Eve, take the jar and after selecting a family or an individual that you know of that is in need, place the jar anonymously on their front porch, desk or wherever they could easily see it and leave without them knowing that anyone was there.

It may be a friend, family member, or co-worker that is struggling or has recently been laid off, or maybe even has lost a loved one.  This may be a seemingly small gift, but it will be a huge encouragement and a great way to be a help to someone this Christmas.  Make sure to include the whole family during the delivery of the Christmas jar. Let the kids take the jar and leave it on the porch of the person or persons that you have selected. It will be fun for them because they must remain quiet and stealthy and it will just be a fun little mission for them.  It is also a great way to show them that Christmas is not just about receiving presents but the most joy comes from giving.

Christmasjars.com and read the stories of those who have already started the giving of Christmas Jars. Also, I encourage you to, most importantly, start your own yearly tradition of giving a Christmas jar today!

It was beautiful!

So many lights and that great big star on the top. As I looked at the star I began to think about Christmas and all that it really means. The Christmas tree is a great symbolism of what Christmas is really all about. The Christmas tree is an evergreen tree which was said by Martin Luther to represent the etenal God.

photo by afagen

He also said that the way it was shaped is another way it shows what Christmas is about…it points up to Heaven which is the where God is. As I looked at the giant tree on the hill though, I happened to notice that the way that the tree is shaped and having the star on top resembles the star’s light spotlighting a point on the ground.

I remembered the story in Matthew 2 which tells of the star in the sky leading the wisemen to where Jesus was…the REAL Christmas story. The star that shone its light over Bethlehem that night and directed its light to where Jesus lay.

As I continued to look at the tree, I thought of what is traditionally found under Christmas trees. By the morning of December 25 each year there will be presents filling the space under all of our Christmas trees. What the greatest truth is that the Christmas tree shows.

The star at the top of the Christmas tree seems to highlight the gifts and so the star over Bethlehem highlited the greatest Christmas gift…God’s gift to the world…Jesus Christ. (John 3:16) It is this gift that brings salvation to those who will only receive it.

This Christmas spend time with your family and friends, enjoy the Christmas meal, give gifts, sing songs, and enjoy the holiday season but please take time to remember what Christmas is really all about.

God sent His Son, Jesus Christ, into the world to die for our sins and to bring salvation to all that would accept it. If you have accepted God’s gift take time this Christmas to share the Christmas story with others and take time to thank God for His Christmas gift to you.

If you have not ever accepted God’s gift, please know that God, the Creator of the universe, loves you and has a gift for you. You have to do nothing for it only accept it. No other gift you will ever receive will ever compare to the gift that God is offering to you. Please accept it and know what Christmas is really all about.