Monday Messages: Panda Express

Happy Monday! Sorry that I skipped out last week, but I literally had 2 essays due and that was enough writing haha. But I don't think that will happen again, so rest easy.

I didn't have a subject for today's message until I went to Panda Express for lunch and got to thinking about their mascot and half their name. The Panda. So that is what today's message is about. You see, Pandas are a very calm animal. I personally have never heard of a Panda attacking anyone in publc. Now I'm not saying that happened, I've just never heard of it. Basically, a Panda is what James 1:19-27 is talking about.

19 So then,[a] my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath; 20 for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God. 21 Therefore lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls. 22 But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. 23 For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror; 24 for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was. 25 But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does. 26 If anyone among you[b] thinks he is religious, and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this one’s religion is useless. 27 Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world.

A Panda rarely gets angry. They eat mostly plants. They are like God's perfect creature. In my opinion, they are the closest you can get to Jesus. Now what if we lived like Pandas? What if we thought before we got angry? There would be a lot less deaths. There would be less wars. Now let me tell you a little story that actually didn't happen till right before I started writing this but totally relates.

Something happened to me. I have been asked to stop serving in Middle School Ministry just because I tried out a new church ONCE. . I'm going to be completely freaking honest with you. I'm really pissed off. But I'm not choosing to show my anger to the person that asked me to leave. Instead, I'm still showing them love and trying really hard to see what God's reasoning behind this is. Oh on top of all this, I quit my job because I was pissed. Pissed they weren't doing anything to the manager that was making me uncomfortable. Now, I do not have a job and do not volunteer at youth anymore. Could it be my fault? Partly, yes. I feel like it was conviction from God. Maybe. I don't entirely know. But God has a plan. No matter if something is our fault or not, He still loves us. Remember the Disneyland story? It's just this all over again. I need to put all my trust in Him. In every aspect of life. Life is going to kick you in the ass. But trusting God will make it easier.

Until Next Time, Alex 

Monday Messages: Broke As A Joke?

Hey Everyone! I hope you enjoyed last week's post :) Before I get started I wanna announce a change or two that is going on in the world of Monday Messages. No, I'm not going on another hiatus lol. Starting this week, I will no longer be doing series. I'm just going to write on what is inspiring me and/or what I think the world needs. There will still be Bible verses and ways to apply to your life. I just feel stepping out of the series will reach more people. So let me welcome you to the new Monday Messages!

I have always wondered why people say "I'm broke as a joke." Like dude, I'm broke. It is for sure not a joke. Money isn't a joke, either. Money is the most talked about topic in the Bible, so it must be pretty darn important, right? But people just throw it away, me included. This past paycheck I got this weekend was only the 2nd time that I have tithed since I got hired at Domino's back in November. There's just a crap ton of cool stuff to buy all around us! So much that we can literally find anything we want without getting off our butt!

Today's reading is going to come from 1 Timothy 6:3-10

3 If anyone teaches otherwise and does not consent to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which accords with godliness, 4 he is proud, knowing nothing, but is obsessed with disputes and arguments over words, from which come envy, strife, reviling, evil suspicions, 5 useless wranglings[a] of men of corrupt minds and destitute of the truth, who suppose that godliness is ameans of gain. From such withdraw yourself.[b] 6 Now godliness with contentment is great gain. 7 For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain[c] we can carry nothing out. 8 And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content. 9 But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition. 10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.

Whoa! What did that just say? Money is the root of ALL KINDS OF evil. Well I mean God ain't kidding! Prostitution, strip clubs, stuff like that is sinful and money can be spent on it. It's pretty freakin' crazy. You may be thinking "Well then why did God give us money?" Because there is a way to honor Him with money and you don't have to do bad things with your money. Even spending too much money is a sin. One that I'm guilty of.

When God gives you a job, honor Him by giving 10% to him via church or missions or whatever. And He will keep blessing you I promise.

Until Next Time, Alex