The Self

Someone I love greatly just had a breakup. I don't know exactly what happened, but I do know she's hurting because I've been there and its not a place I seek to be either. Rejection hurts, no doubt about it. I've got a lot of thoughts on how to deal with that, not only because I've had to, but also because we have a God who designed everything. That means he designed the idea of rejection and the feeling that comes with it. Therefore, He knows why it happens, and because He loves us, He tells us how to avoid it. However, that's a topic for a different time. What I want to talk about is her response to my inquisition if she was doing ok.

She said "I'll be fine, just have to look within myself."

This ideas has long been permeated into the minds of men. We're told by lost fathers and a wrong society that, as men, part of our masculinity is perseverance by some power with in us. Or, to find some strength within us to make the world around us a better place. I'm now seeing this idea more widely accepted by most everyone I know and it concerns me greatly. Why? Because the idea is a lie.

If you already disagree with me, which I'm sure you do, then my proof is in two main facts: 1. You don't have a personal relationship with Jesus (which is what a Christian really is). 2. You currently don't serve the least and the lost around you (millions of homeless children, sex-trade industry, or world-wide refugees), because your chief concern in this world is your own livelihood- even though our one command from God is to love others as you love yourself. I know this because #2 depends on #1, and neither would you have if you were currently looking to yourself for anything positive.

See, goodness is best shown by our actions towards others and this fruit comes solely from a relationship with God. It's not something you can conjure up from some strength inside you. Sure, you can do some good here and there, but it's rooted in you proving me wrong or trying to make much of yourself- which is really just pride, and pride is the root of everything evil (see Lucifer..) When you have God, you have His love. Then you can forget about yourself and help others.

God tells us that we have no good in us. No one. Not one:
Romans 3:10: "There is none righteous, no, not one: .... They are corrupt, and their ways are vile; there is no one who does good"
Luke 18:19 ""Why do you call me good?" Jesus answered. "No one is good--except God alone"

The bible also talks at length about how we are unable to do anything good if we are separated from God. This is because God created life and everything good. Therefore, we have no good if we are not one with Him. If God is life and you are not His, then what are you? Death. That's why people go to Hell, because they're not on the life train. I mean really- If you don't love being with God now, following his ways, worshiping his name -why the heck do you want to go to heaven and do something you don't like to do - forever?

One of the things that led me to a relationship with God was looking at my heart and realizing that I really didn't care about anyone but myself. If mean, if I truly want to love and serve others, that means I have to forget about Dan Bowling. Really, this world is too dang busy and there is too much going on in each of our lives to love as God commands if our sole focus is ourselves. Only when you have His love can you start to give love. We all know you can't give away what you don't have. I can't minister to kids about meth addictions because I've never been addicted to it. But, I can help young men who don't have an earthly father figure, because I don't either. I can love people (although not always perfectly), because I have love.

The other issue with looking to yourself for some sort of answer is that you have no power. Disagree? Ok- Can you make someone like you- the real you? Can you orchestrate events in your life to bring you goodness? Can you make the sun shine on your face tomorrow? Can you keep the storm from your life? Can you make sure no one you love dies? Can you keep death from knocking on your own door? Can you give yourself a guarantee that tomorrow will come, and with it a promise of goodness? Can you give yourself peace? Can you conjure up enough strength to make yourself feel loved? Can you look inside yourself and heal your hurt? They say only time heals, that's a lie - time helps you ignore it- God heals. You can't make yourself do anything. Sorry to tell you, but you're powerless.

But- I'm not. And, neither is anyone else who has a personal relationship with God. God promises us good, gives us peace, makes us feel loved, and directs our steps accordingly. If He made life and everything in it, don't you think He can also help us get the most out of it? God tells us that we are separated from Him - forever. He is perfect and loving, and we were born sinful and without any good. Not only do none of us follow His commandments - which are directions on how to get the most out of His creation we call life - but none of us have the power to. That's right. You can't do what God expects you to do. You were born into a world fully separated from God.

But, out of Love, God came down from His perfect, eternal throne into this broken, cruel world and lived the life were were supposed to live and died the death we were supposed to die for being separated from God. Because of Jesus, you can now be perfectly right with God. Its a free gift and you can't earn it. Because of Jesus's life, death, and resurrection, the separation between man and God has been destroyed- forever!

Don't look to yourself, look outside of your self. The bible is God's word. If you agree with me it's because you've read it. If you don't it's because you haven't spent any time in it. Don't be fool and reject things you have not seen with your own heart and eyes. Ask Jesus to come into your life and take on the penalty you deserve so you and God can be in a right relationship with each other. In a world where everyone is so concerned about who they know, why do you boast in knowing someone famous or the bartender or bouncer, when you can know an all knowing, all powerful God who calls you His beloved?

Here are some promises God has given us. This is what my life is based on because I've accepted Christ as my savior, treasure, and love of my life. Therefore, God and I are in a perfect, loving relationship. Because of that God gives us promises that he will do the following for those who come to Him. I mean really, you know me -if this wasn't true would I wake up three hours before work to tell you about them? Heck no.

Here are just a few of them that I love. I hope you invite a Jesus, your free savior, into your heart so you can enjoy these promises and infinitely more:



"These things I have spoken unto you, that in Me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world." (John 16:33)

"Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know." (Jeremiah 33:3)

"I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." (John 14:6)

"Let us therefore come boldly unto the Throne Of Grace, that we may obtain Mercy, and find all we need" (Hebrews 4:16).

"For You, LORD, are good, and ready to forgive; and plenteous in mercy unto all them that call upon Him." (Psalm 86:5)

"I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide you with My Eye." (Ps. 32:8)

"As for me, I will behold Thy face in righteousness: I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with Thy likeness. (Ps. 17:15)

"Safety is of the LORD" (Prov. 21:31)

"For the LORD God is a sun and shield; the LORD bestows favor and honor; no good thing does he withhold from those whose walk is blameless. (Psalm 84:11)

"Turn to me and I will pour out My Spirit on you; I will make My Words known to you." (Prov. 1:23)

I can do everything through him who gives me strength. (Philippians 4:13)

For God did not give us a spirit of timidity (fear), but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline. (2 Timothy 1:7)

The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. (Psalm 23)

The Lord remembers us and will bless us... he will bless those who fear the Lord - small and great alike. May the Lord make you increase, both you and your children. May you be blessed by the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. (Psalm 115:12-15)

And he said to unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. (2 Corinthians 12:9)