Peace within community

The soul reason we have community is for growth within ourselves that allows us to be better witnesses to the world. As a christian, I have seen the benefits of a great community and how much I have grown in my walk with God. But, I have also seen the detrimental affects of exclusivity, language that doesn't build up, and lesser reliance on the cross; due to this word "community". 

You make ask, "Is he saying that community does more bad than good?"

I would answer that with "maybe". In a surplus of christian communities, I have seen people become so reliant on their friends that they forget why they gather as a group, which is to worship God and grow in our walks with him. People have fell into a horrific feeling of not being included because Christians have neglected them and they end of obtaining feelings of depression, guilt, and fear. Some communities are so worried about the others sin and correcting them, but they refuse to see the "log in their own eye" as Jesus says in Matthew. Then it's this huge battle between, "he said....she said". 

Lets end this for good. 

As I try and reason out why people feel and react the way they do, I come to one common fact, which is we all have sin in our lives that only God can fix. We all need this heart transplant in our lives that will make us never want to return to the sin of our past. Most of the disease of community revolves around an identity issue among Christians. Romans 8:9 says, "You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you." This answers all false teachings about our identity not being in Christ. One of the biggest sins of my generation is that we struggle with our identity being in the worlds view of us or being included in a group. In reality, our identity is found in being a new creation and passing away the old self. We abandoned our old selves so we could live to glorify and make God's name high. 

If we ever want to change the damage done by community, we need to challenge ourselves to truly believe in our identity, that we are no longer slaves to our current sin or past. This allows for growth in our walk with God that can only be attributed to this new identity. A perfect example of this was in the disciples. They had twelve and they all had a close, intimate relationship with the living God and that identity secured them in ways that didn't lead to strife among them. But even within that, Jesus had his innermost group of three that he was closer with. 

The picture of the disciples in the perfect picture of true community, where they learned and grew in group, in the presence of the living God. My prayer is that my community would find peace and hope in their identity of being a son of God that was chosen to fulfill God's will on this earth and in their life. Another challenge and prayer for my community is that we would continue to grow closer with one or two people in our group and grow in such an intimate relationship with them that we can talk intimately about our struggle and what God's teaching us. This is what I want and I believe God wants for his people. He wants a group of people to be so passionate about Him that they can't help but share His name to everyone they meet. 


Prayers and love for readers,

Walter Huffstutler

A growing hunger for Christ: His gifts and our need to seek them.

I have been rattled as of late about how a majority of my friends are so caught up on finding their specific spiritual gifts. Although I believe it is important to realize the gifts God has given you, I think it is more important to realize the giver above all things. As an American, I truly focus on what people have done for me and what I have been given instead of the person giving it to me. In the same way we tend to focus on the happiness and joy God has given us instead of actually focusing on knowing God in a real and personal way. I want to know God in a way that transform my every thought to be like His. My thoughts to be His thoughts. My wills and desires to be His glorification and fame. 

I believe I have been given both the gifts of discernment and wisdom. These gifts were given to us as a means to make Gods name known among the nations. The thing I am getting strung up on is that these gifts are serving to validate our identity and strike up a great deal of pride in most people. Gods word says in John 14:6, I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. I don't really see this statement saying, no one comes to the father except through me and knowing your spiritual gifts. When does Christ become lower than His gifts? Never. 

What does this mean for me, as God has slowly revealed his aspirations and gifts in my life, I have no reason to do anything other than glorify Him. I do not want to be caught up more on His gifts than on Him. Without Jesus' death, burial, and resurrection, none of us would be given the opportunity to have any gifts. 

In 1 Corinthians 14:1, "Let love be your highest goal! But you should also desire the special abilities the Spirit gives—especially the ability to prophesy." Paul states this with the attention of pointing out three things. 

1. Spiritual gifts are special abilities given by God to help glorify His name.
2. Prophesy is viewed as one of the top spiritual gifts, if not the top.
3. Loving God and loving people are the highest glorification of God. 

With all this in mind, I am going to be earnest about seeking out my spiritual gifts and that God would reveal them to me and teach me how to use them for His glory. Also, I have developed a sense of peace over the fact that God loves me and that love overflows into my worship for Him and the dedicated time and love I spend on other people. 

"I will never give up my God!"

"I will never give up my God"

One statement that has radically changed my view of devotion, surrendering, and relationship with God. Sunday evening I experienced one of the most radical quotes a man has ever said. Our service at church revolved around discussion with small groups and one of the members of our group had a profound belief God's ability to work through him in small areas of his life. He talked about how he ministered to people at his work (I believe McDonalds) and how he explains any difficulties or misunderstandings they have of God or Christianity and shows them how God has changed him from this inside out.

After a little more discussion about my experience in Paris, he continued talking about his experiences with co-workers and customers. He talked about how he ministers to this homeless man and gives him food. Then he is willing to answer any questions on Christianity. In conversation with this homeless man, he says, "God has done so much for me and I will never give up my God." This statement carries so much weight, but I could tell he meant every bit of it.

After further conversation, I realized he most likely had a mental disability or speech disorder. This didn't change anything about the weight of his belief and faith. He had so much purpose and dedication that I just aspire to have in my areas of influence. As I realize God's workmanship and love in my life, I start to feel disgusted by my sin and how I don't have this same faith.

Continuing through this long process of being "perfected by Gods love and mercy", I have come to realize that our callings are not all the same and that I have been gifted in different areas. This man was a wonderful inspiration to what faith, grace, and mercy can do to a person's heart. I got reminded of Gods workmanship and pursuit of me and absolutely got shaken by this realization.

Sin separates me from God and that is just something I can no longer put up with. I have a need in my soul to pursue God and the only way I can ever make this happen is to devote my life to being righteous and in perfect communion with Christ. My past has been riddled by defeat, lust, alcohol, and most importantly death (separation from God). I know my future is marked by victory over death and eternal life with Christ. Christ died so I could live in righteousness with no condemnation when I fail, but with the ability to lean on Gods grace and be identified and find hope in Him.

My prayer now is that I would be convicted of being in Gods word and in prayer more. Also, praying that God would make me more of a Godly man that is focused on serving and loving my community well.

-Walter Huffstutler

Loving and serving others / Prioritizing the glory of God's Name

For me, showing love to others is very difficult. Words of affirmation, acts of service, receiving gifts, quality time, and physical touch are considered the five major love languages. Acts of service and quality time are the things that make me happy and show me love. I love to serve and give gifts to people. I need to personally work on receiving gifts and affirmation, as well as, affirming people with words of love.

What are your priorities? Is it God? Is it your academia? Is it your relationship?

I ask these question to challenge you to see what Jesus calls us to do and what we really make our priorities to be. We are called and commanded by God to serve, love, and sacrifice in order that the Gospel will be spread. In order to do this correctly, I need to use all the different love languages so I can get close enough with them to share.

I ask God to change my heart daily to want to serve and love on people better. How can I do that if I am not spending intentional time with the people I want to show this to?

As I contemplate my daily activities, I have realized how God is walking me to lead freshman at the University of Florida. Does this look like abandoning my comforts and securities to serve and love others? In the Bible, all I see is people giving it all to serve and love God. They had the spirit in them and focused their entire lives on making God known among their communities.

Praying that God will show me where I am being called to love and serve this semester!

What did Jesus really die for?

Was it my comfort? Was it for that beautiful white Jeep? Was it for the hours of time I spend listening to music and hanging out in my christian bubble? As I access my daily routine, I realized my lack of full abandonment. It seems that in America, we have constructed a middle-age, white Jesus that we all really like and always agree with. The issue with this is that there is too much security and comfort. 

As I navigate around my heart, I found that I am selfish human being and natural want to glorify myself and make my name known among the nations. Yes; you read that correctly. If I am honest with myself, I am selfish. People tend to agree with Christ's death for their sins and His grace, but like to skip over the verses that tell them to die everyday for the sake of sharing Christ and proclaiming his name. 

Paul was very clear in his message to the Romans, Corinthians, and Ephesians about the cost of being a disciple of Christ. He talks suffering, persecution, condemnation, and hatred as easy-going words. As a selfish Christian, I want to continue to make my dreams happen and I don't want to get on anyone's bad side because that would ruin my reputation as a good person. What is funny about that statement? "We have all fallen short of the glory of God." I guess that verse rules me out of being a good enough to get into heaven. 

Christ did not die so that we could continue worshiping ourselves and making more of our name known. He died so that we could have life and eternal security in heaven. He died so we could be in relationship with Him. He died so we could be close with him. He died so we could suffer for our short time on earth, so we could have everlasting love for eternity. He died so we could love, so we could share, and so we could serve. 

Am I too comfortable? Am I giving enough? Am I serving enough? Is my security in Christ or in luxuries? Am I dying daily for the sake of expanding God's kingdom? Am I making less of myself and more of God? Am I making myself to be worthy of praise? Am I currently enrolled in a self-salvation project?

I ask these questions to make you think. "God shows His love for us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." He came to save us and we have His love and grace inside of our hearts forever because we were pierced by it. So if we are surrendered to Him, why are we not giving everything we have to make His name known?