The Challenge.

It's one of the worst feelings in the world; finishing a game or project and thinking to yourself, "I could have done so much better." This happens daily in sports practices, public speaking, and the art world. An opportunity presents itself, and for whatever reason, we only give 75% effort. If we've done something like it before, shouldn't we be able to improve with every new opportunity?

It's the same way when we are walking with Christ. Every day is a new opportunity to be more like Jesus than the day before. As days, weeks, months, and years pass, we should have so much experience that we start to really model Christ in a noticeable way! But why don't we?

The answer is our mindset. We live as if we have all the time in the world to get it right.

"When this and this happens then I'll start to live like Jesus."
"Let me clean up my life a bit before I take this religion stuff seriously."
"I keep trying to stop sinning but I keep failing. Who am I kidding, I'll never change."
"When I make enough money, then I'll start giving to things I think are worthy causes."

We have a backwards mindset that thinks that time will take care of our misfortunes, bad habits, and mistakes. The truth is that if over time you keep making the decisions your making, you'll continue to get the same results. You're not happy now, and you keep doing the things you're doing, guess what? You'll still be unhappy later!

See, God pairs His grace up with our effort. This produces lasting change. We will never be perfect, but we should never stop striving to be.

With this thought, I want to challenge you.

You have TWENTY FOUR hours to have the best day ever. How will your decisions be different today than every other day you've tried and failed?

P.S. If you can do it once, you can do it again.

Weeds and Seeds: Knowing the Difference

I'm not the most experienced gardener, but after tending the FH garden for a few months, I learned a couple things about gardens and life.

First, it takes patience to grow something worth growing.
The best things in life take time. Good things usually don't come easy, and a lot of work is involved in building something great. A move made from a hand led by impatience can be fatal. You can't plant a seed, and the next day expect to dig up a crop. Your emergency will not speed up the growth process. Some things just need more time, no matter how talented you may be.

Second, you MUST pull up weeds.
Making no decision is a decision. If you watch your weeds grow and decide to do nothing about it, you won't have a garden for long. Weeds will always grow, so if you love your garden, you will always have to work it. There will never be a time where you don't have to work, so you better love gardening. You have to pay attention to the threats in your life, church, business, family, etc. A drop of poison in a pot of soup is still a drop of poison. Save your garden, remove the weeds. Procrastination will lead to severe damage, if not fatality.

Third, the work is worth the labor.
When something does grow, it's the most rewarding feeling ever. Life is beautiful, if you make it beautiful. Watching something you've tended and placed in God's hands flourish is one of the best feelings ever. If you don't work, you will never experience this type of joy. The fruit that you gain from a life of hard, honest, and valuable work is amazing. What's even better is when you get to share that fruit with someone else.

What are you growing?

What's your excuse?

"I would be rich, but..."

"I really wish I could, I just can't find the time."

"I would help you, but I'm running late to work."

There's a life we wish we had, but too many things stand in our way. Between work, school, family, and friends, we gaze at what we don't have but truly long for from a far distance. Like a weary traveler in the desert would gaze at a far off body of water, we marvel at the mere thought of our dreams. But after awhile, we begin to think that the life we are yearning for is just a mirage; pleasing to look at but impossible to achieve or enjoy.

I believe that we are all born with two innate qualities: passion and purpose. 

We are all born with a passion to make the world a better place. Working with children, I've learned that the younger the child, the purer the mind. This purity has less to do with innocence and more to do with a simplistic bravery to take on the world's problems without overcomplicating things. 

When I ask a child, "What should we do to help all the hungry people around the world who have no food?" I receive a simple answer; "Give them some of ours!" There answer isn't a political mantra, a solution to be found on a ballot, or a petition for redesigning global nonprofits. It's a cry for the lost art of selflessness; giving out of ones abundance to meet the need of another's deprivation.

When I ask a child, "What should we do about the wars that happen all over the world?" the answer is simple: "Teach people to forgive each other and get along!" The answer isn't hopelessly admirable, but we adults like to throw this in the pile of "impossible ideals" and say things like "If only it were that easy kid."

It is. That's the issue. It really is that easy. If we cut out the excuses, this world would be a very different place. How do you teach a foreign nation to get along with others? How do you implement a strategy to feed the whole world? How do you stop genocides, racism, crime, and hunger at a global level?

The answer isn't found in government programs, systems, or equations. It's simple: lead by example.

How can we expect third world countries to feed their poor when we have starving families in our country, yet serve SUPERSIZED meals that are half-eaten and then thrown away? How can we teach peace and civility yet glorify crime and killing in our favorite TV shows and movies? How can we expect to promote safe sex and wise decisions while simultaneously offering the most degrading and twisted semi-pornographic scenes as a form of evening entertainment?

We make excuses to cover up how far we've drifted from purity. And then, we try to justify raising our kids in the same rancid filth that corrupted our hearts and hardened us from the simplistic purity that had potential to actually change the world.

And then we are surprised when...

We get a call that our high-schooler was caught stealing at the mall.

Or a call about our son beating up another kid in school.
Or we catch our daughter sleeping with a guy she just met.


Lead by example. A concept that Paul passed down to Timothy when he wrote,

"Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity."

We can't offer solutions we aren't willing to follow through with ourselves. The practice of doing so is called hypocrisy. And until we realize that our choices affect other people just like they affect us, we will continue living selfishly as if we were the only one's living on this planet. Turn the water off while you brush, flick a switch when you leave the house, order only the amount of food you need, and understand that you don't need 20 pairs of the same sneakers in different color schemes.

Your passion will help you fulfill your God-given purpose. Whether it's on a local or global scale, there is something you have been handcrafted to accomplish in your lifetime that would help the world rather than hurt it. And when you lead by example, practice selflessness, and pray for God to speak to you, your calling will be clear.

"The thief comes to kill, steal, and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full." -Jesus

Pursuing Christ,
Alexander Sosa

How To Make Successful New Year's Resolutions

With New Years Day less than a week behind us, many of us have made some "resolutions" of some sort. These challenges we've placed on ourselves may be in the area of health, relationships, spirituality, finances, or skill-specific. Whatever your resolution may be, here are a few steps you can take to ensure that you succeed (or at least grow from failure).

1. Set realistic, specific, time-bound goals.

The easiest way to fail at goal-setting is to have a goal that is not well-thought through. You can't dream all day about the sweet taste of achieving your goal yet fail to dream about how you are going to actualize it. 

A goal needs to be realistic: "Run a four minute mile by June" might not be a very realistic goal for someone who wants to start running for the first time in a very long time. Instead of setting yourself up for failure, set a goal you know you can accomplish by putting in hard work. Yes, you should always aim high, and miracles do happen, but so do accidents. Also, unrealistic goals may cause feelings of depression that are associated with repeated failure, and may turn you off from trying to improve. Be sure to consult someone with prior success in the area in which you are aiming to improve. They may have some good insight that can help you set a realistic goal. (Or not, but it doesn't hurt to ask!)

A goal needs to be specific: "I want to become more spiritual" is too vague. If you cannot measure your goal, you may want to consider wording it in a more definite way. For example, instead of writing "I will read the Bible more", one can write "I will read a chapter a day for one year." If your goal is not specific, you will never be able to track your progress, and you will never attain the satisfaction of actually reaching your goal. There is always room for improvement in every area of life, so chasing an unspecific goal will lead to dissatisfaction. 

A goal needs to be time-bound: If you don't give yourself a deadline, you will not prioritize your goal. Be sure to give yourself a time limit on an assignment in order to avoid procrastinating and saving it for last. If you're making something a resolution, it's most likely because it's important to you, so prioritize it! 

2.  Find ways to encourage you to succeed.

A small treat? An outing? An hour of relaxation? These are all great rewards you can give yourself for taking big steps towards accomplishing your goal. Went for a run every day for a week? Get a professional massage! Ate healthy all week? You deserve a piece of cheesecake! Spent the whole week working hard and being productive? Go buy yourself something nice! While you should never over-indulge, a little picker-upper at the end of a productive week will only motivate you to do it all again the following week!

3. Change your perspective.

Sometimes we get so caught up in our situation that we fail to see how good we have it. When we get stuck in this "stress mode", we often give up or slack on our goals cause we feel life will always kick us back down again. Every morning remind yourself that you are blessed, no matter what situation you find yourself in because you had the pleasure of waking up. You have to walk to work? Great! At least you CAN walk! I don't mean to say that your life isn't hard, or that you should put on a fake front and pretend everything is okay, but there is power in perspective. Every day that you wake up is another opportunity to change your life for the better. If you are struggling with changing your perspective and find yourself constantly feeling down and out, I encourage you to pray for joy and peace that only Jesus can give you, or email me at alextemplefitness@gmail.com. 

4. Surround yourself with people who have success in the area of interest.

It's easy to give up on your goals when deep down inside you think they are impossible. By surrounding yourself with people who have done what you wish to do, you are subconsciously reminding yourself that what God can do in their life can be done in your life. King Solomon writes, "There is nothing new under the sun. What will be done has been done." While in the context of the text this may seem a little gloomy, when you apply it to goal-setting, it's actually encouraging to know that someone has done what you want to do! 

What if I want to do something no one has ever done?...

5. Surround yourself with positive people.

Just like with perspective, there is power in positivity. While many Christians criticize the positive-thinking approach, it's been proven that people who surround themselves with positive people tend to accomplish more! The Bible speaks clearly about surrounding yourself with the right crowd.Can you imagine being around someone who is always criticizing your actions and aspirations? (Some of you might be saying, "I don't have to imagine it... I live with someone like that.) I'm not saying that you should cut that Negative Nancy out of your life, but for every negative person in your life, be sure to have two positive people just as close relationally! Sometimes we need to hear that someone else believes in us in order to believe in ourselves. If you're a pessimist, don't worry, there's still hope! Begin surrounding yourself with positive people, and their positivity will begin to rub off on you! If you feel like you can't seem to find anyone who provides that positivity in your in life, you may also email me at the email address listed above. Find rest knowing that God believes in you so much, and has plans to prosper you and not harm you; plans to give you hope and a future. 

For more tips on living a more abundant life, feel free to email me, or visit us at www.LifeChurchMiami.org and check out our podcasts. We'd love to help you in any way possible!

God bless,
Alexander Sosa

 

Sunday "Christians"

Who am I talking about?

That person who's a jerk at work, but attends a worship service once a week?
or...
That guy who cheats on his girlfriend, and has a Jesus-fish bumper sticker?
or...
That person who posts profane material on every social media platform known to man, but has "Christian" in their about me?

If this is you, you might be offended. But don't stop here, because even the most holy Christians are no better than you. Isaiah 64:6 says that "all of our righteous acts are like filthy rags" to God, because He is perfect. Even our good deeds come from a selfish place deep in our hearts.

You might be saying, "None of this describes me, but it sure does sound like so-and-so."

As Christians it's sad that when we read "Sunday Christians", the faces of certain people in our own lives flash before our eyes. We compare their lack of commitment to our own commitment, and it bothers us that they can bear the title "Christian" and not work as hard, or be as holy. It's almost as if we think we earned God's love, and believe that others should have to earn it to.

Reality Check: God's love comes from grace. Nothing you do can make him love you more or less. And He loves the Sunday Christian just as much as He loves you. 

"But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." Romans 5:8

Reality Check #2: If there is a Sunday Christian in your life, thank God for the opportunity. The minute you stop judging their behaviors, lack of church attendance/commitment, and stop thinking negatively of them, is the same minute you begin to see them through the eyes of Jesus. We are called to love people to God, not judge them.

"Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you." Matthew 7:1-2

I'm guilty of this: Getting upset when a loved one comes to church, gets saved, comes for awhile, and stops attending. You begin to think, "Don't they get it? Don't they know there is work to do!", and you secretly hold a grudge against them that gets more bitter as each Sunday passes without seeing them.

I finally realized that this strategy doesn't work. At all. And when you're too busy judging people, not only do you push them farther from Christ and make them doubt their own relationship with God, but you harden your heart and begin to praise yourself without even realizing it. Your relationship with God becomes distant, you pray less, and you work harder but see no progress. You get frustrated, and you blame God for not being more present in your life. You begin to want more of His stuff, and less of Him. It becomes more about personal gain, and less about Jesus.

Those who judge Christians who stumble, miss church, or live a life that doesn't represent Christ... They are the "Sunday Christians". And they're the reason lost and hurting people stay away from churches. After all, who would want to walk into a place full of people who don't like them?

I.N.D.E.P.E.N.D.E.N.T

The American Dream: Rely on nobody.

Everybody wants to be able to say, "I don't need anybody. I can take care of myself." I applaud the effort, but let's get real. 

Life would be miserable if the only person you saw everyday was YOU. 

I mean, isn't our inability to be by ourselves the driving force that puts businesses like Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter in the spotlight? Our dependence on others is so evident, in that we go NUTS if we stay home for 12 hours straight without talking to someone. Just admit it, you need others. The sooner you come to grips with that, the sooner you'll be able to develop better relationships. And the sooner you'll stop letting us all know you're using the bathroom via social media.

I've spent the past two months speaking to high school students about the realities of poverty in our city, and was also given the opportunity to share some of my life experiences with them. One thing I realized as I spoke was that I am the person I am today because people chose to invest in me. People chose to care. People chose to give. I do what I do for others, not because I am a good person, but because others did for me. And now, it's as if this gracious giving behavior is part of my genetic code. I would be a liar if I said I am where I am today because I "worked hard" or "dreamed big".

The common misconception is that one can find pride in doing everything for themselves. I tend to think of the dad on a road trip who refuses to ask for directions. The wife begins to say "honey, why don't you ask someone for help?", and he cuts her off by saying, "I don't need anyones help! I can figure it out!". We live like this stubborn father when we refuse to ask for help, and get caught up in the pride of doing things ourselves.

I've heard people say, "the idea of a God is just a crutch for weak people who can't accept reality." 

There's so much truth in that statement, laced with lots of bull. Let's take a moment to find the gold in that pile of dung.

Step 1.) "The idea of a God is just a crutch for weak people who can't accept reality."

Step 2.) "God is just a crutch for weak people who can't accept reality."

Step 3.) "God is a crutch for weak people who can't accept reality."

The Gold: "God is a crutch for weak people who can't."

We find the truth behind our need and God's gift in His Word:

1.) We can't: "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." (Romans 3:23)

2.) God did: "But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." (Romans 5:8)

Who Made You King?

Have you ever come across that person who's just too cool for school (or anything else for that matter)? Too cool to laugh at a joke, or even worse; be the center of one. Too cool to admit they are wrong, or walk away from an argument? How does being around that type of person make you feel?

Well, this isn't a counseling session, but I will say that too many Christians have this mindset. "Hey! I'm a Christian! Don't use that language around me!" or, "Hey! You shouldn't do that! That's a sin!" Now, I know what's going to come from this: "Alex, the bible tells us to rebuke people when they sin. How are people going to know what they are doing is wrong, and that God wants them to do something else, if we don't tell them?" I urge you to read on, as I address that issue AFTER the one I intended to tackle before you got ahead of yourself.

Borat got excited when he sat in his chair, and started saying "King in the Castle!" (I know what you're thinking; "Alex! You watched Borat! Gasp!" Let it go.) As Christians, we are told that we have gained sonship with God, and that we now have an inheritance in Heaven. We are, in essence, princes and princesses of a heavenly royalty. Without spiritual maturity, we can act like Borat, and get overly excited about this new chair we've gained ownership of. While there is much to boast about, the time to boast has not come because our work isn't complete. Just as princes and princesses are trained to not embarrass the family name, we have much training to do in order to bear the name "Mr. John Doe-Son of God."

While we are not to even consider watering down the Gospel or developing our own theology, we do have to be sensitive to individuals in order to effectively present the truth of God. Does your approach offend people and get them all hot and bothered, and leave them that way without any reconciliation? Do people not feel comfortable opening up to you about their struggles because they know that you are automatically going to tell them they are living in sin and should do things the way you say they should? Do you find yourself prying into peoples lives, instead of them coming to you? If you answered yes to any of these questions, you might want to reconsider your approach. Here are some pointers:

1.) God is King. He is Judge. He knows all things.

You don't know what someone is really going through. (Unless you watch them 24 hours a day. If that's the case, you might want to turn yourself in to the police on grounds of stalking.) You also don't know where they come from. Some people deal with certain struggles that are tied in with tragedies and experiences they went through as a child. We can easily assume that a drug addict is a deadbeat who got caught up in that lifestyle, and totally overlook the fact that they may have been sexually abused and drugs seem to be the only thing they can escape from this reality with. They need to know that God want's them to cast their burden on Him, not that He wants to send them to hell for their addiction.

2.) God calls us to be peacemakers. Not warmongers.

Blessed are the peacemakers, the Word of God says. If Christ came to bring peace between the Jews, Gentiles, and God, and we are to be a reflection of Christ, then shouldn't we put away our verbal weapons and promote a message of peace? If you constantly have a feeling to point out other peoples flaws, I urge you to read Jesus' words in which he asked YOU to pull the plank out of your eye before discussing the speck in your neighbors eye. When you realize how wretched you really are, and how much you need Christ daily, you'll begin to have a heart for the lost (and the found, because we all know we struggle as well.)

3.) You don't have to compromise Scripture to promote peace and share the Gospel.

Too many people falsely argue that if you don't point out someone's sin you are robbing them of the opportunity to learn God's truth. To that I say "Good is bad when it stops you from the best." Yes, one or two might be saved by a crazy looking man screaming "fire and brimstone" threats on the beach. This method has proven to be minimally effective compared to building relationships, reaching into people's hearts with your influence, and conducting proper discipleship based on God's Word. Once you've earned your position in this person's life, then you have the privilege of correcting them. After all, Jesus shouted at the religious Pharisees, and spoke out of love to the lost. What does this teach us?

I leave you with this verse:

John 13:34-35  "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.  By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another."