Facing Trials of Many Kinds

2 Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, 3 for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. 4 And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

James 1:2-4

What are trials?

Trials test Hope, Health, or Holiness

Trials are moments when the spirit that we’ve been empowered with can be demonstrated to us and through us…

Job: He was a man of God that Satan was allowed to test, with the only rule that Job could not be touched. Satan goes on to take everything from him (externally). After Satan seeks to destroy his faith, Job is challenged internally with whether or not he should curse God. In the end, God wins…

Joseph: After being sold into slavery by all his brothers, Joseph eventually ends up in Egypt as a trusted servant to Potiphar, who is a member of the Pharaoh’s officials. One day, his wife approaches Joseph, and when he denies her, she accuses him falsely of attempted rape. Joseph is then sent to prison, where he finds favor with the guards, eventually interprets dreams for Pharaoh, is promoted to Prime Minister over night, and is then able to not only save a nation but redeem the same brothers that sold him into slavery at the beginning of the story. In the midst of it all, Joseph knew that the Lord had guided each step, each turn, and each trial, and he never lost faith.

Just like in these two stories, trials prove our faith, not produce it. The main point is not necessarily that we hold tight to Christ, but that He holds tightly to us.

 

Even though God allows suffering, He redeems it, and He has proven that He is willing to walk through it with us.

 

What do trials mean is most religions and different schools of thought?

1) Punishment

2) Means to Achieve Salvation

3) An Illusion to Be Escaped (have to be enlightened to be above it)

4) Result of a Purposeless Universe Where Nobody Cares

 

Christianity is the only Religion where the Savior Walked Through Those Same Trials, In order to ensure that suffering itself becomes the sufferer in the end…

 

“We are saved by faith alone, but the faith that saves is never alone…”

-Martin Luther-

 

Spiritual apathy is another trial, because it seeks to rob us of our holiness. We are saved by faith, but the journey does not end there. Because we have faith, we are encouraged to walk with a new yoke, with the help of Christ. Walking with Christ allows us the ability to complete each task with purpose and steadfastness. Only with Christ walking with us can we dwell in joy.

 

  1. Trials are not some judicious test that we must pass to gain God’s Love.
  2. We must make our faith and our behavior inseparable.
  3. The one to whom we pray, walked through all trials with steadfastness, AND, His power dwells in us…

 

“The Joy of the Lord is my strength. The Joy of the Lord is my strength. In the darkness I’ll dance. In the shadows, I’ll sing. The Joy of the Lord is my Strength.”

-Rend Collective- Joy of the Lord

(Nehemiah 8:10)

Adapted from a Sermon by Kyle Besmears, at the People of Mars Hill Church

Blessings,

Tyler Vaughn

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Thoughts for the New Year, and Every Year to Come

“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind.”

-Romans 12:2

-Embrace Abnormality-

 

The Kingdom of God is ruled by the trait of service.

The Son of Man came to serve and not to be served.

Yet we think that our time on Earth is supposed to be all about us?

To be a Christian means to be Christ-Like, and to be Christ-Like means to SERVE.

 

“Are you able to drink the cup that I am to drink?”

This was the response Jesus had to James and John when they asked of Him to sit at His right and left hands when He brought his Kingdom to power. They, and the other disciples, still thought that Jesus would conquer through military might, just as all had before Him. At first, I thought that their question revolved around their devotion to Jesus; however, after a recent sermon, I learned that it was their selfishness. They wanted to solidify a position of respect and power beside Jesus as a reward for their service and devotion. It was about them.

Jesus asked if James and John would be able to drink of the cup that He was to drink. Not knowing the depth of this action, they quickly agreed that they would be able. Meanwhile, missing the point of Jesus’ response, the other disciples were jealous that they had not presented this question first.

The reality is, we are hardwired to seek selfish ambition. It started at the beginning of time, and will continue to repeat itself until Christ returns. Just like the disciples, even our best intentions are often built upon selfish desires. Often, even the “right” things we do can be foiled by our nature.

But Jesus did not drink of a cup loaded with sin, wrath, and death to solidify his power over us. He was already at the right hand of God before he came to Earth to be rejected. He drank of that cup to SAVE us. It is the ultimate display of service. Through ultimate service, He crushed Satan and won our freedom from the sin that enslaved us.

 

The Kingdom of God is not a place intended for SELFISH GAIN.

 

It is a place where climbing down a ladder comes before any climbing up or over.

The Kingdom of God is about SERVICE.

“Whoever would be great among you must first be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be your slave…”

This is a direct collision of the world’s view of a successful kingdom vs. what Jesus identifies as the Kingdom of Heaven.

 

Application:

 

How can I faithfully love and serve, as Christ did for me, when I have a flesh that longs for power and service from others?

When society continues to tell me I deserve comfort and reward for my hard work, how do I steer clear of selfishness?

“Would you still want to go to Heaven if Christ was not there?”

The truth is that it’s exhausting to live a life centered round yourself. We’ve all been there. The more work you put into it, the more you feel you need. You rarely reach the end game, and when you do, you find out how empty it truly is. However, we will be energized by the freedom and joy offered by Christ for taking a sip from the cup of service and self-denial.

 

Final Thoughts:

The Kingdom of God is not about us

Heaven is not about us

It’s about the Glory of God through Christ

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Be the Change

Be the Change

(Who We Are vs. Who God Allows Us to Be)

What is Change?

Change: Noun – The act or instance of making or becoming different

Can be external, like changing clothes, or internal, like changing your mind, but what does it look like to have a spiritual change, or changing in light of ETERNITY?

In order to know where you’re going, you have to know where you’ve been. So, who are we, and then how does God respond?

Our War with God

Humans (H) vs. God (G)

 Our Background:

Romans 1:21-23

For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to Him, but they became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. Claiming to be wise, they became fools, and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and creeping things (IDOLS). (H)

Romans 1:32

Though they know God’s righteous decree that those who practice such things deserve to die, they not only do them but give approval to those who practice them. (H)

 Romans 3:23

For all have sinned and fallen short of the Glory of God. (H)

Romans 7:18-19

For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out. (H)

 Ephesians 2:1

And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air (Devil)… (H)

What is the common theme here? How well are we holding up our end of the bargain? Is there anything in these verses about how good we are?

This leads to the question: Are we good people that just make bad decisions?

 

God’s Response:

 Ephesians 2:4-7

But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ-by grace you have been saved- and raise up with him and seated with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus,, so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. (G)

Ephesians 2:8

For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not of your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. (G)

Romans 5:6

For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. For one will scarcely die for a righteous person-though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die- but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. (G)

Ezekial 37:1-14

The valley of dry bones (G)

 

Grace- God Giving us What We Don’t Deserve (Eternal Life)

Mercy- God Not Giving Us What We Do Deserve (Death)

 

To sum up what’s going on here, Look at Romans 6:23:

For the wages of sin is death (What We have Earned), but the free gift of God (Grace) is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord (Perfect Propitiation).

So, now that you know who we are, vs. whom God continues to be for us through Christ, let’s talk about change.

Repent, Believe, Slave to Righteousness

But remember, we cannot earn our saving. We know the state we are in. In order to be saved, we have to look upon our own brokenness, and have faith that Jesus through the Holy Spirit, is capable of breaking our stone hearts and delivering a new heart. “What can wash away my sin? Nothing but the blood of Jesus.”

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The Bridge

A picture of a bridge in the wilderness

Imagine that war has broken out, and you are stuck in the middle of it. People are fighting to the death, and nobody is safe. You are tired and lonely, but somehow in the midst of the pain of the fight, you hear whispers of a place where the war hasn’t reached. You have already made so many mistakes, and failed so many times to break free from this war-torn place, but you decide to make one last effort for freedom. You travel for days and days, and your supplies are low. You’ve already had a number of close calls on your life, and you are about to give up.

Then, just as you’ve decided all is lost, you see a new place in the distance. It seems calm and peaceful, not touched by the blackness that stretches out behind you. It seems to be an island of beauty amidst the disaster. You make a break for it, running as fast as you can toward the speck in the distance. But, as you near the place, you see that there is a space in between-an abyss that has no bottom in sight. You spend what little supplies you have left as you look for a way over or around, but this chasm goes as far as the eye can see. You are exhausted, bitter, and defeated. You traveled so far, and overcame so much, just to see that you cannot possibly make it to this new and unaffected land.

As the sun begins to go down, and you have given up all hope that you can ever experience what this place has to offer. You accept death. With no supplies and no energy, you are unable to muster up enough energy to even lift a finger. Your breathing slows, and your health fades along with the sunset.

But even in that moment, another traveler comes along; one who is strong and broad, with shoulders that look like they could bear the weight of the world. He reaches down and grabs hold of the hands that you cannot possibly lift on your own, and pulls you onto your feet. With a voice that sounds like it’s strong enough to command armies, but soft enough to comfort a child, he urges you to try just one more time.

As you are about to tell him it won’t make any difference, that there’s no way across and that you’ve already tried, your gaze shifts back to that chasm. Seemingly out of thin air, you see that a bridge has appeared. Without hesitation you run towards the bridge, never looking back. As you run, you notice the bridge is disappearing under your feet with each step, which encourages you to run even faster. With your heart pounding, you lunge towards, and land on the soft bank of the other side. Even as you heave for air, you can see that this place is the definition of perfection. It’s so hard to believe that this place of rest can exist in the midst of the turmoil and tragedy going on around it.

After the thrill of the moment and the beauty of the place you’ve entered sets in, you look behind you and realize that the traveler isn’t with you. You strain your eyes into the distance only to find that he’s lying where you had been, broken and beaten on the edge of the chasm, with no bridge left to make it across. As darkness settles in, you realize that he traded his life for yours, that you might make it to your destination. You are overwhelmed by his sacrifice and your new surroundings, but are broken by the exchange that was made. He was strong, healthy, and perfect, and now he is dead in the place you should have been.

But as you try to reason and understand, a light flickers on in front of you that quickly illuminates the hillside. As you squint and shield your eyes, the light only grows stronger. Just when you think you will become completely blind, a voice all too familiar fills your ears, and seems to shake your entire soul. It almost seems like it’s inside of you. Immediately you understand whom it belongs to. It is the same voice that was used by the traveler to tell you to try one more time to cross the divide. He is shining so brightly it’s hard for you to make out his frame, but there’s no mistaking that it’s him. While there’s no way that you can fully comprehend the sacrifice that he made for you, you do understand that something inside of you has changed.

You are stronger.

Even as you realize this, a light of your own starts to flicker and catch flame. In this moment the bridge reappears behind you, and you know while you would like to stay here, you have a mission ahead of you. You must travel back into the darkness as a beacon of light. Armed with this new strength and this light that’s inside of you, you know that you can use it to share with and guide others just like yourself- those that are lost and searching- right back to this place that the traveler led you to.

In the midst of the madness, there is one who has a key to bridge the gap, and you know that He will guide them home with this light that he’s passed on to you. As you walk back into the fray, you are armed with a peace and a calm, a strength of spirit that you know is not your own.

You know that whatever comes against you, even though it surely will, that your source of power and your faith in it will not be shaken. You have experienced a sliver of the glory that awaits, but until you return, you know there’s plenty of work to be done.

 

The End, Or, Just the Beginning…

Path Lantern T-Shirt Logo

Be a Light…

 

Photo Credit Here: Bridge Photo

 

 

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Joy vs. Happiness (Dealing with Failure)

Joy vs. Happiness

Maintaining Joy In the Midst of the Struggle

(Phil 4:13)

 

JOY (Steadfast, Godly) VS Happiness (Emotion, Volatile)

 

Joy is mentioned 16 times in the book of Philippians. It was an important concept that Paul builds into the framework of the letter he’s writing to the church in Philippi. Interestingly enough, to anyone on the outside, this would have seemed like Paul was losing his mind, but why?

 

Paul was writing this letter from a Roman Prison

 

Not only was Paul facing persecution, the Philippians were facing persecution from false teachers as well. Through Paul’s predicament, he sets an example of how to embrace suffering and persecution by keeping his eyes set on Heavenly things. Paul knows that his imprisonment is going to be a useful avenue to spread the gospel, which is his soul purpose, and the fountain of his Joy.

 

Paul’s imprisonment actually led to some of the Roman guards being saved…

 

Paul demonstrates through his imprisonment that in the midst of the ongoing struggle, we are able to experience joy and the power of God. We have the opportunity to “leave behind” our mistakes and failures and, through Christ, we can push forward toward a heavenly prize- namely eternal life. While we work diligently toward it, God works in us… (Phil 3:8-14).

 

Throughout his time in prison, Paul honored his purpose, which kept everything in perspective.

 

Philippians 3:14

I press on toward the goal to achieve the prize for which God has called me Heavenward in Christ Jesus.

 

Philippians 4:11-13

Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low and how to succeed. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me.”

 

When looking at one of the most popular verses in the bible for Christian athletes, believers, and non-believers in context, we find that it means something totally different than what most of us originally thought.

This verse is not about us being able to perform well in order to be successful in every circumstance or to overcome a more talented opponent.

 

This verse teaches us that we are capable of suffering and enduring all things without being beaten due to the Power of Christ.

 

However, knowing this, as well as that God promises us He will never give us more than we can handle, we are free to pursue Heavenly goals without fear. When we start to see that we are capable of making it through any adversity (and that it actually makes us a little more like Christ), we begin to experience “peace that surpasses all understanding” rather than the fleeting happiness that is dependent on achieving worldly success.

 

Are you chasing happiness/worldly success, or are you prepared to fight for joy?

 

Tyler Vaughn

Owner, Pathology Apparel

CSCS, SPT

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Pathology Apparel: Explaining the Creed

Pathology Apparel

 Background:

         I started Pathology Apparel as a way to raise money for a medical mission trip, and because I felt stuck in PT school. I was bogged down in endless studying and was losing sight of my purpose. I felt convicted to run with the name while we were in Pathology for Physical Therapy, and God has been blessing it ever since. We were able to fund not only my trip, but also raised enough money to allow another friend of mine to go that wouldn’t have been able to otherwise. Ever since that time, people have continued to support, and we have stayed true to our mission.

 

Pathology– n- an abnormality or deviation from normal.

[Greek Root: Pathos- Suffering]

 

Our Creed and Mission Statement:

 

To Embrace Abnormality. (Eph 1:3-6, Rom 8:30, 1 Peter 2:9…)

To Pursue Thorns. (James 1:2)

To be Sharpened by Suffering, and Humbled by Grace. (Romans 5:3-5)

To Find Infinite Strength in Weakness. (2 Corinthinans 12:9-10)

To Keep High Eyes and Low Pride. (Phil 3:14)

To Redefine Purpose and Originality. (Col 3:23-24, Galations 1:10, Ephesians 6:7)

To Family. (Eph 2:19-22)

To Faith. (Eph 2:8-9, Romans 1:17)

To Brotherhood. (Ps 133:1, 1 John 4:20, 1 Peter 1:22-23)

To Growth. (2 Cor 5:17, Romans 12:1, 2 Peter 3:18,

To the Grind. (1 Cor 10:13, 1 Cor 9:26-27)

To the Moment. (Gal 2:20, Romans 5:6)

To Eternity. (Romans 6:23, Matt 6:19-20, Phil 3:19-21)

 

These are our roots, our mission, and our purpose!

 

Tyler Vaughn

Owner, Pathology Apparel

SPT, CSCS

 

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We are Conquerors- Romans 8:31

Romans 8:31-39

 “What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? Who shall bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died-more than that, who was raised- who is as the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? As it is written,

‘For your sake, we are being killed all the day long;

We are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.’

No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angles nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

What are “These Things” that Paul writes about?

Every point from Chapter 4 to Chapter 8:

No shame, Suffering for Sanctification, Justification through Christ, Liberation from Sin, New Identity in Christ, Release from the Effects of the Law, Adoption as Sons, Our Future Glory and Hope, Prayer Intercession by the Holy Spirit, and More…

Paul is funneling everything he’s talked about into the conclusion that GOD IS FOR US…

BUT

“God is for us does not mean that God is on my side.”

So often we want to bend these verses to say that whatever path we are taking, God will walk with us through it. In essence, we choose where we are going, and God is on our side to help us get there. First of all, if we made this decision, it would be a disaster. We have proven ourselves in this time and again. Second, God so often will pick us up, take us off the little path we think is our best route moving forward, and place us in an entirely new situation (while we kick and scream the whole time in resistance). Eventually, what do we discover? We discover that God’s plan was much better all along. So, these verses don’t say that God will help us get to wherever we are going; they say that we will be on God’s side, through Christ. Whatever direction He leads us in, He will give us the strength and power over evil (time and again) to get there.

“If God is for us, who can be against us?

This verse is demonstrating that Satan cannot be against us because of Christ. The condemnation of our sin- past, present, and future- was paid for on the cross. Sin can slow us down and get us off track, but it cannot prevent our sanctification because it has been defeated. Our faith closes the books of Satan’s pleas against us. The work of Jesus on the Cross was perfect and leaves no holes for Satan to capture us through.

“He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?”

God will not withhold the other blessings that come with and through and for Christ.

God did not withhold his own Son from us- the most precious gift He could have given- so how will he not give us all these things that Paul’s talked about from chapter 4 to this passage. God’s delivery of Christ to death means that our faith brings the delivery of life and salvation. Paul is saying that if God gave us the gift of Christ, why would he not give us these other lesser gifts that come with it?

“Who shall bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died-more than that, who was raised- who is as the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us.”

The only person qualified to condemn us is the very same one who died and was raised and is at the right hand of God and is interceding for us. So Christ could condemn us, but He will not. He died, was raised, sits at God’s right hand, and is currently providing the Holy Spirit for us to intercede in our sanctification.

In Isaiah, he writes, “The God who vindicates is near. Who will contend with me? Let us stand up together. Who is my adversary? Let him come near to me.” God is the judge and jury, and through the work of Christ we are justified and on the side of His victory over this world.

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword?

Let’s talk about persecution:

Can it pull us apart from Christ? This verse says that it cannot.

Paul is speaking to Roman Christians, who experienced some of the worst persecution in history at the hands of the Roman Emperor, Nero.

Christians were often given wooden swords and cast into the arena to fight against hungry tigers and lions, and would be pulled apart limb from limb (while people watched for entertainment). Nero was also known for dipping Christians in hot wax, crucifying them, then using them as lighting for his household dinner parties at night. He literally turned them into human candles.

How would God allow that? God does not promise us an easy life, but one where we cannot be torn away from the presence or power of Christ. In these verses, Paul says that there is no thing that can overcome this bond through the sacrifice Christ made for us.

“‘For your sake, we are being killed all the day long; We are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.’

 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.”

Paul is literally saying that even if we are like sheep to the slaughter, we are still more than conquerors through God’s love for us in Christ and we cannot be torn away from it.

In Psalm 42, where Paul had pulled this verse from, God had delivered the people of Israel in the past, and they recognized Him for it. But the tone changes about halfway through where in this verse (22) they are experiencing defeat. The people are confused why God wasn’t with them to help them to victory like he had before. If you continue to read in the Psalm, the people are looking forward and calling out for help. While they didn’t know it yet, they were looking forward to the cross, and yet we get to now look back on the cross and see that their prayer was answered. It has all come full circle. They were delivered from their pains and adversity, just as we have been through Christ and will be moving forward.

For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angles nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
“Suffering does not mean the end; it is a means to the end.” -Kyle

1 Peter 4:12-13 says, “Do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ.”

Just like in Psalm 42:22, sometimes we will be confused in the moments where we feel as though we are being led to the slaughter; however, we are promised future glory. Suffering does not mean the end; it is but a moment in the scope of eternity, where our challenges ensure our growth through dependence on the power and love of Christ. In James 1:2 we are reminded to “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.”

These trials and our sufferings will not create space between us and God’s love; instead, it will serve to bring us closer to Him, which is where we are promised joy. Just like John Piper says, “When it comes to suffering and pain, non of us are immune. Worse, the pain so often seems pointless, and in fact pain in our lives is not pointless at all… It is doing something, and it is not meaningless.” So what is it doing? Take a look at 2 Corinthians 4:16-18:

“…So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.”

So, “we are led like sheep to the slaughter, but in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loves us…” We are being renewed in our spirit and being prepared in our sufferings like Christ, to be more prepared for eternity.

EVEN THOUGH WE MAY EXPERIENCE DEFEAT, WE ARE MORE THAN CONQUERORS.

So why do we continue to experience setbacks in sin? We forget that we are conquerors through Christ. We forget our identity. If you don’t think this is important, to preach our identity to ourselves daily, go back and look at how Satan tempted Jesus in the desert. He attacked His identity. How did Jesus respond? He uses scripture to defend his identity and relationship with God. This is why we have to follow suit and preach to ourselves daily who we are in Christ.

————–

Moving forward, we can approach suffering with realistic perspective for what it provides in our lives. We can remind ourselves daily of our identity and should dress up like conquerors (Ephesians 6:13-15). We should protect our hearts with righteousness and preach the gospel not only to others, but ourselves daily. We are not marching into this battle blind; we are marching into victory. We have been given the battle plans and our weapon that is the Bible. So march forward into the battle with confidence that God will continue to sanctify and protect you, because we are conquerors through Him who first loved us, and we cannot be separated from Him.

“Push back darkness, shine the light of the gospel, and fill Earth with the presence of Heaven.”

Based off a sermon by:

Kyle Beshears, The People of Mars Hill Church

http://pomh.org/media/romans

-Tyler Vaughn

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Path Lantern Logo- Learning From Paul

Lost and Found

“They only were hearing it said, ‘He who used to persecute us is now preaching the faith he once tried to destroy.’ And they glorified God because of me.”

‭‭Galatians‬ ‭1:23-24‬ ‭ESV‬‬

 

One of hardest things to believe as a human being is that our failures will not always define us. Failures often provide opportunities to grow and improve, and demonstrate change. Whether it’s your family life, sport/crossfit, or the business world, success is often a result of overcoming adversity.

An argument I’ve heard from many people and constantly have to fight within myself is how God could accept the terrible darkness that is the world inside me. It’s a constant spiritual struggle. This is where grace comes in. We can’t earn it-can’t even fully understand or comprehend it-but it’s absolutely there.

This is what brings us to Paul’s writing in Galations. He was “the chief of sinners,” that spent his time persecuting Christians before God blinded Him and called him to be an apostle. He goes on to say that the horrors that he committed became a foundation for people to see the glory and beauty of the gospel. Because of the change in Paul from darkness to light, people praised God.

Imagine you’re staring into a dark room for an extended period of time. The darkness is really the only feature you can take in. Every once in a while you think you can make out the vague outline of shapes, but you pass it off as your mind playing tricks on you. Then, all of a sudden, a small lantern is lit about 60 feet from you against the back wall, and all of a sudden light starts to flood into the room. There is no debating this introduction of light, because it’s so tangible. Not only that, but as the light grows you begin to see new aspects of the room that you never knew were there.

It’s always been incredible to me, how God uses the darkness in our lives to show the drastic change when the light of the gospel is introduced. In Paul’s opinion, there was no room darker than his. But people perceived the change in Paul not much differently than if they had been staring into a dark room. When the lantern was lit, the “chief of sinners” became an unmistakable light force bursting with the light of Gods grace.

Don’t allow yourself to feel like your past failures will limit your future opportunity to impact the Kingdom of God- only the author has the pen to change the script. And if you take the time look back after it’s all taken place, you might see that the story was written all along, because the God that was then, is now, and is yet to come… He’s the only thing that is equally ancient and yet new every morning… don’t underestimate Him, rest in Him.

Tyler Vaughn
Owner, Pathology Apparel
Son of the King

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Where Is your Delight?

Where is your delight?

“Delight Yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart.” -Psalm 37:4

I’ve heard this verse used out of context so many times, but it is still one of my favorites! If we delight in the Lord, He will bless us with what our hearts desire. It’s so simple, yet there are so many layers of depth. As we hear this in passing, it’s easy to think that David is saying that we will get whatever worldly thing we want if we just enjoy God, but let’s look at if a little closer. Since God designed us to be in community with Him, our joy is multiplied when we are in His presence. He knows what will truly bring us peace because he made us to be that way. So, through that lense, this verse takes on a new meaning. If we search more for the Lord, we will undoubtedly delight in Him more. As we continue to delight in Him, we will start to desire more of Him. Our hearts will long for more of the peace and rest that only God can provide… and He promises in this verse that he will be faithful to grant that desire.  So we have established a continuous loop.

1) seek the Lord

2) experience delight and “peace that surpasses all understanding”

3) desire more more rest in Him

4) seek the Lord more…

God promises in this verse that’s as we desire and seek more, we will find more. “Knock and the door will be opened to you…” This verse is not some promise to give us our worldly wish list. In fact the same psalm also says, “Better is the little that the righteous has than the abundance of the wicked.” (37:16) This would directly contradict the misused version of Psalm 37:4.

Our journey will include adversity and stumbling, but God promises we won’t fall because he is there holding our hand (37:24). Don’t be afraid to stumble, and seek the Lord constantly so that you can experience the peace of God and continue to have that peace multiplied!

Tyler Vaughn

Owner, Pathology Apparel

Son of the King

Psalm 37

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A God of the Trenches

A God of the Trenches

“For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.”

Hebrews 4:15 ESV

I love this verse because it shatters a misconception that I’ve always struggled with, and I know many others have struggled with as well. It’s easy to think of God as this Zeus type character throwing lightning bolts down from heaven, or to think of Jesus as the stereotypical majestic bearded man who cradles sheep. Based on this verse I see neither is true. First, God is not some distant character who waits to smite any wrongdoers, He is active in pursuing our hearts (as evidenced by God sending His son, a perfect piece of Himself, to die for us). Second, Jesus does not simply lay down the roadmap of how we should fight sin on our way to righteousness, He demonstrates it through overcoming the same trials and temptations we face and more WITHOUT SIN. He embraced the path that God called him to on our behalf, and battled in the trenches alongside the disciples in order to defeat sin and death.

He was in the trenches then, He’s in the trenches now, and He will be in the trenches moving forward. Revelation tells us he will come back with bloodstained robes and tattoos on his thighs…

That’s my Savior.

Not just a distant fairy tale, a tall tale, or a golden calf… but a leader and commander that made himself last, beat death for all, and will lead us in the days ahead.

He’s in the trenches.

Fight on…

 

Tyler Vaughn

Owner, Pathology Apparel

Pathology Performance

Son of the King

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