The Flying Truth

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28  There are infinite things that are amazing about our Lord and Savior. One of my favorite things is, Jesus came not only for everyone, but he especially came for the broken, the lost, the dysfunctional, the poor, the anomalies, he came for us. Jesus hang out with tax collectors, prostitutes, sinners, and outcasts. Tax collectors in this day and age were some of the worst people, they were seen as liars and cheats. Tax collectors would collect more than what was suppose to be collected, they would force people to give them more and pocket the rest. If you did not give what they asked for they would tell the government that you were not paying your taxes and you can use your imagination on what would happen to those people. Matthew, who was a tax collector, was one of Jesus’s disciples. Another one of the most famous encounters with a tax collector comes in Luke, when Jesus meets Zacchaeus. Jesus

"Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is kept safe." Proverbs 29 : 25 In today’s day and age we grow up fearing so much. We grow up naturally fearing the dark, monsters under the bed or in the closet., we fear big animals that have the potential to eat us like bears and sharks, and ghosts. We are even sometimes taught to fear things. Growing up our parents and teachers embedded it into our heads “stranger danger.” In this sense we were suppose to and we did fear strangers. They told us that if any one other than someone we knew offered us candy and needed help looking not for their puppy do not fall for it, all they wanted to do was hurt us. This put the fear in us to not trust white vans. We are humans fear so much, so much that we should not have to worry about on a daily basis. It is just natural to us, i do it myself, I worry and fear the little things. People have small fears to big fears, from the fear of not being on time to the fe

"Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom." 2 Corinthians 3:17 "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God" (John 1:1). Our God is an all powerful God. Our God is God that is 3-in-1. We have God, we have Jesus, and we have the Holy Spirit. For some that is confusing, but to others that is comforting. A good book to read and kind of getting an understanding of it all is the fiction novel The Shack written by William P. Young. The book talks about and depicts how our God is 3-in-1. God caters to us and our needs. In the book, God was a southern black woman (because the character needed a mother figure), and Jesus was a built middle eastern middle aged man, and the Holy Spirit was an older wise Asian woman. Every time the character talked to one of them the other two knew exactly what they were doing and saying to each other because they are the same. And each time the other two, would a

"In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps." Proverbs 16:9. Myself along with a couple of the other campus students are doing a plan where we are reading through the book of Psalms and the book of Proverbs several times. The other day we read Chapter 16 in the book of Proverbs, and I thought this would be a good verse to do the daily devotional on. Then yesterday I stumbled on it while reading and studying, I felt like it was a good verse since it was something I have been dealing with. Then when I woke up and today this was the verse of the day I knew something is up. I really do not know what to think about it, but like I said two days ago, "coincidences are God's way of staying anonymous." Us humans are natural born sinners and are naturally greedy. We want everything under the sun and we will complain until we get what we want. It does not matter who you are at one point or another you have begged for something. We

"Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you." Deuteronomy 31:6. This verse is from the end of Moses life, he was not very old and could not go much longer, since God told him that he would not cross the Jordan into Promised Land, but his people will. The person that would succeed him would be Joshua. This verse was from when Moses was telling the Israelites that they would cross the Jordan and enter the Promised Land. Moses tells of the many nations that they would encounter on the way to the Promised Land and that are in the Promised Land, but he ensured them not to worry. The nations may be big and mighty and might even out number them, but the Israelites have God on their side and with God on their side they can and will defeat anyway. It is the same for us. We will encounter some very big and scary monster, demons, and obstacles on our journey to the Promised L

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16. The Tebow verse. Tim Tebow in 2009 was one of, if not the best, quarterback in college football. He led his University of Florida Gators to the national championship, where he played a career game. One of the most iconic parts of the game, besides the fact that he went off, was that he had a Bible verse written on his eye black, John 3:16. Because of this about 94 million Americans googled this verse. Tebow in several interviews and his book talks about this occurrence and his journey. I was blessed enough to actually hear him tell this story in person. He played the National Championship on 1/8/09, and exactly 3 years later, he played the Pittsburgh Steelers in the first round of the playoff while he was playing  for the Denver Broncos (which was another career game - still remember it like it was yesterday). He did not realize it that it wa

And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” Colossians 3:17. This is a verse that is near and dear to my heart. I learned and read about this verse towards the end of last year when I bought a shirt from ActiveFaith. This is the central verse around their company, and one I read it, it became a central verse around my life. As a typical baseball player I wrote this verse on the inside of my hat, on my elbow guard and on the side of my cleats. But I did not do it for my own personal glory, being portrayed as a “perfect Christian.” It was actually the quite opposite, I wrote it on my hat, elbow guard and my cleats because I am not a perfect Christian and I never will be. It is there for a constant reminder that whatever I should do I should do it for the Lord. Baseball is a game of failure and that can be so frustrating at times and we can be filled with fire after a strikeout or after a mistake, b

“Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path” Psalm 119:105 “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and the Holy Spirit,” Matthew 28:19 We are going to switch it up for today’s devotional. Today we are going to use two verses, the verse of the day (Psalm 119:105) and the blog’s central verse (Matthew 28:19); and it is going to be a long one so buckle up and please keep all hands and feet in the ride at all times. These two verses go hand-in-hand in my life. Psalm 119:105, is the first verse while taking Old Testament that resided with me and from that point on is a constant in my prayers. God is the one that sets our path. He is the one that lays down the foundation, and God is the one that paves it. God’s word is the foundation and the light to or path. Think about it like this, you are in a park at night walking on the sidewalk with light on each side of sidewalk. When each light is off the path is dark an

“‘He himself bore our sins’ in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; ‘by his wounds you have been healed.’” 1 Peter 2:24 Jesus died on the cross for our sins. Jesus was the ultimate sacrifice for us. Before Jesus, the Israelites had the Passover, they would sacrifice the lamb for forgiveness of their sins. Jesus was the sacrificial lamb for our sins, we no longer have to go up and sacrifice animals and fruits to God, because Jesus was that sacrifice. No matter how down you are, or how much you have sinned in your past Jesus died for you and he loves you. He is always there for us. We have all sinned, and we will all continue to sin; it is just the way that you go at it after you sin. If you feel remorse, know you sin and repent your sin you are forgiven. We all have a past, we all have scars, and we all have wounds. Jesus was the ultimate healer for those wounds and those scars. It’s not to say that we should forget about those scars and woun

“A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.” Proverbs 15:1. Two of the main focuses of Jesus’s ministry was love and peace. He preached loving each other, even loving your enemy. He preached that if someone slaps you on the cheek turn to them the other, if someone sues you for your shirt you give them your coat as well, if you are forced to go a mile go two (Mt. 5:39-41). We are told to not pay evil for evil (1 Peter 3:9., Rom. 12:17). When we pay evil with evil we are just making the situation worse than it should be. We have the choice to do the right thing; you have a bucket of water and a bucket of gasoline, what are you going to throw on the fire? You get no where if you play with fire and throw gasoline on it. There is an old saying, “if you play with fire you’re going to get burned.” The Message version for the second half of this verse says, “but a sharp tongue kindles a temper-fire.” People if are paid evil with evil are just going to throw more evil

“Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners-of whom I am the worst.” 1 Timothy 1:15. In this letter to Timothy, Paul wrote how to care and in concern of the church of Ephesus. Timothy was one of Paul’s close associates. While in prison Paul would send Timothy to go and greet people for him. To get a fuller effect of the verse you have to read above and below it. Above Paul talks about his past a little and how he would blaspheme and persecute Christians, verse 14 states, “The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.” Below he talks about glorying God in all he does now because of what Jesus did for him, stating in verse 16, “But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his immense patience as an example for those who would believe in him and receive eternal life.” The main focus of Paul’s mess

“For I command you today to love the Lord your God, to walk in obedience to him, and to keep his commands, decrees and laws; then you will live and increase, and the Lord your God will bless you in the land you are entering to possess.” Deuteronomy‬ ‭30:16‬ This was verse was written in the Old Testament, but it was still relevant at the time of Jesus and it is still relevant today. This verse shows that the “word of God is alive and active” (Hebrews 4:12). No matter if it is written, yesterday or millions of years ago, the word of God can and will be used to cut us at the heart and will be used to mold us to be the men and women he wants us to be. During his ministry Jesus preached that we should always love the Lord our God (Mt. 22:37), saying this is the greatest commandment.  We have to put him and his kingdom first in all that we do. Once we truly put him and his kingdom first, all things will fall together (Mt. 6:33). They way he seek his kingdom first above all else is followi

“How great you are, Sovereign Lord! There is no one like you, and there is no God but you, as we have heard with our own ears.” 2 Samuel 7:22 Sovereign is defined as supreme ruler. Our God is the supreme ruler of everything and anything. He has made everything that we see, he most importantly made us. We are made in his image (Gen. 1:27). There is that worship song that is sung by every band from Passion, to Casting Crown, to Hillsong, to Elevation Worship, to the small churches and chapels called “How Great Are You.” In this song they proclaim and worship God, by singing how great God is and that there is none above or like him. Our God is incomparable to any other god that people worship or believe in. Our God is the one that created the earth and everything on it in 6 days. He is God that heals. He is a God that gives love and hope. He is a God that gives both mercy and destruction. He is God that grants salvation to everyone that believes (Rom. 1:16). God is able to guide us thro

"My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry,” ‭‭James‬ ‭1:19‬ As Christians this is something we have to focus and work on daily. We will face so much ridicule and hate from everyone. We will be persecuted for our love for Jesus. But don't worry, so was Jesus and all his disciples. Like anything else Jesus is the perfect example to follow on how to handle persecution. Jesus was  slow to speak and slow to anger because he was quick to listen. Jesus listened to everyone, he was not quick to judge. He was respected everyone and everything no matter what they believed. When the Romans were arresting him and getting ready to crucify him, they beat him and yelled insults at him; but Jesus took it. He didn't yell back. He didn't fight back. If I was in the situation I wouldn't be so calm and would probably throw some hands. We can't be quick to judge either. We have all be down in the d

“When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought me joy.” Psalm 94:19. God helps through our biggest and hardest of obstacles. Anxiety is something I have to fight on a daily basis. The thing is that God will take it on for us. One of my favorite verses in the Bible is 1 Peter 5:7. It says “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” God takes on everything for us. He was willing to send his one true and only son to the earth to suffer from the same things that we suffer from. Jesus dealt with the same temptations that we do. But the difference is that Jesus was able to conquer them (Mt. 4). Jesus was perfect in all he does and did. With God we are able to do anything (Philippians 4:13). God is with us everyday. He never forsakes us. God promised that he will never gives us anything more than we can handle (1 Cor. 10:13). Through anxiety and all our troubles, God will use it for our advantage. He will use it to help us grow to be the men and women he wants us t

“Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.” Colossians 3:15. One of the main focuses on Jesus’s ministry is peace and love. We are to spread his Word with the focus of love and peace. We have to let peace rule in our hearts. Jesus constantly set an example for us to follow. When Peter drew his sword and cut off the ear of the solider (Mt. 26:51) he rebuked him. He told him to put his sword away and told him that anyone that repays evil with evil will die from evil. The Sermon on the Mount is one of the most important sermons in the entire history of teaching. Jesus rebuked and taught us like nobody’s business. This is a sermon that pastors and followers of Jesus study and tear apart more times than they have been in church. In the sermon, he told us that we should not repay evil for evil (Mt. 5:38-42). He told us if someone slaps us on the cheek to turn them the other as well. If anyone wants your shirt you gi

"Jesus did not let him, but said, 'Go home to your own people and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you."" Mark 5:19 Today, marks the one year of being a Christian. I feel like it is super important to show that we go through so much to be the men and women God wants us to be. My name is Christopher Colotti, I am 20 years old. I am from Newburgh, NY and attend Nyack College. As a christian I have learned a lot. One of the biggest things that I have learned is that we all have a story, this is mine: Before I accepted Christ in my life, I was full of doubt. There was really not a day that depression and anxiety didn't get the best of me. I was the kid that walked in the hallways with his head down listening to music. I was not a popular kid, but I was not someone that didn't have any friends. I was known by people because of my last name (since we all played sports and were known for our respected sports) and becaus

“Peter and his companions were very sleepy, but when they became fully awake, they saw his his glory and the two men standing with him.” Luke 9:32 This verse comes from the Transfiguration in Luke 9. Jesus throughout the Bible would take his disciples and go places to pray. In this occasion, he took Peter, John, and Jame with him up to a mountain to pray. While Jesus was praying, his face changed and his clothes became as bright as a light (v. 29). Two men then appear talking to Jesus. Not just any two men, both Moses and Elijah, two of the greatest disciples of the Old Testament. This is where the disciples that came with Jesus were fully awaken by the glory. This is a daily problem in the world. We have to be awaken. We are not in spiritual shape. We may constantly being going to the spiritual gym, but how well are you working out. Are you there lifting light weight for 10 minutes or are you there for hours lifting more than you think, testing your limits and your max. Yeah, liftin

 "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all ways submit to him and he will make your paths straight." Proverbs 3:5-6. As mouthbreathers naturally one of our biggest weaknesses is trust. We do not trust each other, and that goes the same with trusting in God. It is so hard to trust for us because we are natural born liars. We lie and are lied to on a daily basis. We lie to in order to protect someone, in order to not hurt someone’s feelings, out of deceit, out of hate,  and out of love. If we received a dollar for every time we have been lied to, we would all be gazillionaires. There is one thing we can trust in 100% of the time. That is in God. God has never lied to us, and he will never lie to us. God is blunt with everything he does. Sometimes we try to think he is lying to us and we do not trust in him because we are scared. We are scared of the truth. Sometimes the truth and that is the brutal reality behind it. God will never

"And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased." Hebrews 13:16 We are taught at a young age that "sharing is caring." This is a simple phrase that we are taught in pre-school or by our parents when playing with our little or older siblings. For me it was always yelled at us at Camp Grandma and Grandpa during the summer. During the summer myself along with 11 other grandchildren piled into my grandparents house for the day. Two of my cousins lived two houses down so we bounce from house to house, and play outside. Least to say we were not the caring and gentle of kids. We are a very competitive family, like a simple game of kickball would have at least 2 separate fights over rules that would sometimes turn into real fights; and I myself was not innocent either. One place our grandparents would always yell that "sharing is caring" would be in the computer room, after running around outside all day it wou

“Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.” James 4:8. I just got done with a Bible Study with a brother, our pastor, and a teammate we are trying to preach the word to. This guy is really smart and it is encouraging to just see his interest in the word. He is has his ups and downs like anyone else, but he is trying to be more like Jesus everyday and if you could see the change he made to become to the man he is being now you would be amazed. When we were talking and studying, our pastor was asking him questions and one of the questions he asked him was, “How have you been doing?” The guy told him that he was doing better now than the past couple of days, he’s reading and all the fun stuff. He told us how he went out last Saturday and that he went out drinking and partying. He was so convicted when he was out and then even more the next day, because he knew it was something he should not have done. We talke

"He is not here; he has rise, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay." Matthew 28:6. Throughout the Old Testament, the coming, dying and resurrection of Jesus was prophesized. Jesus himself even told and warned his disciples and the hearers that he will die and then three days later will resurrect. You can find Jesus wherever you are and in whatever you are doing. A perfect example of this is when I was on Snapchat this morning and snapping people. One of the filters since it is a Sunday morning said, "Rise and Shine." But ironically it is Easter Sunday, and both rising and shining are two things that Jesus did! Jesus did and does these things perfectly. Jesus not only our king, but Jesus is the risen king. He was killed on the cross in order for our sins to be forgiven, but that is not even half it. Jesus three days later rose from the dead, to not only fulfill prophesies, but to show his glory and his power as God. This is not something that ha