this will be a very butchered summary of today's sermon. do not let my poor job of summarization reflect what an awesome message bro. ronnie brought to us today. it was not all sugary fluff - which i love and appreciate, but, he went straight to the matter in love. and, bottom line, it is BIBLICAL....so, who can argue with that? although, we try...
this is wonderful for ANY married couple or any friend, who will very likely be in a position sooner or later to counsel or mentor another friend/couple...
i'll get straight to it....and, i will also STRONGLY suggest that you tune in to the audio on the church website (First Baptist Greenwood Arkansas)- to get the full sermon. I did add a few things that struck me during the sermon in my notes, and, included those as well.
"Satan's Lies About Marriage"
Satan's Lies versus God's Truth
Luke 6:46-49
LIE: Marriage is 50/50
TRUTH: Esphesians 5:25 - Husbands love your wife as Christ loved the church...
50/50 does not work. It is not biblical. That would make it performance based. What if God loved us and stayed in a relationship with us only if we performed our 50%. Do we ever even perform even close to 50% of what God gives us? Thank God he doesn't base our relationship on our performance. We should not base our marriage on the same. We should serve. We should love unconditionally ---- "just as Christ loved the church." Our marriage should be 100/0%. A hard pill to swallow, but, true and even more importantly....biblical. In our marriage, we should expect NOTHING back.
LIE: I can't forgive him/her for that.
TRUTH: Ephesians 4:32 - "Be kind to one another, tender-hearted.." Imagine for a moment if God chose not to forgive us. Think about what God gave to us and sacrificed for us so we could be forgiven. Do we deserve it? No. But, He did. And, will do again, over and over. NO MATTER what we do. (or, don't do) We are all flawed and need a Savior. We will hurt and get hurt in marriage.
LIE: I don't love him/her anymore.
TRUTH: (failed to write the accompanying verse of scripture)
This is exactly what Satan wants for you. For your family. Truthfully, we do not have what it takes to love our spouse. But, through God we do. Marriage is tough for everyone. The little things can escalate into an ugly monster. The marriage God designed is not based on those emotional feelings. But, His Word. This also goes hand and hand with the lie (to yourself) that "I will be happier if I divorce". Truth: Malachi 2:16 "for I hate divorce, says the Lord". Happiness was NEVER the goal for God in marriage. Happiness is based on emotions and fickle. Marriage is about commitment no matter. Today, recommit yourself to the fact divorce will NEVER be an option, never in your vocabulary. No matter.
LIE: The grass is greener.
Truth: Exodus 20:17 "do not covet your neighbors wife".
When you start thinking....they will treat me so much better, they would never talk to me like that, they could be so much better for me".....nothing but Satan's lies. Nothing more. Ask any of your friends who have crossed that fence for greener pasture...ask the ones that will be truly honest with you. With that honesty, it will be guaranteed that they will confide in you that the grass was absolutely not greener. Hopefully they will open their hearts to the regrets they have. The "He/She" they crossed the fence for....has all the flaws that we all carry.
LIE: That is just the way I am, I am not going to change. (this relationship is so far gone, it's not going to change or my feelings are gone, it's not going to change, i'm just not attracted to them anymore, we've changed, we've grown apart, and, it's over...i'm done)
TRUTH: Phillipians 4:1 "I can do all things through Christ...."
When we start thinking or saying those things......we are merely in a selfish mode. Because we are promised...we can do ALL things through HIM.
LIE: You don't need God anymore.
TRUTH: John 14:6..."I am the way..."
You decide you don't need God in your life, decisions, marriage. Part of this lie that we use is...God loves me. He wants me to be happy. I'm not happy anymore in my marriage and God wants me to be happy and basically "out of this." Satan gets us so side-tracked with this. We absolutely need to pray with and for each other. Only 5% of Christian couples actually pray together.
In summary, we can either follow God's design for marriage....or, Satan's. There is no in between. We have to take out the fluff. This is literal spiritual warfare and nothing less. There is nothing more powerful than for Satan to destroy a marriage...a family. God designed marriage, man did not. Would you ever attempt to build a dream home or an elaborate building without a blueprint? We have the architect and builder of marriages.....why would we not follow His plans but, rather, Satan's lies?
Sunday, October 11, 2009
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
{devotional: to me}
and, some of you may enjoy as well.
This is from Lysa Terkeurst. I feel like I know her since she spoke at our church. All kidding aside - I love how she has taken SO MUCH pain - and allowed so much good to come from it. She could have stayed bitter, but, she chose not to. There are parts of my life, I could revert back to and either stay or re-enter the bitterness, but, on most days, I chose not to. But, it's so easy to slip.
This is from her blog a few days ago...
My devotion “Thorns and Petals” is running over at Proverbs 31 Encouragement for Today. You’ll find the verses I promised below along with a special announcement.
In my devotion, I talked briefly about the pain of being a child in a family torn apart by divorce. When my Dad left our family, he not only didn't live with us anymore, he slowly stopped participating in our lives all together.
It’s been over 20 years since I've seen my Dad. That’s hard on a girl’s heart.
But just like today’s devotion mentioned, I came to the place in my life where I realized I could focus on the hurt his absence caused or on other things in my life. Beautiful things.
Where my Dad fell so short, God has filled in many gaps. I've come to realize I don’t have to be the child of a broken parent the rest of my life, I can be a child of God. Loved. Truly loved.
That’s the way I felt recently when I had a speaking engagement in a small town in North Carolina. After sharing my story that Friday night, I walked to the lobby to greet the conference attendees. After a few minutes I saw a woman out of the corner of my eye using a walker to make her way toward me. She moved slowly but very deliberately.
When she got right in front of me, a feeling of warm familiarity spread from my head to the tips of my toes. Before my brain even realized who this person was, my heart blurted out, “Aunt Lou Allie.”
A sweet connection to my little girl world. A beautiful memory of love somehow lost all these years in the flood of hurt and rejection.
We shared a tearful reunion and a few minutes remembering a slice of my little girl world I’d long forgotten.
I think Aunt Lou Allie stayed up half the night after that preparing to see me the next day. She walked into the conference with a smile like sunshine dancing across her face. In her hands she held a white envelope full of pictures.
Evidence that despite the painful rejection of my Dad, there had once been love. A love I might have never known if it weren't for this chance encounter with my aunt.
Aunt Lou Allie died one month later.
Our encounter had been just in time. For me. For her. For both of us.
So here’s where I make the choice to give God the credit and look at this whole reconnection as a rose handed to me by God Himself. Yes, the thorn of my Dad’s absence is still there. But it is completely my choice whether to focus on the rose or the thorn.
Thorns appear in several places throughout the Bible. In Genesis, thorns were part of the consequence to sin entering the world (Gen. 3:17-18). Then in Judges we are reminded we must get rid of anything in our life that seeks to distract us from God or it will forever be a thorn in our side (Judges 2:2-4).
But probably the most moving Scriptures about thorns can be found in John 19: 1-3. This is where the soldiers placed the crown of thorns on Jesus’ head. And He took those thorns to the cross.
My thorns. Your thorns. And in the midst of the thorns Jesus gave us the greatest rose of all.
Redeemed life.
This Friday I’ll be sharing part of the redeemed life God has given me on the Oprah Show. For more information, go here and click on “Friday’s show.”
This is from Lysa Terkeurst. I feel like I know her since she spoke at our church. All kidding aside - I love how she has taken SO MUCH pain - and allowed so much good to come from it. She could have stayed bitter, but, she chose not to. There are parts of my life, I could revert back to and either stay or re-enter the bitterness, but, on most days, I chose not to. But, it's so easy to slip.
This is from her blog a few days ago...
My devotion “Thorns and Petals” is running over at Proverbs 31 Encouragement for Today. You’ll find the verses I promised below along with a special announcement.
In my devotion, I talked briefly about the pain of being a child in a family torn apart by divorce. When my Dad left our family, he not only didn't live with us anymore, he slowly stopped participating in our lives all together.
It’s been over 20 years since I've seen my Dad. That’s hard on a girl’s heart.
But just like today’s devotion mentioned, I came to the place in my life where I realized I could focus on the hurt his absence caused or on other things in my life. Beautiful things.
Where my Dad fell so short, God has filled in many gaps. I've come to realize I don’t have to be the child of a broken parent the rest of my life, I can be a child of God. Loved. Truly loved.
That’s the way I felt recently when I had a speaking engagement in a small town in North Carolina. After sharing my story that Friday night, I walked to the lobby to greet the conference attendees. After a few minutes I saw a woman out of the corner of my eye using a walker to make her way toward me. She moved slowly but very deliberately.
When she got right in front of me, a feeling of warm familiarity spread from my head to the tips of my toes. Before my brain even realized who this person was, my heart blurted out, “Aunt Lou Allie.”
A sweet connection to my little girl world. A beautiful memory of love somehow lost all these years in the flood of hurt and rejection.
We shared a tearful reunion and a few minutes remembering a slice of my little girl world I’d long forgotten.
I think Aunt Lou Allie stayed up half the night after that preparing to see me the next day. She walked into the conference with a smile like sunshine dancing across her face. In her hands she held a white envelope full of pictures.
Evidence that despite the painful rejection of my Dad, there had once been love. A love I might have never known if it weren't for this chance encounter with my aunt.
Aunt Lou Allie died one month later.
Our encounter had been just in time. For me. For her. For both of us.
So here’s where I make the choice to give God the credit and look at this whole reconnection as a rose handed to me by God Himself. Yes, the thorn of my Dad’s absence is still there. But it is completely my choice whether to focus on the rose or the thorn.
Thorns appear in several places throughout the Bible. In Genesis, thorns were part of the consequence to sin entering the world (Gen. 3:17-18). Then in Judges we are reminded we must get rid of anything in our life that seeks to distract us from God or it will forever be a thorn in our side (Judges 2:2-4).
But probably the most moving Scriptures about thorns can be found in John 19: 1-3. This is where the soldiers placed the crown of thorns on Jesus’ head. And He took those thorns to the cross.
My thorns. Your thorns. And in the midst of the thorns Jesus gave us the greatest rose of all.
Redeemed life.
This Friday I’ll be sharing part of the redeemed life God has given me on the Oprah Show. For more information, go here and click on “Friday’s show.”
{a blurb or two}
i can't even tell you how behind i am. so, i won't.
**my class reunion is saturday. a portion of saturday evening is here. i will not say there are men in my kitchen busting out a wall/backsplash of tile, putting in new countertops and a sink. i just won't.
**i will not even mention the possible fact there are workers building a fireplace to finish out the patio. nope, because with two days of flooding ahead...there is all the possibility in the world that could be finished, right?
**i will not mention the molding installation was finished yesterday. but, has yet to be prepped and painted. the crew will be back tomorrow and start painting friday -they will need a day and a half to paint. sure, it's all going to be finished.
**i will not mention that the guest bathroom has no sink. because a sink cannot be installed prior to the painting of the trim. remember: that is scheduled for friday or saturday.
**nor, will i mention that we will be without a kitchen sink for 2-3 days. that will be alot of fun, huh? i think i may need to add paper goods to my list. when will i ever make it to the store?
**and, with all of this very well-planned remodeling stint going on, there is no way that every piece of furniture and any item of decor has not been shoved into three bedrooms and a garage. that would just be a blast to put back into place on saturday.
**oh, yeah, the carpets are standing up well to all the feet and the fact we have had days and days of rain. carpet shampoo, eh..maybe saturday afternoon?
**and, noah surely did not state that he will never have the need to move because...he is pretty sure we moved within the walls of our house.
**oh, did scott try to rip up two broken floor tiles and in the process mess up 10? the tilers are not allowing him to enter the kitchen again. ever. i'm pretty sure that is what they said.
**and, i surely did not repaint or paint 3 rooms. i hate to paint remember?
**and, my ice maker did not stop working.
**nor did my dryer.
**or washer. two of the three have indeed been repaired.
**oh, and the landscaping i have worked on for the past month did surely not shrivel up and die because before the floods of noah, i had all the time in the world to water them. dead. dead. dead.
**and, my little son who has never had a real bedroom set - well, did you know that you can buy entire sets in which every.single.piece has to be assembled? 5-drawer chest anyone.
okay, now for the serious part. my best friend is thinking we need to find another location for the after-dinner activities saturday evening. i am thinking she is stressed for me. because, and, this really is the truth. i think i am brain dead at this point, because there is not one single part of my brain that is stressed.
now, back to work. not on the house, i do have a real job, you know. :)
**my class reunion is saturday. a portion of saturday evening is here. i will not say there are men in my kitchen busting out a wall/backsplash of tile, putting in new countertops and a sink. i just won't.
**i will not even mention the possible fact there are workers building a fireplace to finish out the patio. nope, because with two days of flooding ahead...there is all the possibility in the world that could be finished, right?
**i will not mention the molding installation was finished yesterday. but, has yet to be prepped and painted. the crew will be back tomorrow and start painting friday -they will need a day and a half to paint. sure, it's all going to be finished.
**i will not mention that the guest bathroom has no sink. because a sink cannot be installed prior to the painting of the trim. remember: that is scheduled for friday or saturday.
**nor, will i mention that we will be without a kitchen sink for 2-3 days. that will be alot of fun, huh? i think i may need to add paper goods to my list. when will i ever make it to the store?
**and, with all of this very well-planned remodeling stint going on, there is no way that every piece of furniture and any item of decor has not been shoved into three bedrooms and a garage. that would just be a blast to put back into place on saturday.
**oh, yeah, the carpets are standing up well to all the feet and the fact we have had days and days of rain. carpet shampoo, eh..maybe saturday afternoon?
**and, noah surely did not state that he will never have the need to move because...he is pretty sure we moved within the walls of our house.
**oh, did scott try to rip up two broken floor tiles and in the process mess up 10? the tilers are not allowing him to enter the kitchen again. ever. i'm pretty sure that is what they said.
**and, i surely did not repaint or paint 3 rooms. i hate to paint remember?
**and, my ice maker did not stop working.
**nor did my dryer.
**or washer. two of the three have indeed been repaired.
**oh, and the landscaping i have worked on for the past month did surely not shrivel up and die because before the floods of noah, i had all the time in the world to water them. dead. dead. dead.
**and, my little son who has never had a real bedroom set - well, did you know that you can buy entire sets in which every.single.piece has to be assembled? 5-drawer chest anyone.
okay, now for the serious part. my best friend is thinking we need to find another location for the after-dinner activities saturday evening. i am thinking she is stressed for me. because, and, this really is the truth. i think i am brain dead at this point, because there is not one single part of my brain that is stressed.
now, back to work. not on the house, i do have a real job, you know. :)
Sunday, September 27, 2009
{posted-post}
i jotted this on FB today, but, wanted to add it here as well....
today, i stood at the opened front door and watched evan - clad in underwear only as always, chasing his puppy molly as she chased a yellow butterfly. i'm kinda thinking they were all giggling.
and, the boy gave out first. ;) although i had time to grab my camera and snap - i didn't. i absolutely could not pull myself away from soaking it all in.
today, i stood at the opened front door and watched evan - clad in underwear only as always, chasing his puppy molly as she chased a yellow butterfly. i'm kinda thinking they were all giggling.
and, the boy gave out first. ;) although i had time to grab my camera and snap - i didn't. i absolutely could not pull myself away from soaking it all in.
{peace}
Since Wednesday night, when the circumstances changed so quickly with sweet Wyatt, I have been in utter shock. I am numb. My heart is broken. And, I do not know what to do for my precious friend except pray. And, praying I have been.
I'm not sure how much sleep I will get tonight because of the dread of tomorrow. I can't even imagine how Jessica and Ryan are tonight. At all. I feel like such a coward because I want to avoid seeing the pain in their eyes tomorrow. This is one of the absolute worst feelings in the world...I feel so helpless.
And, if sleep does not come easily tonight...I will just keep praying. They are going to need so much of it tomorrow and in all the days to come.
"And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Phillipians 4:7 NIV
I'm not sure how much sleep I will get tonight because of the dread of tomorrow. I can't even imagine how Jessica and Ryan are tonight. At all. I feel like such a coward because I want to avoid seeing the pain in their eyes tomorrow. This is one of the absolute worst feelings in the world...I feel so helpless.
And, if sleep does not come easily tonight...I will just keep praying. They are going to need so much of it tomorrow and in all the days to come.
"And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Phillipians 4:7 NIV
Thursday, September 24, 2009
{faith}
another devotional. i am definitely searching right now...and, this one hit me between the eyes.
Through Faith
"Pressed out of measure" (2 Cor. 1:8).
"That the power of Christ may rest upon me" (2 Cor. 12:9).
God allowed the crisis to close around Jacob on the night when he bowed at Peniel in supplication, to bring him to the place where he could take hold of God as he never would have done; and from that narrow pass of peril, Jacob became enlarged in his faith and knowledge of God, and in the power of a new and victorious life.
God had to compel David, by a long and painful discipline of years, to learn the almighty power and faithfulness of his God, and grow up into the established principles of faith and godliness, which were indispensable for his glorious career as the king of Israel.
Nothing but the extremities in which Paul was constantly placed could ever have taught him, and taught the Church through him, the full meaning of the great promise he so learned to claim, "My grace is sufficient for thee."
And nothing but our trials and perils would ever have led some of us to know Him as we do, to trust Him as we have, and to draw from Him the measures of grace which our very extremities made indispensable.
Difficulties and obstacles are God's challenges to faith. When hindrances confront us in the path of duty, we are to recognize them as vessels for faith to fill with the fullness and all-sufficiency of Jesus; and as we go forward, simply and fully trusting Him, we may be tested, we may have to wait and let patience have her perfect work; but we shall surely find at last the stone rolled away, and the Lord waiting to render unto us double for our time of testing. --A. B. Simpson
i have often half-heartedly joked about the clouds that seem to linger over our household, to the point that it has actually been embarrassing, as crazy as that sounds. as i struggle with what others that i love so much are going through.....i know that without so many of the storms that i have been in the midst of.....i would not be where i am now, be who i am now or know what i know now. it's much easier to look back and see it when the storm has died down because you can see anything at all when the rain is blinding.
i will praise you in the storm is sometimes easier said that done, but, if we can get there...the peace definitely overtakes that storm.
Through Faith
"Pressed out of measure" (2 Cor. 1:8).
"That the power of Christ may rest upon me" (2 Cor. 12:9).
God allowed the crisis to close around Jacob on the night when he bowed at Peniel in supplication, to bring him to the place where he could take hold of God as he never would have done; and from that narrow pass of peril, Jacob became enlarged in his faith and knowledge of God, and in the power of a new and victorious life.
God had to compel David, by a long and painful discipline of years, to learn the almighty power and faithfulness of his God, and grow up into the established principles of faith and godliness, which were indispensable for his glorious career as the king of Israel.
Nothing but the extremities in which Paul was constantly placed could ever have taught him, and taught the Church through him, the full meaning of the great promise he so learned to claim, "My grace is sufficient for thee."
And nothing but our trials and perils would ever have led some of us to know Him as we do, to trust Him as we have, and to draw from Him the measures of grace which our very extremities made indispensable.
Difficulties and obstacles are God's challenges to faith. When hindrances confront us in the path of duty, we are to recognize them as vessels for faith to fill with the fullness and all-sufficiency of Jesus; and as we go forward, simply and fully trusting Him, we may be tested, we may have to wait and let patience have her perfect work; but we shall surely find at last the stone rolled away, and the Lord waiting to render unto us double for our time of testing. --A. B. Simpson
i have often half-heartedly joked about the clouds that seem to linger over our household, to the point that it has actually been embarrassing, as crazy as that sounds. as i struggle with what others that i love so much are going through.....i know that without so many of the storms that i have been in the midst of.....i would not be where i am now, be who i am now or know what i know now. it's much easier to look back and see it when the storm has died down because you can see anything at all when the rain is blinding.
i will praise you in the storm is sometimes easier said that done, but, if we can get there...the peace definitely overtakes that storm.
{talking to self}
i have greatly challenged over the past week. and, at times, i will admit, i've been at a total loss as to what to do or say. so, i've pretty much decided to be still. i think that "being still" often keeps me from crashing in a big way.
with everything that is swirling around me, i could allow myself to feel pretty hopeless. helpless is one thing, but, hopeless is an entirely different monster. i am desperately praying for guidance regarding difficult situations. i do not want to be someone that hinders, or hurts or causes someone to stumble. i want to approach each of these situations as He would. but, my heart is hurt. i don't understand the why? in the situations. so, i'm being still. and, praying alot.
i've read today's devotional no less than four times. i think it is worthy to be shared.
Girlfriends in God - Sept. 24, 2009
September 24, 2009
Fact or Fiction?
Gwen Smith
Today's Truth
"But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. (1 Peter 3:15, NIV)
Friend to Friend
There is a tale told of that great English actor Macready. An eminent preacher once said to him: "I wish you would explain to me something."
"Well, what is it? I don't know that I can explain anything to a preacher."
"What is the reason for the difference between you and me?" The preacher asked. "You are appearing before crowds night after night with fiction, and the crowds come wherever you go. I am preaching the essential and unchangeable truth, and I am not getting any crowd at all."
Macready's answer was this: "This is quite simple. I can tell you the difference between us. I present my fiction as though it were truth; you present your truth as though it were fiction."
Zinger, huh? Sure does challenge my faith-o-meter. This story both motivates and cautions me. Frankly, Christians embarrass the cause of Christ all the time. It's vital that we be confident in the message of hope we cling to as believers in Jesus, but it's equally vital that we be prepared to share truth in love - share Scripture in proper context - share our hears with meekness and fear for the purpose of attracting others to the restoring love of Christ. We don't need to be Bible scholars with capital letters following our names...but we do need to be Bible girls!
I don't need to harp on the fact that there's a great moral decline in the world. We see that coming and going! As Girlfriends In God (GiGs), let's commit ourselves to making a difference in the lives of others, in our homes, among our friends, in our communities, and in this world! To do this, we need to know our Bibles. To think through current issues. We must be prepared to share how we've been changed by the love of God through His Son, Jesus Christ. It's the great commission, and it's for each of us...not for the perfect among us. People around us need to know that God is still in the restoration business - and that He longs to bring His peace, hope and love to every life.
Look at the apostle Paul. He was prepared to speak about Christ wherever he went. In the New Testament book of Acts, we learn that, "from morning 'til evening he explained and declared to them the kingdom of God and tried to convince them about Jesus from the Law of Moses and from the Prophets." (Acts 28:23b, NIV)
The life-changing, peace-giving, truth we know needs to be presented to the world as life-changing, peace-giving truth! Get in His Word - get in His presence - and look for opportunities to share God's love as truth with confidence!
Let's Pray
Dear Lord, Please forgive me for the times when I doubt your truth, or fear speaking it. Help me to always be prepared to give an answer for the hope I have...to speak of Your unfailing love and unchanging truth to those around me so that they might be drawn to Your heart. Draw me to Your Word and teach me Your ways.
In Jesus Name,
Amen.
Now It's Your Turn
Read 2 Timothy 1:12: "Yet I am not ashamed, because I know whom I have believed..." Can you say that and mean that?
Are you prepared to give an answer for the hope you have?
Have you been changed by God's grace? Held by His love? Grab your journal and write a paragraph or two that describes how God has worked in your life.
____________________________________________________________________________________
although my heart has been greatly challenged with loss and pain and fear over the past week, my hope remains. my hope remains that God will replace the void and loss so many hearts are feeling with His love. replace the fear of tomorrow with His perfect peace. replace the sadness and grief with joy.
i have to hold onto this hope, because what does the alternative offer? and, my heart knows this hope remains true.
with everything that is swirling around me, i could allow myself to feel pretty hopeless. helpless is one thing, but, hopeless is an entirely different monster. i am desperately praying for guidance regarding difficult situations. i do not want to be someone that hinders, or hurts or causes someone to stumble. i want to approach each of these situations as He would. but, my heart is hurt. i don't understand the why? in the situations. so, i'm being still. and, praying alot.
i've read today's devotional no less than four times. i think it is worthy to be shared.
Girlfriends in God - Sept. 24, 2009
September 24, 2009
Fact or Fiction?
Gwen Smith
Today's Truth
"But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. (1 Peter 3:15, NIV)
Friend to Friend
There is a tale told of that great English actor Macready. An eminent preacher once said to him: "I wish you would explain to me something."
"Well, what is it? I don't know that I can explain anything to a preacher."
"What is the reason for the difference between you and me?" The preacher asked. "You are appearing before crowds night after night with fiction, and the crowds come wherever you go. I am preaching the essential and unchangeable truth, and I am not getting any crowd at all."
Macready's answer was this: "This is quite simple. I can tell you the difference between us. I present my fiction as though it were truth; you present your truth as though it were fiction."
Zinger, huh? Sure does challenge my faith-o-meter. This story both motivates and cautions me. Frankly, Christians embarrass the cause of Christ all the time. It's vital that we be confident in the message of hope we cling to as believers in Jesus, but it's equally vital that we be prepared to share truth in love - share Scripture in proper context - share our hears with meekness and fear for the purpose of attracting others to the restoring love of Christ. We don't need to be Bible scholars with capital letters following our names...but we do need to be Bible girls!
I don't need to harp on the fact that there's a great moral decline in the world. We see that coming and going! As Girlfriends In God (GiGs), let's commit ourselves to making a difference in the lives of others, in our homes, among our friends, in our communities, and in this world! To do this, we need to know our Bibles. To think through current issues. We must be prepared to share how we've been changed by the love of God through His Son, Jesus Christ. It's the great commission, and it's for each of us...not for the perfect among us. People around us need to know that God is still in the restoration business - and that He longs to bring His peace, hope and love to every life.
Look at the apostle Paul. He was prepared to speak about Christ wherever he went. In the New Testament book of Acts, we learn that, "from morning 'til evening he explained and declared to them the kingdom of God and tried to convince them about Jesus from the Law of Moses and from the Prophets." (Acts 28:23b, NIV)
The life-changing, peace-giving, truth we know needs to be presented to the world as life-changing, peace-giving truth! Get in His Word - get in His presence - and look for opportunities to share God's love as truth with confidence!
Let's Pray
Dear Lord, Please forgive me for the times when I doubt your truth, or fear speaking it. Help me to always be prepared to give an answer for the hope I have...to speak of Your unfailing love and unchanging truth to those around me so that they might be drawn to Your heart. Draw me to Your Word and teach me Your ways.
In Jesus Name,
Amen.
Now It's Your Turn
Read 2 Timothy 1:12: "Yet I am not ashamed, because I know whom I have believed..." Can you say that and mean that?
Are you prepared to give an answer for the hope you have?
Have you been changed by God's grace? Held by His love? Grab your journal and write a paragraph or two that describes how God has worked in your life.
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although my heart has been greatly challenged with loss and pain and fear over the past week, my hope remains. my hope remains that God will replace the void and loss so many hearts are feeling with His love. replace the fear of tomorrow with His perfect peace. replace the sadness and grief with joy.
i have to hold onto this hope, because what does the alternative offer? and, my heart knows this hope remains true.
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