On my way into work today I had a post I wanted to write, I had a subject I wanted to talk about. I thought and prayed about it for a good portion of my 45 minute drive, but in the last 10 minutes of the drive it was completely wiped from my mind when a SUV suddenly shifted lanes in front of me and nearly hit the front end of my car. I work outside of Pittsburgh, so to be honest this is something I deal with pretty regularly but it never ceases to upset me, and this mornings incident was a closer than some of the others because when I had to slam on my brakes to avoid the accident so did the car tailgating me, thank the good Lord we both had good brakes and there was no accident.
My instincts in this situation were to honk my horn, yell, scream, and use that ugly middle finger, something I haven't done in years actually come to think about it. I was angry, or maybe furious is a better word with the car that had done this, and to be totally honest I did curse in the second it happened, something I'm not really proud of. After that I raged in my car the rest of the way into work completely forgetting about what I had wanted to say today, which further frustrated me.
Then I opened up my Google+ app and the first thing I saw was a word I had heard earlier this morning while driving and in better spirits, "A gentle response defuses anger, but a sharp tongue kindles a temper-fire." Proverbs 15:1. Typically when I read this I think of people having an argument, in fact I try to remember this when I am angry with my husband so we can talk calmly and avoid an argument ( I won't give you my batting average on this because it's a bit disappointing, I'm working on it though); but today I saw this incident and thought about how my reaction could have been different.
I didn't give this guy the middle finger, I didn't scream out my windows at him, and I didn't lay into the horn like I wanted but I still did curse and allowed my temper to flare, but what would have happened if I had responded in gratitude instead? A paragraph or so above I thanked God that the guy behind me and myself both had good brakes, which enabled us to avoid having a collision, but what if I had thanked God then? This is what came to me as I read that proverb this morning, and it convicted my heart.
Regardless of the fact that what this person did was dangerous and put more than myself and my unborn child in a bad position, I still could have responded in gratitude and maybe avoided spending the last 10 minutes of my drive fuming over something I had no power to change. I could have chosen to instead be grateful that no one was hurt, that we were able to avoid an accident and that everyone was still able to get to work or home in one piece. I could have let gratitude to God fill my heart, and let the whole thing roll off my back, because like I said it's pretty common in this morning rush hour traffic.
Today I saw for the first time how a different response than cursing at the car in front of me when this happens could have changed my morning, could have stopped me from pulling into work annoyed or angry as I so often do. I saw how I can now do better and be better in this area of my life, how I can tame my tongue and tame my emotions too. I hope today brothers and sisters that if something upsets you, that you will do better than I did. I hope that you will pause and realize 'well it could have been worse' and respond with gratitude that it wasn't worse. Be blessed my family in Christ.
Proverbs 14:29
Whoever is slow to anger has great understanding, but he who has a hasty temper exalts folly.
Proverbs 19:11
Good sense makes one slow to anger, and it is his glory to overlook an offense.
Colossians 3:7-8
In these you too once walked, when you were living in them. But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth.
James 1:19-20
Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God.
Thursday, May 19, 2016
Wednesday, May 18, 2016
Healthy vs. Unhealthy Relationships
This morning I've been thinking and talking a lot about the influence others can have on us. How our friends can influence and pressure us into situations, and often just by who they are they can lead us either closer to God or further from. This is a lesson I learned the hard way and since then I have been weary of making close friends; if I am to be perfectly honest. I have tried to make friends and always seem to end up with the same results, the same kind of person, even if on the surface they appear totally different.
I won't say I'm totally friendless though because the truth is I have a couple very good friends, one that lives locally and we talk often, but we aren't usually able to get together because of busy schedules and well, just life as adults. But it is always nice when we can because we were best friends from about 12 years old-18, when I screwed things up, thankfully she has forgiven me and we are moving on. The other really good friend I have is a woman older than me who lives in another state, we used to talk everyday but in recent months she and I haven't talked as much, though we are both always there when the other needs us, which to me is true friendship. Both of these friendships are good for me, they feed me emotionally, help to keep me stable and thinking clearly, they support me in my marriage, and my relationship with God, and I try to reciprocate these things for them. They are the kind of friendships I truly desire, but not every friendship I have had has been like that, most have not in fact, and I've learned to careful who I allow close because of that.
The friendships that have not been good have all had one major similarity in them though they did it in different ways, manipulation. This is something that I am learning from these experiences to recognize early on and separate myself from as quickly as possible. The first serious situation I was in with a person who manipulated me was what screwed up my friendship with the other person in the first place. I will not say it was all her fault though, I will take accountability for the fact that I made those wrong choices and allowed it to happen. I could have at anytime put a stop to it, but I wanted so desperately to be liked by this creative, talented, exciting person that I allowed her to dictate my life, monopolize my time, convince to lower my moral standards and influence me to see my parents as oppressors rather than the caring, loving people they are. In this friendship I stayed friends with her for 6 years eventually moving in with her and her boyfriend. By the end of this relationship I saw myself in the mirror one day and knew I needed to get out of the relationship and change, I could literally see in my reflection through my eyes that I was killing my soul, and it made me sick.
The next friendship came about against my own better judgment. I knew this person was drama and trouble, and wouldn't be good for me, I wanted to keep her at arms length and just be co-workers, but I also wanted to be kind and show her love. Within a very short period of time though she started telling people I was her best friend, had her children calling me "aunty" and promising to make me their godmother. Suddenly I felt trapped and didn't know how to get out of the situation without causing problems at work. Looking back I should have said something, I should have spoken up and stopped it, but I didn't want to hurt her, or again cause problems so I went along with it until I couldn't handle it anymore. Everyday she was calling me, needing advice, money, help with rides, groceries, kids, and making me feel guilty or getting upset with me whenever I said no. Soon it became apparent that this relationship was taking a toll on my marriage as well as there was tension between her and my husband and it was at this point I decided it needed to end. This friendship lasted just a little over a year.
The last and most recent attempt at friendship has been much shorter, just a couple of months. At first we really hit it off and I thought that maybe I had finally found a semi-local friend who was on the same page as me spiritually. We did a few things together and for the most part I enjoyed the time we spent together. We didn't agree on all our spiritual beliefs but I know that everyone is different and was willing to accept her as she was if she was willing to accept me as I am. This was not the case though. As soon as I started telling her 'no' to certain things her attitude changed, suddenly I was being lectured on the love of Christ and made to feel guilty about not doing what she wanted. I tried after that to explain myself and my personality to her hoping that if she understood me better that we could work through things more easily, but she took it as me setting up guidelines, and the relationship became even harder. I tried to talk to her a few more times, and tried to make arrangements to see her again, which never worked out and I take accountability for that because both times it was my fault, once because of my grandfather's death and the second because of car trouble. Even then though I desired to make it work, but as I spent time in prayer and talked things over with my husband I realized this probably wasn't a good idea, the guilt trips would only continue, not get better if I persisted in this relationship so I let it go.
Why did I share all this? Well because I wanted to show the differences in healthy friendships and unhealthy friendships. Healthy relationships build you up, they are supportive of the things that are important to you and will strengthen other relationships in your life. But an unhealthy relationship will cause strife, anxiety, and in some cases like the friend that I lived with, draw you away from God. Often these kinds of friendships will use manipulation to get what they want and they will not take accountability for their side of things when it gets tough, they will lay the blame squarely at your feet and expect you to change to suit them. These are not the kind of relationships God wants us to have, in 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 we see what a loving relationship is and this doesn't only apply to marriage, though weddings are where we hear it most commonly, this is the kind of relationship we should strive to have with everyone. We, as Christians should do our best with the help of the Holy spirit to exemplify these traits and look for friends and partners who do too. When we live by this and have friendships or relationships that look like this passage we will find peace in our spirit and in our lives, we will find joy and feel loved. I hope today if you are in bad relationship this has helped you to find the courage to get out, or if you are the cause of a bad relationship that you have been convicted to change, be blessed brothers and sisters and walk in love.
Proverbs 10:12
Hatred stirs up strife, But love covers all transgressions
1 Corinthians 13:4-7
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, is not easily angered, it keeps no account of wrongs. Love takes no pleasure in evil, but rejoices in the truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
Ephesians 4:32
Be kind and tender-hearted to one another, forgiving each other just as in Christ God forgave you
1 Peter 4:8
Above all, love one another deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins
I won't say I'm totally friendless though because the truth is I have a couple very good friends, one that lives locally and we talk often, but we aren't usually able to get together because of busy schedules and well, just life as adults. But it is always nice when we can because we were best friends from about 12 years old-18, when I screwed things up, thankfully she has forgiven me and we are moving on. The other really good friend I have is a woman older than me who lives in another state, we used to talk everyday but in recent months she and I haven't talked as much, though we are both always there when the other needs us, which to me is true friendship. Both of these friendships are good for me, they feed me emotionally, help to keep me stable and thinking clearly, they support me in my marriage, and my relationship with God, and I try to reciprocate these things for them. They are the kind of friendships I truly desire, but not every friendship I have had has been like that, most have not in fact, and I've learned to careful who I allow close because of that.
The friendships that have not been good have all had one major similarity in them though they did it in different ways, manipulation. This is something that I am learning from these experiences to recognize early on and separate myself from as quickly as possible. The first serious situation I was in with a person who manipulated me was what screwed up my friendship with the other person in the first place. I will not say it was all her fault though, I will take accountability for the fact that I made those wrong choices and allowed it to happen. I could have at anytime put a stop to it, but I wanted so desperately to be liked by this creative, talented, exciting person that I allowed her to dictate my life, monopolize my time, convince to lower my moral standards and influence me to see my parents as oppressors rather than the caring, loving people they are. In this friendship I stayed friends with her for 6 years eventually moving in with her and her boyfriend. By the end of this relationship I saw myself in the mirror one day and knew I needed to get out of the relationship and change, I could literally see in my reflection through my eyes that I was killing my soul, and it made me sick.
The next friendship came about against my own better judgment. I knew this person was drama and trouble, and wouldn't be good for me, I wanted to keep her at arms length and just be co-workers, but I also wanted to be kind and show her love. Within a very short period of time though she started telling people I was her best friend, had her children calling me "aunty" and promising to make me their godmother. Suddenly I felt trapped and didn't know how to get out of the situation without causing problems at work. Looking back I should have said something, I should have spoken up and stopped it, but I didn't want to hurt her, or again cause problems so I went along with it until I couldn't handle it anymore. Everyday she was calling me, needing advice, money, help with rides, groceries, kids, and making me feel guilty or getting upset with me whenever I said no. Soon it became apparent that this relationship was taking a toll on my marriage as well as there was tension between her and my husband and it was at this point I decided it needed to end. This friendship lasted just a little over a year.
The last and most recent attempt at friendship has been much shorter, just a couple of months. At first we really hit it off and I thought that maybe I had finally found a semi-local friend who was on the same page as me spiritually. We did a few things together and for the most part I enjoyed the time we spent together. We didn't agree on all our spiritual beliefs but I know that everyone is different and was willing to accept her as she was if she was willing to accept me as I am. This was not the case though. As soon as I started telling her 'no' to certain things her attitude changed, suddenly I was being lectured on the love of Christ and made to feel guilty about not doing what she wanted. I tried after that to explain myself and my personality to her hoping that if she understood me better that we could work through things more easily, but she took it as me setting up guidelines, and the relationship became even harder. I tried to talk to her a few more times, and tried to make arrangements to see her again, which never worked out and I take accountability for that because both times it was my fault, once because of my grandfather's death and the second because of car trouble. Even then though I desired to make it work, but as I spent time in prayer and talked things over with my husband I realized this probably wasn't a good idea, the guilt trips would only continue, not get better if I persisted in this relationship so I let it go.
Why did I share all this? Well because I wanted to show the differences in healthy friendships and unhealthy friendships. Healthy relationships build you up, they are supportive of the things that are important to you and will strengthen other relationships in your life. But an unhealthy relationship will cause strife, anxiety, and in some cases like the friend that I lived with, draw you away from God. Often these kinds of friendships will use manipulation to get what they want and they will not take accountability for their side of things when it gets tough, they will lay the blame squarely at your feet and expect you to change to suit them. These are not the kind of relationships God wants us to have, in 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 we see what a loving relationship is and this doesn't only apply to marriage, though weddings are where we hear it most commonly, this is the kind of relationship we should strive to have with everyone. We, as Christians should do our best with the help of the Holy spirit to exemplify these traits and look for friends and partners who do too. When we live by this and have friendships or relationships that look like this passage we will find peace in our spirit and in our lives, we will find joy and feel loved. I hope today if you are in bad relationship this has helped you to find the courage to get out, or if you are the cause of a bad relationship that you have been convicted to change, be blessed brothers and sisters and walk in love.
Proverbs 10:12
Hatred stirs up strife, But love covers all transgressions
1 Corinthians 13:4-7
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, is not easily angered, it keeps no account of wrongs. Love takes no pleasure in evil, but rejoices in the truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
Ephesians 4:32
Be kind and tender-hearted to one another, forgiving each other just as in Christ God forgave you
1 Peter 4:8
Above all, love one another deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins
Tuesday, May 17, 2016
My Will or His
I love when the inspiration for a post comes from someone asking a question, which is exactly how this one came about. Yesterday I was asked 'How do you know it's God will and not your own subconscious?" Which honestly is a question I've asked myself before many times because as this person pointed out it is easy to deceive ourselves. In the past I wrote a post called "Where there is Peace" (http://jennthorn.blogspot.com/2015/09/where-there-is-peace.html) where I talked about how my husband and I had to make a difficult decision that we just weren't getting anywhere with until we realized that when you are making a decision about action to take there is peace in your soul when it is in God's will, this has since been the major way in which we decide things, we look for the peace but it's not the only method we have or do use.
Another way is the simplest, most clear, and probably the rarest of all the ways I have used to make a decision, a clear audible word from God, but that has only happened a couple of times, more often than not I will instead get a deep urging in my heart or soul that I need to do something. Typically when it happens this way that something is not something I want to do, it is against my flesh nature, or outside my comfort zone, for example one day at church I felt I had to get up and say something, a word that had been planted in my spirit during service. I am introverted to the extreme, I actually took a test when I was in therapy that scored me as 90% introverted, standing up before the congregation and delivering this word was terrifying. But once I did there was peace in my spirit, despite my hammering heart.
The other way I tend to use a lot is asking three or four others to pray for an answer to that particular problem as well, I do not tell them my hopes, or what I may be feeling God is leading me too because then I could not be sure that this was confirmation. Instead I wait to hear back from them, and compare their answers to mine, whether it's scriptures, dreams, or a word; whichever is the majority consensus is typically what I go with, unless it leaves me no peace, but to be honest that has never happened and only once did I receive answers that conflicted with each other, in that case consensus ruled and I'm happy with the outcome.
The last way we use quite often is to compare the situation to scripture. What does the word actually say on this subject, because I know that if I am acting in accordance with His word I am in His will. This is another scenario where I am always left with peace and confidence in the action I take. Even if I cannot find my exact situation, I can usually find guidance for it, or a story/parable that gives me some clarity to help me decide.
I hope this helps anyone else who was asking that same question as this other person, I hope it sheds some light on helping you to find God's will in your own life. I'm sure to some it stills leave room to doubt, but there always will be those with faith and doubting Thomas'. I'm sure there are more ways to know, but for me these are the tools I have been equipped with thus far on my journey and what I found to work for me. If you know of other ways please share, I would love to hear them!! For now, be blessed my brothers and sisters.
Proverbs 8:17
I love those who love me, and those who seek me diligently find me.
Isaiah 55:8-12
“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it. You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands
Matthew 7:8
Another way is the simplest, most clear, and probably the rarest of all the ways I have used to make a decision, a clear audible word from God, but that has only happened a couple of times, more often than not I will instead get a deep urging in my heart or soul that I need to do something. Typically when it happens this way that something is not something I want to do, it is against my flesh nature, or outside my comfort zone, for example one day at church I felt I had to get up and say something, a word that had been planted in my spirit during service. I am introverted to the extreme, I actually took a test when I was in therapy that scored me as 90% introverted, standing up before the congregation and delivering this word was terrifying. But once I did there was peace in my spirit, despite my hammering heart.
The other way I tend to use a lot is asking three or four others to pray for an answer to that particular problem as well, I do not tell them my hopes, or what I may be feeling God is leading me too because then I could not be sure that this was confirmation. Instead I wait to hear back from them, and compare their answers to mine, whether it's scriptures, dreams, or a word; whichever is the majority consensus is typically what I go with, unless it leaves me no peace, but to be honest that has never happened and only once did I receive answers that conflicted with each other, in that case consensus ruled and I'm happy with the outcome.
The last way we use quite often is to compare the situation to scripture. What does the word actually say on this subject, because I know that if I am acting in accordance with His word I am in His will. This is another scenario where I am always left with peace and confidence in the action I take. Even if I cannot find my exact situation, I can usually find guidance for it, or a story/parable that gives me some clarity to help me decide.
I hope this helps anyone else who was asking that same question as this other person, I hope it sheds some light on helping you to find God's will in your own life. I'm sure to some it stills leave room to doubt, but there always will be those with faith and doubting Thomas'. I'm sure there are more ways to know, but for me these are the tools I have been equipped with thus far on my journey and what I found to work for me. If you know of other ways please share, I would love to hear them!! For now, be blessed my brothers and sisters.
Proverbs 8:17
I love those who love me, and those who seek me diligently find me.
Isaiah 55:8-12
“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it. You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands
Matthew 7:8
For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened.
1 Thessalonians 4:3-8
It is God’s will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality; that each of you should learn to control your own body in a way that is holy and honorable, not in passionate lust like the pagans, who do not know God; and that in this matter no one should wrong or take advantage of a brother or sister. The Lord will punish all those who commit such sins, as we told you and warned you before. For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life. Therefore, anyone who rejects this instruction does not reject a human being but God, the very God who gives you his Holy Spirit.
1 Thessalonians 4:3-8
It is God’s will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality; that each of you should learn to control your own body in a way that is holy and honorable, not in passionate lust like the pagans, who do not know God; and that in this matter no one should wrong or take advantage of a brother or sister. The Lord will punish all those who commit such sins, as we told you and warned you before. For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life. Therefore, anyone who rejects this instruction does not reject a human being but God, the very God who gives you his Holy Spirit.
Monday, May 16, 2016
Submitting the Flesh to the Spirit
I often read the post of others to get new perspective and to hear other's testimony's and experiences with God, to learn, and to be encouraged. One brother whose post I read often has recently been talking a bit about our survival instinct, that thought that rises up in all of us going "what can I do? how I will I survive?" and how that thought pattern in our flesh is contrary to the spirit. As those walking in the spirit our thoughts should be "God I don't understand but if this is what you want I will obey." I will admit, especially with the circumstances I have been going through these last few months, that this was a hard pill to swallow at first.
When I first read that in one of his post I was like 'wow, that's a bit hard to do, survival and self-preservation are built into us, it's natural,' and I tried to dismiss it, tried to justify our natural reactions. But as I did that it only made me see how right he really was. As I drove to and from work talking to God about it and many other things and spent time meditating on what this person said as well as my own reactions I realized any time I 'respond naturally' or from instinct it's usually the wrong response. For example, when someone makes me angry my natural responses tell me to hit them, or to yell at them but the Godly course of action is different, the bible teaches us to be slow to anger (James 1:19) and to take these offenses and feelings to our Father so He can help us to come up with a better response. When I saw this it was like the light came on.
I realized after spending several days working through my pride and flesh to get to this point that he was right, our natural instincts are fleshly, they are carnal in nature, but God is not, He is spirit (John 4:24) and we should be walking in that Spirit being obedient to it. Our flesh and instincts will lead us time and time again into the wrong actions such as lust, and wrath, or selfishness and cold-heartedness. Our instincts are 'me first' by nature and it takes practice, patience and a spirit willing to submit to God to overcome that. Our instincts are all about our own comfort and our own survival but God tells us not to fear and to trust Him, He tells us in the bible and through the example of the early apostles that our bodies can be broken and may be broken for Him but that our reward will be in the spirit and new kingdom to come.
As I thought on all this, especially this morning, my heart opened up to the truth and I desired for God to help me become more obedient to the Spirit, and less in tune with my flesh. I desired to be a better person thinking less often of my own comfort and more of others. Today I ask His help to further crucify my flesh so that the Holy Spirit can shine brighter through me, I ask you to give thought to your own behaviors, are you operating from the flesh or from the Spirit? Take time and talk about this with God, ask Him to help you grow spiritual and to kill the flesh. Be Blessed my friends, today and everyday, in Yeshua's name.
Proverbs 3:5-6
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.
Luke 1:38
And Mary said, “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.
Romans 8:7
For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God's law; indeed, it cannot.
Romans 12:1-2
I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
When I first read that in one of his post I was like 'wow, that's a bit hard to do, survival and self-preservation are built into us, it's natural,' and I tried to dismiss it, tried to justify our natural reactions. But as I did that it only made me see how right he really was. As I drove to and from work talking to God about it and many other things and spent time meditating on what this person said as well as my own reactions I realized any time I 'respond naturally' or from instinct it's usually the wrong response. For example, when someone makes me angry my natural responses tell me to hit them, or to yell at them but the Godly course of action is different, the bible teaches us to be slow to anger (James 1:19) and to take these offenses and feelings to our Father so He can help us to come up with a better response. When I saw this it was like the light came on.
I realized after spending several days working through my pride and flesh to get to this point that he was right, our natural instincts are fleshly, they are carnal in nature, but God is not, He is spirit (John 4:24) and we should be walking in that Spirit being obedient to it. Our flesh and instincts will lead us time and time again into the wrong actions such as lust, and wrath, or selfishness and cold-heartedness. Our instincts are 'me first' by nature and it takes practice, patience and a spirit willing to submit to God to overcome that. Our instincts are all about our own comfort and our own survival but God tells us not to fear and to trust Him, He tells us in the bible and through the example of the early apostles that our bodies can be broken and may be broken for Him but that our reward will be in the spirit and new kingdom to come.
As I thought on all this, especially this morning, my heart opened up to the truth and I desired for God to help me become more obedient to the Spirit, and less in tune with my flesh. I desired to be a better person thinking less often of my own comfort and more of others. Today I ask His help to further crucify my flesh so that the Holy Spirit can shine brighter through me, I ask you to give thought to your own behaviors, are you operating from the flesh or from the Spirit? Take time and talk about this with God, ask Him to help you grow spiritual and to kill the flesh. Be Blessed my friends, today and everyday, in Yeshua's name.
Proverbs 3:5-6
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.
Luke 1:38
And Mary said, “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.
Romans 8:7
For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God's law; indeed, it cannot.
Romans 12:1-2
I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
Friday, May 13, 2016
Borrowed Faith
When I was young I lived on borrowed faith, what is borrowed faith exactly? It's faith that you receive from a parent, grandparent or pastor. It's faith where you actually know only what's been told to you and you have no relationship of your own, except maybe just the occasional prayer when things are really bad. It's faith where you say you believe but you don't really have an answer of why, except maybe that's what your parents believe. But you can't really know the Lord on borrowed faith, we must all form our own relationships with Him. Just because your parent's brought you up in church, or your spouse is devote, or your friend talks to you about Jesus, that doesn't constitute faith, it's not a replacement for the relationship God wants you to have with Him.
If you are living on borrowed faith and anything like me this message not only stings but it offends, it hurts you and angers you and the reason is that you don't want to admit that in your heart you already know that this is true. God wants our hearts, He wants us fully, He wants our commitment, and borrowed faith is not commitment, it's lip service at best. It's the easy route, it's claiming faith and living without the responsibility or obligation of living up to what is required of you. It's saying 'yes I believe' and throwing up some "amens" and "hallelujahs" just to prove it, but its only surface deep, your heart isn't really there because you don't really know God and can't really love Him.
As I stated above I used to live on borrowed faith, I thought I was a Christian just because I believed in God, though you probably wouldn't have guessed it by the lifestyle I was living. I started smoking cigarettes and drinking at age 12, I swore like a sailor by 15 and started abusing pain pills, I began reading erotic novels at 12 and filled my mind with smut, ghost stories, and thrasher flicks, all the while claiming faith and lying to those around me to protect my sinful lifestyle. I believed that I was safe, that I was a Christian because I had been raised to believe in God, because I had prayed the sinners pray, and because I knew my grandmothers were praying for me. I didn't feel the need to read my bible or to even really pray often, and justified that behavior because God already knew what I needed. I figured that praying was a waste of time and I left it mostly to my grandmothers, they would pray for me, and they would tell me things about God so that's all I really needed right?
Wrong, I was very wrong. 4, almost 5 years ago now I stopped living on borrowed faith. My world fell a part and looking to pastors, my grandmothers, or even my parents for their faith could no longer keep me afloat. I had a decision then, I could get to know God myself and take the hand He was offering to me, I could submit my life to Him and start living His way, or I could let the depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts consume me until I could not escape them. Borrowed faith can only take you so far, once real trouble comes you need a very real relationship with Him in order to endure it, and that is what I learned the hard way. I learned that those rare moments I took to really pray and be in His presence were what God really desired form me, I learned that He wanted my love and for my life to show that love in all aspects of it. I got in my bible and finally learned who God was and that healing came through not only reading His word and standing on His promises but by living out the scriptures. I learned that in Jesus we have forgiveness but we still had to change, we can't have both sin and God. And my life has only gotten better since then.
Today brothers and sisters I ask that if you are living on borrowed faith that you make the decision to take hold of the hand He is offering you. Commit your life to God and forsake the world, live in gratefulness for the sacrifice of Jesus Christ and know that when you do you open the door for to work miracles in your life and for God to completely transform you. Be blessed today and always my friends, in Yeshua's name.
Psalm 84:11
For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord bestows favor and honor. No good thing does he withhold from those who walk uprightly
Jeremiah 31:3
The Lord appeared to him from far away. I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore I have continued my faithfulness to you
John 15:5
I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.
James 4:8
Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded
1 John 1:9
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
If you are living on borrowed faith and anything like me this message not only stings but it offends, it hurts you and angers you and the reason is that you don't want to admit that in your heart you already know that this is true. God wants our hearts, He wants us fully, He wants our commitment, and borrowed faith is not commitment, it's lip service at best. It's the easy route, it's claiming faith and living without the responsibility or obligation of living up to what is required of you. It's saying 'yes I believe' and throwing up some "amens" and "hallelujahs" just to prove it, but its only surface deep, your heart isn't really there because you don't really know God and can't really love Him.
As I stated above I used to live on borrowed faith, I thought I was a Christian just because I believed in God, though you probably wouldn't have guessed it by the lifestyle I was living. I started smoking cigarettes and drinking at age 12, I swore like a sailor by 15 and started abusing pain pills, I began reading erotic novels at 12 and filled my mind with smut, ghost stories, and thrasher flicks, all the while claiming faith and lying to those around me to protect my sinful lifestyle. I believed that I was safe, that I was a Christian because I had been raised to believe in God, because I had prayed the sinners pray, and because I knew my grandmothers were praying for me. I didn't feel the need to read my bible or to even really pray often, and justified that behavior because God already knew what I needed. I figured that praying was a waste of time and I left it mostly to my grandmothers, they would pray for me, and they would tell me things about God so that's all I really needed right?
Wrong, I was very wrong. 4, almost 5 years ago now I stopped living on borrowed faith. My world fell a part and looking to pastors, my grandmothers, or even my parents for their faith could no longer keep me afloat. I had a decision then, I could get to know God myself and take the hand He was offering to me, I could submit my life to Him and start living His way, or I could let the depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts consume me until I could not escape them. Borrowed faith can only take you so far, once real trouble comes you need a very real relationship with Him in order to endure it, and that is what I learned the hard way. I learned that those rare moments I took to really pray and be in His presence were what God really desired form me, I learned that He wanted my love and for my life to show that love in all aspects of it. I got in my bible and finally learned who God was and that healing came through not only reading His word and standing on His promises but by living out the scriptures. I learned that in Jesus we have forgiveness but we still had to change, we can't have both sin and God. And my life has only gotten better since then.
Today brothers and sisters I ask that if you are living on borrowed faith that you make the decision to take hold of the hand He is offering you. Commit your life to God and forsake the world, live in gratefulness for the sacrifice of Jesus Christ and know that when you do you open the door for to work miracles in your life and for God to completely transform you. Be blessed today and always my friends, in Yeshua's name.
Psalm 84:11
For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord bestows favor and honor. No good thing does he withhold from those who walk uprightly
Jeremiah 31:3
The Lord appeared to him from far away. I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore I have continued my faithfulness to you
John 15:5
I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.
James 4:8
Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded
1 John 1:9
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Thursday, May 12, 2016
Confidence and Peace in God
This morning I am at home because my employers took all three children to the doctors so I got to sleep in and I am happy, rested and at peace, a combination I haven't felt in a while. As I sit in my living room typing to the quiet ticking of the clock and the occasional neighing of a horse, I am grateful my job ends in a few weeks. I'll miss the children a ton, after 2 1/2 years you grow very attached, but I know I need more rest then I have been getting and the peace here in the small town where we live is just the ticket. To be honest ever since we moved here I would leave for work everyday feeling like I should stay at home, that I was supposed to be here and not traveling almost an hour away for work, but I didn't know how to make that happen and honestly I still don't know how it'll work, I'm just trusting God to provide the answers I need.
It hasn't been easy not knowing how things will work out, I'm a creature who likes plans, and control but sitting here this morning feeling rested for the first time in months and enjoying the quiet as my husband sleeps before works tells me it'll all be worth it. I'm sure we will struggle in many ways, a new routine always comes with an adjustment period, and being unsure of where the money to pay the bills will come from will make that adjustment even more difficult, but I know my God is a God of miracles, and He has promised to provide for me as He provides for the sparrows so I'm trusting in that, I'm trusting in Him.
I have confidence that things will work out as they should and that we will be happy, I have peace in my soul that God is working it all out and that despite what things look like we will be okay, we will manage. I have had many people say they are praying for us and many give great suggestions that I'm positive will help us, and I'm believing the things we need will continue to show up as they have been. I believe that a job or source of income will come through just in time, and I'm hoping the little things my husband and I are trying to get off the ground will help with that.
I know that in the natural it seems like I should be scared, worried and stressed out but I just can't be, I know my God and have seen His hand at work in my life too many times to doubt Him now. There are of course nay-sayers and doubters around me, people who look at what's going on and only see everything that can go wrong for us, they see the circumstances and don't think things will ever get better for us, or that we will ever rebound, or even make it all but I pay them no attention, I have a promise and I stand on that, letting their words roll off my back.
I'm not really sure how to end my rant of positivity today, I could honestly go on and on about how good Jehovah is, and how much I trust Him and how happy I am at this time in my life that should be stressful, but I've run out of time. So, I'll just end with be blessed and have faith, have hope and let God's peace surround you.
Isaiah 12:2
“Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and will not be afraid; for the Lord God is my strength and my song, and he has become my salvation.”
Isaiah 26:3
You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.
Romans 15:13
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.
2 Thessalonians 3:16
Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times in every way. The Lord be with you all.
It hasn't been easy not knowing how things will work out, I'm a creature who likes plans, and control but sitting here this morning feeling rested for the first time in months and enjoying the quiet as my husband sleeps before works tells me it'll all be worth it. I'm sure we will struggle in many ways, a new routine always comes with an adjustment period, and being unsure of where the money to pay the bills will come from will make that adjustment even more difficult, but I know my God is a God of miracles, and He has promised to provide for me as He provides for the sparrows so I'm trusting in that, I'm trusting in Him.
I have confidence that things will work out as they should and that we will be happy, I have peace in my soul that God is working it all out and that despite what things look like we will be okay, we will manage. I have had many people say they are praying for us and many give great suggestions that I'm positive will help us, and I'm believing the things we need will continue to show up as they have been. I believe that a job or source of income will come through just in time, and I'm hoping the little things my husband and I are trying to get off the ground will help with that.
I know that in the natural it seems like I should be scared, worried and stressed out but I just can't be, I know my God and have seen His hand at work in my life too many times to doubt Him now. There are of course nay-sayers and doubters around me, people who look at what's going on and only see everything that can go wrong for us, they see the circumstances and don't think things will ever get better for us, or that we will ever rebound, or even make it all but I pay them no attention, I have a promise and I stand on that, letting their words roll off my back.
I'm not really sure how to end my rant of positivity today, I could honestly go on and on about how good Jehovah is, and how much I trust Him and how happy I am at this time in my life that should be stressful, but I've run out of time. So, I'll just end with be blessed and have faith, have hope and let God's peace surround you.
Isaiah 12:2
“Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and will not be afraid; for the Lord God is my strength and my song, and he has become my salvation.”
Isaiah 26:3
You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.
Romans 15:13
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.
2 Thessalonians 3:16
Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times in every way. The Lord be with you all.
Wednesday, May 11, 2016
See Christ in Them
Typically I pray for people to see Christ in me, that with the help of the Holy Spirit I can be a good light to those around me, but yesterday a friend put up a prayer that really got me thinking. In the prayer was a line that asked God to help us to see Christ in others. As I read that I thought about a book I read early in my marriage, called Love and Respect by Dr. Emerson Eggerichs, at one point he asks us to do the same with our spouse, to see Jesus in them and serve them like we would Jesus. This really motivated me to serve my husband, to love and respect him as I should, even when I didn't want too (not that I don't struggle with that still at times but this book and thought process really helped). Today I am wondering how different my service to others would look if I took that attitude with everyone. If I treated everyone with the same kind of service that I would give Jesus?
I can say for sure that I would probably serve a lot more, and with a lot less complaining if I took that attitude with everyone, if I saw Yeshua in everyone and treated them with the kind of respect I would give God. And I know that's true because as I said it changed my marriage to treat my husband that way, and it actually made me a lot happier at work when I took on the attitude that no matter what or where I was working I was working for God. I became happier in my service, I became more honest and I tried harder to please. I have gone above and beyond and all because I work for and want to please my God, so how much more will I do when I start seeing the Lord in those around me?
I know it won't always be easy, some people make it difficult to love them, but as I start today I start it with a heart and mind that wants to serve others as I would serve my God if He were standing before me. Today I make the decision to not only pray that others see God's light in me and that I can serve them as if I see Jesus in them, but to try my best to live that out. Today I make the conscious decision to love others as God has loved me and go above and beyond in that, just like I would for the God who gave His only son so that I may have life. Be Blessed brothers and sisters, in Yeshua's name.
Matthew 5:44-48
But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
Matthew 25:34-40
Philippians 2:4
Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others
Colossians 3:14
And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.
1 John 4:7-8
Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love.
I can say for sure that I would probably serve a lot more, and with a lot less complaining if I took that attitude with everyone, if I saw Yeshua in everyone and treated them with the kind of respect I would give God. And I know that's true because as I said it changed my marriage to treat my husband that way, and it actually made me a lot happier at work when I took on the attitude that no matter what or where I was working I was working for God. I became happier in my service, I became more honest and I tried harder to please. I have gone above and beyond and all because I work for and want to please my God, so how much more will I do when I start seeing the Lord in those around me?
I know it won't always be easy, some people make it difficult to love them, but as I start today I start it with a heart and mind that wants to serve others as I would serve my God if He were standing before me. Today I make the decision to not only pray that others see God's light in me and that I can serve them as if I see Jesus in them, but to try my best to live that out. Today I make the conscious decision to love others as God has loved me and go above and beyond in that, just like I would for the God who gave His only son so that I may have life. Be Blessed brothers and sisters, in Yeshua's name.
Matthew 5:44-48
But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
Matthew 25:34-40
“Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’ “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’ “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’
Philippians 2:4
Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others
Colossians 3:14
And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.
1 John 4:7-8
Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love.
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