Confession

Sometimes I don't learn the lesson God is teaching me until I completely fail His test. Although I wrote about how God is teaching me about dealing with frustrating people this week and how we should act, I totally did not follow this! I completely snapped at a clerk at a Walmart this week (long story, but it still doesn't excuse my actions). I went back to apologize today and I am very grateful that she forgave me. Hopefully now I have learned the lesson. It just goes to show you that we are all works in progress!

Striving for Holiness

It is so easy to become complacent in our faith. We get to a comfortable spot where we feel like we know what we need to know and are good with God. But the truth is that it is never enough to just be "good with God". We should be constantly striving toward holiness.

Genesis 20:26 You are to be holy to me because I, the LORD, am holy, and I have
set you apart from the nations to be my own.

How holy should we be? We should be so holy that the secular world hates us. Afterall, the darkness does not like the light:

John 15:19 If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it
is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world.
That is why the world hates you.

But I find myself afraid to be hated by the world. I don't want to say things that will offend people. So I water down my faith and I become luke warm. This is wrong and it is not the path that leads to holiness.

Romans 6:18 You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to
righteousness.

1 Tim 6:11 But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness,
godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness.

God makes it clear that we should be so dedicated that we become SLAVES to righteousness, constantly persuing it and fleeing from all else.

Have you been pursuing holiness or have you let your relationship with God become stale? I encourage you to take some time this week and reflect on where your faith stands.

Difficult People

The holidays are upon us and I am sure you have run into some pretty frustrating people. It seems like so many people are in such a rush and can be so rude! One thing the Lord has really been working on me is learning to "love" these frustrating people.

“But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. If someone strikes you on one cheek, turn to him the other also. If someone takes your cloak, do not stop him from taking your tunic. Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back. Do to others as you would have them do to you" Luke 6: 27-31.

Some might say that it is impossible to love your enemies, but Jesus had to do this daily. OK really if someone took my jacket, would I let them just take my shirt? And if someone hits me wouldn't I want to hit them back? The trick is that you have to think of the other person as better than you.

“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves” Philippians 2: 3-4.

When you put the other person's needs above your own, you will not want to cause them harm, you will want to help them. Now I am not saying that this is easy, but God can give us the strength to do anything... even to bite your tongue when someone cuts in front of you in a grocery line that you have been in for an hour!

God, change my heart and make it like yours. Teach me to love my enemies the way that you love me unconditionally.

Hope

The dictionary defines the word "hope" as: 1. the general feeling that some desire will be fulfilled 2. promise: grounds for feeling hopeful about the future.

One of the greates gifts of being a Christian is hope.

God has a plan and a purpose for our future and knowing that gives us hope.
Jeremiah 29:11 - For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

When life becomes more than we can handle, we can have hope that God will get us through.
1 Timothy 5:5 - The widow who is really in need and left all alone puts her hope in God and continues night and day to pray and to ask God for help.
2 Corinthians 1:10 - He has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us. On him we have set our hope that he will continue to deliver us,

And when this life ends we have hope in eternal life!
Titus 3:7 - so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life.
Peter 1:3 - ... In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,

Strength

Sometimes spiritual battles can just seem so overwhelming. Have you ever just felt so weak and powerless? At times it may even seem like you are losing the fight! But I have good news...God gives us strength and we will be more than victorious!

Isaiah 40:29 He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak

Isaiah 40:31 but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on the wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint

Isaiah 41:10 So do not fear for I am with you, do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand

Psalm 18:32-34 It is God who arms me with strength and makes my way perfect. He makes my feet like the feet of a deer; he enables me to stand on the heights. He trains my hands for battle; my arms can bend a bow of bronze.

What can we do with God's strength? Run and not grow weary, stand on heights, and bend a bow of bronze! Actually we can do a whole lot more with God's strength:

Philippians 4:13 I can do everything through him who gives me strength

There is no battle to big for God! He can get us through any obstacle that life may throw at us.

You are Valuable!

To those of us who believe in God, we know how valuable He is. But did you ever wonder what we are to Him? I mean after all we are just plain old humans! Compared to God we are like insignificant, disgusting fleas. But the Bible shows us that God values us despite all of our shortcommings!

Luke 12:7 Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear; you are more valuable than many sparrows.

I am a mom and I love my children very much and I value them more than all the jewels in the world, but even I do not know how many hairs they have on their head!

One famous verse of the Bible is John 3:16 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.

Do you know that God loves you? Satan will do everything in his power to make you feel worthless and unloveable. Don't let him win! Realize the truth and stand firm on it!

True Beauty

Everywhere you look there are advertisements for things to make you look better; weight loss supliments, plastic surgeries, special make up and clothes. Our society is so focused on outward appearance! No wonder so many women have confidence issues!

I am sure you have heard the phrase "True beauty comes from the inside", but did you know that this is also a biblical principal? God does not even look at us the way that we look at ourselves:

1 Samuel 16:7 - "The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart."

Peter 3:4 You should be known for the beauty that comes from within, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is so precious to God.

So the next time you are standing in front of the mirror, take a minute to examine your heart instead of your hair. Do you have that gentle and quiet spirit or have you been spreading rumors and talking badly about people behind their backs?

Nothing to Fear

The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? Though an army encamp against me, my heart shall not fear; though war rise up against me, yet I will be confident. (Psalm 27: 1, 3)

Oh how I long for this confidence! To trust in the Lord so completely that I would not fear anything, even an entire army rising up against me. Why don't I have this confidence? I know that God is bigger than anything that I might come against and yet I still struggle with worrying about silly things and being afraid.

I think maybe it comes down to this Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. (Proverbs 3:5-6) I do try to lean on my own understanding. It is almost like I see God as this puzzle and all I need to do is figure out where all the pieces fit. But the problem is that God can't fit in a nice, neat puzzle box and there is no way that I will ever be able to figure out where the pieces go.

I am thankful that God is patient with me! I know faith is a journey and I pray that someday I may have this confidence.

God is in Control!

I feel like my life is a rollercoaster ride right now. There are so many ups and downs and twisty corners being thrown at me. Praise God that I know that He is in control of this crazy ride. I can't imagine going through these times without that comforting knowledge.

"It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not fail you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed." Deuteronomy 31:8

Not only is God in control, He goes before us and prepares the way for our journey! How amazing is that!

I think the hardest part is just trusting Him and letting go of wanting to control everything ourselves. Especially for an OCD, type A person, like me : )

What are the Benefits and Responsibilities of Being in Christ?

Ephesians chaptera 3 and 4 show us that there are many benefits from being a part of God's family as well as responsibilities. What are the benefits that you see? What are the responsibilities?

The Benefits of Being In Christ:

1. Ephesians 3:12 (12In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence.) tells us that we may approach God with confidence.

2. Ephesians 3:18-19 (18may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.) tells us that we get to experience the AMAZING love of Christ!

The Responsibilities of Being In Christ:

1. Ephesians 4:2 (2Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love) shows us that we need to be humblre, gentle, and patient

2. Ephesians 4:11 (11It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers) shows us that God calls us to different roles in the church body.

3. Ephesians 4:22-24 (22You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; 23to be made new in the attitude of your minds; 24and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.) shows us that we need to die to our old self and be reborn

4. Ephesians 4:25 (25Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbor, for we are all members of one body) tells us that we are not to lie.

5. Ephesians 4:26-27 ("In your anger do not sin"[d]: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, 27and do not give the devil a foothold) and Ephesians 4:31 (31Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice) tells us that we should not act upon our anger and that we need to get rid of our anger because it can give the devil a foothold.

6. Ephesians 4:28 (28He who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with his own hands, that he may have something to share with those in need.) tells us that we should not steal and that we should be giving to those in need.

7. Ephesians 4:29 ( 29Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen) tells us that we should not gossip or talk badly about people.

8. Ephesians 4:32 ( 32Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.) tells us that we need to share the love and forgiveness of Christ with everyone.

What Does it Mean to be "In Christ"?

This week we will be studying the first and second chapters in Ephesians. As you read these chapters what do you think it is saying about being "In Christ"? Click post a comment to share your thoughts!!!

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE IN CHRIST?

1. Ephesians 1:5 (he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will)
and Ephesians 2:19 (Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God's people and members of God's household,)tell us that we are adopted into God's family and that we are members of God's household!

2. Ephesians 1:5 (he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will) also tells us that we are chosen

3. Ephesians 2:1-5 ( 1As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, 2in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. 3All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature objects of wrath. 4But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, 5made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved.) tells us that we have new life

4. Ephesians 2:22 (22And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit) tells us that God's spirit dwells in us

5. Ephesians 1:14 (14who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God's possession—to the praise of his glory.) tells us that as a member of God's family our inheritance is redemption.

Discussions

Here are the links to our discussions:
What does it mean to be "In Christ"?

What are the benefits and responsibilities of being "In Christ"?

God is in Control

Nothing to Fear

True Beauty

You are Valuable

Strength

Hope

Difficult People

Striving for Holiness

Life is Short

New Struggles

Do We Really Need Friends?

Depression

Being Bold

Our Comfort

Prayer Requests

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The Mission

The mission of this blog is to discuss issues that uniquely concern us as women, wives, mothers, daughters, sisters, etc. in a loving and supporting environment while learning about the scriptures and how to apply it in our daily lives.