God is good! Truth behind the lie!

I fell the other day; I fell hard for the same lie I fell for last time, and the time before that. This lie is huge, yet so basic it eats at me. I wouldn't be surprised if you've fallen for it too.
The lie I'm talking about is the lie that even though God loves me, and gives me what I need. Those things just aren't good enough. I want and want. I want what I can't have, and in reality isn't good for me. The lie continues to say that because God doesn't give me these things then I'm not good enough.
I feel like a kid on the playground. Wishing that the people who have decided that I'm not important would change their mind. Wishing those people would decide the things God has given me are good also.  If those people don't change their minds about who I am and what I have then they are right. Everything that God has said about me and the promises and things He has given me is the lie. It isn't good enough. Is it?
No, my worth is not tied up in those people. No, my worth comes from the creator who bought me with the ultimate price. See this lie is the same one Eve fell for. She fell for the lie that God and all he gives us isn't enough. Here I am doing the same.
The difference, Jesus has bought me, and I receive grace in the middle of my adult sized toddler fit. I have a God who is standing there arms wide open.
Job went through the worst, losing wealth and family. Yet his friends and wife told him to curse God and die. Yet he stood in his faith.

7 So Satan went out from the presence of the Lord and afflicted Job with painful sores from the soles of his feet to the crown of his head. 8 Then Job took a piece of broken pottery and scraped himself with it as he sat among the ashes. 9 His wife said to him, “Are you still maintaining your integrity? Curse God and die!” 10 He replied, “You are talking like a foolish[b] woman. Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?” In all this, Job did not sin in what he said. Job 2:7-10

Sometimes my faith waivers for a season. Yet I give myself grace. Why, because I know that through the good, bad, and extremely ugly I am loved.

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. - John 3:16

So today I offer myself grace. Praying that when you stand in that garden, and Satan serpent tries to convince you that God is holding back.  Please try to remember that God bought you with a price and that he promises to give you a fish instead of a serpent. For those times when you believe the lie, give yourself grace. It is a freeing gift.

9 “Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? 10 Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? 11 If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him! - Matthew 7:9-11

12 I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 13 I can do all this through him who gives me strength. - Philippians 4:12-13

Remember that if God gives you plenty or if He gives you little it doesn't affect your worth. He wants you to be content in what He has given you, because He knows the good, the bad and the ugly.
Dear Lord, Give us contentment in all that you have given us. Give us strength to hope, but knowledge and faith that You know what is best for us. Thank you for not giving us a serpent. In Jesus Name, Amen

Overcoming Fear with God's Love and Truth

Charlie the Dragon Slayer: Standing over his Fears.

Fear, I'm positive I have talked about how my fear has a tendency of paralyzing me. Fear and fright hit me, I stand still. I hate this process. I have moved to a new step. I finally took a step, and now I can't help but be fearful that it wasn't led by God like I thought.

Have you ever felt this way. Standing still in fear and then fearful the decisions you have made are all wrong? It was this that lead me to do a Bible study on Fear. I know I'm not the only person who deals with fear, so here you go.

Time to combat some fear!

In God's word we're reminded that when we are fearful we need to refocus and put our trust in God.

When I am afraid, I put my trust in you In God, whose word I praise—in God I trust and am not afraid. What can mere mortals do to me? - Psalms 56:3-4

We are also reminded that God is for us!

 Record my misery; list my tears on your scroll[d]— are they not in your record? Then my enemies will turn back when I call for help. By this I will know that God is for me. - Psalms 56:8-9

 The reminder that God is for us means that we can take comfort in him. We can dwell in his shelter like a bird dwells under it's mother. He is the wall around us that keeps us safe.

Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.[a]  I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” - Psalms 91:1-2

 He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart. You will not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day, - Psalms 91:4-5

 If you say, “The Lord is my refuge,” and you make the Most High your dwelling, no harm will  overtake you, no disaster will come near your tent. For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways; they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone. - Psalms 91:9-12

Because he[b] loves me,” says the Lord, “I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name. He will call on me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him. With long life I will satisfy him and show him my salvation.” - Psalms 91:14-16

 These verses serve as a reminder that we should not fear, because 1. God loves us, he puts his angels in charge of our protection. 2. God is our refuge where we can rest from our worry.  This doesn't mean disaster will never come, but that when it does we know that God will take care of our needs.

Do Not Fear for God is with You!

You remember how I said I felt I had made the wrong steps. Well guess what God's word covers that too.

But the Lord said to me, “Do not say, ‘I am too young.’ You must go to everyone I send you to and say whatever I command you. Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you and will rescue you,” declares the Lord. - Jeremiah 1:7-8

If God sends you, He will give you words and protection. In the example I mentioned earlier I felt that God was leading me to take a step forward. I took that step and everything went smooth. Well at least in the beginning. God protected me and guided my steps. W

hy did God protect me? It is because I am valuable to him, and so are you!

 Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God. Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows. - Luke 12:6-7

Do you know what the opposite of fear and worry is? It is faith!

“Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God[a]; believe also in me. - John 14:1

So in those moments when fear sneaks up on you. When you start to become paralyzed, pray that God will give you words to say and lead your steps. He will. Why because He loves you so much, and You are worth it. 

Dear Heavenly Father, Please touch each person reading this. Give them the strength they need, the words to say. Help to increase their faith and help them to trust You. In Jesus Name, Amen

5 Ways to Love yourself.

Love By: gags9999 

As a way to kick off Love someone else Friday, I decided we should spend some time deciding to love ourselves.  This can be hard. I know sometimes I have a hard time loving myself. I've heard somewhere that you have to love yourself before you can love others. Well I don't know if that is true, but I do know that if you are going to love others well you need to love yourself.

So lets get started, how can we love ourselves?

Love is always By: Sara Alfred 

1. We can love ourselves by setting priorities.  Priorities allow us to keep from becoming overwhelmed on unimportant things. Setting priorities is a great way to keep from allowing things to take over our lives. If you love yourself you should set priorities of things that matter to you. That way when you are asked to do something, if it doesn't fit within your priorities you can say no. If it something you feel should be a priority, then maybe you need to look at your priorities. Putting the more important things in first and slowly filling in the smaller less important things. Love yourself, set priorities.
2. Another way to love yourself is by taking time to rest. God gave us this example from the very beginning, when he rested on the seventh day.  Jesus showed us this example by getting away from his followers, including the disciples for some much needed time of rest. Ever one of us needs to rest. When we do to much it wears us down, can cause us to be just plan unproductive. So love yourself and get some rest.
3. How about looking at your self talk. Negative self talk is not a way to show you love. Check the self talk and do everything you can to make it positive self talk. How to make sure you have some positive self talk? Make a list of your positives and then tell yourself those things. When you catch yourself saying negative things about yourself pull out your list. Evernote for your phone is a great place to put this kind of list so it is always with you. Don't have a smart phone? Well post-it notes are also a great way. Put them on the mirror, in your car dash, or on your desk. I even have one as my background on my work computer. Love yourself and tell yourself you love yourself!
4. Another good idea to love yourself is to eat healthy. My co-worker and I were talking about this the other night. The more we flood our bodies with the not so good the worse we feel. The better we eat the better we feel. My sister and I drank smoothies for breakfast for a few weeks. At first I had headaches, but after a few days it really made me feel good. I had more energy and it was just better. Love yourself and eat healthy.
5. The best way to love yourself is to accept love from others. Yes, you do deserve it! God loved us first, it is by accepting that love that we are able to mirror his love to others. That works all the way around, by accepting the love of others, you can show them love as well. Showing love doesn't have to come from accepting love, but it is one way to help you keep from feeling like your giving and giving. Accepting love helps you to realize that you are worth it, and it helps you to refill. So love yourself and accept love.

Now as you put these ideas into action this coming week you will be better prepared to love others through July. I hope you can remember that you are loved and that you are worthy of being loved.

Join me on Fridays of July as I challenge you to love others and remember you are loved.  

What is a Christ follower to do? (Part 2)

In Job Description (Part 1) we learned what a Christians are not supposed to do. Today let us look at what a Christian is supposed to do. By doing things that we were never meant to do we cause ourselves and others pain. We also can put a hug burden on ourselves. We don't want that, so here is the job description I think Christians have.

Job Description

So what exactly does the job description look like? This is hard for me to pinpoint, because I am still oh so tired, and oh so far from where I should be. Grace be with me, and you as well.

 ¹⁶ Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. ¹⁷ And when they saw him they worshiped him, but some doubted. ¹⁸ And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. ¹⁹ Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in^[b] the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, ²⁰ teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” - Matthew 28

What exactly is a disciple? Well a disciple is a follower or student.

noun 
        1 Religion.

1. one of the 12 personal followers of Christ.
2. one of the 70 followers sent forth by Christ. Luke 10:1.
3. any other professed follower of Christ in His lifetime.

2. any follower of Christ.

3. (initial capital letter) a member of the Disciples of Christ.

4. a person who is a pupil or an adherent of the doctrines of another; follower: - http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/disciple?s=t

To make disciples, we first must be a disciple. So that is the job description in a nutshell.  Be a disciple and make disciples. Wow.

So how do we be a disciple. We learn and be opening to learning, and instruction. Instruction that comes from Christ through the word of God and the leaders God has put in our lives. When ever someone gives you guidance or instructions you should still see what the Bible says about it.

So know that we know that being a disciple means we are lifelong students of Christ; how do we make disciples. We make disciples by sharing our knowledge and what Christ is doing in our life. We can do this by showing people Christ's love, we can start conversations with them, or even invite them to church or church functions. However you decide to share Christ with others remember you should always pray.

Pray for guidance on who and how. Pray about who, pray that God will show you that person and use you to show that person to Jesus. Pray about how God would have you show His love to this person, pray that he will guide you. In the doing and the talking, pray for words of wisdom and openings into the conversation. Never cease to pray.

How do you continue to learn?  How do you introduce others to Jesus?

5 Bible Verses for when you feel unloved!

Do you feel unloved? I've been there before, feeling completely abandoned and unloved. It is not a place that I like being, but it seems to happen and there doesn't seem like much I can to do, or is there?

Mother and Son By: Glenn Beltz 

In a past post I wrote about the armor of God. When we read about the armor of God we learn about the belt of truth. The truth is you are loved. Do you need more proof than just my telling you?  Well how about hearing it from the perfect word of God. Here are 5 Bible Verses for those moments when you feel unloved.

1.

 See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. - 1 John 3:1

Isn't it great that God loved us so much that he lavishes his love on us; that he calls us His children. Lavish means "expending or bestowing profusely" He doesn't only call us His children, but he fully claims us, giving us rights as His children.

2.

¹⁴ Sing, Daughter Zion;  shout aloud, Israel! Be glad and rejoice with all your heart, Daughter Jerusalem! ¹⁵ The Lord has taken away your punishment, he has turned back your enemy. The Lord, the King of Israel, is with you; never again will you fear any harm. ¹⁶ On that day they will say to Jerusalem,  “Do not fear, Zion; do not let your hands hang limp. ¹⁷ The Lord your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in his love he will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing.” -

Zephaniah 3:14-17

 God loves you so much that he sings over us with rejoicing.  When I hear this I think of my mom.  She babysits a lot, and when she is putting a sweet baby to sleep she is singing to them. She really likes to sing 'Jesus loves you" and  'I love you'. It is so sweet. She does this not only so they can fall asleep but also to remind them of her love for them. I image that is what this verse is referring to; God singing his love over us.

3.

³⁵ Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? ³⁶ As it is written:

“For your sake we face death all day long;
    we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.”^[a]

³⁷ No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. ³⁸ For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,^[b] neither the present nor the future, nor any powers,

³⁹ neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. -

Romans 8:35-39

We need to remember that nothing can separate us from the love God has for us. Yes, sin can separate us from the Holy Father, but he already knew that you were going to sin. Nobody is perfect. He knew David was going to sin, but He still loved him, and offered him forgiveness. We are no different, He still loves us. even though our pasts may be bleak, or sin stained. Remember nothing can separate you from His love.

4.

⁸ But it was because the Lord loved you and kept the oath he swore to your ancestors that he brought you out with a mighty hand and redeemed you from the land of slavery, from the power of Pharaoh king of Egypt. ⁹ Know therefore that the Lord your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commandments.

- Deuteronomy 7:8-9

This verse reminds us of 2 different things. First, when God makes us a promise he will come through on it, even if it isn't in our timing. Second, God loves us so much he doesn't want to see us in bondage so he comes to free us. He frees us like he freed the Israelites from Egypt. It may not come with great miracles, but it could. The thing to remember here is that we need to rest in our faith and we need to know that God will bring us our freedom in his own timing. So if it hasn't happened yet, pray and stay faithful.

5.

²⁰ But you, dear friends, by building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, ²¹ keep yourselves in God’s love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life.

²² Be merciful to those who doubt;

-  Jude 1:20-22

Yes, God works in his own timing, we should encourage those around us who doubt. We should also do what we can to remember that God loves us. We can do that by praying for faith and strength; studying the scriptures; and spending time with fellow believers building each other up, and accepting encouragement.  

Would you like a printable reminder?

What do you do when you feel unloved? Are there any verses you would like to add?

What is a Christ follower to do? (Part 1)

Inside looking out By Bill Strain

I recently saw a picture posted and shared on facebook, that got me thinking about what a job description would and wouldn't look like if I worked for Jesus. I know, I do work for Jesus and the weight of what I do has taken me down a path of exhaustion. In fact I am so exhausted that I can't find the meaning to Matthew 11:28-30

 ²⁸ “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. ²⁹ Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. ³⁰ For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” - Matthew 11

 Before I try to figure out this easy yoke and light burden, let me look at what is not involved in the job duties of a Christian.

Not Job Duties for Christians

Saving the whole world. Yeah, in case you don't realize it, Jesus already took care of this. He came here for the whole world. He came to give each and every person the opportunity to be saved.

 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. - John 3

 ⁷ Therefore Jesus said again, “Very truly I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep. ⁸ All who have come before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep have not listened to them. ⁹ I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved.^[a] They will come in and go out, and find pasture. ¹⁰ The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. - John 10

Judging other. Jesus came to set us free, he himself did not come to judge or condemn us. So what is it that makes us think we can serve as judge to those around us.

 ⁴⁷ “If anyone hears my words but does not keep them, I do not judge that person. For I did not come to judge the world, but to save the world. ⁴⁸ There is a judge for the one who rejects me and does not accept my words; the very words I have spoken will condemn them at the last day. ⁴⁹ For I did not speak on my own, but the Father who sent me commanded me to say all that I have spoken. ⁵⁰ I know that his command leads to eternal life. So whatever I say is just what the Father has told me to say.” - John 12

 “Judge not, that you be not judged. ² For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you. ³ Why do you see the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? ⁴ Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when there is the log in your own eye? ⁵ You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother's eye. - Matthew 7

If you are going to judge the way others choose to live their own life shouldn't you at least look at how you live your own. Are you being compassionate to those around you, are you taking care of the widows and the orphans?

You do realize that God himself will take care of the people who follow him, much better and with much more grace then you could even muster all by yourself. So take a load off. If Jesus himself came to save but not judge or condemn, why do we see these two things as our job. We should introduce people to the one who himself doesn't judge but comes to bring salvation, eternal like, and mounds of grace.

Well check out Part 2 to find out what a Christian Job Description should look like.

Burned out




Photo by The Ewan

God warned me as I gradually got worse. He warned me that the path and the rate I was taking the path weren't healthy. Yet something inside told me that this was the life God had for me. I started to believe that I was put on this earth to be over used and abused (lie).

 

I sat across from my mom at my kitchen table almost in tears as I finally let those words I had been holding escape. It was terrible, yet liberating all at the same time. I had started believing that I was all used up, of no use to anyone, even God. (Lie)

 

What a terrible place to be, but finally speaking my mom almost in tears because she is tired too. Gave me some much needed truth. God loves us, both of us. He came to give us rest, yes he wants us to do work for him but not at the cost of relationships. The most important relationship being with him.

Photo by The Ewan

 That is exactly what God warned me of, I can't lead or even teach without him. Without spending time with him, I am forgetting love and grace. Without love and grace the words I say are nothing but noise. 

 

Now for a little bit of truth; if Satan can pull us from God long enough we forget love and grace; then he steals our purpose. Our purpose of giving grace and love to others while pointing to the author of it all.

 

So I am trying to rekindle my relationship with God. Seeking him knowing he has promised to be found. I was reminded of where I was while reading another blog called The Good Life.  This blog reminded me that God didn't put me on this earth to be over used and abused. No that is a lie, God went through great efforts to show his love.

While I feel like I have been used up to the point of being useless. That is a lie, God always uses the least expected and most unqualified people. Think about it, God uses Moses who had a speech impediment, and Paul who persecuted his followers. Yet these are just a few examples of people God used that didn't fit the mold. So know I just need to rest, and be ready for God to use me.

As long as I don't allow Satan to take my voice, and I seek God with all of my heart, I am useful; and so are you.

Dear Lord,

I praise you for your wisdom. I thank you for the opportunity to get closer to you. Please continue to draw me toward you. Help me to find you, where I can understand and share your love and grace.

In Jesus name,

Amen

A boast in faith?

After my lesson, I was energetic. I couldn't wait to start down the new path God has for me. I've been here before and it didn't end with me following the path. The thought of when did my faith become so weak. Dear Lord, give me faith to follow you.

That prayer sounds good right. I was reading my long list of blogs and I found one that convicted me, because of my lack of faith. This blog post gave me a new view. Instead of looking up, I have started looking around, and I see that God has given me enough faith to do what He has called me to do.

In reality my faith is not at all what stops me from walking that path. It is fear. Fear that has attached itself to me. What is even worse is that I have even caught myself feeding the fear with lies. Isn't that what fear is anyway. The Bible tells us that perfect love casts out fear. The only perfect love comes from God. So when I am not following God down this new path, I'm standing maybe even living in that lie.

The faith chapter, Hebrews 11, tells of people who used their faith to step out of the boat, to take the path God had for them. They were commended for this. Jesus told a parable about the two sons, found in Matthew 21:28-32. 

In this parable the father asked both sons to go work in the fields for him. The first said no, but changed his mind and went. The second said yes, but then changed his mind and never went. I would like to say I'm standing and haven't answered. That would be nice, but I have told God yes, I will go. But I'm standing here still thinking about it.

The problem is the longer I think about the path, the longer I stand here in fear, the bigger the chance I'm going to be the second son. I don't want to be the second son, I want to be commended for my faith. I want to be an example to those who are hearing the same lies. I want them to say, if God can heal her, if he can use her, if he can help her overcome the lies, then he will do the same for me. I want God to use me to free those around me.

Dear Lord, You have given me the faith I need to overcome the lies, and to fight off the fear. Give me another opportunity to step out in faith. Use me to free those around me who have been lied to as well. Give them freedom from seeing me move. In Jesus Name, Amen

Lessons from the teacher

As a teacher in a small church I have found that I like to write curriculum. Yes, it is a challenge but it forces me to really study. I have always been told you can't teach something you don't know. So I strive to continue to learn.

I have recently started writing curriculum for a class that rotates teachers every week. There are days where I notice that  the lesson I write not only is the topic for the students; but the lesson has special meaning for the teacher as well. This is never the intent as each lesson follows some pattern that dictates the upcoming lesson.

Well this week was my turn to teach. As I was writing the lesson I noticed the topic. Have faith, God is taking care of you. Yep, this lesson was for me 100%. I know that God has my back, he also is guiding me down a path I have never been before.

At first I was so scared I prayed for a new path. God is standing their saying, come follow me. I have great plans for you. Plans to offer you a new kind of freedom. Plans for you to be the person I have made you to be. So I stand at the beginning of the path, it leads down into the unknown, but God who has my back is leading me, and who better to protect me as I venture into the unknown.

As the Casting Crowns song goes, "He's already there, at the end of my life..." may God in his infinte mercy, lead and protect me. May I in my yo-yo of faith trust Him, like Peter walking on water, but I pray I don't take my eyes off of Jesus, who walks on water.

 

Opposing opinions:

As a human I often find times where my views don't sink up with my friends, family, or even my neighbor. As a christian, I find my views different then my brothers and sisters in Christ.
Because of my leadership role in my church, I make excuses.What excuse do I make? The excuse that I don't want to bring judgement on my family, my teaching style, but most of all I don't want to bring judgement on myself. I fear my views will be seen in a negative light, by people with closed minds judging me. (The thing we aren't supposed to do).

So I don't post links to amazing blogs because they have different opinions of those around me.  I don't know if I can handle my friends opinions about me. I fear being told I can't teach, or lead in my church because my opinions are different. My role is a role I take very serious. Something I have done so long that the work I do for the Lord has taken up my identity. Almost my entire identity.

So I sit quietly, not sharing where God is ever changing my perspective. Where God is pushing me to love others as he first loved me. Where love is seen as a verb. Love is to serve others, no matter who they are, what they do or believe, just love them.  Unconditional love doesn't look at picking right and wrong out of that person, it looks at showing them love because they were created by God for a purpose, because they too are human, and loved by an almighty God.

I do believe in repentence and that through that repentence we are made whole. I also believe that there are clear lines of right and wrong, but I see so many people who just up and leave people who are doing wrong because of their behavior, or who they are.

I thank God my perspective has changed, and may people see this change in me. May he take away my fear and give me boldness to say what I feel. May love shine around me, love that comes from the Father God and his Son.

When in doubt follow Jesus' example...

At dawn he appeared again in the temple courts, where all the people gathered around him, and he sat down to teach them. The teachers of the law and the Pharisees brought in a woman caught in adultery. They made her stand before the group and said to Jesus, “Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of adultery. In the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women. Now what do you say?” They were using this question as a trap, in order to have a basis for accusing him.
But Jesus bent down and started to write on the ground with his finger. When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, “Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.” Again he stooped down and wrote on the ground.
At this, those who heard began to go away one at a time, the older ones first, until only Jesus was left, with the woman still standing there. Jesus straightened up and asked her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?”
“No one, sir,” she said.
“Then neither do I condemn you,” Jesus declared. “Go now and leave your life of sin.” - John 8:2-11

 Jesus didn't come to condemn us...

For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son. - John 3:17-18

So, go now and condemn no one. Don't say that because someone sins in a way that is blatant and disrespectful they don't deserve love. Love them. Never abandon someone you disagree with, because they may be the loneliest out there, and never quarrel over matters of convictions.

Accept the one whose faith is weak, without quarreling over disputable matters. One person’s faith allows them to eat anything, but another, whose faith is weak, eats only vegetables. The one who eats everything must not treat with contempt the one who does not, and the one who does not eat everything must not judge the one who does, for God has accepted them. Who are you to judge someone else’s servant? To their own master, servants stand or fall. And they will stand, for the Lord is able to make them stand. - Romans 14:1-4

Now if they are asking you to partake in the sin, then by all means run. Run fast and far away. Always ask God to help you discern what is around you, and to give you wisdom when you shouldn't be somewhere or do something.

Dear Heavenly Father,

We praise you for your love for us. That you don't condemn us for our shortcomings. Please give us the grace and wisdom to do the same.

 In Jesus' Name,
Amen.

Needing grace and prayers

I really needed grace today so I borrowed a Tenth Avenue North CD from my sister. I knew a post would come out of it, but one song in particular gave me a strong desire to pray. Not for myself but for a old youth member from my church. He was one of the first students I helped lead, so I have a general attachment to him and his family. Add that his sister was my first and since she graduated a friendship has really taken off with her.

Well once becoming a teenager, he hit a stage where I didn't know where he stood, and neither did he. He believed in God but he wanted to rule his own life. I really thought that had changed as he accepted Christ this past year, but I wonder if he felt pushed into it because once again he has decided to rule over his own life.

“I have the right to do anything,” you say—but not everything is beneficial. “I have the right to do anything”—but I will not be mastered by anything. --1 Corinthians 6:12

 
In reality by ruling his own life he is actually becoming a slave to his own wants and desires. He is not allowing God to help him make important decisions. He is jumping the gun and searching for freedom in a world that wants to make him a slave.

I pray for him, I also pray for his parents. I fear he will end up in chains, chains that are so comfortable. In fact with given the opportunity to take communion recently he rain away. Ran from God's grace. How very sad, I have been there. I didn't want to face God because of the things I had done. So I pray for him...

Dear Lord, free him and me. While our chains are different the freedom we both want is the same. Free us from the chains that hold us.Show us your grace and give us courage not to run from your love.Draw him close to you, and remind him of the lessons he has learned. In Jesus' Holy Name. Amen.

Now I must have faith that God who loves and cares for him much more than I do. Much more than his parents, God will keep him safe and draw him back to him

Is God there? How to see the truth?

So what if one day you wake up and don't believe that God loves you? You wake up and believe that there is no plan to prosper you. You stand there in your pain not believing God will take care of this fear. Even worse you don't believe He is strong enough to carry your burden. What do you do?

What do you do when everything you believe no longer feels real? When you are lonely because before you could take it to Him. But is He even there? How do you move forward? Are you alone?

No, you are not alone. I have been there. I was there in October, I was there a week and half ago, and yet again, I still fight this on my bad days. So know you are not alone. It seems the church today doesn't know how to deal with doubt. Sometimes it seems they don't know how to encourage you, how to pray for and with you. How to point you to God in a way that doesn't degrade you for your lack of faith or make you feel inferior to them.

The only answer that I know of sounds so simple but it isn't. The answer is to fight. Fight by seeking God's Holy face. His ever near face. It could be listening to music, opening the Bible, or even sitting in silence and believing He is God. Making a choice to believe despite what you feel, when that belief is so hard. Believing that despite your fears and doubts He will come to you.

"Hear my voice when I call, Lord;
    be merciful to me and answer me.
 My heart says of you, “Seek his face!”
    Your face, Lord, I will seek.
 Do not hide your face from me,
    do not turn your servant away in anger;
    you have been my helper.
Do not reject me or forsake me,
    God my Savior."- Psalm 27:7-9

It may mean praying to Him and telling Him all your fears and your doubts. Of everything don't try to hide your fears. God knows everything about you, he knows your thoughts.

"You have searched me, Lord,
    and you know me.
 You know when I sit and when I rise;
    you perceive my thoughts from afar.
 You discern my going out and my lying down;
    you are familiar with all my ways.
 Before a word is on my tongue
    you, Lord, know it completely." - Psalm 139:1-4

Trying to hide the doubt isn't going to help. Acknowledge it, acknowledge your fear and give it to Him. Because what if God can take care of this? What if you just say it out loud, or even silently at your desk. You admit your disbelief and you ask God to help you believe. Ask him to take care of this situation, and then you walk away, accepting the peace that he gives. Not picking it back up.

Sometimes fighting means sharing your doubts, sharing the lies that you are hearing. Why is this important? Is it for support? Well that is important, but during constant attack from Satan you can't tell what is truth. So having someone there who can point you to truth is important.

Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm.
    But how can one keep warm alone?
Though one may be overpowered,
    two can defend themselves.
A cord of three strands is not quickly broken. - Ecclesiastes 4:11-12

God knew this, he said it isn't good for man to be alone. Yes, I know many see this as a marriage verse. But what if it isn't? What if Eve was originally created because Adam needed help seeing through Satan's lies? What if our purpose here is to help others see the truth?  That is why I think you need someone you can trust. Someone who can pray a prayer of protection and one who is willing to  to with fight. That person can help you defeat the lies. Someone who can point you to truth, and point you back to God.

So today, give your disbelief to God. He can take it, he already knows about it so give it to him. He can handle it, He can help you conquer it. He can give you peace. I know he gave it to me this week. In those moments when you don't know the truth seek it out.  Seek out a trustworthy friend who can pray over you, pray with you, and point you toward the truth.

Yes, Satan is going to tell you no one can handle your what your thinking. He is telling you that because he wants you alone, and defeated. Ask God to send someone to help you.

Take it from someone who has been there, you are loved more then you can image. The plans God has for you make take 50 years, and that hurts, but God has this. Trust Him!