Commands of Christ

Do Not Covet

2011-01-19T13:04:00.008-06:00

This past summer, I was asked to come speak to this vivacious group of young ladies! It was definitely worth the effort and I loved getting to meet each and every one. The juxtaposition of their outward diversity and yet united heart's desire was inspirational!

During our time, we talked about what contentment (a positive view on this command: Do Not Covet!) really is, why it is so important, how we can adopt a mindset of contentment, and how to apply it - not just to the really difficult trials through which we go, but to our daily lives as well.

We came to understand that contentment is both (1.) realizing God has provided everything I need for my present happiness, and (2.) knowing what is most important can never be taken away from me.

What can never be taken away?

God
The Word of God (including all of His promises to believers, such as eternal life, eternal joy and eternal fellowship with Jesus Christ)

“Let your conversation be without covetousness;

and be content with such things as ye have:

for He hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.”

Hebrews 13:5

The man who has God for his treasure has all things in One. Many ordinary treasures may be denied him, or if he is allowed to have them, the enjoyment of them will be so tempered that they will never be necessary to his happiness. Or if he must see them go, one after one, he will scarcely feel a sense of loss, for having the Source of all things he has in One all satisfaction, all pleasure, all delight. Whatever he may lose he has actually lost nothing, for he now has it all in One, and he has it pur ely, legitimately and forever.

- A. W. Tozer

One of the biggest lies you will ever here is,

If I only had _________ I would be happy!

Not only is this false, it can easily retard (meaning to delay, or hold back in terms of progress, development or accomplishment) the work God has ordained YOU to do!

Our contentment can determine who we are and how far we excel.

Do what you can with what you have! There is a man named Nick Vuijic who is an incredible example of both realizing God has provided everything he needs for his present happiness AND doing all he can with what he has. Nick was born without arms or legs, and yet leads a vibrant and contented life. He didn't have control over his circumstances, but he did have control over how to respond to them.

It is important to realize, however, that contentment should not be the fruit of comparison. This means that we should not look at a handicap like Nick's and determine that since "we have arms and we have legs, we should be happy"!

II Corinthians 10:12 says,

"...but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise. "

If our contentment has a foundation of comparison, all it will take is someone who has MORE than we do to make us discontent.

Also, remember the significance of seasons in life.

One of the best ways to apply contentment is to keep our hearts in the present and not in the future.

We talked about the power of gratitude, and the need to let go of expectations. To illustrate letting go of our expectations, each girl wrote a desire of hers on a balloon ("a horse", "a camera", "a sister", "answers"), blew it up, and then together we let go of our "expectations" and symbolically gave God our desires to deal with as He pleases.

Last evening while reading more on the command, "Do Not Covet" I was struck with how often we covet things we see. All the more reason to guard our eyes with all diligence and to not expose ourselves to things that would distract the vision that God has given for our lives (Proverbs 4:25). Think of David and Bathsheba, for example. David was just out meandering on his roof top (idleness, perhaps?) when temptation was thrust into his sight uninvited and unprovoked. We don't know when the devil will throw a fast one at us! We may be out walking along a storefront when, upon seeing an attractive picture of something, all that has already been provided for us dims in the potential of what we could have.

The example of David and Bathsheba highlights another good point besides the influence of sight and unexpected timing (he was tempted in the middle of a common, unexciting event: walking): that we are not capable of only coveting things, but people as well. One greek word for covet is epithumeo; it refers to having strong affections directed towards someone or something and longing after it.

Will we be as the simple - tossed to and fro with the leadership of another, be they a fool or wise? The "leader" is often an advertisement, designed to make you believe you do not have all that you need to be successful in life. Don't forget - the greatest commandment is to love the Lord the God with all of your heart, soul, mind and strength and we don't need anything but life to fulfill that!

A lovely tea party was prepared for after our meeting, and I smiled at the illustration it provided of I Timothy 6:8,

"And having food and raiment let us be therewith content."

Helpful verses to memorize:

Hebrews 13:5: By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.

I Timothy 6:6-8: But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.

Philippians 4:11-12: Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.

Exodus 20:17: Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbour's.

Psalm 119:36-37: Turn my heart toward your statutes and not toward selfish gain. Turn my eyes away from worthless things; preserve my life according to your word.

Proverbs 28:16: The prince that wanteth understanding is also a great oppressor: but he that hateth covetousness shall prolong his days.

Go the Second Mile!

2011-01-14T11:26:00.001-06:00

"And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain." (Matt 5:41)

I remember the first time I learned about this verse in school. I was probably seven or eight, and I thought to myself, "Who would go a second mile if they only had to go one? That's crazy!" That's exactly what those who Jesus was speaking to probably thought. The Jews were under Roman oppression. In those days, a Roman soldier who had to travel could compel a Jewish boy to walk a mile with him and carry his heavy pack. When Jesus told the Jewish people gathered around him to go a second mile, they probably thought He was nuts! When we look at the surrounding verses, we can see that this command was given in the context of teaching on retaliation:

People have always told you to take what is taken from you, but I tell you, don't retaliate! If someone hits you, let him hit you again! If someone tries to take your coat, give him your cloak too! If one of those Romans wants you to carry his pack for a mile, take it a second mile! Give to everyone who asks of you, and as for the person who wants to borrow, don't turn him and away. (Paraphrase of Matt 5:38-42)

I think the point that Jesus was trying to make is summed up with honoring one's authority! Honor does not mean doing what you absolutely have to, but rather, what you think would delight, and please the person who is in charge! Something interesting that I discovered recently in Mr. Gothard's book (49 Secrets of Power for Living) really caught my attention as I was studying this command:

He writes "...there are two types of power when it comes to authority: first...the positional power of those who hold offices of leadership...second...the influential power of those who have close ties with leaders and can influence their decisions. The more powerful of these two is the position of influence - and this is the secret of going the second mile!"

I thought this was profound. Think about how a baby influences his parents with his adorable faces, and the things he does to make people laugh! As believers, our testimony when we go the second mile can influence our authorities...even those over us who may not be believers, or are even opposed to Christianity! Can you imagine the shock of a Roman soldier if a young Jewish boy offered to carry his heavy pack for another whole mile? A mile is a long time with a heavy backpack!!! However, the times I have applied this principal in my life, I have found that there is a new genuine love for my authority...even if I originally began with resentment and irritation! The conscience decision to go a second mile brings joy to the one who chooses to deny himself!

Recently, one of my homework assignments involved studying the Commands of Christ in chronological order! As I did so, I decided to find out which character qualities are linked to which commands. Mr. Gothard laid out the character qualities and the commands some time ago when he published his seven study guides which covered all 49 commands and it turns out that Deference is the character quality that closely relates to "Going the Second Mile."

"Deference is putting the welfare of others ahead of our own personal pleasures"
(taken from "The Power for True Success" published by IBLP)

As we think about the welfare of our authorities, and put them before ourselves, the concept of "Go the Second Mile" begins to come alive! For example, lets say you have an uncle that's unsaved. You're visiting him for the weekend, and you want to be a good testimony. He's working on some odd jobs around the house, and he asks if you want to help him for an hour or so. Your cousin is also there, but he is off doing his own thing, and unwilling to help his father. You help your uncle for an hour, and then someone comes along and says "Hey, we're going fishing...do you want to come?" You love to fish, but because your uncle is working alone, and you want to be a good testimony, you put his potential welfare (the fact that you might be able to witness to him) ahead of your desires, and decide to stay. Your uncle is surprised, and you now have the opportunity to share with him why you stayed to help.

Something I struggle with a lot is complaining about having to do jobs that seem menial, or pointless to me! I wish I had the outlook more often that a menial task, that may seem unimportant, could very possibly lead to a conversation, or even a decision for Christ on the part of those around me. If I refuse to show deference, I am saying, "The things that I am interested in are more important than your eternal welfare." That is certainly not the message I desire to communicate to others. When I think about the person I want to be, it is often very different than the person I usually am. This seems to be a problem for more than one person (me)! When I think I can do it...I really can't! So, what are some practical ways to apply the command to "Go the Second Mile"? After all...it's a command, not a choice!

If you offend someone, don't just apologize, but if possible, make restitution!
If you're asked to fold one basket of laundry, get all the laundry through (a personal favorite of mine :-D)!
If you see a mother juggling way too much for one person, don't just pick up what she dropped, see if you can help her to her destination!
Don't just hand out a tract...ask the person if they want to hear about it!
When you find out about a prayer need, don't just write it down...pray about it!
You listen to a sermon every Sunday...don't just listen...make life application!
If you're asked to do something, try doing it for double the time that was requested!
Defer your right to do something exciting so someone else can go who might have had to stay back.
A few months ago, our family was going to go rafting. I have a two-year-old brother, and he wasn't old enough to go yet. My mom had never been, and she really wanted to try it, but she was worried about the baby. There was only one solution. I would have to be the one to stay back, because none of the other older kids could be alone that long, and my dad was the only one who knew how to steer the raft! My mom didn't ask me to stay back, but I knew she really wanted to go. I also knew I really, really wanted to go! The morning after we discussed the dilemma as a family, I was reading in my quiet time, and I felt God prompting me to deny myself...to defer to my authority, and put her welfare, and enjoyment before my own. I went to my mom, and I told her I'd take Timmy so she could go rafting. She was grateful...but...the trip ended up falling through, and we never even went. I have to say though, that for days after that decision (before we decided not to go), I had an extreme joy, and anticipationation as I looked forward to the opportunity to "Go the Second Mile." Sometimes it doesn't mean doing something for twice as long. Sometimes it means doing something you weren't going to have to do at all, and deciding to take the leap, just because you know it's the right thing to do!

It's hard to trust God to make it worthwhile to "Go the Second Mile", but He does. The influence God can give us as we demonstrate the power of the "Second Mile" is illustrated by the rudder of a large ship. Though tiny and not even visible, it has the power to control the direction of the entire vessel. May God give us the ability, though we are often unseen, to influence those who rule over us for the Lord, giving HIM the glory, as we exercise the power of the command, "Go the Second Mile."

-Hannah
Phil 2:13

Ask, Seek, Knock

2011-01-10T11:01:00.005-06:00

Our family was circled around our dining room table for some good ol' fashioned game time when I inquired after the possibility of getting our own water purifier. We have fairly good rural water, but some of us are pretty particular when it comes to drinking only the best and cleanest out there, and buying bottled water starts to really add up after a while! I had been on the look out for some time and was under the impression the Berkey Light was well made and would be efficient for our needs. The Berkey Light is powerful enough to filter totally raw and untreated pond water, removing pathogenic bacteria, cysts, parasites, foul tastes and odors and all sorts of unhealthy minerals without removing the healthful and nutritional minerals we need. I was excited! As I started describing the features of the Berkey Light and pulled it up on the web for all to see, Dad looked up and said, "I think we have a water filter!" I stopped talking. We have one? All this time I've been searching for a good water filter, and there's been one right under my nose?? Dad quickly went to the basement whilst I mulled over the possibilities. A few minutes later, a large box was the first we saw of Dad as he returned and set it on the counter. On the front of the box were big, blue letters, "BERKLEY LIGHT WATER PURIFIER". We all looked at each other in unbelief! As I investigated the contents of the box, this was indeed the very same filter I was trying to convince Dad we should get! "I can hardly believe it!" I exclaimed. "Talk about fast shipping!" This $200+ filter has been just sitting in our basement - never used - for the past 12 years.

As we continued our game, one person mentioned, "Hey, Emily, you should write a blog post on how we have not because we ask not!" It was then I remembered this command: Ask, Seek, Knock. I had already been scheduled to share on this particular command, and now the Lord had provided a fun and exciting testimony of how He LOVES to provide for us, if we will but ask! I am amused to think I have time and time again ignorantly walked passed the very thing I desired. It was not until I asked, that it was given. "What else do we just need to . . . ask for?" I inquired after my parents. "Yeah," piped in my brother, "you got a Ferrari somewhere?!"

Before you settle on simply asking for all that you desire, though, let's study the rest of this command a little further. After all, Jesus didn't just say, "Ask." We have the responsibility to seek and knock. We are being called to action! God has given us eyes to see, hands to work, feet to run. Remember it is the slothful man who puts his hand in the dish and will not so much as bring it to his mouth again (Proverbs 19:24).

Arnold Pent reminded his family many times, "If you need anything, just ask for it and God will supply it, and if you want something that you don't necessarily need, obey the verse that states, 'Delight thyself in the Lord and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.'" God desires our fellowship, not just our quick prayers informing him of our wants. Is this perhaps why He has promised the desires of our heart if we will but spend our time focusing and delighting in Him? When you desire something, seek after the Lord! He will show you what to do and where to go. He will present the door on which you should knock, and He will open it. A door is symbolic of opportunity and hope. What lies over the threshold of your obedience?

Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.

Matthew 7:7-8

Helpful Verses to Memorize:

Matthew 7:9-11: Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone? Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent? If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?

James 4:3-4: Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.

John 14:14 If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.

Psalm 81:10 I am the LORD thy God, which brought thee out of the land of Egypt: open thy mouth wide, and I will fill it.

Psalm 34:10 The young lions do lack, and suffer hunger: but they that seek the LORD shall not want any good thing.

Seek God's Kingdom First

2010-12-18T12:13:00.013-06:00

We've all seen the Hollywood kingdoms portrayed in Bible-time movies, read chapters of Revelation about what Heaven looks like, and colored pictures in junior Bible coloring books that portray the throne room in a palace. Disney has put marble floors, gem-filled crowns, and castle spires into little children's minds with the Cinderella story, and picture books have helped us imagine what it would be like. We tour Biltmore houses, and other splendid structures across America, and overseas, trying to get a glimpse of the awesomeness of a kingdom. So, what did Jesus mean when half way through the greatest sermon ever preached, he says "Seek ye first the Kingdom of God."? Lets put it into perspective:

(Paraphrase) Don't worry about what you'll eat, or what you'll drink. Don't worry about where you'll get clothes, or what they look like. Your life, and your body consist of more than food and clothing. Look! My Father takes care of the fowls of the air. He clothes the lilies of the field! Even Solomon was not arrayed as beautifully as one of them! Can you add stature to yourself? Stop worrying about your needs. My Father in heaven knows them all! Therefore, do this:

"Seek ye first the Kingdom of God, and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you. Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself! Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof."

Actually, there are two kinds of kingdoms. The one that you and I think of when we think "Kingdom" is the future kingdom:

"The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of His Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever." (Rev 11:15)

Then we have the kingdom Jesus refers to in Matthew 6:33. God's present kingdom is within us! Jesus said:

"Behold, the kingdom of God is within you." (Luke 17:21)

Mr. Gothard in his book "49 Secrets of Power for Living" notes that the disciples often talked about who would be greatest in the kingdom of God. However, they failed to recognize that "The Kingdom" was within their hearts where the Holy Spirit dwells. This is why the first two things required to enter the kingdom are (1) repentance, and (2) new birth. We repent, and then we are saved. This results in the kingdom of God within us which is where the Holy Spirit takes up residency in our lives. Once this happens, we now have a new struggle:

Jesus was speaking to the multitudes when he gave this command. The word "seek" is a present, active verb. Jesus wasn't telling them to seek later, or that they already had sought, or to seek for a time, and then stop. Jesus was commanding them to seek continually, never to stop seeking, and to make seeking a way of life! Once we are born again, this seeking doesn't come to a sudden halt. Instead, we must take the initiative to keep seeking the kingdom of God, and thus, experience spiritual growth.

Initiative is acting on the rhemas that God gives to us in his Word. Initiative is also carrying out the will of God by being in tune with the heart of God

Idleness is the ground in which every form of evil takes root. The hour of idleness is the hour of temptation. This is why we are commanded by Jesus in Matthew 6:33 to be continually seeking God with a kingdom focus! Amy Carmichael thoughtfully said "Satan is much more in earnest than we are. He buys up the opportunity while we are wondering how much it will cost." How true! While we worry about what we will lose when we seek only God, Satan snatches the opportunity and leads us into temptation.

In tying all of this together, we have a kingdom within us that we are commanded to continually seek. We have initiative which is acting on the rhemas God gives us (those rhemas direct us and are both the motivation to seek, and the reward of seeking), and we have the warning that idleness breeds only temptation. So, what exactly are we seeking when we say "the kingdom within us"? There are eight things that a kingdom consists of:

A King - Jesus Christ
A Jurisdiction - Our Hearts
A Law - Christ's Commands
An Enemy - Satan
A Treasury - Sowing
A Citizenry - Disciples
A Flag - Banner of Love
An Army - Disciple Makers
Mr. Gothard lists these eight points in his book (49 Secrets of Power for Living) and here I have summarized it: we seek the kingdom by studying our King, Jesus Christ, in the Bible (God's instruction manual/love-letter to his children). As we learn about his Lordship, we surrender our hearts willingly to his jurisdiction. Now that we have surrendered to him, we seek to obey His commands, and in keeping with obeying them, seek to conquer the enemy that is ever present, wanting to devour. As others see our witness for Christ, we sow seeds in their lives. We then seek to build the number of citizens in God's Kingdom by making disciples. As we show our banner of love to them, they eventually mature, and thus, go out and make more disciples. Although there are many aspects to seeking the kingdom of God, this is one way we can "Seek God's Kingdom."

Now, why does it say "Seek ye FIRST"? Why not do other things first? I have to stick in an element from my Journey to the Heart binder, as usual, so this time, I am taking out "The Pure Heart." What is a pure heart? One with a pure heart is one who matches the standards of Christ (definition taken from "A Pure Heart" in the journey to the heart binder). Will any of us ever be perfectly pure during our life here on earth? No, but Jesus still calls us to live lives of purity...lives that don't see how close to the line they can get, or lives that sit on the fence, but lives that go the extra mile, make extra sacrifices, and show their love for their King liberally. We are promised by a God who does not break his promises, if you seek the kingdom first, ALL these things WILL be added unto you (i.e. you will never lack anything that Jesus Christ thinks you need.) A pure heart will enable us to throw away our worldly values and desire Jesus more!

I love this verse which directly follows Luke's documentation of this same passage in Matthew where Jesus says:

"Fear not little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom."

i.e. It's not a drudge for God to fulfill our needs, or to dwell within our imperfect selves. He delights in it. He loves it! It is His joy! Why should we worry about our physical needs when God not only fills them, but it is his GOOD PLEASURE to fill them??? This passage serves only to reiterate the beautiful words pf the prophet Zephaniah in Zephaniah 3:17 "The Lord thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy, he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing.

Summarization II: the kingdom of God is within you! You know the eight things that you are seeking in that kingdom. You understand that initiative, and a pure heart are required as you seek the Lord, and you know that you don't need to worry about your needs, because God delights to fulfill them as a demonstration of His love and compassion. I want to tie this off with a story:

A young man is walking down the streets of Judea. Everyone can tell by his appearance that he has many worldly goods. As he walks, he meets a man named Jesus with his disciples. He asks Jesus, "What must I do to have eternal life?" As Jesus tells him to obey the commands of Christ, and lists a few of them, the young man looks hopeful. He has done these well. Then Jesus stops. "But, I have done all of that! I am still empty inside!" I can almost see his face, so empty, yet so hopeful that Jesus will have an answer for him he has not already heard. "Go, sell what you have and give to the poor. Then you will have treasure in heaven, and you can follow me." There is silence. The young man's head falls, and he turns slowly and walks away. What is wrong with him? He is worried about his earthly possessions. He is too attached to temporal things to lay up eternal treasure. If only he had sought first the kingdom of God, He would have found eternal life, free, and abundant. But so often, I think we are like this young man. We may be saved, but we hold onto our rights, our expectations, and when someone comes along and says, "Throw them away, and seek God," we turn away, sorrowful. We want the answers in life to go our way, and fulfill our desires! Notice Jesus' response: (paraphrase) It is hard for a rich man to enter heaven. Actually, it is easier for a camel to walk through the eye of a needle. His disciples were shocked! They responded by saying "Who then can enter the kingdom of God???" I can picture their amazement! Jesus replies, "With God, all things are possible." Why? Because when we stop worrying about ourselves, and let God handle the details, He carries the load for us.

Are you seeking Jesus Christ? Or have you hung your head, and walked away, too scared to let go of the very things that make you feel so empty?

Be Blessed in Jesus! Live only for HIM!~
Hannah-

The Good Home-school Girl: A Follow-up on Honoring Parents

2010-10-27T12:30:00.007-05:00

We all know her. She is the person we often see ourselves to be. When her parents tell her not to do something, she doesn’t do it. She helps with the clean-up after every meal. She goes to church every Sunday, sometimes even twice a week! She keeps her room cleaned up. She checks with her mom before she goes out with friends. She turns in her homework assignments on time. She is involved in ministry opportunities. If someone asked her if she was rebellious, she could honestly say no…most of the time.

But what about the little things? What about when her parents tell her “You can make the choice, but we’d rather you choose this option.” What about when her friend calls and she knows if her mom were there, she’d want her to finish her school first. What about when she’s shopping with friends, and isn’t sure if her mom would like a certain purchase? What does the Good Home-school girl do then?

Most of us fit into the Good Home-school girl category. We are generally obedient to our parent’s stated commands, we don’t gossip, or even excessively complain, and generally, we try to be respectful, even though we fail much of the time. So I began to think about this concept. Is “The Good Home-school Girl” someone I want to be?

Two weeks ago I went shopping with my younger sister. It was just the two of us and naturally, we were having fun. We like thrift-store shopping (who wouldn’t?) and we were finding good deals everywhere we looked! I decided it was time for a new pair of pants. The church camping trip was just two weeks away, and I didn’t have anything to wear, so I looked around, found a practically new pair for three dollars, and bought it. The whole way home, my conscience condemned me. Why? Because I knew without a doubt that my mom would have preferred I not buy them without her there. I knew she had a certain way she wanted things to fit. Did she tell me before I left the house “Don’t buy any pants!” ? No! Of course not…but I knew her preference.

So, it blew over. They fit fine, she was disappointed at my ignorance to her preference, but hey, it was my choice, it turned out okay, and that was that. But then there was another thing: “You know I really want you to wear a skirt camping this time.” My mom told me. “But, I am going to let you make the choice.” Okay…I’m 18 years old, I’m not in rebellion, I dress modestly every day of my life, and my mom has told me that I can make the choice. Is there a choice to make? So, I looked it up:

Submission: an attitude of reverence in which a person voluntarily places himself under God-given authority as an act of faith in the sovereignty of God.

You know that verse that says “Submit yourselves to them that have rule over you.” I wondered if making a deliberate choice that was just not my authorities’ preference would be a violation of submission. Do we always have to do what our authorities prefer? So I chose to ask three questions. Ask yourself these three questions!

If I dress the way I do because I am afraid that those at the camp-out will think I’m weird for camping in a skirt, I need to re-evaluate what is more important: is my relationship to my authorities, or my relationship to my friends more important?

If people think I’m weird for camping in a skirt and make fun of me, are they really making fun of me? Or are they making fun of God…because I am under the authority that He has placed over me! (I had to come to the conclusion, that they are not rejecting me, but God and the authorities HE put over me).

Lastly, if I am given a choice by my authorities, and I know their wishes, is it right to do my own thing anyways?

So this may seem like a really silly, not very important example, and it is! Isn’t that what always gets us? The music we listen to, the people we hang out with, the clothes we wear, the things we buy when we go shopping, the words we say when our parents aren’t there…all of that is what stops the “Good Home-school Girl” from being a “Submissive Home-school Girl.”

This leads me to ask one final question: God says that iniquity is “doing our own will” What we do that is defined as “iniquity” may not be inherently wrong at another time, or in another circumstance, but because it is done outside of God’s timing, it is wrong! Therefore, are we committing iniquity every time we make a choice that we know is against the preferences of our parents? I think we are, and here are the results of that iniquity:

The Lord will not hear us (Ps 66:18)
God will set our iniquities before His face (Ps 90:8)
We will reap vanity which is translated sorrow (Prov 22:8)
We will be separated from God (Is 59:2)
We will not get good things from God (Jer 5:25)
Our iniquity will be bondage to us (Acts 8:23)
When we name the name of Christ, we will destroy God’s reputation (II Tim 2:19b)

All of us have different ways that we commit iniquity, but iniquity in this way is dishonoring our parents, and Ex 20:13 says to “Honor thy Father and thy Mother that thy days may be long…” Am I stretching this too far? I don’t think so. I would encourage each of you to search your life and heart for ways that you are regarding iniquity in your heart, dishonoring your parents, and thus, grieving the Holy Spirit. Then, check out the rewards of having a submissive spirit!

Eph 6:1-3, Col 3:20, Rom 13:3&5, Heb 13:17, Col 3:23-24, I Tim 6:1, Prov 6:20-24, Prov 15:5, I Pet 2:13-14, I Thess 5:12-13, and I Tim 6:2-4. The rewards outweigh the pleasure of a season of iniquity!...and…yes, I am wearing a skirt camping ;-)

Be Blessed!

~Hannah

PS: This does NOT only apply to Home-school girls :-)

Despise Not Little Ones

2010-09-13T14:29:00.007-05:00

I'll be honest. One of my first thoughts on this command was, "Despise not little ones? . . . Who despises kids?" I mean, clearly, some people are more gifted in dealing with children than others are - take my sister, for example. She doesn't just tell her class about Goliath. She makes Goliath. Plant a flower? Heh. She'll grow a garden. In fact, she'll travel 1,000+ miles and learn their language if it means reaching a little person's life for Christ. Even though some are less or more involved with children's lives, I don't believe I know one person who despises little ones . . . right? Well, then I remembered Hebrews 12:2, which says,

"Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of [our] faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God."

What word would you use to replace "despise" in this verse? Did Jesus really have repugnance or contempt for the shame? Let me give you another perspective as we look at the original Greek. In both Hebrews 12:2 and in Matthew 18:10, the word for "despise" is kataphroneo, which means to look down upon, to regard as insignificant, or not worthy of consuming our time and energy. Jesus was not regarding the shame as hard to bear, but rather the opposite - it meant nothing to him for the sake of His objective! The word despise means to shrink in value, literally: to look down at (de- "down" + specere "look at"). Is this, perhaps, our attitude towards children? Do we mentally shrink their value?

Children represent the most usable people in God's eyes. They are weak. Dependent. Innocent. Teachable. Spotless from the polluted world around them. Think of the times that Christians cried out to God for a leader; Who did He send? Mighty warriors? Actually, he sent babies... such as Moses, Samuel and Jesus. God loves to take the unlikeliest hero and give him the most daunting challenge of all. Why? Because God gets the credit.

Children should be our role models in more ways than one. Granted, babies get away with a lot more than adults do... there's simply nothing to be desired about a 50-year-old crawling on his hands and feet drooling. But, there are attributes characteristic of children that Jesus treasured to the extreme. So much so that he said,

Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
Matthew 18:2-4

Have you ever had the opportunity to minister to bereft children? A friend of mine, Lesley Hoover, recently traveled to China for this very cause! She writes,

Last month, I was blessed with the opportunity to travel to China and minister to hundreds of orphans, many of which had special needs or critical health problems. As I spent time with these precious little ones and grew to love them so much, I developed a deeper understanding of God's heart towards children. I have grown up around children and love them dearly, but this was a totally life changing perspective. I was hit in a powerful way with how deeply children matter to God and how deeply He loves each one.

As I was talking with the head nurse, she told me that every child they receive is considered a 'dying child' in society. No good. Not worth caring for or about. No hope. And the last ones to ever be loved. Many of these children wouldn't even be alive today if not for those laboring in China to be the hands and feet of Christ to these precious little ones. Some of these orphans don't even get a chance to have a family. Children with Downs Syndrome, for example, aren't even put on the list for adoption. They are looked down upon their entire lives. The more I heard, the more my heart broke. I thought, How can this be? How can anyone consider innocent children as not worthy of life, love, or even a family? My mind could hardly comprehend how these children could not be loved or wanted just because they were 'different'. Each child is a precious testimony to the gift of life and dearly loved by our Lord and Savior.

I thought of so many times in Scripture where children are said to be a gift - a blessing - and here they were, the very 'least of these' in society, despised and rejected. It broke my heart, and I can only imagine how terribly it must grieve the heart of God to see children looked down upon and rejected. They have done nothing to deserve such treatment! And then I thought of my Savior. He too, was looked down upon and rejected, though He didn't deserve it. This same Savior, Who felt what these children feel, Who went through what they are going through, tells us not to look down upon them. For their angels stand in the very presence of God Almighty. I thought of this as I held babies so tiny I could almost hold them with one hand. I thought of this as I walked along the roof and the Wall of Remembrance, praying as I read all the names - tiny little names. Each one the name of a little one who breathed their last without a family this side of Heaven. They are unknown to a world who said, "We don't want you...you aren't important to us." And I wept as I thought, As my God loves these precious little ones, I, who claim to bear His name, can do no less but love them as He does.

Living For Jesus

2010-08-23T10:10:00.004-05:00

Lord prepare me,
to be a sanctuary,
pure and holy,
tried and true!
With thanksgiving,
I'll be a living,
Sanctuary for you!

Knowing the Heart of God

2010-08-09T12:56:00.006-05:00

"...When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the Lord shall lift up a standard against him.

Two weeks ago, I came home from my fourth Journey to the Heart, a program put on by the Advanced Training Institute in Chicago. Most of you are probably familiar with it. Why we continue to go back seems to puzzle everyone we run into, but the reason is simple: we will never be perfect. The opportunity to get away for ten days and just seek God, and allow him to peel back yet another layer of our own selfishness and pride is an opportunity rarely experienced by the youth of our day, and one we want to have as long as we can. We also have been taking girls back with us as a ministry and have found it a blessing beyond what we could ever imagine.
Back in September of 2009, when we were on our second one, Madison, one of the team leaders who was there, gave a message that stuck with me and really hit home hard on this last journey. I have always struggled with making lasting changes for the good in my life. Most of us do. I think the reason for this is because Satan is out to steal, to kill, and to destroy. When a seed of truth that could impact us eternally is planted in the garden of our hearts, he does all he can to snatch up that seed and take it away before it can take root. Madison shared three steps to find the heart of God, and to continue "living the journey" at home:

1. Pursue God - run after him, search for him in the scriptures, pursue him until you find yourself surrounded by his greatness and his love!
2. Believe God - when you find him in the scriptures, believe what he says. Those rhemas are promises...not to be easily forgotten, but applied to life! It amazes me how difficult it is to believe those passages for what they are. Taking scripture at face value is not as simple as we think.
3. Praise God - I am not talking about thanking God. Thanking God is acknowledging what he has DONE. Praising him is acknowledging who he IS.

These foundational steps have prompted me many times to step back into God's will, and to realize how real Satan is and how much he wants to steal away my heart! I have started writing down a promise from God every day in my journal and hanging onto it. It has helped me to believe God when he says he will do something. All the promises he made to David are still applicable to you and me for today! Here are some of the ones the Lord has given me in my quiet times the past few weeks:

"And now shall my head be lifted up above my [spiritual] enemies round about me: therefore will I offer in his tabernacle sacrifices of joy; I will sing, yea, I will sing praises unto the Lord!" (Psalm 27:6)

"My covenant will I not break, nor alter the thing that is gone out of my mouth." (Psalm 89:34)

"I, even I am he that blotteth out thy transgressions for mine own sake, and will not remember thy sins." (Isaiah 43:25)

"Fear not; for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine. When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee; when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned: neither shall the flame kindle upon thee. For I am the Lord thy God, The Holy One of Israel, thy Savior...since thou was precious in my sight, thou has been honorable and I have loved thee; therefore will I give men for thee and people for thy life. Fear not. I am with thee..." (Isaiah 43:1b-5a)

"...everlasting joy shall be upon your head; you shall obtain gladness and joy; and sorrow and mourning shall flee away." (Isaiah 51:11b)

"Blessed be... the Father of all mercies, and the God of all comfort, who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God." (II Corinthians 1:3-4)

I have also started turning a psalm or other passage of scripture into a prayer of praise to God. This reminds me to praise God, not just thank him. I find it immensely difficult to live out the Christian life the same way at home that I do at the Journey. There is a definite difference of atmosphere, and so many ways that Satan loves to trip me up. The other day, I was driven to the point of despairing life itself. Satan had brought so many lies and so much irritation and frustration into my life at that moment that all I wanted was relief! Thinking back on a sermon I heard recently, I jotted down what the pastor had said in my notebook, clinging to the reality of the fact that his words were so true!

"We need more than just relief. We need repentance towards our self-centered lusts. Our greatest need is to submit unconditionally and surrender to God."

How true! In my life, I often find myself running from tests I never studied for...tests that Jesus warned would come! He told his disciples not to be surprised if the world hated them, because it hated him first! I often expect life to go my way when in fact, Jesus has already announced that it won't! In the midst of all my anger and doubt, I even felt irritated at God. "Why are you letting this happen? Don't you know how much I want to be faithful to you? Don't you care about me at all? You certainly aren't showing it!" In the midst of my self-pity and hypocrisy, God seemed to prompt me to look at Him for help. "You are not representing me the right way." That still small voice seemed to prompt in a way that frustrated my stubbornness even more! I reached for Charles Spurgeon's book "Morning and Evening" and flipped open to the correct day. What I read was really convicting. Conviction had not been exactly what I had in mind. My problems were everyone else' fault...or so I assured myself...

"They lay their own foundation and hew out the pillars of their own house, refusing to be debtors to the sovereign grace of God."

Certainly it was not working out my way! My mind flew back to Madison's talk about pursuing God. I had been sitting there giving ground to Satan - what he wanted most - and letting Jesus Christ down! For a moment I was well assured that I was the only Christian in the world stubborn enough to dig herself into such a mess! I realized later on that so many of us are prone to fall into the same entrapment's of the enemy. I was encouraged to lean on the verse I put at the top of this post. God will lift up a standard against the enemy when he comes flooding in. That standard is you and me! Will we be strong enough to withstand that flood? Will we represent our Lord and Savior and stand strong amidst all the pressures of life? Or will we allow Satan to break down the barriers of our Lord, and come in and steal, kill, and destroy? Think on these things this week and may you be encouraged...you are not alone in the battle!

~Hannah

Come Lord Jesus!

2010-07-02T13:58:00.002-05:00

Gold rimmed clouds.
Heaven's rays of light streaming through like gigantic stage lights. My earliest memories reach back to brilliant moments as, with my little girl blond head tilted back, my small frame faced the magnitude of the sky's message above. With reels of anticipation I remember exclaiming "Jesus is coming back!" At times I could almost see Him. The more the light radiated in the break in the clouds, the more sure I was that Jesus would come before the sun went down. Have you ever looked up to the clouds with the thought on your heart, "Lord Jesus, You are coming. Today?"
Jesus described His heavenly accent as a man going on a journey who would leave his business and home in the care of capable, trusted servants. At all times they were to be ready - ready for his return.
The parable went on the describe how easy it would be for the servants to become despondent, distracted and their hearts disconnected from the post the master had left them to fill. In fact Jesus questioned in His earth walk, "When the Son of man comes will He find faith on the earth?"

This year I've been blessed to live in a little apartment, affectionately called "the tree house". Through the skylight window in the kitchen, I enjoy the summer's golden rays. Deep in my heart I question, "Lord Jesus, are You coming today?" And His smiling answer returns, "I'm here today." And thus, while I await His appearing, I yet love His Presence.

In this time of waiting we've all been given a post to fill, a delightful duty for the kingdom's sake. It isn't manditory, but rather expressive of a heart that knows it is loved by the Master. What is the Master's post for you? Are you still there?

The Master has given me a post that doesn't have an official sounding name, a trendy title, or a black and white schedule, but it is a post of the heart. A calling of the mind, will, emotions.

A calling of Hope. (Eph. 1)

A calling to HOPE.

A calling to watch and pray. I don't know His ETA (estimated time of arrival), but I do know that He's coming soon. May we be found "looking for that blessed hope and the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ." Titus 2:3

"I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that Love His Appearing.
II Timothy 4:7,8

A few thoughts:

Be ready. As the old songs goes: "When the Bridegroom cometh will your robes be white? Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?" In the secret chamber of your heart ask the Lord, "Are my garments spotless, with not a stain of the world?" Jesus is faithful to reveal the stained spots and has already provided the washing of them. Praise God!
Minister to the Lord through praise: tell Him you love the promise and anticipation of His arrival.
Be beautiful for Jesus: there's nothing so beautiful as a thankful heart.
Exercise spiritual alertness. Beaware of current events and understand the times.
Stay in tune with the Holy Spirit and His work around (and in) you, through prayer.

Blessings are yours in Jesus,

Janny

Take My Yoke

2010-06-10T09:31:00.004-05:00

ORDIN"Come unto me, all ye that labour
and are heavy laden, and I will
give you rest. Take my yoke upon
you, and learn of me; for I am meek
and lowly in heart: and ye shall find
rest unto your souls. For my yoke is
easy, and my burden is light."
Matthew 11:28-30

Studying this Command could not have come at a better time for me. I have been struggling with my walk with the Lord recently. This Command showed me that I have not been trusting in the Lord to take full control but have been leaning on my own strength.
When two animals are yoked up together, one is to be dominant and the other submissive. The Lord showed it to me like this, How can I (Lord) direct your life if you are trying to take over, when you are supposed to be submissive!

I'm sure most of you have heard the song, that goes like this: Obedience is the very best way to show that you believe, well I forget the part, action is the key do it immediately, the joy you will receive. I have been singing that song pretty ,much my entire life and never stoped to think about what the words really say or mean.
Thank you Lord for showing me how to get back your yoke, before you had to show me the hard way!! My Dad had me memorize this verse about a year ago and I think it goes really well with this Command: "But let it be the hidden man
of the heart, in that which is
is not corruptible, even the
ornament of a meek and
quiet spirit, which is in the
the sight of God of great
price." 1Peter 3:4

Please pray for me to continue to stay in the word, and equally yoked up to Christ:)
Jordin

Love the Lord!

2010-05-14T22:39:00.007-05:00

She sat in a wheelchair amidst a generation in their late eighties and early nineties who were oblivious to her or her situation, and then looked sorrowfully into the mirror that seemed to confirm her thoughts… Nineteen. I don’t belong here. This place is for old people! I can’t use my hands to play piano or guitar anymore, I can’t talk clearly enough to teach Sunday School, I can’t run, can’t even walk, can’t do anything that made me useful before. “What good am I?” she said out loud as tears welled up in her dark brown eyes and spilled down her quivering face. “Sarah,” the voice that responded held a weight and tone to it that only a mother can own, “what is the greatest commandment?” The pause was deliberate and focused.

“Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart and with all thy soul and with all thy mind and with all thy strength.”

The rhythmic beeping of machines kept on unnoticed in the background. “Do you need to be able to walk well to do that, or use your arm to do that? Nothing you need to fulfill the greatest commandment has been taken away from you.”

Do we hang our sense of worth on the way we can perform physically? Perhaps we are distracted from realizing the highest calling we have is to love our God, not just to serve Him. God wants our hearts first and foremost. The activities and business of the day should simply be how our love for God is played out-- the outpouring of our gratitude, affection, and personal relationship with the Savior of our souls-- taking form by the spirit in which we clean, the kindness that we choose to express to others throughout the day, or the boldness we illustrate by witnessing to someone who does not know the Lord as we do.

Loving God should always come before our “to do” list, as it will be what drives us to do and be all that pleases Him! Let's see our love for God as the “leader” of all that we do. Because love shapes the interests and pursuits of a heart, our love for God will cause all that we do to fall into line behind the leading pursuit of God’s desires for our life.

Helpful Verses to Memorize:

Exodus 34:14 For thou shalt worship no other god: for the LORD, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God:

John 14:15 If ye love me, keep my commandments.

John 14:21 He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.

I John 5:3 For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.

Matthew 10:37 He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.

Deuteronomy 10:12-13 And now, Israel, what doth the LORD thy God require of thee, but to fear the LORD thy God, to walk in all his ways, and to love him, and to serve the LORD thy God with all thy heart and with all thy soul, To keep the commandments of the LORD, and his statutes, which I command thee this day for thy good?

I John 4:19 We love him, because he first loved us.

Proverbs 8:17 I love them that love me; and those that seek me early shall find me.

Do Not Covet

2010-04-15T19:16:00.004-05:00

Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth. (Luke 12:15)

We don't like to think of ourselves as covetous people!!! It's not a pleasant thought, but the fact of the matter is, that we walk around every day saying "If so n' so has this thing, why can't I have it too?" At least I do! I find myself wrapped up in material things so much that I forget the glory of God...I forget to see him for who he is! Is his glory and his presence really worth trading in for material things? I think one of our greatest downfallings is that we put ourselves in boxes and beg God for earthly treasure. God wants us to rise above our selfishness to his brilliance so that he can give us eternal treasure which will last for eternity! The world tells us that our life purpose relies on what we own. The real truth however is that the kingdom of God is within us. Our purpose lies in furthering that kingdom and in doing everything we possibly can for our Savior...to keep that Kingdom pure, clean, spotless, for the Master's use! It was only a few weeks ago that God was showing me all of this...

"Lord, I know I've been here three times. I'm grateful for all you've done so far. Now I want you to show me the little things...the blind spots in my life...that are holding me back from your greatness." God must have laughed at my obliviousness. "Hannah, you are still holding onto some BIG things. How can I deal with the little ones?" I protested for several days. Clothes, music, email, cell phones, friends, all of it had to go on God's alter. Sure, I had said I had "surrendered all" but God knew the bigger picture. I was not living a life totally sold out for him. I was placing my desire for the things of the world above my hunger and thirst for Jesus Christ.
It is often painful to deal with things that we hold onto for so long. It is hard to say "Lord, you were right, I was wrong." Most of all, it is hard to go home and tell your mom and dad that you were wrong and they were right!!!!! However, it is necessary. What is more worth it...The presence of God, or the presence of earthly things? What is more important? Getting your way, or leaving the choice up to God? My story is not the only one. America's teenagers live off of this method of thinking. "How much can I get to fit into society???" It is the big world-wide question. Think on it. It's silly!

In the clip below by Eric Ludy, he explains how Jesus Christ has set out a banquet for us...but we hesitate to partake in that...why? Because we are afraid to leave behind the things that we'll have to give up for Jesus Christ. Take a few minuets and watch this and realize that God's glory, his presence, his banquet, is worth more than any earthly possession ever will be to us!

Think on these things.
Love you all!

Honor Marriage

2010-04-11T20:37:00.004-05:00

"For this cause shall a man leave
father and mother, and shall
cleave to his wife: and they twain
shall be one flesh?.... What therefore
God hath joined together, let no man
put asunder."
Matthew 19:5-6

When we (I) as a single young person look at this Command, we sometimes think, this is not for me. As I was studying this Command the Lord showed me this verse;
"She will do him good and not
evil all the days of her life."
Proverbs 31:12
It does not say, when you get married, but All the days of her (his) life. That means, that we should be preparing ourselves for that one person that God has for us.

Another way that the Lord showed me how to apply this Command as a young person is to Him. How do I apply Honor Marriage to my relationship with God? Doesn't the Bible give us Jesus' relationship with the church ( all believers), as an example on how we are to treat our spouse? "Submitting yourselves one to
another in the fear of God.
Wives submit yourselves unto
your own husbands, as unto
the Lord. For the husband is
the head of the wife, even as
Christ is the head of the church:
and he is the saviour of the body.
Therefore as the church is subject
unto Christ, so let the wives be to
their own husbands in every thing.
Husbands, love your wives even as
Christ also loved the church, and
gave himself for it; That he might
sanctify and cleanse it with the
washing of the water by the word.
That he might present it to himself
a glorious church, not having spot,
or wrinkle, or any such thing; but
that it should be holy and without
blemish." Ephesians 5:21-27
Wow! What an example we have to follow!
May God bless each and everyone of us to be pure and blameless before Him!
Jordin

Honor Your Parents

2010-04-09T13:56:00.008-05:00

My heart was heavy for a friend of mine as I heard the news about her husband's death. A newly married young woman in her early 20's now found herself in a position she never desired: a mother of a bright young boy but widow of a man who committed suicide. I was serving at IBLP's headquarters when I heard the sad news, and after explaining the situation to Mr. Gothard, was surprised when he said, "Rejoice!" Rejoice... rejoice when my dear friend is suffering? "Rejoice," he counseled, "that God's Word is being proven to be true." Ephesians 6:2 and 3 say,

"Honour thy father and mother; which is the first commandment with promise;

That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth."

Indeed, God's Word was being proven to be true. As much as my heart went out to my friend, I also recognized that she had not honored her parents, but had, in fact, rebelled against their authority and counsel, and married this man against their wishes. The blessing of God can not rest on one who has rejected the very ones God has provided to protect her.- it would be unjust for God to cause to prosper one who has thrust himself outside of the umbrella of authority and into the whelms of the world!

There is hope for someone in this situation, though. God

is merciful, and will forgive anyone

who is repentant and aligns their life back into harmony with the principles that have been laid out in the Bible. Mary Magdalene, the Prodigal Son and Jonah are all examples of this.

We can not look at every trial someone goes through and assume it is because they have not honored their parents-- John 16:33 says, "In the world ye shall have tribulation:". It is good, rather, to examine our own lives, as often our trials are brought on by our own foolishness; foolishness that could have been avoided had we had embraced the Scriptures. It is an incredible blessing to have a mother and father to help us lead a God-honoring life and avoid the pitfalls of one void of understanding. I am deeply thankful that my parents have chosen the route of homeschooling in order to protect and shelter me from harming influences, and who seek the Lord on my behalf. Parents that I have the privilege of going to with a transparent heart when I am struggling, that I might benefit from their wisdom and protection. God will lead through parents, even though they are imperfect.

Soon enough, we may be responsible for the rearing up of our own children. How do we want them to respond to our counsel? Are we responding that way to our own parents? Proverbs 10:1 says, "A wise son maketh a glad father: but a foolish son is the heaviness of his mother." The responsibilities only increase as a man or woman gets older. Why, then, would we add to the burden our parents bear by erring from the way that is right?

III John 1:4 says, "I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth." I believe every Christian parent could add a hearty amen to this verse! Let us strive to make a "glad father" by obeying the first commandment with promise:

"Honour thy father and mother; which is the first commandment with promise;

That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth."

Hear God's Voice

2010-04-07T12:57:00.005-05:00

This seems perhaps like a funny command. "Hear God's voice? He doesn't talk out loud!", some of you might say. True, we often don't have the privilege of hearing God's voice in the same way Isaiah did:

"Also, I heard the voice of the Lord saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?" (Is 6:8)

Actually, we have the priviledge of hearing God's voice through our spirits. Through Christ's death on the cross, we have free and unlimited access to the holy of holies...God's dwelling place. Unlike Isaiah who had to experience the voice of the Lord FOR the people, each one of us can individually experience the voice of God and hear his message for our lives. How???

Not too long ago, I was praying and I suddenly remembered hearing someone say, "Prayer is not talking to God or at God. Prayer is talking WITH God." My mind reeled. "Oh dear...will he really say something to little insignificant me?" I wondered. I was half afraid...no, I was completely afraid that he would not say anything if I were silent before him. Isn't that just like us a believers? We want to take the step of faith and yet we are too faithless to do it?! Somehow I missed that verse in James 4:8

"Draw nigh to God and he will draw night to you."

Faith is throwing both arms up and saying "God, I believe you. Take me. I am yours...faith is in essence, a very important aspect of surrender. One does not give themselves fully to something or someone unless they have faith...TRUST in that thing! God has been demanding trust from me lately in a very real and sometimes uncomfortable way. It is causing me to hear him clearly though. We will not hear the voice of the Lord for the little things we want answers for until we trust him in the big things he demands we know.

Anyways, back to my faith experience...I got down on my knees and I decided to just be quiet. Don't you laugh when you think of God telling you to just shut up a second so he can get a word in edge wise? I do...I think God has a sense of humor, but I also think it disappoints him when we're so wrapped up in our struggles that we won't let him take a moment to give us the answers. We want to hear God's opinion, but we're too busy talking to let him tell us what it is.

"Bow down thine ear and hear the words of the wise, and apply thine heart unto my knowledge." (Proverbs 22:17)

God gets tired of our whining. He wants to help us get over it fully and completely!!! As I quieted myself before the Lord, he did speak. At first, it was soft, not so audible to my soul, but then it came quickly like a rushing wind. "You were created for greater works! You must trust me to know what is best for you!" I was shocked. Why? I should expect this of the God who wants a relationship with me...yet my faithlessness had made that impossible. Girls...you will never know the power of the voice of God until you stop to listen to it. It is not loud or glamorous...it is instead filled with a glory that steals in and fills all the cracks, and then takes over your life if you let it. I would challenge you. Get alone with God...let his glory cover you and overflow you. Be silent and watch the fireworks as the Holy Spirit speaks to your heart and soul. He is greater than you know...if you just take the time to get to know him!!!

Be A Servant

2010-04-02T21:40:00.009-05:00

Be A Servant
"But we preach Christ crucified"
1 Cor. 1:22

*Crucified (4717)~to impale on the cross; to extinguish passion or selfishness

With humble gratefulness I sit here on the evening of Good Friday. I remember the goodness of God. His Son, in servant hood of the finest quality lived and died on my behalf and yours. We've been fully reconciled to God through the crucifixion of Jesus. No longer angry with anyone, His goodness compels, it leads us to repentance. What a gift! What a God! What a Saviour! I believe!
*Believe(4100) ~to have faith, put in trust with, commit
Along with you, my heart is committed to the truth and longs to know this Servant King.

Every path walked in Christ will be one of servant hood.

"Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus. Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made Himself of no reputation, and took upon Him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, He humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Wherefore God also hath highly exalted Him, and given Him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, or things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." Philippians 2:5-11

The humble, meek Lord Jesus poured out in love His life-giving flow, His blood. Is that loving, life-giving stream channelling through me unhindered?

Selfish ambitions block Love's celestial flow through my heart.

What do I need to remove from my life in order to be more profitable to the ones I serve?

But dearest ones, it must be that we first understand the deep, abiding, unhindered love of God for us, before we even attempt to do this mighty, privileged work of serving the kingdom of heaven. Otherwise fleshly overtones pronounce our work to be for us, for results, for praise of men.

"From Me thy fruit is found." Hosea 14:8

Raised to help out (even take over when needed), to be 2nd mothers for the siblings, to say right, to do right, you and I might sometimes rely on this routine of works to keep us "doing", as if in some way to impress or perform for our "rightness" before God. What bondage! "Cumbered about with many things", anyone?! Let us love, live, and serve in joy for the righteousness Christ Jesus bought us with His precious blood rather than serving to "master mind" for merit. Serving- it is a matter of the HEART!

I bless each of you in the name of the Lord Jesus with joy in serving your neighbors and with the peace of knowing Jesus as He is.

"And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted."
"Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God that He may exalt you in due time."

Special thanks to Kayla for her amazing shots of the path and water at Bon Falls!

Watch and Pray II - What I Learned

2010-03-18T09:43:00.004-05:00

Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.

Have you ever told yourself "Tomorrow, I will do better!" I have. It seems that it is the story of my life. It seems to be an ever present shadow that makes someone feel like an utter failure...mostly because it rarely and maybe never works! Jesus tells his disciples on his last night with them, "The spirit is willing, but your flesh is weak!" Our spirits want to do the right thing. Trouble is, our flesh is too weak to carry it out. That is the reason we try so hard to "do better" and end up making a bigger mess of our day than the previous one was.

There has to be something bigger to worshiping God, than vowing in our flesh to do better in the days to come. There has to be a bigger purpose, a larger life calling, a more meaningful theme to life!!! It took me a long time to get this. It took me a long time to realize, "I can't do it on my own." Maybe we have turned back to God, and are living a life that we think is pleasing him, and yet, if we are the pilot of our plane, if we are the captain of our ship, the driver of our car, wreckage is just around the corner. So what does all of this have to do with Watching and Praying?

We are a people of common sense. What makes sense to us is often what we do. Rather, Jesus tells his disciples to seek the wisdom of God for their lives. He tells them that man looks on the outside but God sees the heart. Common sense breeds drug addicts, alcoholics, and broken marriages. It leads people to choose the only human fix to life's problems. A drunkard cannot say to God, "Well Lord, you have to understand, I was depressed and I didn't know what else to do to drown out my troubles!" Human shortcuts rarely match God's best in blessings. They are rather, a direct result of a lack of prayer, the absence of watching for where God is working and what he is doing in our life. In the context of this passage, Jesus is preparing to be crucified. His disciples are tired. What is the logical thing to do? You can't prevent the death of Christ. Why not sleep so you don't have to think about what is about to happen? It will de-stress you, refresh you, and help you avoid thinking about the problems that will arise in the morning. Jesus urged them to use that tiring time to get to know the heart of God the Father. To get acquainted with the still small voice of the Holy Spirit, so that when his physical body no longer walked the earth, they would have someone to turn to. Someone who they knew was there.

We are the new generation ladies. We have the opportunity to show a watching world what it looks like to watch and pray, and wait for the answers which come from God. When a loved one dies, we have the opportunity to show them that God's grace is sufficient. We can show them that there is joy because our loved one is with Jesus. When our parents have rules we think are too hard to bear, we have the opportunity to show the world that submission is the key to true freedom. We have the choice to obey, or suffer the consequences. It all goes back to waiting on the Lord. As we wait for him to speak, we wait on him as a waiter waits on a table. As we wait for our purpose and our calling, we busy ourselves glorifying God. We busy ourselves watching and praying, all the time knowing that God has a perfect plan and a perfect time to reveal that plan to us.

Right now, I am only hours away from flying to Chicago for another Journey. I already know what I WANT to do. I already know what I WANT to happen. I know what I think is best. But am I watching and praying for God's best? Am I fully yielded so that if my way is not his way, I can cheerfully respond? My heart wants to impact other girls for Christ. But what if God wants me to be the student and allow other girls to impact me? My heart wants God to deal with precise issues. But what if he wants to reveal something I don't want revealed? I want to be able to spend time with certain people, but what if God wants me to minister to a total stranger? Life is full of the choice to do things our way or God's way. Prayer is a key issue here. You WANT to bite back at someone who has hurt you. You WANT to send an argumentative email. You WANT to tell your parents how unreasonable you think they're being...yet, in the midst of the biggest storms, Jesus is there, calling us in almost a whisper, and asking us to obey. What is that calling? That calling in essence is an invitation to enter into the joy of the Lord. Obedience brings joy that never would have been revealed. It is like a flower that suddenly blooms when given the proper sunlight, but never would have opened without it.

Remember today as you go about your daily tasks, that you are being watched by God, by your younger siblings, by the world! You have a message. A precious story that has not yet been completed, but which has started to take glorious form. A story to tell to the nations! With God on your side, with a yielded heart and an obedient mind, you have the power to turn hearts, to free prisoners, to loose captives. Isaiah 61:1-3 sums it up beautifully.

The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me; because the Lord hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek: he hath sent me to bind up the broken hearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound; to proclaim the acceptable ear of the Lord, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn; to appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he might be glorified!"

How little we have to give, but how much the Lord can give us if we share with others! Ladies, remember that your family is your first mission field. Love them, pour your heart into them, however difficult that may be. Strive to make your goals God-honoring, authority honoring, and honest. Strive to make your siblings your best friends. It is the little things that show them you care. If you knew how bad your little brother wanted to take a walk with you...or how badly your sister wants to share a cup of tea with you...you would be surprised. it is sometimes shocking how small of a thing can mean SO much in their lives. Use that to begin your journey, to seek, to watch, and to pray. Prepare, because you do not know when the day or the hour comes when the Son of God will again come to earth!

Watch & Pray

2010-03-02T19:33:00.008-06:00

Alertness is exercising my physical and spiritual senses to recognize the dangers that could diminish the resources entrusted to me.

As a Christian, we have many things of value that if we do not exercise the character quality of alertness, may be stolen from us.

What Must We Protect?

1. Our time: Time is a valuable asset that attracts many robbers. (See Ephesians 5:16.)
2. Our health: Energy and vitality will be dissipated through immoral living. (See Proverbs 5:11.)
3. Our purity: Evil men and women prey upon the unsuspecting and defile the strength and wealth of their purity. (See Proverbs 6:26.)
4. Our fellowship with God: "Your iniquities have separated between you and your God." (See Isaiah 59:2.)
5. Our family and friends: Beware of whisperers, for they separate chief friends. (See Proverbs 16:28.)
6. Our good name: "A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favour rather than silver and gold." (See Proverbs 22:1.)
7. Our money and possessions: "A gracious woman retaineth honour: and strong men retain riches." (See Proverbs 11:16.)
8. Our eternal rewards: "Hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown." (See Revelation 3:11.)

(taken from The Power for True Success)

Especially youth, who are today in a culture that seems to revolve around idolizing those few precious years, are extremely vulnerable to the temptations and vices of the world around them. Whether it be false prophets, bad company, rebellion or youthful lust, we are candidates to the strongest of temptations because as young people, we have the strength and stamina to carry out the work of Christ with energy and enthusiasm that we may never have again! Satan knows not only how shaping these years can be but how powerful they can be. What we are attempting to build, we can count on him attempting to tear down; what we are trying to protect, he is trying to destroy; what we are trying to save, he is trying to steal!

Ephesians 5:15 says, "See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise." Adults and youth alike, we must "guard our heart[s] with all diligence for out of it are the issues of life". Watch and pray! Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak. (Matthew 26:41)

Judge Not, II

2010-02-27T12:30:00.013-06:00

Judge not, that ye be not judged. For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again. And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother’s eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye?
Matthew 7: 1-3

This is a big command; yet, disobeying this command can be so easy and subtle. Judgments can slip right into any conversation. Don’t we often run with the little piece of information we’ve got in our hands and make a nice juicy story that we know will catch everyone’s attention? If you don’t think you have a problem with it, just take note next time you converse either with your friend or in a group... it is just as easy to go with the flow and add to the story. I know I am very guilty of it.

James, in his letter to the Christians, says:

Speak not evil one of another, brethren [or sisters]. He that speaketh evil of his brother, and judgeth his brother, speaketh evil of the law and judgeth the law: but if thou judge the law, thou art not a doer of the law, but a judge.

Neither are we to judge, because we sure don’t see the whole picture. Only God is a perfect judge for He sees the whole picture!

Our flesh loves go tell people of another person’s faults and we love to talk about how bad everything is that one is doing. And, of course, it makes us look good, because we give the appearance of being better than the person we are talking about.

Paul said it like this in Romans 2:1,

Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest doest the same things. Wow those are some of his powerful words.

Read Romans 1:29-32 and you will know what “things” Paul is speaking about.

Here are good ways to examine our hearts:

When I see a fault in someone’s life, is my first thought how to help?

Is their fault a signal to examine my own life?

Have I asked God to reveal the “beam” in my own eye? What has he shown me?

In what areas has God given me victory?

Have I developed ways to share answers with others?

Have I examined my life to identify anything that might make others stumble?

When I see a problem, do I get all the facts and involve only those who are part of the solution?

Doesn’t the last one just sum up-- to get only those involved who are part of the solution?

To have people confide in us we need to keep in mind that we are to help and not to judge.

*Scripture emphasis added by me.

* The section Examining My Heart points come from the Commands of Christ

--Evangelyn Kornelson

Love Your Neighbor!

2010-02-12T22:46:00.003-06:00

" And the second is like unto
it, Thou shalt love thy neighbor
as thyself." Matthew 22:39

Wow! This is the second greatest Command that the Lord gave us, and for me it is one of the hardest to keep. I seem to always come across love. The Lord has really been showing me how I need to have more compassion for others.
Reading about the Rich young ruler, was really convicting. Think about it for a minuet!? Would you (I) really be willing to give all I has away, and truly depend on God for everything. When I first thought about that, I started thinking about the things that are dearest to me.
To love our neighbor as our self, what does that really mean? Well reading on this Command, really opened my eyes. If we do not love our self, as in, happy with who we are. It is very hard to love someone, as our self.

Gentleness- Is supporting others during their times of weakness, so that they can achieve their full potential in the Lord.
"And the servant of the Lord
must not strive; but be gentle
unto all men, apt to teach,
patient," 2 Timothy 2:24

If we are a servant of the Lord, this verse says we are to be gentle. Gentleness is, I think, something that has to be learned. It is defently a learning proses for me! In order to have gentleness, we must look at, what we are doing as if, it was being done to us. In other words, would I want someone to treat me the way I am treating this person.
We (I) need to remember, they may be younger or not as mature in Christ as we are. Everyday life just as much as, spiritual life. Look at everything as eternal and not temporal.
"Set your affection on things
above, not on things on the
earth." Colossians 3:2

I think I needed this more than anyone else. So please pray that the Lord would make this a true change in my life?

Render Unto Caesar

2010-02-12T05:11:00.005-06:00

I thought...and thought...and though...and then I thought some more. WHAT does it mean to "render unto Caesar"? I felt like I was spiritually illiterate as I contemplated this phrase. Maybe you feel the same way sometimes. However, when I looked at the verse which was given in the Commands of Christ booklet, it shed new light on the meaning of this phrase, which I believe is often mistaken for something else.

"Show me thy tribute money. And they brought unto him a penny. And he saith unto them, Whose is this image and superscription? They say unto him, Caesar's. Then saith he unto the, render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's; and unto God, the things that are God's." Matthew 22:19-21

This command is about more than money. It calls us to respect those in leadership over us. If you read the context of this passage, the holy men which Jesus was speaking to, were complaining about having to pay such a godless and heathenish man. Jesus gently showed them that although their ruler was not a godly man, they still needed to respect his wishes. Speaking of respecting our leaders, I have a story about that!

Several months ago, a friend and I were harmlessly chatting over the internet on Picasa Web where we had posted our photographs. We were on her page, and the whole thing had started with us admiring each others pictures. A little while later, she had to go, so I finished my commenting, and logged out. I had written some indirectly disrespectful things about the President which I hadn't really thought about as being dishonoring, but several hours later, my phone rang. It was the same friend I had been chatting with earlier. "You know Hannah, I know that we were just having fun, but we need to remember when we're out on the internet that people are looking for dishonoring things about our leaders. As Christians, we need to respect our government. The man in office is the man God placed there." I was not in the least offended by her words, but they struck deep in my heart, because I knew they were true. I thanked her for telling me and told her that I was grateful that she felt like she could call me about such things. We parted better friends than before, and have shared a genuine fellowship ever since. Since that time, I have not spoken dishonorably about our President because I realize now that he did not get himself to office. God did. Our nation is worthy of instant death. If God wants to judge us through one man, that is his will.

Ladies, lets remember that all the authorities in our lives are there for a reason and a purpose. They were placed there by God himself. From Mr. Obama all the way down to your older sister or brother who tells you what to do, each instance in which you choose to obey is a time when you choose to be a testimony to a dark world about the love of Jesus...a man who demonstrated the ultimate picture of submission when he gave up glory for the cross.

The character quality for this command is very fitting. It's gratefulness!

Expressing sincere appreciation to God and to others for the ways that they have benefited my life.

Not too long ago, I found that my daily life revolved around complaining about my circumstances, my authorities, and my lack of privileges. I though it was unjust that I could not have simple things like email, texting, face-book, and skype. I felt that I was being deprived from healthy communication with my close friends...all of whom live in Alabama (and I am in North Carolina!). One of my friends told me recently, "Do not complain about where you are, or what life's lot is for you. Just realize that wherever you are and whatever you're doing, divine love has placed you there." When we finally had to say goodbye, her last words were "I'm counting on you." Oh that we could seize our daily opportunities to honor those to whom honor is due, and to realize that the divine love of God had placed us in the trials and difficulties we find ourselves "drowning" in. Oh that we could remember all the people that are "counting on us" and I think we could get so much more accomplished.
Ladies, you mom, dad, brothers, sisters, and friends are counting on you. Those who are lost in a dark and dying world are counting on you...because you have the answers for eternal life! I would encourage you to go forth today, putting aside the things that so easily beset you, and run with patience, the race that is set before you! Don't look back and count mistakes or troubles. Look forward and remember the words of the Lord to Isaiah in chapter 43, verses 18-19.

Remember ye not the former things, neither consider the things of old. Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.

Go back to those who have given you the strength to keep fighting and thank them. Realize that often, when man means something for evil, God means it for good. Cling to the Rock of your Salvation and remember that though life may seem unjust...divine love has placed you there.
I love you all and hope that the Lord will encourage you this week as you continue pressing on for him!

Hannah~

Be a House of Prayer

2010-02-08T23:05:00.011-06:00

Blankets of snow hid long stretches of South Dakota soil and reflected a boldly shining sun as we drove home from church last Sunday afternoon. My brother and I listened with great interest as Dad (the only other person in the car besides Lucas and me) shared bits and pieces of his and Mom's growing up years. Every now and then we get the pleasure of hearing them reminisce. Sometimes we hear about times their lives were touched in life-impacting ways by special people. Sometimes they tell us about an amusing way they learned a hard lesson. Sometimes our hearts are sobered as we realize the hardships they have experienced that we have never known ourselves, and sometimes we hear about wonderful ways that God answered their prayers. Dad was adding to our collection of stories in the latter category as he recalled our move from Tennessee to South Dakota almost 18 years ago.

Dad and Mom had 4 kids when God lead them to move to the Sioux Falls area and plant a church. My parents had made commitment to not borrow money, believing that "God's work done in God's way will not lack God's supply," but the house they wanted to move in to, which was ideally located right across the street from where my dad would soon be pastoring, was $3,000 above their current funds. Their realtor was quick to suggest they take a loan-- after all, the house would be unavailable in 2 days! But Mom and Dad did not waver from their standard to not borrow money and resolved to make the need a matter of prayer alone.

During his interaction with the realtor, Dad faithfully witnessed to the man, sharing many testimonies of how God had answered prayers in times past, and could indeed answer prayers now in the time of need. How well placed his faith was! That afternoon, Mom received a very unexpected phone call from a lady living in the eastern United States. She had heard of the church-planting ministry my parents were embarking on and felt lead of the Lord to financially aid in any way profitable to them! It's easy to imagine the joy in our home when this lady generously gave us the needed $3,000 the very day before the sale on the house was to be closed.

The following morning, when the testimony was shared of how prayer had once again been answered in such a timely way from such an unexpected source, the realtor's heart was stirred within him and he asked if he could get to know this God himself. Dad sat down with him and explained the gospel until it was clear he understood well the way of salvation, and that night they knelt together on the floor of the little church across the street and a new name was written up in glory!

The Scriptures are replete with the command to pray. Jesus was grieved that the Temple in Jerusalem had been reduced from a house of prayer to a place to sell. He said, "Is it not written, My house shall be called of all nations the house of prayer? but ye have made it a den of thieves." (Mark 11:17) Over and over again we are commanded to pray! I Thessalonians 5:17: "Pray without ceasing." Mark 13:33: "Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is." Luke 21:36: "Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man." Oh, that we would remember how desperately vital prayer is to our winning the victory in this race!

Oswald Chambers wisely said,

Prayer does not fit us for the greater works;
prayer is the greater work.
We think of prayer as a common-sense exercise of our higher powers in order to prepare us for God's work. In the teaching of Jesus Christ prayer is the working of the miracle of Redemption in me which produces the miracle of Redemption in others by the power of God. The way fruit remains is by prayer, . . . Prayer is the battle; . . .Whichever way God engineers circumstances, the duty is to pray. Never allow the thought - "I am of no use where I am;" because you certainly can be of no use where you are not. . . . "Whatsoever ye ask in My name, that will I do." . . .

There is nothing thrilling about a labouring man's work, but it is the labouring man who makes the conceptions of the genius possible; and it is the labouring saint who makes the conceptions of his Master possible. You labour at prayer and results happen all the time from His standpoint. What an astonishment it will be to find, when the veil is lifted, the souls that have been reaped by you, simply because you had been in the habit of taking your orders from Jesus Christ.

Me? Forgive?

2010-02-02T08:01:00.008-06:00

"Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times? Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, until seven times; but, until seventy times seven." (Matthew 18:21-22)

"Put on therefore as the elect of God, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, long suffering; forbearing one another and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any, even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye." (Colossians 3:12-13)

"Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous: not rendering evil for evil, railing for railing, but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing." (I Peter 3: 8-9)

She felt small and lost, running through the woods as fast as she could. It was dark and it was raining. Water stung her face and mixed with the tears on her cheeks. The path beneath her pounded with each leap that she took. She was all alone. There was no one to help her...no one who cared. Why, oh why, was life so incredibly hard? It was hardly worth it anymore at all! Hurts had led to one thing, then another, until she had found herself, disillusioned with living and unable to get herself out of the pit of bitterness she had dug herself into. With each painful act, each hurtful word, she had clung to the sting and allowed herself to root herself in pride and anger. There was no place left to go besides utter humility. Humiliation for her! How could she do that?

How little life has to offer to those who refuse to forgive! How much greater joy we could have is we chose to take the hand that reaches out and extends the grace to forgive! Someone once said, "forgiveness is the fragrance that the violet sheds on the heel that has crushed it." Girls, this is what we are called to do...to forgive those who crush us. There is no greater joy than to enfold in the arms of your heart, the person who has broken your it, and to be able to say, I surrender all to God...all the hurt...all the pain, that I cannot hold alone! It takes so long to uproot that bitter tree within your heart when you do not root up the tiny weed to begin with.

I think that as young ladies growing up in godly homes, we tend to grow angry towards our parents especially when they make mistakes. A very wise friend once told me "give your parents grace. They aren't perfect." This is so true. Our parents aren't perfect. They are human. Ladies, lets try not to get bitter at our authorities who sometimes stumble just like we do. For years, I expected my father to run his life perfectly. I required blamelessness in order to allow him to give me guidance. I told myself that if he could not successfully run his life, that he would have no part in mine. I chose not to forgive. I held onto things that were small as well as the things that were big.
Bitterness does terrible things to a person. It rips away from them all the love they have. They have no love left after a very short period time. Instead, it is replaced with emotionless, hardened, anger. It makes your heart like concrete towards those who most love you and most want to help you. Your parents may not be running life exactly as you would, but give them the chance to show you that they are the people God has chosen to direct your life. Any mistakes on their part will be avenged by the Lord.

When I was able to step back and let God work on them, great things happened. But while I tried to change them, our family went downhill. Before we can be in full fellowship with God, we must forgive those who have hurt us. You may ask the question, "how can I forgive when it hurt so much?" I am asking that same question as I deal with something that needs forgiveness at the core. As timely as this post is for me...I struggle deeply with it.The longer you wait...the more it will hurt. The more it hurts, the more reluctant you will be to release it. Let me paint for you a picture that will allow you to see what true forgiveness is:

On Calvary Hill in a barren land,
Stands a wooden cross,
With a tortured man.

A soldiers curse,
The jeering horde,
a rattle of dice,
parts the robes of our Lord.

Tried three times before the Jew,
Three times tried by the Romans too.

The only words to pass His lips,
were Jesus' claims to Messiah-ship.

The shouts arose to crucify;
for blasphemy, this man shall die.

The numbing drink refused by the Son,
The nails were driven,
the deed was done.

Father forgive them,
they do not know;
These words fell deaf
on the crowd below.

One thief railed with anger cried;
The believing thief granted paradise.

These words to the mother,
"Behold thy son!"
Her life commended to Christ's loved one.

His words speak not of physical cost,
But of the terrible anguish of innocence lost.

For you and me He died that day,
For God's wrath to satisfy.

Our debt He came to pay in full,
This is forgiveness...to the full.

As we continue on in our week, our daily hurts driving deep within us, allow the heel that crushes you to be turned into the sweet joy of forgiveness. Let God make all things new...He's good at that...and we aren't. Let us ALWAYS remember the man who hung on Calvary for a sin he didn't commit...and for the debt that was paid in full for us...for you and me...a debt far greater than the one our offender owes us. His love was at a far greater cost. Can we afford the lesser cost? At least for his sake!

Forgiveness is to set a prisoner free...and to find that that prisoner was you.Our sense of fairness may tell us that the person should pay for what they have done wrong...but forgiveness is love's power to break nature's rule.

Hannah~

Deny Yourself

2010-01-28T21:04:00.017-06:00

"If any man will come after me, let him deny himself,
and take up his cross daily, and follow me."

Luke 9:23

I've been reading a very extensive biography of Hudson Taylor recently, and have been inspired by a practice his parents incorporated into their family's daily life. At each meal, it was encouraged that one of the children practice denying themselves by choosing to skip something they otherwise would have relished, such as dessert or their favorite side dish. The practice was not forced, but often rewarded by a special treat later on in the evening for the particular child who denied himself. The fruit of Mr. and Mrs. Taylor's wisdom is very evident in the life of Hudson, who had, in consequence, developed the habit of denying himself willingly and joyfully even when he was on his own with no one to oversee his choices. This self-control played a major role in his excellent stewardship of the funds God entrusted into his care, as Hudson was able to look beyond his personal preferences, desires and want of comforts, and carefully handle every penny he earned for the glory of God, choosing rather to lay up "treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal." (Matthew 6:20)

My heart grieves for the rich young ruler whose affections were so tied up in the luxuries of this world that he did not heed to the words of the very Savior of the world, "sell all that thou hast, ...and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: ...come, follow me." (See Luke 18.) The Lord has used these words to speak to many of us since then through His Word, including Dr. Paine who has a wonderful testimony of denying self, and stepping out in faith, exemplifying Romans 8:18:

"For I reckon the sufferings
of this present time
are not worthy to be compared
with the glory
which shall be revealed in us."

God bless you all! Have a victorious day in Christ!

Fear Not

2010-01-25T21:57:00.003-06:00

"And fear not them which kill
the body, but are not able to
kill the soul: but rather fear
him which is able to destroy
both soul and body in hell."
Matthew 10:28

It is so amazing how God directs every little thing that we do. Last Sunday, the day before I started to study this command, we watched "The Snake Story" by Otto Konning. Well he started off talking about yielding your rights, and then how fear over took the people of Papua
New Guinea. As I was studying this Command it reminded me of yielding our rights, because if nothing is ours, then we have nothing to fear. Also I was reminded of how fear takes over our lives.

" I, even I, am he that comforteth
you: who art thou, that thou
shouldest be afraid of a man
that shall die, and of the son
of man that shall be made as
grass." Isaiah 51:12

Wow! This verse really made me stop and think. One of the biggest fears in my life was mans approval. To read this verse and think, the people whom I feared are gonna be as grass one day, God whom I didn't fear will live forever, and is the King of everything and everyone! God really showed me through this verse how serious he is about us (me) fearing Him. How can I fear someone who will, after I die, have really no part in my life (that is if they do not fear God).
Next time I am worried about what I look like, how I talk, or how I act, I'm gonna think would God really be pleased with me!

"There is no fear in love; but perfect
love casteth out fear: because fear
hath torment. He that feareth is not
made perfect in love."
1 John 4:18

Instead of having fear of man, we must reverence God, and then we will have love for man. This verse reminds me of William Tyndale's last words, he said, "Lord, open the king of England's eyes." He had such fear of God that he loved the man who had him put to death, even when he was dying. Wow! To be like William Tyndale. Please pray that God would show me how to have such fear of Him, that I would love everyone?!

Jordin

Want it for yourself? Do it for others

2010-01-20T09:12:00.005-06:00

Do unto others as you would have them do unto you

I'm thrilled with the Scriptures the rest of you are presenting and know beyond the shadow of a doubt that the good work our Lord has begun in our hearts is continuing in this moment. Thank you to all who have invested their insights through this Commands of Christ blog.

This command is such a great one.

Therefore all things

whatsoever ye would that men should do to you,

do ye even so to them,

for this is the law and the prophets.

Isn't this great? It isn't the golden rule for nothing! This gets us thinking of everything we enjoy receiving and in turn make those desires a giving list for others. And then besides the tremendous blessedness of giving, we receive the wonder of fulfilling the law and the prophets. You're probably like me and get a certain amount of satisfaction by getting things done. I write myself list as much for the thrill of checking things off as I do for the mental organization. But when I can "kill two birds with one stone" I feel like I've hit a home run. All those bases covered at once! Do you know, friends, that in fulfilling this command, we're also covering the old testament laws, the exhortations of the prophets and the words of Jesus at once!

Jesus came not to minister unto but to minister, and to give His life a ransom for many. What sacrifice for us all! As a child I talked about this command and preached it when I felt it was being violated in regards to me! In one of those talk a young friend wasn't sure how it would work out to benefit him. If he did for others, who would do for him?

Then early one morning, many years later, I happened to meet a jogged as I was roller blading in Chicago. Our talk took on some of the same conversational hues. Her main goal in life was to keep happy by being in top physical shape. Her social/economic profile read of riches, education and status. In probing for the reasoning behind my volenteer position and chastity choices, her questions fired one after another. I huffed and puffed up and down hills that hot summer morning. After over 2 miles, she paused and then asked, "If I serve God and put others first, who will look after me?" I smiled as we pushed on because the question echoed from my own heart's history. It was then that I introduced to her the incredible concept of God's love. When we know God as our caring and generous Father we can afford to give everything as Jesus did to "do unto others what we would have them do to us." God is faithfully and richly rewards in comparison with the small kindnesses we learn to give with joy to others.

I love promises: "...as thou hast done, it shall be done unto thee; thy reward shall return upon thine own head." Obadiah 1:15

I've seen this command in action up close and personal. You see, my Mom's older brother, Shan, who has down's syndrome, has been living with us for several years. This summer he was diagnosed with cancer which has paralysed him from the waist down. Seeing my mom put all her nurse's training and the essence of "do unto others" into practice in her care for him, it is easy to see the quality of life it brings. There aren't any thank you's, but there is fulfilment knowing that God is pleased. It comes naturally to her because she loves him so much and has taught us how to care for him in the best way possible too. It is all part of putting ourselves in his shoes. In doing so, my Mom has become a sermon in shoes.

"But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?" 1 John 3:17

Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others." Philippians 2:4

"Let no man seek his own, but every man another's wealth." 1 Corinthians 10:24

"As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith." Galatians 6:10

"Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measure to you again." Luke 6:38

May the love, honor, forgiveness, help, truthfulness, loyalty, protection and earnest prayer that you and I desire of others be free flowing from our hearts to all the "others" in the sphere of our influence. For whatever we do for others, we do for Christ.

Love in Jesus,

Janny

Choose the Narrow Way

2010-01-19T19:39:00.012-06:00

Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.
Matthew 7:13-14

"Choose the narrow way" requires such practical action from us. A Christian must willingly take limitations upon his or her self in order to stay on the narrow path. Imagine a wall to the left and a wall to the right of the course set before you-- what do they represent? They are there not to deprive you of what's behind them, not to harm you or somehow make your race miserable; they are there to keep you on track, keep you focused, and keep other distractions from leading you astray! These walls are built by standards, commitments and pre-determined decisions that will be greatly instrumental in our "winning the race".

Note that not only the gate is "narrow" (Jn. 14:6) but the way is "narrow". We can not run with baggage, there is no room! Jesus said, "Whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple." (Lk. 14:33) I've not read of one Christian hero who accomplished much for God but that he first had every earthly tie severed from his heart that the will of God might freely, fully reign within him.

Proverbs 4:25-27 exhorts us in saying, "Let thine eyes look right on, and let thine eyelids look straight before thee. Ponder the path of thy feet, and let all thy ways be established. Turn not to the right hand nor to the left: remove thy foot from evil."

No man, having put his hand to the plough,
and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.
Luke 9:62

Helpful Verses to Memorize:

Ephesians 2:2-6 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others. But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:

Proverbs 4:26-27 Ponder the path of thy feet, and let all thy ways be established. Turn not to the right hand nor to the left: remove thy foot from evil.

Isaiah 30:21 And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This is the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left.

Isaiah 55:8-9 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.

Proverbs 4:18 But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day.

Judge Not

2010-01-16T12:31:00.003-06:00

"Judge not, that ye be not

judged. For with what judgement

ye judge, ye shall be judged: and

with what measure ye mete, it

shall be measured to you again.

And why beholdest thou the

mote that is in thy brother's

eye, but considerest not the

beam that is in thy own eye?"

Matthew 7:1-3

As I was studying and meditating on this Command, I feel like I should just share a testimony on what the Lord did through this Command.

Some time back I judged others in one particular area. This area was girls who dressed, walked, and had the attitude of in modesty. The Lord really convicted me in this area, so I look on those girls with compassion, that they were not taught any better. The Lord also used my change of heart, to want to teach younger girls about purity and how it is so important, purity of the heart, soul, mind, and body. So far the Lord has brought into my life my younger cousin, who I am sharing what I have learned, with her. Just the other night she was telling me about some of her friends and how they act and dress, I could share with her how she is being an example by dressing modestly, but also sharing how she needed to act modestly. The Lord gave me so many examples I could use in how I either learned my lesson the hard way or how God showed me not to act a certain way. I am not saying, I got it down, I will be learning the rest of my life! But life lessons prepare you to help others.

Through this the Lord showed me my proud heart and how I really need to change my heart on judging people in other areas of my life. He showed me these verses:

" God resisteth the proud, but

giveth grace unto the humble."
James 4:6

"Speak not evil of another,

brethern. He that speaketh

evil of his brother, and

judgeth his brother,

speaketh evil of the law,

and judgeth the law: but

if thou judge the law, thou

art not a doer of the law,

but a judge. There is one

lawgiver, who is able to

save and to destroy: who

art thou that judgest another?"

James 4: 11-12

May the Lord bless everyone who is truly delighting in His Commands.

Jordin

Be Reconciled

2010-01-15T05:59:00.008-06:00

"Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be
RECONCILED to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift. Agree
with thine adversary quickly, whiles thou art in the way with him;
lest at any time the adversary deliver thee to the judge, and the
judge deliver thee to the officer, and thou be cast into prison."
Matthew 5:24-25

Reconcile- Reconciliation is changing for the better a relationship between two or more persons. Theologically it refers to the change of relationship between God and man. We are naturally children of wrath (Eph. 2:3), and are at enmity with God (Eph. 2:11-15), but, "...we
were reconciled to God through the death of His Son..." (Rom. 5:10). Because of the death of Jesus, the Christian's relationship with God is changed for the better. We are now able to have fellowship with Him (1 John 1:3) whereas before we could not. So, we are reconciled to Him
(Rom. 5:10-11). The problem of sin that separates us from God (Isaiah 59:2) has been addressed and removed in the cross. It was accomplished by God in Christ (2 Cor. 5:18).

Before we can worship Christ and before He can use us for His glory there cannot be anything in the way hindering us from having a relationship with Christ. Any sin separates us from Christ, and we are the ones who separate ourselves from Him. It's our sin, not anything
that Christ has done, because He has already done everything to bring us to Him. We are the only ones who can close that gap between Christ and ourselves.

So girls, don't let anything get in the way between your relationship with Christ, because that is the only thing that matters in the long run! And when you are right with God everything else will literally fall into place. Just focus on Christ first, others second, and yourself last. Don't let things that other people do hinder you from your relationship with Christ. Many times I get frustrated with people and then my attitude is not right, and that little attitude can keep
me from having fellowship with Christ. So we need to leave our gift before the altar and "go and be RECONCILED with thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift to the Lord". It is so much more precious to God when we come to Him with a clean heart than one filled with sin.

--Elizabeth Nicolls

Scripture referenced in this post:
Ephesians 2:3 Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.

Ephesians 2: 11-15 Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands; That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world: But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ. For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us; Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace;

I John 1:3 That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ.

Romans 5:10-11 For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life. And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement.

Isaiah 59:2 But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear.

II Corinthians 5:18 And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;

------
I have a prayer request: I would ask that you all keep my grandmother in your prayers. She fell last week and broke her leg right above the knee. She had to have surgery and 13 screws put in her. It will take about 8 to 12 weeks to heal and it is very painful for her. She is not doing well spiritually. She cant understand why God would let this happen to her and is discouraged all the time. Please! Please! Pray that God will give her strength and the grace to accept what has happened and that this won't affect her relationship with Christ, and that Satan would not have any influence over her. Thanks again girls. I miss you all and am praying for you.

Beware of Leaven

2010-01-12T17:44:00.005-06:00

"Then Jesus said unto them, Take heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees." Matthew 16:6

The first question which is good to ask for this command is, "What is Leaven?" When I think of Leaven, I think of the yeast that we put in bread to cause it to rise. This is probably the first thing that came to the disciples minds when Jesus told them to beware of leaven because this is what happened next.

"And they reasoned among themselves, saying, It is because we have taken no bread."

Matthew 16:7

I didn't spend much time studying this command so I may have missed a few, but I found four different uses for leaven in the Bible.

The first one was for yeast which we put into bread, like I mentioned above.

The Second refers to Doctrine or Teaching

"Then understood they how that he bade them not beware of the leaven of bread, but of the doctrine of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees."

Matthew 16:12

We can easily be pulled away into wrong thinking and unbiblical beliefs, this is why Sound Doctrine is so important. If you read 1 & 2 Timothy you will see that Paul warns Timothy over and over again to be careful about sound doctrine (healthy teaching)

The Third refers to Hypocrisy

"In the mean time, when there were gathered together an innumerable multitude of people, insomuch that they trode one upon another, he began to say unto his disciples first of all, Beware ye of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. For there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; neither hid, that shall not be known. Therefore whatsoever ye have spoken in darkness shall be heard in the light; and that which ye have spoken in the ear in closets shall be proclaimed upon the housetops."

Luke 12:1-3

Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.

Colossians 2:8

The fourth refers to Sin (Read 1 Corinthians 5:1-6)

"Your glorying is not good. Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump?"

1 Corinthians 5:6

There is a saying that little compromises lead to big consequences. I've found this to be true. I find myself doing wrong things that I never thought I would ever do and when I look back to see how this happened, it’s a little pride I allowed, or "small" wrong thoughts I allowed that caused me to stray farther and farther away from God's path.

Proverbs says it well.

"Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep: So shall thy poverty come as one that travelleth; and thy want as an armed man." Proverbs 24:33-34

How can we apply this command?

Here's a good question to ask yourself. Are there areas in which I have allowed a compromise that could grow into a destructive sin.?

We should saturate ourselves with God's word so we will be more likely to recognize leaven in our lives and in the teaching of false prophets.

We need to ask God for understanding in this area so we can be effective vessels for Him

"Teach me, O LORD, the way of thy statutes; and I shall keep it unto the end. Give me understanding, and I shall keep thy law; yea, I shall observe it with my whole heart."

Psalm 119:33-34

Lastly I would encourage you to read and apply Proverbs 2 ….When wisdom enters your heart…..Discretion will preserve you…..

Ladies...Slay the Dragon Lust!

2010-01-11T06:28:00.017-06:00

'Oh wow' I thought when I saw that I was assigned to this command...this will be really good for me! How many of you think of this command and allow your mind to tell you "This command was for the guys. I don't have to worry about it!"? I think all of us can say that at some point, we have been guilty of writing this off as something that only our male friends and brothers struggle with. I have found that despite the fact that it is usually referred to as something men struggle with, us girls can have quite the difficult time with this command! The original command went like this:

"Thou shalt not commit adultery." Exodus 20:14

The first time I glanced over this command, I thought, 'Well, that won't be a problem. I'm not married, and I've certainly not committed adultery!' Then...I read Jesus' convicting words in Matthew 5:27-28!

"Ye have heart that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery: but I say unto you, that whosoever looketh on a woman (or man) to lust after her, hath committed adultery with her ALREADY IN HIS (her) HEART!"

I began to think about all the times I looked at some guy in the grocery store check-out line, or walking through the mall and had the words "he's so cute" run through my head. What would my future husband think of that? Worse, what about the times I had dwelt on such thoughts for long periods of time and allowed myself to be carried away with thoughts of "Does he like me..." or "is he watching me...?"! Many of us, myself included, even wake up on certain days and dress differently because we are going to see someone we "like." Girls, I think one of our biggest downfalls in this command is fantasizing. Being the emotional creatures that we are, we allow ourselves to throw caution (and reason) to the wind and we set out on an imaginary adventure, seeking a life that will never come to pass, but that we would just love to think about. This is the greatest reason that I refrain from reading romance novels. They wake up a desire in a girl that is not godly, and that will never be reality. As dear Janny shared with us on the Journey..."never imagine what cannot be." I think it was her Grandmother who said, "No relationship with a guy is ever 'ordinary.'" This is SO incredibly true.

Girls, someday our knight will come. He will slay the dragon and stand before us having given everything. Will we have EVERYTHING to give back? Thousands of girls will not. Are you one of them? We cannot allow ourselves to go into marriage with a thousand expectations that sprouted from one tiny deadly seed called lust. This tiny seed can poison thousands of people with the most potent poison, and yet, it remains disguised until the damage is already done. Over 50% of all marriages will end in divorce simply because couples are not able to get along. Do you ever wonder why? I do. Part of that huge percentage lies in the fact that girls waste their teen years pursuing trashy love stories, romantic movies, and detailed articles that set fire to every girl's heart. they then marry "Prince Charming" who promises what she demands before marriage, but what he is not able to fulfill after marriage. Despite the old wives tale that men slayed dragons for princesses in locked castles, we ourselves have a dragon to slay. That dragon is one that must be slain before our prince ever starts fighting his way through the briers to awaken sleeping beauty.

I have to say that many of the old Disney movies are probably not the best tool to use to "save your heart." However, I was thinking...will you still be "Sleeping Beauty..." or will you be awake to the world and have used every last petal on your rose except for one? I don't know about you, but I want to hand a whole rose to my prince...not just one wilted petal! Keep yourself oblivious to the obvious. Allow God to fill the gap that every girl wants to fill on her own strength before it is time. Believe me...it IS worth it. Love is SO worth the wait.

Now...boys, drama, and romance are not all that us girls lust after right? We look around and see things that other girls our age have that we want...and that ugly monster called "lust" rears it's awful head again! Something that has really struck me lately is that so few young ladies desire God over all else. We are called to be different. I don't know if any of you have read Brett and Alex Harris' blog, but they are two incredible young men who have written a book called "Do Hard Things." They are calling our generation to rebel against low expectations and to take a stand and be different (www.therebelution.com). We are not about the ordinary ladies. We are about the extraordinary. Now is the time to be different and to show the world that we can make a difference. Every other girl might be wrapped up in lust and want, but we don't have to be. Every other girl might have boyfriends, an Italian sports car, and a touch-screen ipod, be we don't have to. The whole world might live on facebook, writing nothing edifying, but we don't have to. Are all of these things inherently wrong? Of course not, but our calling is to glorify God, and to be content with what he has chosen to give us. What a testimony we could be if we did as Jesus did in Philippians 2:5-8!

Something that I often struggle with is lusting after the privileges that other girls have that I don't have. I see them as privileges at least...but I think in the long run, I will come to see them as detrimental to my welfare. There are times when I simply cannot understand why my parents are asking me not to do something. I know that all of you can think of one. It is often difficult to cheerfully accept these things without questioning God. It is even more difficult not to talk to others that are not part of the problem. That is called murmuring! I would encourage you to check out the following verses and to seek to diligently apply them to your life. It will be so worth it in the long run!

"For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passeth away and lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth forever." I John 2:16-17

"Finally brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things." Philippians 4:8

May God bless you and encourage you in the coming weeks! I miss you all!
~Hannah

Let Your Light Shine!

2010-01-07T08:46:00.005-06:00

As Dad read through the story of Jesus' birth to us this Christmas, I was struck with the star that drew the attention of the wise men (Matthew 2-13). The star was unusual. It didn't fit in, or look like the ones around it. It was rare. It stood out as being so remarkable, so different, that it drew the attention of esteemed, wise and wealthy men. But as unusual as it was, it wasn't actually the star that was important or what the men were searching for; it was what the star was casting its light upon!

We are the light of this world. We are not to fit in or look like the darkness around us. We are to shine as brightly and purely as possible; not that others may stop and be content to see us, but that their attention may be directed to Christ the Lord, for Whom we shine.

People who are different naturally draw the attention of passersby. We are a peculiar people, and it shows in many, many areas; some small, some big, but all relevant to our representation of our Lord. We are not just to be different for difference sake, but we are different because the world is in darkness and we are in light; a stark contrast that will attract the attention and curiosity of others, leading to inquiry.

Ye are the light of the world.

Let your light so shine before men,
that they may see your good works,
and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
Matthew 5:14a, 16

And, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was. And when they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy. And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshiped him.
Matthew 2:9b-11a

Verses to Memorize:

John 8:12 Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.

Ephesians 5:8 For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light:

Ephesians 2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

Philippians 2:14-15 Do all things without murmurings and disputings: That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world;

I Peter 2:12 Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.

Titus 3:8 This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men.

Practice Secret Disciplines

2010-01-05T13:16:00.007-06:00

"But when you do a charitable deed, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, that your charitable deed may be in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will Himself reward you openly….But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly….But you, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, so that you do not appear to men to be fasting, but to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly."

Matthew 6:3-4,6,17-18

There are Three key words I would like to point out.

DISCIPLINE:

The definition of discipline is a method of practice, something YOU discipline YOURSELF to do on a REGULAR basis. Habit. A correction or regulation of ONESELF for the sake of improvement.

Discipline is something that helps us be successful. For example, The discipline of getting up in the morning helps us have a diligent day. The discipline of practicing an instrument day after day causes us to become better at that instrument.

SECRET:

One of God's names is El Roi - the God who sees. As the passage above mentions over and over again, God is the one who sees in secret. God sees everything, man only sees what is in the open. The fact that we are giving, praying, and fasting in secret gives all glory to God and HELPS with our pride.

It all comes down to our motives. Here's a good question to ask yourself. When I give, do I do it so that men will praise me, or do I do it only for the eyes of God?

It also comes down to who we are serving. Who are you serving when you give? Is it God or yourself? You can't serve God and self at the same time.

REWARD:

Discipline isn't always fun but it helps to remember that our reward will come from God.

"But you, be strong and do not let your hands be weak, for your work shall be rewarded!"

2 Chronicles 15:7

"And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ"

Colossians 3:23-24

Practicing Secret Disciplines is a command and must be obeyed. Don't shy away from this command, but instead, realize that this is to help us be successful. Since it is for our benefit, how can we be proactive and start obeying this command today?

Do Not Cast Pearls

2010-01-04T21:50:00.003-06:00

"Give not that which is unto the dogs,
niether cast ye your pearls before
swine, lest they trample them under
thier feet, and turn again and rend
you." Matthew 7:6

While I was studing this Command I could not get having wisdom out of my mind. You have to have alot of wisdom to know if you are Casting your pearls before swine. I have been praying and asking the Lord for even a tenth of Solomon's wisdom. Remember the WWJD fad, I was reminded tonight in family devotions that although this was a fad, it had (has) the true meaning of wisdom, living your life as Jesus would. Wow! That goes back to the chapter that we (I) am memorizing (Col.3). Is God awesome or what! Everything always goes together, I am studying about wisdom, my family does devotions on wisdom, and I amd memorizing Col. 3, which tells us how to get wisdom!
This Command is also all about discipleship, knowing when and how to share the truth with someone. The Pearl of great price is very precious and we do not need to use it unwisely. God has really showed me that I need to start sharing with others the pearl of great price. My biggest fear has been, that I would cast my pearls before swine and they would rend me. Please pray that God would show me those that are ready for the truth.

"Smite a scorner, and the simple will
beware: and reprove one that hath
understanding, and he will understand
knowledge." Proverbs 19:25

The lord also showed me that I really need Discretion. It does not come easy for me to have a right attitude, even when someone has offended me, or just plain annoys me. That is what Discretion is all about, having the wisdom to have the right attitudes, words,and/or actions when we are feeling pressured.

Keep Your Word

2010-01-01T10:32:00.008-06:00

When I saw that my devotional topic was on “Keeping Your Word” I wasn't sure what I was suppose to write about, but then the vows that four others and I had made on the day our baptism day came to my mind, and I thought this would go well with the command to "Keep Your Word".

At our church we have it that before the pastor baptizes us, he asks us 5 questions to which we either answer “I do” or I am”. As I was preparing for this devotional I reviewed the vows which I had made that day before family, friends and strangers, and I began to realize I had made a great start by making those vows, but then had just brushed them off. Two of the vows that really astounded me as I reread them were:

1. “Are you truly sorry for your past sins, and are you willing to renounce Satan, the world and all works of darkness, and your own will and sinful desires?”

My Answer: “I am.”

2. “Do you promise by the grace of God, and the aid of the Holy Spirit, to submit yourself to Christ and His Word, and faithfully to abide in the same until death?”

My Answer: “I do.”

Ecclesiastes 5:4-5 says,

When thou vowest a vow unto God, defer not to pay it; for he hath no pleasure in fools: pay that which thou hast vowed. Better is it that thou shouldest not vow, than that thou shouldest vow and not pay.

All I can do is ask for God’s mercy and say I am sorry for my neglect in keeping my word. I know that the first few years of my Christian life did not align with my vows. Praise God that it does not need to stay this way!

When I think of the verse “Let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil” (Matthew 5:37), I must honestly say I didn’t know exactly what this verse meant, but I thought of it this way, anything God asks us to do is “Yes", anything the world asks us to do is a “No". This means there is no room for “maybe’s" or “I don‘t know's".

How many vows have you and I made that God is waiting for us to fulfill that He might bless?

You know, even for me this looks like a lot of homework, but I love the “by the grace of God” and “aid of the Holy Spirit” in the second vow I made. It is not on our own that we will get anywhere, but by the “grace of God” and the “aid of the Holy Spirit” that we will.

--Evangelyn Kornelson

Lay Up Treasures!!!

2009-12-31T05:17:00.011-06:00

What do you think of most often you when you are told a story about a person who laid up treasures? I think about medieval castles, foreign lands, evil kings, and powerful armies...well, maybe not all the time, but most of the time! Jesus came to give us a new meaning to the word treasure. he manifested real wealth in this world by giving his life as an atonement for sin. While he taught daily in the temples, mountains, and streets, he commanded us to lay up treasure, and not just any treasure...eternal treasure!

"Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: for where your treasure is, there will your heart be also." (Matthew 6:19-21)

There are many aspects I could expound on from this verse, but to save you all from having to read a textbook, I will focus on the last, but for me the most convicting, part of this verse: "Where your treasure is, there will your heart be also."

First, let me define "treasure." The online dictionary defines "treasure" in two ways which I found fascinating! The first is the use as a noun; something valuable, a possession or thing that we own that is worth a lot of money to us. The second definition is a verb; something we treasure in our hearts, or hold dear. I think a lot of times we view 'treasure' as something earthly. It is human inclination. We need, rather, to see the word as an attitude of the heart. We need to treasure our relationships, our walk with God, the still moments of the morning when we can hear God's voice, the little miracles that happen in our walk each day, and perhaps the most of all, the people we are able to influence for Christ! These are the treasures that Jesus spoke of while he taught. Not something that could be taken away or stolen or spoiled, but something that would last for eternity.

Secondly, Jesus warns us that where we lay our treasure is where we will choose to place our heart. We must ask ourselves where our heart is! I must ask myself where my heart is. Is it with a person my parents don't agree with? Is it with earthly possessions? OR...is my heart with those I am discipling for Christ, and with those I am receiving Godly counsel from? I would encourage you to take a morning and get up early and just seek God in the stillness while everyone else is still asleep or occupied. There is something about being completely alone with God that forces me to come to grips with who he is and what he expects from me...his child! Laying up eternal treasures impacts our direct relationship with God. We are called to throw aside every weight that besets us and run towards Christ, our master. Would you run with a briefcase? This is what we agree to do when we embrace competing affections, treasures, that are not of the Lord!

The Bible as well as our History books boast many people who laid up eternal rather than earthly treasure. George Mueller is a man who sacrificed all for himself in order to eternally impact God's kingdom. During his ministry, he fed and clothed millions of orphans simply by asking God for the provisions needed. He never asked once for money, yet great wealth passed through his hands, a little at a time, just enough for God to show his amazing power. Through it all, Mr. Mueller saw the hand of God in everything. He amassed no earthly wealth, but the souls of orphans were his chief concern. Mr. Mueller did not just feed and clothe children. He taught them about Jesus and about the undying love of our Savior. His eternal treasures made him a very wealthy man. Mr. Mueller had faith that God would provide. He recognized the worthlessness of earthly treasures and the great riches that resulted from eternal ones. He once said, "If the Lord fails me at this time, it will be the first time." Oh that we could all see the Lord that way! If we could, I think we would then be able to destroy the affections and treasures that tear us from our relationship with Jesus Christ!

Something that has been really convicting to me lately is the level of complaining that I seem to accomplish! I'm not sure how you all feel about complaining, but as I have looked back on the murmuring heart in my binder from Journey to the Heart, I have felt the need to put myself in the place of those I complain to and about! It is a spiritual sapper! I realize now how detrimental complaining is for the relationships we have and especially the relationship we have with God. I think it's a very appropriate time to say...Contentment is something that could certainly be helpful in applying this command to our lives. This command we so often brush aside and take for granted.

Contentment is realizing that true happiness does not depend on material conditions. Contentment realizes that God has given me everything I need for my present welfare and happiness! The secret to contentment is enjoying the presence of the Lord (Psalm 16:11). The alternative to contentment is boredom with worldly possessions (Luke 12:15). The more we release our worldly possessions, the more we will be able to grasp at eternal treasures. "Discontentment makes rich men poor while contentment makes poor men rich." (Ben Franklin)

Ask yourself how content you are. Refuse to believe that it is too hard to try. Be content with what God has given you, but discontent with allowing your spiritual life to dry out. Jesus Christ came to lay up treasures in heaven. We see a pure example in his life. Truly, there was nothing worth giving up his glory in heaven, here on earth. Yet, because of the love he had for us, he came anyway. He was content to die. To be made a servant of mankind... to bow lower than a slave...to heal those who had no gratitude...and to give up the greatest gift...life itself! His reward? We are his inheritance! Each child of God adds to the inheritance which rewards the sacrificial gift of Jesus.

I have chosen two verses which tie into contentment and treasures to share with you all:

"For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out."
I Timothy 6:7

"For I have learned in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content." Phil 4:11 "My God shall supply all your needs according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus." Phil 4:19

Let me leave you with a challenge: How many treasures can you find in the next week? How many rhemas? How many disciples? How many can you share the love of Jesus with? How often can you catch yourself before you complain or utter a murmuring word? How often can you make Jesus first priority? I encourage you to leave behind that which doesn't matter in order to reach farther for that which will matter for eternity. Each one of your are a treasure. Look around you and see all the other treasures. Perhaps the hardest thing will be to view little siblings as a treasure when they seem to get on your nerves, or parents when you don't see eye to eye with them...but they are! Every last one. Hold on to that and cherish it...and most of all, believe it! You've only to leave your bedroom to find many treasures in all sizes and places! Keep living the journey...don't just "know" it.

~Hannah
Phil 4:13

I am posting this a little early so I don't have to worry about remembering on New Years Day...

Be Perfect

2009-12-29T11:12:00.009-06:00

Yesterday we learned what it means to love your enemies, a command found in Matthew 5:44. 4 verses after the command to love your enemies, Jesus said,

Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.

What did He say to lead to this next command? In what context was Jesus talking, and how did Jesus go from the command "Love Your Enemies" to "Be Perfect"? Let's take a look:

43 Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy.
44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;
45 That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.
46 For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same?
47 And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so?

48 Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.
Matthew 5:43-48

Clearly, Jesus was referring to being a respecter of persons. God is not a respecter of persons, causing rather his sun to rise on the evil and the good, the rain on the just and the unjust (See also II Chr. 19:7, Romans 2:11, Eph. 6:9 and Col. 3:25).

How do we apply the command to be perfect?
In verse 47, Jesus said, "And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so?" The word used here for "salute" is the Greek work aspazomai, which means "to enfold in the arms [of your heart], to joyfully, lovingly, and enthusiastically greet a person." We only have once chance to give a first impression and that chance often comes right at the moment of eye contact. In a split second, people can conclude whether or not you're sincerely interested in them. To apply Christ's command to be perfect, we should exercise immediate, enthusiastic and sincere interest in the lives of everyone we meet- whether they be poor, rich, sick, unpopular or attractive.

Why would Jesus command us to be perfect?
Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect. Our standard is always set by who God is. We shouldn't compare ourselves amongst friends in church, family members, co-workers or acquaintances; our standard is always God. So the most obvious reason why Jesus would command us to be perfect would be because we are to be as true and accurate examples of Christ as we possibly can be. Another reason Jesus would command us to be perfect is summed up in a quote by John C. Maxwell,

People don't care how much
you know until they know
how much you care!

Applying the command to be perfect by demonstrating no respect of persons by showing love and interest in everyone will cause others to be much more receptive to the Gospel when we have opportunities to share with them about the Lord.

What perspective should we have to help us keep this command?

5 Servants, be obedient to them that are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ;
6 Not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart;
7 With good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men:
8 Knowing that whatsoever good thing any man doeth, the same shall he receive of the Lord, whether he be bond or free.
9 And, ye masters, do the same things unto them, forbearing threatening: knowing that your Master also is in heaven; neither is there respect of persons with him.
Ephesians 6:5-9

The key to demonstrating a perfect spirit to all whom we meet is to remember we are doing this as unto the Lord-- in return for the perfect enfolding of His love He has demonstrated to all who believe on Him. Jesus saved me when I was a sinner. I praise God that He is no respecter of persons, and I joyfully strive to express my gratefulness to the Lord for what He's done for me by imitating His unconditional love as well as I can to everyone I meet.

Verses to Memorize:

II Chronicles 16:9a
For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him.

Colossians 1:28-29
Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus: Whereunto I also labour, striving according to his working, which worketh in me mightily.

Romans 12:2
And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

I John 3:3
And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.

Philippians 3:15-16
Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you. Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing.

Enemies? You've gotta love 'em!

2009-12-27T18:22:00.008-06:00

Love Your Enemies!

My dear friends and fellow Journey-launched believers, I've been blessed by each of you who have written the Word and your meditations. This is so great!
It's my turn to write on this most against-the-grain command. I got to thinking, do I even have enemies? Yes, there are enemies of my soul: the spirit of fear, pride, doubt... But when the Lord Jesus told you and I to love our enemies, wasn't He talking about people? The dictionary describes an enemy this way: "one who feels hatred toward, intends injury to, or opposes the interests of another; a foe." I don't know about you, but I've never been at war nor have I experienced torture or persecution. As I began to think about what this command could mean to me, I suddenly found myself relating in a much deeper way than I would have imagined. Perhaps our enemies don't parade with machine guns, but there may be those whose actions demonstrate an underlying ill will toward us. Perhaps they aggravate, ignore, and openly disdain us, undermine our opinions, refuse to offer common courtesy. In short, they inflict a degree of suffering, being antagonistic, personal adversary. Some of the hardest to take are those who call themselves our friends, even offer a profession of similar beliefs, but who dissemble with their lips our reputation.
In the ancient land of Isreal a man after God's own heart endured riducule, rejection, and scorn. He, even as a king, was hunted by the nation's enemies, his own servants, relatives and even his immediate family. And yet He found a peace from His enemies. If enemies pursue, pressure, press hard in on our souls, may something like this humble plea echo in the throne room of heaven from our own hearts.

Hear my cry, O God:

attend unto my prayer.

From the ends of the earth will I cry unto Thee,

when my heart is overwhelmed:

lead me to the rock that is higher than I.

For Thou hast been a shelter for me,

and a strong tower from the enemy.

I will abide in Thy tabernacle forever:

I will trust in the covert of Thy wings.

Psalm 61

Several thousand years after those words were penned, an explosion of military combat errupted and spilled once again onto the streets of a small town. Pent up emotions now surged into the air in rapid fire. A young woman and her 9 year old daughter screamed in terror as they fantically ran to find shelter. But before they could escape, explosions from some of their own forces blew close by. Shrapnal followed by bullets penetrated the young women who had instinctively sheltered her child. For what seemed like an eternity the fighting continued. When it finally died down at dust, the little girl felt as though hope for her Mom's life was over. Hot tears burned her cheeks. Hungry, thirsty, frightened of life, she curled up to her only security, the near lifeless body of her mother.
Then out of the darkness, tall figures approached. Fear gripped her heart. Should she run? How could she leave her mother. But it only took one look into the caring faces of those in front of herto know that they weren't about to hurt her. In fact they gently gathered her Mom and laid her on a stretcher. Before she knew it, an ambulance was wisking her away from the horrible streets of hate and death. In a hospital a diligent crew of medical staff immediately went to work to save the young mother's life while a nurse bought the little girl some of the best food she had ever tasted. That was only the beginning of what would be 3 months of compassion and care extended to the destitute little girl and her Mom. Who were these strangers and why have they been so nice? The little girl wondered as she sat near her peacefully resting Mom. They didn't look like her. They didn't speak her language. It was her people that had opened fired on these people's military personnel. But instead of treating her as an enemy, they had saved the life of the most precious person in the world to her. In amazement she watched the hospital staff administer treatment until her mom was well without ever asking for money. That little girl, now a career woman herself, has never forgotten, how as a dirty child of the enemy, she experienced lovingkindness without reserve. As a result, she gave her life to the One who initiated such love. With passionate dedication, she works to pass on the Jesus' life giving principle because as an enemy she was loved.

But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;

(and here comes a promise)

That they may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for He maketh His sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.

For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same?

And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more [than others]? do not even the publicans so?

Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.
Matthew 5:44-48

The following points of obedience that have put this command into my heart and life:

Meet a need:

Don't you love it how God works circumstances in and around your life that directly relate to what He teaches? It happened to me this week. Someone who just hasn't had a liking for me ever since I can remember suffered a tragic loss. Friends, it is in times of need that the people in our lives who are to whatever degree enemies are open to our sincerity and good will for them. In the case of the person who I am writing about, I found a common ground, a chance to demonstrate care and I watched her get the feeling Proverbs 25:21,22 talks about.

Willing to communicate:

This has been a tough one for me. My own mind says, "If she won't talk to me, I won't talk to her." "If he won't talk nice, I won't either." With our little tongues, so very connected to our hearts, we can do a world of good or bad in split seconds. And wouldn't you know it, but even our silence will speak for us. Daily I'm confronted with desire to love only those who love me.

But as always Jesus is calling me and you too, to so much more.

I'll close with a quick story. At my work I encountered someone who didn't like me, not even enough to say hello. I found out later that I looked a lot like several girls she'd known previously and had not had appreciated. Determined, she would look the other way, refuse to say hello, and ignore me. I had begun to think something must be very wrong with me. But I made up my mind it wouldn't be unfriendliness. So I went out of my way to be nice, the way I would be to someone I liked. Do you know that the steady love paid off! She began to perk up, say hi too, and by the time my birthday rolled around you should have seen the amazing spread she put on!
Although we don't live even in the same country any more, to this day she remains a good friend.

That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute,

willing to communicate;

(and here comes a promise)

Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.

I Timothy 6:18,19

A phrase repeats itself over to me often these days. "With the merciful Thou wilt show Thyself merciful. Janny, treat them better than they deserve." And in responding to grace, my heart says, "Yes Lord."

You see, when I was an enemy against the Lord, He loved me.

Follow Me

2009-12-16T07:57:00.002-06:00

Something that God spoke to me about in this command was that in order to follow Him, I/we shouldn't have any unconfessed sin in our life.

"Follow Me" is a command, not a question, or a suggestion. There should be nothing in the way of our doing this. God loves us and wants us to follow Him because He knows what's ahead and has wonderful, unthinkable things in store for us. We don't want to be the one hindering God speaking to or blessing us.

Jeremiah 29:11 and 13 say,

For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end... And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all of your heart...

I love those verses!! When we search for God and follow Him, we will find Him!

At my church we just finished a preachers conference, and one of the things that really stood out to me was that when the pastor was talking about Paul's death, he said, "In order to die like Paul you have to live like Paul." That really spoke to me. I want to be like Enoch in the Bible who "was not for God took Him", and Abraham, in that he talked with God and they had such an awesome relationship. And David, in that he had a heart after Gods own heart. Those are the three people that I want to be like. Enoch is my favorite character in the Bible, but I never thought much about his life but his death, and how much I just wanted to be "not because God took me".

So, with all that said, I need to live his life to have his death. Enoch walked with God without any Scriptures to tell him how to do it. He just did it. Isn't that amazing? We have the Bible and the Holy Spirit, but do we walk with God, do we follow Him and love Him with all of our heart? I know I don't, and sometimes I'm feel so discouraged and depressed because no matter how hard I try I still mess up!! And I think, how could God still love me? How could he want to have a relationship with me?

A couple of weeks ago, I just felt I couldn't pray to Him or have a relationship with Him, because compared to Him and He giving his son to die for people that don't love Him, and He dying and being flogged and his flesh torn and a many other things, I feel like my heartaches and my sufferings were nothing, and that I'm such a baby, and stupid, and just so unworthy and lower than the earth, how in the world could He still want me, and have a relationship with Him, much less follow Him? Thinking about it I feel so humbled and so unworthy!! His love is so incomprehensible! Plus He wants us to follow Him! He and His love are so amazing!

Never ever give up hope or think that you are just not enough for Him and that you can never measure up, and aren't good enough to follow Him. Prov.13:12 says,

Hope deferred maketh the heart sick, but when the desire cometh, it is a tree of life.

That verse showed me that I had lost my hope and was depressed and that I need to follow a desire and the only thing that can fulfill me the most is Christ. Now I am one of the happiest people I know. I am a tree of life!

Here are some verses that went with this command:
Psalm 63:8, Matthew 19: 28-29 and 2 Corinthians 4:1-4.

Proverbs 11:30 says...

The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise.

I hope that you can read these verses and the surrounding ones and ask God to speak to you through them. When I started reading them I was just overwhelmed with all that God showed me. Whenever I open His Word He always has something waiting for me! Its so cool.

Thanks for letting me put my thoughts on display, and I hope and pray that God speaks to you all through some way and that you all might be blessed. Have a merry CHRISTmas!!!

--Elizabeth Nicolls

Honor God's Law

2009-12-14T23:00:00.003-06:00

"Think not that I am come to destroy the law,
or the prophets. I am not come to destroy, but
to fulfil. For verily I say unto you, Till heaven
and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no
pass from the law, till all be fulfills."
Matthew 5:17-18

The Lord showed me through this study, that I(we) need to have love, a large heart, to Honor his law. That was very convicting to me, because I tend to see the bad side in most everything! The Lord showed me that I have been like the Pharisees, trying to live by works, not having a relationship with Him. He gave me this verse:
"For all the law is fulfilled in one word,
even in this; Thou shalt love thy
neighbour as thyself." Galatians 5:14

He also showed me that the entire Bible is the law from cover to cover, not just the Old Testament. I always thought, there was no need to read the Old Testament ( except Psalm and Proverbs). I am really excited about reading it and finding out new truths that the Lord is gonna show me!

David is the perfect example of a man who truly loved the Lord. If you just read Psalm 119, you can see how much David loved the law. He uses the word law twenty-five times, as you slowly read it and think about it, you see how he used other words that are similar to the law, as in the words; precepts, commandments, and statutes. He was truly a man after God's own heart.

The definition of Love is; "Giving to the basic needs of others so that their authorities get the credit, God gets the glory, and we have the joy of eternal rewards." Reading this made me think of Colossians 3. If we whole heartily seek those things which are above, we will naturally love others as Christ would love them. I need to learn to have true compassion for others, not see how they are, but see what they might need ( as in Christ's gift of Love).

Here are some verses that I am gonna work on, hiding in my heart.

"Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I
might not sin against thee" Psalm 119:11

"For the Lord is our judge, the Lord is our
lawgiver, the Lord is our king; He will
save us." Isaiah 33:22

"All scripture is given by inspiration of
God, and is profitable for doctrine, for
reproof, for correction, for instruction
in righteousness: That the man of God
may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto
all good works." 2 Timothy 3:16-17

Please pray that I would have Christ's love towards others.
I am also gonna memorize Psalm 119.

Rejoice When Reviled

2009-12-09T05:17:00.013-06:00

"Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you." - Matthew 5:12

I have to admit that contrary to Grace, I was excited about this particular command, but,I kinda knew it would make me feel very convicted. You could safely define 'rejoice' as "something Hannah never does." I started to think about this word which occurs over 42 times in the new testament. This was not given by Jesus as an alternative for grief, or as a idea on how to improve your social life, or anything like that. No, this was a command. Jesus commanded those that he taught to rejoice! In Matthew 5:12, we are called to rejoice because we have a great reward waiting for us in heaven. This goes back to the verse that Emily noted on day one:

"Forgetting those things which are behind,and reaching forth unto those things which are before." - Philippians 3:13.

We are not to dwell on the bad things that happened in the past, but rather, reach forward towards the mark of the high calling of Jesus Christ.

"Blessed be God and our Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy, hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, To and inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you." - I Peter 1:3-4

As I started to think about who had fulfilled this command in scripture, my initial thought was Paul. However, as I flipped through Acts, I stopped at Stephen...one of my favorite Bible characters. Stephen has always stood out to me as a man, unafraid of the gospel of Jesus Christ, and bold to preach it. Stephen rejoiced when he was reviled.
" When they (the people) heard these things (Stephen's sermon), they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed on him with their teeth; Bet he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up steadfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus, standing on the right hand of God, and said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God. Then they cried out with a loud voice, and stopped their ears, and ran upon him with one accord, and cast him out of the city, and stoned him; and the witnesses laid down their clothes at a young man's feet whose name was Saul. And they stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit. And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep.

Think about how wonderful it would have been to look up and see the glory of the Lord and Jesus, standing on the right hand of God!This is truly an example of a man who rejoiced, and was exceeding glad because of his reward in heaven. The suffering he endured on earth was momentary. He recognized the eternal joy and treasure that he would benefit from when he reached heaven. He "fell asleep" after asked God not to lay the sin to their charge. Some people believe that "fell asleep" alludes to a painless death. Although we won't know until we get to heaven, we do know that Stephen was a man of great joy. He boasted in the Lord just as King David did. When he was called to be with the Lord, he went praising God.

There are a lot of character qualities we could develop that would help us rejoice in all things. Listed below are some of them with their definitions:

Boldness - Boldness is welcoming any suffering that comes from doing what is right, because it will produce a greater power of love; We are told in Philippians 4:4, "Rejoice in the Lord always; and again, I say rejoice!" Contentment - Contentment is realizing that God has already provided everything I need for my present and future happiness; If we are content, we will be able to rejoice over what God HAS given us verses complain about what we think we lack for our fulfillment in life.

Determination - Determination is looking at insurmountable obstacles as opportunities to cry out for God's supernatural intervention; If we look at difficult situations as an opportunity for God to work a miracle, we will be able to rejoice in the power of our living God instead of murmur over what seems to hard to overtake.

Endurance - Endurance is experiencing the power of God's love by rejoicing in trials and tribulations; this is definitely a quality that we need in our Christian walk!!!!

Enthusiasm - Enthusiasm is God's energy in my spirit, expressing itself through my mind, will, and emotions; This is a good example of what "rejoicing"looks like. When in doubt, read the definition of enthusiasm!

Forgiveness - Forgiveness is responding to offenders so that the power of God's love through me can heal them;The opposite of Forgiveness is Bitterness which zaps all the joy out of us. Bitterness creates a hardened heart. If we are able to fully and freely forgive those who offend us, the power of rejoicing will be made real in our lives.

Gratefulness - Gratefulness is expressing sincere appreciation to God and to others for the ways that they have benefited my life; Our level of gratefulness should be a test as to how often we rejoice. We are to rejoice in ALL things. Therefore, if we are grateful, we will know that our level of discontent has gone down and we are learning to rejoice more frequently over more situations!

Initiative - Initiative is acting on the rhemas that God gives us in His word; I don't know about all of you, but I know that some of you are older sisters or brothers. SO...in light of that, If us older siblings initiate the rejoicing at the beginning of the day, it makes for a whole lot nicer of a morning, afternoon, and evening, and yes, it sets the tone for the entire day! It is vital that we set a good example as older siblings and there are few better places to start than rejoicing.

Joyfulness - Joyfulness is the bright spirit and radiant countenance that come by being in full fellowship with the Lord; do I need to expound on how this relates to rejoicing??? :-)

Patience - Patience is welcoming trials and tribulations without giving God a deadline to remove them.

Sincerity - Sincerity is being as genuine on the inside as we appear to be on the outside; I think we can all agree that there is nothing more detrimental to God's reputation than when outsiders think Christians are hypocrites. It is so important that our joy be real joy...not ours, but God's in us!

In light of all these character qualities that we need to be developing, I would really encourage you to seek the Lord about the areas you are weak and allow him to be strong where you lack. I know for me that the list seems long and overwhelming, but we all need to remember that God's grace is sufficient where we fail.

Lastly, I just wanted to leave you with some scripture verses that go with the command:

"But rejoice in as much as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings! that when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy! If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part, he is evil spoken of, but on your part, he is glorified. But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or as a busybody in other men's matters. Yet, if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed: but let him glorify God on this behalf."-(I Peter 4:13-16)

"Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In everything give thinks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you! Quench not the Spirit!"-(I Thess 5:16-19)

"My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me!"-(II Cor 12:9)

"Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice! Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God."-(Phil 4:4,6)

May God bless you as you seek to serve him and to apply His commands to your life.

Be Born Again

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"Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again."
John 3:7

My first response when I found out which command had been assigned to me was a complaining attitude. "Why do I have to do the command, Born Again? Why can't I do an easier one like Repent or Go the Extra Mile?" But when I got into studying this command and scratching the surface of what it means to be born again and how I can apply it, I found many rewards of studying it and reasons for getting a deep understanding for the amazing and glorious transformation that occurs when we are born again through Christ's redemptive work on the cross. I have only begun to be able to study this command with the weeks notice that I received and now I'm looking forward to continuing to meditate on this command. I have written here the insights and applications that the Lord gave me these last few days.

There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews: The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him. Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother’s womb, and be born? Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again. The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.

John 3:1-8

A couple insights I wanted to share with you right away was that Jesus said that we MUST be born again to see [know, be acquainted with, and experience] the kingdom. Also, I found that the Holy Spirit of God and water are often spoken of together in the Bible. See Ezekiel 36:25-26

One of the questions that I asked is, "What does it mean to be born again?" Being born again is a fundamental of the message of the Gospel and needs to be understood fully and clearly so that we are not confused and so we can clearly explain it to someone else. Something that I noticed is that Jesus seemed to expect Nicodemus to already understand what it means to be born again so it must be pretty simple.

Jesus pointed out that which is born of the flesh is flesh and what is born of the spirit is spirit. He isn't saying that our bodies need to be reborn, but our spirits. We are born with a dead spirit because we are born of Adam. This dead spirit separates us from God because he is Righteous and Holy. Our spirit has to be born anew through belief in Christ Jesus who died on the cross to pay the penalty for our sins. Before we were part of the world, but now we are translated into God's kingdom. We are then no longer part of the world, but we are born into God's family.

But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.

John 1:12-13

Most importantly being born again is a work which God does not something we do. All we have to do is...

That if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

Rom 10 :9-10

So why is this significant to us? This is another question I asked. How are we to obey this command if we are already born again? Isn't it a one time happening? Isn't our being born again something God does when we believe in Jesus Christ? So what's our responsibility?

1. Examine Ourselves

We need to examine ourselves and make sure that we are born again. If we aren't, then we need to repent and then become born again. We need to ask ourselves if our lives are showing evidence that we belong to the family of God.

Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you—unless, of course, you fail the test?

2 Corinthians 13:5

2. Appreciate His Work

If we have been born anew then we need to appreciate the wonderful and glorious work that Jesus has done and realize that we are part of the family of God. This is amazing.

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,

1 Peter 1:3

3. Bring Others Into God's Family

When we appreciate the magnitude of Christ's redemption, then we want others to be able to appreciate it too. Before I started studying this command if someone who was not a Christian was to ask me what being born again meant I would have stumbled over the answer. We need to be able to explain clearly to others what it means to be born again so they too can experience the kingdom of God.

4. Walk it out

There is an amazing metamorphosis that occurs when our spirits are born of God. There is an old man which is thrown away and a new man which is put on. We need to grow in the light of this transformation and continue to conform to the image of Christ. This is only done through God's enabling power that this is possible.

That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.

Eph 4:22-24

My encouragement to you is to take the time to study this command on your own.

You'll find the rewards are rich!

Repent

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Repentance is not sorrow that we sinned, sorrow that we hurt others or even sorrow that we got caught. Although sorrow and repentance often go hand in hand, it is important not to confuse one with the other. II Corinthians 7:10 says,

For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.

Sorrow is a feeling of grief, sadness or regret. Repentance involves action. Our primary grief over our sin should not simply be focused on the virtue of our actions, but on the result of our actions, which is stated in Psalm 66:18:

If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me.

True repentance is motivated by a desire to restore

our relationship and fellowship with God.

The humility needed for sincere repentance will develop in us a gracious spirit towards others as we realize that we, too, are sinners, and are completely dependent upon God's mercy and grace to forgive us, restore our relationship with Him, and give us the desire and power to do His will in the future.

Because just turning from something wrong would be incomplete repentance, a good question to ask ourselves would be, “How can I demonstrate my repentance?” Simply refraining from sin would only be a 90 degree turn, and true repentance involves a 180 degree change in our behavior: turning from sin and to righteousness.

Paul demonstrated true repentance by turning from persecution to promotion. In Philippians 3 he gives some of his biography:

Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee; Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless. But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith; That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;

(See Philippians 3:5-10)

Paul was a pursuer. But he didn’t stop pursuing when he repented of his sin; he changed his pursuit from persecution the church to the promotion of the church and cause of Jesus Christ: a 180 degree turn from sin, to righteousness.

…this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

(See Philippians 3:13b-14)

Verses to Memorize:

Revelations 3:19
As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.

Psalm 51:1-4
Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions. Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me. Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest.

Acts 8:22

Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee.

Proverbs 1:23
Turn you at my reproof: behold, I will pour out my spirit unto you, I will make known my words unto you.

II Corinthians 5:10
For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.

Welcome

2009-12-03T22:12:00.002-06:00

Coming Soon!

We are a group of young ladies that have been brought together by a program called Journey to the Heart. Despite the differences in age, background and location, we all have one common purpose: to love the Lord our God with all of our heart, soul, mind and strength.

John 14:21 says,

He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.

Because keeping God's commandments is the essence of loving Him, we will be studying each command of Christ and sharing with you the insights we learn as we grow in the love and knowledge of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ!

Please join us as we begin sharing on December 7, 2009!