Wisdom

"Wisdom calls out...

She takes her stand on top of the high hill

where the paths meet...

Listen to me...

Hear instruction and be wise

Do not ignore me...

Whomever finds me finds life and favor from the Lord,

All those who hate me love death" 

Excerpts from Proverbs 8

We have all been at the cross-roads; sometimes the paths are marked clearer than others for which direction is the wise path and which is the obvious wrong path.  Reading a Proverb a day gives an opportunity to absorb some of God's wisdom, that He says has been around longer than the dust of the Earth.  His wisdom has existed as long as He has - forever.  Why, then, do we so often think we know better than Him?  Why do we assume a little trip down the wrong path will not entail the same consequences for us as it has for so many others?  There are times the outward appearance of that assumption is true, but that is never the case with a true Christ-follower.  The Lover of our soul loves us far too much to allow sin and wrong choices to not impact us; whether those consequences are external for others to see or internal shouldn't matter, we need to be obedient and return to Him.  

Often there is one huge obstacle that must be moved from our way prior to that return - US!  Our pride is so thick sometimes that we cannot see God speaking to us.  Take David for instance, thankfully, his pride was dissolving as God sent Nathan to confront him about his sin.  What was David's initial response though?  PRIDE - 2 Samuel 12:5, "David burned with anger against the man and said to Nathan, 'As surely as the LORD lives, that man deserves to die!"  Can't you picture it?  David being upright and lauded all these years for his obedience and closeness with God, if anyone, he had the right to judge and condemn someone!  The problem is, just like David, the recipient of the hard to swallow confrontation, he had to then evaluate himself, just as Nathan had done prior to delivering this message from God.  Nathan was obedient, now it was time for David to chose once again which road to take, the wise one (humility)- repenting and deciding to grow closer in his relationship with the Lord once again, or the wrong one (pride)- defending himself, condemning Nathan for his audacity to approach him, killing and slandering him by spreading word of his audacity to approach the king.  I am so thankful David chose the wise, humble path, he heard the voice, obeyed, and found life and favor from the Lord once again.

What about you?  Just as a child grows into maturity, parents and other influences are strategically placed within their life to guide them, correct them at times, rebuke them at times, comfort them at times...and confront them at times.  Before lashing out in defensiveness and anger, take the information before God, He is the One who knows our heart inside and out and can perform the perfect evaluation.  Maybe 97% of what was said is off base, but there is 3% right on target, but you are too proud to accept.  Ask the Lord to reveal whatever percentage is true.  That goes along with compliments as well.  Unfortunately many people are quick to fill a person's sails with fluff.  Make sure it lines up with what God truly knows about you as well.  Lastly, if the approaching person is a Christian brother or sister in Christ, do your best to not backlash them.  They are your eternal sister or brother, if we are fighting or biting at one another, why would onlookers care to have this 'Christianity' that we have?  Every action matters, every word matters...I pray this was an encouragement to you today and that your day is a blessed one!

 

Growth

"Jesus grew in wisdom and in stature; 

and in favor with God and all people" 

Luke 2:52

Have you ever (or know anyone else who has ever) desired to change an aspect about themselves?  Whether to physically get in shape, learn something new like sewing, going back to school, learn more about the Bible, do or even attempt to complete a Bible study?

How many times have you attempted this and shortly after felt like a failure because you haven't succeeded in the manner you thought you should?  You start walking so you can lose weight, but you find yourself compensating by eating more, defeating yourself in the process; purchase a new sewing machine, thread, fabric, designs - then six months down the road when you see it sitting in the corner, you cringe at the thought of money wasted on the new dust catchers (unfortunately, these are personal examples!).

We have all been there! But there is one thing we need to keep hidden in our hearts - we are who God created us to be...and He loves us too much to leave us the same.  He desires for us to grow...in wisdom, stature, in favor with people, but most of all in favor with Him, just like His Son, Jesus did.

Stop beating yourself up, pick up His Word, immerse yourself in it daily, and continue to get back up!  Proverbs reminds us that although we will fall from time to time...we MUST get back up! 

Proverbs 24:16 

"Though a righteous man falls seven times,

 he rises again,

but, the wicked are brought down by calamity."

Have a blessed day!

Superhero Dreams...

You Mean I am NOT One Already?!

Welcome to Hearts at Home's Third-Thursday Blog Hop!  You have entered NTense Focus, where God has laid on my heart to do my part in showing this world that there is but One God...He's available 24/7...He is the Answer to every problem imaginable...and He is the Giver of all things Good!

I will be breaking off a bit today, however, to incorporate my love for my Savior with today's Blog Hop Topic:

If I could have a superhero power for my 'motherhood' duties...what would it be?

       Well, to be quite frank, I often think of myself as

 'Super-Mom' 

- able to take down any quarrels that may threaten the happiness of my family

- ready and fully equipped to handle all sicknesses that come my way

- godly enough that none of my kids will ever stray because they had a great example

- energetic enough to endure 5 out of my 6 children playing ball related sports at one time

- smart enough to make sure my kids do well in school - surpassing all others

- organized enough to add spontaneously planned gatherings at my house

- pretty enough that other moms look at me and wonder - how does she do it all...

AND STILL LOOK SO GOOD!?

Then I wake up

I am none of those things above...I may bare a slight resemblance from time to time, but that, my friend, is ONLY by God's grace! In reality, I am just barely scratching the surface of any one of those things! (Especially looking good...did I forget to put make-up on!?) Ha!

When the movie The Incredible's came out, I was awestruck!  The producers, in my humble opinion, did a marvelous job in 'labeling' each person within the family; I thought there for awhile that they had taken notes on my family prior to making the movie!  Let's break-down the character list real quick...

Bob Parr "Mr. Incredible" - In his youth, he was an all-star, helping people, creating a better community for all concerned.  Then, when the government took away his pride and contribution...his gift, he became down-trodden with purposelessness.  A terrible place to be.  He wanted to so badly to have a purpose that he resorted to hiding his good deeds, and being perceived as selfish!  Then, when someone truly needed him, he jumped at the opportunity, he had purpose back..this effected his health, his mood, his...romantic life, his relationships, everything about him seemed improved.  But, alas, he still held a secret, which ended up putting his family in danger, and his wife and children had to come assist him in saving the day.

Helen Parr "Elasti-Girl" - This woman has a gift we all have to some degree...she stretches so far, you are almost certain she will break, then she regroups...pulling herself all back together!  I will never forget shortly after watching this movie, I was reaching in the back seat to help my third child find her paci, and my son exclaimed, "Mommy, you are Elasti-Girl"!  How true is that, though!  We stretch physically, yes, but emotionally, relationally, and in any other potential way!

Violet - She is the typical teenage young lady...moody with raging hormones, butting her will against that of her superiors, striving to find herself in the midst of the world around her, while at the same time, trying to hide herself from the world as well.  When she begins to figure out who she is from within, how much of an asset she is to those around her, she emerges from the shell she placed herself within, ready for the next challenge, because she now has confidence that she can face it.

Dash - If you have seen this movie, the name certainly says it all!  What 6-10 year old boy does this name NOT fit!?  He dashes from place to place...seeking adventure OUT!  When he find true adventure, he can't seem to get enough.  He is amazed to see and embrace the true identities of his family - that they are no longer trying to suppress.

Jack-Jack -  The darling, dear baby that apparently has no powers, until one day (while the family is away and he has a baby sitter) he becomes a 'Little Monster'!  Hmmm, once again, this sounds vaguely familiar to me!  He fumes with fire one minute, then is stubborn as a lead weight the next!  Again, I say, a familiar scene!

The reality is, when we know and trust God - in Jesus Christ as our Savior and Friend - we do have superpowers!  Our weaknesses are His strengths, He is strong FOR US!  What a blessed place to be!

I pray you have encouraged by this comparison!  Feel free to come back and visit sometime, I would love if it if you decided to follow my blog!  I am not as consistent in writing as I would like; therefore, I will not promise to have a blog a day, week, or even one a month.  But this I WILL promise; when God lays something on my heart to say whether a couple words or a couple hundred words, I will do what He calls me to do!

 Have a blessed day!

Retreat Reflections

Wow, it is amazing to see how absolutely busy I have been since my last post on Sept 27th!  And, funny, that last post was in regards to the G.I.R.L. Ministry Retreat! 

Yesterday we wrapped up the 2011 Retreat: Beyond the Masquerade....to say it was a blessing is an understatement!  This blog is going to be packed with pictures, in an attempt for you to be able to experience some of the things I did.

WORSHIP

This past Saturday and Sunday was a geniune time of worship to our Creator.  A time to be thankful for what He has done, is doing, and is going to do through our lives.

Both days were filled with times of worship as we approached our Father's Throne and laid our masks at His feet.

SERVICE

The number of women who volunteered to serve in ALL capacities astounded me!  And, you know what they say about putting too many women in the kitchen!?  Well, our Kitchen crew proved that saying wrong!  They worked, just as the Body of Christ is called to...together!



These ladies were so gracious, patient, hard-working...and I'm sure tired by the time we left!  What a blessing to be able to serve by such sweet women of God! 

Now, we all know that all work and no play makes Jane a very grumpy women....soooooo.....

We HAD  to spice it up a bit!

The G.I.R.L. Ministry ladies (Tonya, Jennifer - Me, Rebecca, and Cheslie) donned some masks as we helped the Kitchen crew serve dinner....what fun that was!!

FUN

Now, no ladies gathering is EVER complete without FUN!  And, I promise we had a great share of it!  :-)

Fellowship is always sweet, but when you add in playing games and dressing up...you just can't beat it!

Oh, my goodness...laughter doesn't just do the laughers' heart good, just looking at this picture does MY heart good!  The sweet joy heard when Sisters in Christ are having a wonderful time and cracking each other up!  And, there's a new running joke...see some of the girls were playing Scattergories.....well, I'll let you ask one of them, but if you see Rachel Jaskulski, make sure to just shout the word, "ELK!", and she can fill you in!  :-)

DISCIPLESHIP

We had many women who brought their daughters this year...daughters ranging in ages of 14 up through their 50's...moms ranging from in their early 20's to in their 80's....WOW is what my heart felt.  Living a relationship with Christ out daily for the world to see is one thing, but bringing your child up and being that example that you may not have had is inspiring.  We have many women trying, struggling to do just that.  Discipleship is very dear to our hearts within the G.I.R.L. Ministry...we desire to reach women where they are and walk along side them, walk up that hill with them to Calvary.  I loved seeing these women with their children.  

Even if you don't have a daughter, you can still be a Spiritual Mom to someone who needs you...don't ever be afraid to fill a gap someone has in their life when God calls you to do it...He is the One who provides what you need to do it!

SISTERHOOD

Did you know that your Sisters in Christ are going to be with you in Eternity...and Eternity begins here?  We had a great time this weekend with renewing and strengthening of friendships, and even creating new ones.  Each of our speakers had a profound impact on many of the ladies attending...creating relationships that are beginning to grow here and will continue on throughout Eternity!  How amazing is that!?

New relationships are just as important as old ones...as Sisters in Christ we are to be Iron...SHARPENING Iron.  When you are around your sisters, we just be lifted up, encouraged, and the dreadful one....we should be challenged.

I am blessed to say that the women who came and spoke at the retreat this year did just that for me.  I was lifted up, encouraged, and was NOT left the same.  I was challenged to continue to allow God to remove those masks I tend to put on to hide and not allow God to use parts of my life.  This is a process, our walk and growth in the Lord...but He loves us too much to leave us the same, no matter how long we have been Christians!

(Top: Linda Renfro, Maria Cloer, Susie Walrond, Micah Rayburn)

(Bottom: Rebecca Hall, Jennifer Fripp, Tonya Barnes, Cheslie Fripp)

These were our speakers and our worship leader for Saturday...they all are Iron sharpening me...but the good thing is, I am Iron as well, and when I allow God to remove my mask, He is able to use me to sharpen someone else.  If you are a child of the King, you are Iron...give your masks back to Him, and allow Him to work through you so He can work in someone else!

I love you all, and I just want to thank everyone again who came, participated and served at the retreat this past weekend, you are all beautiful and certainly worth dying for!

Have a blessed day!

Change...Yes, Change

About a month ago, I blogged a title, Winds of Change, little did I know how much of that 'feeling' was correct.  I am not sure if it is my age or the gift of godly discernment is growing within me, but I could literally 'feel' change beginning to take place.  Here I am now, almost a month later, September 11, 2011, looking back over the past month, year...10 years, and stand amazed at how much truly has changed.

While listening to the radio earlier, the host was speaking about the pre-9/11 and post-9/11 days.  Every one's life and our nation has changed, dramatically.  The way we go through airports, the heightened awareness we unfortunately have when we are in large crowds...but what about our daily living?  How long did that change?  A few days, a few months? 

When 9/11 happened, churches around our country were filled, almost maxed out.  People wanted - no, needed answers, so they turned to the place of Truth, Wisdom and Knowledge.  The problem is, most people did not like what they heard, and they decided to go back to trying to run their own lives.  They didn't like when they heard things like 2 Chronicles 7:14:

if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.

To truly be a changed nation, we must turn away from ourselves and toward Christ, we must seek His face, we must learn what it means to love Someone else more than we love ourselves.

Yes, a lot of my life has turned upside down this past month, my heart can't seem to figure out which side is up most of the time, but my heart knows Who holds every second, every circumstance, and every outcome.  That I can trust, that I can rely on, and that I can rest in. 

Do you know who He is?  His name is Jesus, and He has loved you since the beginning...no matter what you have done or are yet to do, He loves you all the same.  We cannot make ourselves better, but He can make all things new...including you!  I love you, and pray you have a blessed day!

Winds of Change

Very sorry for disappearing for a bit...things have been a bit crazy...and as the title implicates, I have been experiencing a taste of the winds of change coming just around the corner.

I'm not sure why we struggle so much with change, because it is necessary if we are to be a healthy growing person, but oh, how we struggle!  The same way, I suppose, as the first disciples struggled when Jesus began telling them He had to go away.  Those words were the beginning of the winds of change for the disciples.  Then, in the garden that night, the change began to take place. 

We have so many options when facing the winds of change:

1. FLEE - Many of the disciples chose to flee the scene that night when things got ugly and change was at the door.
2. FIGHT - Peter, specifically, decided he wasn't going to allow this change to take place, and therefore, he chose to fight through the change in order to hold on to what he knew and was comfortable with.
3. FREEDOM - Jesus, however, chose to be free.  Through this freedom, He gave up His life for the lives around Him...and of course, not only them, but us as well.  He chose to set us free, He stepped up to the obstacle, faced the change head-on, and whipped it!

We can follow Christ's example.  We can face that looming change head-on, with confidence and freedom.  We have nothing to fear, if we are striving hard after Christ and His desires for us.  He knows our heart, our motivation.  Is your desire to please God or yourself? 

As we all are or will be heading for the winds of change, I want to challenge you to study God's word.  Do not flip around and see where the page lands.  Pick a book, or five chapters, and dedicate yourself to read and meditate on those for a full 30 days...everyday.  You will be surprised how much He speaks to you.  I know He has been speaking loudly to me!

Have a blessed day!

Thank You

Thank You, Jesus, for a full belly tonight.  Thank You, Lord, for the number of places I have to lay my head to sleep tonight.  Thank You, Father, for a roof over my head to sheild me from the bugs, wild animals, reptiles, and any potential rain.  Thank You, Holy Spirit, for softening my heart through these past few days as I realize how insecure I am in me, but how extremely confident I can be in YOU.  Thank You, for loving me when I am so unlovely, for providing me with a husband that blesses my soul in ways I could never describe, and the children we are so blessed to have...their varying personalities...you designed each of us with a purpose that only we can ful-fill.  Open our eyes, Lord, I plead, that we may see the design you have for us.  We need not wait 10 years to do Your will...just be ready and willing right now.  I am so overwhelmed by Your love and Your presence in my life.  Thank You.

What Does It Look Like?

I have had many questions, asking what does it look like to be on fire for the Lord...As I was reading in Zechariah this morning, I feel like the Lord provided that answer.

"In those days, 10 men from nations of every language will grab the robe of a Jewish man tightly, urging: Let us go with you, for we have heard that God is with you." Zechariah 8:23 (emphasis mine)

Is there anyone in your circle of influence noticing that God is with you, and spreading the word?  This obviously doesn't happen overnight.  It is a very long process.  People may begin to notice that you are on fire for the Lord, but what they really want to see is what that fire is made up of...how long will it last?  Is it fleeting, just a 'feel-good' because things are going good?  What is going to happen to your fire when the going gets tough?  That's when the rubber hits the road.  What kind of fire do you have?  Is it a little camp fire, only for those within the camp ground to see and then it will be put out when the need for it is over?  Or is it a wild fire, catching whatever is in its path, set on course in all directions as the wind (God) directs it?  Touching and revealing God to places and people in a way they have never before seen Him move because they have never been around such a person?

Have a blessed day!!

Are You Setting Fires?

If you know me well, you know that I like to keep a relative schedule of events....nothing too strict, but a good guideline.  You will also know that I typically have so many fires in the iron that I am scattered brained and often running from one thing to the other...then back again because I have missed or forgotten something (Praise the Lord never a child though!)

Well, tomorrow morning for this wonderful July 4th holiday weekend, the kids and I are going to visit my sister-in-law in Alabama.  We have all been very excited about this trip, and for some reason the devil has not wanted it to happen!  There have been bumps all along the 'getting ready' time!  I have gotten rather used to his tactics, though, and simply dismiss them for his purpose and use them as a reason to praise my Lord!

Today was going to be a day full of getting ready, a trip to Wal-Mart, packing, taking care of storage building and church treasury issues, and of course, cleaning the house up so that it is somewhat tidy when we return, and then a little time by the pool so the boys could get some energy out (the girls are away at their Great-Aunt Patricia's)....yeah, right!

We made it to Wal-Mart...the kids ate food...and I have gotten most of the stuff packed...that's it!!!!  The truck immediately ran hot as we were leaving Wal-Mart this afternoon, thank the Lord my brother-in-law and father-in-law were still at work, so they tended to it for us, but by the time we got home, it was already 5pm!!!  (Did I mention we got off to a late start!)

As I just crawled into bed, I prayed to Him, thanking Him for keeping us safe, for Stephen not getting burned when he twisted the cap and the coolant spewed out like a geyser, for showing me the areas I lost my cool and promptly got to me so I could correct it, the precious time He is giving my girls to spend with a very special lady...then I began reading in my book again (in case you forgot or are new: Ablaze with His Glory by Del Fehsenfeld, Jr.).

Chapter six began with whose church are we building?  Are we promoting ourselves or Christ?  When we speak for Him are we dull and boring because we haven't been faithful to live out our daily walk with Him as our truest best friend, or are we vibrantly alive with seeing Him throughout our day and telling people about it, in turn witnessing their vibrancy's with Him?!  I had been starting to get a bit discouraged, wondering if I were blogging for the right reasons, but as soon as I read that, He spoke to me and affirmed what I am doing, like I said in my last post, Put Your Cards on the Table, I don't care if people like me, I strive to put what God lays on my heart on here.  It is ALL about Him, the only part I have is living it out and reporting about it!  What good is an incident that glorifies my Lord, if it isn't told?!  Anyway, after I read that, it got me so excited, I knew He wanted me to get back up out of bed and come share how incredibly excited I have been lately to see a special friend, Becca on her journey with Christ recently.

God has really renewed His Spirit within her, and she is busting all out of her comfort zone to show her love to Him when He calls her to do so!  I have been so amazed, and incredibly humbled to be able to be a part of it and to be close enough to see Him working in and through her!  She recently started a blog and talks about a lot of this (http://rbrhall-amazingrace.blogspot.com).

Be encouraged, when you are on fire for the Lord, you have absolutely NO IDEA who you are impacting for Him.  Do not hide it, do not be ashamed of Him!  Let your little light shine, when we get a good blow, fire catches and spreads!!!!  Don't quench it!! 

So, Are YOU on Fire?

Put Your Cards on the Table!

This post is certainly not going to win me any friends...and with that I am perfectly fine.  I encourage you to read on anyway, who knows, you may even get upset with me.  I can totally handle that, too.  Because it won't be me you are really upset with, and Jesus is big enough to handle you being upset with me and Him...

The time has come for us to stop playing games and show our hands...

the question of the millennium...

Do you think you are going to Heaven when you die?

This question gets answered over and over with resounding 'yes'...but how do you know?   I mean, how do you really know?  How do you come up with your 'yes'?  Here's a few things I typically hear:

1. I am a good person.  Hmm, really?  Okay, so what is your standard of good?  Whom are you good in comparison to?  The only good person I am aware of is Jesus...He was perfect...would you go so far to say that about yourself?  Where's the line between a good person and a bad person?  Is there some sort of imaginary you did this line and if you cross it you are crossed off the Heaven list?  Yeah, I don't think so...

2. I have done more good than bad in my life.  Okay, just one quick question on that front...who's keeping score?  Do you have the scorecard?  I would hate to see my scorecard!  So, let's move on...

3. God is a God of love...He wouldn't send anyone to a place like Hell.  Oh, friend, if you believe in Heaven, you have to believe in Hell.  The sad thing is, the two above answers are seemingly close to the third...if you don't know where the line is draw for good/bad, then realistically, you cannot fathom either place.  But they are both so real.  If you do not think there is a Hell to shun, then why don't you go do whatever you desire in your heart to do?  Because you know better.  There are consequences...not just in this life, but after as well.

My answer to this question is simple...I know without a shadow of doubt that I am going to Heaven, not because I deserve it, but because Jesus paid for it and I have accepted His gift.  He died on a cross because of the bad things I have done, the bad thoughts I have had...but then He didn't just die.  He rose again, He conquered death, and He lives within me now. 

I am so far from perfect, as a matter of fact, I just had to go upstairs in an attempt to apologize to my daughter, because I had cut her off when she was trying to talk to me.  The Holy Spirit got onto me, and I had to go to her...she was asleep, so I will have to finish that apology in the morning.  My daily life is about living for the One who died for me.

Do you ever think about a loved one who has died...where did they go?  Do you know for sure?  Do you try to justify where they went?  I have a Scripture to share with you...

"Jesus said, "There was a certain rich man who was splendidly clothed in purple and fine linen and who lived each day in luxury.  At his gate lay a poor man named Lazarus who was covered with sores.  As Lazarus lay there longing for scraps from the rich man's table, the dogs would come and lick his open sores.  "Finally, the poor man died and was carried by the angels to be with Abraham. The rich man also died and was buried, and his soul went to the place of the dead. There, in torment, he saw Abraham in the far distance with Lazarus at his side.  "The rich man shouted, 'Father Abraham, have some pity! Send Lazarus over here to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue. I am in anguish in these flames.'  "But Abraham said to him, 'Son, remember that during your lifetime you had everything you wanted, and Lazarus had nothing. So now he is here being comforted, and you are in anguish.  And besides, there is a great chasm separating us. No one can cross over to you from here, and no one can cross over to us from there.'  "Then the rich man said, 'Please, Father Abraham, at least send him to my father's home.  For I have five brothers, and I want him to warn them so they don't end up in this place of torment.'  "But Abraham said, 'Moses and the prophets have warned them. Your brothers can read what they wrote.'  "The rich man replied, 'No, Father Abraham! But if someone is sent to them from the dead, then they will repent of their sins and turn to God.'  "But Abraham said, 'If they won't listen to Moses and the prophets, they won't listen even if someone rises from the dead.'" Luke 16:19-31

Was your loved one like Lazarus, who knew the Lord, or like the rich man who did not?  Is your loved one begging God to send someone to warn you so you will not be in that place of torment?  If so, here I am, warning you.  Are you like the rich man or Lazarus?  Which side will you be on when your time comes?  It is my praying you will head the warning...the flood is coming, please get in the boat.

Acknowledge that you aren't perfect, you make mistakes, and you cannot get to Jesus on your own efforts...none of us can.  Realize that Christ paid your fine for sin.  Forgiveness is Available to you.

Believe that Jesus paid the price for your sin.  He died so you don't have to...He conquered death and Hell so we do not have to know what it feels like to never have a drop of water on our scorching tongue.

Confess your sin to Him...you have to Turn from what you know is wrong.  It doesn't happen overnight, but the Holy Spirit begins working immediately in your heart...not condemning you or telling what you are doing wrong, but loving you despite what you do wrong, encouraging you in doing the right thing.

Live for Him, Learn about Him by reading His word, and find a church so you can serve Him.  He will work out all the other details.  You will find your life will have so much more meaning, and although you will initially have many more questions, as you learn more about Him, He will show you so much that it is amazing!
Have a blessed day! (night)

Willing...But Now What?

(This is a follow-up to yesterday's blog: Are You Willing?.  So, if you have not read yesterdays, you may want to back track, just to make sure you fully get what I'm saying here!  Click here to get to yesterday's blog.) 

I pray that many of you could affirm, yes, you are willing to go and do as God calls...but there's a catch...being willing isn't enough.  You must be obedient.

I have attended many Christian Conferences, Sunday School classes, and church services...but if I am not obedient to what I hear God call on my life, then it is all for nothing.  I can sit under a teacher telling me (with my agreement) that I need to be paying my children positive attention, reading to them, playing games with them...talking to them.  As I said, I know those things are important, but if I chose to not do those things, then that knowledge is doing no good.

The same goes for any schooling you have done.  You can sit in class and agree with the teacher that they know what they are talking about, but it is up to you what you will do with that knowledge...change your life or make no impact at all.

I must be obedient to follow in the teaching my Lord has given me.  Did you know there is a verse in the Bible that actually talks about that?  It goes a little something like this:

"It is sin to know what you ought to do,

but then not do it."  James 4:17  (emphasis mine)

Think about that after the next sermon your hear at church or the next teaching you hear on the radio (under a good Biblical teacher).  You and I are responsible for our obedience to what we hear Him tell us to do.

Have a blessed Sunday!

The Importance of YOUR Story

THE TIME HAS COME FOR ALL CHRIST FOLLOWERS...TIME TO SHARE YOUR STORY

"Instead, you must worship

Christ as Lord of your life.

And if someone asks

about your Christian hope,

always be ready to explain it. "

1 Peter 3:15 NLT

The Lord laid on my heart a while back about writing different books....I have written down the ideas, started them, then allowed them to drift off into the world of the unfinished.  I was gotten onto about that today...and the buck stops here.

I have been called and I will pursue His call, persevere in His call, and accomplish what He has called me to do.  Whether it turns out to be just another blog post, an E-Book or a published book, I will leave those finalized details to Him.  But I am going to be faithful to answer the question about the Christian hope I have within me and submit it to the places He calls me to submit it.

Will you join me?  Leave a comment about one of your many stories, and just wait to see who may be encouraged by it!

Have a blessed day!