Surface relationships: What does that mean and is that the picture of the relationships in our lives? Well as I have been reading and studying on this topic "FRIENDS" for well over a year now a surface friend is really not a friend at all but an acquaintance. Surface friends are people we may like to a point we say hey to them know somewhat about this person however all we know about them is on the exterior level , for example they are married and yes have kids and live here or there but do we know any of the INTERIOR level this is when true intimate relationships happen. Knowing the interior of another is knowing their struggles and weaknesses and not for our benefit but to be curious and take the time to get to know and encourage them to be restored to Christ and to build one another up for HIS kingdom purposes not that of are own.
As I was looking into this more today I came across this scripture:
"A MAN WHO HAS FRIEND'S MUST HIMSELF BE FRIENDLY, BUT THERE IS A FRIEND WHO STICKS CLOSER THAN A BROTHER." Prov. 18:24
Now I will share the commets again found in my husband's Life Application Study Bible NKJV:
Lonliness is EVERYWHERE- many people feel cut off and alienated from others. Being in a crowd just makes people more aware of their isolation. WE all need friends( my adding of this : God was a relational God and we were created for relationships) who will STICK CLOSE, LISTEN, CARE, AND OFFER HELP WHEN IT IS NEEDED- IN GOOD TIMES AS WELL AS BAD TIMES. IT is better to have ONE such friend than dozens of SUPERFICIAL ACQUAINTANCES. Instead of wishing you can find a true friend , seek to become one YOURSELF. There are people who need our friendship. Ask God to reveal them to you, and then take on the challenge of being a true friend yourself.
The sentence above which says instead of wishing for a true friend you yourself seek to be one,
that has spoke profoundly to me over the last 6 months or so I have for the past 7 or so years been desperate to find one good friend a best friend so to speak. SO many people I know have ALL mentioned whom their "best friends" were and I became jealous/envious and longed to be known as someone's "bestest friend" ever. However I have just discovered in the most profound and convicting way that I was going about it ALL WRONG and for VERY SELFISH reasons indeed.
Let me explain : I have had people in my life ok I am about to get REAL with ya'll even up until this VERY MOMENT in my life whom I have expected to fill a certain hole within my heart and when they of course could not do this I have found myself frustrated with them and even mad,
and in the midst of dwelling in this disappointment of my needs not being met I find that the hole gets bigger and bigger because I have not ALLOWED GOD ALONE TO FILL THIS HOLE WITHIN. i THEN DO NOT ALLOW MYSELF TO TRULY OPEN UP TO THE PEOPLE IN MY LIFE BECAUSE THEY ARE NOT PROVIDING WHAT i IN MY FLESH "THINK" THAT THEY SHOULD BE PROVIDING ME. Until I allow God to come in and truly fill EVERY PART OF MY HEART so that I may say: I truly have "surrendered it all" to Jesus then I will not be able to enjoy the blessings of true Godly relationships wow. See I have been seeking a best friend not seeking to be a best friend yet selfishly seeking a friend to call my own best friend that is super selfish. My focus has now changed from self to how may I be a better friend how may I serve another. I believe we ALL need friends we were created by a relational God to be in relationships with others. I BELIEVE IN "best friend's" however not all can be best friends I believe these are few and are the ones in which we are the most intimate with that truly know us externally and internally they know our good points and bad points they are there to listen and care and help in time of need I also believe we can have this with just a friend too however we cant have it with more than a few these types of friendships require work my friends they are like a marriage and we all know A MARRIAGE ONLY WORKS WHEN BOTH parties put in the effort in the marriage this is also needed with our friendships time and effort on BOTH SIDES IS REQUIRED IF WE WANT TRUE FRIENDSHIPS TO EMERGE. I know we are ALL very busy however I also know the importance of having friends with other women, Yes God should be our BEST friends over all and husbands next however I believe God gave us girlfriends so we may relate with each other to help each other along with issues MOST males do not understand. It is a blessing to have someone come along side of us whom has gone through or is going through what we are to help encourage and get one another through it this is a true blessing to have that kind of girlfriend. My focus has changed now to not who can be my friend to meet all my thoughts and desires but to HOW can I bless another with MY friendship to them how can I be a better friend. I encourage each of us to (if we already dont know who they are and if we do thank God for them) pray for God to show you who those gals would be for us to have CLOSE friendships with and then dont wait for them to seek you out but you seek them out to serve and bless them and allow God to do the rest, and for those whom have those friendships already let those friends know how blessed you are for God placing them in your lives for a time such as this and seek to be that persons friend in an even more powerful way and watch God do amazing things. Dont get me wrong it is not bad to have dozens of aquaintances God puts many people in our lives for seasons for them to learn from you or visa vesra and maybe we are to mentor or many other reasons and that is ok however I dont believe we are called to be intimate with all we meet in fact it is truly impossible to put that much time into so many other people and thus is why they say you are TRULY BLESSED TO BE ABLE TO HAVE A FEW FRIENDS" or A HANDFUL OF FRIENDS because again it requires effort and time on both parties part.
May God bless each of us on our journey to be a good friend to those He places in our lives and may we allow the walls to come down and let them in to the most difficult parts of our lives and not just be "SURFACE FRIENDS" something to "ponder" our verse says: there is a friend whom sticks closer than a brother" well brothers know us in and out they know ALL our weaknesses and love us anyway. If a friend sticks closer than a brother than HOW MUCH MORE SHOULD WE KNOW OUR FRIENDS make an effort to know REALLY know your friends today and to let yourself be made truly known to them as well.
Until Next Time,
Your Servant,
Cindy
Welcome Friend's !! This is a blog in which I pray to Encourage Women to live authentically by being transparent, renewed, and transformed by the Word of God. Thanks for stopping by may you come away refreshed and renewed every time. God Bless
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Wednesday July 29th 2 Peter chapter 1 and 2
WOW the Lord is speaking mighty thru His word and I pray as I share it touches and convicts us all to not just get by as a Christian but to continually grow.
In todays verses again we see the importance of loving others' and of growth in fact growth is essential. It begins with faith and culminates in love for all others', to keep growing we must know God we must keep following Him and to remember what He has taught us and is teaching us. We also need to know His word well so we have discernment to be able to resist false teachers among us.
2Peter chapter 1 says starting in verse:2) Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord, 3) as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the Knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, 4) by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.
Many believers want an abundance of God's grace and peace, but they are unwilling to put forth the effort to get to know Him better through the Bible and prayer. To enjoy the privileges God offers us freely, we have "the knowledge of God and Jesus our Lord".
speaking about ch.1:3-4 The power to grow doesn't come from within,(that is for sure) but it comes from God we in and of ourselves cant we are not capable. Because we dont have the resources to be truly godly,
God allows us to be "partakers of His divine nature" in order to keep us from sin and to live for Him alone. When we have accepted Him into our hearts He then empowers us through His Holy spirit to be able to do as He wills.
2 Peter ch.1 5-9 reads as follows: 5) But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, 6)to knowledge self- control, to self- control perseverance, to perseverance godliness,7) to godliness brotherly kindness ,and to brotherly kindness love. 8) For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9)For he who lacks these things is shortsighted, even to blindness, and has forgotten that he was cleansed from his old sins.
speaking about ch.1:5-9 Faith must be more than belief in certain facts; it MUST RESULT IN ACTION, growth in Christain character, and the practice of moral discipline, or it will die away (James 2:14-17) Peter lists several of faith's actions: learning to know God better , developing perseverence, doing God's will, and Yes again gang LOVING OTHERS'. These actions do not just come automatically, they require WORK. ALSO FRIEND'S THEY ARE NOT OPTIONAL; ALL OF THESE THINGS MUST BE A CONTINUAL PART OF OUR CHRISTIAN LIVES. God empowers us and enables us in doing so thru His Holy spirit within us, but He also gives us responsibility to learn and to grow we must allow this process.
In 2 Peter chapter 2 the one real important thing that stood out to me in all the verses was being able to discern the teaching of false teachers and as our world becomes more and more darker and wicked we see this more and more even some authors whom at one time seemed to be of sound doctrine seem to now be in question this is why it is so important to live our daily lives being in the word of God so we know His truth for ourselves and will be able to say hey wait a minute this is not what God says. Please dont misunderstand there are still many good authors out there in which the Lord uses to minister to even myself however I am saying dont live your life soley by what a book says and always go to the word of God first then use discernment in reading others' books.
Prasie God for your word and for the fact that you do empower and enable us through your Holy spirit may we allow ourselves to be guided and directed by that very holy spirit within. May we take every step in obedience to you Lord.
In Jesus name amen
until next time,
faithfully yours,
cindy
In todays verses again we see the importance of loving others' and of growth in fact growth is essential. It begins with faith and culminates in love for all others', to keep growing we must know God we must keep following Him and to remember what He has taught us and is teaching us. We also need to know His word well so we have discernment to be able to resist false teachers among us.
2Peter chapter 1 says starting in verse:2) Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord, 3) as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the Knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, 4) by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.
Many believers want an abundance of God's grace and peace, but they are unwilling to put forth the effort to get to know Him better through the Bible and prayer. To enjoy the privileges God offers us freely, we have "the knowledge of God and Jesus our Lord".
speaking about ch.1:3-4 The power to grow doesn't come from within,(that is for sure) but it comes from God we in and of ourselves cant we are not capable. Because we dont have the resources to be truly godly,
God allows us to be "partakers of His divine nature" in order to keep us from sin and to live for Him alone. When we have accepted Him into our hearts He then empowers us through His Holy spirit to be able to do as He wills.
2 Peter ch.1 5-9 reads as follows: 5) But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, 6)to knowledge self- control, to self- control perseverance, to perseverance godliness,7) to godliness brotherly kindness ,and to brotherly kindness love. 8) For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9)For he who lacks these things is shortsighted, even to blindness, and has forgotten that he was cleansed from his old sins.
speaking about ch.1:5-9 Faith must be more than belief in certain facts; it MUST RESULT IN ACTION, growth in Christain character, and the practice of moral discipline, or it will die away (James 2:14-17) Peter lists several of faith's actions: learning to know God better , developing perseverence, doing God's will, and Yes again gang LOVING OTHERS'. These actions do not just come automatically, they require WORK. ALSO FRIEND'S THEY ARE NOT OPTIONAL; ALL OF THESE THINGS MUST BE A CONTINUAL PART OF OUR CHRISTIAN LIVES. God empowers us and enables us in doing so thru His Holy spirit within us, but He also gives us responsibility to learn and to grow we must allow this process.
In 2 Peter chapter 2 the one real important thing that stood out to me in all the verses was being able to discern the teaching of false teachers and as our world becomes more and more darker and wicked we see this more and more even some authors whom at one time seemed to be of sound doctrine seem to now be in question this is why it is so important to live our daily lives being in the word of God so we know His truth for ourselves and will be able to say hey wait a minute this is not what God says. Please dont misunderstand there are still many good authors out there in which the Lord uses to minister to even myself however I am saying dont live your life soley by what a book says and always go to the word of God first then use discernment in reading others' books.
Prasie God for your word and for the fact that you do empower and enable us through your Holy spirit may we allow ourselves to be guided and directed by that very holy spirit within. May we take every step in obedience to you Lord.
In Jesus name amen
until next time,
faithfully yours,
cindy
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
1 PETER CHAPTERS 4 & 5 TODAY'S THRU THE WORD
HELLO FRIENDS!!!!! I have decided to share with you all some thoughts, insite, or things the Lord is speaking to me on as I go thru the word daily. Today we were finishing up 1 Peter chapters 4 and 5 while reading 4 I again am drawn to verses speaking of Loving one another..................... beginning with verse 7 which reads as follows:
7) "but the end of all things is at hand; therefore be SERIOUS and WATCHFUL in your prayers. 8) And above ALL THINGS have FERVENT LOVE FOR ONE ANOTHER, for "LOVE WILL COVER A MULTITUDE OF SINS." 9) Be HOSPITABLE TO ONE ANOTHER WITHOUT GRUMBLING. HERE IS THE DEFINITION I found on fervent: having or showing great warmth or intensity of spirit, feeling, or enthusiasm also passionate or impassioned. SO FRIENDS THIS IS HOW WE ARE To LOVE ONE ANOTHER not with a fake love or a forced love(see 1 Peter 1:22) but with enthusiasm and warmth and again to ALL with intensity can you imagine if we all do this how amazing the body of believers could truly be something to ponder.
Again in my husbands bible I would like to share the study part of what it says at bottom of Bible (his bible is the Life Application Study Bible NKJV) :
this is what is said about verses 7-9:
We should live expectantly because Christ is coming. Getting ready to meet Christ involves continually growing in LOVE for God and OTHERS' (see Jesus' summary of the law in Matthew 22:37-40) It is important to pray regularly, and it is also important to REACH out to NEEDY people. Your possessions, status, and power
will mean NOTHING in God's kingdom, but you will spend eternity with other people. invest your time and talents where they will make an eternal difference.
(for more about hospitality see Romans 12:13)
Again we are seeing how LOVING EVERYONE is really not an option it is however a command
it is in countless scriptures and we see it yet again in todays' verses and when we are loving as God has called us to be doing... not suggesting it says here in todays' verse 4:8 that love will cover a multitude of sins. we were shown by a gracious God that same Love in which our many sins too were covered in LOVE so we in turn have a duty to do the same for ALL Jesus paid to high of a price for us to pick and choose whom we will love and not love or accept and not accept if they are a child of God we must accept them all each one with all their differences... following this verse we are called to be hospitable to one another and without grumbling. It says to one another not some not the likable people not our FRIENDS but to one another. I would like to encourage us all (myself always included) to be hospitable to a new face we may happen to see at church this week because I know there are many new faces gang and if we all do it to just one person we see wow can you imagine the possibilities amazing to think about.
I am now brought to chapter 5 of 1Peter and the verses that stood out to me were as follows:
5)Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, ALL of you be SUBMISSIVE to one another, and be clothed with humility, for "GOD RESISTS THE PROUD, BUT GIVES GRACE TO THE HUMBLE." 6) therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, 7)
casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you. I love that we can go to God with anything simple or huge and if we cast those cares and burdens onto Him He will care for us and see us thru whatever we may find ourselves in at that very moment if we are faithful in laying it down and not picking it back up again (easier said then done however "with God all things are possible") now in the verses to follow we are warned so to speak to: 8) be sober, be vigilant because your adversary the DEVIL walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour 9) RESIST him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world. 10) but may the God of all grace who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus after you have suffered a while perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you. Praise God gang and the only way to resist the evil one is to be in the WORD of God daily
seeking God's face for our lives and being doers' of the word and not just hearers' only we must walk the walk as we talk the talk. May we be encouraged by the word of God knowing He cares for our every individual needs and desires may we humble ourselves in the sight of our Lord that He may exalt us in due time. May we also just be on guard friends that there is a very real enemy out there waiting to destroy us and to be on the look out for his smooth ways however remembering he has only the power we give him so may we not even allow him to get a foothold in our lives. May God bless each one of our lives and multiply our efforts as we serve Him.
Until next time,
cindy
7) "but the end of all things is at hand; therefore be SERIOUS and WATCHFUL in your prayers. 8) And above ALL THINGS have FERVENT LOVE FOR ONE ANOTHER, for "LOVE WILL COVER A MULTITUDE OF SINS." 9) Be HOSPITABLE TO ONE ANOTHER WITHOUT GRUMBLING. HERE IS THE DEFINITION I found on fervent: having or showing great warmth or intensity of spirit, feeling, or enthusiasm also passionate or impassioned. SO FRIENDS THIS IS HOW WE ARE To LOVE ONE ANOTHER not with a fake love or a forced love(see 1 Peter 1:22) but with enthusiasm and warmth and again to ALL with intensity can you imagine if we all do this how amazing the body of believers could truly be something to ponder.
Again in my husbands bible I would like to share the study part of what it says at bottom of Bible (his bible is the Life Application Study Bible NKJV) :
this is what is said about verses 7-9:
We should live expectantly because Christ is coming. Getting ready to meet Christ involves continually growing in LOVE for God and OTHERS' (see Jesus' summary of the law in Matthew 22:37-40) It is important to pray regularly, and it is also important to REACH out to NEEDY people. Your possessions, status, and power
will mean NOTHING in God's kingdom, but you will spend eternity with other people. invest your time and talents where they will make an eternal difference.
(for more about hospitality see Romans 12:13)
Again we are seeing how LOVING EVERYONE is really not an option it is however a command
it is in countless scriptures and we see it yet again in todays' verses and when we are loving as God has called us to be doing... not suggesting it says here in todays' verse 4:8 that love will cover a multitude of sins. we were shown by a gracious God that same Love in which our many sins too were covered in LOVE so we in turn have a duty to do the same for ALL Jesus paid to high of a price for us to pick and choose whom we will love and not love or accept and not accept if they are a child of God we must accept them all each one with all their differences... following this verse we are called to be hospitable to one another and without grumbling. It says to one another not some not the likable people not our FRIENDS but to one another. I would like to encourage us all (myself always included) to be hospitable to a new face we may happen to see at church this week because I know there are many new faces gang and if we all do it to just one person we see wow can you imagine the possibilities amazing to think about.
I am now brought to chapter 5 of 1Peter and the verses that stood out to me were as follows:
5)Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, ALL of you be SUBMISSIVE to one another, and be clothed with humility, for "GOD RESISTS THE PROUD, BUT GIVES GRACE TO THE HUMBLE." 6) therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, 7)
casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you. I love that we can go to God with anything simple or huge and if we cast those cares and burdens onto Him He will care for us and see us thru whatever we may find ourselves in at that very moment if we are faithful in laying it down and not picking it back up again (easier said then done however "with God all things are possible") now in the verses to follow we are warned so to speak to: 8) be sober, be vigilant because your adversary the DEVIL walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour 9) RESIST him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world. 10) but may the God of all grace who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus after you have suffered a while perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you. Praise God gang and the only way to resist the evil one is to be in the WORD of God daily
seeking God's face for our lives and being doers' of the word and not just hearers' only we must walk the walk as we talk the talk. May we be encouraged by the word of God knowing He cares for our every individual needs and desires may we humble ourselves in the sight of our Lord that He may exalt us in due time. May we also just be on guard friends that there is a very real enemy out there waiting to destroy us and to be on the look out for his smooth ways however remembering he has only the power we give him so may we not even allow him to get a foothold in our lives. May God bless each one of our lives and multiply our efforts as we serve Him.
Until next time,
cindy
Monday, July 27, 2009
1 Peter Chapter 2 and 3 Thru the Word
Good afternoon friends,
I want to say regarding my blog entitled "ACCEPTANCE" my intent was not to be harsh but to bring awarness of just how hurtful our very actions can be to those around us and as the song by "Casting Crowns" says : the girls teasing laughing and their laughter is doing damage farther than they know ...... we really need to realize the damage our mouths can have on another's life. It seems to be VERY important to the Lord not speaking evil of another and LOVING ALL TREATING THOSE AS WE WOULD WANT TO BE TREATED even those different, the unlovable, ALL. In today's verses we see these things yet again:
verse 1 of 1 Peter chapter one starts off saying: therefore laying aside ALL malice, ALL deceit, HYPOCRICY, ENVY, AND ALL EVIL SPEAKING, VERSE 17 says: "HONOR ALL people. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the King. We now come to 1 Peter ch. 3 and in verse 8 we see again the love we are to have: FINALLY,
ALL of you be of one mind, having compassion for one another; LOVE AS BROTHER'S, BEING TENDERHEARTED, BE COURTEOUS; NOT RETURNING EVIL
FOR EVIL OR REVILING FOR REVILING BUT ON THE CONTRARY BLESSING, KNOWING THAT YOU (WE) ARE CALLED TO THIS, THAT YOU MAY INHERIT A BLESSING.
MY HUSBANDS BIBLE HAS THIS TO SAY ABOUT VERSE 8 OF 1 Peter
Peter lists five KEY elements that SHOULD characterize any group of believer's:
(1) "HARMONY" ("of one mind") -pursuing the SAME GOALS
(2) "COMPASSION" - being responsive to each others' needs
(3) "LOVE" - SEEING AND TREATING each other as brothers and sisters
(4) "TENDERHEARTED" - being affectionately sensitive and caring
(5) "COURTEOUS" - being WILLING to encourage one another and rejoice in each others' successes. these five qualities go a long way toward helping believers serve God effectively.
So today I myself am encouraged to live my life as a mirror of Christ... will I fail yes I am sure however I am determined to live my life in Harmony, with compassion, love, being tenderhearted and courteous to ALL that the Lord brings me in contact with. I am encouraged to train my children to do the same and the IMPORTANCE BEHIND DOING SO. Friends I am
only sharing this to encourage us ALL (again self included) to "keep our tongue from (ALL) EVIL" Psalm 34:13 and today's verse "let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips from speaking deceit. " 1 Peter 3:10 verse 11 " Let him turn away from evil and do good,"
may we turn from ALL EVIL and do good so our Father in Heaven may be glorified truly living a life SET APART from this fallen wicked world we live in.
Father I thank you for your word that we so often take for granted even being able to freely read our bible and in public no less. Father praise you for your basic instructions before leaving earth may we follow them being a mirror of you to all whom look upon our lives. May we do our VERY best to always live in harmony to those in our lives being compassionate LOVING ALL having tender hearts and always being courteous to those around us keeping our tongues from all evil that we may bring you glory and honor in Jesus name amen and amen.
until next time,
cindy
I want to say regarding my blog entitled "ACCEPTANCE" my intent was not to be harsh but to bring awarness of just how hurtful our very actions can be to those around us and as the song by "Casting Crowns" says : the girls teasing laughing and their laughter is doing damage farther than they know ...... we really need to realize the damage our mouths can have on another's life. It seems to be VERY important to the Lord not speaking evil of another and LOVING ALL TREATING THOSE AS WE WOULD WANT TO BE TREATED even those different, the unlovable, ALL. In today's verses we see these things yet again:
verse 1 of 1 Peter chapter one starts off saying: therefore laying aside ALL malice, ALL deceit, HYPOCRICY, ENVY, AND ALL EVIL SPEAKING, VERSE 17 says: "HONOR ALL people. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the King. We now come to 1 Peter ch. 3 and in verse 8 we see again the love we are to have: FINALLY,
ALL of you be of one mind, having compassion for one another; LOVE AS BROTHER'S, BEING TENDERHEARTED, BE COURTEOUS; NOT RETURNING EVIL
FOR EVIL OR REVILING FOR REVILING BUT ON THE CONTRARY BLESSING, KNOWING THAT YOU (WE) ARE CALLED TO THIS, THAT YOU MAY INHERIT A BLESSING.
MY HUSBANDS BIBLE HAS THIS TO SAY ABOUT VERSE 8 OF 1 Peter
Peter lists five KEY elements that SHOULD characterize any group of believer's:
(1) "HARMONY" ("of one mind") -pursuing the SAME GOALS
(2) "COMPASSION" - being responsive to each others' needs
(3) "LOVE" - SEEING AND TREATING each other as brothers and sisters
(4) "TENDERHEARTED" - being affectionately sensitive and caring
(5) "COURTEOUS" - being WILLING to encourage one another and rejoice in each others' successes. these five qualities go a long way toward helping believers serve God effectively.
So today I myself am encouraged to live my life as a mirror of Christ... will I fail yes I am sure however I am determined to live my life in Harmony, with compassion, love, being tenderhearted and courteous to ALL that the Lord brings me in contact with. I am encouraged to train my children to do the same and the IMPORTANCE BEHIND DOING SO. Friends I am
only sharing this to encourage us ALL (again self included) to "keep our tongue from (ALL) EVIL" Psalm 34:13 and today's verse "let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips from speaking deceit. " 1 Peter 3:10 verse 11 " Let him turn away from evil and do good,"
may we turn from ALL EVIL and do good so our Father in Heaven may be glorified truly living a life SET APART from this fallen wicked world we live in.
Father I thank you for your word that we so often take for granted even being able to freely read our bible and in public no less. Father praise you for your basic instructions before leaving earth may we follow them being a mirror of you to all whom look upon our lives. May we do our VERY best to always live in harmony to those in our lives being compassionate LOVING ALL having tender hearts and always being courteous to those around us keeping our tongues from all evil that we may bring you glory and honor in Jesus name amen and amen.
until next time,
cindy
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Acceptance......Do we REALLY accept the way Jesus did ????
Do we accept ALL those around us??READ James ch.2 it speaks of partiality and treating others differently and not accepting all no matter what. I ask you to answer in a very honest answer because if you do I am afraid of what the answers may be. I find myself sad and hurt as well as upset these past few days as I try to process an event that took place among
young ladies whom profess for all to see that they are God fearing Christian girls who's behavior was anything but Godly. I am about to share something that may or may not convict many however I am sharing in obedience to the Lord in hoping to be His hands and feet in getting a message across to even one sister. I will take you back to a few weeks back on a Wednesday evening yes my friends we were at church our very safe haven and the night was great and the service was great the Lord spoke to us it was great until we were on our way out and we pass by a group of gals young gals whom are ALL churched gals whom are all well ....Saved AND KNOW BETTER and what transpires next was heartbreaking to say the least. As most everyone knows my niece was staying with us for about a month or so and she was searching and really needing the Lord . She comes from a broken home and a very messed up childhood which is still not good she has seen and heard things that most of us as adults have NEVER seen and hope to NEVER see in this life time. She dresses differently AS TO TRY TO FIT IN SOME WHERE ANYWHERE however over all a good girl searching for answers. As I am getting to the point she was dressed a little differently this certain night and as we pass by to leave this group of girls were chatting ,look up at us as we were walking by and instead of saying goodbye or goodnight they instead look both my daughter and niece up and down and whisper into each other's ears giving not so nice stares and laughing as they continue to look on and laugh and chatter until I gave them a look of disappointment
though I can't be sure what was said it was something negative for sure and we all know from many of our childhood memories what this feels like... DON'T WE?????
I am sad to admit that I as many of us have bought into the lies of SATAN that who we are is based upon what we look like what we wear what we do or not do how we talk or not talk what are social status is or isn't and how other's think of us is how we think we get our worth.(OUR ONLY WORTH IS FOUND IN CHRIST ALONE) Well my friends we really ought not to be judging other's for any of these things mentioned the Lord did not judge by outer appearances in fact He allowed the sick, poor, harlot's, children ALL types to speak to Him as well as He showed them unconditional LOVE. Matthew 7:1-6 says:
"Judge not , that you be judged." for with what judgement you judge, you will be judged and with the measure you use , it will be measured back to you. And why do you look at the speck in your brother's eye, but do not consider the PLANK in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, Let me remove the speck from your eye and look, a plank is in your own eye? Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye. " Do not give what is holy to the dogs nor cast your pearls before swine lest they trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces."
Why do we in our flesh think we are better than another because of our status wether it be social, riches, hair and skin color, what kind of cars and homes we have, positions we may hold OR NOT hold..... we need to understand gang ALL ARE ACCEPTED IN THE EYES OF CHRIST (IN THE BODY OF BELIEVERS I AM SPEAKING OF) we have ALL sinned and fall short of the glory of God
Roman's 3:23 it makes no difference if one wears Gucci while another wears Wal-Mart brand we are ALL sinner's and in need of the SAME THING a SAVIOR why then must we judge???
Now please my friends DONT misunderstand me I am not saying we may not wear different name brands however dont judge others because they dont wear what you wear or drive the most expensive car's or have the most amazing homes we each have as the Lord sees fit for our personal lives and we dont know what goes on in each family and why they live the way they do it is not for us to know. Friend's all that each of us has ...name brand or not it.ALL belongs to the Lord and He can take it from each of us at anytime and gang if He sees us clinging to it and not being able to live without it He WILL TAKE IT FROM US and I know this to be true from my own personal experiences. Friends church SHOULD BE the one place we can go where we dont have to worry of chitter chatter and gossip and being made fun of and idle talking,
slander's, and down right cattiness, it is not of the Lord to have these traits the Lord calls us to "love one another" and not just the lovable or the ones who look and dress only how we do however His word says: "You shall love your neighbor as yourself". But if you bite and devour one another (which is what we do when we behave this way to another sister or brother in Christ) beware lest you be consumed by one another!Gal.5:14&15
How about the GOLDEN RULE? TREAT OTHERS AS YOU YOURSELF WOULD WANT TO BE TREATED MMMMMMMMMMMM????
He then calls us to be filled with the fruits of the spirit :LOVE, JOY, PEACE, LONGSUFFERING,KINDNESS, GOODNESS, AND FAITHFULNESS.....
GENTLENESS, AND FINALLY SELF-CONTROL His word goes on to say in verse 25 of Galations that if we live in the spirit LET US ALSO WALK IN THE SPIRIT."26
"Let us NOT become CONCEITED, provoking one another, envying one another.
There is a song we love to sing my kiddo's and I and it says: they will know we are Christian's by our love by our love they will know we are Christian's you see gang the outside world is looking in and if they dont see a church set apart standing FIRM in the word and not only being HEARERS BUT ALSO BEING DOERS of His word so we may be above reproach and not allow the enemies attacks to work and to show the world that we truly are a church set apart for the sake of Christ and that we do Love as Jesus loved THEN EVERYTHING WE DO IS IN VAIN. Another thing to ponder friends is the younger little kids looking on to the Jr. High High school levels as cool examples of who they want to be like and then the Jr. High looking to the High school and High school looking to college and college looking to young 20's and then Mom's looking to older Mom's for guidance, direction, and sometimes even to mirror how they see us living our lives so I ask when we walk out of those cozy church buildings How are we living out our week for all who are REALLY watching to see???? I ask myself and all of you a tough question if your life was going to be broadcast for the church to see on the big screen going back the last few months would our lives reflect the life of Christ or would our lives reflect that of this fallen sin striken world??????
In this fast paced media frenzy world we live in it is so easy to get caught up in all the trappings of technology texting is a big one I speak of Parents are we REALLY aware of the things that our being talked about via texting even our own texting would the things being typed would you consider yourself above reproach or is it questionable if so the Lord already sees and knows our every thought before you think it let alone write it. Mom's I want to remind us (including myself for sure) the high calling we have as Mom's and the little mimics we have sitting under toe watching every move we make every phone call we have every curse word that comes out of our mouth every prayer we make every positive or negative thing we say bottom line the APPLE DOESN'T FALL FAR FROM THE TREE am I blaming the mom's for the girls behavior no of course not HOWEVER I am saying it is a possibility and just a reminder of how are our children seeing us live our day to day lives. Something to Ponder Friends AND I ASK YOU TO NOW SCROLL DOWN TO MY PLAYLIST AND IF IT HAS NOT ALREADY PLAYED PLEASE CLICK ONTO THE SONG BY "CASTING CROWNS" IF WE ARE THE BODY may it convict you as it has my own heart. God Bless
Father may we just see the importance of how we are living our day to day lives outside of church and that we lead only by example and may we be the examples you call us to be living and seeking after you alone and Lord when we fall help us to admit it to repent and to seek you again and again Lord I ask you to forgive us when we do live in the flesh and may you give us the strength to live in you alone Father we Love you and praise you Jesus name amen................
until next time,
cindy
Monday, July 13, 2009
God's Garden!!!!
I am reading a great book called, "The Power of a Women's Word's" by: Sharon Jaynes it is in our church library. on page 124 I believe is a wonderful little side note titled "God's Garden"
here is what it reads:
In growing a healthy, fruitbearing church, try this plan:
Plant three rows of Squash:
. Squash Gossip
.Squash Criticism
.Squash Indifference
Plant seven rows of peas:
.Prayer
.Promptness
.Perseverance
.Politeness
.Preparedness
.Purity
.Patience
Plant seven heads of lettuce:
.Let us be unselfish and loyal
.Let us be faithful in duty
.Let us search the scriptures
.Let us not be weary in well doing
.Let us be truthful
.Let us LOVE one another
I thought this was amazing and powerful and really friends if we are all doing this we really should not have any problems so I encourage each of us (myself included) to be doing all these things so we may have a church body in which brings glory to our Father in Heaven.
Father I ask you to be with each of us helping us to fill this tall order knowing when we do we shall have the blessings from above and have healthy Godly relationships with the ones we fellowship with. Father if we just get the top three the Squashing of GOSSIP, CRITICISM, AND INDIFFERENCE RIGHT then I believe all the rest will fall into place Father may you bless our church body and continue to grow each one of us for your kingdom purposes in Jesus Name Amen
until next time ,
cindy
here is what it reads:
In growing a healthy, fruitbearing church, try this plan:
Plant three rows of Squash:
. Squash Gossip
.Squash Criticism
.Squash Indifference
Plant seven rows of peas:
.Prayer
.Promptness
.Perseverance
.Politeness
.Preparedness
.Purity
.Patience
Plant seven heads of lettuce:
.Let us be unselfish and loyal
.Let us be faithful in duty
.Let us search the scriptures
.Let us not be weary in well doing
.Let us be truthful
.Let us LOVE one another
I thought this was amazing and powerful and really friends if we are all doing this we really should not have any problems so I encourage each of us (myself included) to be doing all these things so we may have a church body in which brings glory to our Father in Heaven.
Father I ask you to be with each of us helping us to fill this tall order knowing when we do we shall have the blessings from above and have healthy Godly relationships with the ones we fellowship with. Father if we just get the top three the Squashing of GOSSIP, CRITICISM, AND INDIFFERENCE RIGHT then I believe all the rest will fall into place Father may you bless our church body and continue to grow each one of us for your kingdom purposes in Jesus Name Amen
until next time ,
cindy
Monday, July 6, 2009
Faith................................
Good evening blog friends I pray all is well with my sister's and brother's in Christ may we keep those lifted up whom may not be doing so well in this season of life.
Today's reading of the word was : Hebrews ch. 11-12 I was blessed as I began my study sometimes in today's world we sometimes get caught up in the news and the trappings of this world and if we are not careful we can lose sight and faith especially if we are waiting to see something then I was reminded in verse 1 "NOW FAITH IS THE SUBSTANCE OF THINGS HOPED FOR, THE EVIDENCE OF THINGS NOT SEEN." AND THEN JUST HOW EACH ADDITIONAL scripture reminds(for me encourages) us of men and women of the bible whom had that faith, faith that cannot be seen.... God's word calls us to "Walk by Faith and not by Sight" verse 6 was and is a fav of mine "BUT WITHOUT FAITH IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO PLEASE HIM, FOR HE WHOM COMES TO GOD MUST BELIEVE THAT HE IS , AND THAT HE IS A REWARDER OF THOSE WHO DILIGENTLY SEEK AFTER HIM" IT REMINDED ME to be diligently seeking after the King of Kings no matter what my circumstances are or how bleek life may seem at that time we must walk by faith not by sight and that without that faith anything I do is in vain and not pleasing to my Lord that was convicting for me .
We now come to chapter 12 verse 2 "LOOKING UNTO JESUS, THE AUTHOR AND FINISHER OF OUR FAITH, WHO FOR THE JOY THAT WAS SET BEFORE HIM ENDURED THE CROSS, praise you Jesus that you endured that for such a filthy rag as myself I am so blessed .
Then as we go down to verse 11 it is speaking of Chastening and how it is not joyful yet painful however it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those trained by it praise God I have gone through alot of chastening over the last year or so and it has been Very painful yet I am so very grateful because it brings me closer to my Father making me more in His image and not my own thank goodness for that. I was blessed that these chapters were today as I continued to read chapter 12 verse 14 and 15 ended up ministering the most to my heart today as I felt tossed to and fro by a very dark and rejecting family who spoke very unkind things of my husband and I and our faith in God alone. " Pursue peace with ALL people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord: looking carefully lest anyone fall short of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up cause trouble, and by this may become defiled; 14-15
Today as I was being mocked and pursecuted for His name sake and our beliefs I wanted in my flesh for a brief moment curse at them and say HOW CAN YOU SAY THESE THINGS?? when just then I remembered today's passage to pursue peace with all people not some all even those whom are mocking me as hard as it was and it was HARD but I remembered the second half of the word "WITHOUT WHICH NO ONE WILL SEE THE LORD" I knew then had I responded in the flesh I would have allowed Satan to win and fuel the very fire of the ones being so awful and they would not have seen nor heard the Lord in me so I pursued PEACE and I know that in that I store my treasures in heaven which to me is what matters. So I encourage you to walk and live by faith as hard as our daily lives get and as the attacks of the enemy grow stronger and in numbers may we remember to be diligent in seeking after God and believing that if He is for us who then can be against us??? Amen
Father thank you that you endured the cross for our lives and thank you Lord for being the rewarder of those whom diligently seek after you may we each seek after you wholeheartedly each and everyday no matter what life has to throw at us. Lord when we are persecuted help us to remember that you endured the greatest persecution of all.... the weight of every man's sin upon that cross and may we realize that the persecution in other countries is greater than even what we experience may we count it all joy and continue to seek your face Lord we praise you in Jesus name Amen
until next time,
cindy
Today's reading of the word was : Hebrews ch. 11-12 I was blessed as I began my study sometimes in today's world we sometimes get caught up in the news and the trappings of this world and if we are not careful we can lose sight and faith especially if we are waiting to see something then I was reminded in verse 1 "NOW FAITH IS THE SUBSTANCE OF THINGS HOPED FOR, THE EVIDENCE OF THINGS NOT SEEN." AND THEN JUST HOW EACH ADDITIONAL scripture reminds(for me encourages) us of men and women of the bible whom had that faith, faith that cannot be seen.... God's word calls us to "Walk by Faith and not by Sight" verse 6 was and is a fav of mine "BUT WITHOUT FAITH IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO PLEASE HIM, FOR HE WHOM COMES TO GOD MUST BELIEVE THAT HE IS , AND THAT HE IS A REWARDER OF THOSE WHO DILIGENTLY SEEK AFTER HIM" IT REMINDED ME to be diligently seeking after the King of Kings no matter what my circumstances are or how bleek life may seem at that time we must walk by faith not by sight and that without that faith anything I do is in vain and not pleasing to my Lord that was convicting for me .
We now come to chapter 12 verse 2 "LOOKING UNTO JESUS, THE AUTHOR AND FINISHER OF OUR FAITH, WHO FOR THE JOY THAT WAS SET BEFORE HIM ENDURED THE CROSS, praise you Jesus that you endured that for such a filthy rag as myself I am so blessed .
Then as we go down to verse 11 it is speaking of Chastening and how it is not joyful yet painful however it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those trained by it praise God I have gone through alot of chastening over the last year or so and it has been Very painful yet I am so very grateful because it brings me closer to my Father making me more in His image and not my own thank goodness for that. I was blessed that these chapters were today as I continued to read chapter 12 verse 14 and 15 ended up ministering the most to my heart today as I felt tossed to and fro by a very dark and rejecting family who spoke very unkind things of my husband and I and our faith in God alone. " Pursue peace with ALL people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord: looking carefully lest anyone fall short of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up cause trouble, and by this may become defiled; 14-15
Today as I was being mocked and pursecuted for His name sake and our beliefs I wanted in my flesh for a brief moment curse at them and say HOW CAN YOU SAY THESE THINGS?? when just then I remembered today's passage to pursue peace with all people not some all even those whom are mocking me as hard as it was and it was HARD but I remembered the second half of the word "WITHOUT WHICH NO ONE WILL SEE THE LORD" I knew then had I responded in the flesh I would have allowed Satan to win and fuel the very fire of the ones being so awful and they would not have seen nor heard the Lord in me so I pursued PEACE and I know that in that I store my treasures in heaven which to me is what matters. So I encourage you to walk and live by faith as hard as our daily lives get and as the attacks of the enemy grow stronger and in numbers may we remember to be diligent in seeking after God and believing that if He is for us who then can be against us??? Amen
Father thank you that you endured the cross for our lives and thank you Lord for being the rewarder of those whom diligently seek after you may we each seek after you wholeheartedly each and everyday no matter what life has to throw at us. Lord when we are persecuted help us to remember that you endured the greatest persecution of all.... the weight of every man's sin upon that cross and may we realize that the persecution in other countries is greater than even what we experience may we count it all joy and continue to seek your face Lord we praise you in Jesus name Amen
until next time,
cindy
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My New Book I am currently reading by Favorite blog sister Ann Voskamp
Best Book of the Year This dear sister in the Lord writes with such eloquence I cant even put the book down it becomes so REAL for me the pages come to life! This is a MUST read!!
Mel and I at one of the scrapbook weekends at church!!!
I love ya sis!!!