"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." -- Romans 12:2
"Know ye not that your bodies are the members of Christ? shall I then take the members of Christ, and make them the members of an harlot? God forbid. What? know ye not that he which is joined to an harlot is one body? for two, saith he, shall be one flesh. But he that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit. Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body. What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost, which is in you, which ye have of God, and YE ARE NOT YOUR OWN? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, WHICH ARE GOD'S." -- 1 Corinthians 6: 15-20
"He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked." -- 1John 2:6
"If you love me, keep my commandments." -- John 14:15
"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." -- Ephesians 4:22-24
"In ALL thy ways ACKNOWLEDGE him, and he shall direct thy paths. Be not wise in thine OWN EYES; FEAR THE LORD, and DEPART from evil. It shall be health to the navel, and marrow to thy bones." -- Proverbs 3: 5-8
Here's my warning.....if you are not a mature Christian, then you may not digest this well. I am not going to argue, nor am I going to be argumentative.
We often use the word 'christian' too flippantly. If you aren't, or if you are not going to live it, then do not call yourself a Christian. To be a Christian is to be Christ-like. We are to be like Christ. We are different now. We should not want to do, or have the desires to do the things of this world and flesh. When first saved, it is understandable to have to learn. You don't give a baby a steak, no they start on formula, work up to soft mashed foods, and so forth. I'm not trying to be that stiff Christian that beats you over the head for everything. However, I am saying that as we grow in Christ, we should become more and more like Him. Sad to say, we have so many Christians that are still babes in Christ. They never learn or grow, but remain on the 'bottle' their entire lives. That is not God's will for our lives. But, He is also that perfect Gentleman, who gave us the choice. We can accept Him or we can not...our choice. We can also be Christ-like...or we can just be Christ-ish. You can have as much or as little God in your life as you want.
This is where the rubber hits the road. Sinners...the world....they are just being themselves. They are living for themselves, numero uno.....and that is fine, that is all they know. They have a hole in their soul that they are trying their best to fill. There is happiness in the world, but not a true lasting joy. We all have our own opinions and thoughts on things that are 'right and wrong'. But your opinions don't matter, at least not when it comes to what the Bible says. And of course, we want to make the Bible 'say or not say' what we want it to in order to make what we want to do okay. We are human.
Let's look at some things that sinners do....not pointing a finger, just making a statement. Sinners do not go to church, do not read the Bible. Sinners curse and use the Lord's name in vain, they drink, some a little, some a lot, they get tattoos....some a little, some a lot. They get piercings and gauges. Sinners steal, some rape, molest, kidnap and murder. They have sex before marriage, they live together without the license of marriage. Sinners sell their bodies, sell and take drugs. Sinners dress any way they want. Sinners go to clubs, bars, etc. Do all sinners do this? No. There are sinners who dress modestly, there are sinners who do not drink or curse. Let's face it, there are some that even go to church. There are sinners that don't do or sell drugs, don't party and go to bars.......but, can we agree....whatever they do, or don't do, without accepting Jesus as their Lord and Saviour, then they are still lost, they are still a sinner.
Now let's look at Christians....we are no longer our own, we've been bought with a price. We are His. Does that sound mean? Well, if you are truly a Christian it doesn't. IF you have truly been saved you should have new desires. Desires to please the Father and not the flesh. Is that a daily battle? Yes!! We must daily crucify the flesh! Being a Christian is not easy....it's not for wimps, it's for warriors!
However, God is not going to force you to be Christ-like. You will be blessed more, you will gain spiritually if you do. The more you grow and know of God, the more you want to know and grow! But, sadly, there are more Christ-ish Christians around today. The world certainly doesn't care to become a Christian, conviction is getting harder and harder...why? Because the world cannot see a difference between themselves and a Christian anymore. Some Christians are so hard nosed, stiff necked that they run sinners off by telling them what they are doing wrong, instead of extending love and grace and letting GOD show them what they are doing is wrong. It is our place to love, not judge. However....we are scripturally commanded to be transformed from this world.
Too many Christians now blur the lines, live life right on the edge....why? Because they are not crucifying the flesh and feeding the spirit. Or they are feeding more to the flesh than to the spirit. That dude has long hair. That girl has piercings in her nose, all over her ears, lips, eyebrows, gauges in her lobes. That person has tattoos....oh but all of that is not specifically written in the Bible...thou shalt not have a tattoo, thou shalt not have a beer......oh come on, quit splitting hairs...that's what we did as a kid to our parents to try to sway them into letting us do what we wanted to do. That is the enemy whispering in your ear, selling you a con straight from the pits of Hell. Why would the world want what we have when we look like they do, speak like they do, dress like they do, do things they do, go where they do???
Jesus came to save the world, so that we may have eternal life. Being Christ-like, we are to have that same goal, to lead others to salvation. I am not in any way saying I am judging someone. But we are fruit inspectors....if it walks like a duck, looks like a duck, sounds like a duck...chances are...it's a duck!! Are you Christ-like or just Christ-ish? Are you truly sold out to serving the Lord? I'm not telling you that everything is wrong and as a Christian you can no longer have fun or do anything. But, we must live a life that points others to Christ. Like my Mother always said....listen to that little voice in your head...your gut...if it's warning you, then something is wrong and don't do it. She also said, if you have to ask if it's wrong, chances are, it is. We live in a world that has the philosophy, if it feels right, do it. It's your body, it's your life, you can do whatever you want. Well, if you are a Christian....that's a lie that Satan has sold you. You are no longer your own. You are God's, you better get His permission before you make a decision. I'm not perfect, I make mistakes every day. I am weak, I am no match for this flesh nor Satan. That's why I daily have to put the whole armour of God on and STAND. My heart's desire is to be more Christ-like every day. Where the argument insues is that as a Christian we aren't where we should be, and when we feel that tug of conviction, then the enemy whispers in your ear that oh you are okay, those goody two shoes are just judging you...they are hating on you because they aren't you. Pray, pray and pray again. God does not tempt you, he would never lead you somewhere that you should not go, nor get you to do something you should not do. Seek His will first. He never fails. God help me to be what you want me to be, to lead others to You. God forgive me, and help me not to be a hinderance to anyone's Christian walk...sinner or Christian! People are watching you......Y-O-U are the only Bible some folks ever read!
Wednesday, January 31, 2018
Thursday, October 26, 2017
Flip or Flop
I'm not gonna lie.....I do enjoy watching me some HGTV! I love the multiple shows of Flip or Flop. Seeing how they make a run down house a beautiful masterpiece is awesome! I also enjoy the summertime foot attire of a flip flop! I love to go get a pedicure and wear matching flip flops to go with what I have on. But then, I got to thinking about just those words....flip and flop. I began looking out our church age, and those two words, sadly, seem to fit perfectly.
We aren't strong mature Christians anymore. Many have never come off of the milk. People aren't grounded in the Word and don't even seem to know what the Bible says about right and wrong, for that matter, don't even seem to know what IS right and wrong anymore. Satan and his imps have increased in power....by us allowing them to....and are dead set against the total destruction of the Church. So, people are either trying to 'flip' the church into whatever the fad at the time is, or allowing the church just to 'flop'. We don't want the convicting Word of God preached anymore...we want to be made to feel good and be told that everything is alright, you can do, and live however you want, and everyone goes to Heaven.
We have made Church a production, a business. We seem to tell God how we are going to 'do church' and if He can squeeze in somewhere, than okay. We have these 'fad' churches...oh we must have a praise rock band, and all these youth buildings with catchy names and programs. We have to have the coolest pastor that can put on the best 'show' so the public won't get bored. And of course, we have to have different church times and styles to fit everyone's needs. Johnny has to be on the ball field and so does Susie....you know they both are going 'pro' one day.....and we can fish, or get our shopping done if we go to the early service. And whew, life is so busy and we are just so tired, that we cannot have an evening service any longer! And let's not do a Wednesday night church service any longer either. Let's just do a 'small group' and go to friends houses. You can walk in churches now days and it looks just like a club or a bar! You cannot tell Christians apart from the world any longer! Christians look the same, dress the same, talk the same, drink the same as sinners!! 2 Corinthians 6:17, 18 still says, "Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, and will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.'
Now don't start with the hating.....I know that some of the things I have called out aren't necessarily wrong, and can be helpful. However, we need to stop and see where we are. If we can see a time when we lived closer, when we WERE closer to God than we are now....then we need to take a hard look at ourselves and see if we are really, genuinely, doing God's will, or are we just pacifying our flesh. I am so worried that our 'fads', our 'Flip or Flop' churches have given so many a false security that they are going to Heaven. Matthew 7:13-16 tells us, "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. Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Ye shall know them by their fruits."
I'm telling you, it's time to stop listening to this 'snowflake' mentality, where everything offends and everything has to be politically correct! It's time to stand for what is right! It's time to grow and mature in God's Word and do what He wants us to do! It's time for us to stop trying to go the popular route, and get back to the old paths that our forefathers trod. It's time to have real church, not just what the world wants so they can have a 'feel good' feeling about themselves! It's time to tell the lost that they are just that....LOST! It's time to tell them that Heaven is real and Hell is hot and but for the blood of Jesus we would all split Hell wide open one day! It's time to grow up and get on the meat and become ADULT Christians! We don't have long, He's coming back very soon!!
We aren't strong mature Christians anymore. Many have never come off of the milk. People aren't grounded in the Word and don't even seem to know what the Bible says about right and wrong, for that matter, don't even seem to know what IS right and wrong anymore. Satan and his imps have increased in power....by us allowing them to....and are dead set against the total destruction of the Church. So, people are either trying to 'flip' the church into whatever the fad at the time is, or allowing the church just to 'flop'. We don't want the convicting Word of God preached anymore...we want to be made to feel good and be told that everything is alright, you can do, and live however you want, and everyone goes to Heaven.
We have made Church a production, a business. We seem to tell God how we are going to 'do church' and if He can squeeze in somewhere, than okay. We have these 'fad' churches...oh we must have a praise rock band, and all these youth buildings with catchy names and programs. We have to have the coolest pastor that can put on the best 'show' so the public won't get bored. And of course, we have to have different church times and styles to fit everyone's needs. Johnny has to be on the ball field and so does Susie....you know they both are going 'pro' one day.....and we can fish, or get our shopping done if we go to the early service. And whew, life is so busy and we are just so tired, that we cannot have an evening service any longer! And let's not do a Wednesday night church service any longer either. Let's just do a 'small group' and go to friends houses. You can walk in churches now days and it looks just like a club or a bar! You cannot tell Christians apart from the world any longer! Christians look the same, dress the same, talk the same, drink the same as sinners!! 2 Corinthians 6:17, 18 still says, "Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, and will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.'
Now don't start with the hating.....I know that some of the things I have called out aren't necessarily wrong, and can be helpful. However, we need to stop and see where we are. If we can see a time when we lived closer, when we WERE closer to God than we are now....then we need to take a hard look at ourselves and see if we are really, genuinely, doing God's will, or are we just pacifying our flesh. I am so worried that our 'fads', our 'Flip or Flop' churches have given so many a false security that they are going to Heaven. Matthew 7:13-16 tells us, "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. Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Ye shall know them by their fruits."
I'm telling you, it's time to stop listening to this 'snowflake' mentality, where everything offends and everything has to be politically correct! It's time to stand for what is right! It's time to grow and mature in God's Word and do what He wants us to do! It's time for us to stop trying to go the popular route, and get back to the old paths that our forefathers trod. It's time to have real church, not just what the world wants so they can have a 'feel good' feeling about themselves! It's time to tell the lost that they are just that....LOST! It's time to tell them that Heaven is real and Hell is hot and but for the blood of Jesus we would all split Hell wide open one day! It's time to grow up and get on the meat and become ADULT Christians! We don't have long, He's coming back very soon!!
Tuesday, October 24, 2017
Reading the Word
2 Timothy 2:15 says, "Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." 2 Timothy 3:15-17: "And that from a child thu hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. 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. Psalms 119:15,16: "I will meditate in thy precpets, and have respect unto thy ways. I will delight myself in thy statutes: I will not forget thy word." Hebrews 4:12: "For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged swoard, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart." Ephesians 4:17: " And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:" 1 John4:1: " Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world." Ezra 4:10:' For Ezra had prepared his heart to seek the law of the Lord, and to do it, and to teach in Israel statutes and judgments."
I know that is a lot of scripture. But read it, then reread it, then meditate and study it. We are to daily be in His Word. It is a 'lamp unto our feet and a light unto our path.' How often do we grab up our Bible, read a few lines, close it, and go about our day. Now granted, that is better than not opening it up at all.....but I ask you.....are you Reading the Word, or are you reading the words? If you are doing the second part, and thinking you are doing your part....well, you are going to spiritually starve. What if we went by the dinner table and grab a quick sample of what was on the table? That bite tastes good, and may stop the hunger pangs for a moment....but eventually we are going to get hungry...maybe even 'hangry'. Our health will fail, we will become malnourished, and eventually die.
God help us to be approved by God as a good soldier that He is not ashamed of. Take a moment, at some part of the day and truly READ the Word.....and not just read some words. Grow in knowledge and grace and just watch what God will do!!
I know that is a lot of scripture. But read it, then reread it, then meditate and study it. We are to daily be in His Word. It is a 'lamp unto our feet and a light unto our path.' How often do we grab up our Bible, read a few lines, close it, and go about our day. Now granted, that is better than not opening it up at all.....but I ask you.....are you Reading the Word, or are you reading the words? If you are doing the second part, and thinking you are doing your part....well, you are going to spiritually starve. What if we went by the dinner table and grab a quick sample of what was on the table? That bite tastes good, and may stop the hunger pangs for a moment....but eventually we are going to get hungry...maybe even 'hangry'. Our health will fail, we will become malnourished, and eventually die.
God help us to be approved by God as a good soldier that He is not ashamed of. Take a moment, at some part of the day and truly READ the Word.....and not just read some words. Grow in knowledge and grace and just watch what God will do!!
Friday, October 13, 2017
Vessel versus Tool
As I continue to watch the world, this country, tear itself and each other apart, from the inside out, I began to look to God's Word. I know Revelations teach us that all these things shall come to pass in the last days. Surely, surely, we are in the last days!! Earthquakes, hurricanes, fires, so many natural disasters.....men fighting with each other, rumors of wars, no morals, babies being murdered, both in the womb and out of the womb! Hatred being spewed from every venue: television, personally, social media, radio.............it's crazy, it's scary but more than that....it is heart breaking! The Bible teaches us that when we see all these things happening, to look up for our redemption draweth nigh! I am looking up, and I say, even so, Lord please come quickly!!
Being involved in social media, I am disheartened by people giving such ugly and judgmental opinions so easily.....without a thought as to how it would affect the other person. People become so much more brave hiding behind a screen and typing words. It seems that everyone wants to disagree with you, and to tear you down every chance they get. Kick you when you are down, so to speak. No one cares about what is going on in anyone else's life.....I am right, and I am going to let you know I am right....no matter the cost!!
Wow!!! Satan is truly enjoying himself, he is orchestrating a world of hatred.....and it is working! We have turned from God. We haven't raised our children with any morals, beliefs, Godly standards, and now they are literally killing this world with evil. I am not a gloom and doom speaker, don't get me wrong here....but I am trying to paint a picture of reality here. Society today is full of 'snowflakes'....a people that take no responsibility for their actions; blame everything and everyone for every thing;, expect, and often demand something for nothing; never accept any wrong doing of their own hand, always play the victim; always want to argue, and never want to listen; have no respect for others; always feel that they are in the right; no moral or religious compass.
While all these things were in my thoughts, two words kept popping up in my head: vessels and tools. Bear with me, while I try to explain myself. The dictionary tells me that a vessel is a hollow container, especially one used to hold liquid. A tool is a device--especially one held in the hand, used to carry out a particular function. I know that we can use words and twist them to make any argument we want to make.....but, hold on....let me tell you how God has used these words and their definition to speak to me.
Are you a vessel for the Lord?.....Or, are you a tool for the devil? Hey now, before you think I am being self righteous, and preaching to you.....I am pointing all my fingers at myself! I have been both. I have not attained. My heart's desire is to be a vessel every day.....but, I still live in this house of flesh....and sad to say I have allowed myself to be a tool for the enemy.
A vessel is a hollow container, especially used for liquid. My spiritual mind is turning here.....our choir sings a song about the Blood, there is a statement in the verse that says to 'let His liquid glory flow'....I've always loved that visual of Jesus' blood. I love it even more, thinking of this thought on vessels. If we are a vessel....we are sitting there, empty of ourselves......if we allow His 'liquid glory' to fill us, then we are full of Him and void of self!!
However, if we are satan's tool...then we are a device, that can be held in satan's hand to carry out a particular function. Think about that for a minute! Tools are a needed part of society....but in the wrong hands, it can be detrimental! I think back to something a few month's ago. My husband has been busy restoring an old truck. He has many tools in the barn that he has used to restore this truck and it is looking good! Well....one day, our 4 year old granddaughter came in, and wanted to help her Pawpaw. She had watched her Pawpaw and seen him use tools to work on the truck. So....she picked up a screwdriver and proceeded to 'help' him fix the brand new radiator that he had assembled!! While this is a cute story.....the moral is.....tools are needed and useful....but in the wrong hands...it will have a bad result!
While we are still in this flesh, let's work diligently to remain a vessel for God to fill with His glory....and work hard NOT to be a tool used for the enemy's desires! We have enough evil forces working against us without God's people taking each other out....or much worse, preventing lost souls from finding salvation!! 2 Timothy 2:21 says,'If a man therefore purge (cleanse)himself from these (dishonor, etc.), he shall be a vessel unto honor, sanctified (set apart), and meet (useful) for the master's use, and prepared unto every good work.'
Being involved in social media, I am disheartened by people giving such ugly and judgmental opinions so easily.....without a thought as to how it would affect the other person. People become so much more brave hiding behind a screen and typing words. It seems that everyone wants to disagree with you, and to tear you down every chance they get. Kick you when you are down, so to speak. No one cares about what is going on in anyone else's life.....I am right, and I am going to let you know I am right....no matter the cost!!
Wow!!! Satan is truly enjoying himself, he is orchestrating a world of hatred.....and it is working! We have turned from God. We haven't raised our children with any morals, beliefs, Godly standards, and now they are literally killing this world with evil. I am not a gloom and doom speaker, don't get me wrong here....but I am trying to paint a picture of reality here. Society today is full of 'snowflakes'....a people that take no responsibility for their actions; blame everything and everyone for every thing;, expect, and often demand something for nothing; never accept any wrong doing of their own hand, always play the victim; always want to argue, and never want to listen; have no respect for others; always feel that they are in the right; no moral or religious compass.
While all these things were in my thoughts, two words kept popping up in my head: vessels and tools. Bear with me, while I try to explain myself. The dictionary tells me that a vessel is a hollow container, especially one used to hold liquid. A tool is a device--especially one held in the hand, used to carry out a particular function. I know that we can use words and twist them to make any argument we want to make.....but, hold on....let me tell you how God has used these words and their definition to speak to me.
Are you a vessel for the Lord?.....Or, are you a tool for the devil? Hey now, before you think I am being self righteous, and preaching to you.....I am pointing all my fingers at myself! I have been both. I have not attained. My heart's desire is to be a vessel every day.....but, I still live in this house of flesh....and sad to say I have allowed myself to be a tool for the enemy.
A vessel is a hollow container, especially used for liquid. My spiritual mind is turning here.....our choir sings a song about the Blood, there is a statement in the verse that says to 'let His liquid glory flow'....I've always loved that visual of Jesus' blood. I love it even more, thinking of this thought on vessels. If we are a vessel....we are sitting there, empty of ourselves......if we allow His 'liquid glory' to fill us, then we are full of Him and void of self!!
However, if we are satan's tool...then we are a device, that can be held in satan's hand to carry out a particular function. Think about that for a minute! Tools are a needed part of society....but in the wrong hands, it can be detrimental! I think back to something a few month's ago. My husband has been busy restoring an old truck. He has many tools in the barn that he has used to restore this truck and it is looking good! Well....one day, our 4 year old granddaughter came in, and wanted to help her Pawpaw. She had watched her Pawpaw and seen him use tools to work on the truck. So....she picked up a screwdriver and proceeded to 'help' him fix the brand new radiator that he had assembled!! While this is a cute story.....the moral is.....tools are needed and useful....but in the wrong hands...it will have a bad result!
While we are still in this flesh, let's work diligently to remain a vessel for God to fill with His glory....and work hard NOT to be a tool used for the enemy's desires! We have enough evil forces working against us without God's people taking each other out....or much worse, preventing lost souls from finding salvation!! 2 Timothy 2:21 says,'If a man therefore purge (cleanse)himself from these (dishonor, etc.), he shall be a vessel unto honor, sanctified (set apart), and meet (useful) for the master's use, and prepared unto every good work.'
Thursday, August 31, 2017
Some Nuggets for a Nutritious Spiritual Walk
F- Fixate (direct one's eyes toward) on Spiritual things
O- Obey God's will
C- Care for others
U- Unite with fellow Christians
S - Stop and think, 'what would Jesus do?'
When you FOCUS on the cross, these are the characteristics that should be seen by doing so!
We often hurt each other by our words, some are intentional, some are not. Before you throw that 'DIG' someone's way....think on this:
D- Desperate
I - Innuendos (a suggestive or disparaging allusive remark)
G - Gaining nothing
S- Speaking hurt
Words are like waters. They are good, needful and helpful...but when they get out of the banks, they become harmful!!
Before you speak, before you Facebook, Instagram, tweet, Snapchat, etc.....
O- Obey God's will
C- Care for others
U- Unite with fellow Christians
S - Stop and think, 'what would Jesus do?'
When you FOCUS on the cross, these are the characteristics that should be seen by doing so!
We often hurt each other by our words, some are intentional, some are not. Before you throw that 'DIG' someone's way....think on this:
D- Desperate
I - Innuendos (a suggestive or disparaging allusive remark)
G - Gaining nothing
S- Speaking hurt
Words are like waters. They are good, needful and helpful...but when they get out of the banks, they become harmful!!
Before you speak, before you Facebook, Instagram, tweet, Snapchat, etc.....
THINK!
T- Is it TRUE?
H - Is it HELPFUL?
I - Is it INSPIRING?
N - Is it NECESSARY?
K - Is it KIND?
We all have a testimony, whether it is a good one or a bad one. If we are a Christian, we WILL go through tests. But you will NEVER have a testimony until you complete the TEST!! If you give up or give in during the test...all you are left with is a -mony state of mind! You will whine and groan and moan! Finish your test and you won't be 'mony'!! You will gain your TESTIMONY!!!
Sunflower Fields
This summer there was much ado about a huge sunflower field near me. My heart began to have a desire to go. I kind of dismissed it, but it wouldn't go away. So, one morning, my granddaughter and I loaded up and took off up there. Oh my goodness!! What a majestic beautiful sight to behold! God's handiwork is so amazing! All of these beautiful flowers so tall and straight, so picturesque. The place was buzzing with people, along with bees as well, lol. People were dressed up, with portraits being taken, some with professional photographers, some, like me, just being mommy or grandma with their smart phones snapping pictures....and some with their buckets, cutting flowers to take home. A woman said something to me as I was taking pictures. She said, 'It's kind of hard to take a picture with the sun so bright, and all the flowers facing the sun, isn't it?' All of a sudden, thoughts began to swirl in my head and heart. I then realized why I had such a yearning to go to the sunflower fields! God was about to blow my feeble mind!!
As I looked over the fields, I could see that the woman was exactly right! All of those thousands of sunflowers were standing tall, and every single one of them were facing the sun. Their heads up as if to soak up every single ray of sunshine! So I began to study the sunflower. The sunflower is vibrant and strong, and is known worldwide for its beauty, and it's an important source of food. It's oil and sunflower seeds are enjoyed as a healthy, tasty snack as well as a nutritious ingredient to many foods. It is also an important agricultural crop of choice for US producers. So they are not only beautiful, but they also have a food purpose as well.
When the sunflower plant is in the bud stage, it tends to track the movement of the sun across the horizon. Once the flowers open into the radiance of yellow petals, it faces east. No one knows why. However, it is likely a defensive response. Facing south or west could result in sun-scalding of seeds during very hot days.
Okay, are you seeing it yet?? Maybe it's just my simple mind at work, but I sure did get a wonderful spiritual picture. Let me explain it. Looking at thousands and thousands of those majestic plants, all standing tall, not wavering, facing the sun.... I began to see how we as sisters in Christ must stand tall and face the Son....S-O-N!! That is where we gain our strength, our knowledge and wisdom, our everything! Those sunflowers are a hardy plant, and can live in most any condition. They can weather droughts and most any type of soil conditions. If you have your face on Christ, you too can handle most conditions that this old world can and will throw at you!
As the plant in its bud stage tracks the movement of the sun, so should we as young Christians, thirsty for the Word, hungry for the growth in the Lord. Only facing the Lord can we grow strong and stand strong. They were not facing each other, or looking this way and that way...they were united...together...working together....with one goal in mind....to face the sun! There were a few that may have been a little shorter, may have looked a little different, they had their own uniqueness, but still were all the same. Don't you know that God the Father looks down on His children and sees us as those sunflower fields? We have our uniquenesses, but we are covered by His very own Son's blood, so all He sees is our uniform beauty!
Another sunflower fact that jumped out at me was the fact that as they mature, they begin to face east! Bear with me now, do you see it?? THEY FACE EAST!! Matthew 24:27 says, "For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west, so will the coming of the Son of Man be." Hold up, 'bout to get a happy bubble here....let's look at this through our spiritual eyes! As we grow in Christ, get off the milk and onto the meat of his Word, we began to mature in Him. As a mature Christian, we will began to watch the Eastern Sky for his soon second coming!! Whoop Glory!!! He's soon coming back and he's gonna split that eastern sky!! As we mature in Christ, we learn how to protect what is really important so Satan won't rob us of our joy, or 'scald our seeds.' We can now face very hot days on our Christina walk because we have grown in Christ!
I hold a new love for sunflowers now. I see them and start soaking up the spiritual application from them! What I want you to take from this is....be a Sunflower Sister!! We are all in the 'field' together! We are special...God made us female. Females are nurturers, full of love, spirit, and emotions. Often times, the enemy wants to stir our God given.....GOD GIVEN...feelings, and have us use them as weapons on each other. We need to begin our day in God in order to stop the enemy in his tracks. Grab your 5 minutes and do your devotional before you start your day. Get your beautiful face pointing to the SON first thing every day. This will help you grow and mature in Christ. Growing and maturing in Christ will help you use your God given female attributes for His good. By the sunflower tracking the sun as it matures, it then has allowed the seeds to grow and be used for food. As Christians, we are to be used for the furtherance of His kingdom! When we focus on God, We get our eyes off of others ad can be what we were made to be for Him.
As I stood there looking at all those flowers, so beautiful...not one was fighting the other for the sun! Their beautiful large leaves weren't smacking each other or pushing each other! They all have room to grow! WE ALL HAVE ROOM TO GROW!! We don't have to fight each other, nor race each other in order to grow in Christ! There is enough God for all of us! Then as we mature in Christ, we should have our heads up looking toward the eastern sky, waiting for the Lord to call us home! Where there will never be another bee, nor weed to bother us!! We can be like Him! Praise the Lord!!
Let's make it our daily goal, to not let Satan use us as a tool for him! The world often wants to knock us down because we are women. Often times, I think we get that stuck in our heads, unintentionally, and we begin to fight with other women. We have something to prove and no other woman is gonna out do me. We may not say that...but the devil will use our beautiful gifts that God has given us to stir that pot...and before you know it, we have our eyes off Christ and on each other. We let jealousy, pride, stubbornness, insecurities overshadow us.. Oh how heart breaking it would be to look across that sunflower field and see flowers laying down, twisted around each other, drooping and broken. Don't you know God is heart broken when He looks down on His sunflower fields and sees us all feuding and fighting, testy and ugly, backbiting, and ignoring each other?
The sunflower plant has dentated, toothlike or serrated edged upper leaves and are often sticky, while its lower leaves are ovate, not serrated but often heart shaped. Bear with me here, but I also spy with my spiritual eye...something here, too. We have the capability to bring out our 'mama claws' when needed. And we should, God gave us the desire to take care of our own. Those upper, jagged, sticky leaves are toward the face of the plant to help with protection. But, then those lower leaves are soft and heart shaped. They are inviting and caring. Often times we get hurt, and we want to roll our soft heart shaped leaves up and only have our sticky toothlike leaves out....not very inviting. Meanwhile, the devil is laughing at us because he has us right where he wants us.
Ladies, let's grow in Christ!! Let's keep our faces pointed toward Christ! Maturing in Him so that we focus on the eastern sky for His soon reappearing! Like the sunflowers can be hardy and grow in rough soil, so shall we, by pointing toward Christ, keeping our soft heart shaped leaves out to help each other a long! Bloom where you are planted and blossom for Him! Looking over those fields, I cannot tell you that there was a flower prettier or better than the other...they all shine in golden majesty!! They all stood together in one accord, shining and glorifying their Creator! Stop letting the devil see you a load of junk....shin in your own personal golden majesty!!!! When the world looks upon us, they won't see any individuals....but only the golden glow that we are producing for the SONlight of our Heavenly Father!!
As I looked over the fields, I could see that the woman was exactly right! All of those thousands of sunflowers were standing tall, and every single one of them were facing the sun. Their heads up as if to soak up every single ray of sunshine! So I began to study the sunflower. The sunflower is vibrant and strong, and is known worldwide for its beauty, and it's an important source of food. It's oil and sunflower seeds are enjoyed as a healthy, tasty snack as well as a nutritious ingredient to many foods. It is also an important agricultural crop of choice for US producers. So they are not only beautiful, but they also have a food purpose as well.
When the sunflower plant is in the bud stage, it tends to track the movement of the sun across the horizon. Once the flowers open into the radiance of yellow petals, it faces east. No one knows why. However, it is likely a defensive response. Facing south or west could result in sun-scalding of seeds during very hot days.
Okay, are you seeing it yet?? Maybe it's just my simple mind at work, but I sure did get a wonderful spiritual picture. Let me explain it. Looking at thousands and thousands of those majestic plants, all standing tall, not wavering, facing the sun.... I began to see how we as sisters in Christ must stand tall and face the Son....S-O-N!! That is where we gain our strength, our knowledge and wisdom, our everything! Those sunflowers are a hardy plant, and can live in most any condition. They can weather droughts and most any type of soil conditions. If you have your face on Christ, you too can handle most conditions that this old world can and will throw at you!
As the plant in its bud stage tracks the movement of the sun, so should we as young Christians, thirsty for the Word, hungry for the growth in the Lord. Only facing the Lord can we grow strong and stand strong. They were not facing each other, or looking this way and that way...they were united...together...working together....with one goal in mind....to face the sun! There were a few that may have been a little shorter, may have looked a little different, they had their own uniqueness, but still were all the same. Don't you know that God the Father looks down on His children and sees us as those sunflower fields? We have our uniquenesses, but we are covered by His very own Son's blood, so all He sees is our uniform beauty!
Another sunflower fact that jumped out at me was the fact that as they mature, they begin to face east! Bear with me now, do you see it?? THEY FACE EAST!! Matthew 24:27 says, "For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west, so will the coming of the Son of Man be." Hold up, 'bout to get a happy bubble here....let's look at this through our spiritual eyes! As we grow in Christ, get off the milk and onto the meat of his Word, we began to mature in Him. As a mature Christian, we will began to watch the Eastern Sky for his soon second coming!! Whoop Glory!!! He's soon coming back and he's gonna split that eastern sky!! As we mature in Christ, we learn how to protect what is really important so Satan won't rob us of our joy, or 'scald our seeds.' We can now face very hot days on our Christina walk because we have grown in Christ!
I hold a new love for sunflowers now. I see them and start soaking up the spiritual application from them! What I want you to take from this is....be a Sunflower Sister!! We are all in the 'field' together! We are special...God made us female. Females are nurturers, full of love, spirit, and emotions. Often times, the enemy wants to stir our God given.....GOD GIVEN...feelings, and have us use them as weapons on each other. We need to begin our day in God in order to stop the enemy in his tracks. Grab your 5 minutes and do your devotional before you start your day. Get your beautiful face pointing to the SON first thing every day. This will help you grow and mature in Christ. Growing and maturing in Christ will help you use your God given female attributes for His good. By the sunflower tracking the sun as it matures, it then has allowed the seeds to grow and be used for food. As Christians, we are to be used for the furtherance of His kingdom! When we focus on God, We get our eyes off of others ad can be what we were made to be for Him.
As I stood there looking at all those flowers, so beautiful...not one was fighting the other for the sun! Their beautiful large leaves weren't smacking each other or pushing each other! They all have room to grow! WE ALL HAVE ROOM TO GROW!! We don't have to fight each other, nor race each other in order to grow in Christ! There is enough God for all of us! Then as we mature in Christ, we should have our heads up looking toward the eastern sky, waiting for the Lord to call us home! Where there will never be another bee, nor weed to bother us!! We can be like Him! Praise the Lord!!
Let's make it our daily goal, to not let Satan use us as a tool for him! The world often wants to knock us down because we are women. Often times, I think we get that stuck in our heads, unintentionally, and we begin to fight with other women. We have something to prove and no other woman is gonna out do me. We may not say that...but the devil will use our beautiful gifts that God has given us to stir that pot...and before you know it, we have our eyes off Christ and on each other. We let jealousy, pride, stubbornness, insecurities overshadow us.. Oh how heart breaking it would be to look across that sunflower field and see flowers laying down, twisted around each other, drooping and broken. Don't you know God is heart broken when He looks down on His sunflower fields and sees us all feuding and fighting, testy and ugly, backbiting, and ignoring each other?
The sunflower plant has dentated, toothlike or serrated edged upper leaves and are often sticky, while its lower leaves are ovate, not serrated but often heart shaped. Bear with me here, but I also spy with my spiritual eye...something here, too. We have the capability to bring out our 'mama claws' when needed. And we should, God gave us the desire to take care of our own. Those upper, jagged, sticky leaves are toward the face of the plant to help with protection. But, then those lower leaves are soft and heart shaped. They are inviting and caring. Often times we get hurt, and we want to roll our soft heart shaped leaves up and only have our sticky toothlike leaves out....not very inviting. Meanwhile, the devil is laughing at us because he has us right where he wants us.
Ladies, let's grow in Christ!! Let's keep our faces pointed toward Christ! Maturing in Him so that we focus on the eastern sky for His soon reappearing! Like the sunflowers can be hardy and grow in rough soil, so shall we, by pointing toward Christ, keeping our soft heart shaped leaves out to help each other a long! Bloom where you are planted and blossom for Him! Looking over those fields, I cannot tell you that there was a flower prettier or better than the other...they all shine in golden majesty!! They all stood together in one accord, shining and glorifying their Creator! Stop letting the devil see you a load of junk....shin in your own personal golden majesty!!!! When the world looks upon us, they won't see any individuals....but only the golden glow that we are producing for the SONlight of our Heavenly Father!!
Wednesday, May 24, 2017
Pot Luck Versus Buffet
We've all heard it said....and may have even said it...."Well, I'm just not getting fed at that church anymore." Okay, I get it. I really do. There are times....rare times....but there are times that God does nudge you to leave a church and go to a new one. Especially if God's Word is not being rightly divided, or anything else that is contrary to God's Word is going on. Then, by all means, pack your bag and run! But, I guarantee you this, there will be a church where you should put your roots down very quickly! God will not move you out of one church just to be a 'floater'. Oh, you know the ones, they never 'settle' down, never join one church or the other, but instead, float around.....whichever church is tickling their ears the way they like for the moment. Let's not forget Hebrews 10:25: "Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching." It is not only a requirement to go to church, but it is more so now, in these troubling days!
What's the point anyway, I can read my Bible at home, and study and spend time with Jesus, have my own church. I can watch preaching on TV. (Oh brother, that's a whole other blog for that one!) I can get online and watch church services, in the comfort of my own recliner. Yep....yes you can....and you should! Here's the thing.....those are all great, just not if they are taking the place of you going to church! Now, I'm not talking about if you have to work, or you are sick.....you know what I mean. Why? I'm glad you asked. We are human. We need human contact and interaction. We draw strength from each other. We see that we are not alone. We can get help from a brother or sister who has gone through what we are going through now. You can never recreate the feel of the movement of the Holy Spirit as He feels the sanctuary during the choir, and preaching and praising. You learn so much through Sunday School classes. The church needs you....but more importantly, you need church! Let's not forget about tithing. That is also a biblical requirement. Malachi 3:8,10 and II Cor. 9:6,7 are just a couple scriptures that teach on tithing. Sorry, but tithing back to yourself because you 'home church' doesn't cut it. You cannot rob God and expect blessings to flow your way.
I'm sure you are saying, okay....what does the title have to do with what you are talking about??? I'm glad you asked! :) I'm not sure about Northerners...but we Southerners certainly know what a Pot Luck is! We love to gather together and eat! Everyone makes something and brings with them...cooking up something scrumptious in a pot...and everyone eats! We all contribute to the meal. We bring one pot of something, and in return, get to pick and choose from many different foods! I'm pretty sure that they do have buffets up North, so they should be self explanatory....but just in case.....Buffets are restaurants where you come in and 'belly up' to the food bar and eat as much as you want of everything that they have! You bring nothing, contribute nothing, and yet you still get to eat your fill.....overfill in most cases!
Here is where I am going with this: More often than not, the reason we are hearing someone say, "Well I'm just not getting fed at that church", is because they are using that church as a buffet and not a pot luck. They come in, empty handed, and take and take and take, never giving anything in return. They haven't prayed like they should all week, barely, if at all, picked up their Bible, they don't hold an office, of if they do, they are half heartedly doing it....and wonder why God isn't blessing them! Well, it must be the church.....it's surely not self proclaimed righteous us...right??
I am not saying that you should stay at one church your whole life.....but, if the church is alive for Christ, you may not ever have to leave. But I am certainly saying that you should not have a list an arm's length long of churches that you have belonged to. We are to bloom where we are planted. We are human, we all fall daily. There are times we are on fire for God, and other times we are like a block of ice. That is not the church's fault. We have got to be more mature on our Christian walk, and see the big picture. We need to constantly self inventory, instead of looking to place blame and start belting out excuses. "Well, I can't enjoy church anymore after Susie came and sat in front of me, I can't see over her hat." "The Smith's cannot control their children and I can't hear the service." "The preacher never calls on me to sing anymore." "The choir is just not the same now that he is directing it." "They don't have a Sunday school class that I fit in." Oh....Satan can give you a million of them....you don't have to look long for an excuse to leave church.....Lucifer hands them out like candy to a child!
It is no little matter on leaving a church for another. It should be bathed in prayer and lots of digging in God's Word seeking out His will. We need to clean up our own closet, before trying to point to others. We must make sure that we are as close to God as we have ever been. Satan can tell you just enough of the truth with his twisted lies to make you believe anything. We must make sure it is God talking to us and not the enemy. And let me just add, God will not tell you to leave a church, and then not immediately have a church that is better suited for you. He won't take you away from Him.....He draws you nearer....if you see yourself further from Him, then it was not God's will, you left of your own will. So, the next time Satan tries to tell you, 'You just aren't being 'fed' here anymore.' Investigate, get in your prayer closet and really seek God's face. Check up and see if you have been using your church as a buffet, always taking but never contributing, or have you been doing your doing your part, filling your pot and bringing it in to further His cause??
What's the point anyway, I can read my Bible at home, and study and spend time with Jesus, have my own church. I can watch preaching on TV. (Oh brother, that's a whole other blog for that one!) I can get online and watch church services, in the comfort of my own recliner. Yep....yes you can....and you should! Here's the thing.....those are all great, just not if they are taking the place of you going to church! Now, I'm not talking about if you have to work, or you are sick.....you know what I mean. Why? I'm glad you asked. We are human. We need human contact and interaction. We draw strength from each other. We see that we are not alone. We can get help from a brother or sister who has gone through what we are going through now. You can never recreate the feel of the movement of the Holy Spirit as He feels the sanctuary during the choir, and preaching and praising. You learn so much through Sunday School classes. The church needs you....but more importantly, you need church! Let's not forget about tithing. That is also a biblical requirement. Malachi 3:8,10 and II Cor. 9:6,7 are just a couple scriptures that teach on tithing. Sorry, but tithing back to yourself because you 'home church' doesn't cut it. You cannot rob God and expect blessings to flow your way.
I'm sure you are saying, okay....what does the title have to do with what you are talking about??? I'm glad you asked! :) I'm not sure about Northerners...but we Southerners certainly know what a Pot Luck is! We love to gather together and eat! Everyone makes something and brings with them...cooking up something scrumptious in a pot...and everyone eats! We all contribute to the meal. We bring one pot of something, and in return, get to pick and choose from many different foods! I'm pretty sure that they do have buffets up North, so they should be self explanatory....but just in case.....Buffets are restaurants where you come in and 'belly up' to the food bar and eat as much as you want of everything that they have! You bring nothing, contribute nothing, and yet you still get to eat your fill.....overfill in most cases!
Here is where I am going with this: More often than not, the reason we are hearing someone say, "Well I'm just not getting fed at that church", is because they are using that church as a buffet and not a pot luck. They come in, empty handed, and take and take and take, never giving anything in return. They haven't prayed like they should all week, barely, if at all, picked up their Bible, they don't hold an office, of if they do, they are half heartedly doing it....and wonder why God isn't blessing them! Well, it must be the church.....it's surely not self proclaimed righteous us...right??
I am not saying that you should stay at one church your whole life.....but, if the church is alive for Christ, you may not ever have to leave. But I am certainly saying that you should not have a list an arm's length long of churches that you have belonged to. We are to bloom where we are planted. We are human, we all fall daily. There are times we are on fire for God, and other times we are like a block of ice. That is not the church's fault. We have got to be more mature on our Christian walk, and see the big picture. We need to constantly self inventory, instead of looking to place blame and start belting out excuses. "Well, I can't enjoy church anymore after Susie came and sat in front of me, I can't see over her hat." "The Smith's cannot control their children and I can't hear the service." "The preacher never calls on me to sing anymore." "The choir is just not the same now that he is directing it." "They don't have a Sunday school class that I fit in." Oh....Satan can give you a million of them....you don't have to look long for an excuse to leave church.....Lucifer hands them out like candy to a child!
It is no little matter on leaving a church for another. It should be bathed in prayer and lots of digging in God's Word seeking out His will. We need to clean up our own closet, before trying to point to others. We must make sure that we are as close to God as we have ever been. Satan can tell you just enough of the truth with his twisted lies to make you believe anything. We must make sure it is God talking to us and not the enemy. And let me just add, God will not tell you to leave a church, and then not immediately have a church that is better suited for you. He won't take you away from Him.....He draws you nearer....if you see yourself further from Him, then it was not God's will, you left of your own will. So, the next time Satan tries to tell you, 'You just aren't being 'fed' here anymore.' Investigate, get in your prayer closet and really seek God's face. Check up and see if you have been using your church as a buffet, always taking but never contributing, or have you been doing your doing your part, filling your pot and bringing it in to further His cause??
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)