Tuesday, April 15, 2014
A Covenant Relationship With Jesus
As we come into this holiday season and talk of going to church, talking about what Jesus did and that some churches will be doing communion this time of year because of Easter. As I hear all of this, I think how sad it is that this wonderful covenant between christians and the Lord is only recognized once a year. I as a New Testament Christian want the same covenant as the early church had with the Lord and that was on the first day of every week. When I study the habit of the church put forth through the apostles by Jesus Christ Himself, we are commanded to follow the Apostles doctrine. That doctrine can be found starting in the book of Acts and following through as the churches grew and had their own struggles. The examples are there for us to follow. Churches are to have elders and deacons to oversee the minister and the church making sure that everything comes in accordance with the scriptures. If they are not in place, that is a big red flag. Another area we should be aware of is how we receive salvation through the grace of God by our obedience to Him. That is found in the book of Acts. As a Christian we are to be in an obedient covenant with Jesus Christ by meeting around the Lord's Table every first day of the week. The covenant comes by following the apostle's doctrine. In 1 Corinthians 11:23-26...PAUL AN APOSTLE OF JESUS CHRIST TELL CHRISTIANS...For I received from the Lord that which I also delivered to you:that the Lord Jesus Christ on the same night in which He was betrayed took bread; and when He had given thanks He broke it and said,"Take eat; this is My body which is broken for you; do this in remembrance of Me. In the same manner He also took the cup after supper, saying,"This cup is the new covenant in My blood. This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me." For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord's death till He comes. Acts 20:7...Now on the first day of the week when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul, ready to depart the next day, spoke to them and continued his message until midnight. The Lord has shown me in the last couple days that He wants me to give my personal testimony so you will understand the importance of obedience. My husband and I take communion every Lord's Day morning as one of the first things we do. By doing this, my focus is on Christ. As we take the bread and the cup we are remembering what Christ did for us and we also remember that our job as christians is to "Go ye therefore into all the world preaching the gospel to everyone." What is the gospel you ask? The gospel is the good news that Jesus loved us so much that He died so we could be accepted by God. The good news is that we are saved by grace through His perfect love. He only asks us to love Him back by being faithful and obedient to Him. He asks us to be sorry for our sins and to confess Him as the Christ the Son of the living God and to be baptized into His death by water and as we come up out of the watery grave of sin we are new in Him and we will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. We are to be baptized into the name of Jesus Christ and learn from the scriptures how to live in the spirit not the flesh. We will learn about spiritual warfare and that we are loved and part of His Royal Priesthood. What a wonderful place to be in His loving Royal Court. Choose Christ and true obedience to Him. If we put our focus on Christ we will win souls and grow in relationship with Him. If you are not at a church that focuses on Christ then find one who does. That is our reason for being on this earth to live and worship the King Jesus. He Reigns!
Sunday, February 9, 2014
Tuesday, December 17, 2013
Nuture The Little Girl Within
As a woman we must understand where our belief system comes from. As I study many books about why we believe negative things about ourselves my research shows that our belief system is created around the age of three. As a small child, negative things have been formed even before we are able to remember them. We need to respond to that little girl inside of each woman. We need to be willing to release the unworthy feelings and nuture and re-assure the little girl inside that she is worthy.
Remember that as a small child we must approach things in a kinder softer way. Show her love and compassion. Tell her that she has what it takes to succeed. Love your little Sweetie with your whole heart like you did your own children. Protect her in the same way. Stand up for her, don't allow her to be put in unhealthy situations. Tell her that she is beautiful and perfect and that she is here for a special reason. Tell her that you have complete confidence in her to make good choices for her and that you always have her back. Remind her that she is going to grow up and be a very happy and successful woman. Tell her how special she is that God put her here on this earth at exactly the right time because He has a big plan just for her. She has been chosen. Tell her that the Lord loves His little girl unconditionally and that you love her too. Tell her that you are there to protect her and help keep her from hurting. She is fearfully and wonderfully made.
In the precise time of life where God put her He made her whole and complete. She is in the Lord's precious hands. She is conciously created by God and through obedience will be guided by the Holy Spirit in all of life's trials. She has been given the free choices of life good or bad. She will be thankful for these choices as she will be able to mature, grow, and learn from mistakes made to become a better person. A loving and thankful person. Every moment of life is an opportunity to put all the hurt of the past behind. The little girl inside will now be able to grow up and be the special woman she was created to be. Happy, healthy, whole and especially loved.
This wonderful adventure called life is not a belittling adventure but a nuturing adventure to be the best you can be. A place to build a spiritual relationship with the Lord as well as earthly relationships. As we grow with the love inside us that was placed there by the Lord we will always choose the good path as in love there is no darkness. Life is given for us to find the Spiritual Light that will give us everlasting love and contentment. The Light will show us the way through love of self and others.
Remember that as a small child we must approach things in a kinder softer way. Show her love and compassion. Tell her that she has what it takes to succeed. Love your little Sweetie with your whole heart like you did your own children. Protect her in the same way. Stand up for her, don't allow her to be put in unhealthy situations. Tell her that she is beautiful and perfect and that she is here for a special reason. Tell her that you have complete confidence in her to make good choices for her and that you always have her back. Remind her that she is going to grow up and be a very happy and successful woman. Tell her how special she is that God put her here on this earth at exactly the right time because He has a big plan just for her. She has been chosen. Tell her that the Lord loves His little girl unconditionally and that you love her too. Tell her that you are there to protect her and help keep her from hurting. She is fearfully and wonderfully made.
In the precise time of life where God put her He made her whole and complete. She is in the Lord's precious hands. She is conciously created by God and through obedience will be guided by the Holy Spirit in all of life's trials. She has been given the free choices of life good or bad. She will be thankful for these choices as she will be able to mature, grow, and learn from mistakes made to become a better person. A loving and thankful person. Every moment of life is an opportunity to put all the hurt of the past behind. The little girl inside will now be able to grow up and be the special woman she was created to be. Happy, healthy, whole and especially loved.
This wonderful adventure called life is not a belittling adventure but a nuturing adventure to be the best you can be. A place to build a spiritual relationship with the Lord as well as earthly relationships. As we grow with the love inside us that was placed there by the Lord we will always choose the good path as in love there is no darkness. Life is given for us to find the Spiritual Light that will give us everlasting love and contentment. The Light will show us the way through love of self and others.
Wednesday, November 27, 2013
Forgiveness, The Perfect Gift For The Holidays!
As we approach this holiday season it brings back wonderful memories of days gone by. Happy childhood fun traveling to grandma and grandpa's house, seeing all the cousins, playing and eating to exhaustion. Those are the memories that we should still be making. As children we are unaware of the tensions and hurt feelings that may be lurking between adults but as adults we understand that they are part of the picture. Many times little misunderstandings get blown out of porportion and big problems then arise. People ignore each other, tensions arise and holidays become very stressful.
As adults, we all have our own issues and bring our own baggage into the mix. Let's make a committment this year to start a new tradition in our families and leave the baggage behind. Forgive each other forget the past and just love each other. Let's go back to our childhoods where we fussed and a minute later we were playing again and having a big time. Let's be the bigger person, forgive and forget. More than likely the things that we dislike about our families are not going to change anyway so it is wasted time waiting on the change.
Greet your loved ones with open, loving arms. Enjoy the fellowship and make a family committment this year to put all the past behind and start from scratch. Have fun, play games, laugh and completely enjoy each other. We don't know how much time we have left so live it to the fullest.
New beginnings-what a wonderful way to finish out the rest of our lives. Happy and full of unconditional love.
As adults, we all have our own issues and bring our own baggage into the mix. Let's make a committment this year to start a new tradition in our families and leave the baggage behind. Forgive each other forget the past and just love each other. Let's go back to our childhoods where we fussed and a minute later we were playing again and having a big time. Let's be the bigger person, forgive and forget. More than likely the things that we dislike about our families are not going to change anyway so it is wasted time waiting on the change.
Greet your loved ones with open, loving arms. Enjoy the fellowship and make a family committment this year to put all the past behind and start from scratch. Have fun, play games, laugh and completely enjoy each other. We don't know how much time we have left so live it to the fullest.
New beginnings-what a wonderful way to finish out the rest of our lives. Happy and full of unconditional love.
Tuesday, November 19, 2013
Preparing To Share The Gospel Today
Today I have the opportunity to teach another lady the plan God has for her life. As I prepare what I am going to share with her I realize that everyone who reads my blog may not have taken all the steps to prepare for their blessed future. I would like to share with you what I will share today.
As we unfold God's plan for our lives, we have to have an understanding how to read the bible and relate it to our lives today. We as women sometimes get caught up in our daily lives and forget to take care of ourselves but taking care of ourselves is taking care of our families. You are setting the example for your children, what they learn from you mom will be part of their human make-up and we all want our children to have all the possible tools to go out into life with. Here is one of them that can determine their eternity.
The bible is divided into three parts:
The Patriarcal Age-Genesis 1-Exodus 20. During this time God spoke only to the father of the family and he taught them God's plan for their lives.
The Mosiac Age- Exodus 20-Acts 2. This period of time was for the Jewish People only, they were given the ten commandments as a new way of life. Moses taught the people how to live and they had other Jewish laws to abide by. God spoke through dreams and prophets.
This is where we come in today:
The Christian Age-Acts 2-Revelations. The Christian Age is for everyone who is willing to accept the guidelines set in the book of Acts. The rest of the New Testament teaches us how to live as Christians and our reward in Revelations. Christ came to bring redemption to not only Jews but to the Gentiles also.
The first thing we need to look at is our standing. In Christ what blessings do we receive and out of Christ are there any blessings. What blessings do we receive In Christ: Romans 3:24-being justified freely(just as if I never sinned)by His grace; 2 Timothy 2:1-grace; 2 Corinthians 5:17-a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new; l Thessalonians 4:16, 17-the dead in Christ will rise first vs.17-we who are alive will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. Now, outside Christ there is no forgiveness of sins, no security, no redemption, no unity, no spiritual blessings, condemnation, no hope. Now it is time to decide which do you choose. In Christ or remain outside Christ.
How do we get In Christ? Look at it like you own a house and you are outside standing at your front door. You cannot be in the house unless you take out your key and unlock the door then open it and step inside. I don't care how long you stand outside looking in you are still not inside until you do some actions. Now, let's get the proper key in the door so it will unlock and freely allow you to walk through.
Hear the Word-Romans 10:17
Believe-John 3:16, 8:24
Repent-Acts 17:30
Confess Christ-Matthew 10:32
And the key to go through the door, to put on Christ. Baptism-Acts 2:38, 22:16, John 3:5, Romans 6:1-5, Galatians 3:27, Hebrews 9:22, Mark 16:16, 1 Peter 3:21.
As you study the different passages think to yourself, "do I want security for me and my family, or do I want to keep living not knowing what will happen to my family and myself when we die?" The choice is yours. Choose wisely.
You are so loved! Christ gave His life and suffered to take on all your sins. He wants to spend eternity with you, but He can't unless you use the proper key to get in.
As we unfold God's plan for our lives, we have to have an understanding how to read the bible and relate it to our lives today. We as women sometimes get caught up in our daily lives and forget to take care of ourselves but taking care of ourselves is taking care of our families. You are setting the example for your children, what they learn from you mom will be part of their human make-up and we all want our children to have all the possible tools to go out into life with. Here is one of them that can determine their eternity.
The bible is divided into three parts:
The Patriarcal Age-Genesis 1-Exodus 20. During this time God spoke only to the father of the family and he taught them God's plan for their lives.
The Mosiac Age- Exodus 20-Acts 2. This period of time was for the Jewish People only, they were given the ten commandments as a new way of life. Moses taught the people how to live and they had other Jewish laws to abide by. God spoke through dreams and prophets.
This is where we come in today:
The Christian Age-Acts 2-Revelations. The Christian Age is for everyone who is willing to accept the guidelines set in the book of Acts. The rest of the New Testament teaches us how to live as Christians and our reward in Revelations. Christ came to bring redemption to not only Jews but to the Gentiles also.
The first thing we need to look at is our standing. In Christ what blessings do we receive and out of Christ are there any blessings. What blessings do we receive In Christ: Romans 3:24-being justified freely(just as if I never sinned)by His grace; 2 Timothy 2:1-grace; 2 Corinthians 5:17-a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new; l Thessalonians 4:16, 17-the dead in Christ will rise first vs.17-we who are alive will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. Now, outside Christ there is no forgiveness of sins, no security, no redemption, no unity, no spiritual blessings, condemnation, no hope. Now it is time to decide which do you choose. In Christ or remain outside Christ.
How do we get In Christ? Look at it like you own a house and you are outside standing at your front door. You cannot be in the house unless you take out your key and unlock the door then open it and step inside. I don't care how long you stand outside looking in you are still not inside until you do some actions. Now, let's get the proper key in the door so it will unlock and freely allow you to walk through.
Hear the Word-Romans 10:17
Believe-John 3:16, 8:24
Repent-Acts 17:30
Confess Christ-Matthew 10:32
And the key to go through the door, to put on Christ. Baptism-Acts 2:38, 22:16, John 3:5, Romans 6:1-5, Galatians 3:27, Hebrews 9:22, Mark 16:16, 1 Peter 3:21.
As you study the different passages think to yourself, "do I want security for me and my family, or do I want to keep living not knowing what will happen to my family and myself when we die?" The choice is yours. Choose wisely.
You are so loved! Christ gave His life and suffered to take on all your sins. He wants to spend eternity with you, but He can't unless you use the proper key to get in.
Sunday, November 17, 2013
What Scares Us About Relationship?
I am speaking about any type of relationship. Parent/child, friendships, husband/wife, co-workers etc. Relationship in it's best state means freedom. Relationship should mean respect and or love in an unconditional way. When we understand the meaning of unconditional then we can move closer to that freedom that we all seek. The definition of unconditional is wholehearted, unqualified, unreserved, unlimited, unrestricted, unmitigated, unquestioning, total, entire, full, absolute, out-and-out unequivocal. That is definitely a mouth-full of definitions. Before we can be a good participant in any relationship we must work on our own definition of unconditional. Unconditional is a terrifying word for most (me especially). Sometimes unconditional doesn't make sense to us because we don't fully understand that concept. The fear that we face to be vulnerable and open our hearts up will usually back us off or make us run for cover. The truth of unconditional is when things become difficult between you and the other party and you use your personal escape route from the fear of reaction from the situation.
Before entering into any type of relationship, we must look in the mirror, examine our unrealistic expectations and learn to be true and honest with ourselves. If we are going to be a success in relationship we do have to go to the unconditional academy and get educated. We rely on what we have learned or seen as examples of how we live our lives, but if the examples we have relied on are dysfunctional then we become dysfunctional and pass that bad behavior on as we teach others. I like the definition of unqualified. Unqualified means we don't have the credentials to be unconditional but we definitely have the possibility of growing, learning and become fully qualified to give and receive unconditional. Unlimited and restricted means the sky is the limit, having truth and complete openness with the other party will bring respect, safety and the relationship will blossom and grow even in the midst of difficulties. We will have the trust and unrestricted ability to work on difficult issues together. And, if you are married or dating, that faith in the unconditional non-judgment and confidence will give you both the peace to not have fear to talk and work on problems. We will learn not to blame but work as a team, a partnership. As the relationship grows we will be able to feel the warmth, security and the peace that "we can do it together". We can get through anything. We can build the relationship on wholeheartedness, unquestioning and total confidence in each other.
Let's put the definition of unconditional in our vocabulary, let's work on the true meaning and teach ourselves to be the person that other people can feel safe with each day. Conditional is such a hard word to live up to, let's free ourselves and the ones who are part of our lives and get rid of that nasty word. Learn to live a life with open arms and be UNCONDITIONAL everyday.
Instead of dwelling on all the problems and negative things that have happened to us in the past. The things that bring on the fear of unconditional, we need to let go of the past, open our whole hearts and give, give, give. The freedom from the pain will come as we change the negative to the positive. Love unconditionally, share unconditionally, listen unconditionally, and build relationships unconditionally. Peace can be found in unconditional and it will allow us to breath without anxiety. We won't have to worry about everything anymore. We will be able to find the rest we all so need.
Before entering into any type of relationship, we must look in the mirror, examine our unrealistic expectations and learn to be true and honest with ourselves. If we are going to be a success in relationship we do have to go to the unconditional academy and get educated. We rely on what we have learned or seen as examples of how we live our lives, but if the examples we have relied on are dysfunctional then we become dysfunctional and pass that bad behavior on as we teach others. I like the definition of unqualified. Unqualified means we don't have the credentials to be unconditional but we definitely have the possibility of growing, learning and become fully qualified to give and receive unconditional. Unlimited and restricted means the sky is the limit, having truth and complete openness with the other party will bring respect, safety and the relationship will blossom and grow even in the midst of difficulties. We will have the trust and unrestricted ability to work on difficult issues together. And, if you are married or dating, that faith in the unconditional non-judgment and confidence will give you both the peace to not have fear to talk and work on problems. We will learn not to blame but work as a team, a partnership. As the relationship grows we will be able to feel the warmth, security and the peace that "we can do it together". We can get through anything. We can build the relationship on wholeheartedness, unquestioning and total confidence in each other.
Let's put the definition of unconditional in our vocabulary, let's work on the true meaning and teach ourselves to be the person that other people can feel safe with each day. Conditional is such a hard word to live up to, let's free ourselves and the ones who are part of our lives and get rid of that nasty word. Learn to live a life with open arms and be UNCONDITIONAL everyday.
Instead of dwelling on all the problems and negative things that have happened to us in the past. The things that bring on the fear of unconditional, we need to let go of the past, open our whole hearts and give, give, give. The freedom from the pain will come as we change the negative to the positive. Love unconditionally, share unconditionally, listen unconditionally, and build relationships unconditionally. Peace can be found in unconditional and it will allow us to breath without anxiety. We won't have to worry about everything anymore. We will be able to find the rest we all so need.
Thursday, November 14, 2013
Facing Our Fears-Making Our Lists
Have you had time to get your list together? Did you find time to pray over your fears and ask God to help you face them? As we face our fears together new energy will emerge within us and we will have more joy. This new found freedom will give us the opportunity to figure out who we are and why we are here. One thing that has helped me is having a good friend who was willing to face her fears as I face mine, we have worked on them together and now we are growing stronger as women as well as confronting our fears. Your friend will be a good listener as you will be for her, you will be able to talk about them confidentally and pray together about specific things. The unity will give you an sense of well-being. Now, let's go to the Word and see what answers God has written down to help us on our journey.
2 Corinthians 1:3,4...Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. The Father of compassion and the God of all comfort who comforts us in all our troubles with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.
Now let's look at some scriptures that will help us understand that we do not need to be afraid.
Insecurity - Matthew 11:28,29,30..."Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. "Take My yolk upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. "For My yolk is easy and My burden is light."
Not being good enough - 1 Corinthians 3:16...Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?
The fear of death - Matthew 10:28..."And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul, But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.
Financial fears - Matthew 6:25,26..."Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? "Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of ore value than they?
Loneliness and Abandonment - Hebrews 13:5...Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you." 1 Corinthians 12:26,27...And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; or if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it. Now you are the body of Christ, and members individually.
Body image - 1 Timothy 4:8...For bodily exercise profits a little, but godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come.
Jesus reminds us that a life in Him will not be easy but if we are willing to be bold and trust Him, He will always be there for us and will remain a soft place to fall. In the next scriptures Jesus is talking to His disciples but the words also relate to us today.
John 15:16-19..."You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you. These things I command you, that you love one another. "If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.
These are just a few of the fears we face as women. Putting our faith and trust in God will help us overcome the fears that haunt us. Get your friend and get started together facing your fears. Pray about your fears everyday and face them one y one reassuring yourself of the scriptures that will give you the confidence you need. As you pray and give your fears to God you will begin to see the Holy Spirit faithfully working in your spiritual recovery. You will be well on your way to a complete and full recovery.
2 Corinthians 1:3,4...Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. The Father of compassion and the God of all comfort who comforts us in all our troubles with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.
Now let's look at some scriptures that will help us understand that we do not need to be afraid.
Insecurity - Matthew 11:28,29,30..."Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. "Take My yolk upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. "For My yolk is easy and My burden is light."
Not being good enough - 1 Corinthians 3:16...Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?
The fear of death - Matthew 10:28..."And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul, But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.
Financial fears - Matthew 6:25,26..."Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? "Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of ore value than they?
Loneliness and Abandonment - Hebrews 13:5...Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you." 1 Corinthians 12:26,27...And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; or if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it. Now you are the body of Christ, and members individually.
Body image - 1 Timothy 4:8...For bodily exercise profits a little, but godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come.
Jesus reminds us that a life in Him will not be easy but if we are willing to be bold and trust Him, He will always be there for us and will remain a soft place to fall. In the next scriptures Jesus is talking to His disciples but the words also relate to us today.
John 15:16-19..."You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you. These things I command you, that you love one another. "If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.
These are just a few of the fears we face as women. Putting our faith and trust in God will help us overcome the fears that haunt us. Get your friend and get started together facing your fears. Pray about your fears everyday and face them one y one reassuring yourself of the scriptures that will give you the confidence you need. As you pray and give your fears to God you will begin to see the Holy Spirit faithfully working in your spiritual recovery. You will be well on your way to a complete and full recovery.
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