Christianity

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God’s Wrath Against Sinful Humanity

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God’s Wrath Against Sinful Humanity: Romans 1:18-32

I may offend you, but I love you none the less. We are to be honest with eachother as brothers and sisters in christ so bear with me as I break down a very very important chapter in Romans.

18 The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of people, who suppress the truth by their wickedness, 19 since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. 20 For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse.

  • Everyone around us, in and out of the church have been supressing truth by wickedness. It is all around! We have been manipulating the bible and its words to mean what we want it to mean, to help us believe what we want to believe and feel good about it. Those who do not call themselves christians, and even some who do will excuse foolishness and impurity by telling us not to judge them, by saying it is none of our buisness. ITS MY LIFE is the worst excuse I have ever seen. I know people personally who have every reason to love, adore, and believe in God, yet they slander him, disobey him, live their lives in sin and glorify it at every turn. Some do this and all the while they call themselves christians. God knows our hearts and he knows what we have put before him. He knows the things we think and the things we say in our drunkenness late into the night.

21 For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22 Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools 23 and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like a mortal human being and birds and animals and reptiles.

  • I know those who loved God before, they had every reason to. He had shown his love to them numerous times, saving them, answering their prayers, and keeping them from harm. When push came to shove, he received no glory, no love, no offering. When they were all caught up in life and the happiness they had, they slowly began to believe that this life was theirs, that they accomplished all of it through works, in and of themselves. I was like this once before too. Then they begin to shift focus, and though it may not seem like people today are making graven images, is following a celebrities every move instead of following Gods word not “making graven images”? We have more pictures of ourselves and our children in our homes than we have memorized verses of Gods word. We read “”in touch weekly” and follow our favorite TV series and know it better than we do the next fulfilled prophecy that we were told by GOD himself to watch for. We have thanked our superiors at work, the people who distribute processed food, and our waitresses at the restaurant more than we have thanked our lord and savior, and when “we” do, it is usually a mockery!

24 Therefore God gave them over in the sinful desires of their hearts to sexual impurity for the degrading of their bodies with one another. 25 They exchanged the truth about God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator—who is forever praised. Amen.

  • Am I wrong when I say sex is GLORIFIED in today’s world? You cannot walk through a school yard without seeing at least one YOUNG girl dressed up in the least modest clothes available. Children, yes CHILDREN, like 9-12 are having as much sex as adults. At every mall and on almost every billboard we have engraved images of half naked women and shirtless men for sex appeal. Sex appeal has been everything in this nation. It has made young girls ashamed of who they are and what they look like, it has created a false understanding for boys on how to see women! I would even go as far to say that it has a lot to do with the increased rate of rape and sexual assault in this country and others. Sick people will always do sick things, but those sick things are being made “common place” and even accepted in some places.

26 Because of this, God gave them over to shameful lusts. Even their women exchanged natural sexual relations for unnatural ones. 27 In the same way the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed shameful acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their error.

  • Threesomes, orgies, having sex with men and women alike, sodomy, open marriages, are these things not accepted? Now here is the most controversial of them all in today world: Homosexuality! Now I am personally close with many homosexual men. Some who no longer allow themselves to live in sin and giving their lives and bodies to God instead. Now I am not here to argue whether or not people who are Gay can help it, I am here to say that men who commit shameful acts with other men have indeed received in themselves penalty for their error. It is inside them, it is a fight, a battle unlike anything a person who is not tempted in that way can understand. I understand this as the reason that a mans life cannot be a normal one if he is born feeling that attraction. I know that it is in their hearts, and God will deal with what is there. However, the bible states clearly that the ACT of having sexual relations with someone of the same sex is against his law, so again, that is between them and God, I will not persecute, but I will not condone.

28 Furthermore, just as they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, so God gave them over to a depraved mind, so that they do what ought not to be done. 29 They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed and depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit and malice. They are gossips, 30 slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant and boastful; they invent ways of doing evil; they disobey their parents; 31 they have no understanding, no fidelity, no love, no mercy. 32 Although they know God’s righteous decree that those who do such things deserve death, they not only continue to do these very things but also approve of those who practice them.

  • Furthermore, they all no longer feel guilt for what they are doing. The guilt is gone because they have pushed the holy spirit so far away in their sin that they are beyond his whispers. There is still hope, but only when they repent and allow the holy spirit to move in themselves once more. Look at the verse above, and tell me you do not know at least ONE person who lives in sin in these ways? It is all around us! We are close to the end and their stubbornness will be their poison. I urge you, no BEG YOU all who read this to repent, to lead others to God and to repentance, if you love them, and you should, you need to help save them. We are given too much power in Christ for us to waste it by keeping it to ourselves. What are we if not VESSELS of the living God? How are we doing anything for God if we live in shame for being who we are? We are not to shy away from this immorality as if it has over taken the world and there is no help against it… we are to FIGHT it with everything we have!!!! Don’t let go, turn the word of God lose and shamelessly help bring these lost sheep back to God. We are in a day and age where this sin has become so common place that our children will not know better. It is up to us to change that. Don’t give up, don’t quit trying because I love every one of you, and every one of them and I will not stop until I have helped put as many names in the lambs book of life as I can. I will not wait around and let persecution and hatred stop me. Satan has no hold on me and I will pray intensely that if he has a hold on you that it will be broken in JESUS NAME!!! I might not know you, but I love you. I may not see your heart, but I know that I want it to belong to God. Only with your heart where it needs to be can you feel the full pull and strength of Gods love, mercy, and kindness.

 

 

There is hope, a hope only made possible by Jesus Christ who was sent by our living GOD to save our souls from the pain of eternal damnation. GOD WOULD NOT SEE ONE, ONE!!! OF US DIE!!!! It is we who do that to ourselves. He has given us hope after hope, chance after chance, and he HAS revealed himself, and will again. Do not fool yourselves, do yourselves a favor and fall into his arms now, don’t fight it any longer. He loves us, and is storing up our treasures in heaven for the good we do in his name as we speak. What do you have to lose if you choose to follow God is not the question, its what do you Gain if you follow God, and what you lose if you continue to live in sin and not to speak out to those around you who are living in sin. its very simple, what you need to do is pick up your bible, pick up your heart and get on your knees. Repent of your sin and turn from that path. Ask for Jesus to come into your heart and soul and cleanse you from yourself. “Self” is the holy spirits enemy. You cannot love God and live for “self”.  I urge you to eliminate your selfish desires, your worldly understanding, and follow him, love him, trust him, and ALL ELSE will fall into place. you will live a life of meaning and happiness unlike anything you have ever experienced. I promise you, Just let. GO.

 

 

My prayer for you today is that you will be able to let go, to give your all and all to christ. he is the way, the truth and the light and your only way into heaven. I pray you will run from sin and the hold it has on you, I pray for those around you, that they may see your changed soul and they may follow suit and join you in heaven as well. I pray that this message will not pass you by, that it will consume your thoughts so when you see these things you will know to fight them, to run from temptation and fight for all that is GOOD! I pray that this country will repent and abandon its sin and doubt and allow God to return this country to its former glory. I pray you will live out your life with the peace and love of Jesus Christ coursing through you; making you feel the love I want you all to feel and understand. In Jesus mighty name, AMEN.

Again, I love you. I do not condemn you, I LOVE YOU. Just as JESUS LOVES YOU AND GAVE HIS LIFE FOR YOU!!! Never forget that.

Many talents

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There is something wonderful I have noticed, as did everyone else at some point I’m sure, about the body of Christ! Whether it be in romantic relationships, friendships, or a collective group of fellow worshipers, everyone has something profoundly DIFFERENT to contribute!
Our God amazes me. First he creates us all physically different and unique, even being a twin is very unique in and of its self, then he goes and creates our emotions, our talents, and our passions; things we loved before we even knew we could.
My church, for example, is a huge collection with people of all shapes, sizes, and talents! We have singers, dancers, teachers, writers, bankers, you name it, we probably have someone with the talent!!!! It isn’t just MY church either! I have been to many churches and I have found the same thing to be true for the majority. I love how undivided the TRUE body of Christ really is. Not only are there so many of us that though we are united as a whole we need to be split up per area because there is too many people. God has arranged this with his people. He has put people of different talents and ideals in each and every church.
God has even done this in marriages! My marriage is a wonderful example of this! My husband and I are polar opposites in almost every way possible. Hes a introvert, I am an extrovert. He loves computers, phones and technology, I love music, the arts, reading, cooking, gardening and writing. Im right brained, hes left. He says up, I say down! Its always like that, and always has been like that. Now, it took a lot of getting used to at first, because when you have such different people living with each other if takes work, but we have a rhythm going now!!! I know now that God has placed me and Branden together for a very specific reason! Balance! If there’s something he cant do very well, I usually can, and vice-versa! We also rub off on each other and mellow each other out in areas that were extreme. I love seeing the perfect design in this. God has planned all of this out and it makes me love him even more. Even through Branden, I received a wonderful family of all different talents! We often need to use our brothers mechanic skills, our mom is crafty and creative, my sister in law and wonderful friend is an outspoken and multi-talented mom of 3 and she blows me away with the way she holds it all together.
See where I’m going with this?

1 Peter 4:10-11

As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace: whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.

Romans 12:6-8

Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness.

It all just goes to show that God is always working to make things come together as a whole. He wants us to be happy, and he wants us to be productive. What better way to accomplish both than to give us a purpose to do something we love!!!

My prayer for you today is that you will be happy with who you are and embrace your unique and wonderful talents for what they are. I pray that you will use your gifts to the glory of God always, and that nothing will be held back. In Jesus’s name, amen.

 

Colossians 3:23-25 Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ. For the wrongdoer will be paid back for the wrong he has done, and there is no partiality.

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Why do good people suffer?

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My husband just blows me away sometimes. Mostly because he is usually so quiet and reserved. So when he talks, it makes a huge impact on me, others who know him, and even those who don’t.

Yesterday he came home with a great story from his new job about a guy had a chance to witness to. I wasn’t there for the conversation, but my husband told me that they were talking about God, Christianity, and his relationship with God. The man asked my husband why there are so many good people suffering in the world and so many bad people getting away with things. What my husband said in response made me so proud:

Matthew 5:44-45

44 But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,45 that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.

This holds so much importance in my life. I have been asked many many times how I can love a God that allowed me to go through what I have gone through, and who “let” me be abused and hurt as a child. I have been asked and I never really knew how to answer other than to say “I am who I am today because of that”. While that was a great answer for ME, it wasnt much of an answer for those who didn’t take the path I did in breaking free from my past.

So its a big debate in the world right now. If there is a “god” why does he let good things happen to bad people, and bad things happen to good people and the innocent? The answer to that is a lot simpler than I have made it in the past, and my husband helped me see that recently. LIFE, the good and the bad, happens to everyone! I say this as my family is poor and enduring many a storm right now. The answer is how WE deal with these storms. If we can push through a storm all while looking to God, he may not change your situation immediately, but I can say from personal experience that he will make it easier to endure. He will lift your spirits and give you the strength to handle what LIFE gives you, When you get through those storms, God will bless you immensely if you used the storm as a way to strengthen in him. I can tell you that from experience as well.

I was abused, hurt, and all sorts of broken from the things life threw at me as a teenager. When I finally looked to the real answer to my problems, GOD, things got a lot easier. I began to see blessings where most would see discouragement. I realized that despite my pain and sorrow, my father in heaven was there to comfort me.

If you were going through something at school as a child, your parents would do their best to help you through it even though they cant MAKE IT GO AWAY! Most times, they don’t WANT to make it go away because it will help you learn a lesson that you need to learn in life. Well that is the same concept with God. Instead of just taking away the pain every time you asked, he would ease your heart to make it easier to get through. If you think about it, we really are who we are based on our experiences and how we get through them. If God swooped in and pushed everything bad out of your path you would honestly be comparable to the rich and spoiled. If you watch any reality TV, or see any of the poor rich girls I have seen on the news, you would understand why it is better that we aren’t that way. They may look like they have it made, but if sex tapes and jail time aren’t enough to change your opinion of what their lives are like, then a good look at the newest celebrity gossip will. I consider those people poor, and myself and others who love God like I do, RICH!!!! We all know that what you endure makes you stronger, so why would you want to be weak in life, or in faith!!!!

JAMES 1:2-4

Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

So my prayer today, is that we can all stop holding on to the “whys” and “its not fair”, and start holding fast to God. Even though it doesn’t look like he helps much from an outsiders view, you have to experience this peace to know what it is about, and it is worth EVERY SECOND of the pain we endure. Every second of that pain is what got me that much closer to feeling the fullness of Gods love. That is my prayer for you. Hold on my friends because there will be a day where pain is no longer in existence. We will be healed, and there will be celebration and happiness for eternity together, all of Gods people, in heaven!

James 1:12

Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.

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Where you cannot provide….

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God can!

This week has been rather difficult in our household. My husband had to leave his company because they weren’t making the money needed to pay their employees, so rather than sticking around, my husband made the smart move and went to find another job. He has one now, but can’t start until Monday. All the while waiting, I have noticed his fears and his worries playing out in the midst of all of this craziness. In addition to that, we are having a huge yard sale this weekend! My husband has been working his tail off trying to find computers to fix for friends and family and other odd jobs to get us through the week. He’s been making himself crazy, and it has begun to wear on the rest of us.

We were in a little tiff yesterday that pretty much blew out of proportion for two reasons: (1) I didn’t like his tone and I got defensive, and (2) there was a much, much deeper insecurity causing his momentary lapse in judgement during our argument. Both of those things together, along with us both being rather stressed, had caused a bigger than needed argument between us.

So I was wrong on those counts, and that I am working on with God, but what I would like to address is the sense I had that my husband was feeling badly about something. When it all came down to it, he admitted he was feeling unappreciated. At first he put that on me, but in the end, it was him feeling unappreciated by himself. He was having a hard time at the moment working out his role as a husband and father to provide for his family.

One thing I have learned is that a big argument is always caused by something much deeper than what has come out on the surface, and in this case, this can cause a lot of strife. Next thing you know, the person feeling the deep insecurity is saying something to take the heat off of them and the other person will spiral things based on their own insecurities! It happens everywhere, in marriages, friendships, and even relationships with your children and friends!

Now this is not the first instance in which I have seen this type of guilt, and not in my husband either. There are so many men out there today struggling to provide for their family. It often results in a loss of pride and it can drive wedges in marriages and home life because of that insecurity.

My initial reaction to hearing about my husbands insecurity was to hold back a giggle. Why? Because I see him every day busting his butt! I never in a million years would consider my husband lazy, unable to provide, or inadequate, and I show him daily.

So what would you do or say if this was your husband? I remember feeling inadequate once…. back when I was told I couldn’t have a child…. it is the one thing women are supposed to be able to do right? If present me could talk to past me, I would tell her that it is OK!!! You just need to get right with God and your husband and everything will fall into place. When you feel that insecurity though, it’s not that easy to just “get things right”. So what did I do for my husband? I knew that nothing I would say would help him feel any better. He knew I appreciated him, he knew I do everything I do for him.  Nothing was left to do, but to pray. In that sense, I was dealing with my own insecurity as well! I knew there was nothing I could do to make things better, except to pray! Turns out, that was the best thing I COULD do!

So you have insecurity or are dealing with someone who has a deep-seated issue with themselves what do you do?

Pray!!!! Get in the word, and take it to God. I know that this answer seems like “oh how is that going to work…. ” I’ll tell you why…. because once you come to the end of yourself and realize that you cannot do something, even something you are supposed to be able to do, God is the only one who can help you actually do it. Believe it or not, he’s been waiting his whole life for you to ask!!!!!

Matthew 7:11

If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!

I am proud to say that my husband didn’t take long to draw that conclusion, and I am also proud to say he is still doing whatever it takes for him to provide as he allows God to put him in the right places with the right people at the right time! I am so proud of my husband!

I pray that all of you who read this will do the same in those times in your life where you are not feeling adequate. God will equip you and assist you if you only let him, because lets face it: WE CANNOT DO IT ALONE!!!! We were not made to be alone!  Even the BIRDS don’t do it all alone!!!!

 

Luke 12:24

Consider the ravens: they neither sow nor reap, they have neither storehouse nor barn, and yet God feeds them. Of how much more value are you than the birds!

 

Let him take up your yoke when you can’t face the world, let him wash away your sins, your pain, and your insecurity. The lord will provide!!!!!

We are merely human! HE is all-powerful!!!

 

My prayer for you today is that you will never be alone! That you will walk in the lord your entire life so that he may be your strength when you feel weak, that he may catch you when you fall and lift you up so that you will not strike your foot on a stone. I pray that you will deal with your daily struggles in the confidence that the lord has his hands on you and you will be blessed throughout your days as you live in him and trust in him. In Jesus name, amen!

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I HAVE NO PATIENCE!!!!!

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…..Or at least I didnt before God stepped in!!! 

 

Patience is one of those things that everyone wants more of, but when you need it the most, is when you REALLY dont have it. Whether it be that you are waiting for the traffic light at a busy intersection, or waiting for the girl or boy of your dreams, you more than likely have a difficult time with patience. Patience is a quality that gives you peace at a time where you just cant wait!!!! 

I used to be THE most impatient person in the world. Whether it was the old lady going 20 miles an hour in a 30 zone, or those DREADED phone calls to the insurance company. Even my child would drive me crazy with his “OH I WANNA STOP EVERYTHING AND STARE AT AND POKE THIS BUG ON THE SIDEWALK!!!” Yes, I was one of THOSE moms, I wanted to be early to everything because I just didn’t like waiting at home for it to start. I wanted to make dinner at 3 because I just couldn’t wait for 5 to roll around so I could finally relax. Talk about high strung…. I used to have near panic attacks waiting for my husband to tell me he was leaving work!!!!

So what changed you may ask? EVERYTHING!!! I changed! God changed me! It took some time and a little bit of trial and error with things, so let me bring you up to speed. Waiting is a part of life. The sooner I came to terms with that, the sooner I could look at my REAL problem. The real problem, was that I didnt have the FAITH that things would work out in my favor if I stepped back, stop trying to control everything, and WAIT!

 

I have been feeling wonderful these last few months, and I would love to be able to tell you exactly when and how God gave me patience, but its hard to say. It was just some sort of transformation in me that took over once I devoted every waking minute of my life to Gods will and his word. A few months ago, I began watching sermons, reading the bible, listening to the audio versions, listening to my local christian station, and praying on my knees no matter what life threw at me, I stopped everything else, and just gave myself to God. 

I noticed that as I did that, the first few days I was very withdrawn from my family as I am one of those people who cannot focus on more than one or two things at a time, As time went on, a couple of days or so, I began to notice that my family HARDLY EVEN NOTICED MY WITHDRAWAL!!!! Here I was, thinking “OH NO IM NEGLECTING MY FAMILY TO PRAY!!!” Really, I had been giving them what THEY needed by watching me turn to God. 

I noticed that everything seemed to be LITERALLY falling into place as I made God my priority, the housework felt easier, I was cheerful while cooking, waiting didnt seem like a huge deal, and I was at peace in every circumstance given to me, good or bad. The things I had been so anxiously waiting for before, they all fell through and I was able to just think to myself “well it must not have been Gods timing..”

Looking back, I realize that the biggest thing keeping me happy to wait, is knowing that when God doesnt give you something immediately, its because what you wanted, when you wanted it, it just wasnt THE BEST. 

If you have a child you know what I mean my this: YOU WANT THEM TO HAVE THE BEST. The best of EVERYTHING you can give them. Its not something you can help, they just deserve it because you love them so much!!!!

If you think about it that way, how much MORE does our God love us, who he considers his sons and daughters? He created us from the little group of cells in moms body. He knew our paths before we could even walk. How much MORE would he want for his children, who choose to love him and give him everything they have? 

Well I wont bore you with details, but I can see that my theory was true! God loves me, his daughter, and he wants THE BEST FOR ME. I don’t know what the best for me is, all i know is what I THINK is best for me. God knows the future, I don’t, so I think he knows better than I do, just like a little girl looking to her father for what to do because he knows what is best!!!!

So here is what I am saying: If you lack patience, give up waiting, and act, by taking your relationship with God to the next level!!! Give him all you got and I promise he wont hold back. I have personally been seeing changes in me, in my husband, in my friends, and in my life that I would have missed had I not put my focus on the father rather than my worries. SO what are you waiting for!!!! Give all you got to GOD 🙂

 

Isaiah 40:31

Yet those who wait for the LORD Will gain new strength; They will mount up with wings like eagles, They will run and not get tired, They will walk and not become weary.

James 1:19-20

This you know, my beloved brethren. But let everyone be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger; for the anger of man does not achieve the righteousness of God.

James 5:7-8

Be patient, therefore, brethren, until the coming of the Lord. Behold, the farmer waits for the precious produce of the soil, being patient about it, until it gets the early and late rains. You too be patient; strengthen your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand.

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The Recovering Hypocrite

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I am far far far from perfect. A recovering hypocrite. In fact, today, my husband calls me and we were talking and at one point he told me that spending so much time out of the house was keeping me from doing what I need to do IN the house.

I was MAAADDD. I got defensive, turned it around on him, and told him, well basically told him he sucked.

Then I got off the phone and turned on my audio bible and felt like a LOAD OF CRAP!!!! I knew in my heart that he was right. I was defensive because I felt convicted and badly for not keeping up with my duties in the home.

Some would say that it isn’t my responsibility to do everything in the home. Well maybe not, but that doesn’t change that I should still respond to my husband in a way of submission. I should accept his correction with understanding and a pure heart, not one that jumps to conclusions and points out HIS wrongs.  Sure, he has things he does that drive me up the wall, and I tell him about it when it is actually a problem. I do it with love and understanding, just as he did for me. For some reason though, I took his kind correction as an insult and I lost it. Who am I? That I can correct but not receive correction? I am a hypocrite!

I tell myself all the time, that when it comes to strangers and friends and family that I should respond with love and kindness that shows the light of God, so that I may lead others to Christ through my actions and words. Then I go and treat my own husband with ferociousness and an unforgiving spirit. He may have been wrong about some things, but does that excuse MY behavior? No it does not!

So I messaged him, apologizing, and we have decided that we will go before God TOGETHER with our problems. Not to cause blame, or stir up controversy, but so that God may bring us together, and correct us each to show us the way we should go as husband and wife respectively.

In the end, my husband respected me more for my apology and that I had sought Gods help after our conversation instead of jumping to more conclusions and holding on to anger that would have torn us apart slowly for years. So here is what I am getting at: we need to practice what we preach, seek Gods will in everything we do, and accept correction. Examine ourselves with an unbiased eye and really look deep into ourselves. We need to read the word and practice what it says. None of us are perfect, and we are all bound to have mix ups and set backs like I did today, but it is how we deal with them that makes us Christians and worthy of the name “child of God”.

Christ died for us, he saved us. It is up to us, from then on out, to seek to do Gods will so that we may help others be saved, and avoid falling from grace.

James 1:19-25

19 My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, 20 because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires. 21 Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you.

22 Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.23 Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror 24 and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. 25 But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do.

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Are you worried? Afraid? Depressed?

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Why do you worry believers? Why?

Your car is wrecked or broken, you don’t have money, you are in debt to your eyeballs? Is rent due yesterday and you still cant afford to pay it? You lost, or are soon to lose your job? Your husband or wife may leave you? Your children have flown the coop and you don’t know whether or not they will come back alive? These, among other things, are legitimate concerns! Wait! There is more!

Who do you turn to in times of need? Does it calm your worries? Did it ever occur to you, to faithfully turn to God?

Matthew 11:28-30

28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

 

Turning to God is the obvious answer here, and let me tell you why. HE IS OMNISCIENT, ALL KNOWING, AND ALL POWERFUL!!!!

Can you argue with that? No, I didn’t think so. So why do you fret? Is God not greater than your worries? In the words of my favorite song, “I will praise you in this storm”

That is what you have to do.

I have been there folks, I have been in a place where there seemed to be no hope for me and I lost sleep in worry. I hardly could function out of fear. That is not the life God has in mind for us. Its natural to worry, but that is where it should end. We worry, then we pray, then we have peace. End of story.

“it isn’t that easy” some would say, but you know what? I’ve been saying that for about 15 years. It isn’t that easy. Nothing is changing. My circumstances prevent me!!!

That isn’t how it works. Faith is FAITH and no matter how you look at it, nothing will be done and you will not have peace until you have FAITH!!!!

Philippians 4:19

19 And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.

Our needs WILL be met, in obedience, and through faith!!!

Telling God, “I pray that you will change my circumstances and I will have peace and be happy”, and then not having faith that he will, is a huge mistake. Its like you are telling the all mighty all powerful creator of the universe and your own body that he cannot help you. Your problems are too big for God? Really? No, that is not possible.

 

Sit down, take a deep breath, and have FAITH!!!

I will tell you now that my circumstances in life still suck! They really do! I wont go into detail (no body wants to hear that! haha!), but basically, for a long time, I was telling myself that God wasnt big enough to help me through these things. Sure enough, one day, I hit a big bump in the road. Everything seemed to be working out so well, I was on the verge of al that I have wanted over the last year, and it blew up in my face. I cried, and threw a tantrum, and worried myself sick, and then I gave up. I just Gave it to God, because what good is it going to do? I really truely was DONE!!! I couldnt take it anymore…. then, out of nowhere, came this overwhelming sense of peace. I had finally given my burdens and worries to God and he had calmed my soul. Sure enough, slowly, and with all the faith in the world, I saw God changing things little by little in my life.

Not being so worried and scared and lost, I began to open my eyes and see my BLESSINGS!!!! There is so much love and rewarding things in my life, I never thought I could be this happy. My circumstances havent changed at all really. My heart truly has and that is what matters in this life. Not cars or jobs or lost friends…. What matters is our relationship with God, and our family.

I am a better mother, wife, friend, and daughter when the peace of God is hovering over me like a big fluffy cloud. I can tell you honestly, you will be too 🙂

Matthew 6:25-34

25 “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? 26 Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27 Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life[a]?

 

Check it to the word!

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There is a whole world of controversy surrounding Christianity and faith. One thing that is rarely ever discussed is the controversy WITHIN the church! There is deception in our midst even as we speak and most of us are completely blind to it.

I will call out “religion” now, because I have been through the mill with quite a few of them. I have attended Mass in the catholic church and have seen the statues of Mary and the rituals that are performed for “salvation”. I have spent time as a member of a Mormon church and heard the “gospels” of Joseph smith. I grew up with a father who once belonged to the Jehovah witness congregation and then married a man who also belonged once to them. I have sat in a synagogue and sang praises in Hebrew.

I may get a lot of people riled up at me for this, but none of these are the way to our heavenly father. NO ONE CAN GET TO THE FATHER EXCEPT THROUGH THE SON. There is deception in all of these “religions”. I can prove it with one simple fact that all christians alike cannot, and should not ignore. It goes against the word of God!

In order to be saved we must repent to God our sins ( yes, to God, and God alone). We must claim his promise that he will save our souls if we accept Jesus Christ as our savior, as the son of God who came to earth to preach the gospels and died on a cross for our sins so that we may enter the kingdom of heaven as his elect. There are no limits on who can accept this promise. God will not tell us that we cannot claim this promise. I know for a fact that several of the above mentioned “religions” do.

I’ve spent a long time studying scripture and praying for answers and understanding in his word, and over that time, I have discovered that things I was once taught by the many churches and services I have attended are no more than a complete disregard for what scripture really tells us.

I look back and i remember the times I had attended the catholic mass with my friend at the time. We would go, and say prayers in unison. We would read a very small amount of scripture and then get into the religious literature passed around. Then there was communion. Now I was raised in a free Methodist church where things were  done completely different. I had taken communion as a child without even understanding its real meaning. I saw that the way adults were taking communion, that it remained the same with them. They had no real understanding. I was told by the family I was with that I had to sit out of communion because I was not a “member of the church”. This came as quite a shock to me. I thought about this verse in the bible and wondered how many “Sunday Christians” had come to church to “confess” to a priest or deacon so that they could just feel a little better about the sins they knew they would continue to commit the following week.

1 Corinthians Chapter 11

24 And when he had given thanks, he brake [it], and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me.

25 After the same manner also [he took] the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink [it], in remembrance of me.

26 For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord’s death till he come.

27 Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink [this] cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord.

Later on I had learned more about Jehovah’s witnesses and I still don’t know, or understand everything there is to know about life in that particular congregation, but what I DO know, is that there has been more corruption and lies than most other “christian” religions.

I found this on wikipedia and it goes well in accordance with everything I have learned from my family.

Doctrines of Jehovah’s Witnesses are established by their Governing Body. Until late 2012, the Governing Body described itself as the representative[13][14] and “spokesman” for God’s “faithful and discreet slave class”[14][15][16][17] (the approximately 10,000“anointed” Jehovah’s Witnesses), which Witnesses were taught Christ used as a channel for God’s progressive revelations and to direct Christians on biblical matters.[18][19][20] The Governing Body seeks neither advice nor approval from any “anointed” Witnesses other than high-ranking members at the Brooklyn headquarters.[15][21][22] At the 2012 Annual Meeting of the Watch Tower Society, the “faithful and discreet slave” was defined as referring to the Governing Body only.[23]

Jehovah’s Witnesses are instructed to welcome changes to their religion’s doctrine, regarding such “adjustments” as “new light” or “new understanding” from God.[24][25] The view is based on their interpretation of Proverbs 4:18, which they believe refers to a continuous progressive advancement in doctrinal knowledge and scriptural understanding for “righteous ones”,[26][27] with the holy spirit helping “responsible representatives of ‘the faithful and discreet slave’ at world headquarters to discern deep truths that were not previously understood”.[28] Watch Tower literature has suggested such enlightenment results from the application of reason and study,[29] the guidance of holy spirit, and direction from Jesus Christ and angels,[30]however, the Governing Body also disclaims infallibility and divine inspiration.[31][32][33] The religion makes no provision for members to criticize or contribute to official teachings[34] and all Witnesses are expected to abide by the doctrines and organizational requirements as determined by the Governing Body.[35] Watch Tower Society publications strongly discourage Witnesses from formulating doctrines and “private ideas” reached through independent Bible research.[36][37][38][39]Members who promote privately developed teachings contrary to those of the Governing Body may be expelled and shunned.[36][40][41]

Does that sound like God? No. If they change their literature based on God, that is easily disproved by the following: THE WORD OF GOD!!! CHECK IT TO THE WORD.

Numbers 23:19-20 

God is not man, that he should lie, or a son of man, that he should change his mind. Has he said, and will he not do it? Or has he spoken, and will he not fulfill it? Behold, I received a command to bless: he has blessed, and I cannot revoke it.

That went well, so that brings us to another group: Mormons. While I was going through the rounds in that congregation, I was brought in and given 3 books. The bible, a translator, and the book of Joseph smith. Now, this one is rather obvious. Mormons were attempting to teach me to follow the gospels of Joseph smith. Saying I cannot be saved or truly inherit Gods blessings unless I knew and believed these gospels. Again, CHECK IT TO THE WORD!!!

John 14:6

6 Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

Finally, the Jewish faith! Now here’s one I wanted to get behind!!!! The Jews were Gods chosen people. They were given a law and a requirement of works so that they may inherit Gods love and favor. At one time, this was all true, but then in came Jesus!!!!

Here is a few good scriptures for that one:

(king James)

John 3:3 – Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.

1 Corinthians 3:8 – Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour.

Ephesians 2:8-9 – For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: [it is] the gift of God: 

Do you see it now? We are not saved by keeping the law or by our own works, we are saved by GOD through JESUS CHRIST!!!! Many of the Jewish faith do not believe in Jesus and his coming. They knew it was coming based on the prophecy of Isaiah, but they did not see it or choose to believe it. That is when they are lost. We have done NOTHING deserving of Gods wonderful grace. We are not to boast, we are not to seek praise for our doings, because it is not by us that we are Gods people, it is by Jesus Christ and faith in him and his death and resurrection that we will live on.

In the translation of NIV:

Ephesians 2:8-9

8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast.

If you want to argue with scripture, it is your soul on the line, but if you heed my words, i urge you to constantly check the word of God, or as the bible says:

1 Thessalonians 5:21

21 But examine everything carefully; hold fast to that which is good;

I urge you to ask God for wisdom, discernment, and understanding when you read the bible or hear anything from anyone pertaining your salvation. Understand that Jesus is the only way to heaven and that if you cannot understand that the law of God is above the law of man, then you may live (or die) to regret that little misconception. No literature is better, or above Gods words. God wants you to read them, and understand them. That is his way of speaking to you plainly, as not all people have opened their hearts to him. Jesus is the way, truth, and life, and to deny him, is to deny God. To deny God is to deny eternal life. So on this subject, I urge you to look for the answers. Don’t even listen to me if you cannot check it to the word of God and find truth in what I am saying! I tell you these things because I love you. All of you. Even if I don’t know you, or understand you or your situation. I don’t need to, to know that I love you, and that I am praying for you.

Galatians 1

1 Paul, an apostle—sent not from men nor by a man, but by Jesus Christ and God the Father, who raised him from the dead— 2 and all the brothers and sisters[a] with me,

To the churches in Galatia:

3 Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, 4 who gave himself for our sins to rescue us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, 5 to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

No Other Gospel

6 I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you to live in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel— 7 which is really no gospel at all. Evidently some people are throwing you into confusion and are trying to pervert the gospel of Christ. 8 But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let them be under God’s curse! 9 As we have already said, so now I say again: If anybody is preaching to you a gospel other than what you accepted, let them be under God’s curse!

10 Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ.

I would like to also add, that out of every church can come people of true faith. I know, for instance, many Catholics who are pure in faith and love Jesus with their hearts and souls. It is possible. Believing doctrine other than the word is a different story.

I dedicate this post to my beautiful, loving sister, who is hard at work to expose the lies and deception in the body of Christ! I pray for you every day and I feel that you will go far in this life as long as God is front and center ❤

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Is my spouse lost forever?

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Have you ever felt like there was just NOTHING you could do or say to diffuse a situation or change someones mind? Me too! Almost every day!

I have learned that we cannot change other people. It just isnt possible.

DONT FRET!!!! Remember, there is still hope!

Heres a little story. An example if you will. A long while ago, my husband was a jehovahs witness. He was raised in a religion that gave him a general disregard, and fear of God. Rightly so given what he was put through. He knew no better because he was never given the chance. Our marriage was very very rocky, and mostly because of what I had done to hurt him, among other things. He had past experiences in relationships with “religion” and it never went well for him, so when I really became saved and wanted to start attending church, he was terrified!!!! He didn’t like the idea that I would be putting something else over him. He didn’t want to lose me like he lost others in the past, and he was skeptical about God and if he even gave a crap about us. I was not very patient with him. That was my mistake.

One day, I expressed my concerns to my family, and my mother and aunt gently reminded me that everything works out in Gods timing, and that I had to lead by my steps and focus on MY relationship with God and trust that he would work. So I took those words to heart.

Not long after that conversation, I gave birth to my son, and I began to see the change. I knew he wasn’t quite where I wanted him to be, but I had to remind myself that It wasn’t about me. It was about him and God, so I had to continue to show him Gods love through my actions. I had to keep leading gently and focusing on God first.
Now this was the hardest “waiting period” ever. Knowing I would be saved and go to heaven, but not knowing whether I would see the love of my life there or not. I had my ups and downs, never holding fast. Despite my insecurity and my doubt, my faithlessness…. God continued to do his work in my husband.

I take NO credit for his salvation, but I give God the credit, because where I failed, he prevailed. My husband and I were baptized together in may of this year (2013) and we call that our wedding day. It was the beginning of a whole new journey in marriage, and in Christ. I am proud to say, we are happier in our marriage than we ever were, and I am thankful beyond words, that God is so faithful. When you put God front and center, your marriage cannot fail.

Matthew 19:26

26 Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”

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