Jesus - Believing in Him With Strings Attached

Probably the most recognized and popular scriptures in America is John 3:16.  And it's a wonderful verse, so it's great that people do recognize it!  The problem is that America, for the most part, probably doesn't know the rest of the scriptures around it that put it in context with the thought.

“God loved the world this way: He gave his only Son so that everyone who believes in him will not die but will have eternal life. God sent his Son into the world, not to condemn the world, but to save the world. Those who believe in him won’t be condemned. But those who don’t believe are already condemned because they don’t believe in God’s only Son. This is why people are condemned: The light came into the world. Yet, people loved the dark rather than the light because their actions were evil. People who do what is wrong hate the light and don’t come to the light. They don’t want their actions to be exposed. But people who do what is true come to the light so that the things they do for God may be clearly seen.” John 3:16-21

And the end of the chapter goes along with it:

The Father loves the Son and has placed everything in his hands. 36 Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on them. John 3:35-36

You see, it's really easy to believe in God.  I can say I believe in Him and mean I believe He is in Heaven, even believe He created the world and believe Jesus is His Son.  The Greek word is πιστεύω pisteúō, pist-yoo'-o....which means to have faith (in, upon, or with respect to, a person or thing), i.e. credit; by implication, to entrust (especially one's spiritual well-being to Christ):—believe(-r), commit (to trust), put in trust with.  (From blueletterbible.com).   It is more than just believe He is there.  There's faith, trust, and commitment involved.

Many want Jesus and His salvation, but they don't want the whole package.  The whole package includes Jesus' promises with strings attached.  "Then he said to them all: "Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me," Luke 9:23.  And Matthew 7: 21: “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.

See how believing includes obeying?  You can't have true faith in Him without having both.  It isn't possible.

14 What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? 15 Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. 16 If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? 17 In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. James 2:14-17

Reading the very first passage above, it says, "Yet, people loved the dark rather than the light because their actions were evil....they don't want their actions to be exposed."  When I want my way and do things my way, without regard to God's Will or His Word, then I'm "loving" the dark.  When you and I act in ways that aren't in accordance with the fruits of the Holy Spirit (love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness, self-control - Gal. 5:22-23), I am "loving" the dark.  When you or I lie, gossip, slander, steal, cheat....any of those things you and I are "loving" the dark.  And dark separates us from the light.  JESUS is the light.  Sin separates us from Him.  We still BELIEVE in Him, but our actions say otherwise.  Thankfully, God is full of grace and love and He will forgive us when we ask Him.  There's a difference in messing up sometimes and deliberately choosing to walk in darkness.  Our lights may dim, but they are still shining.  We can get back on track and shine brightly like Jesus!

So believe in Him - YES! Absolutely!  But believe in Him enough to not only accept Him for who He is, but for what He has done for YOU.  And be willing to believe enough to allow the Spirit to change you and mold you into who He knows you can be.  Believe in Him with the strings attached. It's worth it.

How to Be More Like Jesus

If you're a people-person like I am, it's really hard to understand those who are not. It's especially hard when you know that the actions, attitudes and words of others are hurting others, but they don't have a clue.  Not that people-people don't hurt others - we often do, too.  The difference is that when a people-person hurts others' feelings, we know it.  We may not admit it, but we know it.  Non people-people have no clue that how they come across is hurting someone.  They probably don't even take the time to think about it.

Jesus was a people person, so if we are going to be more like Him, then we are going to have to become that way, as well, whether it's our nature or not.

The scripture I gave our children for this week is this passage:  “We know that we have come to know him if we keep his commands. Whoever says, “I know him,” but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in that person. But if anyone obeys his word, love for God is truly made complete in them. This is how we know we are in him: Whoever claims to live in him must live as Jesus did.” 1 John 2:3-6

Living as Jesus did is becoming more and more like Him each and every day.  Both people-people and non-people-people all have sin problems that need work.  Being more sympathetic to others is something we can all work on.  So how can we do that?

One study found that you can become a more sympathetic person in as little as two weeks simply by meditating on having compassion for someone in your life.  (via University of Wisconsin-Madison's Center for Investigating Healthy Minds).  That makes sense, doesn't it? By simply thinking about being sympathetic one can become more sympathetic?  Sure, it does!

So one way we can become more sympathetic is by THINKING OF OTHERS.

That's hard to do because most of the time we are selfish and only thinking of ourselves.  Our wants, our desires, our work, our schedules.  Who has time to think of others if our minds are consumed with our own lives?  That's why we must get our thoughts on others.  When we don't, we're being selfish.

It's great to become more sympathetic because it's a step in the right direction of becoming even more like Jesus.  Jesus wasn't just sympathetic, though, He was empathetic.  Sympathy is having compassion for someone, but not necessarily feeling their feelings. For example, if your feelings toward someone who is experiencing hardship are limited to sympathy, then you might have a sense of regret for that person’s difficulty but are not feeling her feelings as if they’re your own.  Empathy is understanding and feeling another’s feelings for yourself.  Putting yourself in their shoes.  Someone loses their job?  Imagine if you lost your job.  How do they feel?  What are they going through? What needs do they have? How can you help?

Becoming more like Jesus is opening our eyes, our ears, our minds.  We have to see the things around us.  We have to really listen - with the intent on hearing, not responding.  Too many times we're busy thinking about our next words instead of listening to what someone else is saying.  And opening our minds turns our thoughts towards others.  After using our eyes, ears, and minds, we can use our mouths for encouragement, and our bodies to serve.  Our hands and feet can make things happen.

A two week change to a better person?  Actually, you can make big changes in one day!  Today you can start by seeing the needs of others.   That's how to become more like Jesus. Take one day at a time and be better.

The Chronicles of Biscuit: I'm Just Complaining Inside

The Chronicles of Biscuit: Stories about our youngest son whose nickname is Biscuit.

These stories don't happen quite as often now, so it's kind of a treat to be writing a "Biscuit" story now that he's a teenager! Actually, this happened just a few days before he turned 13.  I still like these stories.  I hope I'll write a few more of them before he's grown. Something tells me that I will. :)

***
I was trying to get the yard and house straightened up for Biscuit's 13th birthday party.  It was after school one day.  Biscuit was eating a snack, then I told him to straighten up his room and come outside to help me gather up the fall decorations and put out Christmas decorations.

There wasn't much outside, so it didn't end up taking as long as I thought it would.  I came into the house and hollered at Biscuit. "I finished outside, so instead of doing that when you're done with your room, just unload the dishwasher."  I heard back from him, "Okay!"  I paused a minute, waiting for the "But I wanted to help you outside."  It didn't come!

I was a little bit shocked Biscuit didn't say anything about not getting to go outside and work, since he had said earlier he wanted to play outside.  I hollered back, "Thank you for saying okay!  I thought you would complain about it!"  He hollered back, "I'm complaining on the inside!"  Ha ha!  I responded, "Well, that's a good start!"

The Bible tells us to do everything "without grumbling or complaining" in Philippians 2:14-16, which is that passage from which this blog is named. "Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.” Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky as you hold firmly to the word of life." For most of us, we continue to fail in this area.  For Biscuit - or me, for that matter - to ONLY complain on the inside would be a big start in the right direction.  For me not to voice my complaints, but only to think them would be huge!  Should we even think them?  No, we shouldn't, but a big step in the right direction is to not open our mouths with complaining, but to just keep it to ourselves.  After mastering that goal, then we can move on to allowing God's Spirit to help us control our thoughts.  Transforming into the likeness of Christ is growing more and more mature each and every day.  It's not automatic.  It takes time to become more like Him. We will never reach perfection as He was, but we can become more like Him each day.

How about you?  Can you keep your complaining on the inside?  Would it be a big accomplishment for you?  Let's work on it together!

What Do You Want To Be?

Growing up, I probably wanted to be a teacher in the beginning, but by second grade, I knew teaching wasn't for me.  After that, towards late elementary and early junior high, I wanted to be a fashion designer.  I liked the "in" fashions at the time, and was different than everyone else in my small town...I never, ever wore jeans, except to show my calves in 4-H and that was only because I had to.  Following the fashion designer years, I wanted to be a home economics teacher.  That was my favorite class, and even though I couldn't stand to sew and cringed at the thought of teaching it, I was willing to do it to pursue my dream.

A few year later, I began dating my husband.  I still planned to teach home ec, but the program began disappearing in Oklahoma colleges.  Only one had it, and it wasn't close to where I was going to live. I married, just went to college for the closet degree that went along with that field, and finished going a year and a half from graduation.  I've thought about going back some day, but mostly just liked to tease our daughter that I would just wait and go with her.  The funny thing is that she's more "done" right now with college than I am! Ha ha!

Deciding what to "be" when you grow up is difficult. There are so many choices! So many options! So many things to do that it's hard to even imagine.  I'm actually doing what I never realized I wanted to do when I was young - be a stay-at-home mom.  Staying "home" was definitely nothing that appealed to me. I was a "go-er".  How funny that now I'm thrilled when I do get to be home more than a day or so at a time!

Last night we heard a lesson about being a child of God vs. being a Christian.  It was actually very interesting and something I had never thought of before.  He talked about how that when we obey the Gospel, we become a child of God, but that to be a Christian means to be a follower of Christ.  I knew all of that, but think about this that he said:  We can be a child of God BUT STILL choose not to follow Christ.  We see it all of the time, actually.  One may believe, repent, confess, and be baptized, yet still not TURN away from the things of the world to follow Jesus.  WOW!  That is so true.  It is not just a one day thing.  It's an every-day-I'm-striving-to-follow-Him thing!  And if and when we fail, we don't turn away, but keep on going....striving to follow Him more closely.  When we do fail and turn away, continuing to grow further and further away from Him, that is when we are in trouble.  His grace is sufficient, but His death was worth more than just a one time commitment that it quickly forgotten.  Because He loves us so, He wants us to love Him.  And loving Him is striving to do His will.  It's striving to transform to His image.

Being a child of God and a Christian - a true Christ-follower - THAT is what we should all want to be! Nothing else in the world matters more than that decision.  No degree is more important than having our names written in the Book of Life.  No life choice is greater than deciding to dedicate your life to Him.  Living with Him in eternity is more important than any earthly destination.

What do you want to be?  I pray you want to be a child of God AND a Christian.  Faith is belief PLUS obedience.

You who are trying to be justified by the law have been alienated from Christ; you have fallen away from grace. Galatians 5:4

Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted. Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. Galatians 6:1-2

And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. Hebrews 11:6

So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation.  We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God. God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. 2 Corinthians 5:16-21

Making the Most of Your Mistakes

Even though we don't like to think about it, God often gives us our trials, mistakes, and painful times to teach us something or to grow us in some fruit.  Maybe you're lacking in love.  God will give you an opportunity to grow in that area.  Maybe you're lacking in patience or self-control. God will give you plenty of growth opportunities.  Other times He allows us to go through the storms and process of the mistake instead of taking away the pain.

Some of the storms in our lives are simply out of our control, but others of them we have caused ourselves.  What we do with those hard times is how we can learn to make the most of our mistakes/trials/troubles.  What we do with them can become our ministry.

In my Wednesday night ladies' class, we have been studying how our mistakes can be used to minister to others.  Although I had written last week and studied the lesson both last week and this week, it wasn't until looking at it for the final time yesterday that this verse seemed to jump out at me. I've enlarged the part that jumped.

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, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.

2 Corinthians 1:3-4 

Do you see that?!  God comforts us in our troubles SO THAT we can comfort others in the same way.  There's another reason for the trials we go through!  It is so that we can help others!  It's so that we can share His love with others!  It's to bring us closer to someone!

Yet, often times we're afraid to use our trials for good.  Sometimes we don't want to bring up those painful times because...well, they're painful.  Maybe we still feel guilty about them. Maybe we don't want to think of the rough times.  Maybe we're content just in our own little world where we don't have to acknowledge the past.  But sometimes God wants us to get out of our comfort zone. Sometimes someone else needs us to share.  Sometimes we are missing out on an opportunity to share Jesus with others because we're afraid.  Let's get bold! Let's get brave!  Let's comfort others with the same comfort we, ourselves, received!

God wants us to make the most of our mistakes.  That's the end goal - to learn from them, to grow because of them, and to help others.  In doing so, our mistakes will become our ministry.  That's how we make the very most of those mistakes, troubles, and trials....using them to help others.

Rejoice in the Lord - Always!

Sunday night, as I scrolled through Facebook, I kept seeing postings about people who had decided to give their lives to Jesus - putting Him on in baptism, having their sins washed away.  I don't know how many people I read about....maybe 20....but it was people from all over the United States.

Yesterday I read about a lady who is working in a prison ministry and has taught 44 ladies there about Jesus using the book "A Muscle and a Shovel" by Michael Shank.  All 44 of them did the same or were restored....repenting of their sins and turning their lives and hearts back to Him.What a wonderful thing it is when the Lord adds people to the church or causes their heart to be pricked to turn back to Him!!

Mr. Shank's sequel to "A Muscle and a Shovel" is called, "When Shovels Break". It will be released in January 2015, but is about Mike's friend who became a Christian, but then turned back to his old life.  He almost committed suicide because he felt so unworthy of Christ's love and forgiveness. He was hopeless. He didn't feel like he could ever be redeemed because of his return to sin and didn't feel like God would even want him back.

Many feel that same way - that they've gone too far into the depths of sin.  Nothing is further from the truth! God can redeem the lost and those who walk away!  He will forgive, and He does!

I can't wait to read that story.  I'm sure it will direct many more souls to Jesus, pointing them to the truth found in God's Word.

Jesus' disciples are still fishing, just as they did 2,000 years ago! They are fishing for men and women, not fish!

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Philippians 4:4

Turn On the Power!

For years, I have purchased those yard light stakes, wanting something pretty that would give a little light in the flower beds.  Facing the hot summer sun and the extreme winds we have often in Southwest Oklahoma, most of the little lights didn't ever make it too long or put off much light at all.

Some time last year, towards the end of summer, I bought two more expensive light stakes.  I remember my son's quote when I bought them: "Mom, you buy those things all the time, but they never work." He's right.  They never had.  But these seemed better. They were a little more expensive, which is why I only got two of them.

We didn't put them out for a long time.  They just sat somewhere, waiting to be used.  Finally, I had my oldest son stick them in the front flower bed.  They were solar powered, but sadly, they didn't work.  I kept thinking that maybe he had done something wrong, but he assured me he hadn't.

A few weeks ago, I was at Walmart and saw some of those lights.  I noticed a coating over the sensor, so thought maybe that was the problem - he had left that coating on. When I got home I went to check the lights, but the coating was off.  However, I did notice something that neither of us realized the lights had on them: An ON/OFF switch!  Wow!  All of this time they weren't even on!   I couldn't wait to tease my son about this because it's usually me who doesn't notice simple things, not him!  Ha ha!

Would you believe that those lights have been working quite well ever since?  Imagine that!  They just needed to be turned on to be connected to their source of power!

This story reminds me of a Christian.

At first, when someoneone becomes a Christian, she is so excited!  (Initial purchase of lights)

"And he gave orders to stop the chariot. Then both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water and Philip baptized him.  When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord suddenly took Philip away, and the eunuch did not see him again, but went on his way rejoicing." Acts 8:38-39

She may tell others about her new decision to walk with Jesus, but right after that initial excitement....nothing.  (Telling my son about the new lights. Leaving them sitting around for months.)

"What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? 15 Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. 16 If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? 17 In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead." James 2:14-17 

Nothing about her life changes.  She continues to do what she's always done.  She isn't doing anything that the Lord prepared for her, in advance, to do. She isn't involved with her church family.  She might attend worship - if she feels like it or doesn't have anything better to do. Some times things get in the way. She doesn't have enough time to worship the Lord. (Lights just sitting in a pile with other stuff. Not being used.)

"For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." Ephesians 2:10

Then one day she realize that the on/off switch needs to be turned on (Flipping the switch and causing the light to work.) She realized that staying connected to Jesus and God is the only way to let her light shine!)

“I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. 2 He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. 3 You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. 4 Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.

5 “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. 6 If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. 7 If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8 This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples." John 15:1-8

She began to read the Bible daily. She began to pray more often and more fervently. She began to get involved with her church family more - going to worship each and every time, going to Bible classes, helping teaching classes, visiting others, staying after worship to visit, asking others questions and getting to know about her new brothers and sisters in Christ.

"For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. 6 For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. 7 For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God's law; indeed, it cannot. 8 Those who are in the flesh cannot please God.

9 You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him. 10 But if Christ is in you, although the body is dead because of sin, the Spirit is life because of righteousness. 11 If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you." Romans 8:5-11

"In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. 27 And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God." Romans 8:26-27

She began to feel connected, and because of that connection, she began to notice things in her life that needed to change.

"So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. 17 For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever[c] you want. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit." Galatians 5:16-18, 22-25

Just as my little yard lights didn't work without being turned on so that it could connect with its power (the sun),  a person's life as a Christian can't work unless it's turned on and connected to the source of POWER.  God, Jesus, the Holy Spirit - that is the power a Christian must have in order to stay connected.  And only then did she realize that the connection to the power would cause her to grow in her Christian walk.

Does YOUR switch need flipped on?

Finding Joy by Seeing God in Everything

He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also He has put eternity in their hearts, except that no one can find out the work that God does from beginning to end. Ecclesiastes 3:11

When I first started this blog, my goal was to see God in simple, ordinary things.  It was a way to come up with blog posts, yes, but more importantly, it was a way to keep my mind focused on the spiritual side of life as much as possible. Some days that's easy. Some days that's hard.  But, it has made me more spiritually minded for the most part.

Last night in my ladies' Bible class, we finished up a lesson about being joyful. There was a quote that really caught my attention (Sorry that I don't have the name of who wrote it. I'm bad about not listing sources on my lessons.) Joy is the flag that flies over the castle of our hearts announcing that Jesus is in residence today. I love this!!  We can learn to see God in everything - we can learn to have JOY, when Jesus is in our hearts.  We can fly that flag showing who is in residence there.  What a wonderful thought!!

There is a catch to being able to fly that flag. The only way to experience the fruit of joy is to be obedient to Christ and submit to the Spirit on a daily basis. To discover joy we must quit searching for joy, itself, and go looking instead for the ONE who IS joy - JESUS! And by learning to see God in everything, we will learn to be obedient to Christ and learn to submit to His Spirit.  We will find, that along the way, we have found true joy.

“If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father’s commands and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.”  John 15:10-11

 “Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.”

John 15:4

Why You Can't Say No To Religion

Why, you ask?  Because the Bible says to put your religion into practice.  So, for that very reason, as a follower of God, His children must follow the teachings in His Word.  And, His Word says that you can't say no to religion....although it is being taught in many places all over the world.  Religion simply means our external worship to God.  When you say no to religion, you're saying no to the external worshipping of your Heavenly Father.  But a child of God just can't keep it all to herself/himself! She/He must let her/his light shine!   

(Check out Blue Letter Bible to look up the original meanings of words. This is the link:  http://www.blueletterbible.org/lang/lexicon/lexicon.cfm?Strongs=G2356&t=KJV

What those who debunk religion may be opposed to the church organized to have worship together.  It's just a ritual to them, maybe.  Of course, that's possible.  We can make it a "going through the motions kind of thing", if we're not careful. We also have to be careful that we don't become selfish in our thinking, and believe that worship to God is all about how "I" feel and what "I" get out of it, instead of concentrating on worshipping the Father!  Yes, we can encourage one another when we meet together, but the absolute primary goal is glorify God, not self!

Others may dismiss worship as meaning not be a Pharisee, as Paul was before he was blinded by the light - the BRIGHT light! Paul was an "all rules, no grace" man of God until He was struck with the truth - that Jesus did away with all of that.  Obedience is still in effect, but not so that one can just check of a "do to" list and call it good.  We aren't to be like the Pharisees, legalistic in our thinking.   

“The Jewish people all know the way I have lived ever since I was a child, from the beginning of my life in my own country, and also in Jerusalem. They have known me for a long time and can testify, if they are willing, that I conformed to the strictest sect of our religion, living as a Pharisee.  Acts 26:40-5

Paul (then named Saul) learned the truth. He realized he had been in error, living as a Pharisee and as a persecutor of Christians and Jesus, himself.  The Lord told him what to do to restore his eyesight.  Immediately after, he was baptized.  Not only was Paul's name changed, but his heart was changed!

Then Ananias went to the house and entered it. Placing his hands on Saul, he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord—Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here—has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he could see again. He got up and was baptized, and after taking some food, he regained his strength.

Acts 9:17-19

So, God doesn't want us to have that Pharisaical, rules-only, strictest religion.  What does He want us to have?  He tells us in the scriptures below:

Do not rebuke an older man harshly, but exhort him as if he were your father. Treat younger men as brothers, older women as mothers, and younger women as sisters, with absolute purity. Give proper recognition to those widows who are really in need. But if a widow has children or grandchildren, these should learn first of all to put their religion into practice by caring for their own family and so repaying their parents and grandparents, for this is pleasing to God. 

1 Timothy 5:1-4 NIV

Those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongues deceive themselves, and their religion is worthless. Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.     James 1:26-27

These scriptures say that we should take care of your own families....repay our parents and grandparents for all they have done for us.  It pleases God.  And we should keep a tight rein on our tongues.....and care for orphans and widows....and keep ourselves polluted by the world.  WOW!  That's quite a list, isn't it???!

Different Bible translations have a few more "religion" references in them.  I think Colossians 2 pretty much sums up the whole idea that Paul learned and that God wants us to know about His Son and Our Savior.  It's a life of freedom in Christ, but also striving to be obedient.  It's not a legalistic obedience, but an obedience because of our love for God for what Jesus has done.  

Please take the time to read Colossians 2 in the link below (Bible Gateway, NKJV).  

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Colossians%202&version=NKJV

The King That Became a Baby

A Facebook sister-in-Christ posted this great thought and picture. I wanted to share it with you.

Truly humbling to know that the:
Saviour
Immanuel
Lamb of God
Bright and Morning Star
Christ the King
Came from Heaven and made His dwelling among dust He created, to die for us, so that we who are obedient to the gospel, and who live faithful can have eternal life with Him forever!

12 Days of Christmas

While we know that the whole idea of Christmas and it's customs is man-made, it has special significance because it is based upon the belief that our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, was born on Christmas Day.

Whether He was or not, it doesn't matter. It is celebrated as it is, and many, all over the world join in the celebration.  At least for a little while, many people are thinking about Jesus, and hopefully they'll not leave Him as a little baby and put Him back in a box when the season is over, but realize that He came to earth to live and die and be raised for each and every one of us!

I was wondering about some of the traditions of Christmas. Where did they come from? What do they mean?  I know they all have a religious significance and most all came from the Catholic church, but I wasn't sure about all of them.  I found this one particularly interesting.  It's the true meaning of the song, "12 Days of Christmas".

Passage Hidden definition My true love Me Partridge in a pear tree Two Turtle Doves Three French hens Four calling birds Five gold rings Six geese a-laying Seven swans a-swimming Eight maids a-milking Nine ladies dancing Ten lords a-leaping Eleven pipers piping Twelve drummers drumming God The Christian Jesus The old and new testaments Faith, hope and love The four gospels The first five books of the Bible The six days of creation The seven gifts of the Holy Spirit The beatitudes The nine fruits of the Holy Spirit The ten commandments The eleven faithful disciples The twelve points of the apostle creed

All of this made sense, except I had no idea what the apostle creed was, so I looked it up, as well (it's it amazing that all of this information is found right in cyberspace?  I can look up anything?  Be careful, though, not everything you read on the internet is true, you know?!) 

Here it is, though I don't believe #4 (He did take on the sin of the whole world and was separated from God, but after reading what others have written, it is not hell where He went.) and I would take the word catholic out of #9.  All the rest is what true disciples of Christ believe. 

1. I believe in God the Father, Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth:
2. And in Jesus Christ, his only begotten Son, our Lord:
3. Who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary:
4. Suffered under Pontius Pilate; was crucified, dead and buried: He descended into hell:
5. The third day he rose again from the dead:
6. He ascended into heaven, and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty:
7. From thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead:
8. I believe in the Holy Ghost:
9. I believe in the holy catholic church: the communion of saints:
10. The forgiveness of sins:
1l. The resurrection of the body:
12. And the life everlasting. Amen.

So, the next time you hear this song, you will think of it quite differently, won't you?  I know I will!

Lord, Come Quickly!

For we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands.  Meanwhile we groan, longing to be clothed instead with our heavenly dwelling,  because when we are clothed, we will not be found naked.  For while we are in this tent, we groan and are burdened, because we do not wish to be unclothed but to be clothed instead with our heavenly dwelling, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. Now the one who has fashioned us for this very purpose is God, who has given us the Spirit as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.

Therefore we are always confident and know that as long as we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord.  For we live by faith, not by sight.  We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord  So we make it our goal to please him, whether we are at home in the body or away from it. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due us for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad. 

2 Corinthians 5:1-10

Do you ever long for the day that Jesus will come, and this earthly life will end?  Sometimes I do.  I grow weary of the "stuff" of life - the problems, the busyness, the schedules, the trials - and Heaven sounds so much better.  And it SHOULD sound better to Christians, and we SHOULD long for that day!  But, while we are here on earth, we must live our lives here on earth.  We shouldn't ever be so comfortable on earth, in this physical body, that we don't want to leave it, but we should live it in a way that pleases God, and in a way that brings others to Him.

I used to work for a doctor who would sometimes get a little frustrated at people who seemed negative and were having a pity party for themselves.  We had many blind patients that never acted as if they were blind, but then had many seeing patients that didn't realize all they could see.  I remember him saying about one particular person, "You live until you die!".  In other words, don't stop living while you're still alive.  There is something you can do as long as you are still here.

Another quote I remember was from a lady at a Bible class teacher's workshop.  She would say, "When can you stop serving the Lord?  When you die!"  And that is so true, too!  

As long as we are living, we must live for Him.  The scriptures above prove these two statements, but the last one gets straight to the point.  We will be judged on what we do in this body - whether those things were good, or bad.  So, how we use our body now matters.  Not that we should be content in our body on earth, but that we use it entirely for Him.

Lord, come quickly!  That is my plea.  There was a time when I wouldn't have been able to say that.  I was selfishly wanting to live this life for myself. My children were little, and I couldn't bear the thought of not getting to raise them.  But the older I get, and the older they get, I would be just fine with Jesus coming back right now.  And, in fact, with the troubles and trials I see in the lives of those around me, I'm anticipating that day even more.  On that day, the troubles of this earthly life with be gone.  Those who have been found faithful will live with Him in eternity.  How could we not long for that day?  It's a glorious thought!

Special Ingredients - Make Every Effort

God’s divine power has given us everything we need for life and for godliness. This power was given to us through knowledge of the one who called us by his own glory and integrity. Through his glory and integrity he has given us his promises that are of the highest value. Through these promises you will share in the divine nature because you have escaped the corruption that sinful desires cause in the world. Because of this, make every effort to add integrity to your faith; and to integrity add knowledge; to knowledge add self-control; to self-control add endurance; to endurance add godliness; to godliness add Christian affection; and to Christian affection add love. If you have these qualities and they are increasing, it demonstrates that your knowledge about our Lord Jesus Christ is living and productive. 

2 Peter 1:3-8

Several years ago I did a lesson at a ladies' retreat about these verses. It was a recipe them, so these verses fit right with the theme.  I am using the God's Word Translation above, but the NIV says "increasing measure" on that last verse, instead of just increasing....so the 'measure' fit well with measuring ingredients in the recipe.

I love this passage of scripture because it shows us that it is not on our own power that we change into what God wants us to be.  He wants us to live a godly life.  He wants us to be holy, have faith, integrity, knowledge, self-control, endurance, and love for each other. But our sinful nature sometimes resists those changes.  It is ONLY through HIS divine power within us that we can change into what He knows we can be.

The Holy Spirit is given to us when we are baptized (Acts 2:38) and helps us grow spiritual fruits (Galatians 5-22:23).  His power has given us everything we need!  There is nothing more!

The key is in verse 5 in the passage above:  Make every effort.  Make every effort.  Am I making every effort to add these special ingredients to my life? Are you?   If I am, the last verse (8) says that my knowledge about Jesus is living and productive.  If I'm not, my knowledge about Jesus is not living and not productive.  

Jesus wants us to bear fruit for Him.  That shows that we are His disciples.  And because of Him, we have that power within us to do just that!  Thank you, Jesus!  Thank you, God! Thank you, Holy Spirit!

“I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. ² He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. ³ You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. ⁴ Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.

⁵ “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. ⁶ If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. ⁷ If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. ⁸ This is to my Father’s glory,that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.

John 15:1-8

The Chronicles of Biscuit - Happily Ever After

The Chronicles of Biscuit - Stories about our youngest son, Tyler, whose nickname is Biscuit.

Do you like the Hallmark Channel movies?  My family does, but usually I don't pay close attention to the TV, so rarely watch it enough to know what's going on.  But this past weekend, the channel had a Christmas movie marathon. I was doing the same....not paying close attention, and I got into one of the movies. If finished the whole thing! (So proud of myself for sitting down and paying attention for that long!)  Then I watched another. And another.  And did the same thing for the next few days every evening.....into the wee hours of the night!

Monday the channel switched back to regular, non-Christmas movies. My daughter was watching one and Biscuit came in and said, "Oh, great! They're in a conflict, then they'll get back together, get married and live happily ever after! They're all the same."  We couldn't help but laugh at his 10-year-old wisdom! But, he's right.  They're all the same.  Same layout, but different story.  But very predictable.  And we're glad they are.  They're basically "clean" shows and have happy, feel-good endings.  Yes, there may be some sad, teary-eyed moments, but you know it's going to turn out right, so not too bad.

Biscuit's idea of the Hallmark movies made me think about the story of Jesus Christ.  Here was a man who came to earth to be the Savior of the world.  He had great conflict, but "got together" with some who decided to follow Him. The conflict continued and the followers continued.  Then He was arrested.  A BIG conflict.  Then He was sentenced to die on a cross. HUGE conflict.  The people of the day must have thought that this story would have a great ending for them and an unhappy ending for His followers. His followers mostly believed, too, that the ending was going to be unhappy - not fully understanding what Christ tried to tell them all along.

But guess what?  It WAS a happy ending! It was the happiest and most shocking ending there could ever be!  Jesus Christ AROSE!!  How surprised the followers were when they realized what their Teacher had been trying to explain to them for so long!  And what a shocking revelation when those who were unbelievers heard what they had done to the Savior.  Crucified Him.

⁵ The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. ⁶ He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. 

Matthew 28:5-6

Hollywood can make up movies with happy endings - sometimes with a little "magic" thrown in to make everything work out perfectly.  But Jesus didn't need any magic or Hollywood screenwriters.  He had His Heavenly Father. He had the Holy Spirit.  That power is all He needed.  It's all we need, too.  With that power - that Spirit - we, too, can have a happy ending and live happily ever after.

On this GRATITUESDAY, I am grateful for happy endings. I am grateful for the happily ever after God has given His people - those who have chosen to follow Him.

Join us for GRATITUESDAY at HeavenlyHomakers.com!

Who's in Charge? (Part 4)

This is the most important "Who's in Charge?" post of all.  (Note: I'm going to make this into two posts.  It got too long for one!  Final - Part 5 - will be next.) The others are important, but without this one, nothing in your life and my life will run smoothly.  There will be chaos....lots of chaos.  This post has to do with our spiritual lives and the church.

Who is in charge of your life?  You or God?  Do you follow where you want to or do you follow Jesus? My prayer is that you follow Jesus.  Live according to the Word - God's Word - the Bible.  If you follow Jesus and use the Bible for your only standard of what is right and wrong, your life will be blessed.  Your life won't be problem-free always, but you will be better equipped to face those problems because you'll know that God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit are right there with you every step of the way.  That is the most important thing - to have God in charge of your life.

Secondly is that you know who is in charge of the church. There's not some man-made organization giving rules and creeds.  That wasn't God's plan. Search out the truth in God's Word. God's plan was for the church to be "built" - not with bricks and lumber, but by souls...followers of Jesus. Jesus said early in His ministry that He would build His church - and He did. He knew nothing could destroy the church - not even Satan with his evil ways.  The church will be here until Jesus comes back.  The church is never given a name in the Bible, but is described in many different ways. Some of them are priesthood, body of Christ, flock, kingdom, church of God, church of the firstborn, church of the saints, churches of Christ, God's household, the church at ______ (town), etc. (For scripture references, message me and I'll send them to you!)

So, who is the head of the church?  Who's in charge? God made Jesus the head of the church:

 And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, ²³ which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way. 

Ephesians 1:22-23

There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; ⁵ one Lord, one faith, one baptism; ⁶ one God and Father of all,who is over all and through all and in all.

Ephesians 4:4-6

The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. ¹⁶ For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. ¹⁷ He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. ¹⁸ And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstbornfrom among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. ¹⁹ For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, ²⁰ and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross. 

Colossians 1:15-20

Spiritually speaking, and given as one of the descriptions above, the church is the body of Christ. This symbolism is by no accident. In a body we see unity and harmony. If not, we see disease and death. In our bodies, it is our heads that govern and rule the rest of the body. Without our heads, the body could not function. Also, it is by our head on our body that others recognize us. The rest of my body might and often does change, but my head never changes. It identifies me as who I am. I can lose an arm or leg and still exist, but I cannot lose my head and live. This symbolism is very strong and we must recognize the power that God has given to the head of the church - Jesus Christ.  This relationship is described in the scriptures below.

Wives, submit yourselves to your own husbands as you do to the Lord. ²³ For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Savior. ²⁴ Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything.

²⁵ Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her ²⁶ to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, ²⁷ and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless. ²⁸ In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. ²⁹ After all, no one ever hated their own body, but they feed and care for their body, just as Christ does the church— ³⁰ for we are members of his body. ³¹ “For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.” ³² This is a profound mystery—but I am talking about Christ and the church. 

Ephesians 5:22-32

⁴ For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, ⁵ so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.

Romans 12:4-5

 Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ.¹³ For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body—whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. ¹⁴ Even so the body is not made up of one part but of many.

¹⁵ Now if the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason stop being part of the body. ¹⁶ And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason stop being part of the body. ¹⁷ If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be? ¹⁸ But in fact God has placed the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be. ¹⁹ If they were all one part, where would the body be? ²⁰ As it is, there are many parts, but one body.

²¹ The eye cannot say to the hand, “I don’t need you!” And the head cannot say to the feet, “I don’t need you!” ²² On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, ²³ and the parts that we think are less honorable we treat with special honor. And the parts that are unpresentable are treated with special modesty, ²⁴ while our presentable parts need no special treatment. But God has put the body together, giving greater honor to the parts that lacked it, ²⁵ so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. ²⁶ If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.

²⁷ Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. 

1 Corinthians 12:12-26

Part 5 of "Who's in Charge?" will talk about leadership within the local church.