Tuesday, July 28, 2009

God's will for my life.....and for yours!!

Searching for God's Will for Your Life? Let me help you get started...
Did you know that once you have accepted Christ you became a new creation with new desires?? Well if you dont have new desires then I doubt your truly saved, but thats not the topic today... Today I want to let everyone know Gods will for their life. People have the idea that we cant know what God wants for us to do with our life, that we have to pray and be led and He has to speak to us for us to know. but that isnt true! Yes, there are many things that we need to seek God about, but this thing im about to explain is a given! Its simple!
When I accepted Christ He made me a new creation, with new desires and a new heart. Look at the word.

Psalm 37:4 "Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the DESIRES of your heart" That is not talking about worldly desries such as more money or a bigger house. Its talking about your NEW desires, the God centered desires. Before I received grace I had no desire to teach Gods word and share the gospel.... But He gave me new desires!! Delight yourself in Him- enjoy spending time with Him, and learning His word and His ways, and He will make a way for the things that you desire to do for Him!

1 Tim 2:3-4 "This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our savior, who DESIRES all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth" If that is God's desire, then shouldn't that be the Christians desire?
Did Christ not say, after His death and resurrection, "Go into all the world and preach the Gospel to every creature.." Matthew says it this way "Go therefore and make disciples(followers of Christ) of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.."
We dont have to pray and ask God if we are to do this- he has already commanded us to! We dont all have the same gifts, so were not all called to do the same work- but we ARE ALL told to GO and share the gospel! So now you say, I cant "go into all the world" well guess what.... there are PLENTY of people here in Tuscaloosa county that need the savior and they dont even know it! So why dont we start here! Lets get that DESIRE for the souls that are going to die and go to the "place of eternal torment, where the fire is not quenched and the worm dies not" and get out there and start telling them!

I have a strong desire for this and want to start a class on how to biblically share the gospel, the way Jesus did. Its by The Way of The Master, which is the ministry by Kirk Cameron and Ray Comfort. It is wonderful! If any of you would be interested in joining please let me know. If there is enough interest then we can do the class. Please, lets give it a shot- it cant hurt, right?

Monday, June 22, 2009

Who? ME???

On saturday my husband and I were discussing witnessing and how hard it is. My idea of the perfect witnessing opportunity is someone who comes up to you and asks about it, honestly wanting to hear....

When has that ever happened?

I told him that I would hate to try and talk to someone and they start yelling and getting mad. I just really dont want that. My husband agreed. The conversation ended.

Later I was watching Dr. Charles Stanley preach. Its funny how you can be listening to a sermon about one thing and BAM!! God hits you upside the head with something totally different!!

I dont even remember now what he was preaching on, but he said the verse Romans 12:1 ...present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice... right then God said to me, WHAT DO YOU THINK A LIVING SACRIFICE IS? you think taking 2 or 3 minutes to explain the gospel to someone who WANTS to know is SACRIFICE??? what have you given up for that except a few minutes??

I was like WOOW! I felt so dumb...

If im to be a living sacrifice I must forsake myself, and put myself out there. Who cares what other people think, or what they say.

I thought wow, God spoke to me, I cant wait to tell my mom! Lol!! so the next morning I was going to tell her. I was thinking all about it and suddenly God SMACKED me again( I like to think of it that way. cuz thats how it feels. your thinking about something, then you feel like you have been hit upside the head with a total new thought) He said, NOW THAT YOUVE "GOT IT" WHAT WILL YOU DO WITH IT...

Oh MAN!! I actually have to put it to use??? I felt so high and mighty that God spoke to me and I actually "got" what He was saying to me. I had it, and I couldnt wait tell everyone. but then He brings me back to earth by asking when am I going to use it. ME?? I have to do it??

I know it sounds silly, but thinking about doing it, just picturing people laugh at you and make fun of you, its not really a great encouragement. I know those thoughts are from the devil, so then you have to remember this verse...

Matthew 5:11-12 "Blessed are you when people insult you, and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great..."

also
1Peter 3:14-15 " But even if you should suffer for the sake of righteousness, you are blessed. And do not be troubled, but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, alwasy being ready to make a defense to everyone that asks you to give account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence"

So lets get out there and reach people!!!
I know that God will test me in this soon, and I am praying and preparing to be ready!!

Wednesday, June 10, 2009

My desire is to have faith like Job!!

Oh to have the faith of Job. Can you even imagine?
Job had been blessed by God, he had a great wife, 10 kids, he was known all across the land, and had a very prosperous job! He was living the high life. He made sure to thank God for it. The bible says he was a blameless, upright, God fearing kind of man. One that turned from sin.

Then, out of nowhere, his job is destroyed and all 10 of his kids die, in the same day!! I cant imagine losing one of my kids, much less all of them on the same day!!
Do you know what was the very first thing he did?
Fell to the ground and WORSHIPPED GOD, then says, "the Lord gives and the Lord takes away"!!

WHAT?!? WOW!!! I cannot even imagine what I would do.

Job doesnt understand why all this is happening. He doesnt know about the talk between God and satan. All he knows is he has been living for God without sin. Then the bottom falls out of his life!! But he doesnt blame God like most of us would do- he worships Him!

Then sometime later, the devil is allowed to come after him again, it says the devil smot him and he was terribly sick! The bible says that his pain was great. They didnt have pain pills back then, he had to SUFFER through all this! It was TERRIBLE!!

First he loses his job, then all 10 kids, now he is terribly sick- he had to feel that God had turned his back on him. It was so bad that his own wife came to him and said, "just curse God and die"! She was saying, just curse him and let him end your miserable life, it would be better than this!!. But Job refused. Job says "Shall we accept blessings from God but not accept adversity?"

WOW again!!! How true is that? We are selfish today to think that God HAS to bless us or we get mad at him!?! What!?? Who do we think we are?? We are not God, we cant tell God what to do!! Is He not in control?? Sometimes the adversity we face may not have a thing to do with us or our sins, but may be on a spiritual level as we see with Job.

God spoke to Job but never told him why these things happened. He said He was God and He was in control, who was he to question God. Job repented for questioning God and the Lord restored all he had lost 2 fold!! God blessed him for the rest of his days!

Oh I want to be like Job- Trusting God, knowing God is in control. When adversity comes against us- lets worship God, not because of things we have or any of that- just worship Him because He is GOD, He is WORTHY!! We dont have to have a reason to worship him, we just should!

Why should we accept blessings from God, but not accept adversity? I pray that when adversity comes to my door, I will fall down and worship God, knowing He is with me!!

Thursday, June 4, 2009

If Im saved, its ok to continue sinning, God will forgive me, right??

This one wont be as easy as the ones before but I feel God is leading me to say these things, please continue reading....

1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins He is faithful and righteous to forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Does This verse mean we have the right to continue in sin just because we know God can forgive us for it??
That's a big question. And for that lets look at what the bible says. because if your a christian then you believe the bible and will trust and do what it says. Here we go...

Romans 6:1-2 What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? God Forbid! How shall we, that are dead to sin, continue in it any longer?

WOW! That's tough. It pretty much says it all. if we have accepted Christ's Grace then we should be dead to sin, which is just a fancy way of saying that we are no longer controlled by it, or wanting to get rid of it because it is wrong. Really we should HATE it because it only brings strife and frustration, and distance between you and God.

Here's another

V. 11-14 consider yourselves dead to sin, but alive to God. Therefore do not let sin reign in you mortal body so that you obey its lusts and do not go on presenting the members of your body to sin as instruments of unrighteousness

...pretty plain there also...

Another...
2 Cor 5:17 If anyone be in Christ he is a new creation, old things have passed away, behold, all things have become new!
Old things have passed away- If you have truly repented and turned from your sin to God and believed on Jesus for your salvation, then old things are gone. you no longer want the old things, you have a new perspective on the things you use to do, the view you had of sin is different, you see it now for what it is-evil against God!

Last thing-

The answer is yes, He will forgive-but only out of true repentance-if your continuing to sin with no guilt then maybe you should think about that...

Are you continuing to do sinful things without feeling bad about them?

Think about this for a moment- Could it be that you never TRULY repented and accepted Christ? Maybe you just did it because it felt good at the time, but you never really felt bad about your sins or you never gave it all to God. whatever it might have been, don't wait any longer- run to Him now! Confess your sins before God and ask for the forgiveness provided by Jesus Christ, turn from the sin, and ask God to become Lord of your life!!- That's all you have to do!

Tuesday, June 2, 2009

My eyes are open. So whats in my sight??

Its been a couple weeks since my first blog because I had to study and find God more closely so that I might write what He wants me to write. I have been studying and this is what I have found...

There are many things I see everyday, things such as my kids and husband, my house that needs cleaning, bills that need to be paid, the money that's in the bank-or lack there of, even that pool that I want. I don't have to physically SEE it, but its always on my mind, so spiritually its whats in my view. I also try to see Jesus and God everyday in the bible or through teaching of some kind. And THAT'S where its at! Seeing Jesus!! When I look at all the other things going on, my view of Jesus gets blurry and it gets hard to find Him, but if I wake up thinking about Him and the things of heaven, He is there, right there!! The bible says "set your affection on things above, not on things of the earth" Col 3:15 Don't you think if God says not to dwell on earthly things, ITS FOR A REASON??? I believe its because He knows we cant handle them alone, He knows that the devil is GOOD at what he does!

Of course I'm not saying that we should ignore the other things, because we cant, our bills wont get paid if we don't remember to pay them. My point is if I put my focus on them and obsess on them, that's when I get overwhelmed and depressed and confused. We all know who the author of confusion is, don't we? The DEVIL!! So we know he is just trying to get us AGAIN!! That's the way it seems to be, one thing after another, everyday! Its tiring!! And that's his purpose!! He knows that if we let just a little of the world in, it will eventually consume us! I know it does me! Seems like every time the kids get me irritated, then my husband will do something and then I drop something and before I know it I'm so mad I cant see straight, I'm yelling and fussing and in a REALLY BAD mood! I'm learning that when that first thing happens, just let it go, breathe in and out, count backwards from 10- whatever works for you, and then PRAY!! Get your eyes back on God and the next few things wont be so bad!

Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Hebrews 12:2

6Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7And the PEACE OF GOD, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

8Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. 9Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you. Philippians 4:6-9

Did you read that??? That's important!! That peace is what I want! It says don't be anxious-don't worry about things going on! but PRAY about it, petition God about it, be thankful about it, and that PEACE He will give to you!!! He is in control!! 1Thes 5:16-19 says "Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in ALL circumstances, for this is Gods will for you. Do not put out the Spirits fire" PRAY, be thankful in every situation, because if you begin to doubt and worry you will quench the Spirit! And the Spirit is who is working in your life, the one that will bring you that peace!! You don't want to quench him!!

Just remember, fix your eyes on Jesus, pray about your situations, and be thankful no matter what the outcome, and you will have PEACE! God is in control and can work it out better than you can! Don't let the devil use situations to make your vision blurry- STAY FOCUSED!!!






Thursday, May 21, 2009

My Eyes Have Been Opened....

Today marks the beginning of a new mindset for me. I have been thinking about some things for awhile now and have come to the conclusion that LIFE IS HARD! Things don't always go like I think they should(this is something I struggle with a lot!) Life has lots of hard things, such as... sicknesses, addictions, hurt feelings, mean words, and losing loved ones. The list could go on. But all of these things mean nothing. NOTHING! They are attempts to get us down and depressed, to keep us struggling and confused! So much so that we cant find time to focus on the things that really matter! When I say "things" I really mean just 1 thing- cuz that's it- just 1 thing in this whole, big world that REALLY matters...... GOD

Well NO MORE!!
I don't know about you, but this is it for me! My eyes have been opened, my ears can hear! I'M READY! I'm really ready to give my all to Him! I know there is more to this life and I'm tired of seeing everyone else on fire and doing something amazing for Him- its my turn!!I want to experience it myself!! I'm ready to quit the half- hearted attempt at this christian walk and REALLY sell-out for Him!!

As 2 very wise people told me last week.. no one can MAKE you do it- it has to be something you want, and ACTUALLY DO yourself!

I KNOW God has more for me- I can feel it!! But He cant use me until i get serious about Him!

I'M READY!! :)

I m not saying it will be easy-but that's ok- when i fall down, i'm gonna get right back up and try again! God may test me from time to time ( 1 Cor 10: 13...God is faithful and He will not allow you to be tested beyond what you are able, but with the temptation He will provide a way of escape, so that you are able to bear it) but He will be with me!! and i will be ready, and if i fail, ill study some more and become strong and i will pass it eventually!!

You'll see! I don't know how long it may take, but someday i pray you will see Jesus's love through me. And maybe one day you will come to know Him, or draw closer to Him as I am longing for now. I hope that I can reach many souls for Christ, but if it be His will for me to just bring one soul into the kingdom, I will consider myself honored that He chose to use me for it!!

So today I am asking all my brothers and sisters in Christ to be in prayer for me, I know the devil will come against me because of this, and I will need your prayers!

I will no longer care what others think of me(another thing i struggle with) because I know that it doesn't matter- my Father in Heaven loves me and that's what matters!! As I am sitting here typing this out- the devil keeps bringing to mind different people and what they may think when i post this, so i know he is trying hard to keep me from doing it! he wont stop me! :)

Ive said all that to say this- Jesus did an amazing thing on that cross 2000 yrs ago and when He did that for me He gave it to me freely all He asked is that I live for Him! Seems a reasonable request, don't you think?!?!! It just seems so selfish to me that i think I can accept eternal life from Him, and then go on living like I want, or like my flesh wants! So from now on I will be His disciple, I will do all I can to grow closer to Him and help others find Him! I will live my life in an attempt to repay Him for what He has given to me!!
Now who's with me??? Lets get serious!!!

" Thank you Jesus for this life!! Use me God, how you see fit and let me be your light!! Help me, when satan comes against me, to stand!! "

GOD BLESS!!
LETS LIGHT SOME FIRES!!!! :D


Verses:
Romans 6: 1-2 (kjv) What shall we say then? shall we continue in sin that grace may abound?? God forbid!! How shall we that are dead to sin, live in it any longer???

John 16:33 (niv) Jesus says, In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the WORLD!!

Hebrews 3:12 (cev) Watch out! Don't let evil thoughts or doubts make any of you turn from the living God!

2 Cor. 4 :17 (niv) Our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all!

and finally- and most importantly...
John 3:16-17 (csb) For God so loved the world He gave His one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but the world might be saved through Him!