Set Apart Girl Article

I thought I would pass on this article that a friend of mine recently wrote in the Set Apart Girl online Magazine! Well worth the read... :)

“It is not enough to go to church, to read you Bible occasionally, to say the right things.
You have to WALK out the Christian life.
It concerns me when I see all of the compromise that is going on in our world today, even among Christians.
Living a life truly set-apart for Christ is not just about staying a virgin until marriage, although that is highly respectable. We need to set a higher standard.

When “Sex and the City” becomes a highly watched show among Christians and a normal topic of conversation, I have to ask myself, “What has happened? Who is out there setting the standard?”

There is a world out there that is suffering. There are people next to you that need to hear a kind word. There is someone that is struggling because no one has reached out to them. There is a boy or girl who doesn’t “fit in” with the popular group and they cannot reach out on their own. Our mission field is where we are at the present moment. God may not call you to Haiti. He might not ask you to live in Africa or India or go work in the ghettos of New York. But, He will ask you to do something. He will require you to give up what you want for what He wants.

I challenge you with the question today, “What is God requiring of you?” Are you willing to give up your will for His will? The beauty of that is the closer we get to God, the more we desire what He desires. He desires a life set-apart, do you?”

Do you wear the "Christian" label?

Christian.
What does it mean to be one?
Would you like to be called one,
or is it perceived to be an insult?

A Christian is basically defined as 'one who adheres to Christianity'.
Hmmm...

As I listened to 'Christian' radio the other day, I heard an advertisement for women's underwear. I mean, really...do we need to advertise such things on 'Christian' radio? We already have enough problems with the rest of today's media. This advertisement was aired right after they promoted the station by saying, "You don't have to worry about turning off the radio when your children are listening!" I beg to differ.

The next advertisement I heard was for "the largest social club for Christian singles in the nation." The advertisement said, "Are you lonely and seeking a partner to fulfill your dreams for the future? Then you you need to visit our website..." I have news for you; if you can't find your fulfillment in Jesus Christ, an earthly relationship is the last thing you need! You need to be content in Christ alone before you go into any relationship.

'Christian' romance novels can still stir up lust in your heart...so why do we market these to young women in today's society? Lust is lust. Why have we stick the 'Christian' label on it? It is almost as if we are saying, "Well, I don't really agree with this, but it is a 'Christian' romance novel." Stop pretending.

This is the same as our typical approach to any 'Christian' book that we see on the shelf of a 'Christian' Bookstore. How do we know what the authors have penned is upholding the true integrity of the Word of God? Maybe we need to go past all the shelves of other people's opinions until we reach the back wall where the dusty Bibles are stored.

I have news for you: ungodly things happen on 'Christian' campuses. People cuss, smoke, drink, view porn, and make out in cars...all while going to a 'Christian' school. Faculty may not know about it...and you may think that you get away with it, but you will never get away from God and His judgement. Attending a mandatory chapel service does not wash away your sins.

The 'Christian' label no longer can be defined as 'adhering to Christianity'. We have redefined it to make us feel better. We have reached a point where anything can have a 'Christian' label. Forget about living out a walk with the Lord...just put this label of 'Christian' on it, and you are fine, right?

I wish that this label had a more sacred meaning...that it might actually mean what God intended it to be: believers and followers who seek to adhere to the righteousness of Jesus Christ.

"She went after her lovers,
but Me she forgot,
says the LORD."
~Hosea 2:13~

Will we, too, forget the Lord?
God has called us to be set apart.
We have a higher calling.
The question is,
Will we accept it?

Set-Apart

I just returned home from an INCREDIBLE weekend in Colorado studying under Eric and Leslie Ludy. I was so blessed by the other girls that came up for the weekend as well as the young ladies living in the discipleship community that shared their days and nights with us. I spent each night sharing stories and encouragement with such wonderful women of God that are striving to live a life that is set-apart from this world.

We as Christians think we have it all together. We look at others around us and think, "Well, at least I am doing better in life than they are...At least my standards are higher than theirs..." How wrong we are. For you see, when we look into the life of another and judge them, it is most likely that we are trying to detract attention from our own weaknesses.

We have taken one step into the endless frontier of being a follower of Christ, and we have stopped. We have been content to pitch our tents at the very beginning of this amazing journey...and for what? Comforts. Pride. Fear.

It is time to take up your tent...take up your cross!
Run the race to the best of your ability...
through the strength of the Lord.
Follow the Lord...
and fall in love with Him more deeply than ever before.

"Do you not know that in a race all the runners run,
but only one gets the prize?
Run in such a way as to get the prize.
Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training.
They do it to get a crown that will not last;
but we do it to get a crown that will last forever.
Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly;
I do not fight like a man beating the air.
No, I beat my body and make it my slave
so that after I have preached to others,
I myself will not be disqualified for the prize."
~1 Corinthians 9:24-27~

How to Stop Fueling the Lies

"Make no provision for the flesh,
to gratify its desires."
~Romans 13:14~

"Each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire.
Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin,
and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death."
~James 1:14-15~

Believing a lie places us in bondage!
The progression of a lie:
We listen to a lie. We get too close.
We dwell on the lie. We focus on it and ponder the benefits.
We believe the lie. We begin to believe that the lie is true.
We act on the lie. We sin.

This whole book ("Lies Young Women Believe") has dealt with these different lies and how to tell if we believe them. We have learned the warning signs as well as the consequences for our sin. However, we also have learned the good news of how to be free from this bondage...

The Truth has the power to set us free!
True freedom is the power to do what God wants us to do...being free from sinful thinking, attitudes, and behaviors will allow us to do just that. We can now be...

FREE to accept that God has expressed beauty through you.
FREE to enjoy the food that God created.
FREE to wait for God's timing to bring the right guy.
FREE to be more concerned about being a friend than having them.
FREE to be the same person...no matter who is around.

Wow. What an example of God's mercy and grace! How can we get to that point from where we are in our put of sin? How can we be freed from this bondage of sin?

1. Stop listening to the lie.
Take a closer look at what you put into your mind through TV, movies, music, Internet, friends, etc. The subtle deceptions you find can greatly influence the way you think. God promises a special blessing to those who do not "walk in the counsel of the wicked" or "stand in the way of sinners" or "sit in the seat of mockers" (Psalm 1:1). Let our delight be in the law of the Lord!

2. Stop dwelling on the lie.
Dwelling occurs when the lie that you were listening to becomes an intentional part of your life. It has then moved from something you stumble across to an actual sin. If you want to break free from the bondage of these flaming lies, then stop pouring on the fuel! In other words, feed what you want to live and starve what you want to die.

Fighting the surface issues will not win the battle. The underlying lies you believe have you enslaved in bondage. Once we identify these lies, we then can eliminate them from our lives...with the help of a merciful and loving Savior.

2 Lies Girls Believe About the Future

"Resolved, never, henceforward, till I die
to act as if it were any way my own,
but entirely and altogether God's"
~Jonathan Edwards~

Lie 1: Having a career outside the home is more valuable and fulfilling that being 'just' a wife and mom.
Why did God make women anyway?
The answer to this question is found in Genesis 2:18 -
"Then the Lord God said,
'It is not good that the man should be alone;
I will make him a helper fit for him.'"

There you go...God created woman to be a helper to the man. The woman was made from the man, made for the man, and given as God's gift to the man. Her relationship with her husband was the first and primary sphere (apart from God) in which she was made to live and to serve. While there are some women (and some men) who are called to serve God through singleness, most women are made to serve Him through completing a husband.

God's first command to Adam and Eve was to "Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it." God created women to be the mothers of children. She is equipped and designed to bear and nurture children. However, these roles are under attack by today's society. What an honor and privilege to be called to raise up the next generation of Godly children. We are told in Titus 2:4, "Train the younger women to love their husbands and children". The question is, are we as young women ready to step up to the plate?

Lie 2: What I do now doesn't affect the future.
What you choose to do now will either form habits you have to break in the future or form habits that are helpful to you. Galatians 6:7 illustrates this by saying "Whatever one sows, that he will also reap". This can include time management, eating/exercise habits, how you treat others, managing money, sleep habits, etc. You are what you have been becoming.

Spending consistent time with the Lord and in His Word is the best habit that you can develop throughout your younger years. Let this become a part of your daily routine!

"But his delight is in the law of the LORD,
and on his law he meditates day and night.
He is like a tree planted by streams of water,
which yields its fruit in season
and whose leaf does not wither.
Whatever he does prospers."
~Psalm 1:2-3~

"Oh, how I love your law!
I meditate on it all day long."
~Psalm 119:97~

2 Lies We Believe About Media

"Movies can and do have tremendous power in shaping young lives."
~Walt Disney~

Lie 1: The benefits of constant media outweigh the harm.
We need to keep in mind that Hollywood knows their power within the media. Many of the artists who make movies and music filter it before their children see it. Madonna does not let her children watch television or look at magazines! She has stated publicly that this is because of the immoral content.

We must realize that our media habits will change us and shape us (for better or for worse). Preview your media choices by looking them up online at a reliable site (such as screenit.com...you don't have to join to use it!) or asking a fellow believer that you trust. Make a list of pros and cons...will it kill you to not participate in this activity? Do you have the time? Is there a spiritual lesson to be learned? Remember to pray and ask the Lord for His wisdom in making a decision.

Lie 2: It's not a waste of time...even if it is, it's ok...
Proverbs 25:16 says, "If you find honey, eat just enough". In my case, I can substitute chocolate, ice cream, Starbucks, or Pringles instead of honey! Just realize the point of this verse; too much of even a good thing will make you sick. We need to have limits in every area of our lives.

There is a richness of soul that cannot be cultivated without regular seasons of quiet and solitude. This summer has been a season in my life for quietness of spirit and rejuvenation of the innermost parts of my heart. There is a depth in our relationships with God and others that cannot be experienced apart from times of unhurried, face-to-face conversation.

And young men? The kind of girl that you want to be with will say no to any marriage proposals through text messages, emails, or voice mails. Just some words of wisdom...

2 Lies We Believe About Sin

"Sin introduces a kind of static interference in communication with God and as a result, shuts us off from the very resources we need to combat it."
~Phillip Yancy~

Christians aren't perfect. We will never get to a point in our lives when we are immune to temptation. We will always be in need of God's mercy and grace. However, as we mature in our faith, we should expect to have more consistent victories over sin. This may not happen if you believe one of these (or other) lies about sin.

Lie 1: I can't overcome my sin
This lie (like most lies) is partially true. We cannot overcome our sin, but through God, He will help us overcome our sins (John 15:5). If you believe in your heart that you are held in bondage by a sin that you continually commit, then you will be held in bondage to that sin. The only way to overcome a lie is with its opposite, the Truth. Here is the Truth:

"Having been set free from sin, (you) have become slaves of righteousness...For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death..."
~Romans 6:18, 8:2~

"For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin— because anyone who has died has been freed from sin."
~Romans 6:6-7~

These Scriptures show us that we can overcome sin...through Christ Jesus. As children of God, the Lord enables us to overcome the sinful bondage in our lives. Ask yourself these questions:

Do I truly agree with God that this behavior is sinful?
Do I believe that there is nothing wrong with my sinfulness?
Have I come to a place where I long to be set free?

If you have come to this place, then "confess your sins to one another" (James 5:16). Confide in an older mentor in your life, and ask for them to hold you accountable. Pursue radical amputation!

"If your hand or your foot causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life maimed or crippled than to have two hands or two feet and be thrown into eternal fire" (Matt. 18:8).

Stop giving yourself access to the things that lead you to sin, and you will kill the temptation. In other words,
"Feed what you want to live...starve what you want to die".

Lie 2: In certain situations, it's okay to break the law (or rules) if I am not hurting myself or others.
In Psalm 10, we are told (three times) that those who sin believe that they will get away with it. Satan wants us to believe that sin is a good and pleasurable thing, and in a way, he is right. Hebrews 11:25 says that Moses "chose to be mistreated along with the people of God rather than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a short time".

The Truth is, sin leads to death. All sin leads to death, even if we think it is small and insignificant. "Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death" (James 1:15). A friend of mine once said this to me:

"The deceptive offer of temptation
is the immediate offer of pleasure without penalty.
The basis of all immorality is need...
but we fill that need outside of God's plan and it becomes sin."

The consequences of sin are great. Even if they are not immediately visible to you, you cannot break God's rules (or the rules of others) without ultimately hurting yourself and those around you.

3 Lies We Believe About Our Faith

"All too often what passes for Christianity
is not true Christianity at all.
It is an impostor.
And the sad thing is that
most people don't know the difference."
~J. David Hoke~

Lie 1: My youth pastor/leader is my connection to God.
We have access to God only through Jesus Christ! Today, Christ is our High Priest. By His death on the cross, He made a complete sacrifice for our sin and invites us to come directly into God's presence through our relationship with Him. "There is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself as a ransom for all" (1 Tim. 2:5-6).

You need the church, and the church needs you. You can't blame your youth pastor for choices and decisions that you made to disconnect from the body of Christ. Know that God's family works best together rather than apart. Satan hates the church...thus all of his attacks to the church. Why wouldn't he want to destroy the best place for you to grow, serve, and be discipled?

Jesus loves the church and gave Himself for it. While it is sometimes tempting to cut yourself off from it, remember that this is the body of Christ. We don't have the option to 'drop out' of church.

Lie 2: Everyone at church is judging me.
The Bible tells us not to judge by outward appearances (Jn. 7:24) and that a judgmental spirit causes a more sever judgment on ourselves (Matt. 7:1-2). We are to show honor and deference to others, even to those who may be judging us; show humility rather than pride.

Most of the time, we are not really being judged, but rather, afraid that we are being judged. James 5:16 tells us to "Confess...sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. Our fear of being judged can never be an excuse to hide sin. Use these past sins by confessing them to the others, praying for each other, and encouraging each other.

Lie 3: Of course I'm a Christian, ...

• I go to church all the time
• My parents are Christians
• I grew up in church
• I went forward at an awesome youth rally
• My mom told me I prayed to receive Christ when I was 3

There is nothing we can do to earn our relationship with God. True conversion requires faith in Christ as Savior and Lord and will be accompanied by a growing love for God, a growing hatred for sin, and a growing desire to obey God's Word. "If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come" (2 Cor. 5:17). 1 John walks us through some of the characteristics of a Christian:

• They obey God's commands
• They act like Jesus
• They don't hold grudges (No mean girls!)
• They don't have to see/have every new thing the world offers
• They don't wander from their faith

If you are a child of God, there will be evidence that you are a new person, including the power to overcome sin and to obey God. Is there fruit in your life that shows that God is at work?

Deeper Still Conference Video...

Travis Cottrell posted this video on his blog,
so I thought I would share it here.
It gives you just a glimpse of the amazing weekend... :)


DeeperStill - Atlanta from Rich Kalonick on Vimeo.

I will be back to "Lies Young Women Believe" tomorrow!

3 Lies We Believe About Relationships

"Wishing to be friends is a quick work,
but friendship is a slow ripening fruit."
~Aristotle~

Lie 1: It's okay to be one person at home and a different person in public/online
If you life contradicts what you say you believe...then you are living this lie and are a hypocrite. Before you tell me that hypocrite is a harsh word, let me give you the definition of it: "A person who acts in contradiction to his or her stated beliefs." So...if you act one way around certain people and a different way around your parents/home, then you are living the life of a hypocrite.

In Matthew 27, Jesus told the hypocrites, "You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of dead men's bones and everything unclean...on the outside you appear to people as righteous but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness."

God wants you to be of one mind and content in who He made you to be. "Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded" (James 4:8). Genuine, lived-out faith is crucial to your relationship with God. After all, how can you be in a relationship with anyone unless you trust them implicitly? If you are living a double life of hypocrisy, you must leave your old life completely. Confess your sins to God, and pray that He will "Unite (your) heart to fear (His) name" (Ps. 86:11)

Lie 2: If I just had friends, I wouldn't be so lonely
Most of us girls have had a bad 'friend-day', and used it as an excuse to curl up in bed and have a good cry...or down an entire pint of ice cream while we watch the latest chick flick. We miss the fact that our earthly friends should be second to our Best Friend. God created us to know Him and to be His friend, yet we still buy into the lie that God is not enough.

We forget that there is no greater friend than God! God never leaves us (Heb. 13:5), knows everything about us (Matt. 10:30), loves us despite our sin (Jn. 3:16), will never let us be separated from His love (Rom. 8:35), and desires to live with us forever (2 Jn. 2)! That's true friendship. God gives us the model for friendship through His great love for us. Just remember, friendship requires effort from both sides. How well are you getting to know God each day? When was the last time you had a conversation with your Best Friend?

True friendship is not focused on you. Listen to this profound statement, "Ask the Lord to help you be more concerned about who needs you than who likes you." Wow. That's hard. Who wants to be friends with people that don't really like you? Just remember that God calls you to "love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you" (Matt. 5:44).

Lie 3: I am my own authority
Our submission places us under the protection of God, but rebellion opens us up to satan's attacks. Satan had Eve convinced that following God would be a miserable choice and that she would miss out on life. Satan's lies have not changed. He tries to convince us that choosing God's way will be miserable for us...and that we will miss out on a more exciting life (like Hollywood, pop culture, and distorted self-worth).

Submission does not mean agreement with authority. "Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ" (Eph. 5:21). No ifs, buts, or exceptions...just submit. I'm not talking about going along with a leader despite their sin. I am talking about presenting your side in a humble, respectful attitude. Your authorities in life will not always be right. This doesn't mean we should brainwash our minds with false beliefs and doctrines, but rather, learn how to respond in a respectful way to the authorities in your life.

The willingness to put ourselves under God's authority shows how big we really believe God is...does your mouth match your heart? Do you believe God can change the hearts of those in authority over you? Proverbs 21:1 tells us that "The king's heart is a stream of water in the hand if the Lord; He turns it wherever He will." Trust that God is in control...He will never let us down.

4 Lies Girls Believe About Guys

"It is a safe thing to trust Him to
fulfill the desire which He creates."
~Amy Carmichael~

Marriage is a earthly picture of Christ and His love for us.
Passion, sacrificial love...this is what God is all about!
Of course satan wants to mess this up...
He wants to destroy this beautiful picture of grace and love,
but we can't let him. We have to knock him down with God's truth.

My advice regarding this chapter is to pray. Pray hard.
A guy that meets/exceeds Christian standards is rare.
I pray for him every day...and I hope that he is praying for me.

Alright, enough of the 'mushy stuff'.
Let's get to the lies...

Lie 1: I need a boyfriend
Let's face it. We like it when guys are nice to us, compliment how we look, etc. We squeal to see movies where couples kiss in the sunset/sunrise. We just eat it up. But we miss one crucial thing...our love for a boyfriend/potential mate doesn't start with the compliments and the kisses. It starts when we get up each morning and have our quiet time with God. God is love, and a satisfying love is impossible without Him. Anything less will leave us wanting more...and always feeling empty.

God did not design marriage to make you happy, but to glorify Himself. Ephesians 2:30-32 says, "For we are members of His body. For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh. This is a profound mystery—but I am talking about Christ and the church."

God does not want you to "awaken love" until the time is right (Song of Solomon 2:7). Our desire for love is not wrong, it was created by God! However, we must hold on to this treasure and guard our hearts. This love will be 'stirred up' when that man comes into your life and you are in a position to be married to him (this includes wholehearted approval from your parents). Even though these desires are stirred during that time, they should not be fulfilled until after the marriage ceremony.

Lie 2: It's okay to go out with a non-Christian
Even if a guy professes to be a Christian, sits on the front row every Sunday, or is a pastor's kid, that does not necessarily mean that they are saved. The question is, do you see fruit in their life that is evidence of their belief in God? Most Christian girls will say that they do not want to marry a non-Christian, but they see no problem in dating one. Huh?!? I must confess that makes no sense to me whatsoever! Forget 'missionary dating'...you will never change him! Only God can change a man's heart, and He doesn't need you to compromise your heart to do it.

Not only does God want you to marry a Christian, He wants you to marry someone who will lead you Spiritually. Your relationship with your mate should draw you not only closer to each other, but closer to God.

Lie 3: It's not really sex
If you have to tell yourself this, then it is wrong. Anything that even hints at sexual immorality is just that...sexually immoral according to Ephesians 5:3: "But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God's holy people." Remember, Jesus told us that "anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart" (Matt 5:28).

Let's be practical...according to God, sexual immorality includes:

• Dressing to draw attention to you...or certain parts of you
• Flirting...and I mean, all flirting
• Looking at sensual images online
• Media that contains sexual humor/language (Eph. 5:4)
• And the list goes on...
  

God's standard of sexual purity is very high, but the rewards are worth the price of having self-control. You are not 'missing out'...and not 'every one is doing it'. Save yourself for your future mate. If you have messed up before, start today - fresh and without blemish - and live each day with a renewed heart. Spend your single days praying for your future mate and allowing God to draw you to Himself. After all, how can you love unless you know God who is love?

Lie 4: I can't handle the loneliness of staying pure
Staying pure isn't about handling loneliness, it's about turning to God instead of someone on earth to let Him fulfill your needs. True joy comes only from Him, and He will fill that void in your heart each day as you wait for your beloved. Yes, it is very lonely! Try living hundreds of miles from your best friends and starting at a new school! I know it is hard, but I also know that it will be worth it. Each day away from the shoulders to cry on is one step further to deepening my relationship with Christ. Let me close with a portion of a letter included in this book (Lies Young Women Believe):

"God had someone saved for me, and in His perfect timing He brought him along. I discovered that the way of purity is far better, even though it requires patience and a willingness to go against the flow. The outcome is worth every sacrifice and makes marriage all the sweeter."

2 Lies Girls Believe About Themselves...

"The almost impossible thing,
is to hand over your whole self-
all your wishes and precautions-to Christ...
Until you have given up yourself to Him,
you will not have a real self."
~C.S. Lewis~

This chapter of lies opens with a profound statement:
"Our view of ourselves either enables us
to do what God has created us to do
or limits us from becoming all He means for us to be.
It is critical that you dismantle any lies
you may believe about yourself."

Lie 1: Beautiful girls are worth more
Some signs that you believe this lie include:
Self-loathing
Saying nasty things about other girls
Doing anything just to get affirmation from a guy
Dressing in ways to draw attention to yourself
Lying in bed and crying about it
Flirting

Wow. I mean, this list reminds me of the way that most of my girlfriends (and I) can be at times. We have to stop this cycle. Let's start by remembering that physical beauty is temporary... "Charm is deceptive and beauty is fleeting, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised" (Prov. 31:30). There is only one kind of beauty that lasts... "Do not let your adorning be external - the braiding of hair and the putting on of gold jewelry, or the clothing you wear - but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God's sight is very precious" (1 Pet. 3:3-4).

Inner beauty matter much more to God, but this inner beauty will reflect on the outside as well. If you have a pure and modest heart, then that will come through in the way you dress, act, and speak to others. Have a joy-filled heart, and allow God to fill you with JOY!!!

Finally, what we believe about beauty is determined by where we look. Do we look to 'fashion magazines' that airbrush their models to perfection? While it is impossible to achieve this perfect standard set by the world, it is possible to have inner beauty and confidence through Christ if our focus is on Him.

Lie 2: I have to perform to be loved and accepted
Your value is not determined by what you do, but how God views you. In Ephesians 1:4, it says God "...chose us in Him before the creation of the world..." Psalms 139:14 tells us that we are "fearfully and wonderfully made", 1 John 4:9 tells us that God showed us His love by sending His Son, and Romans 8:38-39 says nothing "will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord". So in a nutshell, we are chosen by Him to be wonderfully made and loved...and nothing can ever change how God feels about us.

We do not earn God's love through works...if it were only by works, then we would boast (Eph. 2:9). God gives us His grace. He has already taken action by sending His Son for us. There is no further action needed on our part. If we have faith, there will be works...for faith without works is dead. However, more or less of these works will not change God's love for us.

Your works are to glorify God, not yourself. "So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God" (1 Cor. 10:31). We do not need to feel a pressure to perform for God... God does want us to do good things, but only as an offering of our love back to Him.

2 Lies We Believe About Satan

"Enemy-occupied territory -
that is what the world is.
Christianity is the story of how
the rightful king has landed...
and is calling us all to take part
in a great campaign in sabotage."
~C.S. Lewis~

Who is satan?
Satan was one of the chief angels in heaven. Ezekiel tell us that satan was the model of perfection...full or wisdom...and perfect in beauty. These characteristics changed; satan became filled with violence and corrupted in wisdom (Ezekiel 28:12-17). Satan had intentions of becoming "like the Most High" (Is. 14:14), but this is not possible.

Satan is not everywhere...he cannot hear your thoughts. He had a beginning and will have an end. He will be cast into the lake of fire and tormented for all eternity (Rev. 20:20). Be assured...God has no beginning, and there is no end to His reign.

What can't satan do?
He is not all powerful (omnipotent)...
his power is limited and only from God
(Job 1:12, 2:6, James 4:7...)

He is not all knowing (omniscient)...
he doesn't even know when Christ will return!
(Matt. 4:36)

He is not present everywhere (omnipresent)...
he must rely on the demons who follow him.
(2 Cor. 12:7)

2 Lies We Believe About Satan
Lie 1: Everything bad that happens is 'spiritual welfare'.
We are in a battle between good and evil.
This is made clear in Ephesians 6:12:
"For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places"

Some of the bad things that happen are a direct assault from satan, but bad things can also be a result of our poor decisions. One of the greatest opponents to your Christian growth is you and your flesh. Also, the fallen world in which we live can be a huge factor in this... the world we live in today is filled with sexual images scattered across the internet, billboards, and malls.

We do battle satan, and spiritual welfare is real, but we cannot blame all our sins on them. Even if satan is the source of every single one of your problems, you still have a personal responsibility and will be held accountable for every one of your sins.

Lie 2: I have never been exposed to satanic activities.
If you believe this lie, then I guess you have never read your horoscope, had your palm read, or played video games that deal with witchcraft. But, have you never seen ads on facebook, myspace, or well, gotten on the internet? It doesn't take a long and hard search. It is literally right at our fingertips.

May I just remind you what Paul reminded us in Philippians 4:8?
"Finally, 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."

Remember, you must feed what you want to live, and starve what you want to die. Your heart and your motive will be exposed in everything you do, for "out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks" (Matt. 12:34)

4 Lies We Believe About God

"What comes to our minds when we think about God
is the most important thing about us."
~A.W. Tozer~

The most common lies that we believe are about God. If our relationship with God is not right, then how can we expect our other relationships in life to be right? Let's investigate these four lies today and free ourselves from their bondage...

1. God is not enough
Many times, friends are God's rival in our lives. Think about it, when something huge happens in your life and you need to talk to someone about it, where do you turn? If the answer is anything but God, then your actions show that you believe this lie.

Nothing can fill the part of your heart created for God. There is no me and my friends...and God. He must be first and foremost in everything. What happens when those idolized friends drop out of the picture...when you are hours away from them...or when they decide to have new friends? Who will you turn to then? You will never be satisfied unless you turn to God first.

"Whom have I in heaven but You?
And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides You."
~Psalm 73:25~

2. God is not really involved in my life
Do you think God is too busy for the 'small stuff' that weighs on your heart? If you do, then you probably buy into this lie. You think, well, God is so busy with so many other things...I don't want to bother Him. You can never bother God. Just like He will never leave you, He will never stop loving you.

Even His very name, "Immanuel", means God with us. The question is not "Why did God leave me? but, "Why are you not pursuing God?" The Scriptures tell us to "draw near to God, and He will draw near to you..." (James 4:8). You are so valuable to Him, but He longs for you to show Him your love by drawing near.

"Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies?
And not one of them is forgotten before God.
Why, even the hairs of your head are all numbered.
Fear not; you are of more value than sparrows."
~Luke 12:6-7~

3. God should fix my problems
When do you pray? What do you pray? The answer to those two questions will probably reveal your belief (or disbelief) in this lie. Do I only pray when I need something? Are my prayers more like a to-do list for God? Nancy Demoss spoke about this lie and said, "God is more concerned with changing you to be a reflection of Jesus Christ than with solving all your problems".

Yes, God longs to show us mercy and grace...and He is an ever present help in time or trouble, but God wants us to be more like His Son who "learned obedience through what He suffered..." (Hebrews 5:8). The book of James tells us to be joyful in trials, because God will strengthen us through the testing of our faith (1:2-4). Let's refocus our prayer lives. No more egocentric prayers of "This is what I want", but a God-centered prayer of "Whatever You will, Lord."

4. God is just like my father
God is our Father, but He is unlike any earthly man that you will ever meet. He is perfect and unchanging, loves us unconditionally, and will never let us down. God does tell us to honor our father... The Bible doesn't say "Honor your father if he is a good dad" or "Honor your father until you are 18 and move out". No, it simply says "Honor your father". Period. No questions.

Even if you are blessed with an incredible father, you should relate him to God...and not God to him. Study God to get to know Him better. The Bible says that Jesus is the "radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of His being". In other words, study the original so you can know the Truth.

What is a Lie? What is Truth?

After my journey 'out of the pit' with Beth Moore's book, I have begun a new devotional study. This book is entitled "Lies Young Women Believe...and the Truth that Sets Them Free" by Nancy DeMoss and Dannah Gresham. Young ladies, this book is incredible. I wish I could give every girl a copy of it. Guys, even though this book is directed to girls, the many truths found within its pages apply to you as well.

Origin of Lies
Lie = false statement with deliberate intent to deceive;
an inaccurate or false statement;
an impostor of the Truth

The Scriptures tell us that satan "has nothing to do with the truth, because there is no truth in him...he is a liar and the father of lies." (John 8:44) There is no truth in him...that reminds me of the many times the Bible tells us that out of the overflow of the heart, the mouth speaks. We have control of what comes out of our mouths because we control what goes in. A friend of mine told me to "Feed what you want to live...starve what you want to die."

The Progression of Eve's Lie

• Eve listened to a lie
• She got close to the serpent and thought about his words
  
• Even dwelled on the lie
• She talked to the serpent and considered his ideas
  
• Eve believed the lie
• She believed the serpent's words more than God's words
  
• Eve acted on the lie
• She ate the fruit

This is how many of us react to lies. We listen, dwell, begin to believe, and then act on our belief. Whether it takes us five seconds or five days, we usually go through this progression for every lie that crosses our minds. The Bible tells us to "Flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord with a pure heart. Have nothing to do with foolish, ignorant controversies..." (2 Timothy 2:22-23a)

The Origin of Truth
Truth = agreement with a standard or original;
Jesus Christ

Jesus defines truth for us in John 14:6, "I am the way, and the Truth, and the life. Not only is He truth, but the Word of God is as well (John 1:14). We have to be so familiar with the truth of Jesus and His Word that when lies appear, we recognize them. Like those people on the Antique Roadshow...they know if something is real or fake. How? Because they have studied the real deal. How much time do we spend studying Jesus...The Truth?

Set Free
You will be in the minority. You will be laughed at for your beliefs.
You will have to make a conscious choice to stand firm.
But know that "The truth will set you free..." (John 8:32)

"Choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve...
But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord."
(Joshua 24:15)

Worship

The Merriam-Webster Dictionary tells us the orgin of the word 'worship' comes from the Middle English worshipe, which means worthiness, respect, reverence paid to a divine being. It goes on to give these definitions:

1. reverence offered a divine being or supernatural power; an act of expressing such reverence
2. a form of religious practice with its creed and ritual
3. extravagant respect or admiration for or devotion to an object of esteem
   

Wait a minute!
I think Webster missed something here!
Where are the drums, plasma screens, microphones, and guitars?
What about the praise team (or should I say 'performance team')?
You can't worship without them, right?

Don't get me wrong...I am not completely opposed to instruments accompanying the singing...or singers standing up front during the worship. What I am opposed to is forgetting why we are playing and singing in the first place.

The word 'worship' is found in the Bible over 250 times! In almost every book of the Bible, God calls us to worship Him...

• Genesis 24:26
  Then the man bowed down and worshiped the LORD,
• Judges 7:15
  When Gideon heard the dream and its interpretation, he worshiped God...
• Psalm 29:2
  Ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name; worship the LORD in the splendor of his holiness.
• Psalm 86:9
  All the nations you have made will come and worship before you, O Lord; they will bring glory to your name.
  
• Psalm 95:6
  Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the LORD our Maker;
• Psalm 100:2
  Worship the LORD with gladness; come before him with joyful songs.
• Luke 4:8
  Jesus answered, "It is written: 'Worship the Lord your God and serve him only.' "

I fear that the church as we know it has forgotten the true meaning of worship. We have replaced it with meaningless rituals to exalt each other instead of our Maker and King. Maybe we need to step away from our own ideas of worship for a time to refocus our lives (and our church body) on true worship.

That is what the church 'Soul Survivor' in Watford, England did. They stopped the drums, plasma screens, microphones, and guitars...they even silenced the 'performance team'. The congregation would spend hours in prayer and unaccompanied singing as they sought the Lord together.

After a few weeks, the leader of this congregation penned a song to capture this experience. This is the prayer of my heart...may I put myself aside and focus on the The One who is worthy of my praise!

When the music fades and all is stripped away, and I simply come longing just to bring something that's of worth that will bless Your heart. I'll bring You more than a song, for a song in itself is not what You have required. You search much deeper within through the ways things appear. You're looking into my heart.

I'm coming back to the heart of worship, and it's all about You...all about You, Jesus. I'm sorry Lord for the thing I've made it...when it's all about You...it's all about You, Jesus.

~Matt Redman's 'Heart of Worship'~

Our Pit-Less Future

"Our hearts and minds still need considerable healing as long as somewhere deep inside we still associate fun with sin. No matter what somebody led you to believe, sin is not where all the fun is..."
~Beth Moore~

Today, I finished my journey through the book,
"Get Out of That Pit".
Today is the first day of my pit-less future.

God promises us in the 23rd Psalm that we "shall not want" and that He "restores my soul". So why are we so filled with fear? Is the Lord not the final victor?

Quite the contrary. Revelations 20:1-3 talks about this end battle:
"He laid hold of the dragon, that serpent of old,
who is the devil and satan,
and bound him for a thousand years;
and He cast him into the bottomless pit,
and shut him up, and set a seal on him.

Wait a minute...this says that God is throwing satan into a pit!
The Scriptures tell us in Psalms 57:6 that:
"They set a net for my steps;
my soul was bowed down.
They dug a pit in my way,
but they have fallen into it themselves."

Wow...how INCREDIBLE!
I don't know if my favorite part is where God "shut him up" or where He heaps all that trouble satan every gave us on top of satan's head! Just think...every shovelful that satan throws on us will be thrown on his head.

God writes the perfect ending.
He doesn't have to 'work at it' or think 'long and hard'.
He just knows...He is sovereign and omniscient.

Satan won't know what hit him...
One minute, he will be looking down at us in our miserable pit...
The next thing he knows, God has set our feet on a rock
and a placed a new song in our hearts...
And satan...well, he will still be falling into that "bottomless pit".

"Right there while I was waist deep in the pit for what seemed like the thousandth time, Christ stretched out His mighty arm, reached into the depths, and said in a way that I could finally hear, 'Need a hand?'"
~Beth Moore~

"Rise up, my love, my fair one, and come away."
~Song of Songs 2:10~

A Lesson from Socrates

In ancient Greece, Socrates was reputed to hold knowledge in high esteem. One day an acquaintance met the great philosopher and said, "Socrates, do you know what I just heard about your friend?" "Hold on a minute," Socrates replied. "Before telling me anything I'd like you to pass a little test. It's called the Triple Filter Test."

The first filter is Truth.
Have you made absolutely sure that what you are about to tell me is true?" "No," the man said, "actually I just heard about it and..." "All right," said Socrates. "So you don't really know if it's true or not. Now let's try the second filter...

The second filter is Goodness.
Is what you are about to tell me about my friend something good?" "No, on the contrary..." "So," Socrates continued, "you want to tell me something bad about him, but you're not certain it's true. You may still pass the test though, because there's one filter left...

The third filter is Usefulness.
Is what you want to tell me about my friend going to be useful to me?" "No, not really." "Well," concluded Socrates, "if what you want to tell me is neither true nor good nor even useful, why tell it to me at all?"

Wow. What a valid point Socrates has made here! Since the days of Socrates, other scholars have reworded the triple filter to ask if our words are true, ind, and necessary. James 3 speaks to us about several matters concerning what we say with our tongue. I found a different translation (Weymouth) that shone a new light on these verses:

• 3:5- In the same way the tongue is an insignificant part of the body, but it is immensely boastful. Remember how a mere spark may set a vast forest in flames.
• 3:8- But the tongue no man or woman is able to tame. It is an ever-busy mischief, and is full of deadly poison.

The Bible also reminds us in Luke 6:45, A good man from the good stored up in his heart brings out what is good; and an evil man from the evil stored up brings out what is evil; for from the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks." This is why Proverbs 4:23 warns us to "Guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life". Another translation says, "Be very careful about what you think; your thoughts run your life."

So what lives in our hearts and pours out with the opening of our mouths? Is it our egocentric feelings about what we desire, or is it an abundant joy and love for our Lord? Whatever it is, those around us will know once we open our mouth.

I Fell In Love.

God is so amazing...I am astounded by His glory.
I have fallen in love...and it's incredible.

Girls spend their whole life waiting for 'THE ONE' to come into their lives. They dream of 'THE ONE' night and day and sometimes plan their lives with 'THE ONE' before they even know his name!

Imagine you, a young girl, meeting the most wonderful man you have ever seen. A Christian leader, fully devoted to God, like-minded in thought and belief...he might even be 'tall, dark, and handsome...'! You meet this 'Perfect Man' (umm...can we say 'oxymoron'!) and are completely swept off of your feet, fall head over heels in love, the works. Him walking into a room makes you so giddy with joy that you may even swoon...and he, being the 'Perfect Man', would catch you!

So...when was the last time you felt like that about Jesus?
Have you ever become so overwhelmed with love and joy
that you felt excited and giddy about His love for you?

He is the Perfect Savior...and this is no dream. Jesus came and gave up His life for us in order that we might live our little, pitiful, sinful lives on this earth. He came and died for us to give us the choice to trade this sinful life for one of purity and holiness. Why do we sit and wait for the 'Perfect Man' when we have already been blessed with a Perfect, Loving Savior? He was sent here to this earth to rescue us...his church in distress. You Hopeless Romantics like myself should be eating this stuff up. I mean, maidens in distress, the knight coming to her rescue...how romantic is that?

Imagine living in the perfect "Adventures in Odyssey" neighborhood. You know what I mean...the ones where everyone lives in a cute little house with a picket fence, can always go talk to Whit and get a perfect word of encouragement, and never has an acne problem. Imagine leaving that perfect world to go live in the slums. The people are dirty, their homes are dirtier, and their language, well let's just say that they swim in the gutter.

That is what Jesus did for us. He left the beautiful heavens where He had perfect fellowship with His Father...and could always talk to His Father. Jesus came down here to this earth and lived in our slums. He healed our dirty bodies. He ate in our dirty homes. Why? To rescue us. To pull us out of that gutter.

Do you want to be rescued? He is waiting on you.
Have you been rescued? Praise the Lord!
If you have been rescued, have you fallen in love?

Lord, my lips will shout for joy when I sing praise to you- I, whom you have redeemed (Psalm 71:23). When worry overwhelms me, you bring joy to my soul (Psalm 94:19). Joy. I am filled with joy. You have redeemed me from my life in the pits of the slums and rescued me from the gutter. I have fallen in love with You...and YOUR love will never fail (1 Corinthians 13:8).
I am utterly overwhelmed. Thank You, Lord...

A Blog Inspired by Trash

Trash is defined by Wikipedia as:
"An unwanted or undesired material or substance".
It sounds so simple...almost elegant.
"Oh, I just took out the undesired materials..."

When I went to run on our road today, I was unpleasantly surprised to start my run behind the 'trash man'. No, I'm not talking about Oscar the Grouch and his little trash can on Sesame Street; I am talking about the huge, smelly trucks that collect rotten bananas, moldy bread, soured milk, and stinky diapers. All of these things smell awful by themselves, but that garbage truck had all of these things (and more) combined in one place.

While I was running, it was all I could think about. It was the most horrible trash smell that I have ever smelled, and no matter what I did, I still smelled it. After a little while, a breeze came in and fresh air replaced the ghastly air that I had been trying not to breathe. Only then was I relieved from the stench of trash.

I wonder if that is how God looks at us. Here we are in our pit of smelly, stinking sin, but we do not smell a thing. We get used to that smell after a little while. I know the trash man does...if he didn't, he would be sick to his stomach every day!

My desire is for sin to be as unappealing to me as that smelly garbage truck. I want to see sin through God's eyes and be completely repulsed by it. Jesus came and paid the price for us to have a life without the stench of sin. He is that fresh breeze that blows in and makes the air as fresh and clean as it was before.

Jesus is willing to relieve us from the awful, smelly sin in our lives.
When He does, you will ask yourself,
"How did I ever live in my old, stinking pit?"

Lord, You tell us in Your word that all of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags... Our hope is that You are our Father. We are the clay, you are the potter; we are all the work of your hand...God, may I be moldable clay in Your hands. Cleanse me and make me new...because of Your love, I am not consumed...Your compassions never fail...they are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness.

~Isaiah 64:6, 8, Lamentations 3:22-23~

Make up your Mind!

"He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire;
He set my feet upon a rock and gave me a firm place to stand."
~Psalm 40:2~

"After all that slip-sliding and skydiving you've done,
your feet are finally planted on a rock,
and you've got a firm place to stand...
God is not just a firm place to stand.
He's a firm place to stay."
~Beth Moore~

God gives us the firm place on which we can stand, but it is up to us to decide if we will take Him up on His divine offer. John 3:16 speaks of how God sent His Son into the world so that no man would die, but it is up to the world to accept God's grace and mercy.

God is loyal. He made up His mind about us before the foundations of the world. It doesn't matter if others have let us down, broken promises, or betrayed our trust...God will never waver in His unfailing love for us! Even if we change our minds about Him, He will not stop loving us. *We must understand that this loving God is also the Righteous Judge. We will be held accountable to Him for the times when we strayed from His path.

God is the only one who can get us out of the pit, keep us out of the pit , and provide a firm place for us to stand. He delivers us with "a mighty hand and an outstretched arm" (Deuteronomy 5:15). He desires to have a relationship with us each and every day of our lives - not just when we decide it is time to climb out of a pit.

For those who you know that are still stuck in a pit, "Pray for them....Love them lavishly, but as a Rock-dweller, not (as) a fellow Pit-dweller." When (not if, but when!) they ridicule you, misunderstand you, or think you are just downright crazy, remember that God may be using you in their lives to show them that it is possible through Him to get out and stay out of the pit.

It's hard. It's really hard. But so very worth it.

"Be strong and courageous.
Do not be terrified; Do not be discouraged,
for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go."
~Joshua 1:9~

"To Him who is able to keep you from falling
and to present you before His glorious presence
without fault and with great joy -
to the only God our Savior be
glory, majesty, power and authority,
through Jesus Christ our Lord,
before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen."
~Jude 1:24-25 (Ascription of Praise)~

Hang On!

"I want Jesus. A lot of Him. And obviously, He wanted me.
All of me...
It takes two to tango, even out of a pit.
His part is to lift you out.
Your part is to hold on for dear life."
~Beth Moore

Sometimes, we are delivered instantaneously from our pit of sin, but the majority of the time, there is not instant gratification. It takes our hard work and relying on the Lord to get us out. Through us learning how to trust God again, our relationship with Him will grow stronger as we work so desperately to get out of the pit.

"Out of the depths I cry to You, O Lord;
O Lord, hear my voice.
Let Your ears be attentive to my cry for mercy.
If you, O Lord, kept a record of sins,
O Lord, who could stand?
But with You there is forgiveness; therefore You are feared.
I wait for the Lord, my soul waits,
and in His word I put my hope.
My soul waits for the Lord
more than watchmen wait for the morning,
more than watchmen wait for the morning."
~Psalm 130:1-6

Wait. What does the word 'wait' say to us?
The Hebrew qwh used here means "to lie in wait for someone...to expect, await, look for patiently, hope, to be confident, trust, to be enduring." After we call out to the Lord, we are to expect, to wait, to hope and have confident trust that God is indeed coming to our rescue.

Another definition of this qwh is "to bind together (by twisting)". The following illustration from Beth Moore makes this very clear:

Beth speaks of her young daughter, Amanda, would hold onto her leg as Beth did the household chores. "Her ten pink toenails stayed planted atop five of mine...dragging her from room to room on my right foot..." When her next child, Melissa, came along, she quickly learned this trick from Amanda. They would 'ride' together, each one grabbing tightly to their mom. "I'd walk all over the house with those two munchkins atop my aching feet..."

"This is the picture of 'qwh'. While you wait for God to work and to manifest your sure deliverance, you wrap yourself around Him as tightly as you possibly can...bind yourself to Him with everything you've got so that you will ultimately - inevitably - go anywhere He does. Hang on for dear life and never let go. No matter how long it takes...He'll never run out of breath or stop to soak His aching feet.
Pin yourself so close to Him you can almost hear Him whisper. His words will live in you and you will live in Him. God does not make His home in a pit. Bound to His holy robe, neither will you.
~Beth Moore

Lord, give me the desire to be made new in you...let me put off the old self and put on the new. I give you my entire self as a living sacrifice. I will not find wholeness by conforming to this world. Transform my mind with your precious and holy Word that I may test and see that your will and way is good and perfect.