The following is a portion from my Sunday School lesson that I felt compelled to share...and am trying to live out...
Joy – a deep sense of well being. Does not depend on what happens. An attitude.
Happiness – a feeling. Depends on what happens. A position.
This Bible is a picture of your life. Sure there are some setbacks. Some of them pretty rough.
Jesus had them.
•No home.
•No place to lay his head.
•Closest friends deserted him.
•Then there was the beating.
•The cross.
I’d say there were some setbacks for Him.
So you think that in the midst of everything, He ever lost His joy? No! He never lost that deep sense of well being. Why do you think that is? Because He knew the end of the story and what awaited him. He was ready to be with His heavenly Father again!
The same thing awaits us!!! How bad do things have to get for us to lose our joy?
"Joy is the most infallible sign of the presence of God". Leon Henri marie Bloy. 1846-1917.
Why? Picture it this way; Jesus had unbroken communion with God the Father. Jesus only did what the Father told him. He only knew what the Father revealed. He wants us to have the same kind of intimacy with Him. He wants US to only do what the Father tells us. That kind of intimacy gives us a “deep sense of well being.”
How about this statement by Lacado: “Those who share the joy of Jesus have a stubborn, unshakeable peace.”
Do you have a joy that holds its ground against pain?
Does it matter to us or to God about our setbacks? Of course it does. Jesus cried when His friends were grieving the death of Lazarus. Do you think that Jesus knew he was about to resurrect Lazarus? Yes. He knew the outcome, but still hurt for his friends.
Another definition that has been used for joy is SACRED DELIGHT.
What is sacred is not of the earth, it is God’s. Joy is God’s. It is delight because it can both satisfy and surprise. Sacred delight is good news coming through the back door of your heart. It is what you’d always dreamed but never expected. It’s the too-good-to-be-true coming true. It is having God as your
•Pinch-hitter
•Your lawyer
•Your dad
•Your biggest fan
•Your best friend
God is on your side, in your heart, out in front, and protecting your back. It is hope where you least expected it.
Think about God’s joy. What can cloud it? Is God ever in a bad mood because of bad weather? Does He get ruffled over long lines or traffic jams? Does God ever refuse to rotate the earth because his feelings are hurt?
No. His is a joy which circumstances cannot steal.
Matthew 5:12
Rejoice and be glad, for you have a great reward waiting for you in heaven.
Psalm 59:16
But I will sing of your strength, in the morning I will sing of your love; for you are my fortress, my refuge in times of trouble.
You can know a lot about God without really knowing God. In fact unless we experience Him and know what it is like to be in His presence, it is likely that we will never really know Him.
Sunday, February 1, 2009
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
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?”
Monday, August 18, 2008
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?
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?
Saturday, August 9, 2008
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~
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~
Thursday, July 31, 2008
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.
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.
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