In Christ? (Part 1) Does My Significant Other Truly Draw Me To Christ...?

This is something that's really been burdening my heart...

I've heard a lot of people saying lately that the person they're dating makes them desire to be more godly, and sometimes it's true and I can see it. Other times that's not what I see, so please, I implore you... I want to challenge you to make a close examination of your relationship, whoever you are, based on this.

Let me ask you something. If you are not actively in a walk with God, if you can't remember the last time you spent time in devotion with God or time you spent in prayer for the sake of fellowship with Him, or the last time you actively served God... Then how can you say that any significant person in your life is driving you to live for God more or love Him more greatly? If you can't for yourself remember any of those things, then no matter what everyone around you believes and no matter how much you want it to be true, you have no business saying it or trying to make it true that they are driving you to Christ.

Listen. If your significant other, perhaps the person that you already care for and love deeply, is not actively, sincerely pointing you to God, and you aren't doing the same for them, then this is not someone you should be committing the rest of your life to. Ladies, if he doesn't call you to live godly now, then he will not lead you that way in marriage. Men, if she doesn't call you to live godly now, then she will not support you that way in marriage. The strength of a godly marriage is to love the Lord First! If the person you're dating doesn't commit to God then they won't commit to you. In the end, love for each other, no matter how deep, is not enough. Love is supposed to be a triangle, where you and your partner meet because you both are dependent and focused on God. Only if THE focus of your relationship and both your lives on God is enough, and there will be far more pain when the struggles of life come, and they will come, if you aren't both on the same page in this - not only in words, but in deeds. If you don't depend on God together when things are easy and drive each other to Christ now, what makes you think that either of you will in hardship when life gives you nothing?

These are questions you need to ask. Or I promise - Scripture promises - that you will encounter unnecessary hardship in the later years of your life. So check yourself, please... Do they truly draw you to Christ? Do you draw them?


Post "In Christ?" (Part 2) to come: "Respect Vs. Shame, And What's the Honorable Path?"

Valentines Day: I Shall Not Want

For every single young lady out there who just went through a miserable, lonely Valentines Day...

Stop feeling sorry for yourself right now. Forgive me, I don't mean to sound cold or uncaring, but don't you remember any of the wonderful verses about God's incredible love and care for you, like the 1st verse of Psalm 23?

"The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want."

God is enough for you. Christ's love completes you, not a man's. Until God brings a man into your life in His perfect timing, He will love you and take care of you enough to complete you. He's always enough, always has been, and always will be; as it says... [you] shall not want. For anything. Period. Done. So stop moping that you don't have a man to give you flowers or candy or take you on a fancy date. Spend some time thanking God for all His endless love for you.

By the way, even if you're surrounded by couples and feel like you are the only one who's spent this Valentines Day without a significant other (like me), I'm pretty sure that if you look around a little, you'll find a few others who feel like they're in the same spot as you. So here's an extra challenge for tomorrow: Message your friends with some encouragement to remind them that their not alone either, send some hand-written notes or cards, or set up a group date for some singles' girl time - go out to lunch or bowling or something and fellowship with each other! And most of all, bless them with the love of Christ, which will satisfy them more than anything else.

Happy Valentines Day! Have a wonderful, God-blessed tomorrow.

Opposition To the Sin Of Homosexuality

I'm going to deviate slightly from my normal type of post today and talk about some politics. In Idaho the last few days there has been much debate and controversy over the passing of a bill. This bill is formally called House Bill 2 (HB2), but has become known to the community as the "Add the Words Bill", which asked to add both detrimental and Biblically unsound words to the Human Rights Act: "Sexual Orientation" and "Gender Identity". Small words yes, but very powerful too. I am against the bill, and I praise God that not long ago it was voted down in committee, but the last 3 days I have spent hours in hearing rooms listening to both pro- and opposing sides give their heartfelt beliefs about whether or not this bill should pass and I heard many disturbing things about people's belief in God and about people of faith. I want to take a moment or two to address them.

1. 'The Church and Christians have discriminated against and abused LGBT's as much as or more than everybody else.' 
There are many churches and many denominations. We cannot be all grouped into one unified "Church", or even under the label of "Christian" anymore. My faith is rooted in the Word of God, and it calls me to live exactly as Christ lived, and believe every single word in the Bible, not only parts. The Bible says that LGBT's have made a choice, and a wrong one, and that I cannot support that choice. Therefore, I will not support it. The Bible also says that I am to truly love, respect, and be welcoming to every one, so I choose to love, respect, and welcome them.

"Wherefore receive ye one another, even as Christ also received you, to the glory of God." Romans 15:7 (ASV)

Any true believer that follows the Bible in every way called, may be the only friend an LGBT can find, and will love them, even when they don't agree.

2. 'I was born this way. Christians say we choose to be this way. Look at what happens to us - do you think we would voluntarily choose this life?'

"For affliction cometh not forth from the dust, Neither doth trouble spring out of the ground; But man is born to trouble [sin] as the sparks fly upward." Job 5:6-7

Man was born into sin, and in that way no one, including LGBT's have a choice. The choice we do have and do make is whether to stay in sin or to leave it.

"But as for me, I would seek unto God, And unto God would I commit my cause." Job 5:8

God also says specifically about the homo/hetero-sexual, that they refuse God when they choose that life. 

"And even as they have God in their knowledge, God gave them up unto a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not fitting: being filled with all unrighteousness, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, malignity; whisperers, backbiters, hateful to God, insolent, haughty, boastful, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, without understanding, covenant breakers, without natural affections, unmerciful: who, knowing the ordinance of God, that they practice such things that are worthy of death, not only do the same, but also consent with them that practice them." Romans 1:28-32

My God is the God of love, and kindness, and peace, but also equally He is the God of righteous judgment and wrath. He loves his people but He cannot allow sin in His presence. He gives us an open door of choice, whether to live under His law giving our lives to him forever, and live under His promises in peace with Him forever; or to be left to our own devices and unconstrained by his law, but outside of His protection, and without peace, and without promise. We do have a choice. God's way or our way. And the folly, and/or difficulties, and/or rewards that follow after either choice are also the ones we choose. The reward is great and mighty if you choose God; are the rewards so great if you choose self? 

"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth on Him should not perish, but have everlasting life." John 3:16 (ASV)

"He that believeth on the Son hath eternal life; but he that obeyeth not the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abideth on Him." John 3:36 (ASV)

3. 'God made me this way, and because He did, what I am isn't wrong.'

"And God created man in His own image, in the image of God created He him; male and female He created He them." Genesis 1:27 (ASV)

This is perhaps the most distressing thing I heard... God created Man and Woman, separately and only. That is all. God specifically speaks against homo- and hetero-sexuality in the Bible. He calls it an abomination, and worthy of death. The Bible is God's very own Word, and if it says that something is wrong, then there's no way that God can in favor or support of it. 

"Thou shalt not lie with mankind as with womankind: It is an abomination." Leviticus 18:22 (ASV)

"for that they exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather that the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen. For this cause God gave them up unto vile passions: for their women changed the natural use into that which was against nature: and likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust toward one another, men with men working unseemliness, and receiving themselves that recompense of their error which was due... who, knowing the ordinance of God, that they practice such things that are worthy of death, not only do the same, but also consent with them that practice them." Romans 1:24-27, 32

These are by no means all the distressing statements made at or around the hearings, but these are the ones that stuck with me most. May God have mercy on us, His sinful people. I pray for our nation and our souls. I hope with everything in me that those who have chosen their path apart from God will learn His truth and run back to Him. For you of faith, Do not forget that Jesus loved the sinners, and did not force them to follow Him, even when they caused God grief and sorrow. Be like Christ and love these people who desperately need people like you in their lives. 

Social Diamonds

As humans in a modern world we are drawn to big and shiny things. The lights and glamour of fame and fortune captivate our minds. And when a shiny light goes out we make as big a deal as when they came in. We don't even have to have known those people for whom we grieve; their contribution to society could have been detrimental. Yet as long as they were shiny, we still act as if some personal injury has been done to us when they go. A diamond is the most precious gem: the most expensive, the shiniest, the most beautiful, and long-lasting. In life we are attracted to social gold and silver which is easily tarnished. "Diamonds in the rough" are all around us, and we ignore them. Children and families around the world, the most precious gems of all, are being tortured and killed in horrific circumstances, and we turn a blind eye. Why do we tolerate the inhumanity before us?

Quotes From The Week - "When the Spirit leads, the words flow like living water."

About Letting Down A Friend
"Letting someone down is part of friendship. It's sad because it shouldn't be, but we're human and we fail, so it is. The proof of real friendship is when you're willing to rise above the mistakes and the heartbreak, forgive, and grow stronger because you did." ~Lady Liz

About Being Afraid
"Call out to Him any time. He is always listening even if all you can say is 'oww' or 'I don't understand'. God hasn't given you a spirit of fear. Remember He is in complete control and loves you so so much. He is with you every step. He never slumbers or sleeps. Cling to Jesus with everything you have. When you are weak He is strong. It's not so much that people see you [being strong], it's that they see Jesus." ~Kerry

"We don't have to fight for His attention ever. He's right there with us all the time. And He loves to listen to us." ~Stephanie

"When you come to the end of yourself, you find the beginning of God." ~Unknown

"The thing is, if we're relying on God, focusing on his plan and purpose, and trying to align our hearts with his in everything we do, then we have nothing to be afraid of. Because even if things don't turn out the way we way we expected or wanted to in the beginning, we know that it's going to be better because His plans for us are of peace and prosper to us. We are beneficiaries of His perfect love, and "perfect love casts out fear." ~Lady Liz

"Let Go of the Reins"

God is the rider, the Holy Spirit is the reins, and we are the horse. Have you ever seen a horse try to turn around and ride itself? It doesn't work, obviously. The problem we are constantly running into as people is that we keep trying to turn around and ride ourselves, and take the reins from God in our lives, trying to jerk the leading of the Holy Spirit to bend to our own ways. We hold on to the reins and try going in our own direction, pulling pulling pulling, holding on, unwilling to yield in any small or large given area where we still want control. When all we're supposed to do is trust our rider, our master, let go of our grip on the reins, and trust that He will use the Holy  Spirit to direct us to the path that is best for us.

Shadowing Death

There was a girl that sat next to the hospital bed of the woman with cancer. She stared at the woman watching for a while, until the she finally asked the girl, "What are you thinking?" "Nothing really. It's just that suddenly I know all these people who have died or are dying. It seems like everyone around me is dying, and I don't know how to handle it." the girl answered. The woman thought quietly for a moment and then asked the girl another question. "What do you think the verse in Psalm 23 that says 'Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death I will fear no evil' means?" "Well I think it means that when you're dying you don't have to be afraid because you know what's coming." "That's what I thought for a long time too." said the woman. "But now that I'm dying I realize the truth is that I'm facing death; you're the one shadowing it. I think the verse is saying I can be unafraid because I know where I'm going and what's coming, and you can be unafraid even though you don't know what's coming. With all your friends and family that are leaving you, you are shadowing death, but you don't have to be afraid and can lean on the Lord who is holding a rod and a staff of comfort, and will always be with you."

Anniversary

Yesterday is the one-year anniversary of the day my parents got divorced. Tomorrow is the one-year anniversary of the day I learned that my parents were finally divorced. It feels like it was forever ago, and yet I remember everything with perfect clarity as if it had been yesterday. Divorce is a terrible and horrible thing for anyone and everyone to go through, and I've definitely had my down moments, but looking back I see so much blessing in the change that God has brought to my life through the divorce. What Satan meant for evil, God turned into extreme good for me.

In these years of big and seemingly constant change, something like a divorce can seem like a lot to handle. Maybe even more than you can handle. I don't have a great lesson to share, since I'm still going through it and learning myself, so I'll just leave you with a few words of encouragement.

Firstly, remember that how you react to hardship and difficulty could be the testimony that draws someone else to Christ. We are supposed to display Him to others in all situations to bring others to Him. If the only purpose for you going through your trial was to lead someone else that direction, then your time dealing with it would have been well-spent.

Secondly, Jeremiah 29:11, "For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans of peace and not to harm you, but to give you a hope and a future." God has a plan for you - a perfect one. And He always has what's best in mind for you because He loves you. If you're going through something that seems like more than you can bare, turn to Him and He'll help you carry the load. Jesus says in Matthew 11:28-30, "Come unto me, all ye who are weary and heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly of heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light." Wait for a little while longer. You may not see the reason or the purpose now, but blessing will follow where you patiently wait for the Lord to shine light in the darkness.

Hope on and hope strong, dear reader. Christ be with you.

Right Track

I got the nicest surprise tonight. My dad enacted habits that were long ago forgotten by my family. For the first time since we've been on our own (8 months), we had dinner that was actually together, at the actual table. I can't remember the last time we did that even before it was just us. And even better, when we sat down to eat my dad immediately bowed his head in prayer. I nearly cried for joy as he spoke to our God. And another step in our relationship and life together was taken last night. We actually started doing family devotions together. It was full and a time of learning for both of us. We'd planned for ages to do them, but Dad sort of faded out and forgot about them for a while. And I lived in fear of mentioning it to him because it might be taken wrong. But on Sunday, thanks to some friends encouraging me in my position, I dared to ask about it, and now we are back on track.

I am so thankful. I stand in wonder of the blessings that God is continually heaping on my life. Why would he love me so? How can I ever show my gratitude in full?

True Dependence

True dependence on God is not when you're ready to pray to Him faithfully  for what you want or need, but when you are willing to look to Him continually in every situation.