Compassion Without Compromise

Anyone who has gone to a modern institutionalized church has probably heard the expression, "Love the sinner, hate the sin." We use this expression to help other Christians to grasp the concept that Jesus so fervently taught us according to the gospels. We are to abstain from evil, but we are to love those who live that way. We are told to not be conformed to the world, yet we are taught to minister to those in the world. Most people will stay away from these "evil" places that are inhabited by "evil" people. Instead, we just invite them to church and hope for the best.

I write this today to challenge you. Jesus was called a drunk because he drank with sinners. He himself was called unholy for partaking in the breaking of bread with sinful people--the lowest of the low: tax collectors and even prostitutes. He was seen with demoniacs, and in turn was said to perform his miracles using demonic powers. 

There is something that all of these instances have in common. These accusations were obviously not true. Jesus was perfect. However, in every instance, someone judged Jesus based on the environment he chose to be in. They condemned him for where he chose to minister to people.

Isn't that exactly what many of us are afraid of? What would we do if someone from church saw our car parked outside of a bar? How would we feel if someone saw us going to the movies with a group of prostitutes or promiscuous-looking people? What if we hung out with a crowd of bikers with tattoo-cladded arms? What would our church friends think of us? What if we went with a friend to a Muslim mosque just as an observer, and to pray for all of those people inside? If caught, would other so-called Christians not judge us for being infidels and turning to a new religion?

Jesus never worried about what people thought about how he chose to evangelize, so why should we? Why should we feel ashamed to go to the bar with a couple of friends to get close to them for the purpose of developing relationships for the kingdom of heaven? 

For all who judge, know that in the Bible it says:

"You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else, for at whatever point you judge another, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things." (Romans 2:1)

We can't focus on what people think. We must follow our own convictions. If God is asking you to go witnessing at a bar, or at a mosque, go ahead. That does not mean you should become a drunken idiot, or participate in Islamic worship practices. There is a balance we must find.

We are to have compassion without compromise. Jesus displayed this perfectly in John 8: 6-7, when Jesus saves an adulterous woman from being stoned to death. The passage reads thusly:

       "They were saying this, testing Him, so that they might have grounds for accusing Him. But Jesus stooped down and with His finger wrote on the ground. But when they persisted in asking Him, He straightened up, and said to them, "He who is without sin among you, let him be the first to throw a stone at her."

Jesus defended the woman, not her sin. He did not in condone her adulterous ways. He simply showed compassion. The Bible teaches that because of his compassion, she went throughout the whole city proclaiming Christ as the Messiah. That woman was forever changed by Jesus' compassion, and through his compassion she believed, and her faith was counted to her as righteousness just like the rest of us.

When Jesus sat at Matthew's table, he did not respect the Jewish social boundaries. When Jesus spoke to the Samaritan woman at the well, even his disciples were surprised. He was also looked down upon for entering Zacchaeus’ house, and for touching a leper. Jesus didn't wait until his paths crossed with a sinner's. He went where he knew the need was great! Luke 19:10 tells us that Jesus came to save sinners--not the righteous. When a soul's eternal destiny is on the line, culture, tradition, and a few frowns from onlookers does not matter. 

Where is the need greatest in your community, and when was the last time you purposely put yourself in the sort of position Jesus often placed himself in? Do not fear the judgment of man. Let God work through you without limitations.

Can't You Hurry Up God?

Have you ever prayed in desperation? Have you ever cried out to God for help and it seems as if no one is listening? You have faith that God will give you what you desire at first, but that faith begins to dwindle and erode away as time goes on. Sometimes years will pass without receiving what you've asked for. Perhaps you are trying for another child, looking for a new job, or searching for a bigger, better home. Maybe you are hoping for Mr.or Mrs. Right to come along or to be free from a grievance. Whatever it is you seek, God has an answer for you.

Most people think that their prayers aren't answered if they don't get their way as soon as possible. That is not true! God has three answers for prayer-- yes, no, and wait.

Over here in Spring Hill, Fl, there is a church named, "Berean Assembly," located on Barclay Ave. They have a sign out front on their property that they frequently update with new quotes, verses, or biblical phrases. I particularly enjoy cruising down Barclay to view whatever new information the sign has for me to read, and whenever a new phrase is up, I get even more excited. It really gives me something to chew on. Recently the sign said something that touched me. It read, "Patience is trusting in God's timing." I don't know who the sign-guy is, but he certainly is doing a fine job!

Just like we are told to trust in God with all our hearts and to not lean on our own understanding, so should we trust his timing. Pray that God will help give you the patience you need to wait it out. This will be accomplished with steadfast, non-ceasing prayer. In the meantime, here are some verses of encouragement, and I hope they will strengthen you as they have strengthened me.

Jeremiah 29:11 "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

Isaiah 40:31 "But those who wait on the LORD Shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint."

Proverbs 16:25 "There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death."

Habakkuk 2:3 "For the revelation awaits an appointed time; it speaks of the end and will not prove false. Though it linger, wait for it; it will certainly come and will not delay."

Romans 8:28 "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose."

Psalm 37:4 "Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart."

Psalm 37:5 "Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass."

Psalm 37:7 "Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him; fret not yourself over the one who prospers in his way, over the man who carries out evil devices!"

Matthew 7:7-11 "Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened. Or which one of you, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a serpent? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!"

Remember above all else that God loves you and you are his child. Trusting in God is the key to success and happiness in your life. Whatever issue you are facing, first go to the Lord in prayer. You may find that what you have been longing for is not what God wants you to be focusing on after all. If you truly are serving God with all your heart, your desires will match his desires for your life. It is important that we trust in God's word and rely on his promises. We must ask him to create in us a new heart and along with it new desires. We must also differentiate between Godly desires and our feelings. God would never plant in you a desire to date or marry a nonbeliever. (2 Corinthians 6:14- "...do not be yoked together with unbelievers.) However, he does desire for you to live according to what the Bible says and to follow his will.

Psalm 3:6 says, "In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths."

Let's hold God to that promise!

An Eye For an Eye Makes the Whole World Blind

All of us have felt it before--bitterness, or rage. It is inevitable. At one point or another in your life, someone will hurt you. That's the downside to forming relationships. Every person you have a relationship with will hurt you at least once. The worst part is that how much love or trust you invest in someone determines how much pain you feel were they to ever hurt you; the greater the love, the greater the pain.

Some of us have developed complexes due to people who have hurt us in the past. Sometimes, people hurt us so badly that it impacts us for the rest of our lives. We carry it along with all of the other past hurts that weigh us down. They have NO idea how much destruction they have reaped, or how much discord they have sewn in our lives. Sometimes we catch ourselves going back to the moments we were wronged, and the bitterness stirs up in us all over again. We can't seem to let it go. We eventually develop an unhealthy obsession, and letting go becomes difficult because we feel it defines who we are. Sometimes the answer seems clear. Revenge becomes the only option, Surely then our vengeance would be satiated.

In 1914 in the Canadian House of Parliament a member named Mr. Graham was arguing against the death penalty. He quoted the famous verse in Exodus 21:24 that states, "...an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth." He then stated, "We can argue all we like, but if capital punishment is being inflicted on some man, we are inclined to say: ‘It serves him right.’ That is not the spirit, I believe, in which legislation is enacted. If in this present age we were to go back to the old time of ‘an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth,’ there would be very few honorable gentlemen in this House who would not, metaphorically speaking, be blind and toothless."

Of course this command portrayed also in Leviticus 24:20 and Deuteronomy 19:21 was figurative. It was never meant to be taken literally. God meant that secular justice should be equitable--not excessively harsh nor excessively lenient.

However, in spiritual matters, God reserves the right to vengeance for himself alone. The reason why, is because unlike us, God never takes revenge using impure motives. It is very tempting to try to "play God" and seek to punish people we feel deserve it, but as sinful creatures it is impossible for us to avenge ourselves with pure motives. For this reason we were commanded in Leviticus 19:18 to not seek revenge or bear a grudge against anyone, but to love our neighbor as ourselves.

If you have been hurt in the past, and I am sure you have, then I urge you to let it go. Even David continued to play the harp for King Saul's enjoyment though he kept trying to impale him with a spear. Saul even viciously pursued David so that David had to flee and hide in caves to survive. Even though David was the innocent party in this matter, David refused to take his own revenge saying to Saul, “May the LORD judge between you and me. And may the LORD avenge the wrongs you have done to me, but my hand will not touch you (1 Samuel 24:12).

David made the right choice, and God did indeed avenge David. God will never stand idly by as one of his children are hurt. He sees you cry yourself to sleep at night. He knows your pain and feels it as if it is his own. Satan can't directly hurt God, but he can hurt God indirectly by hurting the people he loves. God loves you. I encourage you to take time tonight and ask God to search your heart for any bitterness that lingers or grudges that you still hold onto, so that you can present it to him and let it go. Forgiveness isn't for the other person. It's for you.

Hiding Behind Religion

I have had enemies in the past who have persecuted me for my beliefs. I will never forget when one particular woman told me, "You just hide yourself behind God." After a few moments of thinking, I couldn't help but think wonder to myself, "Isn't that what God is for? He covers my sin with a robe of righteousness. If hiding behind God is something awful, then I am guilty, but that is not the case. God always wants to cover us in his love, his mercy, and protect us under his wings. Some people choose to not hide behind God, but rather a religion.

Most people equate God and religion as being the same. However, if you are a born-again Christian, you should know that we do not have a religion, but rather a relationship with God.

Religion causes more burdens; we become slaves to religious laws. However, God intended for us to be FREE from the burden of religion--the burden of the law. Jesus said in Matthew 11:30, "For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."

Talking about religious leaders, Jesus even went as far to say in Matthew 23:4, "They crush people with unbearable religious demands and never lift a finger to ease the burden."

Though his burden is light, just going to church every Sunday does not make you a Christ-follower. Praying alone does not make you a Christ-follower, nor does just reading the Bible. If you do all of those things, and do not love, all you have is a religion. Love is the product of a relationship with Christ. 

Though we, too, have rules to follow as Christians, the yoke is easy, and the burden is light, because these commandments that God has given us are to be motivated by love. Once you have the love of Christ in you, you are more than willing to serve. It is no longer a chore!

If you are finding that serving others seems like a chore or that it seems burdensome, then recognize you are burdening yourself with religion. Loving others should be easy when you have a relationship with Christ. Going to church becomes exciting--you'll never want to miss it. You will begin to feel cranky when you don't get enough prayer time in. You will begin to feel empty and hungry if you don't read your Bible in the morning. You will feel guilty when you aren't doing something to serve others. If you spend too much time without sharing the gospel, you feel as if you might just explode! Enjoying things alone begins to seem meaningless...

Are you religious, or are you spiritual? What are you doing to strengthen your relationship with Christ? Don't allow yourself to hide behind religion any longer. Jesus desires an intimate relationship with you. Will you do your part?

Jesus Loves the Little Children

Did you know, that God has a special place in his heart for Children? He admires their innocence, their unwavering faith, and their appreciation for his creation. I'm sure you have seen a child excitedly chasing a butterfly, or exclaiming at the top of their lungs the beauty of the twinkling stars in the night sky.

Children are like a clean slate. You can raise them anyway you want, and how you raise them will be reflected in who they become as adults. The Bible says, "Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it." (Proverbs 22:6) If a person is taught from their childhood about Christ, they will grow up and continue to believe. 

Children are so important to the kingdom of God, yet many times people look at children in annoyance, or they look at them as naive. Children are so easily dismissed by adults--even when the child is emotionally distraught over something important to them that seems minuscule to us.

A great passage in the Bible to show Jesus' attitude towards people who see children as having less significance than themselves, or towards people who do not having patience for children, can be seen in Mark 10:13-16:

“People were bringing little children to Jesus for him to place his hands on them, but the disciples rebuked them. When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, ‘Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.’ And he took the children in his arms, placed his hands on them and blessed them.” 

 Those who place obstacles in the path of a child coming to Christ make the Lord indignant--meaning he felt and showed anger due to something he felt was unjust.

If God has placed it on your heart to work in Children's ministry, or if you are having trouble deciding between another ministry and Children's ministry, choose Children's ministry. If you know that your duty as a Christian is to carry out, "The Great Commission," you ought to look for the most fertile hearts to harvest the seed of the gospel. Children are more receptive to the word, and you can seal them in Christ at a young age, and in doing so, gain more glory for the kingdom of God, and be honored in heaven for helping to raise up a new generation of believers.

"Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few;" (Matthew 9:37)

Isaiah shows us how to answer God's call in Isaiah 6:8-- "Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me." 

Will you be as Jonah, running from your calling, or will you be as Isaiah and answer the Lord's call?

If you do not have a calling for ministry, and have some children of your own, I encourage you to analyze the way you treat your children. Do you treat them with patience and love? Are you humble enough to get on your hands and knees and play imagination with them, or will you always be the parent that was, "too busy." Treat them the way Jesus did--with compassion, not indifference; with patience, not arrogance; make them feel important, not inconvenient, and most importantly, make them feel like a blessing, not a burden.

"Children are a gift from the Lord; they are a reward from him." Psalm 127:3

The Search for Fulfillment

If you walk down any grocery check-out aisle, you're likely to see Magazines with influential figures such as Oprah Winfrey, promoting the maintenance of healthy inner-being. They provide yoga exercises, meditation exercises, relationship tips, and will even display a list of foods rich in endorphins.

For example, at livinggreenmag.com, an article was published called, "A Daily Dose of Endorphins: Six Happy Foods to Boost Your Surly Mood," that stated the following:

"It's true–You can’t buy happiness. But you can definitely walk down to the supermarket and buy some super food that can raise your spirits and give you an instant dose of happiness! Here is a list of foods that not only taste good, but are also healthy and give a natural boost to your happy hormones!"

Though there is nothing wrong with indulging in some yummy foods that God gave us for our own pleasure, women today are simply looking in the wrong direction for fulfillment. We have become so desperate and hungry for fulfillment that we have even looked to foods to make us feel better. No amount of dark chocolate or Greek yogurt will cure depression, bitterness, anguish, or heal past hurts. 

People even seek to climb tall mountains as a means of fulfillment, but once they reach the top, they are left disappointed and empty. They have nothing more to accomplish. They keep searching for the next big thing, and though those may provide momentary bits of happiness, nothing can compare to the everlasting joy that comes from having a life with Christ in it.

The secret to a fulfilling life, is to have something to accomplish. The great thing about living a life with Christ, is that the journey does not even end at death for us! We can walk everyday towards a goal, counting our blessings along the way, and enjoying all of the small, ordinary things that God gives us just for our pleasure, with hope of spending an eternity in bliss!

We can't change the ordinary things, but we can change the way we view them if we look through the eyes of Christ. When bad things happen to us, we know they are for our good in one way or another because God promises us in Romans 8:28, "And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose."

God promises us fulfillment, and prosperity. Pray that God will help you find fulfillment in him. Take advantage of that promise! God appreciates when we hold him accountable to his Word just as he will someday do for us.

(Jeremiah 29:11) "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

Faith Like a Child

"And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven." (Matthew 18:3)

What did Jesus mean when he said, "...become as little children?"

God desires for us, his children, to have child-like faith. Can you go back to a time in your life where you jumped into the arms of your father? You yelled, "Catch me Daddy," and took a leap of faith. There was no doubt in your mind that he would catch you. You believed in his strength, and his ability to protect you from harm. When you got older, you stopped leaping into his arms. Why? As you got older, you began to use logic and reasoning to make decisions. You begin to calculate your father's strength versus how much you weigh. You began to doubt his ability to catch you. The circumstances seem too big for him now, and as you grew bigger, your father seemingly grew smaller.

As human beings growing up in an era where logic and reasoning are our main ways of thinking, it's normal for us to rely on our own knowledge and understanding as a means for survival. You believe in gravity, so why would you try to walk off a cliff, or jump off a roof? You believe that you need oxygen to survive, so why would you dive deeper than you could handle without an oxygen tank? You know you are limited in strength, so why would you try to move a mountain?

Because we are limited with our human characteristics, we subconsciously place human characteristics on our God. God expects us to, "Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding." (Proverbs 3:5)

We are to abandon our own understanding--rid ourselves of logical reasoning, and open up our hearts and minds to new possibilities. There is a God of miracles out there, and he wants you to place your full trust in him. He wants you to take a leap of faith, and to trust him even when the circumstances seem too big. Our God is bigger than any circumstances. His laws and his ways can nullify the laws of this world. 

Jesus defied the laws of physics when he walked on water, he defied the law of gravity when he ascended up into heaven,  he defied death when he rose from the grave, and he defied nature when he was conceived in a virgin's womb.

Our God is not limited the way we are, and he wants us to put our full trust in him, and have blind faith--faith like a child even though we cannot see.

When you approach a chair to sit down, do you first analyze the chair's structure and strength? Do you flip the chair over and make sure all screws are in place? Do you test the chair by placing other heavy objects on it? No! You sit down in blind faith and believe it will hold you up. We should act the same towards God.

Whenever you feel limited, remember that God is your full potential.

The Importance of Intimacy

If you are a married woman of God, chances are you have been told about the importance of intimacy, but every once in a while we need a little reminder of God's intended purpose for intimacy. There are several ways to be intimate with your husband, but today we are going to focus one one kind-- sexual intimacy.

The term "sexless-marriage" is used to describe a marriage that has dwindled it's sex count to 10 times or less per year. Studies show that 15-20% of American marriages--including Christian marriages-- fit this category. That is roughly 1/5th of all marriages, meaning 1 out of five couples are sexually deprived! 

Sex provides an intimate connection. This connection is the glue God gave us to hold our marriages together. We are designed to crave sex, and when we don't get enough of it, the results can be devastating. Spouses that lack intimacy try to fill that void by keeping themselves busy with work, ministry, hobbies, sports, etc, and when they do not find fulfillment, divorce becomes an option.

Other than divorce, another threat in Christian marriages is very real --infidelity.

I am not trying to scare you into having sex with your husbands so that they won't cheat on you. I am simply saying that if you want to know what your true purpose in life is, the Bible summarizes it perfectly:

1:Corinthians 11:7-9 "Woman is the glory of man. For man is not from woman, but woman from man. Nor was man created for the woman, but woman for the man."

You were created FOR your husband. That's God's purpose for our lives as wives whether society likes it or not.

You do not own your body--your husband does. Your husband also does not own his body. You do.

1 Corinthians 7:4 says, "For the wife does not have authority over her own body, but the husband does. Likewise the husband does not have authority over his own body, but the wife does."

If your husband asks for sex, never deny him, just as you shouldn't deny God your time or intimacy with him. If you can't seem to find the time, MAKE the time.

The devil WANTS to destroy your marriage.

1 Peter 5:8 says, "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour."

Satan hates marriages, because marriage is the image of God's unbreakable love for us. If Satan can destroy a marriage, he destroys the mystery of a loving God who has a binding relationship and covenant with us. Since the beginning of time Satan has tried to twist the beauty of the covenant between husband and wife to mar God's image. Don't give the Devil the option! Fight for your marriages through praying together, reading the Bible with one another, and through reliable and continuous intimacy.

I challenge you to begin reading the Songs of Solomon with your spouse. If they can't read it with you, read it alone. Rekindle your Godly passions, and desire your husband always, as you ought to desire your Lord.

Cleanliness is Next to Godliness

If you are a stay-at-home mom such as myself, you may sometimes feel overwhelmed. You feel like your sole-purpose in life is only to cook, clean, and take care of children. You may often feel unappreciated by your family, or intimidated by women who do work outside of the home. Even worse, you may be condescending towards them. I am here to tell you that your position at home DOES have a purpose and it is very glorifying to God. 

You may have heard the expression, "Cleanliness is next to Godliness." Contrary to popular belief, that quote cannot be found in the scriptures. This phrase was actually first recorded in a sermon by John Wesley in 1778. However, the idea in itself is ancient and can be found in Babylonian and Hebrew religious tracts, such as the ceremonial washing of the hands before writing God's name in scriptures or before you you break bread with your family.

Cleaning can be a drag, but God desires you to have a clean home. Your virtue is reflected in the cleanliness of your home and your partner's clothing. It has been said, "A man with dirty laundry is a man whose wife doesn't love him." However, with children running around, and the carelessness of our husbands, (did he forget where the hamper was?) our efforts to stay clean seem futile. The kids track dirt through the house, fling spaghetti up on the ceiling, or ruin our wooden table top by blowing bubbles into their chocolate milk through a crazy straw. It can be very frustrating and seemingly impossible to keep up with.

God expects you to be patient, and to have a loving, compassionate attitude towards our youngsters and partners who have had a stressful day at work, or just want to take the weekend to relax. You may wonder, "when do I get to relax?" Well, I hate to break it to you, but God designed us to be able to withstand pressure such as this. Though we are the weaker vessels, inside, we are empowered with wisdom, providing counsel for our husbands with our loving nature, compassion, and words of kindness that are expected. These are the standards God holds us to, and we must obey. I will outline a small list to keep you motivated to stay clean in order to honor your husbands and your God.

1.) Invite more people into your home. Have you ever been caught off-guard by an unexpected guest, and you worry because you know your house is a complete disaster? Don't you feel ashamed, or feel that you look incompetent? It can be quite embarrassing! The cleanliness of your home has an impact on how outsiders see you as a wife and mother. You can be the best mom or spouse in the world, but if people see your house in ruins, they may question your abilities, and they may actually feel sorry for your husband. Instead, as in Proverbs 31, let your clean house bring respect and honor to your husband, so that he can be the man of influence God needs him to be. Plus, hospitality definitely earns you some treasures in heaven! 

2.) Work for God, not man. Colossians 3:23 says, "Whatever you do, work at it wholeheartedly as though you were doing it for the Lord and not merely for people." To work wholeheartedly means to work enthusiastically. Remember the next time that you are ripping hair up out of the shower drain, or folding laundry, that you are doing it for God. Reading Matthew 25:35-40, we can see that Jesus says, "'For I was hungry, and you gave Me something to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave Me something to drink; I was a stranger, and you invited Me in; naked, and you clothed Me; I was sick, and you visited Me; I was in prison, and you came to Me.' Then the righteous will answer Him, 'Lord, when did we see You hungry, and feed You, or thirsty, and give You something to drink? 'And when did we see You a stranger, and invite You in, or naked, and clothe You? When did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?' The King will answer and say to them, 'Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it to one of these brothers of Mine, even the least of them, you did it to Me.'" So you see? In all things you do, you will be rewarded as if you are doing it for God himself.

3.) Praise God in your heart while you clean. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 says, "Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." When you are on your hands and knees soaking puke or urine off the floor, pray. You are already on your knees, so pray for all the little feet that walk on it. Thank God that you have a family to make a mess in your home. You are not alone--isn't that a gift worthy of praise?

4) Work first, play later. In Ecclesiastes chapter 3, we are told there is a time for everything.

"To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted; A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance.."

Pray that God will help you to set your priorities straight.

5) Reward yourself. Ecclesiastes 3:13 further says, "And also that every man should eat and drink, and enjoy the good of all his labour, it is the gift of God." When you are done cleaning, admire your work. It's okay to praise yourself, too. Break out the wine and enjoy a glass with your partner. After a long day, you both will enjoy it.

I encourage you to look over this list, and embed it in your mind. Never lose sight of your greatest God-given purpose--to love.

Whenever you are feeling overwhelmed with the routines of life, or during any trial whether significant or minute, listen to this song:

Who Am I?

"But Moses said to God, "Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?"

Exodus 3:11

The bush was on fire, but was not burning up. Curious, Moses stepped closer to investigate. All of a sudden, a voice like thunder projected from the bush, calling out to Moses by name. God had a plan for him. He was commissioning Moses to deliver his people, Hebrew slaves,  from Pharaoh's mighty grasp in Egypt. Astonished, and battling confusion all at once, Moses said, "Lord, who am I?" After all, Moses had just fled Egypt for fear of his life. He felt that what God was asking him to do was just too much. The circumstances were stacked up against him. On top of being at enmity with the Pharaoh, Moses suffered from a speech impediment! God encouraged Moses by reminding him of his mighty power. God made the mouth to speak, eyes to hear, and legs to walk. God promised him a companion that would help, and he also promised to give him the words to speak. All Moses had to do was rely on God. Through Moses' obedience to God, the entire nation of Israel was set free.

Has God been tugging on your heart lately to do something that you just don't feel strong enough to do? Perhaps God wants you to share the gospel with a coworker, friend or family member. Perhaps God wants you to begin to give more tithes and offerings to your local church body. Maybe he is asking something even bigger than you can wrap your mind around. 

You don't have to worry. God will be with you as long as you are obedient, faithful, and place your full trust in him. Don't be afraid to take that leap of faith. We have a God that is WAY bigger than any circumstances.

He made the lame to walk, the blind to see, the mute to speak. He freed an entire nation from bondage using a man who was slow of speech. He changed Saul's heart--a powerful persecutor of early Christians, and renamed Paul, he brought the gospel to the gentiles--that includes you and me. He made it rain when it never had before, and flooded the entire Earth. Through his grace and power, he used a very old man to save all of humanity. He used Sarah, an old woman, well beyond child-bearing years, to give birth to a son that would be the beginning of the lineage of the Messiah. He used David, a boy small in stature to defeat a Giant with just one stone. He used Esther, both a jew and a woman, in the midst of Persian rule to free her people. He used Mary Magdalene, a former prostitute, to help begin establishing his church. He even used a donkey to speak his words. The least of all these--a bush.

If God can use a plant or an animal, he can most certainly use you. It is nothing that you can do, but rather what God can do through you. Will you let God use you today? Do not be afraid. He will take you by the hand and lead you through it all. Together, you will overcome even the strongest of circumstances.

"I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you." (Psalms 32:8)

Listen to this song for some humbling encouragement: 

The Savvy Business Woman of God

As much as we women of God would love to walk around in the Spirit, we face the harsh reality of this fast-paced man-eat-man world and inevitably engage in the never-ending game of the survival of the fittest. We hustle to make money, so that we can partake in the beautiful luxuries this world has to offer. We desire the newest cars, the newest phones, and we keep up with the latest fashion trends. After all, we don't want to ever become a has-been.

I am writing this to you to tell you that there is so much more to life than material things! We must learn to make money work for us, instead of working for money! A savvy business woman knows where to invest her possessions in order to make a profit. God is calling us to be business women for him. He lends us his personal possessions daily-- our house, our cars, our phones, our clothes, our money. Let me rephrase that: HIS house, HIS cars, HIS phones, HIS clothes, and HIS money.

Everything that we have is HIS, and he expects us to use our possessions and invest them; not just on this Earth, but in heaven!

How can we invest our earthly possessions in the kingdom of God? Surely we can not take those possessions to heaven with us when we die! However, you CAN invest your possessions by using them to help establish God's will. 

Does someone need a place to stay? Let them stay in your home.
Does someone need a ride to the grocery store, or perhaps to church? Give them a ride in your car.
Does someone need prayer or a word of encouragement? Give them a call on your phone.
Does someone need clothes? Lend the clothes off your back.
Does someone need money? Give them your money, and your time to help them.

Give, give give, without hope of return. All the treasures you have on this Earth, even your own husbands and children--your own family, all belong to God.

God is the one who gives you a stable job. God is the one who allows your family to wake up every morning. God is the one who provides for you, but he expects you to take his money and invest it.

Consider the parable of the Talents, found in Matthew 25:14-30, told by Jesus Christ himself:

A business man had to go on a trip, so he entrusted the money of his estate to his three servants. To one man, he gave one talent, to another, two, and to the other five, according to their abilities. When he left, two of the men tried to put their money to work, but the man who had the one talent was afraid to lose the money, so he buried it.When the master returned from his trip, he called them together for a financial report. The man with two talents, and the man with five talents both doubled their master's money that they had invested. The master was very pleased with these two servants. He explained that since they were faithful with little, that he would put them in charge over much. However, for the servant that had buried the money, he called wicked. The master took away what little he had, and gave it to the one who had doubled their investment to 10 talents.

God expects us to do the same. If we use our money according to his will, and invest our treasures in heaven, he will bless us with abundance here on Earth as well. If you are tired of living paycheck to paycheck, tithe your money to God, even when you think you don't have enough, and give to those in need. In doing so, God will trust you with much more. One day, God is going to call each and every one of us to take a financial report, and he will hold us accountable for the way we chose to spend our money during our small time here on Earth. Invest in heaven, and spend wisely. Be the savvy business woman God desires for you to be.

(Matthew 6:19-21) - “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."

Lengthening Your Fuse

If you're like me, or like most women, with raging hormones and what-not, you may feel that you have a short fuse--a lack of patience. You feel you have been too patient with people in the past, and you refuse to be trampled all over again. You're tired of the same old routine. The kids wont stop drawing on the walls, or peeing in the bed overnight. Your husband won't stop tucking his socks under the couch, and you'll be darned if you have to sit on the toilet again mid-pee trying to put a new roll on, because YOU are clearly the only one is is capable. (Sarcasm, ladies.)

You ask nicely, then you ask nicely again. Then you get a little irritated, and then one day, BOOM! You explode. You spew forth words you'll later regret, and commit actions that later will leave you sitting there with your head in your hands wondering how you allowed yourself to go off the deep-end again. You don't want to me the mommy-monster, or the nagging wife. You don't want to be the bad guy. So how do you prevent another Momuclear explosion?

When you decided to become a woman of God, you received the very life of Jesus Christ, and in doing so, you possess a part of his divine nature. You begin to share and produce his characteristics. One of the many amazing characteristics of God, is that he is long-suffering. To develop this characteristic, one must first understand what the word, "long-suffering," means.

The word Long-suffering is actually made up of two Greek terms that when textually translated into English means, "long," and "temper." To be long-suffering then, means to have self-restraint when you are stirred to anger. Long-suffering is associated with mercy (1 Peter 3:20) and hope
(1 Thessalonians 1:4). A long-sufferer will never surrender to circumstances or succumb to trial.
God expects us to be long-suffering as he is long-suffering, and he promises to reward us for our patience and self-sacrifice.

Consider the story of Ruth. She was not an Israelite, but a Moabitess. Though she did not know the God of Israel just yet, she chose to follow her mother-in-law Naomi after both of their husbands had died. Living in a strange new land as a widow, Ruth chose to believe in God's promise that says, "I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will guide you with My eye." (Psalm 32:8) Through patience, and long-suffering, and many days gleaming in the field with the heat beating against her back, she won over Boaz, her future husband-to-be.  In doing so, she fulfilled God's will for her life; she had found her purpose. Her mother in law called her blessed, and her lineage can be traced down all the way to the Messiah-- Jesus Christ of Nazareth.

Long-suffering can earn you God's favor. It is such a powerful tool in your walk with Christ, that through his authority and through long-suffering, you can win over even the hardest of hearts. Is there's someone's heart that you need to be softened towards you? Patience is not given, but earned through continual practice. Pray today that God gives you the endurance you need, and the encouragement you need to continue to put your long-suffering into practice. He promises to you and me that it will be worth it all, and I believe it. Will you?

Hollywood Love

"Hollywood."
When I say this word, much comes to mind-- Celebrities, the Hollywood sign, movies of love and romance...

Hollywood has completely redefined the way that the world sees, well, pretty much everything! Though Hollywood has been continuously attacked and blamed for the nation's deteriorating self image through its use of unrealistic physical expectations of men and women, greater corruption lies in their portrayal of love.

Women today, believe that men ought to worship them. We must be wooed and pampered. When our partners aren't thoughtful, we become bitter and we feel unloved. We expect surprises, long walks on the beach, and picnics in the park. Spontaneity equates with romance to us, for that is what we have been taught--thanks Hollywood!

As a result, much of the world today believes that love is just a feeling. This feeling overwhelms the person, and they "fall in love." You're probably thinking, "Well, what's wrong with that?

Love based solely on feelings is flawed. The Bible says in Jeremiah 17:9, "The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?"

Proof of this lies in your past experiences. How many times have you fallen in love before marrying your spouse? I know I have had a first, second, and third love before uniting with my husband.

This "puppy love," actually gives us a sort of high, and we form a connection--or rather an addiction. After the honeymoon phase is over, we suffer from withdrawal. Things just aren't the same. Two or three kids later, you can't help but ask yourself, "Does he still love me?"

You blame your partner for the lack of romance. Where has the passion gone and how can we get it back? You just don't feel happy anymore.

I am writing this to tell you that though God does care about your happiness, he is more concerned with your Holiness. So how can we create, "Holy passions?"

By choice. You simply have to CHOOSE to love--unconditionally. In a Christian relationship, you should spend more time worrying about your partner's needs than your own. I am not saying to entirely neglect yourself, but use your judgment to discern what are truly needs, and what are just wants. We are called to love the unloveable, as Christ loved us and died for us when we did not deserve it either. 

Passions of the heart fade whether you have a relationship with God or not, but Holy passions will never fade, because the Holy Spirit will continue to flood you with passion as long as you permit him to. Will you allow God to revive your relationship? Seek God today. Pray, and ask him to revive your holy passions so that you can love your husband as Christ loves the church. Pray that God gives you wisdom so that you will be able to identify and fulfill your partner's needs today. I challenge you to make today all about them.

Power Through Submission

You have probably heard the expression, "Behind every great man, there is a great woman." Though the origins of this phrase are unknown, it first gained its popularity during the Feminism Movement in the 1960's.

We exist in a world today where a war of power continually wages between men and women. We demand equal gender pay, the right to show off our bodies, and we declare independence. We are taught to use our sexuality as a means for expression. To me, this does not sound like freedom, but rather carnal captivity; bound by the chains of sexual immorality, vanity, and pride.

This fight for equality has taken a turn for the worst. Women no longer want to be equal with men. They want to control and manipulate them as tools for their own personal gain and pleasure. They want to be the head, but what does the Bible say?

Ephesians 5:23-24 says, "For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body. Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing."

The husband is to be the "head," of the wife, but what does this mean? Should a woman live in the shadow of her husband, quiet, without a voice to be heard? God forbid. To better understand our roles as wives, we need to understand submission.

Submission in the Biblical context is synonymous with the word amenable, which means, "willing to do something, or agree with someone."

Submission is not forced. It is a choice--a responsibility, rather, not his right. Deciding WHEN and HOW to submit is a woman's calling in a Christian marriage. When we have a healthy Christian marriage, the focus should never be on our rights, but rather personal accountability and responsibility. The husband's responsibility is to be affectionate, and to love sacrificially as Christ loved the Church-- not to make his wife submit.

Why does God want us to be submissive? 

1 Peter 3:1 says, "Wives, in the same way submit yourselves to your own husbands so that, if any of them do not believe the word, they may be won over without words by the behavior of their wives, when they see the purity and reverence of your lives."

You see, God trusts us as women to be counselors, and spiritual guides for our husbands. We are held accountable to strengthen our husband's faith through our reverence for God's Word!

Verses 3-6 then say, "Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes. Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight. For this is the way the holy women of the past who put their hope in God used to adorn themselves. They submitted themselves to their own husbands, like Sarah, who obeyed Abraham and called him her lord. You are her daughters if you do what is right and do not give way to fear."

We are to use discernment of when to submit to our husband's will, and when not to. As long as our husband's will coincides with the Lord's, we are to be agreeable; we are to be submissive to God's will being established through our husbands. This is glorifying to God.

Our submissiveness does not just gain us favor with the Lord, but it also helps our husbands to gain favor and influence with other people.

Proverbs 31:23-25 says, "Her husband is respected at the city gate, where he takes his seat among the elders of the land. She makes linen garments and sells them,and supplies the merchants with sashes.

She is clothed with strength and dignity: she can laugh at the days to come."

The Proverbs 31 woman's husband was revered because of the actions of his wife. Her actions of submissiveness was an outward glance of what the inside of their home was like. She empowered and enabled him to be the man God needed him to be. Will you do the same for your husband? Will you be submissive for your God?

Ask yourself this question:  “What can I start doing that will help my husband be the man of influence God is calling him to be?” 

Wives, pray for your husbands, and pray for discernment so that you may know when his will equates with God's will. For the woman whose husband is not up to par with God just yet, let your actions reflect Christ in you. In return you will gain him for the Lord and for the Kingdom; your heart's greatest desire.