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?
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
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."
"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.
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.
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:
"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:
