Jehovah Tsidkenu: God is our Righteousness

Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will raise unto David a righteous Branch, and a King shall reign and prosper, and shall execute judgment and justice in the earth. In his days Judah shall be saved, and Israel shall dwell safely: and this is his name whereby he shall be called, THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS. (Jeremiah 23:5-6)

I found a great reference for this study.            

The Names of God - Jehovah-Tsidkenu  http://www.brandonweb.com/sermons/sermonpages/jeremiah8.htm

I had written in my journal a few years back about this very name, Jehovah Tsidkenu. I love looking back at old journal entries and seeing how God continues to work in my life and those around me. Here is a little of what I wrote:

Christ is the righteous branch from David's line and because we are in Christ we are part of that righteous branch. Jesus was adopted by Joseph and we have been adopted into the kingdom of God. 1John 2:1 He calls us his children. Christ came for those who needed Him. Not for those who didn't need Him. 

This is one of my favorite pictures of our relationship with Christ. We have used this to explain adoption to our sweet Abi on many occasions. We love her in an imperfect way, but to the best of our ability. We try to explain to her how much greater and deeper God's love is for us that He would sacrifice and send His son that we might have a full relationship with Him. Our adoption of Abi isn't a perfect picture of our adoption and inheritance of the kingdom, but it is a wonderful earthly illustration. Just as Abi inherits our name and all that that means we have the amazing privilege of sharing in a glorious inheritance because of what Christ did on the cross for us. 

We all need Christ and His righteousness to be placed upon us. All our efforts are in vein if they don't first seek to glorify Him and rest in His perfect will. 

There are some days when I really don't know how that looks and when I hit a rut I just read God's word and keep pressing forward. As we are being shaped and molded by God's perfect hand our experiences will be used to encourage others and prayerfully to draw them closer to the one who can fill them in every way. 

I had a sweet friend from my childhood except Christ as her savior this past week. It brought tears to my eyes because I know all that she and I went through as children and I know how much I want all my friends to know the peace and joy that only Christ can bring. I'm amazed at God's righteousness and how because of His son He is willing to place that on us even as filthy sinners. I pray for my friends and family and ask God to reveal Himself to them in a mighty way. 

Jehovah Rapha (God, My Healer)

False Gospel

There is nothing Biblical about the "name it claim it gospel". If you just believe enough or try harder or give more then God will honor that and provide for you. If he hasn't then you must be doing something wrong!! This is unfortunately believed by thousands of people and is a totally false and an extremely exhausting gospel. 

What We Should Really Know About Jehovah Rapha

Exodus 15:25 "Then Moses cried out to the LORD, and the LORD showed him a piece of wood. He threw it into the water, and the water became sweet. There the LORD made a decree and a law for them, and there he tested them."

As I read this passage I realized that my 'piece of wood' is God's word. There is true healing in His word. People want to be freed from their physical and mental ailments, but God wants something much deeper for them. When He does chose to heal us it is for His glory and for our benefit. If He doesn't chose to heal us it is for His glory and our benefit. Jehovah Rapha has a perfect plan and will use every aspect of our lives to bring about a deeper love for Him and a greater glory for Him. I used to ask for the different 'thorns' in my life to be removed and God's word reminded me that He is sufficient in all things and has a reason for allowing each issue in our lives, even the ones He allows us to bring upon ourselves.

"My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong."   (2 Cor. 12:9, 10) 

James 5:13-16

¹³ Is anyone among you in trouble? Let them pray. Is anyone happy? Let them sing songs of praise. ¹⁴ Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord. ¹⁵ And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up. If they have sinned, they will be forgiven. ¹⁶ Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective. 

I'm so thankful that the Lord gives us power in prayer. This verse is often misused or misquoted. I will pray this way, but try to remember to ask for God's perfect will to be done. We make our requests known and trust Him with the outcome. His plans are not our plans and His ways are not our ways. "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the LORD. " Isaiah 55:8

Jehovah Rapha, God my healer, but not always the way so many people try to teach that He is. He is the ultimate healer because of the shed blood of Jesus Christ. I long for the day that we have total healing and are part of the new creation.

One of my closest friend lost her father this week. My heart is broken for their family, but I also know he loved the Lord and is rejoicing in Heaven with his new body. Our deepest desires were to see him healed and we cried out for him in his final hours, but God's plans are not ours. We trust His sovereignty and perfect will for the Platt family and are so thankful for 'Papa Platt', 'Pa Platt' or 'GPops' testimony. "Well done, thy good and faithful servant!" We will miss you!

Tearing Down Walls

Jehovah Jireh

I'm on yet another journey in my walk with God. The more I trust Him the more I see areas where I have built walls. I'm praying that God will continue to help me tear down those walls and let Him reign completely in my life. There is TRUE freedom in Christ!

 

 

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.
(2 Corinthians 1:3-4 ESV) 

Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress. He sent out his word and healed them, and delivered them from their destruction.
(Psalm 107:19-20 ESV)

 “Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and will not be afraid; for the LORD GOD is my strength and my song, and he has become my salvation.”
(Isaiah 12:2 ESV)

Can I trust God with my pain?

In Genesis 22:1-14 God shows himself as Abraham's provider. He provides a sacrifice for Abraham. God has provided for us in ways that we will never understand. He provided Christ as our sacrifice Hebrews 9:28. He bore our sins. When we trust Him with our hurts and allow him to open old wounds so that they can be healed then we are able to move forward in our walk and in turn begin to walk others through their ordeals and help them in the healing process.

My goal is to diligently listen to God's word and trust Him to work through my life to glorify Him. This doesn't mean being free of pain, but there is freedom in His word that gives us a peace that passes all understanding. 

    Surely he has borne our griefs
        and carried our sorrows;
    yet we esteemed him stricken,
        smitten by God, and afflicted.
    But he was pierced for our transgressions;
        he was crushed for our iniquities;
    upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace,
        and with his wounds we are healed.
(Isaiah 53:4-5 ESV)

Lord, Help us to not be wise in our own eyes, but to have your wisdom. Turn our bitter experiences, pain, and sorrow into something sweet that we wouldn't change for anything because we know that you have a purpose and will use those issues in our lives to give you the glory. Help us to recognize that you are better and the goal is to dive headlong into your word and trust you with the outcome of our lives. Help us to be bold for your kingdom and to never forget who we serve. May we be a light in this world.

Everyone Wants to Heal

The Pier

The end of the Pier––

I know I must plunge into this water

But what if, the what if happen to me?

I tremble and shake and cannot decide

if I should jump feet first or go for a dive?

I wish someone could push me so I wouldn't have to decide.

What waits in the water, what lies beneath the calm surface?

Will the waves carry me out to a roaring sea

or gently toss me back to Thee?

A Sequel

Jump, jump, jump ––  you can do it!

Your whole life has been a preparation for this leap. 

Can't you see the Lord has a special plan?

It's not your plan.

He leads you on to places far beyond your reach.

Each event in your life has been designed

by Him for something unique.

Don't be afraid––leap! His arms will catch you. 

You'll never hit the water...

Instead, He wants you to fly!

His love will sustain you, help you grow

You will soar like an eagle high in the sky

Free to be all you were meant to be!!

                                                 Susan Fitch

I know it's been a while since I have been on here, but it seems like the right time to start again. My hearts desire is to see people healed spiritually. I know we would all like to be healed physically, but the truth of the matter is that from the day we are born we are on a trajectory for physical death. Because sin entered into the world we are forever battling our flesh both spiritually and physically. The only hope is in Christ.  Jesus said,  "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me." John 14:6 

There are so many man-made religions but only one way to be forever satisfied. 

In the past I have worked through some of the names of God. I love doing this and am praying that I can share some of that here. So, my next post will be on Jehovah Jireh (God, My Provider).

Sharing Life

The Prayer of Faith

Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing praise. Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith will save the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working. Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed fervently that it might not rain, and for three years and six months it did not rain on the earth. Then he prayed again, and heaven gave rain, and the earth bore its fruit.

My brothers, if anyone among you wanders from the truth and someone brings him back, let him know that whoever brings back a sinner from his wandering will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins.

(James 5:13-20 ESV)

I've started getting together with some friends at a coffee shop to just get to know one another and learn how we can live life caring for one another's needs. One of the areas I think the American church is lacking in the most is real community. I'm currently reading a book called Radical Together by David Platt and with every page I find myself nodding my head in agreement. One of my favorite quotes from his book is this:

"Is your church and mine willing to put on the table every program we've created, every position we've established, every innovation we've adopted, every building we've constructed, every idea we've formulated, every team we've established, and every activity we have organized? Are we willing to ask God if there is a better way to use the time, energy, and money he has given us for his glory in the world?"

I want to ask myself these questions and apply them to my personal life as well as how I live in community with those around me. There are so many wonderful and great things we can be doing with our time, but ARE THEY THE BEST THINGS? God certainly doesn't want us to act out of guilt and pride when we serve others. If we are, we will only end of failing at our practices and feeling miserable in the meantime. He gives us the grace and power to do His will and won't ask us to perform tasks that He isn't able to accomplish for us. I'm praying for the Holy Spirit to move in a mighty way in my families lives, my churches life, and in my community. I know we are able to do amazing things when God is the one driving us.

Photo Book

Click here to view this photo book larger

God's Timing Is Perfect

It's hard to believe that my last post was written before we discovered that our household goods had caught on fire and that our lives would be turned completely upside down. God continues to remind our family that He is and always will be enough. He has allowed us to experience so many difficult things only to bring us to a better understanding of who He is and how our lives are more fulfilling when He is guiding us.

I can't believe that God has led us to an amazing home, wonderful church family, old friends, and great new friends. I certainly don't base my happiness on these things, but it is incredible to be in fellowship with other believers and to live in community no matter where we are in the world.

One of the biggest questions is, "How long will you be here?" Only God knows the answer to that. Our orders say three years, but God has shown us over and over that we aren't to base our plans on what man has given us, but to trust and obey and patiently wait upon Him.

So, for now we are looking forward with excitement to see what He has in store for us while we are in Chesapeake, VA!

True Peace Amidst The Storm

Massive changes in our lives over the past couple months have drawn our entire family closer to each other and to God. Amidst the storms God has revealed His grace, mercy, and amazing peace in our lives. Just when you think you have had crazy times and it couldn't get any crazier, life continues to unfold in ways never thought imaginable.

Many of you know we were headed to Bahrain this Summer for two years and thrilled to be reuniting with old friends and enjoying our old hangouts. Just weeks before our packers were to arrive and ship all our household goods we were thrown for a loop with short notice order changes and told we were headed to, of all places, Virginia. With deep breaths and lots of prayer we made adjustments and began shifting life completely.

All of Mike's Arabic training seems wasted...... BUT God will use it.
All of our tribal knowledge on the Middle East seems wasted..... BUT God will use it.
All of our plans seem wasted..... BUT our plans are NOT God's plans and he will use our hearts desires to glorify Him.

Some how in the chaos of all the struggles God has given us amazing peace and shown us that He will provide and care for us and that He has a better plan for us. Not just because He loves us, but because He is teaching us to continue to trust Him in every area of our lives.

I'm sad to be leaving Monterey and all the amazing relationships we have had here. It totally amazes me each time I think about how quickly He placed us in each activity and relationship and how deep and meaningful all of those people and activities became to us. We will truly miss Monterey and our friends here.

Scrapblog

Blogging Again

I never really have time to Blog, but I enjoy writing and musing about life and spiritual matters. I'm currently involved in helping teach the book of Colossians to a small group of women at an International Institute here in Monterey.

We are studying chapter 2 and I thought this was a good lead-in to me blogging again. Part of the concept here is to 'Keep Making Spiritual Progress'.

"In the Christian life, we never stand still: we either go forward or gradually slip backward." As Hebrews says, '... Let us go on to MATURITY...!' When we aren't making spiritual progress we are open to attack from the enemy. Satan is walking around like a lion seeking whom he may devour.

One of my favorite books is 'Screwtape Letters" by: C. S. Lewis. It is a fabulous look at how Satan's goal is to keep us complacent and unfocused. He recognizes that if he pushes us to far we will run to Christ, but if he just keeps us fat, dumb, and happy (on a worldly level) then we will remain that way. And, in this state be totally ineffective for the kingdom.

In order for us to battle this complacency we have to be STEADFAST in our desire to seek Christ and learn more about Him. "The Christian life is compared to a pilgrimage, and believers must learn to walk."

It is difficult to set aside worldly desires for Kingdom desires, but it is a daily challenge that all Christians must face. We must trust and lean on Christ to give us the strength. I know from personal experience that when I lean on my own strength, I fall. So, let us go forward trusting and relying on His strength to guide us and carry us through each day.

FIVE WEEKS TILL HAWAII AND CALI

It's hard to believe after 5 1/2 years in Japan and 9 1/2 years overseas that we are headed back to the states. It is with extreme mixed emotions that we leave Japan. We have loved our time here and cherished our friendships. God has blessed us beyond our wildest imaginations. We have seen and experienced things that most people will never experience in their entire lifetime. We could seriously have a reality TV show based on the Amis' adventures!


California Here We Come!
I am prepping for our 14th move since we have been married. You would think I was a pro by now and I guess by most standards I am, but I still stress and have to work hard to make things run smoothly. I have to remind myself that no amount of preparation will make everything run perfectly. So, I rest in God and His faithfulness to supply all our needs, and off we go!

This is a photo of beautiful Monterey beach. I'm thrilled to be headed that direction and seeing a part of the US that the kids and I have never seen. Also, we can hardly wait to see Mike's stomping grounds from when he was little. So much to do and see and so little time to do it all!

Stormy Week

Psalm 91:1-2

1 He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High
will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.
2 I will say to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress,
my God, in whom I trust.”

What a truly amazing and awesome God we serve. My week was filled with activities, prayer, and service to others. At each moment of the day I noticed something amazing. When I tried to do the work in my own strength I was exhausted and overwhelmed, but as soon as I would ask God to intervene and help me I had amazing energy and love for all the different situations going on around me. I am so thankful that He doesn't expect us to live life in our own strength. What a mess we would be in!

As Paul puts it, suffering is for us to become more like Christ, and so we will be made aware of our need of God. It also grows our faith.

Faced with the possibility of even death during his trips to Asia (which we don’t have much info on) Paul quit relying on himself and learned to rely on God. God DID rescue them from mortal danger and Paul’s faith was increased.

I pray that we will continue to rely on God for our strength. I pray that when we go through fire and trials that we will trust that God is refining us for His service and that when we make bad decisions that He will lovingly correct us and that we will continue in His service.

Praying Praying Praying

James 1:2-4

2Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. 4Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

I feel like I have been down on my knees for days, asking God to intercede on my friends' behalves. There are seasons in life where you feel spiritual darkness more than other times. I don't know if it is just living in Japan and being a foreigner that makes it seem more intense, but for whatever reason right now it is very intense. There are so many battles and struggles going on around me that really need deep prayer. God is a God of answers and I am praying for answers for my friends and for myself.

I love to talk and share any wisdom that I have gained from my own life that might help someone else, but sometimes there just aren't words for the pain that someone else is going through. As I'm writing this a flood of situations surrounding me are coming to mind. I wish I had all the answers and I could make it all better, but I can't.

God is truly the author of our lives and while I don't believe he causes harm to us, I do believe he allows things to happen to refine us for his glory and for our work in this world. Lately I have felt like sifted wheat. There was a great analogy in my study this week on Daniel. It talked about how God allowed King Nebuchadnezzar to become like a great tree providing for everyone with fruit and shelter. However, the King still didn't recognize the one true God as the author of his life and God took him down to a stump. He protected that stump and wouldn't let any harm come to it except what was good for building him back up to be fruitful and serve God.
I think that's what he does with us sometimes. He is taking us to a stump where we can only rely on Him to grow us back into the kind of children God wants us to be.

One of the hardest things for me right now is to be vulnerable in my prayers. How do you say, 'Your will be done' when death is involved? How do you trust when it comes down to precious relationships and precious lives? These are the questions I have had to ask God and even through asking Him I know my heart still says ' Your will be done'. I know He is perfect and His will is perfect. The Bible tells us to make our requests known to God and He will answer them. So, I am requesting on my knees and asking for His grace and mercy, but ultimately... YOUR WILL BE DONE!

Unshakable Security

Where can we find unshakable security?

I read this phrase unshakable security in my Bible study this week and it hit me like a 10lb brick. People see me as confident, strong, ambitious and most definitely secure. My personality traits that other people see solely rest in Christ. I work daily on my insecurities, lack of ambition, and other struggles. It is only by God's grace that I can overcome those things.

Christ is the foundation of unshakable security for me. I second guess my thoughts all the time. The more I study God's word the more I am learning how inferiority complexes are just as self-indulgent as superiority complexes. They both are relying on self and not God.

He knitted us together in our mother's womb. He told us that we are fearfully and wonderfully made. His word also says that he has a plan for us to prosper us and to make us into His image! It is so amazing to think that God doesn't want us to sit around and be depressed and self-indulgent. He wants us to use our God given talents and desires to serve Him and bear much fruit.

I keep running into people with insecurity issues especially with self-image. It's amazing how many fad diets there are and how many ads or commercial there are pushing us to lose weight, get fit, have surgeries, etc. The bible talks about each of these areas. Amazingly God didn't put a height/weight chart in any of the books of the Bible. He does mention literally that exercise is of 'some' value. He does call us to care for our bodies because they are temples of the holy spirit. We should honor our bodies and care for them, but to overindulge in any of the areas I believe is a sin. Trusting God with exercise and eating seems to be tough for most of us. He wants our very best for us and has already given us the tools to live a god-centered life.
My prayer is that I/we will take each day captive and trust God with what He is going to do with it.

Freedom from sin...Walking in the light

Freedom from sin...Walking in the light

Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.

Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.

Galatians 6:7-9 NIV



I have been listening to some amazing sermons lately that deal with sin. Christians, in my experience, tend to fall away from reading scripture, worshiping, and wanting to be around other strong or passionate believers when they continue in sin.

This is when I believe we need Jesus more than ever. We all have struggles and sin in our lives. Do we let it beat us up? I hope we turn to Christ and keep asking Him to give us ways out and help us to have the guts to take the right path.

I have a list of sins many miles long and I am thankful that I was bought with a price and my sins have been paid for. My goal isn't to sin, but our sinful nature drives us away from God while our regenerated hearts long to serve Christ and make right choices. The Apostle Paul says we are at battle with our spirit and flesh and it could never be truer today.

Our modern day Babylon is one that is calling us constantly to serve ourselves and not others. One of the studies I'm currently in is on Daniel. It is opening my eyes to how our daily struggles with image and success along with a host of other issues are as true today as they were then.

My prayer is that we look to Christ and not the world and chose to serve others more than we serve ourselves.

I'm not saying, 'Don't have your Tall, Mocha Late, with a shot of espresso, sprinkled with cinnamon.' We just need to keep it in perspective with serving others as Christ serves us.

Nick Is An Inspiration To Us All

JANUARY 22, 2009

Nick Vujicic is a young man, 22 years of age, a resident of suburban Brisbane, Queensland. Nick has a positive approach to life, is outgoing and friendly, with a happy, cheerful personality. He has a smile that makes anyone feel comforted and at ease. But life hasn’t been easy for him.

His parents had eagerly anticipated the birth of Nick, their first child. But when he arrived, all his mother could say was, “Please, take him away!” Nick, although generally healthy, was born with neither arms nor legs.

Read about Nick Vujicic here: http://www.signsofthetimes.org.au/archives/2005/march/0305article5.shtm

Now Nick works as an inspirational speaker. Nick says his interest in young people comes from a deep concern about the high rate of suicide among teens. “If I can save just one, I’d feel I’ve achieved,” he says.

Although Nick says he’s already seen God’s glory revealed through his own early struggle of life without limbs, he continues to dream big. “My dreams won’t be fulfilled until I take my last breath, but I’m content right now, with my life in God’s hands.”





Read the rest of this story by Glenis Lyndley: http://www.signsofthetimes.org.au/archives/2005/march/0305article5.shtm

Visit Nick's website: www.lifewithoutlimbs.org/

Learn more about Nick's inspirational speaking: www.attitudeisaltitude.com

2 Peter 1

This is from my morning reading. I will write more later.


Greeting

1 Simeon1 Peter, a servant2 and apostle of Jesus Christ,

To those who have obtained aa faith of equal standing with ours bby the righteousness of our cGod and Savior Jesus Christ:

2 dMay grace and peace be multiplied to you ein the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.

Make Your Calling and Election Sure

3 His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him fwho called us to3 his own glory and excellence,4 4 by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become gpartakers of the divine nature, hhaving escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire. 5 For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith iwith virtue,5 and virtue jwith knowledge, 6 and knowledge with self-control, and self-control kwith steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, 7 and godliness lwith brotherly affection, and brotherly affection mwith love. 8 For if these qualities6 are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or nunfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 For whoever lacks these qualities is so nearsighted that he ois blind, having forgotten that he was pcleansed from his former sins. 10 Therefore, brothers,7 be all the more diligent to make your calling and qelection sure, for if you practice these qualities ryou will never fall. 11 For in this way there will be richly provided for you san entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

12 Therefore I intend talways to remind you of these qualities, though you know them and are established in uthe truth that you have. 13 I think it right, as long as I am in this vbody,8 wto stir you up by way of reminder, 14 xsince I know that the putting off of my body will be soon, yas our Lord Jesus Christ made clear to me. 15 And I will make every effort so that after my departure you may be able at any time to recall these things.

Christ’s Glory and the Prophetic Word

16 For we did not follow zcleverly devised amyths when we made known to you bthe power and ccoming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but dwe were eyewitnesses of his majesty. 17 For when he received honor and glory from God the Father, and the voice was borne to him by the Majestic Glory, e“This is my beloved Son,9 with whom I am well pleased,” 18 we ourselves heard this very voice borne from heaven, for we were with him on fthe holy mountain. 19 And gwe have something more sure, the prophetic word, to which you will do well to pay attention has to a lamp shining in a dark place, until ithe day jdawns and the morning star rises in your hearts, 20 knowing this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone’s own interpretation. 21 For kno prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God las they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.

False Prophets and Teachers

Glorious Good Deeds

I couldn't have said it any better so I won't try to.

This was taken from Beth Moore's Blog.......

The good works that God has prepared for us are most often the ones closest to us. “God has created us to do our good works in the midst of the humdrum of daily living,” explains author Jerry Bridges.

Not glamorous, I know; but we’ll get to that.

Good works begin at home right outside our bedroom door. Paul says that young people should “first learn to show godliness to their own household and to make some return to their parents, for this is pleasing in the sight of God” (1 Timothy 5:4).

Doing good to our family is often harder than doing it for someone else. But it is a mark of sincere love for Christ. So how can you serve your Mom or Dad today? How can you do good to your siblings? No one else may see, but these deeds are pleasing to God.

The Bible also says that we are to “do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith” (Gal. 6:10). “We are called to follow Christ together…with some particular people” says Pastor Mark Dever. And these particular people make up the local church in which God has placed you.

The church where your family is involved is not just your parents’ church. God has called you there as well. He has good works lined up for you to do in that church. In fact, God has given you unique gifts and talents specifically for use in your church. Ask your mom, dad, and pastor how you can use those gifts to do good for those in your church.

Finally, the godly young woman is to reach out and do good to all people. First, you should look for ways to share the gospel with our local community. Participating in your church’s evangelistic efforts, bringing a friend to church, or caring for the poor are all deliberate deeds worthy of your devotion.

You can even do good to those around the globe by sponsoring a child, raising money for churches, praying for the persecuted church, or even going on a short term mission trip. Prayerfully consider, along with your parents, what good deeds God has called you to do for others.

Genuine good works don’t point to us. They are like big neon signs that point to Christ. “It is when people see these [good works]….they will glorify God, for they embody the good news of his love which we proclaim.” says John Stott.

So get going already…and show off the love of Christ.

Why Some Leave Christ

QUOTE:
"No mischief that ever befalls our Christian communities is more lamentable than that which comes from the defection of the members. The heaviest sorrow that can wring a pastor's heart is such as comes from the [betrayal] of his most familiar friend. The direst calamity the Church can dread is not such as will arise from the assault of enemies outside, but from false brethren and traitors within the camp..." - from Why Some Leave Christ

We are all sinners and have fallen well short of God's glory. I know each of us has been walked on in one way or another and many of us have walked on others. It is by God's grace and mercy in sending his son to die on the cross for our sins that any of us have solid ground to stand upon. I am continuously thankful for His amazing gift of eternal life and the holy spirit dwelling within us. I know we don't deserve and never will deserve it.

Romans 5:16-21
16 And the free gift is not like the result of that one man's sin. For the judgment following one trespass brought condemnation, but the free gift following many trespasses brought justification. 17 For if, because of one man's trespass, death reigned through that one man, much more will those who receive the abundance of grace and the free gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man Jesus Christ.

18 Therefore, as one trespass [5] led to condemnation for all men, so one act of righteousness [6] leads to justification and life for all men. 19 For as by the one man's disobedience the many were made sinners, so by the one man's obedience the many will be made righteous. 20 Now the law came in to increase the trespass, but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more, 21 so that, as sin reigned in death, grace also might reign through righteousness leading to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.