Saturday, April 30, 2011

Guest Post - Reading our Bibles

Let's read our Bibles this week.
>
> Will you commit to daily reading? Even if only one sentence?
>
> I know you will benefit.
>
> There are many people that I know that have recently plunged into their Bibles
> and they are FULL of surprises and valuable insights and extremely happy to get
> TRUTH into their lives.
>
> The way things are in many of the churches (in the USA) people are not really
> learning the Bible. They "think" that they are, but they are not always. They
> FIND OUT when they read for themselves how greatly deceived they have been.
>
> The "social" gospel as it's sometimes called, has blinded many. Church has
> become a "club" meeting much like going to the Elks, or to a Country Club for
> socialization.
>
> I'm not one to accuse ministries and throw around alarming emails. If you know
> me at all then you know this is true.
>
> What I'm attempting to do here is get you into the Word of God anyway that I can
> for your own benefit, not mine.
>
>
> Two weeks ago I was telling a woman that reading the Bible is a very good and
> needed thing for her to do. She says she is a Christian and I know what church
> she attends. I used to go there. As I advised her to get reading I mentioned
> that Bible reading is the BEST way to be "cult-proof" to which she remarked,
> "What is a cult?"
>
> Okay, there you have it. But that's not all. As she and I went over some Bible
> passages for one hour it was clear that she did not know the Old Testament from
> the New Testament. She did not know the gospels from the epistles, she had zero
> Bible knowledge. She attended church for over 1 year and came out knowing very
> little. She only knows what the pastor said in the way of sermons. I've checked
> with myself and others that went there about what we recall from these sermons.
> You know what? It appears that those who attend his church, those I know, have
> zero recall. Isn't that a little bit strange? I think so.
>
> I think it means there is very little content, at least nothing memorable.
>
> I also know that folks don't take a Bible with them when they go on Sundays. I
> know from attending the mid-week home groups that the regulars who have attended
> there for over 10 years cannot turn to I Corinthians or Romans because they
> don't know where that is in the Bible and they freely admit that they have never
> read major portions of the Bible. One grown man from there recently remarked
> that He did not know that the Holy Spirit is "in" the believers of Christ. He
> got out a pencil and made a note of that when one of my children mentioned the
> concept in an ordinary conversation. This is someone clearly not well versed in
> Romans, Galatians and many other passages yet he never misses a Sunday at a
> so-called Bible believing church.
>
> I also know that the "token" verse on the overhead screen is not enough to feed
> and nourish a Christian. It would be like living off of one green bean a week.
> It just doesn't work. A physical body would perish! What would one's spirit do
> with such a lack of nourishment?
>
> I can tell you the "fruit" of this particular church but it would not be "G"
> rated. I know because I have seen the "fruit" of this type of "church" ministry.
>
> You will know THEM by their fruit---plain and simple!!
>
> When the fruit is adultery and leaving the faith then you're not witnessing the
> fruit of the Holy Spirit which is so evident that it cannot be mistaken for
> flesh (sin nature).
>
> What is even more frightening is that I'm not just picking on this one church in
> any sense of the word and it's not the ONLY church in my city that is ignoring
> the Bible and having the same outcome.
>
> I know another Christian woman who attended a simuliar church very near by. We
> met for discipleship for over one year. She did not know who Judas was. This
> positively floored me. She has gone to church her entire life!! Her entire
> life!! The "Judas" example is only an example and certainly not the only bit of
> information that she lacked.
>
> I don't want to sling mud at anyone. I only want to wake up possibly one or two
> of you that might be spiritually asleep. You might be one of two that goes to
> church regularily and thinks that you are gaining spiritual strenght and
> Biblical knowledge. Yet, you might find that by getting into God's Word for
> yourself that there is a giant, huge, bigger than you yet know world of
> knowledge about our God, about our relation to Him, and about our very
> salvation.
>
> Please try. Please pick up your Bible regardless of how busy you are and read
> some of it.
>
> Side NOTE: The women I met with 2 weeks ago also freely admits that she doesn't
> know "how" to pray. How does she walk with the Lord? How does she know HIM or
> the things OF HIM? She doesn't read the Bible and never has, she doesn't pray
> and she no longer attends the game playing church that seemingly does not feed
> the flock. I can't understand how she "follows" Christ Jesus with no knowledge
> and no contact with Him.
>
> Praying for YOU, and I'm not just saying that,
> Clevsea



Be the kind of woman that when your feet hit the ground each morning Satan says, "Oh crud, she's up".

Friday, April 29, 2011

An Adopted Daughter

Larry walked me down the aisle, then turned around and performed our wedding ceremony. Larry became Dad and Laura became my mom. None of us have ever looked back. I not only became their daughter but I now had a place at the table. My “position” has been secure for almost 34 years now.

Paul tells us this… In love he predestined us for adoption through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will. In the book of Romans Paul says…

For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. 15 For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” 16 The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, 17 and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him. Romans 8:14-17 (ESV)

Adoption is a wonderful thing. It takes a child who would not otherwise have parents and gives that child parents and gives them a position in the family. I am so thankful that Larry and Laura “adopted me”! They provided stability and a place within their family to become mine.

God adopted me too; the day I accepted Jesus as my Savior and came in contact with his blood through baptism and confessed that he is LORD of LORD and King of Kings. I became a member of God’s family. That is why I can cry, “Abba! Father!

In Christ Alone,

Jill



Be the kind of woman that when your feet hit the ground each morning Satan says, "Oh crud, she's up".

Thursday, April 28, 2011

Blessings in Christ

There is a song that goes like this;

There shall be showers of blessings, this is the promise of love

There shall be seasons refreshing, sent from the Savior above

Showers of blessing, showers of blessing we need

Mercy drops round us are falling, but for the showers we plead.

I love that song. It reminds me that I have many blessings. That is one of the biggest reason I participate in Gratituesday. Let’s look at some blessings that Paul describes in Ephesians 1:2.

Spiritual Blessings in Christ

3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, 4 even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. Eph 1:3-4 (ESV)

This is an interesting scripture. Paul is reminding us that those who are in Christ receive not some but all spiritual blessings from above. The blessings are from the heavenly places. If we wanted to contrast that we would look at Solomon who said this;

I have seen everything that is done under the sun, and behold, all is vanity and a striving after wind. Eccl 1:14 (ESV)

So why is it that our real blessings are found in the heavenly places? To me it seems like a great reminder that all that is on the earth is so temporary. Like trying to “catch” the wind it has no real fulfillment because it is temporary. Ask any person in St. Louis this week just how temporary their homes have become that blew apart. The spiritual blessings are forever, an eternity. Anything down on earth is for a blink of an eye.

This is Satan’s lie to us. We strive for “things” down here on earth but what will last forever will never burn up. So, let’s remember where real blessings come from. Then, let’s live it like we believe it!

Living a life with thankfulness.

Jill



Be the kind of woman that when your feet hit the ground each morning Satan says, "Oh crud, she's up".

Wednesday, April 27, 2011

Are YOU a Saint?

What comes to your mind when you think of a saint? Mother Teresa comes to my mind. She was a very tiny woman in stature but a power house in serving “the least of these” in society. She sure seems like a saint to me. However, most of us don’t live like Mother Teresa. We haven’t given up the comforts of our homes or trade money and social status to serve the LORD. She was an amazing woman, truly a saint.

Most of us would not want to be referred to as a saint. In fact I am pretty sure we would argue with anyone that would attempt such silliness! According to scripture we are saints. I went and looked up the word in the Greek. It occurs 95 times in the entire Bible. In the New Testament it means “most holy thing”; and is an adjective that describes those in Christ. We are God’s people that are called to be holy. That is what makes us a saint.

With that in mind we are going to start the book of Ephesians today. Paul wrote the book while in prison to the saints, not to a particular church. So if you are a saint then this book was written for you! If you have accepted my challenge of reading and praying one hour a day then I would encourage you to start the book of Ephesians. Reading this small book each day will be a wonderful way to glean the treasures inside.

If you are a saint then join me as we strive to be a most holy thing for our Savior!

Till tomorrow

In Christ Alone,

Jill



Be the kind of woman that when your feet hit the ground each morning Satan says, "Oh crud, she's up".

Tuesday, April 26, 2011

Gratituesday April 26th

Did you hear me shout for joy on Friday morning? Baby Oren made his debut a little after 11 in the morning April 22nd. He weighed in at 7 pounds and 12 ounces and is 20 inches long.
Mama said it was the easiest delivery of the three. This little man looks just like his Mama. The gorgeous red hair is a dead give-away.

I would have loved to have been there. But, I will be going this coming Saturday Lord willing. I can't wait to get my hands on this little guy.

God is SO good. Thank you Father.



Be the kind of woman that when your feet hit the ground each morning Satan says, "Oh crud, she's up".



Monday, April 25, 2011

Would You Spare an Hour?

Precious sister, today is the beginning of a new week. We just finished celebrating Resurrection Sunday. Like New Year's day and the resolutions that comes with it; we also have an opportunity to start fresh once again.

In light of everything that Christ has done for us do you think it would be unreasonable to give something up that we hold so tightly to? Our time is the most important gift given to us. We are all given 24 hours and how we chose to use them are up to us.

Spending time with the Savior reading His Word, meditating on what has been read, and praying are all disciplines that help mold and shape us. Our Father wants to spend time with us.

Time is a gift. We each decide how we use our 24 hours. I am asking you to join me in spending one hour a day with God. It doesn't matter how you do your one hour, just do it. After doing the reading for Bible in 90 days I am ready for the challenge, are you?

Let me know if you will be joining me.
In Christ Alone,
Jill



Be the kind of woman that when your feet hit the ground each morning Satan says, "Oh crud, she's up".

Sunday, April 24, 2011

He Is RISEN!

The Resurrection

1 But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they went to the tomb, taking the spices they had prepared. 2 And they found the stone rolled away from the tomb, 3 but when they went in they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. 4 While they were perplexed about this, behold, two men stood by them in dazzling apparel. 5 And as they were frightened and bowed their faces to the ground, the men said to them, “Why do you seek the living among the dead? 6 He is not here, but has risen. Remember how he told you, while he was still in Galilee, 7 that the Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men and be crucified and on the third day rise.” 8 And they remembered his words, 9 and returning from the tomb they told all these things to the eleven and to all the rest. 10 Now it was Mary Magdalene and Joanna and Mary the mother of James and the other women with them who told these things to the apostles, 11 but these words seemed to them an idle tale, and they did not believe them. 12 But Peter rose and ran to the tomb; stooping and looking in, he saw the linen cloths by themselves; and he went home marveling at what had happened.

Luke 24:1-12 (ESV)

Death could not hold Jesus. His mission was now complete. He stayed focused on the task given to him by the Father.

“Death is swallowed up in victory.” 55 “O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?”
56 The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Cor 15:54-57 (ESV)

This is why I don’t wear a crucifix around my neck. Jesus is NOT on the cross anymore. Only Jesus could have come out of the tomb on his own. He is alive. He sits on the right hand of the Father.

Thank you Jesus and thank you God for doing the hard things for us.

In Christ Alone,

Jill



"Be the kind of woman that when your feet hit the ground each morning Satan says, "Oh crud, she's up"

Friday, April 22, 2011

It's Friday but Sunday's A Cumin'!

Friday the ultimate Passover takes place. Heaven and Hell battle death. Crucifixion is horrible and bloody. The Savior is hanging on the cross. To many it looks like the movement He started just ended. Darkness filled the land from noon till 3pm. Total darkness; that is what our world looks like without hope. When Jesus cried out his last the curtain of the temple was torn in two, not from top to bottom but from bottom to top.

He died so that we might live. The perfect sacrifice was the only sacrifice that would break the curse. God the Son choose the cross so that you and I can come boldly before the throne. Not because of anything we have done but because of what the Son has done.

That my sweet sister is true love. Friday looks so bleak without hope. Our lives can be like that, no hope. The great news though is this; it’s Friday but Sunday’s a cumin’!

See you then.

In Christ Alone,

Jill

Jill