Waiting

This one's more for the "singles" :) .....

Instead of "Last Christmas", how about "Wait For Me"? 

 

I just discovered this song by Rebecca Saint James and I really like it! I must admit, Last Christmas has a catchy tune...and Christmas does seem to bring out the romantic in us....but the message is of the world. It's basically about giving parts of yourself away that you wont get back and broken hearts as a result. (Not the only song like that...this is just an example.) Instead, why don't we do as Christ states in Proverbs 31 "She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life." Eric and Leslie Ludy were talking about that verse and saying all means all....even before you meet your soul mate....and I think they have a pretty good point. What if, instead of throwing our hearts out there to every hot guy/girl that walks by......we just befriend people, keep ourselves and minds pure, let Christ be the one to fill that void and longing in our hearts, and let Him surprise us with our future mate? I think we would be much more content, have a better relationship with the One who should always be 1st in our life, and have a more beautiful marriage in the future if God so chooses to bless us with a spouse.  Just some thoughts :)

My favorite gospel group is the Booth Brothers. If you've ever heard them in concert, you know why. :)
The Lord has given them an amazing musical talent and they just turn right around and give it all back to Him. They are one of the humblest groups I know of.

In this video Michael Booth explains Salvation. He's also one of my favorite for giving sermonettes! :)

Selfless Suffering

I was blessed to hear Bro. Dalton Walker, missionary to New Zealand, preach recently. Their nation has officially been deemed a secular nation. So, you can imagine it's pretty difficult to reach people with the gospel of Christ. He mentioned some of the hard times they have gone through...from going into hiding to nailing their kids into their bedrooms at night so the bandits  wouldn't get them. Can you imagine? We would dread going through something like that, maybe even think we did something to bring it on. Bro. Walker thought that way too for a while, but then realized suffering was never considered wrong in the Bible...in fact, it was counted joy! As Christians, when we go through a trial we are then able to model to the world how one should handle the situation. And we prove His grace is always sufficient! Besides, when did we as Christians start believing we deserve it better than our Lord had it when He was on earth? Now personally, I don't think there's anything wrong with God greatly blessing us either (Ex: Solomon), but I think we need to keep our attitudes in check either way.......and "count it ALL joy"! :) Of course, it's easier said than done....and that's why we have to rely on Jesus. There's no way I can be happy about suffering! It's just something I really don't look forward to. But I know through God's help I can make it through the valleys...and even be happy about it.

Something else he mentioned was "don't be conformed to this world". We here it all the time....but what is the "world" exactly? Listing to rock music, wearing the wrong type of clothes, clubbing, going to the theater, driving a car....we all have our own definitions, but what is it really? Basically it is one word....ME. The world is focused on pleasing self and they'll try to drag us in too. The Bible however, calls us to be selfless and a servant to Christ. The closer we are to Jesus, the further away we'll be from the "world".

The Christian's Attitude Towards Sin

Tonight our pastor was talking about the Christian's relationship with God. The following is one point he made that I found rather interesting...and sadly true.

The Christian's Attitude Towards Sin:

     *Defend Sin

     *Promote Sin (Romans 1:32)

     *Ignore Sin (See the story of Lot)

     *Endure Sin (Don't fast, don't pray, don't vote..."What happens happens, God's in control".  Just "buck up" and take it)

     *Oppose it (See the story of Jacob going back to Bethel)


 So many people have the wrong attitude when it comes to sin. I know I've been guilty of some of these...have you? I pray the Lord will help me oppose sin and not give into it! My human flesh has a hard time not making excuses...but through Christ I can be more than a conquer in this! :D

If you crack the door to sin, it'll move on in and take over. If you give it an inch it'll take a mile.

Victorian Country Girl: A symbol of Promise

Victorian Country Girl: A symbol of Promise:       As a young girl, my dad would never allow us to have a “best friend”. He reasoned that choosing one best friend would exclude a...

What Women Need to Say to Each Other… because it’s what every woman needs to hear

I haven't read the book that this post refers to... 

But this story is so true.

IIt’s when you came up behind me and put your arms around me in the kitchen last night while I was making food for your Dad.
The way you laid your head on my shoulder and you held me, mama in the daughter arms after all these thirteen years. I reached up and laid my hand on your cheek, and it only takes a moment and mother and a daughter aren’t far apart anymore.
You know we come from a long line of women who have struggled in their own skin, right?

Click Here to see more...


Beauty should be judged from the inside out. 
Lets remind our sisters they really are worth something....and truly are beautiful!

Heaven is better than this....

I was reading in Isaiah today and thought I'd share some verses with you.

Isaiah 35 (King James Version)

35 The wilderness and the solitary place shall be glad for them; and the desert shall rejoice, and blossom as the rose.

² It shall blossom abundantly, and rejoice even with joy and singing: the glory of Lebanon shall be given unto it, the excellency of Carmel and Sharon, they shall see the glory of the Lord, and the excellency of our God.

³ Strengthen ye the weak hands, and confirm the feeble knees.

⁴ Say to them that are of a fearful heart, Be strong, fear not: behold, your God will come with vengeance, even God with a recompence; he will come and save you.

⁵ Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped.

⁶ Then shall the lame man leap as an hart, and the tongue of the dumb sing: for in the wilderness shall waters break out, and streams in the desert.

⁷ And the parched ground shall become a pool, and the thirsty land springs of water: in the habitation of dragons, where each lay, shall be grass with reeds and rushes.

⁸ And an highway shall be there, and a way, and it shall be called The way of holiness; the unclean shall not pass over it; but it shall be for those: the wayfaring men, though fools, shall not err therein.

⁹ No lion shall be there, nor any ravenous beast shall go up thereon, it shall not be found there; but the redeemed shall walk there:

¹⁰ And the ransomed of the Lord shall return, and come to Zion with songs and everlasting joy upon their heads: they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.

 

  Sometimes I get so bogged down about the affairs of this world...but then God reminds me that this old world is not my home. I've been sent  here to do a job...I'm just passing on through. I can't wait to get to Heaven! I would really love to see my unsaved family and friends accept Christ Jesus into the hearts first....but then I'm ready to be outta here! :) 


 

Bible Study

I've uploaded the last of the series to the "What Christian's Believe" tab!
I hope you will check it out! It's a great study!

LESSON #11: GIVING

“What is the Meaning of Giving and What Are

My Responsibilities in this Area?”

Giving is an extremely controversial subject in Christianity today largely due to the severe pressures exerted on God’s people to give to so many worthy causes. This is perhaps one of the most misunderstood subjects in Christianity.

Before you can properly understand the nature of New Testament giving, you must understand one fact clearly. God does not need your money - He owns everything.

This lesson will deal with your responsibility in stewardship of your life as well as your resources.

1. Biblical giving begins with your life.

1. God bought you with a price, His blood, and you belong to

Him.

I Corinthians 6:19-20

2. God commands you to present your body as a living

sacrifice, not just your pocketbook.

Romans 12:1

3. God will always bless your gift. But a willing mind and

heart with a life committed to serve God must accompany

financial giving in order for God to bless you.

II Corinthians 8:3-5, 12; Exodus 25:2

2. Biblical giving accomplishes several purposes.

1. Giving proves the sincerity of your love for Jesus Christ.

II Corinthians 8:8

2. Giving develops an attitude of grace. It takes no special

talents or abilities to give, only grace.

II Corinthians 8:6-7, 9:8

3. Giving is an investment in eternal riches, removing your

focus from earthly riches which will eventually fade away.

Philippians 4:17; Matthew 6:19-21

4. Giving shows that God is your priority.

Exodus 22:29-30, 13:12-13, 34:19-20, 26

5. Giving shows your dependence upon God to bless all of

your substance, not just what you give to Him. Simply

giving God your leftovers does not show your trust in

Him.

Proverbs 3:9-10

3. Biblical giving has a clear destination.

1. Biblical giving first supports God’s missions through the

the local church.

1. That is what it means to bring God’s tithes into the

storehouse - it is God’s structure through which He

accomplishes His mission in the world.

Malachi 3:8-10; I Corinthians 16:1-2

2. The tithe has to be brought to the storehouse so there

is meat in God’s house. That is God’s priority.

Galatians 6:10

2. Biblical giving can reach beyond the local church but

must not conflict with your responsibility toward it.

1. Obviously, anyone is free to give to causes outside

the local church. But you cannot count that as

tithing because it is the local church which is

central in God’s plan.

2. Any giving outside of the church should never be

done at the expense of the work of the church. God will

lead you in all giving to the church - time and service

as well as money.

II Chronicles 31:11-12; Deuteronomy 12:5-7

3. Bring your giving to the place where God’s servant’s

can use it to take care of the house God has bought

as they follow His Spirit. Otherwise, we are robbing

God.

Malachi 3:8

4. Biblical giving is how God intended to meet practical needs

in and through the local church.

1. Church leaders are supported by your biblical giving.

I Corinthians 9:11, 13-14; Galatians 6:6;

I Timothy 5:17-18

2. Other works of God are supported through your biblical

giving to your local church.

Philippians 4:15-16; I Corinthians 16:1-2

3. Those within the church body who are UNABLE to

support themselves are helped through your biblical

giving to the local church.

Acts 6:1; I Timothy 5:16, 9-10

1. Those who receive such help should have proven

themselves faithful under New Testament guidelines.

2. These needs should be confirmed by your pastor.

4. Other needs will be met by your biblical giving as

determined by the leadership of your church.

II Corinthians 8:4; Acts 11:27-30

5. Biblical giving is systematic and grows as you grow.You begin by giving your life. Your giving is to be out of a

willing heart and because you love the Lord Jesus Christ.

II Corinthians 8:4-5

Let us examine types of giving from the Bible:

1. The tithe - this is for management. Tithing was

practiced by God’s people even before the law of

Moses. We see this when Abraham paid tithes

to Melchizedec. The tithe was one-tenth of a

person’s income. In addition, it had to be taken off

the top (first fruits). Even though it was such a small

amount, it was given first to show God was the priority.

Exodus 23:16, 19; Deuteronomy 26:2

The test of a right relationship with this church is that

a person starts tithing.

I Corinthians 16:1-2

1. The principles of the Old Testament establish patterns

for our relationship with God.

I Corinthians 10:11; Romans 15:4

2. The goal in tithing is to aim for transformed lives by

funding the general budget of the church - the many

logistical necessities to assure the smooth and un-

interrupted functioning of the local church.

B. Offerings - this is for ministry. The goal of giving is to

expand the church’s ministries by funding the special

projects and ministries established through your church.

This is where a person can mature in giving and go above

the tithe (ten percent of income) to give an offering to support the things he or she does in ministry together with

others.

II Corinthians 8:6-7, 9:1, 11-13

3. Sacrificial Giving - this is for missions. The goal of

sacrificial giving is to provide you with spiritual vision

by funding the budget of missionaries your church sends

out or approves.

A person grows to go above the offering for his ministry

and makes a sacrifice to support someone else in a mission

endeavor of the church. Sacrificial giving is a cell-function

based on a relationship with someone who is sent out. It

gets missionaries to places you cannot personally go.

Philippians 4:15-18

A young Christian should establish discipline in his life

in all areas. Structure in giving is laid out in the New

Testament. These principles of biblical funding are

structured in His likeness - as a trinity.

(WARNING) Failure to be obedient to God in giving is

an indicator of a poor steward and someone who is

obviously not qualified for ministry responsibility and

leadership in the local church. I Corinthians 4:2;

II Corinthians 8:7-8, 10-11

6. Biblical giving is subject to biblical truth.

1. Give as God has prospered you. Don’t concern yourself

with the giving of others, just give according to the

amount God has blessed you.

I Corinthians 16:2; II Corinthians 8:12

2. Remember at all times the law of sowing and reaping.

II Corinthians 9:6; Galatians 6:7-9

3. True New Testament giving goes much further than a

simple “tithe”. It includes offerings and sacrificial

giving. It concerns turning over complete control of

your life and resources to Jesus Christ. If God has

control of your life, He will find His mission through

control of your resources. All of the above principles

of giving can be applied to your time and service as

well as your money.

1. God’s will is that we be conformed to the image of

the Lord Jesus Christ.

Romans 8:29

2. God’s essential nature is giving, manifested in the

person of the Lord Jesus Christ.

John 3:16; I John 4:10; II Corinthians 8:9

3. When you give according to biblical principles,

you will manifest the nature of the Lord Jesus Christ

in your life resulting in God being glorified through

you.

II Corinthians 9:8-15; I Chronicles 29:8-13

7. Basic questions.

1. How can I be sure I am giving to the right things and

that my money (and time) is being used as God would

have it?

1. Build your giving (time, service and money) around

the local church. It is Christ’s structure to accomplish

His mission in the world.

2. Our pastors are accountable to our people. Since you

are not mailing money to some far-off “electronic

church” you can see how the money is being spent

up close. If you have prayerfully sought God’s

leadership in choosing a local church and you have

followed the principles in His Word, then you ought

to trust the leaders of the church to handle this matter

properly.

II Corinthians 8:20-21

2. What should I do now?

1. Make giving to and through your church a priority over

any other organization.

2. Make biblical giving your goal. Don’t be an indis-

criminate giver. Call the church office and request

personal offering envelopes.

1. Offering envelopes will help you to be organized

in your giving. You won’t forget if you have done

it or not.

2. Offering envelopes will provide you a record of

your giving. This can lower your income taxes

and leave you more money for your family and

ministry.

3. Offering envelopes will provide the church a record

of your giving. This is important for designating

offerings above your tithe.

3. Make growth an objective in your giving. Learn to pro-

gressively mature in this important area of your life.

The tithe is God’s prescribed beginning point. An

offering is growing to give above your tithe. It is

a voluntary expression of your thankfulness and love.

LESSON #10: QUESTIONS AND MEMORY VERSES

Questions:

1. List the two primary aspects of your relationship with other

Christians.

A.

B.

2. List four responsibilities you have toward other Christians

and give a scripture reference that best defines each point.

A.

B.

C.

D.

3. List four attitudes you should have toward other Christians

and give a scripture reference that best defines each point.

A.

B.

C.

D.

4. What does the term “fellowship” mean?

5. The essential elements of true biblical fellowship are not

__________________matters, but pertain to the essence

of the common _______________and _____________

we share.

6. List five areas of true fellowship and give a scripture

reference for each.

A.

B.

C.

D.

E.

7. List four character qualities needed in the Christian’s life

in order to participate in true fellowship with other believers.

A.

B.

C.

D.

8. True or False

1. True biblical fellowship is based on exact doctrinal

beliefs. __________

2. True biblical fellowship is possible with a lost

person. _______________

3. We must have fellowship with Jesus Christ before we

can have fellowship with other Christians._________

9. In the event another Christian offends you, list three

principles which should govern your actions in attempting

to resolve the matter.

A.

B.

C.

10. In the event your brother refuses to help resolve a problem,

what should you do?

11. Briefly explain the primary purpose of this lesson.

Key Memory Verses:

Ephesians 4:32; I John 3:14-15; I John 1:7

NOTE: Among many Christians today, the following attitudes

prevail.

1. We are not to associate with Christians who do not believe

exactly as we do.

2. “Fellowship” must be centered around a meal or an activity.

From the Bible principles taught in this lesson, you should understand these attitudes are false and why.

LESSON # 10: OTHER CHRISTIANS

“What is My Relationship to other Christians?”

As we learned earlier, when you got saved, you moved from the devil’s family to God’s family. Spiritually, you now have a new family with many brothers and sisters in Jesus Christ.

We saw how the church is likened to a body in the previous lesson and in this lesson we will study the special relationship which you now have with your spiritual family. This lesson is designed to give you a clear understanding of how the body of Christ operates as a family unit.

1. You have both a family and functional relationship to other

Christians.

1. Other Christians are your brothers and sisters in Jesus

Christ. Be sure to understand, only those in Jesus Christ

(saved people) are your brothers and sisters regardless of

any other factors. Likewise, those NOT in Jesus Christ (lost

people) are not your brothers and sisters regardless of any

other factors.

Romans 8:29; I John 3:1-3; Romans 9:8;

Hebrews 2:9-12

2. Other Christians are your fellow laborers in service for

Jesus Christ.

I Corinthians 3:5-10

2. You share certain responsibilities with other Christians.

1. We are to pray for each other. Almost every one of Paul’s

letters opens with a prayer for those to whom he is writing.

I Thessalonians 1:2-3; II Timothy 1:3

2. We are to minister to each other.

1. Physically

1. For those in your immediate family

Galatians 6:10; Romans 12:13

2. For the entire body of Christ.

Acts 11:27-30

2. Spiritually

Galatians 6:1-2; Romans 15:1-2; Hebrews 13:3

3. We are to encourage and edify one another.

I Thessalonians 5:11

4. We are to serve one another with humility.

Philippians 2:3-4; Matthew 20:25-28

3. You have a personal responsibility to maintain a biblical

attitude toward other Christians.

1. You should love them.

I John 3:14-16; I Peter 4:8

2. You should be patient with them.

Romans 15:5-7

3. You should be sensitive to their needs.

I John 3:17-18; James 2:15-16

4. You should be forgiving of them.

Ephesians 4:32; Colossians 3:13

4. You have a part in a biblical fellowship that unites

Christians.

1. Fellowship is sharing our common life in Christ.

1. “Fellowship” is a term commonly used by Christians

generally referring to getting together for activities

or times of sharing common interests. However,

this is only a small part of true fellowship.

2. While fellowship is sharing things in common, true

biblical fellowship goes FAR BEYOND just a meal

or an activity. It is the sharing of life and ministry with

other believers through the person of the Lord Jesus

Christ.

Philippians 1:3-6; 2:1-2

3. The essential elements of true biblical fellowship are

not physical matters (such as social status, friendship,

common interests, etc.) but are the biblical essence

of the common life and mission we share.

2. Fellowship involves many aspects of Christian living.

1. Prayer - II Corinthians 1:11

2. Faith - Romans 1:12

3. Ministry - II Corinthians 8:4; Galatians 2:9

4. Suffering - Philippians 3:10; I Peter 4:13, 5:1

5. Doctrine - Acts 2:42; Romans 16:17

3. Fellowship is maintained by the practice of biblical

character qualities.

1. Humility - Philippians 2:3-8

2. Honesty - Ephesians 4:25; II Corinthians 4:2

3. Love - John 13:35; Galatians 5:13-15

4. Hospitality - Titus 1:8; Acts 2:42, 46-47

4. Fellowship among believers must be based on your

fellowship with Christ.

* You must learn to have personal fellowship with Him

before your fellowship with others believers will be

proper. True biblical fellowship is rooted in the

elements listed above (prayer, faith, ministry, suffering,

doctrine) as we come together in our fellowship in the

person of Christ.

I John 1:3-7; I Corinthians 1:9-10

5. What if another Christian offends me?

Unfortunately, this will probably happen to you if you spend

any time with your brothers and sisters in Jesus Christ. Just

as in your physical family, there will be times of offense, hurt,

and disagreement within the body of Christ. The Bible gives

us directions dealing with all situations. In serious cases of

offense, the following principles provide a definite progression

to deal with such matters.

1. Privately take the offense directly to the other party first

and try to settle it between yourselves.

Matthew 18:15

2. If the matter is not resolved privately, take a mature

believer with you as a mediator in the situation. This

person should be able to bring an objective evaluation

and give balance in dealing with the offense.

Matthew 18:16; I Corinthians 6:1-5

1. Do NOT go to the lost world to settle a spiritual

problem within the body of Christ.

I Corinthians 6:6

2. Go to the authorities if a crime has been committed.

Romans 13:1-5

3. If this matter still cannot be resolved, take it to your pastor

so the offending party has the opportunity to submit to

the structure of the church.

Matthew 18:17

1. Be prepared to support church discipline.

Romans 16:17; I Corinthians 5:9,11; II Thessalonians

3:6, 14; I Timothy 6:5

2. Commit the situation to the pastoral leadership of the

church. They will handle it justly as the Holy Spirit leads

through the structure God has established.

Hebrews 13:7, 17

3. While you should be ready to forgive your brother or sister

if there is true repentance, reconciliation and restoration

cannot take place without this repentance on the part of

the offending party. God made forgiveness possible when

Christ died and rose again.

That forgiveness becomes operative only when we repent

and receive His forgiveness.

Matthew 18:21-22; Luke 17:3; Colossians 3:13

4. Pray for your brother.

Matthew 5:43-48; Romans 12:14

5. Though you are ready to forgive when the offense is dealt

with biblically, be certain you do not enter into sin by

harboring bitterness in your heart in the meantime.

Hebrews 12:14-15