No Regrets!

Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness." Lamentations 3:22-23

The longer I walk with God, the more I am aware of the tactics of the enemy. Among many, he uses doubt, discouragement, distractions, disillusionment, devastation, and fear to keep us down. All of these are lies! So we must focus on the truth, and often to know the truth we need the help of another Christian. We become blinded by the lies and need someone to look at our situation from the outside. Who is your friend that gives you a clear perspective?

My GFF's keep me thinking clearly! Currently the enemy wants me to regret my past, trying to make me buy into the "what ifs". But 'what ifs' aren't from God. As I shared my regrets with my GFF's the other night they all shook their heads as I spoke. They were telling me these weren't thoughts that God was giving me or that even line up to God's character. Yes, I've made mistakes. Yes, I've compromised myself and my beliefs. Yes, I've even compromised the word of God. But the truth is, we all have. Even the most faithful of Christians. And the truth is, God's love covers it all. 

Over 2 thousand years ago, on a cross, my sins were forgiven- erased and consumed! Every day is a new day with our God. Every morning I wake, it is a chance to live differently. A chance to speak with Godly confidence and boldness. A chance to accept His love and love with His love. Oh, how great is God's love that he gives us multiple chances. How great is His love that his patience never fails!

Live today with no regrets!

Dear Lord,

Thank you once again for friends who hold me accountable to truth. It is my prayer that each of the readers today will seek a friend who does the same. Lord, the lies are subtle and can entangle us for too long. Give us friends that will help us find our way to truth quickly so that we can carry on in your joy and love.

Amen 

Think Again!

Let them turn the other cheek to those who strike them and accept the insults of their enemies.

Lamentations 3:30

Of course God doesn't want us hitting people.........Jesus did not go around hurting people physically and emotionally, but He did speak out in truth and love.  Jesus did not let people get away with manipulating behavior and sinful motives.  He saw wrong and He spoke out, sometimes with a gentle voice and others with anger and force, depending on the issue.  I have always found this scripture to be hard to swallow, mostly because for years I have misinterpreted it.  As I sit and think back on my personal life, and even the things I have passed down to my children, I'm not afraid to say I have had it all wrong.  Partly because I am a people pleaser and I never wanted anyone mad at me (something I am working on), but also because I misunderstood Jesus for so many years.  I never recognized that Jesus has a rougher side to Him.  Yes, he is all loving, gentle, and patient with us, but there is a side of Him that we tend to overlook.  Jesus didn't allow people to keep doing wrong.  He spoke up when things weren't right and he never overlooked a sin.  He knew how to rebuke in such a way that spoke truth in love, but He never just turned the other cheek to the bad that was happening.  Jesus spoke out against the bad things people did and He allowed people to experience the consequences to their choices.  This scripture is referring to getting back at someone or getting revenge with an enemy.  This does not mean that we should stand around and let our spouse or someone we love continue to hurt us physically, emotionally or spiritually.  God never intended this command to hurt us, and staying with someone who continually hurts us is never something God wants for our lives.  Notice the end of the scripture refers to enemies.  A spouse, friend, or family member is not an enemy.  Those are the very people whom we love and spend lots of time with.  God does not want us undergoing continued abuse from someone in our lives.  Enemies are people we don't know well, they are people who misunderstand us and people who are just plain mean.  Their intentions are to hurt and destroy, not characteristics of a person God wants us hanging around with on a daily basis.  So my dear friends, if you are turning the other cheek because you think that is what God would want, think again.  Take some time to reflect on who you are turning from.  Who are you allowing to hurt you daily?  Is there someone in your life who you are staying with because you feel God wants you to "stick it out" or "turn the other cheek"?  God says to turn the other cheek to our enemies and accept their insults because it usually consists of a one time thing.  He wants us to practice self control and perseverance with those who misunderstand our motives and the God behind those motives.  If we are dealing with someone who is not a believer then we should show them love but never let them walk all over us.  We are not to be a doormat.  

   

Choose!

“I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want” (Philippians 4:11b-12, NIV).

Paul chose! His life in service to Christ was not one of ease and respect. Paul was beaten down, shipwrecked, imprisoned and rejected. But he Chose to be content.  He was content inside himself. His circumstance and other people did not determine who or whose he was. His heart was joyful because he believed the promises of God. He had joy because he walked with Christ in his heart believing every word of scripture to be true. 

Dear precious friend, don't let others steal your joy. Be content in the joy of knowing Christ is your savior and you are his. He WILL return for you and take you into eternal glory with God the father. CHOOSE to be content! Read his promises and recite them until you believe his truths. CHOOSE to be changed.
CHOOSE to not let this life define you! CHOOSE to be defined by who Christ says you are!

Jesus......Your Foundation or Boulder?

Welcome to the living Stone, the source of all life.  The workmen took one look and threw it out; God set it in the place of honor.  Present yourselves as building stones for the construction of a sanctuary vibrant with life, in which you'll serve as holy priests offering Christ-approved lives up to God.  The Scriptures provide precedent:

Look! I'm setting a stone in Zion, a cornerstone in the place of honor.  Whoever trusts in this stone as a foundation will never have cause to regret it.  To you who trust him, he's a Stone to be proud of, but to those who refuse to trust him,

The stone the workmen threw out is now the chief foundation stone.  For the untrusting it's

............a stone to trip over, a boulder blocking the way.  They trip and fall because they refuse to obey, just as predicted.  

1 Peter 2:4-8 MSG

I'm not sure I need to say much more after this message.  I was drawn to it the other day because I worry that we don't put enough emphasis on Jesus.  All the world knows about God.  Even satan believes in God.  The problem arises when we don't believe in Jesus and we don't focus on Him as our savior.  Our lives should be revolving around Jesus and our relationship with Him.  Do we know enough about Him to know what to do when we are between a rock and a hard place?  That Rock is Jesus calling for us to choose His way and that hard place is sin.....satan, calling us away from our foundation.  The cornerstone, our foundation, must be built on Jesus!  We must know Him and His character to understand what choices to make and which way to choose.  Like the old popular saying, "WWJD" - What Would Jesus Do, if we are to make decisions based on how Jesus would react in our  situation then we better trust Him and study Him and know Him so that we can make the correct decision.  It takes knowing Jesus on an intimate level, cherishing our time with Him, studying His words and actions, and taking on those for our own.  

Do you want to be a building stone that stands on Christ, the foundation?  Together with all the christians in the world do you want to build God's church to stand tall and strong?  Our lives must be dedicated to trusting God and living with Jesus!  We can't know Him well enough if we aren't in our bibles daily.  We can't know how He would react..........our Teacher can't teach us unless we are willing and able to learn.  We will stumble and fall if we aren't prepared by knowing Jesus personally and knowing all about God's instructions and promises in our life.  

Friends, have you chosen to build your life on Jesus, the foundation or have you chosen to trust in yourself.  What is the foundation of your life?  What do you build your life on and what are you helping to build up?  Is it work, sex, your spouse, your children, food, or alcohol?  What do you go to work on every day building it up to make it stronger in your life and in the lives of others?  What or who are you living for?  If your answer is not Jesus, your  Living stone, our Cornerstone, and chief Foundation........then friends it's time to reevaluate your life. Stop tripping over the boulder in your way and choose today Whom you will serve!          

Listen to Advice

Timely advice is lovely, like golden apples in a silver basket. To one who listens, valid criticism is like a gold earring or other gold jewelry. Proverbs 25:11-12

Everyone wants to be wise. We all want to be perceived as intelligent. We feel confident when we know the answers, but in reality wisdom isn't any of these things. Wisdom is being able to listen to others, read and discern information, and then make a decision based on all the facts.
Wise people listen to others. They intake information and filter out what doesn't line up with God's character. Wise people listen to criticism from others. They aren't afraid of hearing about their mistakes and learning to do things a new or better way. Wise people feel blessed when they are shown their errors because wise people value truth.
When is the last time someone told you that you needed to make a change? Maybe it was a change in your behavior, your character, or simply in the way you completed a task. If we are wise, we will listen to others' advice. Our natural reaction is to defend ourself, but wisdom listens, considers the advice, and makes changes if the criticism is valid.

Lord,
Help me to be open to valid criticism. Help me to consider what others are saying and choose to act on advice that will make me a better person, help me be a better employee, or strengthen my Christian walk. Lord, let me be one who is wise because I've chosen to listen to others.
Amen

Sunday Scripture

For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to him.

2 Chronicles 19:9

Sing Along Saturday

This world gets a hold on us and it feels so hard to break free. But, "there is power in the name of Jesus to break every chain!"No matter what sin or hardships have a grip on your life, your freedom is just a spoken word away..... Jesus! He longs to enter into relationship with you and set you free from sin, guilt, shame, pain, fear, or whatever is binding you!

Enjoy this song today by Jesus Culture!
Click this link to listen to this powerful song...

Break Every Chain