I was talking to a co-worker the other day about
the difference between religion and a
relationship with God. This particular person used to say I
was religious because he knows I go to church and love the Lord - but I would
always tell him that I'm actually not "religious", I just have an awesome
relationship with the Lord. I explained to Him that I don't go to church because
I feel like I have to; I go because I truly want to. See, religion makes one
feel obligated to perform, and many reject the idea of feeling controlled
or obligated to do anything. I believe this is what turns a lot of
non-believers, and hey possibly even some "believers" off.
Now don't misunderstand me: I believe in living our lives
according to God's word. I believe in holiness. And of course I believe that we
should go to church. But are we really giving our best to the Lord if we are
only doing these things out of a sense of duty? Or can we agree that just as we
wouldn't want anyone to do anything for us because they felt they had to - God
doesn't either? And just as we want to be loved by people who just want to love
us, be with us, treat us right, show us kindness and honor...I believe that is
also our father's desire.
Religion? Relationship? Huge
difference.
Let's
break free from any sense of duty and begin to work on our relationship with
God, because we truly love and appreciate Him and because we really want to be
with Him. So again I ask - is your heart REALLY in it???
*** NOTE: To receive email
alerts on hot new blog posts and all our exciting events, click this link to
sign up now... http://eepurl.com/iFvIX
1) Schedule PRAYER and MEDITATION as a daily PRIORITY in your life.
Psalm 1:1-3; Proverbs 3:1-6; Joshua 1:7-9
2) OBEY God and leave the consequences to Him.
John 14:15; John 14:21
3) TRUST God in every circumstance.
Proverbs 3:5
4) WAIT upon the Lord for His direction.
Psalm 27:14; Isaiah 64:4
5) DEPEND on the Holy Spirit.
John 14:16-18
6) Remember God loves you unconditionally.
7) GIVE to God generously.
8) REST in the assurance that God is in complete control of everything.
Psalm 103:19
9) Keep your eyes on the destination: Heaven.
Sisters, I can recall times in my life I've been soooo hurt and disappointed with people, especially those I had sacrificed for, went above and beyond for, bent over backwards for...and in my time of need, they were noooo where to be found. Can anyone relate to this???
I remember one specific incident with an ex-boyfriend whom I had absolutely adored and had poured out my love and kindness all over. Years later, after the relationship had ended but we remained friends, I found myself going through a series of health challenges and his "seeming" lack of concern just really ticked me off to the highest degree. With thoughts of how I had been there for him and how he was treating me playing over and over in my mind, I finally reached my boiling poing, and made it, not only my business, but my duty, to let him know how selfish and self centered he was...with exclamation points and all!!!! lol
Between that email and today, God has taught me a lot of things. One of the major things has been about trusting in Him not in people. Often, we are so consumed and focused on getting approval, love, and attention from others that we get our little hearts broken when people let us down, and they inevitably will let us down, because well...they are flawed... just as we are. How many people have you let down, even with the best intentions?
God has shown me that He is my source. He is my hope. He approves me. He loves me. He is faithful to me. He will provide for me. He will make a way for me. He is the ONLY one responsible for me. This is so freeing for me. As a result, I have determined in my heart to not put expectations on others because, truly, only God can meet every expectation we have without fail :-). Ladies, let's stop looking to people and instead look to God for everything that we need; He's right there in the midst of it all and He's got it all under control. Thank you Lord!
*** NOTE: To receive email alerts on hot new blog posts and all our exciting events, click this link to sign up now... http://eepurl.com/iFvIX
Awwwwww life...filled with many ups, but also filled with many downs. Sometimes you're on top of the world...other times you have to laugh to keep from crying. Neeeeever a dull moment, lol. We're all dealing with so much and often the challenges of life can seemingly outweigh the joys - but in the midst of it all - God is right there. HOWEVER when you're going through those rough places and the burdens seem so overbearing and the wait, endless - those moments of despair can creep in, regardless of how strong you are in your faith.
I was recently challenged with the engine on my car blowing on the highway on my way back from going to check out a lucrative job promotion that I was offered, and considering. The car breaking down just totally put a wrench in any thought I had of accepting that job, as it was a long commute and simply impossible without a reliable vehicle. Adamant about not financing a vehicle, it came down to finding another car that I would need to pay cash for, so it needed to be...well... in the budget. And who has thousands of dollars for a new car in the budget?????
Months dragged on, nothing was working out, anxiety rearing its head, inconvenienced on every side... but through it all, God provided. He provided rides to work from co-workers, rides home from co-workers , friends and even residents, lol. He provided taxi money, grocery deliveries...wooo He provided! Today I'm thrilled, as I just put my new car on the road!! Amazingly, like only God can, He worked it out in such an awesome way. One of residents at my job happened to be selling a car and because I had always been so kind and helpful to her, she favored me over others who were also interested in the car. God is faithful! And no matter what it looks like, He's trustworthy. If God has ever ever ever come through for you before... He will certainly do it again. Thank you daddy :-).
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding;
In all your ways acknowledge him, And he will make your paths straight.”
(Proverbs 3:5-6)
*** NOTE: To receive email alerts on hot new blog posts and all our exciting events, click this link to sign up now... http://eepurl.com/iFvIX
Have it YOUR way. Do YOU. It's all about YOU. Whatever makes YOU happy.
- If I'm attracted to someone, why not have sex with them? Hey I live once, I'm going to ENJOY myself...shoot it's my body, my life, my business.
- So what if I have a few drinks and get a little high...everyone else is doing it.
- And what's the big deal if I watch a little porn...it's not hurting anybody.
- Yeah I know I'm married but my spouse is unsupportive and so distant and this guy at my job makes me feel so special...don't I deserve to feel special?
It's a "Do Whaaaatever makes YOU feel good" society that we live in. But how many of you know we will NEVER, EVER, EVER reap God's blessings and favor living in complete and utter disobedience to His Word. Abraham inherited the promise by his willingness to obey God, as difficult as it was. Many of you will disagree with this message but that's okay because if you're convicted by it...it's an opportunity for you to check your life and make the proper adjustments. We want the blessings but also want to live sloppy and disobedient to God. IT'S NOT HAPPENING. Sure God's mercy is available to us but let's not take advantage of His goodness by living a life of perpetual sin. His Grace is available to empower us to abstain from sin but in order to access that power we really have to want it and stay wrapped up in the things of God. We can't hang in the bar on Thursday, get high on Friday, sleep around on Saturday, head to church on Sunday... and wonder why God's not answering our prayer on Monday.
Get mad if you want to... but it is what it is...
Disobedience to God's Word will continue to block His blessings but a life of obedience will always open the door for the blessings to flow in your life. The choice is ours....
"For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome." (1 John. 5:3)
*** NOTE: To receive email alerts on hot new blog posts and all our exciting events, click this link to sign up now... http://eepurl.com/iFvIX
Ladies, I think back on every man I've been in a relationship with, particularly the ones I gave my heart, my love, my body, to, and I consider...WHERE OH WHERE are these people now? It's amazing how we get so deceived by the ways of the world and completely reject God's ways. I spent many years living like the world, doing relationships like the world, thinking like them, behaving like them - because truth be told, I was one of them. When in a relationship, it seemed the natural next step was to be intimate. Right? Well, it depends on who you ask....
One day, somewhere, somehow, I heard about something called... ummmhh... fornication! Forni-who? Fornication - the act of engaging in sex outside the covenant of marriage. Wooooooooow... you mean having sex with a man I'm dating exclusively is wrong?! According to the world, not at all, but according to the word of God... dead wrong.
But even after realizing this, I strugggggggggled in a relationship with a man I just adored. I mean, this man was a girl's dream, the chemistry between us was explosive on every level, and his constant attempts to get me in his bed were proving to be too much for this girl who was trying to live for God! I had to make a choice. I was hurting and ashamed. Ultimately, I chose God. Today, I am completely abstinent and commit to be until the day I say I do to my boo boo...and then it's on and popping!!! lol.
In all seriousness, I see a father's heart and love in His instructions to His children to abstain from sex outside of a covenant, committed, relationship with someone who is in it for life not just a season. Seriously sisters, where are these men we have given our treasures to? In most cases, we have no clue...but we do know where our God is. He has always been and will always be there. I encourage all of us single women of God to make a commitment to obeying His word...His love letter to His babies :-).
*** NOTE: To receive email alerts on hot new blog posts and all our exciting events, click this link to sign up now... http://eepurl.com/iFvIX
Ladies, no matter where you are today or what you have been through, God still loves you and you are still precious in His sight. I know often we let our past mistakes, as well as the opinions and mis-treatment from others, determine our value, but the truth is that our true value is not determined by anything other than what our creator has said about us. If you have struggled with guilt, shame, low self esteem, an inferiority complex, abuse, neglect, or any other issue that has limited your view of yourself - this is the place to come fellowship with other women who are on the same path to FINDING THEIR TRUE WORTH...IN CHRIST ALONE.
Here, we will share our struggles, our issues, our losses, our victories, our acquired wisdom, to help encourage, strengthen, and inspire one another to victory in every area of our lives, ultimately becoming the women God created us to be.
WELCOME to PMBT (Put me back together) Lord....for ONLY He can!!!
*** NOTE: To receive email alerts on hot new blog posts and all our exciting events, click this link to sign up now... http://eepurl.com/iFvIX
