On Trial (repost 2/19/18)

Photo by KEEM IBARRA on Unsplash

*If you were on trial for being a Christian would there be enough evidence to convict you?*

I heard a variation of this question years ago for the first time and it’s remained with me.

It always gets me thinking about my relationship with God.

If I was arrested today for being a Christian, would there be enough evidence to convict me?

Do people see Christ in me throughout my every day life or am I just going through the motions?

Matthew 7:21-23 says:

²¹ “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. ²² Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ ²³ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’

I don’t know about you but that passage has always frightened me. To have God turn to you and tell you He never knew you? Talk about scary!

I’m going to be raw here for a moment. Here is an excerpt from my prayer journal:

Am I living a life that pleases You, God? Or am I just trying to work my way into Heaven? I want to be a soul on fire for You! I want to glorify You in all I say and do.

Why is having a relationship with You so difficult for me sometimes? Why do I struggle with this?

Have I truly given my life to You? Is this Satan’s way of attacking me?

I long to live a life that glorifies God.  I want people to see me on the streets and think, “There’s something different about her.”

Satan definitely knows my weaknesses and is using them against me. I came across a great quote one day that helps me when I battle Satan like this:

There would be no inner battle if we were truly lost.

So on days like today when I’m “doubting my salvation”, I just read this quote and it reminds me that I AM saved. Satan is just trying his level best to make me believe otherwise.

Another quote I came across and I have hanging up in my room is this:

One of the key ways you can tell you’re saved is when your faith is continually leading you towards repentance and Jesus is continually bringing about change.

Matt Chandler

(I’m struggling with the putting words into sentences today (stupid Fibro fog) so if any of this sounds off, I’m sorry.)

Would there be enough evidence to convict you if you were arrested for being a Christian?

Flashback Friday: “To the Almost Christian” (reblog)

I shared this post several years ago and decided to make it my first ever “Flashback Friday” post.

Being an almost Christian is not good enough. 99% sure is not 100% saved. We must realize this immediately because one day the Lord will return. What will he say to you? “Well done, my good and faithful servant?” or will he say what I consider to be the scariest words ever said… “Depart from me…I never knew you.”

To the Almost Christian

His Grace is Sufficient

Yesterday I posted what it’s like to be a writer and a Christian and suffer from bipolar disorder and ADHD. I almost deleted it because let’s be honest….that’s pretty personal. But I felt the Lord encourage me to leave it up because it’s important. Christians can suffer from mental illness. Mental illness does not discriminate and can affect Christians and non-Christians alike.

I have suffered from mental health issues (depression, anxiety) since I was a senior in high school…(2001) but I wasn’t officially diagnosed with bipolar disorder until 2008. We suspect I had it all along once the diagnosis was given because once we learned the symptoms everything became crystal clear. Everything clicked into place. Suddenly everything made sense.

Though I grew up in church…I didn’t give my life to Christ until 2003. I grew up memorizing Scripture, listening to sermons, participating in the choir, etc…but none of it ever hit home for me. I was going through the motions of a Christian but I wasn’t one.

That is, until March 16, 2003, when I was listening to an evangelist and he made a statement that has left an impression on me ever since. He said, “You can be 99% sure that you are a Christian but you’re not…you’re still 100% lost.” Suddenly, my eyes were open. I realized I was playing church. I was going through all the motions of being a born-again believer but inwardly I was still a lost soul.

And so on that day, I made my way to the altar and accepted Christ as my personal Savior.

Now was my life suddenly nothing but sunshine and rainbows? Of course not. Struggles still arise…health issues pop up…but having the comfort of knowing that my Savior will never leave me and will see me through those difficulties is enough for me.

His grace is sufficient.

⁷ even though I have received such wonderful revelations from God. So to keep me from becoming proud, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger from Satan to torment me and keep me from becoming proud.

⁸ Three different times I begged the Lord to take it away. ⁹ Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me. ¹⁰ That’s why I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

2 Corinthians 12:7-10

Sports Watching Christians

If anyone knows me at all, they know I’m a huge North Carolina Tar Heels fan. I’ve been a fan for as long as I can remember. I’m mainly a basketball junkie but I’ve been finding myself following the football team these past couple of years.

This post by Gowdy is a must-read for Christians who love to watch sports. I encourage you to check it out! I came across this post at just the right time…basketball season is almost here!

Why Do Sports Cause Christians To Act Like Lost People?

Glorifying God

A life that glorifies God is a life that reveals God

Beth Moore

Does my life glorify God? In all that I say and do, does my life reflect Him? It’s a question I ask myself constantly.

Life can get overwhelming at times, we all know this. And in those difficult times, are we focusing on the Creator rather than the created? Is our focus half-hearted? Or does our light shine before men, oozing out Christ’s love for others?

¹⁴ “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden.¹⁵ Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. ¹⁶ In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.

Matthew 5:14-16

We are called to lead others to Christ. We are called to love these people and show them Christ’s love. After all, Christ died for our sins. He literally took our sin upon Him. Why? Because He loves us so much. He loves us unconditionally and undeservedly.

Does our life glorify God? Or are we just going through the motions, just pretending? Pretending to be on fire for God? Do we act one way around our Christian friends and a completely different way around non believers? How will that bring others to Christ?

Christians are called to walk through the world with the heart of Christ.

Louie Giglio, “Goliath Must Fall”

I struggle with selfishness. I will admit that. But if I’m being honest with myself, being selfish is definitely not Christlike. Unfortunately, while I have selfish tendencies, I also tend to be a people pleaser. Kind of weird, huh?  I struggle with how and what people think about me and strive to please them and because of that I lose my focus on God.  I take my eyes off of Jesus and I start to sink like Peter did when he got out of the boat to walk on the water to Jesus. I should live in a way that pleases God and not man.

Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ.

Galatians 1:10

 

And whatever you do, do it heartily as to the Lord and not to men

Colossians 3:23

Now, as long as we live on this earth we will never be perfect. We will slip up from time to time. But thankfully we have a God who welcomes us back into His arms. His love is that strong. He IS love!

 

 

People, Get Ready!

In Matthew 24:36-44, we read that absolutely no one but the Father knows when Christ is coming back. Not even the Son. He will return when we least expect it. We need to be ready!

My heart aches for those who don’t know Christ yet. He could come back at any moment and the thought of losing my unsaved loved ones to hell just breaks my heart. The seed has been planted in their lives but they just won’t take root. Their hearts are hardening with each passing day and I’m scared they are going to die without Christ in their lives.

So please pray that I might be a better witness to them. That they will see Jesus in me and want to know Jesus as their own.

Live as though Christ will return TODAY!

People, get ready! It will happen in a blink of the eye!

Do you know Christ as your personal Savior?

People Get Ready, Jesus is Coming–Crystal Lewis

Lord I’m ready now
I’m waiting for Your triumphant return
You’re coming so soon
This world has nothing for me
I find my peace and joy solely in You
Only in You
I want the world to see that
You’re alive and living well in me
Let me be a part of the harvest
For the days are few
He’s coming soon

People get ready Jesus is coming
Soon we’ll be going home
People get ready Jesus is coming
To take from the world His own

There will be a day
When we will be divided right and left
For those who know Him
And those who do not know
Those who know Him well
Will meet Him in the air
Hallelujah
God is with us
Those who do not know
They will hear “Depart, I knew you not”
For my friends you see
There will be a day when well be counted
So know Him well, know Him well

Altar Ego Update

Hey friends! How is your Wednesday going? Great, I hope!

I’m currently reading Craig Groeschel’s book Altar Ego and am loving it! I’m currently on chapter 11. But I wanted to share with you what I’ve gained so far:

• All Christians are called to be Christ’s representatives here on earth

• There is no sin too great for God’s grace. There is no habit too big for his healing. There is no label too strong for his love. God’s power is bigger than your past.

• The ultimate gift card of salvation carries an infinite balance over the charges of our sins.

• You can’t earn your way to salvation. You can’t save yourself

• Faith filled attitudes lead to faith filled actions. Godly beliefs lead to godly behaviors.

I just finished up the chapter on living with gratitude. I was hit with guilt as I read about how ungrateful we can be. I know I’m guilty of this. I have a big tendency to care about “me, me, me” instead of others.  I can be selfish. I know this and I’m being convicted of it daily. I’m working on changing  that now as I type this. Groeschel makes a statement that really got my attention

To overcome our dissatisfied, ungrateful attitude, we must first identify it in specific areas of our lives.

Identifying the problem is the first step, right?

So how do we overcome the seeds of ungratefulness? We turn it to praise! Matt Redman has a song called “Blessed Be Your Name” and there is a line that says “every blessing you pour out I’ll turn back to praise.” Basically, to cultivate an attitude of gratitude we need to turn every good thing in our lives into an opportunity to worship!

(this video includes the chords if you are learning to play the guitar! I think it would be cool to learn!)

This book is great! I encourage you all to get your hands on a copy and read it! Craig Groeschel has a way with words that make things easy to understand. Which is good because I have such a simple mind that I need things broken down for me. 🙂

BLESSED BE THE NAME OF THE LORD!

Happy Wednesday!

Overcoming Worry: Turning Fear into Faith

I don’t know about you but I have a huge tendency to worry about every little thing.

Well last night I came across a booklet from Discovery Series about overcoming worry and turning that worry into faith. It was very helpful and I’d like to share a little bit of what I read. 🙂

Worry Defined:

Worry is a feeling of uneasiness, apprehension or dread usually related to negative thoughts of something that may happen in the future. Such possibilities may be important to think about, but those thoughts are healthy only if we are able or willing to do something positive about them.

Worry defeats us when it replaces wise action or needed rest with fearful emotion—David Egner

How Should We Deal With Worry?

Read. Pray. Trust. Obey

1. Read the Bible–something to feast on
2. Pray–someone to feast with
3. Trust-trusting God and releasing our worries to Him
4. Obey-Obey God in the things we CAN control

 

How Can We Put our Worries to Work for Us?

• Let Worry Turn Our Attention to God
  • He is everywhere
  • He knows everything
  • He is all-powerful
  • He will never leave or forsake us
• Let Worry Turn our Attention to the Words of Jesus
  • Matthew 6:25-34
    • the opportunities of heaven are more important than the potential losses of life
• Turn Worry into Prayer
  • Philippians 4:6-7
• A Practical Approach to  Worry
  • Accept What We Cannot Change
  • Give to God What We Cannot Change

“Being burdened down with care can reflect a lack of trust in Him.”

We just have to remember that God is in control and He knows what is best for our lives. When we find ourselves worrying, turn that worry into a prayer and let God know your concerns.

 

O Holy Night

Our Christmas Cantata went great this morning! Thank you to all who prayed for us. It went smoothly. I got chills singing O Holy Night.

O holy night the stars are brightly shining
It is the night of our dear Savior’s birth
Long lay the world in sin and error pining
Till He appeared and the soul felt its worth

A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices
For yonder breaks a new glorious morn
Fall on your knees
O hear the angels’ voices
O night divine
O night when Christ was born
O night divine o night
O night divine

Have you ever just stopped and really listened to the words being song in a particular song? Sometimes they take on a whole new meaning even though you’ve sung the song all your life.  That was me this morning singing O Holy Night. I have sung this song since I was a child but this morning I really took the time to listen and focus on the words being sung and oh….the chills I got!

Christ was born so he could die for us. Christ took on human flesh so he could take on all our sins so we didn’t have to die in sin. FALL on your knees! Praise the Lord and worship His holy name! We have so much to be thankful for!

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Verse of the day:

Ah Lord God! Behold thou hast made the heaven and the earth by thy great power and stretched out arm and there is nothing too hard for thee.  Jeremiah 32:17

NOTHING, you see! NOTHING is too hard for my God. He created EVERYTHING. Life can be rough at times. This is not something new. Everyone goes through trials and tribulations. But if we just keep our eyes focused on Him, we can rest assure knowing God’s in control of everything!

I am 34 years old and have been single pretty much my entire life. I’ve had boyfriends here and there but they just didn’t work out. There was a time where I was very depressed about being single. I felt like God was ignoring me and that I was never going to find someone special. But after finally surrendering to the Lord and giving him my concerns and my desires, I finally became content with my singleness. If God has someone special for me, I know without a doubt that He’ll send him my way. But if God wants me to be single, I’m okay with that too. Because my main goal now is to focus on God and what He wants me to do. I’m no longer focused on what *I* want to do. God has great plans for me.

He has great plans for you as well if you would just take the time to focus on Him and let Him guide your path. 🙂

The Love of God at Christmas

Edit

My church’s Christmas Cantata is tomorrow which means big rehearsal today! But afterwards is our annual Christmas party so that will be lots of fun! Not that rehearsal won’t be….well fun….LOL.  Because I’m sure it will be! We always end up laughing hard at one thing or another.

Pray that we all stay healthy! And that we will get the message across to our audience tomorrow! It’s a really good program with really great songs! My favorite is called “More than Wonderful.” It has such a great message!

For He’s more wonderful than my mind can conceive
He’s more wonderful than my heart can believe
He goes beyond my highest hopes and fondest dreams
He’s everything that my soul ever longed for
Everything He’s promised and so much more
More than amazing, more than marvelous
More than miraculous could ever be
He’s more than wonderful, that’s what Jesus is to me

 

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Verse of the day:

The Lord does not delay his promise as some understand delay, but is patient with you not wanting any to perish but all to come to repentance.  2 Peter 3:9

They say patience is a virtue. Well, it’s a virtue I haven’t learned yet. I can be so impatient at times. I’m trying to hard to work on that but some days are just bad, lol.

God has promised us that He is coming back for us one day. And I don’t know about you but I get impatient waiting for the 2nd coming. I’m so ready for Him to come back so I can spend ETERNITY with Him.

But our patience and God’s patience are two different things. You see, God doesn’t want anyone to perish so he is “patiently waiting for all to come to repentance.”