Right for you and Wrong for me

I was talking to a friend today and we were discussing a variety of argumentative issues in the church. For example, rated R movies, consumption of alcohol and gambling. Almost everyone has an opinion about each. And most opinionated people don't have a problem sharing what they think. Most of us have made our decision about each of these because of an outside influence. But my challenge to you is to seek the Word of God first. Second, ask the Holy Spirit to tell you what is best for you. I love how the NKJV of the bible translates 1 Corinthians 6:11-12 "All things are lawful for me, but all things are not helpful. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any." This is what the Word of God says about these issues. Now it is between you and the Holy Spirit to decide what is helpful and what is not. Have you allowed something to have power over you? You hear people often say that they don't want to give their life over to Christ because they will have to stop having fun. It is quite the opposite. God never said you can't but He did say, "Should you?" Once again our Lord gives us a choice. Why in the world do we let man dictate what is right and wrong for our lives? Let God speak to you and then listen and obey. But don't judge those around you that don't do what you do. Their relationship with God is totally different and He may not be sharing with you what He is sharing with them. You focus on you and get your eyes off of others. My struggles are not your struggles and my victories are not yours either. We are each precious in the sight of God and His plan for us is unique. Let Him work on His masterpiece and create something that has never been seen before.

Set Free

Don't you just love when God reminds you of His truth? I was reminded this morning that the enemy no longer has authority in my life. I have been delivered from the powers of darkness. You and I have been redeemed. Colossians 1:13-14 says that "God has delivered us from the power of darkness, and has translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son. In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins." We don't have to walk in fear. Our past no longer has a grip on our life. We were once a slave to sin and bound by the enemy. But we are now sons/daughters of the Most High God. I have visualized myself in chains curled up in a dark, cold corner of a prison cell. But once Christ entered my life, the prison doors were opened, my chains were destroyed and I was led outside into the warm sunlight. I no longer have to visit that cell again and neither do you. The enemy wants us to believe he is more powerful than us. But you have been given authority over the enemy. I love the song we used to sing years ago, "he's under my feet, he's under my feet, satan is under my feet." It's so important that you know who you are and what has been done for you. Don't just take part of the cross but receive all that it has to offer. Many of us were released from prison the day we received Christ but we are hanging out around the prison gates. We look up at the guards standing in the tower and we are afraid to move. WE ARE FREE! The price has been paid the charges have been dropped. Run away and don't look back. Go and live with Christ!

Letting Go

So here goes another story about my sweet little boy Hudson. Today his daddy and I decided it was time for him to give up his "Balay" (blanket) once and for all. We had it go missing months ago and he did very well. But when the stomach bug attacked we brought it back for comfort. Big mistake!! So here we are today trying to reason with a 4 almost 5 year old. This blanket is like an old friend to him. He talks to it, kisses it, smells it and takes it everywhere we go. To be honest, I am sad to see balay go. She (as Hud calls it) has become a part of our family. Some of you may be saying, "Why can't he keep it?" Long story but Ty and I have come to an agreement that it is time. Oh my, the crocodile tears were huge. It broke my heart to see him so distraught. And then daddy pulls a $20 bill from his back pocket and tells him if we can have balay he can get something from Wal-Mart. Oh don't judge. You know you've bribed your kids too. So Dado, my dad, came by and took Hudson to get something special at Wally World. I thought to myself this was too easy. Well, I should have known what was coming. BEDTIME! "Mom, where's my balay?" You have got to be kidding me. Again reasoning with a sleepy 4 year old is not possible. We prayed with him, talked with him and loved on him. Nothing was working. I sat down on his bed and put my hands in my coat pocket. The jacket I wore to church tonight had not been worn in a couple of years. When I reached in, I felt an old pacifier in the bottom. I pulled it out thinking this would be a great tool to helping him understand letting go and growing up. He once loved that "Boppy" (pacifier). But when he got older he had to give it up. Well this tool backfired on me. As soon as he saw it, his eyes got big, the tears dried up and he yelled, "Thank you mommy, thank you." Are you kidding me? He wanted that darn boppy back. He grabbed it and shoved it in his mouth. Luckily it was covered in fuzz and as soon as he put it in his mouth he jerked it right back out. Praise God! He was at least calm now and I said we would talk about it in the morning. Ten minutes later he is hunting me down in the laundry room just wanting to know where we had put the blanket. "Ty I need you," I yelled. One more talk with daddy and he calmly headed back to bed with the new toy he had gotten at Wal-Mart.

So as most of you know, God speaks to me in ALL of life's little moments. What are you holding on to? Have you let go of old habits, relationships, etc. but as soon as they make their way back into your life you latch on with all your might? Is there something that is keeping you from growing up (Spiritually)? We have got to trust God that He has something better for us. He wants to take us where we have never been. And don't let go of one thing to pick another back up. Our security is found in Him alone.

Hudson will grow up and laugh at this story one day. But as adults we don't seem to find much humor in our own struggles. It's real life and it really hurts. My one word of encouragement is that when you give God something He gives back something better. When you give Him your addiction, He gives you freedom. When you give Him your fears, He gives you peace. When you give Him that wrong relationship, He gives you the right one. Trust Him because He is faithful!

Where's the Fruit?

I love Joyce Meyer so much. I have never heard a message that didn't some how speak to me. And when I hear something that touches my life I must share. Matthew 21:18-22 says this, "Early in the morning, as Jesus was on his way back to the city, he was hungry. Seeing a fig tree by the road, he went up to it but found nothing on it except leaves. Then he said to it, “May you never bear fruit again!” Immediately the tree withered. When the disciples saw this, they were amazed. “How did the fig tree wither so quickly?” they asked. Jesus replied, “Truly I tell you, if you have faith and do not doubt, not only can you do what was done to the fig tree, but also you can say to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and it will be done. If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.”

Joyce said she had always felt sorry for the fig tree. Why would Jesus destroy that tree? One day the Holy Spirit revealed to her the meaning of this story. She compared the fig tree covered in leaves to someone who calls themselves a Christian. From a distance the tree looks full and a perfect place to find fruit. And when you are hungry that is an exciting thing to see. But once you start searching under the leaves you find that it is bare. No fruit to be found. We wear crosses around our necks. We put bumper stickers on our cars and we never miss a church service. But if anyone gets close enough they find no fruit. Hypocrites are a stench in the nostrils of our Father. Are you bearing fruit? Well Heather, what do you mean? Galatians 5:22 says, "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law." When Jesus looks deep inside you, does He see these qualities? You can fool the world but you can't fool Him.

My prayer is that we all bear much fruit. And it can't be done by our own strength. You must ask the Holy Spirit to help you, to guide you and to change you. I believe in you but more importantly, I believe in Him.