The True Vine - John 15

John 15 (NKJV)

The True Vine

1“I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser.

2 Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit. 

3 You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. 

4 Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me.

5 “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. 

6 If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned. 

7 If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. 

8 By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples.

Love and Joy Perfected

9 “As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love. 

10 If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love.

11 “These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full. 12 This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. 

13 Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends. 

14 You are My friends if you do whatever I command you. 

15 No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you. 

16 You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you. 

17 These things I command you, that you love one another.

The World’s Hatred

18 “If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you. 

19 If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. 

20 Remember the word that I said to you, ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you. If they kept My word, they will keep yours also. 

21 But all these things they will do to you for My name’s sake, because they do not know Him who sent Me. 

22 If I had not come and spoken to them, they would have no sin, but now they have no excuse for their sin. 

23 He who hates Me hates My Father also. 

24 If I had not done among them the works which no one else did, they would have no sin; but now they have seen and also hated both Me and My Father. 

25 But this happened that the word might be fulfilled which is written in their law, ‘They hated Me without a cause.’

The Coming Rejection

26 “But when the Helper comes, whom I shall send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, He will testify of Me. 

27 And you also will bear witness, because you have been with Me from the beginning.

I love this chapter, did you know that it is the inspiration for this blog?!?!  God is The Vine, we are the branches. We live and breath and move in Him, apart from Him we can do nothing!   I am so thankful for God's provision!!  He didn't have to enable us to connect to Him and grow in Him...but He loves us so much, that He gave His Son's life to make it all possible.  As a mother of two, I cannot imagine ever giving up one of my children to save anyone, much less a world full of people who have shown a history of rejecting, denying, and abhorring the love so freely given.  I am amazed at the love of God, it never changes, it never fails, God's love is unconditional, steady, and so great we can not comprehend the expanse of it all.  

I do not claim to know or understand everything.  But I do know my Heavenly Father, and I know that when things in life don't make much sense, when we can't figure out the heads and tails of it all...God is in control, and if we will lean on Him and trust Him...He will work it all out for our good! My God has never failed me yet, even thought I've failed Him many times...yet His love and provision, mercy and grace are always more than enough!! 

God is so good!!

2 Peter 1:5-11

2 Peter 1:5-11

Fruitful Growth in the Faith 

But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love. For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. For he who lacks these things is shortsighted, even to blindness, and has forgotten that he was cleansed from his old sins. Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble; for so an entrance will be supplied to you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Faith - Virtue - Knowledge - Self-control - Perseverance - Godliness - Brotherly Kindness - Love

What a list! I believe that today the church as a whole needs to take this scripture to heart.  If we start out with just enough faith to accept Christ's gift of salvation, and we end there and do not add to it all these other things I believe we are fooling ourselves.  Peter says to give all diligence (perseverance in carrying out action) as we add these things to our faith.  These things do not come easy...it will take much time, discipline, work.  We must actively work at it, it will not happen on it's own.

So how do we add these things to our faith?  Let's look at what each item means, and what we need to do to make it a daily part of our lives.

Faith - Faith is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen.  Faith is something God gives us, when we lack faith, God will help us to grow and develop stronger faith in Him. Prayer and Bible reading and daily spending time in God's presence is required if we want our faith to grow.

Virtue - The definition is "honor, integrity" - So how do we go about adding virtue, we must work to be honorable, to have integrity in all we do.  What we say and do should be honest, and good.  People should be able to trust that when we speak, or make promises, that we will follow through, that we are good on our word.  We will only be able to truly do this with God's help...the Holy Spirit will lead and guide us so that the things we say and do align with God's Word.

Knowledge - mean's "a person's understanding; information".  In 2 Timothy 2:15 (AMP) it says it like this... "Study and be eager and do your utmost to present yourself to God approved (tested by trial), a workman who has no cause to be ashamed, correctly analyzing and accurately dividing [rightly handling and skillfully teaching] the Word of Truth"
So how do we add knowledge to our faith? By studying God's Word.

Self-control - the definition of self-control is "willpower over one's actions".  This is not an easy one.  Many of us today lack self-control, and the only way to add it to your faith, is by daily asking God for His help, working daily to control your actions and words. We will one day give an account of the things we've said and done.  God does not take this lightly.  We must work to control ourselves - and following the Holy Spirit's leading is the best way to get started on developing this skill.

Perseverance - Paul said it like this in 2 Timothy 4:7(NKJV) "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith." Now that is perseverance! Through the good times and bad times, continuing to push forward, never giving up, never turning around, always continuing on toward the goal! It is hard work and may be painful at times, but in the end when you stand before God and you are able to say as Paul said, "Lord, I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith." and God's reply is, "Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord."  It will all be worth it!!

Godliness - by definition is "Holiness".  On our own we will never be holy, righteous or Godly.  The bible says in Isaiah 64:6 that "all our righteousnesses are like filthy rags".  So how do we become Godly? By once again allowing the Holy Spirit to work in us and through us. If we have not accepted Christ gift of  forgiveness of sins, God looks at us and sees someone He loves dearly, but also he sees our sin, and He cannot have anything to do with sin (thus the reason we need salvation).  But when we've accepted Christ's gift and have been cleansed from our sins, the Holy Spirit comes and fills our lives, and when God looks at us He see someone He loves dearly, but instead of all our sins, He see's Christ blood washing us and making us new, clean, white as snow.  And In God's eyes we are perfect, righteous and Godly! Not because of what we've done, but because of Christ in us!

Brotherly Kindness - Luke 6:31"And just as you want men to do to you, you also do to them likewise."  Brotherly Kindness, is so important! When we love other people, treat them the way we always want to be treated, and put their needs above our own needs, what a wonderful way to show the people around you the love of God. Jesus said in John 13:35 (NKJV) "By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”  Brotherly Kindness should be the Christian trade mark!

Love -  Here is what love is...
1 Corinthians 13:1-8(NKJV)
The Greatest Gift

Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. And though I have the gift ofprophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing.

Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails.

I did a study called "Loving Well" written by Beth Moore way back when I first started this blog.  And one of the things I remember most from that study is this...We cannot love others with God's Love, if we ourselves do not have God's Love filling our lives.  We cannot give out something that is lacking in ourselves...it is only when we are filled up with God's love, that we can truly give it away.  If we try to do it on our own, we will fail, our love is limited and conditional.  But God's love is unlimited and unconditional...we need to allow God to so fill us with his love that it overflows and spills out into the lives of those around us!


What an incredible scripture...I am so glad for this reminder, to add all of these things to my life.  God is gracious, loving and so good.  He will help us to do it, if we will just ask.

Heavenly Father,
Thank you so much for Your love, and for Your Word, for Your Son who gave His life so we could be called Your sons and daughters, and for the Holy Spirit - who teaches, guides, protects, and teaches us in all things.  You have given us everything we need in order to add Faith, Virtue, Knowledge, Self-control, Perseverance, Godliness, Brotherly Kindness, and Love to our lives. And we ask today that you will help us to grow in each of these areas.  Thank you for working in our hearts and lives changing us from glory to glory! We love you so much!

In Jesus Name, AMEN

Good Morning Holy Spirit - Chapter 12

Good Morning Holy Spirit

Chapter 12: Heaven On Earth

1.  Do you believe in healing by faith? Why, or why not? If not, state your reasons, not your feelings or emotions.

Yes! It is through faith that we are saved, and it is through faith that we receive healing.  Jesus said, "If you have faith like a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, 'Move!' and it will be thrown into the sea".  Faith (even if only the size of a mustard seed) is an important part of the Christian life, without faith, you will not do anything, including receive salvation!

2. Whom does the Holy Spirit promote through His works? Is it you, God, Himself, or Jesus?

Jesus! The Holy Spirit always promotes Jesus, because believing in Jesus is the key to receiving all that God has for us.

3. What is the source of the Holy Spirit's gifts?

God is the source of all gifts, Jesus is what gives us access to God's gifts and the Holy Spirit is the one who delivers those gifts to us.

4. How do you know when the convicting power of the Holy Spirit is working in your life?

When you find yourself feeling the need to pray...that's the power of the Holy Spirit working in your life.  When you find yourself convicted of sin...that's the power of the Holy Spirit working in your life.

When you are full of joy and just can't help but sing praises to God...that's the power of the Holy Spirit working in your life.

When you find yourself facing a mountain far too big, and you find yourself on your knee's calling out for God's help...that's the power of the Holy Spirit working in your life.

He is the One who prompts us, nudges us, and constantly calls out to us, following us through our darkest hour and even into our brightest day...always making known to us that Jesus is the answer to all of life's problems.

5. The Bible says that the Holy Spirit has been given to you as a guarantee of ____________.

Eternal Life!

6. What is the greatest purpose of the Holy Spirit?

The greatest purpose of the Holy Spirit is to draw people to Jesus...then once we accept Jesus as our personal Savior, the Holy Spirit works in our hearts and lives, to help us to daily die to ourselves, and live in Christ.  He strengthens us, teaches us, comforts us, leads and guides us, anoints us, helps us pray, gives us rest and a whole lot more!!

7. Have you asked the Holy Spirit to come into your life? Have you asked Jesus Christ to come into your life? If not, you can do so right now by praying, "Jesus, I confess that I am a sinner.  I believe that you are the Son of God and You shed Your precious blood on the cross for me.  Forgive me of my sin. Cleanse my heart from all unrighteousness.  I thank you for saving me now. Amen."

If you prayed that prayer just now, you are a new creation, and God and all the angels in heaven are celebrating today because you have become a part of the family of God.  You will never walk alone, your heavenly Father loves you more than words can say...I am so glad I get to call you my brother or sister in Christ! Welcome to the Family!! 

I encourage you to find a local group of believers to fellowship with regularly, and start studying God's Word daily... God has great plans for you!! :o)

Good Morning Holy Spirit - Chapter 11

Good Morning Holy Spirit

Chapter 11: "Why Are You Weeping?"

1.  Why can't blasphemy against the Holy Spirit be forgiven? 

I think about the different hurts we deal with in life - physical pain will heal over time, but when someone speaks negatively about you and wounds your spirit, it takes much time, and an act of God to help you get past it, to move on and not have it effect everything you do.  I think that the Spirit of God is fragile or sensitive much like our own spirits are sensitive and fragile.  When you make the choice to speak against, or to insult the Holy Spirit, it causes Him pain, and when you purposefully harm God's Spirit, God will not forgive you for it.

2. Read Matthew 12:30-32. How can you be assured you will never blasphemy the Holy Spirit?

Matthew 12:30-32 (NKJV)

30 He who is not with Me is against Me, and he who does not gather with Me scatters abroad.

The Unpardonable Sin

31 “Therefore I say to you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven men, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven men. 32 Anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man, it will be forgiven him; but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit, it will not be forgiven him, either in this age or in the age to come.

If we love Jesus and desire to serve Him and walk with Him each day, we will not ever speak a word against the Holy Spirit...only those who do not love the Lord, and who do not care what His Word says, or what He thinks about their daily actions and decisions, will purposefully speak against a Holy Spirit.

3. How do you know the Holy Spirit is still with you?

As we go throughout our daily lives the Holy Spirit is faithful to convict us of wrong thoughts, actions, words, etc.  And He leads us to pray for someone or tell someone Jesus love them, etc.  If The Holy Spirit is still actively speaking to you, you know that He is still with you.  

4. Describe what it means to "walk after the Spirit." Read Romans 8:1.

Romans 8:1 (NKJV)

Free from Indwelling Sin

There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.

Walking according to the Spirit, is when we make the choice to obey His voice.  When He convicts us of a sin, we quickly ask for forgiveness.  When He asks us to pray, we stop what were doing and we pray.  Obedience to His Voice = Walking in the Spirit.

5. For the next seven days, work on memorizing the seven works of the Spirit described by Paul in Romans 8. Write a short list of the good things that will occur when each work is manifest in your life.

Seven Works of The Holy Spirit as described by Paul in Romans 8:

1. There is power over sin.  -I will be able to make right choices and decisions

2. He will fulfill the law. -I no longer need to try to be perfect, He takes care of it.

3. He will give you the mind of God. -I have the mind of God working daily renewing my mind.

4. He will give you righteousness. -Even though I am a sinner, He gives me the righteousness paid for through Christ death on the cross.

5. He will give life to your body. -My body will daily be renewed and strengthened.

6. He will bring death to self. -It is no longer I who lives, but Christ who lives through me.

7. He will testify of your salvation. -Other's will see that I am different, they will see Christ in me, my life will be a light.

Good Morning Holy Spirit - Chapter 9

Good Morning Holy Spirit

Chapter 9: Room for the Spirit

1. What is the most overlooked message of the church today?

That the Holy Spirit is real, living and active, powerful and mighty, we need to make a place for Him in our lives.

2. Were the gifts of the Holy Spirit meant for us to use today? Explain the reasoning behind your answer.

Yes, The Holy Spirit came to be our comforter and teacher, after Christ ascended into heaven.  God has sent His Spirit here to dwell not only among us, but to live in us, working in our lives everyday.  

3. What does the author mean when he says, "God is not weak - His people are"?

God is not weak! God is all knowing, all powerful, and everywhere all at once...God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit are one...all three are equally powerful and are constantly united together.  It is not God that is weak, He is not the problem...We see Christians today with no power or victory in their lives, not because their God is weak, No, the problem is that we (humans) are weak and we have failed to make room in our lives for the Spirit of God to work.  If we made room in our lives for God to work, if we stopped putting God in a tiny little box, if we would trust in His Word, and actively lean on God, depending on Him to supply our every need, we would find ourselves living victorious lives full of power and authority.

4. Explain the anointing. Name at least five people who have it.

The anointing is when an ordinary person does amazing things, through the power of the Holy Spirit.  I know many people who are anointed by the Holy Spirit...Preachers, musicians and singers, drama teams...you don't have to be a biblical scholar to know when someone is anointed... they stand out, and after they are done preaching, teaching, singing or whatever it is the Spirit has anointed them to do...you can only stand in awe of the awesomeness of God, and the power of the Holy Spirit. 

Five people I know who are anointed:

1. Dave Morris

2. Jim Boyd

3. Jimmy Weaver

4. Derek Micka

5. Debbie Conley

5. What is the purpose of the anointing of the Spirit?

The anointing gives believers power to effectively and powerfully proclaim the message of the gospel.

6. Describe how you can grow in the Spirit.

Just as you grow more intimate with your spouse over the years of spending time together, and working together, going through the ups and the downs in life...so it is with the Holy Spirit.  When we spend time daily in His presence, in His Word, and listening to His gentle whisper, nudge, or tug, when we trust Him through the good and bad times, we grow closer and closer to Him...we learn what hurts Him, what pleases Him, what delights Him, and makes Him sad.  We develop a close relationship with Him, and the closer we grow to Him, the more we become like Him...it is then that we start to see the fruits of the Spirit - love, joy, peace, patients, forgiveness, gentleness, self-control, - in our lives.

7. Was Jesus dependent on the Holy Spirit? In what ways, and why was it necessary?

Yes, Jesus was lead by the Spirit in everything He did.  He did not move without first making sure that it was the Father's will, and He was connected to the Father through the Spirit.  Jesus was here on earth as a man, He willingly gave up His position in Heaven for a time, so that He could save us.  So as a man, a weak human, it would have been possible for Him to sin, but He didn't! And the only way He was able to keep pure and sinless, was by constantly listening to what the Father was speaking to Him, through the Holy Spirit.  

8. What is scriptural proof that you shall have eternal life as Christ has eternal life?

Romans 8:11

"But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you."

John 3:16

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. 

Good Morning Holy Spirit - Chapter 4

Good Morning Holy Spirit

Chapter 4: Person to Person

1. Are you ready to meet the Holy Spirit personally? How can you do this?

If you do not know that Holy Spirit personally, please take this time to ask Him to come and show you who He is.  You don't have to do anything more but be honest and open and willing to learn all He has to teach you.

2. Just what does "being filled with the Holy Spirit" really mean?

Being filled with the Holy Spirit, is something that happens when we accept Christ as our Savior- Jesus then sends His Spirit (the Holy Spirit) to dwell in us.

"I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; 

and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, 

who loved me and gave Himself for me." Galatians 2:19-21

And then there is the infilling of the Holy Spirit which is evidenced as speaking in a heavenly prayer language.  

"And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, 

as the Spirit gave them utterance" 

Acts 2:3-5

But don't stop there...make it a priority to get to know the Holy Spirit personally...He wants to be your friend, companion, teacher, and much more.

3. List the ways in which you could think of the Holy Spirit as a personal friend.

When I think of the Holy Spirit I am filled with a deep love and desire to be with Him always.  He is here for me when I don't have the words to express the way I feel, and He understands.  He always says the right thing, at the right time.  He helps me when I just don't know what decision I should make, and He loves me even though I fail Him often.  He is everything a friend should be and more, He is closer than a brother, loves me more and my mother or father, and never steers me the wrong way. He is the best friend anyone could ever ask for.

4. Where is the Holy Spirit: in heaven or on earth? What is the scriptural basis for you answer?

The Holy Spirit is here on earth!

Jesus Promises Another Helper - John 14:15-18

15 “If you love Me, keep My commandments. 16 And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever— 17 the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you. 18 I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you.

5. Explain the Rapture. What is its significance to you?

The rapture is when Jesus Christ returns for His church (those who believe on Him for Salvation).  The significance of the rapture is that someday all believers will be caught up together with Christ...this earth is not our home, and someday soon we will all get to go to heaven, our real home!

6. Why is the Holy Spirit called the Holy Spirit?

The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of God the Father and God the Son. He is Holy, because He is God and God is Holy.  What better name could he have than Holy Spirit - it describes Him perfectly!

7. The Holy Spirit is the one who __________,  who ________ with me.

The Holy Spirit is the one who communes, who fellowships with me.

8. Is it proper to think of the Holy Spirit as the greatest teacher? Why?

Yes, The Holy Spirit is the one who inspired and wrote the entire Bible...who better to teach us about the Word of God than the very author? 

10 But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God.11 For what man knows the things of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him? Even so no one knows the things of God except the Spirit of God. 12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God.13 These things we also speak, not in words which man’s wisdom teaches but which the Holy Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual. 1 Corinthians 2:10-13

9. What does the author say is the greatest sin against the Holy Spirit?

Grieving the Holy Spirit - When we deny His power and presence we grieve Him, we step out of God's will. When we do this God's favor and blessings are no longer allowed to come into our lives - God does not take this sin lightly.  It is important to know the Holy Spirit and to follow His leading - to honor Him and give Him all the praise and glory...When we do, we will also bring Honor and glory to God the Father and to Jesus the Son.

Unshakable Faith - Day 50: From Babylon To Abraham

Unshakable Faith

Day 50: From Babylon To Abraham

1.  Like Abraham, are you willing to leave everything you have to seek the Lord's will in unknown places?

Yes, It is not an easy road to travel.  Trusting God and obeying Him when you are scared to death,  the road long and the future seems unclear.  I have learned over time, that no matter how scary it is to step out in faith, trusting God for His guidance and provisions...it is far scarier to try to do your own thing, outside of the will of God.

2. Are you walking in a manner worthy of your calling? Believing God, obeying Him?

I certainly try! And I believe with God's help, grace, forgiveness and love, I am able to continue living for Him, believing Him, and obeying Him.  When I fall or fail, He picks me up, dust me off, and sets my feet back on the right path.  Without God's hand on my life, I could never walk in a manner worthy of my calling, but Jesus paid the price and bridged the gap, so that I can walk each day with the assurance of my salvation!

3. Are you doing all things for the sake of His gospel and letting the love of Christ control you?

The love of God is amazing! When we allow Him to come fill us up with His love it sets us free. Free to love, free to give, free to receive.  A life filled with and controlled by God's love will do everything for the sake of the gospel! Because the gospel is what has made them secure enough to be who God created them to be.  It is the gospel of Jesus Christ that has made their life worth living.  Everything they do becomes a testimony of God's goodness, love and grace...Other's see God working in them and are attracted to it.  The testimony we live out everyday, is the most effective type of testimony!

Unshakable Faith - Day 49: The Covenant

Unshakable Faith

Day 49: The Covenant

1.Have you ever entered into a covenant that was one sided? How did it turn out?

Not that I can think of...The definition of a covenant is "an agreement, usually formal, between two or more persons to do or not do something specified" -dictionary.com.  So having a one sided covenant doesn't really work to well.  I would imagine it would end with one person being controlled by the other, and not really a happy ending for either parties.

2. Are you living as a son or daughter of the Almighty God?

Yes, I am so thankful to be grafted into the family of God! What an honor it is to be the daughter of the most High King.  To have a personal, loving relationship with the creator of the universe.  WOW!

3. If you love Him enough to want to obey Him, do you believe that He will give you the provision so you can walk in obedience?

Yes! God is faithful. God is love. God is good. When you love Him and desire to obey Him, He promises to make the crooked paths straight, He will bring you out of the miry clay set your feet upon solid ground.  When we seek Him, we will find Him. When we knock, He will open the door.  We need to trust Him enough to be obedient even when our physical eyes can't see the way, He will light the path, giving us guidance for each day!

Unshakable Faith - Day 24: Leaving and Cleaving

Unshakable Faith

Day 24: Leaving and Cleaving

1. Are you "the man of his own home" or did you "establish her own household"?


When my husband and I got married, it was at the young ages of 18 and 19, so it was difficult for our parents to let go and know that we would be okay...But I am proud to say that my husband learned how to be "the man of his own home" and I learned how to "establish my own house".  I think it helped us to live a ways away from both sets of parents, it forced us to depend on each other, and not on them.


2. Are you guilty of interfering in your married children's lives?


At this point in life it is hard to imaging having my girls fully grown and married...I find the idea of trusting someone else to care fully for them hard...but I pray that by the time that stage of life arrives, God will help me to let go. I find myself thinking about those two boys who will one day win the affections of my daughters, and I pray for God's guidance, and protection over them, for God's will to be done in their lives, so that when that time comes, I'll know that God has been working in their lives, just as He has been working in my girls' lives. I hope that will make it is easier to let go, when I know it is all orchestrated by God, and His loving hands are working in all of their hearts and lives.


3. Are you having trouble honoring your parents yet not allowing them to interfere in your marriage?


When JC and I were first married, we immediately moved about 6 hours away from my family and about 5 hours from his.  This helped us to break the ties, but we still had issues with parents wanting to know everything about our finances, or wanting to give advise when we didn't want or need it.  I understand now looking back, I see kids who are 18 and 19 and I think, "Wow, we were married at that age?!?"  So, I know why it was tough for our parents to let go.  But sometimes the interference made it difficult, we had to sometimes just not answer a question or tell them that it wasn't their business.  It always made us feel bad, but we knew that we had to do it on our own and that there was just somethings we weren't going to share with other people.  Over time our parents grew to know and understand that we were adults and that we weren't going to share everything with them, and we also grew to realize that there are times when it is okay to go to our parents for help.  I think we all grew in the process, and we have a good relationship with both sets of parents.  Which is a huge blessing! 

Unshakable Faith: Day 16 - Unity

Unshakable Faith

Day 16 - Unity

1. Do you agree that women have strengths and perspectives that men do not have, and men have strengths and perspectives that women do not have?


Yes! I believe that God created men and women with different strengths and perspectives, so that when they work together they compliment each other...where one is weak the other is strong and where one might view the situation one way the other can view it differently to help get a better view when they work together.  God did not make any mistakes when He created us, we just need to learn to appreciate our differences and learn to work together, instead of trying to change each other.  


2. How have the roles of men and women been severely challenged in this time?


The roles men and women have today are much different than they were even 200 years ago.  Some of the changes are good, and others are not so good.  Since the focus of this blog is on helping women grow in their daily walk with Christ, I am going to focus on us girls for a moment.   Today it is not uncommon for women to act as the leader in the home, however, God created us to submit to our husbands...this doesn't mean that we are not as important as our husbands or slaves to our husbands.  What it means is that the husband should be the leader, making choices and decisions for the family based on what is good for everyone involved.  And then we, as the submitting wives, come naturally under the protection of our husbands.  God set it up this way, to protect us.  When we stop doing things God's way, and try it our own way, we end up with huge problems.  I encourage you today to start allowing your husband lead, God wouldn't have set it up the way He did for no reason, so trust God and submit to your husband, and just see how the Lord blesses you both!


3. Have you witnessed or heard about great churches and movements that have died with the death of their founder(s)?


It is sad when someone spends their life working and building something they hope will make a difference for many years to come, and then as soon as their gone, it slowly dies and soon it is just a long lost memory.  I think many times this happens when the church members expect the leader to feed them, and they never grow up to feed themselves.  God did not give us pastors, prophets, and teachers, to hand feed us all of our days.  God gave them to us as leaders to help us as we read and study and grow on our own.  If you depend on your Pastor to feed you each Sunday and hope that it is enough to get you through till the following Sunday, you have missed the point.  Just as our bodies need physical food each day, our spirits need spiritual food each day...once a week is not enough!!  We need to make sure we are taking responsibility for our own spiritual growth and not constantly depending on our Pastors, teachers and leaders!

Unshakable Faith - Day 12: Fruitfulness

Unshakable Faith 

Day 12: Fruitfulness

1. Do you agree that abortion is one of the ultimate forms of the depravity of humankind?

Yes, God loves us and forms us in our mother's womb.  Every child conceived is special and loved...God has great plans for their lives before they even take their first breath.  Who are we to determine that that life is not worth keeping?  I believe that every child has the right to life.  The day that a mother and father choose their own happiness, or what seems to be the easy way out, over loving and protecting the gift God has given them is a very sad day indeed!

2. What does "take care of your own" mean to you?

"Take care of your own" can mean different things...I've heard people use in a selfish context, "Hey, I gotta take care of me and mine, if I don't no one will!" - Here the only thought is about me, myself and I, it doesn't matter what other people need or that I could possibly help them, the only focus is on taking care of myself.  This is the exact mindset that allows people to feel like abortion is a good decision.  But then there is the opposite meaning...the focus is on others, on serving, loving and caring for those around them or those given tothem to care for.  Whether it is fun and easy, or sad and very difficult, this person will choose to care for the others who need it, before caring for themselves. 

I can't say that I am always selfless, but I definitely aim to care for and love others, not focus on me and what I may need or want.  God gave us one commandment that is greater than all the others...Love one another. That's what "take care of your own" means to me.

3. Are you leaving behind a trail of life and fruitfulness?

I certainly hope so! I hope that when other people's lives cross with mine, whether for just a short time or for a long while, that their lives are touched by God's love flowing through me.  

In Appreciation of Fathers - Max Lucado

In Appreciation of Fathers - Max Lucado

Here are some great teachings by Max Lucado for those wonderful men we call Dad, Daddy or Father.

If you are a Father, today we celebrate the gift of you!


Happy Father's day