Dear Pastor’s Wife

Dear Pastor’s Wife,

October is Pastor’s Appreciation Month. I’m sure many of you have received cards and gifts as a token of thanks and appreciation for your faithful service to your congregation. But before the month comes to an end, I want to send a special message to you- the unsung heroes of ministry.

To you- the woman that toils alongside the man you love, but oftentimes gets overlooked and taken for granted because you aren’t the one in the pulpit every week.

If not for your support, your husband would not be able to fulfill the call of God on his life. You are his other half; the strength to his weakness and his biggest fan. You are his partner, his defender, his prayer warrior! You fill in the blanks, are the voice of reason and a soft place for his heart to land.

GOD SEES YOU!

He sees the countless hours you sacrifice for His people.

He sees when you put the needs of others before your own.

His heart rejoices when you cheerlead for your husband because he feels like he’s not good enough.

He notices when you are empty because you give so much, and He longs to fill you with His strength.

His heart is broken when you are hurt over not being able to meet someone’s unrealistic expectations.

He is with you on the days that you are lonely and frustrated, because your husband is putting out fires within the flock.

He sees you picking up the slack when your husband is overwhelmed.

He hears your cries when you don’t know what else to do.

He understands when you feel like you have nobody to pour your heart out to.

He is protecting your children while the enemy is seeking to destroy them.

He is your refuge when you feel like you’re just too tired to keep going, and He’s your strength on the days that you wish you could give up.

As a daughter of a pastor and now a pastor’s wife myself, I know all of the ups and downs. I saw it growing up and now I see it first hand.

Dear sister, one thing I know for sure is that your husband would not be the man he is without you by his side. You are a gift! Not only to your family but to those you serve, day in and day out.

I encourage you today to  remember who you ultimately serve, because He remembers you. He knows you intimately, and He loves you extravagantly. Precious pastor’s wife, be encouraged! You are seen, appreciated and loved. I am cheering you on!

 

Pornography- The Epidemic Taking Out Our Families

3,564,591,201 Can you guess what this number might be?

This number is the number of internet searches for pornography since the beginning of 2015. As I put the digits into this post, the numbers continued to climb on my phone beside me, I can’t keep up.

Over the years we have seen many prominent members of the Christian community exposed for their involvement in pornography and adultery. Lives lived in darkness brought out into the light. Many of us were truly saddened; we were disappointed, disgusted. Unfortunately, many stood in pious judgment, almost enjoying being a spectator of someone elses demise.

It has been a reminder to me, that Satan really does prowl around like a lion seeking whom he may devour. Even so, I also know that God will not be mocked. He will not allow His people, to on one hand proclaim His name, while on the other live in sin. It’s time to face it! Pornography is no longer the dirty little secret that hangs out in the back room of a seedy store. It is no longer just subject matter for the frat house, or boys locker room. It is here – in our homes, in our purses, at our desks, in our schools, in our back pockets and unfortunately it has made its way into our churches and pulpits.. It is as easy to access as our favorite recipe blog. It’s free, available and it’s not going away. The statistics are staggering.

• Every second – $3,075.64 is being spent on pornography
• 64% of Christian men and 15% of Christian women say they watch pornography at least once a month.
• 51% of pastors say internet pornography is a temptation
• 1 in 5 mobile internet searches are for pornography.
• 24% of smart phone owners admit to having pornographic material on their device
• 9 out of 10 boys and 6 out of 10 girls are exposed to pornography before they are 18. Most are exposed by age 12. Many are exposed at church youth group.

I could go on. The statistics only get more heartbreaking. So, as Christians what do we do?

It’s an easy thing to push aside uncomfortable subjects within the church. We hope to keep inappropriate things outside of our four walls. However, as the church becomes more compromised and Christians become weaker in their faith, these issues have to be addressed. To be completely honest, I am tired of the devil gaining ground and God’s people not engaging in battle. I am over sin being called a disease or sickness. It’s sin, plain and simple.

But there is good news! God has given us everything we need in His word and through the Holy Spirit, to defeat the schemes of the enemy. There is nothing that we can be tempted by that Jesus did not endure. “Well, He was God!” you say. Yes, He was. He was also God in the flesh, a man. He was open and vulnerable to everything that we are faced with today, and He has provided a way for us to flee temptation and overcome sin. It’s our choice as to whether or not we take the way out.

So, you may be reading this and be thinking to yourself. “It’s easy for her to say, she’s never dealt with this”; “People get sucked in by accident!”; “It’s the devil’s fault!”; “It’s an addiction!”; “She doesn’t understand how hard it is!”

No, I’ve never had to deal with this issue personally. But I’ve walked with many that have. As God’s people, we need to stop putting the blame for sin on others. We each have a choice- a free will.

Men:

It is a choice to type those words into the Google search bar. It is a choice to open that email. It is a choice to click on those pictures. It is a choice to look with lust at the woman walking by you on the street. It is a choice to flirt with the co-worker in the office. It is a choice to watch an inappropriate TV show or movie. I could go on. In all of this, there is a common thread- choice.

The comforting thing is, is that God gives us the greatest choice- His Word. When Jesus was confronted with temptation, He used scripture to fight. God’s promises are for us today! Ephesians 6:17 gives us clear instruction to put on the helmet of salvation. Guys, a helmet is not attractive, or fashionable! We use a helmet for a practical reason. The helmet protects the mind from wicked and corrupt thoughts and schemes. Once again, it is a choice to pick it up and put it on. God has provided, but you have to do your part. Once your helmet is securely in place, do what scripture tells you to do; FLEE!! We are never instructed to fight temptation. We are to RUN!

1 Corinthians 10:13 “No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.”

2 Timothy 2:22 “So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.”

1 Corinthians 6:18 “Flee from sexual immorality. Every other sin a person commits is outside the body, but the sexually immoral person sins against his own body.”

Men, for the sake of your wives, children or future wives and children, do not let the devil steal your future. Put on the helmet and FLEE!

Ladies:

Yes, I’m addressing you too! Even though we tend to think that this is a male problem, we are not off the hook. I am not out to purposefully offend or ruffle feathers, but if I do that in the pursuit of truth, so be it. Before I get attacked for blaming women for mens failings I want to say this; we are not responsible for the sin of others. Men and women make their own individual choices. Their sin is their own. However, we are called to be responsible to each other as believers.

Galatians 6:1-3 “Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted. ² Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.”

We are to bear one another’s burdens, not just physically, but spiritually. So while we aren’t directly responsible for the choices of others, we are responsible to help in bearing their struggles. We are to do everything in our power to not aide in the falling of our brothers and sisters.

1 Corinthians 8:13 “Therefore, if what I eat causes my brother or sister to fall into sin, I will never eat meat again, so that I will not cause them to fall.”

This doesn’t only apply to just food and drink. It applies to anything that may cause someone else to stumble.

So ladies, in short, this is what I ask; please keep your short skirts, and low hanging tops at home for your husband. The only breasts and backside my husband should be seeing are mine!

Secondly, I find it quite alarming just how many women within the church that are exposing themselves to what the world sees as reality when it comes to marriage. We are bombarded by Fifty Shades of Grey style books and Bad Mom movies, and we seldom blink an eye. We enjoy the escape from our boring, humdrum lives. For a moment we are able to leave to demands of house and home and be transported into someone else’s world. We are allowed for a short time to let our hair down, and laugh at those things we’ve been feeling or wanting to say for years. The problem is, (other than the fact that they are completely wrong, distorted and against what God created marriage and motherhood to be), they are leading women into a sense of dissolution with their own families. Visions of ‘life on the edge’ cloud our minds and fills them with falsehoods. Husbands are no longer enough. We long for something daring and freeing. Eventually women find themselves in a place of detachment and discontent. Stop buying in to the fantasy, it will inevitably leave you empty and broken.

Ladies, fix your eyes on things above! Be thankful for the call that God has placed on you as wives and mothers. Find your contentment in Jesus! Ultimately, God is the only one able to squash the desires for things outside of your marriage that are not good. Once again, we have a choice. A choice, that even when we don’t feel like it, we love our husbands anyway. Even when we don’t want to, we are patient and nurturing to our children anyway. Please ladies, fall in love with God’s plan for you. His plan is good and right and will result in blessing.

Parents:

Lastly, I want to address parents.

Our children are in the middle of a battle; a battle for their souls. As their parents, we will one day stand before God and give an account for how we have raised them. That’s a massive and heavy responsibility. We can no longer stand back from our teenagers and give them their space. They need you to draw close now more than ever.

If you want children that serve God, you have to spend the time teaching them how. You can not give them a phone, laptop, tablet or any other device, and not expect them to discover pornography. Whether intentionally or by accident, it is a click away. They will find it, and it will pull them in. Please take the time to check your children’s devices. My children know not to expect any privacy when it comes to their online activity. I check their texts, their device history, and question them often on their viewing habits. We talk, a lot! My kids know they can trust me and my husband as their parents. Do not let anger with their behavior cloud the bigger picture. If your children think you are angry, they will hide. Hide both their activities and their hearts. Ask the Lord how you are to respond. Go to scripture with your children, show them what God says. Pray with them, hold them accountable, forgive them, love them.

It has taken me an hour to write this post. The pornography hit counter is now at 3,565,319,907 and counting. It’s time to step up, stop making excuses for sin, cast aside those things that hinder us, and be the Christian (Christ Ones) God has called us to be.

For those who are stuck in the mire, struggling with this issue and don’t see a way out; there is hope, forgiveness and healing. He loves you and has a much bigger plan for you than you currently see. Don’t settle for the scraps, when you are invited to the King’s table.

Ephesians 1:7 “In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace

Micah 7:18-19 “Who is a God like you, who pardons sin and forgives the transgression of the remnant of his inheritance? You do not stay angry forever but delight to show mercy. 19 You will again have compassion on us; you will tread our sins underfoot and hurl all our iniquities into the depths of the sea”

Lord, help us to be your followers. Help us to be blameless in Your sight. Strengthen us for the fight ahead. Help us to get off the bench and on to the battlefield, to stand on truth and not believe the lies fed to us by the enemy. We are belong to You- help us to live like we believe it! – AMEN

Oprah for President? No Thanks!

As I signed into my newsfeed this morning, one of the top trending items to cross my screen was Oprah Winfrey’s rousing Golden Globes Cecil B. DeMille Award acceptance speech. I’m not a fan of Oprah and her hot-aired opinions, but I wanted to see what all the fuss was about. People stood, they applauded, they bowed down, they looked on adoringly, they even went as far as to say that she would be a good candidate for president. Really? I thought. Have y’all lost your ever lovin’ minds?

Now don’t get me wrong. I will give credit where credit is due. Oprah rose from a seemingly hopeless childhood, and she fought and overcame an awful lot to arrive at the position she is in. But so have a lot of people. Ben Carson is black and was born into poverty to an illiterate mother, but even so he overcame. Through hard work and persistence, he became one of the world’s leading doctors in his field. Countless people can stand up and tell their stories of triumph. Hundreds could tell of how prejudice and abuse have hindered their journeys in life. Thousands of white women have been attacked and assaulted by black men and vice versa. Thousands of black and white children are abused by their black and white parents. Most of Oprah’s speech was rhetoric, good hashtag material, stuff we already know. But because it came from Oprah’s lips, it is somehow inspired, profound, worship worthy. Whatever.

So here’s my question. Why are we as a society paying attention to anything that comes out of Hollywood? Haven’t the majority who work there proven themselves to be hypocrites? The tales of abuse from that corner of the world that have recently hit the news are terrible, disgusting. But people! This has been going on for decades. Many prominent women in the entertainment industry have known about the depravity in the business and have done nothing about it! This makes those women in Hollywood accomplices, not heroes.

For Oprah Winfrey to stand up and tell all the “magnificent women” and “some pretty phenomenal men” (she had to throw in the men because, well, ya know, equality matters) that “a new day is coming, where nobody ever has to say #metoo again” is one of the most ridiculous things I have ever heard. Not only is it unrealistic, but it is completely disrespectful to the majority of men who are good, well intentioned, and supportive of women—like the men I am raising my sons to be.

For the Christian who lauds Oprah and her words, hear this: Oprah is a charlatan. She has bought into and peddles a philosophy, a religion, that flies in the face of God and His precious Word. If you heed anything Oprah has to say, you are being deceived.

Sin is here to stay. Not matter how many speeches we listen to, marches we participate in, or celebrities we expose, sin abounds. The only, to quote Oprah, “new day that is on the horizon” is the day when Jesus will return for His people. May we remain faithful to what is true and right. And while we wait, I pray, “Please Lord, do not let Oprah become our future President!

Choosing Culture Over Jesus

A couple of days ago, I was browsing Facebook and stumbled upon an interview of Pastor Carl Lentz on The View. The headline was this; Hillsong ‘Pastor’ Folds Under Abortion Question On The View. Of course I clicked on the play button to find out what the story was about. I should be able say that I was surprised by what I heard, but sadly, I wasn’t. This isn’t the first time I’ve heard a so called pastor or church leader choose culture over Jesus. In fact it’s becoming the norm.

When asked very clearly if he thought abortion was a sin, ‘Pastor’ Lentz waffled and dodged. Honestly, it was embarrassing. “Well, I would have to know the situation first”, “God’s the judge, not me” and “I would choose to go higher and get to know the person first”. These were all comments he made as he trampled the Word of God in front of millions.

Mr. Lentz, your response should have been an easy one. How I wish you would have used the platform you had, and said to all those watching, “yes, abortion is a sin. Abortion is murder, and murder is a sin.” That’s an opportunity you are not likely to have again.

Obviously the response to this interview has been mixed. Some say he is relating, he’s loving people where they are. Others say he is a heretic, a false teacher. I happen to believe the latter. However, Carl Lentz is one of many prominent men in our nation that are leading churches down a dangerous and deceptive path. Choosing culture over Jesus.

We are called to love people where they are, we are called to bind up the wounds of the hurting and restore the broken, however we are also called to preach the uncompromising truth of the Word of God. We are called to offer life changing truth, not watered down, palatable niceties.

So, this begs the question, how can we, Jesus’ ambassadors here on earth, love and give compassion, all while calling out sin for what it really is? It amazes me how much time we spend looking at books and blogs, trying to find out how to respond to different situations and circumstances in life. The answers are often times right in front of us if we will take the time to dig in to God’s Word.

In John 4:1-26, we have one of many perfect examples of how to love and yet call out sin in an uncompromising way. In this passage of scripture, Jesus was traveling through Samaria when He came to a well. Upon arriving he noticed a woman there drawing water and asked her for a drink. The fact that she was there in the middle of the day, alone, shows us that she was somewhat of an outcast in her own community. Typically, the women would come in the early mornings and take the time to catch up with each other. So we see that even the culture of the day looked down on this woman. As we read through the story, we notice that Jesus ignored the culture to speak directly to her. He took the time to, engage her and ask about her life. He was kind, but did not hold back in pointing out her sin. In verses 14-16 he calls her out.   ^“He told her, “Go, call your husband and come back.” “I have no husband,” she replied. Jesus said to her, “You are right when you say you have no husband. The fact is, you have had five husbands, and the man you now have is not your husband. What you have just said is quite true” (NIV) Jesus didn’t pull any punches, but His affect on this woman was life changing. She became an evangelist in her own town, bringing many to hear the message of Jesus.

Jesus didn’t offer the Samaritan woman a watered down gospel. He offered her the truth. He calls us to do the same, and shows us exactly how to do it. May we be obedient and follow.,

“Lord, help us as Christians, as the church, to unashamedly speak truth to a world that is so desperate to hear. People need answers, not comfortable ideas. Help us to engage the culture, without conforming to it. Help us to love people enough to not tickle their ears with what they think they want to hear, but to offer them true hope that only comes from you. Amen”

The Hands and Feet of Jesus

So much has happened in our nation since the inauguration of President Trump. At times I have felt that I can’t keep up. Our new president is making some big changes and following through with many of the promises he made during his campaign. Although it is refreshing to see things being done, I find it a little scary and sometimes confusing.

One of the  issues that is flooding our televisions, social media feeds and conversations is refugee immigration. Over the past few days, I have listened to the arguments for and against. Angry people, happy people, sad people.  Although I do agree with the President’s stand, I see merit on both sides. We are dealing with real lives here; human beings, children. It’s hard for our hearts not to go out to the innocents that are caught up in the mess. It is easy to become swayed by the strong emotions, that issues of this nature generate. It is also difficult to sort through media coverage and discern truth from lies. We can get so bogged down by news reports, blog posts and social media opinion that we fail to address these issues as we should.

So what am I, we, to do? Sit back and carry on with the day to day? Lobby our government officials? March on Washington? Amidst all of the chaos I am reminded once again to turn to the Word. What does God say? As Christians this is the first question we should be asking before jumping on any of the bandwagons available to us. God’s word has answers for every situation we deal with in life- if we are willing to find them.

The first thing I read is that we are to honor those in authority over us. Whether you like it or not, that means our President. Romans 13:1-5 speaks very clearly on this issue. Honor does not mean to always agree, but it is an understanding on our part that the leaders we have are placed in their positions by God. His plan might not be obvious, but it is perfect. If we say we trust Him, then we need to obey what He has required of us. God has the ability to move the hearts of kings, we have to trust His plan.

Secondly, suffering is part of living in a fallen world. The harsh and ugly reality is that the poverty, persecution and suffering we see throughout our nation and our world, is as a direct result of sin and the rejection of God by the people He created. We can not, nor will we ever end the atrocities happening in our day. The heart of man is wicked and sin abounds. Matthew 24:9-14 tells us that Christians will be persecuted; that we would be hated by all nations. As our leaders start taking a stand against the evil that threatens our country, people will rise up against us. Even believers will turn away from their faith, because their hearts are stirred more by a cause, than the truth of God’s word.

Thirdly, as Christians, it is our responsibility to take care of those in society who are hurting, lost, destitute, without hope. Whether they be Americans, foreigners or refugees. Our job as the church, is not to try and change the politicians that make decisions for our nation; rather we are to pray and preach the gospel to the ends of the earth (Matthew 28:18-20 NIV). To every people and every nation. We have a mission field right on our doorstep. I have to ask, are we wasting that opportunity by arguing and being negative and divisive? The truth is, souls are at stake. Do we feel the true weight of that?

It doesn’t stop there; “for what are words if they are not accompanied by actions? They are merely a noise similar to loud and clanging cymbals.” (1Corinthians 13:1, NIV). We are to exhibit our faith through actions and our love. Scripture clearly warns us not to turn away from the needy. “Those who give to the poor will lack nothing, but those who close their eyes to them receive many curses” (Proverbs 28:27 NIV). We are promised a great reward for taking care of the have-not’s and the vulnerable “Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will reward them for what they have done.” (Proverbs 19:17, NIV)

My prayer is that the body of Christ would rise up. Not in protest or to voice it’s social opinion, but to extend hands that God can use to build His kingdom. I pray that we would be able to properly separate our emotions from truth; be the hands and feet of Jesus, and leave the rest to Him.

No Longer Silent

As I have watched many of the events in the American news cycle this past year, I have felt a range of different emotions—sadness, frustration, disappointment, and confusion.

I have watched news of the riots that took place recently in Charlotte, North Carolina. I have watched the news from Dallas, Texas, and from Ferguson, Missouri, and now from San Diego, California, where violence, looting, and stealing have been rampant. Lives lost, others forever changed.

I have  listened to presidential candidates seek to destroy one another, name calling and stooping to preschool-type behavior all while trying to persuade us that they are the ones best suited to run our country. I watch as our leaders lie and deceive us, seemingly without consequence, when the truth is right before us.

I have heard of baby parts being sold on the black market. Baby parts! Do we even comprehend the evil it takes to do such a thing? We hear outcry over suspected criminals being shot, yet we murder more than three thousand babies a day! A day!

I have seen people vilify law enforcement for maintaining order and security. Does it not occur to those who are taunting and disrespecting police that these officers are human beings? That they are people with families who pray for their safe return at the end of every shift?

I have seen spoiled, entitled athletes and other members of our society decide that it’s okay to spit in the faces of those who have fought and continue to fight to defend our nation. They disrespect the very flag that represents the right they have to speak their minds.

As I look around at the chaos perpetuating itself throughout our nation, from government dishonesty all the way on down to riotous conduct by people in the streets, I am honestly astounded with regard to the depths to which we have fallen as a society. While I cannot claim to have walked in others’ shoes or to know what it’s like to be of a minority race or to be poverty stricken, as a mother, my heart is broken. Not because of wrongs done to me personally but because I wonder what the future holds for my children.

So, fed up with all I have seen, I decided it was my job to fix the situation! I sat down to write a post. I began it as an open letter—one full of frustration, disappointment, and annoyance.

My intention was, in some ways, to point a finger at people engaging in these behaviors. To tell you all whose fault I think it is. I thought about suggesting that it was the government’s fault, since in many ways our political leaders have facilitated much of the behavior of our day and are responsible for a portion of the unrest and social degeneration we see. I thought about pointing to certain civil-rights groups or even church leaders.

But as I pondered and prayed, and as I listened to counsel from a wise friend, the old adage “When one finger is pointing forward, four are pointing back at you” came to mind. Not that I am directly responsible for any of these issues, but the question I began to consider is, have I been complicit in the unrest I see around me by keeping silent regarding the things I see happening? Has my desire to be a loving, kind Christian actually helped pave the way for some of the issues facing us today?

While it’s true that we gain nothing by pointing the finger at others, it’s also true that as Christians, we must speak up against wrongdoing. It’s as Christian apologist Ravi Zacharias recently said: “If you and I don’t stand up and speak with love, and speak with concern, the day will come, as Margaret Thatcher warned us, that if the church does not rise up and speak, the political structure will collapse.”

We have become a church full of silent people! We are afraid. We are scared of being labeled. We have become so politically correct that we are crippled. As Christians, we have somehow come to think that speaking truth is not loving, not Christian. But love speaks truth. Love is just. Love speaks for righteousness. Love serves; it does not take; but love is not always easy, not always pretty, often times hard to hear. Jesus spoke out against unrighteousness, sin, and lawless behavior. We are His voice here on earth. We, I, need to start using our voice.

So I am asking, as a Christian mom, how do I teach my children not to lay down in the face of unrighteousness yet still love? How do I  teach them to be strong and courageous but also to have hearts to serve others and show empathy toward them? How do I teach them to block out the voices that tell them they are owed something in this entitled generation and grow into responsible servants in society?

The truth is this: Americans owe a debt we can never repay. We owe a debt to the Pilgrims who decided in the face of persecution to say “No more.” We owe a debt to our founding fathers who, despite what some may believe, laid down laws that not only granted and perpetuated freedom but honored God above all. We owe a debt to those who have fought for our freedom, not only in foreign lands but on our own soil. We owe a debt to those who have said “No more” to oppression and segregation—those who gave their lives for peaceful resolution and change and who spoke wisdom and truth. Above all, we owe a debt to Jesus. He came, He died, He rose, and He did it for one purpose: to give you and me life and to call us into His service.

People have sacrificed their lives for my children’s freedom, just as they have for every individual blessed enough to call America home. In light of that great sacrifice, should we sit quietly for the sake of political correctness and tolerance so as not to rock the boat? I know I can’t. I cannot in good conscience sit by and watch while the fabric of our nation is slowly unraveled by selfish, lawless, and godless behavior.

So as I put away my pointing finger, I pray that God would instead use me to be His voice. Not to shrink back, not to be afraid—but to stand for truth and righteousness.

Excuse My Language!

If one more Christian asks me to “excuse their language”, I think I’m going to lose my mind! I feel like this needs to be addressed. I am bothered by the amount of Christian people who use God’s name in an inappropriate way; that allow curse words to roll off their tongue without a second thought, and somehow think it’s acceptable to share videos or posts that may include bad language (as long as they preface with a disclaimer ‘excuse the language’), because said video or post may be cute in content.

Before I go any further,  here is my answer to you once and for all. NO! I will not excuse your language anymore. Let me explain why.

Our call, as the Church, as Christians, is to be SEPARATE!  If we speak like the world, how can we be differentiated from those in the world?  If we behave like the world, so as to ‘relate’ to the world, how are we supposed to be the Called Out ones that Jesus teaches about in 2 Corinthians 6 & 7.  As believers, we are to detach ourselves from the world and live differently, act differently, speak differently.

All too often I hear bad behavior or off color speech justified because we are ‘covered by grace.’ We convince ourselves that God is only concerned about the heart. Yes! He is! His Word says in Luke 6:45, “from the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.” What comes from our mouth, is in direct relation to what is in our heart. So, how can we continue to speak like we used to speak, if or hearts have been changed?

Let me make it clear; grace is favor from God that we did not earn. His gift to us through His sacrifice on the cross. Grace is NOT license to continue living or speaking how we please.

“Jesus hung out with sinners,” you say. Yes! He did. However, it was always on His terms. He was always calling people to Himself, never speaking or behaving like they did.

Have we drifted so far, that we don’t open our Bibles anymore to see what it says on these matters? Is it a case of ignorance is bliss? Maybe the theory is, if you don’t know, you can’t be held accountable? Or, is it that we have been led so far away by the teachings of modern church culture, that we really have bought into the false doctrine of ‘grace covers all’, and there are no requirements of us? Is it possible that holy living is no longer a priority?

We have become a lukewarm church. We are more concerned about what others think of us, than what the God of the Universe thinks. Our greater concern is offending those around us with our ‘God speak’, rather than worrying how our ‘world speak’ and actions offend God.

Here’s a little truth nugget. The Bible is offensive! It is also confrontational and demanding.

We have been given the most precious gift of grace through Jesus death and resurrection. It has been given unconditionally, it is unmerited, it is free. HOWEVER, Jesus tells us to no longer live according to this world. We are to be transformed. That means we are to be different than we were before. In our speech, our attitude and our actions.

So, my friend; the next time you ask me to excuse your language, the language in a movie, YouTube video, or whatever else you might be sharing, let me remind you of Paul’s words to the Ephesian church. “Don’t use any foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them”

My God help us. – Amen

Are You a Hater?

Hate. Haters. Hate speech. All words commonly heard or spoken in our society today.

Any opinion, belief or thoughts contrary to our liberal culture is immediately branded as hatred. Especially if those thoughts come from Christians.

The Bible tells us to hate and also to love. We are to hate what is evil and cling to what is good (Amos 5:15). We are also called to love people, practice kindness and hospitality, even lay our lives down for others. So how do we, as Christians reconcile the two. Hate and love simultaneously?

The Bible NEVER tells us that we are to hate any person. Jesus came for ALL that are lost. Gave His life for EVERYONE! Not just a select pre-chosen few. But we ARE to hate sin, godless behavior and the things that separate people from relationship with Christ.

Through the years, I have often disciplined my children for using the word ‘hate’. It is such a strong word! “The only thing we should hate is the devil” I would say. However, as I’ve been thinking over the last few weeks and months about this issue, I wonder if I have taught them correctly. If our children grow up thinking that hating is wrong then how can they possibly have a biblical world view? We must teach them what and what not to hate.

According to God’s word we are to hate:

Evil – (Romans 12:9), Hands that shed innocent blood, Haughty eyes, Lying, A false witness, A person who divides, Feet that rush into evil, Robbery & wrongdoing. (Proverbs 6:17-19)

We are not to hate:

Our brothers (1 John 3:15) Our enemies (Matthew 6:43-45)

Pretty much sums it up, don’t you think? Hate the behavior (sin) not the person (God’s creation).

Our job is to call people out of sin. To hate it so much that we are compelled to pray for people to turn their hearts towards their Savior. We are to be uncompromising in our hatred of sin and love of the truth, but unrelenting in our love for others.

“Lord, help us to be a people that will call sin for what it is, but love the sinner unconditionally. Help us to love them asYou love them, and enable us to teach our children to do the same. Amen.”

From the Mouths of Babes……

 

“May we shout for joy over your victory and lift up our banners in the name of our God.” Psalm 20v5

I woke up this morning excited for the day! Ready to celebrate a special birthday with friends.

I started with my regular routine. Turned on the coffee pot, checked my email etc. Before the coffee finished brewing the Lord’s words to me were short and sweet; given to me through my son.

Seeing my child at thirteen, digging into God’s word first thing in the morning blesses my heart. It makes me so thankful for children that love and want to serve Jesus. I have prayed for my children since the day they were born. So I shouldn’t be surprised that God is answering my prayers. I vow to never take that for granted. I pray that I would never rest on my laurels when it comes to my children and their hearts.

“What are you reading?” I asked. “Psalm 20 & 21” he replied. “Mom, you know what?” He continued. “Psalm 20:5 teaches us that we should be giving praise reports out loud on a regular basis.” “Ok” I answered, waiting for the rest. I know whenever Adam speaks, he has something good to say- the kid has wisdom beyond his years. “Shouting for joy, and waving banners is not a quiet or private thing. We seem to have no problem complaining out loud, but we don’t always celebrate our victories in the same way.”

My heart was filled with both joy and sorrow at the same time. Filled with joy that my son is hearing from the Lord and responding to His voice, yet filled with sorrow because he is so right. I find it so easy to gripe at God. I complain about my circumstance; I demand what I want. I have to ask myself the question- how often do I shout with joy? Do I wave my figurative banner, to honor and acknowledge the victories and blessings the Lord has allowed into my life? Sometimes; but not enough.

Lord, help me to always shout for joy and wave my banner! Because you are good no matter what my circumstances.Thank you for my son, and his encouragement to me this morning. Help me to be a blessing today! Amen