Life Lessons

Comfort, Where Do You Find It?

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What Gives You Comfort?

For the past few months, my family and I have been getting our current house ready to sell. It has not been an easy journey for me. The thought of selling my home has brought me to tears. It has also revealed to me that I have placed my comfort in things.

As I have had to move everything that makes my house a home to storage, I have lamented the transition of my home to just a house. I look at this house now as belonging to someone else.  All my comforts of home are gone. I cried for two days. I mourned the loss of what was once my home and all the fond memories.

Another aspect of this process is staging our current house which is a daunting challenge. The realtor and staging agents have come through telling us what must go and made suggestions of painting. I have not always agreed with some of their choices. Sadly, I made it quite obvious that I didn’t. You might say that I acted like a spoiled child.

However, I have gained some insight into myself and where I should find my true comfort. I was wrong to seek contentment in what I possessed. In God, alone, is where I can find everlasting and true satisfaction because all that I have is not lasting and they are gifts from Him. There is a really good passage on comfort in 2 Corinthians 1:3-5. The Apostle Paul spoke of being content in whatever circumstances, Philippians 4:11-12.

To sum things up, I chock this up to another lesson in learning to be comfortable with the uncomfortable in my life. Glory be to God for showing me where my heart again needed to change. Ask yourself, where do you seek to find contentment and satisfaction?

Another lesson in learning to be comfortable with the uncomfortable in my life.
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Life Lessons

Help! Heart Surgery Needed!

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My Heart Needs Surgery!

My goodness! What a long time it has been. This past week God made it quite evident that my heart needed surgery! I was not an example of His love. Life  squeezed me like a tube of toothpaste and I did not like what came out of my mouth.

Therefore I had to admit that my thoughts and the words of my  mouth were not pleasing to the Lord. Confession is what I had to do and admit that I was often rude and inconsiderate of others. I was  lazy and missed opportunities to bless others. Thus I needed God to work on my heart. Consciously, I had to turn my will over to Christ’s care and control.

After all, in Luke chapter 6 verse 45b, it says that for the mouth speaks what the heart is full of. Apparently, last week my heart was full of the wrong stuff. At church, I surrendered my heart and asked God to forgive me and help me. Thereby, God renewed me and gave me the grace to start anew. In God’s word, He tells me that if I confess that He will forgive and cleanse me from my sins. Not only does He forgive me but He also provides me the strength I need to do better.

Another way of looking at this is to say that my fruit was not pretty. I was not a good example to follow. Yet, I do want to be someone that reflects the love of Christ to others. It is only by the grace and power of God’s spirit in me that I can do this. Hence, I need to spend more time with God both in Word and prayer so that He can transform me. Thankfully, God is a God of second chances.

Help! My Heart Needed Surgery!
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Life Lessons

Culturally Disobedient In Today’s World

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Culturally Disobedient

A Call to Be Culturally Disobedient

The time is now for all Christians to stand and to take a stand. If we say that we are Christians then our lives out to show it. Yet, in today’s world society wants Christians to shut up and sit down. Take action and be culturally disobedient.

What is Cultural Disobedience? It is to resist the culture when it tries to soften the Christian faith. Therefore, one should not be afraid to act as a Christian is called to act in all areas of one’s life. For example, to pray in public, speaking up when Christianity is belittled, and not letting the society dictate how you are to live out your faith.

What Does It Look Like?

One of my favorite sayings is if it walks like a duck and quacks like a duck then it must be a duck. Therefore, if I say that I am a Christian then my life should reflect it regardless of what society would have me do. How I treat others ought to reflect Jesus in my life by my compassion and generosity. When I say a prayer of thanks for my meal out it is because I am grateful. It is wrong of me to refrain from doing so because of what others might think. Yet, my attitude should be in check also. I desire to be humble in my attitude not to think of myself as better than others.

Another way that I can be culturally disobedient is speaking up when someone speaks against Christianity. I am to be prepared to give an answer for the hope that is in me according to 1 Peter 3:15. If I acknowledge Jesus before men, He will acknowledge me before His Father in Heaven. I can trust that God will give me the words to say. He can also help me to be able to do so in truth and in love.

Then again, we as Christians have allowed the world to dictate to us as to how we can or cannot live out our faith. Yet, we are called to be influencers and not to be influenced by the world. Let our actions speak louder than our words. Be Jesus with skin on to a hurting world. Thus, we can begin to truly influence the world for Jesus.

Summary

All things considered, I hope to live out my faith in a manner that is pleasing to God and draws others to Jesus. I pray that you will also be encouraged to do likewise.

Hope is Found in Jesus!

Christians are to live out their faith even though the world would tell us differently.
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Life Lessons

Hope is Found in Jesus

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My Hope is the Lord

Due to the recent events here and abroad, the news has caused my heart great sadness.  The loss of life in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, only added to that sadness. I hurt for the family who lost both father and son here in Texas. Though, I cannot fully fathom their loss, I do know what it is like to lose a loved one in an untimely manner. I have received the comfort that only God can provide. While the comfort did not happen right away, it did come over time. However, hope can be found in Jesus.

At church on Sunday, July 17, 2016, I was reminded that my hope is in Jesus.  As we sang the hymn, My Hope is Built on Nothing Less, before the sermon, I was reminded also that there is nothing else on earth that can put my hope in.

The aforementioned hymn is comforting because ‘I rest in His unchanging grace; in every high and stormy gale, my anchor holds within the veil. Christ is my solid rock and all other ground is sinking sand.’ There is comfort in putting one’s hope in Jesus.

In addition, Psalm 27 was the text for the sermon. Though Vicar read only the first couple of verses. I find comfort in the rest of this Psalm. King David knew to whom he could go to for comfort and shelter. He knew to wait on the Lord.

Therefore, I pray that the families of the fallen officers and those lives senselessly taken in Nice, France, will take comfort in God. I do hope that they will find their rest and stay in Him and that they can sing.

“On Christ, the solid Rock I stand;

All other ground is sinking sand,

All other ground is sinking sand.”

Prayer for Comfort and Hope

Dear Lord, as You know there are many hurting hearts today. Please God, comfort them as You alone know how. Ease their pain and let them not forget their loved ones. I ask for Your mercy and grace to the families and to put a stop to the senseless violence. Help them to be strong and  to wait on You. Give them your peace that passes all understanding.  Amen.

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Life Lessons

Attitude Adjustment Needed

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Lord, I Need My Attitude Adjusted!

Ever have one of those days when you felt that your attitude needed an adjustment? I had one of those days yesterday. There have been other times, too. I knew what I needed to do but found myself being self centered and not wanting to do the necessary thing. Yesterday, thankfully wasn’t one of those days.

While I was on my way to visit my sister and my niece. I felt in my spirit that something wasn’t right. I was struggling with an issue apart from them. I said, “Lord, I need an attitude adjustment.” I realized that I had to surrender what I was struggling with and turn it over to God. Allow God to work it out. This plea reminds me of taking an aspirin for a headache; wait 30 minutes and the headaches is gone. I asked the good Lord for an attitude adjustment.  By the time, I got to my sister’s house my attitude had done a 180. Matthew 21:21 reads,  “And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith.”

Not only had God straightened out my attitude but He also fixed the issue that I was struggling to figure out. He supplied all my needs for the evening’s event at our vacation Bible school for the group I was teaching. My husband even purchased sides for their meal. God provided us with enough help for the crafts that we were doing. He also gave me the right words for the lesson.  As a result, we had a most wonderful time learning about Jesus.

Therefore, all I need to do is pray when I am faced with another bad attitude. Because God is able to do abundantly more than all that I can ask. The key is to ask and keep on asking. God is a good Father  who loves to give good gifts to those who love Him and are called according to His purpose.

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Life Lessons

Tale of Two Friends United by Christ!

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Tale of two friends

A Tale of Acceptance and Grace.

God makes life most interesting when you let Him in and He opens your eyes. This is my tale of my friendship with a dear friend of mine. We have something in common but yet so different. She grew up in the Lutheran Church but has changed to a Baptist church. Whereas, I grew up going to a Baptist church and now I choose to worship at a Lutheran church. We have both been baptized in the Baptist church and have a strong love for Jesus.

This tale is about acceptance and grace. Acceptance of the differences between us and the grace to embrace what we have in common. There was a time in my life that I was not attending a Lutheran church. I was attending the Church of the Nazarene where I chose to rededicate my life to Christ through baptism. My friend did likewise when she went to the Baptist church. A few years later, I returned to the Lutheran church and had to attend membership class. I was reluctant at first for my faith in Christ had not changed but it was to my benefit because I needed to be reminded of what Lutherans believe. There is a part of me that identifies with the Baptist but I need the affirmations that I find in the confession, creeds, and communion at the Lutheran service.

My dear friend refers to her change as a conversion. Yet, a convert is a person who has been persuaded to change their religious belief or faith or other beliefs? So what does it mean to convert  from Lutheran to Baptist? Do they not believe in the God, the Father, God, the Son, and God, the Holy Spirit? For me, I have not converted from one to the other for my faith has not changed. Where I choose to worship has changed. I guess that the change lies not in our faith but in other beliefs.

On the key points of faith which are creation, the birth, life, sufferings, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, I believe that the Baptist and Lutheran agree. Now on matters that are not of eternal importance, there is a lot of differences. Some of those differences are in baptism and communion and order of service. I don’t want to go into these.

Am I okay that my friend attends a Baptist service? By all means, yes! God knows her heart as He knows mine. Do we both believe in Jesus and have a personal relationship with Him? Most definitely so! Each person’s walk with Jesus is as unique as a snowflake. We both serve the same Lord. How we do so is different, that’s all and it is perfectly okay.

As Michael W. Smith writes in his song,”Friends are Forever,”

 Friends are friends forever if the Lord’s the Lord of them…

A lifetime’s not too long to live as friends.

Two Friends United by Christ.
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Life Lessons

Relationship with Christ? Truth and Meaning!

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Relationship

What Does It Mean to Have a Relationship with Christ?

I have a dear friend of mine who wants to know more about what it means to have a relationship with Christ. I think that a key word here is being in rather than having one. First, let’s look at the word relationship and its definition.

One definition of relationship is a connection, association, or involvement.

How does one have or make a connection or association with Christ? I would say much like it would be with anyone else. It takes time and effort in getting to know Him. This is different for each person because God has wired each person differently. It will also take some thinking outside the box, too, because people can get caught up in “doing” and not in being in a relationship. For example, if you are inclined towards ‘getting it right,’ you might get caught up in going through the motions of a scheduled quiet time. Yet, God wants you to focus on Him. Step outside of your routine, go outside and talk to Him as you would a friend and journal your thought and prayers. With Christ there is no right way to have a relationship. Draw near to Him and He will draw near to you.

Another definition of relationship is an emotional or other connection between people.

How does one make an emotional connection to Christ? This comes through spending time in His word and reading His love letter to you. Here again, it is different for each person. For the individual who is drawn to ‘getting it right’ the gospel of Matthew is a good starting point. I believe that reading through the Proverbs is also helpful. Memorizing verses that speak of His great love for us is a good practice. After all, there is nothing one can do to add or take away from God’s love for us. God accepts as He created us and sent Jesus to die while we were still sinners. Therefore, we don’t have to ‘get it right.’ Jesus already did that for us. We have a right standing before God.

So to my friend, I will say, do a new thing and begin to journal your thoughts and prayers with Him. Choose a new place to spend time alone with Him and read His love letter to you. Ask Him to speak directly to your heart how much He loves you. Tell Him that you want a deeper relationship with Him and then be amazed at what He does.

Here are some key verses that speak on drawing near to God/Christ. Hebrews 7:24-26, 11:5-7; James 4:7-9

Related link. Letter to My Beloved.

There is so much to be gained from a true connection with Christ.
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Life Lessons

Defining Moment Has Come!

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Where I find my defining moment

What I Have Learned from My Defining Moment.

Over the past couple months, I have been exploring the “how” God is being worshiped in the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod (LCMS) in the area that I Live. Today, I reached a defining moment when it comes worship.

The LCMS has a particular order to the way worship service is followed. This what is termed the substance which is not to be changed. What may you ask does this mean? There are a number of things that are a part of the substance such as confession & absolution, the creeds, baptism, Gospel reading, communion and the Lord’s Prayer. This is what comprises a liturgical service. The way or order that these follow is what is termed the form.

‘As long as the substance remains the same, the form may change’ is the way one part of the LCMS looks at worship. I have visited a few churches and seen the various forms that worship has taken. From what I have seen so far there was one service that the form effected the substance. There were a quite few parts of substance that were not present. At two other services, the form was different but the substance was present with only one or more parts absent. My home church, I believe, has found a very good balance where the substance remained and the form was altered so that all parts were present.

My defining moment came when God helped me understand that what is the most important is the condition of my heart. Man judges the outward appearance but God judges the heart. If I am worshiping Him in spirit and in truth at my church then I am where I belong.

I am where I belong. My church is the right fit for me.
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My Conclusion

I recognize that where I currently worship is right for me because God’s truth is taught through scripture reading and the creeds and He is worshiped in song. It is through confession and absolution that I admit that I am a sinner in need of a Savior. I receive forgiveness of my sins through communion.  I am also able to worship Him in spirit and in truth for who He is. Therefore, I am a Christian who chooses to worship in an LCMS church.

Where are you able to worship God in spirit and in truth? Check out this Related Link: 5 Things I Love about my Church!

(1 John 1:8-9, Acts 4:12, 1 Samuel 16:7, John 4:23-24)

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Life Lessons

Mountains Out of Mole Hills?

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Mountains Out of Mole Hills

“You are Making Mountains Out of Mole Hills!”

Have you ever heard the phrase, “You are making Mountains out of mole hills?” If you have not, I assure you that I have this heard more times than I like to admit. I confess that I come from a line of them. I have come to understand this to mean that one has a tendency to make a big ordeal out of something that someone else would consider to be trivial. Some might call this ruminating which is to hold on to a hurt and let it fester. This is also what unforgiveness looks like. God recently brought to light the fact that I was guilty of this and reminded me of a book that I read some time back about steps to forgiveness and reconciliation, “Forgiving and Reconciling Bridges to Wholeness and Hope,” by Everett Worthington, JR, copyright 2003.

Romans 12_18

I am also reminded of several scripture verses on forgiveness and peace. Romans 12:18, If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. It is my responsibility to live at peace with others. I must make the effort. Colossians 3:13b, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. There again, it is on me to forgive. Jesus died for me before I asked Him. He forgave me and now I, too, must forgive. With His help, I can choose to forgive because on my own I am not able. Forgiving is freeing because I give up the mental space that making mountain out of mole hills uses. Grace is amazing and I need to turn my eyes to Jesus.

My Sky Pic

I know that with prayer and mining God’s Word for insight I can overcome my tendency to make mountains out of mole hills. This will make me a better person and friend. I pray: Dear Lord Jesus, please help me overcome my tendency to make mountains out of mole hills. Give me the courage to make this change and the grace to forgive. Amen

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Life Lessons

God Makes All Things New!

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I am not the same!
Revelation 21:5
Looking back to where I was a year ago thanks to my journal, I can honestly say that I am not the same person now. God has made me a new person. Last year, I was ready to give up on relationships but God was faithful and changed my heart. He used special people in my life to help me process things clearly and encouraged me to love my family members. I could not have imagined then what the rewards of my obedience would bring. I now have a better relationship with the members of my extended family. The most awesome blessing came on August 10th last year. God blessed me with a beautiful and extra special niece. I so much want to be a part of her life as well as her mother’s.
With God’s help, I strive to communicate better members of my extended family. I recently made an amends where I needed to reconcile. God enabled me to love and care for my mom following her recent surgery even when I was not at my best. His grace truly is sufficient (Romans 12:9). Time and time again, God has shown me that He can supply all my need. Yet, I am the fickle one that can so easily forget that He is all that I need and thus fret or complain.
He can make anyone new who loves Him and desires to be made new. It is all a matter of the heart. Yeah God! He keeps His promises. He can change your heart too. All you need to do is ask Him.
Challenge: When has God shown you that His grace is sufficient?
There is none holy like the Lord:
for there is none besides you;
there is no rock like our God. 
1 Samuel 2:2 ESV 
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