Defy Opposite World.

Courtney at Women Living Well Ministries finishes her April 28, 2013 post, Having Babies {in Opposite World}....

...If you are a pregnant woman, boldly declare your excitement for your baby bump! 

When you are in the midst of bottles and binkies and spit up and tantrums and sleepless nights – do not let the enemy whisper in your ear – “this is too much.” Lean on Jesus and thank God for giving you SO much!

When the world says, you are too young. Remember Mary was young.

When the world says, you are too old. Remember Sarah was old.

When the world says, you don’t know what you are doing. Remember Eve – who had no role models at all…she just walked with the King.

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We must shut out the voices of Opposite World and listen to the maker of this world. 

He says –be fruitful and multiply.

He says – children are a reward.

I believe him.

Now go love on your little ones and do something completely counter cultural (but just like Jesus) –lay down your life for another

And so my fellow Handmaidens... let's begin now to "defy Opposite World" in our everyday lives, in all that we do, and live BOLDLY for the One who freely gave us our salvation which cost Him what we could not pay.  

Courtney signs her post with, "Walk with the King"

Beautiful! Thank you, Courtney!

Choosing to love when it is hard

At Sharing the wonders of God's Grace, by Crystal, she writes on Choosing to love when it is hard.   From the behavior of our pets to family, friends, and everyone else, choosing to love anyways is difficult to do, but it is what we are called to do.

Crystal ends her post with:

..And then we think of God who loved us first---and chose to love is when we were trapped in sin and far from Him. Maybe we weren't that easy to love, but He loved us so much and paid the price by sending His one and only Son to die for us taking our sin upon himself when He had never sinned.

So as we follow in His footsteps, we keep choosing to love even when its hard because He first loved us.

Something silly

News Flash: We are all sinners

As our world slips farther and farther into deception, we continue to hear people giving their “solutions” to all of the world's problems. 

These "problems" are actually sins in a sin-filled world.

Some people say things like, “If we only do this or that” --- as they whittle away freedoms in the name of their so called “safety“.

But are people really safe as the world slides down the slippery slope?

The truth is that we are all sinners.   Some of us are sinners saved by the wonderful grace of God through Jesus.   Other people are not.   Both people groups are sinners.

In our culture “sin” is now a blurry grey area - even for Christians.   The lines have been blurred as to what is right and what is wrong.   Thus freedoms are trumped in the name of what is “right” for those who control us with any kind of power they have.

Some examples of blurry lines and blurry thinking:

I have heard people claim that they cannot live without sexual relations (of any kind). In speaking with them logically about this subject they do not understand the difference between the necessity of food and water or even shelter compared to any other choice in life.

I have heard people claim they cannot help themselves while driving, so they speed.  They receive large fines which they do not want to pay because they feel that speeding for them is a natural force they cannot control.   They cannot logically communicate when comparing following the law in driving to following any law (such as robbing or murder, etc.)

All of this leads to Christians who are speaking about these subjects.   Some say that we do not have to follow the law of the land - but only God’s law.  Once again we see a "blurring" of what is the truth.

God's word says:

Romans 13:1-7
Every person is to be in subjection to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God. 
Therefore whoever resists authority has opposed the ordinance of God; and they who have opposed will receive condemnation upon themselves. 
For rulers are not a cause of fear for good behavior, but for evil. Do you want to have no fear of authority?
Do what is good and you will have praise from the same;  for it is a minister of God to you for good.
But if you do what is evil, be afraid; for it does not bear the sword for nothing; for it is a minister of God, an avenger who brings wrath on the one who practices evil.  Therefore it is necessary to be in subjection, not only because of wrath, but also for conscience’ sake. 
For because of this you also pay taxes, for rulers are servants of God, devoting themselves to this very thing. 
Render to all what is due them: tax to whom tax is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honor to whom honor.

1 Peter 2:13-17
Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether to a king as the one in authority,  or to governors as sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and the praise of those who do right. 
For such is the will of God that by doing right you may silence the ignorance of foolish men.
Act as free men, and do not use your freedom as a covering for evil, but use it as bondslaves of God.
Honor all people, love the brotherhood, fear God, honor the king.

The News Flash is that we are all sinners who continue to sin, and as time draws closer to the return of Jesus there will be more and more evil sinning by sinners. 

As women who love the LORD and live for Him, we need to be aware of the "blurring" of the lines of His truth.  We can choose to follow Him in His truth no matter how our culture blurs the lines.

1 Peter 4:7-19
The end of all things is near; therefore, be of sound judgment and sober spirit for the purpose of prayer.
Above all, keep fervent in your love for one another, because love covers a multitude of sins.
Be hospitable to one another without complaint. 
As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.
Whoever speaks, is to do so as one who is speaking the utterances of God; whoever serves is to do so as one who is serving by the strength which God supplies; so that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belongs the glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.

Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you;
but to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing, so that also at the revelation of His glory you may rejoice with exultation.
If you are reviled for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you.
Make sure that none of you suffers as a murderer, or thief, or evildoer, or a troublesome meddler;
but if anyone suffers as a Christian, he is not to be ashamed, but is to glorify God in this name.
For it is time for judgment to begin with the household of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God?
And if it is with difficulty that the righteous is saved, what will become of the godless man and the sinner?
Therefore, those also who suffer according to the will of God shall entrust their souls to a faithful Creator in doing what is right.

Food for thought:

“When Christians step up and accept responsibility for all we say and do, God is pleased.
We may have a majority going against us, but God rewards those who accept responsibility for their choices.”
unknown

“God pays in joy that is fireproof, famine proof, and devil proof.”
Billy Sunday

2 Corinthians 4 16-18
Therefore we do not lose heart, but though our outer man is decaying, yet our inner man is being renewed day by day.
For momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison,
while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal.

Jesus paid it all

I hear the Savior say,
“Thy strength indeed is small;
Child of weakness, watch and pray,
Find in Me thine all in all.”

Jesus paid it all,
All to Him I owe;
Sin had left a crimson stain,
He washed it white as snow.

 

For nothing good have I
Whereby Thy grace to claim;
I’ll wash my garments white
In the blood of Calv’ry’s Lamb.

 

Jesus paid it all,
All to Him I owe;
Sin had left a crimson stain,
He washed it white as snow.

 

And now complete in Him,
My robe, His righteousness,
Close sheltered ’neath His side,
I am divinely blest.

 

Jesus paid it all,
All to Him I owe;
Sin had left a crimson stain,
He washed it white as snow.

 

Lord, now indeed I find
Thy pow’r, and Thine alone,
Can change the leper’s spots
And melt the heart of stone.

 

Jesus paid it all,
All to Him I owe;
Sin had left a crimson stain,
He washed it white as snow.

 

When from my dying bed
My ransomed soul shall rise,
“Jesus died my soul to save,”
Shall rend the vaulted skies.

 

Jesus paid it all,
All to Him I owe;
Sin had left a crimson stain,
He washed it white as snow.

 

And when before the throne
I stand in Him complete,
I’ll lay my trophies down,
All down at Jesus’ feet.

 

Jesus paid it all,
All to Him I owe;
Sin had left a crimson stain,
He washed it white as snow.

 

 

by Elvina M. Hall, 1865

 

 

 

Moving On

The year my grandfather died I was a young mother  and my family members traveled to be with and help my grandmother a few  more times than usual.
  
Grandma was grieving the loss of her "sweetheart" as she would tell me, and it seemed to me she was doing well.  She was still accomplishing everyday things, she would find joy in life, she would speak fondly of her beloved, and she was happy. 

 As this time wore on "everyone" seemed to wonder when my grandma would "move on."   Her health was slipping at 85 and when family would stop over in the late afternoon she would be "in the dark", sitting in "his chair", and wearing "his sweater".

At that time I wondered what was wrong with these things.  Why were they pushing her to "move on" when in reality she was? 

That time is now long ago, I have grieved the loss of many people I have held dear, and I have experienced great tragedies.  I often remember the moments with my grandma in her grief.  Her example has been huge to me as I have grieved. 

How can anyone really understand what each of us have dealt with and have overcome in our lives and to what degree these things have affected us.   Love, compassion, and mercy should be the our banner of our heart's desire because we have Jesus as our own Savior who is our example of these attributes and so much more.

Moving On, by Eliza at Recovering Grace, is a good example for all of us to hear and heed.  We will have just a tiny "window" into what pain, control, and manipulation can do to a person and some of the "whys" of the time it takes to recover.

This world is not our home.  Evil runs rampant ever so much more every day now.  So many, many are "wounded" by all sorts of things, not just by the grief of losing a loved one.  Let us be handmaidens for the LORD full of compassions as we come along others who are "moving on" but need mercies and kindnesses because of Jesus.

Stifling our Children

Wonderful, thought-provoking column at Renew America, by Lisa Fabrizio, to open your eyes if you haven't realized why and what has been happening over these last decades to America and the world in general.

In Stifling our Children, Fabrizio writes,

...Today, girls are raised to be men and men are, well, they're just confused. The deadly combination of feminism, socialism and political correctness have robbed two generations of Americans – aptly named Generation X, and Y; the unknown quantities – of their proper identities according to the Natural Law. Day after day give evidence that the tender mercies of liberals have left millions of people dazed and confused and our moral fiber in tatters.

In the old days, [ and she is speaking of the 60's! ] the family unit was sacrosanct. A man was the king of his castle and that castle was to be defended against any and all who would dare to breach it; by force, if necessary. This very concept was the basis of the founding of our country. Today, a man's property belongs to the communal tax-base, and his children are little more than wards of the state...

This is a must read as we live for LORD until He returns.

Isaiah 5:20-23
Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil;
Who substitute darkness for light and light for darkness;
Who substitute bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter!
Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes
And clever in their own sight!
Woe to those who are heroes in drinking wine
And valiant men in mixing strong drink,
Who justify the wicked for a bribe,
And take away the rights of the ones who are in the right!

LORD, give us wisdom to live boldly for You in this world which is not our home!  And mercy, LORD, for us, but also in us so we may be as Your light for those snared in the darkness.


 

In the Shadow of Your wings I will sing for joy!

O God, You are my God; I shall seek You earnestly;
My soul thirsts for You, my flesh yearns for You,
In a dry and weary land where there is no water.

Thus I have seen You in the sanctuary,
To see Your power and Your glory.

Because Your lovingkindness is better than life,
My lips will praise You.

So I will bless You as long as I live;
I will lift up my hands in Your name.

My soul is satisfied as with marrow and fatness,
And my mouth offers praises with joyful lips.

When I remember You on my bed,
I meditate on You in the night watches,
For You have been my help,
And in the shadow of Your wings I sing for joy.

My soul clings to You;
Your right hand upholds me.

But those who seek my life to destroy it,
Will go into the depths of the earth.
They will be delivered over to the power of the sword;
They will be a prey for foxes.

But the king will rejoice in God;
Everyone who swears by Him will glory,
For the mouths of those who speak lies will be stopped.

Psalm 63

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Photo by Chris & Tom Vorgert

You are worth much more than they.

...do not be worried about your life, 

as to what you will eat or what you will drink; 

nor for your body, as to what you will put on. 

Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? 

Look at the birds of the air, that they do not sow, 

nor reap nor gather into barns, 

and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. 

Are you not worth much more than they? 

And who of you by being worried can add a single hour to his life? 

And why are you worried about clothing? 

Observe how the lilies of the field grow; 

they do not toil nor do they spin, 

yet I say to you that not even Solomon in all his glory 

clothed himself like one of these. 

But if God so clothes the grass of the field, 

which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, 

will He not much more clothe you? 

You of little faith! Do not worry then, saying, 

‘What will we eat?’ or ‘

What will we drink?’ or 

‘What will we wear for clothing?’ 

For the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things; 

for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. 

But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, 

and all these things will be added to you.

So do not worry about tomorrow; 

for tomorrow will care for itself. 

Each day has enough trouble of its own.

Matthew 6:25-34

Sometimes I just want to close my eyes #2

Referring to my last post with I Refuse lyrics by Josh Wilson:

Sometimes I am too tired mentally and physically.  Too tired of standing up and doing what I know what God wants me to do. 

I am tired of seemingly being the only one who is noticing false teachers, wrong thinking, bad behavior, or just the simple act of giving encouragements to others.  All of these efforts take lots of time,  and sometimes money.  And I do become tired.  So sometimes I do keep quiet, and I do pretend that everything is a-okay --  when I know deep in my heart it is really not okay at all.

But soon enough I realize that I was wrong, absolutely wrong.  It is probably the next day when I am refreshed with sleep or feeling better in general.  I remember who I am in Christ, and I don't want to live like I don't care!

God uses me, my personality, my abilities, my memories, my wealth of my past, my exuberance of love for Him.  He can take my brokenness, my weaknesses, who I am which makes me - me, and He can use me to reach another person.

What joy it is to live for God and know He is working through me with all of this glorifying His name!   I know I will fail again and again, but with each time He will be teaching me to become more like Himself.  And this is just what I desire most.

I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.
Philippians 4:13

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, 
who comforts us in all our affliction so that we will be able
to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort
with which we ourselves are comforted by God. 
For just as the sufferings of Christ are ours in abundance,
so also our comfort is abundant through Christ. 
But if we are afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation;
or if we are comforted, it is for your comfort,
which is effective in the patient enduring of the same sufferings
which we also suffer;  and our hope for you is firmly grounded,
knowing that as you are sharers of our sufferings,
so also you are sharers of our comfort.
2 Corinthians 1:3-7

Sometimes I just want to close my eyes

I Refuse

Sometimes I, I just want to close my eyes

And act like everyone's alright

When I know they're not

This world needs God, but it's easier to stand and watch

I could pray a prayer and just move on

Like nothing's wrong

But I Refuse

I don't want to live like I don't care

I don't want to say another empty prayer

Oh, I refuse to sit around and wait for someone else

To do what God has called me to do myself

I could choose not to move

But I refuse

I can hear the least of these, crying out so desperately

And I know we are the hands and feet of You, oh God

So if You say move, it's time for me to follow through

And do what I was made to do

And show them who You are

I refuse to stand and watch the weary and lost cry out for help

I refuse to turn my back and try and act like all is well

I refuse to stay unchanged, to wait another day to die to myself

I refuse to make one more excuse

Josh Wilson

Spring!

Little Robin Redbreast

Sat upon a rail;

Niddle noble went his head,

Widdle waggle went his tail.

Our pain turned into victory!

I thought this statement from my friend Cherry* was profound:

"Satan uses bitterness to make us feel helpless/hopeless.

God uses our pain to turn to victory; if we allow Him."

Ladies, we can easily let our helplessness and our hopelessness overwhelm us.  

If we continually remember that God is our Salvation, then we can let go and give Him our overwhelming hopelessness and helplessness.  

He can then show us His victory in us even when our circumstances do not change.  

He is our strength. 

He is our comfort.

He is our safety.

Behold, God is my salvation,
I will trust and not be afraid;
For the Lord God is my strength and song,
And He has become my salvation.
Therefore you will joyously draw water
From the springs of salvation.
Isaiah 12:2-3

* Thank you to Cherry