Who Would You Die For?

This was a question asked of us at church on Sunday. Who would you die for? Your parents? Your children? Your friends? Your God? Anything else...?

This past Sunday at church was recognition of the local police officers. The service included thanking them for putting their life on the line for their community and for strangers, which is similar to what Jesus did when He died on the cross for us. One might say, well wait, He knows all of us; yes he does. But He died for those of us who hadn't come yet sot hat even now, 2010 years later, we can have eternal life. He knew who we were going to be and what we were going to do, but at that time, we were strangers to Him. Now we are part of His community though and He died for His community, for His followers; I am forever grateful for His actions and the unselfish love that God showed in giving His only son to die for us mortals who cannot control our sin.

John 15:13 (NKJV) "Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends."

That is such a great description of Christ's love for us. As well as the kind of love we need to have for others.

Blessings in Christ,

The Persecution of Christians

"Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution." - 2 Timothy 3:12 (NKJV)

This rings so true for me in my life right now. My mom and I had TWO converstaions this past weekend about my covering and dressing modestly. It appears that the more and more I am convicted that this is what the Lord wants for me to do, the more and more she is against it. It is not that I am wearing one more around the house, because I have done my best to be respectful of my parent's wishes and not wearing a covering in their house. I even told my mom that; that I am feeling torn between obeying their wishes for me not to wear a covering in the house and obeying the Lord. She turned right around saying "this is not about obeying the Lord, this is about YOU being different!" She believes that I am doing this because I am an "Amish wanna-be". I told her that I agreed with some of their beliefs, but I certainly do not believe with all of them and that if she wants to call me a wanna-be then so be it but my thoughts are my own, they are not "forced" upon me by anyone else.

Besides that, she also is firm in her belief that women were created to walk beside man because that's what "her" Bible says. Her Bible is NIV. She resents the fact that I have resorted to using my NKJV Bible after being raised with the NIV. I had to get my NKJV for a college course I took in the summer of 2006 and I didn't use it for a while, but then last January I started using it more and then switched to it completely by last May. I believe that we were created as a companion for man, but that God created man first for a reason. He is to be the "president" of the house and the wife is to be the "vice president". I like that analogy because it does not make it seem that the household is a dictatorship like some think of when thinking of submission, but rather it shows that it is a co-run house. Not many young women understand the concept of submission which does not surprise me at al. We have been raised in a feminist generation; raised to think that we are independent of all man and can do anything we want - ANYTHING.

How else are Christians persecuted in today's world? How are YOU persecuted?

Blessings in Christ,

Our Citizenship Belongs in Heaven

"For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Saivor, the Lord Jesus Christ" - Philippians 3:20 (NKJV)

"If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God" - Colossians 3:1-3 (NKJV)

These two scripture references I have much difficulty with. There's other scripture that I don't quite understand also, but for now I am focusing on these. I understand that our citizenship is in heaven, with our Father; but, what does that mean for us here on earth? I don't think that any country would allow anyone to withdraw their citizenship to remain citizenship-less... So how do we obey this? Some will argue that it means not getting involved with anything besides church activities here on earth. Others will say that there is no way to avoid being a citizen of some place on earth so why not get involved with as much as you can. Again, I go to the question of how far do you take a concept? I do not know, I struggle with this part.

The second scripture makes a little more sense to me because I can grasp the idea of not holding onto items here on earth. They certainly won't help me in heaven. But what all does this mean that I should avoid? Or does this simply mean that I should not told tight to those things on earth and truly reach for the wonderful things that await me in heaven? I have no answers for myself on this.

How do you separate yourself from the world? How do you establish your citizenship in heaven and not here on earth? How do you seek things from heaven while still here on earth?

So much to meditate on.

Blessings in Christ,

He Strengthens Me!!

"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." - Philippinas 4:13 (NKJV)

This is such an awesome reminder to me about how I need to give everything to the Lord. If I do not give everything to the Lord, how can He strengthen me?

How does the Lord strengthen me? Well He certainly gives me courage to stand up for my beliefs when they are challenged, He gives me the strength to do my daily tasks, He gives me the emotional strength to be there for friends who need me, He gives me the wisdom to know what to say and when to say it, He gives me the knowledge to know what is right and wrong, amongst many other things. Everything I do, I do because He gave me the strength!

It still amazes me that God really does have enough love to love each and every person on this earth as His own! I know that may sound odd since I have been a Christian since a young age, but I still cannot grasp the amount of love that the Lord Jesus has!

Blessings in Christ,

Living According to the Laws or Faith?

The May 2010 Issue of Challenging Femininity is now available! Check it out, there are some really interesting stories!

Yesterday was the 3rd week that I have attended the IFB church and my boyfriend joined me again yesterday. The one thing I have definitely noticed, is that the pastors push tithing as an "extremely important" thing. Now, I understand tithing and it's importance, but does it require 5 minutes of the service to urge your members to give more than they were going to? I don't think so. But I am curious, how does your church approach this topic?

I have picked up my Bible reading again. The past two nights I have spent reading through Galatians. Such a wonderful blessing that whole book is! Especially for my thoughts that I had to follow the OT laws!!

So many quotes from Galatians that support that!
Galatians 3:13-14 (NKJV) "13 Christ has redeemed us fromt he curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, 'Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree'), 14 that the blessings of Abraham might come upon the Gnetiles in Christ Jesus, that we might recive the promise of the Spirit trhough faith."

Galatians 3:24-26 (NKJV) "24 Therefore the law was our tutor to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith. 25 But after faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor. 26 For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus."

Galatians 4:30-31 (NKJV) "30 Nevertheless what does the Scripture say? 'Cast out the bondwoman and her son, for the son of the bondwoman shall not be heir with the son of the freewoman.' 31 So then, brethren, we are not children of the bondwoman but of the free." (The bondwoman is symbolic for those born into the law.)

Galatians 5:14 (NKJV) "For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this 'You shall love your nieghbor as yourself.'"

I absolutely LOVE this last verse! How wonderful! My spirit is at peace now that I have read and understood this important book of the Bible!

Blessings in Christ,

Ham & Cheese Rolls

Since I am not really feeling a tug from our Lord as to what to write about, I thought I would share another recipie that my family really enjoys.

Ham & Cheese Rolls (This could be made with Turkey or Turkey Ham as well)
2 pieces of American cheese per person
3-4 slices of ham per person
Green pepper (optional)
Onion (optional)
Mayo
Chili Sauce
Hot dog or hamburger buns

Cut the cheese and ham into blocks and mix together in a bowl. Add green peper and onion if wanted. Pour in equal portions of mayo and chili sauce and mix together. Put the mixture into hot dog or hamburger buns, making however many you want/need. Wrap the rolls in foil.

Bake at 350 F for approximately 20 minutes or until the cheese is melted.

Chili sauce is located by the ketchup in my supermarket, so I would check around there if you are not sure where it is exactly.

Scripture for thought:
Matthew 10:24-33 (NKJV)
"24 “A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master. 25 It is enough for a disciple that he be like his teacher, and a servant like his master. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebub,[a] how much more will they call those of his household! 26 Therefore do not fear them. For there is nothing covered that will not be revealed, and hidden that will not be known. 27 “Whatever I tell you in the dark, speak in the light; and what you hear in the ear, preach on the housetops. 28 And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. 29 Are not two sparrows sold for a copper coin? And not one of them falls to the ground apart from your Father’s will. 30 But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. 31 Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows. 32 “Therefore whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven. 33 But whoever denies Me before men, him I will also deny before My Father who is in heaven."

Blessings in Christ,

The Learning NEVER Ends!!

Today was full of "firsts" for me and thus learning as well! I am trying to teach myself to crochet. Wow. That is harder than I thought it would be. I still can't get the hang of pulling the stitch through the loop. Mom said when she is done making the crisp for dessert that she will help me try to figure it out, so I hope she can. If I ever make anything, I will for sure post a few pictures :)

I also made hamburgers for supper. This may be like a whatever to some people, but I had never made hamburgers before! I personally hate the feel of raw meat so besides making the hamburgers, I had to touch raw meat :( Anyway, my parents said they were good so sounds like I did a good job for my first time! I don't eat hamburger if I have a choice so I just made myself a hot dog and have no clue how they actually turned out :D

Unfortunately, my Bible reading has slowed down very much so. But here is the scripture for the day:

Ephesians 3:20-21 (NKJV): "20 Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, 21 to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen."

Phillipians 4:6 (NKJV): "6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."

May your prayer life be enriched by these wonderful verses.

Blessings in Christ,