31By faith the prostitute Rahab, because she welcomed the spies, was not killed with those who were disobedient.[
a]
Hebrews 11:31 NIV
The story of Rahab unfolds in the book of Joshua, so if you have a chance, read it. Her story is amazing. She is truly a testimony of the power of God's grace. He transformed her from a prostitute, a no body into a warrior, and a woman mentioned with Sarah. Her past slate was wiped clean. I know I have been the recipient of God's amazing grace. We are truly transformed and made new when we allow Him to take over. Amazing grace that saved a wretch like me. My chains are gone, and I have been set free!
29Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listenEphesians 4:29 NIVOur mouths can be used for great good and great evil. What we have stored up inside us, will be what flows out of us. If we have pure hearts, then our words will be pure. But if we have evil, then our words will be evil. As Christ followers we need to build each other up, and those around us. I know I need to be mindful of what I am saying. Is my language coarse and foul? Am I gossipying? I am reminded of a verse which says, to let the words of my mouth and meditations of my heart be pleasing in the Lord's sight.
Be Kind
27"But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. 29If someone strikes you on one cheek, turn to him the other also. If someone takes your cloak, do not stop him from taking your tunic. 30Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back. 31Do to others as you would have them do to you.
32"If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even 'sinners' love those who love them. 33And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even 'sinners' do that. 34And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even 'sinners' lend to 'sinners,' expecting to be repaid in full. 35But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. 36Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.
Luke 6:27-36
I think it's amazing the number of times that we are told to be kind in the Bible. Even in the commandments, the first two are to love God and love others. We are to clothe ourselves with kindness and compassion. The fruit of the Spirit is love,peace,patience,and kindness. When I think of all Jesus did I'm amazed. Dieing on the cross would have been enough, but He did more. He walked among us, and showed compassion for all people. In his final hours, He looks out for others. Therefore, we are called to be kind and to be imitators of Christ. It is a tough act to follow. To be kind to people you don't like, or those who intimidate you. But, we are to do so anyway. Not out of selfishness, but in humility.
23Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. 24God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth."
John 4:23-24
Worship is so much more than just singing songs at church. It is about encountering God. Encountering Him, and praising Him for all He has done and is yet to do and is currently doing. We can worship God with our lives on a day to day basis. Then when we do come together on Sundays, we can give back and overflow. Continue worshipping as we have done through out the week.
22But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
Galatians 5:22
13Jesus answered, "Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, 14but whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life."
John 4:13-14
12Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. Colossians 3:12-14This passage explains how we are to treat each other as brothers and sisters in Christ. Be compassionate, be kind, be humble, gentle, and patient. There are moments when we want to embrace each other, and moments when we want to shake each other. But, God forgave us and He sees the depths of our hearts and loves us the same. We in turn can love each other because of the love He has for us.
14Do everything without complaining or arguing, 15so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe
Philippians 2:14-15
Misery loves company. When one person starts complaining it becomes infectous, and honestly, I feel like my whole day goes down the tubes. Granted there are times when life is tough, but Paul says that we should be content no matter what our circumstances. We should praise God all the time, and turn a negative situation into a more positive one, by changing our mind set. Instead of complaining, take a minute, refocus, and praise God. I find when I do this, I am a much better example of Christ.
Martha, Martha, Martha
38As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him.
39She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet listening to what he said.
40But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, "Lord, don't you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!"
41"Martha, Martha," the Lord answered, "you are worried and upset about many things,
42but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her."
Luke 10:38-72
The days are getting few before I leave for 11months, lately I've been here and there going and going, much like Martha. The things I'm doing are important, but not at the compromise of spending time with my truest love, my highest priority. Sad to say, I've lost sight of that just as Martha had. Realizing this I need to make a
decision, to stop and listen, make time with my Lord a priority. Worries and concerns will always be, but as Jesus says, only one thing is absolutely needed. He Himself.
3 All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. 4 He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us.
2 Corinthians 1:3-4 NLT
When I think back to this time last year, I am amazed. I was in a season of hurt, broken relationships, and moving foward. I was still in school, and wondering where my life was going to go. But now, just 1 year later, life is new, fresh, and filled with the perfume of excitment. I know my previous trials helped strengthen me, and now I can pour into some of my friends who are hurting now. Life happens best in community. I have been blessed beyond measure, and I hope I can do the same to others.
12"Everything is permissible for me"—but not everything is beneficial. "Everything is permissible for me"—but I will not be mastered by anything.
2 Corinthians 6:12
This verse is mentioned in line with sexual immorality. We all have different boundaries, some more liberal and others conservative. But, we are asked to not put stumbling blocks in the way of our brothers and sisters. We need to respect each other, and bond together in a world that is not our final home.
6Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. 7Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 8And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.
2 Corinthians 9:6-8
6Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
Philippians 4:6
I tend to be a worry wart. I think a lot of that comes out of a stubborness to not let God have complete control. Even though He is the One who formed me and knit me together, and knows the plans. Out of selfishness I hold back, and I worry that things won't turn out the way I want. But the thing is, it probably won't. It could be better, it could be worse, but what good does it do to worry. None. So I need to just let it go, and let God.
6For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. 7For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.
2 Timothy 1:6-7
10 So do not fear, for I am with you;
do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you;
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
Isaiah 41:10
Do not fear, God is with us always. He is our comfort in times of trouble, and we can know He is always present. He never lets go.
19Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in[
a] the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."
Matthew 28:19-20
1 O LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!You have set your glory above the heavens. 2 From the lips of children and infants you have ordained praise [
b] because of your enemies, to silence the foe and the avenger.3 When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars,which you have set in place, 4 what is man that you are mindful of him, the son of man that you care for him?5 You made him a little lower than the heavenly beings [
c] and crowned him with glory and honor. 6 You made him ruler over the works of your hands; you put everything under his feet: 7 all flocks and herds, and the beasts of the field, 8 the birds of the air, and the fish of the sea, all that swim the paths of the seas.
9 O LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!
Psalm 8
I love this psalm because it is David just standing in awe of our God. He is majestic. Yet, those powerful hands that formed galaxies and stars, but dimples on my cheecks and chose the color of my eyes. We are all the work of the Masters hands. I pray that I would see people through the eyes of the Creator, instead of selfish, evil eyes. We are all so special and significant.
“Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.”-
Colossians 4:5-6In talking about sharing the gospel, I think we can get so caught up in what to say. The truth is, we are sharing Christ everyday through our daily interactions. Or at least we should be. I think the challenge comes in praying for God to reveal those people in our lives who need to know Him or who He wants us to touch. Then it is knowing through God all things are possible. His timing is perfect. But, we are also told to be prepared, bold, and alert. To be wise and make the most of every opportunity. This should be an everyday occurance.
Gone Fishing
17"Come, follow me," Jesus said, "and I will make you fishers of men."
18At once they left their nets and followed him.
Mark 1:17-18
We are called to use our influence in the world for Christ. Jesus tells us to follow him, to live by his word, meditate on his truth, and we will learn to be like him. We are to go out and reach those around us, and those around the world. We cast the line, and God does the rest. Do you feel like fishing today?
Living water
13Jesus answered, "Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, 14but whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life."
John 4:13-14
8 Yet, O LORD, you are our Father.
We are the clay, you are the potter;
we are all the work of your hand.
Isaiah 64:8
I am a work in progress. My Father's hands are molding me, forming me, and transforming me. In everything, He is working. Working in me to complete what was started. Somehow, I really like knowing that.
6 By the word of the LORD were the heavens made,
their starry host by the breath of his mouth
Psalm 33:6
I am guilty of putting God in a box. Of praying to God, but really using it as an opportunity to tell God what I want and what I want Him to do for me. But, it is NOT about me. It is all about God and His glory. We are created to praise Him. And why should we ever stop! I can look around and see all the wonder He created. Him not me. He created us, and when He created women He was very pleased. We are beautiful image bearers of our Lord. The same one who breathed the stars into existence. He truly is an AMAZING God.
