The Rock

Once there were three Christians. Each built their faith on what they deemed right. The first Christian built their faith on the law, the next on good works, and the third on the Gospel of Jesus' finished work on the cross. Then one day the enemy came along and decided to attack. First he came to the one whose faith was in the law. Well he huffed and he puffed and he blew their faith away. Then he came to the one whose faith was in good works. He huffed and he puffed and he blew their faith away too. Finally he came to the one whose faith was built on the Gospel. He huffed and he puffed, and he huffed and puffed some more, but he couldn't blow their faith away. Confused the enemy went away to return again another day.

We aren't promised that we won't be tried but we are guaranteed to have something to stand on. As long as we're standing on the right thing.

Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock. And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it. -Matthew 7:24-27

"My hope is built on nothing less, than Jesus' blood and Righteousness. I dare not trust the sweetest frame, but wholly lean on Jesus name. On Christ the Solid Rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand." - Edward Mote 1834

I'm linking up with Women Living Well! 

Do People Know?

I don't believe in lifestyle evangelism, as the ONLY form of evangelism. I believe we are to share the Gospel. We are to talk about God and the Cross constantly. We should have a heart for souls like God does.

The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. 

-2 Peter 3:9

But that doesn't excuse us from also showing Messiah through our actions. Our lives should be a reflection of the change that has occurred in us because of what Yeshua (Jesus) did on that Cross. That old rugged cross should be ever before us. But is it? Do people know that you are a Believer? Do people know that you are Heaven bound? I'm not talking about the people you go to church with but rather the lady at the check out counter or your doctors. Do you have unsaved friends? Why are they still unsaved? Is it because you haven't tried to reach them?

This isn't me trying to wag my finger at you and say well you should do this or you should do that. No, this is my heart. I am "not willing that any should perish". I know that it isn't easy. I know that some days we just don't want to smile or we just don't want to forgive that one person in our lives. But what if your unforgiveness or your frown is the thing standing in the way of a person giving their life over to God?

I know some would say that if God wants to do something He'll do it. I agree with that. But what if what God wants to do is use you to do it. What if He is leaving it up to you. Not by what you say but by what you do? Would that change your attitude or how you carry yourself? Would that help you to forgive others as He has forgiven you? Would that help you to love others as He has loved you?

Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another. - 1 John 4:11

This might be a bold statement but I believe it to be true. God didn't save us, just for us. He saved us so that others could get saved. Its not just about us. He doesn't just love you or me. He loves the world!

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. -John 3:16

My friends there is so much more to this life than the here and now. There is more than what's happening in our lives. There are people out there who are going to go to hell. They will not get to see Heaven. Does that not grieve you? What are you willing to do to help see that those that you meet will be saved?

You see if we live our lives no different than the unsaved then how will they know? How will they know that you are different? If you listen to the same ungodly songs, if you watch the same ungodly movies and television shows, how will they know?

We as believers are called to be Kodesh, Set Apart, Holy.

Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy. - 1 Peter 1:16

 Sanctify yourselves therefore, and be ye holy: for I am the LORD your God.

 -Leviticus 20:7

Are you living set apart or are you just blending in with the world? Ask God to show you areas in your life where you need to change. I know for me personally its the TV. I am working on my issues (because we all have them!) are you willing to work on yours? 

Did you proselytize today???

I was watching a documentary and in it there was a woman who was searching for her "born-again brother". Now the documentary as a whole didn't really speak to me much. It was actually pretty boring, but, something really stood out to me. The woman made a statement about how her brother never tried to proselytize her. That comment reminded me of another time that I had hear (or maybe read) someone make a similar comment. But I wasn't sure what it meant. Yay for dictionaries! :o)

pros·e·lyt·ize
to convert or attempt to convert as a proselyte;  recruit.

Well now that I know what the word means I have some bells and whistles going off. Aren't we as believers SUPPOSED to convert people?????

Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.  Matt 28:19-20

I totally get that witnessing can be uncomfortable. No one likes ruffling feathers. Its so much easier to just go about our lives and just have a private time with YHVH and hide our light. But that is NOT what He asks of us!

Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. -Matt 5:14-16

A side from it being a command to spread the Gospel, how can we say we love someone and then not care where they spend eternity? How can you be friends with someone and not care if they are heaven bound? It's easy if we only love in word. But YHVH has something to say about that.

My little children, let us not love in word,neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth 

-1 John 3:18

Now if all of that is still not enough for you what about knowing that you will be held accountable for those that do not hear the Gospel???????? All of Ezekial 33 explains this but I will give you just these 2 verses.

When I say unto the wicked, O wicked man, thou shalt surely die; if thou dost not speak to warn the wicked from his way, that wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand. Nevertheless, if thou warn the wicked of his way to turn from it; if he do not turn from his way, he shall die in his iniquity; but thou hast delivered thy soul. 

-Ezekial 33:8-9

People can say what they will about me, but, the one thing they can't deny is that I will share the Gospel. I am NOT ashamed! That's not to say its always easy or that I consistently go out of my way to reach someone. But I try. I pray often that I will be yielded to the Spirit and that I will act when God wants me too. I don't want to be the reason someone doesn't get saved. Do you???

*if you have no clue what I'm even talking about please click here*

 

Hello Mornings!

How long wilt thou sleep, O sluggard? 

when wilt thou arise out of thy sleep  

-Proverbs 6:9

I am finally saying Hello to Mornings! I am so far from being a morning person. My idea of getting up early is 9:30/10 am. I recently started trying to get up at 9 but that still hasn't been enough time to get anything done before the girls get up.

So I've decided to take the plunge and get up really early. I'm talking 6am early! I plan to do so with the help of Kat from Inspired to Action. I've filled out her Maximizing Your Mornings workbook and I'm ready to start! With this new plan in action I hoping to spend more time in the word, and get in shape. Any suggestions for how to get out of bed in the morning when all you really want to do is hit snooze?? What time do you all get up?

Spirit of the Living God

Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on me; 

Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on me. 

Melt me, mold me, fill me, use me. 

Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on me. 

                                                         -Daniel Iverson

This is my prayer for all of you (and myself) this week and always. 

May the Lord bless thee and keep thee.