Be an example

By this deed you have given great occasion to the enemies of the Lord to blaspheme. 2 Sam 12:14


One of the greatest hindrances to the successful propagation of the gospel is the bad example of believers who do not live for the Lord. A common excuse is that ”there are too many hypocrites in the church.” Sadly, this is often true. This shameful fact should cause us to examine ourselves deeply to be certain we are not one of them. We cannot escape all criticisms...but we should do everything we can to be certain the criticisms are not true...

Keith Eggert, Union Gospel Press, Summer Quarter, 2014


Don't let your good be evil spoken of...
Romans 14:16

Selfishness

What you do affects others, it's selfish to think or behave otherwise. As believers we are free, but not free to do things that cause others to stumble, thoughtless acts.


Live as free people, but do not use your freedom as a cover up for evil:live as G-d's slaves. 1Peter 2:16. When you agreed to walk the walk, you belong to G-d, and as such, you realize others belong to G-d, and you treat them accordingly, and bring yourself into subjection. This is not a burden, to those who believe, this is our reasonable service. Romans 12:1

You are loved

I wanted to say something deep and spiritual, to encourage you, to give you hope; but mostly, I just want to let you know that You are loved.



Disappointment sometimes lingers; but in time it goes,
The toll it takes, the hearts it breaks, the damage? No one knows.
All I can say is day by day the Father's love, will heal;
So let us pray for strength today,
No matter how we feel. DW

What if...

1 As he went along, he saw a man blind from birth.
2 His disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?”
3“Neither this man nor his parents sinned,” said Jesus, “but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him. John 9:1-3
No more ifs....
If I was prettier, if I was bolder, if I had more money, if I wasn't a woman, I was a different race, if I lived somewhere else, if I had made different choices...
Either I believe G-d had and has always had a plan for me, or I don't--- I can't afford to blame it on the what ifs...
I must believe that no matter how broken the road seems that He lights the way,
No more looking for the reasons why--- the reason is so that the works of G-d might be displayed in me.
From between the pages, from the ancient to the present, the Bible must become alive to the individual to be useful. "If I didn't have a problem, I would not know that G-d could solve them, then I would not know what faith in G-d can do."
3 And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; 4 And patience, experience; and experience, hope: 5 And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us. Romans 5:3-5
Just like crushing the olive produces oil, tribulation produces hope, and hope is the oil that burns in my lamp, so I can let my light shine