Fine line…or not?

I have been hearing a lot lately that there is such a fine line between the things of this world and what the Word has to say about them.  Honestly, I think sometimes WE create that fine line so that we don’t really have to search out the real truth.  The Bible -GOD’S WORD- is very clear about a lot of things, if only we would take the time to accept it.

What is so confusing and unclear about Romans 12:2? 

And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

Clearly, it says, do not be conformed to this world.  In other words, Christians, we should want no part of what this world has to offer.  If Jesus didn’t partake, isn’t it valid to say we shouldn’t either?  Now, there are some that would go on to say, "Well, I’m not hanging out with those people because they like to swear and drink."  Jesus was a friend to everyone. How are the unsaved supposed to know about Him if we aren’t there to show and tell them?  It is fine to hang out with non-believers as long as we do not conform.  If we begin acting as they do, how will they know the difference between someone who is truly serving the LORD and someone who is not?  To them Christianity may begin to look like a phony “Sunday only” thing.  No, we are called to live Romans 12:2 24/7.  And not only that…

Let’s look at Isaiah 61:1 

The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon Me, Because the LORD has anointed Me To preach good tidings to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives, And the opening of the prison to those who are bound.

I, absolutely, do not believe that these words were spoken just for the prophets and people of that era.  God’s Word is for us NOW.  God has called and anointed every single one of us and, to be honest, we should be busy about HIS business all day long.  I know, for a fact, that I am not busy enough telling others about Him and allowing Him to use me to the capacity He sees.  I can guarantee you that is beginning to change.

In John 6:44 it says,

“No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws them…”

As we are living a life that is not conformed by the things of the world, it should be easy to see fruit – to see people come to know Christ.  If there is anything hindering us in ANY area, then it not only affects us, but everyone around us as well.  A farmer is the one responsible for his crops.  If he doesn’t tend to them like he should, then he won’t reap a harvest.  Consider yourself the farmer of your life.  If you don’t tend (to bear love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control in it, along with reading the Word, praying, and having intimacy with God) to your life, how is God supposed to cultivate it and prepare it for harvest? 

I truly believe God wants us to be radical for Him.  He doesn’t want us to be quiet about our faith.  He doesn’t want us watering down His Word.  He doesn’t want us conforming and acting like the unsaved to try and bring them to Him.  We are to speak His Truth in love and let the Holy Spirit do the rest.  He draws all men unto Him.  We don’t.  How is leading someone to Christ legit if we do it with manipulation, deceit, or persuasion?  It never is.

Fine line…or not?  Not.  The Bible is clear – simple enough for a child to understand. 

Two questions: 1) Why do we misconstrue it to fit our lives?  2) Why can’t we accept it for what it says?

 

Just a few thoughts.

 

After You

I wake up, is it really another day?
How much longer can I go on?
Lord, please hear me when I pray
Each day seems to get longer and harder
Can You give me the strength to make it,
even though I keep stumbling away from you?

I will never leave you nor forsake you
I hear you when you call on My Name
Every step I take with you
You are my beloved, my daughter, my son
I left the ninety-nine, My child,
to go chasing after you

I hold on even when I feel myself slipping
I cling to You even when the waves are crashing
I run into Your arms when the world is reaching for me
I belong to You, I belong to You

I know You’ve never left me or forsaken me
I hear You speak to me when I call on Your Name
I know You’re with me every step that I take in You
I am Your beloved, Your daughter, Your son
Thank You for leaving the ninety-nine, my King,
to come chasing after me

I will leave the world behind, my Savior,
and never stop chasing after You

Jody .L.
8.26.2010
11:25PM (EST)
Ohio

AFTER YOU kind of has a two-fold meaning. One, Jesus Christ is chasing us every second of every day. His desire is to for us to want to KNOW Him more. He has such great and mighty things planned for us, yet we sometimes continue running the opposite way. He is asking us to STOP RUNNING, turn towards HIM, and RUN into His open arms.

God is AFTER YOU. Run AFTER HIM.

 

FREE

v. I
Who are you staring back at me/Don’t you remember I have been set free/No longer do you have power over me/So disappear in Jesus’ name I say/I have been set free/The arms of God release me/No longer bound by those chains/I have, I have been set free

v. II
He took away the pain I held inside/Freed me from the bitterness and pride/And all the scars I left on the outside/Slowly fade, God be glorified/I have been set free/The arms of God release me/No longer bound by those chains/I have, I have been set free

Bridge
I throw my hands up in worship/I speak Your name, You alone are worthy/I thank You God for releasing me in freedom/I stand and proclaim I have been set free

Chorus
I have been set free/The arms of God release me/No longer bound by those chains/I have, I have been set free

 

Lost Get Found

Let this be our passion and may we act on it.

 

Heart: Cultivated, Transformed

 

I had THE most amazing time at IMPACT. God did in me what I was afraid of for so long.

Bound by sin, fear, shame, and guilt, I had little desire to allow God to change me. HELLO. Since when does God’s child allow THIS?

Starting on Wednesday night and going through to this morning, I had 7 confirmations from 4 different ministers, all giving me what God had already been speaking to me for 8 months. Not ONE of these ministers know me personally.

AND, so continued the cultivation and transformation of my heart. The words burning in my heart, that the Lord had stamped there, were undeniable. I knew, deep within, that if I did not obey this time I may not get another chance. This was vital. This would determine how I would live the rest of my life. No joke.

It was time. Time for me to go to my Pastors and confess, apologize, and ask for forgiveness. Time for me to lay my heart on the table and allow God to expose the darkness that lurked within it. Time for me to come to a place of brokenness and humility – to lay down my pride and humble myself. I did. I FINALLY did.

I am Jody, a priest of the Most High God. I am Jody, a daughter of the Most High King. I am Jody, a vessel of Jesus Christ. I am Jody and I am FREE.

I said……..I..AM..FREE!!!

 

In Awe

 

I am just in awe of my Jesus. He is so incredibly loving, forgiving, and gracious. I do not know how people survive life without Him.

Have a fabulous day bloggers!!!

 

How long must I pray?

Something has been weighing heavy on my heart and mind. You know how when you see a situation you know isn’t right, yet you don’t say anything? You have always heard, “take everything to God in prayer.” I mean, it’s a song even..and scripture (Psalm 55:22). But, here’s my concern. Aren’t we suppose to be DOERS of the Word and not just HEARERS only? That is scripture, too (James 1:22). Faith without works is dead..also scripture (James 2:26). So, how long must I pray? How long must I wait for God to do something? Maybe God is waiting on me to move?

These situations aren’t small. I’ve been praying a long time, years even, for God to change these situations. Today, they all remain the same. They are not healthy. In fact, spiritually, it could be suicide. Do I think God is not hearing my prayers? I do not think that at all. I believe there should be something more. Am I the only one who sees and does nothing? No, there are many..because “we take everything to God in prayer.”

So, my question, when does action take place? Or when should it?

This is open for comments and feedback!

 

Convinced Otherwise

So, last night I heard an amazing message concerning the disciple Peter. I was taking notes upon notes in my cell phone when, in the middle of my 6th page, my phone died. I then said, “OK, God, let everything You say through him stick in my heart.” It did.
See, I didn’t respond to the alter call. What I wanted was to go home and just be with Him.

As I listened to this man speak, my heart was just leaping inside. To truly grasp that my heart is sincere AND my flesh is weak was incredible. And to know that God still remains the same regardless was even more incredible. All my life I have had this picture in my head that, when I sin, God becomes this disappointed Father in heaven. His child has messed up. His daughter gave in to temptation. In my mind, there is no reconciliation or resurrection from failing. And, so, I continue in a world of guilt, shame, and rejection.

I have had it completely wrong my whole life. Somewhere deep inside me I knew this already but refused to accept it’s truth. God is not a God that we should hide from Him. He is love. He is perfect peace. He is strength. Somewhere, in the middle of life, we have embedded it in our minds that when we fill we are in trouble and need help we ought to run FROM God instead of TO Him. We think somehow we will fix our problems on our own. We have really convinced ourselves that we can. This is SO INCORRECT!

OUR HELP is in the name of the LORD. We cannot do a single thing without Him. I, for the last 15 years or so, have tried doing everything myself. When I know I hear from God about doing something, I try and make it happen on MY terms. Everything was WHEN I, HOW I, WHAT I, WHO I, WHERE I, etc. It was all on my terms with MY rules.

Deep in my soul, in my spirit, I have grasped that I DO NOTHING without consulting my heavenly Father FIRST. I must HEAR Him, TRUST Him, and OBEY Him. I cannot hold on to my situations and come up with solutions myself. I must let go and let God do it. I follow what HE WANTS and HOW He wants to do it. Not my will but HIS.

What amazing revelation this has been! Mmm, I enjoy God so much!!

 

Coming soon…

There are some heavy things on my heart!! I will be writing later today to spill my guts! Holy toledos batman!

 

Today

So today, January 6, 2010, was a special day once again. It has been five years since my mother has passed. Although it was somewhat awkward a couple of moments, it was still an easy, peaceful day. That I thank God for.

Haggai 2:4
“Be strong, alert, and courageous..for I am with you”, says the Lord.