Preparing For Your Calling Series: “Believing Jesus’ Teachingsâ€
In a large house there are articles not only of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay; some are for noble purposes and some for ignoble. If a man cleanses himself from the latter, he will be an instrument for noble purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work.
—2 Timothy 2:20
This is the sixth message in my series on preparing for your calling. Follow this link to read previous posts in this series. Last week, I talked about receiving God’s blessings. Even though it’s nice to receive blessings from God, we can’t fulfill our calling if that is all we are seeking Him for.
In John 6, after Jesus fed the five thousand and crossed over the lake, the crowds were looking for Him and He answered, “I tell you the truth, you are looking for me, not because you saw miraculous signs but because you ate the loaves and had your fill. Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. On him God the Father has placed his seal of approval.â€
Then they asked him, “What must we do to do the works God requires?â€
Jesus answered, “The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent.â€
So they asked him, “What miraculous sign then will you give that we may see it and believe you? What will you do? Our forefathers ate the manna in the desert; as it is written: ‘He gave them bread from heaven to eat.’â€
John 6:26-30
When we are more interested in what God can do for us than what He requires of us, we will not continue following Him and doing His will.
Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty. But as I told you, you have seen me and still you do not believe. All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never drive away. For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me. And this is the will of him who sent me, that I shall lose none of all that he has given me, but raise them up at the last day. For my Father’s will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day.â€
… On hearing it, many of his disciples said, “This is a hard teaching. Who can accept it?†Aware that his disciples were grumbling about this, Jesus said to them, “Does this offend you? What if you see the Son of Man ascend to where he was before! The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you are spirit and they are life. Yet there are some of you who do not believe.â€
… From this time many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him.
“You do not want to leave too, do you?†Jesus asked the Twelve.
Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We believe and know that you are the Holy One of God.â€
John 6:35-40, 60-69
God’s will is not burdensome. God wants us to simply believe what He sent Jesus to teach us. I was talking to a woman once about Christianity. She said she felt that people just complicate it. She said we have to look at it as through a child’s eyes and just believe it. If Jesus says it, we need to believe it, no matter what.
Jesus said, “I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it†(Mark 10:14).
When you tell a child something, they don’t normally try to reason it out. They simply believe what you say is true. We are to receive Jesus’ teachings the same way, with childlike faith.
Many Christians say they believe the Bible is true and they believe Jesus, but they only rely on what their pastor or minister teaches them. They don’t seek to dig deeper on their own and learn directly from Jesus.
The Israelites relied on Moses to teach them. But Joshua also sought God on his own as Exodus 33:7-11 explains, “Anyone inquiring of the Lord would go to the tent of meeting outside the camp. And whenever Moses went out to the tent, all the people rose and stood at the entrances to their tents, watching Moses until he entered the tent. As Moses went into the tent, the pillar of cloud would come down and stay at the entrance, while the Lord spoke with Moses. Whenever the people saw the pillar of cloud standing at the entrance to the tent, they all stood and worshiped, each at the entrance to his tent. The Lord would speak to Moses face to face, as a man speaks with his friend. Then Moses would return to the camp, but his young aide Joshua son of Nun did not leave the tent.
God has used my pastor and many other people to minister to me through the years. But the greatest teachings and revelations I have received have come directly from Jesus. There is so much more that Jesus taught than what majority of the church is teaching today. If we are not willing to seek Him and fully believe what He taught us, then we will not fully live the calling God has planned for us.
Philip said, “Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us.†Jesus answered: “Don’t you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? Don’t you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me? The words I say to you are not just my own. Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work. Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; or at least believe on the evidence of the miracles themselves. I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.
John 14:8-12
I don’t know too many Christians that are doing what Jesus did, let alone even greater things than He did. When I have seen teachings on some of the things Jesus did like healing, casting out demons, raising people from the dead, it’s often taken to the extreme and for flattery or financial gain. The devil will try to pervert anything that Jesus teaches to prevent us from believing and following it. That’s why we must seek Jesus for ourselves and continue believing what He says over what we see and hear from others.
Then Jesus cried out, “When a man believes in me, he does not believe in me only, but in the one who sent me. When he looks at me, he sees the one who sent me. I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness.
“As for the person who hears my words but does not keep them, I do not judge him. For I did not come to judge the world, but to save it. There is a judge for the one who rejects me and does not accept my words; that very word which I spoke will condemn him at the last day. For I did not speak of my own accord, but the Father who sent me commanded me what to say and how to say it. I know that his command leads to eternal life. So whatever I say is just what the Father has told me to say.â€
John 12:44-50
Let us all join together in making a New Year’s resolution to seek Jesus and believe His teachings. I pray that 2013 would be a year of revelation and revival in the body of Christ as we stand together believing the One God sent to teach us His will.
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Prayer For The Week:
Heavenly Father,
I praise You for sending Jesus to teach us Your Word. Help me to study Jesus’ teachings so that I can learn Your will. Give me understanding and revelation of Your Word and help me believe. I pray also for the body of Christ to seek You with all their heart, mind, soul and strength. Bring a spiritual revival to us in 2013. Help us to walk in the footsteps of Jesus doing what He did, and even greater things, through the power of Your Holy Spirit in us.
In Jesus’ name I believe You! Amen!
Verses To Meditate On:
For this week, study Jesus’ teachings in any of the four gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, John).
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Posted in Monday's Blogs, Preparing For Your Calling Series and tagged Believing God, Discipleship, Holy Spirit, Jesus, Ministry by Amanda Beth with
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Preparing For Your Calling Series: “God’s Blessingsâ€
In a large house there are articles not only of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay; some are for noble purposes and some for ignoble. If a man cleanses himself from the latter, he will be an instrument for noble purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work.
—2 Timothy 2:20
This is the fifth message in my series on preparing for your calling. Follow this link to read previous posts in this series. Last week, I talked about renewing our minds to the mind of Christ. This week, we will focus our minds on God’s blessings. Thinking God wants us to continually suffer is a wrong mindset that can keep us from following God’s plan for our lives. When we see all the persecution and suffering Jesus and His disciples faced, we can often become fearful from following God’s will.
I read a message recently. A woman was complaining to God about her trials when she heard Him say, “Don’t give the devil glory. Give me the glory.†The devil throws a lot at us, but his attacks are nothing compared to all the glory and blessings God provides for those who follow Him with all their hearts.
I recently wrote a timeline of my life, detailing all the major events that took place from birth until now. As I was writing, I was amazed that God’s blessings were by far greater than the devil’s destructive influence in my life.
May the LORD, the God of your fathers, increase you a thousand times and bless you as he has promised!
Deuteronomy 1:11
The disciples understand that God’s power was so much greater than the devil’s. They were full of joy, despite the suffering they experienced because of the gospel. Paul said their light afflictions were momentary and nothing compared to the everlasting glory they would see (2 Corinthians 4:17).
Paul’s “light†afflictions were:
Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one. Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open seas, I have been constantly on the move. I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my own countrymen, in danger from Gentiles; in danger in the city, in danger in the country, in danger at sea; and in danger from false brothers. I have labored and toiled and have often gone without sleep; I have known hunger and thirst and have often gone without food; I have been cold and naked. Besides everything else, I face daily the pressure of my concern for all the churches.
2 Corinthians 11:24-28
Even though Paul faced hardships, the Lord not only rescued him from ALL of them (2 Timothy 3:11), but He also gave Paul “surpassingly great revelations†(2 Corinthians 12:7).
God’s blessings are greater than our trials. When I am starting to feel down in my spirit I will often ask God to bless me to remind me that He is greater. It helps take my attention away from my problems and keeps me looking expectantly to God. Just last week, I was starting to get down about my finances. My husband’s hours were cut short recently and our bills were higher. I asked God one morning to send us a blessing. Later that day, my husband received a note from his boss informing him that he would be receiving a bonus in his check. Then a couple days later, he was informed that he would also be receiving a pay raise.
If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!
Matthew 7:11
In the two years it took me to write my first book I experience many trials and opposition. As it started to weigh down on me, I asked God to send me a special gift to refresh my spirit. Since my birthday was coming up, I asked Him to send me a message on my birthday through someone I didn’t know. I asked Him to answer a specific question and to give me confirmation that I was in His will and going in the right direction.
On my birthday, I was answering emails when I accepted a friend request on a social network from a man I didn’t know. I sent him a general thank you for adding me as a friend. He replied that he didn’t know how he found me, but when he sent me a request he strongly heard a message from the Lord that he was supposed to give to me. At first, I was a little skeptical, but as I read the message I knew right away it was from God. It was exactly what I had asked for. It was so personally directed to me that no one could have known except God.
Then Jesus said, “Did I not tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God?â€
John 11:40
I can sit here for days sharing all the wonderful blessings God has worked in my life. God is faithful, even when we don’t see it right away. I have prayed for years for God to answer a specific prayer about a person who is very dear to me. Just this past week, I have seen an amazing transformation take place in this loved one. Just when I’m about to lose hope and give up, God shows me how faithful He is. God’s glory is greater than we can ever imagine. No matter what trial you are experiencing today, give God the glory, not the devil. God who is in you is greater than the devil who is in the world (1 John 4:4)!
The desert and the parched land will be glad; the wilderness will rejoice and blossom. Like the crocus, it will burst into bloom; it will rejoice greatly and shout for joy. The glory of Lebanon will be given to it, the splendor of Carmel and Sharon; they will see the glory of the Lord, the splendor of our God. Strengthen the feeble hands, steady the knees that give way; say to those with fearful hearts, “Be strong, do not fear; your God will come, he will come with vengeance; with divine retribution he will come to save you.â€
Isaiah 35:1-4
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Prayer For The Week:
Heavenly Father,
I praise You for Your faithfulness. You will never leave me or forsake me. Thank you for sending Jesus to redeem me. Pour out Your blessings and display Your glory in me. Keep my mind focused on You and not my trials. I look expectantly to You. I praise You that You will do above and beyond what I can ever imagine according to Your power working in me. I want to give You all the glory, not the devil!
In Jesus’ name I praise You! Amen!
Verses To Meditate On:
2 Corinthians 12:7-10; Romans 8:28-32
Have a blessed Christmas celebrating God’s greatest blessing to us, Jesus!!
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*Come back next Monday as the series continues.
*All Bible verses are taken from the NIV, unless otherwise noted.
Posted in Monday's Blogs, Preparing For Your Calling Series and tagged Blessings, Discipleship, God, God's blessings, Holy Spirit, Jesus by Amanda Beth with
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Preparing For Your Calling Series: “Loving God More Than The Worldâ€
In a large house there are articles not only of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay; some are for noble purposes and some for ignoble. If a man cleanses himself from the latter, he will be an instrument for noble purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work.
—2 Timothy 2:20
This is the second message in my series on preparing for your calling. If you missed last week’s message about being called to be Jesus’ disciples follow this link. This week we will focus on the first step in discipleship, learning to love God more than the world. When Jesus called his first disciples they immediately left everything to follow Him.
As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. “Come, follow me,†Jesus said, “and I will make you fishers of men.†At once they left their nets and followed him. Going on from there, he saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John. They were in a boat with their father Zebedee, preparing their nets. Jesus called them, and immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him.
Matthew 4:18-21
What made these men drop everything and immediately follow Jesus? The first disciples were lowly fisherman. They were unschooled, ordinary men (Acts 4:13). I imagine the world wasn’t working well in their favor. When Jesus came, in my opinion, they saw a wonderful opportunity for change.
By the time my eyes were opened to see the truth about Jesus, I was desperate for change. It wasn’t hard for me to follow Jesus. I already despised the things of the world because I witnessed and experienced many of the evil consequences of sin by then.
I witnessed the evil behind drugs and alcohol as I watched it destroyed close family members and friends. I witnessed the evil behind unforgiveness and bitterness as I watched it separate and destroy many relationships. I witnessed the evil behind sexual immorality as it stole my innocence and robbed me of my childhood. Â I witnessed the evil behind flirting with worldly lusts as it tore apart my marriage and family.
Looking back now, I know the devil used the evil consequences of sin to try and keep me away from God. But it did the opposite. It sent me running into the arms of Jesus. By the time He came to me, I was ready to leave everything and follow Him. I had despised sin so much that I knew God’s road had to be better.
My past that I once despised turned into the greatest blessing for me. If I had not experienced those things, I wouldn’t have hated sin because I wouldn’t have known how evil it really is. If I had enjoyed the pleasures of this world, I wouldn’t have seen a need to follow Jesus.
I was talking to an atheist once. I was explaining why we need God’s love and protection, and he replied that everything was working well for him. He never had a problem that didn’t work itself out. He was getting by just fine in life without God. He didn’t see a need to follow God because the world was working for him. He hadn’t yet come face to face with the evil demons behind sin.
The devil led him up to a high place and showed him in an instant all the kingdoms of the world. And he said to him, “I will give you all their authority and splendor, for it has been given to me, and I can give it to anyone I want to. So if you worship me, it will all be yours.â€
Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God and serve him only .’â€
Luke 4:5-8
The pleasures of this world—the great deception of the devil to keep people from following Jesus. Sadly there are many Christians who also fall into this deception. They may have received Jesus’ atonement for sin to keep them out of hell, but they see no need to live for Him here. The world works well for them. They haven’t experienced the destructive power of sin yet.
Revelation 3:15-16 says “I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth.â€
This is a harsh statement. But it’s the truth. We can’t love God and love the sinful pleasures of this world. We can’t follow God’s calling on our lives while walking in the dark. Jesus said, “The man who walks in the dark does not know where he is going†(John 12:35). He also said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.†(John 8:12).Â
Though my experiences with sin were at times extremely painful, they gave me an awareness that made it easy for me to lay things down once I started following Jesus. I started laying anything down that I felt would feed my flesh instead of His spirit in me. I got rid of the trashy television shows, movies, and books, and started reading the Bible, joining Bible studies and watching things that would help me grow in my relationship with the Lord.
Each time I’d lay something down, God would open my eyes and I’d see those things in a new light—His light of truth. He showed me the danger behind those things so that I wouldn’t want to pick them up again. As I saw how much God loved me and wanted to protect me I began to fall deeper in love with Him.
Even though I’ve fallen many times in my walk with God, I can honestly say I have never enjoyed living in sin. I despise it so deeply that my heart aches when I see sin and the things of this world glorified over God.
Be merciful to those who doubt; snatch others from the fire and save them; to others show mercy, mixed with fear—hating even the clothing stained by corrupted flesh.
Jude 1:17-23
If your life hasn’t been terribly affected by the sinful nature of this world, and you are having a hard time following Jesus with all your heart, I encourage you to pray and ask God to help you. You don’t have to have something bad happen to you for God to show you the truth. He is faithful to lead you into His will and fill your heart with His love. As He shows you what to turn away from, you’ll begin to see the destructive influence behind those things. And you’ll start to desire to follow Christ with all your heart.
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Prayer For The Week:
Heavenly Father,
I praise You for showing me the destructive power of sin that leads to death. Thank You for sending Jesus to set me free from it, and giving me life here on earth and eternally in Heaven with You. Help me lay everything down that is hindering me from following Jesus with all my heart. Prepare me and teach me so that I can be fully equipped to do what You have called me to do. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen!
Verses To Meditate On:
Ephesians 2:1-10; Ephesians 4:17-24; 2 Corinthians 5:17
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*Come back next Monday as the series continues.
*All Bible verses are taken from the NIV, unless otherwise noted.
**I’m going to be interviewed by author Deborah H. Bateman this evening at 9pm EST doing a live teleseminar. Follow this link for info to call in and talk with us about ministry and publishing.
Posted in Monday's Blogs, Preparing For Your Calling Series and tagged Disciple of Jesus Christ, Discipleship, God, Holy Spirit, Jesus, Sin, Your Calling by Amanda Beth with
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Monday’s Guest Blog: “I’ve Got To Be Strong” By Larry Buxton
Sorry I haven’t been posting my normal messages. Now that my book is published, I have more time to focus on blogging. Next Monday, I will be starting a new series titled “Preparing for our calling.” Looking over the last twelve years since I started following Christ, I can now understand the reasons why God had me do certain things and abstain from certain things. Every lesson He’s taught me, and continues to teach me, has been in preparation for my calling. I’m looking forward to this series and sharing the lessons God’s taught me to prepare me for His perfect plan.
Today, I want to share a message I read last week that really ministered to me. With Thanksgiving (in the U.S.) and Christmas coming up, this is the busiest time of year for many. This time of year can be overwhelming when you already have so much on your plate. I pray this message by Larry ministers to you and encourages you that you don’t have to have it all together. We were not meant to do it all!
I’ve Got To Be Strong
By Larry Buxton
“Who do you THINK you are?!!â€
“I’m Hub McCann. I’ve fought in two World Wars and countless smaller ones on three continents. I led thousands of men into battle with everything from horses and swords to artillery and tanks. I’ve seen the headwaters of the Nile, and tribes of natives no white man had ever seen before. I’ve won and lost a dozen fortunes, KILLED MANY MEN and loved only one woman with a passion a FLEA like you could never begin to understand. That’s who I am!â€
That is one of my favorite scenes from the movie “Second Hand Lions.†Walter, Garth, and Hub are sitting in a diner/grocery store eating lunch when a group of hooligans come in and start trouble.  One of the teenagers tries to take Hub’s lunch and Hub knocks his hand away. The surprised teen asks “who do you think you are?† Hub puts him in his place physically and TELLS the teen WHO he is.
Satan uses many lies in attempt to rob us of our identity in Christ.  The most common lie that Satan wants us to believe is that we have to be strong. We have to hold it all together.  If it’s going to be, it’s going to be up to me. That we have got to pull ourselves up by our boot straps, that we have to work harder, that we have to perform and that we’ve got to produce.
No matter how strong you are, your strength is limited.  Eventually, you will run out of steam.  If you could be completely honest, you might admit this is a predicament in which you currently find yourself.  You feel life is throwing more at you than you can handle.  The expectations are overwhelming. You’ve got too much going on.  And, you just don’t know how you’re going to accomplish it all.
The TRUTH is YOU can’t get it all done because you are not created by God to have all the ability in your own strength.  Your strength is intentionally limited.  God’s strength is UN-limited, and that’s why God wants us not to depend on our own limited abilities, but to do life empowered by His unlimited spiritual power.
Far too many of us are ‘doing life’ out of our own limited strength, and we end up frustrated, worn out, and simply unable to get anything done.  The prophet Isaiah said in chapter 40:30-31:
Even youths grow tired and weary,
and young men stumble and fall;
but those who hope in the Lord
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint.
Scripture assures us we will soar like eagles! But, unfortunately, most men I know fly more like humming birds.  Watch a humming bird in flight.  The tiny creature flaps its wings 40-80 times per second while rushing from one flower to the next. We often resemble hummingbirds in our day to day lives:  Got to do this…(rush) got to pay the bills…(rush) Got to get the project done…(rush) got to study for my test…(rush) I can’t get it all done…(rush) You’re making me mad…(rush) I know I’ve got to be strong…(rush)
On the other hand, set your gaze on an eagle in flight. Watch it soar. Scripture says those who hope in the Lord ‘soar.’  There’s no anxiety-ridden effort and frustration in ‘soaring.’  The wind of the Spirit does the lifting.
The lie is ‘we have to be strong.’  But the truth is, “You have to be weak, broken, vulnerable, and dependent.â€
2 Corinthians 12:9-10:  But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.†Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.  That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
You must embrace that you will NEVER get it all done. Â God is able to do more through your weakness than he ever could through your strengths.
Who do you think you are?
 You can read more messages by Larry at his blog: http://secondmilem3n.blogspot.
Who is Larry Buxton?
Larry Buxton epitomizes the all American guy who works like a mad man, loves his wife & family, and is passionate about sharing the good news of Christ’s love from whatever platform God gives him.
With a unique teaching style. Larry is able to communicate a story by targeting his message effectively to a variety of listeners or readers. His style is simple and straightforward, littered (yes, littered) with his own experiences, but full of teaching grounded in the Word, sometimes uncomfortably.
Larry’s ministry experience over the last dozen years includes pastoring a small baptist congregation, serving as a youth pastor, and ministering to students who are into one of his personal passions, skateboarding, through a ministry he calls Sk8fusion. Countless kids have come to know Jesus by attending ‘skate church’ or other skate events organized by Larry.
He and his family currently attend Newspring Family Church in Jenks, Oklahoma where he writes a weekly mens’ devotional through his blog Second Mile Men. His day job is as owner of Buxton Electric, LLC.
*Thank you, Larry, for allowing me to repost your inspiring message!
Posted in Guest Bloggers, Monday's Blogs and tagged God, Jesus, Larry Buxton, Strength by Amanda Beth with
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Monday’s Blog: Ask and You Shall Receive!
Since I talked about prayer last week, and started a “Praying the Word Wednesdays†on my Facebook page, I wanted to share this post on prayer I wrote when I started my blog two years ago. I pray it inspires us to seek God in everything!
Ask and You Shall Receive!
I was talking to a woman once. She said she was shopping one day and having a hard time finding something in the grocery store. She thought about asking God to help her, but quickly changed her mind and thought, “Why would I bother God for that when I can find it myself?â€
It’s funny how we think we’re bothering God when we have a request. Do we think God is too busy to take the time to help us find something in the grocery store? Do we think God is inconvenienced by us when we have a need? On the contrary, God wants us to seek Him and depend on Him for everything!
Why struggle doing things ourselves when we can have God helping us? He knows everything. So why not seek Him first in everything? Asking for God’s help and guidance doesn’t mean we’re lazy and shifting our responsibilities off on Him. It means we’re relying on Him to help us do what we need to do.
If I lose something and ask God to help me find it, I don’t just sit there and wait for it to appear out of nowhere. I still look for it. But I rely on God to direct me to the right spot. God created us to be dependent on Him. We still have our responsibilities, but we depend on Him to help and guide us in those responsibilities.
A man told me recently that he started asking God for wisdom in his job. He has a job where he has to troubleshoot and come up with new ideas. He said it’s often difficult and stressful for him. As he started asking God for direction and wisdom, he noticed a dramatic change in his ability. He was coming up with great ideas and solutions to help his company. He said he knows that wisdom is coming from God and is not his own. This man still has to think and do the work, but God supernaturally supplies the ideas.
Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and your plans will succeed.
Proverbs 16:3
God’s wisdom is so far beyond our own that we should gladly accept it over our own wisdom. Even the areas we think we’re smart in and don’t need any help, God is smarter and His ways are greater.
As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.
Isaiah 55:9
When I first started walking with God I knew I could come to Him with everything. However, I had a hard time putting my trust in Him because I struggled with patience. I needed to see it happen right away. Otherwise, I’d lose faith and try to handle it on my own. This led me to make many wrong decisions.
One example was with my finances. Every time my husband and I were hit with something, I’d stress out trying to figure out how to come up with enough money to make ends meet. I would ask God first, but I wouldn’t even wait for the answer. I would immediately search for my own solution. Most of the time, my solution would be extreme and something I would end up regretting. At one point, I was seriously considering selling everything in our house to pay our bills.
But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do.
James 1:6-8
God kept nudging me to receive His help. He kept encouraging me to give my worries over to Him in exchange for His wisdom, His guidance, and His help. God showed me that my way wasn’t getting us anywhere except deeper in debt and leaving me stressed out.
Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
Matthew 11:28-29
Once I handed our finances over to God, and trusted Him without doubt, my faith grew to see His provisions. By seeing that God provides, it helped me become more dependent on Him. I look back to all the days I wasted trying to figure everything out on my own, only to find myself frustrated and burdened greatly. Now I enjoy giving everything over to God and seeking His help. I enjoy the peace He gives me in exchange for my worries. I also enjoy seeing how He works everything out. It becomes exciting depending on God. You never know when and how God will show up.
For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.
Matthew 7:8
This doesn’t mean God gives us whatever we want, whenever we want. It obviously has to be in His will and timing. But as God works in us, our desires start to change into His desires. Then, we start asking for things that He puts in our hearts, which line up with His will. Once we become dependent on God, His desires will become a reality in our lives.
Do you not know? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom.
Isaiah 40:28
Heavenly Father,
We praise You that we can come to You for everything we need. You are never tired or too busy for us. Help us to seek You in everything we do. Help us to put our trust in You and look expectantly to You. We praise You that You will out do our expectations when all our expectations are in You.
In Jesus’ Name, Amen!
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*I have started “Praying the Word Wednesdays†on my Facebook page. Every Wednesday, post your prayer request on my Facebook wall. I’ll post a relevant verse and pray the Word of God over your request. There is great power in believing God and His Word!
“‘If you can’?†said Jesus. “Everything is possible for him who believes.â€
Mark 9:23
“So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.â€
Isaiah 55:11, KJV
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Posted in Monday's Blogs, Prayer and tagged God, Holy Spirit, Jesus, Prayer by Amanda Beth with
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Monday’s Blog: Stop, Drop, and Pray!
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“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.â€
Matthew 11:28-30
Over the summer, God kept bringing these verses to my attention. The load I carry can get heavy. I have four children. I’m potty training one. I homeschool the other three. Most of the household and family responsibilities are on me due to my husband’s work hours. I take my kids to and from all their activities. I teach at my kid’s homeschool co-op class. I lead a weekly Bible study in my home. I write blogs every week. I am writing and publishing several books. I am involved in many groups and social media outlets online. And somewhere in between I manage to get a few hours of sleep at night.
I’m learning that when I start to feel overwhelmed, I am trying to carry that load on my own. I can only carry it for so long before it weighs down on me.
The original Greek word the NIV translated as “easy†in Matthew 11:30 above is pronounced “khrase-tos,†which means: fit for use, virtuous, manageable, mild, pleasant.
Even if our loads are heavy, when we rely on Jesus to carry them for us, they will be manageable and pleasant for us to bear. When I start to not enjoy what I am doing, and it’s more of a burden than a blessing, I need to stop what I’m doing, drop my load, pray, and leave my burdens at the feet of Jesus.
A couple weeks ago, my kids were overly irritating one another. Every time one would aggravate the other, they’d come running to me yelling, “MOM! He did this! MOM! She did that!†Feeling overwhelmed, I dropped to my knees and started praying. As my kids stood above me screaming “MOM,†wondering why I wasn’t answering them, I felt a peace come over me and the overwhelming feeling went away instantly. I was then able to peacefully manage and train my children accordingly.
I ignored the screaming and fighting for a moment and ran to the feet of Jesus to drop off my burden. When I got up, my load was light because I was only carrying His peace.
And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint;
Luke 18:1, KJV
In Luke 10:38-42, Martha opened her home to Jesus, but then became overwhelmed by the preparations that needed to be made. If Martha had stopped, dropped to her knees, and laid down her burdens at the feet of Jesus, as Mary did, she would’ve had the peace she needed to joyfully manage all the preparations.
Martha, Martha,†the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.â€
Luke 10:41-42
As God’s been speaking to me the last few months to lay my burdens down and learn from Jesus, I’ve been paying close attention to my prayer life. I am amazed how many decisions I make without asking God first. One of the reasons God led me to take a four month break offline was because I overloaded myself with too many commitments. God is not obligated to help us carry a load that He hasn’t laid upon us.
Since writing and being online, I’ve gotten a lot of requests. In the last year, I’ve accepted many requests without praying first. At one point, I was reading four books at a time, and posting on other people’s blogs more than my own. I realized it was not in God’s plan when it became an unpleasant burden. If I would have prayed before committing to those things, I wouldn’t have burnt myself out and neglected the work God had prepared for me to do.
For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
Ephesians 2:10
I encourage you today if you are feeling overwhelmed, stop what you’re doing, drop to your knees, and pray. Leave your heavy load at the feet of Jesus. Ask God to show you what He has prepared for you to do, and lay everything else down that is not in His will. Receive Jesus’ peace and strength, so you can pleasantly manage everything God’s called you to do.
Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.
1 Peter 5:6-7
Heavenly Father,
We praise You that we don’t have to carry our burdens on our own. Help us to drop to our knees each day, lay down our loads at the feet of Jesus, and joyfully manage all that you’ve called us to do. Teach us and lead us into Your will.
In Jesus’ Name, Amen!
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*Dr. Linda Travelute has a wonderful article titled “How to Give God Your Heavy Load & Grab a Lighter One Instead.†Follow this link to read it.
I have started “Praying the Word Wednesdays†on my Facebook page. Every Wednesday, post your prayer request on my Facebook wall. I’ll post a relevant verse and pray the Word of God over your request. There is great power in believing God and His Word!
 “‘If you can’?†said Jesus. “Everything is possible for him who believes.â€
Mark 9:23
“So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.â€
Isaiah 55:11, KJV
Posted in Monday's Blogs, Prayer and tagged God, Holy Spirit, Jesus, pray, Righteous living by Amanda Beth with
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Monday’s Blog: God Loves YOU!
To celebrate the two year anniversary of this blog, I wanted to share the first post God spoke to me to write. I pray this post is a fresh reminder of how much God loves you!
God Loves YOU!
You have probably heard this over and over, that it no longer penetrates into your heart. It’s hard to be moved by something when you don’t feel it. There are moments when hearing isn’t always enough. Sometimes you need to see it to believe it. I want to take you deeper in the knowledge of God’s love for you, beyond just hearing the words “God loves you.â€
I have four children and through the years God’s often used my relationship with them to reveal a greater depth of His love for me. I had an incident awhile back as I was getting ready to bathe my infant. As I was preparing the bathtub, our water valve malfunctioned unbeknownst to me and the tub filled with scalding hot water.
While I was cooling the water, my son proceeded to try to find a way to climb into the bathtub. He was so determined that I had to do everything I could to keep him from jumping in and getting burned. As he was screaming at me, he managed to pull away from me. I was able to catch him by his legs just as he was heading face first into the water.
God used this incident to reveal how great His love is for us. He showed me that we are just like my infant. We often want to plow right through Him and jump into things that only end up hurting us. God tries everything He can to stop us, deter us, warn us, and hold us back, but we plow right through Him with determination to get to what we think we need or want.
God holds us back from certain things and warns us for our protection. It’s not to keep us from what we want. It’s to keep us safe. These things may not be so obvious to us, but God knows the danger that is behind the things that we just don’t see. Just like my baby, I wanted to protect him, though he didn’t understand why I was holding him back. God loves us so much that He wants to protect us from everything that is harmful to us.
When we refuse God, and do not listen to Him, we not only hurt ourselves but we hurt Him as well. God said in Jeremiah 13:17, “But if you do not listen, I will weep in secret because of your pride; my eyes will weep bitterly, overflowing with tears, because the LORD’s flock will be taken captive.” Just as I would’ve been in tears if my son had fallen into that water and gotten burned, God even more so weeps for us when we fall into things that are destructive to us.
If God made us in His image and He knows how many hairs are on our very head (Genesis 1:27, Matthew 10:30), then how valuable and precious we must be to Him! Because my children came from me, I deeply love them from my heart. If I could love my children so deeply, then how much more could the God who created us love us!
We see the greatest display of God’s love in Jesus. I wouldn’t even think of giving my children’s lives for anyone. Yet, God’s love is so great that He gave the ultimate sacrifice, His only Son, in order to save us because He deeply loves us.
This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.
1 John 4:9-10
Though Jesus was sinless, He paid the price for ALL our sins, so we who would receive Him would be made holy. Then our Holy God could come and live in us and be close with us, as He originally intended. When we receive Jesus, we receive God’s love for us.
As we spend time talking to God, studying His word, and relying on Him to help us obey what He teaches us, we start to see how vast His love really is. The more I get to know God, the more I fall deeper in love with Him, because He continues unveiling my eyes to see an even greater depth of His love for me.
But whenever a person turns [in repentance] to the Lord, the veil is stripped off and taken away. Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty (emancipation from bondage, freedom).
2 Corinthians 3:16-17, AMP
I pray that you would allow God to remove the veil over your heart by receiving Jesus, the only One who can unveil God’s true love for you. Give your heart undividedly over to the One who knows what is best for you because He deeply cares for you.
I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
Ephesians 3:16-19
Posted in Monday's Blogs, SALVATION and tagged God loves you, Jesus, Salvation by Amanda Beth with
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Monday’s Blog: Pursuing Godliness “The Path of Least Resistance”
Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives’ tales; rather, train yourself to be godly. For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.
1 Timothy 4:7-8
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This is the last blog in our series on “Pursuing Godliness.†Today we will close with choosing the narrow path, rather than the path of least resistance. When we choose to follow God and His will, we will face resistance. Revelation 12:17 says that Satan wages war against those who obey God’s commandments and hold to the testimony of Jesus.
I shared in the last blog that I am hosting a powerful study in my home titled: “Believing God†by Beth Moore. We have only just begun the study and have already had much resistance. I could fill up this blog with all that has happened in the last few weeks. I’ve led many Bible studies in the past, but never one as powerful as this one. I’ve never had so many women plan to come to a study and not show up because of all the resistance this study has brought.
Matthew 7:13-14 says: “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.
When we want to pursue the things of God, Satan and those who are opposed to God will try to stop us. I can understand why many give up and only a few find the life God intended. It’s hard to press on through difficulties to continue pursuing the things of God. But the difficulties we experience on the narrow path are nothing compared to the glory we will see God work in and through us along the way.
Romans 5:3-4 says, “Moreover [let us also be full of joy now!] let us exult and triumph in our troubles and rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that pressure and affliction and hardship produce patient and unswerving endurance. And endurance (fortitude) develops maturity of character (approved faith and tried integrity). And character [of this sort] produces [the habit of] joyful and confident hope of eternal salvation†(AMP).
When I am experiencing a lot of opposition and trials, I have learned that I have two choices. I can give up and let those trials drag me down deeper into sin. Or I can press on and allow God to use those trials to bring me out of sin, and develop and mature His fruit in me.
Paul told Timothy, “You, however, know all about my teaching, my way of life, my purpose, faith, patience, love, endurance, persecutions, sufferings—what kinds of things happened to me in Antioch, Iconium and Lystra, the persecutions I endured. Yet the Lord rescued me from all of them. In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, while evil men and impostors will go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of… (2 Timothy 3:10-14).
It’s very tempting to take the easier road in life, the road of least resistance. But knowing the easy road is the road that leads to our destruction, and the narrow road is the road that leads to the life Christ died to give us, should motivate us to resist that temptation at all cost. As you see in the verses above, even though Paul faced many persecutions, God delivered him from them all.
1 John 4:4 says, “You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.â€
We shouldn’t be fearful of opposition. We should face each trial with confidence, knowing God is doing an amazing work through us. Satan can’t win. He can irritate us and throw a bunch of roadblocks in front of us. But when we press on, God will turn every one of those roadblocks into a blessing. We won’t find those special blessings on the broad road of least resistance.
This is what the LORD says: Stand at the crossroads and look. Ask which paths are the old, reliable paths. Ask which way leads to blessings. Live that way, and find a resting place for yourselves. But you said that you wouldn’t live that way.
Jeremiah 6:16, GW
This probably isn’t the greatest example, but it should help illustrate my point. My kids and I belong to a weekly homeschool co-op group where each parent volunteers to teach or assist in teaching classes. My sister-in-law and I volunteered to teach two classes of twenty-six 3 and 4-year-olds. We volunteered because my three-year-old son and her three-year-old twin boys are so attached to us, we can’t leave them with anyone.
Raising my four children has never been easy for me. Every one of them was difficult from the time they were born through toddler-hood. I’ve never had easy babies like many moms I knew. I’ve never been able to leave them in nursery at church without them crying. I can count on my fingers the amount of times I sat through a full church service without having my infant or toddler’s number pop up on the screen to be picked up.
I recently came home from my co-op class and jokingly told my husband I expelled our son from my class. He got into a fight with a kid, and he spit at and hit the teacher (me)! I expressed to my husband, “Can’t anything with our kids be easy!â€
The following week, my husband tempted me with the offer to keep our son at home with him for the rest of the year while I taught the class. It would be the easiest way for me, but I knew it wouldn’t be the best way. My son had to learn how to get along with other children, and respect me as his mother and as his teacher. With a prayer and some determination I took him with me the following week.
He played with the other kids, obeyed me and even did all the activities we had planned! I never imagined he would improve so much in one week. I was amazed! If I wouldn’t have tried one more week, I wouldn’t have seen such a wonderful change take place in him. I thought, “How many times are we one step away from our blessings?†If we would just press on through the opposition, instead of giving up and taking the road of least resistance, we would find our breakthroughs and blessings we’ve been waiting for.
So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised. For in just a very little while, “He who is coming will come and will not delay. But my righteous one will live by faith. And if he shrinks back, I will not be pleased with him.†But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who believe and are saved.
Hebrews 10:35-39
Heavenly Father,
We praise You for giving us victory over all those who are opposed to You. Help us not back down in fear of opposition. Help us to press on and take hold of the life Jesus died to give us. We rejoice in our trials, knowing You are maturing us in Christ, and Your glory will be revealed in and through us.
In Jesus name, Amen!
Have a blessed week walking on God’s road!
If you missed any blogs in this series, follow these links:
Retaining The Word In Our Hearts
Posted in Monday's Blogs, Pursuing Godliness Series and tagged 1 Timothy 4:7-8, Christ, Christianity, God, Holy Spirit, Jesus, narrow road, path of least resistance, Righteous living by Amanda Beth with
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Monday’s Blog: Pursuing Godliness “Faith Leads to Godlinessâ€
Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives’ tales; rather, train yourself to be godly. For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.
1 Timothy 4:7-8
This is the fourth message in our series on “Pursuing Godliness.†Today, I want to focus on faith, believing God to help us live godly lives.
2 Peter 1:3 says, “His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.â€
God’s divine power, the same power that raised Jesus from the dead, has given (meaning we already have it) us everything we need to live godly lives through our knowledge of Him (faith in Him).
Romans 8:11 says, “And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit, who lives in you.â€
Faith is the doorway to God’s promises. If God promises He will give us everything we need to live godly lives here on earth, we must believe it to receive it.
I am currently hosting a powerful Bible study in my home titled: “Believing God†by Beth Moore. The study focuses on Romans chapter four, which explains how we are justified by faith, not by works. In the course of the study we will have read the chapter at least twenty times. The purpose is to meditate on it until it lives in us.
Romans 4:2-8, 23-25 explain:
“If, in fact, Abraham was justified by works, he had something to boast about—but not before God. What does the Scripture say? ‘Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.’
Now when a man works, his wages are not credited to him as a gift, but as an obligation. However, to the man who does not work but trusts God who justifies the wicked, his faith is credited as righteousness. David says the same thing when he speaks of the blessedness of the man to whom God credits righteousness apart from works:
‘Blessed are they whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. Blessed is the man whose sin the Lord will never count against him.’
The words ‘it was credited to him’ were written not for him alone, but also for us, to whom God will credit righteousness—for us who believe in him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead. He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification.â€
After turning my heart to Christ twelve years ago, I tried for many years to live a godly life. When I read the Bible I would get overwhelmed because I failed every command. I would write notes with verses and put them all over my house to help me. I would set reminders on my phone with the verses I struggled with most. I would surround myself with God’s Word through Bible studies, church, books, and teachings on the radio and television. But no matter what I did, I only seemed to act worse. I was bewildered that those I knew who rarely opened their Bibles had more godly characteristics than I had. I thought to myself, “Something isn’t right. I must be doing something wrong.â€
After years of frustration, I had an emotional breakdown while sitting in my church parking lot waiting to pick my daughter up from summer camp. I was tired of trying to be godly, and tired of failing miserably. I cried out to God telling Him I had enough. I couldn’t do it anymore. God spoke to me that moment through a minister on the radio. It was a message I had heard many times before, but it hadn’t registered in my heart until that moment. The message was about believing God to change me. A message so simple, yet it took me so long to receive it. Once I surrendered and stopped trying to obey His Word on my own, my heart finally opened up to receive God’s help.
Once I learned God has given us everything we need to walk in godliness, by the fruit of His Spirit, a burden was lifted from me. I was then able to joyfully receive God’s Word by faith, instead of feeling overwhelmed thinking His Word was a hammer pounding me down with every command. Once I started walking in faith, believing I would walk in godliness by His Spirit, my actions began to change.
I would like to learn just one thing from you: Did you receive the Spirit by observing the law, or by believing what you heard? Are you so foolish? After beginning with the Spirit, are you now trying to attain your goal by human effort? Have you suffered so much for nothing—if it really was for nothing? Does God give you his Spirit and work miracles among you because you observe the law, or because you believe what you heard?
Galatians 3:2-5
It’s a wonderful feeling knowing we have everything we need to live a life of godliness. We don’t have to worry about how to develop godliness. We already have it in our spirits. It just needs to manifest in us.
Awhile back, I needed healing in an area. I had been dealing with this hurt for a long time. I cried out to Jesus one evening with all my heart. I told Him I had enough of that pain and I needed His healing. I cried, “If You were here on earth today, You’d touch me and I would be healed instantly! I know You haven’t changed! I know You are still the same today! You are here! Touch me and I will be healed!!â€
In the middle of the night, I awoke from my sleep and saw that my husband was awake. I hadn’t told him I was still hurting in this area. He didn’t know what I had prayed. Before we went back to sleep, my husband said, “Oh, by the way, I don’t know what’s going on, but God told me to tell you that you are healed. Whatever you needed healing for, you’ve got it!â€
I was elated! Knowing that God told me I was healed increased my faith to believe Him for that healing. From that moment on, I had no doubt that I was healed. I didn’t see my full healing manifest right away, but whenever the problem arose I just smiled and reminded myself that I was already healed. God’s power, working through faith, weakened the power of that stronghold, and then my healing began to manifest in me.
I believed God because He spoke to me. We can also believe God because He spoke to us in His Word. If God tells us something in His Word, we can believe it will happen just as He promised.
Blessed be the LORD, that hath given rest unto his people Israel, according to all that he promised: there hath not failed one word of all his good promise, which he promised by the hand of Moses his servant. The LORD our God be with us, as he was with our fathers: let him not leave us, nor forsake us…
1 Kings 8:56-57
I want to encourage you to believe God to help you walk in godliness. He will never leave you. He will never give up on you. He will never stop working in you. He will transform you into a vessel for His glory. Don’t ever give up believing Him. He will do just as He has promised!
I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and his incomparably great power for us who believe.
That power is like the working of his mighty strength, which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.
Ephesians 1:17-23
Heavenly Father,
Thank You for cleansing us from all our sins, and giving us everything we need for life and godliness through our faith in You. Help us to live by faith and walk in step with Your Holy Spirit. We surrender our lives to You. Transform our lowly bodies, and make us into vessels for Your glory!
In Jesus’ precious name, Amen!
Have a blessed week believing God!
*Come back next Monday for more in this series. You can subscribe below to receive an email reminder of new posts. You can also use the share tabs below to help spread the word of this series to bless others.
Posted in Monday's Blogs, Pursuing Godliness Series and tagged God, Godliness, Holy Spirit, Jesus by Amanda Beth with
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Monday’s Blog: Pursuing Godliness
I am starting a new series today titled “Pursuing Godliness.†I just returned from a four month break. I am amazed how much God taught me during that short period of time. I expected to spend most of the time working on my next book. But God had greater plans. The main thing God had me focus on this summer was godliness.
Paul instructed Timothy to:
Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives’ tales; rather, train yourself to be godly. For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.
This is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance (and for this we labor and strive), that we have put our hope in the living God, who is the Savior of all men, and especially of those who believe.
Command and teach these things. Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity.
1 Timothy 4:7-12
I took a cross-fit class last spring. It was once a week for six weeks. But in order to keep up with the level of intensity of the class, I had to also workout at home several days a week. My reason for taking the class was probably different than others in the class. I took it to be pushed beyond my limit to strengthen me spiritually, not physically.
If you haven’t taken a cross-fit class, it is best described as a boot camp workout. Our instructors told us they specifically design the workouts to torture us. At the first class, my friend who introduced me to cross-fit said, “See that guy over there? He threw up four times his first day!â€
At the end of my first class, I text my husband to tell him I didn’t think I could drive home. I could barely lift my foot from the gas to the break. It was physically the hardest six weeks of my life. After the six weeks, my friend asked me if I was going to continue taking cross-fit, but I said I already received what I set out to obtain: motivation. Seeing the strong commitment and devotion from these men and women for something that is only temporary, strengthened me in my spirit to make that same devotion to pursuing godliness.
But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare. Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming.
2 Peter 3:10-12
Sadly, we don’t see godliness being a predominant focus in the body of Christ today. It seems that being in style and hip are the main focus. I received a flyer the other day from a new church. They advertised that their music rocked. Their seats were comfortable, and they wore flip-flops to their service.
I went to a Christian conference last month. It was more entertaining than spirit filled. They had dance music, comedic skits and an average message in between. When the conference ended, I left with the desire to dance more than the desire to run home and read my Bible.
I don’t understand why so many ministers and churches feel they have to entertain people to draw them in. Jesus didn’t act like the world to reach them. He was so filled with the Spirit that people were drawn to Him. The power of the Holy Spirit in Him didn’t entertain people. It transformed their lives!
Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness among the people. News about him spread all over Syria, and people brought to him all who were ill with various diseases, those suffering severe pain, the demon-possessed, those having seizures, and the paralyzed, and he healed them. Large crowds from Galilee, the Decapolis, Jerusalem, Judea and the region across the Jordan followed him.
Matthew 4:23-25
If we follow Jesus’ example, the Spirit of God will be so powerful in us that it will draw people to us, eager to find out what we have. We won’t have to entice them to come into church. They will be running to church!
Jesus said:
“Can a blind man lead a blind man? Will they not both fall into a pit? A student is not above his teacher, but everyone who is fully trained will be like his teacher.
“Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, ‘Brother, let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when you yourself fail to see the plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.
Luke 6:39-42
The church is trying to reach the world to “clean them up†when they haven’t even cleaned themselves up. I remember a famous preacher coming to town once, preaching about not giving up on the church and giving them another chance. His message was about not looking at the church leaders who are unholy, but instead looking at God who is Holy.
His message wasn’t completely wrong. We are to look to God, but the Bible also shows us that church leaders are to live godly lives as examples to those they minister to (Read 1 Timothy 3:1-12).
In Acts 6, the twelve disciples gathered all the other disciples together and said to choose seven men from among them who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom, just to distribute food to the poor. It isn’t just the preachers and teachers that are to be godly examples. We are all called to be.
The Apostle Paul exhorted, “Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ†(1 Corinthians 11:1).
How many of us today would have the confidence and courage to say to others, “Follow my example because I am following Christ’s example!â€
In this series, we will focus on learning how to follow Christ’s example by pursuing godliness. I pray this series will bless and encourage all of us to seek the Lord with all our hearts.
Heavenly Father,
We praise You for Your love for us. Lead us in this series and help us on our pursuit of godliness. Teach us through Your word and help us follow Christ’s example by living the life You created us to live.
In Jesus’ precious name, Amen!
*Come back next Monday as the series continues. You can subscribe below to receive email reminders of new posts. You can also use the share tabs below to help spread the word of this series to bless others.Â
Have a blessed week seeking the Lord!
Steve Sawyer is starting a series on his blog tomorrow titled “Brokenness.†Steve’s series goes along with my series on pursuing godliness. He talks about realizing how wretched our sin is and how true brokenness is the only way for Jesus to get rid of it, not forgive it, because He did that anyway, but get rid of it. Follow this link to his blog.
*Do you want to pursue godliness in your marriage and raising your family? I recently revised and republished “You Can Have a Happy Family.†The ebook version is FREE TODAY ONLY at Amazon. Follow the link below.
“The LORD will perfect that which concerns me: your mercy, O LORD, endures forever: forsake not the works of your own hands.”
Psalm 138:8, AKJV
Posted in Monday's Blogs, Pursuing Godliness Series and tagged God, Godliness, Holiness, Jesus by Amanda Beth with
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