Hello my friends and family! So it’s been interesting regarding some of the things that I have been wrestling with —only to find out that I’m not the only one in my friend group that’s been wrestling with these things. Then the question began to be, is God correcting me or is He making me wrestle through the truth— so that I will be able to stand?
This morning I woke up with a sense of clarity into both insights. I am sharing first, because you know me, but also because I would imagine that if there are three (that I know of) you may be among others —and what God shows me —He calls me to share and to teach others as well. There is this angst that has been stirring inside. Almost a despair for what I see happening within the body of Christ. It’s apathy, complacency, the loss of their first love or even potentially just plain laziness. But I kept wondering —why is this hitting me so hard? Why do I almost feel angry sometimes and is it the right anger? Am I judging or am I being discerning? I genuinely feel like I speak the Truth because of love. Because I know the consequences of continuing in a certain way of living & thinking. The frustration lies in those who just seem to accept or make excuses for everything they listen to or study or and the list goes on... and I don’t believe that’s what God says is acceptable. This desire to wrestle even more, went into overdrive, when a friend shared what someone said to her and it was “God is not going to hold you accountable for what you did not know”. Was this true? So the question is, is ignorance an excuse? In other words, will God forgive what you do not know? But I think it goes deeper than that —because there is a place of willful ignorance, which as a believer is what we’re talking about. But is it also willful disobedience? I began with asking this question: How does one “claim” ignorance?
Does Scripture back up what the Holy Spirit was speaking to me? What Scripture Says Little children (believers, dear ones), guard yourselves from idols—[false teachings, moral compromises, and anything that would take God’s place in your heart]. 1 John 5:21 - For the time will come when people will not tolerate sound doctrine and accurate instruction [that challenges them with God’s truth]; but wanting to have their ears tickled [with something pleasing], they will accumulate for themselves [many] teachers [one after another, chosen] to satisfy their own desires and to support the errors they hold, and will turn their ears away from the truth and will wander off into myths and man-made fictions [and will accept the unacceptable]. 2 Timothy 4:3-4 - Be on guard; stand firm in your faith [in God, respecting His precepts and keeping your doctrine sound]. Act like [mature] men and be courageous; be strong. Let everything you do be done in love [motivated and inspired by God’s love for us]. 1 Corinthians 16:13-14 - For certain people have crept in unnoticed [just as if they were sneaking in by a side door]. They are ungodly persons whose condemnation was predicted long ago, for they distort the grace of our God into decadence and immoral freedom [viewing it as an opportunity to do whatever they want], and deny and disown our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ. Jude 1:4 - They profess to know God [to recognize and be acquainted with Him], but by their actions they deny and disown Him. They are detestable and disobedient and worthless for good work of any kind. Titus 1:16 - Study and do your best to present yourself to God approved, a workman [tested by trial] who has no reason to be ashamed, accurately handling and skillfully teaching the word of truth. 2 Timothy 2:15 - For [God does not overlook sin and] the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who in their wickedness suppress and stifle the truth, because that which is known about God is evident within them [in their inner consciousness], for God made it evident to them. Romans 1:18-19 - For ever since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through His workmanship [all His creation, the wonderful things that He has made], so that they [who fail to believe and trust in Him] are without excuse and without defense. Romans 1:20 - But test all things carefully [so you can recognize what is good]. Hold firmly to that which is good. 1 Thessalonians 5:21 - Beloved, do not believe every spirit [speaking through a self-proclaimed prophet]; instead test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets and teachers have gone out into the world. 1 John 4:1 - Now these people were more noble and open-minded than those in Thessalonica, so they received the message [of salvation through faith in the Christ] with great eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so. Acts 17:11 - But understand this, that in the last days dangerous times [of great stress and trouble] will come [difficult days that will be hard to bear]. For people will be lovers of self [narcissistic, self-focused], lovers of money [impelled by greed], boastful, arrogant, revilers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy and profane, [and they will be] unloving [devoid of natural human affection, calloused and inhumane], irreconcilable, malicious gossips, devoid of self-control [intemperate, immoral], brutal, haters of good, traitors, reckless, conceited, lovers of [sensual] pleasure rather than lovers of God, holding to a form of [outward] godliness (religion), although they have denied its power [for their conduct nullifies their claim of faith]. Avoid such people and keep far away from them. For among them are those who worm their way into homes and captivate morally weak and spiritually-dwarfed women weighed down by [the burden of their] sins, easily swayed by various impulses, always learning and listening to anybody who will teach them, but never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. 2 Timothy 3:1-7 - for their [moral] understanding is darkened and their reasoning is clouded; [they are] alienated and self-banished from the life of God [with no share in it; this is] because of the [willful] ignorance and spiritual blindness that is [deep-seated] within them, because of the hardness and insensitivity of their heart. And they, [the ungodly in their spiritual apathy], having become callous and unfeeling, have given themselves over [as prey] to unbridled sensuality, eagerly craving the practice of every kind of impurity [that their desires may demand]. Ephesians 4:18-19 - that, regarding your previous way of life, you put off your old self [completely discard your former nature], which is being corrupted through deceitful desires, and be continually renewed in the spirit of your mind [having a fresh, untarnished mental and spiritual attitude], and put on the new self [the regenerated and renewed nature], created in God’s image, [godlike] in the righteousness and holiness of the truth [living in a way that expresses to God your gratitude for your salvation]. Ephesians 4:22-24 - But, there is the flipside and the answer to the other question & what is God saying to me. This is my Prayer that is based on Scripture provided below. Dearest God, the Holy & victorious Trinity, As Your Word says in Psalm 141:3, is that You Lord, will set a guard over my mouth; Keep watch over the door of my lips & keep me from speaking thoughtlessly. Lord as it warms in Romans 2:1, may it never be that I would pass hypocritical judgement in arrogance or self-righteousness by practicing what I denounce in others. But rather, as Your servant Lord, that I would not participate in quarrels, but be kind to everyone, staying even-tempered, preserving peace, and be skilled in teaching, patient and tolerant when wronged. But that I must also correct those who are in opposition with courtesy and gentleness in the hope that You God may grant that they will repent and be led to the knowledge of the truth & that they will accurately understand and welcome it, so that they may come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil. And as it says in Ephesians 4:14, that I will speak the truth in love and in everything—my speech and my life that I would express Your truth, with genuine desire to grow up in all things into You by following Your example Lord. You call me to speak the truth with my neighbor. I am called to be angry at sin—at immorality, at injustice, at ungodly behavior, yet I am told not to sin; to not let my anger to cause me shame, nor should my anger last until the sun goes down. Lord help me to not give the devil any opportunity to lead me into sin. May I not hold a grudge, nurture anger, harbor resentment, or cultivate any bitterness. Lord, Your Word cautions me that knowledge alone makes people self-righteously arrogant. Lord teach me how to cultivate a love that unselfishly seeks the best for others, a love that builds up and encourages them to grow in wisdom. May I never imagine that I know and understand anything of divine matters without love! May I know as I ought to know. May I love You God with awe-filled reverence, obedience and gratitude. Lord, may I be known & greatly loved by You as Your very own. In Jesus’s Name, Amen. Scripture to back up my prayer Therefore you have no excuse or justification, everyone of you who [hypocritically] judges and condemns others; for in passing judgment on another person, you condemn yourself, because you who judge [from a position of arrogance or self-righteousness] are habitually practicing the very same things [which you denounce]. Romans 2:1 - The servant of the Lord must not participate in quarrels, but must be kind to everyone [even-tempered, preserving peace, and he must be], skilled in teaching, patient and tolerant when wronged. He must correct those who are in opposition with courtesy and gentleness in the hope that God may grant that they will repent and be led to the knowledge of the truth [accurately understanding and welcoming it], and that they may come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, having been held captive by him to do his will. 2 Timothy 2:24-26 - But speaking the truth in love [in all things—both our speech and our lives expressing His truth], let us grow up in all things into Him [following His example] who is the Head—Christ. Ephesians 4:15 - Therefore, rejecting all falsehood [whether lying, defrauding, telling half-truths, spreading rumors, any such as these], speak truth each one with his neighbor, for we are all parts of one another [and we are all parts of the body of Christ]. Be angry [at sin—at immorality, at injustice, at ungodly behavior], yet do not sin; do not let your anger [cause you shame, nor allow it to] last until the sun goes down. And do not give the devil an opportunity [to lead you into sin by holding a grudge, or nurturing anger, or harboring resentment, or cultivating bitterness]. Ephesians 4:25-27 - Now about food sacrificed to idols, we know that we all have knowledge [concerning this]. Knowledge [alone] makes [people self-righteously] arrogant, but love [that unselfishly seeks the best for others] builds up and encourages others to grow [in wisdom]. If anyone imagines that he knows and understands anything [of divine matters, without love], he has not yet known as he ought to know. But if anyone loves God [with awe-filled reverence, obedience and gratitude], he is known by Him [as His very own and is greatly loved]. 1 Corinthians 8:1-3 - This is by no means a comprehensive documentation but it is a starting point. I hope that it blesses you and that God will use it to grow and empower you. With all my love ~ Cheryl
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~It's hard to believe that this is the last post of 2019! I had written it in my Scripture Spiral a couple of days ago & just realized yesterday that I hadn't posted it. I love what this verse represents. I love the promise that it speaks of. I live in partnership with God [the holy & victorious Trinity]. I have to! Why? Because it is life or death. Every follower must live life firmly planted & fed in order to yield fruit & even yielding fruit isn't an option - but in order to yield, you must be filled to overflowing of the Holy Spirit. How do I know that? It's what the Bible teaches. As a believer, we do have seasons of growing, seasons of being "fertilized", seasons of the sun & even seasons of winter. But the one who is firmly planted - the one who remains fed - his leaf does not wither & the most beautiful promise - that whatever he does prospers & matures. Now, the big hangup from someone who does not know God's Word, who does not know God-- will look at and evaluate their circumstances based on this worlds definition of "prosper" - but those who do not only know but they understand that God's economy of prosperity looks nothing like the world & yet is far more valuable. A seemingly awful circumstance may yield an incredibly beautiful resurrection of life itself and in that there is no gold that even compares. So how about you? Are you firmly planted? Are you being fed? Are you yielding fruit? Are you maturing? "And he will be like a tree firmly planted [and fed] by streams of water, Which yields its fruit in its season; Its leaf does not wither; And in whatever he does, he prospers [and comes to maturity]." Psalm 1:3 One final thought - I don't really know how many of you finished your Scripture Challenge. I pray that you will continue moving forward. I know that posting has kept me accountable & I'm still going to keep looking at 2019 & move forward but, I don't know if I will be posting or not. I do have some new spirals (4 x 6) if anyone needs a new hardy design. I would also like to invite you to my Write Out The Psalm's Challenge - it can be pretty powerful! ~Love & Hugs Cheryl First, I have had "my verse" since the 12/1, but I was flipping between two - even though my heart knew it was this one. Sometimes in my childishness I will whisper to God, "but it's so LONG Lord" and I proceed to battle myself until He wins. Surly I am not the only one who does this?
My journey this year has been extraordinary & there is a part of me that cry's out saying, "I'm not done Lord! I'm not ready! Truly, I want to stay until who He has called me to be is so rock solid that I cannot be swayed. There were 3 things that came from my Grow Setting Journey at the beginning of this year. He was calling me to be Fully Dependent, Fully Surrendered & Fully Empowered. But, to be "that woman" meant a shift in my walk. Something deeper than I have ever gone or done. I've shared with many that there was this one common denominator among believers that God had used to grow my faith - they all spent an extraordinary amount of time with God. Which makes sense why as this year winds down that I would be pondering this word: linger. It means to remain or stay on in a place longer than is usual or expected, as if from reluctance to leave. That is where God has taken me deeper! There was a time very early in my walk that though I loved studying the Word, I couldn't imagine how anyone could spend "an hour" with God & now can't imagine how anyone cannot desire that and MORE. I don't say that out of judgement, but out of necessity. Survival depends on two things: Knowing God [the holy & victorious Trinity in all His fullness] and knowing His Word. When you study the Word it is VERY clear - If you do not know His voice, if you do not know His character - there is a STRONG possibility that you will be deceived. I guess that is why this verse is speaking so clearly to me. It is in the lingering that my love has grown, it is in the lingering that I know Him more, deeper. But, lingering doesn't just "happen". You have to pursue God with all your heart. You have to want to be who He purposed you to be. That doesn't mean attending a million-and-one Bible studies where someone else is feeding you - because I can promise you -you were meant for more than "milk". This journey also wasn't meant to be handed to you on a silver platter - it was meant to be a treasure hunt - a hunt in which you discover that God Himself IS the treasure. So this verse is my hearts cry: to dwell in His presence forever - to gaze on Him - to meditate on His Word while sitting at His feet. Psalm 27:4 Amplified Bible (AMP) One thing I have asked of the Lord, and that I will seek: That I may dwell in the house of the Lord [in His presence] all the days of my life, To gaze upon the beauty [the delightful loveliness and majestic grandeur] of the Lord And to meditate in His temple. Sometimes God will give me a picture in my mind that is so vivid that it feels real. My oldest son is a painter & I was desperately wanting Him to paint it because I believe that it will speak to so many others out there of what is possible - not in yourself - but [in] Him. He is the Rock. In Him and in His love is how you become so securely rooted that no matter what battles wage around you - no matter how hard you are being hit - you can stand BOLDLY with arms open wide in total abandonment. Trusting who you are IN CHRIST. He is your identity. So, one evening in early November, I was sitting in my living room - having just described what was in my head to someone and I had this prompting. Although I may not be able to "draw" it in the classic sense, I had been gifted to be a graphic designer. I literally went immediately into my office & shortly after that I had created the image. I wanted to share it in hopes that your desire for security would become focused not on the world & what it offers, but on Christ - the solid Rock upon which you can stand. All my love ~Cheryl Job 22:28 Amplified Bible (AMP)28 “You will also decide and decree a thing, and it will be established for you;
And the light [of God’s favor] will shine upon your ways. So, I don't even know where to start or even how to explain the importance of this verse. It's about what comes before it: Job 22:27 Amplified Bible (AMP)27 “You will pray to Him, and He will hear you, And you will pay your vows. Prayer - Him hearing & My commitment - and then, it is the depth of what comes after... Job 22:29-30 Amplified Bible (AMP) 29 “When you are cast down and humbled, you will speak with confidence, And the humble person He will lift up and save. 30 “He will even rescue the one [for whom you intercede] who is not innocent; And he will be rescued through the cleanness of your hands.” Humility & the rescue of those I am interceding for... the power of these Words... I can barely contain myself as I try and grasp the utter significance to He is speaking into my life, your life, the life of our loved ones.... |
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