The Halloween Divide

So here it is that time of year again, where Christians debate the never ending debate of what to do about Halloween. I have read many posts and articles on the subject over the years. Some I agreed with, some that made me think, and some that I despised. You know what they all had in common though? Division and spite in the comments section. I can't tell you how much this breaks my heart. I see it as just one more thing that Christians divide themselves over. Along with wearing skirts or not wearing skirts, KJV only or using other translations, rapture or no rapture, homeschool or public school, full submersion or sprinkle, on and on and on and on, we continue to divide ourselves based on non-essential issues. Why do we do this? Are we really so impressed with ourselves that we truly believe we have all the right answers, and millions of others who serve the same True Living God must have it all wrong? Do we feel like only we have a direct line to God and all His wisdom, therefore it must be our job to set everyone else straight on their misguided and misinformed views and decisions? Let's really think about this for a minute. Also, please know that I have been guilty of this myself, many a times. However, through the grace of God I want to STOP!!!!

It is NOT our job to be the Holy Spirit in anyone's lives. Believe me, it isn't a job that any of us really want anyway. It may seem great, but we all fall so incredibly short from being qualified to do that job, and God will hold us accountable for trying! Only God knows His ways and His specific will for His people. We know the general; that God wills for us all to be saved, grow in sanctification, become more Christ like, be a vessel to further the Kingdom and live a life pleasing to God. However, only God knows the how, why, when, where and what of the way that looks in each individual. Unless something is stated clearly and undebateably in scripture, we have no right to chastise anyone for anything, and declare our supreme knowledge over their failure or ignorance. It breaks my heart how much we hurt one another in the name of what? In the name of a God who doesn't NEED us to do anything that HE wills? Do we really think God wants or needs us to hurt a fellow brother or sister in Christ in order to make His ways known to them? Oh, fellow Christians, no. No, He definitely does not desire that. I can say that, because that is clearly and undeniably in scripture. Though shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. You must remove the plank from your own eye before you can remove the splinter in your brothers. There are many, many more.

I believe we can say what we believe, as we are all commanded to be ready to give account for what we believe. It is not our job though, to criticize our fellow believers for their beliefs. I truly believe that one Christian can celebrate Halloween and be just as much in God's will as another Christian who doesn't. I believe a sister wearing a skirt can be just as much in God's will as one that is wearing pants. Being in God's will is not following a set of rules or laws. God already said we can't follow the law, and that's why He sent His Son to pay the wages for our sins. What God HAS asked us to do, is walk in the Spirit. Follow His leading. We don't know what the Holy Spirit has asked our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ to do, so we can't point a finger of accusation and self-righteousness. Worry about what God has asked you to do, and not what others are doing.  Even when you feel someone is living in sin, extend grace to others.... remembering the grace that God continually extends to us in our daily disobedience.

Just imagine how strong we would stand, and how effective we would be at evangelizing, if we closed the divide, and only stood on what was truly essential to salvation! True believers across the globe would be a force to be reckoned with!

A Funeral and a Testimony

I just wanted to share that on the 16th of October, my husband lost his mother who was only 60 years old. She battled diabetes, Rheumatoid Arthritis, and Alzheimers. Although his has been an incredibly hard time, we have seen God's sovereignty all throughout and He has clearly shown His goodness and faithfulness! We believe she still knew Him and her hope of eternity with her Savior when she passed. (Which was our prayer) Even though she couldn't speak or move, we believe she knew her boys and husband were by her side, because she went extremely peacefully. From the time she got her early onset Alzheimer diagnosis, it went pretty fast. Although that would be hard for many, it was a blessing for us, because we didn't want years of drawn out declining memory and loss of who she was as we had known her for so many years. She watched her own mother die of the same disease and it was a long drawn out, and awful process for her to witness. She wouldn't have wanted that for us, and had she been aware of what was happening to her, she would of been happy it went the way it did.

The point I really want to drive home today, is that when I got married 15 years ago, I didn't get a mother-in-law. I got a second mother, a best friend, a spiritual mentor, a prayer warrior, and the world's best babysitter! When two families combine, it is not always a good thing. Many people dread having to see their mother-in-law, daughter-in-law, etc.. Can I please suggest to you today, that you make the very best of it that you can?! We are only here for a very limited time. The Bible calls our lives here just a mist, a vapor, and then we are gone. What lasting legacy are you going to leave? What will people, and family say about you when you are gone? Did you leave a lasting impact on their life? It is a positive and special one? When your mother-in-law passes, will you be able to say that you lost a best friend? If not, is it because of her actions, or yours? Truly? Let's make the best of our short time here on earth, and ask God to help us to put aside selfish feelings and agendas. They are so temporary, but the healthy relationships we build and work on can have a very long lasting impact!!

Believing God

So I just had to say, that tomorrow morning I will be going to my 4th weekly session of the Bible study, Believing God, by Beth Moore. WOW! I go to the morning group at our church, and there are only about 10 of us that meet in that particular one; but God meets where there are just 2 or 3 gathered in His name amen?! ;) It has been so powerful already, and I just feel like it's one of those studies at one of those moments in your life where you just know it's going to be a life changer! The 5 main points we are learning are

1)God is who He says He is
2)God can do what He says He can do
3)I am who God says I am
4)I can do all things through Christ
5)God's Word is alive and active in me

Sounds awesome, doesn't it?! It certainly has been so far. I have already shed some tears...okay, lots of tears...and feel God working within my heart. The thing that has stuck out the most to me so far, is that for so many of us (even long time strong in the faith believers) our view of God has gotten smaller. Whether it be through prayers that seem to go unanswered, trials that seem all to frequent and difficult, Pastor's and biblical leaders who preach and teach that we are to just sit and be happy with what God has given us, or just the overwhelming amount of pain, suffering and evil we see all around us today; we seem to have lost the reality that our God is HUGE and bigger than all these things! Are we to find joy and contentment in the midst of our everyday circumstances? Yes. Are we to accept that there will always be trials and difficulties? Yes. Should we understand that it is for our good that some prayers go "seemingly" unanswered? Yes. Does it grow increasingly difficult for every believer to see the pain, suffering and evil ever so present in our day? Absolutely. However, do we need to take a step a step back, take in a deep breath, re-read our scriptures and have hope in a God of miracles, that He can still do huge and drastically wonderful things in our lives? YES!!!!

We've got to have hope. This life is too depressing without it. We won't always get our prayers answered the way we want, because God cares most about what is going on in our inward person, but that doesn't mean He doesn't greatly act on our behalves in the outward! Go back and read through the miracles in the Bible, and in the majority of them, you will find the words "because of your faith," "your faith has made you well," "because you believe." Faith pleases God. It's a known biblical fact. When we reach out in faith, He is often moved to then act in our lives and in the lives of those whom we are praying for. Let's not put God in a box and say we know exactly what He will and will not do. His ways are above our ways, and He is sovereign above all. Let's believe Him for the miracles we need. Whether it's healing, salvation, reconciliation, freedom, financial, a mountain in the way...whatever it is. Let's believe Him for it, with unwaivering and undoubting faith. Let's not give up, and not give Him a timeframe to answer us to our satisfaction. Let's put our whole being into believing our God is the HUGE God of miracles until He delivers it to us, or closes the chapter. If and when He delivers us our desires, let us praise Him for it far and wide. On the other hand, if and when He does close the chapter on our petition, let us know that it's because the work He is doing within us is more important than the outward.

Just my thoughts this week, and what God is speaking to me about in my heart. Any thoughts of your own?!

If you are a woman, you need to watch this video!

I can't even begin to tell you how strongly I feel about the subject of modesty. I lived 20 years not even knowing what the term meant, and I regret every minute of it; and the damage that my ignorance undoubtedly caused. Please, watch this video, and find out what men really think about modesty.

DO NOT JUDGE

This was floating around facebook, and I thought it was too good not to share....

A doctor entered the hospital in hurry after being called in for an urgent surgery. He answered the call ASAP, changed his clothes and went directly to the surgery block.
He found the boy’s father going and coming in the hall waiting for the doctor. Once seeing him, the dad yelled:
“Why did you take all this time to come? Don’t you know that my son’s life is in danger? Don’t you have the sense of responsibility?”

The doctor smiled and said:
“I am sorry, I wasn’t in the hospital and I came the fastest I could after receiving the call…… And now, I wish you’d calm down so that I can do my work”

“Calm down?! What if your son was in this room right now, would you calm down? If your own son dies now what will you do??” said the father angrily

The doctor smiled again and replied: “I will say what Job said in the Holy Bible “From dust we came and to dust we return, blessed be the name of God”. Doctors cannot prolong lives. Go and intercede for your son, we will do our best by God’s grace”

“Giving advice when we’re not concerned is so easy” Murmured the father.

The surgery took some hours after which the doctor went out happy, “Thank God! Your son is saved!”

And without waiting for the father’s reply he carried on his way running. “If you have any question, ask the nurse!!”

“Why is he so arrogant? He couldn’t wait some minutes so that I ask about my son’s state” Commented the father when seeing the nurse minutes after the doctor left.

The nurse answered, tears coming down her face: “His son died yesterday in a road accident, he was in the burial when we called him for your son’s surgery. And now that he saved your son’s life, he left running to finish his son’s burial.”

NEVER JUDGE ANYONE because you never know how their life is and as to what is happening or what they’re going through.

Please Take The Time To Watch This...

I found this years ago, and I watch it every now and then to keep a good perspective on life. It gives me goosebumps and tears everytime. We will never know what some people have suffered in their life. Our "trials" are so trivial sometimes, and we focus on what we don't have far too often. Sometimes our trials are big, and come with a very heavy burden. What we are sure of, is that no matter where we are at in life, God is there, and if our focus is on Him, we will get through, and be better servants to Him because of it! Praise be to God!

Learn His Voice

I climbed one day to a mountaintop,
To a place apart and high,
And I said, "My Lord is with me here.
I can find Him if I try."

I called "Lord" for I had declared,
Like Peter did that day,
"Thou art the Christ, the Son of God,
The Light, the Truth, the Way!"

This I believed, or thought I did.
Yet others could not see
What He is like or how He loves
By knowing Him through me.

As on this hill I climbed with Him,
Transfigured He became!
His face did shine bright as the sun
And I--was clothed in shame.

"It is good to be here," I did cry.
"I'll prove my love for You."
Frantically I tried to think
Of something I could do.

"I'll build a tabernacle to Thy name."
My deeds would draw me near Him.
But then I heard the voice of God:"
"This is my Son, oh, hear Him."

The tabernacles I have built!
The shallow life I live,
Checking off my works, my jobs,
Proud of what I give!

And all the time I've missed the point,
Like Peter on that hill.
I've tried to do before I've heard,
Before I've listened, still.

"This is my Son, please hear Him now."
Listen, listen, you--

And after you have learned His voice

Then be, and know, and do.

Tabernacles that I build! Tabernacles that crumble and fall, all because I did not stop and listen, because I did not seek His will, or know His purpose, or ask His use of my energy, my abilities, my efforts, to build for Him-not a tabernacle, but a life of joyous faith and love and righteousness in the Kingdom of God. Right here, right now, I would like to remind you of those very common tabernacles that I have built. Maybe you build them too. They are not useless, crumbling things in themselves-no, not at all. They become useless to the Master simple because we do not truly hear Him in our frantic feverish efforts to built. ~Mary Lou Lacy..."a Woman wants God."

An Absolute

When God is all you have....

You'll find He is all you need.

Are You Worthy?

"He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me.

And he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me.


And he who does not take his cross and follow after me is not worthy of Me.


He who finds his life will lose it,
and he who loses his life for My sake, will find it."
Matthew 10:37-39 NKJV


It's easy to say that we love God more than anything or anyone. It even rolls off the tongue smoothly, to say that we put Jesus above all else. But is that really the case? What do your actions say? Do you put more effort into gaining your parents approval, than Jesus'? Is more of your time, effort, energy, and thoughts devoted to your children, than to God? Do you put their wants and "earthy happiness" above what you know God's will is for their lives, and yours? Our actions are directly related to our hearts. Everyday is a balance of current events, and keeping our eyes on our eternal home, and destination. If we seek a life full of earthy things, we will have lived that life for nothing. If we give up those earthly desires, and seek first the Kingdom of God, we will gain a life full of peace and joy that words cannot describe. Not only that, but God can use us to save other lives, for His honor and glory!

Women in the Word Wednesday

"Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded."

James 4:7-8

If you find yourself feeling down, angry, frustrated, sad, or just not yourself, do a spiritual check up! Ask God to show you what you are doing, or are NOT doing that has pulled you away from Him. He will be faithful and just to show you, so that you may restore your peace with Him!

Our God is a loving God, but he is also a jealous God! He has every right to be too! He created us, and only wants the best for us. Having our loyalties divided between the world and God, will only bring bad things for us. Our eyes need to be set on God above, and He needs to be our #1 priority all the time. As a wife, mother, sister, daughter, friend, etc, I know how hard it can be. It's a daily struggle for me as well. The blessings are so great though, when God is put in His deserving place! My joy is great, and my cup overfloweth, even through the bad times, when I am close to God!

I pray that today, you will pull that one foot out of the world, and place them both in the Lord's path. I pray you find that same comfort and joy that comes from walking in the Spirit, side by side with our merciful, patient, and loving God!

Women In The Word Wednesday~01/26/11

This has been a good week in James so far! I'm just thoroughly enjoying this book! I've read if before, heard so many sermons based on scripture from it, but there is nothing like doing the S.O.A.P. method of study. Verse by verse, observations and applications of these precious Words of God!

So far this week, James 1:12-15

"Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.
Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man.
But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.
Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin, when it is finished, it bringeth forth death."

First, we observe that there is a reward for enduring trials and temptations. Not only do we get the immediate benefits of refining, but we have a crown of life that awaits us!

Next, we observe that God himself cannot be tempted. Temptation comes from evil, and God has no evil in His heart. He is completely righteous. Therefore, he never tempts man. When we are faced with temptation, it is NEVER from God. It is God's will that we be righteous as He is, and He would not tempt, or provoke us into evil. He may allow satan to tempt us, but it is our own lusts in our own hearts that draw us away from God.

Lastly, we observe that lust leads to sin, and sin leads to death. The very reason Jesus had to be sent here to die. "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God." (Romans 3:23) Without Jesus, we would all be dead in our sins, eternally separated from God.


Next, we come to the application of these observations. The first thing that really spoke to me, is that there is a definite separation of trials and temptations. Trials come from God, and are for our own good. They bring us closer to God, by realizing our weaknesses, and inabilities to handle things on our own. They shape and mold us to be more like Christ, and the Father that sent Him. We've all heard the analogy of silver, and it's refining through heat.

Temptations, are not of God. God wants us to be pure, and righteous as He. He always provides a way of escape for us, when the temptation is allowed. Notice I say "allowed" not "given!" "There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it." 1 Corinthians 10:13 In the King James, suffer, means allow. So, God will not allow a temptation that He knows is more than we can bear. A temptation that is to great for us to turn away from. That would be leading us into sin, and God won't do that. The reason we can be tempted, and He can't is because He has no evil in His heart. We do. We have the fleshly lusts that draw us away from God and into sin.

We are rewarded for enduring both trials, and temptations. Not only do we have the immediate rewards, of joy and closeness to God, but we have a crown of life waiting for us! As said earlier in this book, we are to count it all joy, when faced with temptations. I know, at the time, it is so hard to do. We like to be comfortable, and happy all the time. We pay big money for "easy living." But our goal here on this earth, is to further God's Kingdom, and to bring Him glory in everything! Trials, and temptations, can bring those things to pass, so we ought to look at it from God's perspective, and not our own.

That leads me to the last point that God is dealing on my heart about through these verses. I want to be able to not only withstand temptations, and have victory over them, but I want to limit the number of times I'm tempted in the first place. The fewer times I'm tempted, the less chances I have of falling to temptation. So, how do I accomplish this? Well, I look at why God can't be tempted, and what causes my temptations. God can't be tempted, because He has no evil in His heart, and lust is what leads to temptation for me. The answer here is simple. Follow through may not be so easy, but the answer is.

My eyes need to be on God. I need to remember that my goal in life is not to please myself, but to please Him, and bring Him glory. Seeing things as God sees them. Being thankful, for all that God provides, and finding happiness in Godly things, not earthly things. If I am focused on God, and fulfilled in Him, I have no desires for anything else, and therefore no lusts. If I have no lusts, I cannot fall to temptation and be led astray from God. Lust is the root of this horrible cycle, and it has to be stopped there...better yet, before it gets there!

Just because I have accepted Christ as my savior, and I am in the book of life, doesn't mean the journey has ended. I am of no use to God if I am walking in the flesh and fulfilling the lusts thereof. I won't have done anything to glorify God or further His kingdom, if that's the life I chose to live. I may be saved from spiritual death, but I still await physical death. God has given me time beforehand to fulfill a very important calling. I am a wife, a mother, a daughter, a sister, a friend, a neighbor, a member of the community, and a member of the body of Christ, the church. I can use that sphere of influence for good, or I can squander it. If I intend to use it for good, I must keep my eyes on God, and strive everyday to be more like Him. Reading His Word, and asking that He help me to see ALL things as He does. I know His ways are above my own, but He has also promised to give me the wisdom I need to do His will, if I just ask! (James 1:5)

For more thoughts on James, head over to the Good Morning Girls site, and see what God is teaching other ladies!

Women In The Word Wednesday~01/19/11

I am doing a bible study in James with the Good Morning Girls. Every Wednesday, I will do my best to post about what the Lord is teaching me and I link it up to their site. I realize I haven't posted here in quite some time. We are settling in here, and doing well. God is good!

James 1:5,6

"If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.
But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed."

There's a lot to be taken out of this verse. I'll just point out a couple things. One, we need to seek God for our answers. So often, (myself included...at the top of the list!) when trials come our way, we search ourselves, our co-workers, magazines, books, friends, "the world," for answers to fix our problems and situations. We must FIRST seek God, who has abundant wisdom to give to us! It's so sad when a Christian waits until all efforts have failed, to turn to God. I struggle with this so much, and I pray that God will continue to help me to turn to Him first...always.

Second, when we seek God for wisdom, He will give it to us. It's not questionable. There's no stipulations on this. He doesn't have to be in a giving mood, or require that we do all these steps first. God clearly tell us here in verse 4, that it shall be given to us! Praise God!

Thirdly, we must trust in the wisdom and the answers that God gives us. It's so easy to doubt God's ways, because they are above our own understanding sometimes. We still think ourselves and our own wisdom to be so great. I've heard the saying, that it's often not that we don't trust God will answer our prayers, but that we don't know if He will answer our prayers the way WE want Him to answer them! I find this to be so true! We must trust Him though, and know that He will ALWAYS say and do the right things. We can trust the Holy Spirit's leading, and when God gives us an answer, or wisdom about a situation, we need to stick to that, and not waiver in our faith. Wavering gives room for Satan to do real damage.

I leave you with one more passage. I find it no coincidence that both these verses (above in James, and here below in Proverbs), though many years and pages apart, are both verses 5 and 6.

"Trust in the Lord with all thine heart, and lean not on thine own understanding. In all thy ways, acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths." Proverbs 3:5,6

Encouragement for the Spiritual Head of the Home

I know that many women struggle with feeling like their husband is not being the "spiritual head of the home" that they desire him to be. They wonder how they can fix it, or make him take on that roll. The fact is, that you can't MAKE him fill that role the way YOU want him to. God must change your husband from within, and you must remember that all men were created with different personalities and characteristics. Just because your husband doesn't do the things that "so and so" does, doesn't mean he's not spiritual. How would you like to be compared to someone else's wife? The last thing I want is for my husband to dwell all day about how I don't cook, clean, dress, act, etc., like "so and so's" wife. God gave you to each other....remember to pray for one another, love and accept one another for who God created you to be, not for who you think they ought to be.

With that being said, I read a great post lately that has tips on how you can ENCOURAGE your husband to be the spiritual leader in your home. There is nothing un-biblical about encouraging one another. I highly suggest you go check it out. Traci is a wonderful, godly woman with many encouraging things to share. Read her post *here*!

Thankful Thursday

Today I am thankful for Jesus! Of course I am every day, but today I read something that renewed my thankfulness for Him, and one of the many reasons why. I want to share with you what I posted today on my bible reading blog....

"In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink." John 7: 37

This was one of the first verses I was shown when being convicted by the Holy Spirit about salvation. What's so neat, is that today, it means something completely different. I am already saved, I already have that living water, Praise God! But there are so many times that I still thirst. I thirst for peace when I am troubled. I thirst for understanding when I'm lost and confused. I search for grace when I am broken. I search for mercy when I am convicted and burdened with sin. This verse speaks to me, and shows me exactly where I can go, no matter what I am thirsting for. I can come to Jesus, and drink and gain all these things that I search for. He is my best friend, my comforter, my intercessor. Praise God for giving us His Son, and the constant living well, that I have to draw from!

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What are you thankful for today? To read more Thankful Thursday post, or link up one of your own, head over to "Women Taking A Stand!"

A Psalm of David

Praise For Answered Prayer

"I waited patiently for the LORD; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry.
He brought me up also out of a horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings.
And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the LORD.
Blessed is that man that maketh the LORD his trust, and respecteth not the proud, nor such as turn aside to lies.
Many, O LORD my God, are thy wonderful works which though hast done, and thy thoughts which are to us-ward: they cannot be reckoned up in order unto thee: if I would declare and speak of them, they are more than can be numbered......
I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law is within my heart.
I have preached righteousness in the great congregation: lo, I have not refrained my lips, O LORD, thou knowest.
I have not hid thy righteousness within my heart; I have declared thy faithfulness and thy salvation: I have not concealed thy loving-kindness and thy truth from the great congregation.
Withhold not thou thy tender mercies from me, O LORD: let thy loving-kindness and thy truth continually preserve me.
For innumerable evils have compassed me about: mine iniquities have taken hold upon me, so that I am not able to look up; they are more than the hairs of mine head: therefore my heart faileth me.
Be pleased O LORD, to deliver me: O LORD, make haste to help me.
Let them be ashamed and confounded together that seek after my soul to destroy it: let them be driven backward and put to shame that wish me evil.
Let them be desolate for a reward of their shame that say unto me, Aha, aha.
Let all those that seek thee rejoice and be glad in thee: let such as love thy salvation say continually, The Lord be magnified.
But I am poor and needy; yet the Lord thinketh upon me: thou art my help and my deliverer; make no tarrying, O my God." Psalm 40

Thank You Lord

Make sure you scroll down and pause my music player at the bottom of the page. This song is so touching to me, especially right now. I am thankful for God's voice, His comfort, and His leading! Hubby is already in Illinois and Lord willing, will be in Kansas late tonight! Thank you for your prayers for my family and I!

Reactions Define You (Please Read This!)

An exerpt from Debi Pearl's book: Created to be His Helpmeet

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Reactions Define You

"A wise woman does not dream of what "could have been." She does not see herself as "God's gift to men;" therefore, she is joyful and content in her present circumstances.

Your reactions break you loose from your social inhibitions and manifest who you really are indside and what you really believe at your core level. We lose our carefully preserved "front" when we are pressed beyond calculated thinking. Then, who we really are is made manifest.

You can control your future reactions considerably by changing the way you think you feel, and it will determine how you will react in stressful situations.

Researchers have determined that the average person thinks over 40,000 thoughts each day. The heart is filled with thoughts, and it is out of that reservoir of thoughts that the mouth speaks words of praise or bitterness. When the pressure is on, and tha dam of reservation breaks loose, you cannot control what you say, because you will speak from the abundance of your heart-from the 40,000 thoughts you had that day, and all the days before. "A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh." (Luke 6:45.) If you, as a wife, are going to change the way you have been speaking, it is not a matter of willpower; it is a matter of thought power. "For as he thinketh in his heart , so is he..." (Prov.23:7). You must bring "into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ" (II Cor. 10:5). "For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts..." (Matt. 15:19). As Paul says, "Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus" (Phil.2:5). You will be "transformed by the renewing of your mind" (Romans 12:2), not by the strength of your will to hold your tongue. God tells you how to think about your role as wife and help meet. If you believe him, you will think differently.

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This text can be applied to male or female, child or adult. In family situations or on the job, church, friends, grocery store, anywhere. Really pay attention to the thoughts that you allow to run through your head in a day, and you may be really surprised...and not in a good way. But, with the Lord's help, you can change that, and be a much happier, and better person.

Thankful Thurday

Today I am hooking up with "Spiritually Unequal Marriage" for Thankful Thursday. Head on over there to see what more bloggers are thankful for today!

Well, I just want to say how thankful I am for God's Word. We often take it for granted that we have full access to it, and can read it whenever we want. Many people were killed for just trying to get it into print for the English speaking world, and for trying to share it and read it themselves. Most of us have several Bibles in our homes, and many of us still don't even get one out until it's time to go to church on Sunday. I heard a great sermon from one of the preachers at our church about the King James Bible, and it really touched me. (By the way, you can visit our church website and there is a list of sermon archives there that you can listen to...great preaching and teaching!) He talked about how the Bible came to be, and how we do take it for granted. This inspired me to make sure that I stay in the Word every single day. I joined a blogging group that is going through the Bible in a year chronologically. It has been a real blessing for me and keeps me accountable to read every day. It gives me the extra encouragement I need when I just don't feel like I have time to read that day.

God's Word is such a blessing to me. It gives me answers when I need them, and even when I don't (or don't think I do). It gives me comfort and peace in difficult times. It leads me down the right path and tells me how to avoid going down the wrong one. It does more things for me than I can list, and I can't imagine not having it. I'm so thankful to God for making it available to me. My prayer is that I don't ever take it for granted again! I hope soon to have a scripture memory verse posted on my blog every week. We do memory verses for Sunday School at church, and I want to start sharing mine with you. If one day we ever come to the point that our Bibles are taken away, I want to have the Word hid in my heart so that I will still have it!