MakeOver of the Heart Bible Study

Hello, ladies! I am so sorry- I am posting the study late today. I hope you are still able to join us either tonight or tomorrow.

This is the last week of the study..and Holy Week. This week's study focuses on PRAYER and my prayer for you is that it helps you prepare your heart for the Resurrection of our Lord, Jesus Christ.

WEEK FIVE
A Prayerful Heart

Prayer
Father God, we indeed give you our hearts today and everyday. Lord, we will love you with all of our hearts, all of our souls, all of our minds, and all of our strength. We give you all praise, all glory, all honor! Lord, I again pray for this woman reading this book. Let her know that you are “a God that cares, a God that answers prayers.” Let her know that you are listening and caring for every need she has. Your word says, “If you seek the Lord your God, you will find him if you look for him with all your heart and all your soul. When you are in distress and all these things have happened to you, then in later days you will return to the Lord … For the Lord your God is a merciful God; He will not abandon you…” And Jeremiah 29:12-13 says, “ Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all of your heart.” Lord, you do desire for us to have prayerful hearts. And, I pray that we would have prayerful hearts, “seeking you in the morning, night, and noonday.” I pray for this woman, Father, that you will “give her a spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that she would know you better.” In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

I am so excited to talk about prayerful hearts! I have to admit, I LOVE to pray! I love to talk (can you tell?) to God! I love to tell him everything! I love to pray for my family and friends. I love to pray for complete strangers that I walk by on the street. It’s so fun! They don’t even know I’ve said a prayer for them. It’s like a little secret God and I have together. As I grow closer to God, I have learned that what it is important is not just how to pray, but how to be quiet and still before the Lord, listening to Him.

Our key verse is Psalm 37:7, “Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for Him.”

Boy is that hard for ME!!!! I tend to be a bit impulsive, a bit impatient, and a bit controlling when it comes to my life’s decisions. I want to be in control of my life and in control of its timetable! But, listen to this verse again- “Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for Him.” We are to be quiet, to be still before the Lord and wait. We must take away any distractions and wait. We need to get rid of any preconceived notions of how things should turn out and how quickly God should be working and wait.

This is an “instant gratification” world we live in. Not only do we have drive through windows, but now restaurants have double lines to speed us through. We don’t want our food fast, we want it faster! We don’t like to wait, do we? But, we especially do not like to wait for answers to life’s questions.

“Is this the right person for me?”
“Is this the right job, the right house, the right move, the right time to start a family?”

“Should I go back to work?”
“Do we need to put mom in a nursing home?”

Wait patiently for these answers? It seems impossible. So, where do we begin?

We begin with prayer.

For some of you, you may have never prayed before, so this whole concept seems
strange. You have never thought about going to God with your questions, let alone waiting for His answers.

But God’s word tells us to pray! Ephesians 6:18 says to “pray in the spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests.” Colossians 4:2 says “DEVOTE yourselves to prayer, being WATCHFUL and thankful.” 1Thessolonians 5:16-17 says, “Be joyful always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
Philippians 4:6 says, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition present your requests to God.” And James 5:13-16 says, “Is any one of you in trouble? He should pray. Is anyone happy? He should pray. Let him sing songs of praise. Is anyone sick? He should call the elders of the church to pray over him.” And most importantly, Jesus tells us in Matthew 6:6, “But when you pray, go into your room, close the door, and pray to your Father who is unseen. Then, your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.” Notice Jesus said WHEN you pray, not IF you pray.

So, the Bible tells us to pray, but does God REALLY answer our prayers? Should we actually ASK God for “things” or help? I have an acquaintance that told me, “I don’t believe that God works in that way. I don’t believe God answers prayers. We’re wasting our time when we pray.” But the Bible says, “BEFORE they call, I will answer; while they are speaking I will hear.”

Another friend of mine only believes in praying for big things. She says God is too busy, and can’t be bothered with the little things, like finding lost car keys or a convenient parking space. But, think about this for a moment. Should we, as parents only expect our children to come to us for the big things? They can only ask us to help them with the “biggees”- like paying for college. We don’t want hear from them until then. Should we scoff at them when they ask us to find a lost toy, play a game with them, spell a word, or color a picture? Of course not! We are delighted to help our children with requests- little and big.

Our Abba Father, our loving, caring, wonderful Heavenly Father wants us to come to Him for EVERYTHING! Again, Philippians 4:6-7 tells us, “Do not be anxious about ANYTHING, but in EVERYTHING, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” This verse doesn’t say in big things, “important” things, life or death things, but in everything present your requests to God. The Amplified Bible says, “In every circumstance.”

This is how we get to know our Father- through prayers, both big and small. I have prayed for big things- my husband’s job change, moving, having babies, financial concerns and sick parents. But, I also pray for little things. My children often remind me to pray at times when it wouldn’t even cross my mind. Their simple, childlike faith points me to the example God wants. Jesus said in Matthew 18:3, “Unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.”

Every day, God answers some kind of prayer, sometimes big and sometimes little, and I get to know my Father a little more. We are building relationships and I am developing trust for my Father. Over the past 5 years, I have had so many examples of God answering my “little” prayers. He has opened my eyes to lost keys and money. He’s been the best alarm clock, waking me up early. I have prayed that God would get me up at 5:30 AM, and my eyes have opened at that exact time.

WE are the children of the Most High God! He is delighted when we include him in every SECOND of our lives through prayer. 1Thessalonians 5:17 tells us to “pray without ceasing.” What does that mean? Does that mean we quit our jobs and join a monastery, not DOING any other activities all day except pray? Of course not! It does mean that we include God in everything, every moment of our day. Prayer is not just a before-bed activity or a ritual before I eat. I talk to God all day long about everything. He is the ever-present best friend that is always listening. I can ask Him His advice about which shoes look better. I ask for wisdom about disciplining a child. When I make my “to-do” list, I pray about it, asking God to prioritize my day. I sing love songs with the radio to Him throughout the day. I thank Him when He clears traffic from my path. I bask in His presence.

I’d like to share another example of answered prayer with you. I’ve already told you about my answered prayer with the birthday party dresses. This example centers around the birth of our 4th child, Aaron.

I tend to have very short deliveries with my babies. Our 2nd child, Ashley was born 50 minutes after we walked in the ER door. Aly, our 3rd baby, took a little longer- she was born 90 minutes after pulling into the hospital parking lot. Well, when I was close to Aaron’s due date- about 2 weeks away- my doctor and I started talking about my being induced early. You see, not only do I have quick labor and deliveries, but I also dilate early. So, I was dilated to 41/2cm, pregnant with my fourth child, had a history of quick deliveries, and this baby was already measuring about 8 lbs. The baby would continue to grow each day in the womb. My husband and I were worried about having a 10 lb baby on the bathroom floor at home.

I was feeling huge, suffering from varicose veins in places you do NOT want to have them, and was not sleeping at night. I thought being induced early sounded like a great idea! Our doctor scheduled to have the baby induced a few days later, 10 days before the due date. I felt relief and my husband was thankful to have it planned around his work schedule!

Then, I was overtaken by a spirit of fear. A very close, caring friend asked if I was sure I wanted to be induced. After all, the baby was 10 days early. Her simple question planted seeds of doubt. I started to question our decision. Were we “playing God?” Was I trying to take control of the situation? Was I only thinking of myself and my own discomfort, and not about the baby? What if the baby needed those extra days?

I became gripped with fear. I also strongly wanted to be walking in obedience to God’s will. By the 2nd night, the night before the scheduled induction, I could not sleep. I tossed and turned. I worried. I kept playing out several scenarios in my mind. Finally I got up. It was a little before 5:00 am, and it was just getting light outside. We were having very unseasonably warm weather. I felt like walking. Mornings are the time I love to walk and pray.

Before I went out, I cried out to the Lord for some reassurance and guidance of what I should do. I went to my Bible and asked God to speak to me, to help me. I opened my Bible, and this is what God gave to me, “Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul.”
Peace flooded my body and my spirit for I knew God was speaking to me. The morning, after such a terrible, restless night, was bringing me word of us unfailing love for me. I prayed, “God, I have put my trust in you. Please, Lord, show me the way I should go. What should I do this morning? Should I be induced, or should I wait for labor to happen ‘naturally’? I need a sign from you. I pray Lord that you will pour out your wisdom on to our doctor. I pray, Lord, that you will tell her what to do. I will voice my concerns to her, and I will let her ‘make the call.’ I trust you Lord and I love You and release this all to You.”

I felt so much better! Even though I didn’t have a clear yes/no answer about the scheduled induction, I knew God was directing my path. I knew He was working everything out “for the good.”

On the way to the hospital, I talked everything over with Brian, and he agreed we should let the doctor decide if the induction was the right choice. We were going to defer to her “expertise” as the professional. So, at 8:00 AM, I was at Mercy Hospital lying on the bed in the birth suite. I started to tell the doctor my fears as we were beginning the procedure of breaking my water. I wasn’t explaining what I was feeling very well. My doctor was examining me as we talked. I was nervous and my words sounded like I was just anxious about the procedure and the long, needle-like instrument. Before I knew it, she had broken my water. It happened so fast.

Well, I kept repeating the verse God had given to me that morning, and I reminded myself that I had released it to God, and had said I would put it in the doctor’s hands. God was in control.

By noon, regular contractions had started. By 1:00, Aaron Scott was born, weighing 9 POUNDS, 7 OUNCES! He was healthy and beautiful. Again, peace flooded my body. Immediately, my husband, Brian and I knew this had been God’s plan! Because my deliveries happen so quickly, there is not time for epiderals or pain killers. God knew that I could have not delivered a baby ON MY OWN, NATURALLY any bigger than 9 lbs., 7 oz. This was confirmed by the doctor the next morning when she came to examine me. We were able to talk about the delivery and how thankful we were that she had induced me early. She shared that she, too, had prayed, especially about inducing early, and that she had put it in God’s hands. She shared that she, too, doesn’t like to induce early unless necessary because she doesn’t want to “play God.”

God did answer my prayer! Not only did He answer my question about when Aaron should be born, but He controlled the circumstances. And, He reminded me of my prayer for wisdom for our doctor. The morning I walked, I had prayed for our doctor. What a blessing to know that my doctor went to the Lord in prayer and, that He answered her prayers. God gave me His word to help me through, His peace and His strength. God is so good!

I know lots of people would say that these are just nice little stories or coincidences. They would say God isn’t really working like this in my life. But I know that He is. I know that God leads me and guides me and gives me direction. I know He fills me with supernatural peace and patience. I know my faith is growing through prayer. I know that every time I surrender my will and my control and my “wisdom” to His, He honors it by drawing nearer to me. His Word says, “Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you.” God loves it when we give it all up to Him! The God who parted the Red Sea, who healed the sick, who fed the hungry, and calmed the storm, is the same God who wants to lavish His awesomeness and power upon us. He loves to show up and show off!

Questions

1. How have you approached prayer before now? Have you gone to God in prayer? What has the Holy Spirit spoken to your heart concerning prayer?





2. Take a few moments and write down a list of prayer concerns. Present them to God, asking Him for His help. Keep this list and update it as God answers your prayers.

A Gathering of "older" Women....

Wow! Deb has really challenged us today at the well. She asks some "tough" questions and leads us to reflect how we are doing "living out" Titus 2. She says, "Like many of you, I believe that Titus 2 is not just words in a Holy Book...it's the way I completely believe that God wants me to live my life. I believe that it's the guidelines that God, Himself, set for us to live as Biblical wives...so to ignore it would be..well, sin."

How are you doing as an older woman?

Do you live in a way that is appropriate for someone serving the Lord?

How is your speech, your attitude?

Are you producing the fruits of the Spirit in your life?

God always knows how to teach me....He reveals areas of sin to me then drives home the point with a Joyce Meyer episode or a devotion on the radio or a great teaching on the fruit of the spirit, like Deb gave today at the well.

I am doing GREAT being an "older woman" to my small group bible study women, to women in the audience of speaking engagements, to online bloggers....

But, I feel like I am MESSING UP at home....where it matters most! .....the ones I want to teach and inspire and train the MOST......I don't want my children to think Christianity is hypocritical (I have a 12 year old who is very "in tune" with this!) and I want to "win over my husband without words but by my behavior." (1Peter 3:1-2). Although Brian is a Christian, I want to encourage him to "go deeper" in Christ (like me??!!!??).

I feel like this past weekend, I lost my temper, yelled at my kids, said things that were not ENCOURAGING! I reacted to THEIR behavior not in the gentle spirit I so long for, but my fleshly spirit that is quick tempered and a tongue that is even quicker. I did not walk in the Spirit, depending on Him, turning to Him, relying on Him. I was lacking patience, gentleness, and self-control. And, I KNOW these things! "I know better."

She speaks with wisdom and faithful instruction is on her tongue. Proverbs 31:26

I will watch my ways and keep my tongue from sin. Proverbs 39:1

A wise man's heart guides his mouth and his lips promote instruction. Proverbs 16:23

Let no unwholesome talk come out of your mouth, only words that
are useful in building others up according to their needs. Ephesians 4:29

Be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry. James 1:19

Out of the overflow of the heart, the mouth speaks. Luke 6:45

Thankfully, I am forgiven by God and my sweet family forgives me as well!

As I prayed about this last night, I realized that I had let my spiritual "tank" get empty...like a gas tank, I had run out of "spiritual gas." So, when my kids acted in normal "kid" ways, I didn't have patience to teach, train, and instruct. Instead, "MONSTER MOM" reared her ugly head, with a biting tongue and absolutely NO PATIENCE.

And, how could my "tank" be empty? I had gone to a special prayer service Sat. night and we had an AWESOME service Sunday morning. You would think I would be FULL!

But, I have neglected to spend enough time in the past few days ONE on ONE with God. I hadn't filled my heart with Him to overflowing. I was drawing on Tracy strength....

Doesn't work!

I need His strength to be the kind of mom/wife I want to be and He wants me to be. So, I know today I MUST fill up on Him before I can give to others!

I need to listen to Him and slow down.

I need to sit awhile at His feet.

Please take a few minutes and visit the Gathering at the Well! Deb shares such an awesome teaching with us there this morning. And, you will see links to other women sharing in the conversation. Please join in the conversation as well! Ponder Deb's questions, write a post and link up at the well. Have a blessed day....full of the Living Water of the Well!

Been in a pit?

I wait patiently for the Lord;

He turned to me and heard my cry.

He lifted me out of the slimy pit,

out of the mud and mire;

He set my foot on a rock and gave me a
firm place to stand.

Psalm 40:1

Cafe Chat....with an HONEST friend!

I love the topic that Kim has chatting about today! It is about AUTHENTIC friendships, and boy do we need them as Christians! We need friends who will be honest with us and help keep us accountable.

Proverbs 27:6

Wounds from a sincere friend are better than many kisses from an enemy.

Kim says, "So today, I ask you to share a time when a friend may have wounded you by speaking hard words to you, and even though you were hurt you realized it was the best and most loving thing he/she could have done. (If you can share the specifics that would be great, but if not feel free to use generalities). "

I have one friend, Donna (my spiritual "mama") who will ALWAYS be honest with me! I call her because I WANT a friend to be honest. I have many friends that I could call when I want to whine and hear them say, "Poor Tracy." But not Donna.... She will tell me I need to apologize to Brian. She will tell me that I can't wallow in self-pity. She knows the Word and doesn't "tickle my ears", telling me what I would LIKE to hear! We need to be AUTHENTIC in friendships. I wrote about authenticity here and here. I wrote about Donna here.

What I would like to chat about though, is a time when God called ME to tell something to a friend that I didn't want to! I am not a person who easily tells people when they are doing something wrong (except for my hubby- OOPS! That would be another post!). I don't like conflict. Don't like debate. Don't like to argue. I certainly don't feel comfortable bringing up something UNCOMFORTABLE!

But sometimes God calls us to do just this! With Donna, we have an open agreement to tell each other these things. And usually, I am coming TO HER, asking her to help me through it. For instance, I already know that my heart is being selfish....I need to talk through it/pray about it. But, there are times God will call us to confront our sisters (or brothers) in Christ, "wounding them with sincere words." (Proverbs verse). Also see 1Corinthians 4 and 5.

I have a friend who had a baby out of wedlock and lives off/on with her boyfriend. We are close and she is a Christian. Right after she had her baby, God began laying on my heart to talk to her. I knew she knew that she was living in a sinful relationship. It was becoming hard to be around her because we weren't talking about it. It was like "the elephant in the room." It was like were just ignoring the obvious.

So, God, being relentless, not letting me stick my head in the sand, make sure I had NO PEACE until I "dealt with it."

So, after much PRAYER, I invited my friend over for lunch. Through tears, I shared with her how God laid this on my heart. I shared that God wanted so much more for her....how living together wasn't God's plan. We talked about sin. All these things she already "knew". We both CRIED and CRIED. I talked to her IN LOVE.

And, it made our friendship even stronger! She knew I cared about her enough to do something hard, even risking our friendship, for her greater good. I truly cared about HER. She knows that I will talk straight with her. There is no longer an uncomfortable "elephant in the room."

Please visit the Cafe to chat about friendships and loving our friends enough to be honest with them!

A MakeOver of the Heart Bible Study

Welcome back to our Bible Study!

I want to again thank all of you who are participating and leaving such amazing, authentic, and honest comments. My prayer is that God does a complete transformation in your heart. I pray that He heals hidden wounds, sets you free in all areas, brings conviction in any areas that need it, and that He draws you near, filling you with all grace in complete abundance.

I had a couple of ladies ask how to comment. Simply click on "# of thoughts shared" that appears under the post. A new window will open. Type your comment and click on publish your comment. Make sure you choose your identity- meaning you type in your username info. or anonymous. If you would like me/other participants to comment back, make sure to write your email within your comment. It is NOT IM.....sorry!

Today's lesson is very LONG.... If you need to take a few days to complete, that's fine! Comment on what you can do today, take a few days to finish reading/pondering/praying and feel free to come back and recomment. I am praying for all you!



Paul says in Romans 12, “(Sisters), in view of God’s mercy, offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God. This is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” We are to “put off our old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires, to be made new in the attitude of your minds, and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.” Paul tells us to set our hearts and minds on things above, not on things of this world. He says in Colossians 3 to “rid ourselves of anger, rage, malice, slander, filthy language, and lying”. He again says to “take off the old self with its practices and put on a new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator.”

Beloved, God has chosen you to be His daughter, His bride. It is not an accident or coincidence that you are reading this study. God has called you by name. He has placed this desire in your heart to know Him better. He has whispered in your ear. He wants to bring you out of a life of mediocrity and “make your righteousness shine like the dawn!” He doesn’t want you to sit on the fence. He wants you to commit to Him.

The world tells us that it is OK to be lukewarm in our faith. The world tells us that there are lots of “grey issues” within morality, society, and Christianity. The world says there are lots of things, even within the Word that are neither black nor white, neither right nor wrong. Society will tell us that we are changing and evolving and the Bible is no longer relevant.

But the Bible says in Joshua 24:14-15, “Now fear the Lord and serve him with all faithfulness. Throw away your gods your forefathers worshipped and serve the Lord. But, if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve. But, as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord!” We need to choose WHAT we will believe. Will we believe His Truth, which tells us that it is eternal? Will we believe when the Word tells us that God is unchanging, the same yesterday, today, and forever? Will we OBEY the Word, looking at it as God’s Law instead of just a nice set of suggestions?

In Revelation, Jesus 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 cold nor hot- I am about to spit you out of my mouth.”

The Lord wants our passion! And, He wants us to be passionate about Him! He wants us to stand up and stand for something. I heard a speaker say, “If you don’t stand for something, you’ll fall for anything!” God doesn’t want us to be wishy-washy about our faith. We need to choose. Don’t let the world, or the media or your neighbors tell you how you should think, or where you should stand on issues. When you need to make a choice, simply ask, “Is this for God or against Him? Does this give God glory? Would this make God smile, or would this make God sad?” There is no gray area- only black or white. Each choice either gives God glory, or it doesn’t.

When we start to make excuses for our choices, rationalize our behavior, reason things away, or justify our sins, it is because we really want to do it. We may say things like, “Maybe this isn’t so bad. Does God really care about this? But, it seems okay. All of my friends are doing it! I’ve been through so much.” These are the things you really want to do, but you don’t want God to tell you no. James says, “When tempted, no one should say, ‘God is tempting me.’ For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed." It is our own desires that tempt us.

But, take heart! The Spirit will help us and tell us “no” to sin. But, we need to cooperate with Him and fight back our own fleshly desires and sinful nature.

Sometimes our minds know what we want to do is wrong, but our hearts desire to do it anyway. Paul says in Romans 7:18, “For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. For what I do is not the good I want to do; no, the evil I do not want to do- this I keep on doing.” It is only the power of the Holy Spirit that can break the enticement. Paul continues, “Who will rescue me from this body of death? Thanks be to God- through Jesus Christ our Lord!” In the book, “The Lies Women Believe and the Truth That Sets Them Free,” Nancy DeMoss says, “Every time we choose to give into the flesh, rather than yielding to the Spirit of God, we allow sin to gain mastery over us. On the other hand, every time we say yes to the Spirit, we give Him greater control of our lives.”

Our battles are not new or unusual. We are not the only ones battling these temptations. The enemy would like for us to believe that we are weak and alone in our battle. Paul also struggled with sin at times, telling us, “No temptation has seized you except what is common to man.” In fact, even Jesus can identify with our temptation. As a man, he too was tempted, but sinless. Hebrews tells us, “we have a high priest (Jesus) who is able to sympathize with our weaknesses, tempted in every way; just as we are- yet was without sin.” God does sympathize, but doesn’t allow us to get stuck there. Corinthians tells us, “And God is faithful; He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, He will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it." Paul learned that he must rely on the Holy Spirit to help him overcome, and so must we.

When you are confused and are not sure about your choices, go to God’s Word. When it seems possible to rationalize and reason away your ungodly choices, go back to the Bible. You need to fill your heart and mind with God’s Word so that you can discern what is right and true. The world, the media, and even your friends can confuse you with ideas different from God’s Word. You may think you are “tolerant” or “politically correct,” but are you biblically correct? The world’s “wisdom” may seem right or true, making you second guess God’s Word. The Bible says, “This is what we speak, not in words taught to us by human wisdom, but in words taught by the Spirit, expressing spiritual truths in spiritual words.” Paul warns us in Corinthians that God’s wisdom is foolishness to the world and the world’s “wisdom” is foolishness to God. Furthermore, Isaiah 55:89 tells us, “God’s ways are not our ways.” Finally, Paul shares words of wisdom when discerning our life choices, “Flee the evil desires of youth, and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.”

As “salt and light,” our lives, how we live them, the choices we make, the focus we have, either glorify God or they don’t. We can live surrendered to the Lord, allowing Him to work in us and through us, or we can choose to live for the world. We must have a fervent passion about serving and loving our God because WE ARE A CHOOSEN PEOPLE BELONGING TO GOD! Peter says, “You are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God- His very own possession. This is so you can show others the goodness of God, for He called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light.” We have this incredible opportunity to shine God’s light to the world around us- our friends, family, neighbors, coworkers, and acquaintances.

And then, as a chosen people, we have a RESPONSIBILITY. The Bible says in Colossians 3 “therefore as a chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourself with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And, over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all in perfect unity.”

We need to be awesome role models of strong, empowered Christian women! The world’s view of the Christian woman can best be illustrated by Saturday Night Live’s “Church Lady,” an ugly looking and ugly acting, judgmental, hypocrite. That is NOT how I want to be seen, and it is not how I want my daughters to be seen in the generation to come. This is not what a Christian woman looks like. We have a beauty that is ours alone as Christian women, a beauty that can not be replicated by any cosmetics manufacturer. A beauty that comes from a “gentle and quiet spirit” walking in relationship with God.

BUT, Christian women MUST look different than the rest of the world. Peter tells us to live as “aliens and strangers in the world.” Another translation says we are to be a “peculiar” people. We are set apart from the world. He goes on to say, “Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day He visits.” Our choices and lifestyles need to reflect the King, not the world. We are Christ’s ambassadors and representatives, and we should reflect His beauty and grace and light. I want the light of Jesus shining so brightly in me that everyone around stops and says, “I want what SHE has!” I want to “spread the fragrance of the knowledge of Him.” (2Corinthians 2:14) I want my life to point the next generation to the Lord!

God wants our faith to be backed up by deeds. James tells us that faith without deeds is dead. Our lives need to reflect our faith. We need to LIVE OUT OUR LIVES THROUGH FAITH. Rick Warren says, “True friendship (with God) isn’t passive, it acts. When Jesus asks us to love others, help the needy, share our resources, keep our lives clean, offer forgiveness, and bring others to him, love motivates us to OBEY immediately.” He goes on to say, “We are often challenged to do great things for God. Actually, God is more pleased when we do small things for Him out of loving obedience. They may go unnoticed by others, but God notices them and considers them acts of worship.” And I love what he says next, “Great opportunities may come once in a lifetime, but small opportunities surround us every day. Even through such simple acts as telling the truth, being kind, and encouraging others, we bring a smile to God’s face. God TREASURES simple acts of obedience.”

You may be thinking, “If I am supposed to be an enemy to the world, how can I show the world the love of Christ?” This has been the dilemma of our generation. But, sometimes, we swing to the other side. We have been so loving, so tolerant, so accepting of people, we have developed a fear of offending anyone. We have become desensitized to sin and have developed a tolerance for it. Look to Jesus as your perfect example. Jesus loved the sinner, but hated the sin. After healing the man at the pool, Jesus tells him, “See, you are well again. Stop sinning or something worse may happen to you.” (John 5:14) Of course, one of the best examples of this is the story of the woman caught in the act of adultery in John 8. The Pharisees brought this woman to Jesus for judgement. She was obviously guilty, caught in the very act. The Pharisees brought her to Jesus, demanding the consequences of the law, which would be to stone her to death. Jesus draws a line in the sand and says, “If any of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone at her.” Of course, none are without sin, so none can condemn her. Only Jesus is without sin. Does He stone her, following the laws and consequences of Moses? No! He offers her forgiveness. He wipes her slate clean. Jesus says, “Neither do I condemn you.”

This is where so many of us fail to “get it.” Jesus is concerned for our best interest. He is not like the cruel teacher, watching and waiting for you to make a mistake so that He can say “Aha! I caught you! You lose!” Jesus already knows our mistakes. He already knows our hearts. He is waiting to give us absolution of our sins. Often, we want to hide from God when we have made mistakes. Do you remember Adam and Eve in the garden? Their first response was to hide in shame. But when we are broken, humiliated, defenseless, and guilty, God wants us to come to Him, not hide from Him. He then looks at us and says, “Woman, where are your accusers? Has no one condemned you? Then, neither do I condemn you.”

But, Beloved, the story does not end there. Do not miss the most important verse of the passage. Jesus tells the woman, “Go now and leave your life of sin.” Go, and sin no more. Jesus tells us to leave our lives of sin. He tells us not to be in bondage to sin. Galatians 5:1 says, “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.” And, then, Jesus tells us HOW in John 8:12. He says, “I am the Light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” When we follow Jesus, He empowers us to “Go, and sin no more.”


Questions

Are there any areas of bondage to sin you are dealing with? How, according to the Bible, do we overcome these areas of bondage?



What is the Holy Spirit teaching you about holiness, being set apart, and walking as a “chosen people”?



Prayer
Father God, we praise You! We thank You for Your loving kindness, forgiveness, and mercy. We thank You for Your wisdom. Your Word says that the “wisdom that comes from Heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.” We pray for Your wisdom, Lord. The Bible also says that You give Your wisdom to anyone who asks, and that You give it generously.” Give us a holy wisdom, not of the world. Reader, “May the God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul, and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. I pray that “your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless. May the Lord strengthen your heart so that you will be blameless and holy in the presence our God and Father when our Lord Jesus comes with all His holy ones.” Help us dear Father to stand firm and stand for You. Help us to live a life worthy of You. Break any chains of bondage to sin and help us live a life free from sin. Help us, Lord, to keep our eyes on You. Help us to not “lean on our own understanding (or the world’s), but to trust in You so that You may make our paths straight.” Help us, Lord, to go and sin no more. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

I’d love to share a story of a woman with you who committed her way to the Lord and the Lord made her righteousness shine like the dawn. She is a woman loved and respected for centuries – Mary, mother of Jesus. Dee Brestin says, “Mary, the mother of Jesus, was honored above all women.” Mary was completely obedient, totally surrendering to God. She surrendered her will and her life for the Will of the Father. She offered herself to God.

Can you imagine? Here she was a humble, young woman, not a queen or a person of power, but a simple young girl chosen by God to be the mother of Jesus! She was a virgin, not yet even married, but betrothed to Joseph when God asked her to surrender herself to His will. She loved the Lord and doesn’t hesitate to be his servant. You can tell she had been already walking with the Lord and that she had a loving relationship with him. Listen to how Gabriel, the angel, greets her, “Greetings, favored woman.” Then the angel says, “God has decided to bless you. You will become pregnant and have a son and he will be called Jesus, the Son of God!”

Does Mary even hesitate in her response? Does she argue with God, complain or start worrying? Does she say, “What will Joseph think? Our lives will be ruined.” Does she say, “Joseph won’t believe me or stand by me. What will my family say? My neighbors?” Remember, she and Joseph are not married yet. Mary could be stoned for being pregnant and not married. She is going to have to explain to Joseph that she is with child. Remember, she is a virgin. Obviously, she may have feared his reaction. She may have wondered how she would explain her pregnancy. How will Joseph feel? If he believes her, will he accept giving up the privilege of fathering Mary’s firstborn child? God is telling Mary that HE will be the father of her baby, not Joseph.

How does Mary react, what does she say? Does she start arguing with Gabriel, listing all of these very valid excuses of why she can not be obedient to God? In Luke 1:38, Mary says, “I am the Lord’s servant and I am willing to accept whatever he wants. May everything you have said come true.” Wow! What a statement of faith! She doesn’t even hesitate in her obedience. Even though Mary knows she could be shamed by her family and her community, her reaction is immediate. She doesn’t tell the angel that she needs a few days to think it over. Luci Shaw says, “she staked shame against the will of God.” Mary was passionately obedient, completely abandoned to God and His will and purpose for her. She says, “I am willing to accept WHATEVER God wants. May everything you have said come true!”

Can you say the same? When God asks you to take a risk in your life, do you answer so faithfully, so completely committed to his will? When His will is not popular with today’s culture, and you risk your standing in society- your standing with your co-workers, your group of friends, with the other carpool moms- are you so willing to be the Lord’s servant? Are you willing to stake shame against the will of God?

Mary travels to visit her cousin Elizabeth right after the angel’s visit. Is she starting to regret her decision? Is she second -guessing God? Is she starting to worry about what is going to happen to her? No. When Mary sees Elizabeth, she sings, “Oh how I praise the Lord. How I rejoice in God my Savior! For he took notice of his lowly servant girl, and now generation after generation will call me blessed. For he, the Mighty One is holy and He has done great things for me.” And do generations call Mary blessed? Oh, yes! Did God make her righteousness shine like the dawn? Oh, yes! And will the same be true for you, if you commit your way to the Lord? Oh, yes!

But, how do you do this? How do you commit your way to the Lord and His will for you exactly? How do you even figure out WHAT God’s will is for your life?

What is God’s will?

Remember the words of Jesus in Mark 12 29-31. “The most important command is this- Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength. Then, love your neighbor as yourself.” When you love God more than yourself, more than your desires and ambitions, you are following this command! When you put others’ needs before your own, you are being obedient to God’s will. When you choose God, when you become passionate for the Lord, when you commit yourself to Him, He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn, your cause like the noonday sun.


Questions
Even though there is no “magic formula” or 12-step program in committing yourself to God, I have found a process which has been helpful to me.
SURRENDER- surrender your will, heart, situation over to God.

In the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus asked the Father if there was another way other than
the cross. But, He then said, “But not as I will, but as You will.” We must have this
same heart attitude of not my will, God, but Yours.
Write a prayer surrendering your heart to God.

ASK- “God, are you pleased with this choice? Is ______ pleasing to You?

If you are unsure if a choice or decision is pleasing to God, ASK Him! Go to prayer and ask for His guidance. Go to His Word to see what He says. If you are asking if you should have an affair, then you don’t need to even prayer about it! He tells you in His Word that this is offensive to Him and a sin. Familiarize yourself with His Word. Find a Godly accountability partner who will honestly help you search God’s Truth.


OBEY- Actually follow-through!

It doesn’t make much difference if you are aware of Godly/ungodly choices, but don’t act
upon it. James says, “Faith without deeds is dead.” We need to ACT upon our belief.
Receive God’ forgiveness when you make mistakes. Remember, God is not looking for
PERFECTION. He is looking at your heart. “A broken and contrite heart, O God, You
will not despise.”

Prayer
Father God, all praise and honor and glory to You! You are such an amazing God. We love You and trust You. Lord, help us flee the evil desires of youth, and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart." Help us, God to commit our ways to You. Help us to live our lives for You. “Let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith.” Please, God help us to have a completely obedient heart as Mary did. Help us to say without hesitation, “I am the Lord’s servant and I am willing to accept whatever He wants. Help us God to be a light shining in the darkness for You. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen