Did God Forget My Personal Force Field?

Sometimes I sit and wonder if  my standard issue personal force field, that comes with salvation,  needs to be sent back up for repair.  Or worse yet, the angels neglected to give me one.  How is your personal force field working?  Does it need a tune up?

Of course, there is no standard issue personal force field that comes with salvation.  I will admit when I first found Christ, I truly believed that somehow trials would cease to exist.  As I matured I realized that quite simply life goes on as usual.  The sun still goes up and comes down, my bills are still delivered, illness still occurs, and my car still gets a flat, even in the face of my secure eternal soul.  What is not the “usual” is my heart, my joy, and my security in Christ.   My surroundings may still be of old but my mind is renewed.

And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. Romans 12:2

An obstacle for many Christians is the concept of suffering after accepting Christ.  This is not confined to the newly saved but often occurs in even the most mature Christian.  Intellectually, we know that we will not be without trials in our lives.  However, when the most heartbreaking of trials knocks on a Christian’s door feelings of disappointment or anger toward God are common.  We wonder how a loving God who promises blessings and joy can allow such heartbreak to enter our lives.  Trials do not mean that God loves us less nor that we should loose joy in the hope that is Christ.  Suffering is not only unavoidable in this sinful world  but to be expected.

Beloved, do not be surprised as the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you. 1Peter 4:12

Be encouraged that God did provide a personal force field…the blood of Christ.  This force field allows trials to shape you and bring glory to God’s name and mercifully never allows anything you cannot handle.

I am reminded of a song by Natalie Grant called Held.

Who told us we’d be rescued?
What has changed and why should we be saved from nightmares?
We’re asking why this happens
to us who have died to live,
it’s unfair.

Chorus:
This is what it means to be held.
How it feels when the sacred is torn from your life
and you survive.
This is what it is to be loved,
and to know that the promise was
when everything fell we’d be held.

This hand is bitterness.
We want to taste it, let the hatred know our sorrows.
The wise hands opens slowly to lilies of the valley and tomorrow.

Allow the Lord to hold you during trials instead of expending energy being angry or disappointed.  God has not forgotten His promises to you and He will not abandon you but show you His love more vividly during trying times.

Copyright © Richele McFarlin, Moms of Faith, All Rights Reserved

Narrow is the Path…Few Find It

Something to chew on…

Enter through the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and spacious and broad is the way that leads away to destruction, and many are those who are entering through it.

But the gate is narrow (contracted by pressure) and the way is straitened and compressed that leads away to life, and few are those who find it.

Beware of false prophets, who come to you dressed as sheep, but inside they are devouring wolves.

You will fully recognize them by their fruits. Do people pick grapes from thorns, or figs from thistles?

Even so, every healthy (sound) tree bears good fruit [worthy of admiration], but the sickly (decaying, worthless) tree bears bad (worthless) fruit.

A good (healthy) tree cannot bear bad (worthless) fruit, nor can a bad (diseased) tree bear excellent fruit [worthy of admiration].

Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and cast into the fire.

Therefore, you will fully know them by their fruits. ~ Matthew 7:13-20

This is a very interesting statement that Jesus made. The word gate comes from the Greek word pules and means; a door, gate, large door or entrance of a large city. To be distinguished from (thura), a common door.

This tells me that there are two places these gates take us…Heaven and hell.

The scary part of this is the “few” part. There are MANY people who “claim” to be Christians, yet their lives do not show it. We should be certain that we are on the right path. Our flesh will always try to lead us back to the easier (broad) path. Our Daddy in Heaven did not leave us to figure this out on our own. Jesus clearly tells us in these Scriptures HOW to know if someone is walking down the right path.

Knowing that it is by their fruit that we will be able to discern makes it quite much easier to know WHO we should be listening to and allowing to speak into our lives.

Questions to Consider:

It is VITAL to your spiritual health to pay close attention to WHOM you let speak into your life. You cannot just listen to every person that claims to be a Christian…or who feeds your fleshly tendencies.

Do they walk in the Spirit or Flesh? A person who is walking in the spirit will be growing. A person who is walking in the spirit will be very uncomfortable listening to music or watching things that glorify sin and the flesh.

They will be convicted when they say or do something that was an act of their flesh. God corrects those that are His…just like a good parent should.

Does there talk line up with the Word? This requires YOU to read the Word. You can not take another persons word for it…no matter WHAT position they hold.

Anyone can quote Scriptures and throw out a believable interpretation. The devil himself used God’s own Word against Jesus when he tried to tempt him!

We need to be VERY careful…VERY alert…and Pray about everything!

Do they walk the walk? They should be living the Christian life in public AND in private. This will be hard to know unless you are close to this person.

Another thing you should ALWAYS do is PRAY! Ask Daddy. Wait. He WILL reveal His Truth to you. It may not always be easy to hear…and you may have to walk away from a friendship or place, but you will be OK. God will help you through it and you will grow from the experience.

Consider this

It is NOT easy to walk the narrow road. It can be lonely and scary. However, no matter how hard it is, we know that pearly gates, streets of gold, and a loving God lay at the end of the narrow road.

We know that when we fail, we can get up, dust off, and get right back on that road with the help of our Daddy God. We must be WILLING and ALWAYS alert!

Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. ~ 1Peter 5:8

Am I saying we should not love those that are in error? Absolutely NOT! However, we can NOT allow them to influence US. We need to be a light to THEM…and you should pray for them. You should NOT become involved with them to the point where they begin to cause you confusion or to slip.

The Broad Road

This road leads to sin, sadness, separation from God, and ultimately hell. A horrible and extremely wicked and unhappy place. Unfortunately, when we are on the broad path we don’t see it that way. It’s easy and fun. It’s all about the flesh and self.

Even Christian’s can be lead astray onto the broad path. If you see yourself making compromises, sinning in a particular area frequently, and adapting yourself to this world and it’s ways, you way want to step back, do a spiritual inventory, confess to the Lord, turn from the sin, and find your way back to the narrow path. On it you will make harder choices, but your ending will be MUCH better!

How do we get ourselves on the narrow path?

If you are saved, it’s about choices. Who do you serve? Who do you want to represent? Who do you really love? Once you decide that Jesus is the ONLY path you want to take, turn from your sin (2 Chronicles 7:14), repent (1 John 1:9), and get back on track.

Life on the narrow path takes guts and courage. You may not “think” you have what it takes, but you do. I know you do. I know, because, God doesn’t make junk and He doesn’t make mistakes!

If you are un-saved (have never really accepted Jesus) or you have backslidden and want to rededicate your life to Jesus, then say the following prayer;

Father God, I come to you in the name of Jesus. I acknowledge to You that I am a sinner, and I am sorry for my sins and the life that I have lived; I need your forgiveness.

I believe that your only Son Jesus Christ shed His precious and innocent blood on the cross and died for my sins, and I am now willing to turn from my sin.

You said in Romans 10:9, that if we confess the Lord our God and believe in our hearts that He raised Jesus from the dead, we shall be saved.

Right now I confess Jesus as my Savior and Lord of my life. With all my heart, I believe that You raised Jesus from the dead. Right now, I accept Jesus Christ as my own personal Savior and according to Your Word, right now I am saved.

Thank you Jesus for your unlimited grace which has saved me from my sins. I thank you Jesus for dying for me and loving me. I ask that you help me to transform my life so that I may bring glory and honor to You alone, and not to myself.

Thank you, In Jesus Name, Amen.

For those who are already saved, make sure that your life is being lived for the One Who gave His Life for you! Walk the narrow road and STAY on it!

Let’s Pray,

Daddy God, Thank You for Your Word. Thank You for choosing me to be Your very Own. Thank You for showing me in Your Word how I can live a life that shines for You. Thank You for teaching me in Your Word how to KNOW the Truth and what to look for. Help me to walk the narrow road and live my life to please You and not my flesh, woman, or man. Help me to be a shining example of Your great love and mercy. And, Lord, when I begin to stray from the narrow path, please pull me back and remind me that I belong with You. Thank You! In Jesus Mighty Name, Amen.

Your Homework:

Do some spiritual inventory.

- Who are you listening to or hanging around? Should you be?
- Who influences you?
- Do you walk in the flesh or spirit?
- Are you reading the Word on a regular basis?
- Do you pray daily?
- Do you watch or listen to things you KNOW deep down do not please the Lord? This is a SERIOUS thing…Faith comes by hearing…think about the flip side of that.
- Pray and ask God to reveal to you where you are lacking, what friendships you need to let go of, and to guide you towards HIS path for you.

Be Blessed on the Narrow Path!

Copyright © Lara Velez, Moms of Faith, All Rights Reserved

An Honest Wife – part two

<– Click Here for Part One

Your assignment for part one of “An Honest Wife,” was to examine yourself. I hope everyone took the time to think about how honest they really are. Also, I hope you read Ephesians 4:22-25…it is a very important part of our study.

Now, onto part two…

A common reason that many of us lie is SELF protection. We like to make the excuse that we are saving someone else from hurt…but really we are being selfish and just want to protect ourselves from embarrassment…or making someone mad.

Let me share another fictional example, so we can have a clearer vision of what I am trying to explain.

Lynette

Lynette has a friend named Sandra. One afternoon Lynette and Sandra went shopping together. While they were trying on some outfits, Sandra asked Lynette how a particular dress looked on her.

Lynette thinks, “YUCK!”

Lynette says, “That looks really nice on you.”

Why did Lynette lie?

No, it was not to protect Sandra. Lynette was protecting herself. She didn’t want to be honest. She did not want to make herself look bad. She did not want to seem “un Christian.”

The Word says in Ephesians 4:15 - Rather, let our lives lovingly express truth [in all things, speaking truly, living truly]. Enfolded in love, let us grow up in every way and in all things into Him Who is the Head, that is Christ.

Why is it that we just can’t be honest?

I believe that we can be truthful, and do it in love.

Lynette ”thought” yuck. She does not have to “say” yuck to be honest. That is brutal honesty. Brutal honesty is not what God wants from His children. This Scripture clearly tells us to be lovingly honest. Lynette could have said, “Actually, I really do not think that dress flatters you at all. Why don’t you try on the red one you had earlier?” Now, that would have been an HONEST answer without being hurtful.

Then, if Sandra got offended it is her issue. We cannot lie to please people. Our concern needs to be with pleasing the Lord and obeying His Word.

We lie about big things, small things, for no reason at all, to protect ourselves, to get our own way, to get out of things, we lie to our friends, family, children, ourselves, and our husbands…We just lie…lie…lie…

So, is it ever OK to lie?

The answer to this question depends on who you want to listen to…

Jesus tells us in John 8:44 - You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desire. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.

And in John 14:6 - Jesus said to him, I am the Way and the Truth and the Life…

When we lie, we are in agreement with the devil. Yep, that’s right we are partying with the father of lies himself.

When we tell the truth…in love, we are in agreement with Jesus, the Truth.

Now, reflect on this question…

Who do you want to be in agreement with?

Let’s pray,

Daddy God, thank You for Your Word of Truth. I ask that You remove all lies from my mouth. Fill my mouth only with Your Truth. Help me to only speak the truth in love. Help me to shut my mouth rather than lie. Help me to be honest in all situations…even the most uncomfortable ones. Forgive me for lies that I have told to my husband and to others. Forgive me, Lord. I am truly sorry for standing in agreement with the father of lies. I renounce him and his ways in Jesus Name! I now stand in full agreement with the Truth. I ask that you give me strength to shine in honesty for You as a wife and Mother. In Jesus Mighty Name, Amen.

Your Homework:

Pray and ask God to reveal to you where you are weak and more likely to tell a lie. Confess. Repent. Turn from it and be a truth teller. Do not allow yourself to fall into the trap of believing it is ever OK to lie. Just tell the truth and you will be obedient to your Daddy God, rather than in agreement with the father of lies.

Read and study the following Scriptures this week.

• Proverbs 6:16-21 (look where a lying tongue comes between)
• Philippians 4:8
• Psalm 58:3
• And…if you did not do last week’s reading assignment, it’s never too late

Copyright © Lara Velez, Moms of Faith, All Rights Reserved

An Honest Wife – part one

Honesty in marriage is a topic that is not widely covered, yet it is a foundational part of a healthy marriage. I would like you to ask yourself the following questions…

• Am I an honest woman?
• Do I always tell the truth?
• Is it ever OK to lie?

Most of us will probably answer yes to the first and last question. It is interesting to me that we consider ourselves honest people…yet we lie. Oh, yes, we do lie.

Let me give you a few examples of how we lie…

Note: These are not actual people…just examples

Michelle

Michelle is married to Bryan. Michelle and Bryan are on a tight budget. They are trying desperately to get out of debt. They have many arguments about finances. Most of them are about Michelle’s spending habits. Michelle loves to spend money. Especially when her and Bryan fight.

One evening they got into a rather heated argument about her spending. She went to bed quite angry and hurt. Bryan wasn’t very nice with his words. He spoke to her in anger.  The next morning, Michelle decided that she needed a new dress to make her feel better. She found a pretty pale yellow one on sale. She bought it. When she got home she hid it in the back of her closet…

A few weeks later, Michelle and Bryan had a business dinner to attend. She decided to wear the yellow dress. Bryan didn’t recognize the dress. He asked her where she got it. Michelle said that she didn’t remember. She’s had it for years. Then she puts it out of her mind and finishes getting ready…

Katherine

Katherine is married to Joe. Joe recently got a promotion at work, and is working long hours. He is burnt out at the end of the day. So, he asks Katherine to handle the finances until his schedule gets better.

Katherine is all excited and thinks this is a wonderful idea. She was never happy with the small allowance that Joe gave her each week. So, she decided to redo the budget to suit her materialistic needs.

She spent and charged and spent and charged some more. It got so bad that she was unable to make all her payments on time.

Unfortunately, she chose NOT to go to Joe with this. She continued to keep him in the dark. After all, she wasn’t actually “lying.” He never “asked” her about the money. She felt confident that keeping this from him was best for their marriage.

All seemed to be going well, until…the electricity was turned off. When Joe came home from work, she STILL did not take responsibility. She lied. She told him there was an outage. ACK! What a mess Katherine has gotten herself in!

Margie

Margie is married to Tom. Margie has a friend named Leann. Leann can be extremely irritating. Margie does not like spending time with her…but she knows it’s the good “Christian” thing to do. So, she accepts an invitation for a couple’s night out on Friday evening. Her and Tom almost never go out…

On Wednesday, Margie runs into Lisa. She hasn’t seen Lisa in ages…They spend a bit of time catching up, and then Lisa suggests that Margie and Tom come over for dinner on Friday night. Margie just loves Lisa. She would much rather spend her time with Lisa than Leann. She accepts.

Margie spends the rest of the afternoon trying to come up with a good “excuse” for canceling with Leann. Finally, she decides to tell her that Tom has to work late. She hangs up and Leann leaves her mind. Friday comes and she has a wonderful evening with Lisa. She never even feels guilty. She simply justifies her lies and moves on.

Most of us may be familiar with at least one…if not all of these scenarios…and many others I am certain. If not, we DO have other issues, like pride and denial, that cannot be covered in this lesson! LOL!

Unfortunately, the Church does not always stand for truth. We have become desensitized. We look just like the world in many respects. We forget that we are aliens. We forget that we are supposed to stand for Truth. We forget that when we lie, we are submitting to the father of lies, the devil.

Click Here for Part Two

Let’s pray,

Daddy God, show me where I have been dishonest with my husband, others, and myself. Help me to be the honest wife and woman that you desire me to be. Help me to recognize when I am being less than truthful. Help me to really examine my attitude towards lying this week. I want to please You, Lord. Show me where I am lacking in Truth. Show me where I am deceiving myself. Thank You. Thank you for Your Love. Thank You for Your Truth. In Jesus Mighty Name, Amen.

Your Homework:

Is it ever OK to lie?

Your assignment for this lesson, is to examine yourself. Think about how truthful you are. Think about how often you lie. Even those ones considered “little white lies.” A lie is a lie. I want you to do a self-check up.

Also, read Ephesians 4:22-25…then, next week, we will answer that question.

After you have spent a day or so doing the above, go on and read part two of this study.

Copyright © Lara Velez, Moms of Faith, All Rights Reserved

Overlooking Offenses is for YOUR Benefit

Good sense makes a man restrain his anger, and it is his glory to overlook a transgression or an offense. - Proverbs 19:11

We have visited the topic of anger MANY times here at Moms of Faith. However, this part of anger is a little different. This is a vengeful type anger. An unforgiving anger. An anger that requires someone to pay. This type of anger is sin.

Let’s break our base Scripture down and dig into the meat of God’s Word…

“Good sense makes a man restrain his anger,”

In the original Hebrew “good sense” actually comes from sekel and means wisdom. So when we restrain our anger we are manifesting wisdom in our lives.

Let’s look closely into what exactly “overlook” and “restrain” mean…

I looked them both up in the dictionary and found the following:

Overlook is to fail to notice or consider. To excuse or pardon.

In the thesaurus I found; ignore, disregard, excuse, forgive and shrug off.

Restrain is to hold back from action. To limit or hamper the activity, growth or effect of — to bind back.

In the thesaurus I found; keep under control, gag, muzzle, prevent, stop, shackle, and handicap.

This is very enlightening to me. Think about all that we have done. Think about the sin that we all commit every day. Yet, our loving and merciful God puts mercy into practice every day. He chooses to see the Blood of Jesus and chooses to pardon our mistakes. We serve a Holy God and I am certain that this world offends His holiness every moment of every day…yet…He holds back His anger on mankind.

What exactly IS offense?

An offense is a violation or breaking of social or moral rule; transgression; sin. It is something that offends or displeases.

When I looked up offense in the thesaurus I found words like; insult, disrespect, rudeness, harm, abuse, embarrass, and humiliate.

I find this profound. Think about how many people in your life have insulted you, been rude to you, abused and humiliated you. Seriously, if we thought about it, we would find that someone does something just about every day that displeases us and opens the door for offense to be taken, and bitterness to plant itself in our hearts.

Now, flip it around and think about how you and I fail EVERY day in some area or another. We sin EVERY day. We need to repent for something EVERY day.

What does God choose to do?

He sent His Beloved Son to take our place and suffer for all of our decay so that He can look BEYOND our transgressions.

Who do we think we are to judge another man for His sin when WE sin. Who are we to hold onto an offense when we have been pardoned?

Let’s see just how serious God is on the subject of offense and mercy…

For just as you judge and criticize and condemn others, you will be judged and criticized and condemned, and in accordance with the measure you use to deal out to others, it will be dealt out again to you. - Matthew 7:2.

Matthew 18:23-35:

Therefore the kingdom of heaven is like a human king who wished to settle accounts with his attendants.

When he began the accounting, one was brought to him who owed him 10,000 talents [about $10,000,000],

And because he could not pay, his master ordered him to be sold, with his wife and his children and everything that he possessed, and payment to be made.

So the attendant fell on his knees, begging him, Have patience with me and I will pay you everything.

And his master’s heart was moved with compassion, and he released him and forgave him cancelling the debt.

But that same attendant, as he went out, found one of his fellow attendants who owed him a hundred denarii [about twenty dollars]; and he caught him by the throat and said, Pay what you owe!

So his fellow attendant fell down and begged him earnestly, Give me time, and I will pay you all !

But he was unwilling, and he went out and had him put in prison till he should pay the debt.

When his fellow attendants saw what had happened, they were greatly distressed, and they went and told everything that had taken place to their master.

Then his master called him and said to him, You contemptible and wicked attendant! I forgave and cancelled all that great debt of yours because you begged me to.

And should you not have had pity and mercy on your fellow attendant, as I had pity and mercy on you?

And in wrath his master turned him over to the torturers (the jailers), till he should pay all that he owed.

So also My heavenly Father will deal with every one of you if you do not freely forgive your brother from your heart his offenses.

If that didn’t convict you, this will…

There will be no mercy for those who have not shown mercy to others. But if you have been merciful, God will be merciful when he judges you. – James 2:13

WOW!

In closing, let’s finish by looking at our base Scripture…

“and it is his glory to overlook a transgression or an offense.”

Hmmm…I think above three references explain this one. It is for OUR benefit to overlook an offense!

Let’s be careful what we allow ourselves to hold onto. Let’s make sure we are always prayerfully considering all angles, forgiving, showing abundant mercy,  and allowing God to speak to us and use His Word as our compass.

Let’s Pray;

Daddy God, help me to forgive others when I am wronged. Help me to show mercy and not judge. Teach me to love like YOU love. Convict me when I am acting in a manner that displeases You. I want to live a life that shines for You and shows the world Your loving kindness, mercy and compassion. I do not want to misrepresent you by acting out in my flesh and letting offense and unforgiveness rule me. I love You Lord. You are Worthy of all glory, honor and praise. You are an awesome God. Mighty and filled with compassion. Thank You for loving me. In Jesus Mighty Name, Amen.

Your Homework

Memorize: There will be no mercy for those who have not shown mercy to others. But if you have been merciful, God will be merciful when he judges you. - James 2:13

Dig Deeper:

I want to really encourage you to look up and study the following Scriptures…even the ones we already discussed. They are all meant to help get this lesson into your spirit and help you to grow in the areas of mercy and overlooking offenses.

Scriptures:

• Proverbs 19:11
• Micah 6:8
• Matthew 18 (whole chapter)
• Matthew 6:15; 7:2
• Luke 6:32, 37
• Romans 2:1
• Colossians 3:13
• James 2:13
• 1 John 4:20

For Further Study

We have also done some devotionals in the past that tie in perfectly with this topic. You may want to bookmark them and come back to do further studying.

• Forgiveness
• Anger, Conflict, and Unforgiveness
• A Mother’s Battle
• Flesh v/s Spirit  Series Devotional
• Judgment and Mercy
• The Two Most Important Commandments – Love
• Hindrances to the Spirit Working in Our Lives

God bless you!!

Copyright © Lara Velez, Moms of Faith, All Rights Reserved

Walking in the Spirit – Maturity Levels

<–back to Walking in the Spirit Main

But the natural, nonspiritual man does not accept or welcome or admit into his heart the gifts and teachings and revelations of the Spirit of God, for they are folly (meaningless nonsense) to him; and he is incapable of knowing them [of progressively recognizing, understanding, and becoming better acquainted with them] because they are spiritually discerned and estimated and appreciated.

But the spiritual man tries all things. He examines, investigates, inquires into, questions, and discerns all things, yet is himself to be put on trial and judged by no one [he can read the meaning of everything, but no one can properly discern or appraise or get an insight into him]. - 1 Corinthians 2:14-15 (amplified)

A while back a close friend shared something about spiritual maturity with me that I will never forget. ..There are three basic levels of Christianity.

Level One: Infancy…aka…baby Christians.

Most Christians never get past this stage. They live and walk through their natural senses and have little or no faith. They still watch and listen to things that are not good for them. They rarely read the Bible and certainly with no real dedication or consistency.

They are moved and swayed by every circumstance and have no power or authority….well, they have it, they just do not use it or apply it because they are clueless. They do not tithe. They rarely serve and still gossip and hold grudges.

Baby Christians are much like real infants. They are helpless. They offer no real contribution other than being needy. We ALL have to go through this stage.

Unfortunately, MOST Christians will remain at this stage their entire lives. It is very sad. They will never live up to the potential and true calling that God has for them.

If you are insulted by level one, you are probably one of them. Or, if you know you fall into this category, you may be thinking, “I do not want to remain here!”

Either way, you do not have to remain at this level. You can make a change and CHOOSE to grow up. How? We will get to that later…

Level Two: Adolescence…aka…childhood/teen

A few Christians graduate to level 2. Not many, but a few. These Christians either tithe regularly or at list give frequently. They have enough faith to pray when something goes wrong. They may sway though if their prayer is not answered right away.

They read their Bible semi regularly, although they find it difficult to apply many times and it can become a religious thing if they are not careful.

They serve on occasion and have spiritually matured enough to make better choices as far as what they listen to and watch. They get convicted when they gossip…they may not always submit to the conviction, however, they do have a recognition of it.

Unfortunately, they are still not completely dependent and submitted to God. So, they have many struggles and many times feel like they will never “grow up.”

Level Three: Adulthood…aka…Spiritually Mature

Very few Christians, actually not many at all, make it to this level. The sad part is this is the level that ALL Christians should be actively aiming for. Do not misunderstand, we will never be perfect here. Perfection will come when we get to be in Heaven with Daddy God.

However, spiritual maturity will not only make life here easier to bare, we will be more effective and productive in furthering the Kingdom and representing Christ properly.

Adulthood means that in your Christian walk, you have leaned not to be swayed by circumstances. You have peace, real peace. You are a consistent tither. You obey God’s Word on a regular basis. You are shedding flesh and self on a daily basis. You have an active prayer life. You hear form God. You are actively involved with your church. You do not allow yourself to participate in gossip. You are in the Word on a daily basis because you want to and cannot function without it. You are aware and active in spiritual warfare. You are completely sold out and on fire for Christ and can care less about this world or the things of it. You are an adult…spiritually mature and maturing more every day.

You will hear; “well done my good and faithful servant”, I am sure.

Now, seriously, what level are you at? Do a self check.

Dear brothers and sisters, when I was with you I couldn’t talk to you as I would to spiritual people. I had to talk as though you belonged to this world or as though you were infants in the Christian life.

I had to feed you with milk, not with solid food, because you weren’t ready for anything stronger. And you still aren’t ready,

for you are still controlled by your sinful nature. You are jealous of one another and quarrel with each other. Doesn’t that prove you are controlled by your sinful nature? Aren’t you living like people of the world? – 1 Corinthians 3:1-3

No matter what level, improvements are still needed. We have not arrived anywhere and never will while here on earth.

Practical Steps to Grow into a Spiritually Mature Christian

Develop Active Prayer Life. This requires taking the time to talk to God every day. I do not mean with a list of wants either. Talk to Him. Praise Him. Include Him in your daily life.

Read and Memorize the Word. To really know God and have a relationship with him requires reading and studying His Word. Everything we need to know about Him, life, spiritual growth and how to life here are in His Word. Read it. Study it. memorize it. Make it a priority.

Obey. The Holy Spirit will not yell at us. It is a still small voice. This world is very loud. It is a LOT easier to “hear” the world, flesh and sin. However, we all CAN hear the conviction of the Holy Spirit. We are His sheep and we hear His voice. When you get convicted, obey. Repent. Turn from it. If you continue in your sin, it will be harder to turn later. Plus, eventually, the Lord will stop telling us…He will just let us do what we want.

So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up. Therefore, whenever we have the opportunity, we should do good to everyone—especially to those in the family of faith. – Galatians 6:9-10

Let’s Pray;

Daddy God, thank You for Your Word and the life and wisdom that it gives. Lord, I ask that You reveal to me where I am in my Christian Walk. Help me to be all that You planned for me to be. Help me to Walk and live in the spirit. Help me to grow up and become a spiritually mature adult Christian lacking in nothing. I want a life that makes a difference and shines for You. Show me. Help me. Teach me. I love You, Daddy! In Jesus MIGHTY Name , Amen!

Your Homework

Memorize: Yet when we are among the full-grown (spiritually mature Christians who are ripe in understanding), we do impart a higher wisdom; but it is indeed not a wisdom of this present age or of this world nor of the leaders and rulers of this age, who are being brought to nothing and are doomed to pass away. - 1 Corinthians 2:6

Dig Deeper:

Study the Word Daily!

Start here….

• Galatians 5
• Galatians 6:1; 9-10
• 1 Corinthians 2:6-3:3
• Romans 8:9
• Ephesians 2:1
• 2 Chronicles 7:14
• Isaiah 40:31

You might also be interested in studying our Flesh v/s Spirit series.

Copyright © Lara Velez, Moms of Faith, All Rights Reserved

Walking in the Spirit – Being Led

<–back to Walking in the Spirit Main

For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God. - Romans 8:14 (NLT)

Being led by the Holy Spirit means allowing Him to work in us and giving God complete control over our lives. It is allowing God to be what He is…King. In a kingdom, the people obey the King. Period.

Unfortunately, in today’s ever increasingly sin-filled culture submitting to anyone other than self is for mindless morons. I am hear to say it is just the opposite. Submitting to Daddy God does not make you a mindless moron.  Quite the opposite actually, it makes you wise, filled with peace, and on a path that leads to life.

God is All Powerful. He does not need us. He could have made us mindless beings that did His bidding. However, He created us with free will and all He desires is for us to come willingly to Him. He desires to break bread with us and have friendship.

Submitting to the Holy Spirit is an act of love in worship to our Daddy God. He wants us submitted BECAUSE He loves us. It is for our protection and welfare. He knows what is best for us more than we do and He does not have any pesky flesh in the way to blind us. All He has is pure love and great plans for us.

All we need to do is WALK IN the spirit and we will live the life we were called to live.

Is it a live of no sorrow?

No. There is sin in this world and with it pain and sorrow. There is no escape from that til we get to Heaven.

Is there peace?

You bet there is. When you are a TRUE follower of the Living God, you have a peace and assurance that nothing this world has can offer…not money, not power, nothing.

Is it easy?

Heck no! Especially in this culture. Everything around us is screaming against waking with the Lord God All Mighty…Creator of all things. Walking the walk is NOT for the faint of heart!

Is it worth it?

YES!!!!! Think about what Jesus did for YOU and me! He walked more than a mile in our shoes. He faced pain and ridicule for us. He loved YOU enough to do what it took to allow us the opportunity to live eternity in Heaven…if we choose to.

I want nothing…NOTHING more than to live a life that pleases my Daddy God. At the end of my days, I want to her Him say, “Well DONE!” NOTHING in the world matters. Nothing.

But I say, walk and live [habitually] in the Spirit [responsive to and controlled and guided by the Spirit]; then you will certainly not gratify the cravings and desires of the flesh. - Galatians 5:16 (Amplified)

Let’s Pray;

Daddy God, help me to Walk in the Spirit. Help me to be led by the spirit. I want to live a life that pleases You. Help me to hear Your voice more. Help me to heed Your voice. Show me the areas in my life that are not good for me and give me the strength to let those areas go. I love You, Daddy and I want to learn Your Will for my life and walk in that. Thank You for Your love, help and mercy. In Jesus Mighty Name, Amen!

Your Homework

Memorize: For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God. – Romans 8:14 (NLT)

Dig Deeper:

Practical Applications…

1. Let God correct you. If you get offended by correction, that is your flesh. Next time someone corrects you, pray about it. You may learn that you need an adjustment in your thinking or actions.
2. Do the right thing. When you know what is right. Do it. It’s not always easy. But…right is right.
3. Read the Word daily. You will not know God’s will if you do not know Him. You know Him by being in consistent relationship and contact with Him. Read the Word and Pray every day.
4. Study Galatians chapter 5. Good stuff there.
5. Read our Flesh V/s Spirit Series.

Copyright © Lara Velez, Moms of Faith, All Rights Reserved

Until Next Time,

Walking in the Spirit – Series Devotional

<– Back to Main Devotional Section

Walking in the Spirit should be a staple for every Christian’s life. Unfortunately, most Christians never leave the infant stage. It does not have to be that way!! Let’s grow up and be the powerful forces for Daddy that He designed us to be!

I believe that if we, as Christian Mothers, would live our lives for Jesus and WALK in the Spirit, we would have happier, more peaceful and victorious lives. We would also be training up our children to live the same!

Walking in the Spirit Series Devotional at a Glance:

• Intro
• The Holy Spirit’s Roles
• Being Led
• Maturity Levels

Let’s Pray,

Daddy God, thank You for all that I have learned. Help me to remember what I have learned and to walk in the Spirit every day. I love You so very much, Lord. I want my life to be a living example of Your Grace, Love, and Mercy. I want others to see Your Light shining through me. Thank You for Your Word and Your unfailing Love. In Jesus Mighty Name, Amen.

In His Love and Service,

Lara

Copyright © Lara Velez, Moms of Faith, All Rights Reserved

Do you diligently Seek Him?

But without faith it is impossible to please Him: for he that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder to them that diligently seek Him. Hebrews 11:6 (KJV)

We know that we cannot please God without faith. We can’t even be a Christian without faith. Besides Christ of course, faith is the foundation Christianity. You cannot even become a Christian without believing in something you have never actually seen. You become a Christian by faith.

I really want to focus on the second part of this Scripture today.

…He is a rewarder to them that diligently seek Him.

Diligently and seek come from the same Greek word, ekzeteo (ek-zay-teh’-o) and mean; investigate, crave. To seek diligently or earnestly after, namely God, with a sincere and earnest desire to obtain His favor.

I also looked up a couple words in the Webster’s Dictionary…

Diligently – constant and earnest effort and application; attentive and persistent in doing something.

Earnest - serious in intention, purpose, or effort; sincerely zealous.

We forget that God is a REWARDER. When we dive into the Word and seek His Face consistently and with zeal, He will reward us. He is our Daddy in Heaven, and like any parent (although He is the BEST), He wants to reward His children.

Our motive cannot be to get “stuff” from God. Otherwise, we aren’t really seeking Him, we treating Him more like a genie in a bottle. And God does not participate in those types of games.

I thought it would be interesting to look at the flip side of the Greek word ekzeteo. There are three words I found in my Greek dictionary that are its antonyms.

ameleo - to neglect.

oligoreo - to regard or esteem lightly

paratheoreo – to overlook.

You see, we will ALWAYS reap what we sow. If we sow His Word into our hearts, we will reap; joy, peace, wisdom, comfort, life, prosperity, healing, happiness, and a love that we can find NO where else. However, if we neglect our Beloved and overlook His place in our lives, we will be sowing a selfish seed to the flesh. And we will reap; sadness, loneliness, incompleteness, death, sickness, and poverty. We will NEVER be truly filled until we put HIM FIRST in our hearts, minds, and lives!

I encourage you to make time for your God. Make Him THE priority in your life. When you do…when you REALLY do, you will NEVER be the same. And you will be GLAD that you’re not.

Let’s Pray,

Daddy God, thank You for Your Truth. Thank You for Your love. Thank You for giving me so many reasons to love You. Thank You for wanting to know me and wanting me to seek You. Thank You for creating me with a purpose. I love You, Lord. I want nothing more than to know You better and be all that You created me to be. Help me to know You better. Thank You. In Jesus Mighty Name, Amen.

Copyright © Lara Velez, Moms of Faith, All Rights Reserved

A Stubborn Wife Creates an Angry Husband

I wrote this awhile back for Wives of Faith. I thought it was something to revisit! Every Christian wife can use a reminder every now and then to get back into the proper role that the Lord designed us to be in!

A Stubborn Wife Creates an Angry Husband

By: Lara Velez

I am married to a man whom I sometimes refer to as “My Diva Man.” He is a person who likes things a certain way. He can be quite demanding at times. However, he is also a wonderful husband who works very hard so that I can be home with our two beautiful daughters every day.

Unfortunately, this stubborn wife sometimes forgets that and stomps her foot and refuses to give in to him and what he needs.

Let me share an example that happened recently…

We just started doing the South Beach Diet together. So, I need to make his lunch more often than I used to…now it’s every day.

The other day, I could not find a container large enough to hold what I made AND small enough to fit in his lunch box without having to be at an angle. Well, I didn’t think twice, I just put it on an angle.

The next day I did the same thing. This time, however, he looked in his lunch box and got annoyed. He told me that the dressing from the salad got all over the container lid last time. He asked me what he was supposed to do. I told him to scrape it off. BOOM! He got angry. He said I did not care about him and that he had to go work all night and so on. I got annoyed and basically told him he was a jerk. He went to work.

The next morning I got up to make him breakfast and some food for his second job. I made a tuna salad. What I did not do was drain the tuna as well as he would have liked it and again he noticed BEFORE he even left. He was angry and annoyed and again said that I did not care about him and that I just threw his lunch together with no thought.

I got VERY angry and told him he was self centered and unthankful for the fact that I woke up and was nice enough to make him something.

We went back and forth for a few and he left for work.

Now, of course, my Dear and Wonderful Daddy in Heaven convicted me that day while my husband was working. He made me realize that I was the one who was wrong. I needed to be a help to my husband NOT a stubborn wife. I needed to love and CARE about what I was doing for him, not just throw something together and have a “It’s better than nothing” attitude.

So, I apologized to my husband when he got home from work. And, he apologized for not expressing himself nicer.

My STUBBORNNESS and “whatever” attitude was a hindrance to my husband. It made him angry and upset. Thankfully I got past myself fairly quickly.

Unfortunately, many times, us wives remain stubborn for a LONG time and it causes our men to stumble .

The Word tells us VERY clearly to adapt ourselves to our husbands. Not always an easy task for this fallen woman! LOL!

Helpful and Cooperative Wife = Happy and Fulfilled Husband

Copyright © Lara Velez, All Rights Reserved

Source: Wives of Faith

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