The Reluctant Evangelist Makes Some Headway

I have come to realize that I need to simply approach evangelism how Christ did. No I will not be healing people or doing any great miracles but the most important thing He did was take the time to just be present with the people.

He did not say to each person, Believe in me I am the Christ. He met them right where they were. He went to them, walked with them, shared with them as opportunity led. He was a perfect reflection of the Father and was perfectly connected to Him.

What I have come to realize is that people have to be the most important thing. No matter my schedule or agenda for the day, as I go God puts people in my path. How I approach them can be opportunity to spread His aroma. I need to make the best use of every opportunity.

At times this will look like living the gospel in how I love my family or speak to others. I always will have an opportunity to pray for each person I meet. On those great God-appointed occasions I will be able to freely share the message of the gospel. It will not have to be forced. I must trust that kindness, walking in the Spirit, and prayer will be enough and then when opportunity presents itself to share the message, faithfully.

I realize people are watching. They are longing for something more and as I frequent places and see the same people over and over they will eventually question why I live the way I do or comment on how I do something. That is opportunity to give God the glory and talk about the hope of the gospel. These people see us in many different moods. We are not perfect at all but we do show love and forgiveness. We are real and live this thing out the best we can and we only can hope it encourages the world around us.

People were intrigued by Jesus. They saw something different in Him. That is how I hope we can appear as well as disciples of His. As we walk in the Spirit we will be aware of the people we are to share the message with. We must walk in step with Him. This is how to be an evangelist wherever God plants you. No more guilt just walk faithfully.

Hope for Christians Struggling with Depression

It comes on you like a blanket, it drapes its darkness and lies over you. Sometimes you feel like you cannot breathe. Other times you feel so heavy it is hard to move. It sneaks up unexpectedly. It is not fair, it is hard and hurts like nothing else. It is called depression.

The darkness of depression is so scary because it seems hopeless. You think you will not find hope again, you desire fellowship but are trapped in a place where you cannot bear to experience it, the lonliness and isolation it carries feels so desperate. You may even feel like God has abandoned you. It is a vulnerable place.

It is a place where you need to know truth because the easiest thing seems to be to just get out. Many are tempted with thoughts of suicide. Others may be tempted to run to mind numbing substances or activities. It is the most horrific feeling that lingers. Unlike most physical pain which can be hard but managed the depressive person is trapped, at the mercy of the darkness until it lifts. You cannot run away, you cannot escape it. You cannot read enough Scripture or play enough praise songs. It can persist for a long time. So what is the point?

Though we cannot understand fully (because there are many things that can cause depression and it can vary in many degrees), it is something that God has allowed, we must remember that He is sovereign over all things. The enemy of our souls cannot bother us any more than God permits. If we are thinking lies or believing lies these do come from the enemy because Scripture calls him the father of lies.

Keep reminding yourself of the truth you know, the promises that are ours in the Scriptures. Christ can relate to this, He felt it. His soul was anguished to the point of death in the garden while He was praying and pondering the cup He had to bear. Yet He chose obedience. No one will ever experience the pain and emotional turmoil that Christ endured. He understands and is with you through this. We must believe He is and persevere in faith.

If we want to take our life it is a ploy or temptation from the enemy because he comes to steal, kill, and destroy. Don't fall for his traps in this time. He will hit you and not play fair though you are in a dark pit with no protection it seems. Remember the truth that God loves you. He is the only rightful person that can give and take life. He has written all your days out in His book. He will fulfill His promises. Remember all He has done.

Depression is not fun. It is a hard type of suffering to endure. I get so exhausted when I am struggling with it. You must keep your mind disciplined to take any wrong thoughts captive and make them obedient to Christ. It is exhausting but necessary. Do not hide it from others, request help of friends who will send you Scripture to encourage you. Enlist friends to pray for you. Talk to someone who you consider safe about what is going on in your head. This will help you not be alone and help you stand accountable with someone. Don't feel bad if you need medication to help you. We live in a broken world and our bodies are broken as well. Sometimes we need additional help through medicine. It is nothing of which to be ashamed.

One thing that depression does for me is enhance my longing for Heaven. It reminds me that this is not my home. I was made for a perfect place that one day will become a reality. I do not get to chose when that day is, my body was bought at a high price by Christ on the cross shedding His blood and tears for me. So as I live I am to live for Christ. He has plans and purposes for us with each breathe He gifts. Fix your eyes on HIM, remember it will not last forever. Hang tight to His promises and believe this temporary trial will show your faith of greater worth than gold as you endure and trust and in turn will bring Him much glory.

If you are walking alongside someone who is depressed, be patient. It is a hard road to walk and walking it alone is even more difficult. Walk with them, patiently love them, endure it with them. DO NOT tell them to get over it or determine the end time of their suffering. If a depressed person could just get over it they would. No one would chose this kind of suffering. Love them and encourage them in the gospel. Remind them of His promises. Remind them of His great love. Point them to the cross. Pray like crazy. Don't give up on them. Endure like a good soldier. Your support is cherished though a depressed person may not be able to express that at the moment. Love without expecting anything back. Be an example of Christ to them.

Psalm 119 week 17

I decided to continue on in our study of Psalm 119. I stopped it for the 30 day Sibling Challenge and never got back to it. So here we go! I do pray you are loving the word more than ever. I pray as we continue on we will love it even more so. May it be a very part of us like the air we breathe.

Pe
¹²⁹ Your testimonies are wonderful; therefore my soul keeps them.

Do you truly believe His words are wonderful? Or do you view them as restrictive? That is the difference of legalism and trusting the One who gives loving boundaries. Do you keep them out of obligation or love?

¹³⁰ The unfolding of your words gives light; it imparts understanding to the simple.

His word is so illuminating it does give understand to the simple. Even little children can understand. Can you give an example where you have seen this?

¹³¹ I open my mouth and pant, because I long for your commandments.

Do you pant for His words like a dog does water in the scorching summer heat? or do you read it out of obligation? or do you not desire to read it at all? Let this verse be the prayer of our hearts!

¹³² Turn to me and be gracious to me, as is your way with those who love your name.

Oh what joy it is to be a friend of God!
 
¹³³ Keep steady my steps according to your promise, and let no iniquity get dominion over me.

He does keep us steady as we walk in His ways, may sin not rule over us!

¹³⁴ Redeem me from man's oppression, that I may keep your precepts.

 Oh keep us from man's oppressive ways, keep our minds fixed on your ways!
 
¹³⁵ Make your face shine upon your servant, and teach me your statutes.

Oh may His glorious face shine brightly upon us! May He open our hearts to learn His ways!
 
¹³⁶ My eyes shed streams of tears, because people do not keep your law.

Do you hurt when you see others breaking His law? Or does it not bother you?

Isaiah 1-5, A Trial, Guilt, and Guilt Crushing Love

                                              (Picture taken from Wikipedia)

The conversation with my daughter went like this; "Mom, does God yell at me?" I replied quizzically, "No, why?" She lamented, "Well, sometimes I hear yelling in my head to do something. I was wondering if that is how God talks to me." I strongly added, "Sweetheart, God absolutely does not yell. He will make things uncomfortable for us to draw us back to Him when we stray but He does not force or yell."

It would be good to remember this through our study of Isaiah. I often want to read this as God yelling, but He does not. In fact God's character is best seen through Christ. Hebrews 1:3a states this about God's character, " He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature." God the Father is the exact imprint of Christ's nature. When we look at Christ in the Scriptures it is the best picture we get of the Father. What love, grace, and truth we should see. The Father, Son, and Spirit are One. And in our day we are blessed to have the Spirit live in us if we are believing by Faith what Christ did for us. What a great view we have in studying Isaiah.

Isaiah is so timely for addressing the days we currently live in. The children of Israel were being disciplined for straying from God. He was supposed to be supreme in their lives. He loves them so much that He will discipline them as far as He must for them to return to Him.

During the time period of this book we observe that God not only sent Isaiah but He continued to speak through many other prophets, sending them to warn of impending judgement. As much as a loving Father desires for His children to listen and turn away from sin, He loves them more so to follow through with discipline if they chose to forsake Him and His teachings. His love is too great to let them continue waywardly.

We will learn much about God's character. He loves so deeply and richly that He cannot just turn His head from our sin. God is complete holiness and sinless, He cannot have sin in His presence. So in the days of the cross He sent Jesus to take our sin upon Himself making us clean in God's eyes once we accept Christ's sacrifice. Signs of Christ are all over the book of Isaiah. It is beautiful to discover. Though we deserve judgement and wrath God was pleased to send Jesus to restore our relationship by taking the wrath upon Himself.

We see the prophet Isaiah pointing us to Christ and though God seems harsh in judgement we must know He is only being a loving Father, and/or a Faithful Husband to His people.

In Isaiah 1-5 we see it as God bringing forth His judgement on His people. It is like a trial but the jury is the Heavens and the earth (v.2). God is declaring His people as sick with sin. They are worshiping God with the motions but do not mean it in their hearts. God can see directly in our hearts.

I wonder if we are ever guilty of this kind of worship?

God calls them to repentance. to go back to doing what is right. He then tells us about the coming Messiah. In Chapter 1, v. 18 we see this pointing, "though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool." They did not know this then but we know it now this is talking about Christ who takes the stain of our sins away when we trust in Him as our Savior.

God then tells His people that this judgement comes with a cleansing purpose. What grace it is when God loves us this much to not let us get away with sin. He draws us back through trials. He doesn't force our hand in choosing Him but woos us back through trial. That is what He was doing with His people.

In chapter two the word talks about in the last days how God will reign. There will be peace and no more war. Those who are prideful will be brought low. There is only room for ONE to be exalted.

Chapter three discusses how since God's people would not listen God is taking away all of their security and support. His men and women will lose protection. There will be no good leaders. These people are sinning and are proud of it (v.9). Yet v. 8 tells us they brought this sin on themselves "because their speech and deeds are against the Lord, defying His glorious presence."

Chapter four gives us some hope again, it talks about the day "the branch of the Lord" which refers to Jesus, will be beautiful and glorious. How God does leave a remnant of His people because He is faithful to His promises not to wipe them all out. It ends with God protecting them.

Chapter five is a sad chapter that starts with a parable to explain what they have done to God. Then ends with many woes lamenting their many sins. It ends with God summoning the nations that will take them captive because of their refusal to turn from their sins.

Yet the next section we study we will see that though His wrath is great, His grace is greater still.

Things to think about:
Can you see the amazing heart of God through this?
What do you learn about God's character?
Would you say that God is a patiently enduring God?
Has this opened your eyes to seeing God in a new way?
How have you been like a stubborn child? Know that you can always turn in repentance. He is waiting.
What can you learn from these passages that you can apply to your life today?
What similarities can we see that exist in our society today?

Book Reveiw: Everything by Mary DeMuth

I received a copy of this book free of charge from the publisher for the sake of review.

This book was written by one of my favorite authors so I am already going in biased. I love the way Mary DeMuth uses words in a way that is intelligent yet easily readable. This book was no different. You can be sure to feel like you are visiting with her over coffee as you read this. You can really get a feel for her heart. I love that about her writings.

This book in particular is a challenge to surrender all to Christ. It is summed up as stating our world "needs  Jesus-- full of outrageous grace, unconditional love, and hope-filled pardon. And it needs Him this moment."
Throughout this book the author shares her personal life stories and examples to help us as we grow in this process of sanctification. The process of laying our lives down to make Jesus our all.

This book is broken into three sections. The first discusses how we can make Jesus our everything in how we think. The second section discusses how Jesus can be our everything in our heart. Section three discusses walking out Jesus as our everything. All chapters were greatly informative and filled with information pointing to Christ. It was very practical.

This book was definitely one of my favorites this year. I only like to recommend to you something that will lead you closer to Christ. I found this to be true of this title. I often found my heart in spontaneous worship as I was reminded of God's goodness and His desire to be everything in our lives. Go out and get this one, it will be worth your time.

You can get a copy of it from Amazon here.

App Review: The Beginner's Bible

I was asked to review this free ipad app that you can get from the app store. It is an interactive Bible for children 6 years old and under. The free part of the app gives you the option of six different Bible stories. They will each read to your child. As it reads the story each word read is highlighted on one page. The opposite page is a colorful picture that that your child can interact with. It makes the story fun.

With each Bible story provided you can select one game that goes along with it. The options are putting together a puzzle, coloring pages, and a little game similar to fruit ninja. After the six free stories there is another set of six that you can purchase at the app store.

The stories are typical children's Bible stories. I had my three year old test it out and he really enjoyed it. It is the app he likes to play over the others at the moment. My nine year old with aspergers was very interested in it as well. So overall I give this a good rating. It is teaching the children some Bible stories while they get to play along. It does have a more educational purpose than say something like Angry Birds.

Eight Months with Little Man - What I Have Learned

I walked down memory lane when I searched all my posts about adoption on this blog. Oh the flood of very real and raw emotions that I processed. This has been the most difficult thing of my life so far and believe me I have walked some hard things. But I would not trade it for the world.

Today I went back to the place I first met our little man. It was surreal in my mind. Again those emotions flooded my heart afresh again. But it was good. It was bringing this journey closer to completion.

Here are some things I have learned so far on this journey:
1- There is only one Savior, Jesus Christ. As much as you want to become another's savior, it is not your place. You must let people make their own choices as heartbreaking as that may be. Yet you can keep praying for them. Do not enable them to live in ways that are not God honoring.

2- We all are only a few choices away from falling into the same sin that we so despise. The sin that ripped our little man from his biological parents is only a few bad choices away from any of us.

3- You really can deeply love a child that you did not give birth to. This was probably my biggest fear in this process. Yet true love is there.

4- When you get real serious about following God in things like helping the orphans serious warfare will confront you. Yet it is not to be feared, we can stand strong in the midst of it and know God is in control so anything He may allow will result in a greater good in the end. It also shows us that when the tough things come we are not the kind to give up and walk away.

5- If you chose to step in as a guardian of a child be certain it will be a roller coaster of emotions. Be certain too it will be messy!

6- You realize that even though you see some really poor parenting, you yourself are not any better. You just make different mistakes, all sin. You gain empathy for others.

7- When you roll up your sleeves and work hard to be an instrument God can use to heal a child it will not be easy but there is nothing more beautiful. You get a front row seat of a miracle.

8- You will never understand why someone will not fight for their children but it breaks your hearts and you pray for their deep brokenness. Then you become thankful that God allowed you to step in and fight for their life.

9- When God places a desire in your heart, He will see it through but in His ways and in His time.

10- We are stronger than we think in HIM as a family. We really do know how to come together in love.

So where do we stand? The end is unknown yet the clock is ticking. Permanency will come soon. In the meantime we faithfully pray, work and wait.