Monthly Archives: October 2018

Truth About a Lie

“We lie not only when we contradict the truth, but also when we mislead someone’s thinking. We lie when we pretend things are fine, when in reality we are angry or unhappy. We lie when we hide a problem with drinking or Internet pornography or other sin, making excuses and throwing up smokescreens that cover our tracks.

We even lie to ourselves when we make something bad look acceptable, or even desirable….Our culture is adept at using the power of language to mislead and warp perceptions. We call teacher-student sexual relations “affairs” instead of abuse of power. We call the brutal killing of a woman “a crime of passion” as the perpetrator sobs, “I loved her so much.”

Language is twisted to make our actions look less heinous, more acceptable. But the Bible warns us, “What sorrow for those who say that evil is good and good is evil, that dark is light and light is dark, that bitter is sweet and sweet is bitter” (Isaiah 5:20).

Lying is one of the most destructive things we can do when we’re confronted about something we’ve done wrong (Proverbs 26:18-19,28). I have witnessed marriage after marriage crumble because the person who has been challenged will not come clean through humble confession of the whole truth.”

  • The Emotionally Destructive Relationship by Leslie Vernick, page 34

My friends, regardless if you are married or single, young or old, a believer in Jesus Christ for decades or for just a few months — lies present in your relationships {whether you are the liar or you are being lied too} will bring destruction to all involved. Sin affects more than just yourself! The truth always comes out. To lie is to sin!

“A lying tongue hateth those that are afflicted by it; and a flattering mouth worketh ruin” (Proverbs 26:28).

“As a mad man who casteth firebrands, arrows, and death, So is the man that deceiveth his neighbor, and saith, Am not I in sport?” (Proverbs 26:18-19)

“Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!” (Isaiah 5:20).

In Christ I am SHE {Saved. Hopeful. Empowered.}

Reblogging 10.31.18 from the original post dated June 13, 2017; Colleen Woodruff; inchristiamshe.com

the Warrior: Esther

FOUR WARRIOR CHARACTERISTICS WE LEARN FROM ESTHER

  • Teachability – Our sweet Esther could have taken on the “I’m queen attitude” and do whatever she wanted, but instead she listened to the advice of Mordecai and in returned followed his wise instructions. Esther valued the wisdom of her kinsmen. Wise woman.
  • Patience – Although the book of Esther itself is rather short in our Bibles, it took place over the span of many years. Just the process alone to come before the King in hopes of possibly becoming the next queen, Esther went through a rather rigorous process which took over a year. Just think, a year of pampering and preparing just to be presented to the king. Esther had to remain steadfast, focused, careful and she followed what Mordecai and the Lord asked of her. After Esther is crowned Queen, we read of her patience even in the midst of her own personal turmoil over what was about to happen to her and her people. In the ultimate act of selflessness she prayerfully, patiently, carefully, in God’s time acts accordingly with precision in place and wording to bring to light the truth to help save her people.
  • Selflessness – Esther risked her own safety and security by approaching the king unsummoned. If he did not find favor in her and accept her, she could have been killed immediately yet in God’s strength Esther laid this aside willingly. With her security not resting in her position, beauty, or reputation, she was enabled to freely trust God’s plan for her life by giving her all.
  • Courage – Under Mordecai’s wisdom, Esther risked her life by keeping her nationality a secret; through faith in God she came before the king unsummoned; and preceded to ask all she did of the king with great strength and wisdom. We see immediately at the beginning of the book of Esther that King Xerxes had no problem dismissing Queen Vashti, so he could have easily removed or killed Esther along with her people when he had the chance but in God’s protection, he didn’t. Her courage and faith in God are what made her a true warrior!

ps 46 5

So what?

As a believer, we deceive ourselves to think we live victorious when we do not seek the very author and giver of eternal life – the Savior, cleanser, the One who truly set free a soul, the heart changer, the One who can bless and protector, provider, the One who gives strength when we are weak, the healer (the list can go on – oh what mercy) there is ONLY ONE – God alone!  

God cannot speak to those who are not feasting in His Word daily. God cannot help those who do not take His promises and act upon them in faith and DO them! Esther wasn’t about herself.

Victorious living does not happen in a vacuum but through the wonder-working power of Christ in a soul which makes it gloriously possible.

You, like Esther can be a warrior, it must take a willing inward God-centered Christ-focused change to see any outward result. Esther’s teachable, moldable heart in her faith, trust and courage in God was her crowning jewel. How is your tiara?

 

In Christ I am SHE {Saved. Hopeful. Empowered.}

Reblogging 10.30.18 from the original post dated March 13, 2017; Colleen Woodruff; inchristiamshe.com

It’s Strange

* It’s strange how twenty dollars seems like such a large amount when you donate it to church, but such a small amount when you go shopping.

* It’s strange how 2 hours seem so long when you’re at church, and how short they seem when you’re watching a movie.

* It’s strange that you can’t find words to say when you’re praying, but you have no trouble thinking what to talk about with a friend.

* It’s strange how difficult it is to read one chapter of the Bible, but how easy it is to read a popular novel.

* It’s strange how everyone wants front-row-tickets to concerts, but they want to sit in the last row at Church.

* It’s strange how we need to know about an event for Church 2-3 weeks before the day so we can include it in our agenda, but we can adjust it for other events in the last minute?

* It’s strange how difficult it is to learn a fact about God and share it with others, but it’s easy to repeat gossip.

* It’s strange how we believe everything that magazines and newspapers say, but we question the words in the Bible?

– Author unknown

Matthew 6:21

In Christ I am SHE {Saved. Hopeful. Empowered.}

Reblogging 10.29.18 from the original post dated February 14, 2017; Colleen Woodruff; inchristiamshe.com

Did some God-Running

Couple days ago, I was reading I Samuel chapter 1 in my personal devotions. Since then my heart has been impacted and so impressed by Hannah’s own personal walk with God, specifically seen through her prayer. I have read Hannah’s story many times before in the past, but this time was different.

Through Hannah’s example, I want to instill within my own heart and live before my Lord from within and without in such trust. So, in many ways, I am really writing to myself and sharing it with you, so thanks my friends for listening. Our Lord is so wonderful and timely.

When reading Hannah’s story in the past I remember understanding it, feeling her pain (more so as a married adult), understanding she was ridiculed by those from within her very home and seeing her being mistaken for a woman who was drunk instead of being intensely sorrowful in pray before her Lord by the priest, and so on. If you know her story, you know what I mean.

But reading through her prayer this time it has gripped my heart for it is far more than what meets the eye. Yes, she was asking the Lord for a son and then in the same sentence giving him back to God, but what I have missed many times before is Hannah’s heart (I Samuel 1:10-11).

As I started to think about this prayer that came so humbly yet truthfully from her heart, I began to think, what kind of woman asks God for a son (who has no children – remember her circumstances here) and then in the same sentence says, “…then I will give him unto the LORD all the days of his life…” (I Samuel 1:11) Think of it.

I know, personally speaking, we have gone through some rough waters as a couple and as a family. I can imagine that you have too. Life is good and filled with many blessings from the Lord, but life can also be very challenging and hard at times – so much so that we cannot even speak the words in prayer. We groan. Been there? When this happens, the Spirit speaks for us and makes intercession for us – I don’t know about you, but this gives me goosebumps! (Thank you, LORD!)

This is where Hannah was. She was groaning. Her pain was intensely deep. Humanly speaking many would probably say Hannah would have been justified in being bitter over her plot in life. She was barren. Everyone around her knew it. On that day being barren was considered a curse from Lord. Now her husband loved her, but he did have another wife; her name was, Peninnah. Now Peninnah wasn’t the nicest lady to be cohabitating with for she was fruitful, multiplying and making sure Hannah felt every dig, every sarcasm, and every hairy eye she made!

Those who have walked the valley of grief (which comes in many forms) know there are stages. My husband and I like to call them “waves” because that’s what it feels like. We can say God is bigger than any situation, but living that out is another.

It is true, God is bigger that ANY situation we find ourselves in, but there is a choice on our end that must be made in each situation or circumstance we find ourselves in: To walk with God or without God.

I know that may sound very trite, but to be very frank it is everything! Without God, I don’t want to even think about how horrible it would be, but I can tell you first hand that with God – with God, the impossible is possible! It is still a process that you must walk through, but His strength and most of all His comfort are far more than I could ever describe on paper (that is another story for another day). It is deeper than the ocean, sweet, gentle yet strong and very VERY tender to your broken heart!     

Hannah chose God. She chose to humble herself under the mighty hand of God and His plan for her life whether she understood that plan or not. When found that day in the temple and thought to be “drunk” it was her broken heart speaking to the Lord. Her hurts. Her pains. Her fears.

Her prayer that day could have been much different. She could have prayed for God to shut Peninnah’s mouth or close her womb. She could have prayed that the ridicule and humiliation would stop, but instead, she asked God to change HER! Wow! She approached God with humbleness and confidence in trust including her pain and lack of understanding why to trust – not in self but trust GOD! Hannah is an incredible example of ‘better’ over ‘bitter.’

That prayer in the temple was life altering for Hannah. What a glorious day it would be if we, like Hannah, choose God’s freedom over bondage. 

I will never look at Hannah the same again. Her heart was revealed that day for all generations to see. May I follow her godly example.

To you my friend, if your soul is beaten, hurting, looking for something or wondering, take it to the ONE who truly cares for you – GOD! Allow Him to pick you up, heal your soul, set you free from whatever it is that has you bond and may you experience the inward blessings that only God can fulfill. He desires this for you!

Thankful Hannah ran to God!

I did some running to God myself this week! I don’t want to be bond but free in Christ!

He is always there!

God keeps His promises!

In Christ I am SHE Saved. Hopeful. Empowered.)

Reblogging 10.28.18 from the original post dated February 7, 2017; Colleen Woodruff; inchristiamshe.com

 

In Christ I am SHE


ps 46 5

Before any conclusions are made, I want to make one thing clear…I am a work in progress. In Ephesians 2 it says, “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus…” He is truly the Potter and I the clay. I am eternally thankful to the Lord.

The other day in my personal time with God, I was reading I Corinthians 15. In verses 57 and 58 it says, “But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.” WOW! these are powerful and encouraging verses to this soul of mine. In my journaling Bible I wrote this:

Whenever discouragement arises…

{{REMEMBER}}

  1. be STEADFAST [means: resolution, dutifully, firm, loyal, faithful, committed, dedicated, constant; firmly fixed or established; not fickled or wavering]
  2. be IMMOVABLE [never distracted; giving ourselves over to that which we know is not vain; locked on one = Christ; not affected; not having the passions excited]
  3. always ABOUNDING [always excelling] in the WORK of the LORD, {and this next part is just the sweetness of God towards His creations} KNOWING this [you can know; you do know], that in the LORD your labor IS NOT IN VAIN.

Nothing you do for Christ is a waste of time or effort. 

Did you hear that….NOTHING! Your time with Christ is never time wasted! In Christ I am She is truly & simply born out of a deep longing and personal desire for God. I need God. Without Christ; I am nothing; I can do nothing. This heart, soul, and mind are continually needing reminding of, spurring on, challenging, rebuking, comforting, leading, loving, directing, and fastened to the One and only that can truly fulfill. And this is how In Christ I am She  blog blossomed; a needy heart for Christ and thee incredible working power of Christ in a soul = a changed life.

My humble and deepest prayer desire is that in some small way the Lord uses His working in my heart, as weak and needy as it is, to somehow be an encouragement, challenge, and Christ-focused to you; that others may see the wonder-working God-power in an ordinary woman that desires to be Christ-filled, and in return give Him all the glory and praise due to His name.

  • May we be pointers to Christ and iron sharpening iron to one another.
  • May we live an abundant-intended Christ life and glorify our Maker along the way together!

Today, 12.01.2016, In Christ I am She {Saved.Hopeful.Empowered.} I pledge to my Lord Jesus Christ, from this day forward, I will in His strength be willing to obey and walk steadfast and willingly submit to His authority in both my life and through this blog. I will serve and love Him with all my heart unconditionally, then share that obedience, walking, serving, and love with others {in both written, action, and verbal forms}. Through In Christ I am SHE, may your hearts be challenged yet encouraged to love Christ with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind. May Jesus Christ be praised!

Rejoice for you are a daughter of the King,

In Christ I am SHE {Saved. Hopeful. Empowered.}

Reblogging 10.27.2018 from the original post dated December 01, 2016; Colleen Woodruff; inchristiamshe.com

 

Our Soul’s Longing

I don’t know what your story looks like. I don’t know what the innermost parts of your heart look like, but I know who does, God!

You see, He doesn’t see a sinner, a failure, or any of the labels you put upon yourself. He sees only YOU. His precious daughter or son who is worthy of His love and forgiveness. You may not like yourself but God loves you beyond word and deed – so much so, that you were worth dying for (even before you were a thought).

Funny thing about this ‘negative self-promotion of self’ is just that: SELF. It comes from within (in our home we call it “STINKIN’-THINKIN’). We could also call it pride. Yes, self-pity is pride.

Funny how the devil enjoys a defeated Christian who is absorbed with selfish-wrongful thoughts we think of ourself or maybe even of others. We do it to ourself. Maybe for some, it is a form of self-inflicted torture to mask the pain that they really feel deep within…the need for CHRIST!

Can you be a believer in Jesus Christ and not have a close intimate relationship with Him that changes you from the inside out…sadly, yes (satan’s favorite Christian). Could you be reading this blog and wonder what in the world am I talking about – this “Jesus filling my aching hurting heart…” Yes, I know He can!

It is only when we finally come to that place in our life when all else has failed and nothing but Christ will do (not a crutch) – just Christ. The awesome power of truly getting real with our soul and seeing our need for Christ because He is our Creator and I am His creation. Then and only can we begin the journey of healing from being filled with self to begin filled with the only One that can truly satisfies our soul!

Do you remember that sobbing tear-filled, broken spirit-needing God woman in Luke 7:36-50 (if not that’s OK because we’ll explain). Despite the jeering comments, the head-turning crowd, and her own reputation she came boldly to Jesus not only with outward adoration but also with an inward declaration. She not only poured out her dowery (which was very costly to her future) but she realized that Jesus Christ was the only One who can fill, cleanse, heal, forgive, restore, and free her hurting soul from within.

The same is true today, it is only when we bow at the feet of Jesus with our tear-soaked heart and pour out our alabaster jar do we find His peace, forgiveness, healing, cleansing, filling and find our innermost parts filled.

It’s a promise. It can be yours.

In Christ I am SHE {Saved. Hopeful. Empowered.}

Reblogging 10.26.18 from the original post dated February 2, 2017; Colleen Woodruff; inchristiamshe.com

Victory {or} Defeat

We are in a battle. The battle of the unseen. The battle of the world around us. The battle of the world within us. The battle is real and therefore understanding that battle, well…is half the battle. No pun intended.

Once you have accepted Christ as your personal Savior and believed what He did on the cross was for you (His death, burial, and resurrection) and you confessed with your mouth, asked God to forgive you of your sins, cleanse you and be your Lord and Savior — you became a new creature that very second (Acts 16:31; Rom. 10:13; 1 John 5:11; 2 Cor. 5:17).

Hinds sight 20/20, we know that we didn’t fully understand everything, did we, and rightfully so for truthfully that is normal and okay for God Himself knew our hearts. But our relationship with God doesn’t start and stop on the day we accepted His salvation through His Son, Jesus Christ. That day marked the beginning of our new life in Christ. That was the beginning of God’s first day of restoration with the love of His life…YOU! Yes, God’s love, His sending His Son to redeem mankind and restore us to Himself was for every human being, but do you realize it was for YOU! The day you became a child of God, Heaven was rejoicing, God did cartwheels (OK maybe not…But do you get how excited He was about YOU?) there were happy tears of joy and all because His love for you is beyond our comprehension. If you were the only person on earth…He would have died for only you that is how much He loves you (Luke 15:7; John 3:16; 1 John 5:13; Rom. 5:8).

Somewhere along the line, throughout the years our salvation: this incredible redemptive love for personal us gets lost in the midst of the happenings of life (whether good or hard if we are not careful). Oh, we are still God’s daughter for we can not lose our salvation, but take a little hear and some there we become distracted by godless things, we grow spirit-complacent, we allow life’s curveballs to draw us away instead of towards Him, we allow the hurts and wounds to be written in stone and our blessings written in dust (if we aren’t careful) I know the list could go on for your mind is already filling in the blanks (John 10:28-29).

But God — (all the while we journey this life) God hasn’t changed one iota. All the while He is longing to carry us and walk along with us for His love is still the same as the day he created Adam and Eve. His love is still the same as He was on the cross. His love is still the same as the day you accepted His gift of salvation. His love is still the same the day you choose to be bitter instead of better. His love is still the same when you choose to lean on Him for strength rather than yourself. His love is still the same when that someone special entered into eternity. His love is still the same whether or not you reject or accept because He has never ceased to love you (Heb. 13:8; Jer. 31:3; 2 Thess. 2:16).
The battle is very real! Psalm 27:13 is such a precious verse to me personally because on a specific day in time past my family and I had a choice to make — God (better) or self (bitter and believe the devil’s lies about God). That day in the midst of enormous grief from the loss of our third child, I choose to believe in the goodness of God in the land of this living I was in. For God was still good, as hard as it was to walk through that valley (Jer. 17:7).

Sunday was a marker day in history for our family. Eight years later much has happened in heart, life and the growth of our family. My little love that is not seen by any but is my heart fills my memory and I have the scars to prove it. I would have rather loved upon and nurtured our little love, but through God’s grace and comforting arms I can stand and say that I rejoice in my salvation and the hope of Jesus Christ for one sweet day we shall see each other again all because of Christ!! And that brings comfort to my heart (Titus 1:2; Titus 3:7; 1 John 2:25).

Life many times doesn’t go as planned, but that doesn’t make it wrong or make God the author of “my life is messed up now.” We are warriors in our King’s army. We serve under His command and must train for the battle. We can’t afford to take one step without putting on the full armor of God; we can’t afford to take one step without immersing our souls in His Word daily; we can’t afford to take one step without feasting in meditation on His Scriptures; we can’t afford to take one step without walking in willful obedience to our God. We can’t. For to not put on the armor is to forgo His power in our lives. It means settling for our own human limitations and weaknesses when we have His supernatural limitless strength at our access (Psalm 62:5; Eph. 6).

Sounds super silly to take our limited self over God’s limitless being, but so often we do because we step into battle with a defeatist perspective? We say things like, “Why even try?” or “It will never happen anyway.” and all sorts of other comments. Friends, what if we approached every battle (hardship, challenge, uncertainty, suffering) knowing the outcome is victory! Knowing that at the end — you win! Because that is our life in Christ. In CHRIST we are CONQUERORS. We don’t fight the daily battles wondering if we’ll defeat the foe. We are already victors! Christ won on our behalf! Our actions display our belief in this!

As children of God, we understand we have this spiritual armor of God and we are free to use it or not. We understand through Jesus Christ we can march boldly into battle with confidence knowing the outcome is victory. But we have a choice — reject or accept. Oh friends, allow God to demonstrate His mighty deeds in your life and experience God’s power and glory in a way you’ve never imagined for His love for you desires too.

My fellow warriors are you in? (Rom. 8:37) When most of us hear the word “desperate,” we wouldn’t put the word “warrior” in the same sentence. Surely, a warrior isn’t desperate, right? Remembering this world is not our home we are just passing through (John 18:36; Rom. 12:1-2; Eph. 2:17-22; I Peter 1:1). There is a vast opposition between the world’s viewpoints and God’s ways. God will often allow us or lead us to a place of desperation (did God not lead His people into the desert?) so that He can show us His might in our lives (Jer. 33:3; Eph. 6:19-20).

You see, we’ve never been strong. It’s always been God manifesting His strength in us. When we are willing to let God be the mighty One then desperate becomes a powerful word (2 Cor. 12:10; Psalm 51:10; Col. 3:2; Jer. 33:3; Matt. 7:7-8; Isaiah 41:10). “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus…” (Eph. 2:10). Choose Him. You already have the victory. Stand firm my friends, stand firm.

In Christ I am SHE {Saved. Hopeful. Empowered.}

Reblogging 10.25.2018 from the original post dated January 31, 2017; Colleen Woodruff: inchristiamshe.com

 

 

 

Me & My Rake

Dearest Friends,
Many of you can relate, super busyness has been running in our family for the past 2-3 weeks now. We have also had one full week (and one more to come) filled with ministry opportunities for which we are so thankful for. Truly it is a blessing to fellowship with other brothers and sisters in Christ!
Due to extra preparations, getting ready for another full week and internet being limited soon, I will be reblogging some older posts from past months/years. I hope you don’t mind. I pray they will be an encouragement and source of edification to you.

Blessings to you all and thank you for your love, support, encouragement, comments, likes, and friendship. You are a blessing to me. Colleen Woodruff {In Christ I am SHE}

In Christ I am SHE {Saved. Hopeful. Empowered.}

It’s 12 noon. My heart is heavy and my soul has been fighting a battle for the past couple of hours and honestly, it feels much later than noon. The battle has been in body, soul and mind — all warring within. I must confess, my fighting battle has beenover leaves. Yep, you read me right! LEAVES!

Can I set the scene for you? You see, we live ina wonderful neighborhood. A very lovely, quiet street filled with homes built around the 60’s and 70’s, two cul-de-sacs,only one way in and that same way out. You are fully aware of every person that passing your house whether it is your neighbor or someone seeing your neighbor, or the UPS/FedEx driver or the mailman. Anyone else is a ‘stranger’ and everyone on our streets knows it. Our street is lined with the gorgeous, aged, mature oak trees, nicely decorated lawns and…

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Do You Know Your Mission?

What is the great commission?

  • Do you know your great commission?

As new creations, born-again, believers in Jesus Christ our mission is to no longer be self, for selfish gain or even fulfilling our own wants or desires.

Our mission is the great commission. Not fulfilling the great commission is to choose to live in rebellion against God –His Word.

Does this mean we slack in our responsibilities to work, care for our families or even go grocery shopping. No! (Matthew 23:23; Luke 11:42)

  • What is does mean, is our eternal focus should supersede our temporal status.

So whether it is a church, or an individual who is a child of God, we have no scriptural basis to claim “I/we did it in the past.” This holds no merit and it walks in disobedience to Christ –to the great commission we have been commanded to fulfill.

  • The great commission is never passive.
  • The great commission is active!

“Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matthew 28:18-20

Is God pleased with your mission or does it need to be adjusted?

In Christ I am SHE {Saved. Hopeful. Empowered.}

How’s it Looking for YOU?!

…what are you giving back to Him?

  • They say, you know where a person’s heart is when you look through their checkbook register.
  • The same it is with God…where our heart lies that is where our heart resides. (Matthew 6:21; Luke 12:34)
  • It is a wise individual who looks into these things!

How’s it looking for you?

In Christ I am SHE {Saved. Hopeful. Empowered.}

(Special thanks to the creator of this picture)

Psalm 107:8 | Create Your List & Praise

Spend time today thinking of ways you could praise the Lord! He is worthy of our time, worship, and praise! Create a list today and share it with Him and others…giving all glory to God!

In Christ I am SHE {Saved. Hopeful. Empowered.}

Psalm 130

  • You cannot walk in holiness and lie.
  • God wants Truth.
  • People never get away with sin. It will catch up. God will deal with it in His time.

Walking in holiness is a demonstration of our love, commitment, and obedience to Christ.

  • Guard against lying lips.

In Christ I am SHE {Saved. Hopeful. Empowered.}

Psalm 145:18

In Christ I am SHE {Saved. Hopeful. Empowered.}

Not Ashamed | Romans 1:16

How’s it going for you? Can you say the same? Christ, the Gospel, is not a one day a week thing. He is all or nothing…isn’t that what He did for us? How can we not love Him with our everything back?

In Christ I am SHE {Saved. Hopeful. Empowered.}

Too Funny

In Christ I am SHE {Saved. Hopeful. Empowered.}

My Prayer for You…

In Christ I am SHE {Saved. Hopeful. Empowered.}

Unlimited God

Thank you Lord!

In Christ I am SHE {Saved. Hopeful. Empowered.}

God Said it, BUT…

God said it. Written words printed in red and black.

Life giving words.

But, does that settle it?

  • We say these words so flippedly but often we mean, “God said it, but I’ll pick what I what to follow from the Bible.”
  • Or “God said it, but I have a better answer or opinion God.”

➡Proverbs 23:6-8 says, “Do not eat the bread of a selfish man, or desire his delicacies; for as he thinks within himself, so he is. He says to you, “Eat and drink!” but his heart is not with you. You will vomit up the morsel you have eaten, and waste your compliments.” (nasb)

  • This “wicked man” also means, evil man or stingy; for he/she is like one who is inwardly calculating (Prov. 28:22).
  • As “he thinks…so he is” has the meaning of reckoning in his soul; his/her behavior, one who manipulates.
  • “Not with you” means this person (the wicked man/women) is begrudging the cost.
  • “Compliments” = don’t waste your pleasant words.

➡Psalm 114:4 says, “Do not incline my heart [consent to or tolerate] any evil thing, or to practice deeds of wickedness with men who plan and do evil; and let me not eat of their delicacies [be tempted by their gain].” (amp)

➡Proverbs 26:24-28 states,

Here are two over versions for our study:

CEB– Hateful people mislead with their lips,

  • keeping their deception within. Though they speak graciously, don’t believe them, for seven horrible things are in their heart. They may cover their hatred with trickery, but their evil will be revealed in public. Those who dig a pit will fall in it; those who roll a stone will have it turn back on them. A lying tongue hates those it crushes; a flattering mouth causes destruction.
  • AMP– He who hates, disguises it with his lips, but he stores up deceit in his heart. When he speaks graciously and kindly [to conceal his malice], do not trust him, For seven abominations are in his heart. Though his hatred covers itself with guile and deceit, His malevolence will be revealed openly before the assembly. Whoever digs a pit [for another man’s feet] will fall into it, And he who rolls a stone [up a hill to do mischief], it will come back on him. A lying tongue hates those it wounds and crushes, And a flattering mouth works ruin.

Either you are this man/woman or not.

  • We could make the arguments that we all struggle with sin; that we are on this side of Glory, but are we not to be entering into His rest NOW?
  • Are we not to be becoming “holy for He is holy” NOW?
  • Are we not to transformed into newness of life, NOW?
  • Weren’t we transformed into a new creature the second we accepted Jesus Christ as your Savior?

Jesus Christ isn’t fire insurance. Jesus Christ is this life NOW and in the life to come!

  • My friend, if you are a Child of God, saved by His undeserving grace yet freely given His amazing loving grace called salvation, we are NOT to be this “wicked one.”
  • We ought not to be reigning (living) in our flesh and glorying it. This is contrary to God’s perfect law, will.

How are you doing today, believer? Who is sitting on the throne of your life? Who reigns? God has much bigger plans for you. Stop. Turn to Him and repent. Live the full life in Christ He has planned for you!

You will never regret the choice of Christ!

In Christ I am SHE {Saved. Hopeful. Empowered.}

Faith Trust

  • Hebrews 11:1 “Now faith is the assurance (title deed, confirmation) of things hoped for (divinely guaranteed), and the evidence of things not seen [the conviction of their reality—faith comprehends as fact what cannot be experienced by the physical senses].“
  • 1 Corinthians 2:5 “so that your faith would not rest on the wisdom and rhetoric of men, but on the power of God.“

  • 2 Corinthians 5:7 “For we walk by faith, not by sight.”

Psalm 27:13-14 “I would have despaired had I not believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait for and confidently expect the Lord; Be strong and let your heart take courage; Yes, wait for and confidently expect the Lord.”

In Christ I am SHE {Saved. Hopeful. Empowered.}

Blindness Remedy

  • I came across this today and it stopped me in my tracks. Such blindness doesn’t happen over night. It is a progression of “no’s” (rejections of God’s tug on our hearts to do or not do), a decision made against the One we call, our Lord and Savior.
  • This is a warning to all of us who call Jesus, Lord.
    • To be careful.
    • To be wise.
    • Be vigilant because our advisory, the devil, is roaming this world seeking whom he may devour (1 Peter 5:8).
  • Not to fear, Christ has a remedy as well:
    • Be cross-centered minded.
    • Be Christ-focused in every deed and word.
    • Be God-centered in this life, period.
    • To put on Christlikeness because we love Him so.
    • Colossians 3:17; Ephesians 5:1; 1 Corinthians 11:1; John 15:9-11; 1 Peter 2:21; Matthew 6:33.

Sin is sin. There is no getting around that. May today we choose Christ above everything. And tomorrow, choose all over again! And again. And again, until you and I see our Savior’s face in glory!

Til He comes again, have a blessed Christ-filled day, my friends!

In Christ I am SHE {Saved. Hopeful. Empowered.}