Many of us attend church.  Right?  That’s a great step in the right direction, but is it what Christ came here to accomplish in his 33 1/2 years walking among us?  
 
Is there more?
 
Ask me about my story of salvation…I’ll be quick to tell you Jesus saved my life.
 
Religion can be a great start.  I read the Bible many times before I was saved, with no emotion, nothing more than dry historical words.  They meant little to nothing, except a mirrored reflection of something I could never live up to in my 10,000 plus mistakes in life.  Many people pick the religion that best fits their own beliefs. This can also lead to some human direction and rules which pervert the gospel.  We like to be headstrong when it comes to organizing religion, making sure it’s all done proper and in a particular way.  Then we like to repeat this type of session over and over until it becomes comfortable and ritualistic.  It can help us maintain good lives, structure and stay out of some trouble.
 
Some problems with religion however is that often times, we are so focused on doing it ourselves, we leave God completely out.  We like to argue our belief system until we are blue in the face, which causes issues when there are disagreements among us as brothers and sisters in Religion.  If we don’t believe the same,  we fight people we love to be “right” in our eyes and in the eyes of the Religion we stand for, the name on our walls, or at the door of our buildings.  Jesus referred to religious people as white washed tombs.
 
Let’s turn to Matthew 23:27-28
27 “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of the bones of the dead and everything unclean. 28 In the same way, on the outside you appear to people as righteous but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness.
 
So with my experience and with each of your own experiences that you’ve had throughout your life, are you satisfied with religion, the one that teaches you how to be a good person, or do you long for something more?  Do you maybe feel a longing or desire to travel a journey with Christ to allow each day to become an adventure, led by the Spirit, or are you comfortable with white washed tombs?
 
What are some ways that God speaks to us today?
 
The one I want to speak with you about today is:
 
1) His Word  - which is broken up to three specific translations throughout the Bible
 

• Graphe - the book
• Logos - the message
• Rhema - the utterance

 
It’s the Rhema word, that captured my heart.  It’s the Rhema word, I hope, if it has not done so already, captures yours.  It’s the Rhema word that challenges you to walk out of your religion and into a relationship with Jesus.
 
The Rhema word is what happens, when your Spirit has questions, and you go to God searching for answers. Not on social media, not in Pastors, Preachers, Prophets, not on TV, not in busyness, or in temptations, not in the Word, not in Politics, or definitely not in Religion.  You seek out God in His Graphe (the book) or in his Logos (the message) and as you begin to read with a open willingness to listen for Him…all of a sudden the words jump off the page, or they highlight with the brightest yellow highlighter you’ve ever seen, or you begin to weep…because you know at that very moment, that God just spoke directly to you.  You might not even understand what He’s trying to tell you, but you know that your Spirit just connected with His and He just spoke directly and personally to your heart.  The message was specifically for you, at that very moment, the moment He knew you would need long before you were even in your mothers womb.  He has been waiting for this very moment for you to hear Him speak with you.
 
It’s the Rhema word that made me hunger for more, to sell everything I had and go after what I found in Christ as the Bible referred to in the The Parables of the Hidden Treasure and the Pearl in
Matthew 13:44-46 (Let’s turn there)
44 “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field. 45 “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. 46 When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it. 

It’s the Rhema word that made me seek God like the scripture says in 
Jeremiah 29:13 (Let’s turn there)
13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.
 
It’s the Rhema word that assured me that no matter what I went through, God would never leave me or forsake me, that He knew the plans He had specifically made for me, as he does for you, that they were plans to prosper us in HIM and help us advance the Kingdom of heaven.  That we are more than we believe, more than a nobody, more than just a speck of dirt formed from dust to return to dust. That I have purpose, that you have purpose.   That the God who created the Universe, who is bigger than I could imagine, took time, precious time, time that meant the only thing in the world and gave me His divine attention and spoke directly to my heart. I assure you, God… speaks. I’ve heard it.
 
It was the Rhema word that changed my perspective, made me see light when all I could see at one time was darkness. It’s the Rhema word that set my tongue ablaze like Jeremiah when he proclaimed in Chapter 20 verse 9 (let’s turn there)
 But if I say, “I will not mention his word
    or speak anymore in his name,”
his word is in my heart like a fire,
    a fire shut up in my bones.
I am weary of holding it in;
    indeed, I cannot.
 
It was the Rhema word that helped free me from the religious bondage that created chains and shackles around my hands and feet, that created the fear that I would never be enough.  Never good enough, never talented enough, never gifted enough to be anyone to anybody…yet He stopped time to show me, I was everything... to Him.  

He longs to show you too.
 
It was that Rhema word that transformed a sadistic God, into a Father, a Dictator into an encourager, a Warden into a friend. A law that I could not measure up to, into a safety net and a warning sign before the fall.  
 
It was the Rhema word that transformed my heart…one that although still struggles with temptations, emotions, questions and hurts, into a confident daughter, ready to give an answer to anyone that asks….
 
Maybe religion is safe and comforting for you.  Maybe it’s the security of a mundane ritual that keeps you complacent and satisfied, never craving or hungry for more… Content with white washed tombs.
 
But….
 
Don’t take for granted for a single moment that God is still longing to walk in the garden with you.  That the God of the universe longs to spend time with you, who longs to speak words of LIFE into your tired and very weary souls… who illuminates His words at the perfect time, in your desperate need to change atmospheres that advance His love. A single Rhema that is extremely contagious for others to catch His divine utterance into their lives...transforming death into life.
 
Let’s Pray:
God I am overwhelmed at all the times throughout a day that when I stop to listen can hear your heart, can feel your hand, can see your goodness.  I am in awe of all you do….in all your ways, how they are always good, especially during those times where fear floods in and my faith in small.  Let us always be willing to take an adventure with you, instead of living in the confines of a white washed tomb.

I'm very excited that I've been asked to share a message with the congregation at New Hope Lutheran Church this Sunday!  

I think when you are asked to represent God in front of other people, there are a lot of factors that come into play.  Today I want to share with you what I feel it means to

Run Your Race

There are 3 types of races that come to mind when I think of running a race, at least 3 types that I personally have experience running in.  Perhaps you have too because of course as I read through scripture, I find evidence throughout the bible that even the disciples had experience in these races.

The first type of race that comes to mind is a physical race.  Like a 5K marathon type race.  Just attending some high school graduations, I look around and I see many very physically fit youth and teenagers.  My son plays football and they go through a lot of physical training throughout the entire year to prepare for the games.  He is in the weight room at least 4-5 times a week and engaged in some sort of physical education at school and throughout the summer.  Into our 20-30's perhaps we continue to hit the gym, but perhaps when our 40's come as it has for me, I find a decrease in drive to desire running races, or getting into the gym.  I find weight gain is much easier than weight lifting and I find health magazines warn us of a decline in metabolism and how it becomes increasingly harder to maintain the physical appearance and ability as we did as a teen.  These types of races are excellent for our physical appearance and are important to consider.  The problem with these types of races however, is although there are a few 60-90 year olds still running marathons, the majority of us are declining in this area.  The problem with depending on this type of race, is eventually we will no longer be able to run them.

Paul and perhaps Timothy may have related to this race when they assure us in 2 Corinthians 5:1-5 of the  New King James Version  For we know that if our earthly house, this tent, is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed with our habitation which is from heaven, if indeed, having been clothed, we shall not be found naked.  For we who are in this tent groan, being burdened, not because we want to be unclothed, but further clothed, that mortality may be swallowed up by life.  Now He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who also has given us the Spirit as a guarantee.

Do you suppose that he knew there was a better race to be run than just depending on the physical?

The second race that comes to mind and I'm very familiar with is what is commonly referred to as the "rat race".  This race is often run by many people in many walks of life. 

1) The dictionary describes this race as a way of life in which people are caught up in a fiercely competitive struggle for wealth or power. an exhausting, usually competitive routine.

2) The business dictionary describes this race as similar to rats in a maze that compete against one another to be the first to get the cheese. The cheese is a measly reward, yet the rats continue to compete for this small prize. When one refers to the rat race, one envisions rushed, unhappy people working long hours for little pay and little recognition.  Or, they may have an inner motivation to "beat" coworkers to the next promotion or pay raise.

Being in this race, I found rat races typically means no work-life balance, no independence, high stress, lots of compromise and general dissatisfaction with life. The rat race also can also come with high stress that is often detrimental to our health.  I've also found getting out of the rat race can seem impossible and one may lose hope that they will ever be able to control their own life or get ahead.

As you can see the issues with running this race are a selfish and pointless lifestyle.  Sadly many of us run in them in many walks of life stepping over, and hurting other people along the way.  We call it throwing people under the bus, or cutting them down to edify ourselves.  

The disciples has issues as we sometimes do with falling into the Pharisee trap, entrusted with following God's law that we can become narrow sited, pointing out sin instead of helping one another over come it.  We read in Matthew 7:1-5  New King James Version (NKJV)
“Judge not, that you be not judged. For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you.  And why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye?  Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me remove the speck from your eye’; and look, a plank is in your own eye?  Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.

The disciples also faced issues with this so called rat race.  We read in Matthew 18:1-5 the question they have about who Is the greatest?
At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Who then is greatest in the kingdom of heaven?”
Then Jesus called a little child to Him, set him in the midst of them, and said, “Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven.  Therefore whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Whoever receives one little child like this in My name receives Me.

Do you suppose that Jesus knew there was a better race to be run than just depending on wealth or power?

Which brings me to my third and final race. 

The spiritual race. 

This is the only race, that I have found worth running to the end.  This race is your personal race to run, yet it's not solely just intended for you, it's also for the body of Christ.  Both those who are running this race with you and those that may join you along the journey.  This race does not look like the physical race, nor does it look like the rat race.  This race is both personal to you and edifying those around you.  The race can only be run by you but can be used to influence and inspire others to run it with you.  Each of you were given a unique part in this race, but also a part that fit perfectly into the whole.  We find personal purpose in this race, yet we find that running it only amplifies a higher purpose. We know that we are perfectly and wonderfully made to run this race and we know that it's imperative to complete it.  This race does not depend on our own ability or strength, our physical appearance, how much money we make or what our title is.  It's not dependent on how strictly we follow the law or how perfect we live our life. 

It depends on Christ only.

We find that this race is about unity and yet diversity in one body.  We read in 1 Corinthians 12:12-31  that
For as the body is one and has many members, but all the members of that one body, being many, are one body, so also is Christ. For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free—and have all been made to drink into one Spirit. For in fact the body is not one member but many.

If the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I am not of the body,” is it therefore not of the body? And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I am not of the body,” is it therefore not of the body? If the whole body were an eye, where would be the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where would be the smelling? But now God has set the members, each one of them, in the body just as He pleased. And if they were all one member, where would the body be?

But now indeed there are many members, yet one body. And the eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you”; nor again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.”  No, much rather, those members of the body which seem to be weaker are necessary.  And those members of the body which we think to be less honorable, on these we bestow greater honor; and our unpresentable parts have greater modesty,  but our presentable parts have no need. But God composed the body, having given greater honor to that part which lacks it, that there should be no division in the body, but that the members should have the same care for one another. And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; or if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it.

Now you are the body of Christ, and members individually. And God has appointed these in the church: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, varieties of tongues. Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Are all workers of miracles? Do all have gifts of healings? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret? But earnestly desire the best gifts. And yet I show you a more excellent way.

The reward for this...is not a measly one...it's an eternal one.

This race starts after all the rest fail.  It's the race that begins with asking Jesus to be your running mate.  This race is patient, it is kind.  This race does not stem from envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. This race does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, this type of race keeps no record of wrongs. nor does it delight in evil but instead rejoices with the truth. This race protects all who run it, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. 

This race never fails. 

It all started on Tuesday night as I listened intently to one of my closest friends in Christ speak of her desire to reach "expectations".  If you are going to truly understand my intent here, I need to give you a little back ground on this particular close friend.  Her heart is nearly 100% checking in with God on everything she does and says.  Although she says she has flaws, you rarely see them because she is so well hidden in Christ.  She is in many people's eyes what one would call an authentic Christian, a Proverbs 31 wife.  So as I listened to her stories of loving to reach exceptions, I caught a glimpse of the enemies tactics in the Godly desire to obtain the ability to meet "expectations".   The enemies subtle twist.... to make you feel like everything should be an "expectation" and your focus on obtaining that Godly desire should expand to you striving to meet all expectations placed on you, and failing.  Instead of focusing and excelling on expectations that are authentic for the Kingdom of God and the Testimony of Christ, led by the Holy Spirit and the advancement in setting captives free.

This followed in lesson, by my coworker leaving on vacation for nearly 2 entire weeks!  I just started a new position, in which I absolutely love and feel blessed to have received, but there is much to learn, and when I say much, I mean overload.  There are only two of us physically in the office and my coworker has been there nearly 30 yrs....so for a 1 month newbie, it  can be pretty overwhelming for everyone I come in contact with.  Their normal quick calls on "how do I do this" turn into them having to come up with the answers for me or me making 10 calls to make sure I have the right answer, and then providing the answer only to have it be not completely correct or missing steps.  My position requires me to be the hub for many many other departments as a whole.  In my eyes, as well as in reality, it is extremely important to get things right.  And I couldn't.  Not because I was making many mistakes, although I was, but because I didn't know all the steps to make each situation run smoothly for every cog that was depending on me.  I am certain many people had high expectations of me and I failed them.  Although frustrated, I did not find myself "stressed" or ready to "throw in the towel" because I was confident eventually I would learn this position and learn it well.  "Confident"... I smile, because up until 2 yrs ago, confidence was not part of my self vocabulary.  You can literally go back and read a blog from 2 years ago to see where I was at with my walk, and I assure you I was trying to understand how to please God instead of people, yet still trying to make sure that while pleasing God, I was pleasing people too.  

What a vicious cycle.  Pulling in the enemies schemes into your Godly dreams, simply results in frustration and eventually if not realized, "throwing in the towel".

So how do we discern the lies from the truth?  Well, as I go back to look at my week's lessons, I am seeing two words.  Expectation and Confidence.  God's in them.  Satan's in them too.  So you have to go to the "Word" to find truth and reject the lies.  

I like to use Biblegateway.com a lot.  It gives me quick study when I've pondered something with God for weeks and sort of brings it all home for me to share it with you.  So, I went to the New King James Version, as it's as close to the King James, but a little easier for me to understand.  (I started with a comic book 12 years ago and worked my way up to NKJV so I am making progress.)  I typed in the word "expectation" and here is the results. (Click the link)  Now read through them and see when expectations are used for good and when they are not.  You will notice from the Old Testament to the New Testament you will find many earthly expectations, that are attached to the "wicked".  In other words, we managed to take a Godly desire and change it to meet wrong motives.  Like placing expectations on people and then shaming them when they can't meet them.  Placing expectations on ourselves and then feeling worthless when we can't obtain them.  Like placing selfish expectations on God and then turning away from Him when He answers with a sovereign answer instead of how we want it done.  I am however, on the contrary, drawn to this scripture when it comes to expectations:

Philippians 1:20 according to my earnest expectation and hope that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ will be magnified in my body, whether by life or by death.

Let truth be revealed and grow in you.

I then did the same thing with the word "confident" in Biblegateway.com.  I typed the word confident in the NKJV and this is what I received for results. (Click the link) I read through them and determined which were used for deception and misuse of that word and which ones God intended for growth in my hope to take steps into living my life more in line with Gods will each day.  With that, this scripture spoke to me:

Philippians 1:6 being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ;

God still speaks to us today, both in love, grace and mercy, as well as in discipline, instruction and correction...but all for the same purpose, because He loves us so much that He sent His Son to pay the price for our wrongs, so we could understand how deep and how wide and how never ending His love is for us,  in hopes that we will reciprocate that love for Him and others.

Keep pressing in my friends in Christ, there's a whole world waiting for truth and it's amazing to find God's treasures in each new day!

Silence.... was always deafening to me.

Whenever I was in trouble, or someone did not like me, or did not like something I had done, they would use "silence" to punish me.  For someone with the gift of encouragement, and a love language of "spending time" there are two things that quickly quash my passion. 

Rejection and silence.

The last couple weeks, I've been thinking about John the Baptist.  Here is a man who spent years in the wilderness, perhaps in silence, learning how to hear the voice of God.  He had a calling, to prepare the way for Jesus.  He took it extremely seriously because he would ultimately be the most faithful man when it came to authentic Christianity.  He followed the law, he knew scripture and he put it all into action, all by FAITH.

John was in the limelight for quite some time, baptizing and preaching, encouraging others to repent and impacting thousands upon thousands of people.  His entire purpose was in full display.  He was energized, working in his gifts...preparing the way.

When Jesus came... so did silence in Johns ministry.  So much so, others noticed and questioned John about it.  John's answer was very noble  and one we try to mentor. 

"You yourselves bear me witness, that I said, ‘I am not the Christ, but I have been sent before him.’  The one who has the bride is the bridegroom. The friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly at the bridegroom's voice. Therefore this joy of mine is now complete.  He must increase, but I must decrease.”  John 3:28:30

Yet, once in silence and in prison, John asks this...

When John, who was in prison, heard about the deeds of the Messiah, he sent his disciples to ask him, “Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?” Matthew 11:2-3

Maybe the silence got to John.  He had poured his entire life into preparing the way for Christ and when Christ came, so did the silence.

I can relate to his question.  I've felt that way myself.  Maybe it was after my children got older to no longer fully depended on me, or perhaps when a friend needed help, but when they got back on their feet, they no longer needed me, or family members that didn't seem to need me.  

Silence could have been my defeat...

Until God spoke...BE "STILL" AND KNOW THAT I AM GOD.

Please read that slowly and let it soak in.

I hope to encourage you, much as God encouraged me, that you will never run out of purpose, even if it feels like you have come to your end in a situation...there is more...much more...there are loads of opportunities that God will ask of you if you continue to be a willing vessel.  You don't need glory or credit, you don't even need a "thanks Mom, thanks friend, or I couldn't have made it through without you.  You just need to be still and know that He is God.  If in that situation silence comes, as I've learned, it doesn't mean that it's punishment, it means that God has taken over and he leaves His peace with you for you to be able to clearly hear Him again.  

The last couple weeks I've been "coffee cup counseling" several people with several vulnerabilities.   Meaning the only degree I have to council, is the Holy Spirit living within me and my own experiences, knowledge and opinions.  I'm not a licensed counselor with any sort of world degree. But I would say I'm a loyal friend with a compassionate heart to see people come to the knowledge of Christ in their lives so they can see the perspective God does.  In addition to my coffee cup counseling,  I am also involved in a group called "Life Together" where a group of about 14-20 of us get together and learn how to do life together in this complicated world.

What I've learned through Christ in all of my experiences, are when it's OK to expose vulnerabilities and when it is not.  I'd like to share a bit of my experience with you for you to consider.

I've always loved vulnerability.  Mostly, in part, because if someone exposed their vulnerability, it made me feel less dysfunctional in all my past experiences, poor choices and life lessons I've learned along the way.  It's always nice to see someone "successful" say... "I didn't always have a life like this..." because it does a couple things in my head.  1) Provides hope and 2) puts me on the same level playing field as a successful person.  Well that is all great...but is that what matters in the kingdom? Perhaps slightly...but not fully.

So that thought on the back burner for now, simmering on low, let's get on to another side dish... When do I recommend it's OK to be vulnerable?  Well, my "old answer" would be, it's only OK to be vulnerable with people that you know have a heart for you, that you trust, that are fully dependent on Christ, who will be there for you, walking it out with you.  Until...the church wounded that perspective for me.  Let me explain... Several years ago, I was medically diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis, which is an autoimmune disease.  A few years back, they found nodules on my lungs and in my lymph nodes.  It's not hard for you to guess where my thoughts might have gone during that time.  Also during that time, I was in conflict in a relationship with one of my brothers/sisters in Christ.  So when I went to ask the church for prayers, I got a "you got this", "make sure to pray", "before you send an email to people about your issues, give it to God" and "I can't be there because there is a sale going on at Menards, but I'm with you in Spirit."   Understandably, I was crushed.  In my head I was fighting the most crucial battle of life in my head, yet it was a pepper flake in the ocean of our church.  Now, whether that was my perspective, or truth, regardless, I was crushed.  I left the church for 2 years, and learned how to be fully dependent on Christ.  My point is not to put blame on anyone, but to simply show how our dependence on people can be very tainted and a very weakness in our walk with Christ.

Which brings me to my best answer...

When you are dependent on Christ you should be vulnerable in all you do, at all times, with all people.

Scripture Says:

2 Corinthians 12:9-11 New King James Version (NKJV)
And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

2 Corinthians 12:9-11 International Standard Version (ISV)
but he has told me, “My grace is all you need, because my power is perfected in weakness.” Therefore, I will most happily boast about my weaknesses, so that the Messiah’s power may rest on me. That is why I take such pleasure in weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and difficulties for the Messiah’s[b] sake, for when I am weak, then I am strong.

2 Corinthians 12:9-11 The Message (MSG)
Because of the extravagance of those revelations, and so I wouldn’t get a big head, I was given the gift of a handicap to keep me in constant touch with my limitations. Satan’s angel did his best to get me down; what he in fact did was push me to my knees. No danger then of walking around high and mighty! At first I didn’t think of it as a gift, and begged God to remove it. Three times I did that, and then he told me,

My grace is enough; it’s all you need.
My strength comes into its own in your weakness.

Once I heard that, I was glad to let it happen. I quit focusing on the handicap and began appreciating the gift. It was a case of Christ’s strength moving in on my weakness. Now I take limitations in stride, and with good cheer, these limitations that cut me down to size—abuse, accidents, opposition, bad breaks. I just let Christ take over! And so the weaker I get, the stronger I become.

It's scary to be vulnerable.  Whether you are in a secure and safe environment or an environment filled with people that want nothing more than to take your weakness and exploit it.  Regardless of it being in a church or the world.  But the truth is, that in order to receive God's healing, peace, joy, or any other Godly attributes over that vulnerability you need to get it out into the light.  The light meaning out of the darkness.  If it's kept in secret, it's stewing in the darkness and you are only allowing Satan to have access to it.   You have to be willing to release that vulnerability and give God permission to touch it, giving God full access to it.  Putting your full trust in God and His love for you, His plans for you, and His purpose for life in abundance!  Regardless of who you confess this vulnerability to, people can not fix it... only God can.  You are not releasing this darkness on human shoulders, you are simply releasing it so God can heal it...  And God will do above all you can do or think with this vulnerability for the good of the kingdom, regardless of what people might do with it.

Be vulnerable...let God be God and work in every inch of your life!

I can't even begin to tell you all the things God has done in the last couple weeks.  Overwhelming revelation, prayers answered, hopelessness restored, relationships created, slingshot faith and things only God could have orchestrated.  There's just no way to explain it.  You have to experience it yourself to fully understand it.

The last couple weeks, I've had my eyes opened to the most amazing and beautiful revelations.  Through testimony of those God moments to and through others, I've seen healing, growth, progress, I've saw Satan stopped in his tracks and God glorified beyond measure.

I know I have saw doors opened, doors closed, people pushed into their purpose and explode into God's ministry in just a brief moment.  Just like that lives that sat in sewers for years have been cleaned, refreshed and restored, bondage broken, and chains removed.

In essence, I've removed a flood gate in my life from a stocked up stale dam to let God's living water of LIFE rush in, not only to my own life, but overflowing into all those that are in my circle.  Which flows to their circles, far beyond my own reach.  We need each other.  We need to encourage one another in every God victory in our lives.

And it was all by choice and a gift of a measurement of FAITH in which each of us has already been equipped by God with a "measure of" already.

Matthew 9:29 tells us this...."Then He touched their eyes, sayiing, “According to your faith let it be to you.”

When you seek God with your whole heart, mind and soul for spiritual things instead of worldly things... overwhelming things happen.  When God touches your spiritual eyes and allows you to see His perspective instead of your own perspective, get ready for new life to take place.  Everything will change, yet nothing will change.  You will transform from darkness to light.  No matter how long you've saw the world through darkness, in an instant, the light transforms your entire world, if even by nothing more than a flicker of hope through a dying ember. 

According to your faith. 

So Angie...how do you get more faith you ask? 

​According to Romans 10:17 truth says "So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ."

Is it really that easy you ask? 

How about you start digging... how about you start sharing testimony of the things God reveals to you and see if He doesn't change your entire world though Faith.

​According to your faith.....

​WisdomForInspiredLiving.com 
Have You Been Conned?
~Discovering Truth Within A World of Opinions
What Happens When Someone Points Out Our Sin?
 
DATE:
 
PLANTING SEEDS: (Truth)  Truth can only be found in God’s word.  People can share their opinion on truth, which I am going to do with you in a moment during my “Coffee Cup Counseling” section but I encourage you to personally start getting into the word and studying scripture. It will open up a brand new perspective and new life for those that take the time to begin or rekindle their relationship with God.
 
COFFEE CUP COUNSELING: (Angela’s Personal Perspective on Interaction with this Truth)
 
My son sent me a 18 minute long video of an assistant principal at a science school in a rant over a peaceful protest against abortion that took place on a public sidewalk in front of the school.  I watched that video and could not help but be able to easily distinguish the difference between the world and God.  When approached with the sin of the abortion, he defended it.  When approached with sin, he almost hissed and exposed yet a completely different sin in his life and clearly separated himself from the Savior because of his fleshly temptation and his choice to act in his sin rather than seek a Savior.  You see, the world chooses to see justification in sin.  But God in His Word, clearly defines sin…which are more than just the ones this gentleman mentioned.  We all have our own temptations of sin, that if acted upon we instinctively want to hide….It started with Adam and Eve…and it continues to the end of the scripture.
 
It reminded me of two things.  The maniac of Gadara, and us… when someone points out or uncovers our sin.  It is really sad that we respond like Spiegel on the Lord of the Rings when we have meditated over or participated in sin for any length of time.  No one is void of the temptation to cover sin.  I watched a Forensic File show the other day about a Pastor in South Dakota who was having an affair and to cover it up, murdered his wife.  We make absolutely horrible decisions when we insist on protecting sin in our lives that call for repentance.  Repentance is not just saying your sorry…it’s seeing a sin as God sees it, feeling remorse for those that you’ve hurt, first and foremost God, others, and even yourself, seeing that sin as bondage and turning to Jesus to save you from it.  The law points to sin, and the penalties of, but it also points us to the Savior and the way to be freed from it.
 
So let’s say, you’ve asked Jesus on the scene to come into your life and lead you into a rebirth of your life…now what?
 
Well let’s just see what happened with Maniac of Gadara when Jesus approached.  First, this man was living in a cave…hiding in the dark.  Much like Spegiel, he just sat and let un-confessed sin just take a hold of his life and his mind.  He meditated over it and he now found comfort in the legion of demons that he allowed to dwell with him.  He was so bad, even the world attempted to lock him away in chains, but the demons would set him free from the bondage of those chains…falsely giving him the belief they were his friends so that his loyalty would be towards them. So when everyone forgot about him and an eternal death in hell was certain, Jesus, the Savior, came on the scene.  Jesus always calls us and when he does do we answer his knock at our door, or stay hidden in our dark caves?  In the case of the maniac of Gadara, was the initial reaction that of the man or of the demonic sin that had over taken his life?  Remember the legions of demons had convinced this man they were his defender, his protector, so the man let the demons defend his sin.  We do this… you hear it all the time, when you present truth against sin or lies... nearly every time, you will get the same response, the sin is allowed to speak first and defend itself before truth. It has every justification possible… who are you to tell me, I have a right, you can’t judge me, you don’t understand, hiss, hiss, hiss…and usually we run to our dark caves and we begin to justify our responses to our sin, by blaming others for having the audacity to call it out.
 
I love what Jesus does at this moment.  He asks the sin for their name.  Jesus used this same principal when he wrested Jacob for his sin….he asked him to call it out, he asked him to see it as God sees it.  He asked for repentance.  Jacob spoke, my name is Jacob…which the name means (he grasps the heal).  Jacob had grabbed the heal of his brother and stole his birthright, which he continued this sin of stealing throughout his life, until this moment.  Remember what God told Satan his punishment would be in the garden of Eden…he said, that Satan would grasp the heal of Jesus, by putting his loved ones in freewill bondage.  Choice.  Our choice.  Sin…grabs your heal…to hold you down…in the world.  But with Jacob, Jesus says (because of Jacob’s repentance) your name is no longer Jacob, but Israel.  And we all know Israel is God’s children, his love.  He restored Jacob because of his repentance.  So what happened with the Maniac when Jesus asked for their name… immediately after the man answered and confessed their were many….they knew they didn’t stand a chance at remaining.  The man was set free instantly and the demons begged Jesus to let them go into a herd of pigs and be drown in the sea.  I also ponder this…and why Jesus allowed it…do demons drown?  And if so, would they have rather drown then go back to hell?  Or was this act for the sight of the people as a witness?  Someday that will be revealed to me in it’s time, but for now, what I can say is that the man was freed from his sin.
 
The next part of what happens is equally as powerful.  The man wants to just hang out with Jesus, but Jesus says no…Jesus knows his purpose is to be a sacrifice and return to his Father soon, so instead he sends the man off to witness to others. God calls many people to stay where he found them, to be a light in a dark place.   But as you see….the people’s response is similar to the maniac when confronted with sin…even though these people have witnessed this miracle, they are “afraid”, they don’t want anything to do with it.  Even though they saw the miracles… they insisted on sending Jesus away for messing with their worldly beliefs.  Jesus left, but he left a witness.  
 
Are you a witness?
 
SCRIPTURE (Truth) SAYS:
Mark 5 - Jesus restores a demon-possessed man
Genesis 32:22-32 Jacob Wrestles With God
Genesis 3:14-15 Satan’s punishment purpose and future
 
Let’s get into God’s word, speak truth and set the captives free.
 
MEDITATION & DISCUSSION:
Please take this time to share your thoughts on this scripture. Let's get into relationship and community and discuss this together.  I encourage you to personally share your insight, testimony, thoughts, or questions on this topic with me below. After all, iron sharpens iron.
 
PLEASE SHARE:
If you appreciated this message.  Please share it.  You can text it, post it to Social Media, Discuss it at your Bible Study, you can subscribe to my YouTube Channel at Angela Serocki or print today’s study from my wisdomforinspiredliving.com blog, invite a friend to have coffee and discuss!  It’s easy!
 
PRAYER:
Thank you God for your sovereignty, for your Word which is all truth that we can trust. Thank you for Jesus Christ, our only Savior, who came in love as the only sacrifice you would allow to redeem us from our sins and thank you for the Holy Spirit who leads us into all truth and convicts the world of sin, righteousness and judgement so we can draw nearer to you.  In Jesus name.  Amen.

​WisdomForInspiredLiving.com 
Have You Been Conned?
~Discovering Truth Within A World of Opinions
Who Is Responsible For Your Salvation?
 
DATE:
 
PLANTING SEEDS: (Truth)  Truth can only be found in God’s word.  People can share their opinion on truth, which I am going to do with you in a moment during my “Coffee Cup Counseling” section but I encourage you to personally start getting into the word and studying scripture. It will open up a brand new perspective and new life for those that take the time to begin or rekindle their relationship with God.
 
COFFEE CUP COUNSELING: (Angela’s Personal Perspective on Interaction with this Truth)
 
Other than praying for someone to have their eyes opened and come to Christ does the Bible say anywhere that we can in anyway provide someone’s salvation?
 
Is there a selfish part of Christianity?
 
SCRIPTURE (Truth) SAYS:
 
Matthew 7:3-5 New International Version (NIV)
“Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.
 
2 Corinthians 10:5 New International Version (NIV)
We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.
 
1 Corinthians 1:18 New International Version (NIV)
For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.
 
2 Corinthians 4:4 New International Version (NIV)
The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.
 
Matthew 10:34 New International Version (NIV)
“Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword.
 
Luke 17:2 New International Version (NIV)
It would be better for them to be thrown into the sea with a millstone tied around their neck than to cause one of these little ones to stumble.
 
Matthew 18:6 New International Version (NIV)
“If anyone causes one of these little ones—those who believe in me—to stumble, it would be better for them to have a large millstone hung around their neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea.
 
 
 
Mark 9:42 New International Version (NIV)
“If anyone causes one of these little ones—those who believe in me—to stumble, it would be better for them if a large millstone were hung around their neck and they were thrown into the sea.
 
Let’s get into the Word, speak Truth and set the Captives Free!
 
MEDITATION & DISCUSSION:
Please take this time to share your thoughts on this scripture. Let's get into relationship and community and discuss this together.  I encourage you to personally share your insight, testimony, thoughts, or questions on this topic with me below. After all, iron sharpens iron.
 
PLEASE SHARE:
If you appreciated this message.  Please share it.  You can text it, post it to Social Media, Discuss it at your Bible Study, you can subscribe to my YouTube Channel at Angela Serocki or print today’s study from my wisdomforinspiredliving.com blog, invite a friend to have coffee and discuss!  It’s easy!
 
PRAYER:
Thank you God for your sovereignty, for your Word which is all truth that we can trust. Thank you for Jesus Christ, our only Savior, who came in love as the only sacrifice you would allow to redeem us from our sins and thank you for the Holy Spirit who leads us into all truth and convicts the world of sin, righteousness and judgement so we can draw nearer to you.  In Jesus name.  Amen.

WisdomForInspiredLiving.com 
Have You Been Conned?
~Discovering Truth Within A World of Opinions
 Should Women Teach The Gospel?
 
DATE:
 
PLANTING SEEDS: (Truth)  Truth can only be found in God’s word.  People can share their opinion on truth, which I am going to do with you in a moment during my “Coffee Cup Counseling” section but I encourage you to personally start getting into the word and studying scripture. It will open up a brand new perspective and new life for those that take the time to begin or rekindle their relationship with God.
 
COFFEE CUP COUNSELING: (Angela’s Personal Perspective on Interaction with this Truth)
 
SCRIPTURE (Truth) SAYS:
 
Galatians 3:28 New International Version (NIV)
There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.
 
James 3:1-2 New International Version (NIV)
Not many of you should become teachers, my fellow believers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly. We all stumble in many ways. Anyone who is never at fault in what they say is perfect, able to keep their whole body in check
 
1 Corinthians 14:34-38 New International Version (NIV)
Women should remain silent in the churches. They are not allowed to speak, but must be in submission, as the law says.  If they want to inquire about something, they should ask their own husbands at home; for it is disgraceful for a woman to speak in the church.
 
Or did the word of God originate with you? Or are you the only people it has reached?  If anyone thinks they are a prophet or otherwise gifted by the Spirit, let them acknowledge that what I am writing to you is the Lord’s command.  But if anyone ignores this, they will themselves be ignored.
 
1 Timothy 2:8-15 New International Version (NIV)
Therefore I want the men everywhere to pray, lifting up holy hands without anger or disputing.  I also want the women to dress modestly, with decency and propriety, adorning themselves, not with elaborate hairstyles or gold or pearls or expensive clothes,  but with good deeds, appropriate for women who profess to worship God.
 
A woman should learn in quietness and full submission.  I do not permit a woman to teach or to assume authority over a man; she must be quiet.  For Adam was formed first, then Eve.  And Adam was not the one deceived; it was the woman who was deceived and became a sinner.  But women will be saved through childbearing—if they continue in faith, love and holiness with propriety.
 
1 Corinthians 7:14 New International Version (NIV)
For the unbelieving husband has been sanctified through his wife, and the unbelieving wife has been sanctified through her believing husband. Otherwise your children would be unclean, but as it is, they are holy.
 
Titus 2:3-5 New International Version (NIV)
Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good. Then they can urge the younger women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God.
 
Proverbs 31 New International Version (NIV)
Sayings of King Lemuel
31 The sayings of King Lemuel—an inspired utterance his mother taught him.
 
2 Listen, my son! Listen, son of my womb!
    Listen, my son, the answer to my prayers!
3 Do not spend your strength[a] on women,
    your vigor on those who ruin kings.
 
4 It is not for kings, Lemuel--
    it is not for kings to drink wine,
    not for rulers to crave beer,
5 lest they drink and forget what has been decreed,
    and deprive all the oppressed of their rights.
6 Let beer be for those who are perishing,
    wine for those who are in anguish!
7 Let them drink and forget their poverty
    and remember their misery no more.
 
8 Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves,
    for the rights of all who are destitute.
9 Speak up and judge fairly;
    defend the rights of the poor and needy.
 
Epilogue: The Wife of Noble Character
 
10 [b]A wife of noble character who can find?
    She is worth far more than rubies.
11 Her husband has full confidence in her
    and lacks nothing of value.
12 She brings him good, not harm,
    all the days of her life.
13 She selects wool and flax
    and works with eager hands.
14 She is like the merchant ships,
    bringing her food from afar.
15 She gets up while it is still night;
    she provides food for her family
    and portions for her female servants.
16 She considers a field and buys it;
    out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.
17 She sets about her work vigorously;
    her arms are strong for her tasks.
18 She sees that her trading is profitable,
    and her lamp does not go out at night.
19 In her hand she holds the distaff
    and grasps the spindle with her fingers.
20 She opens her arms to the poor
    and extends her hands to the needy.
21 When it snows, she has no fear for her household;
    for all of them are clothed in scarlet.
22 She makes coverings for her bed;
    she is clothed in fine linen and purple.
23 Her husband is respected at the city gate,
    where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.
24 She makes linen garments and sells them,
    and supplies the merchants with sashes.
25 She is clothed with strength and dignity;
    she can laugh at the days to come.
26 She speaks with wisdom,
    and faithful instruction is on her tongue.
27 She watches over the affairs of her household
    and does not eat the bread of idleness.
28 Her children arise and call her blessed;
    her husband also, and he praises her:
29 “Many women do noble things,
    but you surpass them all.”
30 Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;
    but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.
31 Honor her for all that her hands have done,
and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.
 
MEDITATION & DISCUSSION:
Please take this time to share your thoughts on this scripture. Let's get into relationship and community and discuss this together.  I encourage you to personally share your insight, testimony, thoughts, or questions on this topic with me below. After all, iron sharpens iron.
 
PLEASE SHARE:
If you appreciated this message.  Please share it.  You can text it, post it to Social Media, Discuss it at your Bible Study, you can subscribe to my YouTube Channel at Angela Serocki or print today’s study from my wisdomforinspiredliving.com blog, invite a friend to have coffee and discuss!  It’s easy!
 
PRAYER:
Thank you God for your sovereignty, for your Word which is all truth that we can trust. Thank you for Jesus Christ, our only Savior, who came in love as the only sacrifice you would allow to redeem us from our sins and thank you for the Holy Spirit who leads us into all truth and convicts the world of sin, righteousness and judgement so we can draw nearer to you.  In Jesus name.  Amen.

WisdomForInspiredLiving.com 
Have You Been Conned?
~Discovering Truth Within A World of Opinions
 Do Not Follow Me! 
 
DATE:
 
PLANTING SEEDS: (Truth)  Truth can only be found in God’s word.  People can share their opinion on truth, which I am going to do with you in a moment during my “Coffee Cup Counseling” section but I encourage you to personally start getting into the word and studying scripture. It will open up a brand new perspective and new life for those that take the time to begin or rekindle their relationship with God.
 
COFFEE CUP COUNSELING: (Angela’s Personal Perspective on Interaction with this Truth)
I love Jesus, I love being led by the Holy Spirit, I’m overwhelmed by the sovereignty of God and I love the Word, I love to study the Word, I love to debate the Word with others, and I love to share the Word.  I listen to several different people on TV that I love to be encouraged and stretched by, James McDonald, Joyce Meyer, Beth Moore, Robert Morrison, Joel Osteen, Greg Laurie, Ravi Zacharias.  Each one has their own unique twist on Scripture and are here to share the Gospel through their perspective.  I don’t agree with them all, all the time, but when I disagree with them, I don’t stop watching them, I simply go to the Word and see what it says.
 
I love sharing my God Moments with you on social media, but the one thing that always disturbs me is when one of my social media notifications says: “someone is now following you”.  First off because I’m a helper, and far from a leader, but the main reason is that I don’t want followers…I don’t want anyone trying to imitate me…I simply want to be a vessel that shares what God has done in her life.  I want to fellowship with other believers, that perhaps don’t necessarily always agree with me, but will walk this life out with me through Christ.  
 
The trouble with following people is that we are faulty and flawed.  You have a gift friends, and you are called to walk in your gifts.  You can’t rely on others gifts to influence the world…not one person has that ability.  You might see people on platforms, but you do not see all those that have worked hard to create that platform.  Some water, some plant…but God grows.  You can lock arms with people for reasons such as influence, encouragement, advice, community, fellowship, relationship, and to help pick you up when your struggling.  But that is simply temporary.  You could pick apart each and every message I share on here, no matter how much I put into it.  Because I am flawed.  I only do what I do to find others who want to share in this journey and fellowship with me.  I don’t want followers, I want to share in a community of believers.
 
When you follow God, instead of people you will encounter transformation, truth, salvation, vindication, answers, sanctification, companionship, mentor-ship, correction, discipline, strength, growth, peace, love, joy, patience, goodness, faithfulness and so much more.
 
The best thing about this perspective change from following people to following Christ is that you no longer allow the opinions of others to control your direction.  You individually and corporately succeed in all areas of your life, because your faith in on a Savior and not about your works…so that no one can boast.
 
SCRIPTURE (Truth) SAYS:
 
Revelation 22:8-9 New International Version (NIV)
I, John, am the one who heard and saw these things. And when I had heard and seen them, I fell down to worship at the feet of the angel who had been showing them to me.  But he said to me, “Don’t do that! I am a fellow servant with you and with your fellow prophets and with all who keep the words of this scroll. Worship God!”
 
Let’s get into God’s word, speak truth and set the captives free.
 
MEDITATION & DISCUSSION:
Please take this time to share your thoughts on this scripture. Let's get into relationship and community and discuss this together.  I encourage you to personally share your insight, testimony, thoughts, or questions on this topic with me below. After all, iron sharpens iron.
 
PLEASE SHARE:
If you appreciated this message.  Please share it.  You can text it, post it to Social Media, Discuss it at your Bible Study, you can subscribe to my YouTube Channel at Angela Serocki or print today’s study from my wisdomforinspiredliving.com blog, invite a friend to have coffee and discuss!  It’s easy!
 
PRAYER:
Thank you God for your sovereignty, for your Word which is all truth that we can trust. Thank you for Jesus Christ, our only Savior, who came in love as the only sacrifice you would allow to redeem us from our sins and thank you for the Holy Spirit who leads us into all truth and convicts the world of sin, righteousness and judgement so we can draw nearer to you.  In Jesus name.  Amen.