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.

​WisdomForInspiredLiving.com 
Bible Study
~Discovering Truth Within A World of Opinions
 Is Faith Without Works Dead? 
 
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)
 
From the time I was 2 until I was about 8 my Mom was in a very abusive relationship.  To my recollection that time was filled with control and punishment, discipline and a little bit of fun mixed in.  It was a very confusing time in my life in which I learned to hide from anger, run from punishment, keep my mouth shut and obey the rules.   So a part of me has to take a look at why I appreciate God’s correction. Is it because it’s a learned trait, or is it because God’s correction looks so much different from what I learned as man’s correction?  I think a little of both.
 
When my mom remarried, she married a gentleman that provided an atmosphere of a very open dialog.  It was very foreign to me because I was given freedom and encouraged to argue a point as I saw it and not just go with the flow of the normal, AND not get punished for doing so.  I could openly share my thoughts and opinions and if I didn’t like something, I could say it without fear of remand.  Nearly every evening at supper a topic would come up and this man, the Father that raised me, and I,  would begin the hour long debate of a subject.  Rarely would we agree, at the end of the "opinion thrashing", I’d usually end it by getting up, getting the encyclopedia off the bookshelf and looking up the “right” answer.  I’d hang my head down and say, “fine you win” when I was wrong with my Dad’s smirk.... or I’d "IN YOUR FACE" him when I was right…equally with my Dad’s smirk.  Regardless of who was right or wrong, my mother hated this interaction and was usually up doing the dishes within 5 minutes of the bantering.  I think, however, my Dad and I both loved it.  It was energizing and exploratory.
 
What I can tell you is that when you are held in bondage for a time and then given true freedom, you will no longer settle for going back into bondage, or if you do, you won’t ever be comfortable there.  
 
That’s what it has been like for me coming to Christ…the bondage of the world which was full of control and punishment, discipline and a little bit of fun mixed in, is like my step-father, a parallel for me to how I viewed the world.  And the freedom of Christ to ask questions, explore, even disagree, and search for truth was parallel to the atmosphere my “Dad” created for me.
 
So last night at Bible Study I was consumed with the definition of “works.”  I found myself in a discernment conflict because of the “term” works.  What context or meaning is works good and what context and meaning is it bad. In the study last night they were leaning strongly using the word “works” as being bad.  But I was focused on the works the Bible says are good, and the debate began….  The problem with debating truth in a Bible study however, is that you can often be debating really the same thing…but in a different perspective…which creates and atmosphere, of well…I guess, whatever your perspective is.  For some, like my Dad and I, it may be an energizing and exploratory learning process which ends up in a smirk, right or wrong.  For some, like my Mom, you might want to get up and leave the table within 5 minutes because this bantering sounds like conflict and it makes you very uneasy…and yet for others it might give them that sense of power and control to shove their ideology down your throat and force others to succumb to it, like my Step-Dad.  While some of it, is truly the same heart of God, even though there is a debate, on the other hand some of it is not the heart of God.
 
That’s sort of like what "works" is….Christians are always in an banter about whether the “law” is good or bad.  The answer lies in what context you are using it.
 
Simply put in just some examples….
Are you doing “works” to “earn salvation” or a “ticket to heaven”? Then it’s dead.
Are you doing “works” to honor or please people? - Then it’s dead
Are you doing “works” for selfish ambitions?- Then it’s dead
Are you doing works that promotes sin? - Then it’s dead
 
Are you doing works to draw others to Christ? -Then it’s good
Are you being obedient to the law to imitate Christ - Then it’s good
Are you doing works to point to give honor to God - Then it’s good.
Are you doing works to in doctrine showing integrity, reverence, incorruptibility? Then it’s good.
 
The Bible tells us that faith without works is dead.  
 
Does this mean that we need to do works?  Yes… not for our salvation but to edify and point to Christ in all we do…as it is not us that has any power, but Christ in us that has the ability to draw people to Himself.
 
Does this mean that if we do good works apart from the repentance of our sins and the acceptance of Jesus Christ as our Savior that we still earn a place in heaven…absolutely not. At least not what I read in truth.
 
So the next time you want to get into a banter with someone.  Make sure that they know your heart…that it’s not conflict, it’s the freedom to explore, ask question and discuss.  When you’ve gotten through all your opinions, instead of getting up to get the encyclopedia off the bookshelf, reach for the Bible instead…there is no mis-information in there.
 
SCRIPTURE (Truth) SAYS:
 
Bad Works:
Colossians 1:21 And you, who once were alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now He has reconciled
Ephesians 5:11 And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them.
Galatians 5:19 Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness,
Galatians 2:16 knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law but by faith in Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, that we might be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law; for by the works of the law no flesh shall be justified.
Acts 7:41 And they made a calf in those days, offered sacrifices to the idol, and rejoiced in the works of their own hands.
Romans 9:32 Why? Because they did not seek it by faith, but as it were, by the works of the law. For they stumbled at that stumbling stone.
Romans 13:3 For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to evil. Do you want to be unafraid of the authority? Do what is good, and you will have praise from the same.
 
Good Works:
Titus 2:7 in all things showing yourself to be a pattern of good works; in doctrine showing integrity, reverence, incorruptibility,
1 Timothy 6:18 Let them do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share,
1 Timothy 5:10 well reported for good works: if she has brought up children, if she has lodged strangers, if she has washed the saints’ feet, if she has relieved the afflicted, if she has diligently followed every good work.
1 Timothy 2:10 but, which is proper for women professing godliness, with good works.
Ephesians 2:10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.
Acts 26:20 but declared first to those in Damascus and in Jerusalem, and throughout all the region of Judea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent, turn to God, and do works befitting repentance.
 
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 
Bible Study
~Discovering Truth Within A World of Opinions
 Would A Loving God Really Send People To Hell? 
 
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 hear people say all the time - would a loving God really send people to Hell?  My personal answer is NO, He doesn’t.  Yet, sadly, people do choose to spend their eternity there, and according to the Bible, perhaps more people than not. BUT, that is not God’s will.
 
Let’s take a look at some of the things that a loving/just God has already done or will do:
1) The Flood: 8 saved / unknown # perished up to an est 750M
2) The Destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah: 3 saved / remainder perished est 600-1200K
3) The Plagues that wiped out the 1st born sons in Egypt: ? saved / - est 3M perished
4) Revelation - 144,000 saved (during this time) / remainder perish (est current pop. 7.6B)
 
Let’s take a look at some of the reasons why this happened?
1) Lack of reverence to God or others
2) Depraved minds that seek to do the will of their flesh instead of the will of God
3) Disobedience
4) Control and Pride
 
So we say, but Jesus came to spare us from all those things and we are now covered with Grace and Mercy.  Which we are…. but let’s ask ourselves a couple things about being complacent about God’s grace and mercy.  Since we know and can prove the past events, we can trust that the warning of Revelation will also take place at the proper time.
 
1) Have you ever asked why God allows bad things to happen to good people?  
2) Have you ever asked why disease and sickness is allowed to develop?
3) Have you ever asked why certain people are allowed to treat others unfairly and get rewarded?
4) Have you ever took a look at the world’s ways and wondered, where on earth is it headed?
5) When God…are you going to stop all this???
 
Do you know that God says, that He is long suffering so that no one should perish….No one, means, it is not in God's will that anyone should go to hell, but that at the proper time, He will make good on His promise to protect.
 
So let me suggest two dominate perspectives of people
 
1) God is a dictator with a bunch of rules that no one can possibly follow and we are all going to hell.
2) God is a loving God, warning us of destructive behavior that would lead us away from living a fulfilled life so that we don’t have to fear hell.
 
This would be dependant on how you see God and His sovereignty.  That God and He only has the ability to judge sin and wipe it out once and for all, because God is a Just God, meaning He will judge sin and protect those that have suffered unfairly,  He is a Righteous God, meaning He sides with right living for all, and He is truth, meaning He can not go back on His word nor will He change it for exceptions.
 
But let’s balance that…God is mercy at the highest level.  This is why when we give up on people because we don’t believe they will ever change, like the adulterous spouse who’s committed adultery over and over and over.  Or the person in prison who is sorry for what they’ve done, yet they will serve a life sentence while those on the outside can’t wait for their demise because of their prior actions apart from Christ, or the person that tells you point blank, I’m an atheist who burns bibles… still has the opportunity to fall in love with Christ.  God understands we are not perfect and are fully dependent on Jesus for forgiveness.  God is grace, He made a way that we could not do on our own, by sending His only son as a sacrifice for our sins, so that in our unintentional and points of weakness in our temptations we can be redeemed by the blood of the Lamb when we do mess up.  He is love, fully and compassionately full of non judgmental love…that no matter what you or I have done, we have the ABILITY to always be reconciled back to God’s heart.  So you see there is no need to be discouraged about sin…yet we need to be "aware" of it in all areas of our lives.   God has made a way to escape sin, Jesus Christ, both as a sacrifice and a mentor, but with that God also expects us to be obedient.  Sin that is left without repentance or our lack of acceptance in Jesus Christ will not be redeemed or covered.  

That is our choice.  Not God's will.  There is a difference.
 
What does it look like when we transform from the perspective of God as a dictator to God as a Loving God….
 
Saul of Tarsus getting knocked off his horse.
 
What does it look like when God is out to save a nation and they listen but the Godly messenger God sent to tell them to repent doesn’t want to be obedient…. 
 
Jonah in the belly of the whale…while God will is to save Nineveh.
 
So truth be told God is love, grace and mercy, but he is also, just, correction and discipline, all facets of a loving God that is long suffering so that no one should perish.    
 
SCRIPTURE (Truth) SAYS:
Genesis 6:9-9:17 Noah
Genesis 19 Sodom and Gomorrah
Exodus 7:14-11:10 10 Plagues
Revelation Opening of the Seals
Acts 9 - Saul was Converted into Paul
Jonah 1-4 Jonah and Ninevah
 
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.