DATE:
PLANTING SEEDS: (Truth)
Scripture Memorization : Romans 14:10 (NIV)
You, then, why do you judge your brother or sister? Or why do you treat them with contempt? For we will all stand before God’s judgment seat.
COFFEE CUP COUNSELING: (My Personal Perspective)
When I came to Christ for the first time, my life was absolutely at rock bottom. I was at a very low and dark place in my life. Looking back, I can’t say I wish those mistakes hadn’t happened, because it was the very circumstance that allowed God to finally grab my heart and change my perspective.
When you are a new believer, or born again, you are a baby in Christ. So many things are so foreign. You see many things, like you are seeing them again for the very first time. Because when your perspective changes your world changes. I have walked with Christ for nearly 12 years, but for several years, I seemed to struggled and fumbled and was confused at my new world in Christ. Everyday I wanted to go back to what I knew, what was comfortable to me, but I also knew that if I did, it would be no different than a dog returning to it’s own vomit. Meaning, going back to my own life would only result in the same life that God just brought me out of.
I had to make some hard choices. I had to make sure that the Bible was the first thing I reached for everyday. See, God’s thoughts are not our thoughts, and God’s ways are not our ways. The only way for me to understand God and his thoughts and ways, were to get into the word each day. As I did, I found myself with a little more joy, a little more hope, and a whole lot more life. I had to make choices as to what I watched, what I listened to, who I spent my time with, what I spent my time on.
Many people including family and friends didn’t understand. Shoot, I didn’t understand. How could I explain what was happening to me to anyone else? I couldn’t. I momentarily lost friends, and felt pretty isolated for the most part. But my main focus was my husband, my children and my outlook on life. I had to eliminate un-biblical options in order to see my life change and to become more like Christ. Now let me make it clear, you do not receive salvation by cleaning up your life or by becoming like Christ. You receive salvation by simply accepting Christ into your life as your Savior, and the “doing” part of salvation is because of a changed heart, not as a works to earn your way into heaven. One of the hardest parts for me, was that when God changes you, he gives you a new name. Like in the Bible, “Saul” was a Christian killer, but when God touched him, God called him “Paul” on which Jesus would build his church. Or the liar Jacob, who stole his brothers birth rite, when God touched his heart, God changed his name to Israel, which we all know is God’s child. I loved my new name, (life) but many of my friends, because they had not had an encounter with God yet, could only call me by my old name and all the things of my past. Some still do, even after 12 yrs of a changed heart. That becomes tough because at that point, you have to determine who you are in Christ and continue to walk it out, regardless of what anyone else says. You are going to make several mistakes as you continue your walk with Christ, and believe me, people are going to point them out! Yet, no worries, God doesn’t call them mistakes and he doesn’t strike his mallet on the table and condemn you to hell because of it. He uses all things to help us learn, to teach us and to continually draw us closer to Him. God doesn’t act like our friends do…he acts like God, leading you into all truth and loving you unconditionally. After some time, you will find that you grow more through the tests in life instead of the easy roads and that gives you an opportunity to provide a testimony to someone else who may also be looking for answers in their own life. What a perfect opportunity to share Jesus with them and all he’s done in your life.
So share away. Speak truth, set the captives free!
MEDITATION & DISCUSSION:
Take time to journal your thoughts on this scripture. You are more than welcomed to share your insight, testimony, thoughts, questions with me below, or keep it for your own personal journal.
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SHARE WITH A FRIEND:
Studies indicate that if we share what we have learned with someone else within 24 hours of being taught, the chances of it remaining in our memory is increased. If you have had a friend, relative, or anyone come to mind while reading this blog, please share this with them! You can text it, post it to Social Media, Discuss it at Bible Study, watch my YouTube Channel or print this blog out, invite a friend to have coffee and discuss! It’s easy!
I’m going to share today’s blog with _____________________________________________________.
I thought of them because:
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Don’t forget to memorize and meditate on today’s Word! It’s absolute Truth!
Scripture Memorization : Romans 14:10 (NIV)
You, then, why do you judge your brother or sister? Or why do you treat them with contempt? For we will all stand before God’s judgment seat.