Biblical

Gently instruct those who oppose the truth. Perhaps God will change those people’s hearts, and they will learn the truth (2 Timothy 2:25 NLT)

If one thing is to be remembered from the story of Moses is that the Lord caused Pharaoh’s heart to harden, and it was Him who caused it to relent and let the people go. Jesus said we will be known by our love, yet reading comments on any political or religious article or posting on social media leads me to believe that many who call themselves by Christ’s name are not loving at all. Now, if I feel that way about some of my brothers and sisters, imagine what a non-believer must feel.

We are not the ones who change people’s hearts and minds, we are not the one ones who save, or who deliver. We are vessels Papa uses to be His hands, feet and mouthpiece. Scripture tells us to gently instruct, not argue our point, condemn to hell, force-feed religion or disassociate with people. We are to be set apart, yes, but to live in such a way that we set an example. It is the goodness and kindness of Papa that leads to repentance, not our way with words.

As a church body we need to get better at being gentle with the world. Much of the confusion and vitriol we see in our world  today is the result of too much condemnation and religiosity and not enough grace and gentleness. It is important that we stand for what we believe and stand on the Word, but it is just as important that we do it in such a way that the world feels welcomed by the church. We do not need to become like the world in which we live, we only need to be obedient to what Papa has called us to do in the area and circle to which we’ve been given.

Gentleness is a spiritual fruit and one this world desperately needs more of. Go spread peace, gently teach and avoid useless arguments.

I love ya, have a great day!

But the Word of God cannot be chained (2 Timothy 2: 9b NLT). 

No matter how we may try to fit God and His word into a box, it will always spill out. It cannot be contained, there are no chains or bars that can hold it. He is not inclined to stay within the confines of our finite and reasoning minds. He is a Mind-Blower, and it gives Him great joy to do so.

His word has power. Isaiah 55:10-11 tells us that His word is nourishing, like the rain, snow and seed; it goes out does what He has sent it to do. It does not return void. I cannot testify enough of the goodness of God and how speaking His word changes things.

God’s word is liberating. Speak it, live it and share it!

Love ya, have a great day!

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NKJV).

Rejoice always? Pray without ceasing? In everything give thanks? What about when…? We can often miss the richness in verses such as this when we are in the midst of a trial and blinded by the circumstance. Sometimes we get upset and mad at God because we are dealing with a situation we never expected. How can we rejoice, or pray effectively, or even give thanks when we don’t want to deal with what we’ve got?

We aren’t told to rejoice because of what we are going through, this is more of a rejoice in spite of; same with giving thanks. Prayer should come naturally, however, I know that sometimes we don’t know what to pray while in the midst, and sometimes we don’t pray because we feel like there’s no reason to; we give up.

First off, joy and rejoicing are internal, they aren’t based on circumstance, but who Papa is to each of us, and who we are in Him. In His presence is fullness of joy, and His joy is our strength. It’s intertwined. Rejoicing always is saying “Hey, this situation thinks it is going to crush me or discourage me, but Papa has my back and I’m just going to lean on Him and before I know it, I’ll be through it.”

Praying without ceasing is simply just talking to Him during the trial, sharing every emotion, every concern, every small victory and knowing that He’s listening and working. It’s thinking about what He is doing on our behalf and within us.

Giving thanks in everything is being grateful for His hand at work. It is thanking Him for working everything out for our good, and for orchestrating our lives to fulfill His purpose and plan. It is thanking Him for the small victories, for the daily blessings and benefits, for the things we so often take for granted.

These three simple, yet profound, steps push us into growth, and growth is what we want. It is often the difficult and trying times that Papa uses to get us to let go of something in order to take us, or give us, something new. Always for our good.

I love ya, have a great day!

Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted (Galatians 6:1 NKJV).

Every single one of us makes mistakes, falls, gives in to temptation, gets off track, or turns in another direction. We are not exempt. How we handle our own mistakes and the mistakes or missteps of others says quite a bit about our relationship with Christ.

Gentleness, I have found, can often be lacking when we address someone who has strayed off the Godly path and given in to temptation. More often, we tend to smack them over the head with Scripture and a heaping helping of condemnation. Ever notice how this has the opposite effect of what we may be going for? Where’s the love in that?

We tend to use our address of the mistake as speaking the truth to the other person “in love”. However, we fail to realize that when we point things out this particular way we come off as being more judgmental and condemning than loving. If someone were to speak to us the same way, we’d be less inclined to listen.

Jesus is a gentleman. He was gentle and kind to every sinner He met. He never continued to point out anyone’s sin or mistake, He simply forgave and told them to sin no more. We can learn a lot from Him. He is the Truth. When we are gentle with others, speaking the truth in love is speaking His Truth about who they are in Him and how He loves them.

Practice gentleness with others and  yourself. Speak the Truth of Jesus, you can never go wrong with that!

I love ya, have a great day!

For you are all children of God through faith in Christ Jesus (Galatians 3:26 NLT).

Wow! Contained in this Scripture is all I need to know about who I am. Papa is my Father and I am His child. His tender mercy and gentle care are all I need to keep going when the going gets tough.

He’s my Father and therefore, I know that all my needs are met, all my problems are in His hands, all that I am is because of His hand working in my life and my heart. He cares and He cares deeply about what I care about, from the major decisions to the daily, seemingly insignificant ones.

All it took to get into Papa’s family is faith in Jesus. We, who have faith in Christ, have a worldwide family. We are brothers and sisters, children of God! Because we are Papa’s children,  we have all the benefits – protection, provision, blessing, favor, grace, advancement, opportunities, etc. When we live knowing whose child we are, the devil can’t stop us.

This world may try to tell you otherwise, but know in your heart that you are a child of God and He will take care of you!

I love ya, have a great day!

Live wisely among those who are not believers, and make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be gracious and attractive so that you will have the right response for everyone (Colossians 4:5-6 NLT).

We are to live among non believers, not apart from them. We are set apart in this world, not excluded from it. I am deeply saddened by those who will not have anything to do with anyone who is not a Christian, who doesn’t attend the same school of thought, or who even refuses to seek professional services from those of other belief structures. How will they hear the Gospel and see it lived out if we don’t associate with them?

We need unbelievers in our lives, and we need relationship with them. It is not enough to only speak to them during “outreach” programs and then walk away. How does that really bring anyone to the feet of Jesus? Living wisely among them and making the most of every opportunity means we share Jesus with those around us who don’t know Him. It means having coffee with an unsaved neighbor, or being kind to our spouse or grown child who isn’t kind. It means telling of what He’s done in our lives to those who need to hear it. It means laying down our judgments and selves to be there for those who have no hope.

How will non believers know Christ, if we do not share Him?

I love ya, have a great day!

Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God’s right hand. Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth (Colossians 3:1-2 NLT).

Often it is much easier to stay focused on what is going on in front of our eyes, the situation that threatens to conquer us, or our lack of whatever it is we need at that moment. However, we are told to set our eyes on the realities of heaven, to think about the things of heaven and not earth. We’re human, it’s hard sometimes to refocus because life has a way of kicking us where it hurts.

However, let’s think about the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor. I’ve been going through these epistles while putting together a small group bible study, and there is a common theme I have found – united with Christ. We have been united with Christ and we are seated with Him in heavenly places. So, what are the realities of heaven? There is no lack, no sickness, no death, no conflict, no disunity, and so many others.

As we focus on the things of heaven and think about them, we will be more focused on what Papa is doing in our lives than what our lives are smacking us with. We can unequivocally trust Him to meet our every need, to carry us when we cannot go on, to provide what we lack, and to perform miracles that bring Him great glory. We only need to keep our focus on Him and His kingdom.

I love ya, have a great day!

Don’t let anyone capture you with empty philosophies and high-sounding nonsense that come from human thinking and from the spiritual powers of this world, rather than from Christ (Colossians 2:8 NLT).

Empty philosophies and high-sounding nonsense was alive in Biblical times and is very much alive today. There is nothing new under the sun, it may have simply changed shades or tactics. But it is the same junk people talked about and thought about and created followings with.

Years ago Papa showed me how Satan will mix a little truth in with a lot of lie and how to be very discerning when listening or reading to what others have to say. He showed me how to listen between the lines and to taste and test every word with His word. Looking and listening today requires heavenly filters and the Holy Spirit’s direction and leading.

There are a great many empty philosophies out there which have small truth embedded in their doctrines. Many fall for them because of this small truth and become blinded to the blatant and flamboyant lies directly in front of their face. Distraction is a weapon Satan wields and he knows precisely how to use it.

Be careful and cautious of who you follow, who you allow into your inner circle, who you are transparent with; trust the Holy Spirit and those little knots in your gut. Do not be afraid to question and to test.

I love ya, have a great day!

I want them to be encouraged and knit together by strong ties of love. I want them to have complete confidence that they understand God’s mysterious plan, which is Christ himself (Colossians 2:2 NLT).

As a knitter, I love this Scripture. Papa’s heart is so clear because He desires His people to be together as one in Christ’s Love. When we are knit together in this fashion, we function as a cohesive and complete piece. We aren’t striving against one another, we aren’t tearing each other apart. There is no hole in our garment, you may say.

Knitting creates a strong fabric, often both decorative and functional, but always functional. There is purpose in every knitted piece, and the same can be said of Believers. There is function and purpose in each of us, along with our unique and decorative personalities. These were designed to work together, to be a part of one Body, to serve Papa and advance His kingdom on this earth.

Be encouraged! You are a necessary and vital part of a greater work, look around and see how you have been knit together with other Believers in the Love of Christ!

I love ya, have a great day!

For God in all his fullness was pleased to live in Christ, and through him God reconciled everything to himself. He made peace with everything in heaven and on earth by means of Christ’s blood on the cross (Colossians 1:19-20 NLT).

What Jesus did by His death and resurrection was done in our place, and because of is, we have been reconciled to Papa and peace made. There is nothing more we need to do. No works, no acts of penance, no tally marks on our belts. Through Christ, we have been reconciled.

This was beautiful grace and abundant mercy in action; the great and endless love of Papa showcased, and our debt paid once and for all. He did it for us.

I love ya, have a great day!