Friday, August 30, 2013

“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”


 


“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” John 10:10

Do not be in agreement with the Father of lies. The truth is marriage is hard work (but love is patient), or we talk bad to and about our spouse to others (but love is kind and is not easily angered, does not boast, it is not proud) or we look at another marriage and think that it is perfect (but love does not envy), or we think that things are not turning out how we envisioned them (but love is not self-seeking), so we look for a way out (but love does not dishonor others).

Wednesday, August 28, 2013

Scarlet A


Scarlet A
By Amy Gentry


 

Why do I see my past sins as so much more than other people's?

I have met many fascinating women with extraordinary stories of their own personal redemption, but yet Satan still wants me to feel that my past and my sins are the greater.

I spent many years sitting in church services thinking to myself, "If they only knew... I wouldn't be allowed back in this building." I was constantly allowing Satan to beat me up and letting him plant doubt in my heart about The LORD's faithfulness to wash me clean

(what if I missed a step in my prayer, what if I was just too bad to be forgiven, what if I wasn't sorry enough).

Truth- there is no comparison of sin - mine verses yours. 2 Corinthians 5:10 says we will all have to give an account for our actions - good and bad.

 

But let me clarify, I do not believe that all sin is weighed the same - not all sin is the same in God's eyes, in spite of what some may say.

--When you are in the midst of sin, YOUR SIN IS BEING JUDGED by God- at that moment. God draws a line in the sand- "Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God." 1 Corinthians 6:9-10

--BUT even though not all sin is weighed the same in God's eyes, ALL FORGIVENESS IS weighed the same. Sexual immorality is just as forgiven by The LORD as stealing a pencil from work when you confess that sin to The Lord. 1 John 1:9. "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."

CHALLENGE: When you are looking at others and seeing your own "scarlet A" shining like a neon light, displace that thought with God's Word. You are forgiven (whether you feel forgiven or not)! He is faith to fulfill His promise.



Psalm 103

"Praise the Lord, my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name. Praise the Lord, my soul, and forget not all his benefits--- who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s. The Lord works righteousness and justice for all the oppressed. He made known his ways to Moses, his deeds to the people of Israel: The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love. He will not always accuse, nor will he harbor his anger forever; he does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities. For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us. As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him; for he knows how we are formed, he remembers that we are dust. The life of mortals is like grass, they flourish like a flower of the field; the wind blows over it and it is gone, and its place remembers it no more. But from everlasting to everlasting the Lord’s love is with those who fear him, and his righteousness with their children’s children--- with those who keep his covenant and remember to obey his precepts. The Lord has established his throne in heaven, and his kingdom rules over all. Praise the Lord, you his angels, you mighty ones who do his bidding, who obey his word. Praise the Lord, all his heavenly hosts, you his servants who do his will. Praise the Lord, all his works everywhere in his dominion. Praise the Lord, my soul. …"

 

Monday, August 26, 2013

Family Matters


Commuting Season
by Amy Gentry
 

Our family, like many other families, is walking through a season where the husband/daddy is traveling during the week for business to another state.   We catch ourselves making statements about when he “moved to the other city” and “is living in another town.”  Innocent statements but they can still plant a hopeless mental picture of our family circumstances.  What to do???
“There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens…” Ecclesiastes 3:1

 This is just a season in our marriage – this is just a season with our children, we have to pull together and put first things first. 

·         God- Look at this time as a sabbatical, a season to be still and know that He is God.  Be still daily by meditating on His Word and know the Lord is in your very specific family circumstance and there is divine purpose in this season.

·         Marriage- Focus this season on connecting and courting.  Have a standing appointment to talk on the phone about your day and other family matters and also make it a point connect by turning up the heat in the bedroom when you are in the same city. 

·         Parenting- Battle any fear and uncertainty your children might have by building their self-esteem up this season - call dad before and/or after each event he will be missing.  Set up a private YouTube account to post videos of extracurricular activities, and have family nights as often as he is in town.

·         Home- It is such a blessing for the family to step-up during this season any use their own ingenuity to make repairs around the house.  Throw out the honey-do list for a while. 

·         Service- It does your spirit good to not focus on your tough season, but to give back to someone else during their tough season.  Do family service projects, church service or help out a neighbor. 
Others- Continue to do life together with your friends, these are the people who are praying for you and carrying the cares of this season with you.

Sunday, August 25, 2013

T2W Fall Online Bible Study



Psalm 16 - Every Woman's Journey
by Carri Pratt 


Get into God's Word and join Titus2Women.org each Monday online as we journey through Psalm 16 to see how it relates to modern women.  Learn about many Biblical women who lived the values and warnings of this passage.  Discover the truths God has for you.

Myth:           The Bible is just for the people who lived thousands of years ago. Truth:          The Bible is relevant to us today and always. 

We are looking forward to sharing this time with you, 
our Sisters in Jesus Christ
each week beginning on 
Monday, September 9, 2013. 



"Psalm 16 Every Woman's Journey" is A Bible Study written by Carri Pratt



Friday, August 23, 2013

“There is no fear in love; instead, perfect love drives out fear, because fear involves punishment...


 
 

“There is no fear in love; instead, perfect love drives out fear, because fear involves punishment. So the one who fears has not reached perfection in love.” 1 John 4:18 

A word of caution here ladies, don’t be “needy” or “critical / placing blame” (the number one turn off for guys) but be fun, helpful, loving and spend time with your man doing things he enjoys.  Give him space and bless him with trust (even if you don’t think he deserves it).  Bring your fears and accusations before the Lord and allow Him be the one who heals you and your relationship.  Journaling your feelings is a great way to get them out of your system.

Wednesday, August 21, 2013

Retro Wednesday

RETRO WEDNESDAY
 
 
Back-to-School Breakfast Cookies

3 mashed bananas (ripe)
1/3 cup apple sauce
2 cups uncooked quick-cooking oats
1/4 cup skim milk
1/2 cup raisins (or any other dried fruit you want to add) 1/2 cup chopped nuts (optional)
1 tsp vanilla
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tbsp Splenda, sugar or other sweetener.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Mix all ingredients in a bowl really well. Let this mixture stand for at least 5 minutes to let the oats become good and hydrated. Heap the dough by teaspoonfuls onto a greased cookie sheet. Bake for 15-20 minutes and let cool. A great grab and go breakfast that includes protein as well as fruits and grains. These also freeze well!

Monday, August 19, 2013

Scattering Seeds



Scattering Seeds … Teaching Family Prayer - Pray for Teachers
By Carri Pratt



 This year I am sending my children off to school as prayer warriors.  Before they even step foot into their classrooms we will begin a family prayer journal.  The Holy Spirit has convicted me regarding the urgency to teach my children to pray earnestly and diligently.  


 Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, so that you may be healed. The urgent request of a righteous person is very powerful in its effect.” James 5:16
 

On their first day of school they will bring their teacher a sweet gift they have made with their own two hands, some yummy refreshment and a card to let them know we are praying for them, for their students and for an amazing school year.



Challenge:  Teach your children the power in prayer.