Tebowing

I just gotta come out and say this: I love Tim Tebow! Not only is he an amazing athlete but he is so so so dang real. His faith comes natural to him. To some this is uncomfortable but this guy is living out his faith and is unashamed of his relationship with Jesus. It's AWESOME! I was driving home today when I heard on the radio that after a championship game where he had a bible verse on his face under the eye black, the very next day, John 3:16 was the most searched term on Google. 90 million people looked up the verse that is a summary of the gospel. 90 MILLION! I just had to praise God for this moment in time. Tebow has stood up and set an example for all of us. Praise God for wonderful role models, people who stand up for God now matter who's watching!

I don't have to be...

... strong enough. I LOVE this song. Lord knows I am not strong enough on my own. I need Him each and every day and I am so blessed to have that relationship. He is my rock and my fortress.



“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." -Jesus (in Matthew 11:28)

Here I stand, I can do no other

Today is Halloween, my Mom's birthday and Reformation Day. Tonight we will be celebrating with my Mom and eating lots of candy but I just wanted to take a moment now to reflect on Martin Luther, the reformation and the other movers and shakers in the christian world that had a profound impact on the way we worship.



It was October 31st, 1517 when Martin Luther posted the 95 theses on the door of Castle Church in Wittenberg, Germany, in protest to the way the Catholic church had been selling indulgences and various other practices & beliefs. Luther's desire was for a pure and biblically based belief, not one that had fluff and extra-biblical (man-made) 'doctrines'. At the top of the 95 theses, Luther wrote that it was "out of love for the truth" that he was bringing those issues up. It should be a concern to us all to preserve and believe in the pure and unadulterated Word of God.

Then there is William Tyndale who just a few shorts years later was fighting to make bibles available to the common people in the their own language. Tyndale took advantage of the newly invented printing press and was able to mass produce the english bible as well as some of his own writing against the Catholic church's practices. Tyndale's translation was banned and Tyndale himself was killed and then burned at the stake in 1536.

There are some stern warnings in the bible about making sure that we are following the Word as it came from the people who were first inspired by God (2 Corinthians 11:1-4; Galatians 1:8. These men, along with other brave christians, fought the good fight for Christ and His Word. They risked their lives and some actually gave their lives in the pursuit of the true and pure Word of God. In these days when it seems there are so many different beliefs in the world, even within the christian church, it would serve us well to cling to the holy and precious Word that God gave us and not what men impose to be 'true'. What a happy reformation day it is to know we have brothers and sisters in the faith who fought the good fight of faith so that Christ's church would prevail!

Train up a child in the way he should go...

...and when he is old he will not depart from it." -Proverbs 22:6

Last Sunday was the first AWANA club meeting of the year. I love being apart of this program and working with the kids to learn God's word. I am a helper in the T&T girls class but I have been able to teach them a few lessons each year. I already have my arsenal ready with some fun and valuable lessons for their sweet little hearts and minds to hear.

The best part of teaching is being able to share a story or principle with the girls that will hopefully stick with them in their faith walk with God. One way of helping that lesson stick is to have a craft or handout for each of them to take home and remember it by. If you have any pint sized friends of your own, here are some great lessons and resources I've used in the past along with some fun crafts to go along with them.


*God's Princess; Created for a Purpose
Don't you know? As a child of God, you are a princess in His kingdom. "I will be a Father to you, and you shall be My... daughters, says the Lord Almighty." 1 Corinthians 6:18



*The Bible Time Machine; God's story comes alive

Through the use of a time machine or time capsule, you can share the stories of the heroes of the bible."For the word of God is alive and active" Hebrews 4:12


*Jesus Calls His Disciples; Spreading the Good News

Jesus wants us to follow Him and spread His Good News. "And Jesus said to them, ‘Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.’" Mark 1:17



*Life in 3D; Abundant Life Through Christ

When we live life with Christ as our focus, we live a 3D life, a life abundant with Him. "I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly."

Wise Words

The Lord Leads

If you haven't yet been introduced to Wordle, I highly recommend spending some time there. It is a program that creates what they call word clouds and what beauty they are when you put God's Word into it.

Without getting into too much detail on here, these last few weeks have been very trying. It has been hard to trust in the Lord to get me through, but as usual, He remains faithful even when I do not. Praise God for His mercy and enduring love. Praise Him for His patience with me.

Tonight at bible study, we discussed the various situations in our lives and the answer to all our problems was to rely on the Lord. That won't necessarily make all our problems go away but it will give us the comfort and the boldness to go forward in confidence.

"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." -John 16:33

One of my favorite verses in the bible is in Psalm 23. Oh the words of David are so beautiful and boy can I relate to them! I created this wordle to print and post to remind myself of His love and comfort and wouldn't you know it, the two most prominent words in those verses is 'Lord Leads'. My prayer is that I always have a humble, teachable heart that can be lead by Him because it is only through Him that I will be able to truly get past my troubles victoriously!

So Long, Insecurity...

...You've Been a Bad Friend to me! This last weekend I went to the Beth Moore, 'So Long, Insecurity' Simulcast. As you can tell by the name of the event, the topic was on her new book by the same name about women and their insecurities, namely women in Christ. You'd think we would know it by now, but it seems life, sins and everything else, like to pull us down and make us insecure and miserable.

I have been dealing with my own insecurities lately and it has really gotten to me. It has about driven me crazy, in fact. My dear husband and best friend have been so supportive of me during this time, but it is something I need to deal with, me and God.

The funny thing is, all of my insecurity has come right after the simulcast about facing our insecurity. It reminds me so much of stories in the bible of people who did some silly things. In their humanness, in their insecurities they made choices that when we read them, we realize they were quite silly. But when we are in our own various situations, we do the exact same thing. I had one of those moments last night. How do we forget so easily that we are made victorious through Christ?


"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!" -2 Corinthians 5:17

"Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing!Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland." -Isaiah 43:18-19

I want to move past this insecurity in my life. I want to boldly claim the security that one can only find through Jesus Christ. My God loves me completely, unfailingly, even when I make silly mistakes or even awful ones. My security comes from this love.

At the end of the simulcast, Beth had each of us ladies partner up and pray over one another. It was a very touching prayer that really resonates with me in this moment.

My Dear Sister
If Christ is Your Savior
You are the dwelling place
Of His own Spirit.
You have it IN YOU
to be secure.
Every day of your life
You have a choice to make
You can live in your old defeat
Or you can turn from your unbelief
And choose life.
Make up your mind
To put off the old you
And put on the new you.
Never, ever, ever forget
That the Lord is your security.
He will keep your foot
From being caught in a trap.
He will take care of you
To your very last breath.
Now, leave this place
And go out into the world
And act like a person
Who knows she’s dearly loved.
You were born to be exceptional.
So, Girlfriend, go forth
And walk worthy of your calling.
You are clothed in strength and dignity!
Now unto Him
Who can keep you from falling
Be glory and majesty
Power and authority
Through Jesus Christ our Lord
Now and forever more
Amen.
So Long, Insecurity!

The Lord is my Shepherd

In recent days I have been reflecting on just how awesome God really is. How could He be so kind and merciful and loving to a wretch like me? Or any of us? These two verses stood out to me. Read them and tell me you don't get an overwhelming love and adoration for the One who loves us and shows such great mercy to us.

"We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; and the LORD has laid on Him the iniquity of us all." -Psalm 53:6

"But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." -Romans 5:8

While reading the bible, you see this elaborate love story unfolding. All throughout the old testament, it speaks of a coming Savior and deliverer for the Lord's people. And of course in the new testament you see that it was Jesus Christ the prophets of old talked about. It is a beautiful picture of the Lord Jesus and His life and sacrifice He made for us.



From the beginning, God in His infinite wisdom had a plan to rescue us, even before we fell and needed a Savior. In His infinite love for us, He emptied Himself and became human, "he humbled himself and became obedient to death— even death on a cross!"

To think that the Lord of the universe came to earth, was born to be with us and to teach us. He saw us and still loves us even though we are awful ugly sinners. What an amazing love!

I love the old hymn "How Deep the Father's love for us";

I will not boast in anything
No gifts, no power, no wisdom
But I will boast in Jesus Christ
His death and resurrection
Why should I gain from His reward
I cannot give an answer
But this I know with all my heart
His wounds have paid my ransom

"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," declares the LORD. As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts." -Isaiah 55:8-9

All along, God had/has a plan. I can imagine the people in Noah's day thinking he was a schmuck for building the ark and collecting the animals. And I bet the people in Jericho had a huge laugh seeing Joshua and the Children of Israel walking around their city. God's ways are not our ways and we will not always understand why He does things the way He does, but with Him as my Shepherd I will trust Him where He guides me. I will trust in His plan laid out before the creation of the world.

Build Your House on the Rock

As a child of God, I think it is so important to know, study and defend His faith. It is vitally important to know, study and defend His word.

God is like a solid rock that we can build our lives upon. When we stand upon the Word of God, in our weakness we are made strong. In this day and age and even back in biblical times there are those who believe in a religious system or belief that simply isn't biblical. Below is an e-mail that I want to share of a conversation I had with someone regarding true biblical Christianity and how it is our duty as a follower of Christ to stand up for and defend His truths.



Hi Tanner,

It's nice to hear from you! I trust you had a wonderful Good Friday and Easter weekend!

I read the books that you asked me to in the BoM. I see what you were trying to get me to understand; to believe and not seek after proof. A verse itself in Alma 32 says to not have a 'stubbornness of heart' and to 'believe without being brought to know the word'. But I have some problems with these verses. Namely, in the bible it says numerous times that God wants us to find His word and seek it and read it and discover more about it. If we don't seek it out and learn more about what exactly His law and precepts are then how can we believe it? Blind faith seems silly to me because you won't even know what you believe in, right? I mean, if you don't know it, how can you say you actually believe in it?

"As soon as it was night, the brothers sent Paul and Silas away to Berea. On arriving there, they went to the Jewish synagogue. Now the Bereans were of more noble character than the Thessalonians, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true." Acts 17:10-11

The verses in the BoM are in stark contrast to what the bible teaches.

"Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will." Romans 12:2

The reason why I am wary of the books you told me to read is because I know that all the scriptures are God-breathed, meaning, He sent these messages to men who would write them down for us and our instruction. If that is the case, then these verses that I just shared with you are saying that we are to dig deep into His word. If it is His word and His truth then it will stand up to my observation and examination. I don't doubt His word, but I want to be able to know His word in order to know Him.

John 1:1 says, "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of men." This verse tells me that God IS the word. So why wouldn't I want to learn more about Him and believe in Him because I know Him?

I had asked before about whether or not Jesus was God. You said no. But I know from reading my bible that God says numerous times in His word that Jesus IS. Take a look at John 1:14. It reads, "The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth." Now if John 1:1 said that the word WAS God and then later in that chapter says that the Word (i.e. God) became flesh (i.e. Jesus) doesn't that give a pretty good idea that Jesus is God?

In old testament times you'll see that if anyone looked upon the face of God they would die. We are awful sinners and in the presence of all-mighty God, we would literally die. In the book of Phillipians, you'll see that they describe Jesus being in the form of God becoming a man to dwell with us and teach us His ways. If He manifested Himself in any other way, we would die, but Christ was veiled in human flesh in order for Him to be with with us, or Emmanuel which means 'God with us' (Matthew 1:23).

Like we talked about before, following God and His will is the of the utmost importance to me. I seek His truth in everything I do and because of that I stand up for His truths over any other doctrine or religious system that goes against it.

"And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things." Romans 1:23. I see the LDS church as turning what is pure and true into something different entirely. There is doctrine in the bible that is contradicted within the churches teachings and even within the BoM itself. Take Alma 41:8 for example.. " Now, the decrees of God are unalterable; therefore, the way is prepared that whosoever will may walk therein and be saved." This verse clearly states that God and His word is unalterable, meaning it doesn't change, but within the church it has.

There are numerous accounts of the church changing their position on certain issues like polygamy, blacks in the priesthood and more recently with homosexuality. Correct me if I'm wrong but, according to mormon doctrine it is said that people who are black are that way because of their demeanor in the pre-existence. They did not follow Satan obviously or else they would have been one of the 1/3 that became his demons, but they were not entirely on board with Jesus' plan. And also it is said that the mark of Cain also was given to these people. Before the church included black people in the priesthood, some church leaders say that because of their rebellion they were not worthy to be able to hold the priesthood. If this is what the church and it's leaders (who are said to be inspired of God) said then why would that change? If they were said be to unworthy then why were they all of a sudden worthy?

I know that the church has an position that homosexuals cannot engage in homosexuality but can still be members but in recent months news came out that the church took an official position on new legislation in Utah. The legislation is for anti-discriminatory measures for gay people. http://www.onenewsnow.com/Culture/Default.aspx?id=764460 "The LDS issued a statement backing the ordinance, saying they were against discrimination against anyone, but that they supported traditional marriage. Church spokesman Michael Otterson said, "The church supports these ordinances because they are fair and reasonable and do not do violence to the institution of marriage." That is absurd to me. If God destroyed a city because of their wickedness and perversions due to homosexuality then why would His church take a stand for legislation that would give them special rights? Homosexuality is called an abomination in the bible. Why would He all of a sudden decide that it was fine to be that way and on top of that, that they would get special rights? God IS unchanging and His word is true yesterday, today and forever and that is why I believe in biblical Christianity and nothing else.

"The Lord says: These people come near to me with their mouth and honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. Their worship of me is made up only of rules taught by men." Isaiah 29:13

I appreciate all your time the other night speaking with me. You were very kind to me and actually took my questions unlike some people I tried to have an open dialog with. May God bless you and give you His truth!

God Bless,
Nicole

Redeemed

re·deem   /rɪˈdim/ Show Spelled[ri-deem]
–verb (used with object)

1.to buy or pay off; clear by payment: to redeem a mortgage.
2.to buy back, as after a tax sale or a mortgage foreclosure.
3.to recover (something pledged or mortgaged) by payment or other satisfaction: to redeem a pawned watch.
4.to exchange (bonds, trading stamps, etc.) for money or goods.
5.to convert (paper money) into specie.
6.to discharge or fulfill (a pledge, promise, etc.).
7.to make up for; make amends for; offset (some fault, shortcoming, etc.): His bravery redeemed his youthful idleness.
8.to obtain the release or restoration of, as from captivity, by paying a ransom.
9.Theology. to deliver from sin and its consequences by means of a sacrifice offered for the sinner.

As we come closer to Resurrection Sunday, I have been reflecting on the work on the cross and what that exactly means.

"For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive by the Spirit" 1 Peter 3:18

"But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed. We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all." Isaiah 53: 5-6

If you remember back when God told the children of Israel to build an altar for the Lord and to make sacrifices for their sins, you'll see that this was an act of mercy. Using a sacrificial lamb or bull, the priests would be able to offer them to God to cleanse them of their wrong-doing. Only the priests would be able to go into the Holy of Holies to make this sacrifice, lest they die being fallen in the presence of a Holy God. When Jesus offered up Himself, once and for all, for the sins of the world, He made it possible for us to be able to enter the Holy of Holies, so to speak, and become righteous, through His sin-less and righteous life.

We belong to Jesus and when we sin, we take ourselves away from Him and His presence. But when He died for us, He redeemed us. He 'bought' us back by the shedding of His blood. We are held ransom by our sin, we are held captive, but the work on the cross by God Himself, releases us from our shackles. We are set free from the power of sin and death. Praise God He had/has a plan. He did all the work and we have been redeemed!

Keep Your Chin Up

I think it's so easy to become depressed, whiny, debbie downers in the fallen state we are in. We only think about ourselves, our needs, and wonder why we aren't getting our way. I can't tell you how many times selfishness can rear it's ugly head and enter my life. But God and His word has a way of kicking those thoughts right out of my head.

"Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall." Proverbs 16:18

What's interesting is that you see it in the bible too! Before I was a christian, I thought the bible was a nice book about holy people living good lives, but it is filled with stories of people with the same problem as me: sin.

They say pride is the greatest sin because it is the root of all other sins, the gateway sin if you will. In his book, Mere Christianity, C.S. Lewis wrote that "it is pride which has been the chief cause of misery in every nation and every family since the world began."

The battle is for the mind. Whoever controls the thoughts, controls you. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood. And 'as a man thinketh, so is he.' Proverbs 23:7

Our negative emotions have a huge impact on us and those around us. It changes our heart and the way we see the world. But if we read God's word and spend time praising Him for our countless blessings everyday, your joy will start to show.

I love how all my personal bible study time, our Sunday sermons & whatever else I read or hear all seems to dovetail together and teach me His amazing truths. God is there leading me and guiding me through His word!

One such example of this is as follows. I have a CD of the radio ministry 'Revive Our Hearts' titled "Lessons from the life of Joshua." What a blessing those teachings have been to me. I have learned so much from them and grown, it's unbelievable, but that's a story for another time. In one particular lesson, Nancy Leigh Demoss explained that as Joshua was nearing the end of his life that he wanted to teach the children of Israel to rely on the Lord, wholeheartedly. He wanted them to see how richly God had blessed them. The way he did this was by reciting or recounting to them the particular blessings and mercy He showed to them. Joshua went on to ask the people to name this day who they would serve. He made a call to action to these people. I really appreciated that. He doesn't want them to just say they believe, but really rely on Him; Choose this day whom you will serve. I've shared this in a previous post, but I can't stress it again; it is vital that we make this decision and give thanks to God for all that He has done!

That very next Sunday our Pastor's sermon was a call to action to recount the great blessings the Lord has done in our lives. We have been going through the book of Deuteronomy chapter 8 when the Children of Israel reached the promised land and it is there where we begin to enter a dangerous place. We begin to think it was us and our power that got us where we are today.

“Beware that you do not forget the LORD your God by not keeping His commandments, His judgments, and His statutes which I command you today, lest—when you have eaten and are full, and have built beautiful houses and dwell in them; and when your herds and your flocks multiply, and your silver and your gold are multiplied, and all that you have is multiplied; when your heart is lifted up, and you forget the LORD your God who brought you out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage; who led you through that great and terrible wilderness, in which were fiery serpents and scorpions and thirsty land where there was no water; who brought water for you out of the flinty rock; who fed you in the wilderness with manna, which your fathers did not know, that He might humble you and that He might test you, to do you good in the end— then you say in your heart, ‘My power and the might of my hand have gained me this wealth.’ And you shall remember the LORD your God, for it is He who gives you power to get wealth, that He may establish His covenant which He swore to your fathers, as it is this day. Then it shall be, if you by any means forget the LORD your God, and follow other gods, and serve them and worship them, I testify against you this day that you shall surely perish. As the nations which the LORD destroys before you, so you shall perish, because you would not be obedient to the voice of the LORD your God." Deuteronomy 8:11-20

The call to action to start a journal or scrapbook to remember God's blessings and His work in our lives is an essential one. When we forget about God and the work He has done in our lives, that this ugly sin called pride comes in. "Know that the Lord, He is God; It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves." Psalm 100:3 It was and is Jesus who did and has done everything for us. "Surely he took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows, yet we considered him stricken by God, smitten by him, and afflicted." Isaiah 53:4 Jesus carries our burdens, our sins.

I am so excited to take this challenge to create a notebook of His workings in my life. God IS faithful with His promises. If we will but keep our chin up and remember that we have a God in heaven looking out for us, helping us with our issues and loving us despite said issues. Praise His holy name for His faithful presence in my life!

For Such a Time as This

My heart is full. Not only has Jesus saved me, comforted me & provided for me with my earthly blessings, but He is present in my life every day! He talks to me daily through His word. It's actually pretty amazing how loudly He speaks to me. I get it Lord, I'm listening!

The last few months, His voice has come from the bible study I am participating in with the women at my church, Esther: It's tough being a woman. I can't tell you how deeply I've been moved and inspired. I guess I'm not surprised, it is God's Word after all! What a blessing Beth Moore is. What a blessing to have a sister like her come beside us to guide us in God's unfailing and amazing Word.

We have almost completed the study and my heart longs for it to continue a little bit longer. The book of Esther gives us an interesting glimpse into the providence on God. God is not mentioned once in the whole book, but He is most certainly on it. He is there when it doesn't seem like He is. According to Merrill Webster's definition of providence, 'God conceived as the power sustaining and guiding human destiny.' Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary adds, 'In so doing (in His providence) God attends not only to apparently momentous events and people but also to those that seem both mundane and trivial. Indeed, so all encompassing is God's attention to events within creation that nothing happens by chance.'

While the events of Esther's life were coming to a point, she has some decisions to make. Would she stand up for what she believed in (in her case, saving the Jews), or would she just let life pass on by without her. Esther has a choice, she had to face her fears. She had to trust in the Lord to move forward in her life and face the obstacles and trials in her life. We may not have a trial the size of Esther's, but every day is a challenge. Satan wants us to become complacent, backslide, etc.. He wants us to conform to the things of this world. That is why we must remain aware of our situations. Daily take up your cross and follow Jesus.

The sub-title of the bible study is 'It's Tough Being a Woman' and boy can I relate to that! What I've learned through this journey is that yes, sometimes it IS tough being a woman but, trust reverses the detours of adversity into highways of destiny.

"The Lord knows how to rescue the godly from trials and to keep the unrighteous under punishment until the day of judgment." 2 Peter 2:9

What an awesome God we serve and how exciting to learn more about Him and His loving plan!

Testing and Truth- Building Strong Believers

"Remember how the LORD your God led you all the way in the desert these forty years, to humble you and to test you in order to know what was in your heart, whether or not you would keep his commands. He humbled you, causing you to hunger and then feeding you with manna, which neither you nor your fathers had known, to teach you that man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the LORD. Your clothes did not wear out and your feet did not swell during these forty years. Know then in your heart that as a man disciplines his son, so the LORD your God disciplines you." Deuteronomy 8:2-4

I've been going through some testing of my own this last week. And through it all I have tried to cling to the rock of truth. The same truth that sets you free. In the midst of my emotions that often lead to wrong thoughts, I return to His truth. Faith is not built upon emotion, but upon the reality of the One who made the world and all that is in it; the One who created us and spoke to us; the One who really did come to this earth, lived among us, died for us, and rose again. No, our faith is built upon the reality of God and His truth claims. "Jesus answered, 'You are right in saying I am a king. In fact, for this reason I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me." John 18:37

Truth is not a feeling. Truth is not an idea. The truth is found in the Bible. Praise God for the tests in my life; may I learn to love and lean on you more!