Are You a Friend of God?

James 4:4 - You adulteresses, do you not know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.

I have been thinking lately about why so many in this generation can claim Jesus as their Savior but not live for Him. To live year after year with one foot deep in the world and the other in the church. Many have been raised in Christian homes, gone to church all their lives, know the language and music yet, there is no change in lifestyle or behavior; nothing to set them apart from the world. Other than the fact that they attend church on Sunday morning. I am afraid that many in this generation have believed a lie from the enemy of their soul disguised as an angel of light. The lie that they can "accept Jesus as Savior", say a prayer, walk down an aisle, bend a knee and they are good to go, heaven bound! Still embracing the same lifestyle as before, because after all, "Jesus is my friend", right?

Could it be that many churches today are preaching and teaching a one sided Jesus? A "Jesus is your friend", all inclusive Jesus? A Jesus that is accepting of us no matter what? Don't misunderstand what I just said. Jesus is all inclusive, He does accept us when we come to Him, "just as we are", but part of as we are is with an understanding that we have remorse over our sinful condition, we are not just sorry we are caught in our sin or that our "poor choices, or mistakes" have been found out, NO we are truly sorrowful over our sin. We realize that Jesus is God, He is Holy and we deserve death, not mercy or grace. We realize what He did on the Cross of Calvary was for our personal sin not just the world's. We enter into a personal relationship with the true and living God. It doesn't stop with a get into heaven "Free" card!

The problem with seeing Jesus as only our friend is we leave out the biggest side of His character and person. He is STILL HOLY! He does have a standard of right and wrong. He does have moral absolutes. Truth is not "relative" to each person's situation or morals. He is TRUTH and His Word is Truth! He does require some things of those who say they love Him. So maybe we have done this generation a dis-service by teaching them that "Jesus is their friend"?

The truth is we are the ones who need to do the accepting of HIM! Maybe we just haven't taught them about the Jesus of the Bible. The Jesus in John Chapter 8 who told the woman caught in adultery..."woman where are your accusers?...they are gone she told Jesus, to which he replied, "neither do I condemn you, go and sin no more". He didn't embrace her sinful behavior or excuse it, nor did he condemn her...he did have an absolute about her sin, "don't' do it again". This same Jesus of the bible said in Matthew 7:12-14 "Wide is the gate that leads to destruction, many there will be who find it ", "Narrow is the way that leads to eternal life, few there will be that find it". Again, the Jesus of the bible told his disciples in John 8:30-31 "If you are truly my disciples, you will continue in My Word." This same Jesus talked alot about denying yourself, picking up your cross and following Him. What happened to teaching the Jesus of the Bible?

God's word tells us that to be a friend of the world is to be an enemy of God. So maybe what we should be teaching them is that they need to be "a friend of God". We teach so much about Jesus accepting us "where we are", but what we should be teaching is that we must accept Him completely. If we are a friend of God we will spend time getting to know Him, talking to Him, sharing our life with Him. We will go the places He wants us to go. We will live a life set apart unto Him. We will understand that to be friends with the world would betray our friendship with God. We will follow the Jesus of the Bible, not some watered down, Jesus made in our image version!

So, is Jesus our friend? I guess that depends on where you stand with Jesus? He told the disciples after they had walked with him for three years and witnessed His miracles, heard His teaching, believed in HIM, left all to follow Him, that they were indeed His friends, so yes He can be our friend, but I believe a much better question to ask is...AM I A FRIEND OF GOD?
Renee

Lessons Learned at Volleyball Practice...Lesson 2

I thought when I signed my youngest daughter up to play volleyball with our local home school team that the practice times would be for her learning, not mine! I never imagined God would use the time there to teach me some valuable life lessons!

Lesson #2 - "If You Move Your Feet Commit"

Another phrase I often hear the coaches say during volleyball practice is "move your feet, commit". Ok, so maybe it's just me but these phrases just stick in my head and begin to connect to my spiritual walk. So here goes....

So what does it look like to "move your feet - commit" in your spiritual walk? It looks like serving. Whatever spiritual gifts God has given you, it is your responsibility to develop the gift within you. Ask God where He wants you to "move your feet", then move in that direction and commit and follow through.

As I have watched the girls during volleyball practice there are times when they know they have a good shot at returning the ball, so they move their feet, call out "mine" and follow through with the return. Then there are other times when they are not so sure, but they move their feet, whisper a weak "mine", hesitate to follow through and the other team gets the point.

It's the same way in our commitment to use our spiritual gifts. Sometimes we "know" we have a good shot (with Christ's help) and so we step out in confident faith to use our spiritual gift and the "return" is great! Then there are those times when we step out in wavering faith, hesitant and reluctant, knowing we are called to take the shot but not sure how it will end up. That's why it's called stepping out in "faith". God just wants us to listen to His coaching, practice what we have learned, shape and sharpen the gifts within us and then "move our feet - commit".

Lessons learned During Volleyball Practice.....

I thought when I signed my youngest daughter up to play volleyball with our local home school team that the practice times would be for her learning, not mine! I just figured it would be a time for me to sit and watch; maybe learn about the game, catch up on some reading or talk to friends. I never imagined God would use the time there to teach me some valuable life lessons!

During the volley ball clinic I heard one of the coaches say, "focus on your target". She repeated this phrase all week. I don't know if it stuck with the players, but I can tell you it stuck with me. I kept hearing it in my head all week. The following devotion is what came from that little phrase:

Today was my youngest daughter's first day at a volleyball clinic. She thinks she might be interested in playing on our local homeschooling volleyball team in the fall so I thought doing the clinic first would give her a chance to see if this was her thing or not. She loved it!

While I was listening to the coaches instruct the girls on their passes, I heard one say, "Focus on your target, if you don't focus on the target you will miss it everytime." I thought to myself....what an excellent lesson to teach these young girls, so practical and yet so profound! A lesson not only for sports but for many things in life. Whether it's for setting personal, professional, educational, financial, or relational goals you must focus on your target.

For me it was a spiritual lesson today. As a believer in Jesus Christ in order for me to achieve victory in my spiritual walk I must "focus on the target". God's Word tells me in Philippians 3:12-14 -"Not that I have already obtained it or have become perfect, but I press on that I may lay hold of that, for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus, Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus." In other words Jesus is at the finish line and He is my target. I must focus on my target.

So, what is your target? Or maybe a better question would be, is it one worth focusing on?

Focusing on My target, (more to come...)

David Platt- Religion or Devotion?

Lessons From John the Baptist

From Matthew Chapter 3, Mark 1:3-8
Luke 3:2-17, John 1:6-28


God impressed upon my heart a desire to go back to the basics and see for myself how Jesus ministered and taught his disciples to minister to those around them. It's easy to get our eyes on others, to be bound by traditions of men, religion, etc. and miss JESUS in the middle of it all. While slowly, prayerfully, and methodically going through the gospel of Matthew, God wouldn't let me get past Chapter 3. I was captivated, challenged and convicted by John the Baptist's call, courage, and commitment to Christ. The word humility kept coming to mind. A much needed quality that is so lacking in business, society, the church, and sadly to say in many Christian homes.

Listen to Isaiah's prophecy Chapter 40:3 - "A voice is calling, clear the way for the LORD in the wilderness, make smooth in the desert a highway for our God". John the Baptist was that voice calling out in the wilderness. John was the baby boy in Elizabeth's womb that leapt within her when she spoke with the mother of Jesus, and she was immediately filled with the holy spirit. John knew who he was, why he was here, what his purpose was...talk about the purpose driven life!

More importantly, John knew who Jesus was. In the gospels John sees Jesus coming to be baptized and says "Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world"." John was a man with a mission and a message. His mission, to point others to Christ; his message, "Repent, the kingdom of heaven is at hand. The simplicity and humility of his mission and message are so refreshing. John a man with no seminary degree, PhD, or masters was commissioned by God Almighty to point others to Jesus "His Beloved Son in whom He is well pleased".


John, who wore a camel's hair garment with a strap of leather around his waist, who ate locust and wild honey, who lived outside of the city in the wilderness? Not a very likely candidate for such a task in mans eyes. I love how God works. He most often chooses the "ordinary" to perform the "extraordinary". I wonder how many churches would allow someone with John's appearance to stand in the pulpit and preach the same message today? How about your church?



John’s life is a picture of what a true servant leader should be. He always pointed others to the coming Christ. He didn't think more highly of himself than he should have. When the people came to him to be baptized in the Jordan River after repenting of their sins, John made sure they knew who could forgive and cleanse them from their sin, "As for me, I baptize you with water for repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I, and I am not fit to remove His sandals; He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire“. Never once did he want others to look to him, only Christ. What humility!

John the Baptist baptized our Lord and Savior, how humbling that must have been. He did it out of obedience to the Lord. When Jesus began his earthly ministry John's disciples left him and followed Jesus. You don't see a streak of jealousy, pride or an arrogant spirit. John said, "I must decrease, He must increase". He humbly and gracefully let go. His mission was complete. His message had been delivered. Jesus had come to seek and save the lost.


Ask yourself these questions: Do I truly know who I am in Christ? Do I recognize who I am not? Do I know why I am here? Do I know my purpose and am I living it out in Christ, daily? Would those whom I come in contact with describe me as a woman of humility and grace? Ouch!!! Am I willing to decrease so He may increase? What am I doing today for God‘s Kingdom?
More importantly do I know Jesus as my personal Lord and Savior? If we are in Christ we also have a mission and a message, we need to get busy "the kingdom of heaven is at hand"

Renee

Summer Bible Study

Today me and Mikayla began our first lesson in "Growing Little Women by Donna J. Miller. This is a family tradition. She is the third daughter in our family to go through this bible study with me during the summer and at the same age her sisters were (almost 12).



This is a great Mother/daughter study! There is also a book for the younger girls that we did before this one. If you are looking for a study to do this summer with your little girls or soon to be little "women" check it out on Amazon.com.







You will not regret it.
God bless you as you Grow Little Women!



Renee

Panning for Gems

Proverbs 2:1-5 - My son, if you will receive my words And treasure my commandments within you, Make your ear attentive to wisdom, Incline your heart to understanding; For if you cry for discernment, Lift your voice for understanding; If you seek her as silver And search for her as for hidden treasures; Then you will discern the fear of the LORD And discover the knowledge of God.

Have you ever thought that parenting is a lot like panning for gold?

When my oldest daughter was in 1st grade we took a field trip with her class to pan or "mine" for gems. The kids wore plastic smocks and were handed a sifting screen with wooden handles. They worked diligently looking for something of value. Most of their time was spent sifting through the sediment and sand to find only a few pebbles or stones, but by the end of the field trip, many of the children came away with a few pieces of ruby, emerald or topaz! Their patience, practice and perseverance paid off!The memory of that field trip was tucked nice and neatly away, until a phone conversation with a dear friend retrieved it from my memory file.

We were catching up, sharing the struggles and joys of parenting. I shared with her something my oldest daughter had said, that was full of wisdom. My friend made the comment, "You have received a gold nugget!". She went on to explain, that one day her mother told her,"Parenting is just like panning for gold or gems. Most of our days are spent sifting through sediment and only to discover a few pebbles or stones. Then there are those days, when you least expect it, your child says or does something that just blesses your heart. God has just given you a gold nugget!

What perspective! I know so many parents today who have given up on panning for anything of value in their children's lives. If we are not careful we get so busy looking at the sediment, sand, pebbles and stones that we overlook the gems!

In a world that demands instant gratification and quick results, parents must learn to be patient. Through the practice of parenting, if we diligently persevere through the sediment, sand, pebbles and stones we will find a few rubies, emerald's and gold nuggets along the way.

Keep on panning,
Renee

Tim Hawkins talks about Moms

Broken and Poured Out

"When Mary of Bethany "broke the flask of very costly oil and poured it on Jesus' head," it was an act for which no one else saw any special occassion; in fact, there were some who said, "Why was this fragrant oil wasted?" Jesus commended Mary for her extravagant act of devotion. (Mark 14:3-4)"

One morning after reading these words in Oswald Chambers, "My Utmost for His Highest"
I was struck with the following thought:

Mary of Bethany poured her most treasured possession on her Savior, she poured her life out for the One who would one day soon pour His life out for her on the Cross of Calvary. Some of those watching just didn't get it! They questioned and condemned her act of devotion because they didn't see the true value in what she was doing. Jesus on the other hand saw the true value and commended her for it.

As a homeschool Mother I am often misunderstood by those who just don't get it! They don't see the true value in what I am doing. Some question my act of devotion thinking it is a waste of time for a woman in today's liberated world to be at home with her kids much less choose to educate them at home! Some even have the audacity to condemn my act of devotion because God has called our family to this journey, dismayed at how we can possibly teach our own children without a "teaching certificate"! They just don't get it!

To pour myself out into the lives of my children is costly and it does require daily commitment, but I know God has lead our family down this path of home education and He sees GREAT value in it!

At His Feet,
Renee

The Bible in 3-D

Imagine going to the movie theater and purchasing your ticket to see a 3-D movie then choosing NOT to wear the glasses! Have you ever tried to watch a 3-D movie like this? Of course not, you wouldn't think of doing that, it's called 3-D for a reason. Without the glasses the movie would be fuzzy, out of focus and well, flat!

But, don't we do that when we read God's word? Scripture tells us the word of God is alive and active not flat but three dimensional! Yet, we read His word as if it were one dimensional with no character, no action, no passion or drama.

Recently, while at our state's homeschool conference I had the privilege of hearing someone tell the story of Moses birth from Jacobed's view. There was not a dry eye in the room! As a mother I felt Jacobed's sorrow, fear and love for her baby boy. I also got to see her trust in the Lord as she released Moses into His hands. I got to see faith lived out in a very real way. Through the speakers passionate portrayal of Jacobed's story I was connected to Jacobed in a way I have never been before. I will never forget that story, it is seared in my memory; all because someone took the time to bring the word of God off the flat written page and helped me to see the word of God in 3-D!

So here's my challenge: The next time we pick up the Word of God to read or teach our children or Sunday School classes DON'T FORGET TO PUT ON YOUR

3-D GLASSES!

Renee

We Pray and God Pursues!

Are you the mother of a prodigal? If so, have you been pursuing your child in order to bring him back to the fold? You know what I mean; do you find yourself filled with anxiety, pleading, preaching and prodding them? One more question; in the words of Dr. Phil, "How's that working for ya?"

After a few years of preaching, prodding, worrying and yes praying; I am finally understanding that as our children become adults our role as mother changes. While we still have influence in their lives, the way we go about it should be drastically different. Our job of laying the ground work and the foundation is over. We are to love them unconditionally, be a listening ear and speak the truth when the Holy Spirit leads us, but our main job is to PRAY and let God PURSUE!

Recently, when I shared these words with a dear friend, another friend reminded us that God's feet are swift, He can pursue like no other! I am also reminded that not only are God's feet swifter than mine but His arm is longer and His reach is farther. Our prayers for our wayward children are part of the long arm of God.

He is the Good and Chief Shepherd! He will leave the ninety-nine and go after the one who has strayed or is lost in the wilderness. What encouragement to a mother of a prodigal. One day they will return to the fold. The Great Shepherd of their souls will welcome them with open arms, a kiss on the neck and cover them with His righteous robe.

Until then my sisters...."We PRAY and God PURSUES!

Praying Twenty-Four Seven!

Jeremiah 24:7
Renee

His masterpiece!

Ephesians 2:10 - For we are God's masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so that we can do the good things he planned for us a long time ago.

I am not a seamstress. I don't do needle point or crochet. The extent of my needle and thread expertise is sewing on a button and tacking a pair of pants, that's it! So if I were to try and explain how a tapestry is made I would be in trouble. Therefore, I won't attempt it. Although, I have always admired those who have the artistic and skillful abilities to make these wonderful pieces of art, but that is as far as it goes.

As I was reading a little today about how tapestries are made I ran across a tidbit of information that can be compared to the life of a disciple of Christ. The article stated that Jacquard Loom weaver tends the looms, in order to locate the possible defects. The warp and the weft will interlace each other, and the design will take life. Isn't that what our heavenly Father is doing in and through our lives? He being the Master Weaver, tends to our lives in order to straighten or make right any defects that would possibly destroy His design?

We know ultimately the design he has for all of those who are true disciples is His Son, but that will only happen if we the "thread" are pliable, flexible and put ourselves in the Master Weaver's hands.

Isn't it amazing to realize that God is the Master Weaver and he has a Master design for our lives? Will we submit to His handiwork and allow Him to tend to our lives and remove the defects sin brings into His beautiful Masterpiece?

Trusting the Master Weaver,

Renee