Category: christianity

Growing Faith Muscles

FaithFueled Friday

Changing old habits

When I first came back to Christ, I was a stressed, worried mess. I worried about everything I had no control over, (which is everything) making myself physically sick. It may even have been the cause of me losing one of my twins in my last pregnancy. I would go over scenarios over and over again in my mind, making things worse each time. Then, after speaking with an excellent friend and mentor about my constant anxiety; She suggested a “God Box.” A “God box” is to place all my worries. First, I would write down my issues, pray, and then deposit it in the box. Anytime I began to worry, or what she likes to call “mentally masturbate” (that’s why I love her so) I would look at my box and acknowledge that I had already given it to God.

Matthew 6:34 (NIV) ³⁴Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

Growing Faith Muscles

This small gesture brought me great peace. At the time it was hard for me to trust completely in the Lord. I still sometimes struggle with this. In the world, you are so used to leaning on yourself for solutions when problems arise. In Christ, He will carry your burdens (Who does that? Not your fellow man!) which are something I am not used too. Breaking old habits is hard. Being a child of God, is just that, a child where you must learn new skills.

Matthew 11:28 (NIV) “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.

Pumping My Muscles

Faith, Grace, and Mercy seem to be a like a muscle you need to grow; You must continually exercise it to see results. My friend’s suggestion of a “God Box”, which I now call my “prayer box” was exactly what I needed to increase my faith and truly understand God’s grace. Constructing my first box was simple. I took a tissue box covered it in shimmery paper and cut a hole in the top. All my worries were placed in it. I would still worry; it wasn’t an instant fix, but instead of continually going over the scenarios the box reminded me to pray.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (NIV)¹⁶Rejoice always, ¹⁷pray continually, ¹⁸give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus

GrowingYourFaithMuscle

Seeing Results

Eventually, my stomach subsided, things began to get better, prayers were being answered, and I wasn’t worrying. Months went by, and I continued to exercise my new coping mechanism. One day, in the midst of prayer, God told me to open the box. First, I didn’t realize how much stuff I worried about. Secondly, I didn’t know how many prayers God had answered in less than three months. His grace and mercy brought to fruition in my life. Rewind two years later, prayer (and of course God) has changed my life, health, and stress. I still break out the box when I need to release my burdens. I also use it to praise Him when I open it up to see all the things that he has done for me. If only I knew of His sovereignty sooner (not just in theory but actual application) in my adult life.

GrowingYourFaithMuscle.

How do you handle your stress? How do you strengthen your faith?

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Tags anxiety, christianity, coping mechanism, faith, faith journey, grace, grace based parenting, mercy, ministry, moms of faith, motherhood, new christian, prayer, stress relief, worry

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Idolizing Success

FaithFueled Friday

Psalm 31:6 (NIV) I hate those who cling to worthless idols; as for me, I trust in the Lord.

Idols

Chasing the impossible dream

Did you ever have to read the poem, A Dream Deferred by Langston Hughes? I loved it; I used to think of it when things would go wrong in business. It now has new meaning. I used to be an Entrepreneur I was so obsessed with the “Success” of my business; fulfilling my dream. At the time, I had two little girls 10 and 6 and one on the way. I don’t know if it was the pregnancy hormones, but I was on a mission to put my business on a stable platform before I had my baby. My need to succeed placed on any other priority. I relentlessly pursued every opportunity right or wrong. Looking back I have realized; my business never would be successful because God was not in the equation. I did not commission Him to help me reach my goals. I took it on my shoulders to carry that burden and became weak. Spending wasted ours chasing money and success.

Ecclesiastes 1:14 (NIV) I have seen all thins that are done under the sun; all of them are meaningless, a chasing after the wind.

Idol

Flaws in the dream process

Now, the poem has new meaning. What happens to a dream deferred? It remains, it’s not going anywhere sometimes it needs to rest and placed for a later time. Does it dry up like a raisin in the sun? It all depends on where your heart is. My heart now belongs entirely to God any dream that doesn’t glorify him has shriveled and died. I have new ideas that I am finding out can incorporate some of the old thoughts but unless it’s foundation is placed in the Lord it’s on shaky grounds. Or fester like a sore and then run? It did rot, I thought about “What will people think?” “What about all that energy I put into it?,”What about others who can obtain their dreams?” at one point all sore points but I have now found contentment in God and those wounds have healed.

idol.

Gaining the focus I need

Does it stink like rotten meat? Not anymore that has been thrown away. There is a new dream, one that involves God who can make it better than anything I could have done on my own. Or crust and sugar over– like a syrupy sweet? The peace I have, the lack of angst, the new focus is so much more pleasing. I sit back and look at those who I used to run with towards the shiny gold medal. I see the error of our ways and rather than be sore or smell the agony of defeat, I feel contentment. That is so much sweeter than being in the rat race. Maybe it just sags like a heavy load? Not for me I have someone to help me carry that burden, someone to give my yoke to so that I can be free from burdens. Or does it explode? Only through his grace has my business taken on new heights. The delivery has changed, but it is far exceeding anything that I could have done on my own. All because I put my idol of “success” away and leaned and relied on God. Is there something that you are making a priority over God? Is there something that you’ve done a priority and want to give it over to him now? Either way, what were your results?

Philippians 3:12-14 (12) Not that i have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. (13) Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But on thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, (14) I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

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Tags awakening, choices, chrisitanity, christian mom, christian women, dreams, goals, God's plan, idols, priorities, success

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Closing the Gap

So, I accepted Jesus, now what?

When you become a believer there is a gap between the world and Christ. I have always known Christ. I knew He was a higher power and when you were really strapped and your back was against the wall it wouldn’t hurt to send a little prayer of “fix it Jesus” to help you. I didn’t realize that He was so much more. His grace, mercy, love, predetermination, protections, guidance, motivation, power, glory and fulfillment; still that doesn’t even describe the character of who God truly is there is so much more.

The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry, witchcraft; hatred, discord jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies and the like I warn you, as I did before that those who live like this will no inherit the kingdom of God. Galatians 4:19-21

Getting rid of worldly views

I was raised and taught of a condemning God who was jealous and vengeful. A God with such high standards of how to live that, we as sinners will never achieve them. I gave up and took the easy road and found comfortable discomfort in the world. Where the standard was so low that it was easy to excel and achieve. That is how we do it in the world, “dog eat dog”, “every man for himself,” “one up” the next person, turn off their light so yours can shine brighter. Honestly at the end of the day there is no fulfillment in living like that. There is no dollar, house, car, or anything that can replace happiness, joy and unconditional love.

Then one day, back against the wall I came to God again to “fix it Jesus” but this time it was different. I wasn’t coming from that flawed mentality that I had of “what can Jesus do for me?” Again, limiting His power and my own faith tremendously. I was coming from a broken person who had achieve worldly success, figured out a way to earn cash fast but still wanting something more.

“As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the rule of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. All of us lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath. But because of his great love for us God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions-it is by grace you have been saved. Ephesians 2:1-5

What is a “New Believer”?

Then I accepted Jesus as my Savior, what did that mean? I accepted that Jesus had adopted me as His daughter and gave me the privilege of inheriting His kingdom. That took me a lot to accept, you mean “I am in the will just for being me? And being grateful for Jesus for sacrificing His life for me, (like enduring grueling pain, ridicule, torture, being nailed to a cross and left to die, for me?) How can you not be grateful and thankful? I know some are but I guess since I am on the other side of that fence I find it really hard to understand at this point. Yet, to think that I once was there and I don’t know if I didn’t accept it because it seemed unfathomable or I didn’t accept it because I felt undeserving but either way it happened and I am thankful because I don’t know anyone who would take that bullet for me or bear that cross. With that same mentality of “who would do that for me?” I tried to navigate this faith journey all by myself. At least I tried to at first.

In love he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with His pleasure and will- to the praise of His glorious grace, when he has freely given us in the One he loves. In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace that he lavished on us. Ephesians 1:5-7

Initially I was going it “alone” I was going to do and say all the right things because I was a Christian by name only but my heart wasn’t truly convicted yet, I don’t know if it was a lack of understanding of what it truly meant or an inaccurate definition but needless to say it was flawed. It was missing the most essential component and that was God’s direction.

The Lord makes firms the steps of the one who delights in him though he may stumble he will not fall, for the Lord upholds him with His hand. Psalms 37:23-24

Doing things alone is a bad idea

Seeking to conquer my journey the only way I knew how, alone, by myself and forging ahead all on my own. Again, flawed and hindsight is 20/20, right? Looking back I was clearly in a transitional phase into where I wanted to be and where I am today. Going it alone made me realize that A) I don’t have the stamina, training or knowledge to do it myself and B) that is not what this “Christian” thing is about, we are meant to lean on God. I truly wish that my Church had a mentorship program for new Christians, I know they exist but I haven’t been privy to that. So, I accepted Jesus as my Savior got baptized and then was set free to roam. Thank God for His grace and love because once I realize I need to lean on Him and seek His guidance it became clear my path. When we go it alone we fail miserably and through my failure it introduced me to God. It gave me the yearning to have an active daily ongoing relationship in my life. He led me to the people that I needed to continue me on the path to maturity in Christ.

Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ. Romans 10:17

How did I figure it out?

What was the path? Who were the people? The answer: Christ and His believers and I found them in the unlikeliest of places. I pray every day for God to surround me with Christian people who love me unconditionally and support me. Who can help me grow and get to know Him better? Through this prayer I have found people who have taught me how to study the Bible. I have found the Bible, the ultimate Study Guide, Instruction Manual, devotional. I was reading books, devotionals, online studies and they are all great supplements to God’s word but the power of His word is indescribable. I am so much closer, dependent and strengthened through my relationship with Christ.

4 Ways to Close the Gap

So, I accepted Jesus now what?

Praise Him every day-no matter good or bad. If something good happens-praise Him and celebrate; If something bad happens-praise Him and grow.
Come to Him in prayer-It’s the best and easiest way to reach Him at any time, use it!
Trust in His Word-God cannot lie and His word is infallible
Rejoice always and give thanks always– for all that He does and let Him do the rest.

It doesn’t matter how big the gap is as long as I seek Him, he will close it. What have you done to build a relationship with Christ?

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Tags believer, Christ, christ follower, christianity, faith, lost, new believer

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Raised in the Church not Christ

Post author By De
Post date September 3, 2015
5 Comments on Raised in the Church not Christ

Colossians 2:20-23 (NIV) 20 Since you died with Christ to the elemental spiritual forces of this world, why, as though you still belonged to the world, do you submit to its rules:21“Do not handle! Do not taste! Do not touch!”?22 These rules, which have to do with things that are all destined to perish with use, are based on merely human commands and teachings.23 Such regulations indeed have an appearance of wisdom, with their self-imposed worship, their false humility and their harsh treatment of the body, but they lack any value in restraining sensual indulgence.

Raised in the Church

The legalistic church I grew up in focused on rules; You had to do this, dress like this,eat this, say this to get into the kingdom of heaven. For a rebellious teen and young adult this was something I had no interest in. It wasn’t until I became an adult started studying Gods word that I realized Jesus didn’t care about the rules. The rules were meant for people to follow to control them. Jesus cares about the inside your heart and where you faith lies by following man made rules; keeps you focused on the outside and doesn’t allow you to grow on the inside.

Playing the Part

Matthew 23:5a (NIV) “Everything they do is done for people to see:

Some people like me inherit their faith; born into their faith but not something that they have chosen for themselves. You grow up learning how to act like a Christian, talk like a Christian and you are honoring your heritage. You are learning how to play the part but never surrendering your heart to Jesus and falling in love. Then, there are those who learn how to be a Christian. They can recall scripture, dress modestly, know the prayers and how to pray. They are simply going through the motions never really committed but just keeping up appearances. Either way, whether they are inheritance or reluctant participants of Christianity; they are just following the rules and not truly serving God.

Hypocrisy in the church

Just because you call yourself a Christian doesn’t mean you are a follower of Christ. Hypocrites, yes I said it, hypocrites is probably one of the reasons I left my faith when I was a young adult. I was apart of a startling statistic about Christian youth; 69-94% of Christian children raised in the faith leave the faith within 2 years after high school. The number one reason those young adults leave is due to “hypocrisy”. When I was growing up I was apart of the “drug problem” that families who pass on the legacy of Christianity subject their children to. I was “drug” to church every week to dress up and show up but never having that same experience at home through study or prayer. My family was Monday-Friday sinners and weekend Christians. When it came to having my own freedom to choose I chose the world and not to my faith.

Raised in Christ

Matthew 23:3b But do not do what they do, for they do not practice what they preach.

Now, that I have found my way back to Christ and am in love. I am making a conscious effort not to repeat the cycle with my children. I am trying to teach them to have the armor of God and learn and know the truth for themselves; so that they may not be led astray. I want to teach them to show grace to others just as Jesus shows us grace everyday. I want them to see that I have a relationship with God and not just going through the motions. Now when you are in love, everyone knows it. Not only is it written all over your face, your acts but it’s all that you can talk about. Children are very observant and they pick up quick. The easiest way to see if you’re expressing your love is to ask your children;They will tell you right away.

We as Christian parents, must encompass being a Christian as an identity something that cannot be separated from us. Not a character we play at Church but a person we are day in and day out our identity. We have bad days as parents and as people and that is when I express God’s unconditional love. I show them how prayer can help you in times of stress, forgiveness, as well as, times to rejoice and praise. I am determined to give my girls the tools they need so that they do no become a statistic.

As we live our lives as Christian parents are we showing our love for God?

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Tags chrisitan parenting, Christ, Christian, Christian Family, church, faith, hypocrisy, Jesus Christ, rules

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Living in or on purpose?

Romans 12:2 Do not conform 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.

What I thought I wanted

Day in and day out, we are moving, are day and our lives by choices. From the moment we wake up, till the moment we rest; Each day a set of new choices. What do I wear? eat? Do I exercise? Stay in bed? Do I say this or that? When I was living in the world, my choices were impulsive. I was getting by day-to-day just trying to get through the day, moving ahead and living in purpose. I didn’t stop to take into account what I was doing till after it was done. I could easily be influenced by outside circumstances and was going with the masses. Looking back I was living a very meaningless life not making a true difference. Although, my intentions were to make a difference and I thought I was achieving. I wasn’t making true connections with anyone or thing. When you live in purpose,you are just going through the motions; doing what is popular. It wasn’t until I woke up and chose more for my life, a legacy for my daughter and a positive contribution to society.

What I really wanted

When I started living on purpose the mundane day-to-day became something more. I am not going to lie it became difficult in all the right ways. I had to be more conscious in my actions, speech, dress. I had to think ahead and plan more and I had to place more direction and guidance in God. Living by impulse is easy, living intentionally is hard; you might set out daily to tackle your to do list but that is not intentional. Tackling your to do list is just taking care of your daily task that need to be done. How does that impact your salvation? How does that encourage others to consider their salvation? I thought I was positively contributing to society but in all actuality I was serving myself. Getting the things done to make me more comfortable to achieve my goals and to execute my plans.

Accepting I was wrong

When I found God it was self-serving at first, I was looking for a ways to ease my pain. Make my life better, fix my life but as I started to grow in Him I discovered that was not fulfilling. I wasn’t really content until I started spreading His word, shining His light was much more powerful, purposeful and that contribution to society that I was looking for.

Psalms 63:1 You God, are my God, earnestly I see you; I thirst you, my whole being longs for you, in a dry and parched land where there is no water.

I think the hardest part was realizing that my own desires and dreams weren’t getting me where I thought I wanted to be. It’s hard to think of others and not myself. When I realized that His dreams far exceed anything that I could dream myself.

It’s better than you think

To live day-to-day thinking, how can I be a light while check off my to-do’s? Years ago, if someone would have said to me, “Leave all you know,dreams,aspirations and follow Jesus. It will be the most fulfilling thing you’ve ever done and you will still achieve all your dreams and more. I would have said, “Put down the purple kool-aid,” but I am here today to tell you, it’s true! (I don’t even like Kool-aid, so I am not sipping, I promise just sharing what I have found to be true.) It’s hard following, learning, being obedient, going against your nature but it’s the best thing that I have ever done. My days are no longer mundane they are meaningful and rich. My dreams are not a struggle its just a different path and I am no longer living in purpose. I am living on purpose-this is the life I was meant (we were meant) to live.