Taking a stand for.. Breaking the barriers and being alive in service. That's right ladies!

Taking a stand for.. Breaking the barriers and being alive in service. That's right ladies!

This morning I attended a ladies day at Concord Church of Christ in Orlando. And let me tell you, those ladies did a fantastic job. From the wonderful lessons that will be applied-- to the hard work you could visually see that they put in to it. For those who do not know what a ladies day is, it is a day where ladies gather together to spiritually strengthen by fellow-shipping and learning the word God. I never really understood how much work that the ladies in the church put into these, for the spiritual growth of many and for that I am just so thankful for every ladies day I have gotten to be apart of. Lording willing, I would very much enjoy to be a speaker at a ladies day someday.
I've learned so much today, and I thought it'd be very beneficial if I shared that with you with my input into it as well.

Ladies, are you bringing your service alive to Christ? Or are you just simply coming and going to church on Sunday and Wednesday. Maybe you think that's enough, maybe you're too busy, maybe you have other things to worry about, maybe you think you know everything there is to know already?
Is that the right mind set? Absolutely not. Don't create these type of barriers for yourself. If it's one thing I learned, barriers are very dangerous in our spiritual life. Get rid of them!

First of all, we have a purpose. Don't you ever think that your were born for no apparent reason.
Ephesians 1:3 "Blessed be the God and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ." NKJV
Ephesians 1:14 "who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to praise of His glory." NKJV

Can I just say, wow! Regarding the first verse, God has given us every spiritual blessing to have a relationship with Him. And the second, He is the guarantee of our inheritance! We owe it all and more to Him. He knew us before our own mother did. He specifically chose us to be here. We have a purpose, don't create barriers that will get in the way of doing more for Him.

So, lets hear some of the women made barriers, we call it the three "-ings"
#1- Longing for a trouble free life.
Okay ladies, first of all, realize that God never promised us a trouble free life! The problem is how we react to these troubles that we face. They become barriers.
John 16:33 "These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world" NKJV
Ladies stop worrying, do not miss the joys of today! Besides, we have something so much greater to look forward to now don't we. :) I urge you to stop longing for a trouble free life. Why? Because it creates a barrier between us and God. Pray pray pray! God will take care of in the troubling time. Ask others for prayers too, talk and communicate with your sisters. We all need the prayers, we all need to be there for each other. You aren't lonely in this world. We are here for each others.

#2- Losing our way when things get bad, trouble, and trials.
What happens to us when we face troubling events in our life? How do we react? Does it show?
Do we doubt?
Sometimes it seems like we lose our way in trouble times, God didn't create us to be like that. Satan is always at work, he never takes a break. These are the times when you MUST stay strong in the faith. Hold your faith.
James 1:2-3 "count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience" NKJV
So, growing in the midst of trials is not easy but helps build patience. Which is absolutely necessary.
Trials help us to grow!
Two very interesting verses that were brought up that really spoke to me were..
Job 40:6 "Then the Lord spoke to Job out of a storm."
Job 38:1 "Then the Lord answered Job out of a storm."
- In the midst of a storm, God is working it out for us! It may not be the answer we want, but He has a plan. You might not be able to see it at the time but He answers.
Losing our way creates a barrier.

#3- Living our lives and making decisions based on our feelings
We need to be careful with this, because we could seriously hurt someone with the things we do or say. God gave us emotions, He has given us everything that we have. If you do or say something that shouldn't have been said or done.. make sure you confront that person and apologize for whatever you did based on your feelings.
Our heart is the core of all this. It is a vital function on how we are living our life and making decisions. What are you filling your heart with?
Jeremiah 17:9-10 "The heart is deceitful above all things, And desperately wicked; Who can know it? I, the Lord search the heart"
The heart refers to the mind, the source of thinking, feeling, and action. The Hebrews viewed the heart as a center of life. It is desperately deceitful. Yet God not only knows your heart, He searches it. The heart and the mind encompass human emotions and together uncover the hidden elements in a persons character and personality.
What do you hold in your heart?
Gods word needs to be in the drivers sear of your life.
1 Corinthians 4:1 "Let a man so consider us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God."

GOD HAS A PLAN FOR ALL OF US!
Use the talents and life He gave for serving Him in any chance you can!

Please, keep fast to your faith! Hold on to it and be stubborn with it. Be stubborn with it because you must not let go of that faith. Keep building it, always.God needed you and knew everything about you.
We have a living hope and a love that never ceases.

We need to be alive in our service to Christ
Always be willing to serve God in ALL things
How can we be alive in our service to Christ though?

• Know God loves you.
• He knew you before you were born
• You have a purpose
• Believe in Gods purpose
• Bring others to God
• Follow His commandments
• Spend time reading the bible daily and praying
• He sent His son to die for you

There is always something you can do to bring service to God. Whether it's bringing a meal to someone, sending a card, making communion bread, praying for others, or even participating in things that will help you grow spiritually such as ladies days. We can never learn enough. There is always something to do!

Digest and dig into the Bible, really look and read for yourself. You are responsible for your own soul. Don't you ever think that there is nothing you can do, don't create that barrier between you and Christ. 

Be different than the world, most people don't know why they are truly here,..but we do! Share that news with all who you come across! You know the truth, share the gospel someone one else can have the chance in eternal salvation. He died for them too. 

Closing with this:

How to serve God during the difficulties in life

• Be open to serve God every day in every way.
• God will not give you more than you can handle.
• Seek God in prayer to guide you so you don't over commit
• People are lost and need to know God and you may be the one to share God with them.
• You need to be different from the world.

Do not take the life He gave you for granted, use it to glorify Him.

There's so much out the you can do, no matter what age, there is NO excuse.

*Photo courtesy to wallpaperswide

Take a stand for.. Joy! Patience! Prayer!

Take a stand for.. Joy! Patience! Prayer!

Romans 12:12 "Rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer;" NKJV

This is one of my favorite scriptures, as well as chapter. I advise you to read Romans chapter 12, it's a great chapter to read and study. Verses 9-20 is even, how we should behave like Christian. But for this post, I'd life to focus on Romans 12:12. We can learn so much from even just one scripture, and it is beneficial for us to examine scriptures. 2 Timothy 2:15 "Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." KJV 

So lets break it down..
"Rejoicing in hope,.."
So, what does it mean to rejoice in hope?

• 1 Peter 1:3 "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead," NKJV
• 1 Thessalonians 1:3 "remembering without ceasing your work of faith, labor of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ in the sight of our God and Father," NKJV
• 1 Thessalonians 2: 19 "For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Is it not even you in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at His coming" NKJV

So, to rejoice you must be happy. Why should we be happy? Be happy because you have a hope of salvation thanks to our Lord Jesus Christ through his resurrection!

Next,
"Patient in tribulation,.."
Wait a minute, what does tribulation mean? Well, according to dictionary.com
Tribulation: (n) 1. grievous trouble; severe trial or suffering
                        2. an instance of this; an affliction, trouble, ect.
When we come face to face with troubling times, given trials to go through, suffering with great affliction... we must remain patient and not let it get to us, no matter how hard the weight of it may pull us down. Remember, the testing of our faith produces patience.

• James 1:2-4 "My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing." NKJV
• 2 Corinthians 6:4 "But in all things we command ourselves as ministers of God: in much patience, in tribulations, in needs, in distress," NKJV
• Colossians 1:11 "strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, for all patience and longsuffering with joy;" NKJV

Many times in our life our patience is tested, many times for the littlest of things. Sometimes I may be impatient with my littlest sister but then I remember that she is just a child as I once was. Just remember they don't stay little for long so enjoy those times when they ask for a story to be read to them, to draw with them, or even play a game with them. These children look up to us, so give them something to look up to and just love them as Christ loves us. Having the patience in the littlest of things can even go such a long way. But, sometimes it's a lot bigger than the small things isn't it? As a Christian, don't be afraid to look towards your brothers and sister for prayers, and always look up to God. Do not spend much time worrying for things of this world, be patient because we have the hope of salvation. (Titus 1:2, 3:7)

Finally,

"Continuing steadfastly in prayer"

Steadfastly: (Adj.) 1. fixed in direction; steadily directed

                            2. firm in purpose, resolution, faith, attachment, etc.

As defined by dictionary.com

Our prayer life is so very important so I'd like to go a little more in depth with this. To pray steadfastly, meaning to pray very frequently. Never stop, and always remember to make it an important part of your day. Many people also think it is beneficial for them to keep a prayer journal, that way it is easy for them to remember some of the things they'd like to remember to pray about or the people who need prayers.

• Through prayer we can find peace that guards our hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:6-7)
• We also obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of our need (Hebrews 4:14-16)

Take in mind that..

• Not all prayers are acceptable by God (Proverbs 28:9)
• God does not hear the prayers of all men (1 Peter 3:12, Isiah 59:1-2)

So, what is a prayer that is pleasing to God? 

In the book of Matthew, Jesus had much to say about prayer in His sermon on the mount. The kind of prayer which finds favor in God's sight. This is Matthew 6:5-15. In this we learn what type of prayer that pleases Him, what not to do in regards of prayer, insincere prayer, our spiritual needs, and much more we can learn on this subject of the model prayer. Lets be sure we offer the kind of prayer that pleases Him. Do not take prayer for granted, it is a blessing that we have someone there, every hour of the day. Keep your prayer life healthy.

In conclusion, there is just so much you can learn from and take in even just from one scripture. Open up your bible and take in what God has to say to us all.