A Few Things To Think On

I want you to think on something for a little bit.

Why is dying and crucifying our sins so important?

Why did Paul speak on it so much?

What impact does it make on our lives and for the Kingdom of Heaven?

How have we been crucified with Christ?

I hope God stirs a curiosity in you to open His Word and research these questions.

"I myself no longer live, but Christ lives in me." Galatians 2:20

You Can't "Earn" Your Way to Heaven

S-God's Approval

S-"So Christ has really set us free. Now make sure that you stay free and don't get tied up again in slavery to the law." Galatians 5:1

A-True Freedom

L-You Can't Earn Your Way to Heaven

        "For when I tried to keep the law, I realized I could never earn God's approval." Galatians 2:19

Brethren, let's just get straight to the point. We can't "Earn" our way to heaven. 

There are so many people who believe if they do what's right and are a good they are saved That is just not the case. Some where along the way they have been brutally lied to, and the saddest part is, they believe it. 

Where in God's Word does He say, "If you are nice and obey the law, you are heaven bound?" 

NO WHERE!

Rather, God says, "For no one can ever be made right in God's sight by doing what his law commands. For the more we know God's law, the clearer it becomes that we aren't obeying it." Romans 3:20

He also says, "There is only one God, and there is only one way of being accepted by him. He makes people right with himself only by faith, whether they are Jews or Gentiles. Well then, if we emphasize faith, does this mean that we can forget about the law? Of course not! In fact, only when we have faith do we truly fulfill the law." Romans 3:30-31

Paul learned this first hand. He was a law following fanatic, until God got a hold of him.

Don't substitute good works for faith.

S-Share the importance of faith with someone who thinks good works is enough.

Accept or Accepted?

S-We Are Still Sinners

S-"So Christ has really set us free. Now make sure that you stay free and don't get tied up again in slavery to the law." Galatians 5:1

A-The truth that you are free in Christ

L-Reality

       "But what if we seek to be made right with God through faith in Christ and then find out that we are still sinners? Has Christ led us into sin? Of course not! Rather, I make myself guilty if I rebuild the old system I already tore down." Galatians 2:17-18

The law is something tangible, so to speak. It is posted on buildings, books, signs, and we see it enforced in our everyday lives. Faith goes beyond the tangible. Faith goes beyond on a list of do's and don'ts.

So, what is Paul trying to get across in these two passages?

1. We are sinners.
2. Our human efforts, apart from Christ, accomplish nothing.
3. Don't get caught up again in trying to earn God's favor through good works alone.

Where are you at today, brethren? Are you trying to earn God's favor or are you living a life of faith through Christ who has accepted you?

The Law 101

S-Galatians 2:16

S-"So Christ has really set us free. Now make sure that you stay free and don't get tied up again in slavery to the law." Galatians 5:1

A-God's grace through Christ

L-The Law

   "For no one will ever be saved by obeying the law." Galatians 2:16

  We need to come back to this passage for many reasons. One, because the Lord has impressed it upon me to do so. Secondly, I think its important for us to understand why the law does not save us.

The law was put into place in the Old testament in order to do three things.

1. Point to Jesus
2. Promote unity
3. Protection

We can go all the way back to the very beginning, when Adam and Eve lived in the Garden. God put into place one law. Don't eat from the tree of knowledge of good and evil.

Here we see the 1st law broken and the consequences of breaking the law.

   "Then he said to the woman, 'You will bear children with intense pain and suffering. And though your desire will be for your husband, he will be your master. And to Adam he said, 'Because you listened to your wife and ate the fruit I tole you not to eat, I have placed a curse on the ground. All your life you will struggle to scratch a living from it. It will grow thorns and thistles for you, though you will eat of its grains. All your life you will sweat to produce food, until your dying day. Then you will return to the ground from which you came. For you were made from dust, and to the dust you will return." Genesis 3:16-19

But let's move forward to Abraham and the covenant that was made between him and God.

  The Covenant-Abraham was to obey God and have every male circumcised on the 8th day.

         The purpose-every male circumcised would bear the mark of the everlasting covenant.
     
         The Importance-it would be a sign that you and those circumcised have accepted the covenant and were apart of the family.

        **Something I never realized before until studying this deeper, was how all three parts of the law intertwined throughout this particular passage.

                The act of circumcision was not only an act of obedience, but it marked you as a part of God's family. For us today, on this side of the cross, our faith in Christ and His blood is what marks us as a part of God's family. It all pointed to Jesus, and God knew that when He established it. Amazing!

                The marking of circumcision promoted unity among God's people. The blood of Christ brings us together as one Body.

                Circumcision was the cutting away of "sin" the old, and representing the new. Today, our faith in Christ, His blood that covers us, removes the old, and fills us with new.

                The law that protects us, is the Word of God. It was given to us to guide us through life, to teach us, and to show us why we need Christ, and what our boundaries are.

This is a small portion on the law, but a great place to help us understand why the law verse faith was a big issue and needed to be addressed.

S-Share with someone how God's Word provides protection

               

               



   

Altar Sunday

Brethren, Rise and Shine and Give God Glory!!

Tell Him of His greatness!

Tell Him how marvelous of a Father He is.

Shout His name with joy.

Let the whole world hear of His goodness and abounding love!

Be Done With The Old You

"My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me." Galatians 2:20

Be done with the old you, for it died when you gave your life to Christ. Live in the new you that is filled with Christ. 

For our old lives were full of sorrow, shame, doubt, regret, and unhappiness. It was full of death. 

But now, with Christ in us, we can live with joy, love, peace, thankfulness, and life. 

Rejoice today in God's amazing love and grace, and live in such a way that the world knows Jesus is living in you.

I Challenge You Today To Do the Opposite

Can I challenge you to do something today?

For every negative thought you have say something positive.

      **"Fix your thoughts on what is true and honorable and right. Think about things that are pure and lovely and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise." Philippians 4:8

For every complaint you have say something encouraging.

       **"Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them." Ephesians 4:29

For every thought of doubt you have, think of God's faithfulness.

      **"For your unfailing love is as high as the heavens. Your faithfulness reaches to the clouds." Psalm 57:10

If you have an enemy, show them mercy.

       **"Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you." Ephesians 4:32

Instead of getting angry, express love.

       **"Love is patient and kind." 1 Corinthians 13:4

If you are holding records of wrong, destroy them.

       **"Love is not irritable, and it keeps no record of when it has been wronged." 1 Corinthians 13:5

Rather than focus on yourself and demand your way, your opinion, your wants, focus on someone else and their needs.

      **"Love does not demand its own way." 1 Corinthians 13:5

Every chance you get today, tell someone about God's faithfulness and love. 

And every time someone comes to your mind say a prayer for them and ask God to bless them.

Faith or the Law?

S-Galatians 2:16

S-"So Christ has really set us free. Now make sure you that you stay free, and don't get tied up again in slavery to the law." Galatians 5:1

A-Live by faith

L-Saved by Faith NOT the Law

     "And yet we Jewish Christians know that we become right with God, not by doing what the law commands, but by faith in Jesus Christ. So we have believed in Christ Jesus, that we might be accepted by God because of our faith in Christ and not because we have obeyed the law. For no one will ever be saved by obeying the law." Galatians 2:16

If we can grasp and walk away with anything from this verse, let it be that the law does not save us. The law is in place to help guide us and set up boundaries that will protect us.

It is our faith in Christ that saves us.

Are you living by faith or living by the law?

It's not about your good works. It's about your faith and relationship with Christ.

S-Encourage someone to grow in their faith and relationship with Christ rather than by trying to earn favor by obeying the law.

So, what is it going to be?

S-Galatians 2:14-15

S-"So Christ has really set us free. Now make sure that you stay free, and don't get tied up again in slavery to the law." Galatians 5:1

A-Praise God for your freedom. Freedom from death.

L-So, What is It Peter?

  "When I saw that they were not following the truth of the Good News, I said to Peter in front of all the others, 'Since you, a Jew by birth, have discarded the Jewish laws and are living like a Gentile, why are you trying to make these Gentiles obey the Jewish laws you abandoned? You and I are Jews by birth, not 'sinners' like the Gentiles." Galatians 2:14-15

This is how the Lord broke it down for me.

-"What is it going to be Peter? Who are you, because right now you are trying to play both sides."

                -"Yes, Peter you are a Jew by birth, but you have discarded the Jewish laws and have been living like a Gentile, and now all of a sudden, some Jewish friends of James' shows up and you get scared of what they will think if they see you eating with the Gentiles. Not only did you ignore the Gentiles after that, but you began to force the Jewish laws, that you abandoned, upon them. Why Peter? Why are you doing this? You have set a horrible example that has now led others to do the same thing. But worse Peter, they are not following the truth of the Good News."

                   Brethren, can you relate to Peter? Have you found yourself trying to play both sides?

Do you live a different life Monday through Saturday, but are someone completely different on Sunday's? Are you aware that people are watching you?

What is it going to be, the World or Christ?

Maybe you are in a similar situation as Paul was, and there is someone you need to confront as Paul did. If so, would you spend time in prayer and the Word before you approach them. In doing this it will give the Lord time to reveal to you if your motives are pure, if you are acting on flesh, if your discernment is accurate or based off of mere opinion.

Once you have spent adequate time in prayer and in His Word, He will set up the appropriate time for you to confront them (and them alone, not the whole world) and He will even give you the words.

Let's be mindful of our actions and the choices we make. Most of all, let's continue to go deeper in the Word and learn from God's Word and the life of those He spoke through.

S-Share your heart with God and let Him reveal it's true character and desire.



         




     

Sold to the Highest Bid

"The Lord helps them, rescuing them from the wicked. He saves them, and they find shelter in him." Psalm 37:40

She sits crouched down in a corner, knees pulled tight to her chest, shivering. Shivering with fear, brokenness, hunger, and cold.

She has been beat, sexually abused drugged, and abandoned by her own family.

She has been stripped, thrown down, yelled at, tied up and raped time and time again.

She has been placed before a group of men who have not an ounce of care, sense, or sound mind.

They each take turns placing their bids. Her "owner" stands with greed and pride that oozes out of his every pore.

Standing there surrounded by smoke, alcohol and men dressed in their finest she is examined from head to toe.

She is sold to the highest bid. Time and time again, she stands before these men. They pass her off as though she is a used piece of material.

When will someone come to her aid? Who will rescue her from this life of destruction, pain and fear?

How long will she, and thousands of other girls have to live in slavery to sex trafficking?

Brethren, it's real. These young women are real and in need of Jesus.

God might not have called us to go to these places, but He has called some and we need to pray God's strength to fill them up, His protection to surround them, and His light to be so bright through them it begins to penetrate through the darkness of sex trafficking.

Pray for deliverance and freedom for these women all over the world, along with all those living in slavery.

Decide Today Who You Will Be.

S-Galatians 2:11-13

S-"So Christ has really set us free. Now make sure that you stay free and don't get tied up again in slavery to the law." Galatians 5:1

A-Freedom IN Christ

L-Hypocrisy

       -"But when Peter came to Antioch, I had to oppose him publicly  speaking strongly against what he was doing, for it was very wrong. When he first arrived, he ate with the Gentile Christians, who don't bother with circumcision. But afterward, when some Jewish friends of James came, Peter wouldn't eat with the Gentiles anymore because he was afraid of what these legalists would say. Then the other Jewish Christians followed Peter's hypocrisy, and even Barnabas was influenced to join them in their hypocrisy." Galatians 2:11-13

 There are 3 very important things we need to take away from this passage.

1. Don't compromise your faith to fit in.

2. Don't fear what others will think or say about you.

3. Don't be a bad influence/hypocrite.

Brethren, these passages are so profound, and if we simply read over them without applying them, then we will be missing some very important advice and warning from the Lord.

We can't take this lightly. We have began to compromise WAY to much.

So let me ask you today, do you compromise God's truth to fit in with different groups of people?

Does your demeanor, speech, and behavior change?

Do you fear what others will say about you, if you stand out for Christ?

Whether we are willing to admit or answer these questions honestly, people notice, and so does the Lord.

Decide today who you will be. A follower of Christ that stands firm, is the same at home, in public and around all people, or one that tries to fit different molds in order to be liked and fit in. Therefore compromising your faith, worrying more about man's opinion rather than Christ's, and one who carries the name hypocrite.

Jesus let these words from Galatians 2:11-13 fall firmly on our hearts today. Don't let us walk away with out making a change. Convict us and teach us. Let us no longer compromise our faith or fear the thoughts of man. Amen.

S-Share this passage with someone today and ask them to keep you accountable.

Altar Sunday

"Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about what happens to you." 1 Peter 5:7

Laying and leaving the worries in our hearts at the Altar of the Most High. 

Take It In then Pour It Out

Could I encourage you to soak up God's truth today. Let Him lavish you, teach you, and shine His light upon you.

Then go out tell of His greatness.

Don't Be Intimidated-Part 2

S-Don't Be Intimidated

S-"So Christ has really set us free. Now make sure that you stay free and don't get tied up again in slavery to the law." Galatians 5:1

A-True Freedom

L-You Are Unique

  Yesterday we learned that God has NO favorites. We are all equally important to Him, and we all have a specific purpose. Therefore, we should not be intimidated by others or what they are doing. Instead, we should walk in humble confidence just as Paul did.

In these next four verses, we will see how the Body of Christ should function, what makes us unique, and how we know we are doing what Christ has called us to do.

-"Instead, they saw that God had given me the responsibility of preaching the gospel to the Gentiles, just as he had given Peter the responsibility of preaching to the Jews. For the same God who worked through Peter as the apostle to the Jews also worked through me as the apostle to the Gentiles. In fact, James, Peter, and John, who were known as pillars of the church, recognized the gift God had given me, and they accepted Barnabas and me as their co-workers. They encouraged us to keep preaching to the Gentiles, while they continued their work with the Jews. Their only suggestion was that we keep on helping the poor, which I have always been eager to do." Galatians 2:7-10

1. How the Body of Christ should function?

   

                ~With peace, understanding, encouragement, and with everyone doing their part and staying in their own lane. Look at verse 7

                    -"Instead, they saw that God had given me the responsibility of preaching the gospel to the Gentiles, just as he had given Peter the responsibility of preaching to the Jews." Galatians 2:7

    -Paul understood his role in the Body, just as Peter, James, and John did. Paul didn’t try to take on his responsibilities all while trying to do Peter’s too.

 Today, it seems as though many in the Body try to take on a role that God didn’t call them to.

      Brethren, there is a reason God made the Body with many parts.  We all have strength’s and weaknesses. Don’t let Satan convince you that your role is not as important as someone else. He is lying! Your role and responsibility within the Body is VERY IMPORTANT and you are needed! Don’t be intimidated or doubt your calling. And don’t envy others.

Be thankful for your role and the role of others within the Body. When you are humble and confident, you actually strengthen the Body.

2. What Makes Us Unique

        “For the same God who worked through Peter as the apostle to the Jews also worked through me as the apostle to the Gentiles” Galatians 2:8

 -God has specific reasons as to why He calls each of us to minister in different ways and to different people. This is what makes each of us unique.

           ** Look at Paul, he had a way of speaking and ministering to people that was different than the way Peter did. Paul’s past was completely different and so was his transformation. Yet, the same God that worked through Peter, also worked through Paul.

        -And He works through each of us.

        -Our life, our story, our past, our future, our voice, it’s all unique. Even the people we relate to, minister to, and are called to, is different than anyone else.

         Brethren, we need to take joy in our uniqueness and our gifts.  Take joy in the fact that God made you completely different and wants to use you in a way that is completely different than everyone else. You are special and what you have to offer is special. When you accept your unique qualities, you will compare yourself less to others in the Body, and you will be more apt to staying in your own lane. 

If you are struggling with who you are IN Christ remember this, you are unique. You have a unique gift. You are needed in a unique way. You are called to fulfill a unique purpose from a unique God with a unique love. And He will show you what that unique quality and gift is in our final passages.

3. How We Know

       When God is at work in our lives and using us for His glory, it will be evident, through the work of the Holy Spirit. Let’s look at three ways we will know we are fulfilling our gift.

            1. People will SEE it and acknowledge it.

                     -“Instead, they saw that God had given me the responsibility of preaching the gospel to the Gentiles.”

        

            2. People will RECOGNIZE it. (Our God-given gift)

                     -"In fact, James, Peter, and John, who were known as pillars of the church, recognized the gift God had given me, and they accepted Barnabas and me as their co-workers."     

                   

3.     We will be ENCOURAGED to keep doing it.

                      -“They encouraged us to keep preaching to the Gentiles, while they continued their work with the Jews.”

Did you ever realize how much depth and insight was packed into these verses? Brethren, God will speak, if we will just listen. He will give us understanding and confirmation, not only through His Word, but through others.

S-Tell someone how unique and special they are in the Body of Christ and to God.

                              

                    

        

                       

               

    

Don't Be Intimidated-Part 1

Study-Don't Be Intimidated

Store-"So Christ has really set us free. Now make sure that you stay free and don't get tied up again in slavery to the law." Galatians 5:1

Apply-Your True Freedom

Learn-God Has No Favorites

   "And the leaders of the church who were there had nothing to add to what I was preaching. (By the way, their reputation as great leaders made no difference to me, for God has no favorites.)" Galatians 2:6

Brethren, God has NO favorites! We are all equally important to Him. Let that be a breath of fresh air and confidence booster.

-This passage reveals a lot about Paul's character and confidence. Paul understood his role and purpose. He knew his mission, and he knew who he was IN Christ.

All to often we get caught up in intimidation and comparison, that we forget who we are IN Christ.

Therefore, we allow our insecurities to come flooding in and convince us we are useless or that we don't even match up.

But according to who? Because IN Christ there is not one greater than the other.

When you begin to doubt, compare, or feel intimidated, remember God has NO favorites. He loves you just the same and He has a specific purpose and plan just for you. Know who you are IN Christ and remember, it's your heart God examines.

Brethren, I pray as you meditate on this passage that you find yourself walking with humble confidence.

Share-with someone that God has NO favorites and then encourage them in their walk with Christ.

Do You Ever...

Do you ever have those moments when you are in deep prayer and feel as though you are literally on your knees, in the Most Holy Place, surrounded by the Lord's visible presence?

I have those moments every now and then, and I wish they were a lot more frequent. One day they will be, and they will be real and forever and amazing. 

However, today as I set absorbed in the presence of God, crying out to Him for some direction, clarity, understanding, growth, knowledge and wisdom, I found myself asking in a different manner than before. 

I asked with a heart of expectancy. I asked with a new boldness. I asked with a faith that said, "I believe in Your promptness, power, and love for me."

Though there has been waiting, and it might even continue, I found myself wide-eyed, with my heart at attention, looking, listening, expecting. 

Expecting to see Him, to hear Him, and to be radically moved by Him.

And I was. And I found. And I heard. And I felt Him. I felt Him breath on me as He spoke the words I have longed to hear. 

So what now, now I know. Now I shape my life around His truth, His answers, His provision, direction, and desire. 

Now, now I have tasted and seen.

Now, I want more! More of Him. More wide-eyed moments. More radically moved moments that shake me to the core. I want more of these God ordained moments where He shows up and says, "

Here. Here I am. Come to Me over and over with that faith. That faith that shows me its complete. I want more of that longing, that desperation, that comes from a heart that knows where the only living water exists."

It's not about pride in "who" I am. It's not about, "Hey look at my gift." Its about experiencing Christ in such a way, your only state of being is humble, grateful, and overflowing with amazement of His presence.

It's about a pouring out of self, so that the pouring in, is of Him. 

Isn't that our true desire? To pour Christ into others?

Sometimes we need a perspective change. One that says, Look to Him, rather than look at "Me."

I think once that revelation and transformation takes place, we will then find ourselves being used by the Lord in ways only He can. For then, and only then, will we see a pouring in of Him that changes lives.

For Your honor and glory, Lord. 

Don't Just Settle for an Appetizer.

S-Galatians 2-Paul's Summary of the Council at Jerusalem

S-"So Christ has really set us free. Now make sure that you stay free, and don't get tied up again in slavery to the law." Galatians 5:1

A-Your Freedom from slavery to sin

L-Quick Summary

  - Jesus as we begin looking at Galatians 2, I pray You open our hearts and fill them with a desire to go deeper with You. Bring this chapter alive for all who read it, just as You have for me. Amen

-As we dive into Galatians 2, we need to remember why Paul wrote this letter. In doing so, this chapter will make a lot more sense.

So what was the purpose?

     -To call out the Judaizers who forced strict obedience to the law, and to tell Christians everywhere it's not the law that will save you. It's actually your faith in Christ that saves you and sets you free, and its available to Jews and Gentiles alike.

So as Paul begins chapter 2-He begins by telling the churches in Galatia after 14 years (which ranges from the time of his conversion up to his meeting in Jerusalem) I went back to Jerusalem because God told me to.

"Then fourteen years later I went back to Jerusalem again, this time with Barnabas; and Titus came along, too. I went there because God revelaed to me that I should go." 

 

Why is this so important?

Because many of the Christians were easily influenced by the false teachers, who preached that you had to be circumcised in order to be saved. In laymen terms-they believed the Gentiles had to be converted to Jew if they wanted to be saved.

And this is where Paul stepped in and said, "That's wrong." No one has to be converted, or circumcised, in order to be saved. And who would know better than Paul?

No, it's putting your faith in Christ that saves you and sets you free.

And this is where you have to dig in God's Word a little deeper to put it altogether.

So flip on over to Acts 15 and it will give you a clearer picture and understanding of what Paul is talking about.

**I know your thinking, who has time for this. Better yet, you might be thinking how does this apply to me?

Well it applies to you, because it will take you deeper into God's Word, which brings you to a deeper understanding of Christ.

All to often we just skim the surface of His Word. We seek out what applies to us rather than dig deep and actually go further in our search to know more about Christ. But we should!

So I challenge you today to go a little deeper. Search a little longer. And come out knowing more about Christ than you did before. Don't just feed your heart an appetizer, feed it the main course.

I promise God will show and teach you something, if you will just allow Him to.

S-Share more depth of God's Word with someone.

We Know Not

We know not the hour nor the day when the Lord will come, but one thing we are sure of, is He will come.

     Are you preparing for His arrival?

We know not the hour nor the day when our last breath will be taken, but one thing we are sure of, is it too will come.

     Will it be Jesus whom you see?

Altar Sunday

Would you join me at the altar, as we lift up the families of those in the Boston Bombing, the young man and his family whose lives are forever altered because of his decisions, along with all those in West, TX who were involved in the Fertilizer Explosion.

Ladies, It's Your Choice

"There are "friends" who destroy each other, but a real friend sticks closer than a brother." Proverbs 18:24

"A gossip tells secrets, so don't hang around with someone who talks to much." Proverbs 20:19

She seeks friendship and is as sweet as can be when you first get to know her. But as the friendship progresses, you notice some things in her speech changes. Her words turn into more and more gossip and unhappiness.

The conversations seem to be geared more towards negative statements about herself and others and less about Jesus and what was once her main topic, the lost and His Word. 

This begins to bring so much confusion about her real desires and motives. 

Finally after months of hanging out you begin to realize every time you leave you feel less and less encouraged, and more frustrated. You begin to hear more and more negative comments. Disagreements begin, forceful opinions come rushing in, and all of the sudden you find yourself brought into situations that begin to portray a poor reflection of you. Not only that but you notice you have begun to speak the same way. 

 

The next thing you know, the gossip that has been done, comes back, and you realize she has went from person to person, and what you once believed has turned out to be the completely false. She has been twisting the words of others. 

This brings even more confusion. 

How do you handle this? 

Ladies, I am not sure if you have ever experienced a friendship such as this or if this description describes you. But may I share with you something every women needs to hear? 

Gossip is the quickest thing to destroy a friendship and your character. 

Negativity leaves a distaste in the mouth of others. It's not attractive, and it is a downer. If we are all honest, we will admit we are all guilty of both of these. 

No matter what, when we gossip, it eventually gets back to the person or persons we are gossiping about, and do you know what that does to their hearts?

It hurts it, and even plants a small seed of anger within it. That can and will eventually sprout resentment, bitterness, and hatred. Thus, causing dissension among one another. 

Why in the world would we want to be the cause of that? 

Do you know who else it hurts? God!

Ladies can we let that sink in for a minute. When we speak poorly of others or speak negative about ourselves, we are hurting the Lord. We are sinning, and we are acting opposite of what His Word says.

When our speech reflects gossip and negativity, it reflects a heart that flows more on the selfish side rather than on the Christ like side. 

But take hope! God can help us with this! Believe me, I am a testament to His faithfulness, and I can say that because, I have set on both sides of this. I have done it, and I have been around those who do it. 

I can tell you, if you will seek God's counsel, help, and protection, and give Him control of your thoughts, speech and friendships, He WILL help you, keep you accountable, and guide your tongue as you speak.

Not only that, but ladies, we need to be praying for God to surround us with Godly women who desire to do nothing but live out God's Word, love others, who are prayer warriors and will be an encouragement to us.

That way, when we reach out to other women around us, we will have a strong support group to fall back on that, strengthens us, holds us accountable, prays for and with us, builds us up, and in doing so together, we all become stronger for the Kingdom of God. 

I can tell you, that the Godly Women the Lord has placed around me, is one of the greatest blessings. I have prayed for these women and love these women as though they are my own flesh and blood. And though none of them live by me, it doesn't matter. God still allows us the opportunity to pray with each other and for each other. Whether through a text, email, or phone call we are always building one another up, through Scripture, love, and an encouraging word. It is a NECESSITY. 

 Ladies, if we desire to be women that reflect the very image of Christ, we have to have Godly women in our lives that will push us closer to Christ, rather than the world. These women will reflect the description given in Titus 2:3-5.

         "Similarly, teach the older women to live in a way that is appropriate for someone serving the Lord. They must not go around speaking evil of others and must not be heavy drinkers. Instead, they should teach others what is good. These older women must train the younger women to love their husbands and their children, to live wisely and be pure, to take care of their homes, to do good, and to be submissive to their husbands. Then they will not bring shame on the word of God."

So I want to challenge you today. I want to challenge you to evaluate your speech and thoughts according to the Word of God. 

Are they fruitful or fruitless?

Are they kind and loving or mean and hurtful?

Do they build others up or tear them down?

Do they reflect Christ and His Word or do they reflect selfishness and the world?

Do they express God's faithfulness and your trust in Him or do they express doubt?

Then, I want to challenge you to spend about 30 minutes in prayer about your friendships. Ask the Lord if these friendships;

Push you closer to Him

Build you up in the Lord

Encourage you through prayer and Scripture

Are pleasing to Him

Do the conversations bring Him glory

Trust me, He will reveal to you whether or not they are good and pleasing or if they are displeasing. This won't be easy!!! Oh, mercy believe me. But I promise you, if you are obedient, you will be blessed.  

Listen to Him, sweet one!

 Finally I want to challenge you to ask yourself and if you are courageous (most of us would rather not say anything to upset someone, but little do we keep in mind, we are hurting someone and sinning when we allow gossip to be spread) enough to ask the person you are with that is gossiping the following questions.

Is what you or I saying, going to bring honor to the Lord?

Is what you or I saying, going to build this person up or tear them down?

Is what you or I saying, based off of jealousy and self?

Ladies we all have a motive behind what we say and the friends we have. Let's make sure that motive lines up with the Word of God. And let's also remember, God can and will set us free and deliver us from this, IF, we really want to be set free from it. 

I will also say, unfortunately this will be something we battle the rest of our lives, but God will give us the strength, the courage, and the discernment to know which friendships will be good or bad. He will even intervene on our behalf and remove those friendships that are not pleasing to Him, when we draw near to Him and stay in constant prayer.      

Let's be women that live out this amazing description of love. "Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. Love does not demand its own way. Love is not irritable, and it keeps not record of when it has been wronged. It is never glad about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance." 1 Corinthians 13:4-7

Jesus help us to become women who are loving, kind and merciful. I pray you move us to complete discomfort anytime we begin to speak negatively about ourselves or someone else. Set us free from this sin that entangles us. Help us, as godly women, to rise up and be peacemakers. Jesus this has become such a normal thing now that we have forgotten how much it displeases You. Jesus break our hearts for what breaks Yours. Forgive us for acting opposite of what Your Word says. Reveal to us any friendships that are displeasing to You and help us to remove ourselves from them. And as we do, I pray You bring godly women into our lives that love and desire to live according to Your truth in all ways. Amen

"I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you." Psalm 119:11

To help you do just that, here are some additional passages from God's Word that would be great to store in Your heart.

Proverbs 10:32

Proverbs 11:9

Proverbs 11:12

Proverbs 11:13

Proverbs 11:17

Proverbs 12:18

Proverbs 12:26

Proverbs 13:17

Proverbs 15:1

Proverbs 15:4

Proverbs 15:28

Proverbs 16:24

Proverbs 16:28

Proverbs 17:9

Proverbs 18:2

Proverbs 18:4

Proverbs 18:7

Proverbs 18:8

Proverbs 18:19

Proverbs 18:20-21

Proverbs 20:3

Proverbs 25:8-10

Proverbs 25:18

Proverbs 26:20-28

Proverbs 27:9

Proverbs 27:17

And many many more..keep searching His Word sweet one!