day twenty four {james 3:1-12}

^{1-2 "}Don’t be in any rush to become a teacher, my friends. Teaching is highly responsible work. Teachers are held to the strictest standards. And none of us is perfectly qualified. We get it wrong nearly every time we open our mouths. If you could find someone whose speech was perfectly true, you’d have a perfect person, in perfect control of life.

^3-5 A bit in the mouth of a horse controls the whole horse. A small rudder on a huge ship in the hands of a skilled captain sets a course in the face of the strongest winds. A word out of your mouth may seem of no account, but it can accomplish nearly anything—or destroy it!

^5-6 It only takes a spark, remember, to set off a forest fire. A careless or wrongly placed word out of your mouth can do that. By our speech we can ruin the world, turn harmony to chaos, throw mud on a reputation, send the whole world up in smoke and go up in smoke with it, smoke right from the pit of hell.

^7-10 This is scary: You can tame a tiger, but you can’t tame a tongue—it’s never been done. The tongue runs wild, a wanton killer. With our tongues we bless God our Father; with the same tongues we curse the very men and women he made in his image. Curses and blessings out of the same mouth!

^10-12 My friends, this can’t go on. A spring doesn’t gush fresh water one day and brackish the next, does it? Apple trees don’t bear strawberries, do they? Raspberry bushes don’t bear apples, do they? You’re not going to dip into a polluted mud hole and get a cup of clear, cool water, are you?"

(MSG)

yep. the taming of the tongue verse. everyone's favorite. 

not. 

i came across this verse this morning and felt like my bible had grew hands and smacked me in the face. seriously. 

lately i have been such a grumpy gills. life is going so fast and i can't seem to keep up. God is doing so many amazing things in my life, but i keep focusing on the bad things. the days that don't go well. the people who seem to drive me bananas. 

and of course, i don't have the nicest things to say. 

no one likes these verses. this chapter for that matter. because despite what anyone will say, we all have those down moments. we say a bad word. some one upsets us, so instead of being angry in the way Christ instructs us too, we say mean and nasty things. talk about them behind their back. 

i think that what i'm learning right now, is that if i'm constantly having negative thoughts and ideas come out of my mouth, that's what's going to happen with my life. 

as mentioned before, God is doing beyond amazing things in my life (that i'll share soon!), and for some reason all i can do is complain about how busy i am (hello i haven't posted for two weeks).

and let's be clear here...this isn't just a chapter for people who cuss like sailors. it's for those of us who talk negatively about people. it's for those of us who, no matter what, can't find a nice thing to say. 

because we're human and it happens. 

i love the beginning of the chapter because it warns us that being a teacher is a big deal, we'll be judged differently. people will watch more closely. 

has anyone ever had someone tell them, "that's not very Christian of you, now is it?"

literally used to make my blood boil. i work in a restaurant, so i'm not exactly surrounded by heaven, and it get's hard. and there are tables that will make me want to quit my job. and yes, maybe sometimes i say something that isn't the words Christ would use. and then this statement comes out. 

at first, i used to get even more mad at the person saying it because i knew, they were only doing it to poke fun. they of course weren't a christian, so it was so judgmental to me. 

and then i began to think about it. 

because they're right. 

it's not christian of me to storm into the kitchen ranting and raving about the old lady who needed 50 napkins and 47 ice teas and only left me .50 as a tip. 

it's not christian to gossip about other co-workers. 

it's not christian to loose my temper every time we're out of something, and the customer gets mad at me. 

i'm being real here kids. 

it's hard. being in this world and not being of it. 

but we've i've got to find the balance. 

psalm 34:1

i will extol the Lord at all times,

His praise will always be on my lips.

all day every day. it's ok to get upset (that discussion is for another post, but look into matthew 21). but it's how we deal with that emotion. it's ok to admit something sucks. "dang this sucks". but it's not ok to say someone sucks, or blame people for the situation you put yourself in. 

catch my drift?

in high school i used to steer clear of this chapter because i only thought it had to do with cussing. 

woops, i was wrong. 

i think i've skipped over it enough times and God is almost giving up on pointing it out to me. 

found it God. 

today. i'm testing this out at work. extol: to lift up, to praise. 

how's your tongue?

all my love, 

meg

ps.

i will return emails from comments soon i promise. 

you all mean so much and your comments are so sweet! 

day eleven {1 thessalonians 5:17}

the trick, i think, is to pray when we don't need anything. 

it's easy in our time's of need to get down on our knees, and lift up that prayer of "need". when we're hurting, or need something to happen. those prayers come flowing out of our mouths, like water flows down a creek. 

but what about on the other days?

the days when life is just amazing. how quick are we to just thank Him for what we've been given? 

my prayer life is a constant work. there are days i don't do it at all {gasp, i'm a real person}, and days that i'm so late for school and work because i just couldn't stop in the morning. 

lately though, i've been sending up a lot of, "help me God's". things have just been hard around here. sick family members, my future staring me in my face and giving me the look of "what now", too busy to notice what day of the week it is. 

the beauty of God is that He already knows when we need the prayers. He's up there waiting for us to call on His name to answer, because He does. 

those family members left the hospital to go home. praise Jesus. 

my future is getting ironed out smoothly like a wrinkle going away on a shirt. 

even before we freak out, He's got it all figured out. 

and that my friends, is something to take a big sign of relief at. 

all my love, 

meg

day nine {jeremiah 29:11}

His plans > than mine. 

there have been far too many times in my life when i've felt like i have no idea what i'm supposed to be doing. 

no idea what i'm supposed to "grow up" and be. 

and for the first time, i finally can say with confidence that when i grow up, i'm going to be a photographer. 

God has been placing this in my life so hard lately, and i am so thankful for a God that provides. and answers prayers. 

because there have been so many of those lately about all of this. 

and quietly, when i stop talking and listen, i've heard His say, "yes meg, this is it"

the future it freaks me out (anyone else think of that motion city soundtrack song....), but for the first time in my life, it's a freak out excited thing going on. i'm not scared.

in fact i'm pumped and ready to kick it's butt. 

God's plan for our lives are so extreme i'm not sure we'll ever comprehend them. His plans are for us to be successful and bring glory to His name. 

this is a verse i've committed to memory. plans for hope. 

all my love, 

meg

day eight {exodus 15:26}

"He said, "if you listen carefully to the Lord your God 

and do what is right in His eyes, 

if you pay attention to His commands 

and keep all His decrees, 

I will not bring on you any of the diseases I brought on the Egyptians, 

for I am the Lord, who heals you"

God heals. 

jehovah rapha: the God who heals. 

my cousin was in a terrible car accident last night, could you pray for her? she's in the icu right now. 

but God heals. 

all my love, 

meg

day seven {1 john 4:18}

Jesus is perfect love.

all my love, 

meg

day six {proverbs 31:25}

girls. we rock. 

God has given us anything and everything we will ever need to do life, and kick it's but along the way.

scared about the future...just laugh at it ;)

all my love, 

meg

day five {joshua 1:9}

it's not that God just told us to be strong and courageous...He commanded us to do so. 

and why command such a thing?

because He knows that He will be there for us. where ever we go. 

in times of trouble, be strong and courageous. 

i mean...we've got the God of the universe on our side. 

all my love, 

meg

day four {john 14:8}

we live in a society that tells us we need to have all this "stuff" to be happy. and let's face it, as Christ followers, we fall for it. 

but this simple truth is beautiful. 

God is really, all we will ever need. 

all my love, 

meg

day three {ephesians 1:7}

in Him we have redemption through His blood, 

the forgiveness of sins, 

in accordance with the riches of God's grace. 

ephesians 1:7 (tniv)

i'm in a bible study and we're reading "you're already amazing" by holley gerth. it's so beyond good. you need to stop reading this and go order it online or go take a trip to the bookstore to get it.
seriously.

we just read the chapter about the lies women tell each other daily.
lies that keep us from seriously reaching our potential in Christ.

lies like: i'm not good enough, i've done too much, i'll never be perfect.

and then, like every good writer, she asked me to fill in what my lie was.
and then, like every good christian woman, i skipped over it and said i had none.

i wish.

it almost came to me quicker than when someone asks me my address.

my lie: that past sins can not be totally forgiven

i'm sure most of you are shaking your head in question right now.
i know, it's almost elementary christianity that i'm working with right now.
sins not forgiven? unheard of.

but really.

after i vomited out that lie i was assigned to finding a scripture that countered that lie. the lie that satan has let me believe for way to long.

see here's the deal.
it's not like i've ever killed anyone. i just happen to have a really long "track record" with guys. i wrote about how i did everything backwards and still got it right. but there's always been this part of me, this lie from satan, that God couldn't ever really forgive me for all the stuff i've done in the past.

ephesians is my favorite book so that's where i started, and within the first chapter, i found the verse above.

redemption

re-demp-tion [ri-demp-shuhn]

1. deliverance; rescue

2. salvation

3. atonement for guilt

4. repurchase, as of something sold

Christ came to deliver me from my sin. all of them. when the nails were going through His hands He didn't do that so we could have half our sins taken away but all of them.

i was rescued. 

i am thankful for a God who is so patient with me. because i still am a work in progress. there are some days i can tell satan to bug off and never let that lie worry me. but other days. well, that's a different story.

i'm covered by His grace.
and it's His plan for my life that i revel in the fact that my sins are forgotten.

is there a lie satan keeps reminding you of? one you can't let go of?

in this chapter, holley gives the example of when Christ met the adulterous woman. the leaders who brought her to Christ were trying to trick Jesus into condemning her. they had their stones in hand (because back then when you committed adultery you were stoned).
Jesus then bent down, wrote something in the dust (which we don't know), and then told the leaders that who ever had never sinned, got to throw the first stone. and then they all walked away.

"what Christ wrote in the dust is a mystery. but whatever it was, I know it was truth. and now we stand as women acused. the enemy is ready to throw stones at us. in the dust of our hearts, i picture Jesus writing truth that covers those accusing words: lovedacceptedchoseMineforgiven. others may speak into our lives. but Jesus has the final say. He covers the lies with love." (pg 44)

figure out that lie, and then find scripture to cover it.

all my love, 

meg

day two {Colossians 3:12}

so, chosen by God for this new life of love, dress in the wardrobe God picked out for you:

compassion, 

kindness, 

humility,

quiet strength, 

discipline.

Be even-tempered, 

content with second place, 

quick to forgive an offense. 

forgive as quickly and completely as the Master forgave you. 

and regardless of what else you put on, 

wear love. 

it's your basic, all-purpose garment. never be without it. 

colossians 3:12-14 (msg)

i read through a bunch of versions, but the message one stood out the most to me. i love the way it tells us that God picked this wardrobe out for us. 

if you're anything like me, that takes a huge weight off my shoulders. i hate getting dressed. there's a closet full of clothes and shoes and some how, i never have anything to wear. 

so someone picking it out for me? yes please.

compassion. 

check. 

my heart physically hurts when i see those in need. 

kindness. 

half check. 

let's be super real here for a minute. sometimes, i'm not nice. like at work. when i have a table leave me a $2 tip in nothing but change. and there's only two quarters in the bunch. 

humility.

check. 

there's no way i could walk around and think i'm all that and a bag of potato chips. i've got flaws. and big ones at that. 

quiet strength.

half check. 

there are times when i am not quiet, and gentle. times when my temper get's the best of me. 

discipline.

not a chance. 

i tend to be a "free spirit", going about at my own pace, maybe a few steps behind the rest. some call it procrastination, some lazy. me, i don't think i have a word for it. i just know that there are times in my life when some serious order is needed. 

be even tempered.

haha, me. even tempered. 

let's be honest here friends, not even close. there are days when my fuse is so short, there seems like there is no fuse. 

content with second place. 

check. 

i've never been the "if you're not first, you're last" kinda girls. i'm cool with just a participation award. 

quick to forgive an offense.

half check. 

sometimes, i beat that dead horse over and over again. anyone else like that? i'm a work in progress. 

forgive as quickly as the Master forgave you. 

not even half way there. 

why is it so hard to forgive people? it's not like i've had people wrong me far worse in my life than in anyone else's life, so why do i insist on playing the pity card? 

i live in florida, so i obviously own twenty something pairs of flip flops. 

but my go to's are my rainbows. 

they're comfy, go with everything. 

all-purpose, if you will. 

the reason love is listed last here, is because without it, none of these things will work. just like everything else about of faith in Jesus, this is an all or nothing kind of deal. you can't just be kind to people while you throw a tantrum about not getting your way (fingers pointed at myself).

but it's ok to be a work in progress. 

a big huge work in progress. 

for me, i have got to get that even tempered and discipline thing down. those are two areas in my life that are pulling me down. i know that although i've been made perfect, i still need some work. God knows that too. and He's humbled me to know that i need work. 

are there any areas in your life that need some work?

 and don't forget to put on love today. 

all my love, 

meg

31 days of scripture

happy october!

last year, i was tired after this 31 days thing.
every day, for 31 days.

and heaven forbid i missed a day.
i felt like i was letting someone down.

i wasn't planning on doing the 31 days of blogging again, but something just felt right this morning when i thought about doing 31 days of scripture.

simple enough i think.

i'm not putting to much pressure on myself though, because if i miss a day, i miss a day. but, considering that being a "writer" is something i call myself, this shouldn't be hard.

it should be fun.

so here we go, 31 days of scripture.

day 1: 

psalm 119: 9-10

how can those who are young keep their way pure?

by living according to your word. 

i seek you with all my heart;

do not let me stray from your commands. 

i think we try and complicate things too much as christ followers. and often times come up with excuses for they way we act. but the simple truth is that if the word of god speaks on it, there should be no confusion.
god didn't set us up to fail, he set us up to succeed greater than we could ever imagine.

all my love, 

meg

day 24 {anger}

Ephesians 4: 26
Go ahead and be angry. You do well to be angry—but don't use your anger as fuel for revenge.
And don't stay angry. Don't go to bed angry. Don't give the Devil that kind of foothold in your life.

 

crap.

don’t stay angry.

crap.

don’t go to bed angry.

(do I have to say it again?)

don’t give the…devil that kind of foothold?

it’s hard though right, to not be angry when someone does you wrong. or does your family wrong?

right now I can think of at least five people I would put in the “I’m angry with you” category.

some, to be honest I’m really angry at.

these are people that treated me really poorly. these are people that I’ve seen do physical and mental damage to my family. these are people that have turned so far from who I though they were, it’s hard to recognize them.

and I’ve tried really hard to forgive them. I’ve gotten to the point that I’ve convinced myself that I have “forgiven them” but I haven’t moved passed all the wrong they’ve done me.

but how do I move on?

how does one move past being angry, give people forgivness and move on…I have no idea.

I know the verse: “and whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive them, that your father in heaven may also forgive you” (Mark 11:25)

but it’s so hard to apply to myself.

because of course those who I’m angry at have done far worse to me than anyone else has done to another. I have ligitimate reasons to be angry.

except, that I’m dead wrong.

so beyond wrong it isn’t even funny.

forgivness is something I struggle with a lot. that list of people hasn’t grown in the last year (thank God) but it hasn’t gotten any smaller either which is just as worse. I struggle with letting the bad thoughts about people escape my mind. I keep all the bad memories in a box in my brain.

I’ve given one up to God.

but I’ve still got a bunch more to go.

I wish I could be writing about how forgivness works. but I think it’s one of those things as a Christian that we just have to give up to God. and I’m not even sure how that works because I’m still hanging on to some things.

and then I read a verse like this: the devil has a strong hold on an area of my life?

so no…I’m not perfect.

crap.

don’t go to bed angry?

maybe it’s not that I think about those people right before I go to bed and get angry…but if the anger is in my heart, how else am I supposed to get rid of it?

give it to God.

it’s easier to type than do I can tell you that.

I’m a captive by my anger. it’s something that’s really holding me back from my full potential with God.

that took a lot to type.

I think sometimes I get to caught up in the “glamor” end of being a Christ follower. but this is the ugly side that is rearing it’s head once again and I’ve got to do something about it.

beth moore says that “a christian is held captive by anything that hinders the abounded and effective spirit-filled life God planned for her”.

stopping the captivity starts with surrendering it all to God.

so in my attempt to surrender (it all) I’m going to study the book Breaking Free by beth moore (quote above is from the book) in my online bible study.

I’ve read it once before but I don’t think I got it all out. yes there was that that moment on the beach with the tears. and that helped…kinda. but I feel like since I’ve added people to that list I’m not getting it. and I need to get it and be gone with it.

for those of you who are going to join me on this journey I can not wait to share it with you! there’s a lot more I need to get out of this book and that’s why (I think) God has placed it into my lap.

challenge: if you’re struggling with giving something to God, I pray you’ll enter into our online bible study. email me meganw122@yahoo.com

God we know that You are the only One who can mend our broken hearts. I pray God that You use this book to get to us. mess up our lives God because that’s what we want. and I pray for those who just need to feel Your love God, I pray that You’ll send Your Holy Spirit on them God and comfort them.
amen.

day 23 {honesty}

Ephesians 4:25 

What this adds up to, then, is this: no more lies, no more pretenses. Tell your neighbor the truth. In Christ's body we're all connected to each other, after all. When you lie to others, you end up lying to yourself.

small groups to me, have always been really important. i was in a one in high school, then again just a few years ago, and now i'm trying to get one going again.

but it's scary.

a lot of times, i think, we enter into small groups with these mentalities that we're going to make great new best friends, share some laughs, maybe some tears, and study God together.
but oh goodness is it so much more.

yes it starts with making new friendships. and yes, with out God it wouldn't be possible.
BUT
then we have to factor in honesty. and that's where things get pretty messy.

i've found (even myself at times) to either exaggerate a story to make it sound like i'm the one in the group that's done "the worst", or at times, i've kept my mouth shut so tight because i was afraid to share what i had been through in fear of being judge.

and then theres the really messy groups that lie to each other.

for those of you who have emailed me about the bible study i am so overwhelmed by how amazing you all are! and i can not wait to this with you.

but i'm scared. 

it's not that i think we're all going to be best friends for the rest of our lives (but i AM praying for so many great friendships to be formed), but i just don't want this small group to end up like the rest.

a small group is the body of Christ.
each member brings their own piece of the body to share. each person brings their own gifts to share with the other members.
but sometimes the evil one gets the best of us.

so here's what i'm praying for.
obviously God to move.
but then, honesty.

it's scary entering into a group of women who you don't know. but if we're going to expect God to do big things then we have to open our hearts and be honest.

challenge: if you're not in a small group/bible study find one. if you cant seem to find the time, think about joining the online bible study i'm starting. email me if you're interested: meganw122@yahoo.com

God we know that being honest with each other is a scary thing. but we know that with your strength we can be there for one another God, we are sisters in Christ Lord and i pray that we all know that no matter what we've done we love each other! i'm praying you MOVE in this bible study God! move so much that we can't even try to ignore You!
amen

PS
bible study girls! look out for an email by wednesday with all the info! almost done with the details!

day 22 {be still}

Ephesians 4:24
Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy.

 

this morning at work was the breast cancer awareness walk around our little outside mall we have. we were beyond busy. like, food waiting an hour to get to people busy. like, went on a wait at 10am and didn’t get off one until 3 busy.

I should mention here that we are just coming out of our really slow season. our really really slow season.

needless to say I got my butt kicked.

and then I hurried home to change clothes and stuff some food down my throat to go off to a photo shoot…me taking the pictures not me in them.

and then I had to get home to finish a test that I’m about to re-take. thank goodness for 2 attempt online tests.

and then I realized that I hadn’t blogged today.

and then I read this verse.

created to be like God.

truly righteous and holy.

it’s funny that we think we’re busy at times. Gods up there making the earth go round (literally) and I’m complaining that I had to go make money and then do what I love to do?

I think we reason with our selves too much that if we’re tired or had a packed day then it’s ok to complain.

last time I checked Gods never complained to me about being too busy to be with me.

so…I’m going to go spend some time with God. today, I wasn’t like Him. and that sucks. so some personal inventory is due. I can be righteous and holy…I just need some work.

 

challenge: get real with Him right now. how was your day? did you, like me, get upset and say things you shouldn’t have? or take things for granted?

God, come be with us now. thank You for this beautiful day and all Your blessings. forgive us for being so selfish. we love you Jesus!

day 21 {attitude}

Ephesians 4:23
Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes.

lets play the honesty game, ready?
I have a terrible temper.
I get really frustrated at things.
I’m a yeller.
if it’s not out loud, I can think some pretty mean things.
I tend to stay mad at people for stupid reasons.
I’m a brat.
and finally, I have a really crappy attitude sometimes.

{brat}

anyone else like that?
I know I’m not perfect, and God is doing a lot of work in my right now, but I’m still human. and even though that’s really no good excuse,  I’m going to use it right now because I just can’t help it.
I’ve always struggled with when to get upset, and when to walk away.
because remember, at one point Jesus also got pretty mad (remember the whole table turning thing in matthew 21?) but He got mad at something pretty legit. He had found people turning the temple into the local mall. taking the house of worship and making it the center site for the city, not keeping it Holy.
I get mad because I’m scheduled when I go to school and then I have to give it away and then I’m left with no money.
you can go ahead and put that under the “greedy” and “selfish” categorizes.
it’s really hard to not get mad at things…or here’s my big one: people.
but if we really do believe in Christ, and we really have taken the Salvation that He’s given us, then all the bad thoughts and crappy attitudes should be gone. because Jesus lives in us. and He had plenty of things to get mad at while here on earth but He didn’t.
it’s a struggle that’s for sure. but, I/we can do this. we just have to remember that Jesus is right there with us when we gte upset or that something doesn’t go our way.
challenge: be honest with yourself and see what’s going on with those emotions and thoughts. give them to Jesus and He’ll help you file them away. no one knows forgiveness like He does. so let’s try and do His kind of forgiveness and not ours.
Father we thank You for all the forgiveness You’ve given us and God I pray that we learn how to give it away to others. God we know it’s hard, but we know that with You all things are possible.
amen

PS. God is giving me the opportunity to start an online bible study! if you’re interested please feel free to email me! meganw122@yahoo.com
PPS. I won an award!! the sweet Ashley gave me the Liebster Blog award! I’ll be doing mine once the 31 days is done. so stay tuned!
Ashley thank you so much for this great award! it’s a blessing knowing you sweet friend! please go check out her blog here!

happy friday!

day 20 {satan}

Ephesians 4:21-22
Since you have heard about Jesus and have learned the truth that comes from him, throw off your old sinful nature and
your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception.

 

there is truth in knowing Jesus. a truth that you won’t ever get from anyone or anything.

life is a chaotic mess sometimes, actually most days, but because I know Jesus, I know that things are going to be ok. I’ll get through the storm that I’m in and come out on top of a mountain.

sometimes I think back to before I knew the truth of Jesus and how much of a mess I was making this life God had given me. like paul bluntly states, I had a sinful nature about me, and was completely corrupted by lust and deception. all the choices I was making were the wrong ones, and the worst part is that I knew better, I just chose not to do the ‘better’.

and that my friends is what we like to call a strong hold from the devil.

I find a lot of times Christians don’t like to talk about the devil because it tends to be that crossing the line topic that makes people feel uncomfortable.

it doesn’t make me uncomfy in the slightest. it’s the sad and scary truth.

satan is real. and before I really knew the love of Jesus he and I were pretty tight. he said jump and I said how high.

some of you might be thinking it’s insane for me to say these things, but here’s a question for you: if you’re not with God and following Him, then who do you think you’re following?

the worlds way is satan’s way. everything that doesn’t glorify God in this world is from him.

he’s corrupted by lust and strives on deceiving us.

but we have a Savior. One Who came to this earth for the sole purpose to die the death that we all deserve to prove to the devil that He is stronger.

despite what some are out in the world saying, this whole following Jesus things isn’t a “religion”. it’s not supposed to be a set of rules you follow. there’s only one Book to follow (the Bible). it’s not suppsoed to scare you into being Christian because you just want to go to heaven. and it’s a lot more than just being a good person.

it’s a relationship.

that’s why when you accept Jesus as your Savior, you have a new life. one without deception and lies. one with out a sinful nature. He washed away all your sins.

challenge: how much of your faith is just following the rules? have you really realized that the old life you had was corrupt and now you have this new one? a new life that all your sins are forgive?

God we thank You for what Your Son did on the cross. God give us the strength to move away from the strong hold of the devil and into Your arms! we know that satan can try and get a firm hold on our lives but You God have a stronger one! we love You!

day 19 {learn}

Ephesians 4: 20
But that's no life for you. You learned Christ! (MSG)

if you haven’t read the last couple of blogs, just go quickly read over the verses that were up.

paul warns and tells us about the all the people living out of the Light.

and then he ends with this exclamation!

our lives should be different then those in the world. it’s a simple truth that at times is super hard realize at times.

because hey, if we’re being honest…their lives seem to be so easy sometimes.

but if we’re being equally as honest…I’d take being broke over rich any day, and I’d take knowing where I’ll be at the end of my life then thinking it’s all over after I breathe my last breath.

I love that this verse says that we learned Christ.

I’m in school right now, like most of you, and this made me think of all the learning I’m doing. and to be honest, how much I’m learning just to get through the test that’s coming up. it’s like I’m mastering using my short term memory.

but this isn’t how I want to be with God.

the knowledge that I have learned from God is a gift and one that I want to stick.

I’ve learned Christ.
and the life that I had before was no life for me!

challenge: learn Christ. spend some time with His, and ask Him for His knowledge that He’s waiting to give you!

God we know that in You we have learned that this life is far better than our life before You! God give us the knowledge that we need to do Your will! thank You for Your Son Jesus!

day 18 {shame}

Ephesians 4: 19
They have no sense of shame. They live for lustful pleasure and eagerly practice every kind of impurity.

 

wow.
paul really isn’t holding back here.

he’s making his point loud and clear.

is it just me but, when I read that verse I thought of tons of girls I’m friends with on facebook that only have pictures of themselves hovered over a toilet because of the ‘great night’ they had? (I’ve really been meaning to do a friends list clean up)

or the guy who has a beer in his hand in every picture and all his status updates are about how ‘freaking fun’ the weekend was…but he doesn’t use freaking.

no sense of shame.

the message says that they “can’t think straight anymore”.

it always made me laugh that in high school, when everyone else was hitting their ‘party peak’ (as I like to call it) I had already done mine years before and was (thankfully) above it all my junior and senior year. there were times when I was that girl hovering over the toilet in shame, with the tears streaming down my face because I was just to drunk.

it was shameful.

but some how, the pictures that may have surfaced always got a laugh.

and no matter how much I laughed back, that pit in my stomach still ached because of the shame.

 

pauls warning us here, not just describing those kinds of people to us.

because if we don’t remember Who we’re on this earth for, then we’re just like them.

I wrote a post about a month ago on dating, and some rules that I had come up with. maybe even taken as advice. the ones so that we wont lust after our significant other. the ones to avoid the practice of impurity. and this verse made me think of them again.

because even if we love the Lord, but are still finding ourselves in the pit of lust, something isn’t clicking.

and believe me friend, it’s taken a good while for me to have everything click up there.

at times it’s hard. but I’m finding that the more time I spend with God, the more happy I am, and the less room I leave for shame…or shameful acts.

challenge: maybe you’re not a partier, maybe you’re not sinning sexually…but there might be some shame in there. take a personal inventory and let God take care of it. give the burden to Him.

God I pray for those who might have shame right now for past, or even current actions. give them strength God. I pray that they take your courage and strength and give that hurt up to the One Who can make it all go away and patch up the missing piece. I thank You for Your Son Jesus.
amen.

day 17 {wandering & a bible study!}

Ephesians 4:18
Their minds are full of darkness; they wander far from the life God give because they have closed their minds and hardened their hearts against Him.

this is the third time I’ve started this blog. it’s not that I’m having writers block, it’s just that I have too many thoughts for this verse and I’m not sure which way to go with them.
I guess I’ll start with the part where paul tells us that people are wondering far from the life God has given them.

it’s not surprising though, all we have to do is turn on the tv to see how much evil and darkness is going on in the world right now.
but what really stuns me about this verse is that he says they are wandering far…meaning going in the opposite direction of God. when they got to the fork instead of taking the Lighted path, they took the creepy scary dark one. people are wandering from God.

or am I too busy wandering on my own path that I don’t' notice them?
the hardest part about being a Christ follower is sharing the gospel with those who don’t know it, or worse, know it and refuse to believe it.
because friends I can tell you that it takes a lot of guts to look someone in the eye (whom you love more than anything) and tell them that if they don’t receive Jesus, they wont be in heaven with you.
one of Jesus' last commandments to His disciples was for them to go out into the world and preach the good news, and make more disciples.
turn those wandering people into wanders for God.
I think this is one of those ‘save the best for last moments’, because it really is so important for us to go out and make disciples of the nations…and our friends…and our families.
but remember this friend…their hearts are hardened and they have close minds’ as paul puts it. most who wander are lost. meaning they are set in their ways (for now).
think about the opposite, you’re heart is full of God, and soft for Him. imagine someone trying to tell you that God didn’t exist and constantly trying to get you to realize that. I’m talking about how you’d be approached here not exactly what you're being approached about.
the lesson is that we have to take our soft hearts and let God use them to soften theirs.
changing the way you live your life is tough…especially for a Christ follower.
so instead of looking down on those who don’t know Him, lets really strive to ‘put ourselves in their shoes’ and use Gods amazing love to get to them.
a closed mind is a hard thing to open.
but I promise you that Jesus can open any mind.
challenge: focus on those who aren’t saved. pray that God will use you to get to them, in a loving way.
God I know that there are people in each of our lives that don’t know you God and that breaks our heart. but God help us to tell them about You, in Your loving way. let us not be over bearing, or troublesome to them. let our actions speak so loud that we barely have to use our mouths. thank You for You greatest commandment to love one another.
amen.

PS.
i want to start an online bible study. i have no logistics worked out yet. just something i think God wants me to do. SO if you'd like to partake in an online bible study please email me: meganw122@yahoo.com
blessings sweet friends!

day 14 {your actions}

*I should first mention that yes…I have skipped two days. BUT, not with the verses. I seemed to have messed up my grouping of a couple verses while I was gone last weekend. so, all the verse will still be here, just back on track with everyone else.*

 

Ephesians 4: 15
Instead, we will speak the truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ, who is the head of His body, the church.

 

 

I think actions are a tricky thing.

what if for a week you never mumbled one word, but you were being watch by a group of non-Christians. would your actions lead them to God?

 

there’s a saying about preaching the gospel, to use words only when necessary.

 

so again I ask, would your actions lead people to God?

 

honestly, for me? I think it would be a great thing for me to shut my mouth for a week. I tend to have the sharp tounge syndrome.

 

but here’s the other thing…I have a routine in life, but it isn’t very giving. I mean, sure I give some spare change and I go to youth on Wednesday night (that post is coming soon) but am I really spreading the love of Christ during my week by just my actions?

can I be really honest here for just one second?

 

I can’t stand rude people.

 

and to be even more honest, I tend to run into them at starbucks…yes I just went there.

I love me some starbucks. I was having a conversation with a friend the other day that it’s simply just the convience. but anyways. lately I’ve noticed that if I get there early enough, I catch the grump crowd. the people in a terrible hurry to get to work, or where ever. and with out fail, as I’m walking behind someone with full hands the door comes slamming in my face.

 

here’s some more honesty for you: I’m a server. it’s called 20% people or don’t go out.

now, with that being said, if your service is terrible that’s a different story.

but we’re told to bless others…even with our tips.

by now you’re most likely wondering where in the world I’m going with this.

 

if our actions are supposed to speak the love of Christ, start with the small things.

 

open doors.

leave a great tip.

smile at strangers.

if you see someone drop something, and you’re with in reach, pick it up.

the older lady in the cereal isle reaching for a box…get it for her.

give $5 for the person behind you at starbucks.

if you’re not in a hurry let someone go in line before you.

 

and mostly, I find that if I just slow down, all of things (and more can happen). it’s sad to think that I’ll convince myself that if I just had a couple more seconds I could have opened the door for them. life is just too rushed.

Jesus didn’t go running from town to town to spread the good news so why should we?

personally I think those shoes He wore couldn’t have been very comfy leading to a slow paced walk.

when we figure out how to really speak the truth with our actions, we’ll really figure out how to be more and more like Christ.

and I don’t know about you girls…but that’s who I want to be more like.

 

challenge: slow down and do something nice for someone.

 

God we know that these lives we live are far too busy, and that’s our own faults. but God I pray that You help us to slow down and take the time to be more like Christ, with our actions and not just our words. put opportunities in front of us to help other God, even if it makes us feel awkward or uncomfortable. thank You for Your Son whom we have an example to live by.

amen