Causes and Crosses, Bread and Jam for Jan. 17

What would you do for your cause?

 I've not been one to take strong stands on issues but this is changing. If you believe in something, then you ought to be able to stand behind it with word and actions.  The world does so without batting an eyelash. They receive applause and some even receive awards. Not so with a biblical cause (for the most part). In fact, you will not receive an award, at least not a desirable one, here on earth.

    

When you stick your head into a dark cave to shine the light of truth, be prepared for what you awaken in that cave. It might be kind of scary. Oh, and don't expect to hear an echo right away. 

 Of course, if you stand for a cause, you will need to know how to do it with tact, skill and courage.  Colossians 4:6 tells us,  "Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer every man". 

If your cause is a righteous cause, then you will at some point suffer for it regardless of how kind you are in your approach.

 

It is instinctive to react with shock or disdain when you receive opposition to a truthful stand but the Bible says  to "rejoice and be exceeding glad for great is your reward in heaven, for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you." Matthew 5:12-13.

We live in an age where our Christian liberty is far-reaching. Christ came to give us liberty. We are no longer condemned by the law; we are under grace. Is freedom an excuse to sin?

Romans 6:1-2, "What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?"

The post modernism of our era has left both positive and negative effects on the church. On the upside,  the church has grown in it's ability to love and reach out  to the "seeker". Christian unity and individual liberty have increased. On the other hand, gradualism has ensnared many to take on worldly philosophies and practices. A sort of "Christian" consequentialism, pragmatism and relativism have become normalized in the church, too, causing those who stand for truth to be labeled as "legalists", "divisive", and "arrogant."  Note: these wordly philosophies can be right wing or left wing in expression. Consider pro-lifers who murder abortion doctors or on the other hand, Christians who think it is okay to ignore biblical mandates and use worldly methods to gain more acceptance in the world.

 

While I do think Christians need to guard against pride and self-righteousness, I  also believe there are times when we are called to stand for what is right. Of course, there are areas where we interpret things differently from one another.  This is when we take out the plum line for measuring all "truth"--the Bible. What does the Bible say about the subject area of discussion or the cause? Is it right to do wrong in order to advance your cause? If you have done wrong, and your cause advanced, does this justify your wrong-doing?

James 4:17 holds the answer, "The one who knows to do good and doesn't do it, to him it is sin." Another famous quote whose author is unknown says, "It's never right to do wrong to do right."

So, how do we stand for a cause and make sure our motives and actions are right? Pray! Read the Bible for answers and then act in faith, not wavering. "...Whatever is not of faith is sin." Romans 14:23b. ( While you are here reading this verse, go ahead and read Romans 14. It helps identify how we are to use our Christian liberty.)

While it is true that we should not intend to be divisive nor to offend our brothers and sisters in the faith, it is also true that we are called to be lights in this dark world.  

Matthew 5:13-16  ^"Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven".

 While it may be easier to act as people-pleasers than to "take a stand", we are called to "come out and be seperate". ( 2 Corinthians 6) I've decided that the cause of Christ and the truth of the Word are worth standing for, no matter what the cost.

We are in the world but not of it. (John 15:19) Although we should love the people of the world, we have to be careful about making friendships/partnerships with the world (1 John 2:15). Jesus calls us to to take up the cross, deny ourselves and to follow Him. Sometimes this will be painful. You may lose friends and irritate family. You may lose popularity or even monetary return for your business.  Are you willing to suffer as Christ and his disciples suffered? I have not always been willing. It hurts.  I don't want to be an outcast. No one does. I want to be liked.

Many people are willing to stand for a cause. Some will even do undignified things to further awareness. They don't care who they offend. The cause is worth it.

 What are you willing to do for the cause of Christ? Are you willing to be an outcast and an alien? Are you willing to stick your neck out on the line when the line might become an opportunity to put it in a laughing stock? 

Jesus said this in Matthew 10:32, "But whosoever shall confess me before men, him will I also confess before my Father which is in heaven".  

Watch this video about the the struggle we have to follow Christ. See if you are willing to take up the cross and follow Him.

Bread and Jam, December 19--His Eye is On the Sparrow

The following verses came alive again this week for our family as we saw at the last minute God miraculously supplying some very big needs that we had--to the T. Thank you, God.

I hope someday I will both know and feel this DURING times of desperate need when I normally know it in my head but my heart follows far behind. I've learned that He sometimes allows us to be in those harrowing situations so that we can feel the depth of His love for us when He does provide out of the blue what seems impossible to us but through Him "all things are possible to those who believe." (Mark 9:23) Often, I am crying "I believe Lord, help now my unbelief." (Mark 9:24)

If God can work with such a tiny grain of faith, imagine what He could do if I could trust Him more.

God did provide for us all we needed and He used some very loving, caring Christian friends who had a heart to share so that we were not in a state of lack that made us feel so desperate. Thank you, God and thank you friends.

Matthew 10:29-31: "Not even a sparrow worth half a penny can fall to the ground without your Father knowing it. And the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don't be afraid, you are more valuable to him than a whole flock of sparrows."

Matthew 6:25-28 (NLT) "So I tell you. Don't worry about everyday life-whether you have enough food, drink and clothes. Doesn't life consist of more than food and clothing? Look at the birds, they don't plant or harvest or put food in barns and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. And you are far more valuable than they are. Can all your worries add a single moment to your life? Of course not. And why worry about your clothes? Look at the lilies and how they grow. They don't work or make their clothing yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. And if God cares so wonderfully for all the flowers that are here today and gone tomorrow, won't He surely care for you. You have such little faith.
So don't worry about having enough food or drink or clothing. Why be like the pagans who are so deeply concerned about all these things? Your heavenly Father already knows your needs and He will give you all you need from day to day if you live for Him and make the Kingdom of God your primary concern. So don't worry about tomorrow for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today's trouble is enough for today."

This weekend's video is not Christmassy in the modern sense, but it is when you know He came to help the hurting as well as to save the sinner. Enjoy!

Bread and Jam December 12 Weekend

"Singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, and making music to the Lord in your hearts" Ephesians 5:19.

I've posted this week's video with the theme of having a joyful heart and singing lips but you will also get a chuckle out of this as there's a cute comedy routine by Mark Lowry at the end. Enjoy!

Bread and Jam November 15 Weekend

This song says it all. My Saviour is everything to me!

BREAD AND JAM NOVEMBER 7TH WEEKEND

JOIN ME FROM YOUR SEAT RIGHT WHERE YOU ARE TO BASK IN THE PRESENCE OF THE ALMIGHTY.

Though we don't even deserve to come into His presence, He has granted us the ability to do so and to become joint-heirs with Jesus of the marvelous grace of God. In fact, the believer has the blessing of God's presence with him or her always! Sometimes we are just not sensitive to Him or feel distance because of sin or neglect. Sometimes, we are blinded by the cares of this world.

As you watch this video, I ask that you sing it in your heart or even out loud with me. Invite Him to fill your life with the light of His presence. If you've never made Him your Lord and Savior, you can do so right there where you sit. Invite Him into your life after reading these verses. I pray that you may have understanding as you read.


1. Acknowledge aloud to Him that you are sinner in need of a savior--welcome to humanity-we are all sinners by nature. Repent from your sin. Turn away from it and toward Him. Read Romans 3:23 says that "All have sinned and come short of the glory (standards or mark of perfection) of God." Beyond that, Romans 6:23 tells us that, "The wages of sin is death but the gift (free) of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord."

2. Put your faith in His death and resurrection to cleanse you and remove from you the penalty of sin and give you a home in heaven when you die.
"But if you will confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart man believes unto righteuousness and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation." Romans 10:9-10

3. Trust that He alone is your savior and the one who can help you to live a godly life. Your works cannot save you. Your faith in Him is shown through your works but you are saved, not by your works but by faith in God's saving grace.

"For by grace are you saved through faith and that not of yourself, but it is a gift of God, not of works lest any man should boast." Ephesians 2:8
"What does the Scripture say? Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness." Romans 4:3


It's that easy. Repentence/confession + trusting faith in Christ=receipt of God's gift of salvation and His everlasting presence in your life.


Now for the person who already knows Christ, here are some verses on which to meditate.


(Exodus 33:14 NKJV) And He said, "My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest."

(Psalms 16:11 NKJV) You will show me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

(Psalms 31:19-20 NKJV) Oh, how great is Your goodness, Which You have laid up for those who fear You, Which You have prepared for those who trust in You In the presence of the sons of men! {20} You shall hide them in the secret place of Your presence From the plots of man; You shall keep them secretly in a pavilion From the strife of tongues.

Bread and Jam October 31, 2009

This week's Bread and Jam (Word and Worship) is one of my favorite songs. Whenever a situation demands my attention in a way that brings emotions to the forefront, I think through the words in this song. I want God's peace to reign in my life and in my home. I want it to reign supreme in my mind and my spirit so that I do not act according to the flesh but according to the spirit.


"Let the Word of God dwell in you richly". Colossians 3:16. I quote it all the time because I believe it with all of my heart and apply it often. I bombard my mind with His thoughts. That is the only way to take thoughts captive that would rule through fear, anger, confusion and a multitude of other emotions that exalt themselves against the knowledge of God. He is the Almighty, the Sovereign One, the only wise God. He alone has the answers to our situations and the hope for a victory. He has overcome the world and so can we if we remember this:

"And this is the victory that overcomes the world, even our faith." 1 John 5:4.

When we know who He is and what He is capable of doing, then we will not fear nor let our flesh rule. We will trust Him and allow His peace that passes understanding to fill our hearts and minds.

"Thou will keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on Thee." Isaiah 26:3.

Listen to this video. "Let the Peace of God Reign".

Bread and Jam October 24-25. "Need a Hug?"

This week's Bread and Jam (aka Word and Worship) is for those who feel engulfed in a spiritual battle. I pray that whatever you are dealing with that you will not feel swallowed up by it but you will remember that the eternal God wants to take you in His Arms and shelter you. It is a battle. We need to run into the Strong Tower. We wrestle not against flesh and blood but against principalities.... for more, read Ephesians 6.

Father, be a refuge to those feeling the fiery darts of the enemy.


The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms. He will drive out your enemy before you, saying, 'Destroy him!' Deuteronomy 33:27

Need a hug? I know where you can go.

Bread and Jam October 17-20

Each week I try to post a video with elements of Worship and the Word (aka Bread and Jam). This week will be no different.

This has been a tough month for me in many ways. One of my children has been having difficulty in his healing process. Besides that, we've had other struggles. But God has been true to His Word. I cling to it, like a life preserver. I've not posted as often as usual because of this. Sometimes we need to draw back from our bustle of activity and be still and remember that He is God and rest in Him. I have a writing business and some might tell me that I will lose readers if I don't post everyday. I've trusted this into the hands of the Almighty. He urged me to be more still for a time. I needed to bathe in His Word.

As I've done this, I've found a myriad of promises in the Word upon which to stand. He's promised that His children will not beg for bread, that those who seek Him first will have "all these things". He has declared that those who delight in His Word will have the desires of their hearts. He said that if we teach His Word to our children, we will be blessed. A virtuous woman will have children who rise and call her blessed. He promised to make the barren woman keep house and sing in a house full of children. He promises that those who seek Him will find Him. He promises to direct our steps when we acknowledge Him. He reminded me that those who obey Him can claim "all your children will be taught of the Lord and great will be their peace." We are over comers, more than conquerors through Him who loves us. The list goes on and on and on...whether we feel and believe it or not.


I do believe that every promise in the book is ours. I'm not a "blab and grab" gospel proponent but I do believe that He wants us to be victorious and prosperous. That doesn't mean we will never have trouble or feel human emotions over our trials. It doesn't mean that we are necessarily going to be wealthy all the time. But it does mean that He will keep, lead and protect us through it all.


I know what the world says about things. I know what the church says. I know what my mind and my heart say. I stand on the Word. Let God be true and everyone else and everything else a liar.

You see, I've listened to the other "voices" enough already. I choose to listen and believe the "voice" of truth.

Bread and Jam October 9-11 Post

Bread and Jam a.k.a. Worship and the Word.

I've been away for a few days but my heart is still with you. Sometimes we just need to stop in the busyness of life and catch up with ourselves. Thank you for your patience. I found this video while taking time to be still in His presence. "Be still and know that I am God..." the Lord says.

The heavens declare the beauty and glory of the Lord.

Oh, Lord, our Lord, how majestic is Your name in all the earth. How wonderful are Your mighty works that we proclaim in word and in deed!

Day after day, we utter speech, night after night comes knowledge-knowledge of the Holy One. Those who know His name, will find it a strong tower and a refuge in times of storm. They will speak of His goodness and His mercy and trust in His name. Let all those who put their hope in You rejoice for You are mighty to save.

Let the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, My Majesty, My King!

Open your heart to the King of Kings, the Lord of Lords, the Creator, The Savior and my Father. It is He that holds time and humankind in His Hands. He alone is worthy of all praise.

Bread and Jam For Oct 3rd weekend

Some times all we have to offer Him is our fragile breath. If that's all you have, He will meet that with all the strength and grace you need. "Let everything that has breath praise the Lord."




He does hear your prayers and your cries. Hold on to His promises. He will be there to pick you up again when you fall apart. Fall into Him. He will catch you. It's His promise-the promise of a lifetime for us. "...Lo, I am with you even unto the end of the age..."