Those who trust in the Lord are as secure as Mount Zion;
they will not be defeated but will endure forever.
Psalm 125:1 (NLT)
In His Love, Cathy
Monday, November 18, 2013
Wednesday, November 13, 2013
Ephesians 4:14-16
Then we will no longer be immature like children. We won't be tossed and blown about by every wind of new teaching. We will not be influenced when people try to trick us with lies so clever they sound like the truth. 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. He makes the whole body fit together perfectly. As each part does its own special work it helps the other parts grow so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love.
One hallmark of a mature Christian is the ability to speak the truth in love. People do not always like hearing the truth, however, when confronting someone with the truth we are to do so in the spirit of love - love for Christ and love for the other person.
So many people in today's society take pride in speaking the truth to others and feel justified in doing so. However, many times these confrontations are not done out of love. Instead, they are done out of hurt, pride, or uncontrolled emotions. Many times, we think simply because we are in the right (and have Biblical backup) that we can just charge in - like a bull in a China shop - and hit the person with the truth.
But what does that accomplish for Christ? Absolutely NOTHING! In fact, these kind of tactics can chase people away from the church and from the cross!
The whole purpose in confronting others with the truth in love is for them to recognize the truth, repent, and turn back to Christ. And this has a greater chance of success if the person sees just how much you truly care about them. Just because we are on the side of truth does not give us the right to cast stones, persecute, or be insensitive (or be a jerk)! We are in the business up building up the Body of Christ - NOT tearing it down!
I have experienced people in life who have 'confronted me in truth' with mean spiritedness. Often these confrontations have been from afar - sometimes anonymously- through a phone call, email, comment on my blog, facebook messages, etc... How is that being the mature Christian? How is that loving me as a sister in Christ? But you know what? There have been times where I myself have done this as well...and I am ashamed I have! It is our human nature. But Christ has called us to be better than this!
So how should truth in love work? We ask God to help us love the person as much as He does. We ask Him to help us forgive this person and set aside our own personal hurts...and at times this is the hardest part for us. We do not have to bury or hide our hurt, but deal with it in a spiritually healthy manner so that it does not poison our witness for Christ. We ask God to help us when we speak the truth to this person - that he prepares their hearts in advance. We ask God to help this person see the truth and repent. And we ask God to give us the strength, wisdom, and self-control in handling ourselves or we too can succumb to sin. And when we are the ones who are confronted, we need to ask God to examine our hearts and show us His truth!
We all have good intentions to live for the Lord. However, in our dealings in this imperfect world, we can overstep our bounds in doing what is right the wrong way.
Yeah, yeah, yeah, I get the whole tough love thing. But even in a 'tough love' situation, love is still part of the equation. But whether we are sharing the Truth of the Gospel or offering correction, when we speak truth it needs to be from the love we have for God and for the person.
Lord, help me have a heart of love for others. Mold my heart so that I can forgive as you have forgiven me. Grant me the patience, wisdom, and courage when I need to speak the truth in love. Help me not to harbor hate, bitterness, or mean spiritedness. Help me to help others. Help me to build up the church and live in peace with others. Help me to live for you today!
In His Love, Cathy
Ephesians 4:14-16
One hallmark of a mature Christian is the ability to speak the truth in love. People do not always like hearing the truth, however, when confronting someone with the truth we are to do so in the spirit of love - love for Christ and love for the other person.
So many people in today's society take pride in speaking the truth to others and feel justified in doing so. However, many times these confrontations are not done out of love. Instead, they are done out of hurt, pride, or uncontrolled emotions. Many times, we think simply because we are in the right (and have Biblical backup) that we can just charge in - like a bull in a China shop - and hit the person with the truth.
But what does that accomplish for Christ? Absolutely NOTHING! In fact, these kind of tactics can chase people away from the church and from the cross!
The whole purpose in confronting others with the truth in love is for them to recognize the truth, repent, and turn back to Christ. And this has a greater chance of success if the person sees just how much you truly care about them. Just because we are on the side of truth does not give us the right to cast stones, persecute, or be insensitive (or be a jerk)! We are in the business up building up the Body of Christ - NOT tearing it down!
I have experienced people in life who have 'confronted me in truth' with mean spiritedness. Often these confrontations have been from afar - sometimes anonymously- through a phone call, email, comment on my blog, facebook messages, etc... How is that being the mature Christian? How is that loving me as a sister in Christ? But you know what? There have been times where I myself have done this as well...and I am ashamed I have! It is our human nature. But Christ has called us to be better than this!
So how should truth in love work? We ask God to help us love the person as much as He does. We ask Him to help us forgive this person and set aside our own personal hurts...and at times this is the hardest part for us. We do not have to bury or hide our hurt, but deal with it in a spiritually healthy manner so that it does not poison our witness for Christ. We ask God to help us when we speak the truth to this person - that he prepares their hearts in advance. We ask God to help this person see the truth and repent. And we ask God to give us the strength, wisdom, and self-control in handling ourselves or we too can succumb to sin. And when we are the ones who are confronted, we need to ask God to examine our hearts and show us His truth!
We all have good intentions to live for the Lord. However, in our dealings in this imperfect world, we can overstep our bounds in doing what is right the wrong way.
Yeah, yeah, yeah, I get the whole tough love thing. But even in a 'tough love' situation, love is still part of the equation. But whether we are sharing the Truth of the Gospel or offering correction, when we speak truth it needs to be from the love we have for God and for the person.
Lord, help me have a heart of love for others. Mold my heart so that I can forgive as you have forgiven me. Grant me the patience, wisdom, and courage when I need to speak the truth in love. Help me not to harbor hate, bitterness, or mean spiritedness. Help me to help others. Help me to build up the church and live in peace with others. Help me to live for you today!
In His Love, Cathy
Thursday, October 31, 2013
Happy Birthday to our Sweet Daughter
A very special Happy Birthday to our beautiful, sweet daughter Brittany! We are so blessed by this special young lady! She loves the Lord. She loves serving others. She loves her family and friends. Oh yes, she also loves her pups - Bo and Phoenix (to the point they are spoiled.) She has such a big, generous, and kind heart. I am totally amazed by who she as a person and all that God has done through her at this young age.
Praying God's blessings for her on her special day and that she would continue to put Christ first in her life!
Praying God's blessings for her on her special day and that she would continue to put Christ first in her life!
Wednesday, October 30, 2013
Romans 12:17-18
17 Never pay back evil with more evil. Do things in such a way that everyone can see you are honorable. 18 Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone.
Romans 12:17-18
These verses encapsulate the way we are to live as Christians. We are to love others the way Christ loves us - so much so that we are willing to forgive - even our enemies in spite of any wrong doings. It does not mean we are to excuse their misdeeds - just that we are to offer grace to others as grace was so freely offered to us.
Since we have been saved by grace, though we did not deserve it, our desire should be to share this same grace to others:)
In His Love, Cathy
Romans 12:17-18
These verses encapsulate the way we are to live as Christians. We are to love others the way Christ loves us - so much so that we are willing to forgive - even our enemies in spite of any wrong doings. It does not mean we are to excuse their misdeeds - just that we are to offer grace to others as grace was so freely offered to us.
Since we have been saved by grace, though we did not deserve it, our desire should be to share this same grace to others:)
In His Love, Cathy
Proverbs 18:21
"The tongue can bring death or life; those who love to talk will reap the consequences."
Proverbs 18:21
Encouragement for Today
Some of us do love to talk! In doing so, we can become careless with words. "Sharing" can slip into gossip. Anger can flare into harsh words. What if you considered every word you spoke as if it were a coin? Would you spend recklessly, never considering the consequences? Or would you invest each coin (word) wisely, making sure your words would bring healing and love? The choice is yours … and the consequences could ripple into eternity, for better or worse, life or death.
—Diane Eble, author of Abundant Gifts: A Daybook of Grace-Filled Devotions
In His Love, Cathy
Friday, October 25, 2013
One of God's Wonderful Miracles
Here is my newest sweet little niece...Cathryn Michelle. She is a miracle. Her Mommy and Daddy lost a little boy right after Thanksgiving last year...he was born prematurely. This just months after loosing our Dad. Her Mother was told she could never have children again. But God blessed them with this sweet little girl less than a year later. I get to see her next weekend. I cannot wait to hold this precious little girl! Thank you Lord, for you are so very good!
In His Love, Cathy
In His Love, Cathy
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