Appointed Ambassador

Ambassador: 1. dimplomatic representative; a diplomatic official of the highest rank sent by one country as its long-term representative to another 2. official representative; an official representative of an organization or movement 3. unofficial representative; somebody or something regarded as an unofficial representative or a symbol of something (definition taken from the Encarta Dictionary: English)

Did you know that you are an ambassador? That all Christians are ambassadors? Now I don't mean in the diplomatic sense, though I suppose it's possible to be one in that way as well. What I mean is in the official and unofficial sense. We are representatives of Christ.

and for me, that utterance may be given to me, that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak. Ephesians 6:19-20 NKJV (emphasis mine)

What does that mean???? It means that not only are we to proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ, but that our actions and our words, in every sense, represent who and what Christ was for all human kind.

So how does one act as an ambassador; and more specifically as an ambassador for Christ? By first always being ready to provide an answer for the hope we hold in Him; and secondly by acting as Christ did, with agape love for all. That's true, unconditional love, people! Love according to 1 Corinthians 13:4-8

Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails.

How can we do this, as fallible human beings? By learning each day who Christ was. He was not just a great man, or a visionary. He was a sacrifice for us all. The only sacrifice worthy enough to cover all our sins. How do we learn how to be like Him? Our lives a sacrifice? It is said very clearly in Ephesians 6:10-18 NKJV

Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints--- (emphasis mine)

And finally, I think, that we are to be proud of our appointment as ambassadors, and to always want to perform our duties to the best of our abilities, so that we might be rewarded for our desire to do our best. We will not always be the best ambassadors that we could be, however, it behooves us to learn our job responsibilities, don't you think? Blessings to you!

Photo of Prayer for Peace courtesy of moayad.com

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It's a New Year, Beloved

I have been enjoying my family time, for the last week or so, but I have also been in prayer to my Heavenly Father. I seem to have forgotten that my name is Beloved. That by claiming that name, I have a responsibility and an honor to uphold it. So in this New Year, I have been listening to one of my favorite artists. His name is Jon Shabaglian. He is a local artist, so unless you go to this site, and buy his CD, you're not likely to find it in any stores. Two of my favorites are "Have You Encountered" and "Wake Up" off his "Stay Near" CD. The first few verses of "Have You Encountered" are as follows:

Hey bro, can I have your ear
I've got somethin' here
That's heavy up inside of me
I see you wanderin' around
Without much purpose
so I'm wondering if you've ever
Had the priveledge
To meet a special friend of mine
As for me: since we first met
Things have been different.

Now I don't know where you stand
But as for Him He's offering His hand
So I gotta ask...

Have you encountered my God, my God?
Have you encountered my God, my God?

After listening to this song, I have to ask myself, am I being a faithful witness to the true God? Am I being a fake Christian? Am I being a shady reflection of His people? If so then they have NOT encountered my God!

The song "Wake Up" talks about the uphill climb that following the One True God is. I am reminded that we must take up our crosses and follow Him, if we are to be true reflections of Him. We cannot hold on to that which is comfortable, or the status quo! Being a Christ follower is NOT comfortable. It goes against everything we naturally are. Though we were created in God's image, we have strayed so far from that original creation, and we must ask ourselves each day, are we straying from the narrow path?

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

Make me walk in the path of Your commandments, For I delight in it. Psalm 119:35 NKJV

The way of the just [is] uprightness; O Most Upright, You weigh the path of the just. Isaiah 26:7 NKJV

All this to say that I will be making a resolution today and everyday of every New Year to be in closer communion with the Lord, because without Him, my path will not be straght. I will stray from this very narrow path, and will never be able to find my way through that narrow Gate. I pray you will also meditate on these Truths today.

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Attending the Masquerade

There is a masquerade ball occurring around the world, in these times, and we've all been invited. However, I for one will not be attending. You see, I believe in the words of Jesus:

'And you shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.' This is the first commandment."And the second, like it, is this: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no other commandment greater than these." Mark 12:30-31 NKJV

There are those that would have you believe that Christianity is about hate, and God's wrath, but it is NOT! Certainly, God's wrath will be poured out, but God did not call any of us to pour it out for Him.

I was asked recently about my opinion of the views and actions fo a certain "church", and I have to say that I am sickened and broken hearted over what they teach to their congregants. Westboro Baptist Church is wholly a cult of hate! Despite the term "baptist" in their name, they are not affiliated with any denomination.

“The slogans that Fred Phelps and his group are promoting are unscriptural and very inappropriate,” says Dwayne Hastings, director of communications for the Southern Baptist Convention’s ethics and religious-liberty commission. “Southern Baptists stand on the word of God in believing that homosexuality is wrong and that, as the Bible says, it’s an abomination to God. But God does not hate the homosexual…. To those who are unaware of the orthodox Christian view of homosexuality, Fred Phelps presents a distorted and, in fact, perverted view of God’s word in his message of hate.”

- Condem Sin - and sinner, by Robert Stacy McCain. Insight on the News, Volume: 15. Issue: 30, August 16, 1999. Page 32 [fn1]

To all that want to know what Christianity is really about, I say, read your bible! Do not follow misguided fanatics of cults such as this. Keep the mask off your face!

How are we to be true Christ followers? It's easy: Love our neighbors as ourselves. There is no commandment greater than these:

'And you shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.' This is the first commandment."And the second, like it, is this: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no other commandment greater than these." Mark 12:30-31 NKJV

[fn1] Westboro Baptist Church: Fred Phelps

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Photo courtesy of Chiarra Marra

The Reason for the Season???

Now there are a few different views on the reason for this season. Some are seen as Holy Days, and others are seen as a means of remembering culture and virtues. The Jews celebrate Hanukkah, as a remembrance of the re-dedication of the Temple to the Lord, after the Maccabean revolt in 165 BC. Christians view this time of year as a time to remember the birth of our Lord.

Now, before I write anything further, let me say that my family and I do celebrate Christmas, and we do celebrate as a reason to remember Christ's birth. However, my husband said something the other night that really stuck with me. He said, "I wonder why so many Christians insist on celebrating the birth of Jesus on December 25th" And he has a point. For one, nowhere in the Bible does it state that Jesus was born in December. For two, nowhere does the Bible instruct us to even commemorate His birth in any way.

The closest details we have about the timing of His Glorious birth is in Luke 2:8, in which it is stated:

Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night.

The only time that shepherds needed to keep watch over their flocks throughout the night was during the spring, during lambing season. Though the shepherds were likely out in the fields with their sheep from March throughout September, just because of their importance to the Passover Festival, and worries about theft or damage to the flock; that still supports the notion that Jesus was not born in December. During the winter, the sheep would have been kept in a corral, not out in the fields.

So when was Jesus born? Here we have the next closest timing for Jesus' birth. We know from biblical accounts that Jesus was born six months after his cousin, John the Baptist. (See Luke 1:26) We know from Luke that Zachariah was responsible for the eighth of the 24 Priestly Courses of the Jewish Faith. Each of the 24 courses lasted a week and were repeated twice during the year. The Jews used a luni-solar calendar of 51 weeks - the other three weeks of the year were for the three major Jewish religious celebrations - Passover, Pentecost and Tabernacles. Because the calendar only had 51 weeks, the Jews had to add 30 days at prescribed intervals so that the calendar kept pace with the solar year.

In the case of Zachariah, he was officiating in the 8th course, or 8th week of the Jewish year, when the angel paid him a visit. The priestly courses probably started their serving in the springtime month of Nisan - the first month of the Jewish ecclesiastical year. This is a chronological clue - it tells us the general time of year that Zachariah was serving. We also know that he was not serving at a festival period because the priests suspended their normal weekly duties and all served together during the major Jewish high holy seasons.

Assuming that the springtime month of Nisan began that year (it varied with the state of the crops - in 4 BC it began after midnight on March 28 - March 29) on what corresponds to the end of March of our current calendar, then Zacharias was visited by the angel, and his wife became pregnant, in the month of June. Remember also that Passover, one of the High Holy weeks of the Jews, occurred during the time interval from late March to June - putting off Zacharias’ priestly course for one week. Assuming a full-term pregnancy of 9 months, Elizabeth gave birth to John sometime in March. This means Jesus’ birth would have taken place the following September. And what if Zacharias was serving his priestly course during his second time of the year, in December? This would mean that Elizabeth gave birth to John in September, and Jesus was born the following March. As you can see, neither of these dates is in December.

There are a few different reasons or theories given for why we celebrate Christ's birth in December. One is that the date was chosen not by the Christians, but by Romans, the traditional antagonists of the Early Church. Each year as the days became noticeably shorter in November and December, the Roman citizens feared that the earth may be "dying". With the "return of the sun" at the end of December resulting in longer days, the Romans celebrated the "Feast of the Sol Invictus" (Unconquerable Sun") on December 25. Bishop Liberius of Rome ordered in 354 that all Christians celebrate the birth of the Christ child on that day. Scholars believe that the bishop chose this date so that Christians, still members of an "outlaw religion" in the eyes of the Romans, could celebrate the birth of their Savior without danger of revealing their religious conviction, while their Roman neighbors celebrated another event. Another is that it was chosen to incorporate pagan Winter Solstice practices into the Christian faith. I tend to go with the former reason.

Another tradition of Christmas is to give gifts, and the original reasoning behind this, I believe goes back to the Magi. I find it interesting to note here, that the Magi were not necessarily, and probably were not, Jews at all. They were most likely Persian astronomers. This belief is based on the fact that they followed "a star"; and did so based on prophecy that they knew of, going back to the time when Daniel served under Nebuchadnezzar, as one of their own.

Another thing that is interesting to note, is that Jesus was no longer a newborn at the time of their arrival. He was a toddler, and not even in a stable anymore.

And when they had come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary His mother, and fell down and worshiped Him. And when they had opened their treasures, they presented gifts to Him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Matthew 2:11 NKJV

So while my family and I will continue to celebrate the birth of Jesus in December, along with many of our Christian counterparts, I beg to differ with those that say His Glorious birth occurred in December. It is certainly a reason to celebrate, but let's be clear here. Jesus was not born in December.

Having said all that, I will reiterate: We will continue to celebrate the birth of our Lord, on December 25th. It is a wonderful tradition, if nothing else. I do enjoy remembering my Lord's birth, regardless of when it actually occurred. Let's all try to remember that though His birth may be the reason for the season, we should be remembering that He came to save us, each and every day of the year. Blessings to you, and Merry Christmas.

Christians On Trial

About a week ago, my husband repeated a question to me that a minister had asked of his congregation. The question was this: "If you were arrested today, and the charges against you were that you were a Christian, would the prosecutor have enough evidence against you to convict you?" I must say, this question had me thinking. Obviously, in this country is not actually a crime to be a Christian, but if it were.....

Now I am by no means a legal expert, but I do know that here in the US, for a murder charge, there must be "proof beyond a reasonable doubt". Assuming that the same is true for all "crimes" would there be enough to convict you?

Is there evidence of your "crime"?
Do you have a bible in your home, and do you read it often? Do you fellowship with other believers? Or do you only maybe have a bible sitting on a shelf somewhere, and call yourself a Christian? Do you spend time in prayer each day?

Have you confessed to the "crime"?
Have you confessed to God your sin and your acceptance of Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior? Have you confessed and repented of your previous sinful life? Have you confessed to anyone else that you have done this? Do you call yourself a Christian?

Are there any witnesses to your "crime"?
Do others see you acting as a Christ follower in your day to day life? Do you minister to others? Do you share what you know about the Lord with anyone? Would someone else "testify" that they know you to be a Christian? Do you have a "rap sheet" showing your propensity to be Christ-like? Has anyone seen you pray?

Are there any co-conspirators to your "crime?"
Is there anyone that has come alongside you in your faith walk? Have they helped you to be a Christian? Have you helped them? Do they know that you are a Christian?

Do you have an alibi?
Have you really ever been to the "scene" of your "crime"? Would the defense have anything that could be used as proof that you are not a Christian, or that you are not fully a Christian? Perhaps a lifestyle choice you have made that is contrary to what God has called us to be?

Do you have an "insanity" plea?
Now this one may seem a trick question, because I know for myself anyway, that I AM crazy for the Lord, but that's not what I mean. Is there some way that your defense could prove that you "don't mean it" or "didn't realize the 'consequences' of your decision"?

Now, I realize, I've used all negative terms to describe what being a Christian would mean, if we were put on trial for it. I also realize that this is not an exhaustive list of what might constitute proof of Christianity in a court of law. In fact, there is only one item in this list that proves that you are a Christian, and that is your confession to God and acceptance of Jesus as your Lord and Savior, and repentance of your sinful life. However, we must realize that though for now, there are no bad consequences (at least not here in the US) for being a Christian, there will come a time when we WILL all be judged for either rewards or eternal damnation. So ask yourself..."If you were put on trial, would you be convicted?"

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Prayerlessness- A Beautiful Mess Part 2 by Shalene

Holy Holy Holy hymn from PraiseWebsite.com

Let my prayer be set before You as incense,
The lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice. Psalm 141:2 NKJV

Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us. Romans 8:34 NKJV

There was a time after I became a believer in which I did not pray as I should. In the infancy of my salvation, I thought it was enough that I had accepted Christ into my life, and was attempting to live as Christ did- by showing love to everyone. I have since learned that living right is not enough. Certainly, it is not enough for the more mature believer that I am now.

Once again, I am studying the tabernacle of the children of Israel, and I am studying about the altar of incense. The priests of the tabernacle were the only ones allowed to burn the incense upon the altar. They were to kindle the fire from coals from the altar of sacrifice, every morning and every evening, so that the fires never went out. They were also to replenish the pure incense that was upon the altar at this time. What was the purpose of the incense on this altar???

The purpose of the incense was to represent prayers. That's right! The pure incense, made of several spices and prepared as a perfume was to be the prayers and praises offered to the Lord continuously. How does that relate to us today? Well, because Jesus died for us to bring us eternal salvation and He lives to intercede for us, with God the Father. We are God's royal priesthood now. Read the following Scriptures:

Then another angel, having a golden censer, came and stood at the altar. He was given much incense, that he should offer it with the prayers of all the saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne Revelation 8:3 NKJV (emphasis mine)

This first Scripture shows us that Jesus does indeed stand before the throne of God, offering our prayers to God upon the golden altar that is before the throne. The incense is our prayers. We are the saints! How is it then that we can remain "saintly"?

The Lord GOD has given Me the tongue of the learned, that I should know how to speak a word in season to him who is weary. He awakens Me morning by morning, He awakens My ear to hear as the learned. The Lord GOD has opened My ear; and I was not rebellious, Nor did I turn away. Isaiah 50:4-5 NKJV(emphasis mine)

"Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak." Mark 14:38 NKJV (emphasis mine)

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7 NKJV (emphasis mine)

WHERE do wars and fights come from among you? Do they not come from your desires for pleasure that war in your members? You lust and do not have. You murder and covet and cannot obtain. You fight and war. Yet you do not have because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures. James 4:1-3 NKJV (emphasis mine)

It seems very clear to me that being prayerless, is a sin. It is being rebellious towards the Lord. Being prayerful is not just allowing God to hear our wants and needs, it is also hearing what the Lord has to say to us. If we are not praying continuously we are, as Beth Moore states:

forfeiting some of God's precious gifts to us, it makes us much weaker when tempted, it causes us anxiety, and it closes our ears to God.

I hope you will pray and meditate on this today. Pray to the Lord to make you more prayerful, so that you CAN become more than just a beautiful mess. God has designed you to be so much more than that. He has a Plan for you. Won't you hear, from Him, what it is?

--Lord, I pray today that that You continue to make me more prayerful. That I might open my ears, and hear with my heart, soul and Spirit, what You have planned for me. I pray that the readers of this message also pray this of You. I pray these things in Jesus Holy Name. Amen.

This message has been adapted from Beth Moore's study "A Woman's Heart, God's Dwelling Place Copyright 2007 LifeWay Press. Only the one quote listed is directly copied from her study.

Old Wounds- A Beautiful Mess Part 1 by Shalene

For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart. Jeremiah 29:11-13 NKJV

While the verse above is not what yesterday's sermon was about, nevertheless, yesterday's sermon in church spoke to me. We were studying one of the miracles of Jesus. This was the third week of a six week series on the miracles of Jesus. You can listen here, if you so choose. (The sermon notes are also available here, if you want them.) It wasn't so much the miracle that Jesus performed, and that which was the sermon topic that had me thinking, so much as the fact that we all have wounds that keep us from being our very best, and more than just a beautiful mess.

All of us bring old wounds into the present on a consistent basis. In some instances, it clouds our judgement, and in others, it's just a minor irritating reminder. Having been married before, and having a husband that was married before, I can guarantee that there have been "ghosts" of the past that have haunted our marriage. I also know that my childhood has brought many such wounds.

One such circumstance happened the other day. My husband was playing around with me, and lifted his arm as though he was going to swipe at me, and I involuntarily flinched. Now, I know without a doubt that my husband would never hit me, but my old wounds from childhood have caused me to flinch at even a hint of violence.

I relate this story to you, because I think many of us flinch away from asking God for anything, because we don't want to be hurt. We shy away from any amount of brokenness and dependence, because we don't want to be vulnerable. We don't want anyone to take away our sense of being able to take care of ourselves. Even when common sense tells us we can't. And even when our faith tells us we must. So today, I pray that we will all learn how to be broken, before Our Lord, knowing that He will never harm us, and He will never forsake us. Isn't that a beautiful thought?! Knowing always that there is One that we can always depend on, One that always has our best in mind.

--Lord, thank you for seeing me as more than just a beautiful mess. Thank you for having plans for me. Thank you for being a God we all can depend upon. Lord, I thank you for taking my old wounds, and causing them to make me pause and think of You. Thank you for healing my old wounds, and making them just a slight scar of a reminder. May I always, rest in You. I pray these things in Jesus' Holy Name. Amen

Casting Crowns- The Word Is Alive

The Old Testament- My Confession by Shalene

I have a confession to make. I was one of those Christians that tended to steer clear of the Old Testament, due to a belief that it was outdated or outmoded for life in today's society. I thought so long as I spent time in the New Testament of His Word, that that should be sufficient. I was woefully mistaken! I never realized just how pertinent the Old Testament is to us, even today, and how much of it is continued or expounded upon in the New Testament. In one of the bible studies I am doing right now, this fact has been brought home to me very strongly. Learning about the tabernacle that the Israelites built in the wilderness, has been very enlightening.

I think I mentioned before that unbeknownst to me, the tabernacle that they built was a "copy or a pattern" of that which is in Heaven, as shown to Moses on the mountain. How awesome is that?! A replica, if you will, of something that existed in Heaven, and we can "see" it just by reading the words in Exodus that describe it. I'd like to share something that I've learned about. Something that was in the tabernacle, and is in Heaven. I'd like to share with you about the Golden Lampstand.

The Golden Lampstand is the only item in the tabernacle that has no measurements given in it's description; and I'll tell you why in a moment. The Golden Lampstand was made of pure hammered gold, about 75 pounds worth- one piece of gold! Just try to fathom for a moment, the enormity of that task! Hammering a solid piece of gold into the artwork and illumination that the Golden Lampstand was to be. You see, the Lampstand was the only illumination in the God's Holy Place. It was the only means of seeing any of the other items in God's Holy Place.

The reason it's dimensions are not given? Well first of all, Moses was given the pattern on the mountain, for the tabernacle, but only one man was given the knowledge of the Spirit for which to build the Lampstand. His name was Bezalel. (see Exodus 31:1-5 NKJV) The other more important reason is that God's illumination cannot be measured! Think on that for a moment.

While you're thinking on the fact that God's illumination cannot be measured, let's look at the pattern for which this lampstand was made. In Revelation 4:1-5 NKJV we read about the Sevenfold Spirit of God. Though there is one Spirit of God, there are seven perfections of the one Holy Spirit. These are represented by the both the base of the Lampstand and the six branches. In Isaiah 11:1-2 NKJV we learn what those seven perfections are. So, as in my study, I'm going to show you an illustration. If you were to draw the lampstand, you would first draw the base with the all encompassing words, "The Spirit of the Lord" written on it, "because it proceeds directly from the 'root' of the lampstand".[1] Then on each of the branches, three on each side, you would write the words, "wisdom", "understanding", "counsel", "might", "knowledge", and "fear"; from right to left just as the Hebrews did. Now you have an illustration of the sevenfold Spirit of the Lord. For one last truth, you can also see from Isaiah 11:1 that Jesus was the "rod or shoot" that comes from the stem of Jesse. He is the Spirit of the Lord.

It continually amazes me, the things I can continue to learn if I will just spend time in His Holy Word, not ignoring any part of it! Meditate on this Scripture for today:

Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit.
Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me.
I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. John 15:2, 4-6 NKJV

[1]Beth Moore, A Woman's Heart God's Dwelling Place

Rejecting the Lies by Shalene

Therefore, laying aside all malice, all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and all evil speaking, as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby, if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is gracious. Coming to Him as to a living stone, rejected indeed by men, but chosen by God and precious, you also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.

Yesterday, I talked about the blind leading the blind, and how very important it is to be in the Holy Word of God. Today I want to talk about the importance of not only reading the Word but applying it in your life.

I was once a staunch disbeliever, as some of you know. But before that I was a long time church attender as a child. I read my bible often enough to memorize scripture and gain my merit badges; and to know enough of the bible to use against those that would try to bring me back into the Fold, later in life. However, had I truly known the contents within, perhaps I never would have stumbled in the first place. That's not to say that I regret those lost years. They have made me who I am today, and have given me the means to see the Christian lifestyle through eyes that not all Christians have.

However, that is one of the dangers of not knowing the Word for yourself. You can be led astray very easily by those that would use the Word of God in their lies. Satan himself knows the scriptures, and can twist them to suit his plans. He can make them sound like just enough of the Truth that it is believable.

I am not here today to say that everyone who misinterprets the Word is knowingly in league with Satan himself, but unfortunately, when we do not know the Word for ourselves and apply it accordingly, we are in league with him that would deceive us. We are helping him in his plan, rather than furthering God's kingdom and God's plan. We must be ever vigilant in making sure that we don't unwittingly aid the enemy. And for those that do it knowingly, I say pray for their eternal souls, that God might show them the error of their ways. And pray for those souls that they are leading, that they might see the errors in that which they are being taught.

casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, 2 Corinthians 2:5

Obeying the Word of God is not easy to do. And in fact, everyone of us fall short of doing so. We all sin everyday. And are tempted everyday to sin more. Do you know the reason that this is so? It is Satan's defense against our ability to be effective witnesses. The more we are led astray, the more we dim the Light that shines through us with the deceiver's darkness. The only defense against this is prayer and time with God, in His Holy Word.

I'm not going to try to tell you what applying the Word of God in your life, looks like for you. I don't know you, and that's not my place. However, you know where your sinfulness lays, and what you need to change. At least, you will if you read your bible daily, pray continuously, and love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your mind and all your soul.

--Lord, I pray today that my witness would be effective to all that I come in contact with. I pray that You would use me to further Your Kingdom, and that all Glory is to You and You alone. I pray for those souls struggling with applying Your Holy Word in their lives that they might see that You have a Divine Plan for their lives and it is for their good, not their harm. I pray that You would also continue to work in my life, that my sinfulness would be conquered. I pray these things in Jesus' Holy Name. Amen