Defining Sin After All by Shalene

Ok, so I changed my mind about posting today- AGAIN. But as they say, it's my prerogative as a woman. I must say though, that I am sorry dear readers, to disappoint you, but I'm not gonna do it. (Yes, I said it that way on purpose.) I am not going to attempt to define sin for many reasons:

1. It would be too difficult- Defining sin would be like trying to define God in mortal terms. It can't be done. All believers know that no matter how many words we come up with to label Him, He is still undefinable.
2. It would be too easy- Too easy to take the "Ten Commandments" or "The Seven Deadly Sins" or anything else that can be found in the bible to define sin, but I'd never get to my point. (I do usually have one.)
3. Defining sin would mean defining who is a sinner, and that is unnecessary, because we all are. All that would accomplish would be for me to start judging others and I try really hard not to do that.
4. God really doesn't care as much about the sin, as He does about the sinner. Yes, He cares that we sin, but once we repent, the sin is wiped clean.

The ONLY sin that I feel comfortable defining and the only one that makes a difference in your eternal salvation is unbelief. I've said it before, and I'll say it again. The ONLY unpardonable sin is unbelief. Unbelief in God as the One true God, the Alpha and the Omega; and unbelief in His Son- Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior. And I'll say this again: the only reason this sin is unpardonable, is because those that don't believe, don't believe that God can pardon any of their sins, because they don't believe in Him. If you don't believe in God, then he can't pardon your sin- your unbelief won't let Him. It's that easy.

Ok, now I feel better. I don't know if this post has been edifying to you at all, but I feel better. :) Trust in the Lord with all your heart, all your mind and all your soul, and you can't go wrong. You will still sin. We all will, but we have faith knowing that he does not judge the sin, only the sinner. Remember the adulterous woman. He did not condemn her, and He does not condemn us either, so long as we believe in Him.

--Lord thank You for the clarity needed to revise my post today. I thank You in Your divine wisdom that I was moved to not post my original thoughts. I pray that this post will be edifying to those that wish to know You better. And most of all, I pray that this message glorifies You alone. I pray these things in Jesus' Holy Name. Amen.

Why Do We Love Money? by Shalene

I wrote a post on Freedom In The Spirit today on the Roots of All Kinds of evil. We know what that is, right? Love of Money. We've all heard that saying that "Money is the root of all evil." Well that's not entirely correct. It is the "love of money" that is "the root of all evil." 1 Timothy 6:10 NKJV (emphasis on "love of")

How does a love of money cause evil? Well Paul states in 1 Timothy 6:9 "But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and [into] many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition." and in 1 Timothy 6:10 "...which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows."

I have experienced this recently on a small scale, because I do try not to have a love of money and material things. The operative word being try. I do have a nice house, we are a two car family, we have plenty of clothes (much more than we need) and plenty of food. The necessary food and clothing are all that we are supposed to have want of. Not all the extras.

Why do we want these things? Well, first, I think it's because we have bought in to the lie that we "need" these things to be successful in life. The problem with that mindset is that the golden ring of "success" is ever out of reach. You never really do grasp it. Second, I think we become accustomed to what we have and the ability to "get more." It becomes like an addiction or an obsession for us.

I've found myself, recently, praying for a means of learning to live more simplistically. I love my house- I did choose it after all- but I should not love it. It should only be a roof over my head. It should hold no more importance than that. I love my car- because it gets me from point A to point B- without inconvenience (most of the time.) But I should not love it. I should be willing to walk or share a ride with someone if necessary. I love my clothes, because they make me feel pretty. But I should not love them. They should be a means of cover only. They should not feed my vanity.

This, I think is where we end up piercing ourselves with sorrows. We find ourselves with so many material possessions, that we've become "addicted" or attached to them, and cannot let them go. We lose sight of the fact that we can't take any of it with us. We also turn a blind eye to the fact that it keeps us from our spiritual best, and that of our families as well. In illustration: you have a good job that pays fairly well, but you have to work hard for that paycheck. Your job becomes your biggest or one of your biggest focuses. Then you start buying things with that paycheck, because it makes you feel like the work you put in has some value. But soon, you become accustomed to those things you have and the lifestyle you've created, and you cannot break the hold that Mammon now has on your life. Or if you could, you're unwilling too, because then you feel like a failure at the lie called "success."

I entered a contest to win tickets to a 3 day Christian concert recently, and learned the other day that I was not one of the winners. I was very disappointed. I understood that there were probably others that needed the free tickets more than I did, and after all, I was the winner last year. But the fact of the matter is this, because of the lifestyle choices we have made, I can't afford to pay to go. So my children and I will miss out on something that I've looked forward to attending since I came home from it last year.

Now, ordinarily, I wouldn't see this as lesson in not loving money. I mean how does not getting to go to something translate into not having a love of stuff, right? Well, the reason it is a lesson for me is because one, I love worshipping the Lord through music, and this venue provides a means of doing so. Two, this is a great way to be in fellowship with other believers outside of church. Three, it was a way for me to spend some quality time with my children, that I just don't seem to be able to find time to do at home. I know, it's sad that I need an excuse like that to spend quality time with my kids, but there it is. At home, life gets in the way. And because I have allowed life and lifestyle to dictate what I can and can't afford, I do not have the money for things that should be primary. Only the Things that should be unimportant.

--Lord, I thank you for this lesson, and I humbly ask your forgiveness for this sin. I do wish to love You above all things, and I wish to be a good witness to my children, to that which is important, and that which is not. I pray that you help me to have the wisdom necessary to learn how to change my lifestyle, and put my focus back on You, where it belongs. I also pray that if it be Your will, that the means to go to that concert, will present itself after all. I thank you for the opportunity to use my life to further Your Kingdom, and to bring Glory to Your Name. I pray these things in Jesus' Holy Name. Amen.

Why Temptations? by Shalene Kearney

Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him. Let no one say when he is tempted, "I am tempted by God"; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone. But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. James 1:12-14 NKJV

Satan desires that we should fall away from the hope that God has given us. He does so with lies and half truths. He offers us that which we think we want, and when we accept it, and have sinned in the process, he drags us down with guilt and lies about our continued salvation. He does not want us to continue to glorify the Lord. Because in so doing, we may just reach another who needs to hear that we all fall short of His glory.

Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The Spirit is willing but the body is weak. Matthew 26:41 (emphasis mine)

Why do we believe the deceiver's lies?

Because he offers us what the "everyone else has." That is, what society tells us is acceptable and/or desirable. We listen because to resist is to deny ourselves. This is not easy to do. Many of us are taught from the moment we are able to think on our own that independence and self sufficiency are good things. I beg to differ.

God calls us to be utterly dependent upon him and to acknowledge that without Him we would have nothing. For He provides all. It all belongs to Him. We are only stewards of that which we have been given. Keeping this in mind, always, should make it easier to avoid temptation.

Who provides food for the raven, When its young ones cry to God, And wander about for lack of food? Job 38:41 NKJV

I think the Pope (I don't know which one, as my source did not list it, and I am not Catholic.) said it best, this way:

Concerning God, His Works, Providence:

"This term, in its widest application, signifies the Divine Presence in the world as sustaining, controlling, and guiding to their destination all things that are made. The will of God determines the end for which His creatures exist; His wisdom and His goodness appoint the means by which that end is attained: in the conservation of the frame of nature, in the care of all creatures that have wants, in the government especially of intelligent and probationary beings; and His power ensures the accomplishment of every design."--Pope

To summarize: We are tempted by the deceiver into thinking that the Lord will not provide for all our needs, because we intertwine our needs with our wants. God does not promise to provide all our wants. And in fact, does not because to do so would make us like spoiled children. God is not a "feel good" God. How many people would you want around you as your "friends" if they were only there because of what you could give them? And not because they truly wished to be with you and be a part of your life? God gives us what we need to become the person he created us to be. If that means that we do without materially, then that's what he gives us, or doesn't give us as the case may be. He also disciplines us, by allowing our choices to have consequences. If we choose to listen to the deceiver's lies, we will face consequences. God is merciful, though, and all that repent will be forgiven.

--Lord, I pray today that my words reach the eyes of someone that needs to hear this message. I ask that you continue to use me to reach those that are bogged down by the guilt of sin. Use me to encourage them to repentence and to avoid temptations. Relying only on Your divine providence. I pray that you also cleanse me of my sins today Lord, and that You forgive me for any and all attempts to give into temptations. I pray these things in Jesus' Holy Name, Amen.

What Are We Saved For? by Shalene Kearney

Well, here's the short answer. We are saved for the same reason we were created. For fellowship and a relationship with God.

Let them praise the name of the LORD: for he commanded, and they were created. Psalm 148:5

The creation of man is the ultimate manifestation of love. Love must be expressed towards another to be love. Because of this, God created man in his image to love and be with. Much the same that parents do when they make a choice to have a child. They create a child to love, and show love to.

However, God does not want us to be his slaves, or to hollowly obey Him. He wants us to do it because we choose to. This is the reason (in my opinion) that God placed the Tree of Knowledge into the Garden in the first place. He desires that we have free will to choose to love Him and obey Him.

Because Adam and Eve, and most of the rest of us humans were, and are, unable to do this consistently, we needed a savior that could cover our sins, and make us able to be in the presence of the Lord. In fact, so far as I could find, there has been only one human that was able to walk with God, and did not die-ever. That was Enoch. Genesis 5:25

Many have been counted as righteous before Jesus came to save us all, but God desires that we should all be in fellowship with Him. He does not want only those that are able to be pure in their every waking moment. He also wants those that are impure, but desire to be pure. He judges our hearts. Not only our actions.

I'm not sure that this post will be clear to all that read it, but I've attempted to explain something that is a bit vague, and is all too clear at the same time. Please again, take time to read both Genesis, and Revelation, and the book of John, to know who we are, why God created us, and why we are saved.

--Lord, I ask today that you make my words clear, and that you give the readers of these words a clear understanding of what it means to have a relationship and fellowship with You. I ask these things in Jesus' Holy Name, Amen.

Saved From Trials? by Shalene Kearney

My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.
James 1:2-4 NKJV

As you can clearly see from the above verses, we as true believers are NOT saved from trials. In fact, we are called to count them as blessings. For they produce patience within us. Too many times when we become believers, we think that being a believer means that our life will be easy. That God, because he has promised to provide everything we need, that we will have it all, and we shouldn't have to endure any more seasons of tears and frustration. Don't let the deceiver convince you of these lies!

God has promised to provide every thing we need, not everything we want. And what He knows we need, and what we think we need, are very seldom the same thing. Yes, sometimes He blesses us beyond what we need. But other times He does not. He will use the circumstances of our lives to grow us in Christ's image. All of our trials and tribulations should be seen as a blessing because they teach us something every time.

Whether it be to view a loved one with compassion, to spend more time with our families, to stop worshipping Mammon (material things), to trust in Him, or a host of other lessons that we all need to learn in order to be like Christ. These are all reasons that we have trials. We also have trials because of our own choices sometimes. And this is when the Lord uses our trials to discipline us. Like a parent to a child: we don't discipline our children to cause them pain. We discipline them to teach them a lesson that is essential to their well being and to prevent a worse lesson being learned later, by their continued disobedience.

This is a hard concept for many unbelievers to grasp. They think that because God is love, that he should be only cuddly, and comforting. They forget that God is also just. He cannot discipline one and not the other for disobedience (believers and unbelievers alike.) By His very nature, He must discipline us.

I thank God every day for the trials that He brought me through. Though some were quite painful: the death of my mother, a near divorce from my wonderful spouse, two miscarriages, and many others, I would not go back and change the fact that I experienced them. They made me who I am today, and have led me to an even stronger faith with every trial I face. I know that if there is a trial, the Lord is teaching me something. In fact without the death of my mother and my very near divorce, I would not have come back to the Lord at all, probably. Sometimes God will bring us to our knees with the trials He allows. I say again. Count them as blessings. While they may hurt, and they may not end quickly, the Lord will bring you through them if you hold strong to your faith in Him and Him alone.

Think of God as the best parent ever. He loves you no matter what, period. He ONLY wants what is best for you! He wants to provide for your every need. He wants to comfort you when you're hurting. He wants so much for us, but He does not promise to take away the trials of this world. Without them we do not grow.

--Lord, today I thank you again for teaching me and disciplining me. I know you are abba, Father. I know that with out your loving discipline I would be lost today. I pray that those reading my words, and even those that aren't will count their trials today as blessings from you, rather than some unjust punishment. Knowing that whether it's discipline that You are providing, or just a "workshop" to grow our faith in You, that You have a plan for us, and that plan is for our good. Lord I glorify Your Holy Name today. I pray these things in Jesus Holy Name. Amen.

The Infallible Word of God By Shalene Kearney

All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work. 2 Timothy 3:16-17

Yesterday was a wonderful day! I ended my day in tears of happiness, because I had received so many compliments and words of encouragement regarding my self as a person and my writing. It was almost enough to make a person's head swell. "Almost" being the operative word. I have always loved to write, and have always thought it would be great to get my writing published somewhere. (I guess I've realized that dream, right here.) :) However, I must give credit where credit is due.

I am who I am, because of the work of the Holy Spirit in my life. A few short years ago, this person you're getting to know, didn't exist. Oh, I was nice enough (most of the time) but I was not compassionate, and willing to share my shortcomings with everyone. And I certainly wouldn't have been quoting Scripture for you, and praising the Lord.

Not only am I who I am because of the Holy Spirit, but my writing is what it is because of the Holy Spirit moving in me as well. Each day, before I begin writing, I ask the Lord to move through me, to give me the words to "put to paper." Much the same way that I'm sure that the men who wrote the Scriptures that make up our Bible did. I am in no way comparing myself to these God fearing men, to whom I am in complete awe. But this is what happens when I write.

I am so thankful to the Lord that He allows me this outlet for sharing my faith and my life with all who read my words. I also give Him all praise and glory for every bit of it, because without Him, I would have nothing to write about.

---Lord, today I ask that in everything I do, whether it be writing, or just living out my day, that I give you all glory, and all praise, and all the credit, because that is where the glory, praise and credit is due. I am so humbled by Your choice in me; because really who am I, that you would work through me? In Your infinite wisdom, I know that You know Your reasons, and whatever they are, I thank you from the depths of my soul. I pray that those who read my words today, will be moved to thank you, for all the ways you move in their lives each day as well. I pray this in Jesus Holy Name.
Amen

Author's note: If you would like to read more about how I know the bible is the infallible Word of God, please visit this link. Reasons Skeptics Should Consider Christianity It's a very short article, that explains this much better than I could.

This Is The Day by Shalene Kearney

This is the day the Lord has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it. Psalm 118:24

I hear this psalm first thing every morning when I wake up, and I think "HAH! What if I don't want to rejoice? It is morning after all. I am not a morning person!" But the verse plays over and over in my head until I speak the words out loud. And then something miraculous happens. Though I'd still love to be asleep, I have now acknowledged that the Lord has indeed made another day for me, and I can do nothing but be glad in it.

Oh I know that the day may not be especially great, or that I may not like something that is likely to happen at some point in the day, but how can I not rejoice that the Lord has given me one more day with my children and my family.

I can rejoice that the sun is shining for another day; I can rejoice that I have the opportunity to reach out to others in Christ's name; I can rejoice that I am simply alive. I am aware that there are those that have a hard time with rejoicing that they are alive. I've been there, I understand. I too have had many dark, dark days. Days when I wished the sun would quit shining, because it seemed a slap in the face of my emotional being. However, a day came when I cried out to the Lord, and pleaded with Him to take my pain away, and to heal my brokenness. He has, all in the simple way that He moves the Spirit within me to recite these words over and over in my head until I say them out loud and believe them for myself.

I am not trying to tell anyone that they can just "snap out" of their negative emotional state. Quite the contrary, actually. What I am saying is that while we may suffer from bouts of depression, worry or anxiety, if we just keep our eyes and hearts on the Lord, and read His Word, we can overcome anything. He will help us through. He does not leave us alone during any of it. Though I usually think of God as a fatherly type figure, in this one instance, I kind of compare Him to a small child, who upon seeing their mother crying goes and picks a flower and gives her a hug to make her feel better. That's the way I see each new day that the Lord has made. As a great big hug and flowers to brighten my day. Because of this how can I not simply- rejoice and be glad in it?

---Lord, today I say a humble "Thank You" for this day you have made for me and for all mankind. You do not have to be with us each day, and you don't have to ease our hurts, but like any good father, you want to. You love us and it shows in everything You do. Even something so simple for you to do, as to provide another glorious day. I ask that you continue to remind me to rejoice and be glad in everyday. I ask this is Jesus' Holy Name.
Amen

Try Not To Cry. Beautiful Story.

I started out posting about something completely different today, but felt moved to share this wonderful email I got today, as I was trying to draft my other post. I hope you like it. This is beautiful. Try not to cry.

Try Not to Cry. Beautiful Story.
She jumped up as soon as she saw the surgeon come out of the operating room. She said: "How is my little boy ? Is he going to be all right? When can I see him ?"

The surgeon said, "I'm sorry. We did all we could, but your boy didn't make it." Sally said, "Why do little children get cancer ? Doesn't God care any more? Where were you, God, when my son needed you?" The surgeon asked, "Would you like some time alone with your son? One of the nurses will be out in a few minutes, before he's transported to the university." Sally asked the nurse to stay with her while she said good bye to son. She ran her fingers lovingly through his thick red curly hair. "Would you like a lock of his hair ?" the nurse asked. Sally nodded yes. The nurse cut a lock of the boy's hair, put it in a plastic bag and handed it to Sally.

The mother said, "It was Jimmy's idea to donate his body to the University for Study. He said it might help somebody else. "I said no at first, but Jimmy said, 'Mom, I won't be using it after I die. Maybe it will help some other little boy spend one more day with his Mom." She went on, "My Jimmy had a heart of gold. Always thinking of someone else. Always wanting to help others if he could." Sally walked out of Children's Mercy Hospital for the last time, after spending most of the last six months there. She put the bag with Jimmy's belongings on the seat beside her in the car. The drive home was difficult. It was even harder to enter the empty house. She carried Jimmy's belongings, and the plastic bag with the lock of his hair to her son's room.

She started placing the model cars and other personal things back in his room exactly where he had always kept them. She laid down across his bed and, hugging his pillow, cried herself to sleep. It was around midnight when Sally awoke. Laying beside her on the bed was a folded letter. The letter said :

"Dear Mom, I know you're going to miss me; but don't think that I will ever forget you, or stop loving you, just 'cause I'm not around to say "I Love You". I will always love you, Mom, even more with each day. Someday we will see each other again. Until then, if you want to adopt a little boy so you won't be so lonely, that's okay with me. He can have my room and old stuff to play with. But, if you decide to get a girl instead, she probably wouldn't like the same things us boys do. You'll have to buy her dolls and stuff girls like, you know. Don't be sad thinking about me. This really is a neat place. Grandma and Grandpa met me as soon as I got here and showed me around some, but it will take a long time to see everything. The angels are so cool. I love to watch them fly. And, you know what? Jesus doesn't look like any of his pictures. Yet, when I saw Him, I knew it was Him. Jesus himself took me to see GOD ! And guess what, Mom? I got to sit on God's knee and talk to Him, like I was somebody important. That's when I told Him that I wanted to write you a letter, to tell you good bye and everything. But I already knew that wasn't allowed. Well, you know what Mom? God handed me some paper and His own personal pen to write you this letter. I think Gabriel is the name of the angel who is going to drop this letter off to you. God said for me to give you the answer to one of the questions you asked Him 'Where was He when I needed him?' "God said He was in the same place with me, as when His son Jesus was on the cross. He was right there, as He always is with all His children. Oh, by the way, Mom, no one else can see what I've written except you. To everyone else this is just a blank piece of paper. Isn't that cool? I have to give God His pen back now. He needs it to write some more names in the Book of Life. Tonight I get to sit at the table with Jesus for supper. I'm sure the food will be great. Oh, I almost forgot to tell you. I don't hurt anymore. The cancer is all gone. I'm glad because I couldn't stand that pain anymore and God couldn't stand to see me hurt so much, either. That's when He sent The Angel of Mercy to come get me. The Angel said I was a Special Delivery! How about that?

Signed with Love from God, Jesus & Me.

(Let's see Satan stop this one.) Take 60 seconds and repost this,
within the hour, you will have caused a multitude of believers to pray to God for each other. Then sit back and feel the Holy Spirit work in your life for doing what you know God loves. "When you're down to nothing, God is up to something."