Settling for Good rather than God

"A good thing becomes a bad thing when it replaces the best thing."

Good versus Best
I do a lot of good things.  I don't do a lot of better things.  My motives for doing and not doing these things vary from  pride, selfishness, fear, worry, and a whole laundry list of more things.  God has been gently calling me to himself through a variety of people and circumstances.  He has provided for me in ways that I can't explain except that it was ALL Him.

Settling for Good rather than God

God showed me on Sunday through Saul turned Paul's testimony the significance of a "good" person's testimony.  Saul was a Jew, a Hebrew of Hebrews from the tribe of Benjamin, a Pharisee very knowledgeable of the Jewish scripture and laws.  He was zealous for his beliefs so much so that he was willing to stop anyone that opposed his beliefs.  He was a "good Jew."  He was faithful and devoutly religious.  He followed all of the rules.  He did what he knew was right.

But God...
God interrupted Saul's religious devotion and law abiding goodness and showed him His abundant grace through the life, death, and resurrection of His Son, Jesus Christ.  God introduced the relationship that could if he chose to follow.  Saul gave up all of his accolades and accomplishments in his Jewish faith for the relationship he gained through Jesus.  Saul died to his rules and regulations and emerged as Paul, a sold out devoted follower of Jesus Christ with a real, relationship with God.  Paul was so changed by this relationship that he counted his previous life as a loss.  Nothing. Waste. (Dung in the KJV, which we all know is...poop).
My "good" is nothing without God.  It is waste.  I can't do anything without God.  I rely on God for my next breath.  I need to choose God rather than settling for my own "good."  I hope this is encouraging, and please don't settle for your good when God has what is best for you.  Draw close and be willing to trust Him and obey Him.  He is truly the best.

Walking by Faith,

Lies I Believe

"Failure deserves to be punished."  This lie can result in criticism, judgments, fear of failure, procrastination, unwillingness, to take risks, the fear of punishment (Taken from Be Transformed: Discovering Biblical Solutions to Life's Problems).

When I don't live up to my own expectations, I feel like I have failed.  I hate failure, but feel like I do it all the time.  I believe that I have bought into the lie that failure should be punished, and I do experience many of those results mentioned above.  I dislike failure so much that I play it safe out of fear.  When I do fail, I tend to avoid dealing with it.  I give up until I am motivated enough to change.

My 21 day routine challenge has not gone the way I have planned, but I am more aware of my routines.  I know that making my lunch the night before and having my uniform clean and ready makes my morning routine go a whole lot more smoothly.  I guarantee you that I have had to learn that the hard way sometimes.  

It is time for me to exchange the lie about failure for the truth.  Failure is a learning opportunity.  Failure is where we grow.  If you can't make mistakes, you can't make anything.  We must turn to the One that never fails in order to experience true freedom in failure.  Jesus bridged the gap between failure and freedom.  On our own, we can never truly be free.  In our failure, we realize our need and must be willing to trust Him and be set free.

"...If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free...Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin. And the servant abideth not in the house for ever: but the Son abideth ever. If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed."
~John 8:31-32, 34-36

Believe,

Worthy of Love

"Worthy"--to be deserving of effort or respect. "Love"--a deep and tender affection. Worthy of love--to be deserving of deep and tender affection. My name "Amanda" means "worthy of love," yet I feel as if I have tried to earn love and the admiration and praise of others. I was always focused on helping others to get from them what I thought I needed rather than giving with no expectations in return.

Today I felt like I am finally worth it. I "know" that I am, but for some reason, I doubted. I "know" God loves me so much so He sent His son to die for me. For ME. That is where the "worthy" part gets me. Who am I to be worthy of such a sacrificial love? I am just little ol' me trying to please God. I don't feel deserving of His love, therefore I try to earn it. Therein lies the problem. I don't deserve God's love on my own. I am never going to be able to earn His love. God makes me "worthy of love" through the gift of His Son, Jesus Christ. Because of Christ, I am able to know love and experience His love for me. I in turn am given the opportunity to share that love with others.

For some reason I have felt like I have been running away from that love and trying to offer my version of love. I am tired of running and exhausted from seeking approval. God freely gives me His love and shows me that I am worthy on a daily basis. It is time for me to believe it. Today, right now, I believe that I am worthy of love. God is love, and I want to share His love with others.

"Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love."
~I John 4:7, 8

Choose Your Consequences Carefully

I have noticed some beliefs floating around about God that are FALSE.  The idea that God is a loving God, and everyone should love everyone and accept them for "who they are no matter what they have done or are doing."  This is completely untrue!  You must love the sinner, but NOT the sin.  Yes, God is Love, but God is also just.  Because God is love and just, He can't stand sin.  Sin has to be paid for.  Sin is a debt that each person owes, and it must be paid.  The payment is death. His judgement will pour over all mankind in the near future.

Another thing people don't seem to understand is sin.  Most people have a sense of right and wrong. There are a few that believe everyone is good in the world, which I find nearly laughable in light of the events of this world and the evil reported each night on the evening news.  As for the majority with a knowledge of right and wrong, they know wrong is sin.  Simply put, sin is anything you think, say or do that breaks God's laws.  Yes, we could get into a debate as to what God's laws were and justify ourself out of nearly anything.  

Using the Bible as the source and standard for truth, God's laws are clearly found within its sacred pages.  This definition clearly addresses three areas where we sin.  It begins in our thoughts and moves out toward our speech and how we say things on to action, where we willfully take action against God's laws.  All of this can happen within seconds.  Sin is sin.  There is no sin bigger or smaller than another.  Let me say that again, Sin is sin.  There is no sin BIGGER or smaller than another. Sin is equal; the consequences are different.  Did you catch that?  Sin is equal; the consequences are different.  

Telling a lie and extramarital sex/homosexuality are sins.  One is not better or worse than the other.  The consequences are different.  A lie could result in other sin or if confessed immediately, the consequence is minimal such as parental discipline or such.  Extramarital sex could have a variety of consequences such as parenthood, STDs, emotional damage, strained relationships, and more.  Homosexuality has similar consequences such as STDs, emotional issues, broken relationships, social issues, and more.

There are many other examples of sin and its varying consequences, but there is good news.  The sin payment was paid for us.  God, out of His amazing love (that is where love comes in), sent His only Son, Jesus to die on a cruel cross as our sin payment.  Death was the required payment, so God arranged for us a alternate.  Because Jesus died on the cross, we are now given the choice to identify with Christ's payment or take the payment ourselves and live in separation from God forever in Hell.  It is your choice.  God is waiting.  

Churches are not to condone sin.  Their role in ministry to sinners is to love and assist them in making the neccessary changes from sin and towards Christ.  God is love and just, and so must our churches.

Filled with JOY!

JOY! Joy!! JOY!!!  This has been a year filled with Joy.  God knew what He was doing when He put that word on my heart for this year.  This year has not been easy.  I have struggled with many different things this year such as job loss, my singleness, my ministry.  In one of my attempts of "changing my traffic patterns" to meet people (okay, I'll be honest, guys...), I returned to Jesus, my Prince of Peace.  In the form of a 21 day journal (that has lasted well beyond 21 days), God has rocked my world with a consistent quiet time I have never experienced.
He supplied my need for a job not once but twice this year.  He has shown me that I am worth it.  God has given me great friends and a wonderful church family.  He has shown me that I am not in control.  I have learned the hard way to allow Him to have the control.
Things have happened that in my own knowledge and strength, I can't explain. But by faith, I know that God has a plan.  As God works in my life in such direct and distinct ways, I can't do anything but thank Him and obey Him.  God called me to teach in 2009 and has faithfully supplied me with harvests of kiddos to teach and shine the light of Christ in their lives.  Even when others doubted, I pressed on and God delivered.  He also opened my eyes to several harvests of kiddos that surrounded me and gave me opportunities to invest in their lives.
Most recently, I have been reminded of the value of any soul.  This has prompted me to become more bold in sharing my faith with others. I have had the opportunity to "change my traffic patterns" for a very different reason, an eternal purpose. In the past few weeks, I have met many people and pray that God will water the seeds of the gospel and give me the courage to continue to go.
God has given me true Joy this year through the mountains and the valleys.  I took joy in everything because God was there through all of my circumstances.  I pray that you find the Joy that Christ can give and have a blessed new year.

What are you doing here?

What are you doing here?  I would hope that you are here to read this awesome blog post.  No, seriously, what are you doing here?  I was asked a similar question recently asking what did I give up to be here.  The question puzzled me for awhile.  What did I give up to be where I was?  My first thoughts were  a significant pay cut and a flexible schedule with many breaks.  Then my thoughts went to why was I there.  I really didn't know why I was there.  On the surface, I was to teach children about Jesus.  Below the surface, I was there to learn some very difficult life lessons.

In church the next Sunday, I learned Elijah, the prophet of God, was asked the same question.  God asked him, "What are you doing here, Elijah?"  Elijah's reponse was of despair and lonliness.  I could totally relate.  I was drained physically, emotionally, and mentally.  God showed his power and came to Elijah in a still small voice and repeated the question.  Elijah's answer remained the same.  God moved on with further instructions said, "By the way, 7,000 people have not bowed the knee to Baal, so you are not alone, just sayin'" (paraphrased). 

I pondered this question and my answer.  I was there to learn some valueable lessons about myself.  I am not alone, I don't have to do everything myself.  When I am in control, nothing goes well for very long.  When I allow God to have control, there is this unexplicable peace and joy to life even in the midst of the unknown.

At this very moment in life, God has called me to know Him more and make Him known.  I am patiently waiting for my next harvest.  What am I doing here?  I am getting to know God and telling everyone I can about Him.  I am trusting God and taking one step at a time.  What are you doing here?  Whatever your answer, remember you are not alone. God is with you if you have believed on Jesus.

If you have not believed on Jesus, you can.  It is a free gift.  You must first admit that you are a sinner (Romans 3:23).  Everyone has sinned-thought, said, or done something that breaks God's laws.  Next, you must believe that Jesus died to pay for your sin.  Sin requires payment.  Death and  separation from God is the required payment for sin (Romans 6:23).  Jesus died a horrific death on a criminal's cross for you and me.  You must believe on Jesus Christ, and you will be saved (Acts 16:31).  Then you choose to make Jesus the Boss of your life.  It is a free gift and you can't earn it Ephesians 2:8, 9 says, "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:  Not of works, lest any man should boast."  It's FREE!  That will be the best decision you will ever make in life.  Whatever you are doing here, I hope and pray that you know God or will get to know Him.  If you have any questions, feel free to message me.