Life is HARD ..... BUT CHRIST!!!!

Have you ever thought about Christ's life here on this earth? He suffered, He was CRUCIFIED. He is GOD but His life here on earth was HARD.

As I sat down with the written Word this evening, after the baby was down for the night, I asked God to teach me and show me a broad picture of the book of Philippians.

There is so much in this short book, so many deep things to dig into and contemplate the Theological implications. However, what I saw jumping out time after time throughout is that life is HARD. Paul had it HARD, Epaphroditus almost died!  But Paul had a heavenly perspective and he addresses the hardships of this life in light of Christ and the eternal!

Life is hard BUT Christ is working IN us! 

Life is hard BUT Christ's gospel is going forward!

Life is hard BUT we suffer WITH Christ - not alone!

Life is hard BUT there is confidence in Christ!

Life is hard BUT Christ is returning and will fit us with a glorified body!

Life is hard BUT Christ promises peace when we pray with thanksgiving! 

Life is hard BUT Christ gives strength to endure even the hardest!

Life is hard BUT Christ provides everything we NEED! 

Life IS hard...but regardless of this fact, in our hearts and minds we can REJOICE. We can have PEACE. We can be CONFIDENT. We can SHINE in this hard, temporary world because we have a kind, eternal Savior!!!

Stand tall and REJOICE! 

Children

I’ve been thinking a lot about this topic of late… 

There are so many thoughts and opinions swirling around out there about children.

I won’t even dive into the whole abortion and planned parenthood stuff.

The fact of the matter is, we all were once children.

Kind of a “no, du” statement….

But, I think we actually forget this little fact when we form our views concerning kids.

I was thinking about the different views that swirl around and my little sister came to mind.  

She was born in China.

She brings me so much joy!

Her presence has affected our family in a dramatically positive way!

In the country of China, families are taxed so heavily for having a second child that most families can only afford to have one child.

This has resulted in an outrageous number of “orphaned” children, mostly girls.

In our family’s case, I can have Joseph’s perspective -

But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good - Genesis 50:20

God used China’s perspective on children to give me the greatest little sister!

The sentiment among American’s concerning China’s child policy is that it is terrible, wrong, and sad.

I agree!

As I thought about this, something hit me hard.

Many of the same people who believe it is terrible that families in China are only allowed to have one child, are the same people I hear voicing that it is just crazy or unwise for a family here in America to have a large family.

This realization caused me to stop dead in my tracks and sit contemplating…

Culture often mixes some murky water into our world view, including the aspect of children.

But, what is God’s view of Children?

I want to have HIS perspective!

God did not neglect to share it!

Here is a taste of what I found.

CHILDREN COME FROM GOD - God is ultimately in control of the womb.

“And I will make thee exceeding fruitful,” - Geneses 17:6 

“And God remembered Rachel, and God hearkened to her, and opened her womb.” - Geneses 30:22 

 “But unto Hannah he gave a worthy portion; for he loved Hannah: but the LORD had shut up her womb.” - 1 Samuel 1:5 

“Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee;” - Jeremiah 1:5 

CHILDREN ARE A BLESSING FROM GOD

“And I will bless her, and give thee a son also of her: yea, I will bless her, and she shall be a mother of nations; kings of people shall be of her.” – Geneses 17:16 

“And he said, The children which God hath graciously given thy servant.” - Geneses 33:5 

“Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward. As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth. Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them: they shall not be ashamed, but they shall speak with the enemies in the gate. ” - Psalm 127:3-5

What God has said, and not said, has shaped my view.

Yes, abortion is WRONG! God is clear in His Word concerning sanctity of life. However, is it wrong for one family to only have one child or wrong for another to have eleven? God does not say. We must NOT take God’s Word farther than God takes His Word. 

Stop where the Bible stops.

I have struggled quite a bit over opinions concerning children; how many to have and when. God has brought my heart to a place that truly believes what one family chooses to do is between them and God.

Sometimes God does not give a couple any children and they long for one. Sometimes God gives a couple contentment to stop at 2 or 3 children. Sometimes God gives a couple a burden to adopt. Sometimes God gives a couple a heart desire to raise a dozen children to be godly men and women in our world.

The point I want to make is to encourage each of us to view each other with favor and respect. 

We should not whisper behind someone’s back about how many children they have or how few. For one, we do not have any idea about what God is working in their heart and life. God works in each one of us in vastly different ways.

If we believe it is wrong for the Chinese government to decide how many children a couple can have why should we put a number on how many children is right for a couple here in the states to have?  We do not have the right to say we are right and another wrong. We only have the right to say, “This is what God has for OUR family” and we should believe that the next family is walking with God as well.

Let’s respect and love each other, in Christ, and view each and every child, whether an only child, adopted or one of a dozen, as a gift and blessing from Jesus Christ !

Walk with God!

Why I don't have "Devotions"

That title probably surprised or even shocked you. Maybe you are here reading this post because your brain said, "What in the round world has happened to Rachel?"

Hang with me!

YES, I want to spend time reading God's Word each day! I just have a hard time calling my time with God "my devotions".

Devotions

The term has the connotation that I'm dedicated to read my Bible everyday. What if I fail?

Often we are dedicated to something because we want the results to benefit us.

Many are dedicated to their exercise routine because they want to loose weight, gain muscle mass, or become more physically toned.

You may be dedicated to spending daily time in the Word because you want to learn more about God so you can grow in your understanding of how awesome He really is.

That is GREAT!!

However, we can be dedicated to reading our Bible out of guilt. We want God's blessing and feel like He won't be favorable towards us if we do not read something in our Bibles everyday.We may feel like we can only be close to God when we are reading His Word.

I confess, I have operated under those motivations, or fears, in the past.

I ask a friend how her devotions are going... If her life has been crazy leaving her without another hour to spend with her Bible, she sounds a bit guilty telling me so.

When I miss my daily devotions am I not dedicated to God enough?

That is why I have a hard time using the Word devotions in reference to my Bible time.

The fact of the matter is that God ALREADY has blessed us with every spiritual blessing!

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: - Ephesians 1:3

He is not going to withhold His blessing from His child because she did not open her Bible that day.

God's devotion to us is not based on our devotion to Him.

The fact of the matter is that God is ALWAYS with us and will never leave us!

He will not leave us to ourselves because we missed our "devotions" that morning.

for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. - Hebrews 13:5b

And I give unto them [believers] eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand. - John 10:28-29

The fact of the matter is that the only reason I can be dedicated to God at all is because He is totally devoted to me as one of His Children because His Son died for me. When He looks at me He sees Christ's righteousness!

Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: - Romans 3:22

For He [God] hath made Him [Christ] to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him. - 2 Corinthians 5:21

And be found in Him [Christ], not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: - Philippians 3:9

We do not have to try to make ourselves look good to God. He has taken that upon Himself and accomplished it through Jesus Christ!!

_____________________

When I ask my friend how her devotions are going I don't want her to feel guilty because she has not cracked open her Bible the last few days.

I ask because I want to know how her FELLOWSHIP with God has been. I want to know what God is teaching her. Not just through her Bible time but through the circumstances God is leading her through. How God has answered her prayers. How her heart is doing, and yes, what she is reading and learning through the Word when she is able to have that time! It may seem like a silly matter of terms...but it really does make a significant deference when, instead of asking my friends how their devotions are going, I ask them how their walk with God is and if they have learned anything from the Word recently! Our conversation is so much more uplifting!

I have a relationship with my husband. We are bound to each other. Only death can separate that bond. We have a relationship no matter what life may throw at us. YES...we need connected time together, fellowship. Yes, somedays the combination of his work scheduled, the baby and other tasks life throws at us, we do not get to sit down together and have an hour of JUST focusing on each other. But that does NOT mean he ceases to be my husband.

I know all illustrations brake down (my J is not infallible)...but God will never cease to have a relationship with us. Even if we miss a week of Bible study, He will not cease to be our God. He will not take back His already given blessing!

YES, spending totally focused one on one time with my husband is good and healthy for our relationship! YES, spending time in God's Word and in prayer is good and healthy for our relationship with our God!

One definition of "Devotion" is a "feeling of strong love or loyalty".

Even on those days when J and I do not get to have each other's undivided attention, we are still deeply in love and loyal to each other.

Even on those days that I do not get to open my Bible I still deeply love and am loyal to my God and He will never break is loyalty to me or cease to love me.

For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. - Romans 8:38-39

J does not want me to make time for him out of fear that he will cease to love me or out of duty. Nether does God want us to come to His Word out of fear or obligation.

When we realize this amazing fact that God has blessed us already and given us everything for life and godliness, it results in awe and gives us the desire to know Him better and know what He has revealed to us in His Word!

If we read our Bibles out of fear, guilt, or obligation I venture to say that we have a wrong view of Who are God really is.

I no longer read my Bible out of guilt or fear. As I have grown to understand who God is and what He has ALREADY done for me I have been freed from that bondage! Time in the Word is so much sweeter!

God wants us to read His Word because we understand that He is truly awesome, He has blessed us and He loves us, because we want to know Him better and understand what He has done and will do!

The main thing I am getting at, the point I want to make is to encourage you to spend time in the Word whenever you can! But also to encourage you that on those particularity busy days that seem like one curve ball after another is being hurled at you and you finally flop down in bed only to realize your Bible is still sitting on the night table untouched... that it is OK! Close your eyes and sleep without guilt! You are still blessed, God is still pleased with you, He is with you, He loves you!

God Created Marriage

My brother-in-law is soon to be married to a great girl I have known for a long time.

Today a bridal shower was held in her honor.

I woke up this morning thinking about the days events and it dawned on me...

God CREATED marriage in the very begging when He created the heavens and the earth and everything therein!

Throughout the Genesis chapter one account of the creation, God sees His work and says it is "good".

It was not until after He created male and female did God say that His creation was "very good".

So often we stop there.

We jokingly say "See, God did not say it was very good until He created the WOMAN!"

But we can't stop there!

What I realized this morning is that God did not just create two individuals and say that it was "very good".

God created MARRIAGE between one man and one woman.

THEN He looked down on all He had made and saw that it was "Very Good"!

Praise God for created marriage!! 

WAITING

There is a little person inside of me.

I do not think the depth of this reality has sunk in…

A bag for the baby and one for us are already in the car…..

so is the baby’s car seat…

a little bed has been made up in our room…

books have been read…

videos have been watched…

 friend’s advice filed away in my mind…

sleepless nights….

itchy belly….

stretch marks…

A little person just moved inside of me!

It’s REAL!

I feel so humbled

SO blessed!

My womb has been holding a life for 9 months!

Any day now, I will be holding a baby in my arms.

MY baby!

OUR baby!

Any day now, J will have his first turn to hold his baby!

Hours turn into days.

Somedays it feels like I will be pregnant forever…

But one day will be THE DAY!

It will happen!

Not knowing the day or the hour is really hard for me!

But, I wait…

For some reason God made it this way.

It requires patience.

And God knows patience is not my strong point.

But He can produce it in me!

I'm learning each day to rest in Him!

The imminence of labor reminds me of Christ’s return to gather the believers to Himself at the 

rapture.

His return is imminent!

I should have the same anticipation for Christ’s return as I do for the arrival of this baby!

Everything is prepared for baby to arrive,

Yet, the time has not come.

So, I keep cleaning the house

Keep making meals

Keep busy

One day the labor pains will start and baby will come!

Am I prepared for Christ to return?

Yes!

I trust Him as my Savior, I’m His child!

He can come anytime and I will not be left behind!

Yet, the time has not come.

So, we keep waiting

Keep living

Keep learning

Keep working

Keep serving

Keep sharing the gospel

One day Christ will come! 

God knows the day and the hour of His return.

God knows the day and the hour that our baby will be born.

I look forward to it with un-explainable anticipation!

 "For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord." - 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17

Keep waiting and watching and working! 

Thoughts from this morning!

PSALM 29

"Give unto the LORD, O ye mighty, give unto the LORD glory and strength. 

Give unto the LORD the glory due unto his name; 

worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness. 

The voice of the LORD is upon the waters: 

the God of glory thundereth: 

the LORD is upon many waters. 

The voice of the LORD is powerful; 

the voice of the LORD is full of majesty. 

The voice of the LORD breaketh the cedars; 

yea, the LORD breaketh the cedars of Lebanon. 

He maketh them also to skip like a calf; 

Lebanon and Sirion like a young unicorn. 

The voice of the LORD divideth the flames of fire. 

The voice of the LORD shaketh the wilderness; 

the LORD shaketh the wilderness of Kadesh. 

The voice of the LORD maketh the hinds to calve, and discovereth the forests: 

and in his temple doth every one speak of his glory. 

The LORD sitteth upon the flood; 

yea, the LORD sitteth King for ever. 

The LORD will give strength unto his people; 

the LORD will bless his people with peace."

Where do we first read of God's VOICE? 

Genesis chapter one! 

God created the world with the words of His mouth - His voice! 

Here in Psalm 29 we see God controlling His creation with His voice! 

God did not created the world and leave it to function on its own.

He is creator AND Lord of creation! 

The written Word of God is so amazing! It's so encouraging to be reminded again how awesome our God is! 

Be still, my soul 

the Lord is on thy side!

Bear patiently the cross of grief or pain;

Leave to thy God to order and provide.

In every change, He faithful will remain.

Be Still, my soul 

thy best, thy heavenly Friend 

thru thorny ways leads to a joyful end. 

Be still, my soul

thy God doth undertake

to guide the future as He has the past;

Thy hope, thy confidence let nothing shake.

All now mysterious shall be bright as last.

Be still, my soul

the waves and winds still know

His voice who rules them while He dwelt below.

Be still, my soul

the hour is hast'ning on

when we shall be forever with the Lord.

When disappointment, grief, and fear are gone, 

sorrow forgotten, love's purest joys restored. 

Be still, my soul

when change and tears are past,

all safe and blessed we shall meet at last. 

Food for the Soul - They are ONE

Ponderings from my time in the Word this morning

I’m in John chapter 6; Jesus tells the Jews in verse 44,

“No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.”

And later on in verse 65 Jesus says,

“And he said, Therefore said I unto you, that no man can come unto me, except it were given unto him of my Father.”

But WAIT! What about John 14:6?

“Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.”

This verse says that no one can come to the Father but by the Son, yet, chapter 6 tells us that no one can come to the Son but the Father! How incredible is that?! It feels like a light bulb just exploded in my brain. So often my mind tries to separate God into boxes; Father, Son and Holy Spirit. I am reminded once again that God cannot be categorized!

The trinity of God has always blown my mind…these verses show so strongly the unity of the Father and Son in the God head! They do not work alone, they cannot be separated, we cannot have one without the others….they ARE one!

3 Bible Study Methods That Have Helped Me Stay Focused!

I look up from the page and realize that I've read verses and verses but have no comprehension of what it was I just read....

Feel frustrated at myself.

Why is it so hard to keep my mind from wandering to unrelated situations or things that I need to do later in the day? 

You too?

Spending time in God's Word is precious to me and I want to be able to have that time uninterrupted! 

Here are some things that I found help me stay focused as I spend time in God's Word! 

WRITING OUT THE PASSAGE 

Buy a lined notebook.

Crease each page in half.

Scribe the Scripture on the left hand side.

Use the right side to jot down notes and thoughts as you go!

This method, though tedious, really causes you to think about each word! 

Sometimes I read too fast, or I think I know what the verse is going to say next and I miss things! 

I have written out entire books using this study method and notice so much more! 

_________________________________________________________________________________

PRINT OUT THE PASSAGE 

Using Online Bible, E-Sword, or another electronic Bible source; copy the passage you desire to study into a WordDoc, take out chapter and verse divisions, print it out. 

Invest in a nice set of colored pencils. 

Study the passage and mark up those pages! 

Draw lines to matching themes. 

Mark key words with special shapes. 

Highlight. 

Underline. 

Jot notes in the margins! 

TIP: The King James Version is a great one to use for this kind of studying! Though this version uses older English and can be a bit hard to understand if you are not used to it; when translating the Hebrew and Greek words the KJV is the most (though not entirely) consistent in using the same English word each time that Greek or Hebrew word is used. Thus, it is a lot easier to see patterns in word usages as you study! I love to see patterns and themes throughout God's Word! 

_________________________________________________________________________________

WRITE IN YOUR BIBLE

I know some people do not like to write in their Bibles and that is totally understandable. However, I do not believe that it is dishonoring to do so. It is honoring to God when we study His Word! 

Invest in a Bible that has wide margins for the purpose of writing and marking it up! I have another Bible that I never write in. I use this one when I want to just read without my jottings distracting me. But I love my study Bible...it feels like home to me! 

When you research something, write it in the margin. Later on down the road you may be in need of a quick go to for a devotional...you have info and research right there with the passage! 

It is also fun to look back and see what I have learned over the years! 

TIP: The paper of most Bibles is thin and hard to write on without ink bleeding. I use Micron Pens! They do not bleed and you can get super fine tips that write clear and tiny! You can get them HERE on Amazon or at any Michael's Craft Store! They come in lots of colors too!! 

I hope these ideas can help you as you spend precious time in God's Word! 

Do you have any study methods that have helped you? Please share!! 

My Testimony

Throughout this blog there will be a series called “Simple Faith”; devotionals, ponderings, verses, stories of God’s doings!

I thought the best way to start out this series would be by giving my testimony!

A 4 year old girl lay on the living room floor, propped up on her elbows, looking at Bible illustrations that were leaning up against a pair of large feet. 

She listened as her Papa told her the story of Christ’s crucifixion and resurrection.

"Why did Jesus have to die?"

"Because everyone is a sinner and on their way to hell."

Yeah, the little girl thought…I know I am. I’ve been mean to my big brother, I’ve told mommy things that are not true, I’ve disobeyed my Papa.

“Jesus loved Annie and died for her sins so that she would not have to spend forever and ever in the Lake of Fire.”

The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life, through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Romans 3:23“God so loved the world, that He gave His begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. – John 3:16

“Papa, I want to get saved” the little voice piped.

That night a little four year old girl understood God’s grace to save her from hell and trusted Christ as her Savior.

This little girl was me!

I can’t say that I never had struggles…I struggled a lot with my salvation in my early teens. 

But, God showed me through His Word that my salvation was not based on ME but on Christ’s work!

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. –Ephesians 2:8-9

The blogging community helps each other out by sharing their experiences and lists of how or how not to accomplish certain tasks.

This is GREAT! I have learned a lot from fellow bloggers!

I am a person who loves to have lists and steps written out before me!

However, in the case of salvation, I am SO thankful that God did not give us a list! He gave us ONE thing to do!

BELIEVE

For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures: - 1 Corinthians 15:3-4

For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. – John 3:16