Repeatedly In The Word

Some people have watched their favorite movie so many times they can quote lines from it. In fact, you may have a conversation with a person like this, and something you say might trigger their memory to recall a particular line from the movie. You may even be that person!

My daughter is a teenager, and she has many "favorite" songs. My son is ten years old, and even he can hear the first few notes of the song and immediately burst into singing every word of the song.

How do we memorize so many lines or lyrics? The answer is simple: repetition. I am often questioned how I know so many Bible passages of scripture. The answer is the same: repetition. We all do it. Maybe your morning routine is strict and you are productive because you do the same things every single morning. Maybe your morning routine is chaotic and stressful because you do the same things every single morning: keep hitting the snooze button, oversleep, didn't prepare the night before, etc. Repetition.

Children are great at this, aren't they? My children could watch the same DVD over and over and over. They demand, "Again!," as soon as they see the credits at the end of the video. They love toys that repeat phrases over and over again. Anyone remember Tickle Me Elmo? While this may be annoying to the child's parents, it is actually a wonderful tool to teach our children letters, numbers, colors, danger signs, help with pottying, and so much more.

We shouldn't be surprised to see the call for repetition in God's Word. Scripture is very clear that Christians are not to use vain repetition, so we must exercise caution. Jesus said in Matthew 6:7 But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think they shall be heard for their much speaking. Jesus cautions us to not just memorize an elaborate speech to pray over and over so others will hear us and think we are more holy or to bring us glory. Instead, we are to pray from our heart, speaking to the King of kings and Lord of lords. We teach our children to pray with repetition to help them learn to talk to God, but it is so important to teach them as they grow older to pray from their heart.

There is not so fine a line between vain repetition and the repetition the Bible calls us to do. We are taught in the Scriptures to get in a habit of reading God's Word, studying the truth found in the Scriptures, and to memorize them so we can use them in our spiritual warfare. We learn scripture from reading the Bible daily.

Joshua 1:8 This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt mediate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success. This is crystal clear that we are to read the Word of God, speak the Word of God, and think about the Word of God every moment we are awake. Why would this be important? So that we may observe to do just what it says to do. We are to make ourselves aware of what the rules are God has laid out for His believers to do. The blessing is that when we do this we are making our way prosperous and we will have good success. Do you want to be blessed? Do you want to prosper? Do you want to have good success? Stay in the Word of God!

Hard times come to everyone, whether they are a Christian or not. No one lives long without some source of pain, disappointment, hardship, or strife. Sin came into the world and the result of that disobedience to God has been a life of struggles and difficulty. How can we hope to encourage our brothers and sisters in Christ if we don't know what God's Word says about tough times? We must strengthen ourselves in God's Word to help those around us. 1 Thessalonians 4:18 Wherefore comfort one another with these words. The Bible is full of hope, encouragement, strength, joy, freedom, and love. These scriptures are the message God wants to bring to a dying world, a hopeless world, a hurting world. We comfort each other with the Words of God.

We are in a spiritual battle! If you have not been attacked lately, thank God for it, and begin to prepare, because believe me it is going to happen! How can we defeat the enemy, the devil, if we don't sharpen our sword and use it? Ephesians 6:17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God. Friends, God gave us weapons to use for this fight and if we use the tools He gave us, we will overcome!

It's evident that followers of Christ cannot look to the world for any consolation, any hope, any help to get us through these spiritual storms. God knew that! He has given us an incredible book filled with ordinary people overcoming insurmountable odds to do extraordinary things for God as they put their trust in Him. We may never know that unless we read it for ourselves. Our pastors and teachers are great at what they do, but they are limited as to what they can share with us in a church setting, but we have the great fortune in America to open our Bible anytime we want and dig deep into the Word of God. It is a wonderful freedom that I am so grateful for. Hebrews 12:1 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us. Look at all the mighty men and women of God in the Bible, read their story, get to know their great struggles, and then set aside the sin and the things that weigh us down so we can RUN! We are to run with patience the race God has set before us. Stay in your own lane and RUN!

The Bible says in 2 Timothy 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the Word of truth. This studying is to equip us with the knowledge we need to help others. It builds our own faith, as well. Romans 10:17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God.  You may follow along during the sermon, maybe even take notes, but you have to study the Word of God for yourself. Familiarize yourself with the what the Scriptures say so you are not deceived. Bring your Bible to church. Read it daily.

Sometimes we are discouraged from reading the Bible because we may not understand it. The Bible has hidden meanings and nuggets of truth waiting to be discovered, but it's not on the surface for just anyone to have it. We must pray that God will minister to us and help us to understand what He is saying to His people. He wants us to ask for wisdom. James 1:5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. God is not going to be harsh with you for asking for wisdom. Scripture tells us that God is generous to all men and women who ask for wisdom. Look at the end of the verse, when you have asked God for wisdom, it shall be given to you! That is a promise!

If you doubt that God truly wants to show you the hidden mysteries of His Word, I have one more scripture to offer you. Jeremiah 33:3 Call unto Me, and I will answer thee, and show thee great and mighty things which thou knowest not. He is waiting for you to make time for Him. He gives us His time when we pray. He is faithful to us even when we are not. We should strive to be more like Him and we cannot truly know who He is unless we spend time in His Word, at His feet, learning of Him.

God bless you!

~Bridgett Owens

Encouragement or Deception

GIRL POWER!

LIKE A BOSS!

I CAN DO IT!

BELIEVE IN YOURSELF!

DO MORE OF WHAT MAKES YOU HAPPY!

To the world, these phrases are proclaimed to empower all of us, but often it is geared toward  women. Some of you may have said these things. It's often displayed with cute graphics in bold font. It's easy to get caught up in this movement, but let me caution you to weigh these words against the Scriptures. Will they line up to the teachings of Jesus? Is this another sneaky way for the devil to trip us up in our efforts to improve ourselves? When does it cross the line from encouragement to deception? Today I am going to unveil some of the lies the enemy is using to deceive the church, and it all starts in our thoughts.

Thoughts are powerful! Proverbs 23:7a For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he. I was 16 years old when my grandfather planted the idea in my mind that I should become a nurse because of the way I cared for him in the hospital. I never forgot it. I imagined myself as a nurse. My life took many different turns and it was many years later when I actually realized that dream, but today I am a nurse. What are you thinking about?

Successful people use a strategy to ensure they are going to do well on a project, they envision themselves completing the project with great success. Thoughts can also bring disaster! I have known someone very close to me who always told me, "No one in my family lives past 60. I know I won't make it past that." Keep in mind, these family members died for different reasons: no inherited disease process. This person died at age 60. I heard this person repeat that phrase so many times in my life and it came to pass.

What if negative thoughts continue flooding into our brain? How can we combat the subtle lies the enemy is whispering to us all day on social media and in feminist groups? What does the Word of God say about taking back our thoughts?  2 Corinthians 12:5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.  So this is how we do that: absorb the Word of God. Educate yourself on what your Bible tells you. Hold the thought up against what the Word of God says. What is the real message behind these "empowering" statements? Let's look together.

Lie #1 Girl Power! What does that statement really mean? What is the message it is sending out? On the surface, it appears to be a statement to females that they have the power to do anything they want. I have a daughter and many times I have told her to dream big and encouraged her to be everything she can be! But is the real agenda behind Girl Power to help girls have a positive self-esteem, or is Satan trying to water down the gospel message found in Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me? You see our power is not enough. John 5:30a I can of mine own self do nothing. With this scripture, Girl Power! becomes a movement that leaves God out. It's God's Power!

Lie #2 LIKE A BOSS! So many people are launching businesses, side hustles, multiple streams of income, and with the help of social media, the Internet, and marketing, so many are being successful! It is so easy to start thinking you are successful because of your own doing. Sure, you put the hours in, you made the calls, had the meetings, put in the work, but how many others do the same thing and yet do not find success? Perhaps God has given you His favor. Psalm 121:1-3, 8 I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the LORD, which made heaven and earth. He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: He that keepeth thee will not slumber. The LORD shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore. The Bible says that it is God who is keeping His hand on you as you go to those appointments, and it is God that has His hand on you as you come back home. He is our help. He is God and He is BOSS!

Lie #3 I Can Do It! This could easily be countered with Philippians 4:13 or John 5:30a like mentioned before, but there are other scriptures that we can use here, as well. This is a lie from the enemy that says you have everything you need to succeed deep within you, and if you will simply look hard enough, you will not fail. The Bible says, Psalm 37:5 Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in Him; and He shall bring it to pass. This is very clear that God is the one who will bring it to pass. It will not be in your own will, your own power, your own intelligence, or your own time. God wants you to commit your ways to Him, trust Him to give you the best outcome, and leave the rest to Him. The devil wants you to believe the lie that it's all about you. It's all about God! It's all about sharing the gospel message with the hurting, the sick, the lonely, the dying, the lost. Don't let the devil twist your thoughts. Proverbs 16:3 Commit thy works unto the LORD; and thy thoughts shall be established. Give it to God and He will give you the thoughts you need, the ideas, the plans, the ability to succeed with His will for your life.

Lie #4 Believe In Yourself! The Bible clearly addresses this issue in many verses. I am going to include several scriptures so that you can fully understand why this lie is so harmful to those who call themselves Christians - born again believers. Satan tries to hinder God's plan for you and nullify the work of the cross by taking your eyes off Jesus and instead looking to yourself to be the champion.  Psalm 78:21-22 Therefore the LORD heard this, and was wroth: so a fire was kindled against Jacob, and anger also came up against Israel; Because they believed not in God, and trusted not in His salvation.  When we believe in God for salvation, He also needs to become the LORD of our life. Isaiah 43:10 Ye are My witnesses, saith the LORD, and My servant whom I have chosen: that ye may know and believe Me, and understand that I am He: before there was no God formed, neither shall there be after Me. God takes it personally when His own creation, the very servant that He has chosen, chooses to put their faith in themselves instead of God Almighty!

Why would the enemy want you to believe in yourself? He is a thief who wants to steal your power. John 1:12 But as many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His Name. We have the power to become the children of God but it is when we put our trust in Him and not in ourselves. If we could do it on our own, why did He send Jesus? John 3:16 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. We must believe in Him, but not for our salvation only. We must give Him everything. 1 Peter 5:7 Casting all your care upon Him; for He careth for you. It was never something you could do on your own. Believe in Him!

Lie #5 Do More Of What Makes You Happy! This has been around for a while. The devil changes the words from time to time but the meaning is still the same. It's the ole "If it feels good, do it" mentality. The terrible advice to "follow your heart." Proverbs 3:5 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding, In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths. We are not to seek our own pleasure, but we are to delight in Him. Psalm 37:4 Delight thyself also in the LORD: and He shall give thee the desires of thine heart. In fact, Jesus clearly tells us to deny ourselves. Mark 8:34 And when He had called the people unto Him with His disciples also, He said unto them, "Whosoever will come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me." Jesus didn't just do whatever made Him happy. Do you think He was excited about being crucified? Of course, He wasn't! He prayed that if it were possible, that this moment would pass Him by, but He submitted to the will of God. Matthew 26:39 And He went a little farther, and fell on His face, and prayed, saying, "O My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from Me: nevertheless not as I will, but as Thou wilt." 

I have a sticker that said Do More Of What Makes You Happy, and I just put alphabet stickers over the word YOU and replaced it with the word GOD and it always puts a smile on my face. Do More Of What Makes God Happy.

Friends, please don't be discouraged if you have fallen into these traps set by the devil. He is always trying to tear Christians down and cause us to compromise and fall. It's those little foxes that spoil the vine. The Bible says this about the devil: Daniel 7:25 And he shall speak great words against the most High, and shall wear out the saints of the most High, and think to change times and laws: and they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of time. We can see that happening already. I beg you, please don't be deceived. These slogans are popular because they are intended to empower us to think more highly of ourselves than we ought. God is in control. He has all power in heaven and in earth. He is the one to get the glory, the praise, and the recognition. To Him be glory and power for ever and ever!

God bless you!
~Bridgett Owens

How To Have Your Heart's Desire

When was the last time you were truly happy? Can you think of a time when you just felt full of joy? How about the last time you were thrilled about something? Think of a scenario in your mind when that occurred. Now, let me ask you something else. Were you delighted in your walk with God? In that moment of bliss, was it because of your relationship with Jesus?

Sometimes we pray and ask God for a long list of things we want or need. We start asking for things that we desire. Sometimes we do not get those things. We think that God just decided to deny the request, but could it be that the Bible tells us how to have our heart's desire? Let's look at the text.

Psalm 37:4

Delight thyself also in the LORD: and He shall give thee the desires of thine heart.

So there it is! The formula for getting your heart's desire: delight thyself in the LORD. How do you delight in the LORD? It means to "please (someone) greatly" according to the dictionary. Who are we supposed to please greatly? God! 

Do we know what it takes to please God? Hebrews 11:6 says But without faith it is impossible to please Him: for he that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him. So we have to believe, or have faith in God. We believe He is able to do what we ask of Him. We believe that He will reward us as we earnestly seek Him. So the first thing we must have is FAITH!

Next we see that God rewards us when we diligently seek Him. It is not enough to go to church once or twice a week. In fact, church is very critical in a Christian's walk with God but it is not where we are actively seeking Him. We should be engaged with Him through the Holy Spirit in church. We need to be seeking Him throughout the week. To diligently seek Him means to constantly make an effort to find Him. It also means to be attentive and persistent. So it's not just reading a memory verse here and there; saying a quick prayer when you get into trouble; or reading a simple devotion book and ten minutes later you can't even recall what you read. No, it's an ongoing effort to seek Him out with your focus solely on Him. The Bible says when we look for Him in that way, not only will we find Him but we will be rewarded. Deuteronomy 4:29 But if from thence thou shalt seek the LORD thy God, thou shalt find Him, if thou seek Him with all thy heart and with all thy soul.

When we look for God in every area of our lives, we will find Him. He will be there! He will manifest Himself to us. When we sacrificially look for Him for the sake of finding Him, being in His presence, learning more about Him, then we will begin to see our lives changed in ways we could never imagine!

Have you been doing those things? Do you have the faith to believe He is going to give you your heart's desire? If you are in His presence, constantly looking for Him in every area of your life, and giving the reigns over to Him, to make the decisions for you in the areas that matter most, you will begin to see those heart's desires realized. If you want God to move, demonstrate your faith in Him, and chase after Him like nothing else in your life and I promise you that you will lack no good thing!

God bless you!

~Bridgett Owens

Have Compassion

Compassion~

Do you know what it means to have compassion? According to dictionary.com, it means: a feeling of deep sympathy and sorrow for another who is stricken by misfortune, accompanied by a strong desire to alleviate the suffering. That is so interesting to me, that it goes beyond just feeling bad for someone. According to this definition, compassion is joining the feeling of sadness because someone is suffering or going through a hard time with the urge to do something to help them!

Would you agree that we all have a duty, as Christians, to show compassion? Not just to one another, but we must have compassion for everyone. Jesus did and He is our example! We must care about those who are hurting and show them kindness...help them!

I wanted to be a nurse since I was 16 years old. I knew I wanted to be a registered nurse but God had other plans for me. I am a licensed practical nurse and currently I am in the nursing program to transition into a registered nurse. I have always had compassion for people. My grandmother taught me from a very young age to pray for compassion and so I did. God answered that prayer and has blessed me with a LOT of compassion for others. My heart breaks for those who are hurting. I cry along with those who are hurting. So naturally, I am in a role (as a nurse) to have compassion on my patients. It is a great honor to serve in this way.

Sometimes, though, the nurse becomes the patient. We are not all perfectly healthy all of the time. We get hurt. We get sick. We need to see the doctor for various issues and in those times, we need compassion. I was the patient today. I have a chronic condition that I didn't ask for, that I don't want, and that hurts me every single day. The big fix is a major surgery. The problem is that I am a student and really cannot have the surgery until May, when school is over with. So I went to get a "holding solution" in the form of an injection today. I would say that maybe the nurse was just having a bad day, but the past two times I was in that office, the doctor and the nurse have been cold and indifferent to me. I am not excusing the doctor, but he is known to not have the best bedside manner. The nurse; however, I am surprised and disappointed in. She used to be so kind and friendly.

While I cannot hold the world to God's standards of being compassionate to others, it sure does sadden me to think that a nurse would not be very compassionate. I am in severe pain most days with this issue and I don't want to face surgery. I don't want to have injections. I don't want to deal with any of it. It's been since I was a teenager and I have put off the surgery so long but now my "other options" are running out. I just need someone to be kind to me when I go into that cold, sterile room and have to be so vulnerable. It's a scary thing to do alone but I must! So, a friendly face, or kind word is so appreciated in that moment.

I'm not perfect. As a nurse, I have bad days, too, and probably don't show as much compassion as when things are better, but I honestly try. I make a conscious effort to show compassion and put my feelings and pain aside. It's the reason I went to nursing school. It's the reason I am going back to become an RN. I want to make a bigger impact than I can as an LPN.

Psalm 86:15 But Thou, O Lord, art a God full of compassion, and gracious, long suffering, and plenteous in mercy and truth.

Lamentations 3:22 It is of the LORD's mercies that we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not.

Zechariah 7:9 Thus speaketh the LORD of hosts, saying, Execute true judgment, and show mercy and compassions every man to his brother:

Matthew 9:36 But when He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd.

Matthew 14:14 And Jesus went forth, and saw a great multitude, and was moved with compassion toward them, and He healed their sick.

1 Peter 3:8 Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous:

Jude 1:22 And of some have compassion, making a difference

1 John 3:17 But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?

Maybe the nurse was just having a hard time at work the past couple of times I was in there. Maybe she is overworked, overwhelmed, or going through personal battles herself. I am not sure. I did not ask. I will pray for her that she is strengthened in the way she has need. God knows all about her and what she is facing. God can help her and see her through. Hopefully the rest of her day will be good. Maybe things will start improving for her. I will ask God to see her through and help her. That would be a way I could show her compassion. She may never know I prayed for her and that is okay. God works it all out and He gets the glory.

Let's look for opportunities to show compassion today. We all need it and want it for ourselves. Others want it, too. God bless you!

~Bridgett Owens

Tell Someone: 7 Reasons To Testify

Are you one of those people who do a lot of research when they want to buy a product? If you are shopping online, it is crucial to read reviews of the item you are looking to purchase. These other consumers are sharing their experiences which can persuade you to buy, or not buy, an item. Personal experiences are a wonderful way to get information about anything.

Have you ever wanted to see a movie, but not really sure if it's worth buying the ticket, the popcorn, the drink, the snacks... so you ask your friends if they have seen it, and what they thought? Movie reviews are another "testimonial" that you can read to gain insight.

Infomericals are notorious for having "testimonials" for sharing positive experiences and rave reviews for whatever new item they are touting. Some people are so moved by these lavish claims that they buy the merchandise sight unseen and hope for the same results!

The Bible encourages the believer to share their experiences as well. We are told to testify of God's goodness and mercy. I am going to give you my top seven reasons you should testify!

1. Never stop talking about the goodness of God. Psalm 34:1 I will bless the LORD at all times: His praise shall continually be in my mouth. Always watch for ways the enemy will try to stop you. Fear, doubt, anxiety, worry, feelings of inferiority are all tools of the enemy to stop you from sharing the good things God has been doing in your life. Do not let anything stop you from telling others what God has done for you!

2. Don't wait for an opportunity "someday" or "one day" to share how you have been blessed. Don't expect to go abroad and do great things for God as the only means to be His witness. Share your testimony in  your own community; right where you are now, even if it's hard. It could not have been easy for the woman at the well to have shared her testimony but after she had an experience with the Master she wanted to share it with everyone! John 4:28-29 The woman then left her waterpot, and went her way into the city, and saith to the men, "Come, see a man, which told me all things that ever I did: is not this the Christ?"

3. God gives you the power through the Holy Ghost to testify. Look for the people no one else is reaching. Who are the broken, the hurting, the desperate? Find the people who really need to experience Jesus' love and saving power. We have the ability to do this through the power of the Holy Ghost. Acts 1:8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto Me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

4. It should be a joyful thing to praise the LORD. It should be a happy time of sharing the goodness of God with fellow Christians. Let's tell saints and sinners alike of all the ways we have been blessed, helped, saved, delivered, set free, redeemed, and renewed because of our wonderful God. He is worthy to be praised and we should be happy to brag on Him and His great deeds. Psalm 32:11 Be glad in the LORD, and rejoice, ye righteous: and shout for joy, all ye that are upright in heart.

5. We get a testimony to share with others after we have gone through a trial. James 1:3-4 Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. Some things we go through will be hard, but God will be glorified when we tell others how we overcame. This can can increase the faith of others observing us, and in turn can strengthen our own spirit.

6. The Bible teaches us how we ought to share our faith with others. Mark 5:19 Howbeit Jesus suffered him not, but saith unto him, "Go home to thy friends, and tell them how great things the LORD hath done for thee, and hath had compassion on thee." This is Jesus' response when He had healed a man from demon possession. The man was so happy to be restored that he was willing to follow Jesus anywhere to proclaim what He had done. Jesus didn't let him do that. Jesus had another plan. The man was to go back home and tell his friends and those who knew him and knew what he had been like before he had been restored to health. He was to go back and tell them how Jesus had compassion for him and what all he had done. Jesus did a miracle for this man who had been living in the cemetery, among the dead, and clothes torn to shreds. He was a mess! Jesus completely transformed that man's life and he was never the same again! That was worth sharing and going back home to tell. He had a mission!

7. The importance of testifying about the goodness of God is so we can defeat the devil. Revelation 12:10-11 And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, "Now is come salvation, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of His Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night. And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto death." We are told in this passage of scripture that the devil accuses us day and night before God. He is constantly running to God and telling on us for any bad thing we do, say, or think. He is trying to trap us so that God will be angry with us and cast us away, but we are born again believers so God will never do that! We apply the blood of Jesus to our lives and we live in the shadow of the cross. We proudly proclaim how God healed us, saved us, met our needs, made a way where there was none, provided the money for the bills we had to pay, put food on the table, clothed us, gave us a clear mind. There is no shortage of ways to thank Him. We must tell others. We have a duty to God to tell those who are discouraged and hurting that there is hope and Jesus is the way!

We were given the great Commission to tell others about the Lord. The final scripture for today's devotional is found in the book of Matthew. These are the words of Jesus!

Matthew 28:19-20 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

~Bridgett Owens

How Far Would You Go For Your Friends

Humans have a natural need to be loved and accepted. We want to have a loving family and caring friends around us. We want to be a loving family member and friend, as well. Not everyone has been blessed with a circle of friends or family members who truly care about them, but do you know the Bible tells us about a man who had four friends who cared about him so much that they did everything they could to get to Jesus and they did not let any obstacle get in their way? I believe we were told this story because that is what we are supposed to mirror in our own walk with God. We are to be the kind of friend or family member who has enough faith to do whatever it takes to present our loved ones at the feet of Jesus expecting nothing short of a miracle! Do you have that kind of faith? Let's read together about these incredible men!

Mark 2:1-5
And again He entered into Capernaum after some days; and it was noised that He was in the house. 
When Jesus is in the house, everyone should know it! Word got out that the Savior was there. The news spread that Jesus was there and for anyone who needed healing, saving, or even a miracle, they would have surely made their way to where Jesus was. 
And straightway many were gathered together, insomuch that there was no room to receive them, no, not so much as about the door: and He preached the Word unto them.
Everywhere Jesus went, when people found out, they would crowd in just to hear Him. Imagine listening to Jesus expound on the Scriptures, the Holy Word of the Living God and they were all wanting to be a part of that! Now, imagine, if you will, that this paralyzed man has four friends. Maybe he wasn't always paralyzed. Maybe they used to run and play together and they all could hang out and spend time together. It doesn't tell us in this passage all of the details but we know that these four friends heard about Jesus being in the house and they loaded up their friend and they were planning to have Jesus heal him. So picture in your mind this house FULL of people who were listening to Jesus preach. They may have tried to squeeze through but no one was budging. Maybe they even tried to explain to some of the people standing at the back door and no one was willing to step aside to let these men through.

Just how bad do you want your friends saved? How bad do you want them healed? How desperate are you for your friends' sake? What will you do to get them to the feet of Jesus? Let's read on as the scriptures talk about these friends for the very first time:
And they came unto Him, bringing one sick of the palsy, which was borne of four. And when they could not come nigh unto Him for the press, they uncovered the roof where He was: and when they had broken it up, they let down the bed wherein the sick of the palsy lay.
These guys are serious! They are not playing!! These four men must have started looking through the windows, trying to get an idea of where Jesus was standing. Up they go to the roof. They start pulling apart the roof! They start pulling up clay tiles and the man on the cot must have been scared...the roof was not the best place to be laying on a cot when you are paralyzed. He sees his friends, though, and they are stooped over, tearing off clay tiles and discarding branches and grass that was strewn over wooden beams. Can you imagine what was going on inside the house?

Jesus is standing up sharing the Gospel message and all of a sudden you hear some clay tiles being ripped off the top of the house. Jesus must have paused for a moment and looked up. Sure enough there was some daylight starting to come through as a hole was made to put the man on the cot through and down to meet Jesus. These guys didn't give up! They always knew that Jesus would do it, they just needed to get to Him! When one way was blocked off, they just looked for another way! They would not stop until they were able to lay their friend at the feet of Jesus and guess what? It worked!

When Jesus saw their faith, He said unto the sick of the palsy, "Son, thy sins be forgiven thee." When He forgave Him, He healed him. It was that simple! Jesus saw the faith of this man's friends and based on THEIR faith, not the sick guy's faith; but THEIR faith, He was saved and made whole! Because of the faith and the action of these four men, the man on the cot who was sick and lost, was able to have an encounter with the Son of the Living God and Jesus made it all right!

Are you praying for a friend? Do you have a family member heavy on your heart? Don't give up and don't stop praying for them! Do whatever it takes to get your loved one to have a true encounter with Jesus. They will never be the same again! You and I are not who we once were, thanks to Calvary! The blood of Jesus paid the price for our sins and for our healing. Don't stop believing God for a miracle on their behalf. God is bigger than cancer! He is stronger than any sickness or disease! He is not alarmed or disarmed by any of the struggles and ailments that we face! He has conquered death, hell, and the grave! Jesus is the Victor and if you have the faith, He will do a wonderful miracle for your loved one when He sees YOUR FAITH!

God bless you!

~Bridgett Owens

Don't Quit!

Have you ever noticed how many opportunities there are to do good things? If you truly are looking for volunteer services or ways to help those in need, there are organizations in place that can utilize your services. As Christians, we are called to do good things for other people. We are supposed to help those in need around us. We truly can become the hands and feet of Jesus as we reach out to those in need.

My heart goes out to the victims of Hurricane Harvey. The flooding and aftermath of the devastation left behind is just heart-wrenching to witness and I cannot even imagine going through anything like that. As a Christian, I am praying and asking God to help those people and the rescue workers and organizations as they bring aide to these people in great need. Some are called to go and help and they have the time and resources to do so, and they must go!

Maybe you are not involved in rescue missions, but you are still doing good things: helping at church, involved with a ministry, going to Bible study, prayer meetings, helping at school, or just trying to be a Godly wife and mother, Godly father, husband, neighbor, whatever it might be. After a while, you start to burn out. You get tired of trying to fit so many things onto your plate and before long, you get weary.

I have been there and it is easy to discouraged when you just keep doing good things and trying hard to do what is right and then obstacles get in the way, sometimes it seems like problems pile up, and often like there is just too great a need for you to single-handedly meet them all. If that sounds like you, or someone you know, please read today's devotional. It is to encourage and strengthen you!

The Bible tells us in the book of Matthew (5:16) to "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven." By doing good things, we are not securing our salvation, but we are displaying our commitment to God and it glorifies God. The Bible encourages us to do good things for those around us. Galatians 6:10 "As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith." When we see the opportunity, we are supposed to help!

We will be rewarded for doing good. The Bible says we reap what we sow. When a farmer plants a seed in the soil, he will throw some seeds into the ground but the harvest he yields is far more in number than the seeds he planted. That is the same for us. We can do good things for those around us, but God repays us in exponential ways that is more than we can measure. Galatians 6:7 Be not deceived, God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.

The Bible addresses all of our needs and situations that we must go through. Of course God knew that if He told His people to do good works then our enemy would use that as an opportunity to wear us out. He brings guilt when we want to say no because we are truly unable to help with a bake sale, so then we go ahead and take on the project. He starts condemning us as we start to compare ourselves to how much others are doing. We start taking on that condemnation and it does not come from God! So, God put scriptures in place to help us.

Galatians 6:9 "And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not." God is telling us to do good things but not get weary; keep going when we sometimes wonder what the point is. He encourages us to keep doing the harder right instead of the easier wrong, because there will be a reward if we don't quit and don't give up. Isaiah 40:31 says "But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint."

As we wait for the LORD, He strengthens us. He enables us to rise high above our problems and the storm clouds that threaten us. We are given supernatural strength to keep running and not get tired. We can keep walking with God, reading His Word, trusting His promises, and staying true to what He is calling us to do, without giving up and wanting to quit. Wait for Him! Wait for the strength to come; the encouragement and the peace. You are doing great things for the Kingdom of God and the devil is mad. He will fight you. He will come against you. Just give it all to God and He will fight for you. Just trust Him and draw your strength from Him.

God bless you!

~Bridgett Owens