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Cynthia,
In Matthew 7:7 Jesus said, "seek, and you will find." You are doing that right now, and you can find your answer in God's Word. God will not hide Himself from you!
Romans 10:9 & 10 says, "If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation." It is as simple as that. You need to truly believe in your heart when you pray to God for salvation, agreeing with God that you have done wrong (Romans 3:23, "For all have sinned, and fall short of the glory of God."), believing in His Son, Jesus, who died in your place on the cross to pay for your sin (Romans 6:23, "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Jesus Christ our Lord.") when you confess it to him in prayer asking for salvation. As the verse says, "You will be saved!"
After that is growing in your new life in Christ Jesus. In order to grow, it is important to nurture your relationship with him. Stay in His Word (the Bible), pray, and go to a church that teaches the Bible (John 15:4, Hebrews 10:25).
God loves you so much and He wants you to be saved! He doesn't want you to doubt your salvation once you are truly saved. You can trust His word to be true. You said you want to be 100% with Christ. Well, He wants to be 100% with you, too. Jesus said, "What man of you, having 100 sheep, if he loses one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness, and go after the one which is lost until he finds it? Likewise, I say to you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents." (Luke 15:4 & 10)
Lord, please help Cynthia as she is on the fence about her salvation. Help her to believe and to trust in you fully. Help her to surrender her life to you and then not doubt your word is true to save her. Help her to grow in her faith and become a strong, committed daughter of yours. Please help her to have a real, abiding, close relationship to you. I pray in Jesus' name. Amen
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
Sunday, September 26, 2010
Advice About Teen Daughter
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Dear Melissa,
I can understand your daughter's struggle because I certainly struggled myself with wanting guys to notice and like me when I was young and in school. I wish I had someone like she has you to encourage her to stay faithful to God and not be so concerned about what everyone else thinks of her. Continue to talk to her about how special she is to you and to God. You mentioned Psalm 139:14, "for I am fearfully and wonderfully made..." The chapter goes on to say in verse 17 & 18, "How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! How great is the sum of them! If I should count them, they are more in number than the sand..." Continue to encourage her to remain true to who she is in Christ.
I would encourage you to study God's word together. It is so important to know what the Bible says about how to live and what to think. She's not getting the truth at school, on T.V., and not likely from her peers. She needs you to help disciple her in living for Christ. Don't just depend on the youth group at church to teach her. She needs your daily support and guidance. She needs you rooting in her corner, knowing Momma cares enough to get involved in her life and keep her on the straight and narrow. You could look up verses together about standing fast (Gal. 5:1), walking in the Spirit (Gal 5:16), presenting your bodies a living sacrifice (Romans 12:1), being the temple of God (1 Cor. 3:16), abiding in Christ (John 15), and delighting in the Lord (Psalm 37:4 & 5). I would encourage you to work together to memorize these and other verses from the Bible. Remember Psalm 119:9-11, "Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word. With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments. Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee." If you want your daughter, who is a Christian, to live for God in her daily life, fill her up with His word! She is in a spiritual struggle and the word of God is her sword (Eph. 6:17). Help arm your daughter in this battle with the weapon of the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And don't forget verse 18--pray, Momma, pray for your daughter. Even pray with her so she can hear your prayers and know someone who loves her dearly is praying for her. What a difference you can make in your daughter's life by loving her enough to lead her in the truth!
Dear Melissa,
I can understand your daughter's struggle because I certainly struggled myself with wanting guys to notice and like me when I was young and in school. I wish I had someone like she has you to encourage her to stay faithful to God and not be so concerned about what everyone else thinks of her. Continue to talk to her about how special she is to you and to God. You mentioned Psalm 139:14, "for I am fearfully and wonderfully made..." The chapter goes on to say in verse 17 & 18, "How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! How great is the sum of them! If I should count them, they are more in number than the sand..." Continue to encourage her to remain true to who she is in Christ.
I would encourage you to study God's word together. It is so important to know what the Bible says about how to live and what to think. She's not getting the truth at school, on T.V., and not likely from her peers. She needs you to help disciple her in living for Christ. Don't just depend on the youth group at church to teach her. She needs your daily support and guidance. She needs you rooting in her corner, knowing Momma cares enough to get involved in her life and keep her on the straight and narrow. You could look up verses together about standing fast (Gal. 5:1), walking in the Spirit (Gal 5:16), presenting your bodies a living sacrifice (Romans 12:1), being the temple of God (1 Cor. 3:16), abiding in Christ (John 15), and delighting in the Lord (Psalm 37:4 & 5). I would encourage you to work together to memorize these and other verses from the Bible. Remember Psalm 119:9-11, "Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word. With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments. Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee." If you want your daughter, who is a Christian, to live for God in her daily life, fill her up with His word! She is in a spiritual struggle and the word of God is her sword (Eph. 6:17). Help arm your daughter in this battle with the weapon of the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And don't forget verse 18--pray, Momma, pray for your daughter. Even pray with her so she can hear your prayers and know someone who loves her dearly is praying for her. What a difference you can make in your daughter's life by loving her enough to lead her in the truth!
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Abandoned by a Friend
Friend,
I can feel your pain and loneliness because of the chasm between you and your friend. It sounds like you really care about her and would like to understand what has gone wrong and restore your relationship. The first thing I would do is get on my knees and pray and really search my heart and ask God to show me if I have sinned or hurt my friend in any way. Secondly, if you realize you have, confess it to God and then go and ask forgiveness from your friend. If you don't believe you have, I would visit her and humbly share your heart. Let her know that you value her friendship and feel as if you are not close like you used to be. Ask her point blank if you have hurt her in some way that you are not aware of so you can ask forgiveness. Third, realize that you cannot control other people, only yourself. She may not be willing to be honest or to restore the relationship, but you can still choose to have a loving, godly attitude no matter what her response. John emphasized over and over in the book of 1st John that God calls us believers in Jesus to love one another (1 John 4:11). Last, take comfort in the fact that although people will disappoint you, leave you, and hurt you, God never will. Romans 8:35-39 says, "Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. 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."
I can feel your pain and loneliness because of the chasm between you and your friend. It sounds like you really care about her and would like to understand what has gone wrong and restore your relationship. The first thing I would do is get on my knees and pray and really search my heart and ask God to show me if I have sinned or hurt my friend in any way. Secondly, if you realize you have, confess it to God and then go and ask forgiveness from your friend. If you don't believe you have, I would visit her and humbly share your heart. Let her know that you value her friendship and feel as if you are not close like you used to be. Ask her point blank if you have hurt her in some way that you are not aware of so you can ask forgiveness. Third, realize that you cannot control other people, only yourself. She may not be willing to be honest or to restore the relationship, but you can still choose to have a loving, godly attitude no matter what her response. John emphasized over and over in the book of 1st John that God calls us believers in Jesus to love one another (1 John 4:11). Last, take comfort in the fact that although people will disappoint you, leave you, and hurt you, God never will. Romans 8:35-39 says, "Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. 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."
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
What's brewing in Becky's family?
Wonderful things are happening in our family right now! We are very excited to say that we will be welcoming a new little one into our home sometime near the end of this year! I made a t-shirt for Bethany, our daughter, to wear to announce it to our family and church family. It says, "God made me a big sister!" and has a little girl pushing a baby carriage. It was fun to see the looks on people's faces as they read the shirt and took a second for understanding to dawn. Bethany is thrilled to be a new big sister. When this new baby is born, they will be 3 1/2 years apart, so I have been telling her all the fun things she can do to help me with the baby.
I am thankful to say I have only had a few bad days of nausea, although I have been extremely tired and always hungry. As a matter of fact, don't show up at my house without calling first, because it's probably going to be a wreck! It seems like I only have enough energy for the basics right now, which is getting food into our bellies and keeping clean clothes on our backs (not necessarily unwrinkled!). With Bethany, it was just a first trimester thing, so I have hope to be a better keeper of my home soon! No matter the discomfort or fatigue I feel, I always remember with gratefulness how blessed I am to be carrying a new life. I love Psalm 127 which says, "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..."
I am thankful to say I have only had a few bad days of nausea, although I have been extremely tired and always hungry. As a matter of fact, don't show up at my house without calling first, because it's probably going to be a wreck! It seems like I only have enough energy for the basics right now, which is getting food into our bellies and keeping clean clothes on our backs (not necessarily unwrinkled!). With Bethany, it was just a first trimester thing, so I have hope to be a better keeper of my home soon! No matter the discomfort or fatigue I feel, I always remember with gratefulness how blessed I am to be carrying a new life. I love Psalm 127 which says, "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..."
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
What should I do about girls my age who are having premarital sex?
Dear Kayden, MS
It sounds like you are really concerned for those around you at your school and in your town. That's what Jesus is all about--loving other people and wanting them to turn from their sin and to Him. Here are some things to encourage you as you live for God at your school.
First, reach out in love, not condemnation, to the girls at your school as you point them to the One who can change them. We are all sinners (Romans 3:23) and without Jesus Christ to save us and make us a new creation (2 Cor. 5:17), we would all be living to fulfill the lusts of our flesh (1 John 2:16). Jesus showed us what to do when he spoke to two adulterous women in John chapters 4 and 8. He didn't condemn them; he loved them even while he offered eternal life (John 4:10, 14) and told them to sin no more (John 8:11). So as God gives you opportunities to talk with those around you, be faithful to point them to life in Jesus with love.
Second, as you are able to influence those around you for Christ and lead them to salvation in Jesus, that's when you can teach them how to live for God. Matt. 28:19-20 says, "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..." See the order? Salvation first, then learning to live in obedience to God. People can't change themselves. After salvation God can change them and teach them how to live (See Eph. 4, which talks about putting off the old person we were before salvation and then "put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.")
Third, be a light to share Jesus where God gives you opportunity. Be a godly influence with those with whom God brings you in contact. You talked about a club. What about a Bible study that meets before school? It would be a way for the Christians at your school to learn how to live for God and an outreach to those who aren't saved when you invite them to come and hear about Jesus. Even when there are people you are burdened for but can't talk to, you are right when you said you can pray! God can and will be working in their lives because of your prayers.
Fourth, be an active part of your church and youth group and let your youth pastor know you are interested in the True Love Waits program, which is all about sexual purity (for more information, go to lifeway.com/tlw/). A purity ring could be a discussion starter with girls at your school.
Don't be discouraged as you live for God in your school. Remember what Jesus said when he sent us out to be his witnesses, "All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth," and, "I am with you always," (Matt. 28:18,20). You can go be a witness for God in your school, sharing the truth in love, with the power of Jesus, who is with you!Lord, I pray for this dear girl who is so burdened for those around her who are fulfilling the lust of their flesh instead of walking in the Spirit. I pray you would draw her near to you and help her to abide in you. Give her a love for those around her. Help her be your witness and share you, Jesus, with the lost at her school because you are the only one who can change hearts and lives. Lord, keep this girl pure until marriage. Guard her against the attacks of Satan and the desires of her own flesh. Help her to continue to choose to honor and obey you as she waits for marriage to be sexually intimate. I ask this in Jesus' name, Amen.
It sounds like you are really concerned for those around you at your school and in your town. That's what Jesus is all about--loving other people and wanting them to turn from their sin and to Him. Here are some things to encourage you as you live for God at your school.
First, reach out in love, not condemnation, to the girls at your school as you point them to the One who can change them. We are all sinners (Romans 3:23) and without Jesus Christ to save us and make us a new creation (2 Cor. 5:17), we would all be living to fulfill the lusts of our flesh (1 John 2:16). Jesus showed us what to do when he spoke to two adulterous women in John chapters 4 and 8. He didn't condemn them; he loved them even while he offered eternal life (John 4:10, 14) and told them to sin no more (John 8:11). So as God gives you opportunities to talk with those around you, be faithful to point them to life in Jesus with love.
Second, as you are able to influence those around you for Christ and lead them to salvation in Jesus, that's when you can teach them how to live for God. Matt. 28:19-20 says, "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..." See the order? Salvation first, then learning to live in obedience to God. People can't change themselves. After salvation God can change them and teach them how to live (See Eph. 4, which talks about putting off the old person we were before salvation and then "put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.")
Third, be a light to share Jesus where God gives you opportunity. Be a godly influence with those with whom God brings you in contact. You talked about a club. What about a Bible study that meets before school? It would be a way for the Christians at your school to learn how to live for God and an outreach to those who aren't saved when you invite them to come and hear about Jesus. Even when there are people you are burdened for but can't talk to, you are right when you said you can pray! God can and will be working in their lives because of your prayers.
Fourth, be an active part of your church and youth group and let your youth pastor know you are interested in the True Love Waits program, which is all about sexual purity (for more information, go to lifeway.com/tlw/). A purity ring could be a discussion starter with girls at your school.
Don't be discouraged as you live for God in your school. Remember what Jesus said when he sent us out to be his witnesses, "All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth," and, "I am with you always," (Matt. 28:18,20). You can go be a witness for God in your school, sharing the truth in love, with the power of Jesus, who is with you!Lord, I pray for this dear girl who is so burdened for those around her who are fulfilling the lust of their flesh instead of walking in the Spirit. I pray you would draw her near to you and help her to abide in you. Give her a love for those around her. Help her be your witness and share you, Jesus, with the lost at her school because you are the only one who can change hearts and lives. Lord, keep this girl pure until marriage. Guard her against the attacks of Satan and the desires of her own flesh. Help her to continue to choose to honor and obey you as she waits for marriage to be sexually intimate. I ask this in Jesus' name, Amen.
Monday, March 26, 2007
Update #4 - Daughter that's pregnant
Lord Jesus, you are so good! Thank you for this precious life that you are continuing to grow and nurture. I pray the placenta issue would not be a problem for mother or baby and that it would end up where it needs to be. Father God, work out your plan for this baby and his/her family. We praise you for all you are doing and going to do!
In Jesus' name,
Amen.
In Jesus' name,
Amen.
Me and My Family
Dear Big Sis,
You touched my heart with your prayer request. I grew up far away from a beloved older sister. We were only able to see each other once a year (some years, not at all). However, now that we are adults and are able to visit and talk much more often, she is actually one of my very best friends, as well as my sister. I loved the suggestions that Drewe Llyn gave, so I am not adding any. I just hope my testimony and my prayer are a great encouragement to you! :-)
Dear Lord Jesus,I thank you for this sister's heart who really loves her siblings. Please bless her for loving her family enough to do something. That's when real love shows--in action. I pray that as she shows her love to her 2 baby sisters that the bond between the three of them would grow and strengthen and become something very precious. I ask that You would work out Your will for this family for Your glory.
In Jesus' name, Amen.
You touched my heart with your prayer request. I grew up far away from a beloved older sister. We were only able to see each other once a year (some years, not at all). However, now that we are adults and are able to visit and talk much more often, she is actually one of my very best friends, as well as my sister. I loved the suggestions that Drewe Llyn gave, so I am not adding any. I just hope my testimony and my prayer are a great encouragement to you! :-)
Dear Lord Jesus,I thank you for this sister's heart who really loves her siblings. Please bless her for loving her family enough to do something. That's when real love shows--in action. I pray that as she shows her love to her 2 baby sisters that the bond between the three of them would grow and strengthen and become something very precious. I ask that You would work out Your will for this family for Your glory.
In Jesus' name, Amen.
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