7 traits of a Jesus "bought by the blood" believer

The Beatitudes. Matthew 5:3-12

Matt 5:1, 2 "Now when he saw the crowds, he went up on mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, and he began to teach them, saying:..."

 

Large crowds followed  to hear His teachings

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HcnfT4arZtI

 5:1, 2

"Blessed" or blessedness means a person's sense of God's approval--a happiness that comes from pure character that sees sin as the fountainhead of all misery and holiness as the cure for every woe. That is true happiness! That is a happiness that the world can't offer and why the world's "happiness" is temporary. The Blessed states that the Sermon on the Mount teaches leads to true happiness. The first--"Blessed are the (1)poor in spirit"--says dump self-reliance and pride, come and receive the Spirit! This is the key into entering Heaven. We were justified and reconciled to God through Christ and receive grace by God. Now we have a part in developing ourselves into maturity. Being in poverty means that you are in need!
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The second characteristic trait of the 7 beatitudes that will affect everyday conduct is -"Blessed are those who (2)mourn, they will be comforted". That is to mourn or lament the effects of sin in the world--to weep over sin, never to be so calloused to sin that we are unmoved by it. Christians are to be joyful and that is where the comfort of The Lord comes in! The blessing comes not in the mourning, but from the results of mourning.
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The third character trait described in the Beatitudes is the quality of meekness. "Blessed are the (3)meek, for they will inherit the earth." A true believer is aware of their poverty of spirit, grieve sinful lifestyle and in meekness bows to a sovereign God like a child ----"WHATEVER pleases You, pleases me." Whatever comes to me is an opportunity to draw closer to You, in complete trust, I bow to it, to You. There is a peace there. God is holy. One day there will be a strict accounting for all the wrongs in the world, and the ones who are meek will inherit the earth.
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"Blessed are those that (4)hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled" is the 4th beatitude!
Completely relying on God for everything. Hunger and thirst are requirements for the body to live. Righteousness is whatever God decrees man to acknowledge and obey. It is what God says, not what man thinks!
If you are filled that means there is no space for want, greed, lust, envy or strife. But what is one filled with that can quench those attributes? Only righteousness can--those others never are satisfied or bring satisfaction to the soul.
A hunger and thirst for righteousness is a craving for God and His holiness over and over and over again. It starts then builds from being poor in spirit, mourning sin, submitting in meekness to Christ.
There is self-righteousness and there is a righteousness coming from God.
Do you have a genuine thirst and hunger--a longing for God and His Word, a hate for sin, is there a longing to do God's will? There are things that can increase your hunger and thirst--beware of idols, turn your eyes from the world, count all but Jesus as a loss, being in His presence, watch the company you keep, keep coming to Him and receive what He gives you!
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The 5th Beatitude character trait is mercy. "Blessed are the (5)merciful, for they will see God." v.5:7. The first 4 Beatitudes dealt vertically--between man and God and God empowering man. Now the remaining 5 traits are horizontal-- how man deals with man. How does one who mourns sin respond to a sinner? with mercy.
Mercy, kindness and love work together. Mercy and forgiveness are in sync. 

 

Grace is unearned favor that saves, mercy is undeserved favor that forgives, and peace is unsought favor that reconciles us!

       Mercy sees a need and meets the need. Mercy is not for the worthy, but for the needy! We all have a need for mercy. And it must be shown to all, or it won't be shown back.
Mercy says: If you see a need and can met a need, then do. Fully forgive those indebted due to their behavior & attitude. Give understanding rather than judgement.
Showing mercy to different personalities: Some need assurance, give them assurance; some are insecure, affirm them; some weak, support them; some are timid, encourage them; some are reserved, spur them on. God is mercy!
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I had a friend tell me one time, lay off from reading the cleansing Word of God a day or two and the stench of your flesh will rise up! That's what the 6th Beatitude talks about purity.
"Blessed are the (6)pure in heart for they will see God." Matt 5:8
This pure is a "cleansing" of an evil conscience (heart) that we received by the blood of Jesus.
The heart is a mercy-seat of grief or joy; desires or affections; perceptions or thoughts; understanding or reasoning; imagination or conscience; intentions or purpose; will or faith. And thus it means the purity of actions, thoughts, desires, motivations, and proper reasoning.
To stay pure, after the initial cleansing, we must continually cleanse our heart, to continually see God in reality.
Cleansing habits: Read daily the cleansing Word; confession of sin and restitution to others, if needed, must be done to be in right standing with God and men; watch thoughts; watch the company kept; and set your mind on things of God.
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Peace. Where in this bloody world is peace?! Even in countries at "peace", a battle rages within it's borders between men. That's why the last beatitudes fit well together. "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God" Matt 5:9 "Blessed are those who are (7)persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom."
Peace signifies harmony, not just absence of war. Horizontal embracement between parties--in spite of differences. That kind of peace comes from outside a man's deceptive heart. But wait-- what about purity of heart in the previous beatitude? That purity came from Jesus, who brings a peace. It comes from---the Prince of Peace. Does Jesus bring Peace on Earth? Scripture says He brings peace among men. Division will come because some aren't reconciled to God--so persecution follows the peacemakers-- those who are reconciled to Him,
What makes a peacemaker? Having peace with God, having peace w/ the body of Christ, and having a ministry of reconciliation. That is reconciling wayward men to Christ--sharing the gospel with your adversary. Peacemakers and the persecuted, go hand and hand.
"Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad! because great is your reward in heaven for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you."
Persecution is a given. Trials are a given. Stand strong in the Lord and His teachings and you will be blessed or His word is a lie and I believe Him, do you? We are on the way to maturity and God is full of grace, mercy and love!
Praying that you desire to please God, take on these character traits and then walk in them every step of the way, developing and maturing in the love of God!   Ash
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Shame and Blame

Shame. Blame.

.... and exchange at the Cross

 

2 Corinthians 1:4 

He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us.

There are these two things that most of us encounter in our lives. These two things are called shame and blame. These things can linger and live underneath other thoughts, actions and feelings. These things can be the actual reason that our decisions sometimes can surprise even ourselves after they are made.  It is time to take a closer look at these. It is time to give them up. It is time to take them to the cross.

There are two types of shame.
Most of us have both and get them confused. Let's take a look at them and sort them out so we know how to give them up.

The first is received shame. Take this to the foot of the cross, leave it there. This shame is the result of someone else. You were never intended to carry this shame. Although you have blamed yourself, you are not at fault.  Take this shame to the foot of the cross, leave it there for the person responsible to come and pick it up and place in the hands of Jesus. If no one comes to pick it up, Jesus will claim it. He died for it. It is not yours to blame yourself for anymore.

The second is deserved shame. You are the one responsible for this shame. The shame and blame has been chasing you anywhere but toward the cross. You should head that way now. Jesus has His hands out to take this burden from you. He died for your sins. While you are there look down at the foot of the cross. Pick up what is at His feet that you are responsible for and place it in his hand so that others can heal as well. 

This was a message for me on how to heal and help heal. I wanted to share it with you because I found it so important. Please take this message and with it take your shame and blame to the cross where you can exchange it for peace and love. I know that He is waiting for you. 

Love, 
Andrea

Fight Apathy or Don't.

Apathy is dead.

Fighting apathy on the home-front

There are many people that I meet as a reporter that  invite me into their lives and share with me their hopes and desires, and express their problems to me on such a deep level that I walk away praying that God meets their needs, "Surely, if any one needs a miracle, they do Lord!"

I walk away from them, but really they are still with me, in my mind, on my heart ever present in my thoughts.  And I am left with this sentiment of what can I do? How can I help them?

  It can be a disheartening feeling to walk away from a cancer patient, or from a mother with a sick child that has shared their story and in need of a miracle and well,  just leave them there -with no solution.

   And I am sincere when I say that at times, after I walk away like that-- I am disillusioned because I see the pain and anguish, and feel the heavy hearted heaviness of the situation and something compels me to want to do something. 

  But what can I do?  But pray and ask God to open doors or close doors, to bring healing or intervene in some huge way that impacts their lives. And to give me wisdom that if there is something that I can, then I do it.

  I am a firm believer that people don't just happenstance into our lives. We are there to encourage, aide, give to the ones around us in whatever way that we can. And often I would say, we are there to show great compassion.

We may not be able to physically heal a person, but we can provide emotional healing to one another.  Being there is saying --I hear what you are saying and although I may not have the answers, I am here. You're not alone in your thick depression, by yourself in this horrible sickness, weathering a bleak dark storm without a friend.  We have our own lives to live each day that the sun rises, but with the state of the world falling to such a degree of hate, we must take the time to show the ones around us that we care. 

We may not be able to fight terrorism  abroad, but we can fight apathy at home.  

But that will require dying to indifference.  
Who knows? If we take the time to uncover what that other person has gone through, it could be of value to us---because we are facing it. Or what one has acquired during their own trying times, is what that other person needs to hear.

That may sound "pokey" in a world that is spewing meanness and hatred, but really it is not. Meeting a person in their hour of need thwarts chaos and brings stability in our community.  

No matter where you are on the map, we all are on God's radar,  and how we treat our neighbors makes all the difference in our world and it makes a world of difference in peoples' lives.  

  ~~Praying for you and for me, Ashley

"But you, Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness." Psalm 86:15,

"Pursue a righteous life—a life of wonder, faith, love, steadiness, courtesy. Run hard and fast in the faith. Seize the eternal life, the life you were called to, the life you so fervently embraced in the presence of so many witnesses." 1 Timothy 6:12, The Message Bible

Everybody's looking for something....

In 1983 Annie Lennox and David Stewart, known then as the Eurythmics (a British new wave duo), wrote and released this song -- Sweet Dreams-- that, for some reason, was stuck in my mind as I woke this morning. Back in the day, I thought this was a really cool but kind-of scary song. I looked up the lyrics --although I was sure I knew them well-- just to make sure I had them right and try to come up with a reason this song was playing in my mind! I had not heard it lately so I assumed it was there for a reason!!

The song is about living life in this world of sometimes evil intentions from man's (and/or woman's) perspective. It is about constantly looking for something and never being satisfied... and dealing with the people doing the same around you.  It is about people who you cross paths with in your life and how they will treat you and how you treat them. This is the meaning I got from the lyrics anyway!

I began my bible study for the day shortly after reading the lyrics to the song. I was feeling a little uncomfortable with the message I was getting but read these verses and soon realized... maybe there was a message in this experience after all!

ASK! SEEK! KNOCK! and Everybody's looking for something.....

Matthew 7:7-8
7 Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened. 

These were words spoken by our savior Jesus during his Sermon on the Mount.

Just like in the song "Sweet Dreams", everybody really is looking for something... and in these two verses, Jesus gives us all a threefold representation of how to find it!

ASK: Come with faith to prayer as a means of obtaining needs... with emphasis on the words COME IN FAITH!!

SEEK: AGAIN- In prayer, seek God... if it is his will for you, you will receive what you ask for.

KNOCK:  If you feel shut out, knock on the door of mercy! Have faith and that faith will be the key that opens the door.

Keep reading for assurance!!

Matthew 7:9-11
9 Which of you,  if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? 10 Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? 11 If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give goods to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!

Jesus is saying this in a way us parents can relate to here!! If my children come to me and ask me for something to eat... I will surely give this to my children. I know my children have to eat to live and I love my children, so I will provide this for them. And sometimes my kids want a little extra... sometimes they get "the wants"!... and I love my children so much that sometimes I give them little gifts, little extras to show them how much. And sometimes when my children WANT, I tell them no because I know that there is a need greater than the want.

What Jesus is saying to us in these verses is; If me, a sinner, can take care of my children and love them in this way... then just imagine how well our FATHER in HEAVEN will take care of us when we, his children, ASK, SEEK, and KNOCK!

Jesus sums up these things by saying this--
Matthew 7:12
So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.

HUH? What does what we need and want have to do with this last verse?? I believe this "Golden Rule" is a command to us so that we might be deserving of what we ask for. My pastor said something so special while speaking yesterday. He said "Everyone is Precious". He went on to explain how everyone, even those who dislike us or those who have done wrong to us, is precious to God. This statement really made me think of this verse. No matter what people have done to me, they are still precious to God. I have to forgive and treat these precious other people how I want them to treat me before I can even fathom asking for something for myself.

Some of them want to use you. Some of them want abuse you. Everyone is looking for something.

BUT

Everyone is PRECIOUS to GOD, EVERYONE can ASK, SEEK, and KNOCK, everyone must live this life in this world of sometimes evil intentions. Everyone must realize how important it is that we treat each other how we want to be treated. And if we follow Jesus' instructions for our lives, not only will we learn how to love one another, we will find that something we are all looking for.

Love,
Andrea

My Single Valentine

Where O' Where is my Valentine?! 

Valentine O' Where is my Valentine?

 So, here I am,  another year without a Valentine! But since I am here-- I choose to be content in it--believing that He knows what I need and who I need!

But what is a single girl or guy suppose to do on a dateless Valentines Day/Night  when it seems like most of the ones around us are true-lovin'?

• First, realize it is okay! No fretting about the fate you're in--we have it established that our hearts will contain His desire for our "whats, whos and wheres" so we hold on to that in faith!  "Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart." Psalm 37:4

• Second, we open eyes to see the countless other singles that are out there. You truly are not alone! "A friend loves at all times and a brother is born for adversity." Proverbs 17:17 

So, if for you, Valentines is a biggie and may make you feel down in the dumps, organize a group outing with some of your single friends. Go to the spa, shopping, out for a meal, go fishing, gather around a fire and probe the meaning of life, but get out and enjoy yourself with people that really love you--your family and friends.

If you're not the social type,  then how about taking the time to "fall in love" with yourself! Do things that you enjoy doing and treat yourself well. Cook your favorite meal, watch your favorite movie, read your favorite book, work on your favorite project, or get lost in your favorite chapter in the Bible and thank God for the many blessings that He has given.

Valentines is a day of love and devotion. Commit to expressing your love to God and to the others around you, including yourself!~~LOVES, Ash

Depression is a state of mind and body

No hope in or for life is depression.

Depression is a real condition that may affect you or a loved one. But we have a promise that is just as real!
Jesus opened his first sermon addressing this condition. He looked out and seeing the multitudes distressed, opened his mouth and gave out a promise,
"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those that mourn for they will be comforted."
Matt 5:3&4

The condition of depression is cruel but can be cured! There is hope for the hopeless! It begins by faith and not by sight for both those witnessing and those affected by depression. The link below goes into detail about that more. Let me say that managing depression is in itself a means of curing depression. And medical science has studied how to accomplish that through medication. But never underestimate the power of God to move in your spiritual and physical life.
http://m.christianpost.com/news/christian-counselor-depression-demands-living-by-faith-not-by-sight--9370

What should a christian do if overwhelmed with depression? Below is a helpful link in addressing that question.
http://www.christiananswers.net/q-acb/acb-f001.html

I am praying for the downcast and depressed today that you be encouraged in your faith and surrounded by people to help lift you out of hopeless darkness and into this new bright day that was created for you to live in! ~Ash

An assignment of LOVE!

One of my sons told me this morning about an incident at school .... his entire class got in trouble with a substitute teacher for talking. The substitutes chosen discipline was to have all of the students write a paragraph "about 50 times" according to my son! I asked him what the paragraph said....

He replied, "I don't know".

I know it would seem that if someone wrote the exact same paragraph over and over  or  even "50 times" they would surely remember what the sentences of that paragraph were. But so many times, I am like my son. I write, I study and I am given the same lessons over and over, but yet I just go through the motions of life never really letting the true meaning of things sink in!!

I talked about my habit of doing this in my first post on this blog called "Return to Faith" when I said, at the end of the post in the prayer, "Thank You for putting me in a place where You once again attempted to reach for me."

I look back at my life now ....there were situations I was in, moments when someone said something to me, or times I went through some experiences where I know God was attempting to reach out for me. I was so blinded by the world that I couldn't see the hand, the plan and the path he had for me even when it was right in front of my face!!!

Ephesians 2:3-5
3 All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature objects of wrath. 4 But because of his great LOVE for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions - it is by grace you have been saved.

I am now trying to write the paragraph AND absorb the lesson! Each bible verse I read, I attempt to learn how to use it in my own life.  Each bible verse I write, I know that it is directed toward myself but is a lesson not from me but God and can be used for a greater purpose.

I have recently written these verses several times:

1 Corinthians 13:4-7
4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

Valentine's Day is near. I know that each of us are born with a desire to love and be loved, but may not know how to truly love one another. God's love is the only example of TRUE LOVE! I think these verses describe true love. I know that I am writting it over and over again and thinking about it for a reason. Maybe my LOVE is not yet true... Maybe God is having me write this paragraph over and over so I can begin to learn and understand how to truly love. 

Maybe you can join me and write this verse for yourself... write it 50 times if you need to!!

Today I am thankful that
God is TRUE LOVE and that he wants ME (and YOU) to learn how to love like him.

Love, 
Andrea

Hypocrites and homophobia

Hypocrisy. It is a word that has followed Christians around for a long time. Roman and Greek actors were called hypocrites. Actors wore masks on stage that showed a particular emotion or mood. So the word was adopted with the meaning of one that habitually wears a mask regardless of how one actually feels, an actor.

And hypocrite is a word that I can say reveals more about the character of a person than the mask worn.

I have my own masks of exaggerated expressions. I have melted them on, keeping myself safely secure between myth and reality. I wore them the same way those actors used their theatrical masks to appear and reappear in several roles without being identified as one specific character.

I could win awards with my great performances! Life should be extremely rewarding. Except that my soul longs for peace within itself. It aches to rest from the constant role play and exchange.

Although hypocrites are extremely entertaining and captivating, if life becomes one role play after another, where is the real life lived? I want substance.

What prompts me stop to and grab a mask? I would say it is for acceptance, for accolades. I want to be loved!

But is that love or is that acceptance?

Christians are commanded to love. First, to love God with all heart, soul and mind. Then to love our neighbor as we love our self. That is a selfless action that checks selfish love. It balances.

So is it selfish of me, am I being a hypocrite when I don't agree with same-sex marriage?  When a man wants to love another man openly or a woman wants to openly love another by marrying her.

Well, I have to go back to what my faith commands. True, it does say "love one another." And it says this: "Love is patient, love is kind, loves does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrong doing, but rejoices with the truth." Having that as my basis for love, I use that basis, along with scriptures that condemn homosexuality as a sin. It says it.

And Jesus taught on marriage and divorce because it was as much a problem for people then,  as it is now.

In Matthew Chapter 19 Jesus said "the Creator made them male and female and for this reason a man will leave father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh. So they are no longer two, but one. Therefore, what God joined together, let man not separate."

I am divorced. This scripture applies to me and speaks to me.

Marriage practices have changed so much from the original design--multiple wives, concubines, people marrying, but divorce practiced.

Jesus said that is not how it should be, but later in Chapter 19, he tells the disciples "The one who can accept this should accept this."

And I can accept that way of thinking. It is proper for me to accept that way of thinking.

Romans 1:26-28, "For this reason God gave them over to degrading passions.."

I desire love, true unadulterated love. A love that my Father finds sincere and not hypocritical. 

Praying for you and for me---In love, Ashley

HE is STILL working on me!!!!

Sometimes I think about that song I used to sing in church as a child... He's still working on me.... how true is that?!?! Even now at 37 years old and newly rededicated to HIM ... he is still working on me!!

Hebrews 12:26-29

26 At that time his voice shook the earth, but now he has promised, "Once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heavens. 27 The words "once more" indicate the removing of what can be shaken-- that is, created things-- so that what cannot be shaken may remian. 28 Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, 29 for our "God is a consuming fire."

Yesterday was Sunday... for the past couple of months I have spent the entire week looking forward to Sunday!! To be able to go to church, hear the pastor speak, know my children are in an environment that is for God, and for each member of my family, including myself, to have the opportunity to learn about Jesus and to have a closer relationship with him. My youngest two children start most everyday by asking "is it church day?" so I know I am not the only one looking forward to this day of the week.

Every Sunday morning, getting ready seems to have its challenges but we have been managing to get ready just in time to make it on time! This Sunday morning the challenge won. My youngest daughter woke up very sick to her stomach... and with that news we made the decision not to go. I knew that I would spend the morning cleaning up after her and making sure she had just enough to drink, keeping that towel tucked under her head just right, and cleaning absolutely everything she touched to make sure the other 5 people living in our home did not catch the germ (if in fact it was even a germ she had... better safe than sorry!)!!

When I felt like I finally had her comfortable, I decided to read a bible lesson out loud to my husband and oldest daughter who had also come into the living room where my youngest and I were. Part of that lesson came from the verses above.

These verses hit home for me in so many ways. There I was thinking the day was ruined ... not my poor baby's fault of course, but I didn't think my week would be the same if I couldn't start it off in church! I was thinking I would feel guilt and my family would start arguing again... all because of one missed day.

At that time his WORD comforted me... "we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe,...." I can worship wherever I am... I want to be able to go to church every Sunday but I realize that if we seek God's word, we will receive God's blessings... anywhere and everywhere because "God is a consuming fire." This particular verse made me think of the title to this blog... UNSHAKABLE.... we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken. I am thankful and I will worship God with reverence and awe wherever I am and out loud to whoever will listen.
Even when the smallest of my old fears creep back in... God finds a way to remind me that I am becoming unshakable by my faith in him and he is always working on me! I know I need a lot of work so .... Thank You God for that!!

Love,
Andrea

"Lord, Only You Can Change Me" study

Hello there! I hope ya'll are reading and getting insight from our study, "Lord, Only You Can Change Me" by Kay Arthur.
How true is that! That He is the only One that can change us! We can change our outward appearance at will--change hairstyles, clothes styles, and often we do to follow culture--to say that culture does not impact us is to say that we never bit the apple of technology, of fashion, of fads, of anything that the world offers! Our cultures and traditions form our psyche. But a separate righteousness exists outside of that. And that is Christ.  And though our faith can be small or strong depending on circumstances, especially when we are frustrated,  that has no bearing on the righteousness of Christ. We cannot change the character of faith, but faith can change our character.
Righteousness is never achieved outside of Christ. We can do good deeds, but righteousness remains the same. We can do all things in our power of good intent, but righteousness remains the same. We cannot add to His righteousness but His righteousness adds to us!
If we looked at it that our good or our sin impacted the righteousness of God then we are putting God on the same level as us. Think of a see-saw, on one side is Sin and the other God. If we looked at it like that, then God would be subject to our inclinations--to Man's inclinations.  He would be raised higher depending on our will. That is not true. We were created. We could get caught in a wrong belief, too, that our good works elevate us.
Can we then live like a devil on Devil's Island or tramp heavily on this earth? Sure, we can--we won't touch the Kingdom of heaven! But we won't enter it either.
The woman with the issue of blood touched the corner of Jesus cloak and was healed. The corner she reached, released power. She demonstrated faith by reaching out to the power of God.
And when we reach a corner, there is a power to change our lives.
In that way, whatever challenge we find ourselves in--bankruptcy, grief, divorce, court proceedings, jail, loneliness, oppression, persecution--if we look for a power outside of our mere human power, we have an anchor of hope.
I believe that Christ can work even in the worse of worst -- and I know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him! I must receive from Christ for a change to come.
Back to the study, Kay brings out that the theme of the Sermon on the Mount is heaven and righteousness.
Those who enter fulfill 4 elements of lifestyle:
1. Poor in spirit (2)persecuted for righteousness' sake(3) have a righteousness that surpasses that of scribes and Pharisees(4) obey God's will.
Righteousness is required to enter the kingdom of heaven. No, not ours--His --that we received the moment we connected to the work of the cross. Then we learn the way of righteousness.
But I have to stop here and answer this question for myself--if I am all in then I want to know what I am all in for --what is the kingdom of heaven?  Is it a mere destination after death? If it were only that, then why did Jesus spend time cultivating people. So it must be that the end of our existence just begins with Christ! He cultivates us so that we grow and go to heaven.
 The Kingdom of Heaven offers a power on earth,  and is a destination that begins in the heart of man and concludes in the righteousness of Christ. Once we believe, we receive.
Then life and its' work, begins.
PURPOSE of Christ, v17
Jesus came to fulfill the law. Jesus validates the law had a purpose. But the law could not transfer perfection, it dealt with imperfection.
PRE-WARNING given, v19,20
If you break commandments, you will called least in the Kingdom, if you example them, you will be great in the Kingdom. You're still in the Kingdom. The law or the teachings of Christ-- Jesus taught that the law was flawed over and over again. He fulfilled -- or brought an end to a contract that had its' day. But still Jesus understood it was entrenched in the everyday lives of people. And worked with it to some degree.  The law does have a separate place outside of heaven. The scribes and the Pharisees both failed to enter the kingdom because the law failed to make them righteous. The law gave external conditions to gain righteousness, but the heart of man did not seek God's direction to change behavior.  Jesus turned the heart of man back to God to gain righteousness.
PERFECTION in LIFESTYLE, Character & Conduct
Again, perfection is found in God, v.48 "Be perfect, therefore, as your heaven Father is perfect"
In the versus prior, Jesus had just instructed on lifestyle conducts to lead us in that direction.
v21-Kill anger, it causes as much harm as murder.
v23-Forgive and ask for forgiveness quickly. Anger is even in the backdrop here.. If we are wronged, we feel angry/upset/slighted.
v27-Reject lust.
v32-Reject unfaithfulness--breaking contracts easily leads to breaking covenants.
 v33- Let go of promises and oaths anchored in self, and be lead by God.
v.38- Show extravagant mercy to all!
V43-Love everyone without exception.
Character and conduct working together. Telios is a Greek word meaning destination. Rooted in tolerance. Tolerance is endure or resist without being affected or real harm coming to us. If our end is perfection and our purpose is to be Salt, then we are to purify, cleanse and heal and it begins in us first. Each day is a new day toward perfection! ~~Ashley

See-Saw Faith

See-Saw Faith

I almost did not share what I got out of the study! I spent hours studying this morning but the thought came to me that if I have failed in my personal life,  then who am I to validate the Word of God, instead my life has been a good validation of the workings of the world! I SEE that and those near me --SAW it. And so I thought, who am I? And that is where I got it wrong, again. I am an example of failure, as we all are, not one of us can claim perfection outside of Christ. So I can get super focused on me, or I can look at the cross for my worth.  Forgive me, for thinking so highly of me and so less of Him.
But that is how See-Saw faith works. You see, they saw,  and we are up and down with guilt and victory that keeps us trying to find balance and validation from each other. We can encourage each other and redirect back to the cross.
But the see-saw balancing act is in vain. So I am going to go ahead and share what I learned this morning, and pray the Holy Spirit works out my imperfections!
I am posting that next! Hope your day has been good! ~Ash

GOD is LOVE

I believe I may have struck a nerve... so please let me clarify a couple of things....

I am referring to my post yesterday where I said:

"I was on that wide path where everything in this world was okay and acceptable. I may have chosen not to do certain things but said WHATEVER for the people who do... that is their life, not my responsibility.

AND I also said:

I decided to get beyond my mask... the mask I wore on the wide path that people could look at me and say "Andrea, she is okay with whatever!"

When I made these two statements, I -by no means- meant I am about to start judging and telling people how they should and should not live!!! I started this mission by saying that I am unworthy to tell people anything about anything.  In our about me section Ashley and I used these words to describe our intentions: "Both Ashley and Andrea desire to use their everyday life experiences to grow as Christian women and have faith through all life brings. They created this platform to do this openly and outwardly in hopes that other woman may join them in their quest to become UNSHAKABLE by faith in GOD." Notice the words "grow" and "openly and outwardly" meaning we are trying to let God fix us and use us and hope that if we do this in view of others it could be an inspiration to them as well.

What I meant by my writing yesterday is that up until recently I have let myself get in to situations where maybe I could have been a better example to a stranger, friend to my friends, mother to my children, wife to my husband... by taking a stand for something I believe in or by showing love and kindness when I was angry or disgusted at something.  Instead of doing these things, I choose to wear the mask of "nothing bothers me" and "everything is okay"... I came off to some people as nonchalant or uncaring when actually I CARED a LOT but was too afraid to show it and I CARED a LOT when I saw my friends making bad decisions that could put them in danger... and even went right along with them myself at times. That does not mean these very same people are not my friends anymore or that now I feel like I can judge them. I love and care about my friends very much. I am still 100% their friend just as much as I was before ...and just the same, I know that my friends wouldn't turn against me for making the decision I have made. 

What is TRUE about me is that I do LOVE people! I always have and I always will. My greatest gift and talent given to me by God is my ability to LOVE and FORGIVE. I have always known that and at times it has even felt like a curse because love can also cause pain. So please don't mistake my motives, when I sign these posts "love, Andrea" that is truly what I mean. And please don't think that when you judge me for my decision and try to dissect my words so that you can use them against religion or God,  that you are being the nonjudgmental one.

Jesus showed us in the Bible how to love one another. It says "love one another" in the bible over and over and over again. I am sorry if you are reading this and have had a bad experience with a judgmental and harsh Christian person. I am very sorry for that happening to you but I can Promise you that GOD is love... he created, defines and owns it. And He is also the only ONE who can judge you and truly knows your heart.... and mine too!

Love,
Andrea

GETTING BEYOND MY MASK! Chapter 1: Book Study {Lord, Only You Can Change Me}

In a couple of weeks, Ashley and I will be doing a video overview of questions and thoughts on chapter 1 in Kay Arthur's book that studies growing in character based on the Beatitudes. The book's title is Lord, Only You Can Change Me. You can order this book from Life Way, Books A Million, amazon.com... and many more places. It is not too late to join in reading this book along with us and several others!!

Ashley posted this morning on what she is learning in this book and I will do the same! We hope you will email us at unshakeablebyfaith@gmail.com and let us know how this book is touching your life!

This is my second time through Chapter 1: Getting Beyond Our Masks. I was so impressed by the perspective in this book and how it made me look deeper into my own life and make changes necessary to become a better mom, wife, friend, business owner... and just every aspect of my life has been changed in some way from studying the Beatitudes in this depth!

These verses stuck out to me the most in this chapter:

Matthew 7:13-14
13 Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. 14 But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.

It is so easy to walk along the wide path... there are so many people there, it is so fun at first, it is easy to find this path, but ultimately it will destroy you. I was on that wide path where everything in this world was okay and acceptable. I may have chosen not to do certain things but said WHATEVER for the people who do... that is their life, not my responsibility. Then something caught my eye... something stopped me dead in my tracks and I FOUND IT!!! I FOUND THE NARROW GATE, I saw the small road and I saw my life greater and better on that path.... that path is narrow... sometimes I will have to balance my weight to keep on that path... I will just have to hold Jesus' hand to be able to keep my feet on it....  but that path leads to life, real life, life with GOD. I decided to get beyond my mask... the mask I wore on the wide path that people could look at me and say "Andrea, she is okay with whatever!" I stepped off the wide path and onto the narrow, only by the grace and mercy of God was I even allowed to step my filthy feet on there! I am there now, I am healing and God is still cleaning.

If you haven't already ....

You can Find the gate, remove the mask, pray for Jesus to hold your hand.. there is room for you here... If I can then so can you :). FIND IT!!!!

Love,
Andrea

"Lord Only You Can Change Me" study!!

Okay, Ladies..it's time to begin sharing what we are learning in our study --"Lord Only You Can Change Me" by Kay Arthur.
A note here--We are starting where the disciples began on their own journey with Jesus. Later they witnessed miracles and their lives were forever changed! What they learned, they shared with others. This time,  in our lives,  has been set aside for us to walk intimately with our savior! And we will look back at it as the time that we were taught by God!
Open your hearts and Bible to Him.

The Beatitudes

5 And seeing the multitudes, He went up on a mountain, and when He was seated His disciples came to Him. 2 Then He opened His mouth and taught them, saying:

3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit,
    For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4 Blessed are those who mourn,
    For they shall be comforted.
5 Blessed are the meek,
    For they shall inherit the earth.
6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
    For they shall be filled.
7 Blessed are the merciful,
    For they shall obtain mercy.
8 Blessed are the pure in heart,
    For they shall see God.
9 Blessed are the peacemakers,
    For they shall be called sons of God.
10 Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake,
    For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

11 “Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. 12 Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

Believers Are Salt and Light

13 “You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men.

14 “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to allwho are in the house. 16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.

The following are some of my observations.

Matthew 5 --Our Saviors Sermon, vs 1-12
The Beatitudes are a source of spiritual and moral instructions for believers.
1. PROMISES
Outlined by Jesus, these promises are given to us. If you are this--then this will be this.
(example-if you mourn, you will be comforted.)
I think of these as "states of being".
A) Poor in Spirit-pour your ego out so you can enter into God.
B) If you mourn- you will be comforted.
C) Meek-Inherits the earth; Old Testament covenants came with land increases. Seeds will flourish.
D) Hunger/Thirst for Righteousness-then you will not lack anything good.
E) Merciful-mercy spawns mercy.
F) Pure in heart- see God & His workings clearly.
G) Peacemakers- an identifying mark and state of believers.
H) Persecution vs. Righteousness- persistent annoyance, discrimination, oppression, hostility pursues righteousness, but be happy in the right choice knowing  heaven and its power is a call away!
The prophets showed great displays of power and miracles, and had authority! Great was their reward and great is the promise of our reward!

2. PURPOSE of  Christians, v13
We are to be Salt of the earth.
Sodium chloride is a stable, simple compound. It won't lose it's saltiness even if stored for years. It may appear to lose its flavor if it's dissolved into something and re-crystallizes and takes on the attributes of something else. Salty flavor is detected by our taste buds. Some people may not have a taste for Christ.  And some taste buds change over time and it no longer tastes the same. Some people may fall away and that is not on us.
A) Salt purifies.
B) Salt cleanses.
C) Salt heals. That is our purpose.
Side note: Ancients needed salt, it was part of Romans "sal"aries. They were given a ration with wages because of it's practical importance. "Not worth their salt" is an expression from that era.
If we are to be the salt as Jesus said, we cannot lose our inherent properties unless we get dissolved into something and take on the attributes of that something. Salt was found in the Dead Sea and sometimes took on impurities that left a bad taste when put on food.

3. PROCEED v14
We are to proceed in the world as the new light in the world.
A) Be the light in a dark world B) Let our faith be visible at all times C) take a stand D) glory will come to God naturally when we act this way. He divided the light from the dark in Genesis. It was in the original design -- He exposed the potential for life and so will we. And He saw that it was good.

Next post I will share --
4) PURPOSE of Christ v. 17
5) PRE-WARNING  given v.19
6) PERFECTION in lifestyle v. 21-43
 Share what you are learning! Wanna hear!
Praying for you and for me, Ash

Flashlight Faith

Flashlight faith

Matthew 5:14 
"You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its  stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven."
I struggle with it. I struggle with the idea that my character must take stands contrary to popular belief and what our culture accepts as permissible--but what is contrary to the Word. I struggle thinking my family, friends and others won't accept me as genuinely caring, if I don't uphold their lifestyle --even though it is contrary to the teachings of God. I struggle because I know that they see my own struggle with faith.  I struggle in my everyday walk not to put my light under a basket or light it only in my secret place with God. I struggle.  And a reason that I struggle is because when I put myself on a stand, then I too must be held accountable.  That's the thing about light, it sheds light on everything and everyone can see-- yourself included! It's easier to hold a flashlight and beam it out in front--than to actually be the light.
 But we are not called to direct the light, we are called to be the light. And in that calling is a command to remove the hypocrisy that clouds and remove traditional beliefs that beams the light on others, and their sins than deal with the sin within ourselves.
A faithful man's character will uphold him, as far as he is willing to stand.
I am praying that God shows me where I am unfaithful, and where I am hypocritical, so that I can faithfully stand and be the light that I have been called to be.
Ephesians 6:12: For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

Praying for you and for me! Ash

Where is God?

I had another dream.... this time I dreamed a child came to me and asked me: Where is God? I knelt down in front of the child to answer this question.

Psalms 139:7-12
7 Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? 8 If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there
9 If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, 10 even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast.
11 If I say, "Surely the darkness will hide me and the light become night around me,"
12 even the darkness will not be dark to you; the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to you.

In my dream I answered the child this way:

"God is in Heaven where He reigns over everything he created.... he created everything you can see."

Psalms 11:4
The Lord is in his holy temple; the Lord is on his Heavenly throne.  He observes the sons of men; his eyes examine them.

"And God came to Earth as man, in the form of his son Jesus, to give us a perfect guide that we could understand and follow to save us all from our sinful way of living"

Jesus said: John 10:30, “I and the Father are one.”

I woke up from the dream... but was not finished getting an answer to some of my own questions!

Where is God, WE ask?

God's Spirit is in all places at all times. God's spirit is near you right now as you read this... Not because of the person writing this, just forget that... this is just a message for YOU..... this is an opportunity for you to open your heart and let God's Spirit live in you.... to fix you, to lead you, to guide you to the life He meant for you to have.

We all are like children with what feels like simple questions. These questions... what? where? why? all have very complex answers but come with a simple solution.

Luke 18:17
Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.

and

Matthew 18:2-4
2 He called a little child and had him stand among them. 3 And he said: "I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. 4 Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

The answer is.... Don't just ask like children, accept like children!! Have child-like faith in God!! You don't need to know all the answers... and if you let God in your heart, you will have peace knowing HE knows the answers and HE IS HOLDING YOU!!! You are safe in the arms of GOD!! Let him live there... so when a child asks you... WHERE IS GOD???? You can say, he is in my heart, he saved my life... 

and he can live in yours too!! 

You can pray right now!! God will come in, it does not matter who you are or what you have done!!

 Romans 10:9-10. 
That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord", and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.

Please message me unshakablebyfaith@gmail.com if you need a bible or even if you need a pastor or church leader to contact you. Please reach out, there are people to help you take these first steps.


Love,
Andrea











1 Corinthians 6:19
19 Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God? You are not your own....