"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....