I decided it was time I gave the Lord some praise for the wonderful ministry that He has given me through this blog. I prayed that the words the Lord gave me would reach the ends of the earth and since September the blog has been read in 9 countries: United States, Canada, Croatia, Germany, Denmark, South Korea, Slovenia, Finland, and the United Kingdom*. Praise God for that.
*This is according to the official google blogspot statistics. There's a slight difference with the map at the bottom of the homepage.
Feel free to add you own praise reports to the comments section!
Monday, January 10, 2011
New prayer request, song, and devotion of the week!
Surprise, surprise, surprise! I know I'm a little late, but I didn't forget :-) Here are the prayer request, devotion, and song of the week. I hope they are a blessing for you. The prayer request is from a strong saint imprisoned in Afghanistan who really needs our prayers and support. The devotion is a wonderful prayer of submission that we should all meditate on as we start the new year and I picked the song to celebrate Lecrae's upcoming album Overdose which will hit stores 1/11/11. Please let me know if you have any suggestions for upcoming weekly items.
Pray for the Saints: Afghanistan
Devotion
Song of the Week
Pray for the Saints: Afghanistan
Devotion
Song of the Week
Challenge of the Day: Celebrate new beginnings
Happy Monday fam! I hope everyone had a great weekend. The word that the Lord gave me this morning is celebrate new beginnings. Many of us hate change and even more of us hate unexpected change, but we must remember that change comes from the Lord and many times divine change is unexpected. Celebrating unexpected change requires faith. It requires us to depend on God and to trust that He has our best interest in mind. When God changes things in our lives it is to bring us to another level in Him.
Example
Abram's father Terah was the first to start the journey to Canaan with his family. However, before reaching Canaan, Terah got comfortable in Haran, settled, and died there. After Terah's death, the Lord told Abram, "Get out of your country, from your family and from your father's house, to a land that I will show you (Genesis 12:1)." Notice that the Lord did not say, "Abram please get ready to go," he said, "Get out..." This was a huge unexpected change for Abram. But look at the blessings in the next two verses, "I will make you a great nation; I will bless you and make your name great; and you shall be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and I will curse him who curses you; and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed (Genesis 12:2-3)."
Abram (later known as Abraham) could have been depressed or upset about the move God was asking of him. He could have resisted change and chosen to stay in his comfortable position. But what an experience and a blessing he would have missed. I challenge you today to change your outlook on life. Stop looking at life challenges as roadblocks and start looking at them as catalysts. The bible says that God can open doors that no one can shut, but it is our choice whether to walk through them. So let's celebrate all the new beginnings we have in life: births, graduations, weddings, each new year, and even each new day. Because each new beginning is another opportunity to see God's amazing work in our lives.
As always I love you and stay blessed!
Kalonda
Example
Abram's father Terah was the first to start the journey to Canaan with his family. However, before reaching Canaan, Terah got comfortable in Haran, settled, and died there. After Terah's death, the Lord told Abram, "Get out of your country, from your family and from your father's house, to a land that I will show you (Genesis 12:1)." Notice that the Lord did not say, "Abram please get ready to go," he said, "Get out..." This was a huge unexpected change for Abram. But look at the blessings in the next two verses, "I will make you a great nation; I will bless you and make your name great; and you shall be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and I will curse him who curses you; and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed (Genesis 12:2-3)."
Abram (later known as Abraham) could have been depressed or upset about the move God was asking of him. He could have resisted change and chosen to stay in his comfortable position. But what an experience and a blessing he would have missed. I challenge you today to change your outlook on life. Stop looking at life challenges as roadblocks and start looking at them as catalysts. The bible says that God can open doors that no one can shut, but it is our choice whether to walk through them. So let's celebrate all the new beginnings we have in life: births, graduations, weddings, each new year, and even each new day. Because each new beginning is another opportunity to see God's amazing work in our lives.
As always I love you and stay blessed!
Kalonda
Thursday, January 6, 2011
Faith without works
Good morning family! I hope you all had a wonderful, introspective day yesterday. My husband and I were really able to admit a lot of things about ourselves and we are comforted by the fact that we know we are growing and maturing in Christ. This is encouraging because the more Christ-like you become, the more of the bible's promises apply to you. Don't misinterpret me. The greatest promise, salvation, is by faith alone. But as Peter said, "Faith without works is dead." The works that Peter mentions is the process of sanctification or becoming Christ-like. I really regret that the What Would Jesus Do trend died out because it could really be a powerful movement in the church and in the world today. We should always be asking ourselves, "What would Jesus do?" or, "How would Jesus respond?" in order to mature in our spiritual walks. The bottom line is, our faith should be evidenced by how we live, and when it is then there are rewards in store for us.
Scriptural references for faith without works
If anyone among you thinks he is religious, and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this one's religion is useless.
James 1:26
But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.
James 1:22
For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and His ears are attentive to their prayer, but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.
1 Peter 3:12
You do not have because you do not ask God. When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives
James 4:2-3
If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn't do it, it is sin for them.
James 4:17
Summary: Faith without works is deceptive. It causes us to live a lives of sin and therefore blocks our prayers and blessings from God.
Scriptural references for faith evidenced by works
Therefore lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.
James 1:21
Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.
James 1:12
Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind. Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation
1 Peter 2:1-2
For it is God's will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish people.
1 Peter 2:15
Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom.
James 3:13
For, "Whoever would love life and see good days must keep their tongue from evil and their lips from deceitful speech. They must turn from evil and do good; they must seek peace and pursue it..."
1 Peter 3:10-11
All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because "God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble."
1 Peter 5:5
Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings. And the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will Himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.
1 Peter 5:8-10
Summary: Faith evidenced by works makes us receptive to the word and ensures us the crown of life from God. It aids our sanctification and validates our testimony. The works grant us wisdom and enable us to love life and see good days in which we will be graced with God's favor. God, himself will restore and strengthen us.
Note that these verses are only from two books in the bible. The Word has much more to say about the dangers of faith without works and the benefits of faith evidenced by works. I would say that one of the biggest dangers of faith without works is the uncertainty of the faith. It is difficult to depend on faith that has never been tested. James says,
Was not our father Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did. And the scripture was fulfilled that says, "Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteouness," and he was called God's friend. You see that a person is considered righteous by what they do and not by faith alone.
James 2:21:24
Abraham's faith was tested and approved. Also note that both James and Peter are addressing believers in their letters. Your actions or lack thereof are not overlooked just because you are a child of God. While it is true that there is no condemnation in Christ, we will all be held accountable for what we did with the lives that God gave us. Peter says, "Live as free people, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as God's slaves (1 Peter 2:16)."
Scriptural references for faith without works
If anyone among you thinks he is religious, and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this one's religion is useless.
James 1:26
But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.
James 1:22
For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and His ears are attentive to their prayer, but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.
1 Peter 3:12
You do not have because you do not ask God. When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives
James 4:2-3
If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn't do it, it is sin for them.
James 4:17
Summary: Faith without works is deceptive. It causes us to live a lives of sin and therefore blocks our prayers and blessings from God.
Scriptural references for faith evidenced by works
Therefore lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.
James 1:21
Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.
James 1:12
Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind. Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation
1 Peter 2:1-2
For it is God's will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish people.
1 Peter 2:15
Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom.
James 3:13
For, "Whoever would love life and see good days must keep their tongue from evil and their lips from deceitful speech. They must turn from evil and do good; they must seek peace and pursue it..."
1 Peter 3:10-11
All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because "God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble."
1 Peter 5:5
Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings. And the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will Himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.
1 Peter 5:8-10
Summary: Faith evidenced by works makes us receptive to the word and ensures us the crown of life from God. It aids our sanctification and validates our testimony. The works grant us wisdom and enable us to love life and see good days in which we will be graced with God's favor. God, himself will restore and strengthen us.
Note that these verses are only from two books in the bible. The Word has much more to say about the dangers of faith without works and the benefits of faith evidenced by works. I would say that one of the biggest dangers of faith without works is the uncertainty of the faith. It is difficult to depend on faith that has never been tested. James says,
Was not our father Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did. And the scripture was fulfilled that says, "Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteouness," and he was called God's friend. You see that a person is considered righteous by what they do and not by faith alone.
James 2:21:24
Abraham's faith was tested and approved. Also note that both James and Peter are addressing believers in their letters. Your actions or lack thereof are not overlooked just because you are a child of God. While it is true that there is no condemnation in Christ, we will all be held accountable for what we did with the lives that God gave us. Peter says, "Live as free people, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as God's slaves (1 Peter 2:16)."
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
Challenge of the Day: Examine Yourself
And why do you look at the speck in you brother's eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, 'Let me remove the speck from you eye'; and look, a plank is in your own eye? Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye.
Matthew 7:3-5 (NKJV)
It is easy to point out the flaws and sins in somebody else's life. Many times we use other's shortcomings to convince ourselves that we are not so bad. But we really do ourselves a disservice when we take this approach to life. Not only do we appear to be hypocrites and as such lose respectability, but also we deceive ourselves into accepting the subpar state of our lives.
Personal Example: My husband and I are in the process of buying our first house (pray for us). After searching for a while we fell in love with this beautiful four bedroom house. We were all ready to sign the papers and close quickly while interest rates were low, but as suggested we hired a home inspector to check out the property before we bought it. His final report informed us that the roof of our beautiful new house was in its last days. As disheartening as this news was, it gave us the opportunity to renegotiate our contract and confront the issue before it collapsed on our head.
Without that inspection, we would have unknowingly bought a house with a raggedy roof and been just as happy as can be. We would have been deceived into thinking everything was just fine, but in the midst of one of Mobile's finest storms, we would have been left soaking wet and upset.
Likewise, if we never take the time to examine ourselves, we will be willing to accept our own beautiful facade, and we will be completely unprepared for the next inevitable storm. It is essential that we learn the art of self examination; we can't fix what we don't know is broken.
Problems with remaining broken
1. The Lord can't use you: You can't share your testimony until you actually make it through the test. If you are going to forever be battling the same sin, your battle is in vain because you can't share your victory with others that are struggling. Also your attempts at intercessory prayer become almost pointless because you aren't allowing God to sanctify your life first. The bible says, "the prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective (James 5:16 (NIV)."
2. The Lord can't bless you: If you are trapped in a sin that you are unaware of and don't fix, you block your own blessings. "For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and His ears are attentive to their prayer, but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil (1 Peter 3:12 NIV)."
3. You stunt your spiritual growth: I believe that if you are not moving forward spiritually, you are most likely moving backward. We should always be growing and maturing in Christ and we cannot do this without carefully examining ourselves first. A frustrated Paul says it like this, "In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God's word all over again. You need milk, not solid food! Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness. But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil (Hebrews 5:12-14 NIV)."
So today let's take a good look at our own lives. What sin have we been battling for a while now? Why are we still struggling with it? Is it because we have such little faith in God? Do we not believe that we are more than conquerors through Christ? Do we not believe that all things are possible with Him? Let's clean up our own lives first, then we can focus on changing the world.
Love you!
Kalonda
Matthew 7:3-5 (NKJV)
It is easy to point out the flaws and sins in somebody else's life. Many times we use other's shortcomings to convince ourselves that we are not so bad. But we really do ourselves a disservice when we take this approach to life. Not only do we appear to be hypocrites and as such lose respectability, but also we deceive ourselves into accepting the subpar state of our lives.
Personal Example: My husband and I are in the process of buying our first house (pray for us). After searching for a while we fell in love with this beautiful four bedroom house. We were all ready to sign the papers and close quickly while interest rates were low, but as suggested we hired a home inspector to check out the property before we bought it. His final report informed us that the roof of our beautiful new house was in its last days. As disheartening as this news was, it gave us the opportunity to renegotiate our contract and confront the issue before it collapsed on our head.
Without that inspection, we would have unknowingly bought a house with a raggedy roof and been just as happy as can be. We would have been deceived into thinking everything was just fine, but in the midst of one of Mobile's finest storms, we would have been left soaking wet and upset.
Likewise, if we never take the time to examine ourselves, we will be willing to accept our own beautiful facade, and we will be completely unprepared for the next inevitable storm. It is essential that we learn the art of self examination; we can't fix what we don't know is broken.
Problems with remaining broken
1. The Lord can't use you: You can't share your testimony until you actually make it through the test. If you are going to forever be battling the same sin, your battle is in vain because you can't share your victory with others that are struggling. Also your attempts at intercessory prayer become almost pointless because you aren't allowing God to sanctify your life first. The bible says, "the prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective (James 5:16 (NIV)."
2. The Lord can't bless you: If you are trapped in a sin that you are unaware of and don't fix, you block your own blessings. "For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and His ears are attentive to their prayer, but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil (1 Peter 3:12 NIV)."
3. You stunt your spiritual growth: I believe that if you are not moving forward spiritually, you are most likely moving backward. We should always be growing and maturing in Christ and we cannot do this without carefully examining ourselves first. A frustrated Paul says it like this, "In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God's word all over again. You need milk, not solid food! Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness. But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil (Hebrews 5:12-14 NIV)."
So today let's take a good look at our own lives. What sin have we been battling for a while now? Why are we still struggling with it? Is it because we have such little faith in God? Do we not believe that we are more than conquerors through Christ? Do we not believe that all things are possible with Him? Let's clean up our own lives first, then we can focus on changing the world.
Love you!
Kalonda
Monday, January 3, 2011
Challenge of the day: Bask in the Sonshine
I am currently enjoying my role as housewife to a great husband and mother to a 12 pound mixed breed puppy. But sometimes I get so caught up in managing the house and ministering the gospel that I don't step outside at all. Often this is not a problem, but on occassion I find my spirit being burdened by an unknown weight. I lose motivation and productivity. The house seems dark and dreary instead of cozy and welcoming. Well one day during one of these episodes I decided to actually go sit outside when I let the dog out. I sat back in the sun and just reveled in the beauty of the day. It felt as if the sun was warming me from the inside out. I was refreshed and energized.
Many scientists agree that sunlight does have a direct affect on a person's mood. They have even come up with the term Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) to describe the depression that some people feel when the seasons change and there is less sunlight. Well I endeavor to say that the sonlight of Jesus Christ is even more important than this natural sunlight and the lack of Jesus is even more detrimental.
Many times we get so busy with our lives that we forget to bask in the warmth of Jesus. This usually leads to confusion, depression, and sin. It is essential for us to let the light of Jesus shine on us and through us so that we are uplifted, energized, and productive. So I challenge you today to set aside some time to let His omnipotent light shine on you.
Many scientists agree that sunlight does have a direct affect on a person's mood. They have even come up with the term Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) to describe the depression that some people feel when the seasons change and there is less sunlight. Well I endeavor to say that the sonlight of Jesus Christ is even more important than this natural sunlight and the lack of Jesus is even more detrimental.
Many times we get so busy with our lives that we forget to bask in the warmth of Jesus. This usually leads to confusion, depression, and sin. It is essential for us to let the light of Jesus shine on us and through us so that we are uplifted, energized, and productive. So I challenge you today to set aside some time to let His omnipotent light shine on you.
New song, prayer and devotion of the week!
Happy new year family! I hope everyone had a great safe New Years celebration and I pray you all have determined to be even more committed to Christ in the year to come. Remember there is no standing still in Christ. Either you are moving forward or you are moving backward. The first week of this new year is really a great time to self-evaluate and decide to make some changes. Change is not easy, but it is necessary. Luke 5:37-39 says, "And no one puts new wine into old wineskins; or else the new wine will burst the wineskins and be spilled, and the wineskins will be ruined. But new wine must be put into new wineskins, and both are preserved. And no one, having drunk old wine, immediately desires new; for he says, 'The old is better.'" God gave us a new spirit when we accepted Jesus Christ, but when we try to make that spirit fit into our old lifestyles we end up wasting the gift God gave us. Trust me that is not a gift you want to throw away.
So as we commit together to be better vessels for Christ, let's remember to give Him thanks for the journey thus far and all of His wonderful grace and mercies. Every trial and every blessing should bring us closer to God and His glory. The devotion for the week is on thankfulness and the song selection is For Every Mountain by Kurt Carr and the Kurt Carr singers. This song really blew the roof off the church yesterday and I hope it is a blessing to each of you. Also please do not forget to pray for our brothers and sisters in the persecuted church. The prayer request this week focuses on 7 house churches that were shut down in Indonesia.
I love you and hope that you have a wonderfully blessed week!
Kalonda
Song of the Week
Pray for Indonesia
Devotion
So as we commit together to be better vessels for Christ, let's remember to give Him thanks for the journey thus far and all of His wonderful grace and mercies. Every trial and every blessing should bring us closer to God and His glory. The devotion for the week is on thankfulness and the song selection is For Every Mountain by Kurt Carr and the Kurt Carr singers. This song really blew the roof off the church yesterday and I hope it is a blessing to each of you. Also please do not forget to pray for our brothers and sisters in the persecuted church. The prayer request this week focuses on 7 house churches that were shut down in Indonesia.
I love you and hope that you have a wonderfully blessed week!
Kalonda
Song of the Week
Pray for Indonesia
Devotion
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