Wedded Wednesday: Offense



 ^....looking carefully lest anyone fall short of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up cause trouble, and by this many become defiled.  Hebrews 12:15

Today's blog might be a little different for a Wedded Wednesday post.  I would like to talk about something I have experienced myself, and what I see becoming a common attack on marriage.  It's this little thing called "OFFENSE". 

Years ago, someone in the leadership of the church said something to me that really, I mean REALLY, offended me.  It began to cause a great deal of bitterness in me.  It affected everything I did.  IT WAS EATING ME ALIVE!  There was not a moment that went by that I wasn't thinking about it some way or another.  It overflowed into my marriage.  All I did all the time was spew ugliness about the situation. 

Finally, the situation really came to a head.  Some couples even left the church.  You want to know why?  Because the wives had been offended also.  Do you see a common factor hear?  WOMEN GET OFFENDED AND IT OVERFLOWS TO THEIR HUSBAND!  It happens all the time.

One of my friend's told me this and it will stick with me for the rest of my life.  I hope it might for you as well!

O F F E N S E-

 

 "SNARE OF THE DEVIL"

 



It is a trap....a deadly trap.  If the devil can get you offended, he renders you useless for the Kingdom of God, BUT TRUST ME, you are very useful to the powers of darkness.

Women, we have got to realize the influence we have on our husbands.  Since the Garden, women have had influence.  Don't get me wrong, Billy Joe does not allow me to lead him around like a puppy.  He is a smart, Godly man and the spiritual leader of our home, but we do life together as a team.  He values my input and ideas.  We do ministry together.  If I am mad or offended, I hold the power to ask God to heal my wound, or to sway my husband to feel the same way I do.  

I have seen this happen so many times in the last few years.  Women get offended or get their feelings hurt.  I'm not just talking about people who just come to church to fill a seat on Sunday morning.  I am talking about people in leadership positions.   It begins to cause bitterness.  They resist church until their husband also falls away......and then, they are gone.  Not just to another church either.  Gone... as in not serving the Lord at all......anywhere!

Then, before you know it, the devil has such a stronghold on them, and their marriage begins to fall apart.  IT HAPPENS ALL THE TIME!  I feel such an urgency in my spirit to give this warning to women today!

Guard your heart!  Guard your mouth!

If you find that you feel offended, mad, or bitter, stop and ask the Lord to heal the wound in your heart.  Go to that person and GET IT RIGHT!  This little offense can become a big, ugly monster that Satan will try to use to

destroy your marriage. 

 

This video is a short clip of John Bevere preaching about his book called The Bait of Satan.  If you find that you are having an issue with the trap of offense, I highly recommend this book.

 

A brother offended is harder to win than a strong city,
And contentions are like the bars of a castle.

Proverbs 18:19

Pure Religion!

Pure and undefiled religion before
God and the Father is this:
to visit orphans
and widows in their trouble,
and to keep oneself unspotted
from the world. 

James 1:27 NKJV



 

 

Did just reading that verse make you feel convicted like it did me???  If you have been reading my blog very long, you know that whatever is in my mind gets on this blog!  (I guess that is the luxury of having one.)  I have a reason I want to share this with you.  My daughter and I were sitting in the doctor's office the other day when I was reading the information below.  I almost started crying so my daughter had to know what I was reading.  When I read it to her, she was just heartbroken!  Since that day, she has prayed for food and homes for orphans during our morning Bible time.  We can live in our perfect, little bubble sometimes and I think the Holy Spirit popped mine.   

 

Here are some startling statistics! (All of these statistics came out of the book, Interrupted by Jen Hatmaker.)

-Of the 6 billion people on the planet, 1.2 billion live on $0.23 PER DAY.

-Half of the world's population live on $2 PER DAY.

-If you make $35,000 annually, you are in the top 4 percent.  If you make $50,000 annually you are in the top 1 percent.

-Someone dies of hunger every 16 seconds......EVERY 16 SECONDS.

-27,000,000 children and adults are trapped in slavery. (Sex slaves, labor slaves, child soldiers, child slaves)

-More than 143,000,000 children in the world have been orphaned or abandoned.  (FYI: This is half the population of the U.S.)

-Roughly 1 billion people in the world do not have suitable housing, and 100 million are entirely homeless.

In the last hour:

-1,625 children were forced to the streets by the death of a parent or abuse of an adult.

-115 children became prostitutes

-66 children under the age of 15 were infected with HIV.

DO YOU FEEL LIKE CRYING YET?

What about babies who are in the mothers womb?  If the parents have decided to abort the baby, wouldn't you consider the baby an orphan, because it has no parents to care for it?

-There are approximately 300,000 abortions in the U.S.A. every year. (That would equal about 53 million since Roe v. Wade in 1973.)

If we are to be the hands and feet of Jesus, it requires more than being a good church member.  We have to take our resources, abilities, and talents and use it to bring justice and meet needs for those who can't do it themselves.  At this moment, I can't hop over to Africa or India and minister to the beautiful orphans there, but there are some things I can do locally.

Coming up shortly, my daughters and I are going to the Hope Center (Pregnancy Crisis Center) to volunteer. (My girls are ready to now!)  Samaritan's Purse is beginning this year's Operation Christmas Child, where they collect shoe boxes filled with gifts for children all over the world.  (This is probably one of our favorite projects!)  Many churches in our area collect boxes for O.C.C.  This is something any family or organization could easily do. (If you aren't familiar about any of these ministries and would like some details about how you can get involved, send me an email at terabill6@gmail.com.  I will get you some information.)

Until this week, I had forgot about our local Christian Care Center. This ministry does operate all year long, but during the Christmas season they collect gifts for needy children in our area.  A Bible is placed in every family's gift set.  (I was told by the Director of this project that they are extremely low on Bibles and gifts.)  The very cool opportunity that they offer is for volunteers to meet with the clients who come to pick up the gifts.  You get to share about Jesus, one on one, and your children are welcome to come and serve with you.  How cool is that!

I do not want to forget that James 1:27 says we must take care of widows as well.  I have seen my parents take care of both of their widowed mothers.  (One is remarried, and the other has gone to be with the Lord.)  They were so giving and selfless.  I also have great in-laws, who are also my pastors, who selflessly take care of many widows in our church.  What great examples of what James considered to be pure and undefiled religion!  Hopefully, I have learned from them.  

There are multiple things for us to do, we just need to get in action! 

       

He who oppresses the poor

reproaches his Maker,
But he who honors Him has

mercy on the needy.

Proverbs 14:31

 

 

For I was hungry and you gave Me food;

I was thirsty and you gave Me drink;

I was a stranger and you took Me in; 

I was naked and you clothed Me;

I was sick and you visited Me;

I was in prison and you came to Me.’  

“Then the righteous will answer Him,

saying, ‘Lord, when did we see

You hungry and feed You,

or thirsty and give You drink?   

When did we see You a stranger

and take You in,

or naked and clothe You?   

Or when did we see You sick, or in prison,

and come to You?’   

And the King will answer and say to them,

‘Assuredly, I say to you,

inasmuch as you did it to

one of the least of these My brethren,

you did it to Me.

 

Matthew 25:35-40

I heard about Visiting Orphans on an E-course I am taking.  I love what they do and just felt like someone needed to hear about them!  If you are interested in Missions, you should definitely click on the link above and go watch their promo video.  Have a great Tuesday! 

Be Careful What You Ask For!

I don't usually post on Saturday but today I just am!  I was going to try to save this until Monday, but I want it to be fresh from my heart as the Holy Spirit gives it to me.  I hope that you have a GREAT weekend and have a great time of fellowship with other believers tomorrow.  I know I am looking forward to church!  I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the House of the Lord! Psalms 122:1
 
Matthew 14:22-33 NLT 

Immediately after this, Jesus insisted that his disciples get back into the boat and cross to the other side of the lake, while he sent the people home.
²³ After sending them home, he went up into the hills by himself to pray. Night fell while he was there alone.
²⁴ Meanwhile, the disciples were in trouble far away from land, for a strong wind had risen, and they were fighting heavy waves.
²⁵ About three o’clock in the morning Jesus came toward them, walking on the water.
²⁶ When the disciples saw him walking on the water, they were terrified. In their fear, they cried out, “It’s a ghost!”
²⁷ But Jesus spoke to them at once. “Don’t be afraid,” he said. “Take courage. I am here!”
²⁸ Then Peter called to him, “Lord, if it’s really you, tell me to come to you, walking on the water.”
²⁹ “Yes, come,” Jesus said. So Peter went over the side of the boat and walked on the water toward Jesus.
³⁰ But when he saw the strong wind and the waves, he was terrified and began to sink. “Save me, Lord!” he shouted.
³¹ Jesus immediately reached out and grabbed him. “You have so little faith,” Jesus said. “Why did you doubt me?”
³² When they climbed back into the boat, the wind stopped.
³³ Then the disciples worshiped him. “You really are the Son of God!” they exclaimed.

I love this story for so many reasons!  It resonates so much TRUTH that the Church needs to hear.  More importantly, that I need to hear. 

I have to tell you that before, when I have read this story, the emphasis was always on the fact that Peter started to sink.  Oh ye of little faith!  Why couldn't he just trust Jesus, right!?!  Today as I read, the Holy Spirit echoed in me, "AT LEAST PETER WAS WILLING TO GET OUT OF THE BOAT!"  That's right, he got out when no one else would.  He did not know the outcome.  He didn't know if He would stand on top of the water or sink.  As a matter of fact, the circumstances surrounding this calling looked pretty alarming.  All Peter knew was that Jesus called him and he had to go.

Many Believers want to be used for the Kingdom of God.  We pray that the Lord will open doors to use us or put people in our path who need us.  We ask for it.  BE CAREFUL WHAT YOU ASK FOR!  The Lord will take you at your word and call you out.  We begin to hear Jesus calling us.  We feel a tug at our heart to make a move toward Him.  It just looks too scary.  The waves are crazy.  It seems like a really long way to even get to Jesus and as far as I know, I have never been able to walk on water.  It seems impossible.  He's beckoning us out into the unknown!  Just like Peter, we're not even sure where we are headed, the vision isn't completely clear, but we are just following the voice of God for direction.  (Can you relate to this!?!  I am not sure of the entire mission Jesus has for me, I just know it's time to go forward.)

NOW HERE IS THE MESSAGE THAT REALLY CONVICTED ME!!!!!!  Step out of the boat!  Quit looking around.  Quit waiting for someone to get on this journey with you.  All the other disciples might not go with you because this is YOUR calling.  I have a habit of wanting everyone around me to be excited about what I am excited about at the time.   (I'm sorry,my friends!)  If I am dieting, I need everybody around me to be dieting. We need to talk about it, study, eat it, breathe it.......I think you get it!  I don't necessarily want to step out of the boat unless ____________ (insert friend's name) can go with me on the journey.  I think if I don't have someone along on the same ride, I can't do it.  For once in my life I get it.....I REALLY GET IT......He is ALL that I need.

We are all going to be like Peter.  We will begin to sink because we can do nothing in our own power.  They key is grabbing hold of Jesus.  His strength causes all things to be possible.  I think that is why Jesus choose the least likely men to be His disciples.  They were just real people with faults and failures who heard the call and went.  He took care of the rest!  It demonstrated Jesus' ability to use whomever He pleased for whatever He wanted to be accomplished.  He doesn't need someone with a good resume, He just wants a willing heart. 

This song is my hearts cry in a song.  I love it!  Spirit lead me where my trust is without borders. Let me walk upon the waters wherever you would call me.  Take me deeper than my feet could ever wander and my faith will be made stronger in the presence of my Savior! Yes, Lord!!!!!!!

           

Wedded Wednesday: GIVEAWAY!

Then the LORD God made a woman from the rib he had taken out of the man, and he brought her to the man.  The man said, "This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called 'woman, ' for she was taken out of man."  For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh.  Genesis 2:22-24

I agree with Melissa Powell when she said last week that marriage is her favorite thing in the whole world (next to Jesus)!  I love how God designed men and women different to compliment each other.  We serve an amazing, awesome, POWERFUL GOD! 

Yep!  It is time for another GIVEAWAY!  Are you as excited as I am!?!  Today's giveaway includes The Love Dare by Stephen and Alex Kendrick, Fireproof (The Movie), and Men are Like Waffles, Women are Like Spaghetti by Bill and Pam Farrel. 

 

 

 



This is simple!  All you have to do is follow the directions on the Rafflecopter.  The giveaway will run until midnight tonight.  Tomorrow, Rafflecopter will choose a winner and I will announce it on here and on Facebook.  If you don't live close, I will ship the prizes to you!  Good luck everyone!

 



a Rafflecopter giveaway

Mawidge is a dweam wiffin a dweam. The dweam of wuv wapped wiffin the gweater dweam of everwasting west. Eternity is our fwiend, wemember that, and wuv wiw fowwow you fowever. 

-William Goldman in The Princess Bride

1..2..3...JUMP!

Where to begin?  I have not posted in a few days because the Lord gave me a specific burden that I felt like I needed to commit some time to pray for.  The few hours I get before the girls wake up is normally when I read my Bible and write on my blog.  I needed this time to pray. (I'm sure you'd never confess to it, but you enjoyed the break from me as well! LOL)  I have also had some sick kiddos.  (I hate strep!)

As I type, I feel such a stirring in my Spirit.  God is moving!  I know, I know.  He's always moving.  BUT right now, he's moving in me!  I don't know about you, but when He starts shaking things, He really has a tendency TO GET ALL UP IN MY BUSINESS!  It can really be uncomfortable sometimes.  I feel like the Lord of Hosts is constantly trying to push me outside my comfort zone. (Yikes!)  I feel like I'm standing on the edge of a cliff and he's telling me, "Just jump, Tera!  I am with you.  It will be the most adventurous thing you will ever do.  Can you trust me?"   (As embarrassed as I am to admit it, I am not really the most adventurous person you've ever met!  I have a tendency to stick with safety, rather than adventure!)  While my heart is screaming a resounding "YES" to his command, somewhere inside me, a trace of fear is squeaking out a tiny, barely audible, "No, I don't think I can do this." 

I have my things that I do for the Lord that I am comfortable doing.  I play the piano and sing at church.  I home school my children and dedicate my life to nurture and disciple them.  I support my husband in His ministry.  I give financially to help causes of the church that are reaching out to hurting people like the Hope Crises Pregnancy Center, Samaritan's Ministry, Soul Winners India, and A21 (Rescuing girls from Human Trafficking).  I volunteer for VBS and work with our church's Home school Co-op.  Oh, and I blog!  I AM COMFORTABLE HERE!  These are all things that are needed.  (Except, perhaps the blogging!) For some reason I can't shake this. I keep hearing the Lord say, "Jump, Tera!"  For the last few days, I keep feeling something that I am almost scared to share.  I know that when you share, then you are accountable to your words. 

Serving in the church is needed, don't misunderstand me, but what if I use all of my resources only on the church.  If all I do is serve the church and be a blessing to those who are already blessed, when have I fulfilled the Great Commission?  If I only chose to be around those who are saved and act like good church members, I choose safety over courage.  Look at that list above!  What part of that list is not ministering inside the church?  None.  Giving to a ministry is not the same as doing ministry.  What part of that causes me to jump?  None.  What part of that requires great faith and strength from God?  Those are all things I WANT to do.  I know that I can do them, because I have the physical ability to.  Trying to live a comfortable, sheltered life just won't do.  God's mission can make life a little messy sometimes.  Are we ready?

“The Spirit of the Lord God is upon Me,
Because the Lord has anointed Me
To preach good tidings to the poor;
He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted,
To proclaim liberty to the captives,
And the opening of the prison to those who are bound;
To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord,
And the day of vengeance of our God;
To comfort all who mourn,
To console those who mourn in Zion,
To give them beauty for ashes,
The oil of joy for mourning,
The garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness;
That they may be called trees of righteousness,
The planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified.”

Isaiah 61:1-3 NKJV

 

The one thing I hate with a passion is public speaking!  If you know me at all, you know that is so true!  Isn't it a little funny that in the last year, I have been on our platform twice to speak to our congregation.   I have a feeling that it probably won't be the last time either. God has such a great sense of humor doesn't he?!?!  There are a multitude of things like speaking that are out of my comfort zone!  For example, going to  minister at a prison.  Yet, I keep feeling a tugging at my heart to go.  It's time for me to jump! 

 

How about you?  What are you afraid of?  I could make a list a mile long of things that I hope the Lord never calls me to do.  (Like going door to door to spread the Good News of Jesus!)  I know people who have the gifting for those things, and it is NOT ME!  (It's so scary and my words get jumbled up...surely, you can relate.)  I am reminded of the song by Casting Crowns,

If we are the body why aren't his arms reaching?  Why aren't his hands healing?  Why aren't his words teaching?  And if we are the body, Why aren't his feet going?  Why is his love not showing them there is a way?

I DO NOT WANT THIS TO BE MY THEME SONG BECAUSE I WAS TOO AFRAID TO LET GOD USE ME IN A WAY THAT WAS OUTSIDE MY COMFORT ZONE!

We will not win a lost and dying world from inside the four walls of the Church.  I remember sitting in a class, probably ten years ago, taught by Buddy Buckner.  I can still see the seriousness on his face.  He said, "The only way we will reach the world is by being Jesus to the world through practical service out of love!  Service and ministry are one in the same.  You are a tract (piece of literature that Christians will pass out as a witnessing tool) in human form."  Simply brilliant, don't you think!

 

The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is upon us!  His anointing can allow us to do things that in our own ability, knowledge, or strength would never be possible.  There is a hurting world outside the four walls of the church.  We need to go preach good news to the poor not wait until we can get them in the church so the Pastor can convince them they need Jesus.  That might look like serving food at a soup kitchen or collecting jackets for the homeless.  Who knows how God will allow us to share His good news!?!  It might not look like the way we think it will.  We are sent to seek out the brokenhearted and those bound up and point them to Jesus!  Go to that prison ministry!  Go serve at a Pregnancy Crisis Center!  Bring food to the widow.  Keep children for a single mother.  Bless someone who has found themselves in a financial mess.  WE HAVE WHAT THEY NEED and God will give us what we need when we JUMP!

It is time to plant seeds.  I don't know if you have ever planted a garden, but you can believe me when I say, IT DOES NOT LOOK LIKE THE PICTURES!  I had this fairytale dream of working in the garden to relieve stress.  You know, dressed in my beautiful 1950's Leave It to Beaver dress and apron, with perfect hair and makeup!  That it would be such a joyous occasion. Um...... I did not find that to be the case.  My knees and back ached from being bent over.  I was filthy.  I got attacked by ants multiple times.  It was not the glamorous work that I had set out for.  Working in the field of The Lord's garden is the same way.  It might be messy.  You will probably get dirty and you might get attacked.  You might get tired and sore from the labor.  Oh, but the fruit of your labor is so sweet! 

What does the Lord want you to do?  Are you willing?  Will you jump and trust Him?   

 

JUMP,
LET'S DO IT TOGETHER! 


1....2.....3  GO!