by Charity Pence
Proverbs 5:21-23 states, "For the ways of man are before the eyes of the Lord, and He ponders all his paths. His own iniquities entrap the wicked man, and he is caught in the cords of his sin. He shall die for lack of instruction, and in the greatness of his folly, he shall go astray." (NKJ)
This passage has long been a favorite of mine, though I'd had to read it a few times before it really took hold. The meaning is clear. Sin leads us away from God. God loves us unconditionally; His love never fails. But that doesn't mean He is pleased when we allow sin to control our lives. When I've allowed sin to hinder my walk with God, I imagine God shaking His head and asking with a heavy heart, "What are you doing?"
We know better, don't we? Yet we partake in sin anyway. We tell a little fib. Take part in gossip. Pass judgment on another. Doesn't that make you just cringe? It's so easy for us to get it wrong, which is why instruction is so important. And where does our instruction come from? The Bible. As Christians, we should make reading the Bible a priority. Reading God's word helps us to draw near to our Lord. And the closer we become to our Heavenly Father, the less enticed we are by sin's destructive ways. We may still stumble, but when we repent God will be right there to pick us up.
Dear Heavenly Father, I am far from perfect; I am a sinner. Thank You, Lord, for Your never ending grace. Thank You for remaining by my side even when I choose the wrong path. Please forgive me for the sins I've committed, and help me draw near to You so that I can follow You and not the world. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Saturday, July 28, 2012
Sunday, July 22, 2012
The Church
by Charity Pence
Let's start this week's post by picturing the church. What do you see? A large brick building with glass doors? A small country church with a steeple and a bell?
Once you have a picture set in your mind, consider the following:
"You are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God's people and members of God's household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit." Ephesians 2:19-22 (NIV)
Do those verses match the picture in your mind? Probably not. That's because we are the church. Read the following again: "In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temply in the Lord." I believe that verse means that when we, God's people, join together, we become God's temple. And in becoming God's temple, we become a haven that leads others to Christ. In the temple we help build, people find hope, grace, mercy, and a love like no other. How do we become the church? By recognizing our part. By showing God's love through our actions and words, and by offering forgiveness to those who have hurt us because God has forgiven us.
There's nothing wrong with the church building itself. But without us, God's children, and without His presence, it is nothing except an empty, useless building.
Dear Heavenly Father, You have called us to be so much more than what we realize. We are Your church. And by creating us to be Your church, others can come to know you not just on Sundays but every day of the week. Halelujah!
Let's start this week's post by picturing the church. What do you see? A large brick building with glass doors? A small country church with a steeple and a bell?
Once you have a picture set in your mind, consider the following:
"You are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God's people and members of God's household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit." Ephesians 2:19-22 (NIV)
Do those verses match the picture in your mind? Probably not. That's because we are the church. Read the following again: "In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temply in the Lord." I believe that verse means that when we, God's people, join together, we become God's temple. And in becoming God's temple, we become a haven that leads others to Christ. In the temple we help build, people find hope, grace, mercy, and a love like no other. How do we become the church? By recognizing our part. By showing God's love through our actions and words, and by offering forgiveness to those who have hurt us because God has forgiven us.
There's nothing wrong with the church building itself. But without us, God's children, and without His presence, it is nothing except an empty, useless building.
Dear Heavenly Father, You have called us to be so much more than what we realize. We are Your church. And by creating us to be Your church, others can come to know you not just on Sundays but every day of the week. Halelujah!
Saturday, July 21, 2012
Something Different
by Charity Pence
Due to my schedule, I've had a difficult time keeping up with this blog. That being said, I'd like to "change it up" a bit. Rather than keeping to the traditional format, I will be varying the posts. Though I will occasionally share a regular devotion, on any given week a post may focus on one of the following:
one verse
a group of verses
a person from the Bible
a group of people from the Bible
an issue currently affecting the church
a prayer...
or anything else I or anyone else feels led to share.
The Olive Branch has been God's tool since this blog was created, and I do not want to interfere with that. This blog has been a spiritual building block for me and everyone else who has taken part in it. So let's continue the work. If you have anything to share, please let me know by commenting or sending an email to fccgals@hotmail.com. I will also welcome any feedback.
I'd like to end this post with this prayer:
Dear Heavenly Father, please use me and this blog as Your outlet so that Your light shines to the world. Let it be You that people see, and let it be You that people turn to. Please help me to be open to your leading, Lord. Thank You for trusting me in this endeavor. Sometimes it seems like such a small attempt to reach others for You, but if one person comes to know You, Lord, then it's more than enough. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Due to my schedule, I've had a difficult time keeping up with this blog. That being said, I'd like to "change it up" a bit. Rather than keeping to the traditional format, I will be varying the posts. Though I will occasionally share a regular devotion, on any given week a post may focus on one of the following:
one verse
a group of verses
a person from the Bible
a group of people from the Bible
an issue currently affecting the church
a prayer...
or anything else I or anyone else feels led to share.
The Olive Branch has been God's tool since this blog was created, and I do not want to interfere with that. This blog has been a spiritual building block for me and everyone else who has taken part in it. So let's continue the work. If you have anything to share, please let me know by commenting or sending an email to fccgals@hotmail.com. I will also welcome any feedback.
I'd like to end this post with this prayer:
Dear Heavenly Father, please use me and this blog as Your outlet so that Your light shines to the world. Let it be You that people see, and let it be You that people turn to. Please help me to be open to your leading, Lord. Thank You for trusting me in this endeavor. Sometimes it seems like such a small attempt to reach others for You, but if one person comes to know You, Lord, then it's more than enough. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Tuesday, June 26, 2012
God Is Listening
by Charity Pence
This week's post is a bit different from the typical format. And I apologize for the lengthy absence. I certainly didn't mean for a month to go by with no new posts.
Today, I'd just like to share one verse. "Call to me, and I will answer you." Jeremiah 33:3.
Short. Simple. But it has huge meaning. When we call out to God, He hears us. Not only that, He responds. We might not always like the answer, but we can take comfort in knowing that He is listening to us. Isn't that great? I think so.
So with that in mind, don't hold back from God. Whether you are angry, scared, glad, or rejoicing - call out to our heavenly father. He can take whatever we have to say.
This week's post is a bit different from the typical format. And I apologize for the lengthy absence. I certainly didn't mean for a month to go by with no new posts.
Today, I'd just like to share one verse. "Call to me, and I will answer you." Jeremiah 33:3.
Short. Simple. But it has huge meaning. When we call out to God, He hears us. Not only that, He responds. We might not always like the answer, but we can take comfort in knowing that He is listening to us. Isn't that great? I think so.
So with that in mind, don't hold back from God. Whether you are angry, scared, glad, or rejoicing - call out to our heavenly father. He can take whatever we have to say.
Saturday, May 19, 2012
Stepping Out In Faith
by Charity Pence
This Week’s Verse: Proverbs 16:20 “He who heeds the word wisely will find good, and whoever trusts in the Lord, happy is he.” (NKJ)
A good friend of mine recently told me something out of Christian love. She had heard me speak often about wanting children and waiting for the right time. And she’d heard me talk about being faithful and believing what God’s word says regarding blessings of children. However, she thought I wasn’t really trusting God. Why? Because I wasn’t doing anything.
Since I love and respect this friend, I was not bothered by what she told me. I spent the next week praying about that. One morning, as I was praying and considering what she’d said, God told me it was time to step out in faith. You see, I thought I was trusting God and being faithful by waiting. Waiting for God to correct our circumstances, waiting for God to provide what we would need, waiting for God to provide a job closer to home. Now don’t get me wrong; there are times when we need to wait. But I was waiting for things we didn’t really need yet. What I needed to do was move! Though I thought I was doing the right thing and trying to be responsible, I was actually holding God back. Hebrews 11:6 says, “But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.” (NKJ)
Seldom does God move without expecting us to move with Him. When God revealed to me that the time to wait was over, I was a bit…terrified. Stepping out in faith is hard, but what better way is there to show God we truly trust in Him? So I am excited to announce my husband and I are beginning the adoption process. This is the path God has brought us to. And instead of standing back, we’re going to step up and watch our Lord move! “Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoices; my flesh also will rest in hope.” Psalm 16:9 (NKJ).
Dear Heavenly Father, You are so faithful in your promises to us. Thank You for always providing for me and my husband through all of our trials. You have given us more than enough reason to trust in You. You are our provider, healer, counselor, and friend. I love you, Lord, and I look forward to the journey you are taking us on. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Do you ever get tired of just waiting? Whatever you’re waiting for this week, pray about it. God might be waiting on you. And if that’s the case, it’s time to get moving!
Power Verses:
Numbers 23:19 “God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? Or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good?” (KJV)
Isaiah 46:11 “Yea, I have spoken it, I will also bring it to pass; I have purposed it, I will also do it.” (KJV)
Romans 4:20 “He did not waver at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strengthened in faith, giving glory to God.” (NKJ)
This Week’s Verse: Proverbs 16:20 “He who heeds the word wisely will find good, and whoever trusts in the Lord, happy is he.” (NKJ)
A good friend of mine recently told me something out of Christian love. She had heard me speak often about wanting children and waiting for the right time. And she’d heard me talk about being faithful and believing what God’s word says regarding blessings of children. However, she thought I wasn’t really trusting God. Why? Because I wasn’t doing anything.
Since I love and respect this friend, I was not bothered by what she told me. I spent the next week praying about that. One morning, as I was praying and considering what she’d said, God told me it was time to step out in faith. You see, I thought I was trusting God and being faithful by waiting. Waiting for God to correct our circumstances, waiting for God to provide what we would need, waiting for God to provide a job closer to home. Now don’t get me wrong; there are times when we need to wait. But I was waiting for things we didn’t really need yet. What I needed to do was move! Though I thought I was doing the right thing and trying to be responsible, I was actually holding God back. Hebrews 11:6 says, “But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.” (NKJ)
Seldom does God move without expecting us to move with Him. When God revealed to me that the time to wait was over, I was a bit…terrified. Stepping out in faith is hard, but what better way is there to show God we truly trust in Him? So I am excited to announce my husband and I are beginning the adoption process. This is the path God has brought us to. And instead of standing back, we’re going to step up and watch our Lord move! “Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoices; my flesh also will rest in hope.” Psalm 16:9 (NKJ).
Dear Heavenly Father, You are so faithful in your promises to us. Thank You for always providing for me and my husband through all of our trials. You have given us more than enough reason to trust in You. You are our provider, healer, counselor, and friend. I love you, Lord, and I look forward to the journey you are taking us on. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Do you ever get tired of just waiting? Whatever you’re waiting for this week, pray about it. God might be waiting on you. And if that’s the case, it’s time to get moving!
Power Verses:
Numbers 23:19 “God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? Or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good?” (KJV)
Isaiah 46:11 “Yea, I have spoken it, I will also bring it to pass; I have purposed it, I will also do it.” (KJV)
Romans 4:20 “He did not waver at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strengthened in faith, giving glory to God.” (NKJ)
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