MARKS OF THE TRUE CHRISTIAN

Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. (Romans 12:12 ESV)

The heading of this section (in the ESV version of the Bible) is “Marks of the True Christian”

True Christians are to rejoice in the hope (of our salvation) [the resurrected Christ – who is steadfast and sure], patient in tribulation (because of the certainty of our hope) and constant in prayer (taking our worries, and trials and everyday stuff to God).

This is the mark of a true Christian!

I like the contrast; although we are called to be patient during difficult times, we are NOT to get complacent in our praying and to constantly rejoice in the fact that Christ died for our sins and conquered death — on our behalf.

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PERFECT. FLAWLESS. GOD.

You don’t get to be the perfect person of someone’s dreams and you don’t get to find the perfect person of your dreams; we are all flawed people AND it’s undue pressure on ourselves. Look to God in your relationships… He is the flawless one.

Inspired by Kruger of CWC and Paul Tripp and Timothy Lane’s book Relationships — A Mess Worth Making

ABORTION vs ADOPTION

UNBORN CHILDREN ARE PARASITES.

Actually, babies —both born and unborn— are parasites. A bit harsh?! But it’s a justifiable statement.

parasite ˈparəsʌɪt/

noun

an organism [a baby] which lives in or on another organism (its host) [the mother] and benefits by deriving nutrients at the other’s expense [gestational diabetes, anaemia, high blood pressure— the list goes on].

From the definition you can see that my initial statement isn’t as crazy / heartless as it sounds. Having children is usually synonymous with loss of freedom and spending tons of money on someone who isn’t wise enough to appreciate it. As cute as babies are, if we are being completely honest, we see them as a huge inconvenience. A bump [pun intended] in our carefully planned out lives — especially when they’re unplanned.

Even when they are planned, people usually go about the issue like it’s something they were obliged to do. ‘We’ve-been-married-X-amount-of-years-we-might-as-well-bite-the-bullet-and-get-this-“baby thing”-over-and-done-with-as-soon-as-we-can-so-we-can-get-back-to-life’ sorta thing.

I believe this is why abortion is so attractive. It’s the ultimate get-out-of-baby-jail-free card; it offers a way out from a life-long commitment — especially when you can be doing more fun and productive things with your life. ‘This organism baby will just cramp my style!’

(But do you REALLY get out free? That’s a whole new different kettle of fish)

Now I’m not saying every woman who has had an abortion took the decision lightly. I understand that the decision may have seemed like only viable option and it was not an easy one to make. The process was the most difficult, painful and loneliest moment of your life— my heart bleeds for you and repentance will ease the pain and / guilt you may feel. God still loves you.

 

I believe EVERY child, no matter how they were conceived, has the right to lead a life.

I realise the implications of this statement. It is a big statement and I do not say or take it lightly. I stand by this because children are a gift — a gift from God. They may not come in the ribbons and bows we expect but they are a gift all the same. Babies are not a curse neither are they a source of punishment nor a cruel joke from fate. They are, in fact, the opposite! They are a BLESSING! Only God gives life, the devil can’t. The life-giving role remains God’s solely!

I realise that there are some heart-wrenching, repulsive ways babies are conceived and I don’t condone / pardon these methods but what gives me peace and makes me stand firmly by my statement is this bible verse:

As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today. (Genesis 50:20 ESV)

and the life of Job.

SEGWAY: Dude (Job) was absolutely tormented for no apparent reason all because Satan duck-duck-goosed him and was —peep this— permitted by God to send hardship his way; with the intention that he would curse God and die in the midst of his trials BUT he didn’t! God preserved his life and kept him till the end of his tribulation THEN —peep this— he was restored more than he had! AMEN, HALLELUJAH, PRAISE THE LORD (AHPTL)! There’s a sermon in there somewhere! [Check out the book of Job in the Bible for the unabridged version.]

People may have wanted to hurt you and it would appear they succeeded BUT God always preserves His people THROUGH hardship. He doesn’t necessarily ALWAYS preserve us FROM it — Don’t doubt for a second that He can just sometimes He, in his infinite wisdom, chooses not to. (Another sermon, right thurr! AHPTL)

Changing our mindset towards babies, and children in general, can help to lower abortion rates. Here’s what the Bible has to say about babies:

Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the children of one’s youth. Blessed is the man who fills his quiver with them! He shall not be put to shame when he speaks with his enemies in the gate. (Psalms 127:3-5 ESV)

Also our consumer mindset doesn’t help: ‘What can I get out of having a baby?’ ‘What will having this child do for me?’ ‘How does carrying this child to term benefit me and my life goals?’. It is so dangerous to use a consumer ‘what-can-you-do-for-me’ mindset to guide your decisions in the place of a covenant ‘what-can-I-do-for-you’ mindset!

Babies, though technically parasitical in nature — which is such a cynical way to view them btw —  are absolutely beautiful. They provide an avenue for you to truly love wholly and give selflessly to someone other than yourself. They are an avenue to put to practice unconditional love. It’s completely different from marriage, they are solely dependent on you. You impact their lives and teach them and nurture them and protect them. Why wouldn’t you want to experience that?

A lot of Christians take the pro-life / anti-abortion stance and that’s great (thou shalt not kill and that)! But what I see is, Christians say don’t abort because it’s wrong but won’t adopt because they can have children “of their own”. As Christians, we should be waving the banner high for adoption and leading by example.

WHY? Because the essence of adoption is one that is close to home in our lives! God adopted us into HIS family! And when he sees us he sees Jesus Christ (our ultimate big brother). He didn’t say “I’ve already got Jesus, he’s all I can afford, I’ll wait till I get my money up then  maybe I’ll consider adding these humans to my family”. He sacrificed His own blameless son so that anyone who believes may be adopted into His family.

Now, I am not asking you to sacrifice your biological children and God is not asking you to do that! You’re not Abraham 😀 [insert saintly chuckle here] — even then it was just a test but he didn’t even know that (another sermon lol)! But you can see the great lengths God went to, to redeem us from our unpleasant, unfulfilled lives. We should be willing to do the same!

HOWEVER! Adoption is not easy. It is not the “easy way out”. The process and outcome can be hard, heart-breaking and difficult; don’t be disillusioned. However, there are also very beautiful, heart-warming and unicorn-and-rainbow-esque stories. I guess what I’m saying is that we, as Christians, should not consider adoption as a contingency plan / the alternative route of God’s blessings for children. Adoption is just as viable and just as potent as and just as fulfilling as the “normal” route!

If you do end up deciding to adopt / have adopted, THANK YOU. God will reward your labour of love and remember His grace is sufficient in ALL situations, He will always provide.

DISCLAIMER: I am not saying (not for a second) that you have to choose between having biological children and adopting! These 2 events are not mutually exclusive! They can occur simultaneously and harmoniously! I’m also not saying it is compulsory for Christians to adopt. I’m saying give it some thought 🙂

If I end up married, I would love to adopt and have children biologically (and hopefully have a natural water birth. TMI? Don’t care :D). I believe it’ll be a challenge but it’ll be CRAZY worth it! Ultimately, this decision won’t be mine to make, it’ll be my husband’s as well — you know, with him being the spiritual and physical head of the family and that!

P.s. Even after writing this post, I’m still not broody for babies… Just puppies. Cocker spaniels at that!

TLx

Abortion v Adoption

Thank God for death

I have never been more grateful to God for my Dad dying. (the big C** — Cancer EURGH!)

My Pa dying, after much anger and tears and numbness and sadness and confusion, really forced me to examine Christianity and has strengthened my faith in God. I am a better Christian as a result of this.

Now I can, and am, helping others with their faith walks. I have this new found confidence and I have never been more sure, than I am now, of what Christianity entails.

As Christians, we learn and we grow — it never stops! And this was a MIGHTY FIERCE learning curve!

I realise this is a seemingly CRAZY odd thing to say but it’s proof that God can be glorified through our pain and every single minute bit of pain we go through as Christians is working towards an eternal weight of glory when we meet with God.

BE COMFORTED guys! Nothing that happens to us is in vain.

PLUS, I’m a lot closer to my mum and that’s because I’ve stopped using my dad as a buffer. (even if I wanted to, I can’t… He’s not available lol)

Obviously, I would’ve loved it if he was still alive and I had examined my faith and developed a better relationship with my ma! But, alas, this is not the case!

** I hate cancer! I hate it’s called “the big C”! I hate it has no cure! I REALLY HATE IT! I am SO looking forward to the disease + evil-free new heaven and the new earth like CRAZY!!

I hate what I’ve been through but I’m loving the outcome — deeper intimacy with God + a blossoming relationship with my ma.

TLx

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My 2p on Tithing

See what I did there with my title? Pun intended! 😀

A lot of people have different opinions on whether we as Christians, saved by the finished work of Christ, should tithe. If you think this post is going to give a definitive YES or NO, you’re in the wrong place (sorry!). It’s more of a discussion.

Some people say since tithing is under the Mosiac law (alongside not wearing mix-material garments and all that Leviticus-y stuff) and Jesus has died for our sins, we are free from the law therefore we don’t need to tithe anymore!

It is true that we have been released and are no longer bound by the Mosiac law…

Likewise, my brothers, you also have died to the law through the body of Christ, so that you may belong to another, to him who has been raised from the dead, in order that we may bear fruit for God. But now we are released from the law, having died to that which held us captive, so that we serve in the new way of the Spirit and not in the old way of the written code. (Romans 7:4, 6 ESV)

But we are now bound by the law of Christ which is far more superior to the Mosiac law but is also inclusive of it!

Owe no one anything, except to love each other, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law. For the commandments, “You shall not commit adultery, You shall not murder, You shall not steal, You shall not covet,” and any other commandment, are summed up in this word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfilling of the law. (Romans 13:8-10 ESV)

It would appear we’re at an impasse on the issue. I don’t think so though.

Tithing in OT (Old Testament) times had multiple uses. It was used as a method of atonement and also as a way to sustain the livelihoods of the Levites because they weren’t given any land when the tribes of Israel were being divvied up.

Segway: I LOVE that God is just so mindful of us, he knew that since the Levites won’t be able to work the land as they were consecrated to priestly stuff, so he created a way to supply their needs!

NOW, tithing is no longer a means of atonement for our sins! Thank Jesus for that (literally). He was the ultimate sacrifice, our chief intercessor and through him we have access to God! But our pastors still gotta get paid/ supported financially don’t they?

Do you not know that those who are employed in the temple service get their food from the temple, and those who serve at the altar share in the sacrificial offerings? In the same way, the Lord commanded that those who proclaim the gospel should get their living by the gospel. (1 Corinthians 9:13, 14 ESV)

One thing the bible is SUPER clear on is being a CHEERFUL GIVER.

Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. (2 Corinthians 9:7 ESV)

We are not to feel obliged or forced to give neither are we to give grudgingly. ‘Cause quite frankly God doesn’t need our money. We are to give cheerfully!

When I think of cheerful giving… I think of selfless giving; giving without expecting anything in return. If you feel like it’s your duty to give, you’re not doing it cheerfully. If you feel God won’t bless you if you don’t give, you’re not doing it cheerfully. If you give because you expect more money / more blessing from God as a result of your giving, you’re not giving cheerfully AND you are treating God like a bank with crazy profitable interest rates. Basically you’re seeking His hand and not His face. Also people who do this are attempting to try to put God in their debt; saying things like “God, I paid my tithes why is this happening to me?”

TRANSLATION: God, I paid you for a service, why are not delivering?

Believing that because you pay tithes bad things shouldn’t happen to you is childish. Everyone goes through tough times. Being a Christian doesn’t exempt you from pain and hurt, the beauty of being Christian is that God sees you through it!

CLARIFICATION: I believe it is okay to ask God why things are happening to you BUT do not be surprised if you don’t get the answer you want or (even worse) no answer at all! You can’t stay in the questioning phase for TOO long it is not productive! What helps is believing that God is in charge and fully aware of your situation and He loves YOU greatly. You may not know the next step or why certain things have happened but He has known the plan for your life from an ETERNITY ago.

Do NOT allow your relationship with God to become a contractual one! It’s not only insulting to Him BUT you’ll be worse off for it! You will never be able to hold up “your end” of the deal! His standards are FAR TOO HIGH for us to attain on our own merit! This is why Jesus died and rose again! Our bargaining chip (for lack of a better phrase) is through CHRIST!

Our giving should be selfless and an extension of our love for God! Just like Christ’s sacrifice was selfless and an extension of His love!

I know people want to know if they’re tithing / giving right. I say if you’re giving cheerfully and sacrificially, you’re doing it right! God looks at the heart… this is not a new concept! He’s been doing it way before He picked David to be King!

Your motives for giving and your heart matters to God! For example, the parable of the Pharisee and the Tax collector. It’s not enough to just give!

We need to have a more “YHHH! I get to give my money away today” attitude rather than “Yhh, I’ve given my 10% NOW I can do what I please with MY money”.

**NEWSFLASH** God owns your 100%

We need to get rid of our false sense of entitlement aka “this is mines” syndrome aka “I’m doing my church a favour” syndrome.

For you to enjoy the benefits of giving it must be done CHEERFULLY (selflessly + without ulterior motives), seems a bit counter-intuitive, doesn’t it?

Here’s the proof (carrying on from the verse on cheerful giving):

And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others. (2 Corinthians 9:8 NLT)

Giving should be a joyous occasion from the heart not a list of instructions on “how little/much can I give away in order to remain blessed”

P.s. Having the Holy Spirit in your life will help determine the state of your heart!

P.p.s. We are now under a far more superior law than the Mosaic law; therefore, the benefits, rewards and blessings are far more superior too!

But as it is, Christ has obtained a ministry that is as much more excellent than the old as the covenant he mediates is better, since it is enacted on better promises. (Hebrews 8:6 ESV)

TLx

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Vulnerability.

The implications of that word SCARES me! It sends shivers up my spine! BUT I really like this illustration: [C. S. Lewis and zen pencils.com – THANK YOU]

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To love is to be vulnerable… You cannot claim to love someone completely if you’re not 100% vulnerable with them… I’m learning this EVERYDAY!

“To love at all is to be vulnerable. Love anything and your heart will be wrung and possibly broken. If you want to make sure of keeping it intact you must give it to no one, not even an animal. Wrap it carefully round with hobbies and little luxuries; avoid all entanglements. Lock it up safe in the casket or coffin of your selfishness. But in that casket, safe, dark, motionless, airless, it will change. It will not be broken; it will become unbreakable, impenetrable, irredeemable. To love is to be vulnerable.”

C. S. Lewis

TLX

NO ONE CARES FOR YOUR SOUL

I heard a man preach using Psalm 142. His message was NO ONE CARES FOR YOUR SOUL. That’s a bit harsh isn’t it? But in his defence, it’s in the bible. Honestly!

Look on my right hand and see, For there is no one who acknowledges me; Refuge has failed me; No one cares for my soul. (Psalms 142:4 NKJV)

Sorry to be the messenger of doom (I’m not really sorry, LOL) but this statement couldn’t be more true! No one cares for your soul. No one CAN care for your soul.

Well, technically speaking, I suppose they can care for your soul – in a sense, by feeling concern or enquiring about its well-being. But that’s a fairly passive role… I think you’d agree with me. One thing they most certainly CANNOT do is look after and/ provide for the needs of your soul; only God can do that!

This is because He’s our creator and he knows exactly what we need! David in the Psalms also recognises this! (feel free to peruse the rest of the chapter :D… Do it… You just might like it).

So whenever you feel lonely or a bit MEHHH… (Friends aren’t hollering,
Family’s too busy, Boyfriend/Girlfriend/Courtee/WhateverYouCallIt being unreasonable etc…) remember that humans cannot care for your soul, even the ones with your best interest at heart BUT God can and He does! As Christians, He also says nothing [EVER] can separate us from His love! Romans 8:38-39. (Like NOTHING EVER! Think of the worse thing imaginable, then allow it to grow exponentially… That STILL isn’t enough to separate us from God’s love! We, ourselves, can’t even get in the way of His love!!!! It’s EXCITING news)

So YHHH! Just know:
God is here, CONSTANTLY, caring! When the world seems for too busy to care about you and even when they find time to “squeeze” you in… HE’S STILL THERE! CARING and nurturing for our souls!

I am oddly comforted by the fact that no one cares for my soul. No one BUT God. He’s the right person for the job!

Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers. (III John 1:2 NKJV)

TLX

THE TREE

Why did God create the tree of Good and Evil?

For without that tree, there wouldn’t have been an avenue to exercise free will as we’d be doing exactly what God asked – eating of every fruit in the garden.

Funny that huh? 

TLx