Thanksgiving in the Life of a Believer

“Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” 1 Thess. 5:16-18

With Thanksgiving just around the corner, I have been asking God to prepare my heart for this season. Yesterday, I opened God’s Word and began looking up all the places He uses the words “thanksgiving”, “give thanks”, “thankful”, etc., and He began to teach me that “thanksgiving” is not merely something we should do on this holiday. Based on Scripture, like the one above, believers are to have thanksgiving everyday!

Here are a few verses I found just in the book of Colossians:

In our hearts we are to be thankful. (Col. 3:15)
In our songs we are to be thankful. (Col. 3:16)
In our words and in our deeds we are to be thankful. (Col. 3:17)
In our prayers we are to be thankful. (Col. 4:2)

We are to be very thankful people!

As God’s Word began to slowly sink deeper in my mind, I was convicted of having an attitude of ungratefulness. I am ashamed to say that many, many times instead of giving thanks, I complain and grumble. I have looked at the negative, instead of dwelling of the faithfulness of God through it all. I have focused on the things that went wrong, rather than staying focused on all the amazing things God has done.

This saddens me, not only because I am disobeying God’s word and saddening His heart, but because when I complain and dwell on the negative I do not appear to the world as a child of God.

“Do all things without grumbling or disputing; so that you will prove yourselves to be blameless and innocent, children of God above reproach in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you appear as lights in the world, holding fast the word of life…” Phil. 2:14-16

We live in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, but we have a responsibility: we are to shine as lights in the world (Matt. 5:16) and we can do that by being thankful in everything and not complaining. When we chose to give thanks in everything, whether easy or hard, we prove to the world that we are God’s children - that there is something very different about us.

And truly, we who are God’s children have so much to be thankful for. We are the ones who know Jesus, we have abundant life and eternal life, we have a loving Father who watches over us and blesses our lives. We should never cease in giving thanks! We hold fast and hold forth the word of life, for others to see and take hold of for themselves.

Can you believe so much can be done by just being thankful?!

I encourage you to let God use this Thanksgiving season to refocus your heart and mind on the blessings, abundant life, and calling He has given you, and that He would supply the power for us to be thankful in everything and everyday - not just on Thanksgiving.

Let your light shine. Be thankful.

A Modest Heart

“Your adornment must not be merely external - braiding the hair, and wearing gold jewelry, or putting on dresses; but let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the imperishable quality of a quiet and gentle spirit, which is precious in the sight of God.” 1 Peter 3:3-4

The world has distorted the meaning of “modesty” in our minds. Modesty is considered as “old fashioned” and “out of style”. I think many people would be rather astonished to find what the true meaning of modesty really is. Noah Webster defines “modesty” in his 1828 Dictionary as:
a) a lowly temper which accompanies a moderate estimate of one’s own worth and importance
b) moderation; decency
c) synonymous with chastity or purity of manners - modesty is the sweetest charm of female excellence, the richest gem in the diadem of her honor.

I find here more of an emphasis on a woman’s character of heart, rather than her outward adornment. Our minds have corrupted by the world from realizing the true and pure beauty of modesty, and has distracted us from it’s priceless worth. Women have, for centuries, been deceived on what true beauty is - it is not measured by how much skin you are able to show, but what lies under that skin: a modest heart that lives in humility, realizing what it was and what it is becoming.

The real problem with immodesty is not the clothes (or lack thereof) on our bodies, it is the condition of our hearts. Immodesty is a direct result of a prideful heart, and a “look at me” attitude.
When we view ourselves more highly than we ought (pride), we take our eyes off Christ and find enjoyment in distracting other people to take their eyes off Christ as well. We think our bodies are for us to do with as we please.

But this should not be!

We who are God’s children were bought with a price! And because we were bought, we belong. Not to ourselves, but to Jesus. We now live for Him, to bring Him glory, and to direct the eyes of others to rest on Him and not us. For when a woman focuses on glorifying God with her body, she considers carefully what she puts on that body, and her modest heart dictates her wardrobe and appearance.

“Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own? For you were bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body.” 1 Cor. 6:19-20 [emphasis added]

God finds the women with modest hearts precious and beautiful in His sight.
Won’t you be one of them?

Alabaster Heart: Me!

Hi! My name is Kaysie(surprise!), I am 20 years old, and I live with my family in the mountains of TN. I am a stay-at-home daughter, striving to serve Christ and my family. My heart’s desire for the future is to marry a godly man and raise up our children for the glory of God.

1) How and when did you first come to know Jesus as your Lord?

I was around seven or eight years old when I confessed Jesus as Lord, but was about thirteen when I really began to cling to Christ and grow in my faith. In a nutshell, at thirteen I was involved in a serious horse and carriage accident and nearly died. In the hospital, however, I realized that God was the only One who could save me and I surrendered all of me to Him. Many, many people cried out to God for me, and God powerfully answered! God healed my body and restored me to complete health. I was forever changed as a result.

2) What has been the biggest change in your life as a result of salvation?

I live with a purpose. I know my life counts for something far greater than to just live life, have fun, and die. I live for Someone. I have hope in life and hope in death. So I guess my entire life has been changed as a result of salvation!

3) What is your favorite thing about Jesus?

That’s a hard one! I would have to say that…He is the great Lover of my soul. I think that is what is so powerful about the gospel - the amazing love He had, first for His Father, and second for us. Even when He suffered extreme pain and death, His passion and love never ceased. He endured, His love endured, and now as a result of His sacrifice, we can endure for Him. He staggers my mind completely! On a more personal level, in this state in my life, He has been my only true Love and has protected and cherished me, even better than any man could. He is my constant companion and dearest Friend. He is the perfect Man! 

4) What do you feel God’s purpose for your life is?

My purpose in life is to live for Jesus, loving Him above all else. I was created for God’sglory, (Is.43:7) which means I am “to give a correct opinion or estimate of” Him. I am to live in such a way as to give everyone in creation the correct opinion or estimate of God. What a purpose!

5) What is the hardest thing for you to live out as a set apart woman?

To be just that - set apart; trying to live a life unstained by the world’s dirty hands. Living a life for God’s glory is no simple task! To live representing Christ in all I do is impossible in my own strength. Abiding in Christ is the only way I can do what I was created for. The hard part is choosing who I want to abide in today: me or Jesus?!

6) What woman has impacted your walk with God more than anyone else?

My Mother. Her life has been my inspiration and the reflection of Christ every day of my life. She is the picture of living for God’s glory! Her devotion to God and her family is a breathtaking beauty that will never fade. She was the first one to ever tell me about my Lover, and live a life right before my eyes that confirm His existence.

7) In your daily walk with God, what are a few things that you do to remain renewed and focused on God?

First and foremost, I try to read God’s Word everyday - especially in the morning. His words keep me renewed and focused. Second, I make an effort to think about Him; to keep my mind set on the things above (it is a constant struggle for me). I also like to do other things to cultivate His and my relationship, such as taking a walk outside just to talk to Him, or singing in the car to Him, etc. This has really helped me.

8 ) If you could say one thing to other Christian girls what would you say?

Stay very close to Jesus. He is really all you need. To stay close to Jesus you have to get to know Him. Try looking under the front cover of your Bible.

9) What do you do to entertain yourself?

Hang around my two sisters, Courtney and Carley. They are my greatest source of entertainment! (I love you girls!)

10) What are some of your favorite books?

Ultimately the Bible, then I like “Having a Mary Spirit”, “Desiring God”, “Practicing the Presence of God”, “Stepping Heavenward”; really anything by Andrew Murray, John Piper, Kay Arthur, and the list is always growing! I LOVE Christian classics.

11) What is one of your favorite things to do in the course of a day?

I love having a cup of hot tea in the morning while I read my Bible. (It probably my favorite time of the day!)

12) What is your favorite bible verse?

Oh…I don’t know if I can answer this one! (five minutes later) This is so hard! Ok, I’ll settle on this one: 2 Cor. 4:1-18, 5:9-10,14-21 (but it will change tomorrow!)

13) As far as music goes, who is your favorite artist and why? (Also name a couple of your favorite songs)

Chris Tomlin! Most all of his songs focus on Christ, and can be sung directly to Him. Plus, despite all the fame he has received, he has remained humble and glorified God for it all. Out of his songs my favorites include: “How Can I Keep From Singing”, “Holy is the Lord”, “Mighty is the Power of the Cross”, “Glory in the Highest”, and many more. Apart from Chris Tomlin, though, I LOVE old hymns! They are powerful and beautiful; and speak truth to us even centuries later.

14) Can you describe yourself in one word?

Um… …no.

15) What is your favorite quote? (From someone other than Christ)

“A woman’s heart should be so hidden in Christ that a man should have to seek Him first to find her.” (Maya Angelou) And one more! “The Christian ideal has not been tried and found lacking; it has been found difficult and left untried.” (G.K. Chesterton)

16) What is your favorite thing about this blog?

It has given me an outlet for my heart!

Alabaster Hearts: Coming Soon!

“For we are the fragrance of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing.” 2 Cor. 2:15

I am so excited about this new addition to the blog! In this section I will be interviewing set apart women about their walks with our Master, and post their answers to encourage and uplift everyone.

 

Just like the beautiful fragrance from the broken alabaster vial filled the room when the woman broke her treasure before the feet of Christ, so the fragrance from the hearts of these ladies will fill our hearts and bless our Master.

 

For the first “Alabaster Heart” my sisters will be interviewing me (we’ll see how that works!) just to familiarize you with the questions and layout. If any of you would like to be interviewed, please e-mail me (click on “View my profile” then “Email”) and I will send you the list of questions. Any and everyone is welcome to participate. 

 

I hope you will be blessed!

What Will You Give Me?

This morning as I was reading in Matthew 26 about our founding woman in Bethany, I was again captivated by her pure and glowing loyalty to Jesus. Almost everytime I read her story I want to fall on my face before my God in surrendar. Jesus’ kindness and tenderness is beautiful in her story. The way He protects and approves her should be a comfort to us!

Many times I think we as God’s beloved children do not stop and think on God’s beauty and character enough. When I am obedient to the Spirit’s calling and simply sit at His feet and soak in His character shown through His responses towards others, His loyal heart to His Father, and His profound words, my heart is transformed and swells with joy and passionate love for Jesus. In His presence I am changed!

And as I read this morning of Jesus’ gracious and precious blessing to this woman, I felt the embrace of His great love and grace.

“Truly I say to you, wherever this gospel is preached in the whole world, what this woman has done will be spoken of in memory of her.” Matthew 26:13

I continued reading down to the next verse and my heart was suddenly chilled as darkness crept into the story.

“Then one of the twelve, named Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests and said, “What are you willing to give me to betray Him to you?” And they weighed out thirty pieces of silver to him. From then on he began looking for a good opportunity to betray Jesus.” Matthew 26:14-16

After such a powerful portrayal of love, sacrifice, and loyalty seen in the woman with the alabaster vial, what a great contrast Judas’ hatred, selfishness, and betrayal is towards Jesus.

Judas’ words sting my heart, “What are you willing to give me?”

Many times I have seen this in my own heart and in the lives of countless others with this selfish attitude towards God. “Ok, I’ll follow You, Jesus, but what will You give me?”

The first thing I see here is a condition. Contrast this with the woman with the alabaster vial; her love was completely unconditional. She gave Jesus her all without expecting anything. Judas wanted what he could get out of Jesus.

Which one was more satisfied in the end?

Remember the blessing Jesus gave to the woman? Wherever the gospel was preached her story whould be told!

What did Jesus say about Judas?

“…It would have been good for this man if he had not been born.” Matthew 26:24

Examine your heart in the light of these two people.

Which one are you?

One Minute For God

“There is no one who calls on Your name, who arouses himself to take hold of You; for You have hidden Your face from us and delivered us into the power of our iniquities.” Isaiah 64:7

A few days ago, my sister and I were strolling through our Christian bookstore (trying very hard not to spend too much money), when my eyes fell on a book about one minute prayers for women. As my mind wrapped around this book’s concept, my heart slowly felt a deep conviction. Is one minute really all the time we have for God?

Unfortunately, my conviction didn’t end there. I began to stumble upon more and more books on scheduling God in a few minutes of our day.

I want to clarify myself a little. I am not saying that we shouldn’t buy or read these books on ‘one minute prayers’ or ‘five minutes with God’ devotionals. I am only asking you and myself a serious question: is that really all the time we can give God out of our day?

I wonder what we would think if God suddenly said He could only spare ten minutes (and that’s being generous!) to fit you in, so we better make it quick. That would be terrible! We have confidence in Him that He will always at any moment be there for us and with us. Could our ever-present God say the same about us, His servants and very own children?

Think about what we are doing! We are holding up our tiny little wrist watches to God - the God who gave you this day, who allows your heart to beat, who saved us from eternal hell, who formed you in the womb, who created us for His glory and pleasure, who holds time in His hands - and saying we are just too busy and have too many important things planned in our day to spend precious time on earth with Him; pursuing Him with our time and energy, seeking to know Him more, and passionately living every hour for Him and not ourselves. (2 Cor. 5:14-15)

How His heart must break...

If we could just let go of our schedules and plans and desperately grab hold of our great God, the only One that will satisfy our deepest longings and desires, and slow us down enough to really learn and enjoy what life is all about.

Oh that we would live for Christ! And arouse ourselves and call on His blessed name, sitting at His feet in complete humility and adoration. What if we scheduled our days around HIM. How our lives would change…how the world would change.

Well, my friend, He has given us this day, this hour, this breath.

Let’s make time for Him.

You Are Our Potter

“Woe to the one who quarrels with his Maker - an earthenware vessel among the vessels of the earth! Will the clay say to the potter, ‘What are you doing’, or the thing you are making say, ‘He has no hands’?” Isaiah 45:9

Oh how I have been guilty of quarreling with my Maker! Countless times I have looked in the mirror and sighed of discontent, wishing I looked like someone else. My nose is bigger than so and so, and I don’t wear the same pants size as her. If I could only look just like her, then I would be perfect and happy. Why do I look this way? Who made my body that I have so many problems with?!

Oh…God did.

When I was reading the verse above, God allowed the scales to fall off my eyes and see my discontent for what it really was (and is). A quarrel with God Almighty.

Before, I thought I was just having a quarrel with myself, thinking it’s just my problem that I don’t like my knees, weight, ears, etc., but God showed me that when I detest the body He made, I am detesting Him as my Creator.

And my Creator began to teach me more.

1) I am made in the image of God. “God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.” Gen. 1:27 If I read this and look at myself and say that there’s no way God created this, I am believing a lie, and that will effect every part of my life. The first thing God tells us about Himself is that He is the Creator of all things, including you and me. If I don’t believe that, I can’t believe anything else He says.

2) I am God’s workmanship. “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.” Eph.2:10 Remembering that I am a work of art by God makes me careful about what I say about myself and others. Also, I should focus on what my hands are doing for God, not what they look like.

3) I am the clay, and God is the Potter. “But now, O Lord, You are our Father, we are the clay, and You are our potter; and all of us are the work of Your hands.” Isaiah 64:8 Clay can’t mold itself, it needs a potter. And God is our Potter. When He started with me I was just a clump of mud, but in His hands, He has formed me into a vessel, a vessel for Him to use. Will I let Him use me or just complain about the outside of the jar?

One thing God has reminded me: I am a temple of the Holy Spirit and am not my own. (1Cor.6:19-20) I was bought with a price and my purpose is to glorify God in my body.

And what really matters? What the temple looks like or what is on the inside? So many times I am guilty of focusing on the outside of my body rather than the inside - the heart which God sees. Jesus’s words echo in my mind, “They are like white washed tombs, which on the outside appear beautiful, but inside they are full of dead men’s bones and all uncleanness” (Matt. 23:25-28)

Psalms 100:3 “Know that the Lord Himself is God; it is He who made us, and not we ourselves; we are His people and the sheep of His pasture.”